Liberal majority, Holt first female N.B. premier

“I love this province.”

New Brunswick Liberal Leader Susan Holt shouted those words to a crowded ballroom in Fredericton after her party won a convincing majority government on Monday night.

The 47-year-old Holt is set to become the first woman to be premier of New Brunswick.

Holt says the results made it clear that New Brunswickers were ready for a change.

“We don’t take it lightly that you have put your trust in myself and my team and that you have hope for a brighter future,” the Liberal leader told supporters.

The unofficial results show the Liberals with 31 seats. They needed 25 to form a majority

The Progressive Conservatives went into the election with 25 seats but that number dropped to 16. PC Leader Blaine Higgs could not hold his seat in Quispamsis.

Holt was joined on stage by her husband Jon and her three daughters. The Fredericton native had two major themes throughout her campaign: health care and affordability.

“We’re going to watch the bottom line and deliver fiscal responsibility while we invest in the services that you need like health care and education and an affordable place to call home,” she said.

Voter turnout in the election was around 66 per cent, according to preliminary figures from Elections NB. The Liberals received 48 per cent of the overall vote.

To find out results in your riding, click here.

PC leader ends six-year run as premier

Higgs was attempting to become the first three-time premier in New Brunswick since Frank McKenna in the 1990s but failed to do so.

In addition to losing the election, the PC leader lost his own seat of Quispamsis to Liberal candidate Aaron Kennedy.

While Higgs did not immediately resign, he told reporters after his concession speech the result will trigger a leadership race and he will make an official announcement on his future in the coming days.

“I think my leadership days are over,” said Higgs. “I’m going to talk to the new caucus members and then we’ll decide from there what the next steps are, but I won’t do that tonight.”

Higgs became premier in 2018 and was highlighted by balancing the budget and reducing the debt. He also had to navigate New Brunswick through COVID.

In recent years though, he saw unrest amongst his caucus with several members stepping away from the party.

“The people of New Brunswick have spoken. Susan, you’ve earned the trust of the people, and I wish her every success as she takes on the challenges that lie ahead.

Greens lose Kent North seat, retain two others

Green Party leader David Coon won his riding in Fredericton but the party was reduced to two seats from three.

Megan Mitton was re-elected in the new riding of Tantramar but Kevin Arseneau lost in Kent North to Liberal Pat Finnigan, a former MP.

“We’re building, we’re continuing to build, and one thing is for sure: we know that Blaine Higgs is no longer the premier of this province,” said Coon.

Liberals sweep Moncton ridings

Team Holt dominated the four ridings in Moncton.

Rob McKee was re-elected in Moncton Centre while Tania Sodhi knocked PC cabinet minister Ernie Steeves in Moncton Northwest.

Greg Turner, another member of the Higgs’ cabinet, lost in Moncton South to Claire Johnson.

In Moncton East, Liberal Alexandre Cédric Doucet won by over 2,000 votes.

It was a similar story for most other ridings in southeastern New Brunswick, where Liberals picked up most of the seats.

That included Benoît Bourque in Beausoleil-Grand-Bouctouche-Kent, Robert Gauvin in Shediac Bay-Dieppe, Jacques LeBlanc in Shediac-Cap-Acadie, Natasha Vautour in Dieppe-Memramcook and Lyne Chantal Boudreau in Champdoré-Irishtown.

PC incumbent Sherry Wilson was elected in Albert-Riverview while fellow party member Rob Weir won in Riverview.

Liberals win 3 of 5 ridings in Saint John

The PCs picked up two seats in Saint John, including Glen Savoie in Saint John East, but that result will be the subject of a recount as the margin over Liberal David Alston was 34 votes.

PC candidate Ian Lee also won in Fundy-The Isles-Saint John Lorneville with a more than 1,900 vote lead over Liberal candidate Patty Borthwick.

Liberal Dr. John Dornan, who was fired as Horizon Health CEO, won the riding of Saint John Portland—Simonds.

City councillor David Hickey cruised to a win for the Liberals in Saint John Harbour, while Kate Elman Wilcott knocked off PC candidate Kim Costain in Saint John West-Lancaster.

Elsewhere, longtime PC MLA and cabinet minister Ted Flemming lost his Rothesay seat to Liberal candidate Alyson Townsend.

Tammy Scott-Wallace was re-elected in Sussex-Three Rivers, Bill Oliver held onto Kings Centre and Don Monahan won for the PCs in Arcadia-Butternut Valley-Maple Hills.

Former MP John Herron was elected for the Liberals in Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins, defeating PC candidate Faytene Grasseschi by more than 200 votes.

Charlotte County

Unlike many other ridings in southern New Brunswick, the Progressive Conservatives held on in Saint Croix.

Kathy Bockus was re-elected in the riding, defeating Liberal candidate Troy Lyons by around 1,200 votes.

Further north, PC Mary Wilson also held on in Oromocto-Sunbury to defeat Liberal candidate Stephen Horsman.