The New Brunswick Liberal government is ready to get its mandate started, according to Premier Susan Holt.
In a scrum with reporters, Holt confirmed she would repeal 84-20, which limits abortions in the province. It was something, she explained, is first on the agenda of the first caucus meeting scheduled for Nov. 4.
“We have partners that want to be involved, and a lot of people who’ve done a lot of hard work for that to come to fruition,” she said. “We’re looking at the best ways to include people and communicate that change to the (public).
Abortion access in New Brunswick has been restricted to hospitals – including particular hospitals. Medication-based and surgical abortions are only available in Moncton and Bathurst.
Medication abortions are available in Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton at some community health centres. A medication abortion can be performed up to 10 or 11 weeks, while a surgical abortion can be performed up to 14 weeks.
It can cost between $400 to $3,000 to access an abortion without medicare.
Advocates have long criticized the inequitable access to abortion services in New Brunswick – including under both previous Liberal and Progressive Conservative governments.
The federal government has clawed back health transfers for prior governments’ refusal to expand access to abortion services.
Fiscal reform interim measure
Fiscal reform has been something municipalities have been asking for since the province amalgamated many areas – and downloaded more responsibilities onto it.
On Saturday, Holt said the interim measure could take some time.
“An interim measure is something that we need to figure out within the cycle up to the next budget,” she said speaking to reporters on Saturday. “So, it’s going to take a little bit of time to work out what we’re doing for the long term and what we can do in the interim.”
Grand Manan Mayor Bonnie Morse was at the swearing ceremony viewing party at the Fredericton Convention Centre – there, she said, to be part of witnessing history.
She also said she hoped that municipal reform was top of mind for the new government.
A rent cap is coming
Holt has also promised to move quickly on a rent cap in the province, which is experiencing a significant housing crisis and a continued growing number of people experiencing homelessness.
“The rent cap is going to move quickly,” she said. “The legislative session starts on the 19th of November, and it’s going to run through (the) 13th of December.”
A rent cap – which places a limit on how much landlords can increase rents – was in place temporarily by the previous PC government, but was removed over perceived concerns it could hinder development in the province.
Holt said the government hopes to have the rent cap in place by Feb. 1.
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