Lt.-Gov. Brenda Murphy delivers the Liberal government's first Speech from the Throne in the New Brunswick Legislature in Fredericton on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: GNB/Submitted

The Liberal government is fast-tracking and modifying its promise to eliminate the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) from power bills by introducing a 10 per cent rebate on customers' bills instead.  

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, moments after the new Liberal government delivered its first Speech from the Throne, Premier Susan Holt declined to say exactly when the rebate will start, beyond that it's coming "quite quickly," and that government will "communicate that when we announce all the details."  

The speech - which was largely a recap of key election promises and a pledge to earn New Brunswickers' trust, and keep it - contained a few lines about the power bill promise.  

The government will, the speech read, "provide a rebate equivalent to the 10 per cent sales tax from your electricity bill."  

"This rebate will be delivered by NB Power, and the three municipal electricity providers in the province, and available to all residential customers who pay HST on their electricity bills. No application will be required."

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OTTAWA • Inflation in New Brunswick doubled month over month, jumping to 1.8 per cent in October, after two straight months of cooling prices. 

Gas prices are to blame, according to newly released Statistics Canada figures. 

The cost of food is also up again. 

Across the country, prices rose in all provinces at a faster pace in October compared with September. 

That has Canada’s Consumer Price Index rising to two per cent on a year-over-year basis in October, up from a 1.6 per cent increase in the previous month. 

They’re figures that threaten a potential supersized interest rate cut in December, according to economists. 

New Brunswick had been on a downward trajectory, with inflation cooling from 2.9 per cent in the province in July, to 1.8 per cent in August, and then to 0.9 per cent in September. 

But the new numbers show the pace of price increasing inching up again.

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Saint John Transit's fares are set to increase in the new year to help cope with the cost of fuel, parts and labour, according to the city's Transit and Fleet Manager. Photo: Brice McVicar/Brunswick News

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a recall for several carrot products due to potential E. coli 0121 contamination, Global News reported. This follows a similar recall in the United States, which is linked to one death and dozens of illnesses. The recall affects brands including Bunny-Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments Organic, and PC Organics sold in Canada. While no illnesses have been reported in Canada, the CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation and ensuring recalled products are removed from the market. Consumers are warned that contaminated carrots may not look contaminated, but can cause severe illness, including nausea, abdominal cramps, and in extreme cases, seizures or death.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine that views any conventional attack on Russia, supported by a nuclear power, as a joint assault on the country, Associated Press reported. This update, coinciding with the 1,000th day of the Ukraine conflict, follows U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to strike within Russia using longer-range missiles. The doctrine indicates that any significant aerial attacks against Russia could lead to a nuclear response, forcing the West to back down. It also states that aggression against Russia by a military coalition is regarded as an "aggression by the entire bloc," particularly referencing NATO.

Iran has continued to expand its nuclear program, defying international demands, according to a confidential report released from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Associated Press reported. The report states that as of Oct. 26, Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% has increased to 182.3 kilograms, just short of weapons-grade levels. Overall, Iran holds 6,604.4 kilograms of enriched uranium. Discussions have occurred regarding Iran potentially halting further enrichment, but skepticism remains due to past behaviours following IAEA resolutions. The geopolitical landscape is complicated by ongoing tensions with Israel and the implications of Donald Trump’s reelection, which may affect U.S.-Iran relations.