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Margaret Johnson Oct 22 2026

PCs respond to Holt’s throne speech

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The Holt government is failing New Brunswickers, according to the Progressive Conservatives.

Margaret Johnson delivered the party’s reply to the throne speech Thursday.

And she didn’t pull her punches.

“We see no evidence of change actually being delivered to New Brunswickers except higher fees, higher utility bills, an increased cost of living and no plan for prosperity for our people and management of our public finances,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the people of New Brunswick are resilient, but that’s being tested because of the government’s failures.

“For the first time since World War II, our children do not believe that they will be better off than their parents,” she said.

Johnson finished her speech with a commitment that the Conservatives would treat their role as the official Opposition with respect.

“It won’t be about scoring points or posting sarcastic comments on social media,” she said.

“It will be about earnestly, honestly, and honorably holding the government to account because that’s our job.”

Throne Speech Louise Imbeault Oct 2026

N.B. government lays out plan for the next year

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The Holt government remains focused on delivering change as the new legislative session begins.

Lt.-Gov. Louise Imbeault delivered the speech from the throne Tuesday afternoon, laying out priorities for the coming months.

“Your government has embraced the challenges and opportunities we face and is more motivated than ever to deliver positive change for New Brunswickers,” Imbeault said.

According to the speech, the government plans to continue focusing on health care and affordability, as well as economic development.

The speech also set out plans for amendments to the Electricity Act relating to data centres and legislation to make digital services safer for children.

Other initiatives the speech highlighted included:

  • Delivering on the commitment of 30 collaborative care clinics ahead of schedule, which will be complete by the end of 2027.
  • Establishing a mental health advocate this legislative session.
  • Launching a health and long-term care workforce strategy focused on data and knowledge, education and training, and recruitment and retention.
  • Launching a market diversification plan focused on high-potential markets outside of the United States to help grow and diversify the province’s exports.
  • Delivering a modernized Residential Tenancies Act in the spring and providing additional funding to help growing communities build infrastructure needed for new housing.

More information and the text of the speech can be found here.

Louise Imbeault

N.B. government announces mover, seconder for throne speech

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The new legislative session begins Tuesday, and the first order of business is the speech from the throne.

Lt.-Gov. Louise Imbeault will deliver the speech setting out the government’s priorities at 1 p.m.

The government announced Monday which MLAs will move and second the acceptance of the speech.

Saint John West-Lancaster MLA Kate Wilcott will make the motion, while Moncton East MLA Alexandre Cédric Doucet will be the seconder.

Both were first elected to the legislature in the 2024 election.

Wilcott said it’s an honour to be asked to play the role.

“I’m proud of what our government has achieved,” she said in a statement. “I am excited to share with New Brunswickers how we will continue to build on the progress made in the first two sessions.”

Doucet says the speech reflects the path the government is taking to build a better future for New Brunswick.

“Our government has been focused on New Brunswickers’ priorities,” Doucet said. “Including health care, affordability and growing the economy.”

New Brunswick Legislature Brad Perry

Health care, affordability on MLAs’ minds as legislature returns

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MLAs return to Fredericton Tuesday as a new session of the legislature begins.

Premier Susan Holt said the government’s top priority continues to be health care, focusing on ensuring New Brunswickers can access care close to home when they need it.

She said affordability will also be a focus.

The Green Party says they’ll focus on promoting policies to reduce the cost of living and improving the province’s economic self-sufficiency.

“For many New Brunswickers, the electricity they buy from NB Power is becoming unaffordable,” Green Leader David Coon said in a statement.

“The Holt government needs to follow through on their promised solar retrofit program so all New Brunswickers can access cheap energy from the sun and also create a low-income electricity support to help those who need it most.”

The Greens, much like the governing Liberals, plan to focus on health care.

Tantramar MLA Megan Mitton said New Brunswickers are struggling to pay for the care they need to stay healthy.

“Whether it’s the cost of long-term care in special care homes, transportation to medical appointments, or basic preventative health measures like the shingles vaccine, care is increasingly unaffordable,” Mitton said.

The Progressive Conservatives have a new leader, though Daniel Allain will be in the visitors gallery for now.

Holt said Monday she’s told Allain the government will not be an obstacle to the possibility of him being elected in a byelection.

The session will begin with the speech from the throne at 1 p.m.