New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Tuesday 18 November 2025
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the New Brunswick House of Assembly held a sitting in which Members' Statements featured opposition PC criticism of the Holt Liberal government's projected $834-million-plus deficit, doctor wait lists, and rising unemployment, alongside government statements on the December 1 removal of the carbon adjustor and Liberal members highlighting local investments. Routine proceedings included a committee report on Bills 7 and 14, a notice of the capital budget motion, and business ordering, followed by third reading of several bills, with Bill 2 (Public Health Act) passing 25-18 and Bills 6, 8, 10 and 11 also passing. Second reading debates saw Bill 15 (pension benefits) advance 27-16 after a referral amendment was defeated, and Bills 17 and 18 debated, with opposition members arguing legislative time should focus on affordability, health care and housing. Bill 18, the Mactaquac Life Achievement Project Act—enabling NB Power to structure procurement for the multi-billion-dollar Mactaquac Generating Station refurbishment—drew concerns over its escalating $9-billion cost, environmental impacts, reduced oversight, protection of local contractors, and ratepayer effects, before receiving second reading and being referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy, after which the House adjourned.
Members' Statements
Government failures on deficit, health care and jobs
Ms. M. Wilson
Criticized the Holt government for a deficit topping a billion dollars, a doctor wait list grown by 10,000, the Premier misstating her own numbers, and over 5,000 more unemployed than a year ago, saying government is failing on health care, jobs and fiscal responsibility.
Clearcutting and forest conservation in the Cains River watershed
Mr. Coon
Described visiting the Bantalor woods on Crown land licensed to J.D. Irving and finding extensive clearcutting damaging habitats and waterways, criticized JDI's lobbying to reduce conservation forest status, and asked whether the Premier would end the systematic degradation of Crown forests.
Removal of carbon adjustor at the gas pump
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Announced that on December 1 the carbon adjustor will be removed, saving consumers more than 8 cents per litre, framing it as a fulfilled affordability commitment following EUB margin adjustments.
Broken Liberal promise to balance the budget
Ms. Bockus
Mocked Liberal MLAs for having promised fiscal responsibility, saying they will now have to explain the deficit, the doctor wait list increase, and rising unemployment figures.
Infrastructure progress in Miramichi
Mr. Johnston
Defended his record on Miramichi bridges, the bypass, and the multiplex, criticizing the previous PC government's failures and the member opposite's inaction.
Miramichi West by-election win and government spending
Mr. Ames
Highlighted the recent Miramichi West by-election win and criticized the extra billion in spending without improvement, suggesting the deficit could send the Finance Minister to the Senate like a past Liberal Finance Minister.
Pays de la Sagouine tourism achievements
M. Bourque
Praised the Pays de la Sagouine in his riding, its record visitors thanks to Akadi Lumina, its team led by Monique Poirier who won a Pioneer Award, and its Christmas dinner shows, encouraging attendance.
Impact of deficit on credit rating and future generations
Ms. M. Johnson
Warned the government's spending will harm New Brunswick's credit rating and future generations, leaving less money for doctors, roads, and social programs, and said it will take a PC government to clean up the mess.
Nursing Homes Without Walls in Moncton East
M. Doucet
Announced Faubourg du Mascaret was selected as a Nursing Homes Without Walls site, providing support to help seniors age at home, and praised the program.
Second-quarter fiscal update and record deficit
Mr. Monahan
Cited the $834-million second-quarter deficit as the worst in over two decades, accusing the Premier and Finance Minister of shredding the PCs' fiscal foundation and breaking the promise to balance every budget.
Routine Proceedings
Committee report on Bills 7 and 14
Ms. Vautour
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Policy, presented the third report and reported Bills 7 (Early Childhood Services Act) and 14 (Free Trade Within Canada Act) without amendment; the concurrence motion carried.
Notice of Motion 16 on capital budgetary policy
Hon. Mr. McKee
On behalf of Hon. Mr. Legacy, gave notice of Motion 16 for December 2, 2025, seconded by Hon. Ms. Holt, that the House approve in general the government's capital budgetary policy.
Ordering of House business
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Stated the government's intention to begin with third reading of Bills 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 11, then second reading of Bills 15, 17 and 18, with all bills passing second reading referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy.
Orders of the Day
Third reading of Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Health Act
Multiple
Mr. Coon opposed the bill, saying his five or six committee amendments to strengthen the Chief Medical Officer of Health's independence were all rejected, and Mr. Hogan called it poorly drafted, arguing moving decisions to Cabinet consolidates power in the Premier's Office and lacks transparency; the bill passed on a recorded vote of 25 Yeas to 18 Nays.
Third reading of Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Securities Act
Mr. Monahan
Called the housekeeping bill of little substance, questioning the government's priorities for spending legislative time on it rather than addressing affordability, health care, education, homelessness and addiction; the bill was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 4, An Act Respecting the Agriculture Appeal Board Act and the Bee Act
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Described the bill as acceptable administrative housekeeping that incorporates the Provincial Apiarist into the appeal process, but lamented it as the only agriculture bill and a missed opportunity to support farmers hurt by the summer drought; the bill was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Opportunities New Brunswick Act
The Speaker
Bill 5 was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 6, An Act to Amend the University of New Brunswick Act
Mr. Russell
As opposition critic, Mr. Russell rose to respond and raise questions about the governance of Opportunities New Brunswick.
Third Reading of Bill 6, An Act to Amend the University of New Brunswick Act
Mr. Cullins
Cullins questioned the government's timing and priorities in dedicating legislative attention to internal governance of a single university while New Brunswickers face affordability, health care and housing challenges; after points of order from Mr. M. LeBlanc, the bill was read a third time and passed.
Third Reading of Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Order of New Brunswick Act
Ms. M. Wilson
Wilson stated she did not support Bill 8, questioning the government's priorities amid deficit, debt, affordability and homelessness concerns, before the bill was read a third time and passed.
Third Reading of Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Gaming Control Act
Mr. Monahan
Monahan called Bill 10 a pointless housekeeping bill that does nothing for affordability, health care or education, urging the government to table more substantive legislation; the bill was read a third time and passed.
Third Reading of Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Statistics Act
Mr. Monahan
Monahan said Bill 11, like Bills 3 and 10, lacks substance and expected more from the government in its first year, before the bill was read a third time and passed.
Amendment and Second Reading of Bill 15, An Act Respecting Pension Benefits
Mr. Austin
A proposed amendment to refer Bill 15 to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments was defeated; Austin then spoke against the bill, arguing it would negatively affect pensioners, taxpayers and the province's future and defending the previous government's shared-risk pension model. On a recorded vote, second reading carried 27 Yeas to 16 Nays and the bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy.
Second Reading of Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicle Act
Multiple
Minister Kennedy introduced Bill 17 to eliminate vehicle registration stickers, describing it as a modernization measure aligning New Brunswick with other provinces and saving about $815,000 annually. Mr. Ames offered qualified support but raised concerns about enforcement technology, police consultation, and whether the government should go further with digital registration; the bill was read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy.
Second Reading of Bill 18, Mactaquac Life Achievement Project Act
Hon. K. Chiasson
Hon. K. Chiasson rose to begin second reading of Bill 18, the Mactaquac Life Achievement Project Act.
Bill 18, Mactaquac Life Achievement Project Act — Second Reading (introduction)
The Minister responsible for NB Power
The minister introduced the bill at second reading, describing the multi-billion-dollar, 10-plus-year project to remedy alkali aggregate reaction in the dam's concrete and extend its life to at least 2068. The bill exempts the project from bonding requirements (keeping the 5% holdback), designates it a major project under the Industrial Relations Act, exempts procurement from the Procurement Act, and assures federal funding entities like the Canada Infrastructure Bank, while stressing the bill facilitates rather than approves the project.
Bill 18 — Debate remarks from Mr. Ames
Mr. Ames
The member for Carleton-York acknowledged the good intentions of the bill but stressed the significance of the Mactaquac Generating Station and the need to consider long-term environmental and economic implications, water quality, aquatic life, financial commitments to taxpayers, and ensuring local small businesses and contractors are looked after. He said the bill warrants deep examination and looked forward to committee.
Bill 18 — Debate remarks from Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon
The leader of the third party called the project a boondoggle, recounting the dam's history, wrong aggregate choice, and cost escalation from about $1 billion to build to a $9 billion refurbishment for no capacity improvement. He argued the money could buy far more wind power, criticized exemptions from the Procurement Act, major project designation, and section 46 of the Electricity Act, and called for sober second thought and closer grid integration with Quebec and Nova Scotia.
Bill 18 — Debate remarks from Mr. Austin
Mr. Austin
The member agreed the project is massive and cost-escalating (likely $10–13 billion after overruns), noted the bill provides protections for unionized labour and the private sector and a boost to local contractors. He warned against watering down oversight while avoiding excessive red tape, and questioned federal funding assurances, warning that if costs fall solely on ratepayers, rates will skyrocket, citing constituents forced to choose between groceries and power bills amid NB Power's aging infrastructure.
Bill 18, Mactaquac Life Achievement Project Act – Second Reading debate
Unknown
An opposition critic discussed the bill's provisions relieving private entities from producing surety bonds, acknowledging the need to keep the project moving while insisting on checks and balances to prevent cost overruns and delays over the 10-12 year project, and expressed a desire to examine the bill section by section in committee.
Bill 18 passed second reading
Madam Speaker
The Speaker put the question and Bill 18, the Mactaquac Life Achievement Project Act, was read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy.
Adjournment of the House
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Mr. M. LeBlanc moved that the House adjourn as the day's business was completed, and the Speaker adjourned the House at 4:01 p.m.
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.