The New Brunswick legislative assembly is back in session. This fall sitting marks the halfway point for Premier Susan Holt and her government. Lieutenant Governor Louise Imbeault delivered the throne speech on Tuesday to outline the provincial priorities for the upcoming year.

Healthcare and Housing Take Center Stage

Your government plans to establish 30 collaborative care clinics by the end of next year. The province will also appoint a mental health advocate and introduce legislation to make digital services safer for youth under 16 years old. If you rent your home, you will want to watch the planned revamp of the Residential Tenancies Act.

The province is also launching a strategy focused on the health and long term care workforce and creating a market diversification plan to expand exports beyond the United States.

“Right now I am feeling quite optimistic because we are starting to see the results from the work that we have put in over these first two years,” Holt told reporters.

A Crucial Year for the Holt Government

Saint Thomas University political scientist Jamie Gillies calls this a make or break year for the Holt government.

“I think the third year really has to be about what the government agenda is really going to be, establishing some priorities about the things they promised in the election and trying to deliver on them, and the concern about controlling spending,” Gillies told CTV News.

New Faces Lead the Opposition

The fall sitting arrives alongside major leadership changes for both opposition parties.

Daniel Allain won the Progressive Conservative leadership race on Saturday. He is the first permanent leader since Blaine Higgs resigned. Allain currently lacks a seat in the Legislature. He criticized the throne speech for relying on recycled announcements while ignoring the record high provincial deficit.

“It is unbelievable to see that they did not talk about finances. We did not hear about veterinarians. We did not hear about tourism cuts and what we are going to do,” Allain told reporters.

Gillies notes the Progressive Conservatives must now find a sitting member willing to give up their seat so Allain can serve as an MLA and official opposition leader. The party also needs to develop its platform for the next election.

The NB Green Party expects to acclaim MLA Megan Mitton as leader in December. Longtime leader David Coon announced his departure from the role in the spring. Gillies points out this shift forces the party to redefine its identity. He questions whether Mitton will steer the Green Party more toward social impact issues rather than strictly environmental concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main priorities of the new throne speech?

The government plans to open 30 collaborative care clinics, appoint a mental health advocate, improve digital safety for youth, and revamp the Residential Tenancies Act.

Who is the new leader of the Progressive Conservative Party?

Daniel Allain is the new leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in New Brunswick. He replaces former premier Blaine Higgs.

Who is taking over the NB Green Party?

MLA Megan Mitton is expected to be acclaimed as the new leader of the NB Green Party in December, replacing David Coon.