The Green Party envisions an economy that prioritizes meaningful, dignified livelihoods and vibrant communities within the Earth’s ecological limits. A thriving economy should uplift people, ensure fair and just livelihoods, and minimize its ecological footprint. Our approach rejects the sacrifice of environmental and public health for corporate profits.

We support local production and harness the creativity inherent in our communities to foster self-reliance. By empowering regions to drive their own development and supporting them with provincial policies and funding, we aim to build a sustainable and equitable economy that benefits all New Brunswickers.

Community Economic Development

The Green Party recognizes the vital role small businesses, social enterprises, and cooperatives can play in building resilient communities and local economies. We support empowering local entrepreneurs and fostering community-based development. By providing the right resources and policies, we can create jobs, boost local economies, and keep wealth within our communities, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable New Brunswick.

A Green government will:

• Establish a Department of Community and Rural Development with decentralized decision-making to support community-led regional development.
• Increase the market for locally produced goods and services by setting local procurement quotas for government departments and Crown Corporations.
• Reduce the small business tax rate to 1% and raise the income threshold from $500,000 to $700,000.

A Sustainable Economy 

The Green Party envisions an economy that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet. We are committed to building a sustainable economy that meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to thrive. By promoting renewable energy, local production, and responsible resource management, we aim to create a resilient and fair economic system that supports meaningful livelihoods while preserving the environment.

Greening Our Electricity System

The Green Party is committed to transitioning New Brunswick’s electricity system to a sustainable and resilient one. By prioritizing renewable energy, modernizing our grid, and promoting energy efficiency, we can reduce fossil fuel reliance, lower emissions, and create a cleaner environment. A Green government will ensure our electricity system meets current needs while safeguarding the future and making green energy accessible to all.

A Green government will: 

• Transform our electricity system to be 80% powered by renewable energy, supported by energy storage systems and a Smart Grid, by 2035.
• Eliminate the red tape that prevents home and property owners from readily accessing community-based and rooftop solar power.
• Enable municipalities and First Nation communities to power their operations with renewable energy by allowing them to use NB Power’s distribution lines. 
• Allocate the best wind energy sites in New Brunswick to public power developments that replace fossil fuel generation, ensuring that private companies do not monopolize these locations for hydrogen production. 

Greening Transportation 

With rising fuel costs, vehicle expenses, and the need to cut carbon emissions, investing in public transportation is a smart and necessary step for the well-being of our communities. A Green government will revive the New Brunswick Transportation Authority to develop and implement a comprehensive provincial public transportation strategy, ensuring accessible, efficient, and sustainable transit options for all.

A Green government will:

• Establish a provincial rapid rail network utilizing existing rail infrastructure to connect cities and regions within New Brunswick and neighbouring provinces.
• Support the expansion of bus service between and within regions and contribute to operational and marketing costs of city transit services to enhance convenience, accessibility, and reduce carbon emissions. 
• Allocate funds for infrastructure to link active transportation routes and trails across highways and watercourses, and across communities.  

Local Food Production

Our food system is highly vulnerable, with just 10% of the vegetables consumed in New Brunswick being locally produced. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of farms dropped by 18%, and only 7% of New Brunswick farmers are under 35. A Green government will prioritize farming and local food production to ensure access to affordable, nutritious, locally grown food.

A Green government will:

• Develop food import replacement strategies to increase food self-sufficiency.
• Set ambitious local procurement targets for public institutions, including hospitals, schools, universities, colleges, and long-term care homes, to prioritize locally grown and produced food.
• Provide financial assistance to remove barriers to small and medium-scale food production, processing, and distribution.
• Undertake an agricultural reform focusing on farm diversification and value-added processing in collaboration with farmers and their communities. 
• Provide income insurance and extension services to support farmers transitioning to ecological and regenerative farming practices that restore soil health, capture carbon, and reduce greenhouse gases.

Forestry, Wood Production and Nature Conservation

The Green Party is committed to sustainable forestry and wood production that maintains nature’s balance. Responsible forest management contributes to our economy and protects biodiversity and ecosystems. 

A Green government will:

• Negotiate a new framework for Crown lands management with First Nations, recognizing that the use of this land is governed by the Peace and Friendship Treaties, and it has never been ceded or surrendered.
• Enable community-based management of Crown land, in partnership with First Nations, by allocating access to Crown land to adjacent communities for economic and social purposes.
• Require ecologically-based forest management practices to end herbicide spraying, like glyphosate, and large-scale clearcutting of Crown Land.
• Restore private woodlots as the primary source of wood supply to mills.
• Implement a strategy to diversify the production of wood products from tree species expected to thrive in a rapidly warming climate.
• Develop an action plan with conservation groups, local governments and First Nations to ensure that at least 30% of the province is permanently protected by 2030. 

A Creative Economy

We are committed to supporting the arts, culture, and innovation as key drivers of our economy and community well-being. By investing in creative industries and fostering a culture of innovation, we aim to empower New Brunswickers to express themselves, share their stories, and contribute to a thriving and diverse cultural landscape.

Arts and Culture 

The Green Party values arts and culture as vital to community vibrancy and identity. We are committed to investing in and supporting creative expression to enrich lives, foster diverse perspectives, and strengthen social bonds. By ensuring resources for artists and cultural organizations, we aim to build a more inclusive and dynamic New Brunswick.

A Green government will:

• Enact legislation to establish a professional designation for artists.
• Provide stable, long-term funding to arts, heritage, and cultural organizations to foster New Brunswick’s talent and creativity. 
• Ensure stable funding for New Brunswick artists to expand their market in New Brunswick and beyond. 

Tourism

The Green Party aims to foster a vibrant tourism sector that highlights New Brunswick's natural beauty and cultural heritage. We commit to sustainable tourism practices that protect the environment, support local economies, and enhance visitor experiences. 

A Green government will:

• Invest in infrastructure to promote nature, history and cultural tourism, including a provincial network for interpreting natural protected areas and historically and culturally significant sites.  
• Support eco-tourism and active transportation by investing in cycling trails such as the completion of the Shore Line cycling trail between St. Stephen and Saint John and the Acadian Peninsula Veloroute.
• Develop a comprehensive Heritage Plan that prioritizes the preservation and celebration of New Brunswick’s rich historical and cultural assets such as covered bridges and lighthouses.