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.

Fredericton’s emergency shelter space shrinks ahead of winter

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-29 20:00:33.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Municipal, Housing, Social Services, Emergency]

Fredericton City Council approved a smaller emergency out-of-the-cold shelter providing 10 overnight beds at the Small Craft Aquatic Centre, operating from mid-December to the end of April, as the previous 33-bed facility run by Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc. at the exhibition grounds faces demolition for redevelopment. According to September data from the Human Development Council, 353 people are experiencing homelessness in Fredericton, including 179 who are chronically homeless. Additionally, council approved a new courtyard lot for the tiny home community 12 Neighbours, adding 15 new units to help bridge emergency services and permanent supportive housing.

New Brunswick introduces legislation to crack down on copper wire theft

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-28 15:32:10.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Public Safety, Justice, Infrastructure, Governance]

Premier Susan Holt’s Liberal government in New Brunswick has introduced legislation to amend the Salvage Dealers Licensing Act aimed at cracking down on copper wire theft. The proposed changes restrict the sale of copper wire exclusively to licensed salvage dealers and individuals lawfully entitled to possess and dispose of it. Sellers are now required to provide photo identification, and a mandatory 48-hour buffer on payments has been established. The provincial government acted in response to rising incidents reported by telecommunications and electricity companies regarding infrastructure thefts causing service outages.

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.

New Brunswick strikes deal to explore recovering metals from old mine waste

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-26 21:19:48.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Resources, Mining, Environment, Industry]

The Government of New Brunswick has struck an agreement with U.S.-based firm Regeneration Enterprises to explore recovering valuable metals, such as copper, lead, zinc, and silver, from decades-old mining waste at the closed Nigadoo mine site near Bathurst, N.B. The site currently represents a $35 million environmental liability for the province, which the company aims to remove from the provincial balance sheet by using recovered critical minerals to fund full site restoration and environmental remediation. Regeneration Enterprises, which is working alongside the Pabineau First Nation, expects to determine the financial viability of the project within a year, with potential processing operations beginning in two to three years if regulatory approvals are secured.

$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.

Rally urges New Brunswick government to rethink energy plans

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-20 20:56:59.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Environment, Climate, Infrastructure, Technology]

Protesters rallied outside the New Brunswick Legislature during the reading of the speech from the throne to oppose government energy and industrial plans, including the proposed Tantramar gas plant, Lorneville data centres, Sisson mine, and the potential re-opening of fracking. Advocates, including the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and the Save Lorneville group, raised concerns over pollution, public health risks, and an increased strain on utility provider NB Power, noting one proposed artificial intelligence data centre would draw 200 megawatts. In response, Premier Susan Holt stated that her government will enforce stringent draft policy conditions requiring projects to demonstrate no negative impacts on water resources or energy rates alongside clear community benefits before receiving approval.

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.

Daniel Allain new leader of New Brunswick’s Progressive Conservatives

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-17 21:10:45.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Governance]

Daniel Allain has been elected as the new leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick during a leadership convention in Fredericton, capturing more than half of the party votes. Allain, who previously served as a Cabinet minister and a Dieppe city councillor, defeated the only other candidate, Don Monahan. Because Allain does not currently hold a seat in the provincial legislature, the Progressive Conservatives have been led by interim leader Glen Savoie since former premier Blaine Higgs stepped down following the party's defeat in the 2024 provincial election.

Nackawic mill workers and union push for government action as shutdown looms

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-16 20:51:04.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, National, Labour, Industry, Trade, Resources]

AV Group NB Inc. announced it will temporarily idle the AV Nackawic Mill in New Brunswick on November 4 due to prevailing market conditions and trade pressures, placing roughly 240 unionized workers and 300 to 350 direct jobs at risk. In response, Unifor leadership and local union representatives are pushing for government intervention, including a national forestry strategy, a joint government task force, a provincial modernization review, and keeping the facility heated through the winter. Premier Susan Holt stated that the Government of New Brunswick is working with AV Group NB Inc. and municipal officials to explore employment alternatives and facility uses while Working NB assists affected employees with federal and provincial benefits.

Market diversification added to focus of renewed Atlantic Fisheries Fund

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-15 20:43:09.0
Tags: [National, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Trade, Fisheries, Industry, Finance]

The federal government and the Atlantic provincial governments are replenishing the Atlantic Fisheries Fund with more than $300 million over the next five years, funded 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially, in response to ongoing trade disputes and tariffs with the U.S. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced that market diversification has been added as a new funding pillar alongside innovation, infrastructure, and science partnerships to assist harvesters and processors such as Cooke Inc., the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association, Scotia Harvest, and Icewater Seafoods in entering new international markets. Over the past nine years, the fund has previously distributed $370 million to more than 1,300 projects across Atlantic Canada.

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.

New Brunswick gets $219 million loan from Ottawa for hydroelectric dam repair work

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-13 17:06:33.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, National, Infrastructure, Energy, Environment, Climate]

The federal government announced nearly $270 million in funding for New Brunswick energy facilities, featuring a $219 million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank for the Mactaquac Life Achievement Project and a $50 million grant to upgrade the Salisbury Terminal near Moncton. The funding supports technical studies, regulatory reviews, and planning to extend the 672-megawatt Mactaquac Generating Station's operational life to 2068, counteracting concrete swelling caused by alkali-aggregate reactions. NB Power officials stated that the total project cost is projected to approach $9 billion, while the federal government emphasizes the investment's alignment with Ottawa's net-zero electricity grid goals by 2050.

New Brunswick utility is proposing rate hikes over next three years

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-07 18:31:29.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Affordability, Infrastructure]

New Brunswick's public utility, NB Power, is proposing an average electricity rate hike of 5.5 per cent for each of the next three years, which would result in an increase of $13.25 a month for a home using 1,350 kilowatt hours. The multi-year rate application submitted to the province's power regulator is intended to help households and businesses plan ahead while addressing the utility's aging system infrastructure and $6-billion debt. If approved following a review by the New Brunswick power regulator, the new rates could come into force starting next April.

N.B. public advocate pitches non-profit co-ordination unit to fix social services

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-06 16:39:34.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Social Services, Governance]

New Brunswick public advocate Kelly Lamrock has released a 50-page report proposing the establishment of a Non-Profit Opportunities Unit to bridge gaps between provincial social services and non-governmental organizations. The proposed unit aims to streamline grant applications, shift the Department of Social Development away from a rigid rules-based approach, and track human quality-of-life outcomes rather than checklist compliance. Additionally, the framework introduces social entrepreneurship contracts designed to achieve government cost savings through preventative investments in at-risk populations, such as youth recovery and addiction programs.

Ontario’s World-Class Nuclear Supply Chain Building Canada’s First Microreactor Project

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Energy and Mines
Date: 2026-10-05 21:15:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, New Brunswick, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Indigenous]

Ontario-based BWXT Canada has been selected to fabricate and deploy Canada's first Transportable Nuclear Power Plant using BWXT Advanced Nuclear Reactor technology for an Indigenous-led 50-megawatt pilot project in Belledune, New Brunswick. Developed by Prodigy Clean Energy under an agreement with Pabineau First Nation and Eel River Bar First Nation, the facility will provide clean baseload power for up to 40,000 homes. The project will create more than 150 development jobs, roughly 40 long-term operational positions, and establish a centralized hub and Indigenous Energy Innovation Visitor Centre.