New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Wednesday 5 November 2025
During this sitting of the New Brunswick Legislature, members delivered statements on topics including forestry, long-term care, Remembrance Day, tourism, school programs, library layoffs, homelessness, and the federal budget, alongside ministerial statements on family violence prevention, water conservation, and tourism, plus a petition opposing a gas turbine facility. The House received a committee report and gave first reading to Bills 17 and 18, and conducted second reading debates, passing Bill 12 (Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act), Bill 16 (Liquor Control Act amendments), and Bill 14 (Free Trade Within Canada Act), all referred to committee. Extended debate then focused on Bill 15 (An Act Respecting Pension Benefits) and an opposition amendment to refer the bill to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments, with members demanding expert consultation and the minister defending the bill as largely administrative. The House adjourned at 2:59 p.m. before the amendment was resolved.
Members' Statements
Environmental art bursary recognition
Unknown
A member congratulated Charli and his school for artwork portraying the Pokemouche River flowing into Chaleur Bay, noting the school will receive a $3,000 bursary for an environmental project.
Softwood lumber and federal treatment of New Brunswick
Mr. Austin
Austin argued the Carney Liberal government has repeatedly ignored New Brunswick on softwood lumber—dropping two anti-dumping appeals, creating a BC-focused forestry task force, and having the Holt government back a softwood cap—claiming Liberal governments are being voted out.
Seniors stuck in hospitals awaiting long-term care
Mr. Coon
Coon said the number of people stuck in hospitals awaiting long-term care has reached a record high, with frail seniors trapped between hospital and long-term care, and criticized the government for having no plan.
Remembrance Day tribute
Mr. Arseneault
Arseneault paid tribute to those who served in war, conflict, and peacekeeping, honouring veterans and their families and calling for renewed commitment to peace ahead of November 11.
Tourism plan and Ministers Island funding
Ms. Bockus
Bockus said New Brunswickers lack enthusiasm for the Holt government's tourism plan, criticizing the refusal of additional funding for Ministers Island, which drew 27,000 visitors in a season.
Throne speech achievements
Ms. Sodhi
Sodhi highlighted government progress including seven new community care clinics, the rent cap, a 10% electricity rebate, property tax modernization, school breakfasts, and a planned universal lunch program by 2026.
School breakfast program rollout problems
Mr. Ames
Ames criticized the government for a botched school breakfast program rollout and a broken school lunch promise, and for the Education Minister being unavailable to media about school district concerns.
Federal budget benefits for New Brunswick
Mr. M. LeBlanc
LeBlanc praised the federal budget's $17 billion in provincial transfers, $2 billion over five years for critical minerals benefiting the Port of Belledune, and doubled permanent funding for National Acadian Day.
School library and administrative assistant layoffs
Ms. M. Johnson
Johnson criticized layoffs of library and administrative assistants, questioning the government's fiscal responsibility given the simultaneous move of the ASD-W district office to new upgraded offices in Knowledge Park.
Ministerial task force on homelessness
Ms. Wilcott
Wilcott praised the government's creation of a ministerial task force on homelessness to coordinate efforts across Housing, Social Development, Justice, Public Safety, and Addictions and Mental Health services.
Criticism of Liberal election platform
Mr. Monahan
Monahan mocked the Liberal election platform as fiction, listing unfulfilled promises including balanced budgets, nurse bonuses, an increased clothing allowance, a school lunch program, and a mental health advocate.
Routine Proceedings
Family Violence Prevention Month
Hon. Ms. Boudreau
Minister Boudreau recognized November as Family Violence Prevention Month, noting a $9.2 million investment in transition and second-stage housing and support for family violence awareness and sexual violence victim services.
Response on Family Violence Prevention Month
Multiple
Scott-Wallace thanked the minister and praised the Sussex Vale Transition House and new second-stage housing funding, while Mitton welcomed investments but stressed the need for affordable housing so people leaving transition housing have somewhere to go.
Water conservation statement
Hon. Mr. LePage
Minister LePage urged New Brunswickers to conserve water as winter approaches following drought conditions, describing simple household actions and committing to work with local governments to support residents with low water supply.
Response on water conservation
Multiple
S. Wilson thanked the minister, describing the unprecedented dry summer and dried-up wells, and suggested collaborating with Education to spread awareness; Mitton called for faster action on the water strategy and linked drought to the climate crisis and greenhouse gas emissions.
Tourism season results and strategy
Hon. Ms. Thériault
Minister Thériault reported a record tourism season with $2 billion in visitor spending (up 8%), rising attraction and park visits, and launched the Fresh Perspective tourism strategy to grow tourism's annual impact from $2.7 billion to $3.7 billion over five years.
Response on tourism
Multiple
M. Wilson criticized the government for postponing, promising and planning, citing immigration cuts affecting seafood and restaurants and a nearly $1 million budget cut, and warned about high small business tax rates; Mitton urged focus on ecotourism, public transportation, and accessible tourism offerings.
Petition against proposed Centre Village gas plant
Ms. Mitton
Mitton tabled an additional 22 signatures (beyond 317 from Tantramar) on a petition urging the government to reject a proposed large gas turbine facility at Centre Village, citing concerns over a short summer comment period, an ecologically sensitive location, and reliance on American shale gas.
Petition against gas plant / American shale gas proposal
Unknown
A petition opposed a gas plant powered by American shale gas, citing fracking, methane emissions, air/water/noise pollution, threats to ecosystems, wetlands, agriculture and groundwater, and argued the project undermines a just energy transition, asking that it be rejected. A member agreed with and signed the petition.
First report of the Standing Committee on Economic Policy
Ms. Wilcott
As Vice-Chair, Ms. Wilcott presented the committee's first report, reporting Bills 2, 4, and 6 as agreed to and progress on Bill 8; the motion to concur in the report was carried.
First Reading of Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicle Act
Hon. Mr. Kennedy
Hon. Mr. Kennedy introduced a bill to eliminate motor vehicle registration stickers and allow customers to print their own registration certificates, saying he would speak in more detail at second reading.
First Reading of Bill 18, Mactaquac Life Achievement Project Act
Hon. Mr. Legacy
Hon. Mr. Legacy introduced a bill to provide clarity and certainty to NB Power and its contractors for the Mactaquac dam project; he stressed the bill is not project approval but enables RFP responses and contract structuring for the generational, multi-billion-dollar project, with components to be submitted for government approval in spring 2026.
Notice of Opposition Members' Business
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson announced that on Thursday, November 6, the opposition would continue debate on Motion 11 (oversight of recovery centres) and begin debate on Motion 4 (wraparound services) and Motion 3 (mandatory training for frontline employees).
Government Motion on ordering of House business
Mr. M. LeBlanc
The Government House Leader stated bills introduced would stand referred for second reading Friday, corrected himself to identify Bills 12, 14, 15 and 16 for second reading, and sought unanimous consent for a lunch recess at 11:30 a.m.
Orders of the Day
Second Reading Debate on Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act
Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan continued opposition debate on Bill 12, questioning the removal of the Canadian citizenship requirement, arguing it changes a fundamental bond of loyalty to the state, and demanding evidence of an access problem, oversight and verification mechanisms, and consultation with law societies before passage. He concluded that training, transparency and accountability should be strengthened before relaxing appointment criteria.
Second Reading of Bill 12 (passage)
Madam Speaker
Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, was read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy.
Recess for lunch and safety drill
Madam Speaker
At 11:30 a.m. the House recessed until 1 p.m. by agreement; upon resuming, the Speaker thanked members for participating in a safety drill.
Government motion to move to Bill 16
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Mr. M. LeBlanc requested the Speaker revert to Government Motions and asked to move to Bill 16 at this time.
Second Reading Debate on Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Liquor Control Act
Multiple
Hon. Mr. Gauvin introduced Bill 16 as a modernization of the 1960s Liquor Control Act, simplifying licensing, updating categories, allowing small breweries and distilleries to sell full bottles at farmers' markets (with fire safety plans), and reducing red tape. Mr. Ames welcomed support for small business and promised committee questions; Mr. Coon supported the equity aims but criticized the failure to address alcohol overconsumption health risks; and Ms. Bockus welcomed modernization while raising concerns about production caps favouring larger producers, oversight and age verification at farmers' markets, and public safety.
Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Liquor Control Act — Second Reading
Unknown (opposition member)
An opposition member questioned the repeal of definitions such as 'club member,' 'guest,' and 'in-house brewery licensee,' asked about fire marshal capacity for new inspections, raised concerns about live entertainment licensing red tape for small rural venues, transparency after removing monthly returns, and urged the government to balance economic development with public health and consult stakeholders before proclamation.
Bill 16 — Second Reading vote
Madam Speaker
Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Liquor Control Act, was read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy.
Bill 14, Free Trade Within Canada Act — Second Reading (introduction)
Hon. Mr. D'Amours
The minister introduced Bill 14, describing internal trade barrier removal as one of four pillars of the government's tariff response, explaining the Act removes regulatory barriers for goods/services approved elsewhere in Canada while preserving provincial standards through interim orders of non-equivalency, excluding regulated professions and CFTA-exempted goods, and noting alignment with Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia.
Bill 14 — Second Reading debate (opposition response)
Ms. M. Wilson
The opposition member supported reducing red tape for small businesses but raised concerns about classification of hybrid trades, the supremacy clause giving the Act primacy over provincial regulations, recognition of comparable certifications, appeal mechanisms and taxpayer costs for interprovincial disputes, broad immunity provisions, and called for tabling all intergovernmental agreements in the Legislature.
Bill 14 — Second Reading debate (continued)
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon warned of the historical risks of economic integration for a small province, recalling how the post-Confederation National Policy hollowed out New Brunswick's manufacturing sector to Quebec and Ontario, and criticized the Prime Minister's 'one Canadian economy' vision as favouring central and western Canada at the Maritimes' expense.
Second Reading of Bill 14, Free Trade Within Canada Act
Multiple
A member argued that the federal push toward one integrated national economy favours Central Canada and Alberta at the expense of the Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador, urging Atlantic Premiers to form a common front and warning the bill could erode the ability to protect local industries. Ms. M. Johnson, for the official opposition, called Bill 14 more symbolic than substantive, criticizing the removal of local procurement exemptions, lack of consultation, and failure to diversify markets while cautioning on labour mobility standards.
Bill 14 read a second time and referred to committee
Madam Speaker
Bill 14, Free Trade Within Canada Act, was read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy.
Second Reading of Bill 15, An Act Respecting Pension Benefits
Hon. Mr. Legacy
The minister introduced Bill 15 to amend the Pension Benefits Act, providing greater flexibility for fixed-cost plans (which currently require ministerial exemptions in New Brunswick) and harmonizing and modernizing unlocking rules for pension funds to give New Brunswickers more options.
Opposition response to Bill 15
Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan criticized Bill 15's four major changes—eliminating mandatory top-up requirements, rewriting cash payout thresholds, adding unclaimed amounts provisions, and changing non-resident payout rules—arguing it transfers risk to workers, defers underfunding such as the $300 million Teachers' Pension Plan shortfall, and mainly benefits administrators rather than workers and retirees.
Proposed amendment to second reading of Bill 15
Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Hogan, moved to amend the second reading motion so that Bill 15 not be read a second time but that the order be discharged and the subject matter referred to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments.
Debate on proposed amendment and point of order
Multiple
Mr. Hogan spoke in favour of the amendment, speculating that CUPE pension negotiations had broken down, prompting a point of order from Mr. M. LeBlanc that this bill was unrelated to last year's debated bill; the Speaker reminded the member to speak to the amendment to Bill 15.
Bill 15, An Act Respecting Pension Benefits — debate on amendment to refer to law amendments committee
Mr. Hogan
Mr. Hogan argued the bill should be sent to the law amendments committee so that actuaries and Vestcor pension experts could be called to assess the long- and short-term costs to taxpayers, warning against allowing pension plans to remain unfunded and citing his experience with the Teachers' Pension Plan, nurses' pensions, and Woodstock town council's CUPE pension. He expressed concern that the bill fails to specify who pays when an underfunded plan runs out of money and tied the issue to the province's deficit, credit rating and liabilities.
Points of order on relevance during Bill 15 debate
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Mr. M. LeBlanc raised repeated points of order arguing that Mr. Hogan had drifted from Bill 15 by discussing last year's decisions, the deficit and a tobacco/Supreme Court settlement, and also objected when Hogan named himself. The Speaker consistently ruled that the debate concerned the bill and amendment and directed Mr. Hogan to keep his remarks on topic.
Amendment to refer pensions bill to law amendments committee — need for expert input
Mr. Hogan
Hogan argued that good decisions require full information from experts, comparing incomplete legislation to a 'half-baked pie,' and urged that the law amendments committee is the proper venue to gather information before caucus discussions and a final decision.
Minister's defence of the pensions bill against the amendment
Hon. Mr. Legacy
The Minister of Finance explained the bill does two things: allows certain fixed-cost plans (e.g. for incorporated physicians) to operate without a ministerial exemption, and enables pension unlocking so New Brunswickers with serious illness or financial hardship can access funds. He called the bill administrative, said New Brunswick is the only province without these provisions, and recommended against sending it to the law amendments committee, arguing FCNB experts can answer questions at the economic policy committee.
Point of order — minister straying from the bill
Ms. M. Johnson
Johnson raised a point of order that the minister had switched topics to horse racing rather than speaking on the bill; the Speaker asked the member to stick to the bill.
Opposition argument for referring the bill to the law amendments committee
Mr. Savoie
Savoie criticized the government for using its majority to dismiss opposition concerns, noted the opposition had received no briefing on the bill, and argued the deliberative Assembly should allow debate and expert testimony at the law amendments committee to protect New Brunswickers' interests.
Point of order — misquotation
Mr. Arseneault
Arseneault objected to being quoted as saying 'no,' stated he did not say it, and noted the Official Opposition had refused to send bills to the law amendments committee for the past six years.
Adjournment
La présidente
At three o'clock, the Speaker declared the House adjourned pursuant to the Orders of the Day; the House adjourned at 2:59 p.m.
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