Environment
The Higgs Conservatives have failed to leverage innovation and sector expertise to protect our beautiful province, especially our forests, coastlines, and waterways. We are at a turning point. With the increased frequency of extreme weather events and hotter summers, not enough is being done to protect people and our environment.
Our government will adopt a collaborative approach with municipalities, Regional Service Commissions, not-for-profit organizations, First Nations, and industry to create local solutions to combat climate change and nature loss

A Holt Government will:
- Update the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act to guarantee that everyone in New Brunswick has the right to clean air and water.
• Our government will require that all new schools, hospitals, long-term care homes, and other public buildings have modern air filtration, heating, and cooling systems, following ASHRAE 241. For existing infrastructure, we will add suitable air filtration and cooling units. - Provide New Brunswick residents 25% off the cost of provincial park passes to encourage exercise and spending time outdoors.
- Work with communities to increase active transportation infrastructure, including walking and cycling trails, to build healthier communities.
- Increase support for home energy retrofits, free heat pump program, and introduce a provincial program for solar retrofits.
- Ensure all government buildings are net zero and that our vehicle fleet, including school buses, are electrified by 2035.
- Increase our conservation lands and waters from 10 percent to 15 percent and work with communities, First Nations, and experts to develop a plan to reach 30 percent.
- Review and update our emergency preparedness plan for dealing with the increasing number of extreme climate change-related weather events.
- Implement a coastal erosion plan to protect communities.
- Investigate alternatives to pesticide and herbicide use and re-evaluate the safety of glyphosate with new and comprehensive data specific to New Brunswick.
- Implement the recommendations of the Legislative Assembly’s all-party Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship to increase restrictions on pesticide and herbicide use, including examining the banning of aerial spraying.