N.B. municipalities release pre-budget submission

As provincial budget time approaches, municipalities around New Brunswick are letting the Holt government know what they’d like to see in the final document.

The Union of New Brunswick Municipalities released its 2026 pre-budget submission Wednesday, highlighting four recommendations relating to investment in infrastructure.

“We know that we continue to experience a moment of tremendous political, economic, and social upheaval on many fronts,” the executive summary of the UMNB’s submission stated.

“With shifts away from trade relationships, growing geopolitical tension, and greater public mistrust of institutions, the road ahead is uncertain. That is why it is now more important than ever to name those challenges out loud and to address them head on, in lockstep as equal government partners committed to serving all New Brunswickers.”

The statement went on to say that the provincial took steps in 2025 toward “transformative change.”

“UMNB was pleased to see investment deliveries from the provincial government on previous recommendations from our pre-budget submission for the 2025-2026 budget,” the summary said. “These investments included funding allocations for additional cellphone towers, greater financial commitment to necessary municipal infrastructure like water and wastewater systems for new housing as well as additional funds to bolster services being administered at homeless shelters in key regions across the province.”

UMNB also highlighted the capital renewal and municipal fiscal capacity funding model now available to municipal governments.

“This will help to build greater asset and infrastructure capacity at municipalities especially as the estimated $2.5-billion infrastructure deficit faced by municipalities remains a substantial barrier for larger economic growth within the province.”

But the UMNB statement made it clear the infrastructure required to take advantage of generational economic growth opportunities isn’t enough

“We want to make the collective message of local governments across New Brunswick clear in advance of the upcoming release of the provincial budget: generational change opportunities, especially in the area of new economic growth, are only possible when the ‘roads can rise up to meet them.'”

The recommendations for the coming fiscal year focused on the need to continue with infrastructure investment.

The first is that the provincial government commit to doubling the existing provincial housing and infrastructure funds provided to local governments to “maintain necessary development momentum.”

UMNB’s report said the re-establishment of Housing New Brunswick in 2023 was a good step forward, identifying a dedicated department committed to addressing housing challenges at the provincial level.

The recommendation included a doubling of the existing Affordable Rental Housing Program at Housing New Brunswick and doubling the existing Pre-construction and Infrastructure fund available through the Regional Development Corporation from $22 million to $44 million.

The second recommendation is that the province commit to updating and implementing its sustainable transportation strategy.

The strategy, dubbed “From Surfaces to Services,” turns 10 next year and many of its recommendations are still unfulfilled.

“Transportation continues to be a major barrier for economic growth and productivity across the province,” the report said. “A lack of transportation options, most notably in rural regions, prevents access to health care, jobs and necessary community services, and exacerbates affordability challenges among New Brunswickers.”

The recommendation included committed provincial funds to build new infrastructure and improve existing transportation infrastructure, as well identifying and assigning ownership to a provincial department or creating a new agency committed to enacting transportation planning and services in New Brunswick.

The third recommendation is that the provincial government commit to a digital government and shared services fund to help municipalities adapt and build digital infrastructure capacity.

“Local governments have seen an increase in public interest and participation in recent years through social media platforms, consultation processes on essential government priorities like municipal plans, as well as in-person council meetings and Right to Information requests,” the report said.

“In light of this, local governments have been working hard to update their internal technology capacity to align with the changing world.”

UMNB said it wants to see committed provincial funds for digital modernization of government services, including improved tech-based services like e-Scribe and e-permitting to improve efficiency, availability of public data and citizen experiences.

The final recommendation relates to climate change. UMNB said it wants the provincial government to commit to a municipal climate adaptation and mitigation fund for all local governments to help with necessary, on-the-ground climate action.

“The climate crisis is rapidly accelerating, and New Brunswick is not shielded from its impact,” the report said, referencing the wildfires of 2025 and a projected deficit of $14 million for the Department of Natural Resources due to fire suppression and mobilization last year.

Municipal governments in New Brunswick have been mandated to create climate adaptation and mitigation plans that outline climate risks and vulnerabilities along with possible solutions by 2030.

Included in this recommendation as far as what municipalities need is a clear template and structure on how climate adaptation plans should be developed with experts and a commitment from the province to create a separate provincial fund to support the creation of those plans rather than application-based processes with a competitive fund like the existing Environmental Trust Fund.

UMNB president and Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Brittany Merrifield said the organization is committed to work with the provincial government so all communities can thrive during uncertain times.

“A strong province requires strong communities,” she said in a statement. “Our pre-budget submission calls on the province to invest in our local governments to ensure they can be strong, prosperous and resilient.”