New Brunswick’s surplus power sales to U.S. could close Irving Paper, firm warns

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Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-30 15:32:23.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Industry, Economy, Governance]

J.D. Irving Ltd. executive Mark Mosher warned that a policy change by New Brunswick's Crown-owned electric utility, NB Power, could force the closure of the Irving Paper mill and increase operational costs by an estimated $10 million annually. The policy shift allows NB Power to sell its excess surplus electricity to out-of-province and U.S. buyers at market rates first, forcing in-province industrial clients to rely on more expensive excess power. Energy Minister Rene Legacy stated that the provincial Liberal government will not intervene or reverse the regulatory decision, leaving the matter to be reviewed through an application submitted by J.D. Irving Ltd. to the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board.

New Brunswick signs deal for Canadian firm to explore old antimony mine

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-27 16:53:35.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Mining, Resources, Industry, Economy]

The New Brunswick government has signed an exclusive exploration agreement granting Toronto-based Avenir Minerals 30 months to study the potential for reopening the former Lake George antimony mine southwest of Fredericton. The historic site, which operated intermittently from 1876 to 1996, was one of North America's largest producers of antimony, a critical mineral used in flame retardants, solar panels, lead-acid batteries, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons, and night vision goggles. Avenir Minerals CEO Alden Greenhouse stated that the exploration process will involve drilling and consultations with First Nations. This initiative follows a similar exploration deal announced by the province with U.S.-based Regeneration Enterprises for an abandoned mine site in northern New Brunswick as part of the provincial Liberal government's efforts to rejuvenate the mining industry.

$463M Port of Saint John project aims to boost New Brunswick exports

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-21 21:29:02.0
Tags: [National, New Brunswick, Infrastructure, Transportation, Trade, Economy]

Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt announced a $463 million infrastructure initiative called the Saint John Trade Corridor, marking the first project funded through the federal Trade Diversification Corridors Fund. The federal government is contributing $254 million, the Government of New Brunswick is providing $116.5 million, and project delivery partners are supplying the remaining $92.5 million. Key components of the project include dredging the main channel at Port Saint John to allow two-way traffic at high tide, constructing a new 2,787-square-metre Canada Border Services Agency container examination facility, stabilizing shorelines to protect rail capacity at the NBSR Bayshore Rail Terminal, replacing over 100 kilometres of existing rail, and reconstructing the Simms Corner intersection to alleviate congestion and improve safety.

Health care, affordability and the economy are the priorities in N.B. throne speech

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-20 16:31:56.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Healthcare, Affordability, Economy, Housing, Governance]

The New Brunswick government's throne speech, read by Lt.-Gov. Louise Imbeault in Fredericton, outlines priorities centered on health care, affordability, and economic growth for the coming year. Premier Susan Holt's government announced that the opening of 30 new collaborative care clinics is ahead of schedule for completion by the end of 2027, alongside plans to name a mental health advocate and launch a health and long-term care workforce strategy. Additionally, the province is creating a trade diversification plan to target high-potential export markets outside the United States and is committing increased funding toward new housing infrastructure.

New Brunswick data centre debate highlights cross-country tension over AI facilities

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-19 11:49:46.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Environment, Economy]

New Brunswick Crown-owned electric utility NB Power has received 10 confidential applications from data centre projects requiring up to 900 megawatts of power, sparking cross-country tension and citizen opposition. Notable proposals include a $2 billion artificial intelligence hub by Beacon Data Centers and VoltaGrid featuring a 400-megawatt data centre in Saint John, a $2.7 billion, 375-megawatt proposal by Faster Than Light in Fredericton, and a 50-megawatt campus proposal by U.S. firm Cross River Infrastructure Partners. While the provincial government works on a data centre policy framework to spur economic growth and tax revenue, grassroots groups like Save Lorneville are demanding a moratorium due to environmental and power grid concerns.

Atlantic Fisheries Fund Renewed, Applications Being Accepted

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-15 17:40:13.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, National, Fisheries, Economy, Industry]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Canada, and the provincial governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island have jointly renewed the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) with an investment of more than $300 million. The fund supports fishing and aquaculture projects across the Atlantic region to drive innovation, enhance market development, and ensure industry sustainability. The renewed program operates under four distinct pillars: market diversification, innovation, infrastructure, and science partnerships, with applications currently being accepted by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and partner jurisdictions. This funding launch follows a record-breaking performance in 2025 where Newfoundland and Labrador's fisheries and aquaculture sector generated $2.11 billion in market value.

Fisheries sector fund gets $300 million extension from Ottawa, Atlantic provinces

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-15 17:07:20.0
Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Fisheries, Economy, Trade]

Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced a five-year, $300 million extension of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, aimed at supporting the fish and seafood sector across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The federal government is contributing 60 percent of the funding, with the four Atlantic provincial governments providing the remainder. Originally introduced in 2017, the renewed fund will invest in industry research, infrastructure, advertising, industry branding, and market research to help harvesters and growers expand global markets and improve resilience against international trade disruptions.

AI-driven project to modernize New Brunswick forestry getting $50M boost from Ottawa

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-14 20:19:53.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, National, Economy, Resources, Technology, Industry]

The federal government is committing up to $50 million to help build the New Brunswick Strategic Innovation Centre in Digital Forestry. The total $86 million project, led by the Northern Hardwoods Research Institute in collaboration with ResearchNB and the provincial Department of Natural Resources, will use artificial intelligence and digital tools to better track wood supply, optimize logistics, and reduce empty truck miles. Forestry currently supports approximately 24,000 jobs in New Brunswick and contributes roughly $1.5 billion annually to the provincial economy.

Atlantic Canadian businesses can now apply for nearly $40M in AI funding

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-14 18:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, National, Technology, Economy, Industry, Finance]

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has launched a federal funding program offering nearly $40 million for small and medium-sized businesses pursuing large-scale artificial intelligence projects costing at least $1 million. The funding supports two primary tracks: adopting AI into internal business operations, such as proposal development tools utilized by Cabco Technologies, or developing new AI solutions to bring to market. Applications for the program remain open until November 20. The initiative aims to address a regional adoption gap highlighted by the Atlantic Economic Panel, which reported that approximately 15 per cent of Atlantic Canadian businesses with 10 or more employees use AI, compared to 20 per cent nationally.

Atlantic business leaders call for regional policies and more natural resource development

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-25 21:34:13.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Economy, Trade, Energy, Resources, Mining, Industry]

The Atlantic Economic Panel, chaired by Don Mills and commissioned by federal Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Minister Sean Fraser, released a strategic growth plan calling for the creation of a $1 billion Atlantic prosperity fund to help regional companies scale up. The report recommends greater regional integration, including the establishment of an independent electricity system operator across the four Atlantic provinces, the elimination of interprovincial trade barriers, coordinated immigration policies, and streamlined regulatory processes for major projects. Furthermore, the plan urges a 50 per cent expansion of the region's natural resources sector, bolstered by recent provincial policy shifts such as Nova Scotia lifting bans on fracking and uranium mining and approving five new mines.

Eastern Canada business leaders call for ‘single economy’ between Atlantic provinces

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-25 14:16:00.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Economy, Trade, Labour, Infrastructure, Energy, Immigration]

The Atlantic Economic Panel, appointed by federal minister Sean Fraser and chaired by Crane Cove Holdings Ltd. president Don Mills, released a report calling for the creation of a 'One Atlantic Canada' single economy by 2035 across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. To combat low productivity, labour shortages, and regulatory barriers, the report outlines seven major recommendations, including a $1-billion Atlantic Prosperity Fund, a $25-billion integrated electricity system managed by a region-wide independent system operator, the removal of all trade and labour mobility barriers, and regional infrastructure partnerships. Additional targets include growing the region's population past 3 million with a 1.8 percent annual growth rate, doubling exports to Europe to over $30 billion, mobilizing $100 billion in new natural resource investments, and enhancing the aerospace, defence, shipbuilding, and artificial intelligence sectors.

Health spending helped push New Brunswick deficit to record $1.3B in last fiscal year

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-25 13:46:00.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Finance, Healthcare, Social Services, Economy, Taxation]

The Government of New Brunswick announced a record deficit of $1.3 billion for the previous fiscal year, more than double the $549-million shortfall projected in the March 2025 budget by the Liberal government. Provincial revenues fell short by nearly $217 million due to lower harmonized sales taxes and reduced corporate and personal income taxes. Conversely, expenses exceeded expectations by almost $538 million, primarily driven by increased spending on healthcare and social development. Finance Minister René Legacy noted that the province closed the fiscal year with a net debt of $13.9 billion while facing ongoing cost pressures and potential U.S. trade tariffs.

Outfitters warn any N.B. ban on American hunters and anglers would devastate industry

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-23 16:28:53.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Trade, Tourism, Economy, Industry]

Industry groups, including the United Guides and Outfitters of New Brunswick and the Canadian Federation of Outfitter Associations, are lobbying New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt to scrap a proposed retaliatory trade measure against American tariffs that would ban U.S. citizens from obtaining provincial hunting and fishing licences. Outfitters warn the ban would devastate the regional tourism and outdoor recreation sector, noting that approximately 85 per cent of their clients originate from the United States. According to a Canadian Federation of Outfitter Associations study, foreign clients accounted for $7.3 million out of the $8.9 million spent by outfitters' clients in New Brunswick in 2017.

MP calls on New Brunswick to reject proposed AI data centre in open letter to premier

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-18 20:42:41.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Economy]

Conservative Member of Parliament John Williamson has written an open letter urging New Brunswick Liberal Premier Susan Holt to reject a proposed artificial intelligence data centre in Saint John by Beacon Data Centers. Williamson warned that the facility's 200-megawatt demand on the provincial power grid—part of a total 390-megawatt requirement where Beacon AI proposed to generate 190 megawatts on site—would overwhelm public utility NB Power and trigger severe electricity rate hikes for local residents. Williamson criticized Premier Holt for promoting the unapproved project at a Toronto investment summit, arguing that the provincial government must play hardball to shield ratepayers from major price increases.

Uncertainty hangs over Nackawic after pulp mill announces temporary shutdown

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-18 20:32:12.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Economy, Industry, Resources, Labour]

AV Group NB Inc., a subsidiary of India-based Aditya Birla Group, announced the temporary idling of its AV Nackawic dissolving-grade pulp mill facility west of Fredericton, effective around the end of October. The shutdown will result in 350 workers losing their jobs, including 228 represented by the union Unifor. The company cited surplus market supply of dissolving-grade pulp and production costs outpacing stable price realizations as the primary drivers. Municipal and provincial officials, including Natural Resources Minister John Herron and Premier Susan Holt, expressed concern over the impact on the local economy and forestry sector, with provincial authorities working to assemble a support plan for affected workers.

New Brunswick mill laying off hundreds of workers, union says

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-17 21:44:08.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Labour, Industry, Resources, Economy]

Unifor reports that the AV Nackawic mill, a subsidiary of the India-based Aditya Birla Group located in Nackawic-Millville, New Brunswick, will temporarily idle operations and lay off 228 workers in November. The facility produces dissolving grade pulp used for textiles and serves as a major economic driver for the rural community. New Brunswick Natural Resources Minister John Herron stated that the provincial government is developing a response plan to support the affected workers.

New Brunswick aiming to attract $30 billion in investment at Toronto summit

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-14 18:07:55.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Economy, Finance, Industry, Energy, Mining]

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and provincial officials are attending the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto to pitch eight capital investment projects totaling more than $30 billion. The initiatives include a new nuclear development, a proposed data centre, and the Sisson Mine project, focusing on critical minerals, advanced materials, energy, digital infrastructure, and transportation. University of New Brunswick political science department chair Herb Emery noted that while the summit could yield contracts and commitments, the long-term projects will generate GDP too far in the future to immediately address the province's current budget deficits.

N.B. moves to bar U.S. goods from major provincial contracts amid trade war

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-10 18:54:54.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Trade, Economy, Resources, Industry]

In response to escalating U.S. tariffs and executive orders targeting Canadian exports, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt announced that the province will prohibit the procurement of American goods and services for provincial contracts exceeding $5 million starting October 1, 2026. The restriction extends to suppliers operating in Canada that provide U.S. products, following a reduction in the value of U.S. government contracts from $34.4 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year down to $16.4 million in 2025-26. Additionally, the provincial government is reviewing its authority to restrict Americans from obtaining hunting and fishing licences as well as mining claims as a strategic negotiating tool.

Private company to take over New Brunswick veterinary services next year

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-02 19:04:34.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Agriculture, Industry, Economy]

Following provincial budget cuts announced by New Brunswick's Liberal government to phase out provincial veterinary services and address a $1.4-billion deficit, Hartland-based company Carleton AgriSolutions will take over providing care for the province's livestock starting April 1, 2027. The provincial government will contribute up to $1.2 million to support the transition, while the company plans to handle the management, equipment, and facilities side in collaboration with current provincial veterinarians who have agreed to stay on through the transition.

Canadian seafood industry 'relieved' with removal of their products from retaliatory tariff list

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-08-27 13:22:04.0
Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Trade, Economy, Fisheries]

Finance Canada removed fish and seafood products, including lobster and crab, from its retaliatory tariff list just a day after initially imposing counter-measures on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. goods. The initial list would have subjected U.S. seafood imports to a 25 per cent tariff, which industry groups like the Lobster Processors Association and the New Brunswick Crab Processors Association warned would devastate integrated cross-border processing operations. To maintain a dollar-for-dollar and rate-for-rate response, the Ministry of Finance added copper wire, charcoal, plaster sheets, and tiles to the tariff list at a 50 per cent rate, taking effect on September 8.