• 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.

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• N.B. government lacks evidence collaborative-care clinics reach those in need: report

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-29 19:09:36.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Healthcare, Governance]

  An audit conducted by New Brunswick Auditor General Paul Martin revealed that the provincial Department of Health lacks evidence to show whether its collaborative-care clinics are effectively reaching patients in areas of highest need. The audit examined 14 clinics announced between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, finding that the government did not conduct a provincial community needs assessment prior to expansion, and that primary care wait-list data was inaccurate and unreliable. Despite these oversight gaps and the inability to determine if the clinics reduced the provincial wait-list, Premier Susan Holt's government opened its 19th collaborative-care clinic in Moncton as part of a commitment to establish at least 30 teams across the province by 2028.

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• Feds grant New Brunswick $461 million for infrastructure projects

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-25 20:10:15.0
  Tags: [National, New Brunswick, Infrastructure, Housing, Healthcare, Education]

  The federal government, through the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, has announced a $461 million funding transfer to the Government of New Brunswick via the $51-billion Build Communities Strong Fund from the 2025 federal budget. The agreement allocates $305 million toward housing and post-secondary education projects, with New Brunswick committing not to increase fees or taxes that hinder housing supply. Additionally, $155 million is designated for health infrastructure, including $25.7 million for endoscopy modernization and expansion and $1 million for future planning at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital in Moncton.

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• 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.

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