New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Friday 5 June 2026
On Friday, June 5, 2026 (World Environment Day), the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly heard a series of Members' Statements. Government members celebrated new affordable school lunch and breakfast programs, new supportive housing units in Saint John, and a 2026 property tax assessment freeze, while opposition members criticized the Holt government over gas prices, the shingles vaccine, cuts affecting veterinarians and farmers, budget deficits, US-based contracts, and the Foundever service transition.
Members' Statements
Tribute to Gary
Unknown
A member paid tribute to Gary, describing him as a supporter with a warm smile and recalling time spent with him at his 80th birthday.
Criticism of government on gas prices and shingles vaccine
Mr. Cullins
Using an AI-themed satire, Cullins criticized the Holt government for deliberately ignoring New Brunswickers seeking help with gas prices and for denying people the shingles vaccine.
World Environment Day and forest ecosystems
Mr. Coon
Coon marked World Environment Day, warning that Crown land forest ecosystems are badly degraded and wildlife populations are declining, and criticized both the government's support for fossil gas and diesel power and the opposition's push for more gas extraction.
Affordable school lunch program
Ms. Vautour
Vautour praised the government's announcement of more affordable lunches, saying parents report varied, well-liked menus and that in a year and a half the team enabled all children access to breakfast and lunch.
Criticism of Premier over US ties and gas policy
Ms. M. Wilson
Wilson used an AI-themed satire to depict President Trump's ideal Canadian Premier as uninformed, refusing to develop natural gas, hiring a Tennessee lobbyist, and giving business to Americans, implying it described the current Premier.
New supportive housing units in Saint John
Ms. Wilcott
Wilcott highlighted nine new supportive housing bachelor units on Thornbrough Street operated by the Centre for Youth Care, funded by a $645,000 forgivable loan from NB Housing Corporation and federal investments.
Criticism of government on farming, budgeting and consultation
Mr. Monahan
Monahan criticized the Holt government's record on budgeting, consultation, and its handling of veterinary services affecting farmers and animals, citing debt and deficit performance.
Property tax assessment freeze
Ms. Sodhi
Sodhi announced that effective January 1, 2026, property tax assessments for eligible properties were frozen at 2025 levels as a first step toward a comprehensive review to make the system fairer and more predictable.
Broad criticism of government record
Ms. Conroy
Using a Simpsons analogy, Conroy listed numerous alleged government failures including cuts to vets, closed parks and museums, fired librarians, deficits, US contracts, a Tennessee lobbying firm, and worsening health care and cell service.
Pay-what-you-can school lunch program
Mr. Robichaud
Robichaud highlighted the September launch of a pay-what-you-can school lunch program with $27 million allocated (including $7 million new investment) for 2026-27, saving families $900 to $2,000 per year.
Criticism of Foundever transition
Mr. Hogan
Hogan criticized the Premier's Foundever service arrangement, warning of an expected mess with the supposed seamless transition due in 25 days.
Tribute to Gary (personal remembrance)
Unknown
A member paid tribute to Gary, describing him as a supporter with a warm smile, and expressed gratitude for spending time with him recently on his 80th birthday.
Criticism of government on gas prices and shingles vaccine
Mr. Cullins
Cullins used a satirical AI scenario about kindergarten children to criticize the Holt government for deliberately ignoring calls for help with gas prices and for denying the shingles vaccine.
World Environment Day and forest ecosystems
Mr. Coon
Coon marked World Environment Day, criticizing the degraded state of Crown land forest ecosystems and declining wildlife, and condemned both government support for NB Power fossil gas/diesel plants and the opposition's push for more fossil gas extraction.
Affordable school lunch program
Ms. Vautour
Vautour praised the government's announcement of more affordable lunches, sharing positive parent feedback and celebrating the achievement of providing breakfast and lunch access to all children in the province.
Criticism of Premier (Trump's ideal Canadian Premier)
Ms. M. Wilson
Wilson used a satirical AI scenario to portray the Premier as President Trump's ideal Canadian leader, criticizing the natural gas moratorium, hiring a Tennessee lobbyist, giving business to Americans, and an old-jet-engine power plant.
New supportive housing units in Saint John
Ms. Wilcott
Wilcott announced government support for nine new supportive housing bachelor units on Thornbrough Street in Saint John, operated by the Centre for Youth Care, funded by a $645,000 forgivable loan from NB Housing Corporation and federal investments.
Criticism of government on farming and budgeting
Mr. Monahan
Monahan criticized the Holt government's record on farming, budgeting (debt and deficit), and consultation, arguing farmers should not lose their vets nor animals their lives due to the government's inability to balance a budget.
Property tax assessment freeze
Ms. Sodhi
Sodhi highlighted the government's freezing of property tax assessments at 2025 levels effective January 1, 2026, framing it as a first step toward a fairer, more transparent property tax system.
Criticism of Premier (list of government issues)
Ms. Conroy
Conroy compared the Premier to Mr. Burns from The Simpsons and listed numerous government failings including cuts to vets, closed parks and museums, fired librarians, deficits, health care contracts to American companies, and the Tennessee lobbying firm.
School lunch program (pay-what-you-can model)
Mr. Robichaud
Robichaud highlighted the September launch of the new pay-what-you-can school lunch program, noting $27 million allocated (including $7 million new investment) and that families could save $900 to $2,000 per year alongside a universal breakfast program.
Criticism of Foundever transition
Mr. Hogan
Hogan criticized the Premier's Foundever contract as a boondoggle, warning of an impending mess with the supposedly seamless transition set to occur 25 days from June 5.
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 — June 5, 2026 — afternoon (Legislature 61, Session 2), 48 2026-06-05b.