Holt Sets Priorities as New Brunswick Faces Economic Strain

Premier Susan Holt is marking her first year in office with a focus on health care, housing, and the economy, as global trade uncertainty and rising costs continue to weigh on New Brunswick.

On a recent tour of Southwest New Brunswick, Holt visited one of the province’s new collaborative care clinics in St. Stephen. The facility is among 10 her government has pledged to open, designed to improve access to primary care by bringing health professionals under one roof.

“They’ve really taken to heart our request that we’ve got to push the flexibility on these teams,” Holt said of the local staff in an interview with CHCO-TV’s Vicki Hogarth on Southwest Magazine.

Housing also remains a pressing issue. In Charlotte County, Holt announced five new affordable units, part of her government’s effort to expand both affordable and general housing supply.

“We need more affordable housing, and we need a whole bunch of different kinds,” she said, while acknowledging the challenge of adding units under budget constraints.

Economic conditions add further complexity. Holt pointed to U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber as a drag on provincial growth, describing the situation as one of “uncertainty.” She highlighted critical minerals and defence as sectors with potential for future expansion.

Her government has also pursued reductions in interprovincial trade barriers, aiming to lower costs for businesses and strengthen economic integration within Canada.

Health care, however, remains Holt’s stated top priority. The province is currently negotiating new contracts and working conditions for medical staff, while also placing emphasis on expanding mental health services and tackling homelessness.

At the same time, Holt has underscored the importance of fiscal restraint. “We can’t just spend all the money to make the best health care and best education and best housing systems,” she said.

The Premier has been meeting with community members, health care professionals, and employers across the province as part of her summer tour, gathering feedback she says will shape her government’s direction in the months ahead.