Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Nouveau-Brunswick 45e 4e Discours du trône 22 mars1966 M. John Babbitt McNair Lieutenant-Gouverneur PL It is my esteemed privilege and pleasure, as Administrator of the Government of the Province of New Brunswick, to extend greetings to you on this opening day of the fourth session of the Forty-Fifth Legislative Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick. It is a source of deep regret for all our people that His Honour Lieutenant-Governor John B. McNair, Q. C., is suffering illness and unable to preside at these opening ceremonies. We pray that Divine Providence may grant His Honour an early and complete recovery. Our devotion and loyalty to Her Most Excellent Majesty Elizabeth II remain constant as she continues to lead the hearts and minds of all who love and seek peace throughout the Commonwealth. We pray for the safety and success of the members of our armed forces who now serve the cause of peace and human freedom in so many distant parts of the world. We stand on the eve of celebrations that will mark the centennial of Confederation. It is well to note, at this time in our history, that Confederation was realized out of a need for unity of strength and purpose against armed threats to our continued existence as a nation. Canada has since evolved to become one of the great nations of the world. My government is dedicated to the development and strengthening of this province as one of the integral and more vigorous parts of our nation. As one of the four original partners in Confederation we look forward to most active participation in the centennial celebrations of next year. My government is pleased to note that the flag of the province of New Brunswick, which was activated last year, has come into wide and proud usage throughout the province. Some months ago, Judge J. Bacon Dickson, one of our most respected jurists, retired from office, leading to the appointment to the county court of Judge Charles J.A. Hughes. The past year has been one of exceptional activity in federal-provincial relations, with many conferences at the ministerial and official levels. Much progress has been achieved in joint planning that will enhance the practical development of both human and natural resources throughout the nation, with particular attention being directed to underdeveloped areas. Major projects with far-reaching objectives in rural redevelopment are in the advanced planning stages for a large area surrounding the Mactaquac hydroelectric development and a larger area along the north-eastern coast, encompassing the county of Gloucester and parts of the counties of Northumberland and Restigouche. These will serve as massive pilot projects for Canada and it is anticipated that the major share of costs involved will be borne by the federal authority. Encouraging progress is being achieved throughout the Atlantic area and is due in part to the practical measures being instituted by the provinces, with federal technical and financial assistance through the Atlantic Development Board and the Area Development Agency of the Department of Industry. Many further conferences will occur this year in the closer liaison that has developed in federal- provincial relations, including negotiations leading to new fiscal agreements between the provinces and the federal government. The provincial economy experienced its most buoyant year to date during 1965 and all indicators point to another record year in 1966. Among the many contributing factors are: A massive program of expansion of both thermal and hydroelectric plants that will double generating capacity by 1969, providing lower-cost industrial power. Strengthening of power transmission interconnections with utilities in adjoining jurisdictions and federal-provincial studies of the tidal power potential. A favourable climate for industrial investment, with a record total of over $400 million capital investment in plants and equipment during 1965. Major construction of public buildings, Trans-Canada, main trunk and other highways, with substantial financial participation by the federal authority, together with the start of construction on the huge Northumberland Strait Crossing project. A high level of investor confidence in the credit and future of our province, as evidenced by the favourable terms of sale of government debentures. Additional firm markets for agricultural products through expansion of food processing plants. Improved farm credit assistance and a federal-provincial adverse weather program of financial aid to livestock producers. The injection of many millions of private capital in the modernization and enlargement of the fishing fleet, cold storage and processing plants, resulting in another record year in both volume and value of catch. A dramatic expansion in the tourist industry, in consequence of much improved public accommodations, beach, camping and picnic facilities, and a well designed promotional program. Record mineral production, valued at $84 million in 1965, with new mines concentrators and a base metals smelter now being developed for active production. Continuing expansion of lumber, pulp and paper mills, in line with government policy, to encourage maximum utilization of the forest potential. The creation of provincial industrial parks to broaden the industrial base and encourage diversification in secondary manufacturing. Excellent labour-management relations, higher wage scales and rapidly increasing employment opportunities. Greatly improved educational and training programs and facilities to meet the ever-growing demands of an industrial economy for professionals, technicians and skilled tradesmen. All of these and many other factors lend encouragement and confidence to all who are striving to enhance the future of our province and raise the level of its economic activity to that enjoyed in the more prosperous areas of the nation. In November 1963 the Royal Commission on Finance and Municipal Taxation reported to my government. The report was made available for public scrutiny and consideration, particularly by municipal authorities. On March 4, 1965, at the last preceding session, my government tabled a White Paper on the Responsibilities of Government which took into account its consideration of the recommendations of the report and the many submissions that had been later received. It established the principles on which my government would base its policies and programs of reform in the whole field of provincial-municipal administration. Upon resumption of the legislative session in November last, my government presented a policy statement which set forth its proposals for a new delineation of authority and responsibility in the administration and finance of provincial and municipal affairs. Legislative proposals were then introduced, in draft form, for necessary reforms, with particular attention to the essential areas of education, health, welfare, justice and local services. After wide debate in the Legislature and the receipt of numerous public submissions and representations for improvement of the legislation, the proposals, with the exception of the Assessment Act, were permitted to lapse at prorogation, in accordance with the expressed intention of my government. My government deeply appreciates the intense public interest that is being displayed and the many constructive suggestions that have been and are being made for improvement of its legislative program. My government will reintroduce the program for equal opportunity in revised legislative form, at this session, for your consideration. The basic principles of the program remain constant and are designed to ensure that an acceptable minimum level of services, particularly in education, health, welfare and justice, will be available to all citizens of the province, regardless of their ability to pay. My government will propose a revision of the standing rules to provide for the establishment of a standing committee on law amendments. Numerous other measures for the reform of the law and improvement of public services will be placed before you. These will include the revised Financial Administration Act, an Act dealing with Public Service Superannuation and Teachers, Pensions in relation to the Canada Pension Plan, legislation to establish a federal-provincial plan of crop insurance and provision for a new rural credit and land use program under the federal-provincial ARDA agreement. The Public Accounts for the fiscal period ending the 31st day of March 1965, a statement of estimated revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year and the estimates for the coming fiscal year also will be submitted to you. I now leave you to your task, confident of your high resolve and with the prayer that Divine Providence may guide your efforts to improve our province and advance the interests of all our people.