New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Thursday 14 May 2026
During Members' Statements in the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly on May 14, 2026, opposition members criticized the Holt government on multiple fronts—program cancellations, health care staffing for medical radiation technologists, alleged unpreparedness, spending on American companies, and gaps between the Premier's words and actions. Government members highlighted several legislative initiatives, including Bill 41 on community energy development, the long-term illness and injury leave bill, and the Pay Transparency Act. A statement also recognized Camp Cassidy for supporting first responders and their families, and celebrated the Acadian word 'tintamarre' being added to Le Petit Robert dictionary.
Members' Statements
Camp Cassidy wellness facility
Unknown
A member commended Camp Cassidy, its founding family, volunteers, and donors, noting two new chalets were added with a goal of eight, and highlighting its walking trails, lake access, and wellness environment offering healing and reconnection for those who serve communities and country and their families.
Alleged 'cancel culture' of the Premier
Ms. Conroy
Ms. Conroy accused Premier Holt of a pattern of cancelling successful programs from the previous government, including the pharmacy clinic pilot, eVisitNB, North Lake Provincial Park, and balanced budgets and debt reduction.
Medical radiation technologists and breast cancer screening
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon warned that breast cancer screening wait times have reached 175 days due to understaffing of medical radiation technologists, citing a $15/hour salary gap with RNs, lack of retention bonuses, and burnout, and urged the Premier to prioritize respecting, retaining, and recruiting MRTs.
'Tintamarre' added to Le Petit Robert dictionary
Mr. Doucet
Mr. Doucet, speaking as an Acadian MLA, celebrated the addition of the word 'tintamarre' to the Le Petit Robert dictionary as a cultural victory and historic recognition of Acadian history, culture, and identity.
Criticism of Premier as uninformed and underprepared
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver argued the Premier has been repeatedly uninformed and unprepared, citing First Nations not being involved in an American gas plant, the fixed plant location, and Agropur cutting 45 jobs in Sussex after $2.5 million in taxpayer money was given.
Long-term illness and injury leave bill
Ms. Vautour
Ms. Vautour championed the bill on long-term illness and injury leave as an essential protection for workers, providing up to 27 weeks of protected leave and a job return guarantee, reflecting values of compassion, equity, and social justice.
Criticism of the government's mineral strategy
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir criticized the Holt government's mineral strategy as superficial, highlighting a clause allowing the government to give away royalties for 10 years and questioning its effect on the deficit.
Bill 41 on community energy development
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Mr. M. LeBlanc underlined the importance of Bill 41, which would give communities more authority over energy development, allowing municipalities to participate directly in renewable energy projects and foster regional development in northern New Brunswick, including the Chaleur region, Belle-Baie, and Belledune.
Government spending on American companies
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson criticized the government's spending toward American entities, citing $27,000 a month on an American lobbyist, $30 million for Foundever, and a renewed contract with an American company for a tourism chatbot.
Pay Transparency Act
Mr. Mallet
Mr. Mallet highlighted the government's recently tabled Pay Transparency Act to support gradual implementation of pay equity, making compensation practices more transparent and inclusive and reducing unjustified disparities, particularly between women and men.
Gap between Premier's words and actions
Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan accused the Premier of contradicting her rhetoric with her actions, citing $45 million in tax hikes despite affordability talk, $47 million cut from youth mental health, cancellation of a successful pharmacy program, failures to consult, and dodging reporters.
Camp Cassidy wellness facility
Unknown
A member praised Camp Cassidy, a wellness facility offering free overnight stays and healing spaces for those who serve communities, commending the Cassidy family, volunteers, and donors for its impact on families across Atlantic Canada.
Premier Holt 'cancel culture'
Ms. Conroy
Conroy accused Premier Holt of a pattern of 'cancel culture,' citing the cancellation of the pharmacy clinic pilot, eVisitNB, North Lake Provincial Park, and balanced budgets and debt reduction from the previous government.
Breast cancer screening and medical radiation technologists
Mr. Coon
Coon highlighted a 175-day wait for breast cancer screening and called on the government to respect, retain, and recruit medical radiation technologists, noting a $15/hour salary gap and lack of retention bonuses compared to nurses and other technicians.
'Tintamarre' added to French dictionary
Mr. Doucet
Doucet, an Acadian MLA, celebrated the addition of the word 'tintamarre' to Le Petit Robert dictionary as a cultural victory and historic recognition of Acadian identity, history, and pride.
Criticism of Premier being uninformed
Mr. Oliver
Oliver characterized the Premier as uninformed, unaware, and underprepared, citing First Nations non-involvement in a gas plant, the Agropur job cuts in Sussex, and a $2.5 million taxpayer expenditure.
Long-term illness and injury leave bill
Ms. Vautour
Vautour praised the bill on long-term illness and injury leave, which provides up to 27 weeks of protected leave and job security, framing it as a commitment to workers' dignity, equity, and social justice.
Criticism of mineral strategy
Mr. Weir
Weir mocked the Holt government's mineral strategy, warning about a clause allowing the government to give away royalties for 10 years, arguing it would not help the deficit.
Bill 41 on community energy development
Mr. M. LeBlanc
LeBlanc promoted Bill 41, which would allow municipalities to participate directly in renewable energy projects and reinvest profits locally, emphasizing regional development in northern New Brunswick.
Criticism of spending with American companies
Ms. M. Johnson
Johnson criticized the Premier for spending on an American lobbyist ($27,000/month), Foundever ($30 million), and an American company running a tourism chatbot, arguing her actions favour the U.S.A.
Pay Transparency Act
Mr. Mallet
Mallet described the recently tabled Pay Transparency Act as a measure to promote pay equity through more transparent hiring, promotion, and compensation practices, reducing disparities between women and men.
Criticism of gap between Premier's words and actions
Mr. Monahan
Monahan argued the Premier's rhetoric contradicts her actions, citing $45 million in tax hikes, $47 million cut from youth mental health, cancellation of the pharmacy program, and failures to consult First Nations, farmers, universities, and her own Cabinet.
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 14, 2026 — afternoon (Legislature 61, Session 2), 39 2026-05-14b.