2024 New Brunswick Provincial Election
It’s official: New Brunswickers will head to the polls on October 21, 2024 to vote in the next provincial election.
There are many issues at the top of mind for voters such as cost of living, access to healthcare, education, and affordable housing. We’re asking you to keep nature in mind alongside these crucial issues, and to see what the candidates have to say when it comes to implementing and upholding strong protections for the environment.
Take the Pledge!
FOR VOTERS
Take our pledge to vote for nature when you go to the polls on October 21. Share the pledge on social media to get your friends and family involved!
FOR CANDIDATES
If you’re running in the upcoming provincial election, take our pledge for candidates to let voters know that nature is a priority for you and your party.
The following candidates that have committed to protecting nature by taking our pledge:
How to Vote
Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Want to know where your returning office is? Need to register to vote by mail? Find the answers to these questions and more on the Elections NB website.
Make Your Vote a Vote for Nature
We sent a survey to Party Leaders to learn more about their plans to keep nature as a top priority. We encourage you to ask your local candidates the same questions when they come knocking.
As of September 16, 2024, we’ve received responses from: David Coon, Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick; Susan Holt, Leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Association; and Alex White, Leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party.
1. Protecting at least 30 percent of lands, freshwater, and ocean by 2030: Will you commit to this target, and what is your plan for achieving it?
Coon: Yes, a Green government is committed to developing an action plan in consultation with conservation groups, local governments, and First Nations to ensure that 30% of New Brunswick’s lands, freshwater, and ocean are permanently protected by 2030.
Holt: Nature protection and conservation were prioritized during our policy biennial in February 2024. Our members passed a resolution recognizing the risks facing New Brunswick’s environment including the impacts of climate change and the existing gaps in nature and wildlife protection, and committing to collaborating with experts and conservation groups to develop a plan to protect 30% of New Brunswick’s lands and water by 2030. As a first step we are promising to increase our conservation lands and waters from 10% to 15% during our first mandate, and to work with communities, First Nations, and experts to develop a plan to reach 30% that includes key climate-fighting ecosystems like wetlands, floodplains and marshes.
White: The NB NDP would commit to enacting protections for 30% of these habitats by 2030. We would look at the best processes currently used in various jurisdictions, including legislative, regulatory, and grassroots, and consult with experts to ensure that we protect and preserve the environment and natural resources for generations to come.
2. Investing in nature’s crucial role in fighting climate change: Will you commit to developing strong regulations that protect our coasts, wetlands, floodplains, old forests, eelgrass beds, and salt marshes?
Coon: Yes, the Green Party is committed to developing strong regulations that protect our coasts, wetlands, floodplains, old forests, eelgrass beds, and salt marshes. We will establish a Coastal Protection Authority to oversee and coordinate efforts to protect New Brunswick’s 2,250 km of coastline, ensuring a comprehensive and effective approach to conservation and climate resilience. Additionally, we will create a Climate Change Risk Reduction Fund to support necessary infrastructure investments that safeguard these vital ecosystems and vulnerable communities from flooding, coastal erosion, and extreme weather.
Holt: The impacts of climate change are hitting New Brunswick more than ever before and the challenges intersect with several different government departments’ priorities and policies. New Brunswickers deserve a sustainable, safe and clean environment. A Holt government will adopt a collaborative approach to leverage innovation and sector expertise to protect New Brunswickers, our forests, coastlines and waterways, working with municipalities, Regional Service Commissions, not-for-profit organizations, and First Nations to create local solutions to combat climate change and nature loss. This will include evaluating the Climate Change Action plan, recommendations from the Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship and existing regulations in order to identify and rectify gaps and protect key ecosystems including wetlands, floodplains, marshes, forests and coastlines. We will also implement a Coastal Erosion Plan to protect our communities.
White: We will indeed commit to developing a robust, strong regulatory framework to protect all of the biodiversity in our province, including the named biomes.
3. Supporting Indigenous-led nature conservation and climate planning: Will you commit to increasing investments and support for Indigenous-led conservation and the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas?
Coon: Yes, the Green Party is committed to increasing investments and support for Indigenous-led conservation initiatives and the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. By working closely with Indigenous communities and entering into partnership agreements with First Nations for the co-management and stewardship of Crown lands, we can ensure that their traditional knowledge and stewardship practices are integrated into our conservation efforts. This collaboration will strengthen our climate planning and enhance the protection of our natural landscapes, recognizing and respecting the crucial role Indigenous peoples play in preserving our environment.
Holt: A critical part of moving on environmental objectives is building trust with First Nations and valuing Indigenous knowledge across the province. Our party is committed to establishing relationships with First Nations based on respect and a nation-to-nation relationship with a shared understanding of treaty obligations and recognition of rights. We appreciate that building trust will take time and care and our engagement will be anchored in transparency, communication, collaboration and co-creation on all files, including conservation. We are committed to working with Indigenous-led groups to ensure alignment and achieve conservation and protection goals.
White: Once again, this is exactly something that the NBNDP would move towards. We seek partnership and expertise, and Indigenous-led conservation and protected areas is one way we can achieve that. This is an excellent idea!
4. Updating and implementing strong law and policy to protect wildlife and habitat: Will you commit to modernizing the policies, action plans, and laws that protect nature and ensure resilience in the face of climate change?
Coon: Yes, the Green Party is committed to modernizing the policies, action plans, and laws that protect wildlife and habitat to ensure resilience in the face of climate change. This involves updating existing regulations, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and integrating the latest scientific research to effectively safeguard our natural environment.
Holt: We are at a turning point when it comes to climate change and it is critical that we approach policies relating to the environment, conservation and wildlife protection to solve the problems of today, while having an eye on the future. Building resilience is key in the face of climate challenges. We have heard the experts stress the need to review policies in order to ensure relevance, clarity, appropriate management and risk mitigation. A Holt government will adopt, in collaboration with sector and community experts, the solutions necessary to combat and mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure our province remains resilient in the face of extreme weather events and changes. This will include updating the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act to guarantee that everyone has the right to and is able to access clean air and water in New Brunswick.
White: With the situation that climate change is bringing into our lives, which we see already, the policies and plans that are in place need to be updated and made safe and appropriate for the future. We can ensure to protect nature and ourselves, building a resilient system. We would absolutely commit to this.
As we receive answers from the other Party Leaders, we will update this post, so check back frequently.
Learn More About New Brunswick Government
Our partners at the Conservation Council of New Brunswick have created a resource for anyone interested in learning more about government in New Brunswick. On their new Provincial Civics 101 page, you can get introductions to civics, government, voting, and how getting involved can impact the environment.
