New Brunswick Government Shifts Due To No Confidence Vote

By Lauren Toffan

New Brunswick’s Liberal Government toppled over today after losing a confidence vote during its throne speech.

Premiere Brian Gallant conducted his speech in the legislature. Despite an attempt to appease the opposition by adding several of their campaign promises to his speech, his party was voted out.

For a party or representative to lose a confidence vote, members of the legislature must indicate they no longer support that party or person. Gallant was voted out by 23-25. The close range of votes came from The Progressive Conservatives and the People’s Alliance collaborating together. This coupling had been growing for quite some time, but became highly obvious after the September 24th election.

 

The provincial government had been in a gridlock since it’s September 24th election. The Liberal party won a minority government with 21 seats. The party was one seat ahead of the Progressive Conservative government, raising tensions between the parties and bringing uncertainty to province of New Brunswick. 

Since the September election, tension had risen among the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals. Issues surrounding the Carbon Tax as well as overall linguistic differences within the region had added to divisive opinions. 

Discussions about the Progressive Conservative and the People’s Alliance collaborating to vote out the Liberals had been buzzing around. The deal was clearly sealed on Thursday when both parties claimed they would vote against Gallant.

It is arguable to suggest Gallant attempted to combat the tension by calling for an ‘agenda of collaboration’ during his speech. Gallant said the people of New Brunswick voted for change in how parties are governed and that he takes full responsibility.

 

New Brunswick government falls https://t.co/jwDn7XVOtZ And the Liberals will claim the change has nothing to do with their policies, we don’t know how provincial matches federal there but we sure know in Alberta

— philip kuefler (@MirandumDeiOpus) November 2, 2018

After Gallant and the Liberal party received the No-Confidence vote, Gallant said he will be going to the Lieutenant Governer to resign. Gallant then suggested Progressive Conservative leader Blaine Higgs be given the chance to form government. Gallant said, “Their success will be New Brunswick’s success.”

Higgs said he wishes the transition to occur to quickly as possible.