New Brunswick MLAs are set to hold an emergency debate on Wednesday afternoon to discuss tariffs.

Green Party leader David Coon made the request to the speaker, which was approved by MLAs.

“One thing that we know, Madam Speaker, is that these tariffs will have serious consequences for New Brunswickers,” said Coon.

“New Brunswick’s economy is a very export-dependent one with 92 per cent of all exports going to the U.S.”

Coon also referenced a report from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce which found Saint John is the most vulnerable city in Canada to tariffs.

The city is home to the Irving Oil refinery, the largest in Canada, with more than 80 per cent of its product exported to the United States.

The topic of tariffs also dominated the discussion during the first question period of the year on Wednesday.

Progressive Conservative leader Glen Savoie said the legislature should have been recalled early for an emergency debate.

Savoie had made that request in late February, but it was denied by Speaker Francine Landry.

Landry acknowledged she does have the authority to recall the legislature earlier than specified if the government requests it and indicates that the public interest requires it.

“To date, I have not been advised by the government that the public interest requires that the House should meet before March 18,” she wrote.

Premier Susan Holt unveiled her government’s $162-million tariff response plan on March 4.

The four-pillar plan includes support for affected residents, relief for businesses and movement on interprovincial trade.

More to come.