The government of New Brunswick will spend $316 million on public safety, including “new investments in improved forensics capability, disaster preparedness and supports to address sexual violence,” said a Friday news release.
The funds represent more than 75 per cent of the $403.2 million 2025-26 budget tabled for the Department of Justice and Public Safety.
“When I speak to New Brunswickers, I hear of their concerns of public safety in their communities,” said Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin. “This budget is creating a long-needed sexual violence unit within the RCMP that will also specialize on human trafficking.”
The budget includes:
- $2.8 million for the RCMP sexual violence unit
- $647,000 for improved firearm forensics to decrease pre-trial delays in cases involving firearms
- $880,000 for disaster preparedness to create around-the-clock monitoring and response capacity for New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (NBEMO) and expand training.
Gauvin said supporting the NBEMO will help the province prepare for increasing extreme weather events resulting from climate change.
“Investing in NBEMO and training will help us towards that commitment,” he said.
Other provinces including Nova Scotia are spending money to support victims of gender-based violence. In September 2024 Nova Scotia adopted a bill declaring intimate partner violence a provincial epidemic.
According to the New Brunswick Federation of Labour, New Brunswick saw a 39 per cent increase in intimate partner violence between 2009 and 2021. It says 3,172 people in New Brunswick reported intimate partner violence in 2021.
For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
