Province	Législature	Session	Type de discours	Date du discours	Locuteur	Fonction du locuteur	Parti politique
Nouveau-Brunswick	53e 	1e 	Discours du trône	6 février 1996	Mme Margaret Norrie McCain	Lieutenant-Gouverneur	PL

Mr. Speaker, and Honourable Members of the Legislative Assembly: 
It is my honour and privilege, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, to welcome you to the First Session of the 53rd Legislative Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick. 
As we convene this new Assembly, I want to take the opportunity to congratulate all Members for their success in last Fall's provincial election, and to recognize you, Mr. Speaker, in your new role. 
The result of the Referendum in Quebec has New Brunswickers and indeed all Canadians deeply concerned about the future of our Nation. In keeping with the spirit of the resolution passed at a meeting of this Assembly last October, My Government will actively participate in a national effort to identify and act on initiatives to renew and unite our country. 
My Government will continue its policy of giving priority to Maritime Economic Cooperation, and will seek to involve the broader community in the advancement of priority items. It is through these joint initiatives that we will build a stronger region. 
My Government stands firm in its resolve to make New Brunswick and its citizens self-sufficient for the twenty-first century. Much has been accomplished over the past eight years in economic restructuring, job creation, and debt management. During this period the Province has become a national leader by introducing innovative reforms to the health, education, justice, and income assistance programs that make up our social safety net. My Government will continue with its reform agenda over the next four years, and will immediately begin the implementation of the 83 initiatives promised to the people in the document, "Moving Ahead Together." 
Three key priorities will drive My Government's agenda in the year ahead: 
-	Job creation remains our central thrust, and will include ongoing investments in the development of our people so they can more fully participate in the economy.
-	The job creation thrust will be balanced with initiatives to ensure that an affordable system of social services and programs remains in place for all citizens. 
-	Underpinning all of our initiatives will be the drive to improve services to New Brunswickers, achieve fiscal stability, and continue paying down the Provincial debt. 
My Government will work diligently in 1996 to meet its job creation commitment to New Brunswickers. Jobs will be first, and economic growth will build on the investments in the education and training of our citizens. Improvements to the Province's infrastructure will be a key component of the economic development thrust. 
The job creation agenda for this year will emphasize the natural resource sectors, especially in the rural areas of our Province. This will be balanced with initiatives directed toward small business, tourism, export development, and the information highway. 
The Government's forestry efforts will focus on a job-intensive silviculture program on public lands, full allocation of the hardwood supply for new and expanded mills, and programs to encourage the sustainable management of private woodlots. The Crown Lands and Forests Act will be presented for amendments. 
A number of initiatives will be announced as part of the implementation of the new fish and wildlife policy. New policies will be put in place for the hunting and management of black bear and moose. Procedures for residents to fish in Crown reserve waters will be simplified, and new reserves will be added. These measures will provide more opportunities for residents as well as the outfitting industry. 
In the mining sector, incentives will be provided to encourage more private-public partnerships in mineral development and processing. Mineral exploration activity will also be increased. 
My Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will be re-profiled to meet the challenges of the future, and the resulting savings will be used to create a new Strategic Partnership Development Fund. The Rural Development Program will create more jobs in rural areas through assistance to small rural businesses, the expansion of exports of rural products, the establishment of more farm markets, and assistance with worker training. New programs will be launched to expand the potato and livestock sectors. 
A Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology will be established by My Government. This will help ensure that New Brunswick is prepared for the agri-food sector of the twenty-first century. 
You will be asked to pass a new Act concerning agricultural land protection and development to provide for the protection of our agricultural lands, and to give farmers a greater say in land use planning in rural areas. 
My Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will move forward with a revitalization of the shrimp fleet, the development of new market opportunities in China and elsewhere, and the introduction of commercial halibut production. 
The potential for job creation in value-added products will be maximized, with emphasis on the processing and secondary manufacturing of the Province's natural resources. 
My Government will seek to build on the commitment of all the key players in our resource industries, by inviting them to work with us in the development of new opportunities for job expansion. Through a partnership of stakeholders from government, industry, and our educational institutions, sectoral summits will be convened to examine best practices currently being used globally in these sectors and to develop sector-wide action plans to create new job opportunities for New Brunswickers. 
My Government is actively pursuing a new federal-provincial regional economic development framework. A number of initiatives will be undertaken, and will focus on job creation activities. High unemployment areas such as northern New Brunswick will be given priority. 
To help entrepreneurs gain access to start-up capital, My Government will be introducing a new Small Entrepreneur Capital Assistance Program. Increased exports of New Brunswick products and services will be pursued through a new Integrated Trade Strategy. 
My Government will undertake additional initiatives to ensure that the Province remains in the forefront of information technologies and the information highway. Priority will be given to improving access for individuals and communities to the information highway. 
New Brunswick has enjoyed three consecutive record-breaking years of tourism industry growth. My Government will expand opportunities for year-round adventure tours and ecotourism activities. As part of the effort to remain on the leading edge of tourism, a new Adventure Training Program will be launched which will provide training and professional development for this new sector. 
Seasonal employment is a fact of life in many of our resource-based industries and rural communities. My Government is committed to ensuring that the legitimate needs of seasonal workers are understood and reflected in program changes. Negotiations with the Federal Government are underway to put in place a Transitional Fund to help workers adjust to changes in unemployment insurance. 
My Government has launched a Job Expansion Initiative with the immediate priority of working with the private sector to expand employment. This initiative will attempt to extend the duration of periods of seasonal employment in all industries, as well as adding new jobs through value-added activities. 
My Government will move forward in 1996 with its commitment to upgrade provincial highways, and will continue working toward the completion of a four-lane national highway system. The New Brunswick Highway Corporation will identify cost-effective ways to speed up the completion of the highway system. A new commercial highway signage policy will be introduced, and discussions will take place with other provinces to harmonize allowable commercial vehicle weights and dimensions. 
You will be asked to consider amendments to the Highway Act, the New Brunswick Highway Corporation Act, and the Motor Vehicle Act. 
My Government recognizes the changes that are occurring in the energy field, especially the impact of competition in the electric power industry, demand-side management of electricity, and the development of natural gas. Renewed efforts will be made by NB Power and My Department of Natural Resources and Energy to meet these challenges. The Public Utilities Act will be presented for amendments. 
The economic and social development of our Province, and the ability to become gainfully employed in the coming decade, will depend to a growing extent on the skills and abilities of our people. This year, My Government will undertake a number of policy changes to renew and improve our public education system and our community colleges. 
A renewed and more rigorous school curriculum will be put in place with a focus on key areas of competence. More emphasis will be placed on testing and evaluation of our students. New technologies will continue to be introduced in schools. Mechanisms will be put in place to encourage greater parental involvement in education, and procedures will be established to ensure that teachers and principals play a more pivotal role in a renewed school system. New ways of supporting teachers in the classroom will also be introduced. 
To help implement these new measures, the Government will undertake fundamental structural changes to the public education system, including the streamlining and realignment of the Department of Education and the school districts. A major policy statement for a Renewed Education System will be presented by My Minister of Education during this Session. 
My Government will increase the capacity of community colleges by 250 new training seats. The curriculum at community colleges will be revised as needed to meet internationally recognized standards. Distance education to reach and train more New Brunswickers will be enhanced. 
My Government will put in place a number of initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of the Province's youth. Changes will be made to Student Aid to assist students and graduates with high debt loads, and a new program will be established to provide practical work experience for graduates. Provincial aid will be made available for the first time to students attending private sector training facilities. 
The Trade Schools Act will be amended to give better protection to students receiving training in the private sector. 
Consultation with the federal government and Aboriginal communities will be undertaken to identify ways to improve the educational performance of Aboriginal students. Greater participation of Aboriginals in New Brunswick's economy will also be part of continuing discussions with representatives of the Aboriginal people. 
My Government will present to this Assembly amendments to legislation governing the trades sector, including the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act, Elevators and Lifts Act, Plumbing Installation and Inspection Act, Electrical Installation and Inspection Act, and the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Act. The Mobile Home Act will be repealed. You will also be asked to approve amendments to the Industrial Relations Act. 
The economic development of New Brunswick, and the investment in the education of its people, will be supported by a secure and affordable social safety net. A strong, healthy economy is built on strong social policies and programs which are in turn made possible by a vibrant economy. My Government will continue to work toward the fufillment of these two fundamental objectives. 
Health services represents the number one social program priority for most New Brunswickers. The current fiscal situation challenges the Government to ensure that key health care services are available to our people. My Government will work to ensure that the health care system is affordable, able to withstand the challenges of change, and not compromised year after year. 
Health care initiatives will include adjustments in services which are based on a changing population structure, appropriate use of new technologies, and further administrative changes to increase efficiency. Those at risk will be given special consideration in our program initiatives. 
This Government will continue to call for a national dialogue on Canada's health care insurance plan, more commonly known as Medicare, in order to secure its future. My Minister of Health and Community Services will table a major policy document during this Session which builds on the 1992 Health and Community Services Plan for New Brunswick. It will lay out the Province's health and community services agenda for the next three years. 
A number of health sector legislative proposals will be brought forward, including an Act respecting sexual abuse of patients by health care providers, a new Act concerning public health, and amendments to the Medical Services Payment Act. 
The Minister of State for Family and Community Services will advance the implementation of the Family Policy Framework for New Brunswick. The primary focus for 1996 will be on children and youth. Initiatives will include more emphasis on community-based action, parenting workshops, prevention of youth addictions, the extension of some components of Early Childhood Intervention beyond the kindergarten years, and the release of revised protocols for communities, agencies and professions dealing with family violence. New Brunswick communities will be encouraged to become more family-focused. 
During this Session you will be asked to approve amendments to the Family Services Act, the Vital Statistics Act, and a new Act to comply with the Hague Convention concerning provisions for inter-country adoptions. 
My Department of Human Resource Development will implement its new mandate, that of providing more opportunities for people on income assistance to upgrade their education and access work experiences. Self-sufficiency and economic independence remain the central objectives for many of our clients and we will actively work with them to achieve their goals. 
In order to realize this new mandate, the Department will undertake major reforms to its service delivery system. The provision of high quality, client-focused services will be the trademark of this system. Staff will be assigned to concentrate more on direct work with clients. 
My Department of Municipalities, Culture and Housing will undertake two major initiatives to eliminate overlap and duplication of provincial and federal social housing programs. 
During this Session, My Government will introduce a new Integrated Justice System for New Brunswick. This will result in major reforms to our justice system, and greatly improve access to justice for our citizens. The new structure being developed will also result in a transfer of new technology, knowledge and skills to New Brunswickers working in this sector. 
The protection and confidentiality of personal information in the computer age is of serious concern to this Government. A discussion document on privacy will be tabled during the Session as part of a process to prepare legislation on this important issue. 
You will be asked to consider a number of legislative initiatives to improve the administration of justice. These will include a Statute Law Amendment Act, in addition to amendments to the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act, the Foreign Judgments Act, Provincial Court Act, Human Rights Act, and the Security Frauds Prevention Act. 
Consumer-related legislation will be brought forward this year, and will include amendments to the Insurance Act, the Evidence Act, and the Property Act. 
My Government will introduce legislation to review the rules related to the calculation of damages in personal injury claims, improve benefits in the case of automobile accidents, and expand recovery by government for health program costs. Working with the insurance industry, these initiatives will be developed so they are cost neutral to consumers in their automobile premiums. 
Deregulation of the land registry system will continue, and you will be presented with amendments to the Registry Act and Condominium Property Act, with supporting changes to the Mechanics Lien Act, and the Employment Standards Act. 
My Government will undertake reforms to the police and correctional service systems, with emphasis on service delivery at the community level. Innovative community solutions will be developed to respond to crime, victims, and offenders. 
A priority will be placed on the delivery of community correctional services, along with a corresponding deinstitutionalization of adult correctional facilities. New Provincial Policing Standards will be developed to ensure that the public receives high quality policing services. The Police Act will be presented for amendments. 
This Government recognizes the value that our people place on a clean environment, and the enhancement of cultural and recreational opportunities. 
As a major thrust of My Government's environmental initiatives, a new Act concerning clean air will be introduced. A legislative proposal will be tabled for your consideration, and it will be the subject of public hearings before a final Act is presented for your consideration. 
Construction of state-of-the-art regional landfills, incorporating a variety of waste reduction operations, will proceed this year in both Charlotte and Madawaska counties. 
In cooperation with New Brunswick's Regional Commissions and the private sector, My Government will continue to strengthen waste reduction efforts, which are the foundation of a long-term approach to solid waste management. 
The cleaning-up of Saint John Harbour will continue in the coming year, and the Province will work with other levels of government, and the private sector, to address the major remaining priority in New Brunswick's municipal sewerage collection and treatment system. The promotion of increased water use efficiency at the municipal level will be undertaken throughout the Province. 
A new Adopt-a-Highway Program will be implemented this year, to encourage and recognize residents and service organizations which enhance the attractiveness of sections of the provincial highway system. 
My Government will encourage and participate in initiatives designed to support the arts and culture sector. Film NB will be created to further develop the Province's domestic film sector, and encourage the use of New Brunswick as a location for outside film productions and co-productions with local firms. Recommendations emanating from Arts Forum 95 on cultural policy will be addressed this year. 
My Department of Natural Resources and Energy will work to establish conservation areas, expand the system of ecological reserves, and extend the protection of habitat and populations of plants and animals which are considered at risk. This will include amendments to the Endangered Species Act. The New Brunswick trail system will be expanded, providing job opportunities in rural areas. 
A discussion paper, developed under the direction of the all-party Select Committee of the Legislature on Demographics, will be tabled during this Session. The document will outline New Brunswick's future population characteristics, and will be used to solicit public input on the important issues affecting public policy. 
This Government is pleased to participate in a bid for the Canada Winter Games for the year 2003. On behalf of all Members of this Assembly, I want to take this opportunity to salute those New Brunswickers who distinguished themselves in amateur sports last year. To those New Brunswick athletes who will be participating in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, we wish them success. New Brunswickers will be proud to know that several of our wheelchair athletes will be representing Canada at the 1996 Paralympics, which will also take place in Atlanta. 
My Government wants to take this opportunity to announce its desire to host the 1999 Francophone Summit. A solid partnership with the private sector, the Federal Government, and member countries of La Francophonie will hopefully lead to the Province hosting this important event. 
A fiscally responsible, financially secure Province remains a central priority of this Government. Without it our vision of self-sufficiency will falter. My Government recognizes that debt management is but a means to an end; a means to help ensure the social and economic growth of New Brunswick for the future. 
My Government's fiscal initiatives will be supplemented with efforts to improve the functioning of government, and provide more efficient and less costly services to our citizens. 
This Government is committed to meeting the requirements of balanced budget legislation. During this Session, My Minister of Finance will table information which will show that the initial legislation requiring a balance on the Ordinary Account for the past three fiscal periods will be achieved by the end of this fiscal year. The 1996-97 budget to be tabled for your consideration will lay the foundation for meeting the provisions of the legislative amendments proclaimed last year, requiring an overall budgetary balance for the coming four-year period. 
The Province's budget estimates for 1996-97 will contain measures to protect essential services and at the same time continue to reduce the debt of the Province. 
Through the Quality Service Initiative, all departments are actively engaged in reviewing their programs and structures. My Government will strive to ensure that all government programs are contributing as effectively and efficiently as possible to the long-term goal of a strong and self-sufficient province. 
A new system of performance measurement will be put in place in all departments this year, and will complement the Quality Service Initiative. Private-public partnerships that serve the best interests of New Brunswickers will continue to be pursued as well. 
Changes to pension-related legislation will be introduced, including amendments to the Public Service Superannuation Act and the Teachers' Pension Act. 
A major deregulation project is underway in all Government departments and agencies. Many of the legislative proposals that will be presented for your consideration during this Session are a result of this initiative. 
The continued success of Service New Brunswick has prompted this Government to substantially expand the concept, and more new sites are being planned for 1996. A number of new electronic services will also be introduced. Plans are underway to establish a provincial call centre, consolidating a number of existing 1-800 services and offering new services as well. 
Reforms will be taken to improve the Revenue Management System. New Brunswickers will have more choice, convenience, and control over when and where they do business with this Government. Revenue collection systems will be simplified; there will be a reduction in paperwork, and new service mechanisms will be established based on electronic communications and transactions. 
A Process Simplification Project will be put in place to deregulate and substantially improve services to people and businesses. Some licenses will be made permanent, some eliminated, and some combined. Data forms, record retention, and other requirements will be reviewed and simplified for the benefit of New Brunswick businesses. 
Early this year, the Province became a member of the International Fuel Tax Agreement, an initiative that will greatly simplify fuel permits for truckers. A one-stop shopping system will also be implemented so truckers can obtain all permits, licenses, reports, and other required items in one location. 
Deregulation of the financial administration of the Province will go forward with amendments to the Financial Administration Act, the Lotteries Act, Liquor Control Act, Revenue Administration Act, and the Provincial Loans Act. 
You will be asked to consider taxation administration amendments to the Admission and Amusement Tax Act, the Gasoline and Motive Fuel Tax Act, the Real Property Tax Act, and the Social Services and Education Tax Act. 
Later in this Session, a paper will be tabled on the election process in New Brunswick. The Government will undertake to harmonize procedures for municipal and provincial elections. 
My Government will continue to demonstrate its commitment to improving the system of local government. A new phase of municipal restructuring will be undertaken, and the Rural Community concept will be expanded. Municipalities are participating in a process to review the Unconditional Grant Formula, from which new legislation is expected to result. 
The second phase of a major review of the Municipalities Act will be conducted this year. New policies on land use planning will be implemented, confirming this Government's commitment to local planning efforts. 
Further details of My Government's 1996 agenda will be outlined in the Minister of Finance's budget speech, and by My Ministers during consideration of the 1996-97 departmental spending estimates. 
You will be asked to review and approve the Statement of Estimated Revenues and Expenses required to operate the Government for the coming fiscal period. 
I pray that Divine Providence will continue to bless New Brunswick and its citizens, and guide this Assembly in its deliberations in 1996.