An Economy at the Service of All People

The party states that:
– for too long, provincial governments have pursued economic growth at all costs.
– growth that destroys forests and wetlands, and dumps pollution into our air, rivers and bays is uneconomic. While companies may profit, our children and grandchildren pay the price.
– rather than looking backwards with tired, failed 20th century thinking, a Green economy moves confidently forward, anticipating and meeting the challenges of the climate emergency with creativity and energy.
– since the Covid-19 pandemic revealed the province’s vulnerabilities in the face of globalization, New Brunswickers want to be more self-reliant, and they can be, simply by harnessing the creativity and energy that already exists in their communities.  Communities and regions should set their own paths, building on their unique assets, culture and geographies, with the provincial government supporting them with appropriate policies and funding.
– it seeks a shift from today’s Consumer Society based on perpetual growth to a Conserver Society based on ecological and social sustainability.

In seeking such a society, the party is guided by the following fundamental principles:
– living within the province’s ecological means.
– local self-reliance.  New Brunswick communities must be in charge of their own destiny to the greatest extent possible. Resilient, sustainable communities require economies that meet local needs and are locally controlled, minimizing dependency on external forces.  Self-reliance and resilience is built on public assets placed in the hands of and dedicated to the service of local communities.  Local self-reliance is integral to the shift to a society which respects the ecological and social limits of human production.
– social justice and equality.  Everyone is diminished by the presence of poverty amidst great wealth. A caring society ensures that all people have equal access to the necessities of life and to amenities which enhance our collective human experience – health, education, quality housing, meaningful livelihoods, and cultural enrichment. Recognizing that individual wealth is socially created, the greatest burden for ensuring a just society must be borne by those with the greatest means.
– it is committed to reducing the gap between rich and poor by identifying and addressing the root causes of economic and social injustice at home and globally.

The party advocates:
– setting a local procurement quota for hospitals, schools, universities and colleges, and long-term care homes to increase the local production of essential goods and services, and decrease reliance on imports.
– creating a Department of Rural Affairs and Community Development with decentralized decision-making, to support community-led regional development, and expand the role of cooperatives, worker-owned business, and social enterprises in the economy.
– supporting, promoting, and expanding Community Economic Development Investment Funds as a means of financing local development.
– providing funds for communities to retrofit and repurpose unused and historic buildings such as schools, courthouses and the Memramcook Institute.

Poverty Reduction
The party states that:
– the province must place the well-being and dignity of New Brunswickers at the heart of all government decisions.  The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted many social inequalities.
– it is committed to reinforcing the social safety net and reducing poverty.

The party advocates:
– implementing a Guaranteed Liveable Income with the support of the federal government, beginning with a pilot project for people living with a disability.
– increasing social assistance rates by 11 per cent for single people and by 8.3 per cent for families.
– abolishing social assistance rules that claw back benefits from people sharing housing.
– increasing the financing of legal aid services so it is on par with Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
– creating a public automobile insurance system since the Financial and Consumer Services Commission has not guaranteed fair and affordable insurance.
– fully subsidizing the Housing First initiatives in Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John, and providing portable rent supplements to renters instead of landowners.
– investing in affordable housing in rural areas, maintaining public housing and rent subsidies.

In order to bring the provincial health care system back to human scale, the party advocates:
– supporting the creation of a national pharmacare program, including the coverage of diabetic medical supplies, vision care, dental care and equipment such as hearing aids.
– eliminating annual premiums of the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program both for individuals and for families earning less than $25,000 and $40,000 respectively.

Labour, Unions & Employment  | Corporations, Competition & Consumers

The party states that:
– the pandemic made us realize who are the essential workers in our communities. Many earn minimum wage, or slightly more, which does not come close to reflecting the social value of their work.

The party advocates:
– immediately increase minimum wage to $15 and index it to the rate of inflation, and provide support to small businesses so they can adapt to the new salary requirements.
– abolishing changes made by the current government to the Essential Services in Nursing Homes Act to ensure that nursing home workers have the right to a fair and effective negotiation process.
– increasing salaries for homecare and childcare workers.
– prohibiting replacement of workers during a strike or lock-out.
– guaranteeing paid sick leave, vacation, and paid overtime for all workers covered by the Employment Standards Act.

An Economy at the Service of All People

The party states that, as a matter of constitutional principle,
– it believes that effective and inclusive social programs contribute to the development of a vibrant economy, and recognizes that a strong economy is needed to provide such programs. It therefore seeks innovative and progressive means to ensure the continued development of relevant and responsive social programs, as well as the expansion of employment opportunities for all New Brunswickers.

Poverty Reduction 

The party states that:
– the rising cost of living is a significant concern for many residents in New Brunswick.  The price of electricity has steadily increased over the past few decades, further straining household budgets.

The party advocates:
– alleviating financial burdens by eliminating the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on residential electricity bills.

Expansion of Basic Income

The party states that:
– key populations in NB, including children (via the Canada Child Benefit) and seniors over 65 years old (via Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplements), are eligible for a version of Basic Income.  A basic Income for persons with a disability has been proposed by the Government of Canada.
– differing versions of Basic Income have been tested or launched by the governments of Manitoba, Ontario, NFLD, Quebec, and PEI.  The Basic Income program in NFLD targets seniors 60 to 64 years old and aligns with the seniors benefits provided by the Government of Canada.
– Basic Income programs are typically delivered via the income tax system as refundable tax credits, requiring annual income tax filing to access, which also unlocks additional federal and provincial program supports for low-income tax filers.   Such programs reduce poverty, support access to improved housing and nutritious food, improve access to other necessary supports, and enhance overall wellbeing for recipients.

The party advocates, as a first step, establishing a pilot project to assess the impact of providing a Basic Income to seniors aged 60 to 64.

Property Tax Reform

The party states that:
– it acknowledges the concerns and challenges posed by rising property tax assessments on homeowners and businesses, recognizes the need for a balanced approach to property tax assessments that ensures fiscal responsibility without causing undue financial strain on property owners; and recognizes the need for a fair and equitable property tax system that promotes economic stability for municipalities and takes into account the complex nature of property taxes and the need for careful consideration.

The party advocates:
– property tax reform with the following key provisions: (1) fair assessment, (2) exemptions and relief, (3) commercial and industrial property reform, and (4) public engagement, monitoring and adjustment.
– establishing a small representative committee of experts to study options and propose a fairer property tax regime for the future and that the committee’s report include an executive summary that presents the main points in clear and easy-to-understand language
– working collaboratively with municipalities, stakeholders, community organizations, and experts in tax policy, to ensure successful implementation of this comprehensive property tax reform.

Property Tax Rebate to Keep Seniors at Home

The party states that:
– many seniors living on a fixed income are struggling under the weight of skyrocketing food prices, energy and utility costs, prescription drugs, and more; and increases in pensions are not keeping pace.  The median income for seniors living solely on Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement is around $20,000 each.
– often better quality of life and health outcomes are achieved by keeping seniors in their homes as long as possible.  It is most cost-effective for the province to support seniors in their home as long as possible, compared to long-term care or hospitalization.

The party advocates:
– introduction of a policy where seniors under a certain income threshold, upon the registered homeowner reaching the age of 65, would have their property taxes frozen for as long as they continue to reside in said residence, including consideration of a model where seniors could receive an annual rebate of up to 30% of their property tax based on their income, diminishing as income approaches the threshold level.
– upon the seniors moving out of the home, or upon the sale or transfer of the property, the property tax freeze would no longer apply.

Housing

The party states that:
– housing costs in New Brunswick are on the rise while housing stock remains low; and there is no indication that this crisis will improve in the foreseeable future.  Housing costs (rents, mortgage costs, construction costs) are rising very quickly while housing affordability indicators are falling.
– housing is key to the safety and stability of all New Brunswickers.
– the province relies almost entirely on the private sector for its supply of new housing, and the population of New Brunswick is growing quickly.
– the Government of New Brunswick has successfully responded to similar housing demand and supply imbalances in the past.

The party advocates:
– adoption of policies and principles that ensure timely access to affordable and accessible housing in the province of New Brunswick, including immediate appointment of a small committee of representative experts to identify policies and actions that will provide both immediate and long-term solutions.
– establishment of a Ministry of Housing, mandated to expand new public housing and subsidized housing, facilitate an increase in accessible housing, maintain the existing stock of public housing, and facilitate an increase in the overall housing supply directly and through partnerships with key housing industry stakeholders, in order to better meet the affordable housing needs of NB residents.

Unused Government Property

The party states that:
– many buildings owned by the provincial government remain vacant for unacceptably long periods.  Numerous provincial buildings and lands have been unused for extended periods, often over a decade, with minimal maintenance, diminishing their value.  Many could be repurposed into affordable housing.
– holding onto unused land and buildings restricts potential land revenues for municipal and/or provincial governments.

The party advocates:
– developing a clear plan mandating that any provincial building or land becoming vacant or unused be offered to other government departments within 6 months. If no interest is expressed, the government should proceed to put the building or land up for sale using appropriate methods within the subsequent 6 months.

Long-Term Homelessness

The party states that:
– long-term homelessness occurs when a person is homeless for a year or more.  People are suffering and sometimes dying while living rough (without a home) throughout New Brunswick.  The number of people who are homeless in NB has doubled in the last 12 months.
– people who are homeless account for a disproportionate amount of petty crime, addictions, mental health challenges, policing costs, emergency room visits, corrections, and court costs, and are vulnerable targets for drug dealers and other abusers.  And they are members of our communities, including our families, friends, and co-workers.
– successfully housing individuals who are homeless dramatically reduces healthcare costs, police costs, and instances of petty crime.

The party advocates:
– immediate implementation of proven strategies towards eliminating homelessness and elimination of long-term homelessness.

Reducing Barriers to New Construction

The party states that:
– regulatory and permit requirements on housing in New Brunswick have significantly increased over the past 40 years without substantial changes in housing complexity, adding unnecessary costs.  The recent addition of seismic qualification requirements for new housing construction adds between $500 and $1000 per home unit, exacerbating the housing affordability crisis, as highlighted by the example of increased trailer home costs in Charlotte County.
– no deaths in New Brunswick since confederation have been attributed to houses collapsing in earthquakes, questioning the necessity of this added regulatory burden.
– current regulations exempt homes under 600 square feet from certain requirements, and there’s a strong case for expanding this exemption to larger single-family homes.
– the cost of building permits and regulatory inspections has become a significant challenge to housing affordability. Residents are effectively charged twice for regulatory costs – through property tax and permit acquisition.

The party advocates:
– acknowledging that solving the housing affordability crisis requires more than just government-built homes or nonprofit initiatives. A key part of the solution lies in reducing the regulatory costs associated with building new homes, making it affordable for the average working person in New Brunswick to acquire modest housing.

Labour, Unions & Employment

Homegrown Labour

The party states that:
– New Brunswick faces critical labor shortages in sectors such as health and long-term care, education, and trades.  The high cost of postsecondary education is a significant barrier for many young people.
– individuals often establish long-term residency in communities where they live for extended periods.  Relying solely on immigration is insufficient to fill the labour force gap.
– thus there is a need to cultivate a local, skilled labour force to meet future demands.
– New Brunswick is home to five universities, a bilingual community college network, and numerous private learning institutions;

The party advocates:
– introducing a policy offering full scholarships (covering tuition and reference materials) to students entering fields with critical labour shortages. In return, students commit to a five-year service in a designated community, with the total student debt being reduced by 20% annually.
– developing and implementing a coordinated skills training and recognition strategy that addresses the skills needs in each economic sector, optimizes the education and training capacity of New Brunswick’s higher education institutions, facilitates the recognition of skills acquired outside the province, and provides career pathways for young New Brunswickers.
– mandating the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training, and Labour to report annually on the status of skills shortages and to adjust the strategy accordingly.

Corporations, Competition & Consumers

Promotion of Local Products

The party states that:
– climate change (droughts, floods) is increasingly affecting harvests.  Growers are struggling to find seasonal workers for the harvest.  New Brunswick grocery stores sell many products imported from other provinces.

The party advocates a review of provincial economic policy and development of a strategy to encourage New Brunswickers to consume more local products.

Agriculture

The party states that:
– New Brunswick has a long and rich history in the Agriculture and Agri-food industry.  Industry players have proven to be very innovative, and the agriculture sector has seen immense transformation over the last few decades.
– the recent pandemic brought new light to the rise in food insecurity in the province.
– New Brunswick has a surplus of abandoned farmland that has become non-productive.

The party advocates:
– a full assessment of abandoned farmland, and working stakeholders to actively plan and manage these properties for agricultural needs, including encouraging the value added of New Brunswick farmed goods to optimize industry growth.

An Economy at the Service of All People

The party states that:
– it is committed to building a New Brunswick where young people can see themselves having a prosperous future with good jobs and public services they can rely on.  For too long, the provincial government has dragged its heals on tackling the greatest challenges facing today and tomorrow’s generations: the decline in quality full-time jobs and the rise of precarious work, stagnant wages and less retirement security, the rise of global emissions and climate change.

The party advocates bold, progressive ideas that reflect the NDP’s hope and optimism for the future of New Brunswick, including:
– raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour for all workers.
– creating 24,000 before and after school childcare spaces for children ages 3 to 12.
– extending prescription drug coverage to everyone through our plan for universal pharmacare.
– introducing a carbon reduction program that puts a price on carbon and invests the funds into green energy and infrastructure projects, and rebates for low and middle income earners.
– eliminating tuition fees at all NBCC/CCNB community colleges, and reducing undergraduate tuition at all public universities by 25%.
– implementing pay equity and working to end gender-based violence.
– thereby building a New Brunswick where young people see their values reflected in the priorities of their government.

Housing & Poverty Reduction

The party states that:
– the province must address the growing gap between rich and poor in New Brunswick.  Many people—young and old—are working two or three jobs just to stay ahead.
– there has been a large increase in precarious  work that is part time, casual, low paid and de-skilled. These jobs often have no guarantee of hours or shifts, and no benefits like paid sick leave, prescription drug coverage, dental plans or private pensions.
– across Canada as well as in New Brunswick, businesses are increasingly relying on outsourcing, contracting out, franchising, and temporary agencies. This has led to less job security for New Brunswickers than ever before.
– wages for the lowest paid workers are not enough to allow these families to live above the poverty line and provide for themselves or their children. Far too many New Brunswickers are forced to live in poor housing, make difficult choices between feeding their kids or fixing their cars, and sacrifice their health because they can’t afford to take unpaid sick days.
– low wages are bad for the provincial economy, depressing economic activity and resulting in lower labour productivity, purchasing power and tax revenue.  Other provinces are moving to recognise the harm to all of society when income inequality is left unchecked.  Ontario and Alberta have joined a North American-wide movement for a fifteen dollar minimum wage.

The party advocates:
– raising the minimum wage for all workers in New Brunswick to $15 per hour, staging increases over four years to give employers an opportunity to plan ahead.
– implementing changes to Employment Standards that will improve working conditions for New Brunswick workers, including addressing precarious work. These changes go hand in hand with changes to the minimum wage.

Housing & Homelessness

The party states that:
– all New Brunswickers should have access to affordable housing. But the province is facing a housing crisis, and is not adequately addressing housing and homelessness challenges. Many families are spending well over 30% of their income on shelter, and there is a growing number of homeless people.
– ignoring housing and homelessness is more costly than addressing them. Providing access to affordable housing is key so that additional supports and services can be offered. In the long run, investments in affordable housing and ending homelessness will reduce pressure on public services like health care and will reduce costs for government.

The party advocates:

– adopting a ’Housing First’ strategy to end homelessness, and expanding municipal powers over social housing.
– giving cities the powers and resources they need to enforce housing standards.
– prioritizing public management of social housing, and curbing subsidies and grants for landlords who provide sub-standard housing.
– researching the impacts of introducing rent control legislation so that people aren’t faced with unfair rent increases.
– reviewing the mandate of the Office of the Rentalsman with the goal of providing better services to New Brunswick’s tenants and landlords.

Income Assistance
The party states that:
– the party to must do more to fight against income inequality.  It must provide more income for those on provincial income assistance.
– since 2009, the percentage of New Brunswickers with income below the poverty line has increased by 1.5% while it has decreased by 5.6% in the Atlantic Provinces and by 4.7% nationally. As of 2015, 100,000 New Brunswickers had income lower than the poverty threshold.
– 36% of New Brunswickers make below $15 an hour, the majority of whom are women.  The 2016 Census revealed that New Brunswick has the lowest household incomes in the country.  It doesn’t have to be this way. New Brunswick’s social assistance rates are one of the lowest in the country, and barely cover half the poverty line.
– it time to lift New Brunswickers out of poverty, fix social assistance to help people return to work and not keep them in a poverty trap. That means increasing social assistance to better reflect the cost of living.

The party advocates:
– raising all social assistance rates immediately by 10%, and indexing all rates to the cost of living.
– ensuring equitable access to the public education system, with the inclusion important and diverse New Brunswick artists and cultural literature into the education curriculum.

Labour, Unions & Employment

The party states that:
– it is committed standing up for workers’ rights and for fundamental reform of the province’s labour laws. Alongside raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, it also advocatess strengthening employment standards to ensure every worker is treated fairly.
– for youth to stay in New Brunswick, they must see a bright, progressive and green future for themselves in New Brunswick.

To make life better for every worker in the province—not just those with unions—the party advocates implementing basic rights, including:
– introducing a $15 an hour minimum wage.
– introducing paid sick days for all employees.
– ending unfair employer practices such as split shifts, call-ins without pay and never knowing when work is scheduled.
– increasing the coverage of employment standard legislation to dependent contractors and others excluded by the current definition of employee.
– introducing common employer provisions to make franchisors responsible for the working conditions of employees of franchisees.
– increasing the provincial government’s capacity to enforce employment standards.
– prohibiting employers from requiring doctors’ sick notes.
– increasing the provincial government’s capacity to enforce employment standards.

To make it easier for unions to represent workers, the party advocates conducting a An NDP government a comprehensive review of collective bargaining laws, and enacting long-needed changes to the Industrial Relations Act and the Public Service Labour Relations Act, including:
– common employer designation for franchise operations protection.
– expanded successor rights and protections for contractors in the service industry.
– anti-scab protection to defend union jobs.
– empowering the Labour Relations Board to extend sectoral bargaining—as done in the construction industry—to all sectors of the economy.

To strengthen workplace safety, the NDP advocates:
– reviewing  WorkSafeNB’s mandate to ensure that a culture of safety is properly enforced in all work places.
– improving access to injured worker benefits by ending the three-day waiting period.
– investing $225,000 to hire five more employment standard officers, who would focus on enforcing the provincial rules and regulations.

Corporations, Competition & Consumers

The party states that:
– New Brunswick needs good stable jobs to retain youth, to create a more just and sustainable society, and to develop the tax base needed to deliver strong public services.

To increase income and wages, and to combat inequality, the party advocates gradually implementing a $15 minimum wage over four years, which will lead to more disposable income for individuals and more tax revenues as economic multipliers kick in and more people participate in the workforce.

The party’s Industrial and Economic Growth Strategy is based on six pillars:

1. Creating a Public Investment Bank that fosters broad-based, equitable and regionally diverse economic growth with a focus on closing the ‘capital gap’ for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) though the creation of a Public Investment Bank. Investment of $130 million will be paid for by eliminating funding for Opportunities NB and regional development programs.
2. Pursuing an industrial strategy that encourages investments in value-added jobs, exports and supply chains across New Brunswick.
3. Creating ‘green collar’ jobs based on large public investments in the renewable energy economy and energy efficiency home retrofitting.
4. Investment in research and development, training, and infrastructure to foster productivity growth and prepare for our future high-tech, innovation-based economy.
5. Investment in better public services that will make life more affordable for New Brunswickers. Its plans for $15 an hour minimum wage, childcare, home care, and free or reduced tuition will help build a skilled workforce and increase our labour participation rates.
6. Developing a new northern and rural strategy that better serves these communities’ needs.

Agriculture

The party states that:
– New Brunswick’s family farmers work hard and deserve to have a government that’s on their side. The provincial agricultural sector is a key economic driver and employs over 13,000 New Brunswickers. But New Brunswick family farms face complex challenges trying to succeed in today’s markets.
– at the same time, New Brunswick has a growing problem with food insecurity that must be addressed by the next provincial government. New Brunswick produces only 10% of the food it eats. Yet it has a talented agricultural sector and many workers who are looking for new opportunities.

To support farmers and their families, the party advocates:
– ending to the practice of large landowners buying up agricultural land and leasing it back to farmers.
– making more land available to farmers, and stopping land speculation, including by enforcing and enhancing enhance the Farm Land Identification Program by deferring property tax on farm land.
– recognizing and supporting women farmers by increasing women’s participation in farm management and ownership and (co-)operating their own farms.
– providing agriculture programs in schools for farmers to upgrade their skills, and developing agriculture education policy for schools and colleges to encourage and support new and young farmers.
– returning subsidies for lime transportation.
– increasing access to rural services, agricultural support and other rural infrastructure.

To drive growth and innovation in the provincial agricultural sector, the party advocates:
– leveraging the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal five-year investment to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector in New Brunswick.
– providing incentives for value added processing to New Brunswick-grown produce to create jobs and accelerate value-added transformation of the provincial economy.
– using research and statistics to make evidence-based decisions for agricultural policy, building technical capacity for growing food and other crops in New Brunswick soil and climate conditions.
– enhancing business skills for entrant and current farmers to help them get started and to help them grow their businesses and get fair prices, ensuring the vitality and sustainability of the family farm.

To create new opportunities for local food producers to meet more of New Brunswickers’ food and produce needs, the party advocates:

– ending dumping of American fresh produce during local season.
– supporting and promoting year-round local markets.
– developing initiatives for local food programs in schools, hospitals and other provincial programs.
– identifying wholesale and retail opportunities for New Brunswick products including institutional contracts and large retail chains, working with farmers and retailers to remove barriers to entry.
– offering support for federally inspected abattoirs in New Brunswick where none exist.

To support farmers as entrepreneurs and small business owners, the party advocates:
– providing mentorship programs for young farmers to learn best farm practices from experienced farmers.
– helping farmers connect with other businesses to form key partnerships with value-added processers.
– providing incubation sessions for sharing ideas and fostering mutual support and creative business development.
– better connecting services like veterinarians and engineers to the farming community.
– helping provide streamlined channels to market using latest technical advancements.
– supporting farmers in using best practices—such as regenerative agriculture—to build healthy soil, regenerate eco-systems and fight climate change.

An Economy to Serve All People

The party has provided no specific current statement regarding its policies concerning:
– the role or purpose of the economy.

Poverty Reduction & Housing

Rent Control

The party states that:
– it supports rent caps to protect safe, affordable housing for New Brunswick citizens. A rent cap on existing tenants and on any unit older than 5 years ensures that unscrupulous activity does not leave our most vulnerable without protection.

In addition to the reasonable use of rent caps, the party advocates:
– making the repair and maintenance of public housing a priority.
– ensuring that the current public housing stock meets the provincial population’s needs and taking steps to right-size it if necessary.
– tying provincial grants to developers to create a percentage of affordable and diverse housing units to fit all needs and work with municipalities to compel the same.
– enacting legislation to make it illegal for a property owner or superintendent to inquire about family status or any other right under the Human Rights Act before signing a rental agreement in non-owner-occupied buildings.
– enacting legislation penalizing property owners engaging in discrimination based on any protected human right characteristic in non-owner-occupied buildings.
– ensuring that rental subsidy certificates are considered a source of income and, as such, protected from discrimination. Therefore, disclosure would not be required before entering into a rental agreement.

Further Housing Initiatives

The party advocates:
– increasing staff and enforcement officers to investigate, inspect, and resolve landlord/tenant matters, including, where necessary, inspection of a property/unit.
– collaborating with municipalities to determine and, if necessary, regulate the number of short-term rentals to minimize the impact on housing availability.
– working with Community Colleges and Trade Schools to ensure that every step possible is being taken to meet the needs of our labor force, including real-life experience and on-the-job training/certification where possible.
– encouraging municipalities to review zoning requirements, take steps to reduce sprawl, and encourage diversity of housing in new construction.

Tax Reform & Cost of Living

The party states that:
– Vestcor is entrusted to manage the pensions of public servants with taxpayer dollars. NB Power is a Crown Corporation acting at arm’s length from the government but for which the government (taxpayer) is on the hook. NB Liquor and Cannabis NB are also Crown Corporations. Medavie is not a Crown Corporation but holds multiple contracts for managing and providing public services.
– the party’s position is two-fold.

• any entity responsible for or using tax dollars must be subject to the Auditor General’s investigation and review.
• no bonuses should be paid to management/board without successfully achieving pre-determined targets.

Labour, Unions & Employment

The party has provided no specific current statement regarding its policies concerning:
– labour, unions, or employment

Corporations, Competition & Consumers

Corporate Handouts

The party states that reducing taxes and investing in small/medium-sized businesses in New Brunswick, rather than giving large Corporate Handouts, will continue to promote innovation, diversity, and competition in the market, all of which benefit the consumer.

An Economy to Serve All People

The party’s constitution states that the party believes in:
– 2. New Brunswick and Canada:  it strives to build and preserve a prosperous, united New Brunswick within a prosperous, united Canada.
– 5. Free Enterprise: the creation of prosperity can best be achieved by a free enterprise economy.

Prior to its current term in office, the party stated that during its prior term in office:
– even before the pandemic struck, it had been working diligently to prevent New Brunswick from falling off a financial cliff. It improved the provincial credit rating from negative to stable, meaning that the province pays less interest, and investors are more confident in doing business in New Brunswick.
– it also implemented a number of changes to protect the financial security of the province, its employers and workers.
– it increased increased wages for home support workers, announced a regulated annual minimum wage increase, and rejected the federal tax change that would have seen many small businesses suffer another 2.5% on their tax rate. WorkSafe premiums for employers were reduced, and it presented a balanced budget.
– it advocated not just recovery, but reinventing and renewing the provincial economy because doing business in a post-COVID world would be very different.

Post-COVID Recovery

Prior to its current term in office, the party advocated promotion of economic recovery through:
– promotion of e-commerce skills to compete in a digital world.  The party stated that helping businesses compete in a digital economy is absolutely key to the province’s long-term success when international trade missions are no longer occurring and travel is restricted. It instructed Opportunities New Brunswick to work with provincial businesses to support their transition to a digital economy so sales and exports can continue. This would include for businesses in learning how to sell online, use enhanced marketing and e-commerce strategies, and promote our province’s brand through social media.
– productivity & technology adoption for manufacturers: the party stated that productivity must improve to help New Brunswick businesses close the gap. Opportunities New Brunswick has been directed to design suitable programs, especially for manufacturers who struggling to scale their operations.  This could mean embracing robotics, artificial intelligence, and just using existing technologies more effectively to increase outputs and improve overall competitiveness.
– prioritizing NB businesses in procurement policy, the policies being developed to help New Brunswick businesses compete in their own province.
– extension of tourism rebates.
– advancing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for energy innovation.  The party stated that substantial progress had already been made on energy innovation through its small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) action plan, including:
• signing an MOU with the governments of Ontario and Saskatchewan for the co-development and deployment of SMRs.
• completing an economic analysis through the Université de Moncton to enable stakeholder engagements, including a previously untapped industrial and mechanical supply chain.
• working with two private-sector partners and establishing strong links with global leaders like GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy.

Poverty Reduction & Housing

Prior to its current term in office, the party advocated expansion of housing through:

• build new affordable housing units
• repair existing stock
• create mixed housing communities

In its 2024-25 budget, the party states that:
– as costs have continued to rise, New Brunswickers are feeling more and more financial stress.  Initiatives outlined in the budget will help alleviate some of those pressures people are experiencing.  Such initiatives include:
– an increase of 3.6 per cent for social assistance recipients under the Transitional Assistance Program and Extended Benefits Program.
– $29.7 million to increase wages for personal support workers in home support and special care homes, group homes, community residences, family support and attendant care.
– $2.2 million to increase the per diems in adult residential facilities.

The party further states in its 2024-25 budget that it has allocated $1.66 billion ($1.663 million) for the Department of Social Development, an increase from $1.55 billion.   The allocations include:
– $1.075 billion for Seniors and Long Term Care, to improve personal and social functioning and support independent living through a range of community based services and develop initiatives around aging and aging care, and includes $275 million for disability support services.  This is an increase from $984 million spent in 2023-24, out of a budget for $1.004 billion.
– $182 million for Child Welfare and Youth Services, to improve personal and social functioning through the provision of Child Welfare services.  This is a decrease from $191.4 million spent in 2023-24.
– $347 million for Income Security, an increase from $307 million in 2023-24.  This allocation is intended to provide individuals and families in need with financial benefits and, where appropriate, with self-sufficiency program services to enhance their potential for employment, gender-based support services to enhance safety, and appropriate shelter and supports to foster a healthier quality of life.
– $47.2 million for other benefits, to provide financial assistance to support seniors and low-income families with children under 18 years and to low-income households to help offset or reduce energy costs. Assistance is provided through programs such as the Low Income Seniors’ Benefit, Child Tax Benefit and Working Income Supplement, and the Healthy Seniors’ Pilot Project. This is a decrease from $52.6 million spent in 2023-24.

Food Security

Prior to its current term in office, the party advocated promotion of food security through:

• year-round farming
• promote NB Food Basket
• workforce development

Support for vulnerable populations

In its 2024-25 budget, the party states that:
– as costs have continued to rise, New Brunswickers are feeling more and more financial stress.  Initiatives outlined in the budget, will help alleviate some of those pressures people are experiencing.  Such initiatives include:
– an increase of 3.6 per cent for social assistance recipients under the Transitional Assistance Program and Extended Benefits Program.
– $29.7 million to increase wages for personal support workers in home support and special care homes, group homes, community residences, family support and attendant care.
– $2.2 million to increase the per diems in adult residential facilities.
– making amendments to the New Brunswick Income Tax Act to provide additional support to low-income seniors, permanently increasing the base amount of the Low-Income Seniors’ Benefit to $600 from $400, with the value of the benefit indexed to the consumer price index annually.
– providing a monthly household supplement for social assistance recipients and youth engagement services recipients that will benefit more than 33,000 residents, including more than 10,000 children.

Housing

The party states that its 2024-25 budget includes an increased investment of $68.9 million for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation; a 54.1 per cent increase over last year’s budget, and that investments in affordable housing include:
– $130.3 million for housing program delivery, to assist households in need to obtain affordable, suitable and adequate housing through several programs such as subsidized rental assistance, repair assistance to rehabilitate or improve their dwellings and provide financial assistance to existing homeowner clients.
– $59.4 million in new allocations for housing facilities, to provide construction, modernization and building management for public housing and property development services to support various affordable housing initiatives.
– $33.0 million in additional capital construction costs for new public housing
– $2.8 million for Tenant and Landlord Relations office, to assist tenants and landlords in resolving issues, providing education and information regarding rights and responsibilities, ensuring compliance under the Residential Tenancies Act and leases, and management of security deposits.
– $22 million for a direct-to-tenant rental benefit for families and seniors who are in core housing need for affordability reasons.
– $5.5 million through the Canada Housing Benefit to help an additional 1,200 New Brunswick households.
– $3.5 million through the Canada Housing Benefit to support survivors of gender-based violence.
– $3 million through the Rent Bank to reduce the risk of eviction due to arrears in rent or utility bills.
– $11 million in permanent funding to respond to the homelessness crisis.
– $2.5 million to support the development and repair of rental units.
– $2.6 million in support of a partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
– $20 million through the Regional Development Corporation to help small communities build or enhance existing infrastructure.
– 2.5 million through the Regional Development Corporation to support pre-construction work related to affordable housing.

Corporations, Competition & Consumers

Agriculture, Aquaculture, & Fisheries

In its 2024-25 budget, the party proposes:
– allocation of $13.9 million to provide specialist advice and services for the growth and competitiveness of the agriculture sector, including provision of services and programs focused on maintaining livestock and animal health, crop development and preserving food safety and quality.
– allocation of $5.6 million to provide specialist advice and services for the growth and competitiveness of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, including provision of services and programs focused on maintaining sustainable practices and preserving food safety and quality.
– allocation of $2.4 million to provide strategic delivery and coordination of marketing and trade initiatives such as Local Food and Beverages Strategy, seafood exports, market intelligence and other related activities.
– allocation of $1.8 million to provide strategic delivery and coordination of development initiatives to support new entrants and the growth of businesses within the agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries sectors.
– allocation of $23.3 million for financial assistance to the agriculture, aquaculture, and fisheries sectors under various funding programs.

Opportunities New Brunswick

The party states that in order to lead and facilitate, through Opportunities New Brunswick, the execution of high growth opportunities that will accelerate private sector growth and job creation through the pursuit of strategic and viable opportunities; the promotion of New Brunswick opportunities outside the province; the development of strategic markets; the delivery of business development services; the development of targeted economic sectors; the support of business productivity, growth, capacity, and sustainability, it proposes to allocate, in its 2023-24 budget, a total of $46.5 million, including:
– $16.6 million for administration and business development;
– $25 million in financial assistance to businesses; and
– $5 million in strategic investments in productivity improvements aimed at strengthening competitiveness of New Brunswick companies.