New Brunswick News: Trade Corridors, Carbon Tax, Education Cuts, Recycling Expansion & Gas Price Update – May 2025

🏛️ Politics & Government

Premier Susan Holt Calls for National Trade Corridors

Premier Susan Holt has formally written to Prime Minister Mark Carney, advocating for the urgent development of national trade and resource corridors. Holt’s letter underscores New Brunswick’s status as Canada’s most trade-oriented province and highlights the need to enhance interprovincial commerce and reduce the province’s and country’s reliance on U.S. markets. Holt pointed to the importance of unimpeded access to markets across Canada and emphasized that other provinces require access to New Brunswick’s seaports.

This call aligns with Prime Minister Carney’s campaign commitment for a $5-billion Trade Diversification Corridor Fund, which is intended to accelerate the construction of key infrastructure projects such as ports, railways, highways, inland terminals, and airports. The initiative is partly a response to recent U.S. trade policy uncertainty and past trade tensions, including threats of tariffs from the United States.

Holt cited the Simms Corner area in Saint John as a critical project that requires federal support. This area serves as a major trade corridor supporting international exports through the Irving Pulp & Paper mill and Port Saint John. Holt referenced the cancelled Energy East pipeline project as an example of the challenges involved in developing such national infrastructure, noting that despite broad provincial support, the project was abandoned in 2017 due to regulatory and political obstacles.

Industrial Carbon Tax Overhaul Resumes

Following the federal Liberal victory, Premier Holt has announced that New Brunswick will resume efforts to implement a new industrial carbon pricing system. The provincial government had previously paused its work on carbon pricing due to uncertainty over federal climate policy direction during the election campaign.

With the election resolved, Holt stated that the province can now move forward to align its industrial carbon pricing with national climate policies. New Brunswick’s current output-based pricing system, established by the previous government, sets annual emissions reduction targets for the province’s 15 largest emitters, requiring a 2% annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions until 2030. Last year, the province collected $18 million in industrial carbon tax revenue-$12.8 million from the electricity sector and $6.4 million from industry-which is earmarked for emissions-reduction projects.

Critics, including Green Party Leader David Coon, have called for the province to broaden the coverage of its carbon pricing system so that more than the current 10% of emissions are priced, with the goal of eventually covering 100% of industrial emissions.

🏫 Education

New Brunswick Community College Cuts 66 Positions

The New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) is reducing its workforce by 66 positions, representing about 6% of its staff, to ensure long-term sustainability. The primary reason for these cuts is a significant decline in international student enrollment, which has dropped by 800-900 students due to recent federal immigration policy changes that limit the number of international student visas.

NBCC President and CEO Mary Butler explained that most of the position reductions were accomplished through attrition and non-renewal of contracts, with fewer than 10 actual layoffs. Several programs, including business and administrative professional programs, have been paused or cancelled. The decline in enrollment is expected to impact New Brunswick’s workforce, as the province faces approximately 130,000 job openings over the next decade, mainly due to retirements. NBCC has requested a $4-million increase in its annual operating grant from the province to help address the financial gap.

School District Budget Redirections Lead to Layoffs

New Brunswick’s provincial school districts have been directed to reallocate $43 million in their budgets, with the goal of redirecting funds “back into the classroom.” As a result, several districts have announced layoffs, particularly affecting library workers. For example, the Anglophone West School District is eliminating 32 library service worker positions as part of a $9.26 million budget reduction. Only eight schools in the district will not be affected by these cuts, either due to partnerships with the provincial library service or because they did not have library workers.

The layoffs have raised concerns about the impact on educational resources and student support. Education Minister Claire Johnson has defended the funding redirections as necessary for “transformational change” in the education system. The provincial government has committed $200 million in its 2025-26 budget toward a $250-million education transformation plan, leaving a $50-million shortfall.

UNB President Appointed Chair of AAU

Dr. Paul Mazerolle, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of New Brunswick (UNB), has been appointed Chair of the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) for a two-year term. Dr. Mazerolle also serves on the AAU Executive Committee, Universities Canada’s National Board of Directors, and co-chairs the New Brunswick Public Universities and Colleges (NBPUC).

In his new role, Dr. Mazerolle will lead the AAU in advocating for Atlantic Canadian universities amid challenges such as federal restrictions on international student visas and the need for more student housing. He welcomed the federal government’s recent pledge of $2 billion in low-cost financing for new student housing and emphasized the importance of policies that improve access to funding for campus infrastructure and affordability.

🌱 Environment & Infrastructure

Province-Wide Recycling Program Expansion

New Brunswick has expanded its extended producer responsibility (EPR) program to offer curbside recycling to over 20,000 additional households, including multi-family residences and schools. The expansion is being rolled out in two phases: the first phase began May 1, 2025, covering the Northwest, Restigouche, Fundy, Southwest, Capital, and Western Valley regions; the second phase will begin November 1, 2025, covering the Chaleur, Acadian Peninsula, Miramichi, Kent, Southeast, and Kings regions.

This initiative, managed by Circular Materials, a not-for-profit producer responsibility organization, aims to increase recycling accessibility and sustainability. The program is available at no cost to residents and property owners/managers and includes 14 of the province’s 15 First Nation communities. Municipalities such as Fredericton have passed bylaws to encourage participation. The program provides outdoor collection bins, promotional materials, and educational resources to support effective recycling practices. The expansion is intended to promote sustainability and inclusivity across the province.

💰 Economy & Business

Gas Prices Slightly Increase in New Brunswick

Gasoline prices in New Brunswick increased by nearly six cents overnight, reaching $1.49 per litre, according to the Energy and Utilities Board’s regular price adjustment. This rise contrasts with decreases in neighbouring provinces: Nova Scotia’s gas prices fell by 6.2 cents to 143.1 cents per litre, and Prince Edward Island’s prices dropped by 2.5 cents, with regular self-serve now ranging from 145.6 to 146.7 cents per litre.

The recent increase in New Brunswick follows a significant price drop earlier in the week when the carbon price was removed, which temporarily reduced gasoline and diesel prices by 20 and nearly 25 cents per litre, respectively. Diesel prices in New Brunswick decreased by one cent to $1.60 per litre, while home heating oil prices remained unchanged at $1.50 per litre. The New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board adjusts fuel prices every Friday at 12:01 a.m.