Role of the Family  

The party states that:
– understanding that it takes a village to raise a child, it asserts society’s collective responsibility for ensuring that every child is raised in a healthy nurturing environment where they are afforded an equal opportunity to develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually to their reach their full potential.

Health Care

The party states that:
– all New Brunswickers have a right to quality health care. The global pandemic brought into sharper focus improvements needed to bring the province’s health care system into the 21st century.
– health services can now be offered virtually with the use of technology. Services in all communities can be extended to include primary health care by establishing multi-practice health care centres throughout the province.
– there is an urgent need for mental health services, services which were inadequate long before the pandemic.
– the pandemic highlighted the important role played by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.  Society depends on that Office to provide scientific advice without political interference, and to have the resources it needs to address a wide range of public health issues.

The party advocates:
– ensuring that the position of Chief Medical Officer of Health is independent and directly accountable to the Legislative Assembly.
– establishing protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease, drawing on best practices currently used internationally.
– ensuring that the vaccination records of all New Brunswickers are tracked and kept up to date, and that vaccines are readily accessible.
– phasing out industrial releases of cancer-causing pollutants in communities to reduce diseases caused by harmful chemicals.
– taxing high sugar drinks to discourage their purchase.
– raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products to 21 years, and banning the sale of flavoured vaping products designed to appeal to children.

In order to bring the provincial health care system back to human scale, the party advocates bringing decision-making about the delivery of public services closer to the communities that use them, and by reinvesting in those services to meet the needs and expectations of the public. This includes:
– bringing management of the Extra-Mural Program and Ambulance NB back into the public health care system.
– establishing community health centres throughout the province, to offer the services of a variety of professionals, including family doctors, mental healthcare specialists, nurse practitioners, dieticians, respiratory technicians, and midwives.
– increased services in mental health and addictions, including 24-hour emergency helplines.
– decentralizing management of hospitals and clinics, by allowing local hospital boards to decide the services to be offered based on the needs and expectations of the people they serve. This model would empower communities and prevent the partial closure of emergency rooms, such as was attempted by the current government earlier.
– ensuring that LGBTQ+ and reproductive health services including abortions, are covered under Medicare, and can be delivered at community clinics such as Clinic 554.
– maintaining emergency services and acute care beds in rural hospitals.
– 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.
– continuing to exert pressure on the federal government for an adjustment to health transfers to better reflect the needs of the oldest population of any province in the country.

Elder Care

The party states that:
– the provincial government has a moral responsibility to provide respectful, high quality care for senior citizens in long term care.
– the pandemic brought to light the inadequacy of the current nursing home model, such as underfunding, low wages, and the expanding role of private corporations.

The party advocates:
– adopting a not-for-profit model for all future nursing home developments.
– increased funding to nursing homes, to ensure 4 hours of care per day to all residents.
– increased wages for all workers in the nursing home sector and improved training and standards of care.
– developing an affordable housing model for seniors who do not require nursing care, particularly in rural areas.
– establishing facilities, based on the special care home model, for those autistic adults who cannot live independently

Ageism

The party states that:
– ageism, the discrimination against individuals based on age, is a significant challenge faced by seniors in New Brunswick and Canada, often manifested as misconceptions about seniors being burdens on healthcare and the economy.  Seniors, representing 22.7% of New Brunswick’s population, lead predominantly healthy and active lifestyles.
– seniors’ contributions to society include substantial economic value through work, volunteering, and charitable donations, as evidenced by various studies and reports.
– the New Brunswick Aging Strategy promotes healthy aging in supportive, age-friendly communities.  Engaging seniors in social, recreational, or group activities is a noted desire among this demographic.

The party advocates:
– developing and implementing strategies that foster positive attitudes towards aging and the contributions of seniors, including collaboration between government and the private sector to create incentives for businesses to employ interested seniors, recognizing their valuable experience and skills.

 

Education & Young Workers 

The party states that:
– a forward-looking education system is adequately funded and rooted in the community it serves, and provides a continuum of learning, from early childhood through adulthood.
– it is imperative that all New Brunswickers have equal access to education, whether online or in person.
– all regions of the province must have access to fibre optic internet service, and computers must be provided to all public school students.

The party advocate:
– giving schools the authority to manage their own budgets based on the circumstances and priorities in their area.
– implementing a universally accessible childcare system.
– accessing federal funding for a universal school breakfast and lunch program, designed and implemented locally to take advantage of local circumstances.
– adequate funding for public universities so they can gradually reduce tuition fees, with a long-term goal of achieving free tuition.
– restoring the Tuition Access Bursary program.
– restoring the Timely Completion Benefit program with a debt cap of $20,000 and extend the eligibility period to 5 years.
– restoring the Tuition Tax Credit Program for graduates who work in the province upon completion of their studies.
– eliminating interest on provincial student loans.
– eliminating credit checks associated to the loan and bursary application.

Culture, Arts & Tourism

Francophones and Anglophones; Cultural Duality
The party states that:
– the provincial government has an important role to play in closing the gaps that exist between francophone and anglophone regions, supporting duality in health and education services, educating the population on issues relating to our official languages, and promoting the cultures of diverse communities.

The party advocates:
– creating a Legislative Standing Committee on Official Languages, and reviewing the Official Languages Act through an open and transparent process.
– ensuring that seniors have access to long term care in the language of their choice.
– increasing the Commissioner of Official Languages’ budget to promote the advancement of both official languages in the province.
– obtaining some authority over immigration to respond to the needs of New Brunswick, and adopting a management structure that respects the principle of duality in matters of francophone immigration.
– providing free language training programs in both official languages in community colleges and public libraries.
– maintaining the Memramcook Institute as the provincial, community, cultural and historical asset that it is, and providing funding to ensure its continued role in the local community and for all Acadians.

Tourism

The party states that:
– New Brunswickers have fallen in love again with their province, as a result of the pandemic’s upheaval.  Southerners went north, northerners went south, and we are amazed.
– tourism in New Brunswick is built on two pillars – nature and culture. Yet forests are clear-cut around parks, people have a hard time getting to beaches because of private development, and rivers are under assault.
– during the pandemic, local tourism operators suffered greatly — many have given up.
– in a Green economy, the arts, culture and tourism are not an economic afterthought.

The party advocates:

– making sure artists and cultural entrepreneurs have the income support they need to survive and thrive following the pandemic. This constituency would benefit greatly from a guaranteed annual income.
– enacting legislation to create a professional designation of artist.
– establishing a provincial poet laureate resident at the Legislative Assembly.
– developing a network of nature and cultural interpretation throughout the province.
– keeping provincial parks in public hands.
– investing in tourism infrastructure such as bike trails, hiking trails, public access to beaches and waterways, culture discovery, and gastronomy.
– ending the private leases on segments of the Restigouche and Miramichi rivers, as Quebec has done, allowing tourism outfitters to expand their offerings into these areas.

Role of and Support for the Family 

School Breakfast Program

The party states that:
– nutrition is essential for the learning and development of all children.  But a significant number of students live in poverty in New Brunswick and lack access to sufficient food.
– food programs ensure students receive nutritious meals, yet programs designed only for those struggling create stigma and do not reach those who need it most.
– access to food is a fundamental right, and many families struggle to obtain sufficient quantities of quality food, leading to some students lacking access to a nutritious breakfast.
– free universal school breakfast programs provide students with an equal opportunity to start their learning day, improve health, well-being, and academic performance, and reduce absenteeism.
– New Brunswick’s current breakfast program is inequitable as it excludes schools with community involvement and is unfair to schools that already offer a similar program.

The party advocates:
– establishing and funding a free universal school breakfast program in all New Brunswick public schools, focusing on the needs of students living in poverty, ensuring that the provincial funding for such programs does not penalize schools that already have breakfast programs run by volunteers or with community funding.

Health Care & Elder Care

The party states that:
– citizens of New Brunswick continue to face significant challenges in accessing timely and quality healthcare services, leading to increased frustration, potential health decline, increased complications, rising future costs, and concerns about the overall well-being of the population.
– strains on the healthcare system have been exacerbated by factors such as a growing and aging population, increased prevalence of chronic diseases, and persistent pressures arising from health-related crises, placing an immense burden on healthcare providers and facilities.
– widespread dissatisfaction among residents is creating a pressing need for targeted reforms that address both immediate issues and long-term sustainability.

The party advocates:

– establishing a Provincial Health Plan that serves as a framework and guide to improve and enhance the state of the Healthcare system, informed by data and people’s lived experience, detailed with population health needs projections for up to 30 years including clear goals and an accountability framework, to ensure sensible system design, organization, operation, and resource use, and performance standards at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care, including components for Primary Care, Rural Care, Acute Care, Long Term Care, Addictions and Mental Health Care, and Epidemic/Pandemic preparedness.
– establishing both immediate-term measures to alleviate immediate pressures to prevent system collapse, as well as medium- to long-term strategies to shape the healthcare system for the future.
– implement such Provincial Health Plan while applying a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens across the system, acknowledging and recognizing the significance of all communities living within its borders, including Indigenous, Newcomers, and both social linguistic communities.
– establishing a public education and awareness protocol, highlighting the benefits of new measures and ensuring stakeholders and the public are informed well in advance of any changes in healthcare service delivery while including meaningful community engagement as a fundamental component of change management processes

Healthcare Governance

The party stats that:
– the health and well-being of New Brunswick citizens are of paramount importance, and a robust healthcare governance model is essential to achieving this valued goal.
– the Health Authority Boards and CEOs were fired by the current government, temporarily replaced with Trustees and later reinstated under a new legislative framework.
– reduction in board size from 15 to 7 members and a complete shift to appointed members by the current government has raised concerns about democratic representation and community engagement.
– First Nation representation in healthcare decision-making is recognized as a fundamental step towards addressing historical disparities and ensuring culturally safe healthcare services, while stakeholder engagement and the inclusion of diverse competencies are crucial to creating a comprehensive and effective healthcare strategy.

The party advocates:
– examining the new framework of the Health Authority Boards to establish the best representation, including First Nations, including elected members; ensuring that all board members have appropriate competencies to contribute in an informed fashion to the governance of the Health Authorities, and that the Board has as a mandate to represent the best interest of their respective Health Authorities as a whole.
– consideration of what structure can best achieve these objectives within one year of the election.

Primary Care

The party states that:
– the provincial healthcare faces challenges in providing seamless and integrated care to its residents, including an inability to access timely care due to a shortage of primary care providers (family doctor, Nurse Practitioner, or multidisciplinary clinical team) or difficulties in getting appointments.
– emergency rooms have become the backstop for too many people, exacerbating unreasonable wait times and crippling demands on staff.
– there is consensus among healthcare professionals that rapid establishment of multi-disciplinary care centers is the primary care model of the future, and successful models of multi-disciplinary care centers have shown the effectiveness of bringing together diverse healthcare professionals under one roof to enhance accessibility, referrals, and follow-ups for patients.

The party advocates:

– expedited establishment of multi-disciplinary care centers as the principal model of primary health care delivery across the province, the centers being tailored to the needs of a particular community with the integration of physicians, physician assistants, scribes, nurses, paramedics, social workers, therapists, and other professionals to ensure comprehensive and well-rounded services.
– establishing a transition plan to facilitate the move from the current situation of independent physician offices to the proposed model of multi-disciplinary care centers with allocated resources, including funding and infrastructure.

Comprehensive Health Human Resources Strategy

The party states that:
– the dedication and resilience of healthcare professionals were tested during the unprecedented challenges posed by the recent pandemic years, and it is crucial to recognize their contributions, address their concerns, and provide a supportive work environment.
– the continuing strain on healthcare workers, compounded by feelings of disrespect, lack of recognition for personal needs, and persistent demands for increased workloads, jeopardizes the retention of valuable healthcare professionals within the province.
– the provincial government has the financial capacity, through consecutive record surpluses and the availability of federal funds specifically designated for healthcare, for investment in the well-being and retention of healthcare professionals.
– to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the provincial healthcare system, it is necessary to act urgently.

The party advocates the immediate development and implementation of a comprehensive and multiyear Health Human Resource (HHR) strategy that prioritizes Recruitment and Retention of healthcare professionals, including the following elements:
– with a commitment to accelerate the expansion of the nursing role within the system, a comprehensive situational assessment to determine: the required number of nurse practitioners (NPs) for optimal system functionality, the speed at which they can be integrated into service and the feasibility of accelerated NP and RN educational programs.
– planned integration of Nurse Practitioners in community systems, incorporated into primary healthcare teams and into hospitals for efficient care.
– review and clarification of healthcare professionals’ scope of practice within the HHR strategy to optimize their roles.
– evaluation of credential recognition processes to streamline where feasible and overcome obstacles and inefficiencies.
– immediate development of a plan to improve working conditions for health professionals, prioritizing support for their wellness, addressing burnout, and including competitive benefits and addressing their most pressing needs as identified by the professionals themselves.
– strategic investments in education, including an expansion of return-to-service scholarship programs for a variety of healthcare professionals, in areas of greatest need and in collaboration with educational institutions.
– a review of Personal Support Workers, placing them within essential health workers, offering increased wages and stable funding.
– a review of pay parity discrepancies and explore measures to make positions in New Brunswick more attractive.
– addition of administrative staff to alleviate administrative burden allowing more time for patient care.
– a focused plan to address the shortage of child psychologists and social workers, aiming to mitigate long-term effects on children’s success in school.

Healthcare Technology

The party states that:
– healthcare delivery should be enhanced through innovative and efficient means, recognizing the transformative potential of digital technologies.  For example, integration of digital transformation and healthcare innovation can lead to improved patient outcomes, increased accessibility, and enhanced operational efficiency within the healthcare system.
– the adoption of standardized digital records management systems is essential for the seamless exchange of patient information and coordination of care across healthcare providers, regions and Health Authorities.
– investment in medical technology for the intake, monitoring and wellness of patients is paramount for lowering healthcare access wait-times, lowering overall healthcare costs and improving services to a higher standard of care

The party advocates:
– immediate establishment and implementation of a comprehensive technology vision for healthcare delivery that outlines the government’s strategic direction for digital transformation and innovation, and for integrating technological advancements into healthcare delivery, seamless and secure exchange of patient information among healthcare providers, regions and Health Authorities, and for the research, development or acquisition of medical technology to advance the diagnosis and treatment of patients, ensuring the healthcare system remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

Home & Long-Term Care

The party states that:
– improving the quality of care and services provided to seniors and individuals requiring long-term care is of the utmost importance.  There exists a need for a comprehensive, streamlined, and integrated approach to long-term care services, bridging the gap between healthcare and social care.
– individuals transitioning to long-term care from hospital or home care settings are most often not re-assessed following rehabilitation and re-enablement initiatives, including following the stabilization of medications or the introduction of adequate supportive services, even though re-assessment may indicate a potential reduction in the need for intensive institutional care, allowing for greater availability of such facilities for those specifically assessed as requiring them.
– the citizens of New Brunswick, especially seniors, have expressed a strong desire to remain at home for as long as possible; and the costs of home care are lower compared to residential care options like special care homes or nursing homes.
– the workforce providing home care and services is not sufficiently valued relative to other employment sectors.

The party undertakes:
– streamlining assessment and placement procedures with the aim of integrating health and social development services, providing a cohesive and patient-centric approach to long-term care.
– clearly defining the responsibilities of the Department of Health and the Department of Social Development in long-term care, including a comprehensive breakdown of what constitutes healthcare and what falls under the purview of social development, to eliminate ambiguity and improve coordination between the two departments.
– implementing strategies to break down silos that exist between departments and service providers in social care and healthcare, fostering collaboration through shared resources, data, and communication channels to ensure a seamless and integrated approach to long-term care.
– collaborating with institutions to address Alternate Level of Care patient issues in hospitals, including focus on rehabilitation and timely discharge to alleviate the strain on hospital resources and enhance the transition of patients to appropriate long-term care settings.
– increased investment in home care services to enable seniors to age in place, supporting their desire to remain in their homes longer. Shifting from an institutional approach to a community care approach, to ensure that seniors receive the necessary support and services in the comfort of their own homes.
– establishing and expanding rehabilitation centers for seniors to promote active aging and maintain independence, including promotion of centers as hubs for holistic care, incorporating physical, mental, and social well-being into the continuum of care for seniors.
– introducing transition centers to facilitate smooth transitions between different levels of care, using centers as bridge facilities, providing temporary support and services as individuals move from hospitals to home care or other long-term care settings.
– developing and implementing policies to ensure a seamless continuum of care for seniors, addressing their diverse needs at various stages of aging, including ongoing assessment, personalized care plans, and coordination among different care providers to deliver integrated and person-centered care.
– increasing increase resources allocated to the home care sector, considering previous studies that have analyzed the needs of this clientele, and promoting measures to facilitate the recruitment and retention of the required workforce, taking into account compensation and working conditions.

Mental Health and Addictions Support

The party states that:
– mental health and addictions represent significant challenges affecting the well-being of individuals across New Brunswick, and should be an integral component of primary care.
– the current Interdepartmental Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions requires review and improvement to address the evolving needs of the province.

The party advocates:
– immediate establishment of an action plan within the first year of its mandate, to prioritize mental health and addictions as a key focus area and including review of previous plans and studies, seeking areas for improvement to enhance the effectiveness of the Interdepartmental Action Plan.
– designating mental health and addictions care as a separate organizational component within the Health Authorities, ensuring dedicated resources and specialized attention.
– integrating licensed therapists into primary healthcare settings, facilitating faster access to expert care for individuals facing mental health and addiction issues.
– exploring innovative solutions such as outsourcing with virtual care and technology or contracting private providers on an interim basis, thereby increasing the capacity and accessibility of mental health and addiction services while recognizing the scarcity of mental health resources in the province.
– ensure meaningful and sustainable community engagement and resourcing in the provision of mental health and addiction care and services.

Shingles Vaccination Program
The party states that:
– shingles is a very painful disease that approximately 95% of citizens aged 65 and over are at risk of contracting.  More than 1,500 cases per year could affect New Brunswickers.
– the Shingrix vaccine is the only vaccine available in Canada with a 90% effectiveness rate against shingle.  The targeted population of 65 years and over in New Brunswick is approximately 184,000 people.

The party advocates:
– introduction of a Shingrix shingles vaccination program to protect New Brunswick citizens over the age of 65, beginning with low-income seniors.

Obstetrics & Women’s Health

The party states that:
– obstetrical services at the Campbellton Regional Hospital have been “temporarily” interrupted since April 2020.
– in many rural areas of the province, women must travel long distances to receive obstetrical and other services uniquely specific to their physical and mental health needs, due to gaps in the healthcare system, including infrastructure, equipment, and personnel.  Other regions are facing temporary closures of services, understaffing, and residents are required to travel long distances for care.
– the Indigenous population in New Brunswick, more than half of whom are women, and the increasing number of Multicultural women, highlight the diversity in healthcare needs.
– the lack of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) in emergency rooms impacts timely assistance for victims of sexual violence and the apprehension of assailants.
– insufficient staffing in women-dominated workplaces such as hospitals, mental health clinics, and care homes creates quality issues and stressful environments.
– inadequate public transportation and language barriers pose significant challenges for women accessing essential services and employment opportunities, while New Brunswick faces a chronic worker shortage.

The party advocates:
– ensuring the return and maintenance of obstetrical services, among others, at the Campbellton Regional Hospital and elsewhere.
– prioritizing the retention, recruitment, and repatriation of provincial healthcare personnel.
– ensuring that each regional hospital and care provider is properly staffed and provides appropriate quality care to all women, regardless of race, age, or socio-economic status.
– supporting all women by ensuring access to public transportation, accessible language training in official languages, and consistent social programs coordinated through the 12 Regional Service Commissions and the Women’s Equality Department.

Physician Shortages and Clinic Closures

The party states that:
– the increasing closure of health clinics and family doctor offices in New Brunswick significantly impacts access to primary healthcare services for residents, exacerbating the current shortage of family physicians and leaving many New Brunswickers without viable healthcare options.  The closure of clinics and the migration of family physicians to daily jobs in hospitals have created a gap in the provincial primary healthcare system, leading to difficulties for residents in accessing comprehensive and timely medical care.

The party advocates:
– undertaking a thorough examination of the factors contributing to these closures including incentives to keep family physicians in their practice, and implement strategies to guarantee residents continued access to quality healthcare services.

Midwifery Services

The party states that:
– there is a recognized need for improved access to quality maternal healthcare services, including for midwives, who play a vital role in maternal care and the promotion of healthy childbirth.
– it therefore advocates expansion of midwifery services across the province of New Brunswick, and allocation of funding to support the education and training of midwives.

Support for the Elderly

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.

Quality, Standardized Services for Seniors

The party states that:
– the population of New Brunswick is aging.  Seniors in New Brunswick are facing growing health needs, along with a lack of resources and services.

The party advocates:
– taking necessary measures to pressure both provincial and federal governments, including the concerned departments, implement social programs with qualified resources and standardized services, ensuring that seniors in New Brunswick can live their lives with dignity.

Rural Transportation

The party states that:
– many seniors in New Brunswick’s rural communities may not have access to automobile transportation.  The ability of seniors to participate in social, educational, and cultural activities often depends on access to alternative transportation modes beyond personal vehicles.
– similar transportation needs are also present among the younger population.

The party advocates:
– development of a comprehensive provincial transportation strategy that addresses the needs of both seniors and the younger population in rural areas.

Education & Young Workers

Inclusive Education
The party states that:
– provincial inclusion policy has been systemically underfunded, leading to an over-reliance on education assistants for addressing complex behaviors.  The policy is often interpreted narrowly, focusing only on students experiencing challenges to their learning or personal development.
– there is a recognized importance of providing an inclusive and equitable education experience for all students, including the unique needs of autistic children, and a need for a thorough assessment and improvement of existing inclusion programs within provincial schools.

The party advocates:
– comprehensive review and enhancement of existing provincial inclusion policy and programs within our schools, ensuring a truly inclusive education system that encompasses all aspects of humanity including race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, educational challenges, and more, with funding adequate for support a system that enables all learners, including those with unique needs, to thrive and contribute fully to New Brunswick society and beyond.

Funding and Resource Allocation

The party states that:
– current budgeting procedures, tied to the government of New Brunswick’s fiscal calendar, restrict districts’ ability to self-govern and plan according to their own needs.
– there is an identified teacher shortage across all districts in the province.  Teacher training programs graduate students in spring and summer, but district hiring is constrained until after annual budget approvals.

The party advocates:
– working with the Ministry of Finance, EECD, and districts to explore changes to the funding process that could enhance district autonomy, including for example a three-year budget cycle for districts, adjusting fiscal year ends, or other measures to minimize system-wide disruption.
– collaborating with EECD and districts to make resource decisions based on local data, ensuring tailored and effective educational support.

Ten-Year Funding Plan
The party states that:
– there exists a Ten-Year Plan in education that was established across party lines and with support from experts internal and external to EECD.
– there have been many disruptions for educators and students, both from internal changes (such as altering the immersion program) and external challenges (like the COVID-19 pandemic).
– the education of future citizens is a public good.  Educators in the province of New Brunswick are experts in their field.

The party advocates:
– collaborating with stakeholders across sectors to build a vision of education that all New Brunswickers can be part of, including directing EECD to collaborate with Post-Secondary Institutions, Districts, Industry partners, and municipalities to build a Ten-Year Plan for both Anglophone and Francophone sectors that support provincial, local, and linguistic needs, with a timeframe for this work based on the current Ten-Year plans set to be renewed in 2026.

The party advocates:

– government restraint from political interference in education, and commitment to limiting changes to curriculum, policy, or organizational structures within public education, ensuring that changes are enacted based on items from established Ten-Year plans and in consultation with education experts.
– supporting EECD and districts in establishing a research network to inform goals and resolve issues outlined in future Ten-Year plans, encouraging participation from Post-Secondary institutions and the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training, and Labor.
– working with EECD to establish a public-facing dashboard highlighting key data and metrics to inform planning and work for schools, districts, and EECD.

Teacher Education for a Global Society

The party states that:
– information technology has become an embedded part of our global society.  There is a call for future citizens to be well-versed in skills needed to contribute to a globally-connected world, extending beyond specific curriculum areas.
– Bachelor of Education programs need support as they begin to introduce these essential skills into their teacher education and training.

The party advocates:
– working with Bachelor of Education programs, the teacher certification branch, and districts to ensure that incoming teachers receive increased pedagogical training, the training focused on using technology effectively, teaching cross-curricular skills, and implementing inclusive teaching practices.
– encouraging teacher training programs to work more closely with districts to enhance the quality of internship experiences.
– support for teachers’ ongoing development in using purposeful technology across curriculum areas, enhancing learning for all students, and employing multiple technologies to support students with learning challenges.
– supporting continued efforts of EECD and districts in establishing partnerships with industry and community partners to extend student learning opportunities.
– continued invest in the infrastructure necessary to support students in becoming active global citizens.

Teacher Recruitment & Retention

The party states that:
– there exists a teacher shortage in all districts of the province.
– continuing changes to curriculum delivery, policy implementation, and governance models have contributed to a high state of stress among members of the education system.
– other Canadian jurisdictions recognize Masters degrees in fields outside of education for certification and remuneration increases.

The party advocates:

– working with the New Brunswick Teachers Federation and other unions to reinvigorate a positive and supportive environment for all staff and students, and working with districts and universities to establish a recruitment strategy that reduces the number of vacancies in the system and addresses the ongoing issue of supply teacher shortages.  Strategies may include establishing a staffing dashboard useful for professionals in the system and potential hires and working with stakeholders to address the shortages of non-teaching professions such as guidance counselors and school psychologists.
– working with the Office of Teacher Certification and associated unions to allow for New Brunswick teachers and other professionals (for example, Psychologists) to be competitively compensated.

Literacy & Numeracy among Students

The party states that:
– many New Brunswick students are consistently scoring low in numeracy and literacy assessments, with the 2018 Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) ranking New Brunswick last alongside Manitoba and Saskatchewan with only 9% of participants scoring reaching Level 5 and 6 in literacy, and the province with the most students achieving only a Level 1 (22 percent) on literary scores – a level where individuals are unable to fully participate in a modern society.
– New Brunswick ranked 6th nationally according to the same PISA report, finishing 21 points lower than the Canadian average.

The party advocates:
– exploring opportunities to increase funding for literacy and numeracy intervention support, aiming to enhance foundational skills and improve assessment scores.

Enhanced Educational Infrastructure

The party states that:
– a significant number of schools in the province are facing a shortage of classrooms for the number of students enrolled or are in major need of repair, and the school environment must reflect the diversity of society and cater to a wide range of needs.  Students require physical spaces that are conducive to learning, and the influx of immigrants brings diverse values, languages, and cultures, necessitating changes in the traditional classroom environment.
– the province faces challenges in hiring and retaining teachers, and adaptations are needed to meet new educational requirements due to heavy workloads, students with specialized needs, and staff retirements.   Providing conducive learning spaces would enhance the value of teachers’ work and contribute to the improvement of education for our youth, and the physical school environment must be safe, pleasant, and stimulating for both students and employees.

The party advocates:
– implementing strategies to ensure that students and teachers have access to schools adapted to their needs, promoting learning in a stimulating environment, and that the need for adequate physical space in schools across the province be addressed, considering both the quantity and quality of educational facilities.
– establishing clear objectives for school repair, renovation, and construction based on strategic, present, and future needs, and developing strategies to ensure a well-equipped, trained, and motivated workforce to educate young people effectively.

Financial Assistance for Post-Secondary Students

The party states that:
– post-secondary education is becoming increasingly costly for New Brunswick students, resulting in an average university debt load of approximately $42,000.  At the same time, the economic development and well-being of New Brunswick depend on a skilled workforce equipped to meet future labor market demands.  Yet a financial assistance program for New Brunswick students, provided through employment insurance, was abolished in 2022.

The party advocates:
– immediate re-establishment of the employment insurance-based financial assistance program for New Brunswick students, and exploration of additional mechanisms to provide support to students pursuing post-secondary education.

Culture, Arts & Tourism

The party states as a matter of constitutional principle that:
– it stands for full linguistic and cultural equality of those who speak French and those who speak English, and of the equality of the two linguistic communities. These principles will be reflected both in the development of policies and in internal practices.
– it will strive to encourage and enhance multiculturalism in New Brunswick.

Accessible Sports & Cultural Activities

The party states that:
– a significant number of young people under the age of 18 live in poverty in New Brunswick.  Many of their families lack the financial means to enroll their children in clubs or organized activities for sports, recreation, or the arts.
– participating in sports, recreational, and artistic activities contributes significantly to the development, fulfillment, and mental and physical health of young people.

The party advocates implementing a strategy to promote the practice of physical activity and all forms of art among young people under the age of 18, including attractive incentives for municipalities willing to make these activities more accessible to these young people.

Official Languages

The party states that:
– it pioneered the first draft of the Official Languages Act in 1969.  The Act was amended in 2002, 2013, 2015, and 2023.
– the current government has disregarded the most recent review of the Act, including recommendations in a report by John McLaughlin and Yvette Finn.

The party advocates:
– establishing a Standing Committee on Official Languages, and consideration of the recommendations from the report by John McLaughlin and Yvette Finn.

Role of & Support for the Family 

Support for Family Work and Education
The party states that:
– many New Brunswick families struggle to find before and after school care that is affordable, accessible and conveniently located. Parents feel the burden when childcare costs are high or lack flexible hours. Many question whether they should leave the paid workforce, put their children in care in another language, or slash their family budgets to afford the high costs of childcare.

The party advocates introduction of a a before and after school care program in every New Brunswick public school wherever parental demand exists, allowing children aged 3 to 12 years old to stay in their own schools for before and after care that is provided from 6am to 6pm. Spaces would be available to everyone at a cost that families can afford.

The plan includes:
– creating an expected 20,000 new before and after school childcare spaces and 4000 new pre-school spaces to meet current demands for additional care.
– offering care in school classrooms before the school day begins and after the school day ends, from 6 am to 6 pm, with flexible hours for shift workers, where demand exists.
– creating 4000 new pre-school spaces in communities where there is unmet need.
– providing access to all school resources like gyms, libraries and playgrounds. A play-based program will include recreational activities, nutritious snacks, homework help, music and other programs.
– ensuring that childcare workers will be public servants and qualified Early Childhood Educators (ECE).  The language of operation will be that of the school, with bilingual exposure a key emphasis.
– ensuring that care is open to everyone and that there exist no waiting lists. The cost to parents will be $10 per child. Existing provincial and federal government subsidies will follow the child to the school-based program.
– this would all 18,000 parents to return to the labour force or pursue educational opportunities

Sex Education
The party states that it is committed to reforming and improving the sexual education curriculum in public schools with the following goals:
– reduce teen pregnancy and STDs.
– increase awareness and reduce prejudice of gender and sexual diversity.
– teach the importance of sexual consent; provide tools to recognize and disclose abuse; and foster healthy relationships.

Health Care & Elder Care

The party states that:
– its key focus, if elected, would be to implement its universal pharmacare program and its plans for better home care and long term care. Evidence-based studies show that a universal pharmacare program will reduce demands on doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals and emergency rooms. Making it easier for seniors and disabled persons to live longer in their own homes would significantly reduce overall costs to the provincial health care system.
– it believes in a strong public health care system that meets the principles of universal access and public ownership as set out in the Canada Health Act.

The party advocates:
– creating a comprehensive plan for New Brunswick’s health care system that is developed in consultation with all key stakeholders, including the public.
– implementing universal pharmacare and better home care for seniors.
– ending all privatization in health care by restoring the Extra Mural program, Tele Health and Ambulance NB to public ownership and control.
– establishing a new program in ERs to address non-urgent patient needs.
– lowering specialist wait times and aim to meet the Canadian average by the year 2030.
– improving access to mental health services.
– accelerating the move of primary care into community-based clinics. Clinics will have set geographic and demographic patient loads, and could be led by nurse practitioners where appropriate.
– supporting an increased role for nurse practitioners, paramedics and midwives in the health care system.
– supporting risk reduction programs to combat addictions, including safe injection sites.
– publicly funding the sexual health clinic 554 in Fredericton.

To recruit more doctors, nurses and health care practitioners, the party advocates:
– hiring 20 new family physicians, and recruiting new physicians trained in New Brunswick.
– hiring 100 new nurse practitioners over the next four years.
– working with provincial universities and community colleges to ensure the province is educating enough registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, doctors, specialists and all other health care professionals.
– expanding the medical program at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John to address the province’s shortage of doctors and specialists.

Prescription Drug Coverage
The party states that:
– one in five New Brunswickers has no prescription drug coverage, and over a quarter of Atlantic Canadians have admitted to rationing an existing prescription or not filling or renewing a prescription in the last 12 months because they could not afford it.
– Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Office estimates that $503 million is spent on prescription drugs in New Brunswick each year—$300 million by various private plan insurers and uninsured individuals, and $203 million by the province. Income-based drug coverage plans—especially those with large deductibles— undermine access to essential medicines. They force people to pay out-of-pocket for routine medicines.
– some people neglect to take preventative medication for conditions like heart attacks and strokes because they cannot afford the expense.  Getting sick and ending up in emergency rooms because prescription drugs cannot afford them can lead to outcomes such as longer wait times for everyone else.
– in the end, all New Brunswickers pay the social cost of neglecting prevention. The lack of preventative healthcare treatment costs the Canadian government as much as $9 billion every year.
– experts predict that a single entry program would result in major cost savings and efficiencies, even in a province the size of New Brunswick.

The party advocates:
– full support for a national single entry universal pharmacare plan that is cost shared by federal and provincial governments, and pushing hard for such a plan on the national level.
– investing $50 million to establish universal coverage, including everyone in New Brunswick who is not covered by an existing insurance plan. All prescription drugs currently listed on the New Brunswick Drug Plan Formulary will be covered. All those currently covered by the New Brunswick Drug Plan and the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program will not lose any coverage.
– studying various funding options to allow New Brunswick to have a single entry universal pharmacare plan at a reasonable cost, including the best way to pay for the program from three sources: workplaces: employers contribute; individuals: employees, self-employed, retired and those who are not in the workforce; and provincial government: to provide half the cost.

Elder Care

The party states that many seniors require assistance in order to stay independent, and the need for assistance tends to increase with age. But there are serious problems with the delivery of social services to seniors, disabled adults, children and youth in need, and victims of domestic violence in our province.

To improve home care services for seniors in need, the party advocates:
– ending privatization in the health care system, including returning the Extra Mural Program and Tele-Care to the province to be run as public institutions, and doing the same with Ambulance New Brunswick.
– dedicating all new federal home care funding for expanding the Extra Mural Program, which provides medical needs and home services supports to seniors and other New Brunswickers in need of care. This will allow more patients to receive health care services in their own homes.
– creation of a new government agency, Home Care Services, to provide affordable home support services for seniors and others requiring support in their home. All personal support workers will be public servants. Where necessary transition will be accomplished by integrating existing non-profit services and staff into the new public agency.
– expanding Tele-Care to provide advocacy and referral services for New Brunswickers who need assistance navigating health care and social services.
– studying the best way to create a Community Care public agency to replace the hundreds of agencies that currently exist. This would improve accountability and transparency, create uniform standards, and allow home care workers to become public servants.
– ensuring pay equity legislation applies to New Brunswick’s health care sector. Alongside a $15 an hour minimum wage, this plan will finally raise wages for those providing home care and community care services.

To improve nursing home care, the party advocates:
– keeping nursing homes under the purview of community and church-based non-profit groups.
– stopping the shift toward for-profit nursing homes. All new nursing homes will be under the community non-profit umbrella.
– ensuring better resident care by revisiting the skill mix ratios currently under review.
– moving towards a resident-to-caregiver ratio of 3.5 hours of care per day.

Education & Young Workers

K-12

The party states that:
– New Brunswick’s education system is falling short in meeting the needs of the province’s children. Instead of investing in a stronger public education system, previous governments have made unwarranted cuts and have failed to address low literacy rates in New Brunswick.
– the province’s children deserve better, do its thousands of hardworking teachers, education assistants, professional educators, office administrators, bus drivers, custodians and all the support people working in provincial schools.
– it will take a concerted effort with strong leadership across government to ensure that every child has the best possible chance of success. The whole child must be nurtured before they can learn. Barriers to learning such as hunger, health care, and stresses at home like family violence must be addressed before a child can reach their potential.

The party advocates:
– adopting best practices from around the world to raise provincial literacy rates through methods such as team teaching, differentiated instruction, self-directed learning and individualized education plans—all of which address the needs of the whole child.
– working to address students’ mental health needs by reviewing resources and supports available in high schools across the province.
– immediate reinstatement of support professional positions cut from schools such as psychologists, occupational therapists, public health nurses, behavioural specialists and social workers.
– adjusting classroom sizes to meet the specific needs of students and those from low-income neighbourhoods, and hiring more teachers and educational assistants.
– expanding before and after school childcare in every school in the province.
– reintroducing life skills courses in intermediate and secondary schools in areas like culinary arts, shop, auto repairs, financial management, physical fitness and other essential skills.

Sex Education

The party states that it is committed to reforming and improving the sexual education curriculum in public schools with the following goals:
– reduce teen pregnancy and STDs.
– increase awareness and reduce prejudice of gender and sexual diversity.
– teach the importance of sexual consent; provide tools to recognize and disclose abuse; and foster healthy relationships.

Post-Secondary Education

The party states that:
– higher education is becoming more and more difficult for students in obtain New Brunswick. Tuition fees in universities have risen by 20% since 2010, to the point where New Brunswick students now have the highest average debt load in the Country and pay the highest interest rates on that debt. Even with the introduction of the Tuition Access Bursary, the province is actually spending $20 million dollars less today on student financial assistance than it was before 2010.
– in order to retain youth within the province, bold investments towards universality in Post-Secondary Education are required. It’s time to make post secondary education a public right.

The party advocates:
– eliminating tuition fees at all NBCC/CCNB community colleges.
– reducing undergraduate tuition for all New Brunswick publicly funded universities by 25%.
– eliminating interest charges on all existing and future student loans for New Brunswick residents.
– increasing up-front financial assistance for Graduate Students by expanding eligibility under the Tuition-Access Bursary and allowing graduate students to access tuition relief for the middle class under the Tuition Relief for Middle Class program (TRMC).
– introducing a Graduate Student Scholarship Program.
– investing in dedicated mental health services on campus.
– ensuring that on campus harassment and sexual assault prevention policies exist in all colleges and universities with capacity for investigation, education and enforcement.
– ensuring fair funding for St Thomas University.

Culture, Arts & Tourism

As party of its plan for investing in northern and rural communities, the party advocates:
– new investment in northern roads, highways, and other infrastructure.
– renewed emphasis on supporting secondary manufacturing and services by investing in the traditional industries of the North—farming, fishing and forestry.
– significant improvements to tourism and investment in the Arts.

Support for Francophone Communities:

The party states that:
– it recognizes and values the uniqueness of New Brunswick as Canada’s only officially bilingual province in which French Acadian culture and many others make our lives rich and vibrant.
– it supports the aspirations of our unique linguistic communities.

To that end, the party advocates:
– reaffirming and recognizing distinct nature of both official languages and ensuring equitable treatment of both linguistic communities in the implementation of policy.
– reiterating commitment to the Official Languages Act.
–  reaffirming commitment to duality in education and health care.
– re-examining the governance structure for health authorities to allow more local decision making where feasible and freeing them from political interference.
– allowing the issue of school bussing to be left to the direction of the Anglophone and Francophone school boards.

Status of the Artist

The party advocates introducing ‘Status of the Artist’ legislation, including the following principles:
– the right of artists to establish and freely join professional associations and trade unions.
– encouraging a fair system of collective bargaining with the same workplace rights as other workers in New Brunswick, including health and safety standards, employment benefits, and fair presumption of employment contracts with a special status for ‘intermittent artists’.
– the right of artists to be fairly integrated into the provincial tax system. This would be accomplished by introducing professional expense and copyright income deductions, the spreading of average income over several tax years, and the exemption of final produced art from the provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax.
– the right of artistic freedom and freedom of speech for artists

To improve expand the Arts and improve working conditions and improve learning experience for Artists, the party advocates investing  $20 Million in new funding.

Role of the Family 

In advocating that citizens of New Brunswick receive excellence in programs, teaching, and systems to achieve provincial, national, and international learning standards, the party advocates reinforcing the importance of family and community involvement in continuing educational and social growth outside the school environment.
 

Health Care & Elder Care

Alternate Level Care (ALC) & Acute Care

The party states that:
– at any given time, hundreds of Acute Care Hospital Beds are unavailable across the province because they are occupied by individuals requiring an alternate level of care, meaning that they no longer require medical care in a hospital, but have nowhere to go and cannot be released.
– as a result of the limited availability of Acute Care Beds:

• Emergency Rooms are backed up with patients waiting to be admitted, causing delays in seeing other patients and causing gridlocks in the waiting room.
• Ambulances experience lengthy off-load delays while paramedics wait to transfer care of the patients they have transported.
• Television and Family Rooms have sometimes been converted into makeshift hospital rooms. Sometimes, patients are housed in hallways for days with no room available.
• Surgeries have been delayed or outright canceled.

The party advocates:
– taking all steps, including amending legislation, to allow ALC patients to be temporarily placed in any Nursing/Special Care Home available within their region until a preferred location becomes available.

Nursing/Special Care Home Capacity

The party states that:
– hundreds of ALC beds in the province have been empty due to a staff shortage to provide adequate care. The party is committed to recruiting and retaining healthcare workers, personal support workers, and relevant support staff to provide the New Brunswickers deserve.
– many existing homes have the facilities to add beds with renovation or expansion at less time and cost than new construction, making it far easier to add beds where they are needed across the province than a single new construction would allow.
– New Brunswick’s population continues to grow. Now or in the future, additional construction will be required. Planning should begin immediately, not once a crisis occurs.

Further Healthcare Initiatives:
The party advocates:
– eliminating the doctor billing number system to retain and recruit family doctors.
– increasing the number of Specialist positions to reduce wait times for consultation, treatment, or surgery.
– ensuring that compensation is competitive with regional jurisdictions and workloads.
– establishing a new program within ERs to provide alternative care for non-urgent cases without other reasonable alternatives.
– increased resources for and development of accessible and effective mental health care and addiction treatment.
– enhancing and expanding training and education programs here in New Brunswick to meet the needs of our province.
– increasing resources and grants available to help families keep their loved ones at home as long as possible, and working with non-profits providing these and other in-home services.
– recognizing and easing the financial constraints confronting seniors living at home.
– profiting from selling Alcohol and Cannabis should not be seen as a general revenue stream for the government. Instead, it should be explicitly earmarked for healthcare (including mental health and addictions) and education.

Education & Young Workers

The party undertakes to ensure that citizens of New Brunswick receive excellence in programs, teaching, and systems to achieve provincial, national, and international learning standards, including:
– maintaining a focus on achieving educational standards and beyond with attention to reading, writing, mathematics, and sciences basics.
– a thorough review of second language education and training to enable a consistent quality of delivery and outcome while ensuring no hindrance to educational basics in the mother tongue.
– developing and delivering an education model encompassing academics, trades, life skills, and special needs.
– integrated service delivery to ensure access to the emotional intelligence curriculum, school psychologists, and public health nurses for overall well-being and intervention.
– ensuring a safe, positive, and respectful learning environment for staff and students. Reinforcing the importance of family and community involvement in continuing educational and social growth outside the school environment.
– increasing access to Alternative Learning Centers and focusing on the implementation and use of technology for enrichment, distance, and life-learning.

Post-Secondary Education

The party states that:
– the capacity of provincial post-secondary institutions is an asset that cannot be underestimated and must be leveraged to aid economic development and the long-term prosperity of New Brunswick through relevant, marketable skills.
– to that end, it advocates review of current funding models to ensure the best outcomes, maintain/promote competitiveness, and reduce dependence on over-enrollment and uncertain funding.
 

Culture, Arts & Tourism

The party advocates:
– review and, if necessary, strengthening of laws and policies for the protection and well-being of domestic animals, including collaboration with stakeholders to improve the enforcement of current legislation.

Role of and Support for the Family

In its 2024-25 budget, the party states that it has allocated $1.91 billion ($1,911 million) for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.  These allocations include:
– $1.63 billion for School Districts and K-12 schools.
– $288 million for Early Childhood Development, including providing services aimed at supporting parents and enhancing early learning experiences to improve childhood outcomes.

Child Care and Early Education

That party further undertakes to increase funding through the Canada-New Brunswick Canada-Wide Child Care Agreement by $7.4 million, bringing the total investment to $150.7 million in 2024-25, intended to improve access to affordable, high-quality designated child-care spaces, and that further investments include:
– $4.4 million to support children with autism spectrum disorder, providing the right supports at the right time and setting up children for success.

In its 2024-25 budget, the further party states that it has allocated $1.66 billion ($1.663 million) for the Department of Social Development.  These allocations include:
– $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.
 

Health Care & Elder Care

The party’s constitution states that the party believes in:
– Access to Education and Health Care: the strength of New Brunswick is derived from the ability of the province to educate its citizens and to encourage a healthy lifestyle so that they may fulfill their potential and by our ability to provide care for New Brunswickers when they are in need.
– Social Policies Which Promote Individual Responsibility: provincial social programs should ensure dignified and meaningful lives for those who need assistance, but also recognize the importance of providing the support and resources necessary for an environment in which New Brunswickers can work together, be self-reliant and take responsibility for their own lives.

 Prior to its current term in office, the party advocated action to promote mental health & address addictions:

• walk-in mental health clinics
• virtual psychiatric network
• education for professionals
• drug prevention, treatment & enforcement plan

Prior to its current term in office, the party advocated action to promote health care:

• increased funding to recruit doctors, nurse practitioners, & extra mural liaison nurses
• improved wait lists for hip & knee replacement surgeries
• expanded use of virtual appointments for rural healthcare
• free universal flu vaccinations, including high-dose flu vaccinations for seniors
• expanded role for pharmacists to improve access to healthcare

In announcing its 2024-25 budget, the party states that it has presented the largest health care budget in provincial history, nearly $3.8 billion, with a focus on developing a system that is innovative, timely, and patient-focused, including:
– $850 million for Medicare.
– $252 million for Pharmaceutical programs.
– $1.81 billion ($1,808 million) for hospital services, plus $44.4 million for hospital capital expenses.
– $200 million for addiction and mental health services.
– $266 million for home care and ambulance services.
– $70 million to expand collaborative practices and improve access to primary health care, consistent with recommendations shared by doctors, nurses, and other health-care professionals.
– $562,000 to expand midwifery services in Fredericton and add services in two other communities.
– $7.1 million to fund agreements with cataract surgical centres, to provide cataract surgeries outside of hospitals.
– $7 million in additional funding for mental health and addictions services.
– $1.4 million to fund additional marketing and programs to attract and recruit domestic and international health-care professionals.
– working to reduce nursing vacancies by offering an incentive program to fill “hard-to-recruit” positions.
– $2.9 million to support screening programs for colon cancer, lung cancer, HPV cervical cancer, and oncology drug funding.
– expanding breast cancer screening to include women aged 40 to 49, benefiting more than 50,000 women.
– $2.1 million for additional resources to ensure appropriate care is provided to survivors of sexual or domestic violence.

Seniors Support

The party 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.
– $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.
 

Education & Young Workers

Prior to its current term in office, the party advocated, in order to promote education:

• raises for early childhood educators
• pilot food school programs in 10 schools, province wide in 2021
• modernize curriculum & the delivery of lessons online
• introduce civics classes, refreshed Indigenous & Black history

In its 2024-25 budget, the party states that it has allocated $1.91 billion ($1,911 million) for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.  These allocations include:

– $105.1 million for management and oversight, including $63.9 million to provide education services, including panning and implementation of prescribed curriculum; support services for district staff in organizing and implementing educational services; direct and indirect services to students with additional needs; provincial testing programs at elementary and secondary school levels; and early intervention

– $1.517 billion ($1,517 million) for School Districts and K-12 schools, including:
– $42.1 million for administrative services for school districts.
– $1,360 million ($1.260 billion) for prescribed instructional programs.
– $152.6 million for planning and operation of school facilities.
– $61.9 million for school bus operation and maintenance.

The party further states that it will increase funding through the Canada-New Brunswick Canada-Wide Child Care Agreement by $7.4 million, bringing the total investment to $150.7 million in 2024-25, intended to improve access to affordable, high-quality designated child-care spaces, and that further investments include:
– $4.4 million to support children with autism spectrum disorder, providing the right supports at the right time and setting up children for success.
– $18.6 million to address challenges resulting from enrolment growth, as well as an additional $24.3 million to address rising operating costs such as energy, transportation and other services.
– $1.1 million to address costs associated with opening new schools in Fredericton and Moncton this September.
– $2.5 million to support language learning and ease the transition for immigrant students entering the New Brunswick education system.
– $7.4 million to provide services to help students attend school and address their diverse needs.
– $7.8 million to provide support to reverse the effects of instruction time lost during the pandemic.
– $4.1 million to begin implementing longer-term measures, such as teacher recruitment and retention, enhanced virtual learning and leadership development among school leaders.

Post-Secondary Education

The party’s 2024-25 budget proposes to allocate a total of $724 million for post-secondary education (an increase of 10% over the 2023-24 budget), including:
– $534.2 million to support universities and community colleges, including $70.5 million in student financial assistance and $295 million in grants to institutions for educational programs to meet social and economic needs.
– $150.8 million for WorkingNB, to provide creative interventions and meaningful services to individuals, employers and the labour market in order for New Brunswick to have a skilled workforce that meets the needs of an evolving labour market.
– $19.0 million for the New Brunswick Public Library Service.
– 17.4 million (increase of 96% over the 2023-24 budget) for Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification, to provide quality apprenticeship learning, life-long skill development and certification opportunities in current and future designated occupations that are standardized, up to date and relevant to the needs of industry and its workforce; and to plan and provide funding for apprenticeship training.
– 14.0 million (increase of 26% over the 2023-24 budget) for immigration, to support demographic and economic growth through advancing immigration, settlement and retention activities; administer provincial immigration pathways and support both candidates and employers in having access to the immigration programs most adapted to their situation; provide advice and support to departments on policy development, interdepartmental coordination and intergovernmental relations; to promote, implement and monitor foreign recruitment activities to attract and integrate immigrants. To provide financial support to the settlement sector and ethnocultural organisations to advance newcomer integration and retention.

Culture, Arts & Tourism

The party’s constitution states that the party believes in:
– 3. Equality of the Two Linguistic Communities:  it believes the diversity of our two linguistic communities is a unique strength of the province. It believes in official bilingualism, and that it must protect and promote the cultures and heritage, while treating each community with fairness and justice.

Prior to its current term in office, the party advocated, in order to promote social connection:
– expanding rural Internet access & speeds.
– pursuing 5G.
– building a cybersecurity cluster to attract foreign investment and jobs.

Prior to its current term in office, the party further advocated, in order to promote provincial population growth:
– investment in communities with growth plans.
– a pilot model for temporary foreign workers & year-round employment.
– partnering with universities to attract more international students.
– through FutureNB, promoting hands-on experiential learning.
– partnering with professional associations for faster credential recognition.
– increasing the flow of Francophone newcomers – 33% by 2024

The party  states in its 2024-25 budget that it has allocated $80.7 million for the Department of Tourism, Heritage, and Culture, an increase from $76.0 million spent in 2023-24.  The allocations include:
– $18.3 million for provincial parks, an increase from $14.7 million spent in 2023-24.  The allocation is intended to provide inclusive, protected natural and cultural destinations that inspire wellness, enjoyment and education for all. With a vision that all people are stewards of New Brunswick’s permanently protected natural and cultural destinations, the division is responsible for the stewardship of 25 provincial parks and one special crown reserve. The division is directly responsible for managing and operating 12 provincial parks, a fishing lodge and multiple day use parks.
– $7.0 million for Sport and Recreation, an increase from 6.996 million spent in 2023-24.  This allocation is intended to provide strategic leadership and support to strengthen sport and recreation in New Brunswick and promote participation, foster development and celebrate excellence. A network of regional offices supports the delivery of community-based sport, recreation and physical activity programs and services.
– $31.4 million for Culture, Archaeology and Heritage, an increase from $30.7 million spent in 2023-24. Culture, Archaeology and Heritage support economic growth and foster pride of place through the conservation, development, promotion and nurturing of our human and natural archaeological and heritage resources, the arts and our cultural industries.
– $20.136 million for Tourism, a decrease from $20.168 million spent in 2023-24.  This allocation is intended to provide leadership in the development and implementation of innovative experiential products, multi-channel marketing and sales campaigns, social media community management, and travel media strategies while engaging with the various regional and municipal tourism organizations throughout the province to become the most sought after destination in Canada