In November, Susan Holt became New Brunswick’s first female premier. Since making history, she’s been busy with immediate concerns — like grappling with the province’s soaring electricity costs. She’s also working to make her campaign promises come true, including improving indoor and outdoor air quality in the province, and getting a handle on greenhouse gas emissions. 

And, like everyone across Canada, she’s coping with the tumultuous state of cross-border relations, a big deal in a tiny province that shares a longer border with Maine than it does with Quebec. 

It’s a lot, but the Fredericton-born politician still makes time to appreciate the natural beauty around her. “I love camping, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, hiking, any mix of water and forest activities, and New Brunswick is the absolute best place for it!” she says. In our Moose Questionnaire, she tells us more about her relationship to the natural world. 

What’s the most awe-inspiring natural sight you’ve witnessed between the Pacific, Atlantic, 49th parallel and Hudson Bay, i.e. Canada?

I’m torn between the highest tides in the world in the Bay of Fundy, watched from the top of rugged cliffs on the Fundy footpath, or the black spruce, white pine and balsam fir for as far as the eye can see from the top of Mount Carleton.

What’s the most awe-inspiring natural sight you’ve witnessed outside of Canada?

Uluru in Australia, at dawn.

Think of three iconic Canadian animals. Choose one each to kiss, marry and kill.

Kiss: a moose before the hunting season opens.

Marry: the black-capped chickadee.

Kill: Shediac lobster, yummm.

Name a person or group doing something meaningful for the environment that everyone should know about.

Eastern Charlotte Waterways, or ECW, is an innovative, community-rooted non-governmental organization in New Brunswick making meaningful advancements in community well-being through environmental health.

If you could dip a toe off Canada’s coastline, which ocean would it be in? 

The Atlantic, of course!

What’s a beautiful or useful thing you’ve owned for a really long time? 

My Jeux Canada Games / Festival Saskatoon duffle bag from 1989. I still take it on work trips!

What’s the farthest north you’ve ever been and what did you do there?

Nunavut, for board meetings with [youth science education organization] Actua, where we got to enjoy an amazing local meal with Sheila Watt-Cloutier and her daughter.

Who, in your life, has had the greatest impact on your connection to nature? 

My counsellor-in-training leader from 1992, Jamie “Duncan” Hines from YMCA Camp Glenburn on Belleisle Bay, who taught us low-impact solo camping, how to walk the forest barefoot and to use all our senses to experience nature.

Whose relationship with the natural world would you most like to have an impact on?  

My kids.

Camping: yes or no? 

YES! Backcountry!

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