New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Friday 30 May 2025
On Friday, May 30, 2025, the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly opened with introductions of guests, statements of condolence and congratulation—including tribute to the late artist Claude Roussel—and members' statements addressing paramedic shortages, the Chignecto Isthmus flood risk, the AIM operation in Moncton East, education investments, tourism, firefighter compensation, and criticism of the government's financial record. During Routine Proceedings, members gave notices of motion on non-disclosure agreements, prehospital thrombolytics by paramedics, and a pharmacy engagement pilot project (the latter withdrawn as a duplicate). The Government House Leader then set out the order of business for second reading of several bills and committee consideration.
Members' Statements
Paramedic shortage at Ambulance New Brunswick
Mr. Hogan
Hogan stated that Ambulance New Brunswick is short 200 paramedics and criticized the Holt government and Health Minister for lacking a plan to address the critical shortage.
Chignecto Isthmus flood risk in Tantramar
Ms. Mitton
Mitton described the flooding risk to the Tantramar Marshes and dikes amid an above-average hurricane season and urged the government to commit to regular public updates on the Chignecto Isthmus project.
AIM operation on Toombs Street in Moncton East
Mr. Doucet
Doucet raised over 150 written complaints from Moncton East residents about the AIM operation on Toombs Street and called on all levels of government to find a long-term solution, citing past major fires at the company's other sites.
Government's financial record
Ms. M. Johnson
Johnson criticized the Liberal government's financial record—citing a $1-billion platform error, a broken balanced-budget promise, a deficit, pension changes, and removal of NB Power's debt target—and contrasted it with former Finance Minister Ernie Steeves.
Criticism of Finance Minister and budget
Unknown
A member praised past finance ministers for balanced budgets, debt repayment and improved credit rating, contrasting this with the current minister and calling for the return of Ernie Steeves.
New K-12 school in Shediac and school upgrades
Mr. J. LeBlanc
LeBlanc recognized a $105-million investment for a new K-12 school in Shediac accommodating up to 930 students, replacing Shediac Cape School, and highlighted midlife upgrades to Polyvalente Louis-J.-Robichaud.
Criticism of the Premier and budget cuts
Mr. Oliver
Oliver compared watching the Premier to flipping between a Trump news conference and the Oprah Winfrey Show, criticizing widespread cuts to education, health care, child welfare, food banks, tourism and other services.
Passage of Bill 13 on firefighter compensation
Ms. Vautour
Vautour proudly highlighted the passing of Bill 13, updating the Firefighters' Compensation Act and Workers' Compensation Act, welcomed especially in her riding's volunteer fire department in Memramcook, and thanked the minister and members.
Criticism of Holt government on education cuts negotiations
Mr. Austin
Austin argued that the Holt government's claim it always intended to negotiate with school districts over budget cuts is contradicted by the fact negotiation was never mentioned until the cuts became public, citing the Education Minister's May 8 statement.
Sugarloaf Provincial Park and tourism season
Mr. Arseneault
Arseneault marked the start of the tourism season, promoting Sugarloaf Provincial Park in Campbellton for its mountain biking trails, Adrenaline Festival and family-friendly facilities.
Criticism of Holt government failures
Mr. Cullins
Cullins listed alleged failures of the Holt government including broken promises, failure to take responsibility, failure to protect vulnerable New Brunswickers, and failure to secure HST holiday funds from Ottawa.
Routine Proceedings
Introduction of guest – Serge Cormier
Hon. Ms. Thériault
Minister Thériault welcomed her partner Serge Cormier, MP for Acadie–Bathurst, recounting his political career and expressing personal appreciation for their family.
Introduction of guest – Elijah Wilcott
Ms. Wilcott
Ms. Wilcott welcomed her son Elijah Wilcott, a Fleming College student interning at the New Brunswick Museum, to the gallery.
Tribute to Claude Roussel
Hon. Mr. D'Amours
D'Amours paid tribute to the late Claude Roussel, a pioneering Canadian modern artist and founder of the Université de Moncton's visual arts department and art gallery, and offered condolences on behalf of all members.
Condolence for Stephen Gauthier
Mr. Austin
Austin remembered Stephen Gauthier of Minto, former owner of the Save-Easy and Knights of Columbus member, listing his surviving family and asking members to honour his memory.
Condolence for Marion Winnifred Oram
Ms. Wilcott
Wilcott extended condolences to the family of Marion Winnifred Oram, a nurse, volunteer, and Toastmasters champion who died at age 95.
Condolence for Guilmont Mallet
Mr. Mallet
Mallet marked the sudden passing of Guilmont Mallet, a 72-year-old fisher from Savoy Landing, and listed his surviving and predeceased family members.
Congratulations to École L'Odyssée harmony and jazz ensemble
Mr. Doucet
Doucet recognized the École L'Odyssée harmony and jazz ensemble for winning multiple awards at the WorldStrides Vancouver Heritage Festival, including an invitation to Carnegie Hall in 2026.
Congratulations to Acciona and Saint John clean drinking water project
Mr. Savoie
Savoie congratulated Acciona on the award-winning $217-million Saint John safe clean drinking water project, describing it as the largest municipal infrastructure project in the province's history.
Congratulations to Fredericton Community Kitchens
Mr. Coon
Coon celebrated the second annual Fredericton Community Kitchens gala, which raised $27,000, and honoured volunteers Peter and Cheryl Jacobs and Executive Director Cassandra LeBlanc.
Congratulations to Street Team Sussex
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Scott-Wallace congratulated Street Team Sussex, a volunteer-led initiative in partnership with the Kings Regional Service Commission that provides meals and supplies to unhoused citizens.
Congratulations to Tantramar Regional High School graduating class of 2025
Ms. Mitton
Mitton congratulated the 2025 graduating class of Tantramar Regional High School for their academic accomplishments, perseverance, and community involvement.
Congratulations to Riverview volunteers
Mr. Weir
Weir paid tribute to Riverview's volunteers at the Recognizing Riverview Gala, honouring Volunteer of the Year recipients and thanking all volunteers.
Reversion to Introduction of Guests – Keswick Ridge School
Mr. Ames
After unanimous consent to revert, Ames welcomed Grade 6, 7, and 8 students and teachers from Keswick Ridge School in Carleton-York to the gallery.
Notice of Motion 39 - Non-disclosure agreements
Ms. Mitton
Mitton gave notice of Motion 39, seconded by Mr. Coon, urging the government to enact legislation prohibiting the use of NDAs that conceal details and evidence of harassment, discrimination and other misconduct.
Notice of Motion 40 - Prehospital thrombolytics
Ms. Conroy
Conroy gave notice of Motion 40, seconded by Mr. Austin, urging the government to make policy changes allowing Advanced Care Paramedics to administer thrombolytics.
Notice of motion - Pharmacy engagement pilot project
Mr. Hogan
Hogan gave notice of a resolution seconded by the member for Sussex-Three Rivers urging reinstatement and expansion of the pharmacy engagement pilot project; the Speaker noted it appeared identical to a motion already presented for May 8, and Hogan agreed to withdraw it pending confirmation.
Government ordering of business
Hon. Mr. McKee
McKee stated the government's intention for the House to begin with second reading of Bills 4, 22, 24, 28 and 30, with bills referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy, and that the House would adjourn by 12 p.m. for the committee to consider several other bills.
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.