NB: The Political Panel

Use the links below to download a file.

Dec. 13: Handling a ballooning budget for the Francophonie Games

The proposed budget for the 2021 Francophonie Games is Moncton and Dieppe is coming under increased scrutiny. What should be done with the international event? PC cabinet minister Robert Gauvin, Liberal MLA Roger Melanson, Green Party Leader David Coon and People's Alliance MLA Rick DeSaulnier join the weekly CBC political panel.

Download Dec. 13: Handling a ballooning budget for the Francophonie Games
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Nov. 29: Is it time for an all-party women's caucus in the legislature?

What has happened to the idea of an all-party women's caucus in the New Brunswick legislature? PC MLA Andrea Anderson-Mason, Liberal Monique LeBlanc, Green MLA Megan Mitton and People's Alliance MLA Michelle Conroy joined the CBC New Brunswick political panel.

Download Nov. 29: Is it time for an all-party women's caucus in the legislature?
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Nov. 23: Dissecting the Higgs government's throne speech

Premier Blaine Higgs has unveiled his minority government's throne speech, so what does it tell New Brunswickers' about his priorities. PC cabinet minister Dominic Cardy, Liberal MLA Robert McKee, Green MLA Megan Mitton joined the political panel.

Download Nov. 23: Dissecting the Higgs government's throne speech
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Nov. 8: What will be in the Higgs government's throne speech?

Blaine Higgs and the Progressive Conservatives are poised to form a minority government. What will be in the new government's throne speech as the PCs try to avoid defeat? PC MLA Jeff Carr, Liberal MLA Robert McKee, Green Leader David Coon and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the weekly political panel.

Download Nov. 8: What will be in the Higgs government's throne speech?
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Nov. 1: What should be the legislature's top priorities?

The Liberal minority government faces a crucial confidence vote on Friday. Once the confidence question is answered, what are the most urgent legislative priorities facing the New Brunswick government? Liberal MLA Robert McKee, PC MLA Dominic Cardy and Green Party Leader David Coon debated their top agenda items in the New Brunswick Political Panel.

Download Nov. 1: What should be the legislature's top priorities?
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Oct. 25: Parties haggle over Liberal government's throne speech

Premier Brian Gallant's minority government unveiled its throne speech this week, packed with commitments intended to win support from other political parties. Liberal MLA Robert McKee, PC MLA Mary Wilson, Green Leader David Coon and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the weekly panel./

Download Oct. 25: Parties haggle over Liberal government's throne speech
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Oct. 12: Getting ready for legalized cannabis in New Brunswick

Cannabis will be legalized on Oct. 17 and New Brunswickers will be able to go into a government-run store and purchase it on Wednesday. How is New Brunswick getting ready for the new reality of legalized cannabis? Liberal Cathy Rogers, Ross Wetmore of the Progressive Conservatives, Michelle Conroy of the People's Alliance and Megan Mitton of the Greens joined the CBC Political Panel.

Download Oct. 12: Getting ready for legalized cannabis in New Brunswick
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Oct. 4: Getting to know three newly-elected MLAs

The CBC New Brunswick Political Panel is back with the first podcast since the minority government was elected on Sept. 24. CBC host Terry Seguin interviews Liberal Jean-Claude D'Amour, PC Dominic Cardy and Green Kevin Arsenault to discuss the election, life in a minority government and the uncertainty surrounding the next government

Download Oct. 4: Getting to know three newly-elected MLAs
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Aug. 2: Does New Brunswick need an independent patient advocate?

This week the panel debates whether New Brunswick needs an independent patient advocate. A group who has the ability to investigate complaints from New Brunswickers about the treatment they get from people working in the healthcare system. Liberal Benoît Bourque, Progressive Conservative Jeff Car, Green Party Leader David Coon, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and the People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin.

Download Aug. 2: Does New Brunswick need an independent patient advocate?
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July 26: Parties haggle over economic outlook as election campaign nears

The province's first-quarter budget results were released this week showing the debt is growing. It's the final set of budget numbers before the election campaign starts next month. Liberal cabinet minister Roger Melanson, PC Leader Blaine Higgs, Green Leader David Coon, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenize and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the weekly political panel.

Download July 26: Parties haggle over economic outlook as election campaign nears
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July 23: Changing the rules on cross-border beer sales

Provinces are loosening the rules on how much alcohol individuals can bring across provincial borders. This comes after New Brunswick challenged the so-called free-the-beer case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. Liberal Roger Melanson, Progressive Conservative Jeff Carr, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the panel to discuss what the changes proposed by premiers could mean to Canadians.

Download July 23: Changing the rules on cross-border beer sales
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July 12: Are the wave of funding announcements tied to the election?

Premier Brian Gallant and his cabinet ministers have been appearing across the province, making an array of government announcements. The premier has said there is no connection between these announcements and the upcoming election. But Gallant's political opponents don't agree. Liberal Roger Melanson, Progressive Conservative candidate Dominic Cardy, Green Party Leader David Coon, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the panel.

Download July 12: Are the wave of funding announcements tied to the election?
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July 5: Health minister defends the Medavie Health Services gag order

A national union is criticizing an agreement with the New Brunswick government and Medavie Health Services that prohibits workers from bring issues with the service to the media. Health Minister Benoit Bourque is defending the restriction being put on employees. PC MLA Carl Urquhart, Green Party candidate Marilyn Merritt-Gray and NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie are saying the provision is unacceptable, considering public funds are paying for the service.

Download July 5: Health minister defends the Medavie Health Services gag order
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June 22: Refocusing WorksSafe NB after auditor general's report

Auditor General Kim MacPherson's latest report is raising questions about the performance of WorkSafe NB. Opposition parties are calling for WorkSafe NB to do its work as an independent board and allow the focus to be returned to helping injured workers. Liberal Roger Melanson, PC Ernie Steeves, NDP Leader Jennifer MacKenzie and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the political panel.

Download June 22: Refocusing WorksSafe NB after auditor general's report
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June 14: Auditor general slams province for continuing fiscal decline

Auditor General Kim MacPherson is growing impatient with the province's bleak debt picture. Liberal cabinet minister Roger Melanson, PC Leader Blaine Higgs, Green Party Leader David Coon, NDP candidate Jean-Maurice Landry and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the weekly panel.

Download June 14: Auditor general slams province for continuing fiscal decline
[mp3 file: runs 00:56:05]

June 7: Public health office changes spark concern

A group of Fredericton doctors is sounding the alarm about the state of public health in New Brunswick ahead of September's provincial election. Liberal Health Minister Benoit Bourque, PC MLA Brian Macdonald, Green Leader David Coon and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the panel.

Download June 7: Public health office changes spark concern
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May 24: Are politicians sitting in the legislature enough?

The Gallant government has spent fewer sitting days in the legislature than its two predecessors, but does that matter? Would New Brunswickers be better off if politicians sat in the Legislative Assembly more throughout a mandate? Liberal cabinet minister Lisa Harris, PC MLA Bruce Fitch, Green Party Leader David Coon, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and People’s Alliance Leader Kris Austin discuss those questions in the CBC Political Panel.

Download May 24: Are politicians sitting in the legislature enough?
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May 18: What can be done to keep tuition affordable in New Brunswick?

The University of New Brunswick's recent proposal to hike tuition rates has sparked a debate over what can be done to keep tuition rates affordable. Liberal Roger Melanson, the minister of post-secondary education, PC Brian Macdonald, Green candidate Amanda Wildeman and NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie joined the weekly panel.

Download May 18: What can be done to keep tuition affordable in New Brunswick?
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May 10: How should New Brunswick respond to the 2018 flood?

New Brunswick is still cleaning up from the destructive 2018 flood. Liberal Bill Fraser, PC Leader Blaine Higgs, Green Party Leader David Coon, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and People’s Alliance Leader Kris Austin discuss the lessons that can be learned from the 2018 flood. The political panel discusses flood compensation and whether the province was prepared for the disaster.

Download May 10: How should New Brunswick respond to the 2018 flood?
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May 3: Should the shale gas moratorium be lifted?

The contentious shale gas issue was reopened when PC Leader Blaine Higgs said he'd lift the moratorium in sections of the province. Should the shale gas debate be revisited? Liberal Serge Rousselle, Progressive Conservative MLA Jeff Carr, Green Party candidate Megan Mitton, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin join the CBC Political Panel.

Download May 3: Should the shale gas moratorium be lifted?
[mp3 file: runs 00:55:16]

April 26: Can politics be removed from paving in New Brunswick?

The decision to twin a section of Route 11 is again raising questions about whether politics influences decisions about roadwork in New Brunswick. Liberal Bill Fraser, the transportation minister, Progressive Conservative Jeff Carr, Green Party candidate Marilyn Merritt-Gray, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and People’s Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the weekly panel.

Download April 26: Can politics be removed from paving in New Brunswick?
[mp3 file: runs 00:48:26]

April 19: Opposition parties grill Liberals over vision for nursing home plan

As the Liberals slowly roll out their five-year nursing home plan, opposition parties are left with more questions than answers about the overall vision. Liberal cabinet minister Lisa Harris, PC MLA Brian Macdonald, Green Party Leader David Coon, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin join the weekly CBC New Brunswick Political Panel.

Download April 19: Opposition parties grill Liberals over vision for nursing home plan
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April 12: Harassment allegations against Chris Collins spur debate over policy

The Political Panel discuss the fallout from the allegations of harassment against Speaker Chris Collins. Liberal Serge Rousselle, PC Ted Flemming, Green Leader David Coon, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austen joined the weekly panel.

Download April 12: Harassment allegations against Chris Collins spur debate over policy
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March 15: Can New Brunswick tighten its MLA conflict-of-interest laws without going too far?

The Political Panel debated whether stronger legislation for MLAs was needed after the release of Integrity Commissioner Alexandre Deschênes's annual report. Liberal cabinet minister Serge Rousselle, PC MLA Sherry Wilson, Green Party Leader David Coon, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the debate.

Download March 15: Can New Brunswick tighten its MLA conflict-of-interest laws without going too far?
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March 8: Political parties spar over future of rural New Brunswick

The Political Panel debated the issues facing rural New Brunswickers after Hartland residents learned this week the village's only bank was closing. Liberal Andrew Harvey, the province's minister of rural affairs, PC Jeff Carr, Green Party Leader David Coon, NDP Leader Jennifer MacKenzie and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the panel.

Download March 8: Political parties spar over future of rural New Brunswick
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March 1: Future of rural ferries divides political parties

The Political Panel examines the future of rural ferries in New Brunswick. Liberal Bill Fraser, the province's transportation minister, PC Ross Wetmore, Green Party Leader David Coon, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the weekly debate.

Download March 1: Future of rural ferries divides political parties
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Why did the Liberals offer a financial rescue package to Saint John?

The Political Panel debates the "new deal" for Saint John and whether other municipalities can count on similar packages? Liberal cabinet minister Bill Fraser, PC MLA Bruce Fitch, Green Leader David Coon and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin join CBC host Terry Seguin.

Download Why did the Liberals offer a financial rescue package to Saint John?
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Feb 15: Does New Brunswick’s child protection system need a massive overhaul?

On the heels of a court case that exposed the unsanitary living conditions of five children in Saint John, the Political Panel discusses what needs to be done with the province’s child protection system. Calls for an overhaul of the system are punctuated by calls for the minister of Families and Children to resign and a discussion about a lack of funding for social workers. Progressive Conservative Dorothy Shepherd, Green Party Leader David Coon, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin join the panel.

Download Feb 15: Does New Brunswick’s child protection system need a massive overhaul?
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Jan. 11: Will the Medavie deal survive the next election and can taxpayers cash in on the deal?

The Political Panel continues to debate the controversial Medavie deal to control extra-mural health. The political parties are divided on what should happen to the deal after the election and whether there is a chance New Brunswickers can get a cut from

Download Jan. 11: Will the Medavie deal survive the next election and can taxpayers cash in on the deal?
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Jan. 4: Liberals defend Medavie deal over extramural care (Replay)

The Gallant government has been defending its contentious deal with Medavie to take over management of the extramural program. This is a replay of the Nov. 16 Political Panel that dug into the controversial contract.

Download Jan. 4: Liberals defend Medavie deal over extramural care (Replay)
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