At mid-mandate, Holt Liberals lay out legislative agenda

New Brunswick MLAs are back at the legislature at the midway point of the Holt government's mandate. So, what's on the agenda? Today marks more than the beginning of the third legislative session. It is also the halfway point for the mandate that the people of New Brunswick have given this government. The government laid out its plan for the coming year in the speech from the throne, delivered by Lieutenant Governor Louis Zambeau. Most of the speech was devoted to things the government has already done, like the launch of collaborative care clinics. This demonstrates the importance of investing in primary care. Not only is this the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do, and we're seeing results. There were new commitments, though vaguely defined. In the spring session, further legislation aimed at helping make life more affordable for New Brunswickers is planned. Premier Susan Holt told reporters a larger overhaul of income assistance is also in the works. People who are struggling to get by and who are struggling to make ends meet have to engage with this government department and then that government department. They have to fill out a different form here and a different form there. And there's actually quite a lot of work involved to get help. We're not sure that's the best way of doing things. The speech also promised an overhaul of the law governing landlords, tenants and rent. We intend to outline how fixed-term leases are intended to be used and how that enforcement will be made through the tenant-landlord relations office. The session will also see two new party leaders in place, sort of. Daniel Allain doesn't have a seat, so he'll be taking on the government from outside the chamber. He says there's no plan to lower the deficit. We're in the back nine of a golf tournament. And I can tell you right now, wow, their golf game is not that good. And Megan Minton will be acclaimed as leader of the Green Party in December. This was really kind of more like an annual report summarizing a lot of what's already happened. Not that much was very new in here at all. This new session will run until next June. The next provincial election is scheduled for October 2028, two years from now. Thank you.