We are kicking off the summer by officially opening the Fundy Connector! This infrastructure project provides a vital link between major tourism attractions along the beautiful Fundy coastline and will expand tourism opportunities throughout the Fundy Coastal Region.

This project has been years in the making and will provide enormous tourism benefits for our riding, as well as the province as a whole.

Canada Community Building Fund

The Canada Community Building Fund, formerly known as the Gas Tax Fund, is a permanent source of federal funding for infrastructure investments. Projects within the Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins riding recently benefitting from this funding include the following:

Central Kings Recreation Centre - $247,000 for ballfield improvements

Waterford Community Centre - $9,643 to replace roofing and improve building entrance

Beginning in June, families with preschool-aged children at designated New Brunswick early learning centres and homes experienced an average 50% reduction of out-of-pocket fees.

From a women's equality perspective, this agreement will ensure women can actively participate in the workforce and help grow our population and our economy. And most importantly, children will be given the chance to have the very best start to education.

With high inflation over the past year, it is clear to our government that there is a need to address the high tax burden in New Brunswick. As part of this year's budget, we are increasing the basic personal amount tax credit to $11,720. The low-income tax reduction threshold is also increasing to $19,177. 

 These changes will provide an estimated $40 million in personal income tax relief for 2022, benefitting approximately 400,000 taxpayers.

Our government is partnering with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) on two initiatives related to nursing programs. The first will see the Nurse Practitioner program double from 10 seats to 20.

Additionally, UNB is developing a curriculum of specialized theory and clinical courses that will allow 21 students across nursing programs to specialize in mental health each year, preparing them to respond to mental health issues. The specialization will be added for September 2022. 

Our government is proud to support these crucial additions with $1.48 million in funding over two years.

Our government recognizes the importance of making post-secondary education more affordable. That is why beginning this Fall, the interest rate on student loans issued by the provincial government will be eliminated.

This change will benefit 65,000 existing borrowers, as well as future New Brunswick post-secondary students.

It was exciting to see the hockey world turn their attention to New Brunswick when the  Memorial Cup was held in Saint John in June. What a bonus that our Sea Dogs were crowned CHL champions! Hosting one of the most prestigious hockey championships was a tremendous opportunity to invite the players’ family and friends to New Brunswick. After having experienced all we have to offer, I am sure they will want to return in the near future. 

With one successful major tournament in the bag, we can now turn our attention to the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship being held in Moncton and Halifax over the Christmas holidays. It is an amazing year for sports in New Brunswick! 

The Road Ahead is a 3-Year Capital Investment Plan that outlines how the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure plans to build, repair and maintain our province’s transportation network. It identifies which projects are planned, when they are planned and the overall expected investments. As part of the development of this plan, New Brunswickers, elected officials and Municipalities were consulted. 

In 2022-2023 alone, over 15 infrastructure projects are earmarked for our riding. Planned projects in your area can be viewed using the interactive online map, which you can reach by clicking the button below.

Sexual violence toward anyone has a devastating impact, not only on victims and the people who love them, but on the sense of security we all feel. As a community, we have a responsibility to dispel myths, challenge stereotypes and create a respectful environment for everyone to thrive in safety.

As Minister responsible for Women's Equality, I was proud to announce our government's investment of $1 million annually in community-based sexual violence services.

What a relief it was to finally see our graduates walk across the stage to a full crowd of friends and family watching their special moment. Graduation is such an important time to recognize and celebrate in the lives of our youth.  

Congratulations to the 21 graduates of the Sussex Christian School’s class of 2022. What an impressive group of students. I was happy to join Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore and the parents and friends of these graduates in their celebration last month at Kingswood University. 

To the 161 graduates of Sussex Regional High School, congratulations on all of your many accomplishments throughout a very challenging last few years of your high school lives. I am confident that you will all face the next challenges that lie ahead with determination and find success in wherever life takes you.