New Brunswick.

• Author: Del Frate, Alicia R.
• Position: Legislative Reports

Resignations

On August 16, Lisa Harris resigned as the MLA for Miramichi Bay-Neguac to run as the federal Liberal candidate for the Miramichi-Grand Lake riding. First elected in the 2014 general election, Ms. Harris was reelected in 2018 and 2020. Ms. Harris served as Deputy Speaker, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, Minister of Celtic Affairs, and Deputy Government House Leader. Ms. Harris also served on various committees and was the first woman to chair the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

On August 18, Jake Stewart resigned as the MLA for Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin to successfully run as the federal Conservative candidate for the Miramichi-Grand Lake riding. First elected in the 2010 general election, Mr. Stewart was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2020. Mr. Stewart served as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and on various committees.

Standing Committees

Due to the resignation of Mr. Stewart, who chaired the Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship, an election was held on September 7 and Bill Hogan was elected Chair. Mr. Hogan had been the Vice-Chair of the Committee. Kathy Bockus was then elected Vice-Chair to fill the vacancy.

The Committee extended the public hearings that occurred in June on the use of pesticides and herbicides, including glyphosate, in the province. Various First Nations, First Nations organizations, and stakeholders appeared in September. A report with recommendations is expected to be presented to the House during the next session.

The Department of Environment and Local

Government also appeared to brief the Committee on freshwater health in the province. Three departmental publications were considered and the Committee plans to continue its discussions on this topic at a later date.

In September, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts elected Chuck Chiasson as Chair and Ross Wetmore as Vice-Chair following the resignations of Ms. Harris as Chair and Mr. Stewart as Vice-Chair. The same week, the Committee reviewed the annual reports of various government departments, Crown Corporations, and other provincial entities, including the New Brunswick Power Corporation, the two provincial health authorities, and Vestcor Inc.

Select Committees

The Select Committee on Public Universities, chaired by Mr. Hogan, met on September 28 and 29. The four publicly funded universities and the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission appeared before the Committee to discuss and provide...