Based on coverage from Global News and CityNews Halifax.
New Brunswick Health Care Reforms Underway
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt has been busy laying the groundwork for significant health care improvements in the province. Her government has introduced a series of measures, including increased pay for nurses, a $270-million deal for doctors, and the establishment of 11 new collaborative care clinics. Holt believes these initiatives will start showing results by 2026.
After winning the October 2024 election, Holt's Liberals delivered on their promise to award $10,000 retention payments to full-time and part-time permanent nurses by the end of that year. In October 2025, a new contract was signed, granting nurses a 12.5 per cent wage increase over four years, along with higher premiums for weekend and night shifts. Additionally, Holt fulfilled her campaign pledge by opening 10 collaborative care clinics this year, with an eleventh recently announced.
Economic Challenges from U.S. Tariffs
The past year hasn't been smooth sailing for Holt's government. One of the most significant hurdles has been the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods, which have hit New Brunswick particularly hard. The province's forestry sector, heavily reliant on American business, has been severely affected. According to a CIBC provincial forecast, New Brunswick and Quebec are experiencing some of the largest trade declines due to these tariffs.
To mitigate these economic challenges, New Brunswick has signed memorandums of understanding on free trade and labour mobility with four provinces. The government has also introduced a new loan program, offering up to $5 million to help businesses maintain operations. Despite these efforts, the province's $14.3-billion budget has been pushed into deficit due to increased health-care funding and a contingency fund to address tariff threats.
Wildfires and Agricultural Impact
New Brunswick faced another major challenge this year with a historic wildfire season. The province experienced 448 fires, burning over 34 square kilometres of forest. This is a significant increase from 2024, which saw 281 wildfires over 2.3 square kilometres. The 10-year average for the province is 256 fires covering 4.6 square kilometres.
The wildfires have had a ripple effect on the agricultural sector, with dry conditions leading to smaller yields of apples, blueberries, and cranberries. Premier Holt has expressed her commitment to supporting the sector and addressing the high cost of living in the province.
Tackling Gas Prices in New Brunswick
One of Holt's notable moves to address everyday costs has been tackling gas prices. During her 2024 election campaign, she promised to remove the carbon adjuster tax on diesel and gas. Although this decision was overturned by the province's energy regulator, Holt's team discovered an issue with the regulator's price-setting formula. It was using conventional gas prices, despite the fact that all gas retailers in the province sell E10, a cheaper ethanol blend.
On December 12, Holt's cabinet approved a change to the price-setting formula, resulting in a 7.9-cent drop in regular gas prices the following day. This adjustment is particularly important in a rural province like New Brunswick, where driving is often a necessity. Holt remains committed to ensuring New Brunswickers pay competitive rates for essential services.
Premier Holt's first full year in office has been a mix of ambitious health care reforms and navigating economic and environmental challenges. As her government continues to implement these changes, New Brunswickers are hopeful for a more resilient and prosperous future.
Coverage was consistent across the sources provided, with no meaningful differences in reporting. No meaningful differences in coverage were found across the sources provided.
