New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Thursday 4 December 2025
During this December 4, 2025 sitting of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, members welcomed back former NDP leader Elizabeth Weir, delivered statements of condolence and congratulation, and made members' statements addressing local priorities and Opposition criticism of the Holt government's fiscal record and RSV vaccine coverage; Ms. Mitton also gave notice of a motion to extend job-protected illness leave to 26 weeks. The bulk of the day was devoted to debate on Motion 1, urging investment in therapeutic living units for addiction recovery in provincial correctional facilities, during which the Attorney General moved a phased, voluntary amendment; the amendment and amended motion each carried 41-0. The House then debated Motion 9, an opposition private member's motion calling for a 'compassionate intervention' framework allowing involuntary addiction treatment, with the mover and several members arguing it saves lives while the Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Services and other members opposed it, citing the lack of supporting evidence and the priority of building a voluntary continuum of care. The House adjourned at 6 p.m.
Members' Statements
Maple Ridge Nursing Home
Ms. M. Wilson
Ms. Wilson shared news of Maple Ridge by Enhanced Living, a new 60-room nursing home in Oromocto-Sunbury opening December 22, crediting the previous government and noting it is on schedule and budget.
RSV Vaccine Coverage
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton contested the Premier's claim that the RSV vaccine is free for all seniors, noting coverage gaps for many seniors and infants, and urged public funding for all seniors and infants.
Acadian Day of Remembrance
Mr. Doucet
Mr. Doucet recognized the Acadian Day of Remembrance, commemorating the 1758 shipwrecks of the Violet, Duke William, and Ruby during the expulsion of the Acadians.
Christmas Season Thanks
Ms. Bockus
Ms. Bockus thanked supporters and caring souls in her Saint Croix riding and across the province who serve the less fortunate during the holiday season.
Capital Budget School Investments
Ms. Vautour
Ms. Vautour praised the government's over $242 million investment in education and early childhood development, including $1.5 million for the midlife project at École Mathieu-Martin.
Criticism of Holt Government
Mr. Ames
Mr. Ames used the turkey scene from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation to criticize the Holt government as being 'all about good looks, but nothing but hot air inside.'
Capital Budget 2026-27
Mr. Robichaud
Mr. Robichaud highlighted the government's historic $1.47 billion 2026-27 capital budget, $200 million more than last year and the largest ever tabled in the province, with most investments going to Transportation and Infrastructure.
Capital budget investments in infrastructure, health and education
Unknown
A member outlined capital investments in roads, bridges, ferries, health care equipment and hospital renovations, and new schools in Shediac and Moncton, framing them as essential to address years of underinvestment.
Anderson Bridge as snowmobile trail link
Mr. Russell
Mr. Russell argued the Anderson Bridge could be a key link in New Brunswick's trail system, making Miramichi a hub, and urged the government to support it given its tourism spending goals.
New 50-bed therapeutic substance use treatment facility on Kingston Peninsula
Ms. Wilcott
Ms. Wilcott described joining Premier Holt and the Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health to announce a new 50-bed treatment facility operated by Edgewood Health Network to address gaps in live-in treatment for complex substance use and behavioural addictions.
Criticism of Holt government's fiscal management
Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan criticized the Holt government for growing debt and $100 million in higher interest payments, contrasting the province's former reputation for balanced budgets and warning the budget will not be balanced during the government's mandate.
Routine Proceedings
Introduction of Guests — Elizabeth Weir
Multiple
Ms. Mitton, Hon. Mr. Hickey, and Mr. Savoie welcomed former NDP leader and MLA Elizabeth Weir (1991–2005) back to the House, recognizing her advocacy for gender parity and social justice.
Condolence — Annette Girouard
Mr. Johnston
Mr. Johnston announced with sadness the death of Annette Girouard of Neguac, a 73-year-old high school French teacher and dedicated volunteer, and offered condolences to her family.
Congratulations — Sami Landri
Hon. Mr. Gauvin
Hon. Mr. Gauvin congratulated Sami Landri, a Dieppe drag artist appearing on the sixth season of Canada's Drag Race, for representing the LGBTQ+ community and Acadian culture nationally.
Congratulations — Mill Creek Nature Park
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir celebrated the town of Riverview and its residents for the success of Mill Creek Nature Park, noting its recent connection to the Fundy Biosphere protecting over 97 hectares.
Congratulations — Adiza Mohammed
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon congratulated Adiza Mohammed, a St. Thomas University student, on her children's book Waves of Change, launching December 6, about ocean conservation and environmental responsibility.
Congratulations — Saint-Paul Firefighters
Hon. Ms. Boudreau
Hon. Ms. Boudreau paid tribute to the Saint-Paul firefighters, recognized at their annual banquet, including several distinguished members and a junior firefighter recruit.
Congratulations — Laura Anderson's 105th Birthday
Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan celebrated the 105th birthday of Laura Anderson of Newtown, a founding member of the Agricultural Museum of New Brunswick who launched the province's first farm vacation experience in 1967.
Congratulations — Moonlight Madness in Sackville
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton congratulated the organizers of Sackville's annual Moonlight Madness holiday event featuring local business activities, art, music, and fireworks.
Congratulations — Planet Youth Acadian Peninsula
Hon. Ms. Thériault
Hon. Ms. Thériault recognized Planet Youth Acadian Peninsula—Alnwick for winning a 2025 Community Star Award from New Brunswick Addiction Services for its work with youth.
Congratulations — Santa's Helpers
Ms. Bockus
Ms. Bockus congratulated Santa's Helpers, which raised nearly $64,000 through a musical broadcast on CHCO TV in Saint Andrews featuring elementary school performances.
Congratulations — Saint John Airport CEO
Mr. Savoie
Mr. Savoie congratulated the Saint John Airport on the appointment of new CEO Court Edeburn, praising his transportation leadership.
Notice of Motion 21 – extending job-protected leave for serious illness
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton gave notice of Motion 21, seconded by Mr. Coon, urging the government to extend unpaid job-protected leave for serious illness from 5 days to at least 26 weeks to align with federal EI sickness benefits and other provinces.
Notice of Opposition Members' Business
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver announced the official opposition would continue with Motion 1 and then proceed with Motions 9 and 10.
Orders of the Day
Debate on Motion 1 – therapeutic living units in correctional facilities
Mr. Ames
Mr. Ames re-read Motion 1, which urges the government to invest in therapeutic living units with transition supports in all provincial correctional facilities, and spoke at length about addiction's toll in Carleton-York, citing statistics, studies showing reduced reoffending, and personal stories to argue for treatment over mere incarceration; he also referenced an upcoming motion to lift the shale gas moratorium.
Government response to Motion 1
Hon. Mr. McKee
Hon. Mr. McKee thanked the member for Carleton-York and said the government supports investing in therapeutic living units within a planned provincial rehabilitation framework similar to Alberta's, emphasizing voluntary participation and outlining existing efforts such as the Integrated Correctional Program Model, community care clinics, treatment beds, wellness hubs, and learning from Alberta's phased implementation.
Motion 1 – Therapeutic Living Units and Addiction Recovery (Minister's statement)
Hon. Mr. McKee
The Minister outlined the government's rehabilitation efforts, including the Addictions and Mental Health Court program launching in Moncton in 2026, the new Minto correctional centre (opening 2027) designed with space for therapeutic living units, 50 new treatment beds on the Kingston Peninsula, primary care clinics, a Psychiatry Resource Strategy, a planned mental health advocate position, and a youth treatment centre. He noted facilities operate at 120% capacity, stressed a phased, resource-aligned and voluntary approach, and announced amendments to the motion.
Proposed Amendment to Motion 1
Hon. Mr. McKee
Hon. Mr. McKee, seconded by Ms. Vautour, moved to amend Motion 1 to add language making therapeutic living units part of a provincial addiction recovery plan aligning client demand with program resources and specifying voluntary access. The Deputy Speaker read the amendment and granted a brief recess for members to review it.
Debate on Proposed Amendment – Mr. Hogan
Mr. Hogan
Mr. Hogan supported the amendment, noting it did not differ much from the original motion and welcomed the inclusion of the word 'voluntary.' Drawing on his experience in education and public safety, he spoke at length about addiction, recidivism (nearly 8 of 10 inmates report addiction issues), the necessity of voluntary recovery, access to drugs in facilities, overdose deaths, and the need for training and employable skills to give inmates hope for a better future.
Debate on Proposed Amendment – Ms. Vautour
Ms. Vautour
Ms. Vautour spoke in support, noting nearly 70% of incarcerated adults report addiction and that facilities (holding about 600 people) are not designed to address it. She highlighted the Addictions and Mental Health Court and the evidence-based Integrated Correctional Program Model, acknowledged limitations such as short sentences and post-release continuity, and argued therapeutic living units with voluntary but structured commitment (at least five months plus community residential support) would make NB a leader in reintegration-focused justice.
Debate on Motion 1 — Therapeutic living units in correctional facilities
Multiple
Members continued debate supporting the motion, sharing personal and family stories of mental health and addiction and incarceration, and stressing continuity of care and community-based treatment as a way to break the cycle of recidivism.
Debate on Motion 1 — Fiscal and moral case for therapeutic living units
Mr. Ames
Mr. Ames made the closing argument, citing statistics that 78% of offenders struggle with substance use and the roughly $130,000 annual cost of incarceration, arguing that evidence-based therapeutic living units reduce recidivism 15-30% and represent a sound investment; he thanked members and urged support for the motion.
Vote on Attorney General's amendment to Motion 1
The Deputy Speaker
A recorded vote was held on the proposed amendment to Motion 1, requested by Mr. Hogan and Mr. Oliver, and the amendment was adopted 41 Yeas to 0 Nays.
Vote on amended Motion 1
The Deputy Speaker
A recorded vote on Motion 1 as amended, requested by Mr. Hogan and Ms. Conroy, carried 41 Yeas to 0 Nays; the amended motion urges government to invest in developing therapeutic living units in all provincial correctional facilities with transition programs and follow-up supports.
Motion 9 — Compassionate intervention framework for individuals in severe crisis
Mr. Austin
Mr. Austin, seconded by Mr. Ames, moved Motion 9 urging the government to establish a framework for compassionate intervention with safeguards, wraparound services, and oversight for people in severe crisis, citing suicide and overdose statistics and international models such as Portugal and Norway.
Debate on compassionate intervention / involuntary addiction treatment — Minister's remarks
The Minister
The minister argued against mandatory forced treatment, stating research shows it carries risks such as reduced future willingness to seek care and increased overdose risk, and that such measures can only be considered once a full continuum of voluntary care exists. He highlighted government investments including a new 50-bed treatment facility, outpatient withdrawal management, community treatment models, mental health court diversion, and upstream youth prevention.
Debate on compassionate intervention — Mr. Hogan in support
Mr. Hogan
Mr. Hogan spoke in favour of compassionate intervention, drawing on personal experience, the song 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother,' and teachings from multiple religions to argue society has a moral obligation to help vulnerable people, including those at risk of freezing to death, by giving them an opportunity to make a choice rather than forcing recovery.
Debate on compassionate intervention — Ms. Wilcott against the motion
Ms. Wilcott
Ms. Wilcott spoke against the motion, arguing that 'compassionate intervention' is another term for involuntary or forced treatment, citing expert and National Post evidence that it increases relapse and overdose rates and may violate the Charter. She emphasized the need for housing, mental health services, and community supports, and highlighted Saint John's Housing for All strategy and the newly announced 50-bed Kingston Peninsula facility.
Private Members' Business
Motion 1 – Therapeutic Living Units in Correctional Facilities (amendment argument)
Unknown (member for Carleton-York)
The mover argued that therapeutic living units, based on Alberta's model of a five-month in-facility commitment followed by a year of community support, would break the cycle of crime driven by untreated addiction, and urged support for the proposed amendment, framing it as a cultural change toward rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Motion 1 – Support for therapeutic living units
Mr. Austin
Mr. Austin, a former Minister of Public Safety, thanked the mover and expressed strong support, praising the Alberta recovery model over B.C.'s harm-reduction approach, recounting his tour of Red Deer's correctional facility, and citing Alberta's lowest per-inmate spending and 40-50% recidivism reduction. He commended the Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Services and the Minister of Public Safety for continuing the work and called for such units in every New Brunswick correctional facility.
Motion 1 – Support for therapeutic living units
Mr. Johnston
Mr. Johnston, drawing on 30 years working in four prisons, supported the motion and welcomed ministers' tours of Alberta facilities, discussing sociological theory (Durkheim), the evolution of corrections toward rehabilitation, Charter rights of inmates, recidivism data, and the high proportion of offenders affected by addiction, arguing that treatment produces safer reintegration into communities.
Motion 1 – Therapeutic living units in correctional facilities (correctional professional perspective)
Unknown
A member drew on firsthand correctional experience to describe the evolving, complex, mentally ill and substance-affected inmate profile, citing Alberta's evidence-based cognitive-behavioural programming and therapeutic living units, and urged phased implementation of a substance-abuse-focused therapeutic unit, ideally in the new central New Brunswick facility under construction, supported by highly trained staff.
Motion 1 – Auditor General's 2018 recommendations and critique of the motion
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon supported the motion but noted it does not reflect the comprehensive recommendations of the Auditor General's June 2018 report, reciting numerous unimplemented recommendations on mental health and addiction services, screening, medication formularies and continuity of care, and raised concerns about short provincial jail stays, remand inmates, and the lack of outpatient addiction treatment despite the planned Kingston Peninsula rehab facility.
Motion 1 – Support for the motion
Mr. Savoie
Mr. Savoie added his voice to the debate, emphasizing the importance of how society treats incarcerated people with mental health and substance-abuse issues, commending all members who spoke and expressing hope at the apparent all-party agreement.
Debate on compassionate intervention / mandatory addiction treatment motion (opposition member)
Unknown
The opposition mover argued the motion targets extreme cases of addiction where individuals cannot help themselves, citing research on therapeutic communities, Alberta's 40% reduction in fatal overdoses, Massachusetts' section 35 and the story of Timothy Rohan, and support from Alberta First Nations chiefs. He rejected constitutional-rights objections by comparing the proposal to existing involuntary detention under the Mental Health Act and urged government to allocate some of the new 50-bed facility to mandatory treatment.
Government response to compassionate intervention motion
Hon. Mr. McKee
The Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Services thanked the mover and acknowledged the toll of mental illness and addiction, outlining government initiatives including the Moncton Addictions and Mental Health Court, a new 50-bed treatment facility, and 10 new trainer positions. He cautioned that good intentions cannot alone guide policy involving removal of liberties and compelled treatment, noting the existing Mental Health Act framework and arguing that low-quality evidence and the lack of a fully accessible voluntary care system mean mandatory treatment cannot be justified at this time.
Debate against involuntary treatment (compassionate intervention motion)
Unknown
A member argued against forced/involuntary treatment, citing a 2023 review of 10 international studies and an Alberta psychiatrist showing voluntary treatment works better while involuntary detox increases risk of fatal overdose. The member criticized the former government's 2024 compassionate intervention Act and fast-tracked funding for the Village of Hope, advocating instead for evidence-based solutions, housing, mental health care, and 'compassion without coercion.'
Motion in support of a compassionate intervention Act
Ms. Bockus
Ms. Bockus championed the motion urging the government to establish a compassionate intervention framework with safeguards, wraparound services, and clear oversight, describing 72-hour secure treatment holds with judicial review, family and police petition rights, expanded residential treatment beds, mobile crisis teams for rural areas, and potential health care savings. She cited overdose statistics, Charter safeguards, and programs in B.C. and Colorado as supporting evidence.
Adjournment
Madam Speaker
The Speaker noted the member ended on time and adjourned the House at 6 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.