New Brunswick Holds 2022 State of the Province Address

FREDERICTON – For the first time since 2020, New Brunswick has held a State of the Province address. Premiere Blaine Higgs covered important topics such as immigration, the recovering economy, and clean energy. But as many viewers noticed, Higgs said little about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This comes after the Province of New Brunswick officially ended all COVID-19 restrictions March 14.

The broadcast of the address featured pre-show interviews with Minister Dorothy Shepard, Interim Liberal Party leader Roger Melanson and Green Party leader David Coon.

The live show began with an address by the president of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce Jeff Saunders. Saunders spoke mainly on the recovery and resilience of the province in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The next speaker, CEO of Siemens Canada Faisal Kazi spoke on the effects of climate change and many projects involving the switch to cleaner energy for the province. Kazi also mentioned the rise of cyber attacks, especially those targeting governments and critical infrastructure. 

A video preceded Premier Blaine Higgs, extolling the recent achievements of the province of New Brunswick. Mentioning accomplishments such as real estate booms, increases to healthcare spending, and tenant protection, among many others.

The Premier began his speech with a message of pride and gratitude for citizens of the province, speaking on the teamwork and compassion displayed by the population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Premier also stressed the importance of government as a team, highlighting the efforts and resilience of Government employees, especially during the pandemic. The Premier promoted a provincial message of “stronger together.”

The Premier thanked healthcare and government workers, who have “[gone] above and beyond the call of duty.” Highlighting those who have been performing PCR tests and processing them, those performing contact tracing, and the “unsung heroes who are working 24/7 behind the scenes.”

Premier Higgs spoke on the successes of newcomers to the province, both in interprovincial migration, and international immigration. He shared the natural and man-made virtues of living in the province, highlighting the appeal of the “New Brunswick lifestyle.”  The Premier also celebrated the very recent milestone of the province exceeding 800 thousand residents.

Premier shared quotes from several Canadian banks, applauding the recovering economy and newly released budget of the province. The Bank of Montreal recognized New Brunswick’s rapid vaccine rollout, which helped the province “weather the pandemic.”

In thanking his team, the Premier referred to the 2 new members of his party, those being Kris Austin and Michelle Conroy, the 2 MPs of the Peoples Alliance of New Brunswick. As of their move on the 30th of March, the People’s Alliance Party has officially dissolved. 

Premier Higgs implored business owners and investors to come to him with problems foreign to the government, “issues that [they] just can’t seem to get the government to understand.” During his speech, the Premier also announced that WorkSafeNB premiums would once again be lowering in 2022. This after payments dropped earlier in 2021.

A 2021 waterfront development project in St. John was highlighted. Promoting economic growth through modernization and by the return of the Canadian Pacific Railway to the port. From this, the Premier highlighted the growth of exports from the province, up by 43.1 per cent, the second fastest Canada-wide. Seafood exports were featured, having reached a reported $2.2 billion in 2021.

Premier Higgs featured energy innovation as another provincial priority. Highlighting nuclear energy and the use of small modular reactors, and their potential to expand across Canada. The Premier assured viewers of the safety of the technology, mentioning the fact that Moltex and ARC energy companies have their headquarters here in New Brunswick.

Among the many achievements featured by the Premier, many successes in inclusivity were mentioned. The province of New Brunswick has appointed Canada’s first commissioner of systemic racism, Manju Varma, Ph.D. In 2022, the province was also the first in Canada to release a gender impact statement alongside the provincial budget.

The Premiere also mentioned efforts to forge new relationships with the First Nations Communities of New Brunswick, calling attention to the shame felt by many for the bloody history of the country.

Premier Higgs closed the evening by praising the province and its multitude of natural attractions, as well as famous events, such as the newly reopened Fundy trail and the recently revamped Harvest music festival. The Premier made reference to the New Brunswick museum located in St. John, and how with time, and reconciliation, it will become “a place we can all be proud of.” The Premier closed the night with an invitation to Canada and the world, “we are ready to welcome [you] with open arms.”