New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Thursday 6 November 2025
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, the New Brunswick House of Assembly held its 11th daily sitting, opening with introductions of guests including accessibility advocates and Team New Brunswick Canada Summer Games medallists, followed by members' statements and ministerial statements—most notably Minister D'Amours tabling the province's first five-year Strategic Plan on Accessibility 2025-2030—and receipt of the second report of the Standing Committee on Economic Policy. The House then debated Motion 11, which urged strengthened provincial oversight and care standards for methadone treatment providers and a phased transition away from high-volume private clinics; after extensive debate citing overdose statistics, the motion was defeated 28 to 16. Members subsequently debated Motion 4 on integrated care for persons recovering from substance use disorders, with the Health Minister supporting the motion's intent and moving an amendment to broaden the language, opposition members opposing the amendment (a subamendment was ruled out of order), and debate continuing on themes of wraparound supports, minority language access, and interdepartmental coordination until the House adjourned at 6 p.m.
Members' Statements
Government transparency and media scrums
Mr. Weir
Criticized the Premier and ministers for avoiding media scrums, vowing the opposition would continue to shame the government into showing up.
Data centres, fracked gas, and energy demand
Ms. Mitton
Criticized the Holt government for welcoming a fracked gas plant in Lorneville and a data centre in a wetland requiring 380 MW, and questioned NB Power's invitation to ProEnergy to burn fracked gas in Tantramar, calling it backward and secretive.
Tuition reimbursement for paramedics
Mr. Bourque
Highlighted the government's tuition reimbursement initiative supporting 300 paramedic and emergency medical technician students via return-to-service agreements with Ambulance New Brunswick.
Housing announcements in Miramichi
Ms. Conroy
Rebutted the member for Miramichi Bay-Neguac's claims that the government was restoring Miramichi through housing announcements, beginning to credit her own government's contributions.
Cuts to services in Miramichi
Unknown
A member criticized the government for cuts to Miramichi including MacDonald Farm, sidewalks, public health nurses, librarians, DTI, and possibly the Anderson Bridge, arguing the community is losing services, access, and confidence.
National Francophone Immigration Week
Mr. Doucet
Doucet recognized National Francophone Immigration Week under the 2025 theme 'Thank you for enriching our Francophonie,' emphasizing the cultural, social, and economic contributions of immigrants to Acadian and Francophone communities.
Premier's failures and federal relations
Mr. Hogan
Hogan accused the Premier of repeatedly failing New Brunswickers on small modular reactors, forestry, nation-building projects, and the $50 million owed to the province, suggesting Dominic LeBlanc is really calling the shots.
Affordability initiatives
Mr. J. LeBlanc
J. LeBlanc highlighted government affordability measures including a 3% rent cap, a 10% cut to power bills, an increased direct-to-tenant rental benefit, over $7 million for emergency supportive housing, and a new bill to reduce interprovincial trade barriers.
Premier being 'unaware'
Mr. Lee
Lee criticized what he called a pattern of the Premier being unaware of legal, fiscal, and policy consequences on power bills, carbon tax, forestry lawsuits, NB Power winter disconnections, and education funding cuts.
Enhanced Energy Savings Program
Mr. Robichaud
Robichaud promoted NB Power's expanded Enhanced Energy Savings Program, which offers eligible modest-income homeowners up to $15,000 at no cost to transition to cleaner home heating, noting high demand in his riding of Hautes-Terres–Nepisiguit.
Remembrance of the Canadian Armed Forces
Ms. M. Wilson
Wilson, MLA for Oromocto-Sunbury and home to 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, rose with gratitude to thank those who have served and are serving in the Canadian Armed Forces ahead of November 11.
Routine Proceedings
Introduction of accessibility advocates
Hon. Mr. D'Amours
Welcomed five members of New Brunswick's Accessibility Advisory Board (Haley Flaro, Randy Dickinson, Rhonda Rubin, Kailha Winter-Smith, Louise Tardif) and Accessibility Office staff for the unveiling and tabling of the province's first Strategic Plan on Accessibility, thanking them for their contributions.
Welcome to accessibility guests
Mr. Cullins
Welcomed the accessibility guests, including constituent Haley Flaro, and thanked them for their work.
Welcome to accessibility advocates and committee reflection
Mr. Coon
Thanked Rhonda, Kailha, Louise, Randy, and Haley for their work, recalling the accessibility committee's hearings and the adopted legislative committee report.
Introduction of Team New Brunswick Canada Games athletes
Hon. Ms. Thériault
Wearing a Canada Games jacket, welcomed Team New Brunswick medallists from the 2025 Canada Summer Games in Newfoundland and Labrador, including Shelby MacIsaac, Pepper Pepperdene, Chloe Richardson, team manager Mike On, and chef de mission Nicole Smith, and named other absent medallists.
Condolence for Hugh John Crain
Ms. M. Johnson
Recognized the passing of Hugh John Crain of Moose Mountain, describing his large northern Carleton family, his life as a farmer, and extending condolences to his partner Terri and the Crain family.
Condolence for Frank Douglas Crawford Jr.
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Offered condolences on the passing of Frank Douglas Crawford Jr. of Sussex, a musician of the locally famous Crawford brothers and restaurateur, extending sympathy to his wife Marilyn and family.
102nd birthday of Elza Mallet
Mr. Mallet
Celebrated the 102nd birthday of his mother, Elza Mallet, who cut her own cake and remains active with crosswords, newspapers, bingo, and watching legislative debates.
Community award congratulations
Mr. Lee
Congratulated Repeat Boutique, Clifford Taylor, and the Eastern Charlotte Community Kitchen volunteers for various 2025 Southwest Business Summit awards.
Congratulations to literacy educators
Mr. Coon
Congratulated four Anglophone West educators (Signe Williams, Sarah Carr, Tracy Davis, Shyanne McWilliams) on receiving Dyslexia Canada's national award of excellence for transforming literacy instruction.
Congratulations to Justin Bastarache
Hon. Ms. Boudreau
Congratulated Justin Bastarache of Sainte-Marie-de-Kent, founder of East Coast Grains Inc., on receiving the 2025 Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for his sustainable, chemical-free agriculture.
Congratulations to Lakeland resource centre
Ms. Bockus
Congratulated the Lakeland resource centre in McAdam on receiving Food Banks Canada's excellence in small food banking award, quoting CEO Mike Perrin and executive director Crissy Thurber.
Commemoration of Port Elgin accident anniversary
Ms. Mitton
Marked the 10-year anniversary of a tragic Port Elgin car accident that killed teenagers Chad Alder and Colby Callendar, recognizing Becky Alder's fundraising for a commemorative fireworks show and charity donations.
Congratulations to Nicole Smith
Hon. Mr. Randall
Thanked Fredericton North's Nicole Smith for serving as Team New Brunswick's chef de mission for five Canada Games, noting the mission staff's Claude Hardy Award.
Personal message on Fertility Treatment Reimbursement Program
Hon. Mr. LePage
Read a heartfelt message from his daughter Myriam and her partner Olivier announcing a pregnancy through IVF, crediting the Fertility Treatment Reimbursement Program he voted for.
Tabling of accessibility documents
Hon. Mr. D'Amours
D'Amours tabled the Strategic Plan on Accessibility 2025-2030 and the report Framework for the Minister's Five-Year Strategic Plan on Accessibility 2025-2030.
Ministerial statement on Strategic Plan on Accessibility
Hon. Mr. D'Amours
D'Amours delivered a statement unveiling the province's first five-year strategic plan on accessibility, outlining three goals: identifying and removing barriers, creating a strong culture of accessibility, and developing and enforcing accessibility standards to action the Accessibility Act.
Responses to accessibility statement
Multiple
Mr. Cullins thanked the minister, noting his role on the Select Committee on Accessibility and the report 'Nothing About Us, Without Us,' and Mr. Coon expressed hope the work would produce tangible change while cautioning against the process slowing down.
Statement on Team New Brunswick at 2025 Canada Summer Games
Hon. Ms. Thériault
Thériault highlighted Team New Brunswick's 17 medals (5 gold, 7 silver, 5 bronze) at the 2025 Canada Summer Games and announced a $400,000 investment this fiscal year toward the 2029 Games, part of a six-year, $2.25 million commitment for the games NB will host.
Responses to Canada Summer Games statement
Multiple
Ms. M. Wilson for the official opposition and Ms. Mitton for the Green caucus congratulated Team New Brunswick's athletes, coaches, and families, and welcomed NB hosting the 2029 Games.
Statement on economic development and Small Business Week
Hon. Mr. Randall
Randall celebrated Small Business Week and highlighted companies expanding across the province with Opportunities New Brunswick support, noting a strong investment pipeline of over 250 active opportunities representing more than $180 million in future GDP growth.
Responses to economic development statement
Multiple
Ms. M. Johnson praised support for small businesses and local procurement, while Ms. Mitton called for reducing the small business tax rate to 1%, targeted support for food security and small farms, and a plan to regulate artificial intelligence's impact on jobs and energy.
Second report of the Standing Committee on Economic Policy
Ms. Wilcott
Wilcott, as Vice-Chair, presented the committee's second report approving Bills 3, 5, 8, 10, and 11 without amendment and reporting progress on Bill 7; the report was concurred in pursuant to Standing Rule 78.1.
Notice of Opposition Members' Business
Ms. M. Johnson
Johnson announced the opposition would resume debate on Motion 11 and enter debate on Motion 4 (wraparound services) and Motion 3 (training of personnel).
Recorded vote on Motion 11
The Speaker
Motion 11 was put to a recorded vote and defeated 28 nays to 16 yeas, with the individual members' votes recorded.
Motion 4 — Integrated care plans for persons recovering from substance use disorders
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Conroy, moved Motion 4 urging government to provide persons recovering from substance use disorders with integrated care plans comprising mental health support, employment opportunities, affordable housing assistance, recovery support groups, and social services for marginalized groups.
Debate on Motion 4 — Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. Johnson spoke to the motion citing statistics on addiction, relapse rates, and housing instability, shared the personal stories of two young men ('Aiden' and 'Wyatt'), and detailed the components of wraparound services including integrated treatment, housing stability, employment supports, culturally-rooted care, family support, transportation, case management, and long-term aftercare.
Debate on Motion 4 — Hon. Ms. Miles
Hon. Ms. Miles
The Health Minister expressed support for the motion's intent, described the province's stepped care and collaborative care models, welcomed a forthcoming treatment centre for children and youth with complex needs, highlighted expanding health care coordination teams in Moncton and Saint John and pilot clinical consultation teams, referenced supports like Bridge the gapp and PFY Connect, and shared her own experience as an architect of a youth substance abuse program in Miramichi while pledging to co-design recovery plans and expand Indigenous-led wellness teams.
Orders of the Day
Debate on Motion 11 (addiction treatment services)
Mr. Bourque
Bourque continued debate on Motion 11, which seeks to more tightly regulate methadone and other addiction treatment medications, arguing the motion is not appropriate since these medications are already highly regulated by physicians and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, with existing complaint mechanisms for misuse.
Motion 11 — Oversight of methadone and opioid recovery centres (government opposition)
Unknown (government member)
A government member spoke against Motion 11, arguing it would reduce access to methadone and disrupt care; he defended the government's addiction medicine model, collaborative care clinics, mental health and homelessness measures, criticized the previous Conservative government's inaction, and stated he would vote against the motion.
Motion 11 — support for increased oversight (Mr. Oliver)
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver rose in strong support of the motion, framing it as a matter of public health, community safety and human dignity, and recounted a heart-wrenching story of a Saint John-area family whose son 'Alex' struggled with prescription-drug addiction, calling for recovery-focused care, funding for rehab, mental health support, naloxone kits and safer prescribing.
Motion 11 — support for oversight and criticism of government (Ms. S. Wilson)
Ms. S. Wilson
Ms. S. Wilson supported Motion 11, arguing the minister mischaracterized it, invoking 2009 warnings by Justice Michael McKee (father of the current Addictions and Mental Health minister) about early intervention and income support, sharing personal experiences as former mental health minister, and urging oversight to ensure medications are not diverted to the street.
Recorded vote on Motion 11
Madam Speaker
After debate closed, a recorded vote was requested and Motion 11 was defeated on a vote of 28 Nays to 16 Yeas.
Point of Order regarding repeated speech on Motion 4
M. LeBlanc
Mr. LeBlanc raised a point of order noting that the member opposite (Ms. S. Wilson) was reading the same notes from her earlier speech on Motion 11 while the House was now debating Motion 4; the Deputy Speaker reminded the member to stick to the current motion.
Debate on proposed amendment to Motion 4 (substance use / addiction supports)
Ms. S. Wilson
Ms. Wilson concluded her remarks by emphasizing that wraparound services are crucial and absolutely essential for success in recovery.
Debate on proposed amendment to Motion 4 (substance use / addiction supports)
M. Robichaud
In his first motion debate, Mr. Robichaud discussed addiction and mental health challenges in rural and urban communities, argued mandatory treatment is not the solution and that patients must be aware and ready, described the government's stepped care model and its five levels, highlighted new collaborative care clinics, Indigenous wellness teams, housing and reintegration efforts, and interdepartmental cooperation, and voiced support for the Minister of Social Development's amendment.
Debate on proposed amendment to Motion 4 (substance use / addiction supports)
Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan spoke of addiction as a deeply human issue affecting every community and family, sharing examples of individuals across the province and criticizing the fragmented, disconnected system where support disappears after treatment leading to relapse; he described recovery as a process rather than a single event before the House adjourned.
Private Members' Business
Motion 11 – oversight of methadone treatment (government member opposing)
Unknown (government member)
A government member argued the opposition motion is not valid and adds nothing significant, calling the opposition's approach the wrong track, while crediting the opposition for at least raising an important issue and stressing government's multi-directional efforts on addictions, homelessness and mental health; he confirmed the government would vote against it.
Motion 11 – debate contribution by Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon said the motion's resolution clauses were complicated and unclear, questioned the reference to 'high-volume, privately operated methadone clinics' given that pharmacies and regulated colleges/health authorities already oversee treatment, and argued the motion is a 'mishmash' he cannot support; he called instead for a comprehensive opioid/addiction strategy and a standing committee on health.
Motion 11 – debate contribution by Mr. Lee (supporting)
Mr. Lee
Mr. Lee spoke in support, framing the motion as being about saving lives and ensuring methadone treatment is paired with counselling, mental health care, housing and recovery supports; he cited coroner and national opioid-death statistics, warned of risks in private fee-for-service clinics, and proposed a robust oversight framework including prescription monitoring, licencing standards, unannounced inspections and outcome-based reporting.
Motion 11 – debate contribution by Mr. M. LeBlanc (opposing)
M. LeBlanc
Mr. LeBlanc said that despite good intentions the motion risks weakening the system by reducing or complicating access, and affirmed his belief in low-threshold access to addiction treatment, support for prescribers, and integrated care pathways; he criticized the previous Conservative government for six years of inaction on addictions, homelessness and mental health.
Government response and amendment to Motion 4 on integrated recovery supports
Hon. Ms. Miles
The Minister described the government's collaborative, compassion-based, person-centred approach to mental health and addictions—including stepped/collaborative care, the mental health court, Indigenous-led wellness teams, and supports for marginalized groups—and announced government support for the intent of Motion 4 while moving an amendment to replace the list of groups with 'all marginalized groups' and to add 'to continue' after 'government'.
Recess to discuss amendment
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson requested a five-minute recess to discuss the amendment, which the House granted by unanimous consent (recessed 4:19 p.m., resumed 4:25 p.m.).
Debate on the proposed amendment to Motion 4
Ms. Conroy
Ms. Conroy spoke in support of the motion, citing statistics on addiction, relapse, housing instability, employment, wraparound services and system fragmentation, and referenced two recent deaths in her riding; she accepted the 'all marginalized groups' language but argued the 'to continue' wording waters down the motion, and moved a subamendment to strike that portion.
Point of order and ruling on the subamendment
Multiple
Mr. M. LeBlanc argued the subamendment could not be received because it would fully negate the amendment and named the wrong mover/seconder; Ms. M. Johnson called it a typographical error; after a recess the Speaker ruled the subamendment out of order under Beauchesne's section 578 as a direct negation of the amendment.
Continued debate on the amendment to Motion 4
M. Doucet
Mr. Doucet welcomed the ruling and spoke on the amendment, emphasizing that mental health affects all 49 ridings and can be debated non-partisanly, and praised Moncton mental health and addiction advocate Paul Ouellet, an honorary doctorate recipient who assists constituents navigating the system.
Debate on motion re integrated care for substance use recovery — support for government amendment and minority language health access
M. Doucet
The member for Moncton East spoke in support of the amendment moved by the Minister of Social Development, arguing it more inclusively covers marginalized groups such as minority Francophones and Black people. He cited constituent Paul Ouellet's court victory on language rights against Horizon Health, research on higher rates of mental disorders and unsatisfactory care among minority Francophones, and a tragic paramedic-DNR anecdote, and defended the amendment's 'continue to' wording by asserting the government is already working on stepped care.
Debate on motion re integrated care — support with call for institutional restructuring
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon said he supports the motion in its original form, recounting the Moncton 'chez soi'/Home First pilot's multidisciplinary team and 'housing wrangler' whose success ended because silos between Health and Social Development could not be broken down. He opposed the 'to continue' amendment since comprehensive integrated care does not yet exist, but supported broadening the whereas clause to 'all marginalized groups,' and called for institution-wide restructuring and greater government transparency about plans.
Debate on motion re integrated care — wraparound services and the addiction crisis
Ms. S. Wilson
The member for Albert-Riverview, a former Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Services, stressed the importance of wraparound services and continuity of care, praising facilities such as the Village of Hope, the Sophia centre, Ridgewood and Charlie Burrell's farm. She described the addiction and homelessness crisis affecting families, criticized federal immigration mismanagement's impact on housing and health, called for cooperation across parties, and clarified the motion did not propose closing methadone clinics.
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.