The political panel panelists talk about economic recovery for the province. Rob McKee for the Liberals, Kevin Arseneau for the Green Party, the Leader of the People's Alliance Kris Austin and New Brunswick's Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business, Opportunities NB, Immigration and Aboriginal Affairs, Arlene Dunn.

In this week's update from the all party committee on COVID-19, we address the decision to end the school year, concerns about testing and the PPE supply, and what to expect in the coming weeks. Premier Blaine Higgs, Liberal leader Kevin Vickers, Green Party Leader David Coon and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the weekly political panel to discuss the province's fight against COVID-19.

The CBC New Brunswick Political Panel brings together the province's four party leaders to discuss the response to the coronavirus pandemic and its economic impact.

The CBC New Brunswick Political Panel brings together the province's four party leaders to discuss the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

On this week's Political Panel, the impact COVID-19 will have on the New Brunswick budget forecast and the continuing possibility of a spring election. Host Terry Seguin is joined by Finance Minister Ernie Steeves, Liberal MLA Roger Melanson and Green Party Leader David Coon.

The province is launching a review of its classroom inclusion policy amid growing concerns of lack of education and resources for staff as well as instances of violence against teachers. But what should inclusion look like and what's the best model to serve all students and staff alike? Education Minister Dominic Cardy, Liberal MLA Chuck Chiasson, Green Leader David Coon and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin join the podcast this week.

The Liberal Party is threatening to force an election at the earliest opportunity over the now-aborted controversial health-care reforms. But is committing to topple the government in the best interest of the province and what would it mean for the New Brunswick health-care system? Progressive Conservative Health Minister Ted Flemming, Liberal MLA Benoit Bourque, Green Leader David Coon and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the podcast this week.

The announcement that overnight emergency room services will be cut in six rural hospitals sparked protests and political strife. This week, MLAs from the four political parties discuss the pros and cons of the reforms and the government's approach to changing health-care in New Brunswick. Progressive Conservative Health Minister Ted Flemming, Liberal MLA J.C. D'Amours, Green MLA Megan Mitton and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the podcast this week.

In a move to rein in budgetary spending, Ontario and Alberta are shifting to a performance-based funding model for public universities. Would this be a smart move in New Brunswick? Progressive Conservative Education Minister Dominic Cardy, Liberal MLA Roger Melanson, Green Party Leader David Coon and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the weekly political panel to discuss the idea.

Maritime Iron's environmental impact assessment application reveals the proposed iron-ore plant would jeopardize New Brunswick's emissions-reduction targets. The panel debates what can be done to offset the emissions and whether the project should be approved at all. Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Jake Stewart, Liberal MLA Andrew Harvey and Green Party Leader David Coon joined the weekly political panel.

The New Brunswick government has overhauled the SEED program, cutting the number of students who can benefit from the summer job program and changing how they're chosen. Liberal MLA Roger Melanson, Progressive Conservative MLA Jake Stewart, People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin and Green Party Leader David Coon debate the changes on the Political Panel.

Natural Resources and Energy Minister Mike Holland says he'd would like to see more oversight of NB Power, which has come under criticism for investing millions in an unproven technology. On the Political Panel this week, Holland, Liberal MLA Benoît Bourque, Green Party Leader and MLA David Coon and People's Alliance MLA Rick DeSaulniers debate a variety of issues related to NB Power.

This week's Political Panel features CBC reporter Jacques Poitras and Radio-Canada reporter Michel Corriveau looking back at what made political news in 2019. Terry Seguin also has the two veteran reporters look ahead to 2020 and analyze what could happen at the legislature.

Three economic development experts joined the CBC New Brunswick Political Panel to discuss how economic development can be changed in New Brunswick to create more jobs. Larry Shaw, CEO of Ignite Fredericton, Stephen Lund, the CEO of Opportunities New Brunswick, and David Campbell, the president of Jupia Consultants, joined the special panel.

Auditor General Kim MacPherson’s latest report found tens of millions of dollars invested in programs with no clear evidence of oversight or benefit to taxpayers. What can be done to protect that money? Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Dominic Cardy, Liberal MLA Benoit Bourque, Green Party Leader David Coon and People’s Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the weekly political panel.

The Campbellton Regional Hospital was forced to temporarily close some services because it was overwhelmed with patients. What needs to be done to avoid this from happening more in the future? Health Minister Ted Flemming, Liberal MLA Jean Claude D'Amours, Green Party MLA Megan Mitton and People’s Alliance Leader Michelle Conroy joined the weekly Political Panel.

Premier Blaine Higgs’s Progressive Conservative government outlined its priorities this week in its second throne speech. The Political Panel debates the message it sent to New Brunswickers. PC cabinet minister Dominic Cardy, Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers, Green Party Leader David Coon and People’s Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the panel.

Glencore Canada’s decision to close the Brunswick Smelter in Belledune in December shocked many in northern New Brunswick. Now all levels of government are scrambling to help the 420 workers, their families and their communities. PC Labour Minister Trevor Holder, Liberal MLA Brian Kenny, Green MLA Kevin Arseneau and People’s Alliance Leader Kris Austin joined the panel to discuss what options are available for the Chaleur region.

NB Power has invested millions into Florida-based Joi Scientific's hydrogen technology. There are now questions about whether the technology will work. What oversight and accountability is there when governments are making these investments? Progressive Conservative Energy Minister Mike Holland, Green Party Leader David Coon and People's Alliance MLA Rick DeSaulniers joined the Political Panel to discuss the issue.

The New Brunswick government is proposing reforms to the education system, including ideas such as eliminating age-based grade levels. Progressive Conservative Dominic Cardy, Liberal MLA Chuck Chiasson, Green Party Leader David Coon and People's Alliance MLA Michelle Conroy joined the political panel to discuss the potential changes.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.