News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The standing committee on climate change and environmental stewardship, an all-party committee of the legislative assembly, has developed an action plan to guide its work throughout 2025 and 2026.

The plan will focus on reviewing past findings, engaging with First Nations, key departments and stakeholders, and strengthening legislative frameworks around environmental policy.

“The plan adopted today represents a balanced and forward-looking approach to environmental stewardship in New Brunswick,” said Shediac-Cap-Acadie MLA and committee chair Jacques LeBlanc. “The work of the standing committee will be crucial in ensuring evidence-based decision-making and policies that are grounded in expert input, reflective of the realities we face today, and take into account the challenges we expect to see in the future.”

During 2025, the committee will be engaging with First Nations and key stakeholders to discuss gaps, concerns, opportunities and challenges regarding the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. The committee will then issue a report to the legislative assembly with recommendations based on what it heard.

In 2026, the committee will receive an update from relevant departments on the implementation status of previous recommendations concerning the use of pesticides and herbicides. It will also engage with experts, including representatives from Health Canada, to provide scientific and regulatory insights.

With the government’s current climate change action plan set to conclude in 2027, the committee will engage with relevant departments, including Environment and Local Government, for an update. It is expected the committee may then engage with various stakeholders and recommend areas of focus for consideration in the new climate change action plan.

“By grounding our work in past recommendations, current strategy reviews and meaningful engagement with First Nations, stakeholders and experts, we aim to contribute constructively to a healthier and more sustainable future for our province,” said LeBlanc.

In addition to LeBlanc, members of the committee are vice-chair and Moncton Northwest MLA Tania Sodhi; Government House Leader Marco LeBlanc; Dieppe-Memramcook MLA Natacha Vautour; Saint John West-Lancaster MLA Kate Wilcott; Natural Resources Minister John Herron; Environment and Climate Change Minister Gilles LePage; Fredericton-York MLA Ryan Cullins; Miramichi East MLA Michelle Conroy; Riverview MLA Rob Weir; and Tantramar MLA Megan Mitton.