The Government of New Brunswick has opened its 2026–2027 Pre-Budget Consultation, inviting New Brunswickers and organizations to share priorities for the upcoming provincial budget. This consultation is open until February 20, and NB Lung encourages everyone to participate and make their voice heard.
Lung health must be a priority in this year’s budget. Lung disease remains a leading cause of illness, hospitalization, and preventable death in our province — yet many of the most effective solutions are well-known, evidence-based, and cost-effective. With the right investments, New Brunswick can save lives, reduce strain on the health-care system, and improve quality of life for thousands of residents.
Our 2026–2027 Pre-Budget Submission focuses on three key areas: Prevention, Access, and Support.
Prevention: Saving Lives Before Disease Takes Hold
Implement an Accessible Lung Cancer Screening Program
New data from the New Brunswick Health Council shows that lung cancer is the leading cause of avoidable death in our province. Despite this, New Brunswick does not yet have a province-wide lung cancer screening program.
Lung cancer screening has been shown to significantly improve patient outcomes by detecting cancer earlier, when treatment is more effective and less costly. Jurisdictions across Canada are moving forward with screening programs — New Brunswick must not fall behind.
NB Lung urges the provincial government to prioritize the rollout of a barrier-free lung cancer screening program to help reduce preventable deaths and improve outcomes for New Brunswickers.
Support a Smoke-Free Generation
Tobacco and nicotine addiction remain the leading causes of preventable lung disease and death. NB Lung supports bold action toward a smoke-free generation in New Brunswick.
We recognize this is a significant policy shift. As a first, achievable step, we support raising the legal age for smoking and vaping to 21. Evidence shows that delaying access to nicotine products reduces lifelong addiction and protects youth brain development, lung health, and long-term wellbeing. Prevention policies like these save lives — and reduce health-care costs for decades to come.
Access: Removing Barriers to Lung Health Care
Expand Access to RSV Vaccines
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of infant hospitalization in Canada While RSV vaccines and preventative treatments now exist, access remains limited based on age and eligibility criteria.
NB Lung is calling on the provincial government to expand access to RSV vaccines, ensuring more infants, older adults, and vulnerable populations are protected from severe illness and hospitalization.
Ensure Inhaler Spacers & Oxygen Are Covered with Prescriptions
When New Brunswickers are prescribed an inhaler, they should also receive the equipment needed to use it properly.
Up to 70% of people use inhalers incorrectly, and without a spacer, much of the medication never reaches the lungs. Clinical guidelines from the Canadian Thoracic Society recommend spacers for people using pressurized inhalers because they improve asthma control and reduce flare-ups.
Spacers cost an average of $40–$50 in New Brunswick — a significant barrier for many families, seniors, and people without private insurance. Other provinces already cover spacers through their public drug plans. NB Lung urges the government to include inhaler spacers under the New Brunswick Drug Plan, improving respiratory outcomes while reducing avoidable emergency visits and hospitalizations.
Supplemental oxygen is a life-sustaining therapy for people living with severe respiratory disease, yet it is not currently covered under the New Brunswick Drug Plan. NB Lung urges the province to include home oxygen therapy in the Drug Plan to ensure cost is not a barrier to medically necessary care.
Support: Helping New Brunswickers Breathe Easier at Home
Follow Through on Radon Mitigation Support
NB Lung strongly supports the province’s free radon test kit program, which is helping New Brunswickers identify dangerous radon levels in their homes. However, testing is only the first step.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and many households cannot afford mitigation after receiving high test results. The provincial government has previously committed to exploring financial support for radon mitigation — and we are calling on them to follow through on that promise.
Targeted financial assistance would help protect families, prevent lung cancer, and ensure testing leads to meaningful action.
Expand Support for CPAP Access for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious condition linked to heart disease, stroke, and workplace and motor-vehicle accidents. Yet many New Brunswickers who need a CPAP machine cannot afford one — and are denied coverage under current social assistance eligibility rules.
NB Lung’s Sleep Apnea Support Program exists to fill this gap by redistributing gently used CPAP machines, but charitable programs cannot replace systemic solutions.
We urge the provincial government to expand eligibility criteria for CPAP coverage, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to treatment for people living with sleep apnea.
Have Your Say Before February 20
The 2026–2027 Pre-Budget Consultation is an important opportunity for New Brunswickers to shape decisions that affect health, equity, and quality of life. NB Lung encourages patients, caregivers, health-care providers, and community members to participate and call for investments that protect lung health across the province.
👉 Participate in the consultation before February 20:
https://www.gnb.ca/en/gov/engagement-consultation/pre-budget-2026.html
Together, we can ensure the next provincial budget prioritizes prevention, improves access to care, and supports New Brunswickers in living healthier, longer lives.