The New Brunswick government has reappointed Lori Clark as chief executive officer of NB Power for a further two years and approved a remuneration package of $623,000, with the addition of any future cost‑of‑living increases, provincial records show.
Decision approved by cabinet
The Holt cabinet’s decision, announced in documentation published on Aug. 18, 2026, extends Clark’s leadership at the provincial Crown corporation that supplies electricity to most of the province. The package represents a marked rise in top executive pay for the utility and will be paid from public funds allocated to NB Power.
Clark, pictured at an industry forum in Saint John earlier this year, will serve an additional two‑year term. The formal approval from cabinet reflects the provincial government’s role in appointing and setting compensation for senior officials at Crown corporations.
Why the appointment matters
Executives at Crown corporations occupy a unique spot where public policy, service delivery and commercial objectives intersect. The reappointment and the level of compensation are relevant to New Brunswickers for several reasons:
- NB Power’s financial decisions and capital projects ultimately affect electricity rates paid by households and businesses.
- Leadership stability can influence long‑term planning for generation, grid resilience and clean‑energy transition efforts.
- Executive pay at public corporations raises questions about transparency, accountability and how taxpayer‑funded organisations benchmark compensation.
Those concerns are often prominent whenever provincial governments set or approve salaries for senior public‑sector leaders, particularly amid broader debates about affordability and public spending.
Appointment details
| Position | Incumbent | Term length | Approved remuneration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief executive officer, NB Power | Lori Clark | Two years (reappointment) | $623,000 + any cost‑of‑living increases |
Context and possible implications
NB Power is responsible for electricity generation and distribution across much of New Brunswick, and decisions taken by its leadership can affect ratepayers and the provincial economy. While the cabinet’s approval formalises the reappointment and pay scale, it also tends to prompt public scrutiny from ratepayers, opposition politicians and stakeholder groups that advocate for tighter oversight of Crown corporation governance.
Questions commonly raised in these situations include how compensation compares with similar roles in other provinces, what performance metrics are attached to the term, and whether pay increases are linked to specific outcomes such as reliability, maintenance of infrastructure or progress on emissions reductions. The cabinet documents published do not list performance measures tied to the remuneration.
Provincial governments generally argue that competitive compensation is necessary to attract and retain experienced leaders capable of running large, complex organisations. Critics counter that executive pay in publicly owned entities must be balanced with a duty to protect ratepayers and public interests.
What to watch next
Observers and stakeholders will likely watch for:
- Any statements from NB Power outlining strategic priorities for the new term.
- Responses from opposition parties and consumer advocacy groups about the increase in executive pay.
- Details on performance targets or accountability measures attached to the reappointment.
The reappointment underscores the continued public attention on how Crown corporations are governed in New Brunswick. With energy policy and costs front of mind for many residents, leadership at NB Power will remain a focal point for conversations about service reliability, rates and the province’s transition to lower‑carbon electricity.
Reporting from the Holt cabinet’s release did not include further comment from Ms. Clark or additional background on how the new remuneration level was determined. Requests for comment have been directed to the provincial government and NB Power.
