New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Thursday 26 March 2026
During Daily Sitting 31 of the New Brunswick Legislature (March 26, 2026), members introduced guests, delivered tributes and congratulatory statements, and made members' statements previewing the day's business, including the upcoming budget speech, the new $162-million provincial long-term care plan, and calls to pass Bill 23; Opposition members also criticized the Premier over the Foundever/eVisitNB deal. In Routine Proceedings, notices were given for Motion 33 (medical isotope production at Point Lepreau) and Motion 34 (expanding midwifery care), and debate resumed on Motion 10 to lift the moratorium on natural gas development, which was defeated 31 to 16. The remainder of the sitting was devoted to second reading debate on Bill 23, An Act Respecting the Right to a Healthy Environment, a Green Party private member's bill, with members speaking for and against; the bill was defeated 46 to 2, and the House adjourned at 4:58 p.m.
Members' Statements
Budget speech and treatment of the agricultural community
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Ms. Scott-Wallace criticized the government ahead of the Premier's budget-closing speech, saying it would lack an apology to farmers, veterinarians, and the agricultural community, and announced she would present a petition with over 29,000 names.
Call to pass Bill 23 on right to a healthy environment
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton reported meeting students, community members, and seniors outside the Legislature calling on the government to pass Bill 23 and enshrine the right to a healthy environment, urging members to vote yes.
Long-term care strategy announcement
Mr. Johnston
Mr. Johnston praised the Minister of Seniors and highlighted the new long-term care strategy, including $162 million invested in long-term care, improved home care access, the Nursing Home Without Walls program, and replacement of six aging residences.
New long-term care plan / seniors investments
Multiple
Government members (Arseneault, Doucet) highlighted the Minister of Seniors' $162-million long-term care plan, including $10 million for more affordable home care, $4 million to expand Nursing Home Without Walls, replacement of six aging residences (including Campbellton), 240 new beds in Fredericton, Riverview and Quispamsis, and 15 new 3G beds at Notre-Dame Manor in Moncton East.
Foundever / eVisitNB deal criticism
Multiple
Opposition members (Weir, Conroy, Austin, Hogan) attacked the Premier for pursuing a deal with Foundever, citing the company's CCC credit rating, Miami headquarters, financial troubles, and its Mulliez-family owners' alleged support for Russia's army against Ukraine, as well as ties to Brookfield, urging the government to cut all ties and issue an RFP for Tele-Care 811.
Youth retention and the budget
M. LeBlanc
M. LeBlanc reflected on his 2014 experience with the Pond-Deshpande Centre and his documentary The Millennial Dream, arguing the real risk is not investing but watching opportunities disappear, and praised the budget for investing in people, the region and the future.
Routine Proceedings
Introduction of Guests
Multiple
Hon. Mr. Randall introduced two residents of Fredericton North; Hon. Mr. Kennedy welcomed Quispamsis Deputy Mayor Mary Schryer and Councillor Mike Biggar, in town for the long-term care announcement; and Hon. Ms. Boudreau and the Speaker welcomed former minister and Premier Camille Thériault.
Condolences for Ronald LeBreton
Mr. Arseneault
Mr. Arseneault paid tribute to the late Ronald LeBreton, a pillar of education and advocate for the Acadian and Francophone community, and first Executive Director of the AEFNB, offering condolences to his family.
Condolences for Phyllis Weston
Mr. Savoie
Mr. Savoie announced the passing of Phyllis Weston at 85, a dedicated community champion, volunteer for the Progressive Conservative Party, and mother of former MP and MLA Rodney Weston; Hon. Mr. Herron added remarks.
Condolences for Dr. Paul Douglas King
Hon. Mr. Herron
Hon. Mr. Herron remembered Dr. Paul Douglas King, a Saint John-born clinical psychologist and lifelong learner who died March 18, 2026, offering condolences to his family.
Condolences for Dr. Larry R. Kennedy
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson honoured Dr. Larry R. Kennedy, a longtime Perth-Andover physician and anaesthetist who served 23 years as MLA for Victoria-Tobique, extending condolences to his family.
Condolences for Jackson Sherwood
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver paid tribute to 19-year-old Jackson Sherwood, who died March 17 in a traffic accident, describing his beloved place in the Belleisle community.
Congratulations to Raoul LeBlanc and Jessica Sears
Ms. Vautour
Ms. Vautour celebrated two Memramcook residents at the Olympic Games: figure skating judge Raoul LeBlanc and Canadian Olympic Committee medical volunteer Jessica Sears.
Congratulations to Mary Lawson on 100th birthday
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Ms. Scott-Wallace recognized Mary Lawson, who celebrated her 100th birthday on March 9, a skilled quilter and co-founder of the Sussex Vale Quilters' Guild.
Congratulations to Vincent Kelly on 100th birthday
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon congratulated Vincent Kelly on his 100th birthday, a long-time Fredericton farmer at Fernhill Farm who began selling at the Boyce Farmer's Market in 1951.
Recognition of municipal councils and outgoing officials
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc thanked the Shediac and Cap-Acadie municipal councils and outgoing officials, notably Mayor Roger Caissie, and encouraged residents to run for office and vote on May 11.
Congratulations to Grace Totten
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton congratulated Grade 11 student Grace Totten, founder of the '17 by Seventeen' challenge aiming to complete actions on all 17 UN sustainable development goals before her 17th birthday.
Notice of Motion 33 — medical isotope production
Mr. Lee
Mr. Lee gave notice of Motion 33 (seconded by Mr. Hogan) urging the government to support incorporating medical isotope production and processing into New Brunswick's nuclear infrastructure at Point Lepreau, citing a projected $42-billion industry by 2031 and local supply for hospitals.
Notice of Motion 34 — midwifery care
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton gave notice of Motion 34 (seconded by Mr. Coon) urging the government to expand midwifery care by purchasing training seats in other provinces such as Ontario and providing financial incentives for New Brunswick midwifery students to return after their studies.
Debate on Motion 10 — lifting the natural gas moratorium
Mr. Cullins
Mr. Cullins argued for lifting the 2014 fracking moratorium, citing ~80 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas worth $186-221 billion, modern safer technology, high-paying jobs, European LNG demand after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and support from federal Liberals like Wayne Long and Minister Tim Hodgson.
Debate on Motion 10 — government response
Mr. Bourque
Mr. Bourque responded on behalf of the government, stating it favours development including natural resources, and praising the Minister of Natural Resources' work on minerals, including the reopening of the Lake George antimony mine as an alternative to China's supply dominance.
Orders of the Day
Motion 10 — Lifting the moratorium on natural gas development (Member from Kent's remarks)
The Deputy Speaker (Member for Kent)
Speaking as Deputy Speaker in a non-partisan role, the member highlighted government support for natural resource and mineral development (antimony at Lake George, tungsten at the Sisson mine), questioned why the opposition did not act on shale gas during their six years in government, and stated he would vote against the motion, stressing the need for balance, social licence, and responsible development, citing past unrest over fracking in Kent County.
Motion 10 — Closing debate on lifting the natural gas moratorium
Mr. Austin
Mr. Austin closed debate urging the government to lift the moratorium to signal the province is open for business, arguing natural gas could reduce the projected $20-billion debt, stabilize electricity rates, and create high-paying jobs, and citing global LNG supply disruptions in the Middle East as evidence of market demand. He noted his party had partially lifted the moratorium in 2019 and implored members to negotiate with First Nations and support development.
Recorded vote on Motion 10
Madam Speaker
Motion 10 to lift the natural gas moratorium was put to a recorded vote and defeated 31 Nays to 16 Yeas.
Second reading of Bill 23, An Act Respecting the Right to a Healthy Environment
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon opened second reading debate, arguing that traditional environmental laws are insufficient and that access to a healthy environment should be a fundamental human right. He described how Bill 23 would establish a legal obligation to prevent harm, empower citizens to hold governments accountable, improve cross-departmental decision-making, citing health impacts such as increased ALS near Belledune, and argued a healthy environment supports rather than hinders economic prosperity.
Bill 23 — An Act Respecting the Right to a Healthy Environment (second reading, sponsor's remarks)
Unknown
The bill's sponsor argued that a healthy environment is the foundation of prosperity and equity for future generations, and that Bill 23 shifts the goal from managing pollution to protecting the health of people and ecosystems, urging members to support it.
Bill 23 — revisions from Bill 19
Unknown
The sponsor detailed how Bill 23 was extensively revised after law amendments committee input on Bill 19: definitions clarified, section 26 scrapped, an agricultural exemption and remedies section added, the commissioner's power to order investigations removed, appointment/removal process added, UNDRIP referenced, and the RTIPPA alternative process and SLAPP provisions removed.
Bill 23 — legislative process and closing appeal
Unknown
The sponsor explained the second reading, committee, and third reading process, argued the bill complements rather than replaces traditional environmental laws by creating a substantive right plus procedural tools and an environmental commissioner, and closed by inviting debate and a vote.
Bill 23 — Minister's opposition
Hon. Mr. LePage
The Minister of Environment thanked the Environmental Rights Caucus and stakeholders but announced he could not support Bill 23, arguing the province already has a strong framework (EIA process, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, federal CEPA) and that parallel legislation would create confusion, contradiction, and administrative burden; he committed to modernizing the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts instead.
Bill 23 — Ms. S. Wilson's concerns
Ms. S. Wilson
Ms. Wilson said she shares the goal of clean air, water, and a healthy environment but opposed the bill's mechanics, warning of impacts on government operations, legal certainty, and the economy, and highlighting that section 5's paramountcy clause would sweepingly elevate the bill above all other New Brunswick legislation.
Bill 23 – opposition speech citing sweeping effect of section 5
Unknown
A member argued against Bill 23, warning that section 5 would elevate the bill above all other New Brunswick legislation, risking legal confusion, bureaucratic overgrowth, and policy paralysis, and questioning the need for a new environmental rights commissioner given existing strains on the public sector.
Bill 23 – speech in support by Ms. Mitton (bill sponsor)
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton spoke in favour of Bill 23, describing it as combining human rights and environmental law to entrench the right to a healthy environment, create an environmental rights commissioner, enhance court access, and increase transparency; she noted it is an improved version of the earlier Bill 19, cited expert support including David R. Boyd and Raffi, and urged members to vote to send it to committee.
Bill 23 – speech against by M. LeBlanc on legislative process
Mr. M. LeBlanc
M. LeBlanc argued that the new version of Bill 23 did not respect the work of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments, which had recommended addressing the ideas through modernization of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act; he raised concerns about undefined terms, legal ambiguity, litigation risk, and conflicts with existing frameworks, and stated he would vote against the bill.
Bill 23 – remarks by Mr. Savoie
Mr. Savoie
Mr. Savoie commended those who developed Bill 23 and affirmed the legislative process worked regardless of outcome; he challenged the third party leader's claim that 150 countries have such laws by noting context matters, and highlighted citizen engagement efforts, recognizing Gordon Dalzell's work on environmental protections near the refinery in his riding.
Bill 23, An Act Respecting the Right to a Healthy Environment — Second Reading Debate (opposition)
Unknown
A member praised the work done on the bill and acknowledged changes made at the law amendments committee, but argued the bill goes too far, retains an overburdening umbrella clause, merely shifts regulatory barriers, would harm the economy and strain the Department of Environment and the courts, and stated he would not support it advancing while encouraging supporters to find a better path.
Bill 23 — Second Reading Debate (Green Party)
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon spoke in support, quoting Raffi and citing children's vulnerability to environmental contaminants, examples from Belledune, Newcastle/Miramichi, and ALS deaths in the Chaleur region, argued existing environmental laws are inadequate, drew parallels to the Clean Water Act, and urged members to support the bill at second reading and address concerns through committee amendments.
Bill 23 — Motion for Second Reading Defeated (recorded vote)
Madam Speaker
On a recorded vote requested by Mr. Coon and Ms. Mitton, the motion for second reading of Bill 23 was defeated by 46 Nays to 2 Yeas (Yeas: Mr. Coon and Ms. Mitton).
Adjournment
Ms. M. Johnson
With no further business, Ms. M. Johnson moved that the House adjourn; the House adjourned at 4:58 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.