N.B. legislature opens with throne speech focused on education, economy

The New Brunswick government reiterated its intent to focus on economic growth and education in the latest speech from the throne, promising to implement the first year of its 10-year education plan.

Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau delivered the speech as the legislature reconvened for the fall sitting Wednesday.

READ MORE: Newly-elected opposition leader Blaine Higgs says all parties need long-term goal for NB

The government promised to increase the amount provided to New Brunswickers to help pay for daycare, though no specifics were included.

New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant said he couldn’t give specific numbers, but says the government will be making daycare more accessible and more affordable for parents.

“One of the best things we can do to improve our educational outcomes is investing in early childhood learning and opportunities, Gallant said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "One of the best things we can do to improve our educational outcomes is investing in early childhood learning and opportunities, Gallant said.

It also pledged to increase opportunities for students to learn coding and trades, and to enhance opportunities for adult learners to study a second language.

The speech repeated promises made earlier this year to provide free tuition to students from low-income families and to reintroduce French immersion in Grade 1 starting next September.

READ MORE: New Brunswick French immersion returning to Grade one

Additionally, the government pledged to focus on improved economic growth by extending the home energy assistance plan, supporting low- and middle-income families through the provincial HST credit, and promoting locally produced food and beverage consumption.

Newly-elected Conservative Opposition Leader Blaine Higgs says the speech was “pretty high level,” but says he’s happy to see the government’s agenda focus on education and the economy.

He says while it’s uncommon for throne speeches to be full of details, he says he would have liked to see more specifics.

“I think we’ve set the stage of education is a priority and I’m hoping to be able to sit down with the premier and go through that,” Higgs said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think we've set the stage of education is a priority and I'm hoping to be able to sit down with the premier and go through that," Higgs said.

“All I want to be able to do is work in a very constructive way on facts.”

Green Party Leader David Coon says there are a lot of good social and economic objectives, but says the premier left off details on how to achieve those objectives.

“It makes me nervous that maybe they’re not going to achieve what they’ve laid out here,” Coon said.

The speech also referenced the government’s plan to introduce a program that would provide financial support to people providing home care to seniors or family members with mental illness.

Coon says it’s good to see the government acknowledge there is a “crisis in access to mental health care,” but says the government made no commitment to bring mental health spending in the province up to the national average.

— With files from Adrienne South, Global News.