New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Friday 29 May 2026
On Friday, May 29, 2026, the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly heard members' statements covering both government initiatives and opposition criticisms. Government members highlighted programs including the universal school breakfast program, the 3% rent cap, property tax reform, and expanded tuition bursaries for paramedics and EMTs. Opposition members criticized the Holt government on health care, agriculture, veterinary services, energy policy, and the NB Power diesel/gas plant.
Members' Statements
Government failures in the headlines
Ms. Conroy
Conroy listed a series of recent negative headlines about the Holt government, citing failures in health care, social services, the economy, and agriculture.
NB Power diesel and gas plant and renewable energy
Ms. Mitton
Mitton criticized the Energy and Utilities Board's reluctant approval of NB Power's diesel and gas plant, urging the Environment Minister to reject or fully review its environmental impact assessment and calling for greater investment in renewable energy.
Universal school breakfast program
Mr. J. LeBlanc
J. LeBlanc promoted the government's universal school breakfast program launched in September, a $13-million initiative delivered through Feed NB that reaches every school and eases financial pressure on families.
Criticism of the Premier and government communication
Mr. Oliver
Oliver mockingly proposed a specialized translation app for New Brunswickers to interpret the Premier's statements, criticizing the government's credibility on balancing the budget.
3% rent cap program
Mr. Bourque
Bourque highlighted the government's 3% rent cap, which limits landlords to one increase per year, saying it has helped thousands reduce stress and manage spending amid affordability challenges.
Challenges in Fundy-The Isles-Saint John Lorneville
Mr. Lee
Lee raised concerns about his riding, including nonexistent provincial veterinary services, potential small-school closures, rising gas prices, aging Bay of Fundy ferries, the inshore fishery loan program, housing, primary care access, and an unwanted Lorneville data centre.
Property tax reform
Ms. Vautour
Vautour presented An Act Respecting Property Tax Reform, built on the pillars of stability, transparency, and predictability, with changes taking effect in the 2027 billing cycle including simplified bills and extended appeal periods.
Energy policy and natural gas development
Mr. Weir
Weir criticized the government's push toward AI in kindergarten and argued New Brunswick is falling behind on energy opportunities, blaming the Premier for failing to develop natural gas resources.
Tuition bursary program for paramedics and EMTs
Mr. Johnston
Johnston announced the expansion of the tuition bursary program to include paramedic and EMT students, aimed at strengthening recruitment and retention of first responders who commit to remaining in New Brunswick.
Veterinarian exodus and agriculture
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Scott-Wallace criticized the Premier over agriculture, noting the departure of one of the province's roughly 20 large animal vets as the beginning of an exodus.
Holt government failures in the news
Ms. Conroy
Conroy listed recent headlines she said reflected government failures in health care, social services, the economy, and agriculture, including a suspended maternity ward, criticism of a program, and a veterinarian leaving the province.
NB Power diesel and gas plant / renewable energy
Ms. Mitton
Mitton criticized the Energy and Utilities Board's reluctant approval of NB Power's diesel and gas plant, urging the Environment Minister to reject or conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and calling for greater investment in renewable energy.
Universal school breakfast program
Mr. J. LeBlanc
LeBlanc praised the government's universal school breakfast program launched in September, delivered through a partnership with Feed NB, describing it as a $13 million initiative supporting children's health and easing financial pressure on families.
Government communication / translation app satire
Mr. Oliver
Oliver mocked the government by suggesting the Research and Productivity Council develop a translation app to reveal the 'real meaning' behind the Premier's statements, such as budget-balancing claims.
Rent cap program
Mr. Bourque
Bourque highlighted the government's 3% rent cap as one of its first measures, noting landlords can only increase rent once per year, and said the program has helped thousands manage affordability challenges.
Challenges in Fundy-The Isles-Saint John Lorneville
Mr. Lee
Lee raised numerous local concerns including nonexistent veterinary services, potential closure of small schools, rising gas prices, the urgent need to upgrade Bay of Fundy ferries, fishery loan program alignment with Nova Scotia, housing, primary care access, policing, and an unwanted Lorneville data centre.
Property tax reform
Ms. Vautour
Vautour introduced An Act Respecting Property Tax Reform, built on the pillars of stability, transparency, and predictability, with changes taking effect in the 2027 billing cycle including simplified bills, extended appeal periods, and online notice access.
Energy policy and AI in kindergarten satire
Mr. Weir
Weir mocked the government's plan to introduce AI in kindergarten and criticized the Premier for failing to develop New Brunswick's natural gas resources, joking that Dominic LeBlanc might help 'straighten her out'.
Tuition bursary program for paramedics and EMTs
Mr. Johnston
Johnston announced the extension of the tuition bursary program to paramedic and EMT students to strengthen recruitment and retention, with recipients committing to remain in New Brunswick after graduation.
Veterinarian exodus and agriculture
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Scott-Wallace criticized the Premier over the departure of one of the province's 20 large animal veterinarians, warning of an exodus and comparing the government's performance unfavourably to that of farmers.
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 29, 2026 — afternoon (Legislature 61, Session 2), 44 2026-05-29b (1).