The new MLA-elect for Saint John Harbour says he is excited to get to work.
David Hickey was one of 31 Liberal candidates to be elected on Monday night.
Hickey said he believes his time as a Saint John councillor will help him in the legislature.
“The ability to do the constituency work, the ability to do the job in the neighbourhood is really important,” Hickey told our newsroom.
“I’ve seen it from other MLAs, you can get caught up in what happens in Fredericton, especially if it’s your first time in elected office, but what matters is what’s happening in your neighbourhood and what happens in your community.”
The riding was held by Progressive Conservative MLA Arlene Dunn, who resigned back in February.
Hickey said Dunn was an incredible MLA, a wonderful cabinet minister and a great representative for the riding.
“I’ll be using her counsel closely over the next little while and seeking her advice in how we move forward and I’m appreciative of her friendship thus far,” he said.
As for why his riding was one of several across the province to flip from Progressive Conservative to Liberal, Hickey said he believes residents were ready for a change.
“I think Saint Johners recognized that, from a leadership standpoint, we needed a change. We were very much running against Blaine Higgs and that was the narrative,” he said.
The outgoing city councillor said he is hoping to get a cabinet position in the Holt government but will be happy with whatever she decides to do.
For him, the number one issue in the riding of Saint John Harbour is housing.
“There’s still 400 people sleeping on the street in Saint John, rents have still gone up by 38 per cent in the last six years, there’s still 18,000 people on the waitlist for NB Housing,” said Hickey.
“The job is just getting started and we have an incredible, incredible task ahead of us.
