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.