Jeff
Carr, dropped from cabinet by the premier this week, is calling out the
premier's stated reason for the shuffle. (Jennifer Sweet/CBC)
Ousted minister Jeff Carr is questioning the rationale Premier Blaine Higgs has given for removing him from his cabinet.
On Tuesday, Higgs shuffled his cabinet, replacing Carr in transportation and former local government minister Daniel Allain.
The reason given was that the two former ministers broke with cabinet solidarity by voting for an opposition motion on Policy 713.
"We
have to respect the parliamentary system that we're in, the sanctity of
cabinet, and the fact we'll have very frank and open discussion in
cabinet or in caucus, but in cabinet you have to have solidarity," said
Higgs after the shuffle.
Higgs claimed the vote on Policy 713 was not whipped, but he said
Tuesday, 'I never made it a free vote, either.' (Stephen
MacGillivray/The Canadian Press)
But Carr isn't buying that explanation.
"Cabinet solidarity, yeah, you can't square that up when it's an opposition motion," said Carr, speaking to Information Morning Fredericton.
"It's
not a whipped vote and nobody asked us how we were going to vote.
Nobody talked to us about that after we voted for, like, 18 days."
Cabinet conflict
Cabinet
solidarity is the concept that cabinet ministers must openly support
the government on all matters, and if a minister can't or won't support
the government they should resign.
But this clashes with the idea
of a free vote, meaning government members are not whipped — expected to
vote on the government side, which sometimes happens with votes on
issues such as abortion or LGBTQ rights.
There are different
interpretations on whether cabinet ministers can vote against the
government on a free vote, like Carr did, or must simply abstain,
as Arlene Dunn did on the same Policy 713 vote. She remains in cabinet.
Political
scientists J.P. Lewis said it's up to the premier to interpret when a
minister has violated the sanctity of the cabinet. (Graham Thompson/CBC)
J.P.
Lewis, a political scientist at UNB Saint John, said cabinet ministers
have been expected to support the government even on free votes,
historically, but the interpretation of that rule comes down to the
premier.
"It's the premier's prerogative," said Lewis. "It's up to
the first minister to interpret when they think a minister has violated
[cabinet solidarity.]"
Premier 'lost' says Carr
Carr said
he questions whether he should have stayed in cabinet as long as he
did, but said he was hoping to have a moderating effect on the premier.
He said there have been ongoing issues with Higgs's leadership style, adding the premier's behaviour at a weekend PC party meeting was indicative of his style behind the scenes.
"People
were offering the premier an olive branch to ask him to fix this within
caucus," said Carr. "He burned that olive branch in front of a number
of very good volunteers."
Information Morning - Fredericton 14:22 Carr shuffled out of cabinet
Premier
Blaine Higgs rewards MLAs for their loyalty, and dumps two Ministers
who veered from that path. Jeanne Armstrong spoke to one of them, Jeff
Carr, MLA for New Maryland-Sunbury.
Carr also
had criticism for the people running that meeting, saying it was
unorganized and the agenda was changed without advance warning.
"It was like it was purposely unofficial so that there would be no record of what would happen on Saturday," said Carr.
CBC News has reached out to PC party president Erika Hachey about Carr's description of the meeting and is awaiting a response.
Carr remains PC MLA
He dodged questions about whether he still supports Higgs, but said he doesn't support his leadership style.
He does support a leadership review.
"The premier seems to have lost his way with this style," said Carr.
"I feel for him and his family and my colleagues, and we have to do something soon."
Premier Blaine Higgs has jettisoned six members of his
previous cabinet and has appointed six women as ministers in a sweeping
post-election shuffle.
The six Progressive Conservative MLAs who served in
Higgs's cabinet from 2018 until they were dropped Tuesday include
high-profile members Andrea Anderson-Mason, who was attorney general,
Jeff Carr who was at Environment and Local Government, and Jake Stewart
who was minister of Aboriginal affairs.
Bill Oliver, Sherry Wilson and Ross Wetmore are also out.
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
"Higgs told reporters that dropping six ministers was
"nothing personal," and he said his new lineup is what he has "right
now," holding out the possibility that reorganizing departments in the
coming years could let some MLAs return to cabinet.
"We will look going forward at what needs to change," he said.
In other cabinet moves, Bruce Fitch replaces Shephard as
minister of social development, while Education and Early Childhood
Development Minister Dominic Cardy remains in that job. Mary Wilson
moves from Economic Development to minister of Service New Brunswick.
Rookie Moncton East MLA Daniel Allain becomes the minister of local government and local government reform.
Allain told reporters the title is a sign that the government considers reform a major priority.
Other first-time MLAs joining cabinet are:
Margaret Johnson as minister of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries.
Arlene Dunn as minister responsible for economic
development. She is also minister responsible for immigration and
minister of Aboriginal affairs.
Tammy Scott-Wallace as minister of tourism, heritage
and culture and minister responsible for women's equality.
Jill Green as minister of transportation and infrastructure."
Vivian Unger
Content Deactivated
"It's up to the premier to interpret when a
minister has violated the sanctity of the cabinet." Sounds like a
dictatorship. The overwhelming power invested in party leaders is a
clear and present threat to Canadian "democracy."
David Amos
Reply to Vivian Unger
Well put
Pete Spence
Content Deactivated
"The sanctity of cabinet."
Whoa !! What drugs is this dude on !!
sanctity (noun) : the state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Pete Spence
Welcome to the circus
Bill Green
Another day, another controversy for Blaine
Higgs. His time is running short for office. He is clearly trying to go
scorched earth, but by the by, his party is dwindling. Polling shows
that Susan Holt will be premier by the next election at this rate
David Amos
Reply to Bill Green
I maintain that Daniel Allain will be the next Premier
Vivian Unger
Reply to Bill Green
Hard to predict, when we don't even know yet if Higgs will be dropped.
Bobby Richards
Higgs is playing with the junior varsity single A team at a triple A tournament.
David Amos
Reply toBobby Richards
You could not pay me to watch a hockey game but
I would spend my last dimes on peanuts and popcorn as I spend all my
time watching Higgy's circus
Don Corey
It was an opposition motion, but Carr has been
around long enough to know that voting for it (rightly or wrongly) meant
voting against the very government with which he enjoyed cabinet
status. He knows why he's out.....bye Jeffy....should have pulled an
Arlene Dunn.
David Amos
Reply toDon Corey
Go Figure
Dissenting minister who survived New Brunswick cabinet firings puzzles scholar
Daniel Allain and Jeff Carr were fired for publicly opposing government policy but not Arlene Dunn
Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: Jun 29, 2023 7:00 AM ADT
David Amos
Reply toDon Corey
"Greg Flynn, chair of the department of political
science at McMaster University in Hamilton, said Higgs can do as he
pleases because parliamentary traditions are not "hard and fast rules"
and can be applied or not at the premier's discretion.
However, he said it is difficult to argue any
parliamentary tradition would suggest treating Dunn differently than
Allain and Carr."
Don Corey
Reply to David Amos
I'm sure Higgs will be explaining his rationale behind the Dunn exclusion.
Ed Armstrong
Reply toDon Corey
As the 3rd Carr Brother from the New Maryland
area to serve in Cabinet, Jeff knew very well his actions could get him
removed from Cabinet or should have. As the old saying goes, "Don't bite
the hand that feeds you", you must play by the rules. As for Arlene
Dunn, The Premier must figure she is more valuable inside Cabinet than
sitting outside throwing the snowballs the others make.
David Amos
Reply to Ed Armstrong
The plot thickens
-Thomas Grant
Thumbs up for Higgs
David Amos
Reply to -Thomas Grant
Only one?
Steve Ryan
It's called purging, cleansing. Needs to be done at all levels.
Jim Lake
Reply to Steve Ryan
Starting with the Premier’s office.
David Amos
Reply to Jim Lake
Amen
Jim Lake
Very telling indeed …
Highlights the massive dysfunction that Higgs has created in our government and in our province.
And it highlights how urgently our province needs a change … only then will we have the chance to be better.
Don Corey
Reply to Jim Lake
What's so "telling" about it? Carr should have known better.
Look no further than Ottawa for recent real life
examples on what happens when a cabinet minister tries to buck the boss.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply toDon Corey
I am certain that the Fat Fred City Finest can explain why Madame Dunn's position is secure
David Amos
Reply toDon Corey
True
Bobby Richards
Reply toDon Corey
Carr did know what was going to happen. Anyone
that works with Higgs knows what the outcome would be. Carr and others
had the guts to get out from under the premier's thumb and let the
public see what this govt is actually like. When Higg's was in private
business he would terminate employees and never see them again. He can't
do that here and it's driving him mad. He can't fire them from their
MLA position.
David Amos
Reply toBobby Richards
Years ago Higgy called me crazy Now its my turn to call him that
Don Corey
Reply toBobby Richards
True, but he could kick them out of the party.
That would pretty much kill any chance they might have had otherwise to
be re-elected.
Bobby Richards
Reply toDon Corey
And put the PCs into a minority govt. Then we know what happens after that.
Don Corey
Reply toBobby Richards
I said he "could", but it would not be a wise move (especially for him).
Monty Shplar
These fired CM's are Liberals in blue shirts, clean house and show them the door !
G. Timothy Walton
Reply to Monty Shplar
There wasn't a huge difference between the two parties until Higgs stopped hiding his true colours.
Monty Shplar
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
You mean his true blue colors.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Monty Shplar
Dream on
David Amos
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
Yea Right
Bobby Richards
Reply to Monty Shplar
More like moderates I would say. That's where I
am as a PC supporter. Higg's has now created a far right. Far rights
and far lefts will always vote conservative or liberal every time but
it's the ones in the middle that decide the winner of an election. It
will be interesting to see where NB stands come election time.
David Amos
Reply toBobby Richards
We always get the governments we deserve
Bobby Richards
Reply to David Amos
I agree.
tessie Quinn
What a way to end the school year. For teachers, parents and students.
David Amos
Reply totessie Quinn
Yup
Marcel Belanger
It seems Higgs has said there will be a caucus
meeting fairly soon where they will vote on whether or not the six
rebels can stay in caucus. I think this will be a most interesting
meeting since those 6 will be able to attend.
Jim Lake
Reply to Marcel Belanger
It would be tremendous to see the 6 leave of
their own accord to sit as independents - see them take control rather
than wait for Higgs to give them the toe of his boot.
Don Corey
Reply to Jim Lake
You can only wish lol....
David Amos
Reply to Marcel Belanger
Methinks they would be able to sit as Independents yet remain card carrying PC Party members just like Cardy is N'esy Pas?
Marcel Belanger
Reply to David Amos
You are correct in that statement, they can
remain at least until the next election where Higgs won’t sign their
nomination papers. When they become independent as is highly likely
then Higgs will trigger an election.
David Amos
Reply to Marcel Belanger
How do you that Higgy will still be their leader by then?
Marcel Belanger
Reply to David Amos
How do you know he did not engineer this whole affair to
create a polarizing issue with himself as the higher moral politician.
There's a group on FB who's looking for people to sign up and support
Higgs based on this single issue. His numbers are in the basement so
what was he going to do to galvanize support. Well....we're seeing what
he's going to do. The PC party is about to gut itself and all in public
view, he needs a hot issue to get thru this.
David Amos
Reply to Marcel Belanger
I think he did engineer it
Le Wier
If I could pick a song to sum up today in New Brunswick politics I would pick Hush Joy Williams.
David Amos
Reply to Le Wier
How about "Stuck in the Middle With You"
Buford Wilson
Jeff needs to go away.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Buford Wilson
But he has no car
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Buford Wilson
I should say he is a Carr but he has no free car to get away with Correct?
Sterling Wright
Reply to Buford Wilson
Maybe he and Blaine could go together
David Amos
Reply to Sterling Wright
At least Blaine still has a free car and
chauffeur to boot. Ya think he would take his old buddy with him when
its time to get out of Dodge
Samual Johnston
Seems like a pretty good reason to kick someone out to me. Would JT or any other leader keep these people around?
David Amos
Reply to Samual Johnston
Ask Jody (Not one of the Carr dudes)
Christine Martinez
Reply to Samual Johnston
Yep. Show me an MP in JT's cabinet that breaks solidarity in a vote, and I'll show you a soon-to-be independent MP.
Don Corey
Reply to Samual Johnston
We all know what JT's response is.
Don Corey
Reply to Christine Martinez
Very quickly, and with extreme prejudice.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
My responses to their actions can be described in the same fashion
Don Corey
Reply to David Amos
And for good reason
Le Wier
Why would Higgs put Mary Wilson in his inner
circle when she is a sister by choice with the Carr Brothers, and they
are the ones that voted for the leadership review?
David Amos
Reply to Le Wier
Because Mary is so very
Greg Miller
Unfortunately virtually all politicians have
personal agendas not usually directed at the "public good". Being a
politician is almost an addiction.
Matt Plastic
Reply to Greg Miller
Agreed. Name a single politician who did it for
the betterment of the people. Higgs did it for the betterment of "his
people" and we all know who they are. Hint they all make over 6 figures.
David Amos
Reply to Greg Miller
Its worse than an addiction
David Amos
Reply to Matt Plastic
Jim Traficant
Samual Johnston
Reply to Matt Plastic
Dunno about that. His work on the economy
keeping the deficits down, reducing the debt and so on. All these
things are for the common person.
Michael Cain
Reply to Greg Miller
Not a job for just anyone.
Matt Plastic
Reply to Samual Johnston
Deficit and debt are numbers on paper. There's
still high taxes in NB and very little services to show for it. The
economy is also not exactly booming as you can see. Shy of moncton it's
the status quo everywhere else. Which is just how Blaine likes it. He
knows the folks who don't like change will keep voting for him.
Don Corey
Reply to Matt Plastic
Actually they're very real, just like spending
in excess of what you earn and then borrowing more from the bank. A
billion in debt reduction means exactly that, and a corresponding
reduction in real money that it takes just for the debt interest.
Obviously economics has never been your strength.
Al Clark
Reply to Michael Cain
check your conscience at the door
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Al Clark
Do you have one?
David Amos
Reply to Al Clark
Hmmm
Michael Cain
Reply to Matt Plastic
Visit Fredericton; the amount of construction
going on for the past couple of years is really high. Still lots of
money floating around. Higgs has nothing to do with it.
Al Clark
Reply to David Amos
Mmmmm
Matt Plastic
Reply to Don Corey
What the government owes or doesn't owe doesn't
concern me. Debt comes and goes, it's money on paper moving back and
forth all while services stay the same. You keep insulting anonymous
people on internet forums and I'll live in the real world.
Matt Plastic
Reply to Don Corey
I don't think economics is your strength or you
wouldn't be wasting your time posting here. Government debt is the
least of my concern. There will always be debt. I live in the now.
Le Wier
I think Higgs should be concerned. Carr called
Mary Wilson his sister by choice, and Mary said she swore allegiance to
Higgs. But did she really?
Jos Allaire
Reply to Le Wier
She swore at him she meant.
Michael Cain
Reply to Le Wier
She needs that pension badly.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Jos Allaire
When I met Mary she didn't dare swear at me
David Amos
Reply to Jos Allaire
Oh My My
Kyle Woodman
The real problem with team Higgs is they have a
really poor understanding of how governance and legislative processes
work in NB. The deputy speaker blunder is another example of how the
just don't get the basics of our democratic system.
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman
They don't care
Kyle Woodman
Reply to David Amos
Probably
Benny Swim
Higgs' problems are a plot by well known Liberal party operatives like the Carr brothers and Trevor Holder.
Graham McCormack
Reply to Benny Swim
Yes, they are well know liberals.
David Amos
Reply to Benny Swim
Now thats funny
Sterling Wright
Reply to Benny Swim
Lol well known Liberal operatives. Yeah right
JOhn D Bond
Sorry Jeff Carr but as in Federal Politics, you serve at the pleasure of the Premier.
It has nothing to do with voting with or against the
government. It simply requires that the premier retains confidence in
you and is 100% subjective.
Jos Allaire
Reply to JOhn D Bond
The problem is, Higgs casting out his best and they are few and far between.
The writing is on the wall for Higgs.
JOhn D Bond
Reply to Jos Allaire
It may very well be the case. Not the issue of the article.
David Amos
Reply to Jos Allaire
Please explain "best"
Jos Allaire
Reply to David Amos
The bar is low, very low!
Fred Brewer
Reply to JOhn D Bond
And the Premier serves at the pleasure of his
party who want him out. And he serves at the pleasure of the voters who I
think also want him out.
Sterling Wright
Reply to JOhn D Bond
Buddy just a heads up. This is not Federal it is provincial geesh
Sterling Wright
Reply to Jos Allaire
The bar is where voters allow it to be. But yes it is low......very, very, very low
William Peters
Who, may I ask, dreamed up this historical
convention or "principle". It is no different than to say: My dear, we
have always had our oatmeal this way. How dare you question it! Who was
the first authoritarian premier who demanded to be supported or else?
Did this come from England? What the political scientist does tell us is
that a premier could just as easily think differently. So there you go,
we can focus on electing someone who will answer that question about
his preference before we vote for him. Remember the question. The desire
to have people comply might be found in all parties if we don't select
against it.
David Amos
Reply to William Peters
Methinks its the same dudes who dreamed up the
notwithstanding clause or parliamentary privilege or longstanding
tradition etc N'esy Pas?
Kyle Woodman
Reply to William Peters
Conservatives historically were the party that
tried to preserve these legislative conventions and principles in our
Westminster system.
William Peters
Reply to Kyle Woodman
The Old Tories had a fit when England
instituted responsible government in Canada in 1848. I detect a lot of
old Tory ideology in this CORservative. The Tory way was to allow the
business elite to govern as they saw fit. They saw it as the antithesis
of commonsense to allow inferiors to ever govern over those who had
deserved their privilege. Higgs feels he knows how to run an economy.
I'd be curious to know where he thinks he got this information. The idea
itself is preposterous because we do not elect men to tell us.
Sterling Wright
Reply to Kyle Woodman
It is an archaic, outdated system that no longer serves citizens well
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Sterling Wright
It is our system of government though.
Sterling Wright
Reply to Kyle Woodman
So it should never be changed to make it better? That doesn't seem right.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Sterling Wright
That would be the traditional conservative stance.
Shawn Tabor
This article speaks volumes,,, if everything or
if their words are true. If they can’t vote the way they want, then why
even show up. Holy smokes, this is what people want to hear. Read the
story again. He got fired because he did not vote the way the rest of
them wanted him to. WOW. You now know why the province is so screwed up.
Like Irving, believe me, this is Irving. Wow again. Great day, the
proof is right here. Speaks volumes and volumes of what your so called
Government truly is. Like Irving, either you do it or they will find
someone that will. Thank you. Again i am so excited to read this
article. This is real proof. Nothing will come out of it, but at least
it was spoken. Finally. Boy oh boy, does this brings back memories of
baby boomer bosses. Funny they change when you challenge them. Thank you
again. A lot of people in Little NB that have back bones the same as a
jelly fish. Too funny.
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Why do you think I always ran as an Independent?
G. Timothy Walton
Reply to David Amos
Do you really want that question answered?
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
I asked my former friend not you
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
Remember the roads we traveled, what i learned
or what we both learned. The Judges, the Police and especially the
Lawyers have showed that law does not exist. Its all about protecting
each other and the almighty GAME. ( money ). Democracy has to be a myth.
Think of the families that live in somewhat fear of this or have grave
doubts of their elected officials or the government in general. This
topic and many many more. If you speak out against Irving your fired,
everyone knows this. That clown still has to be working for Irving not
the public, sigmen Foid maybe, sorry about my spelling, reminds me of a
Lawyer LOL. Think of the people that will never speak for fear living in
New Brunswick and what has happened to folks that do. Forget about
going to court, calling the police. They are nervous just to investigate
certain things. Truly a wow moment and thank you Mr Carr. I hope their
is thousands of comments on this. The cat is out of the bag. WOW
David Amos
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
Satisfied now?
Dacre Gushue
A demoted disgruntled employee with the publics
ear (thanks CBC). The same thing happened with Andrea Anderson Mason.
Actions have consequences. These are smart people, it shouldn't have to
be explained.
David Amos
Reply to Dacre Gushue
Why don't you try to explain?
Dacre Gushue
Content Deactivated
Nice on JP to pass off a hit piece. He was looking at tad bias.
David Amos
Reply to Dacre Gushue
and you are not?
Ken Howe
Reply to Dacre Gushue
He’s allowed to be, JP is not suppose to be.
Ronald Miller
Whatever happens with the PCs, they need to get
their act together for the sake of NB. We know the destruction that
would happen with another option getting power.
David Amos
Reply to Ronald Miller
So you say
Matt Plastic
Reply to Ronald Miller
Who cares if the Liberals spend more money. At
least we will have nice things. Or is not about money with you and more
about "traditional values" ?
Le Wier
Perhaps Carr’s firing had to do not only with
his insubordination, but with his performance as minister. As Carr said
in the Information Morning Fredericton interview “it’s Premier’s
choice.” on who sits in his cabinet. On another note what an odd
statement “I feel for his family.” What happened to the Premier’s
family?
William Peters
Reply to Le Wier
What? The premier sacked him and Allain for a reason he gave publicly.
Higgs seems to lack the temperament to be an effective leader for all New Brunswickers.
Dacre Gushue
Reply to Howard O'Toole
This kind of insubordination would get you fired from any high profile job.
Howard O'Toole
Reply to Dacre Gushue
I wouldn't use the term "insubordination ",
MLA's are elected to represent ridings in various parts of the province.
As such there should be room for different points of view and it
shouldn't be just whatever the Premier wants.
David Amos
Reply to Howard O'Toole
Most New Brunswickers thought that out of the gate
B.W. Fishman
........................and worse, PP is still slithering around N.B.
Get PP an N.B. t-shift.........................It should read, "The New Backwards"
David Amos
Reply to B.W. Fishman
At least he is spending money here That should help our economy EH?
Toby Tolly
the last liberal premier hid a 130mil secret
that's the liberal style
now I will read the story
Graham McCormack
Reply to Toby Tolly
Move on, that was a long time ago and it has been dealt with.
William Peters
Reply to Toby Tolly
He was forced to leave just like this guy will
be. On to the next! Grifters are not wanted and neither are corporate
kleptocrats or authoritarians. But thanks for reminding us that no party
is safe.
Toby Tolly
Reply to Graham McCormack
my motto
je me souviens
Dacre Gushue
Reply to Graham McCormack
Yes move on Toby! Nothing to see there...
Do as they say, not as they do.
David Amos
Reply to Toby Tolly
My Clan's Motto is Veritas Vincit
Mathieu Laperriere
Reply to Toby Tolly
If it wasn't a french thing you wouldn't have cared.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Mathieu Laperriere
What about Latin?
Bob Smith
So Higgs is equating a vote on Policy 713 with a
vote on budgetary measures or a non confidence motion. That's a strange
equivalence...
David Amos
Reply to Bob Smith
Welcome back to the circus
Andrew Martin
"employee fired gives opinion because they're upset"
David Amos
Reply to Andrew Martin
So?
Andrew Martin
Reply to David Amos
Yes?
Matt Plastic
Higgs doesn't have the best interests of NB at heart. He seems to like being in charge more than helping the common folks
Higgs claimed the vote on Policy 713 was not whipped, but he said
Tuesday, 'I never made it a free vote, either.' (Stephen
MacGillivray/The Canadian Press)
Political
scientists J.P. Lewis said it's up to the premier to interpret when a
minister has violated the sanctity of the cabinet. (Graham Thompson/CBC)
Information Morning - Fredericton 14:22 Carr shuffled out of cabinet
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