New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Wednesday 29 October 2025
During this sitting of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Members delivered statements on local infrastructure, health care, seniors programs, and criticism of the Holt government, and ministers made statements on First Nations health, a mineral strategy framework, and Mount Allison University's ranking. Routine proceedings included a point of order on decorum, a petition on de-amalgamation, and the Opposition's notice of Members' Business for October 30, and debate on the Speech from the Throne resumed before being adjourned. The House then moved to second reading and debated several government bills: Bill 7 (Early Childhood Services Act), Bill 8 (Order of New Brunswick Act), Bill 9 (Emergency 911 Act), and Bill 13 (Wills Act), all of which received second reading amid opposition questions and conditional support. The House adjourned for the Standing Committee on Economic Policy.
Members' Statements
Miramichi bridges
Mr. Russell
Russell raised questions about the Miramichi bridges, asking whether the new Anderson Bridge will open Friday as promised, whether a sidewalk will return to the Centennial Bridge, and whether the old Anderson Bridge could be repurposed for recreation with support from ATV and snowmobile groups.
Accreditation of internationally trained physicians
Mr. Coon
Coon noted that 4 out of 10 people in his riding lack a family doctor or nurse practitioner, and cited a physician who was not accepted into the practice-ready assessment program, criticizing that only 5 (recently increased to 10) internationally trained doctors are admitted per year out of 140-160 candidates.
Five-year health plan
Ms. Wilcott
Wilcott praised the government's five-year health plan unveiled in Saint John, outlining goals including better primary care access, addressing worker shortages, improving working conditions, faster surgeries, culturally appropriate care, and digital tools.
Withdrawal from notwithstanding clause lawsuit
Mr. Oliver
Oliver criticized the government for quietly withdrawing from the notwithstanding clause lawsuit in August, questioning the Premier's claim of being the most transparent and accountable Premier in New Brunswick history.
Nursing Home Without Walls program
Mr. Mallet
Mallet recognized the government's expansion of the Nursing Home Without Walls program by six facilities since April, highlighting its origins in Lamèque and its role in helping seniors live at home.
Premier's unfulfilled campaign promises
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Scott-Wallace cited a Telegraph-Journal analysis of the Premier's first year, pointing to unfulfilled 'immediate' promises including the budget balance backflip, aborted nurse job changes, and failure to establish a mental health advocate's office.
MyHealthNB digital tools
Mr. M. LeBlanc
LeBlanc highlighted enhancements to MyHealthNB allowing users to see average emergency department stays and median surgical wait times by specialty and facility, emphasizing transparency in health care.
Carbon adjustor promise
Mr. Cullins
Cullins criticized the Premier for failing to listen, research, and execute on the promise to immediately remove the cost of carbon adjustor, warning that its removal would put rural gas stations out of business.
Nursing Home Without Walls in Acadian Peninsula
Mr. Robichaud
Robichaud highlighted two new Nursing Home Without Walls initiatives at Villa St-Isidore and Villa Saint-Joseph in Tracadie, noting the province now has 30 sites with a goal of 40 by 2026.
Premier and federal relations with Mark Carney
Ms. S. Wilson
Wilson used a Caddyshack analogy to criticize the Premier for allegedly getting nothing from Prime Minister Mark Carney, suggesting she may prefer travel and luxury hotels over advocating for New Brunswickers.
Routine Proceedings
Point of order on House decorum
Ms. M. Johnson
Johnson raised a point of order asking the Speaker to direct members to address questions through the Speaker rather than to each other; the Speaker agreed, noting members must always address the Speaker in both questions and answers.
First Nations health forum
Hon. K. Chiasson
Chiasson delivered a ministerial statement on a September First Nations health forum held at Ugpi'ganjig under the theme Mawita'nen, marking a new relationship toward Indigenous self-determination in health, with commitment to regular bilateral health forums. Conroy and Coon responded, welcoming the step while urging Indigenous-led action, resources, and results.
Mineral strategy framework
Hon. Mr. Herron
Herron announced the release of the framework for a comprehensive mineral strategy built on five pillars, emphasizing environmental stewardship and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Austin responded criticizing lack of tangible action and urging lifting the moratorium on natural gas, while Coon warned that streamlining permitting contradicts environmental commitments, citing the Sisson mine.
Mount Allison University ranking
Hon. Mr. D'Amours
D'Amours congratulated Mount Allison University for being named Canada's number one undergraduate university by Maclean's for 2026, the 26th time in 35 years. Cullins and Mitton joined in congratulations, with Mitton noting the university's strong ties to the Tantramar community.
Petition on de-amalgamation of Baisley Road
Madam Speaker
The Speaker introduced a petition on behalf of 218 constituents, including Baisley Road residents in Saint-Jacques, seeking to reverse the amalgamation of the road with the city of Edmundston, initiated by Jeannot Volpé.
Notice of Opposition Members' Business
Ms. M. Johnson
Announced the Opposition's intent to debate on Thursday, October 30, Motion 2 to increase the number of recovery centres, Motion 11 to strengthen oversight of recovery centres, and Motion 4 to look at wraparound services.
Government Motion for the Ordering of the Business of the House
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Outlined the day's business: adjourned throne speech debate until 2:30 p.m., then second reading of Bills 7, 8, 9, and 13, with the House adjourning at 4 p.m. to allow the Standing Committee on Economic Policy to study Bills 2, 4, and 6, and bills passing second reading referred to that committee.
Orders of the Day
Throne Speech Debate — Ms. Bockus (Saint Croix)
Ms. Bockus
Highlighted community events and attractions in her riding (St. Stephen, Saint Andrews, McAdam), then criticized the government over the deficit, cuts to child welfare and the Chimo mental health helpline, delayed seniors' allowance and school lunch program, education and tourism cuts, and homelessness; she stated she will not support the speech from the throne.
Throne Speech Debate — Mr. M. LeBlanc (Belle-Baie–Belledune)
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Spoke in support of the throne speech 'Change in motion,' thanking his wife and honouring his late grandmother and uncle, and touting government achievements in health care (collaborative clinics, Nursing Home Without Walls), affordability (10% electricity reduction, rent cap, HST removal on rental construction), and affordable housing; he moved adjournment of the debate on behalf of the Premier, which carried.
Second Reading of Bill 7 — An Act Respecting the Early Childhood Services Act
Hon. Ms. Johnson
Introduced Bill 7 at second reading, explaining it would allow lengthening the term of licences to operate early learning and childcare facilities, reduce administrative and regulatory burden on operators, streamline the renewal process, and enable the minister to approve pilot projects to support innovation.
Bill 7, An Act Respecting the Early Childhood Services Act — Minister's remarks
The Minister (Education and Early Childhood Development)
The minister explained the bill would allow ministerial approval of pilot projects and enable longer-term (up to three-year) risk-based licences for operators with at least three years of compliance history, reducing administrative burden while new or less-compliant operators keep annual permits and inspections. She cited investments including $200 million over five years and $7.24 million to add a fourth step to the ECE wage grid.
Bill 7 — Opposition debate (Mr. Lee)
Mr. Lee
Mr. Lee questioned the bill's process (a video pre-announced its passage before second reading and debate) and sought clarification on the metrics and criteria for eligibility, why compliant operators only 'could' be eligible, how licence term lengths are determined, criteria for pilot projects, inspection frequency, and definitions of 'facility' and 'premises'. He also criticized overregulation across three departments and asked that frontline providers be heard at committee.
Bill 7 — Opposition debate (Ms. Mitton)
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton supported addressing administrative burden but was curious about the approach and pledged committee questions on ensuring inspections and quality are maintained. She raised the daily administrative burden of paper records, the need for computer/data systems, and called for more accessible and affordable childcare, including the $10-per-day promise, francophone spaces, and rural spaces.
Bill 7 — Second Reading vote
Madam Speaker
The Speaker put the question and Bill 7, An Act Respecting the Early Childhood Services Act, was read a second time.
Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Order of New Brunswick Act — Minister's remarks
Hon. Mr. D'Amours
The minister introduced second reading of Bill 8, describing the Order of New Brunswick as the province's highest honour and proposing to increase annual nominations submitted to Executive Council from five to ten, along with governance amendments regarding university presidents' rotating council terms, members remaining in office until replaced, and removal for cause on the advisory council's recommendation.
Bill 8 — Opposition debate (Ms. M. Wilson)
Ms. M. Wilson
Ms. Wilson affirmed that no one questions the value of honouring exceptional New Brunswickers but said the bill deserves scrutiny of its text, timing, tone, and purpose. She summarized the three key changes: increasing recipients from 5 to 10 per year, rotating university presidents on the council, and clarifying governance including tenure and removal for cause.
Bill 8 - An Act to Amend the Order of New Brunswick Act (Second Reading debate)
Unknown (Opposition member)
An opposition member outlined the bill's three key changes—increasing recipients from 5 to 10, rotating university presidents on the council, and clarifying governance matters—but argued the bill was tone-deaf given affordability, housing, and health care crises, criticized the removal of fixed terms and vague 'for cause' removal provisions, and proposed alternatives like expanded outreach to increase genuine inclusivity.
Bill 8 - An Act to Amend the Order of New Brunswick Act (Second Reading debate)
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon applauded lifting the cap to 10 recipients, citing a long backlog of deserving nominees who fall off the list, but raised concern about eliminating the six-year term limit for government-appointed advisory council members, potentially making appointments lifelong, which combined with the 'for cause' removal power he found problematic; he said he would explore this in committee.
Bill 8 read a second time
The Speaker
Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Order of New Brunswick Act, was read a second time.
Bill 9 - An Act Respecting the Emergency 911 Act (Second Reading debate)
Hon. Mr. Gauvin
The minister introduced second reading of Bill 9, explaining the amendments would modernize the 911 system with a clear governance framework, standards and reporting, strengthened privacy and information sharing, and bring New Brunswick into Next-generation 9-1-1 allowing emergency requests by text, image, or other digital means.
Bill 9 - An Act Respecting the Emergency 911 Act (Second Reading debate)
Mr. Ames
Mr. Ames noted the bill did not appear to implement a platform commitment or respond to a crisis and that the opposition received no briefing, then flagged changes to definitions, a new 'secondary public safety answering point' concept, information disclosure provisions, and expanded regulatory powers, questioning whether the government was positioning to outsource the NB 911 service and stressing the need for safeguards on accountability, data security, and equitable service.
Bill 9 - An Act Respecting the Emergency 911 Act (Second Reading debate)
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon began his remarks by asking what problem the bill was trying to solve, saying the minister's speech was unclear beyond suggesting the current 911 system is overloaded.
Bill 9 – An Act Respecting the Emergency 911 Act (Second Reading)
Multiple
A member praised existing 911 and ambulance dispatch staff and questioned why the current system needs changes and secondary public safety answering points, saying key questions would be asked at committee. Mr. Austin, a former Minister of Public Safety, described the professionalism of 911 operators, raised questions about ministerial discretion, location technology, privacy, and modernization; the House then read Bill 9 a second time.
Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Wills Act (Second Reading)
Hon. Mr. McKee
The Attorney General introduced Bill 13 to modernize the Wills Act, including treating common-law partners like married spouses, lowering the will-making age to 16, adding flexibility for witness-beneficiary gifts, ending marriage's automatic revocation of a will, revoking gifts to separated partners, and removing outdated terms and presumptions. He encouraged New Brunswickers to make wills for peace of mind.
Bill 13 – Opposition response (Mr. Oliver)
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver commended the modernization but questioned prioritizing wills law during an affordability crisis, welcomed lowering the will-making age to 16 while warning about undue influence and the lack of safeguards, and noted the inconsistency of keeping the witnessing age at majority. He indicated support in principle and looked forward to committee scrutiny.
Bill 13 – Opposition response (Mr. Coon)
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon welcomed the needed modernization and appreciated the Attorney General's substantive speech, but requested that an estate lawyer or estate-law professor appear as a witness at committee to help identify potential unintended consequences before the bill proceeds.
Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Wills Act - Second Reading
Madam Speaker
The Speaker put the question and Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Wills Act, was read a second time.
Adjournment for Standing Committee on Economic Policy
Mr. M. LeBlanc
At four o'clock, Mr. LeBlanc proposed the adjournment of the House for the Standing Committee on Economic Policy; the House adjourned at 3:58 p.m.
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