Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 1 May 6, 2026 CONTENTS JOBS Mr. Savoie Hon. Mr. Randall Mr. Savoie Hon. Ms. Holt Mr. Savoie Hon. Mr. Randall Mr. Savoie Hon. Mr. Randall Mr. Savoie Hon. Mr. Randall Mr. Savoie Hon. Mr. Randall

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 2 FUEL PRICES Mr. Savoie Hon. Mr. Legacy Mr. Savoie Hon. Mr. Legacy Hon. Mr. Legacy Hon. Mr. Legacy Hon. Mr. Legacy Mr. Savoie Hon. Mr. Legacy FOOD BANKS Ms. M. Johnson Hon. Ms. Miles Hon. Ms. Miles Ms. M. Johnson Hon. Mr. Dornan Ms. M. Johnson Hon. Ms. Miles Ms. Mitton Hon. Ms. Miles Ms. Mitton Hon. C. Johnson Ms. Mitton Hon. Ms. Miles OPPORTUNITIES NEW BRUNSWICK Mr. Savoie Mr. Savoie Hon. Mr. Randall

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 3 [Translation] JOBS Mr. Savoie (Saint John East, Leader of the Official Opposition, PC): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Good morning. [Original] Madam Speaker, yesterday, the Premier was asked over a dozen questions about her government’s failure to protect New Brunswick taxpayers by committing to an agreement with Agropur for $2.4 million, never having done the due diligence to ensure that no job losses would be incurred.

Every time the Premier has gotten up and bragged about how transparent she is, her actions, especially yesterday, have shown something very different. I also mentioned yesterday how this government does not accept responsibility. The proof? When you have a Premier who refuses to get up to defend her own government, that is the proof. Premier, stop hiding your transparency under your seat. Stop sitting on your hands. Stand up in this House and accept responsibility for your government’s negligence on the Agropur file. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Mr.

Randall (Fredericton North, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB; Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business; Minister responsible for NB Liquor and Cannabis NB, Minister responsible for the Regulatory Accountability and Reporting Act, L): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yesterday, I shared with the House that Agropur had said that it was assessing different scenarios across the Maritimes, and we understood that this could include potential operational changes within the region, including in Sussex. Today, I read in a CBC

article that the previous government, including the member for Carleton-Victoria, who served as Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, also understood that information. The previous government’s response to that information was to hope for a rejig. Madam Speaker, this government has acted. We’ve acted toward modernizing and expanding the Miramichi facility and ensuring that we are part of the long-term plans and the commitment to the agricultural community that they will have easy access to processing capacity. This government is about taking action, Madam Speaker, not hoping for a rejig. Mr.

Savoie (Saint John East, Leader of the Official Opposition, PC): Thank you, Madam Speaker. The modus operandi of this government is that the Premier makes sure she is front and centre for announcements when it comes to spending taxpayer money. It’s also the modus operandi of this government that the Premier disappears when the going gets rough. This is not the trusted leadership that the Premier promised during the election

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 4 campaign. Perhaps she was unaware or uninformed when that platform commitment was made. The Premier’s minister stood up in this House and said that if I wanted to find this government’s transparency and accountability, I had to look it up on a website. Does the Premier, who refuses to get up on questions, think that it is acceptable for one of her ministers to not answer a question either and instead direct people to a website?

This is the people’s House in which we are supposed to get answers from the government. Will the Premier get on her feet and apologize for her government’s lack of transparency and clear disrespect for this Legislative Assembly? Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Ms. Holt (Fredericton South-Silverwood, Premier; Minister responsible for Official Languages, L): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and thank you very much for the opportunity to talk about something that maybe has been forgotten by the members across the way or is unfamiliar to New Brunswickers. That’s the concept of a political team.

Our government has some of the strongest Cabinet members and caucus members that New Brunswickers have ever seen. They are handling their files. They are leading their files. I know that the members opposite are used to their previous leader shutting them down, not listening to them, and not allowing them to speak about the files or do any work because he micromanaged every single one of their files. We have an incredibly strong team of people who are advancing the interests of New Brunswickers, and they’re doing so in a way that has never been more transparent.

New Brunswickers have access to data on everything that our government is doing. Performance metrics are shared. New Brunswickers have updates on what’s going well and what isn’t going well and have access to the members of this team, who are out in the public on frequent occasions, me included. Mr. Savoie (Saint John East, Leader of the Official Opposition, PC): Welcome back, and yikes.

When asked by the media whether the government was aware that Agropur was going to take 60 jobs away from the people in Sussex, both the Premier and her minister tried to deflect and not accept responsibility for their failure to identify that Agropur was looking to adjust its workforce in New Brunswick. They denied any knowledge of it.

Yet, in a CTV News interview, the Premier said that when Opportunities New Brunswick learned Agropur was in the process of restructuring, the provincial government saw the potential for loss and decided to act. “That would’ve been helpful information to have, to understand the full picture of the impact on New Brunswick and not just the opportunity to modernize and secure, prevent the loss of jobs in the Miramichi, but to really understand the full picture of what the company was planning to do,” said Holt. Can the Premier confirm that the statements she made to the media are true and correct?

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 5 Hon. Mr. Randall (Fredericton North, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB; Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business; Minister responsible for NB Liquor and Cannabis NB, Minister responsible for the Regulatory Accountability and Reporting Act, L): I thank the member opposite for the question and for the robust greeting from the other side as I rose.

As we know and as we’ve learned today from the media, the previous government understood that there was a reorganization at Agropur. There was an opportunity at Agropur. There was an opportunity for the farming community in New Brunswick to have long-term access to processing capability, and the response of the previous government was to hope for a rejig, Madam Speaker. This government acted. We acted toward delivering $63.2 million in GDP in this province over five years, delivering new jobs in Miramichi, and, most importantly, guaranteeing access for farmers in this province to process their product.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mr. Savoie (Saint John East, Leader of the Official Opposition, PC): Well, Madam Speaker, now we turn to a CBC

article and comments made by the Minister responsible for Opportunities NB: “We weren’t privy to exactly what their restructuring plan would look like”. So, on that point, the Premier and her minister made similar comments, but when you review the Hansard from yesterday, you see that the minister said the following: Agropur had shared that it was assessing different scenarios across the Maritimes. We understood that this could include potential operational changes within the region, including Sussex. So which one of these statements is correct?

If you didn’t know Agropur’s intentions, why did you give it the money? If you did know its intentions, why did you give it the money? Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Mr. Randall (Fredericton North, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB; Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business; Minister responsible for NB Liquor and Cannabis NB, Minister responsible for the Regulatory Accountability and Reporting Act, L): Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I appreciate the member opposite repeating for a third time what he had already repeated twice in the House today.

I’m happy to share with the House again that decisions about closures are made by companies based on their own operations and their ability to be competitive. Our role in government is to make sure that New Brunswickers are supported through change and that our province is positioned to secure and grow investment. I’m going to take a moment to state a number: 130 000. That is the number of job vacancies we expect to have in New Brunswick in 10 years due to retirements and new positions opening.

The previous government had no focus on growing productivity and no focus on growing the average wage per job in this province. This government does have that focus. We have a plan, and we will deliver to the province.

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 6 Mr. Savoie (Saint John East, Leader of the Official Opposition, PC): The minister can add 60 jobs lost in Sussex to that 130 000 number. Last month, we learned through the estimates process that this government took money from its failed tariff relief fund and repurposed it into the competitiveness and growth program (CGP).

On the Opportunities New Brunswick website, it states that the CGP’s aim is to give support for companies to increase competitiveness and—listen, now—“grow and keep jobs in New Brunswick”. Notice the importance of growing and keeping jobs in New Brunswick. The

article goes on to say that “support is being provided to the following companies”, and the first company listed is Agropur. It is receiving support of up to $2.4 million to cut 60 jobs in Sussex. This program, like this government, has completely failed to protect NB taxpayers and is completely disconnected from reality. Premier, when are you going to stand up, take responsibility, and be accountable for this mess? Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Mr.

Randall (Fredericton North, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB; Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business; Minister responsible for NB Liquor and Cannabis NB, Minister responsible for the Regulatory Accountability and Reporting Act, L): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will begin my next statement with the previous government’s economic development plan. The plan was to hope for a rejig. ONB’s decision to invest in Agropur will increase the number of jobs in Miramichi to 95.

It will generate $63.2 million in GDP over the next five years, and it will position the Miramichi facility as a centre of expertise for fluid milk processing in the region. This investment protects New Brunswick farmers, it protects our processing ability, and it protects our ability to generate GDP and well-paying jobs in the province. We have a plan to increase GDP growth by 10% by 2030, and we look forward to working with more New Brunswick companies to deliver on that commitment for New Brunswickers. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mr.

Savoie (Saint John East, Leader of the Official Opposition, PC): Madam Speaker, under the former government, Agropur met with the former minister for DAAF. In that meeting, Agropur representatives said they did not even want ONB at the meeting. At that time, two years ago, they also revealed that they were planning on restructuring their workforce in New Brunswick. That minister told Agropur that it should be seeking other partners, not coming to government. What changed? This government, that’s what changed. This government and Premier think that taxpayer money is the answer to everything.

My question is for the Premier. Will the Premier stick to the narrative that she is trying to sell to New Brunswick and continue to try to make people believe that she did not know Agropur was restructuring when it was

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 7 known in the department two years ago? How is it that she and her minister were unaware and uninformed? Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Mr. Randall (Fredericton North, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB; Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business; Minister responsible for NB Liquor and Cannabis NB, Minister responsible for the Regulatory Accountability and Reporting Act, L): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

I do appreciate the opportunity to point out the failings of the last government. When we took office, the average GDP per capita was the lowest in North America. We recognized that hoping for a rejig does not work. This government also recognized that Opportunities New Brunswick was restricted in its ability to deliver for New Brunswickers. ONB was restricted in its ability to invest in productivity, and productivity is a challenge we face in this province, as we face 136 potential job vacancies within 10 years.

We recognize that New Brunswickers need better- paying jobs that deliver more productivity per worker in order to support our goal of 10% GDP growth by 2030. Thank you, Madam Speaker. FUEL PRICES Mr. Savoie (Saint John East, Leader of the Official Opposition, PC): Well, there it is, Madam Speaker, the old tried and true: When we’re in a panic, we’re just going to blame somebody else. The members opposite can’t accept responsibility for their own failings, and there it is. It’s just simple mismanagement. Here’s some more mismanagement. New Brunswick is going through an affordability crisis.

The cost of everything is going up. There is nowhere that is more apparent than in the price New Brunswickers pay for fuel at the pumps. The Holt government has tried to make excuses for its fiscal situation by blaming everything under the sun. It is our people in this province who are feeling the pain. People are, indeed, paying more for gas than they are for their groceries. Can the Premier share with New Brunswickers when they will see action from this government to reduce the cost of gas? Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Mr.

Legacy (Bathurst, Deputy Premier; Minister of Finance and Treasury Board; Minister of Energy; Minister responsible for the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, L): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I believe the member opposite was looking for a date. Last December, we took the opportunity to change gas pricing to use E10, which the PC members didn’t want to do at the time. If they had actually looked at this file, they would have seen that this could have been done a long time ago. They didn’t do it, and we did. It’s already done. Thank you. (Interjections.) Madam Speaker (Hon. Ms. Landry): Member.

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 8 Mr. Savoie (Saint John East, Leader of the Official Opposition, PC): That was a weak answer from the Finance Minister with the worst deficit in New Brunswick’s history. This government is cashing in on the backs of New Brunswick taxpayers. Remember that the 15% HST is a tax on a tax, which means that it’s calculated on the cost of fuel plus provincial taxes, federal excise taxes, and the carbon adjustment. Since February 25, the cost of regular self-serve gasoline has jumped by over 60¢ per litre.

According to the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (EUB), the price was $1.34 on February 25. Today, it is over $1.97. The provincial portion of tax on a 60¢-per-litre increase is 6¢. If that is multiplied by 1.4 billion litres, the Holt government gets a windfall of at least $84 million. New Brunswickers will have $84 million less for their mortgages, rent, car payments, other loans, bills, groceries, and clothing. They need all these things to survive. When are you going to reduce this cost for New Brunswickers? Hon. Mr.

Legacy (Bathurst, Deputy Premier; Minister of Finance and Treasury Board; Minister of Energy; Minister responsible for the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, L): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I mean, we fully understand that there’s an affordability crisis right now. That’s why we’ve taken a lot of action, such as reducing electricity bills by 10%. (Interjections.) Madam Speaker (Hon. Ms. Landry): Member. Hon. Mr.

Legacy (Bathurst, Deputy Premier; Minister of Finance and Treasury Board; Minister of Energy; Minister responsible for the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, L): This reduction is because of the big increases—20%—that were caused by the previous government. There’s a war in Iran. We have to adjust. We have to adjust to that. (Interjections.) Madam Speaker (Hon. Ms. Landry): Member. Hon. Mr.

Legacy (Bathurst, Deputy Premier; Minister of Finance and Treasury Board; Minister of Energy; Minister responsible for the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, L): You can yell as much as you want, but that’s— (Interjections.) Madam Speaker (Hon. Ms. Landry): Member. Please continue.

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 9 Hon. Mr. Legacy (Bathurst, Deputy Premier; Minister of Finance and Treasury Board; Minister of Energy; Minister responsible for the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, L): All right. Thank you. The reality is that there is a geopolitical situation. However, we’re doing everything we can to make life more affordable for New Brunswickers through all kinds of… We had a rent cap put on, and we’re continuing to do it.

Here, we have opposition members who, on the one hand, talk daily about a large deficit and not wanting to spend money, and on the other hand, want us to spend more with less revenue. Pick a lane. Pick a lane. Which one do you want? You can’t have it both ways. Mr. Savoie (Saint John East, Leader of the Official Opposition, PC): Well, we’ll pick New Brunswickers, Madam Speaker. We will be the ones who fight to make sure that life is more affordable for them.

From the Holt government, we have seen the worst deficit in our history, the worst housing wait list in our history, the worst doctor wait list in our history, and the worst wait list for seniors in care. It will cost almost $900 million to service the debt that government members created. This money won’t go toward services New Brunswickers need. There are millions of dollars guaranteed for Agropur to cut jobs in Sussex. On top of all this, there is an affordability crisis, and this government is cashing in on the backs of New Brunswickers. When is this government going to act to bring down prices at the pump?

Why does the Premier refuse to do this? Hon. Mr. Legacy (Bathurst, Deputy Premier; Minister of Finance and Treasury Board; Minister of Energy; Minister responsible for the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, L): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Picking New Brunswickers—that is rich. For six years, all we heard was: Look at our surpluses and see how great New Brunswickers are doing because we have a balance sheet with a surplus. I guarantee you that nobody on the streets of New Brunswick felt that. Nobody saw it.

There was a lack of investment in programs, in infrastructure, and in everything that was going on. That’s what we have changed. We’re doing it now. We spend money for New Brunswickers, and we won’t stop doing it until they’re doing better. FOOD BANKS Ms. M. Johnson (Carleton-Victoria, PC): Thank you, Madam Speaker. This week, we learned that visits to food banks in New Brunswick are up by 55% since 2025. Premier Holt’s Liberal government is the only Atlantic government that chose not to give food banks the proceeds from the sale of U.S. liquor.

Nova Scotia’s PC government gave $4 million, Newfoundland’s PC government gave $1 million, and Prince Edward Island’s PC

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 10 government gave $600 000. The government that gave nothing is the same government that cut food bank funding in its first budget. My first question is for the Premier. However, between being uninformed and unaware, I’m afraid she may be unable to rise. My question is this: How much profit has the Holt Liberal government made from the sale of U.S. liquor so far? Hon. Ms.

Miles (Hanwell-New Maryland, Minister of Social Development; Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation, L): Madam Speaker, through you to the member opposite, thank you for the opportunity to talk about the fact that we have an affordability crisis in this province. For this government, it is a top priority, and we are focused on affordability for New Brunswickers. New Brunswickers have had years of not being invested in. (Interjections.) Hon. Ms.

Miles (Hanwell-New Maryland, Minister of Social Development; Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation, L): Thank you. For years, New Brunswickers have not been invested in. My colleague beside me spoke about how, if you were to ask anyone on the street, you would hear that they are not talking about the deficit right now. They are talking about what their lives look like and how their lives are being improved, Madam Speaker. That is why the minute we sat in these chairs, in this space, and in this government, we looked at a rent cap and put in a rent cap.

We’ve had record investments in housing. We are looking at modernizing our social assistance rates. We have a school food program. We are continually talking to and listening to New Brunswickers to see what they need in order to thrive, not only survive. New Brunswickers need to thrive, and we are investing in New Brunswickers. Ms. M. Johnson (Carleton-Victoria, PC): Well, I was looking for a dollar value, but okay. Madam Speaker, for most of our lives, we’ve heard the expression: Actions speak louder than words.

In many cases with the Premier, those words are a whisper, and her actions are a shout, and not in a good way. Cutting funding to food banks in the first budget is about as bad as it gets. One would think that the Premier would like to make amends, but one would be wrong. In total, the Progressive Conservative governments of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island have given $5.1 million to help feed the people who need help most. Our government has given nothing at all. Would the Premier care to at least acknowledge that food bank usage has grown by 55% on her watch?

I’m going to give you another chance to say how much money has been made. Hon. Mr. Dornan (Saint John Portland-Simonds, Minister of Health, L): Madam Speaker, thank you for this opportunity. Many New Brunswickers depend on food banks. I do volunteer work at a food bank, and I see the changes. They are real. Monies have been dedicated to food banks. We made a change by approving a budget and adding on to it in an

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 11 emergency-relief fashion. Now, it is more predictable. We are allowing monies to go to food banks at a rate that is consistent over a projected period so that we can buy food from New Brunswick providers and provide stability in the sector. Thank you for bringing to our attention the need that food banks meet. We are secure, we are stable, we are predictable, and we are buying food from New Brunswick producers. Thank you very much. Ms. M.

Johnson (Carleton-Victoria, PC): In fairness to the Premier, we understand that there has been a lot of roadwork, photo ops, video shoots, and stuff like that, and there are only 24 hours in every day. We can’t stop that. However, there can be no question that she is aware her government cut funding to food banks in the first budget, and we are certain that her government is now aware there has been a 55% increase. Will the Premier please make a commitment today to give the profits from the sale of U.S. liquor to food banks just as our Maritime brothers and sisters have? (Interjections.) Hon. Ms.

Miles (Hanwell-New Maryland, Minister of Social Development; Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation, L): Madam Speaker, to the member opposite, that’s right. When we get a chance to talk about affordability and supporting New Brunswickers, we all want to stand up and talk because we are a team. We all want to speak about it, and we are all here to serve the same folks. So, thank you for the opportunity to stand up and talk about this. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is working on things in collaboration with the government of Canada.

The Department of Health is working with the Department of Social Development and ESIC right now. We are having conversations about how we can better support New Brunswickers to get food on their tables. We do that. We look at everything holistically, as a whole piece. That’s why we put in affordability measures like the rent cap. That’s why we have the school food program rolling out across New Brunswick, Madam Speaker. That’s why we are supporting our food banks. That’s why we have the biggest increase we’ve ever had in housing.

We are looking at New Brunswickers as a whole and are looking at how we can best support them so that they can thrive. Thank you. Ms. Mitton (Tantramar, G): Madam Speaker, according to new stats released by FeedNB, food bank usage is up 55% compared to last year, with 50 000 visits per month to food banks across the province. A Fredericton food bank has reported an average of 90 new visitors per month over the past year. Food Banks Canada’s HungerCount has found that 47% of food bank users are on social assistance or disability-related income support.

Yet, in estimates last month, when I asked the Minister of Social Development when she would address this urgent issue by increasing social assistance rates and implementing a guaranteed livable income for people with a disability, she couldn’t commit to a timeline.

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 12 The minister just said that New Brunswickers need to thrive. My question to the Minister of Social Development is this: How long do people have to wait? Hon. Ms. Miles (Hanwell-New Maryland, Minister of Social Development; Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation, L): Madam Speaker, through you to the member opposite, thank you for raising this.

This is such an important conversation to be having right now, and it’s timely, especially following this affordability conversation. Folks with disabilities tend to be overly marginalized in a poverty conversation. That’s why I’ve been working with our community partners, we’ve been working with our team, and we’ve been working with the other departments to revamp the way we deliver our disability support services. I understand that the member wanted a timeline. When we work with our partners, we know how important this is. They wanted to make sure—and we want to make sure—that we get this right.

That’s why we’re working with our partners. They asked us to slow down to make sure we get this right. We have pieces of it rolling out. As I said during main estimates, I look forward to being able to share what this program looks like in the coming months. Ms. Mitton (Tantramar, G): Madam Speaker, it’s no wonder New Brunswickers on social assistance make up such a high proportion of food bank users. Single people account for almost half of food bank users. By the minister’s own admission, a single person on transitional assistance receives less than half of what’s needed to survive.

However, it’s not only people on social assistance. Twenty percent of food bank users had employment income and obviously need higher wages. One third of users are children. One in three are kids. I don’t want to hear an answer about the school food program because that is not enough for these kids. What about supper? What about weekends? What about summer break? If the minister doesn’t have an urgent plan for social assistance reform and a guaranteed livable income, will she at least provide increased emergency funding to food banks to help them face this crisis? [Translation] Hon. C.

Johnson (Moncton South, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, L): Madam Speaker, our government is very concerned about food insecurity, too. That is exactly why, last year, we established a substantial breakfast program. Also, in September, we will have a lunch program. Thank you. [Original] Ms. Mitton (Tantramar, G): I clearly said I didn’t want an answer about the school lunch program. Madam Speaker, we need urgent action to fix the hunger crisis that New Brunswickers are facing.

I don’t want to hear about the school lunch program or that you’ve offered a 10% discount on power rates that were immediately offset by large rate

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 13 hikes. Everything has continued to get more expensive, and New Brunswickers are struggling. Thirty-four percent of Canadians had to dip into their savings or borrow money just to put food on the table in April, up from 28% just last fall. Meanwhile, just last Friday, the Premier was lobbied by Loblaws CEO, Mr. Per Bank. Loblaws is profiting off these unaffordable grocery prices while many New Brunswickers are living in government- enforced poverty. I wonder what the Premier told Mr.

Bank that New Brunswickers need. Madam Speaker, how much longer will the Minister of Social Development continue to give people less than half of what they need to survive? Hon. Ms. Miles (Hanwell-New Maryland, Minister of Social Development; Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation, L): Madam Speaker, through you to the member opposite, thank you once again for highlighting that, yes, we are in an affordability crisis. It has been building. It has been years coming. There have been folks who have been neglected and not invested in for years.

Social assistance modernization is under way right now. We increased our investment in income security, including social assistance, from $363.6 million in the last budget to $425 million. That’s a 15.5% increase. We know that it’s not just about social assistance rates alone. It is about a rent cap. It is about other opportunities to put affordable measures in place to support New Brunswickers so that they can have the opportunity to live the life they deserve to live. That’s why this government is investing in New Brunswickers. We know that you gain your greatest results when you invest in people.

That is where we are investing, Madam Speaker. It’s not just about rates. It is about— OPPORTUNITIES NEW BRUNSWICK Mr. Savoie (Saint John East, Leader of the Official Opposition, PC): Madam Speaker, we are all aware in this House of the Premier’s proclivity toward getting up on the last question, so we are going to see whether she actually gets up on this one. On the ONB website, it says that there is “[u]p to $2.4 million in the form of a non-repayable contribution for Agropur”. (Interjections.) Mr. Savoie (Saint John East, Leader of the Official Opposition, PC): Saved by the bell.

However, on Tuesday, the Minister responsible for Opportunities NB said that it was a “conditionally repayable loan”. Considering this government’s history of being unaware and uninformed, maybe the Premier can square that circle for us and tell us whether those funds are nonrepayable or repayable. On top of that, will she commit to being transparent with New Brunswickers by releasing the contract and releasing the emails so that she can

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Oral Questions Original by Hansard Office Translation by Debates Translation 14 take full responsibility for this mess that her government has created because her government was not informed? Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Mr.

Randall (Fredericton North, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB; Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business; Minister responsible for NB Liquor and Cannabis NB, Minister responsible for the Regulatory Accountability and Reporting Act, L): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to rise and talk about the work we are doing around the province. The work in Miramichi will support significant GDP growth, over $63 million, over the next five years. It will require the company to hit specific metrics with respect to productivity.

I spoke about productivity metrics yesterday in the House. Those metrics that we have worked out have to be hit in order for dollars to be delivered. We are very much looking forward to the work that will happen. We are very much looking forward to ensuring that the agriculture sector has processing capabilities moving forward and that we’ve set a foundation for growth in the agriculture sector. That is one of the key pillars of our economic development plan. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker (Hon. Ms. Landry): Oral question period has expired.