Premier Blaine Higgs provides a media availability on Nov. 1. (Image via Zoom)
The New Brunswick legislature will open Tuesday without a throne speech which paves the way for the government to get down to business.
In a briefing with the media late Monday afternoon, Premier Blaine Higgs did not commit to back-to-work legislation to end the CUPE strike – at least not right away.
Higgs said both sides must have time to plan during this labour dispute.
“CUPE has to plan but it can’t be what’s been quoted as – ‘how much disruption can we cause in every part of the province as often as we want’ – without any ability for the government to react,” he noted.
Higgs did not provide a timeline over possible back-to-work legislation.
He said he remained hopeful that meaningful discussions will take place.
But he did take the opportunity to outline other priorities for the government in this legislative sitting.
“New legislation that we’re bringing in will involve family income security, Residential Tenancies Act, Safer Communities Act, non-consensual distribution of intimate images and procurement across construction. We also have local governance reform coming forward.”
Higgs added a throne speech is coming but said it will be later in this legislative session.
