New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Friday 24 October 2025
This Friday sitting of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly opened with Members' Statements in which government members celebrated new family health teams and the free RSV vaccine while opposition members criticized the Holt government's throne speech as delaying promised programs. The remainder of the sitting, along with an introduced change to UNB's governance structure, was devoted entirely to the debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne. Green Party members critiqued the throne speech for lacking transformative action on climate, health care, forestry and other areas, while government ministers—including the Minister of Health and the Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation—defended their records on health care and housing commitments. Additional contributions included maiden speeches from newly elected members and extended opposition critiques covering education, long-term care, debt, NB Power, affordability, crime and addiction, with government members like Mr. Doucet defending throne speech priorities such as an independent Chief Medical Officer and a proposed mental health advocate.
Members' Statements
Opening of the Maison des arts de Belle-Baie
Unknown
A member celebrated the opening of the Maison des arts de Belle-Baie as a cultural centre reflecting cooperation, creativity and pride, congratulating the team on the accomplishment.
Throne speech as 'postponement in motion'
Ms. M. Wilson
Wilson argued a more accurate title for the throne speech would be 'postponement in motion,' citing delays to lung cancer screening, a mental health advocate, the school lunch program, homelessness targets, the gas tax, and an indefinitely postponed balanced budget.
$10-a-day childcare promise
Ms. Mitton
Mitton said many New Brunswick parents feel let down that the promised universal $10-a-day childcare has not been delivered, unlike in several other provinces, despite the Liberal platform and 2024 throne speech commitments.
Nordin Family Health Team in Miramichi
Mr. Johnston
Johnston highlighted the formation of the Nordin Family Health Team, supported by $1.59 million, which lets two physicians and other professionals serve an additional 1,000 patients as part of the commitment to 30 collaborative family health teams.
Criticism of government decision-making
Mr. Monahan
Monahan criticized the Premier's claim of speeding up decision-making, arguing that poor decisions remain poor whether made quickly or in a bigger hurry, and calling for better decisions made in a timely fashion.
Tantramar Family Health Team in Sackville
Ms. Vautour
Vautour celebrated the Tantramar family health team welcoming 1,000 new patients in 2025, noting it has grown to include a dietician, pharmacist, social worker, respiratory therapist and second nurse practitioner, part of a plan for 30 community health clinics.
Criticism of 'trusted leadership' priority
Mr. Ames
Ames mocked the government's 'trusted leadership' priority, criticizing New Brunswick Day and breakfast program events held near a by-election riding and spending on airfare and hotels for trips returning empty-handed.
Free RSV vaccine
Mr. J. LeBlanc
LeBlanc touted the government delivering on its promise to provide the free RSV vaccine to seniors 75+ and those 65+ in residential or long-term care facilities.
Broken trust with seniors
Ms. M. Johnson
Johnson said the government broke trust with seniors by abandoning the increased comfort allowance and delaying the seniors' advocate, suggesting the 'trusted government' priority be renamed 'broken trust in government.'
Chief Medical Officer of Health independence bill
Mr. Robichaud
Robichaud noted a bill tabled to strengthen the independence of the Chief Medical Officer of Health so public health decisions are guided by science and evidence rather than politics, ensuring transparency and integrity.
Vanishing Cabinet
Mr. Lee
Lee began a statement expressing astonishment at the Premier's ability to make things vanish, including her Cabinet.
Orders of the Day
UNB governance structure changes
Unknown
A member described a bill making changes to UNB's administrative leadership structure and titles, including a single senior academic officer to support a provost model, a non-academic administrator, a new vice-president of development, faculty council and senate changes reflecting truth and reconciliation, and gender-neutral language.
Resumption of throne speech reply debate
Madam Speaker
At 11:30 a.m., pursuant to the Orders of the Day, the House resumed the adjourned debate on the motion for an address in reply to the speech from the throne, with Mr. Coon resuming.
Throne speech reply — Green Party critique
Mr. Coon
Coon criticized the throne speech 'Change in Motion' as smoke and mirrors lacking real action, urging bolder work with First Nations on land, resources and co-management, and citing delays to the long-term care Act, nursing home care hours, a mental health advocate, and lung cancer screening.
Throne speech reply — climate and energy
Mr. Coon
Coon condemned continued glyphosate spraying, monocultures and the government's embrace of the Tories' energy policy including a 500 MW fossil gas and diesel plant, warning it could add a million tonnes of emissions, and advocated wind power with storage, heat pump conversions and a national grid with Prime Minister Carney; he also warned of rising anti-immigrant sentiment and eroding public trust.
Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne — Green member critique
Unknown
A Green member criticized the throne speech for lacking wind, solar, and building-retrofit strategies, arguing the energy efficiency program is too slow (retrofits not complete until 2053), and condemned excessive clear-cutting, glyphosate spraying, and J.D. Irving's influence over forest management. He called for ecosystem-based forestry, co-management of Crown lands with First Nations, resolution of Aboriginal title, decentralized hospital management, expanded public and rail transportation, support for woodlot owners, farmers and fishers, and warned against scapegoating of vulnerable groups.
Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne — Hon. Mr. Dornan response
Hon. Mr. Dornan
The Minister thanked the Lieutenant-Governor and Premier, acknowledged unceded First Nations territories, and defended the throne speech's vision of action, accountability and compassion. He emphasized health care as the government's number one priority, described the new provincial health plan with six priority areas, and noted the goal of increasing access to a primary care provider from 77% to 81% by 2026.
Throne speech debate: Health care
The Minister of Health
The minister outlined health care progress including seven new family health teams, a target of 81% primary care access by 2026, the recently signed nurses' agreement, expanded training seats, the Symbio digital health system, MyHealthNB usage, addictions/mental health investments including a 50-bed therapeutic facility and Moncton mental health court, seniors' care through Nursing Home Without Walls, an upcoming Alzheimer's/dementia strategy, and bilateral work with First Nations.
Throne speech debate: Maiden speech for Miramichi West
Mr. Russell
The newly-elected member for Miramichi West gave his maiden speech, thanking supporters and campaign team, paying tribute to Brent Tozer who died on election day, praising firefighters, celebrating local community and sports achievements including the Miramichi Valley Pulamoo baseball champions, honouring David Adams Richards, and pledging to advocate on constituents' concerns around affordability, health, education, conservation and food security.
Throne speech debate: Housing and affordability
Hon. Mr. Hickey
The minister thanked Saint John Harbour constituents, acknowledged the passing of former member Sheldon Lee, and detailed housing targets: 30,000 new homes (6,000 starts/year, with 5,400 starts recently), removal of the 15% HST on new multi-unit construction, a goal of 1,760 affordable units, and the Affordable Rental Housing Program providing per-unit contributions averaging $70,000 with rent subsidies.
Affordable Rental Housing Program and non-profit partnerships
Hon. Mr. Hickey
The Minister described contributions to housing co-operatives (averaging about $70,000 per unit with perpetual rent subsidies) and emphasized partnering with non-profits, land trusts, and organizations like CMHC. He cited a $2 million project on Cliffe Street in Fredericton with the John Howard Society, including $785,000 in capital and $1.18 million in rental subsidies over 20 years.
Public housing construction across New Brunswick
Hon. Mr. Hickey
He reported the NB Housing Corporation is building deeply affordable public housing for the first time in over three decades, with over 320 units under construction toward a target of 573, and listed openings including complexes in Fredericton, Moncton, Miramichi, Edmundston, Bathurst, and Clair, totalling 13 new buildings and 152 new units during the mandate.
Community housing target and modular housing sector
Hon. Mr. Hickey
The Minister set out the goal of growing community housing stock from about 3.5% to 20% of the market and highlighted New Brunswick's five leading modular housing manufacturers (Kent Homes, Prestige, Supreme, Ironwood, Maple Leaf) as key partners in delivering public housing faster.
Reducing chronic homelessness and ministerial task force
Hon. Mr. Hickey
He described a 210% rise in homelessness over six years and cited current homeless figures for Saint John (420), Moncton (757), and Fredericton (322). He announced a ministerial task force on homelessness spanning multiple departments, a $7.4 million investment in community organizations, and a target of reducing chronic homelessness by 40% to 621 by 2028.
Homelessness prevention: rent cap and direct-to-tenant benefit
Hon. Mr. Hickey
The Minister described February legislation creating a permanent rent cap to give tenants predictability, and credited the previous government for launching the direct-to-tenant benefit while criticizing it as too late. He noted $21.1 million in additional funding supporting nearly 2,500 more families, with pilots targeting people with disabilities and youth.
Review of the Residential Tenancies Act and homelessness strategy
Hon. Mr. Hickey
He reported concluding fall consultations on the archaic Residential Tenancies Act involving non-profits, tenants, operators, developers, and academics, and committed to releasing a region-specific homelessness strategy by year's end, informed by the task force and an advisory board.
Summary of housing commitments and remarks on respect and media
Hon. Mr. Hickey
The Minister recapped his three commitments (30,000 new homes, 1,760 affordable units, 40% reduction in chronic homelessness), praised his caucus and staff, and responded to prior criticism by accusing the opposition of hypocrisy over respect in the Legislature and treatment of the media.
Tribute to constituents and staff
Mr. Monahan
Monahan expressed gratitude to the people of Arcadia-Butternut Valley-Maple Hills, thanked his spouse Tina and constituency assistant Shelley Vail, and described his commitment to serving with honesty, diligence, and compassion.
Critique of Holt government and education reform
Mr. Monahan
Monahan argued the Holt government is failing after a year in power, citing broken promises and criticizing education cuts to librarians, support staff, and program specialists, the four-day school week pilot in 37 Anglophone schools, and the lack of evidence-based decision-making and consultation.
Seniors and long-term care wait-lists
Mr. Monahan
Monahan described long-term care wait-lists as a ticking time bomb, noting a thousand seniors waiting for nursing home beds and hundreds waiting in hospitals, and criticized government inaction.
Provincial debt and borrowing
Mr. Monahan
Monahan criticized the government's plan to borrow $668.7 million this year, contrasting it with debt reductions under the Gallant and Higgs governments, and warned each New Brunswicker would pay $785 in interest this year alone.
NB Power finances and credit rating
Mr. Monahan
Monahan raised concern over NB Power's $5.7-billion debt, a Moody's warning, the scrapping of the 80-20 debt-equity target, and upcoming power rate increases of 4.75% on top of prior hikes totalling 24%.
Economy, unemployment, and payday loans
Mr. Monahan
Monahan cited a rising unemployment rate of 7.7%, the loss of 6,500 jobs, and a surge in payday loan borrowing from $5.4 million in 2020 to over $20 million in 2024, arguing affordability has worsened under the government.
Energy planning
Mr. Monahan
Monahan argued the government failed to plan the province's energy future, pointing to reliance on studies over action, a billion-dollar gas and diesel station near Sackville, and major renovation costs for Mactaquac, Point Lepreau, and Belledune.
Crime and addiction
Mr. Monahan
Monahan detailed crime statistics, drug and firearm seizures in Moncton and Saint John, and concerns about open drug use and safety, criticizing delays to the Addictions and Mental Health Court in Moncton as too little, too late.
Throne Speech debate - opposition critique on addiction, housing and government record
Unknown (Opposition Member)
An opposition member argued New Brunswick needs a comprehensive province-wide crime and addiction strategy with more treatment beds and prevention, criticized youth inactivity and substance use statistics, and attacked the government's affordable housing plan (1,760 units by 2029) as inadequate against a 13,000-household waitlist, calling for vacancy control, inclusionary zoning and cooperative housing, and demanding urgent action.
Throne Speech debate - Mr. Doucet's reply
Mr. Doucet
Mr. Doucet (Moncton East) gave his first throne speech reply, reflecting on his year representing constituents and constituency casework, and praised government legislative intentions including a bill to strengthen the independence of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, new physiotherapy and medical training seats at Université de Moncton and the NB medical training centre, and a forthcoming bill to create a mental health advocate position.
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.