The New Brunswick Liberals say they want to see action in the Higgs government’s latest throne speech.
The speech, to be delivered Tuesday afternoon, will set the agenda for the upcoming legislative session.
Liberal leader Susan Holt spoke with reporters Monday and outlined six priority items they want to see in the speech.
Holt said the issue they hear about most from New Brunswickers is the rising cost of living in the province.
“We want to see tangible action in this speech from the throne to make New Brunswickers’ basic needs more affordable,” said Holt.
“Our team has already proposed to remove the provincial tax off of residential electricity bills. We would love to see that in the speech from the throne and more.”
When it comes to health care, Holt said they want to see a retention and attraction plan for the sector, a focus on team-based community health centres, and more support for seniors.
The Liberal leader said her party also wants to see action on housing, which includes a labour strategy that addresses the need for more construction labour.
“We want to see them realize the rent bank, put a rent cap in place, and we want to see them improve public housing and build more public housing with urgency,” said Holt.
Other priority areas for the Liberals include a focus on education, clarity on municipal financial reform, and progress on clean air, water and energy.
“Premier Higgs has paralyzed New Brunswick with his internal turmoil over the past six months. It’s time for this government to put its drama aside and deliver on the priorities that are most important to New Brunswickers,” said Holt.
Even before seeing the speech, the Liberal leader expressed doubt that her party would be able to lend their support when MLAs vote on it later in October.
“I think we’ll decide our vote on the throne speech based on its content and whether it serves New Brunswickers. From what we’ve seen of the last throne speech and what the government hasn’t accomplished in the last year, I would be shocked to see a throne speech that met all of the needs that we’ve expressed today,” said Holt.
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