New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Thursday 15 May 2025
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the House opened with introductions of guests, including young Oromocto hockey players and legislative interns, followed by statements of condolence and congratulation. Members' statements addressed nurse redeployment disputes, a potential conflict of interest for the Environment Minister, artist status legislation, and cost-of-living relief, while opposition members criticized the Holt government's cuts to Health, Education and Social Development and government members highlighted community engagement and the Water Quality Data Portal, amid points of order over unparliamentary language and seating. The House recognized Moose Hide Campaign Day, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, and the opening of provincial parks season, and welcomed Darwin Hartt. Business concluded with the tabling of a petition on health care access for the unhoused, committee reports, notice of sitting hours, an adjournment motion carried to May 27, and the start of debate on an amended Motion 7 concerning agricultural solid waste (silage).
Members' Statements
Misinformation versus disinformation on nurses
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver criticized the Premier and Health Minister for contradictory claims about nurse job changes, arguing that only the Opposition Leader has consistently shared nurses' lived experiences.
Lorneville land development and Environment Minister conflict of interest
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon raised concerns that the Minister of Environment, who initiated an environmental impact assessment for Regional Development Corporation land in Lorneville, is also the Minister responsible for that Corporation, creating an unintended conflict of interest that must be publicly addressed.
Support for Bill 35 recognizing artist status
Mr. Doucet
Mr. Doucet expressed support for the Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister's bill recognizing the status of the artist, recognizing longtime advocate Philippe Beaulieu of Moncton East and new association president Jean-Philippe Raîche.
Denial over nurse redeployments
Ms. Conroy
Ms. Conroy accused the Premier and Health Minister of denial over ordered nurse job changes, describing a pattern of contradictory statements and pledging the opposition's continued support for nurses.
Cost of living and electricity rebate
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc highlighted the government's automatic 10% electricity rebate applied since January 1 and noted a comprehensive review of NB Power aimed at providing low and stable power rates.
Government affordability measures and NB Power review
Unknown
A government member touted a 10% power bill rebate and a comprehensive review of NB Power aimed at keeping power rates low and stable and making life more affordable.
Criticism of government cuts in Health, Education and Social Development
Mr. Hogan
Hogan sarcastically complimented the Premier's convictions while criticizing her for standing by cuts to librarians and library workers, the treatment of nurses, and a $47-million cut to child welfare.
Government presence in communities
Ms. Vautour
Vautour said ministers and members being present in communities strengthens democracy, and thanked Cabinet for being accessible and truly changing things despite busy schedules.
Chaos and confusion in largest departments
Mr. Lee
Lee argued that whatever words are used—cuts, redirection, redeployment—the government's reckless actions have caused chaos and confusion in Health, Education and Social Development, awaiting the Child and Youth Advocate's report on the child welfare cut.
New Brunswick Water Quality Data Portal
Mr. Robichaud
Robichaud highlighted the updated Water Quality Data Portal, a public tool with data on nearly 2,500 lakes and 60,000 km of waterways, commending the department and inviting New Brunswickers to use it.
Premier's use of language
Mr. Cullins
Cullins criticized the Premier for allegedly redefining words like 'cut' and 'redeploy' and using 'fearmongering,' suggesting the Opposition Leader speaks the truth while the Premier says neither what she means nor does what she says.
Point of order on unparliamentary language
Multiple
M. LeBlanc raised a point of order asking Cullins to retract remarks questioning the Premier's honesty; Savoie argued the statement was valid, and the Speaker ruled members were 'skating on thin ice' and asked them not to question the honesty of fellow members.
Welcome to Darwin Hartt
Multiple
M. Coon and Hon. Mr. Randall welcomed Darwin Hartt to the House, with Coon thanking him for years of volunteer work on his campaigns and Randall welcoming his constituent.
Routine Proceedings
Introduction of guests — Oromocto hockey players and their fathers
Ms. M. Wilson
Ms. Wilson welcomed 12-year-old Ryan Evans and 13-year-old Bastien Houle of Oromocto, teammates who stood with Canada's men's national team during the 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston, along with their fathers Donald Evans and Francis Houle, both Canadian Armed Forces members.
Welcome to hockey players and thanks to military fathers
Hon. Mr. D'Amours
As Minister responsible for Military Affairs, Mr. D'Amours echoed the welcome to the two hockey players and thanked their fathers for their service to the country.
Introduction of legislative interns
Madam Speaker
The Speaker introduced this year's New Brunswick legislative interns, Ève Lynn Smollett and Simon Thériault, both fourth-year political science students at the Université de Moncton, and thanked them for their work since January.
Condolence for Ron Jordan
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver paid tribute to Ron Jordan of Long Reach on the Kingston Peninsula, a longtime diver with Irving and owner of Alpha Diving and Jordive, who passed away April 16, 2025.
Congratulation for hockey player Liam Kilfoil
Hon. Mr. Kennedy
Mr. Kennedy congratulated Quispamsis native Liam Kilfoil, who won the world under-18 men's hockey championship with Team Canada and plays for the Halifax Mooseheads, ahead of the NHL entry draft.
Congratulation for Rebecca Hetherington / Designs 4 K9's
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Ms. Scott-Wallace congratulated Rebecca Hetherington of Designs 4 K9's in Sussex for launching Paw Prints of Kindness, a pay-it-forward program making pet grooming accessible regardless of financial situation.
Lieutenant-Governor's Award for Excellence in Land Conservation
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon congratulated award recipients Walter Emrich of the Nature Trust and the New Brunswick Museum's Natural History Department (Don McAlpine, Stephen Clayden, and Randy Miller) for their conservation work.
Congratulation for chefs at Canadian Culinary Championship
Ms. Vautour
Ms. Vautour congratulated Chef Jordan Holden and Sous Chef Jill Clark of Atelier Tony for securing second place at the Canadian Culinary Championship.
Recognition of Riverview businesses
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir celebrated Riverview's top local businesses and award winners recognized by community vote for service, retail, food, and longevity.
Congratulation for L'Arche Saint John Creative Connections artists
Ms. Wilcott
Ms. Wilcott congratulated the community artists of L'Arche Saint John's Creative Connections for their exhibit at the Saint John Arts Centre exploring the theme of welcome.
Congratulation for Hospice of Sussex Mobility+
Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan commended Hospice of Sussex on the official launch of Mobility+ at its new location, expanding compassionate community-based care for those with chronic and life-limiting illnesses including dementia.
Congratulation for École Marie-Esther students
Mr. Mallet
Mr. Mallet congratulated Audrey Lagacé, Guillaume Doiron, and Gabriel Downing of École Marie-Esther in Shippagan for winning first place in WorkSafeNB's Focus on Safety video competition on fishing safety.
Petition 11 – health care access for the unhoused
M. Coon
Coon tabled a petition signed by about 25 New Brunswickers calling on the Minister of Health to develop and implement a framework, with community input, to help the unhoused population navigate the health care system and its bureaucratic processes.
Committee Report – Standing Committee on Economic Policy
Ms. Vautour
Ms. Vautour presented the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Economic Policy, reporting Bills 9, 15, and 16 as agreed to; the motion to concur was carried.
Notice of Motion 33 – additional evening sitting hours
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc gave notice of Motion 33 for May 28, seconded by Mr. Doucet, to allow the House to sit Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to midnight for the duration of the session.
Notice of Opposition Members' Business
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver announced the official opposition would bring forward amended Motion 7 on silage, Motion 15 on suicide prevention in schools, and amended Motion 17 on incentives for medical students emphasizing rural health care.
Notice to debate Bill 19
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton gave notice that they would debate Bill 19, An Act Respecting the Right to a Healthy Environment.
Government motion – adjournment schedule
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Mr. M. LeBlanc, seconded by Hon. Ms. Holt, moved that when the Assembly adjourns on May 16, 2025, it stand adjourned until May 27, 2025; the motion was carried.
Orders of the Day
Debate on Amended Motion 7 – agricultural solid waste
Madam Speaker
The House resumed debate on a proposed amendment to Motion 7, which would revise the resolution to have the government continue working with municipalities, Regional Services Commissions, the Agricultural Alliance, Circular Materials, Plaex and other stakeholders on managing agricultural solid waste.
Other business
Moose Hide Campaign Day
Minister of Indigenous Affairs
The minister marked Moose Hide Campaign Day, a movement against violence toward women and children, and outlined the government's commitment to addressing violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited and gender-diverse individuals.
Response to Moose Hide Campaign statement
Ms. Conroy
Conroy supported the Moose Hide Campaign, describing the pin as a movement rooted in love, healing and accountability, and thanked the minister.
Response to Moose Hide Campaign statement
Mr. Coon
Coon thanked the minister and shared the campaign's origin story, founded by Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven along the Highway of Tears.
Opening of provincial parks season
Hon. Ms. Thériault
The minister announced the provincial park season begins May 16, highlighting park experiences and a new 25% discount on daily and seasonal entry passes for residents.
Response on provincial parks and immigration concerns
Ms. M. Wilson
Wilson praised provincial parks and local beaches, and urged the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs to address the federal 50% cut to New Brunswick's economic immigrant allocation harming local small businesses and restaurants.
Response on provincial parks and public transportation
Ms. Mitton
Mitton called for creating more parks and appointing a minister responsible for public transportation to help people, especially those without cars, access provincial parks and support ecotourism.
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Hon. Ms. Boudreau
The Minister responsible for Women's Equality marked May 17, committing to make the invisible visible, amplify 2SLGBTQIA+ voices and build a province free from prejudice and discrimination.
Response to IDAHOTB statement
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Scott-Wallace thanked the minister, noting young people's struggles amplified by social media, and stressed all people, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, need to feel safe, supported and respected.
Response to IDAHOTB statement
Ms. Mitton
Mitton warned of backlash against 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, citing hateful rhetoric from the United States and the denial of trans existence, and called for stronger protections and access to health care in New Brunswick.
Point of order on speaking from another desk
Multiple
Arseneault raised a point of order objecting to Ms. M. Wilson speaking from a seat other than her own, comparing it to musical chairs; Savoie defended her introducing a guest, and the Speaker ruled a member must request from their own desk, then granted permission and unanimous consent to revert to Introduction of Guests.
Introduction of guest Darwin Hartt
Ms. M. Wilson
Wilson welcomed Darwin Hartt, her former French and phys ed teacher at Geary school, sharing memories of him and his family teaching her.
Additional welcomes for Darwin Hartt
Multiple
Hon. Mr. Kennedy also welcomed Hartt, who taught him at Oromocto High School, and Mr. Coon welcomed Hartt as a longtime campaign volunteer, sharing a story of Hartt rescuing them from the heat while door-knocking.
Introduction of Legislative Library researchers
Mr. Savoie
Savoie congratulated Simon Thériault and Ève Lynn Smollett, researchers at the Legislative Library, on passing their exams and receiving their degrees as they pursue their masters.
This is Tabled's summary of the sitting, written from the official record; Hansard is only ever quoted at the link above. Search New Brunswick Hansard for the words themselves, or read this sitting in the archive.