New Brunswick.

• Author: McCleave, John-Patrick
• Position: Legislative Reports

On Wednesday, November 23, Lieutenant-Governor Graydon Nicholas delivered the second Throne Speech of the David Alward Progressive Conservative government, formally opening the Second Session of the 57th Legislature. The speech focussed on building a robust economy; promoting healthy families; improving the culture of government through a Government Renewal process; reducing poverty and enhancing education. Highlights included:

* $250 million investment in economic development innovation funds for the north and Miramichi region;

* development of an employment action plan for persons with disabilities;

* multi-year funding for universities and predicable tuition for students;

* implementation of a wetlands management strategy;

* enhancement of existing leave for reservists' rules;

* establishment of a large industrial renewable energy purchase program;

* improve access to natural gas throughout the province;

* review of the entry point of early french immersion;

* revision of the Official Languages Act;

* creation of an environmental protection plan to protect health, water, and societal interests;

* development of an action plan to create a regulatory regime for monitoring and enforcement mechanisms during oil and gas exploration;

* review of private and public sector pension plans;

* review of legal aid to provide greater efficiency and accessibility;

* improvement of culture and governance of New Brunswick Liquor Corporation;

* legislation to enable citizens to vote Senate nominees for New Brunswick.

Reply to Throne Speech

Official Opposition Leader, Victor Boudreau, noted delays in nursing home construction and renovation, health care cuts, and inaction towards the poverty reduction plan, as examples of broken promises by Premier Alward. Mr. Boudreau stated that while the deficit needs to be addressed, the government should put more focus on economic growth and a trained New Brunswick workforce.

Mr. Boudreau raised concerns on the issue of shale gas exploration. He noted the lack of enforcement and inadequate penalties for exploration companies, and called for a moratorium on the exploration of shale gas. The Opposition Leader also demanded public participation in the development of stronger regulations.

Mr. Boudreau requested the government to support a number of proposed Liberal initiatives, such as creating a legislative committee tasked with consulting the public on shale gas development, and an immediate reversal of the government's...