Protests at the NB Legislature, 19 Nov 2019 (Photo by Tyler MacLean)
The status quo is no longer an option and this is a critical time for New Brunswick according to the second Speech from the Throne from the Higgs government.
The document stated how the province is facing challenges in health care including a lack of workers and an inefficient use of resources.
Lieutenant-Governor Brenda Murphy says the government is working on plans to enhance the emergency departments at hospitals in Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton.
“This will improve care for patients with urgent but not life-threatening conditions and reduce emergency department wait times for all patients. The government also plans to open nurse practitioner clinics in Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton. This will enable more residents to have access to primary care.”
The government will also address the health risks associated with vaping especially for young people by working with health professionals to develop a strategy.
The province says it wants to create an environment to help companies thrive so they can help attract new ones and also intends on working to reduce red tape.
Meantime, the Department of Transportation will continue its work with other jurisdictions to help make it easier for New Brunswick companies to bid on Crown projects in other Atlantic provinces.
The tourism strategy will be refocused by launching a “staycation” campaign so that New Brunswickers can sell what attractions we have to visitors.
A focus is being placed on increasing the labour force by ensuring young people get the education needed for the jobs available and by boosting immigration.
The province intends to welcome up to 7,500 newcomers per year by 2024 and New Brunswick must also strive to create the right environment so that newcomers want to stay.
In the education sector, the government will continue to examine replacing early-year grades with flexible learning environments.
The province also wants to give every child a chance to learn French and English and is exploring new approaches to teaching both official languages.
There was also mention of immunization at public schools.
“To ensure the health and safety of students, immunization requirements will be enforced in the public school and early learning and childhood care systems in the province,” she read.The government is also committed to combating climate change.
It plans on introducing amendments to the Climate Change Act to allow for regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from the province’s large emitters.
It also will develop and release a long-term plan to better address the impact of flooding.
“Last spring, significant flooding affected communities throughout the province. Damage to private infrastructure such as homes, and public infrastructure such as roads was substantial. Your government accepts that climate change is real and is committed to being part of the solution to this global crisis,” she said.
The province will also establish its own carbon pricing system.
For full details on the throne speech, click HERE
