Increasing the number of New Brunswickers who can access a primary-care provider from 77 per cent to 81 per cent in 2026 was one of several health-care promises made by the Susan Holt government in her second speech from the throne. Health care was a major portion of the speech, which was delivered by Lt.-Gov. Louise Imbeault in front of a full legislature flood on Tuesday, which included recently-elected PC Miramichi West MLA Kevin Russell. Holt had promised 10 collaborative care teams by the end of 2025. So far, they’ve opened seven, promising the other three will be opened by the year’s end. That has removed 10,000 patients from the waitlist, according to Holt, and a further promise of 10 more in 2026 was outlined in the speech. The speech also promises that, by the end of her mandate, 30 health teams will have been established. “Later this week, government and the New Brunswick Nurses Union will sign a new agreement that reflects a shared commitment to supporting the vital role nurses play in caring for New Brunswickers,” Imbeault announced in the speech. More promises were made, including adding more midwives to help families in Fredericton, and “incorporating” personal care aides within the New Brunswick Extra-Mural program, which “will further bolster at-home acute, rehabilitative and palliative care, helping more seniors stay at home with the necessary supports in place.” Housing, education honourable mentions in speech The Holt government started 320 affordable housing units in 2025, and is promising a further 430 units are coming in 2026. The end goal is to reach 1,760 affordable housing units added by 2029. The speech confirms the province is committed to reviewing and improving the property tax system for the 2027 tax year. “They also completed the discovery phase of the property tax project and are working to draw upon the information gathered to design meaningful solutions that will begin to be implemented in the 2027 tax year,” the speech states. The Holt government has pledged to release a homelessness action plan before the end of this year. It also includes a promise to launch an education plan in 2026, after public consultations are complete. Those consultations started in August and will continue through the fall. Included in that plan will be the aim to lower school absenteeism to 29 per cent next year, and 26 per cent by 2028. The throne speech also includes the promise of a ‘New Brunswick Free Trade Within Canada Act,’ to be introduced this fall. “[The bill] will remove internal regulatory barriers for goods and services that have been approved for sale in another Canadian jurisdiction, increasing consumer choice and making it easier for New Brunswick businesses to succeed in other Canadian jurisdictions with similar legislation,” Imbeault read. In 2025, New Brunswick increased its food exports to Europe by 46 per cent, the Middle East by 23 per cent, and Hong Kong by 112 per cent. The Holt government touts that as a positive move forward in finding markets other than the U.S. and China for New Brunswick goods. “In the year ahead, collaboration will continue with other provinces and territories to develop new business opportunities and projects of national interest,” the speech states. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
