New Brunswick.

• Author: Davies, Shayne
• Position: Legislative Reports

Throne Speech

Lieutenant-Governor Jocelyne Roy Vienneau opened the Third Session of the 58th Legislature on November 2, delivering the third Speech from the Throne of Premier Brian Gallant's Liberal government. The major themes of the speech were education, economic growth and health care. Highlighted initiatives included:

* investing in education by increasing the opportunities to learn trades; increasing the amount provided for daycare; providing free tuition to eligible undergraduate students; introducing French immersion in grade 1; and implementing the first year of the 10-year education plan;

* creating jobs, family affordability and economic opportunity by providing approximately $100 million to support low and middle-income families through the provincial HST credit; extending the Home Energy Assistance Plan; promoting the

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Project; and developing a climate change strategy; * investing in health and wellness by maximizing services of health care professionals such as nurse practitioners and midwives; enhancing addictions and other mental health services; focusing on healthy aging through new programs and policies for seniors; and improving palliative care services.

Reply to Throne Speech

On November 4, Official Opposition Leader Blaine Higgs gave his reply to the Speech from the Throne. Higgs used the opportunity to provide government with an overview of the challenges faced by the province, where they could expect support from the opposition, and where improvements would be suggested. Higgs called for cooperation to address the education system, which he alluded was broken, and questioned the decision to move French immersion back to grade 1 without evidence to support the decision. Other highlights included references to job creation; best use of time in the Legislature; and the need to strive for a low-carbon, lower-tax economy.

Capital Budget

On December 14, Finance Minister Cathy Rogers introduced the 2017-18 Capital Budget. Of the $757.9 million capital budget, $110.3 million was allocated to health infrastructure and $88.1 million to education infrastructure. New investments totaled $98.5 million, while $659.4 million was earmarked for the continuation of previously announced projects.

Other highlights included $447.0 million in other infrastructure, including roads, bridges and buildings; $12.6 million for tourism-related infrastructure; and $20.3 million in energy retrofits and renewable energy.

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