NB: The Political Panel

Use the links below to download a file.

July 25: Summer special: Fixing New Brunswick's healthcare system

When New Brunswickers are asked what issues are important to them, the health system is often at the top of the list. There are concerns about costs, wait times and access to physicians and other healthcare professionals. Former Liberal health minister Michael Murphy and Ken McGeorge, a consultant and former healthcare administrator, joined the CBC Political Panel to share their views on the system's ills and the potential remedies.

Download July 25: Summer special: Fixing New Brunswick's healthcare system
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July 22: Summer special: How can New Brunswick attract more immigrants?

New Brunswick’s population is facing a demographic challenge: the population is getting older and many young people are choosing to move away. Immigration is one way to solve this problem. But is the province doing enough to attract and keep newcomers in the province? Kjeld-Mizpah Conyers Steede, Mohamed Khirallah, Donghyun Kim and Anthony Njoku joined the CBC New Brunswick Political Panel.

Download July 22: Summer special: How can New Brunswick attract more immigrants?
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July 12: Summer special: What can be done to make municipal politics more diverse?

A Fredericton councillor recently came forward to say the atmosphere at city hall can be toxic. What can be done to improve the gender diversity in municipal politics? Fredericton Coun. Kate Rogers, Joanne Wright, a political scientist at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John, and Leah Levac, a former Fredericton city councillor and an assistant professor at the University of Guelph, joined a special summer edition of the panel.

Download July 12: Summer special: What can be done to make municipal politics more diverse?
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July 8: Summer special: Are New Brunswickers getting diversity of opinion in news coverage?

Media concentration is perennial topic of conversation in New Brunswick considering the Irving company’s ownership of all English-language daily newspapers. Several parliamentary reports have examined the media concentration issue in the province over the years. Nicole O’Byrne, a UNB law professor, Gordon Black, a former CUPE director Gordon Black and Duncan Matheson, a former journalist and communications strategist, joined the CBC New Brunswick Political Panel. This is an edited version of the political panel.

Download July 8: Summer special: Are New Brunswickers getting diversity of opinion in news coverage?
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June 28: Summer special: What is the state of the province from a citizen’s perspective?

The CBC New Brunswick Political Panel is launching a special summer series of podcasts that focuses on political issues but without politicians. This podcast digs into the state of the province from the perspective of three citizens, Katie Davey, Travis Daley and Symone Jennings.

Download June 28: Summer special: What is the state of the province from a citizen’s perspective?
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June 20: What’s the fallout from the auditor general’s report into the Saint John bailout package?

The former Liberal government extended a $22.8-million bailout package to Saint John. Auditor General Kim MacPherson latest report says that represented “excessive risk” to taxpayers. PC Finance Minister Ernie Steeves, Green Party MLA Kevin Arseneau and People’s Alliance Rick DeSaulniers debated the fallout from the AG’s report.

Download June 20: What’s the fallout from the auditor general’s report into the Saint John bailout package?
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June 13: The shale gas debate is revived in New Brunswick

The Higgs government has given shale gas development the green light in the Sussex area and that has revived the debate over natural resource development. PC Energy Minister Mike Holland, Liberal MLA Benoit Bourque and Green Party Leader David Coon joined the discussion in the CBC New Brunswick Political Panel.

Download June 13: The shale gas debate is revived in New Brunswick
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May 16: What should be done with NB Power's hydrogen venture?

Opposition MLAs want NB Power and the provincial government to answer questions surrounding the utility's venture with a U.S. company, claiming it has breakthrough clean-energy technology. PC cabinet minister Mike Holland, Liberal MLA Benoit Bourque, Green Party Leader David Coon and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the weekly political panel.

Download May 16: What should be done with NB Power's hydrogen venture?
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May 9: Assessing the Higgs government's first six months

Premier Blaine Higgs has been in power for six months now and the political parties are offering their own assessment of how the minority government is working and how long it may last. PC cabinet minister Dominic Cardy, Liberal Roger Melason and Green Party Leader David Coon joined the CBC New Brunswick Political Panel.

Download May 9: Assessing the Higgs government's first six months
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May 2: Can the Trans-Canada Highway be flood-proofed?

A section of the Trans-Canada Highway was closed again this year because of a major flood in southern New Brunswick. This is the second time in two years the highway has been closed and forced drivers to take a 90-kilometre detour. Is it time to discuss ways to flood-proof the Trans-Canada Highway? PC Transportation Minister Bill Oliver, Liberal MLA Roger Melanson, Green MLA Kevin Arseneau and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the CBC New Brunswick Political Panel.

Download May 2: Can the Trans-Canada Highway be flood-proofed?
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April 4: Should government help people reduce their carbon footprint?

There has been significant attention paid to carbon taxes lately. What measures, if any, should the New Brunswick government implement to help people reduce carbon their carbon footprint? Environment Minister Jeff Carr, Liberal Cathy Rogers and Green Party Leader David Coon joined the weekly political panel.

Download April 4: Should government help people reduce their carbon footprint?
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March 28: New Brunswick begins to feel the impact of the carbon tax

The federal carbon tax comes into force on April 1 but New Brunswickers are getting ready to see the biggest impact. Why is that? Progressive Conservative Environment Minister Jeff Car, Liberal MLA Cathy Rogers, Green Party Leader David Coon and People's Alliance MLA Rick DeSaulniers joined the weekly political panel.

Download March 28: New Brunswick begins to feel the impact of the carbon tax
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March 21: Dissecting the Higgs government's first budget

Finance Minister Ernie Steeves delivered the Higgs government's first budget this week and the CBC New Brunswick government debated the financial plan. Finance Minister Ernie Steeves, Liberal MLA Roger Melanson, People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin and Green MLA Kevin Arseneau joined the panel.

Download March 21: Dissecting the Higgs government's first budget
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March 14: Should nursing home workers have the right to strike?

The province's 4,100 nursing home workers are in the embroiled in a contract dispute with the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes. The union and the provincial government are also fighting over whether the nursing home workers can go on strike. Liberal MLA Jean-Claude D'Amours, Green Party Leader David Coon and People's Alliance MLA Rick DeSaulniers discussed the dispute. The Progressive Conservatives did not send a representative to the panel.

Download March 14: Should nursing home workers have the right to strike?
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Feb. 28: Should NB Liquor and Cannabis NB be privatized?

The People's Alliance is pushing for the privatization of NB Liquor and Cannabis NB. How would this work and why should it be done? People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin, Liberal MLA Roger Melanson and Green Party MLA Kevin Arseneau debate the idea on the CBC New Brunswick Political Panel.

Download Feb. 28: Should NB Liquor and Cannabis NB be privatized?
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Feb. 21: What's the future of the province's mental health centre?

How should the New Brunswick government deal with the scathing report from the province's ombud detailing patient mistreatment and inadequate care at the Restigouche Health Centre? PC cabinet minister Dominic Cardy Liberal MLA Gilles Lepage, Green Leader David Coon and People's Alliance MLA Rick DeSaulniers joined the panel.

Download Feb. 21: What's the future of the province's mental health centre?
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Feb. 15: Province's role in dealing with homelessness

CBC New Brunwswick's political panel debates the provincial government's role in addressing homelessness. PC cabinet minister Dorothy Shephard, Liberal MLA Lisa Harris, Green Leader David Coon and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the panel.

Download Feb. 15: Province's role in dealing with homelessness
[mp3 file: runs 00:51:20]

Feb. 7: Did Blaine Higgs get the state of the province right?

CBC New Brunswick Political Panel breaks down parts of Blaine Higgs' state of the province speech on social assistance and the carbon tax. PC cabinet minister Dominic Cardy, Liberal MLA Roger Melanson, Green Party MLA Megan Mitton and People's Alliance MLA Michelle Conroy joined the panel.

Download Feb. 7: Did Blaine Higgs get the state of the province right?
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Jan. 31: New Brunswick cancels plans to host the Francophonie Games, so what's next?

The Progressive Conservative government announced it would cancel plans to host the 2021 Francophonie Games because of growing costs. Liberal MLA Monique LeBlanc, Green Party MLA Kevin Arseneau and People's Alliance MLA Rick DeSaulniers joined the weekly panel to discuss why the government made the decision and what is next?

Download Jan. 31: New Brunswick cancels plans to host the Francophonie Games, so what's next?
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Jan. 24: AG demands politicians keep hands off education, NB Power

Auditor General Kim MacPherson's latest report called for politicians to keep their hands off NB Power and from making constant changes to the education system. Can politicians resist? PC Finance Minister Ernie Steeves, Liberal MLA Roger Melanson and Green Party Leader David Coon joined the panel to discuss the auditor general's recommendations.

Download Jan. 24: AG demands politicians keep hands off education, NB Power
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Jan. 10: Does New Brunswick need a committee looking at bilingualism?

Edmundston Mayor Cyrille Simard believes New Brunswick needs a strategic commission looking at bilingualism. Is this needed? Education Minister Dominic Cardy, Liberal MLA Robert McKee, Green Leader David Coon and People's Alliance Kris Austin discuss Simard's idea in the latest political panel.

Download Jan. 10: Does New Brunswick need a committee looking at bilingualism?
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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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