New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Friday 16 May 2025
On Friday, May 16, 2025, the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly opened with statements of condolence, congratulation and members' statements—honouring a late veteran, a youth-in-care advocate, a centenarian, anniversaries, community programs and Loyalist Day—amid partisan exchanges over the Holt government's record, health, education and child welfare, and government promotions of nurse retention payments and provincial park pass discounts, with the Speaker announcing a parliamentary pollination beehive project. In Routine Proceedings, Mr. J. LeBlanc introduced Bill 36 (Osteopathy Act) for first reading, notices of motion were given on addiction treatment regulation and declaring domestic violence an epidemic, the government laid out its business plan, and six bills received third reading and passed. The House then debated second reading of Bill 25, An Act Respecting Subordinate Judicial Officials, which redesignates 'hearing officers' as 'adjudicators'—a change supported across parties but marked by points of order over an allegedly wide-ranging filibustering speech by Mr. Hogan—before it was read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy. Debate then began on Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act, described as an administrative bill reflecting Newfoundland and Labrador's withdrawal and a name change, before the House adjourned at noon.
Members' Statements
Criticism of Holt government record
Ms. S. Wilson
Wilson claimed many New Brunswickers feel 'voter's remorse' over the Holt government, citing broken promises on balanced budgets, education job losses, and reannounced health clinics.
Early literacy in schools
Mr. Coon
Coon raised concern that school district budget cuts will erode supports for teachers and library staff, urging early literacy assessments, intervention, and literacy coaches for K-2 teachers.
Nurse retention payments
Mr. Arseneault
Arseneault marked Nurses Week by highlighting the government's nurse retention payments, a $10,000 payment in December and a second $5,000 payment now being delivered.
Criticism of Holt government cuts
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Scott-Wallace criticized the Holt government for 'transformational change through lowered expectations,' citing cuts in Education, Finance, Health, and Social Development.
Provincial park pass discount
Mr. Mallet
Mallet announced a 25% discount on daily and seasonal passes to provincial parks managed by the department to encourage New Brunswickers to travel locally and boost regional tourism.
Criticism of Holt government cuts
Mr. Weir
Weir accused the Holt government of 'targeted cuts' to Public Health RNs, school librarians, child welfare, and the removal of the sidewalk on Miramichi's Centennial Bridge.
Provincial park pass discount
Ms. Sodhi
Sodhi highlighted the 25% discount on daily and seasonal passes to seven provincial parks as a step to support the health and well-being of New Brunswickers.
25% discount on provincial park passes
Mme Sodhi
Highlighted the government's initiative giving residents a 25% discount on daily and seasonal passes to seven provincial parks, framing it as a way to make parks more accessible and encourage healthy outdoor living.
Criticism of Holt government's answers during Question Period
Mr. Oliver
Concluded two weeks of questioning the Holt government on cuts to school library workers, child welfare funding, food bank funding and Public Health RN positions, arguing the government relied on prepared statements void of real answers rather than delivering promised transparency.
Cooperation on opposition day motions
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Praised the previous opposition day, noting three opposition motions received unanimous consent, and said the government continues to deliver results while the opposition opposes initiatives like tax reform and extended Canada Child Benefit eligibility.
Undisclosed cuts by the Holt government
Ms. Bockus
Argued that none of the government's cuts—to public health nurses, school librarians and $47 million from child welfare—were in its election platform, while the gas tax cut it did promise is not proceeding.
Routine Proceedings
Bill 36, Osteopathy Act — First Reading
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Moved first reading of Bill 36, which continues the Association of Osteopaths of New Brunswick as the College of Osteopaths of New Brunswick and maintains standards through governance and regulation of the profession.
Notice of Motion 34 — Regulation of private rehab centres and public detox/rehab investment
Ms. Mitton
Gave notice of a motion (seconded by Mr. Coon) urging the government to establish and enforce regulations for private rehab centres and to increase investment in public detox and rehab facilities to reduce waiting lists.
Notice of Motion 35 — Declaring domestic violence an epidemic
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Gave notice of a motion (seconded by Mr. Austin) urging the government to formally declare domestic violence an epidemic in New Brunswick and commit to coordinated, sustained efforts to prevent and respond to intimate partner violence.
Government business plan for the day
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Announced the government's intention to begin with third reading of Bills 7, 8, 9, 13, 15 and 16, then second reading of numerous bills to be referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy, with the House adjourning by noon to move into committee.
Orders of the Day
Third reading and passage of six bills
The Speaker
Bills 7 (Travel Nurses), 8 (Degree Granting Act), 9 (Judicature Act), 13 (Firefighters' and Workers' Compensation Acts), 15 (Highway Act) and 16 (Judicature Act) were read a third time and passed.
Second Reading of Bill 25, An Act Respecting Subordinate Judicial Officials — Minister's introduction
Hon. Mr. McKee
Introduced Bill 25, explaining that hearing officers reduce court delays by handling child/youth protection cases and that justices of the peace will handle bail hearings; the amendments rename 'hearing officer' as 'adjudicator,' 'chief hearing officer' as 'senior adjudicator,' and 'chief justice of the peace' as 'senior justice of the peace' for clarity and consistency.
Second Reading of Bill 25 — Opposition response
Mr. Weir
Supported the largely editorial bill but stressed the importance of debate and the need for public understanding of the justice system, criticized the lack of detailed briefing notes for opposition members, and raised questions about role confusion and the powers of the new 'adjudicators' to be pursued in committee.
Bill 25 - An Act Respecting Subordinate Judicial Officials (terminology change)
Unknown (Opposition member)
An opposition member urged the government to clearly state whether the redesignation from 'chief hearing officer' to 'senior adjudicator' is cosmetic or substantive, stressing that legislation must remain understandable to the public and that any change should not inadvertently expand powers; he did not oppose the bill but asked for a clear rationale in the record.
Bill 25 - Support for redesignating hearing officers as hearing adjudicators
Ms. Bockus
Ms. Bockus spoke in support of Bill 25, arguing the change eliminates the derogatory 'H.O.' acronym, honours the eight mostly female lawyers who handle child protection, intimate partner violence, small claims and family matters, enhances public trust, clarifies roles, and aligns with global standards.
Bill 25 - Commentary on terminology and legislative diligence
Mr. Hogan
Mr. Hogan noted the bill amends five Acts to replace 'hearing officer' with 'adjudicator,' emphasized that words matter and that the change should be given due consideration to avoid unintended consequences and repeated future amendments; he supported moving away from the inappropriate 'H.O.' acronym and stressed the importance of these roles in intimate partner violence and other sensitive cases.
Second Reading of Bill 25, An Act Respecting Subordinate Judicial Officials
Mr. Hogan
Mr. Hogan spoke at length on the bill's core change of renaming 'hearing officer' to 'adjudicator,' framing it through extended discussions of the balance of powers, the notwithstanding clause, Confederation history (P.E.I., Manitoba, Quebec, Alberta), trade agreements (CUSMA/WTO), and the administrative steps needed to update titles, personnel records and correspondence.
Points of order on relevance and decorum during Bill 25 debate
Multiple
Mr. M. LeBlanc and Hon. Mr. McKee raised points of order arguing Mr. Hogan's remarks strayed from the bill and constituted a filibuster wasting the House's time; Mr. Hogan defended his use of allotted time, and Madam Speaker reminded members to speak to the bill and to treat each other with respect, noting terms like 'weak minister' and 'despicable.'
Continued debate on Bill 25 — support with cost concerns
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver supported changing the title of the eight hearing officers to 'hearing adjudicator,' arguing 'H.O.' is dismissive and carries a gendered connotation, but warned that frequent departmental and title renames impose significant administrative costs on updating records, cards, signage and digital systems, while estimating the change for eight lawyers as relatively modest.
Bill 25 - An Act Respecting Subordinate Judicial Officials (Second Reading)
Multiple
An opposition member expressed approval of the bill, noting it brings respect to the position of the eight lawyers involved; the bill was read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy.
Bill 26 - An Act to Amend the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act (Second Reading)
Hon. Mr. Legacy
The minister introduced second reading, explaining that Newfoundland and Labrador withdrew from the commission in May 2024, so the amendments reflect its removal, change the name to the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission, reduce membership from eight to six and lower quorum from five to four. He characterized the bill as purely administrative.
Bill 26 - Debate speech by Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan
Monahan delivered a speech peppered with horse-racing metaphors, arguing that even seemingly minor amendments deserve careful scrutiny, questioning the minimal explanatory notes and lack of public consultation, and calling for expert testimony and transparent explanation of the bill's purpose and consultations.
Point of Order during Bill 26 debate
Mr. M. LeBlanc
LeBlanc raised a point of order alleging the speaker accused government of mistrust toward an organization; the Speaker said she did not hear it specifically but would review, and Monahan clarified there was no indication government was misleading the House.
Bill 26 - Debate speech by Ms. S. Wilson
Ms. S. Wilson
Wilson stressed the need for oversight, discussed the reduction of members from eight to six, urged maintaining diverse perspectives and clear selection criteria across the three Maritime Provinces, and called on government to engage stakeholders such as trainers, jockeys, breeders and track operators and to clarify economic impacts and strategic goals.
Point of Order during Ms. S. Wilson's speech
Mr. Oliver
Oliver raised a point of order objecting to constant interruptions from the government side, arguing that amending a bill opens the whole Act to scrutiny; the Speaker asked the member to be patient as only a few minutes remained.
Adjournment
Madam Speaker
At noon, per the Orders of the Day, the House adjourned; the Speaker wished members a good long weekend and a good week in their ridings.
Other business
Condolence for Earle Eastman
Ms. Bockus
Bockus paid tribute to the late Earle Eastman, a retired master warrant officer and St. Stephen councillor who served in multiple overseas conflicts and received numerous military honours, extending sympathy to his widow Charleen.
Recognition of Zoe Bourgeois
Hon. Ms. Holt
Premier Holt congratulated Hanwell-New Maryland resident Zoe Bourgeois, a youth-in-care advocate who received the 2025 Erminie Cohen Compassion Award and the King Charles III Coronation Medal and is incoming board chair of the National Council of Youth in Care Advocates.
Meaningful Connections Adult Day Centre
Ms. M. Wilson
Wilson recognized the Meaningful Connections Adult Day Centre in Oromocto for its specialized dementia programming and respite care supporting seniors and their families.
Asian Heritage Month
Mr. Coon
Coon congratulated the Asian Heritage Society of New Brunswick on its Asian Heritage Month festivities, including an upcoming concert and cultural gala in Fredericton.
70th Wedding Anniversary of Robert Purdue and Frances Short
Hon. Mr. Randall
Randall congratulated Robert Calvin Purdue and Frances Evelyn Short on their 70th wedding anniversary, married on May 21, 1955.
100th Birthday of Herb Brand
Mr. Weir
Weir honoured Herb Brand of Riverside-Albert on his upcoming 100th birthday, recounting his WWII service, career, and volunteer work recognized with the King Charles medal.
Port Elgin Farmer's Market Reopening
Ms. Mitton
Mitton congratulated the Port Elgin Farmer's Market on its grand reopening and highlighted local markets in her region.
Recognition of Moulay Akhloufi
Mr. Doucet
Doucet congratulated Université de Moncton computer science professor Moulay Akhloufi, a world-leading AI researcher ranked among the most cited scholars globally.
Loyalist Day / Charter Day
Ms. Wilcott
Wilcott marked May 18 as Loyalist Day/Charter Day, commemorating the arrival of United Empire Loyalists and Saint John's incorporation as Canada's oldest incorporated city, while acknowledging earlier residents along the Wolastoq River.
Parliamentary Pollination Project
Madam Speaker
The Speaker announced a parliamentary pollination project hosting two delegations of bees from the Minister of Health's hives on the Departmental Building roof, viewable virtually from the rotunda kiosk.
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.