New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Friday 15 May 2026
On Friday, May 15, 2026, the New Brunswick House opened with condolences, congratulations, and Members' Statements addressing topics such as government transparency, park and site closures, school librarians, affordability, the school breakfast program, and legislation removing limitation periods for sexual assault and intimate partner violence survivors; several notices of motion were given and Bills 35 and 39 passed third reading (Bill 39 on a 27-10 vote). The remainder of the sitting was devoted to second-reading debate on Bill 40, An Act Respecting Health Quality and Patient Safety, with numerous opposition members criticizing its evidentiary basis, ministerial powers, privacy overrides, disclosure provisions, committee independence, reporting burdens, and lack of public reporting and timelines. Mr. Oliver moved an amendment to refer the bill to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments, which was then debated at length, with opposition members supporting referral and Health Minister McKee opposing it and defending the bill's amendments. The House adjourned at 2 p.m. until Tuesday, May 26.
Members' Statements
Condolence — Brucie Brown
Ms. Wilcott
Ms. Wilcott honoured Brucie Brown, a beloved West Side community figure recognized as the oldest person with Down syndrome in Canada, who passed away a month before his 80th birthday; a celebration of life was set for May 23.
Condolence — Myrtle Geldart
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Ms. Scott-Wallace paid tribute to Myrtle Geldart of Petitcodiac, a Second World War RCAF veteran and Legion member who died April 12 at age 104, recalling her long career as a bookkeeper and her community involvement.
Condolence — Élizabeth Mallet
Mr. Mallet
Mr. Mallet marked the passing of Élizabeth Mallet, who died May 3, 2026 at age 104 in Shippagan, listing her surviving family and offering condolences.
Condolence — Helen Christina McKinnon
Ms. M. Wilson
Ms. M. Wilson honoured Helen Christina McKinnon, a Cape Breton-born military spouse and longtime Oromocto resident and Catholic Women's League member who died April 10 at age 83.
Congratulation — Lily O'Neil
Hon. Mr. Randall
Hon. Mr. Randall recognized Lily O'Neil, valedictorian at Leo Hayes High School and a Loran Scholar, cofounder of the school paper The Lion, who will study criminology and socio-legal studies at the University of Toronto.
Congratulation — Carleton County Spring Show & Sale
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson congratulated participants in the Carleton County Spring Show & Sale, noting strong sale results and praising 4-H members, volunteers and organizers.
Congratulation — Municipal elections in Shediac and Cap-Acadie
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc congratulated those elected in the Shediac and Cap-Acadie municipal elections, notably Patricia Bourque-Chevarie as Shediac's first female mayor and Serge Leger, mayor of Cap-Acadie, elected by acclamation.
Congratulation — George Peabody retirement
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon congratulated George Peabody, author and poet, on his retirement as administrator of the Meduxnekeag River Association, dedicated to preserving Appalachian hardwood forest and riparian habitats.
Congratulation — Oromocto Chamber of Commerce business awards
Ms. M. Wilson
Ms. M. Wilson recognized businesses and entrepreneurs honoured at the 2026 Oromocto and Area Chamber of Commerce business awards dinner held May 7, naming winners across new, small and large business categories.
Congratulation — Literacy Awards for Dorchester Library and Together Time program
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton congratulated the Dorchester Memorial Public Library and Mount Allison University's Together Time program on winning the Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell Literacy Awards presented April 23.
Government transparency and accountability
Ms. Bockus
Ms. Bockus criticized the Holt government, arguing changes to the lobbyist registry cannot enhance transparency that does not exist, and accused the Premier and ministers of refusing to speak with the media.
Elections Act privacy protections
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton called for reforms to the Elections Act, citing the mandatory publication of candidates' home addresses and an Alberta data breach, and urged privacy policies and opt-out provisions to protect voters at risk.
Long-term care investment in Riverview
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc highlighted government action to add 60 long-term care beds at Parkland Riverview and 240 new beds across three Shannex facilities, part of a nearly $1 billion long-term care investment.
Doaktown and the Premier
Mr. Russell
Mr. Russell criticized the Premier over dealings with Doaktown, quoting the former mayor who said the community had not heard from government after the election, and said the Premier owes Doaktown an apology.
Mineral development in New Brunswick
Mr. Bourque
Mr. Bourque spoke about New Brunswick's opportunity to develop critical minerals like tungsten, molybdenum, zinc, lead and copper for the green energy transition, stressing strong environmental standards, respectful Indigenous partnerships and well-paying jobs.
Closure of provincial parks and tourism sites
Ms. M. Wilson
Criticized the government for the 'revenge' closures of North Lake Park, Doak House, and Cape Enrage, calling them a sign of political spite and part of a pattern of government failures across health, education, agriculture, and tourism.
Universal school breakfast program
Ms. Wilcott
Praised the government's universal school breakfast program launched in September, delivered through a partnership with FeedNB, saying it helps students stay focused and delivers real results.
Cuts to school librarians and veterinarians
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Accused the Holt government of eliminating school librarians in 2025 and now targeting veterinarians in 2026, warning the pressure from farmers and supporters over the vets issue would continue.
Bill to eliminate limitation periods for civil claims by survivors
Ms. Vautour
Described a tabled bill removing limitation periods for civil claims as a fundamental step to give victims of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and abuse in relationships of dependency access to justice when they are ready.
Affordability and fuel prices
Mr. Weir
Argued affordability has reached a tipping point, citing $45 million in increased fees/taxes in the budget and high gas prices, and called on the Premier to provide relief at the gas pumps.
Government transparency and accountability
Ms. Bockus
Bockus criticized the Justice Minister's changes to the lobbyist registry, arguing the Holt government lacks transparency and accountability and that the Premier and ministers refuse to speak to the media.
Election data privacy
Ms. Mitton
Mitton called for improvements to the Elections Act to protect voter data, citing the release of Alberta elector data and the Chief Electoral Officer's recommendations to require privacy policies and allow at-risk electors to opt out.
Long-term care investment in Riverview
Mr. J. LeBlanc
J. LeBlanc highlighted the government's addition of 60 new long-term care beds at the Parkland Riverview campus and nearly $1 billion investment to improve long-term care services across the province.
Treatment of Doaktown residents
Mr. Russell
Russell criticized the Premier for making people in Doaktown feel used, quoting the then mayor about the lack of government follow-up after the election, and said the Premier owes Doaktown an apology.
Critical mineral development
Mr. Bourque
Bourque spoke about New Brunswick's opportunity to develop critical minerals such as tungsten, molybdenum, zinc, lead, and copper responsibly, with strong environmental standards, Indigenous partnerships, and well-paying jobs.
New Brunswick natural resources and investment climate
Unknown
A government member touted a more predictable, timely and competitive regulatory system under the Minister of Natural Resources, sending a message that New Brunswick is open for business.
Closure of parks and heritage sites
M. Wilson
Ms. Wilson criticized the government for the closures of North Lake Park, Doak House, and Cape Enrage, calling them vindictive and reflective of a lack of vision, and cited broader failures across health care, education, agriculture, finances and tourism.
Universal school breakfast program
Ms. Wilcott
Ms. Wilcott highlighted the government's universal school breakfast program launched in September, delivered through a partnership with FeedNB, praising its results in helping students stay focused and ready to learn.
Impact of government budgets on veterinarians and farmers
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Ms. Scott-Wallace criticized the government for eliminating school librarians in 2025 and now targeting vets, warning that farmers and supporters are mobilizing and that pressure over the vets issue will not go away.
Bill eliminating limitation periods for civil claims by abuse survivors
Ms. Vautour
Ms. Vautour described a tabled bill enabling victims of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and abuse in relationships of dependency to seek justice by eliminating limitation periods for civil claims, calling it a compassionate reform rather than a housekeeping measure.
Affordability and fuel prices
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir stated affordability has reached a tipping point, criticizing $45 million in increased fees and taxes in the budget including higher driver's licence and vehicle registration costs and cuts of Chase the Ace winnings, and called for relief at the gas pumps.
Routine Proceedings
Introduction of guests
Hon. Mr. Randall
Introduced and welcomed Nora Valentino to the gallery.
Notice of Motion 39 – free shingles vaccination
Ms. M. Johnson
Gave notice of Motion 39 urging the government to make shingles vaccination free to all adults age 50 and over, citing cost, effectiveness, and comparable programs in other provinces.
Notice of Motion 40 – agricultural fair grants
Mr. Monahan
Gave notice of Motion 40 urging the government to increase the Agricultural Awareness Grant from $80,000 to $410,000 per year, allow infrastructure spending, and establish a ten-year review mechanism.
Notice of Motion 41 – homeless shelter consultation criteria
Ms. Conroy
Gave notice of Motion 41 urging the government to adopt concrete criteria for informing and consulting residents near proposed homeless shelters or transitional housing, including a 90-day consultation period and mailed notice within 500 metres.
Notice of Motion 42 – Victoria Cross review board
Ms. M. Wilson
Gave notice of Motion 42 urging the Government of Canada to establish an independent military honours review board to examine veterans' cases where evidence suggests Victoria Cross criteria were met.
Government business ordering
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Announced the day's order of business: third reading of Bills 35 and 39, then second reading of Bills 41-45, later correcting himself to begin with the adjourned debate on Bill 40 before proceeding to Bills 41-45.
Third reading of Bill 35
The Speaker
Bill 35, An Act to Amend the Probate Court Act, was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 39 (recorded vote)
Multiple
Following a requested recorded vote, the motion for third reading of Bill 39, respecting the New Brunswick Income Tax Act and the Small Business Investor Tax Credit Act, was carried 27 Yeas to 10 Nays, and the bill was read a third time and passed.
Condolence for Brucie Brown
Ms. Wilcott
Wilcott honoured Brucie Brown of the West Side neighbourhood, recognized as the oldest person with Down's syndrome in Canada, who passed away a month before his 80th birthday; a celebration of life is planned for May 23.
Condolence for Myrtle Geldart
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Scott-Wallace paid tribute to Myrtle Geldart of Petitcodiac, a WWII veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the oldest surviving veteran in Three Rivers, who died April 12 at age 104.
Condolence for Élizabeth Mallet
Mr. Mallet
Mallet offered condolences on the death of Élizabeth Mallet, who passed away May 3 at age 104 at Résidences Mgr. Chiasson in Shippagan, listing her surviving family members.
Condolence for Helen Christina McKinnon
Ms. M. Wilson
M. Wilson honoured Helen Christina McKinnon, a longtime family friend and member of St. Mary's Catholic Women's League, who died April 10 at age 83.
Congratulations to Lily O'Neil
Hon. Mr. Randall
Randall recognized Lily O'Neil, valedictorian at Leo Hayes High School and a Loran Scholar, cofounder of The Lion, who will study criminology at the University of Toronto.
Congratulations on Carleton County Spring Show & Sale
Ms. M. Johnson
M. Johnson congratulated participants in the Carleton County Spring Show & Sale, highlighting strong sale results and the participation of 4-H members.
Congratulations to municipal election winners in Shediac and Cap-Acadie
Mr. J. LeBlanc
J. LeBlanc congratulated those elected in Shediac and Cap-Acadie, especially Patricia Bourque-Chevarie as Shediac's first female mayor and Serge Leger, Mayor of Cap-Acadie.
Retirement of George Peabody
Mr. Coon
Coon congratulated George Peabody on his retirement as administrator of the Meduxnekeag River Association, praising his work preserving Appalachian hardwood forest and guiding youth on nature walks.
Oromocto and Area Chamber of Commerce business awards
Ms. M. Wilson
M. Wilson recognized the businesses and entrepreneurs honoured at the 2026 Oromocto Chamber of Commerce business awards dinner held May 7.
Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell Literacy Awards
Ms. Mitton
Mitton congratulated the Dorchester Memorial Public Library and the Together Time program at Mount Allison University for winning literacy awards presented April 23.
Introduction of guests
Hon. Mr. Randall
Hon. Mr. Randall introduced his friend Nora Valentino in the gallery and invited members to welcome her to the House.
Notice of Motion 39 - free shingles vaccination
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson gave notice of Motion 39, seconded by Mr. Oliver, urging the government to make shingles vaccination free to all adults aged 50 and over who wish to receive it.
Notice of Motion 40 - agricultural fair grants
Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan gave notice of Motion 40, seconded by Mr. Cullins, urging the government to adopt the NBFEA's grant funding recommendations increasing the Agricultural Awareness Grant to $410,000 per year, allow funds for infrastructure, and establish a ten-year renegotiation mechanism.
Notice of Motion 41 - homeless shelter consultation criteria
Ms. Conroy
Ms. Conroy gave notice of Motion 41, seconded by Mr. Weir, urging the government to develop criteria for informing residents near proposed homeless shelters or transitional housing, including a minimum 90-day consultation period and mailed notice to homeowners within 500 metres.
Notice of Motion 42 - Canadian Victoria Cross review
Ms. M. Wilson
Ms. M. Wilson gave notice of Motion 42, seconded by Ms. Bockus, urging the federal government to establish an independent military honours review board to review veterans' cases where evidence suggests Victoria Cross criteria were met.
Government business ordering
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Mr. M. LeBlanc set out the day's business—third reading of Bills 35 and 39 followed by second reading of Bills 41-45—and later corrected himself, requesting the House begin instead with the adjourned debate on Bill 40 before proceeding to Bills 41-45.
Third reading of Bill 35 (Probate Court Act)
The Speaker
Bill 35, An Act to Amend the Probate Court Act, was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 39 (Income Tax Act and Small Business Investor Tax Credit)
The Speaker
Following a requested recorded vote, Bill 39, An Act Respecting the New Brunswick Income Tax Act and the Small Business Investor Tax Credit Act, was passed on third reading by a vote of 27 Yeas to 10 Nays.
Orders of the Day
Second reading debate on Bill 40, An Act Respecting Health Quality and Patient Safety
Ms. Conroy
Speaking from nearly 20 years of health care experience, Conroy acknowledged worthwhile elements of Bill 40 (clearer definitions, mandatory quality reviews, free incident reports, and strengthened apology protection) but questioned whether it constitutes real reform or reorganization, raising concerns about the proposed advisory committee whose composition and powers are set by unseen regulation and dominated by government officials and reviewed organizations, with only one required patient/family member.
Bill 40, An Act Respecting Health Quality and Patient Safety (second reading debate)
Unknown
An opposition member raised concerns that Bill 40's multi-step reporting chain (from incident reports to quality reviews to the advisory committee to the minister) risks bureaucratic delay, questioned the advisory committee's independence given its government-appointed chair and administrator, and criticized that disclosure of quality review findings to harmed patients remains discretionary while strong confidentiality protections exist for the system.
Bill 40 — gaps in public reporting, enforcement, and culture of silence
Unknown
The member noted the bill does not require aggregate public reporting of critical event outcomes, does not create an independent patient ombud or direct enforcement mechanism, and does not address nursing/staffing shortages or the culture of silence, while acknowledging the free incident report access and mandatory critical event reviews as progress.
Bill 40 — questions to be answered before third reading
Unknown
The member listed questions for committee, including whether draft regulations will be shared, why disclosure of quality review findings to seriously harmed patients is not mandatory, the effectiveness of apology protection clauses, the composition and independence of the advisory committee, whistle-blower protections, timelines for critical event reviews, and protocols to detect province-wide systemic issues.
Bill 40 — broader concerns and personal accounts
Unknown
The member spoke to broader public anxiety about health care, shared a personal story of a Miramichi-born infant who died after transfer to Moncton and whose parents received only a partial apology, and urged that patients and harmed families be at the centre of the system, calling for mandatory disclosure, public reporting and genuine committee independence.
Bill 40 — remarks by Ms. Scott-Wallace
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Ms. Scott-Wallace framed the bill through accountability to patients, families, workers and taxpayers rather than administrative modernization, cited the overnight closure of the Sussex emergency room including a man who suffered a heart attack outside the closed ER, and warned that poorly designed oversight can weaken trust amid fragile public confidence in the health system. Mr. Arseneault took the chair as Deputy Speaker during this portion.
Bill 40 – An Act Respecting Health Quality and Patient Safety (second reading debate)
Member for Sussex-Three Rivers
The member argued that public trust in New Brunswick's health system is fragile, citing overnight ER closures and lack of primary care in her riding, and questioned what systemic failures under the current Act justified the overhaul. She raised concerns about increased ministerial authority, the credibility and independence of the proposed quality of care and patient safety advisory committee, added administrative and reporting burdens on front-line workers, the blame culture, weak whistle-blower protections, and especially section 6.2's privacy override of the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Drawing on her 25 years as a journalist, she stressed transparency, warned that centralized improvement plans ignore rural realities and workforce/staffing drivers of safety, and concluded she cannot support the bill without significant clarification and amendment.
Bill 40 – continued second reading debate
Ms. Bockus
Ms. Bockus said no one disputes the goal of safer hospitals but argued the bill adds administrative layers and leaves most hard questions to regulation at the minister's discretion. She criticized the new NB quality of care and patient safety advisory committee for having its composition, powers and duties prescribed only by regulation, asked the minister to commit to tabling draft regulations before third reading, questioned the committee's independence given it would be chaired and administered by ministerial appointees, and noted the bill only covers incidents within hospital facilities, leaving patients outside facilities (e.g. roadside or sidewalk births) unaddressed.
Bill 40 – Patient safety and quality of care amendments (second reading debate)
Unknown (Opposition member)
The member praised positive steps like free access to incident reports but flagged gaps: quality review disclosure remains discretionary rather than mandatory in serious harm cases, apology protection may shield accountability, critical event reviews lack timelines and public aggregate reporting, and the new oversight committee has undefined powers, ministerial discretion and no legislated deadlines. The member urged amendments for committee independence, mandatory disclosure and public data, and stated they would not support the bill.
Bill 40 – Patient safety and quality of care amendments (continued debate)
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver affirmed patient safety must come first and acknowledged the 2016/2018 framework, but questioned whether the amendments truly improve transparency or merely reframe internal processes. He raised concerns about categorizing harm (risking missed early warning signs from minor incidents), streamlining committees at the cost of independence, disclosure standards, the advisory committee's limited authority and lack of public reporting, exclusion of long-term care, and deferred cultural safety provisions. He shared a personal account of his mother receiving another patient's medication and cited statistics (1 in 17 hospital stays involve harm, ~153,000 hospitalizations yearly, underreporting of medication errors and near misses) to argue for stronger accountability and transparency.
Second reading debate on Bill 40 (An Act Respecting Health Quality and Patient Safety)
Unknown
An opposition speaker cited statistics on patient harm—longer hospital stays, higher costs, thousands of preventable deaths, and WHO figures—arguing that focusing resources narrowly on critical harm risks missing systemic patterns and weakening transparency, and urged the government to reconsider whether the bill aligns with the reality of patient safety.
Proposed amendment to refer Bill 40 to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver, seconded by Ms. M. Johnson, moved to amend the second reading motion so Bill 40 would not be read a second time now, but that the order be discharged and the subject matter referred to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments; the Deputy Speaker read the amendment and a recess was granted to review it.
Debate on the proposed amendment
Mr. M. LeBlanc
The Government House Leader argued against referring Bill 40 to Law Amendments, saying stakeholders and both RHAs were already consulted, criticized the former PC government's health care record, and asserted the opposition was opposing improved patient safety, transparency, and accountability. Mr. Weir raised a point of order objecting to references to previous governments, which the Deputy Speaker ruled was debate rather than a point of order, and Mr. Monahan raised a point of order asking the speaker to address the Speaker.
Continued debate on the amendment
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir criticized the government for grandstanding and rambling about past governments instead of debating the amendment and the importance of democratic debate, and after a further point of order (Mr. J. LeBlanc) reminding him to address the Speaker, continued his remarks on the democratic process.
Debate on proposed amendment to send Bill 40 to the Law Amendments Committee
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir defended the democratic debate process against accusations of grandstanding and argued the amendment to refer Bill 40 to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments would improve rather than delay the legislation, allowing input from front-line health workers, experts, and the public without fear of reprisal.
Concerns about bureaucracy, deficit, reporting burdens and duplication in Bill 40
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir argued the bill contradicts the government's stated aim of reducing bureaucracy through attrition by creating a new advisory committee, expanding reporting requirements and administrative processes, and warned of increased burdens on overworked front-line workers and possible duplication of existing RHA committee structures.
Point of order on relevance
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc raised a point of order asking that Mr. Weir speak to the proposed amendment and not deviate; the Speaker responded that she had listened attentively and found the member was speaking to the bill, but reminded him to continue on the amendment.
Bill 40 (Health Quality and Patient Safety Act) — debate on referral amendment
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir spoke in support of the motion to refer Bill 40 to the law amendments committee, arguing that mandatory reviews and documentation could burden front-line health workers, that the bill's impact on those workers was not assessed, and that centralizing power with the minister risks less local decision-making and flexibility. He urged committee study, consultation, and expert review before passing the bill, stressing that supporting patient safety does not mean supporting every mechanism proposed in its name.
Point of order on addressing the Speaker
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc raised a point of order noting Mr. Weir was looking around the chamber rather than addressing the Speaker; the Speaker reminded Mr. Weir to speak through the Chair.
Bill 40 — Minister's response opposing referral amendment
Hon. Mr. McKee
The Minister, who chairs the law amendments committee, opposed referring Bill 40, saying stakeholder consultation had already been done by the Department of Health and the bill builds trust in the health system. He outlined the five main amendments to the Health Quality and Patient Safety Act—clarifying definitions and committee responsibilities, enabling joint quality reviews and information sharing, allowing substitute decision-makers to receive incident notifications, tracking and benchmarking data, and establishing a provincial advisory committee—and defended the standard process of drafting regulations after passage and the civil-liability and apology protections that promote non-punitive reporting.
Bill 40 - Motion to refer to law amendments committee (government position)
The Minister of Health
The minister argued the bill had been comprehensively reviewed by the Department of Health, aims at patient safety and information sharing between health care organizations without creating bureaucracy, and provides needed protections for health care workers. He said the opposition was filibustering and misinterpreting the bill, opposed sending it to the law amendments committee, and urged moving it to the economic policy committee where department staff could defend the recommendations.
Bill 40 - Debate in favour of referral to law amendments committee
Ms. Conroy
Drawing on nearly 20 years of health care experience, Ms. Conroy supported the amendment to send Bill 40 to the law amendments committee, arguing that patient safety legislation must be handled carefully and transparently. She raised concerns about the bill's problem definition, potential duplication of existing oversight committees, added administrative burden on front-line staff, the need for staff protections and non-punitive reporting, the override of privacy legislation, the independence of safety reviews, and the need for measurable outcomes, stressing the opposition supports improvements but wants to get the bill right.
Adjournment
Madam Speaker
At two o'clock, the Speaker adjourned the House pursuant to the legislative calendar until Tuesday, May 26, wishing members a good long weekend.
Second reading debate on Bill 40 (Health Quality and Patient Safety)
Ms. Conroy
Ms. Conroy, drawing on her nearly 20 years of health care experience, questioned whether Bill 40 constitutes genuine reform or reorganization dressed up as reform, acknowledging improvements such as clearer definitions, mandatory quality reviews, free incident reports for patients, and stronger apology protection, but raising serious concerns that the new provincial advisory committee's composition and powers would be set by unseen regulation and dominated by government officials and the very organizations being reviewed, with only one required patient or family member.
Bill 40, An Act Respecting Health Quality and Patient Safety — second reading debate (Opposition critique)
Unknown
An Opposition member argued the bill risks providing cover rather than genuine accountability, warning that a multi-step reporting chain to the minister could dilute or delay complaints, that oversight lacks independence, and that disclosure of quality review findings to harmed patients remains discretionary rather than mandatory. They said the bill fails to address staffing shortages, public reporting, an independent patient ombud, and the culture of silence, and listed questions for committee including draft regulations, timelines, committee composition and independence, whistle-blower protection, and mandatory disclosure, illustrating concerns with the death of an infant in Moncton's NICU.
Bill 40 — second reading debate (Ms. Scott-Wallace)
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Ms. Scott-Wallace supported examining the bill from an accountability perspective toward patients, families, workers and taxpayers, noting laws not words are passed and calling for thorough scrutiny. She cited the overnight closure of the Sussex emergency room—including a man who suffered a heart attack outside its closed doors—and warned that fragile public confidence in health care and poorly designed oversight could weaken rather than strengthen trust.
Second reading debate on Bill 40, An Act Respecting Health Quality and Patient Safety
Member for Sussex-Three Rivers
The member (a former journalist representing Sussex-Three Rivers) argued that with public trust in health care already fragile, the bill fails to demonstrate what systemic failures justify the overhaul, and raised concerns about concentrated ministerial authority, the credibility and independence of patient safety reviews, and whether the proposed advisory committee creates real expertise or duplication. He warned about added paperwork on exhausted front-line workers, a blame culture discouraging reporting without whistle-blower protections, and especially the privacy clause (section 6.2) allowing the Act to prevail over the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, while noting missing workforce/staffing considerations; he concluded he could not support the bill in its current form without significant clarification and amendment.
Second reading debate on Bill 40 — continued
Ms. Bockus
Ms. Bockus rose to speak on Bill 40, arguing that while no one disputes the goal of safer hospitals, the bill adds an administrative layer and leaves key decisions to regulation at the minister's discretion. She questioned the composition and powers of the new quality of care and patient safety advisory committee, asked whether the minister would table draft regulations before third reading, and criticized the committee's lack of independence given it would be chaired and administered by government officials, also noting from a briefing that the bill would only address incidents occurring within hospital facilities and not patients outside them.
Bill 40 – Patient Safety and Quality of Care Framework (second reading, opposition remarks)
Unknown
An opposition member welcomed provisions giving patients free access to incident reports and mandatory critical event reviews, but criticized discretionary disclosure of quality review findings, the apology protection potentially replacing accountability, the absence of legislated timelines and public reporting, and a new committee chaired by a government official with undefined powers, concluding they would not support the bill and urging amendments for committee independence, mandatory disclosure and public aggregate data.
Bill 40 – Patient Safety and Quality of Care Framework (second reading, Mr. Oliver)
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver commended health staff and acknowledged the original 2016/2018 framework, then questioned whether the amendments truly strengthen the system or merely reframe internal processes, raising concerns about categorizing harm and overlooking minor incidents as early warning signs, streamlining of quality-of-care committees, disclosure standards, the advisory provincial committee's authority and lack of public reporting, apology protections, exclusion of long-term care, and deferral of cultural safety. He recounted a personal incident involving his mother receiving another patient's diabetes medication, and cited statistics on the scale of patient harm and under-reporting to argue for transparency, accountability and rigour.
Bill 40 second reading debate — patient safety statistics
Unknown
A member presented statistics on patient harm (harmed patients hospitalized five times longer, costs four times higher, WHO estimates 1 in 10 patients harmed) and urged the government to reconsider whether narrowing the bill's focus to critical harm risks missing systemic patterns and early warning signs.
Proposed amendment to refer Bill 40 to Law Amendments Committee
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver, seconded by Ms. M. Johnson, moved to amend the second reading motion so that Bill 40 not be read a second time but that its subject matter be referred to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments; the Deputy Speaker read the amendment and debate ensued.
Recess to review amendment
Hon. Mr. McKee
Hon. Mr. McKee requested a recess to review the amendment; the Deputy Speaker granted a short recess from 12:18 p.m. to 12:25 p.m.
Debate on amendment — Government House Leader opposition
Mr. M. LeBlanc
The Government House Leader spoke against the amendment, arguing consultation with the RHAs and stakeholders had already occurred, that the Law Amendments Committee was not warranted for this bill, and accusing the opposition of grandstanding and opposing improvements to patient safety and quality of care while defending the government's health record.
Points of order during debate
Multiple
Mr. Weir raised a point of order that revisiting previous governments was not relevant to the bill or amendment (ruled to be debate, not a point of order); Mr. Monahan and later Mr. J. LeBlanc raised points of order asking members to address the Speaker rather than the other side.
Debate on amendment — Mr. Weir response
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir criticized the Government House Leader for grandstanding while accusing others of the same, emphasized the importance of democratic debate in the House, and began his remarks on the amendment as Mr. Bourque took the chair.
Debate on proposed amendment to Bill 40 (referral to Law Amendments Committee)
M. Weir
Mr. Weir argued extensively in favour of an amendment to send Bill 40 to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments, defending democratic debate, criticizing accusations of grandstanding, and urging respect for the House and its process. He said the bill deserves careful committee scrutiny and public input from front-line workers, experts and retirees who could speak without fear of reprisal.
Concerns about Bill 40 — bureaucracy, deficit and reporting burdens
M. Weir
Mr. Weir raised specific concerns that Bill 40 contradicts government deficit-reduction goals by creating a new advisory committee, expanding reporting requirements and administrative processes, and adding positions rather than reducing bureaucracy through attrition. He warned the bill would increase incident reporting and documentation, burdening overworked front-line health care workers and duplicating existing RHA committee structures.
Point of order on relevance
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc raised a point of order asking that Mr. Weir speak on the proposed amendment and not deviate from the topic; the Speaker said she had been listening attentively, found the member was speaking to the bill, and reminded him to continue speaking on the amendment.
Bill 40 – Health Quality and Patient Safety Act amendments (motion to refer to Law Amendments Committee)
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir argued the bill should go to the law amendments committee, raising concerns about added documentation and mandatory reviews burdening front-line health workers, the lack of assessment of impacts on front-line staff, privacy and oversight issues, and centralization of ministerial authority. He urged studying, consulting, and improving the bill before passage rather than adjusting after the fact.
Point of order on addressing the Speaker
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc raised a point of order that Mr. Weir was looking around the floor rather than addressing the Speaker; the Speaker reminded the member to speak through the Chair, and Mr. Weir responded that he was looking around the room out of politeness.
Bill 40 – Government response opposing the referral amendment
Hon. Mr. McKee
Hon. Mr. McKee opposed sending Bill 40 to the law amendments committee, saying stakeholder engagement was already done by the Department of Health. He outlined the bill's five main amendments—clarifying definitions and processes, clarifying the quality of care and patient safety committee's responsibilities, clarifying notification/disclosure to substitute decision-makers, improving data tracking and benchmarking, and establishing a provincial quality of care and patient safety advisory committee—and defended civil liability and apology protections, noting regulations follow the normal post-enactment process.
Bill 40 - Minister's opposition to referral to law amendments committee
The Minister of Health
The minister argued the bill improves patient safety and health care quality, protects health care workers by allowing information sharing between organizations (e.g. Vitalité and Horizon), and does not create additional bureaucracy. He characterized opposition criticisms as misinterpretations and filibustering, and said referral to the committee was unnecessary but that the economic policy committee could hear department staff defend the recommendations.
Bill 40 - Ms. Conroy's speech supporting referral to law amendments committee
Ms. Conroy
Drawing on nearly 20 years of health care experience, Ms. Conroy argued Bill 40 requires careful, transparent scrutiny in the law amendments committee, raising concerns about duplication of existing oversight committees, ministerial control undermining independence, staff protections and psychological safety in incident reporting, the bill overriding privacy protections under the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, added administrative burden on front-line workers, and the need for measurable outcomes. She stressed the opposition supports improvements but wants to ensure the bill is done right.
Adjournment
Madam Speaker
At 2 p.m. the Speaker adjourned the House pursuant to the rules and the legislative calendar until Tuesday, May 26, wishing members a good long weekend.
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 15, 2026 — afternoon (Legislature 61, Session 2), 40 2026-05-15b.