Holt says money to keep nurses in N.B. will be priority after Nov. 2 swearing in

Susan Holt, New Brunswick’s premier-designate, met with her newly elected Liberal team on Thursday, outlining their key priorities for the coming weeks.

Holt, who has already named a four-member transition team, confirmed that she and the rest of the Liberal caucus will be sworn in as members of the legislature on November 2.

“This Holt government is going to hit the ground running, and the work has already started,” she said during a news conference in Fredericton, following her first in-person meeting with the 30 other Liberal caucus members.

“We’re going to lead New Brunswick through the challenges we are facing in health care, in housing, in education.”

The Liberals secured a majority government in Monday’s provincial election, winning 31 of 49 seats. The Progressive Conservatives, led by Blaine Higgs, took 16 seats, while the Greens retained two.

Holt emphasized that her government will act swiftly on several campaign promises, including financial incentives for nurses.

“We don’t want to lose another nurse at a time when our health-care system is so fragile,” Holt said, speaking to reporters outside a hotel in downtown Fredericton, flanked by her entire caucus.

She added that the Liberals aim to implement other measures before the holiday season, such as removing the 10% provincial sales tax from electricity bills, introducing a rent cap, and eliminating the gas tax to save motorists four cents per litre.

Holt also reaffirmed her commitment to expanding access to abortion services by amending Regulation 84-20, which currently limits provincial funding for abortions to those performed at approved hospitals.

Currently, surgical and medication abortions are available at two hospitals in Moncton and one in Bathurst. Clinic 554, a private abortion facility in Fredericton, closed its doors in January.

During a visit to New Brunswick in May, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the previous Progressive Conservative government, calling its refusal to expand abortion access “a disgrace.”

“We’re going to make sure that abortions are covered in New Brunswick,” Holt said. “Abortion is health care, and people in New Brunswick need better access. There are places ready to deliver those services.”

Holt confirmed that she had met with Higgs earlier on Thursday to discuss the transition process, though she did not provide details of their conversation. She also noted that the legislature would resume next month, without specifying a date.

In response to the federal government’s announcement to reduce immigration targets, Holt expressed concern.

“I don’t think there’s a long-term-care facility in New Brunswick that would be open today without the newcomers who care for our seniors,” she said. “We need to be very careful and thoughtful about how we manage immigration.”

Holt warned that reduced immigration could also hinder hiring in construction, worsening the province’s housing crisis, and criticized Ottawa’s move to limit international student study permits.

“I’m really concerned about these decisions,” Holt said. “We need thoughtful discussions about what New Brunswick requires to grow our economy, address health-care and housing challenges, and maintain a strong post-secondary education system.”