A Healthy Legacy for New Brunswick: Support Bill 23

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment – New Brunswick (CAPE NB) urges the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick to support Bill 23, An Act Respecting the Right to a Healthy Environment, during its second reading on March 26, 2026.

• CAPE NB advocates for the passage of Bill 23, arguing that the environment is a "fundamental determinant of health" and that clean air, water, and soil are essential for a functional healthcare system. The organization notes that environmental compromise leads to increased medical strain, citing rising rates of asthma, heat-related illness, and emergency room visits following pollution or extreme weather events.
• Bill 23 is highlighted for its focus on vulnerable populations and indigenous rights. It requires a Statement of Environmental Values addressing children's environmental health and enshrines the principle of environmental justice to protect children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Additionally, the bill commits to the rights of the Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqey, and Peskotomuhkati in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• The legislation proposes the creation of an independent Environmental Rights Commissioner and a public environmental registry. CAPE NB views these as proactive, "upstream intervention" tools that provide transparency and help prevent illnesses before they become medical emergencies, thereby reducing pressure on healthcare infrastructure.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (2026). A Healthy Legacy for New Brunswick: Support Bill 23. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Support-Bill-23-CAPE-NB-Letter-March-23-2026.pdf#new_tab

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. A Healthy Legacy for New Brunswick: Support Bill 23. 2026. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Support-Bill-23-CAPE-NB-Letter-March-23-2026.pdf#new_tab.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=A Healthy Legacy for New Brunswick: Support Bill 23 |date=23 March 2026 |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Support-Bill-23-CAPE-NB-Letter-March-23-2026.pdf#new_tab |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironment2026healthy, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{A Healthy Legacy for New Brunswick: Support Bill 23}}, publisher = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Support-Bill-23-CAPE-NB-Letter-March-23-2026.pdf#new_tab}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }