New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Wednesday 6 May 2026
During Members' Statements in the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, members offered tributes and raised concerns on a range of issues, including a book launch, the health of former colleague Ernie Steeves, long-term care and seniors' issues, the Miramichi economy and the closure of Doak House, the new Moncton Addictions and Mental Health Court, credit rating downgrades, the province's new economic strategy, and rising fuel prices. Statements alternated between government members promoting initiatives and opposition members criticizing the Holt government's record.
Members' Statements
Book launch celebration
Unknown
A member announced upcoming book launch events at Mount Allison University in Sackville and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, congratulating Thaddeus Holownia, John Leroux, and others who made the book possible.
Health of former colleague Ernie Steeves
Mr. Savoie
Mr. Savoie shared the difficult news that former colleague Ernie Steeves has been undergoing treatment for dementia, asking members to keep him in their thoughts and prayers.
Long-term care and seniors in hospitals
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton criticized the combined crisis in long-term care and health, describing seniors being strapped to chairs, and called on the government to implement recommendations 4.9 and 4.10 from the senior advocate's report 'What We All Want'.
Defending Miramichi and economic diversification
Mr. Johnston
Mr. Johnston praised the Holt government for bringing economic diversification and $63.2 million to the Miramichi region, while criticizing the former PC government and his opposition colleagues for neglecting Miramichi.
Closure of Doak House
Mr. Russell
Mr. Russell criticized the Holt government's decision to close Doak House in Doaktown, suggesting it may be political revenge against residents for not voting Liberal in the Miramichi West by-election.
Moncton Addictions and Mental Health Court
Mr. Doucet
During Mental Health Week, Mr. Doucet highlighted the launch of the Moncton Addictions and Mental Health Court, which aims to break the cycle of reoffending by addressing root causes, and recognized the leadership of the Minister of Justice and Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Services.
Credit rating downgrades
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson criticized the government for celebrating despite Moody's downgrading New Brunswick's credit assessment from aa2 to aa3 and S&P Global placing the province's rating on probation with a warning.
New economic strategy
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc promoted the government's new economic strategy, highlighting New Brunswick's advantages in critical minerals, salmon and oyster industries, forestry, and the defence sector including CFB Gagetown, stating the province is open for business.
Rising fuel prices and fuel tax windfall
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir noted regular fuel prices approaching $2 per litre and argued the Holt government collects more tax revenue as prices climb, calling on the Premier to return part of the fuel tax windfall to New Brunswickers in need.
Seniors and long-term care plan
Ms. Vautour
Ms. Vautour highlighted the government's new March plan for seniors and long-term care, including investments in home care, expanded community programs, nursing home upgrades, and increased long-term care capacity to help seniors age at home.
Criticism of Premier's record
Ms. Bockus
Ms. Bockus criticized the Premier's record, citing record numbers of New Brunswickers without a family doctor and needing food banks, tourist attraction closures, and instances where she claimed the Premier was uninformed on key issues.
Book launch at Mount Allison University and Beaverbrook Art Gallery
Unknown
A member announced upcoming book launch events on May 10 in Sackville and May 14 in Fredericton, and congratulated Thaddeus Holownia, John Leroux, and all who made the book possible.
Ernie Steeves dementia diagnosis
Mr. Savoie
Mr. Savoie shared the difficult news that former colleague Ernie Steeves has been undergoing treatment for dementia, asking members to keep him in their thoughts and prayers.
Long-term care and seniors in hospitals
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton criticized the combined crisis in long-term care and health, describing seniors being forced to live in hospitals and some dementia patients being strapped to chairs, and called on the government to implement recommendations 4.9 and 4.10 from the senior advocate's report 'What We All Want.'
Support for Miramichi region
Mr. Johnston
Mr. Johnston defended his support for Miramichi, criticized opposition colleagues for silence, and praised the Holt government for bringing $63.2 million in economic diversification and employment to the region.
Closure of Doak House
Mr. Russell
Mr. Russell criticized the Holt government's decision to close Doak House, suggesting it may be political revenge against constituents for not voting Liberal in the Miramichi West by-election.
Moncton Addictions and Mental Health Court
Mr. Doucet
During Mental Health Week, Mr. Doucet highlighted the launch of the Moncton Addictions and Mental Health Court, which aims to break the cycle of reoffending by addressing root causes, and recognized the Minister of Justice's leadership.
Credit rating downgrades
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson criticized the Premier's reaction to Moody's downgrading New Brunswick's credit assessment from aa2 to aa3 and S&P Global's credit warning, comparing the government's 'celebration' to a man whose house is burning.
New economic strategy
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc promoted the government's new economic strategy focused on resources, critical minerals, salmon and oyster industries, forestry, and the defence sector including CFB Gagetown, declaring New Brunswick 'open for business.'
Rising fuel prices and fuel tax revenue
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir noted regular fuel prices climbing toward $2 per litre and argued the Holt government collects more tax revenue as prices rise, calling for the Premier to return part of the fuel tax windfall to New Brunswickers relying on food banks.
New seniors and long-term care plan
Ms. Vautour
Ms. Vautour highlighted the government's new March plan for seniors and long-term care, including investments in home care, expanded community programs, nursing home upgrades, and increased long-term care capacity.
Criticism of the Premier's record
Ms. Bockus
Ms. Bockus criticized the Premier's record on family doctors, food bank use, tourist attraction closures, and being uninformed on multiple issues, urging the Premier to do better.
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 Hansard — May 6, 2026 — afternoon (Legislature 61, Session 2), 34 2026-05-06b.