New Brunswick premier says some health-care targets met in public update

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt speaks during a news conference on health care in Fredericton on Wednesday April 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Eli Ridder

FREDERICTON — New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says her government is on track to reach some of its health-care targets.

The premier told a news conference that her Liberal government is nearly halfway to its goal of setting up 30 collaborative care clinics before the end of its first term in office.

Holt says eleven clinics were launched last year and the 15th will open next week.

However, she says the province fell short of its goal to take all residents of Tantramar off a years-long waiting list for a primary-care provider , confirming that only 277 people were removed even though the target was 1,000.

Still, health officials say nurse turnover dropped from more than five per cent to below one per cent last year, saying $10,000 retention bonuses had helped.

Holt says 26 per cent of the government’s health-care initiatives have been completed and the rest are underway.

“Progress is being made, but we still face real challenges,” Holt said, adding that health care is her government’s top priority.

Eli Ridder, The Canadian Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2026.