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Premier Susan Holt

Holt and Herron at Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre

N.B. investing $6.7M in wildfire prevention

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The wildfire season has launched in New Brunswick, but it comes earlier than anticipated. There are concerns about record-low precipitation, a lack of snow, and prolonged drought conditions.

The province is spending $6.7 million to help support forest protection and fighting wildfires.

Premier Susan Holt and Natural Resources Minister John Herron announced the news at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre in Fredericton on Wednesday.

Funds will be divided among the groups involved in protecting New Brunswick from wildfires.

Holt said that being prepared is her government’s top priority, which is why they are committing funds to support personnel, equipment, and training for this year’s wildfire season.

Premier Susan Holt speaking at Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre / Image: Wilfred Fraser

$1.725 million will be invested annually to convert 74 forest ranger positions to year-round positions, according to Holt.

“These are people who spend their winter months increasing their readiness, preparing warehouses and equipment, doing robust training and deployment opportunities,” said Holt. “These are the people who kept New Brunswick safe last year, and our government is committed to supporting them and making those positions permanent.”

Holt also mentioned 16 signed agreements that will provide municipalities with wildfire fighting equipment kits and the required training. She says her government will continue to roll these agreements out into 2027.

$2.6 million will help develop community wildfire resiliency plans, of which 24 are already in place.

$484 thousand has been allocated to the North Shore Tribal Council, the Wolastoqey Tribal Council, and the MAWIW Tribal Council to support their communities in preparing for wildfires.

Premier Susan Holt sitting in a new piece of equipment at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre / Image: Wilfred Fraser

“We have made $6.4 million in capital investment for 2026-27 to build up our provincial fire equipment warehouse and fire hose processing facility in Fredericton … important facilities and equipment to rebuild. We need to rebuild and relocate our fire-retardant storage facility as well,” listed Holt.

Holt also mentioned upgrading reloading bases in Fredericton and Miramichi, as well as four more reloading bases across the province.

“We have allocated an additional $3 million to Forest Protection Limited in our contract with them for 2026-27 to make four fire boss planes available in New Brunswick,” she said.

These four new planes can skim water from lakes and rivers to drop upon burning brush and trees, which will aid in the faster suppression of fires when they are identified.

Holt said a forest ranger has been designated to each district in the province to lead preparation for the season under guidance from the wildfire ranger lead.

“These positions are going to help ensure that preparation for the season occurs consistently across all districts within the department so that we are ready everywhere,” said Holt.

Natural Resources Minister John Herron at Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre / Image: Wilfred Fraser

Minister Herron acknowledged the work of forest rangers and firefighters who kept the province safe during last year’s wildfire season before speaking about the funding.

“We had a very arduous season last year. Because of the immense skill that our firefighting team has, we did not lose a single structure throughout the entire summer,” said Herron, “so that is a testament to the strength and skill that these men and women have.”

“You had our back, so the very least we can do is that this government and this Premier have your back,” said the natural resources minister.

Herron warned that Climate Change Canada has projected that the summer months in the province will be among the hottest years on record, with above-average temperatures as a result of climate change.

“On behalf of our wildfire prevention officers, I encourage people to continue to enjoy the outdoors while being vigilant with backyard fire pits, motorized vehicles, hunting, fishing, camping activities, and to report fires so that action can be taken quickly,” said Herron.

The provincial government has also launched a Fire Watch page, which New Brunswickers can refer to here. It will be updated at 2 p.m. daily, according to Herron.

a yellow excavator in a large open pit

New Brunswick government unveils mineral strategy

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New Brunswick has been in the mining industry for a long time, since long before it was a even a province.

How the Holt government has put forward a comprehensive strategy that it expects positions the province as a leader in responsible, sustainable mining, while unlocking the economic potential of the government described as the province’s rich geology.

“New Brunswick has what the world needs, and we have a responsibility to develop those resources the right way – with strong environmental standards, meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities, and good-paying jobs for New Brunswickers,” said Holt.

The strategy was included Monday at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s convention in Toronto.

“We have the minerals,” Holt said, listing several as part of why New Brunswick is a good place to mine today. “We have tungsten, we have molybdenum, we have indium, we have antimony, we have zinc, we have copper, we have manganese, we have gold, we have potash, we have uranium.”

Holt said these are minerals that are important to Canada and the world.

“You want to develop these minerals in New Brunswick because they are accessible ,” she said.

Holt said New Brunswick is a small province and the minerals aren’t on an ice road hundreds of kilometres away.

“Our minerals are in our backyard and by our backyard I mean to say we have 40,000 kilometres of forested road already build through our beautiful province,” she said. “We have rail connection. We have two deep water ports.

“You can get your resource out of the ground, into the port, place for processing and your employees don’t have to live in a camp. They can live in a community where they can engage with their neighbors.”

Natural Resources Minister John Herron said the world is at an important moment as the demand for critical moments skyrocketing.

“Here in New Brunswick, we have what it takes to meet that demand,” Herron said. “With our rich geology, the time has come for us to regain our status as a national and global leader in sustainable mineral exploration and development.”

In addition to the new strategy, the government announced plans to modernize the Mining Act during the coming legislative session, ensuring the regulatory regime is “the most agile, predictable and timely in Canada.”

The federal government is ready to step in and assist New Brunswick in its efforts.

Federal Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said the province’s renewed focus on critical minerals has come at the right moment.

“Around the world, demand for the minerals that power clean technologies, advanced manufacturing and modern defence systems is accelerating, and New Brunswickers and Canadians are ready to meet that demand with world-class, sustainably produced minerals,” Hodgson said in a press release.

Susan Holt Mumbai Feb 27 2026

Holt hopeful for trade deal with India

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The premier of New Brunswick is confident a trade deal can be reached between Canada and India.

Susan Holt took part in a trade mission to India, joining Prime Minister Mark Carney.

“I think the conditions are there and we’re seeing a lot of receptivity from the Indian market and from the Canadian market,” Holt told media in Mumbai Friday.

She said it’s the best interests of all involved to establish these agreements to demonstrate the stability of the relationship.

“The commitment to the long term that will help reassure everyone that these relations are on the right track and they’re there for the long haul.”

Holt was asked if New Brunswick had the capacity to get its goods out to the rest of the world.

“Absolutely,” was the premier’s simple answer.

She went on to say the Port of Saint John can get a container from Saint John to India in 15 days.

“It’s not a problem for us to move the goods that we produce and some of the products to one of the largest and fastest-growing economies in the world,” Holt said.

The spectre of Donald Trump was also present. A reporter asked if Holt would have participated in the trip if not for the American president.

“New Brunswick set up offices in India through … Opportunities New Brunswick about three years ago,” Holt said. “So, before the Trump threat of tariffs was on the table because we saw a modernizing economy, a growing economy, and we already had a relationship from a people perspective.”

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Concerns around potential cuts to post-secondary budget, but STU told no closure

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Premier Susan Holt in her recent State of the Province Address hinted her government would be looking at some ‘difficult but necessary’ budget decisions, as the province is currently in a deficit.

Following the circulation of a leaked government document containing ideas that target a post-secondary budget reduction of $35 to $50 million, New Brunswick universities and their communities have been faced with the possibility of cuts to post-secondary funding.

President and Vice-Chancellor of St. Thomas University Dr. Nauman Farooqi addressed STU faculty, students, and alumni in an email sent on the evening of Feb. 25.

The email explained that Premier Holt called Farooqi regarding ideas from the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training, and Labour on the future of the province’s post-secondary sector.

Premier Holt assured Dr. Farooqi that the provincial government has no plans to close or merge St. Thomas University – despite suggestions of such in the leaked document – but Farooqi says the impending fiscal challenges for post-secondary institutions remain.

“Developments over (the last) two weeks have been concerning and led to great uncertainty. I trust that you find the Premier’s message to our community reassuring,” Farooqi wrote.

Professor Shaun Narine (Submitted: Shaun Narine)

Shaun Narine has been a political science professor at St. Thomas University for 24 years. He says the potential cuts were brought to the whole post-secondary sector very suddenly.

“One thing that the province keeps emphasizing is that ‘no decisions have been made’ and they are putting out these ideas, they want to see how universities react, they want to see what kind of feedback they get, what kind of counterproposals they get,” said Narine. “On the other hand, the [provincial] budget is coming in on March 17, and this whole thing was dropped on universities – the whole post-secondary sector – at the most a couple of weeks ago, which suggests that maybe a lot of decisions have been made.”

Narine says cutting 10 to 15 percent out of the budgets for the post-secondary sector would be shortsighted and devastating to universities like St. Thomas.

“It would destroy us in all likelihood or make it very difficult to run a credible university with credible programs.”

Creating this kind of uncertainty for the entire post-secondary sector would make it difficult for students to commit to higher education in New Brunswick, according to Narine.

Narine first arrived to New Brunswick in 2002. At the time, he noticed the province’s issue with outmigration due to people leaving for better job opportunities in other parts of Canada. Over the years he has been in New Brunswick, Narine has begun to notice a reversal in outmigration thanks to opportunities the province offers, one of which is the post-secondary sector.

Posters found on campus put out by St. Thomas University’s Student Union (Submitted: Wilfred Fraser)

“As it is, the entire post-secondary sector across Canada was being heavily hit by the federal government’s decision to make it much more difficult for international students to come in. Now, in New Brunswick, to be hit by this possibility of having the sector gutted by the Holt government, would be extremely harmful.”

“If you are going to hack out the post-secondary sector, you are actually doubling down on a situation where your population is not nearly as educated as it needs to be to be competitive in an international environment,” said Professor Narine. “People power, the knowledge base of your society, is what makes your economy function. You don’t build for the future by gutting your post-secondary institutions.”

The issue of a lack transparency is also a concern for many, including Narine, who thinks it displays a lack of confidence in the government’s plan.

“You are left with the suspicion that the reason the government is doing this with what appears to be extreme speed is because they want to do something that is going to be very unpopular as quickly as possible – a kind of fait accompli (accomplished fact) – and push it through before opposition can organize,” said Narine.

He says none of the recent occurrences between post-secondary institutions and the provincial government inspire faith and trust in what might be occurring.

“There are not a lot of examples of other industries in New Brunswick that have a pipeline to new people. This is something that I think the provincial government is at risk of fundamentally undermining,” concluded Narine.

NB Premier Susan Holt

Holt to deliver state of the province address

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New Brunswick’s premier will be in the spotlight Thursday night.

Susan Holt will deliver her second state of the province address at the Fredericton Convention Centre.

It’s a chance for the premier to highlight the accomplishments of the previous year and lay out plans for the coming year.

The event is sold-out.

Holt is expected to begin her speech around 8 p.m.

RICC funding novelty cheque

Rothesay gets provincial funding for community complex

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The Town of Rothesay is one step closer to fulfilling a long-standing ambition.

The Rothesay Intergenerational Community Complex (RICC) received a major funding boost Wednesday, a $6-million infusion from the provincial government.

Premier Susan Holt, addressing a crowd gathered at Rothesay High School, said she first heard about the RICC when Rothesay MLA Alyson Townsend came to her and said the community had a priority project the premier needed to hear about it.

“There’s a real need, we have an end-of-life facility, will you come and meet with us,” Holt said, describing the conversations she had with officials about the project.

Holt said when she met with Rothesay Mayor Nancy Grant and town staff, they presented “an exceptionally well-considered project.”

“What our government likes to do is listen to the folks on the ground,” Holt said. “It’s not up to us in Fredericton to tell you what your priorities are or what you’re going to get. We like municipalities to tell us this is our number one thing.”

Mayor Grant said it’s hard to believe the RICC is now so much closer to reality.

“But it feels so good because we’ve worked so hard and so many people have worked for this,” she said. “You know, three, four councils, two mayors, two town managers, all kinds of staff.

“It just feels like the top of the world.”

Bringing people together

Townsend described the RICC as a centrepiece for Rothesay.

“(It) will help bring our community together for decades to come,” she said.  “From day one we have been working diligently to make this project a reality, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with this key investment in the town of Rothesay and our region as a whole.”

The new construction will be on this site, just off Scott Avenue, next to the existing Rothesay Arena. Image: Bryan Tait/Acadia Broadcasting

The complex will include a replacement for the aging Rothesay Arena, which Grant said was 74 years old, and Holt said she’d been informed might be the coldest arena in New Brunswick.

“You may not leave there with your toes intact if you are there for more than one game,” Holt said with a laugh.

A walking track will be part of the new arena.

The old arena will be repurposed as indoor space for other sports like basketball and pickleball. Grant said activities like dance or gymnastics could also find a home.

“Everybody’s looking for space,” she said.

Grant said the new structure and the renovated structure will be connected with a third structure that will be a public café and gathering space.

“We will truly have a community hub,” she said. “Something that we’ve wanted for years.”

Grant said the idea is to create a “complete community” in Rothesay, a walkable community where residents can get to commercial areas, recreation areas, schools and whatever else they need by simply walking.

Holt said projects like the RICC are what matters to New Brunswickers.

“By investing in community infrastructure like this, we are strengthening communities and supporting a healthier, more active future for everyone,” the premier said.

No additional ice surfaces

The new arena will only have one ice surface, and the old surface will be removed.

“That’s all we’ve been raising the money for,” Grant said. “We’ve been asked about a second surface and right now it’s just too expensive.”

Grant acknowledged the Kennebecasis Valley needs ice surfaces.

“We don’t have enough,” she added.

Rothesay Mayor Nancy Grant. Image: Bryan Tait/Acadia Broadcasting

There are currently three ice surfaces in Rothesay and Quispamsis. Along with the Rothesay Arena are the QPlex and the Quispamsis Memorial Arena.

Grant said a potential benefit of the new arena could be major tournaments coming to Rothesay.

“I think it could add a lot and we’ve already had comments from the hockey organizations about the possibility of more tournaments,” she said.

Next steps

Grant said the project is in the final stage of design, with the plans hopefully approved at Rothesay town council’s March meeting.

“And we’re hoping to break ground, at least on site preparation, in late April,” she said. “And we expect … the rink will be operational in the fall of 2028.”

Grant said there is still some funding to be secured, but the project is in a place where she’s confident it will come and the real work can finally begin.

fuel GAS PUMP PRICES

Liberals criticize EUB decision on fuel prices; PCs attack ‘irresponsible’ decision by Holt

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Premier Susan Holt expressed frustration after the Energy and Utilities Board blocked her government’s decision to cut the cost of carbon adjuster from the price of gas.

The EUB announced Friday the planned removal of the adjuster, scheduled to take effect Dec. 1, would be negated by an interim order increasing wholesale margins by an equivalent amount.

In a statement late Friday, Holt said the government’s priority has been making life more affordable for New Brunswickers.

“That is why our government moved to eliminate the cost-of-carbon adjuster,” she said. “People deserve genuine relief.”

Holt said the adjuster was supposed to a temporary measure when the Higgs government put it in place three years ago.

She criticized the EUB’s decision after emergency hearings involving gas retailers and wholesalers who have claimed the cut would result in closures of some gas stations around the province.

“It is the EUB’s job to ensure the lowest possible price for consumers,” Holt said. “The carbon adjuster remains unsupported by evidence and consumers should not be forced to absorb costs the industry cannot prove.”

But the Progressive Conservatives took a different view of the decision.

“(Friday’s) interim decision by the EUB comes nearly 14 months after Premier Susan Holt made an uninformed and irresponsible election promise,” Tory energy critic Kris Austin said in a statement.

Austin said the decision granted a reprieve until next February for rural New Brunswickers and local suppliers of fuel.

Austin said those suppliers have warned the provincial government that their livelihoods and the rural fuel supply would be at risk if the retailers and wholesalers became responsible for the carbon costs.