Wednesday, 21 June 2023

PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs

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Subject: Your post titled "PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs" has been reinstated
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Poilievre tells Trudeau to 'butt out' of New Brunswick's policy on LGBTQ students

'Let parents raise kids,' he said while addressing controversial changes to policy on LGBTQ students

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Tuesday the prime minister has no business weighing in on New Brunswick's Policy 713 on LGBTQ students and called on Justin Trudeau to "let parents raise kids."

The policy was designed to protect LGBTQ students in schools. But earlier this year, New Brunswick's Progressive Conservative government made changes that, in part, mean teachers are no longer required to use the chosen names and pronouns of transgender or non-binary students under 16 without parental consent.

At a Tuesday event in Moncton critiquing carbon taxation and the cost of living, Poilievre was asked whether he stands with New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs on the changes to Policy 713. He called it "provincial policy."

"I know that Justin Trudeau has butted into that. The prime minister has no business in decisions that should rest with provinces and parents," he said.

"So my message to Justin Trudeau is, 'Butt out and let provinces run schools and let parents raise kids.'"

Poilievre: PM has 'no business' in N.B. gender identity policy debate

Duration 0:28
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre says the prime minister needs to let 'provinces run schools and parents raise children.'

Turmoil in Higgs government

The changes to Policy 713 prompted backlash from within Higgs's own cabinet, including numerous resignations by ministers who objected to his leadership style. On Tuesday morning, Higgs shuffled his cabinet to replace two ministers who voted against him on a resolution calling for more consultations on the school gender-identity policy.

Trudeau weighed in on the policy at a Pride event in Toronto about three weeks ago.

"Right now," he said, "trans kids in New Brunswick are being told they don't have the right to be their true selves, that they need to ask permission.

"Trans kids need to feel safe, not targeted by politicians. We need to stand against this."

In a tweet, federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan attacked Poilievre for his comments on Tuesday. He said not all parents are accepting and not all homes are safe, so schools should be both.

Higgs again defended the policy change during an interview with CBC's Power and Politics on Tuesday. He said "parents need to have a voice" and insisted he's taking "a balanced approach."

He said he's seeing "a tremendous outpouring of support" for his position.

"Nationally, people are saying, 'Why wouldn't parents play a role?'" he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arthur White-Crummey is a reporter at CBC Ottawa. He has previously worked as a reporter in Saskatchewan covering the courts, city hall and the provincial legislature. You can reach him at arthur.white-crummey@cbc.ca.

 
 

Hey Higgy John Williston and Maurice Arsenault seem to agree about you EH?

 

Moore, Rob - M.P.

<Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca>
Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 4:24 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

*This is an automated response*

 

Thank you for contacting the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P. office. We appreciate the time you took to get in touch with our office.

 

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David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 4:24 PM
To: "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, john.williston@dplwireless.com, info@pcnb.ca, "claude.williams" <claude.williams@pcnb.ca>, shawn_morrison_1974@icloud.com, vtpca@xplornet.ca, duncan@dlmca.ca, andrewjdykeman@gmail.com, bobhatheway@gmail.com, slmaceachern@gmail.com, rwillseely@gmail.com, ssducks@xplornet.ca, jd.grant@rogers.com, awlebrun@hotmail.com, lwyou1@rogers.com, "stephan.richard1" <stephan.richard1@gmail.com>, ericwalls2015@gmail.com, Brian.Cooke@unb.ca, francineqs@gmail.com, andrea.johnson@pcnb.ca, "David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Hogan" <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "Arseneau, Kevin (LEG)" <kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "michelle.conroy" <michelle.conroy@gnb.ca>, "robert.gauvin" <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, "Greg.Turner" <Greg.Turner@gnb.ca>, "mary.wilson" <mary.wilson@gnb.ca>, "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, "rob.moore" <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, "ernie.steeves" <ernie.steeves@gnb.ca>, "bruce.fitch" <bruce.fitch@gnb.ca>, BrianThomasMacdonald <BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail.com>, "Macfarlane, Bruce (DH/MS)" <Bruce.Macfarlane@gnb.ca>, briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>, "robert.mckee" <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, "Dominic.Cardy" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, teilor@nizhtimes.com, newsdesk@thesaxon.org, i@thesaxon.org, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, "Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>


BTW My blog has been under a constant attack since I posted the email
about Maurice Arsenault and Dominic Cardy Surprise Surprise Surprise
N'esy Pas?

http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2023/06/pc-rebels-say-majority-of-riding.html

Wednesday, 21 June 2023

PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs
 
 
 
 
 
'It's been brewing for quite some time,' said New Brunswick MLA Dominic Cardy, who resigned from the premier's cabinet in October. 'You've got a significant caucus rebellion, a significant cabinet revolt and the party itself.'
 

113 Comments

Somebody has attacked my blog about this nonsense 11 times since yesterday afternoon and I have a pretty good idea who is doing it  
Your post titled "PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs" has been unpublished
 
Enjoy Mr Cardy and Higgy et al can feel free to send me some more butter tarts http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2023/06/pc-rebels-say-majority-of-riding.html
 
 
 
 

Dominic Cardy, an independent New Brunswick MLA who previously served as education minister under Premier Blaine Higgs Progressive Conservatives, joins CPAC's Andrew Thomson to discuss the push from within the party to oust Higgs as its leader. (June 22, 2023)

 
 

Blaine Higgs drops 2 rebellious ministers in cabinet shuffle

Daniel Allain and Jeff Carr are out, replaced by newcomers

Premier Blaine Higgs has reasserted his authority over his fractured Progressive Conservative government by dumping two ministers who voted against him on the contentious issue of New Brunswick's school gender-identity policy.

In a cabinet shuffle Tuesday, Higgs dropped Local Government Minister Daniel Allain and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Jeff Carr, sending them to the backbenches.

He made it clear that their breaking ranks in a key vote on Policy 713 had cost them their jobs, violating the principle of cabinet solidarity.

"To go outside of that and to basically feel that it doesn't matter if you're in cabinet or not — it does matter. And to not address the situation is really putting the government in a very vulnerable position," Higgs told reporters after a 9 a.m. swearing-in.

"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." 

Man in blue suit stepping out of black car Premier Blaine Higgs arrives at Government House for a cabinet shuffle on Tuesday. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

The new additions to cabinet are Carleton-York MLA Richard Ames, Moncton South MLA Greg Turner and St. Croix MLA Kathy Bockus. All are first-timers as ministers. 

Rejoining cabinet are Moncton Southwest MLA Sherry Wilson, who was in cabinet from 2018 to 2020, and Oromocto-Lincoln-Fredericton MLA Mary Wilson, who was shuffled out of cabinet last fall.

Allain and Carr make four ministers no longer in Higgs's cabinet.

WATCH | 'Cabinet support is paramount,' Higgs says:

Blaine Higgs explains why he dropped two cabinet ministers

Duration 1:20
Daniel Allain and Jeff Carr are out of New Brunswick’s cabinet. Replacing them are new additions including Carleton-York MLA Richard Ames, Moncton South MLA Greg Turner and St. Croix MLA Kathy Bockus.

The two other ministers, Dorothy Shephard and Trevor Holder, resigned, both of them citing Higgs's leadership style that they said was at odds with the values and traditions of the PC party.

All four voted with the opposition parties on June 15 to help pass a Liberal motion calling for more consultations on Policy 713, which sets out protections for LGBTQ students in provincial schools.

Higgs claimed that day that the vote was not whipped, but he said Tuesday "I never made it a free vote, either."

WATCH | Catch up on why the N.B. government changed a policy aimed at protecting LGBTQ students

CBC News Explains: How did the New Brunswick government change Policy 713?

Duration 2:19
New Brunswick's Department of Education made several changes to a policy designed to protect LGBTQ students, affecting sections on self-identification, extracurricular activities and washrooms.

In the past, the premier has often tolerated minor acts of dissent in his cabinet and caucus, referring to it as "a diverse group" that has pushed the envelope the same way he did when he was the outspoken finance minister in the Alward government. 

But on Policy 713 Higgs has signalled he was losing patience.

"To take a position against the government in the legislature, voting in the legislature, is very significant," he said Tuesday.

Carr and Allain both said Tuesday they understood from Higgs that it was to be a free vote. 

"Obviously the definition of free vote differs from one individual to another," Allain said.

Both former ministers said they were questioning their futures in politics.

Allain said he was pondering whether "maybe there are other ways" for him to serve, given the party "is in a crisis. … I'm asking the question: is it worth the fight?"

He wouldn't say whether he supports the push for a review of Higgs's leadership. 

Medium shot of woman in grey suit smiling at a person off camera Moncton Southwest MLA Sherry Wilson at Government House on Tuesday, where she was appointed to cabinet. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Carr said he won't run in next year's provincial election if the premier is still leading the party.

He said he was disappointed but understands why he was removed from cabinet and did not regret his vote on Policy 713.

Carr insisted that the opposition motion called for exactly what the PC caucus had been promised by Higgs — a role for the child and youth advocate in determining if the policy changes were legally sound. 

He also wished the new ministers well in Higgs's cabinet.

"If they feel satisfied with that type of leadership and governing, then that's okay. I don't judge them for that." 

Higgs told reporters after the shuffle he'll try to reach out to unhappy grassroots members of the Progressive Conservative party, some of whom are organizing to remove him as leader

"I think we have some building to do, there's no question of that," Higgs said.

"I need to play a key role in that, reaching out to the membership, the executives throughout the province, and be able to sit down and have some very good discussions." 

New ministers proclaim support for premier

"I can guarantee you he doesn't have to ask me" about my loyalty, Mary Wilson told reporters.

"I have no problem with our premier. I think he does a great job."

Ames proclaimed that "it's a new day, a new team, new cabinet, great caucus — we're moving forward."

And Turner, who chaired the PC caucus until Tuesday, rejected the claims by Shephard and Holder that Higgs didn't listen to his MLAs.

WATCH | The CBC's Jacques Poitras explains the process the governing PC party must follow for dissenters to remove Blaine Higgs as leader: 

CBC Explains: How does a leadership review work?

Duration 1:19
The CBC’s Jacques Poitras walks us through each step the PC party must go through to remove a sitting premier.

"In any caucus meetings I was in, absolutely. I was in all the caucus meetings. Absolutely," he said.

"Like any team, there has been a leader and there has been people who support the leader," Turner said. "I have full confidence in his leadership abilities for sure. There's no question about that."

Ames replaces Carr as minister of transportation and infrastructure, while Saint John East MLA Glen Savoie gets a promotion by taking over Allain's local government portfolio.

Allain was the senior francophone minister in government, representing a language community with few MLAs in the PC caucus.

"He'll continue to be a valued member in our caucus and I'm sure he'll continue to represent the community," Higgs said.

Woman in blue suit and yellow shirt, walking with umbrella and smiling at camera Arlene Dunn arrives at Government House for a cabinet shuffle on Tuesday. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Carr, Allain, Shephard, Holder and two other ministers, Arlene Dunn and Jill Green, signed a statement earlier this month complaining about a lack of transparency and process in the government's review of Policy 713.

Dunn, who missed the June 15 vote but said the next day she'd have voted with the opposition, remains in cabinet and takes over the post-secondary education, labour and training duties that Holder held.

Asked why he kept her in cabinet, Higgs told reporters that "I know if someone had been there, they might have done differently … but the fact is they weren't there and they didn't stand against the government."

Dunn told reporters after the cabinet shuffle that her issue had been with Policy 713.

"I didn't think we should have touched that. I think we should have stayed away from it," she said.

But beyond that, "I do have confidence in the leadership of the premier."

Green also missed the June 15 vote and later said she didn't know how she would have voted. 

She's been promoted to minister of social development and also holds on to the housing file, with her provincial housing strategy expected to be released this week.

Opposition Liberal leader Susan Holt did not mention the internal PC party turmoil in a tweet congratulating the new ministers.

"Our team is ready to work with you to address the issues most important to New Brunswickers," she wrote.

New minister responsibilities:

  • Richard Ames — Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, former backbencher.
  • Jill Green — Minister of Social Development and responsible for Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation; still responsible for New Brunswick Housing Corporation,but no longer the Minister of Service New Brunswick. 
  • Arlene Dunn — Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, remains Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Minister responsible for Immigration; no longer responsible for Economic Development and Small Business and Opportunities N.B.
  • Greg Turner — Minister responsible for Opportunities N.B. and Economic Development and Small Business, former backbencher.
  • Glen Savoie — Minister of Local Government and still responsible for la Francophonie.
  • Mary Wilson — Minister of Service New Brunswick and responsible for Military Affairs; former backbencher shuffled out of cabinet last fall.
  • Tammy Scott-Wallace — remains Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, but no longer Minister responsible for Women's Equality.
  • Sherry Wilson — Minister responsible for Women's Equality and for Addictions and Mental Health Services; minister from 2018 to 2020 who became a backbencher after the 2020 election.
  • Kathy Bockus — Minister responsible for Seniors, former backbencher.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

 
 
 
795 Comments

 
 
David Amos 
"We serve at the pleasure of the premier."
 
 
 
 
David Amos
 
Food for thought on the BBQ circuit this summer.

What if a new right wing political party is created in NB and Higgy dissolves the PC Party like his buddy Austin did with the PANB recently and MacKay did 20 years ago? 

 
David Amos

Reply to David Amos
Methinks quite a circus would begin if Higgy joined the new party as its interim leader N'esy Pas?  
 
 

 
David Amos
 
Methinks Higgy just sealed the deal to go to war with Mr Allian and his pals Now they will battle for the Leadership N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
David Amos
I maintain Danny Boy will win the battle for leadership
 
 
Ed Armstrong
Reply to David Amos
If there is a leadership convention than that is a distinct possibility but there has to be a vacancy at the top first and with 15 months to go before an election, there is no way to dispose of the current leader, hold a leadership race and convention and have the new leader prepared to fight an election and win. Danny Boy is not stupid enough to cut off his nose to spite his face. He's a much smarter man than I am (I think), if I can read the timeline, I'm sure he can as well. He would be in much better shape to wait till after the Sept 2024 election and step into a leadership race at that point if a vacancy at the top occurs.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Ed Armstrong
Are you dudes gonna send me some more butter tarts if I am right?  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Ed Armstrong
BTW The caucus can get rid of Higgy and appoint an interim leader 
 
 
Ed Armstrong
Reply to David Amos
No, only the party can dump the leader. That is the big difference between Britian's Westminster System and Canada's. Britian's Caucus does elect the leader and can dump them at any time. In Canada all Party Members have the right to vote for their leader and under the rules can bit them out as well. I definitely like our rules better. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Ed Armstrong
There more than one way to skin a cat 
 
 
 
 
 
Dee MacDonald 
The silent majority has the final say.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Dee MacDonald 
I concur


Marcel Belanger 
Reply to Dee MacDonald
Not yet...not yet. 
 
 
Robert Borden 
Reply to Dee MacDonald 
Over half the party ridings want a leadership review. Seems the majority isn't silent, and so far haven't the say. 
 
 
Craig McMaster
Reply to Dee MacDonald 
When Higgs' own Party is turning on him, I don't think he has the majority anymore... 
 
 
 
 
val harris 
Higgs has added to his Puppet show .. NB is in for a real treat... 
 
 
David Amos
 
Reply to val harris   
I will trade you some popcorn for peanuts  
 
 
Sterling Wright  
Reply to val harris  
Well we are in for something. But I don't think treat is quite the right word. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Sterling Wright  
Not for you perhaps but lots of us are getting quite a chuckle 



 
Dacre Gushue
I still think Arlene Dunn should be out as well. She did sign the letter and "missed" the vote.  
 
 
David Amos
 
Reply to Dacre Gushue  
Why not ask the Fat Fred City Finest why her position is secure?
 
 
Rachel Woods
 
Reply to Dacre Gushue  
 
 
Sterling Wright  
Reply to Rachel Woods
That has always been the case for the old parties 
 
 
 
 
val harris 
Where is Lou Bell? 
 
 
Ben Haroldson 
Reply to val harris 
He's in Freddy getting sworn in.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to val harris  
Hiding under a rock 
 

 
 
Mac Isaac 
What I see as most disappointing...let's face it: Higgs is a huge disappointment, but what is most disappointing is that the provincial cabinet is now completely filled with a bunch of Higgs sycophants who will toe the party line but not really offer new thoughts or hopes for the people of New Brunswick. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Mac Isaac 
Welcome back to the circus 
 
 
Andrew Martin
Reply to Mac Isaac  
You may believe Higgs is a disappointment, but that is your opinion, not fact. If he was such a disappointment, he wouldn't have been re-elected with a majority. Opinions dont equate to fact. 
 
 
David Amos
 
Reply to Andrew Martin
Methinks Higgy won because Vickers lost N'esy Pas? 
 
 
Jake Quinlan
Reply to Andrew Martin
Rode the Covid wave (or lack of Covid in NB in 2020). 
 
 
Benny Swim 
Reply to Mac Isaac 
That was then and this is now. Even Poitras now seems to understand who Higgs is. Half the PCs in the province (over half of the local riding presidents have asked him to resign) will stay home if an election is called. That is an opinion and not fact.

They will be bolstered by the fact that Susan Holt and the Liberals have not given any reason for them or us to think she/they will govern much differently then the PCs. In that they will keep the fee cuts for billionaires on crown land, and tax free living for the Irving enterprises.

NBers should make sure that neither the Liberals or the Conservatives get a majority the next time we vote. Look what happens when we don't do that. The premier of the day begins to think that the province belongs to him/her and their advisors.

 
Benny Swim 
Reply to Benny Swim
The above comment was meant for Andrew Martin, not Mac Isaac.  
 
 
Donald LeBlanc 
Reply to Andrew Martin
How is your opinion fact? 
 
 
Roland Stewart 
Reply to Mac Isaac  
None of them could care less about Higgs or his policies or the people of the province. They are there for the money and perks that come with the job. 


Sterling Wright
Reply to Mac Isaac  
You nailed it 
 
 
Donald LeBlanc 
Reply to Benny Swim
You’re right, the Liberals under Holt need to prove that they are not the Party of the past. They have to show NBers that the billionaires will finally lose power, that regular folks will not be footing the bills while watching our services collapse. Watching the Legislature (as little of it there is) there seems to be hope in some of these new Liberal MLAs and Leader. Now they have to start proving it’s for real, not something that disappears the minute they take power. NBs are fed up with that scenario.  
 
 
Donald LeBlanc 
Reply to Benny Swim
And you’re absolutely right on the need for a Minority Government. Ross Wetmore said in the Legislature that for all his years (13) in Government, the 2018 Minority Government was the best he had worked in. He seemed very emotional about what has become of Government in NB.  
 
 
Robert Borden 
Reply to Andrew Martin
Over half the party ridings are calling for a leadership review, that's a fact, and also shows significant disappointment within the party. At least a third of his Cabinet, at least until this move, was also in open rebellion against him. That certainly shows a significant level of disappointment within his own elected members.

Your provided "fact" is a vote that is only for his riding, not for him as leader. In Alberta Kenney's UPC got elected with a strong majority yet he was ousted by his party. What you've outlined as "fact" is basically the scenario that happened in Alberta. 

 
Andrew Martin
Reply to Robert Borden 
I guess we'll see what happen with the next election. The ridings may be calling for a review, but are the actual voters calling for it? We dont really know 100%, we can estimate, poll etc, but we dont really know whats on every voters mind until election time.  
 
 
Andrew Martin
Reply to Donald LeBlanc
Winning a democratically instituted voting system where you win the majority of votes should be enough evidence of the majority agreeing. Therefore its not an opinion, but a fact. 
 
 
Ross Mills 
Reply to Andrew Martin 
Higgs's job is to represent the views of the people who voted for him. If he caves, it will be a huge disappointment for those who voted for him. If necessary, he may need to call an election to prove this.
 
 
Robert Borden 
Reply to Andrew Martin
Again, voters vote for their MLA, the party votes for the leader. Even if voters want the conservatives to remain in power, it doesn't mean they want Higgs as their premier.

Same thing happened in Alberta with Kenney, and quite possibly will happen with Smith, and I'd even go so far as including the federal Liberals with Trudeau.

Higgs doesn't seem to have the support of his party and it could be completely irrelevant what the voters want. If the party wants him out, he'll be gone.

 
Andrew Martin
Reply to Robert Borden
And if the voters wanted him running it and the party votes him out, then they may get voted out 


Donald LeBlanc 
Reply to Andrew Martin
It’s also a fact that the unvaccinated Pandemic Election Majority was won with 26% of eligible voters. This was after success in a Minority Government scenario with Higgs near the top in the approval rating polls. The opinion is that after receiving his Majority it seems that was the beginning of his missteps and downward trend, IMO.  
 
 
 
 
 
claude bourgeois
Can't call them Progressive Conservatives anymore. Just Conservatives. 
 
 
Jake Quinlan 
Reply to claude bourgeois
Chip off the federal block. They hired that consultant from western canada - here we are. 
 
 
Donald LeBlanc 
Reply to claude bourgeois
Just what Higgs wants. Guess PP is in the area, two peas in a pod. Another use for the initials PP.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to claude bourgeois
C'est Vrai
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Higgs accused of launching 'vicious' attack on PC critic during Saturday meeting

Former president tells premier to ‘get over it’ ahead of Tuesday cabinet shuffle

Two ministers, Dorothy Shephard and Trevor Holder, have resigned from his cabinet in the last two weeks over their concerns about his approach.

Higgs's spokesperson Nicolle Carlin told CBC News on Monday morning that the premier will shuffle his cabinet on Tuesday.

Two other ministers, Daniel Allain and Jeff Carr, joined Shephard and Holder in voting against the government on June 15.

WATCH | Daniel Allain on current state of the PC party:

PC arguments about Higgs are 'arduous, tumultuous and in the public,' minister says

Duration 1:10
Daniel Allain comments on an internal battle within New Brunswick's governing Progressive Conservative party. Premier Blaine Higgs has come under fire inside caucus and across the party.

Allain said Monday afternoon he hadn't been told yet if he'd still be a minister on Tuesday.

"There's a process," he said at a news conference in Grand Bouctouche. "We serve at the pleasure of the premier."

Allain and the three other ministers helped to pass an opposition Liberal motion calling for further consultations on the government's Policy 713, which sets out protections for LGBTQ+ students in schools.

WATCH | Jacques Poitras breaks down what rebelling PCs need to do to remove a sitting premier: 

CBC Explains: How does a leadership review work?

Duration 1:19
The CBC’s Jacques Poitras walks us through each step the PC party must go through to remove a sitting premier.

All four helped to pass an opposition Liberal motion calling for further consultations on the government's Policy 713, which sets out protections for LGBTQ students in schools.

That vote crystallized a growing discontent within the party that Shephard said goes far beyond just Policy 713.

Former party president Claude Williams said last week that there are letters from presidents of 26 PC riding associations asking for a leadership review — more than the 20 required to force the provincial council to vote on whether to hold a vote.

Higgs looks at 'path forward'

Williston said the letters weren't submitted at Saturday's meeting because the number continues to grow, with two more presidents signing on after the meeting because of the premier's behaviour.

Higgs said on Saturday that there was "a good frank open discussion here and I think we have a path forward."

Asked about Williams telling reporters he was disappointed in comments by the premier in the meeting, Higgs said his remarks were "about team building, it was about us working together and having good discussions internally." 

But Williston said Higgs's comments were "almost borderline shocking." 

WATCH | In May, Higgs called for a controversial review of Policy 713: 

Premier Blaine Higgs defends his government's review of Policy 713

Duration 2:03
Higgs says schools should have to inform parents if a child under 16 wants to change their names or pronouns, and young children should not be exposed to drag queen storytimes.

He also said the premier's critics tried to introduce a motion to schedule a special meeting of the council before the fall to deal with the leadership review issue but were ruled out of order based on procedure.

"Some people in the party are trying to to rag the puck," he said.

PC party president Erika Hachey, who ran Saturday's meeting, said Monday morning she had no comment on Williston's description of the discussion.

Williston said Higgs claimed in the meeting he was blameless for the party's poor election showings in francophone New Brunswick, pointing the finger instead at what he called negative coverage in the French-language newspaper L'Acadie Nouvelle.

​A​re the days numbered for Blaine Higgs as leader of New Brunswick's PC party? ​Jeanne Armstrong spoke to two party members who say it's time for the Premier to take a final bow. ​John Williston, a regional vice-president with the party, and Brian Harquail, former PC party president and one of the people who signed the letter calling for Higgs to resign.

Former PC party president Brian Harquail, who did not attend the meeting, told Information Morning that if Higgs can't unite his caucus and his party, he doesn't deserve to be governing New Brunswick. 

"I was elected twice as president and we have a reputation of eating our young, and blaming somebody else for our own mistakes," he said.

"Well, it's time we took control and started to lead the party in the right direction."

'Things are going to escalate'

Harquail was one of four former presidents who signed a letter last week calling on Higgs to resign to avoid a divisive, drawn-out leadership review fight.

He scoffed at Higgs blaming negative media coverage for his lack of popularity in francophone New Brunswick.

"To attack the newspaper for doing their job is childish and shows a very, very strong lack of leadership," he said.

"Get over it, Blaine, because that's life and that's the way it is. And you wanted the job, so let's get on with it."

Mediu shot of man in suit Former Progressive Conservative party president Claude Williams previously said there are letters from presidents of 26 PC riding associations asking for a leadership review. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Williston said far from calming down, he believes that "things are going to escalate" in the party's internal battle. 

He said the premier will eventually have to realize that he can no longer govern and that an election would be a risk now because many PC members in local riding associations won't work for him as leader.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

With files from CBC Information Morning Fredericton

 
 
 
1109 Comments


 
David Amos

Methinks Higgy's beloved caucus may turn on him in short order now that only 17 of them got a new car and a big raise N'esy Pas?   
 
 
 
David Amos
 
Somebody has attacked my blog about this nonsense 11 times since yesterday afternoon and I have a pretty good idea who is doing it  

 
 
 
David Amos
  
Methinks Higgy just sealed the deal to go to war with Mr Allian and his pals Now they will battle for the Leadership N'esy Pas?
 
 

 
David Amos 
"We serve at the pleasure of the premier."

I continue to maintain that Daniel Allain will be the next Leader/Premier

 
Kyle Woodman
Reply to David Amos
You might be on to something. He managed the optics of municipal reform fairly well given how unpopular it was.  
 

Don Corey 
Reply to David Amos 
I hope you’re right on the next leader. If indeed it’s Allain, he’ll also win the next election and the libs will no longer have Higgs to continually complain about.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman
More importantly he is French Minister in Moncton and a Bernie Lord buddy  
 
 
Ben Haroldson 
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Ya think lol?  
 
 
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Ben Haroldson 
It could have been a complete disaster given how angry people were. Given the context I think he handled it with some competency. I don't really know much about Allain. Seems to know when to keep his head down. 


David Amos
 
Reply to Kyle Woodman 
Hanwell man sues NB Liquor over agency store contract

Moncton's Power Plus Technology won the agency store contract

CBC News · Posted: Apr 23, 2013 9:35 AM ADT

 
David Amos
Reply to David Amos 
Alward appoints faithful to key positions

CBC News · Posted: Oct 14, 2010 6:49 AM ADT

New Brunswick Premier David Alward appointed Tory faithful to key deputy minister posts Thursday, reversing a vow to change the way in which appointments are made by the provincial government.

The appointments include Daniel Allain to the key position of president and chief executive officer of NB Liquor. Dana Clendenning, the Liberal-appointed president of the Crown corporation, left his position last week with a taxpayer-funded severance package.

Previous premiers Shawn Graham and Bernard Lord both selected party loyalists for the job, which pays between $150,000 and $175,000 per year.

 
 
 
 
David Amos
"But Mark Paul-Elias, the president of the PC's Fredericton-Grand Lake Riding Association, said the majority of the party stands behind the premier"
 
 
Mack Leigh 
Reply to David Amos
And that speaks volumes.... 
 
 
Graham McCormack
Reply to David Amos
And Trump say she was the best president ever. People say a lot of things, doesn't mean they are true. 
  
 
Andrew Hebda 
Reply to David Amos 
He has unique insight (outside of the Fredericton-Grand Lake riding)? 
 

Gregory Pittaway  
Reply to David Amos
I think that's going to be proven fantacy very shortly. Lol. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Gregory Pittaway 
Trust that I don't trust anything a lawyer says particularly one who is supporting our latest Justice Minister  
 
 
 
 
 
Rhys Philbin
Lol. Caucus revolt.

Two ministers stand down yet hold on to the golden paycheque

 
David Amos
Reply to Rhys Philbin
Oh My MY Are you having as much fun as I? 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Franklin  
Higgs is bad for NB and is giving us a bad name. He's worse for NB than Jason Kenney was for Alberta.  
 
 
Andrew Martin
Reply to Daniel Franklin  
Best leader NB has had in decades..... maybe are envious that higgs is taking a stand against the nonsense. 

 
Inger Nielsen 
Reply to Andrew Martin
sorry you feel that way I feel that childrens lives matter childrens voices matter and childrens rights matter 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Daniel Franklin 
Relax and enjoy the circus 
 
 
Ken Hastings 
Reply to Daniel Franklin 
But, Danielle Smith is worse than Higgs and Kenney put together!  
 
 
 
 
 
Fred Brewer  
What has Higgs done for renewables in NB?

2016 was the first year when there were more people employed in renewable energy worldwide than there were in oil and gas worldwide.

Since then the job growth in renewables has continued to grow. But Higgs head was firmly stuck in the oilsands and NB has lost out on huge, well-paid job growth opportunities in renewables. Time for him to go.

 
Ronald Miller
Reply to Fred Brewer  
Our total renewable capacity in 2018 stood at 30.6%, in 2023 it now stands at 40.4%. Conversely, our Oil and Diesel was at 35.2%, it is now 15.5%. Looks like that debt clock needs another adjustment.  
 
 
Andrew Martin 
Reply to Fred Brewer 
The cost of renewables is not as attractive to NB due to our already low rates. The shift in job demographics you mention is not born of something other than government making O n G job extinct due to hindering policies.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Ronald Miller 
Say Hey to Little Lou for me will ya? 



 
 
Shawn Tabor 
This just keeps on getting better and better. The drama of it all. Shows you the ( cracks ). What should these folks really be doing.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor  
Welcome back to the circus 
 



Frank Brace  
Perhaps Higgs could be sent to a psychologist for counselling  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Frank Brace 
Why not just put the old goat out to pasture? The Conservatives may need him again in the future 


Michael Hutton
Reply to Frank Brace
Only if his parents approve  
 
 
Andrew Hebda 
Reply to Frank Brace
In all honesty.. we all have our days... when we have to vent... however, in this case, based on what we have seen in the news during the last several weeks seems to be something more "persistent" 


Frank Brace  
Reply to Michael Hutton  
Touche, make him tell them  
 
 
Walter Alison 
Reply to Frank Brace
Don't you really mean social conditioning and brainwashing?  
 
 
Benny Swim
Reply to Frank Brace
But not one in a school as there are none.  
 
 
Michael Cain  
Reply to Frank Brace
anger mangement problem; makes decisions in the heat of the moment. 
 
 
Frank Brace  
Reply to Walter Alison  
That's already occurred and why he needs help 





 
Mike Carruthers
Any leader will have a nasty streak when subordinates decide to not follow their instructions. Just ask Jody Wilson-Raybould.  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Mike Carruthers
While you are at it why not ask Jody about my lawsuit which I filed and began arguing before she was elected? 
 

Michael Murphy 
Reply to Mike Carruthers  
So Trudeau was right, or Higgs is wrong? 

 
Walter Alison  
Reply to Michael Murphy  
Trudeau is never right. Hence, Higgs is not wrong.  
 
 
Andrew Hebda
Reply to Mike Carruthers 
In Minister Wilson Raybould's case she was offered a choice... In this case... no choice.. just public berating. 

 
Michael Cain
Reply to Mike Carruthers
She failed at the job miserably. 
 



 
 
Robt Greene  
'Vicious verbal attack.'

'He was clearly in a complete rage'

We've had hints of this from Ottawa. One incident, about six yrs ago, that made it to a couple of papers, was the time when he jumped up on a desk and started screaming a profanity laden 10 min outburst at an MP who dared to voice what his constituents wanted.

No story on this site about it though. And you can be damned sure they knew all about it.

 
David Amos
Reply to Robt Greene
Reporters witnessed our little hoedown in public in October and said nothing either 
 
 
Dacre Gushue 
Reply to Robt Greene 
You need to add more context here. Not sure who or what you're talking about.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Dacre Gushue   
I finally got a Health Care Card Correct? 
 

Benny Swim  
So because Trudeau does it, it is fine for Higgs? Whataboutism is a weak argument. Like kids saying "well Mary and Mark did it so why am I being given a hard time"". BTW, Trudeau is a lousy leader too.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Benny Swim 
They both replaced their Health Ministers Correct?
 
 
Robt Greene 
Reply to Benny Swim   
Not at all what I was saying.

One is front page news on here.

The other incidents are totally ignored by this site. 

 
David Amos 
Reply to David Amos
PC official wants Blaine Higgs's leadership put to review

PC party official hopes for discussion of N.B. premier's leadership at

annual general meeting

Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Oct 18, 2022 6:15 PM AT

Blaine Higgs recently told Brunswick News that he’ll announce during

his State of the Province speech in the new year whether he plans to

retire ahead of the next election in 2024 or seek another mandate.

(Jacques Poitras/CBC)

 
 
 
 
Bruce Dagsvik  
At this rate NB will see a COR comeback with Higgs as leader taking them into the 2024 election. 
 
 
Dacre Gushue  
Reply to Bruce Dagsvik 
That's not all bad.
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Bruce Dagsvik  
Methinks many would agree that you are more right than wrong N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
 
Toby Tolly 
jacques ... the 1 hit wonder  
 
 
Emmanuel Rochon 
Reply to Toby Tolly 
Oh how some like to blame the messenger!  
 
 
David Amos 

Reply to Emmanuel Rochon
C'est Vrai
 
 
 
 
Zoe Richmond
Premier Higgs has won two elections, of course the media is all over him like the plague. 
 
 
Elliott Stranger
Reply to Zoe Richmond
It’s not the media he has to worry about. His own party wants him gone. 
 
 
Andrew Hebda 
Reply to Zoe Richmond
It is not the media that is confronting him... It is (what were formerly his own people 
 
 
Emmanuel Rochon 
Reply to Zoe Richmond
Well that's quite the leap! 
 
 
Roosevelt Smith 
Reply to Emmanuel Rochon 
seems blaming the media is pretty on par for these folks:

pointing the finger instead at what he called negative coverage in the French-language newspaper L'Acadie Nouvelle.

 
Sam Crawford 
Reply to Zoe Richmond
Hoodwinking an electorate in no means equates to good governance.  
 
 
Craig McMaster 
Reply to Zoe Richmond
Premier Higgs is losing the support of his own Party and the press is doing their job by telling us about it...  
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Sam Crawford 
Oh So True
 
 
 
 
Rick Rheubottom  
When cornered the typical politician will lash out in a defensive tactic disguised as aggression. If ignored the hackles come down and typically they rest. 
 
 
Andrew Hebda 
Reply to Rick Rheubottom 
I prefer politicians who can control their temper (and their hackles)  
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Andrew Hebda
 
 
Clive Gibbons  
Judging by the contempt he has for his team, imagine how he feels about what regular New Brunswickers think. 
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Clive Gibbons 
Imagine? 



 
James Smythe 
And here I thought conservatives detested top-down governance and centralized power
 
 
13 older comments.  
 
 
David Novak 
Reply to Craig McMaster
This article is about internal party frictions. How is Trudeau acting like a Conservative? There is little comparable internal friction within the Liberal Party. Alberta's Premier is watching behind her back and Higgs seems to be now too, both conservatives. And of course we can imagine that there might still be a few real conservatives out there who might fundamentally disagree with the direction the federal party is headed.  
 
David Amos  

Reply to James Smythe  
Imagine?  
 
 
 
 
 

John Williston

VP, Business Development

Eastern to Central United States, Caribbean, and Puerto Rico.

john.williston@dplwireless.com
 
 
Office: (506) 869-3629
Cell: (506) 381-8493
 
 

Your post titled "PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs" has been reinstated

 
 
 

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Mon, Jun 26, 2023 at 4:45 PM
To: john.williston@dplwireless.com, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael Phillips <mphillip@nbnet.nb.ca>
Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2023 19:57:55 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: RE PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support
ousting Higgs

To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

I'm not sure who you are David Amos, but you and most of your follows do
not seem to understand the procedure spelled out in the constitution of
the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick for making a
leadership review happen. If and when these so called letters are
delivered to the president of the Party and the numbers meet the
criteria then and only then will the process begins. The first step of
this procedure could be referred to as "a shot across the bow". When you
read the constitution you will see that the process maybe aborted at the
next step if a 2/3 majority of the Provincial Council is not achieved.
After attending the meeting on Saturday, I'm not sure if a 2/3 majority
can be achieved. In the mean time, Premier Higgs will be working on
resolving the rifts in his caucus. We will see how that goes. He does
appear to be remorseful and sincerely interested in changing his
management style. He does recognize many of his mistakes and I guess
that would be the first step.

I also want to tell you that under no circumstances is Dominic Cardy or
Jody Carr spokesmen for the PC Party of New Brunswick. Even though they
are members of PCNB, both of these gentleman are in the political
wilderness and are only commenting to the media for their own self
interests, not the Party. Mr Cardy claims he is a member in good
standing of PCNB. Member yes, good standing NO. I have talked with many,
many members of the Party in the past year and only one admits to being
an ally of Mr Cardy.  I have no idea why the media flocks to him each
time there is a new development in New Brunswick politics. His opinion
has zero value to most people in the Province. If the media wanted to
renew their credibility they would stop interviewing him.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Blogger <no-reply@google.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 19:42:19 +0000
Subject: Your post titled "PC rebels say majority of riding presidents
support ousting Higgs" has been reinstated
To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com


     Hello,

     We have re-evaluated the post titled "PC rebels say majority of riding
presidents support ousting Higgs" against Community Guidelines
https://blogger.com/go/contentpolicy. Upon review, the post has been
reinstated. You may access the post at
http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2023/06/pc-rebels-say-majority-of-riding.html.

     Sincerely,

     The Blogger Team
 
 
 

Automatic reply: RE PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs

Holder, Trevor (LEG)

<Trevor.Holder@gnb.ca>
Sun, Jun 25, 2023 at 6:08 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Hello / Bonjour,

I will be away from the office, returning June 26, 2023 / Je serai absent du bureau, de retour le 26 juin, 2023.

Trevor A. Holder

 

Mitton, Megan (LEG)

<Megan.Mitton@gnb.ca>
Sun, Jun 25, 2023 at 6:26 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

(Le français suit)

Thank you for your email. Your email has been received by the office of MLA Megan Mitton. For immediate assistance, please call my constituency office at: (506) 378-1565 or the Fredericton office: (506) 457-6842. For media requests, please call: 506-429-2285.


Merci pour votre courriel. Ceci est pour confirmer que votre courriel a été reçu par le bureau de la députée Megan Mitton. Pour une assistance immédiate, veuillez appeler mon bureau de circonscription au : (506) 378-1565 ou le bureau de Fredericton : (506) 457-6842. Pour les demandes des médias, veuillez composer le 506-429-2285.


Megan Mitton (elle / she, her)

Députée de Memramcook-Tantramar | Responsable en matière de la santé, le logement, le changement climatique, et les droits humains.
MLA for Memramcook-Tantramar | Advocate and Critic on files including Health, Housing, Climate Change, and Human Rights.


Le Nouveau-Brunswick est situé sur les territoires traditionnels, non cédés des Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik & Peskotomuhkati. / New Brunswick is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik & Peskotomuhkati.

 

RE PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs

 

Michael Phillips

<mphillip@nbnet.nb.ca>
Sun, Jun 25, 2023 at 8:57 PM


I'm not sure who you are David Amos, but you and most of your follows do not seem to understand the procedure spelled out in the constitution of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick for making a leadership review happen. If and when these so called letters are delivered to the president of the Party and the numbers meet the criteria then and only then will the process begins. The first step of this procedure could be referred to as "a shot across the bow". When you read the constitution you will see that the process maybe aborted at the next step if a 2/3 majority of the Provincial Council is not achieved. After attending the meeting on Saturday, I'm not sure if a 2/3 majority can be achieved. In the mean time, Premier Higgs will be working on resolving the rifts in his caucus. We will see how that goes. He does appear to be remorseful and sincerely interested in changing his management style. He does recognize many of his mistakes and I guess that would be the first step.

I also want to tell you that under no circumstances is Dominic Cardy or Jody Carr spokesmen for the PC Party of New Brunswick. Even though they are members of PCNB, both of these gentleman are in the political wilderness and are only commenting to the media for their own self interests, not the Party. Mr Cardy claims he is a member in good standing of PCNB. Member yes, good standing NO. I have talked with many, many members of the Party in the past year and only one admits to being an ally of Mr Cardy.  I have no idea why the media flocks to him each time there is a new development in New Brunswick politics. His opinion has zero value to most people in the Province. If the media wanted to renew their credibility they would stop interviewing him.

 

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Sun, Jun 25, 2023 at 6:08 PM
To: "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, edinnb@gmail.com, bfmath@nb.sympatico.ca, vandpelliott@gmail.com, mikeboushel@nb.aibn.com, slmaceachern@gmail.com, lynn.savoie@bellaliant.net, rcharman@rogers.com, janemittonmaclean@gmail.com, sylvie@droitsgclaw.com, thelmacormier@hotmail.com, mpmartin@nbnet.nb.ca, brianehbaxter@gmail.com, danjoproducts@rogers.com, huguette_sawyer@hotmail.com, portly1a@gmail.com, paulhambrook99@gmail.com, tom.jennings506@gmail.com, gertrudemclaughlin@hotmail.com, nomiedavidgauvin@hotmail.com, lwyou1@rogers.com, annebard.lavigne@gmail.com, worth@nbnet.nb.ca, awlebrun@hotmail.com
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, checkup@cbc.ca, Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca, "robert.gauvin" <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, "Trevor.Holder" <Trevor.Holder@gnb.ca>, Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca


 

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Sun, Jun 25, 2023 at 6:26 PM
To: "Bill.Oliver" <Bill.Oliver@gnb.ca>, jeremy_salgado@hotmail.com, eolsen@quispamsis.ca, grantbrenan@hotmail.ca, jacobstackhouse@hotmail.com, corbenp@hotmail.com, brooklyn.galbraith@gmail.com, balcomb@nbnet.nb.ca, glennhawkins224@gmail.com, jenniferurquhart992@gmail.com, chrisamcmorrow@gmail.com, markpe32@gmail.com, mphillip@nbnet.nb.ca, willforall@mail.com, andrewtkeezer@gmail.com, kellywilson9294@gmail.com, toolsofengagement@gmail.com, jd.grant@rogers.com, snd_mcisaac@hotmail.com, chasmac@nbnet.nb.ca, gamfarms@nb.sympatico.ca, jacqueline.carrier@bellaliant.net, jpouelle21@gmail.com
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, David.Coon@gnb.ca, "Arseneau, Kevin (LEG)" <kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "Holland, Mike (LEG)" <mike.holland@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Hogan" <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "michelle.conroy" <michelle.conroy@gnb.ca>
 
 
BTW  Higgy's old buddy Dominic Cardy is about to speak about 713 on
CBC Radio's Cross Country Checkup

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/checkup/cccu-lgbtq-rights-1.6885645

Is Canada becoming more or less accepting of LGBTQ rights?

What conversations are you having? Call us: 1-888-416-8333
CBC Radio · Posted: Jun 23, 2023 1:35 PM ADT

Cross Country Checkup: Is Canada becoming more or less accepting of
LGBTQ rights?
54 minutes ago
Live
It's Pride weekend in Toronto, but it comes at a time where advocates
say trans people are being targeted and harmful rhetoric is on the
rise. What conversations are you having?

Toronto is hosting Pride celebrations this weekend, but it comes at a
time where advocates say trans people are being targeted and harmful
rhetoric is on the rise.

In New Brunswick, the provincial government's decision to change an
education policy on gender identity has caused significant controversy
and even turmoil within the government. The changes make it mandatory
for teachers to get parental consent before using a student's chosen
name and pronouns.

School psychologists as well as child welfare, education and human
rights experts have all come out against these changes.

Our question this week: Is Canada becoming more or less accepting of
LGBTQ rights? What conversations are you having?

Our Ask Me Anything segment this week features former Conservative
leader Erin O'Toole. O'Toole resigned his seat as an MP at the end of
the House of Commons' spring session this past Wednesday. What
questions do you have?

Join host Ian Hanomansing on CBC Radio One and CBC Listen and CBC News
Network. Call Checkup at 1-888-416-8333, send an email text
(226-758-8924) or find us on Facebook.

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2023/06/pc-rebels-say-majority-of-riding.html

Wednesday, 21 June 2023

PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs
 
 
 

Premier Higgs says he won't resign after calls for his removal

Higgs intends to stay on even after the resignations of 2 cabinet ministers

When asked what's next for him and the party, Higgs batted down any suggestion of stepping aside.

"It won't be a resignation," Higgs said.

The premier has been under pressure to step aside after changes to Policy 713 — a policy designed to protect LGBTQ students in schools — prompted the resignations of two cabinet ministers and letters from more than 20 riding presidents calling on Higgs to resign.

Higgs said there was no formal discussion at the meeting about a possible leadership review, but did say he wants to work with the party and his caucus to resolve any issues behind closed doors.

"I think we have a path forward here as we work through some of our issues," he said.

Claude Williams, a former president of the party who attended the meeting, said the reason there was no formal discussion about a leadership review is because the rules of the meeting made it impossible.

He also said he was disappointed in the premier's closing remarks to the meeting, but didn't elaborate further.

Support cloudy

The amount of support the premier has in caucus, and in the party, is up for debate.

On Wednesday, CBC News reported at least 22 riding presidents have written letters calling for a leadership review vote.

But Mark Paul-Elias, the president of the PC's Fredericton-Grand Lake Riding Association, said the majority of the party stands behind the premier.

While he admitted not everyone was supportive of Higgs — mentioning at least one person who walked out of the meeting — Paul-Elias maintained the premier has the party's support.

"You don't have a family that doesn't have the odd person who doesn't agree with what's going on. But the party is really united and we intend to stay united," he said.

With files from Lars Schwarz

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
198 Comments

 
 
David Amos 
 "The turmoil within New Brunswick's Progressive Conservative Party was deepening Friday morning as another minister quit Premier Blaine Higgs's cabinet and four former top party officials demanded the premier resign.

Portland-Simonds MLA Trevor Holder, the longest-serving MLA in the legislature, announced in an open letter he was quitting as minister of post-secondary education, training and labour.

"Under the leadership of Premier Higgs, caucus has been less about consensus and more about him getting his own way," Holder wrote.

Holder's letter was sent out just one hour after four past presidents of the party called on Higgs to resign immediately.

"We ask that you avoid a disruptive, public battle that could tear the party apart. We ask that you leave graciously," the letter says.

The letter is signed by Claude Williams, Lester Young, Brian Harquail and Jason Stephen, all former presidents of the New Brunswick party."

 
 
 
 
David Amos
Imagine if Higgy as Leader decides to dissolve the PC Party like his buddy Austin did to the PANB recently and MacKay did to the federal PC Party in 20 years ago? 
 
 
 

David Amos
"Higgs's past involvement with the anti-bilingualism Confederation of Regions party — alarming to many francophones — underscored that he was truly different."  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to David Amos    
"Only three sitting PC MLAs endorsed him, an indicator of how his more conventional colleagues saw his maverickness.

So he signed up countless new party members to go around them.

He told those recruits that "it doesn't matter what the party's called — use the PC Party as a conduit to change politics in New Brunswick." 

 
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
"Most MLAs who worked with Higgs in the Alward cabinet endorsed other leadership candidates in 2016 and chafed at his open disdain for old-fashioned party ways.

"When it's done right … politics is what makes things happen," veteran Portland-Simonds member Trevor Holder said at the time.

"Sometimes that takes political friendships and alliances to get that done."

 
David Amos
Reply to David Amos 
"The main accusation by his caucus critics is that he cuts them out of his decision-making process.

His 2020 push for health reforms — including the proposed closure of small hospital emergency departments — cost him his only francophone MLA at the time, Robert Gauvin.

Gauvin's father was the late Jean Gauvin, a longtime member of Richard Hatfield's cabinet who helped keep the embers of PC support flickering in Shippagan during the party's 12-year exile from power.

Jean Gauvin also stood by Hatfield when party rebels tried to remove him from the leadership in 1985 — so his son's move to the Liberals is another symbol of Higgs's break with party history. "

 
David Amos

Reply to David Amos  
"Another francophone who backed Hatfield during that battle, Jean-Pierre Ouellet from Madawaska-Les Lacs-Edmundston, is now part of the push to dump Higgs, arguing the premier is advancing ideas inimical to the PC Party.

"As far as I'm concerned, he's trying to implement a platform that was the CoR platform when he was campaigning for the CoR party in the 1980s," Ouellete said."

 
Jos Allaire 
Reply to David Amos 
He was and still is different!  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Jos Allaire 
Methinks many folks in Madawaska-Les Lacs-Edmundston agree with you N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
David Amos 
"Former PC cabinet minister Jody Carr, whose brother Jeff Carr is a minister in the government and among those who voted for the motion, tweeted Thursday that it was sad to see Higgs "lose the confidence of his party, caucus and citizens, and be the last one to realize it." 
 
 
 
 
David Amos
On June 21st PC Party president Erika Hachey said in an email she had not received any letters yet from riding presidents calling for a review. 





David Amos
"But Mark Paul-Elias, the president of the PC's Fredericton-Grand Lake Riding Association, said the majority of the party stands behind the premier"
 
 
Gregory Pittaway 
Reply to David Amos 
Jeez, never seen this much turmoil in a party that has such confidence in its leader.  
 
 
David Amos 

Reply to Gregory Pittaway    
Check out the circus in the Ottawa or England or Scotland or Russia or the USA etc Methinks New Brunswick is small potatoes N'esy Pas?
 
 
Christine White 
Reply to David Amos  
 Who is Mark speaking for?

Not the voting public.

 
David Amos  
Reply to Christine White 
Higgy
 
 
 
 
Wilbur Ross 
Call the Irving complaint line and tell them to fire this guy. 
 
 
Buford Wilson 
Reply to Wilbur Ross
(Hilarious!)  
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Good luck with that  
 
 

 
 
Doug kirby 
His past employment has taught him to never back down 
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Doug kirby 
No doubt 
 
 
Gregory Pittaway 
Reply to Doug kirby  
His past employment certainly didn't teach him to consult with experts so this is what we get. An uneducated leader who does not care to consult with those who know more than him. Just mine a vein of half truths for cheap political points, children be damned. 
 
 
Michael Cain 
Reply to Doug kirby 
His past employment taught him that a bully gets things done. 
 
 
G. Timothy Walton 
Reply to Doug kirby 
Elect political outsiders, get people with politics outside their skillset. 
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to G. Timothy Walton 
I resemble that remark
 
 
 
 
 
Keith McLellan 
The most divisive premier ever! Higgs has to go!  
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Keith McLellan  
Amen 




Lorelei Stott 
great news, hold the hill Mr. Higgs, appreciate your stance and common sense middle ground 
 
 
David Amos 

Reply to Lorelei Stott  
No doubt Humpty Dumpty had his fans too
 
 
Gregory Pittaway 
Reply to Lorelei Stott  
That you call this "middle ground" is hilarious and telling. Lol. 
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Gregory Pittaway  
I continue to maintain that Daniel J. Allain will be the next PC Leader/Premier in short order 
 
 
 
 
 
Kat Jo 
Imagine, believing parents should be involved in the rearing of their children. 
 
 
Rachel Woods
Reply to Kat Jo 
 A child’s gender identity has no impact on the “rearing” aspect of a parent. Their support, love, and attention should not be impacted by their gender identity.

That’s why in this one singular niche situation the parent should be left out, if the child specifically requests it.

Parents are still informed and involved in literally everything else.

 
David Amos  
Reply to Kat Jo 
Imagine
 
 
Graham McCormack 
Reply to Kat Jo 
Nobody said they shouldn't be involved. Nice try in confusing the issue.  
 
 
Michael Cain 
Reply to Kat Jo  
Parents are a part of the rearing of children; babysitters, day care and school all have a part to play. 
 
 
 
 
 
Murray Brown  
Mr. Higgs was obviously never a student of Parliamentary democracy.... You don't decide whether or not your are the leader of your party... Your party decides. And if they decide that you are not the leader... Then you aren't the leader. And if you aren't the leader, then you aren't the Premier. Get used to it Mr. Higgs. You do not control the keys to the Premier's office... Your party does.  
 
 
Sterling Wright 
Reply to Murray Brown
I thought the voters decided.  
 
 
David Amos 

Reply to Sterling Wright 
What did Higgy and his new buddy do to your beloved party?  
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Murray Brown
Close but no cigar   
 
 
 
 
Benny Swim 
Mark Paul-Elias does not apparently read the news. This is like Higgs' family has put all his worldly possessions on the sidewalk and changed the locks on the door. In that this is no small family disagreement.

No surprise that Higgs would put himself ahead of his party and his province. He is a bitter ender of there ever was one. This is going to get much worse in the days ahead.

 
Donald LeBlanc 
Reply to Benny Swim
Agree, other than his party is the Higgs Party, not the PC Party and his Province is the Irving’s Province, IMO of course.  
 
 
David Amos 

Reply to Benny Swim  
When was the last time you believed a lawyer working with a politician who is currently the Justice Minister? 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhys Philbin  
This topic has run its course.

Next!

 
Stephen Robertson 
Reply to Rhys Philbin  
You can only hope. 
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Rhys Philbin 
Dream on
 
 
 
 
Alison Jackson 
"I think we have a path forward here as we work through some of our issues," he said.

-

But YOU are the issue McFly!

 
Rick Grayson 
Reply to Alison Jackson  
I think the premier fails to realize that the govt works as a democracy and not a dictatorship. 3 cabinet ministers resign. 1 the longest standing member of the legislature. Seems like there is a common denominator.  
 
 
Ed Armstrong 
Reply to Alison Jackson  
Just remember the last two resignations and the caucus revolt were from people that never supported Highs from day one. He knew it and they knew it. The first one was insubordination, he quit seconds before he would have been fired. 
 
 
Rachel Woods 
Reply to Ed Armstrong  
“They never supported him since day one”

That is false. He wouldn’t have made them cabinet ministers if they didn’t support him.

 
Matt Steele 
Reply to Ed Armstrong  
Exactly right .
 
 
Ed Armstrong 
Reply to Rachel Woods 
They both supported someone else for the leadership right up to and including the last ballot. They got in cabinet because they were 2 of the most experienced MLAs he had. Who had more Cabinet Experience that was excluded from cabinet?  
 
 
Doug Cochran 
Reply to Alison Jackson 
"But the party is really united and we intend to stay united" says it all. I think Mr Higgs is in tune with the majority and the majority is in tune with him.  
 
 
Rachel Woods 
Reply to Doug Cochran   
Is that why his approval ratings have plummeted and are the lowest of any Premier in the country? 


Doug Cochran 
Reply to Alison Jackson
Won't matter much when he wins next election  
 
 
David Webb 
Reply to Rachel Woods 
You do know that there is only one poll that counts. Polling done for any party (paid for) are easily manipulated to get the result they desire, which they then advertise as the definitive authority. For example a poll done in only liberal held ridings would look quite different in conservative held ridings. 
 
 
Michael Cain 
Reply to Doug Cochran
That tune you hear must be "(Na Na Hey Hey) Kiss Him Goodbye". 
 
 
Donald LeBlanc 
Reply to Doug Cochran 
Are you referring to the majority of right wing Western separatists?  
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Ed Armstrong  
Why not explain to the folks why I ran in Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins in 2018? 
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Ed Armstrong
Howcome you dudes quit sending me butter tarts? 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Another N.B. cabinet minister quits as turmoil over Higgs's leadership deepens

Trevor Holder resigns not long after 4 former party presidents call for premier to leave

Portland-Simonds MLA Trevor Holder, the longest-serving MLA in the legislature, announced in an open letter he was quitting as minister of post-secondary education, training and labour.

"Under the leadership of Premier Higgs, caucus has been less about consensus and more about him getting his own way," Holder wrote.

Holder said he has tried many times to explain to the premier the importance of working more collaboratively but to no avail.

"While I have tried my best to continue to work to maintain the integrity of the caucus system, I have finally come to the conclusion that this is no longer possible."

A man with grey hair and glasses, wearing a blue suit, white collared shirt and blue tie, speaks into several reporters' microphones as a number of other people behind him look on. Premier Blaine Higgs has been facing backlash from his own MLAs. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

He also rapped the premier for "his lack of empathy as well as his inability to listen to valid concerns from all members of his caucus." 

Holder was first elected in the 1999 election and has been a minister under three different PC premiers.

He said he plans to stay on as MLA for Portland-Simonds and called on party members to "build a thoughtful conservative movement in this province that brings people together rather than divide them."

Holder's letter was sent out just one hour after four past presidents of the party called on Higgs to resign immediately.

They wrote in their statement that Higgs has achieved a lot during his more than four years as premier but also lacks the ability to achieve "the delicate balance" required to govern New Brunswick.

"We ask that you avoid a disruptive, public battle that could tear the party apart. We ask that you leave graciously," the letter says.

"You have had some important successes as Premier of New Brunswick. But the moment now demands that you pass the baton and the PCNB reorient itself to face the future and move forward."

The letter is signed by Claude Williams, Lester Young, Brian Harquail and Jason Stephen, all former presidents of the New Brunswick party.

The four former presidents accused Higgs of trying to make the internal fight a fight about Policy 713, the policy on protections for LGBTQ students in provincial schools that the government recently revised. 

But they said the problems run deeper and include the premier's attempts to replace French immersion and weaken district education councils and to eliminate elected members of regional health authority boards. 

"Policy 713 was just the tipping point in a long line of disrespect he has shown to our Party, its values and its traditions," they wrote.

Stephen said in an interview that as a party volunteer for more than three decades, it was hard for him to sign the letter.

But he believes the party's future is at stake, including in the next election in October 2024.

"This is going to turn into a very divisive program, I believe. That's why I'm asking him to retire and pass the torch. He can leave a legacy of doing some very good things. But that legacy will be different if he tries to carry a fractured party into the election."

Medium shot of man in suit speakingJason Stephen, former president of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick, says Higgs should resign or else he will divide the party. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)

Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin MLA Mike Dawson said he's "behind Blaine Higgs 100 per cent" and doesn't understand what Holder's resignation will accomplish.

Since he was elected in a byelection last year, Dawson said, he's been in the Premier's Office many times, discussing issues with Higgs.

"Instead of letting the pot simmer and boil over, you go into the office, you have the discussions and you come out of the office on a level playing field, and everyone understands where each other stands," he said.

Dawson also defended the premier's hands-on approach to governing, which former cabinet minister Dorothy Shephard and others have complained about. 

"Blaine Higgs is the boss of the PC party. He's the CEO," Dawson said.

WATCH Dorothy Shephard, minister of social development, resigns from cabinet: 

Dorothy Shephard resigns from cabinet

Duration 2:00
In a note addressed to the premier, the social development minister said, ‘I can no longer remain in your cabinet.’

Holder's resignation follows that of Shephard, his Saint John colleague who quit last week after she, Holder, two other ministers and two backbench PC MLA defied Higgs during a vote in the legislature.

They joined with the opposition parties to pass a Liberal motion calling for more consultations on Policy 713. 

Holder said in his letter he now has to do "some significant soul searching" after a 24-year career in the legislature. 

Critics of Higgs within the party have collected 26 letters from presidents of party riding presidents calling for a leadership review.

That's six more than the threshold under the party constitution for the PC provincial council to debate it at an upcoming meeting. 

It also represents a majority of the 49 riding organizations in the province. 

Earlier this week Higgs called the push for a review "a strategically planned political drama" that has been "a focus from a certain group for a few years now" and that was heightened by the Policy 713 debate.

On Thursday two PC caucus members, cabinet minister Réjean Savoie and backbench MLA Sherry Wilson, said they support Higgs staying on.

Wilson said PC MLAs who can't support his leadership "need to go and just retire, just get out of politics, if that's the way they think."

Cross Country Checkup wants to know if you think Canada is becoming more or less accepting of LGBTQ rights. What conversations are you having? Fill out the details on this form and send us your thoughts and stories.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

 
932 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos
I wonder if Trevor Holder conferred with his former assistant who is now the Global Director Harper & Associates?
  
 
 


PC caucus members voice support for Higgs amid push for leadership review

Moncton Southwest MLA says rebels should quit politics if they don’t like premier’s approach

Moncton Southwest PC MLA Sherry Wilson says Higgs's record on fiscal management and improving health care is a strong one, and members of the PC caucus who don't like his leadership should quit.

"For the people who don't support our premier, and don't look at the good work and the big picture and what's best for the people we serve here in New Brunswick, I think maybe it's time for them to step away," she said.

Critics of Higgs within the party say they have gathered letters from 26 presidents of PC riding associations and 50 rank-and-file members overall — more than enough to start the process of seeking to remove Higgs.

A woman stands at a CBC microphone in an art gallery. Sherry Wilson, former minister of Service New Brunswick, said those Tory MLAs should leave if they can't endorse Higgs's approach. (CBC)

Those letters were gathered over the last 10 days as a debate over Policy 713, on the protection of LGBTQ students in provincial schools, erupted at the legislature.

Four cabinet ministers and two backbench PC MLAs voted with a Liberal opposition motion calling for consultations, helping to carry the motion 26-20.

Wilson said those Tory MLAs should leave if they can't endorse Higgs's approach.

"To me it's a Conservative value that parents are involved in their children's lives. How do we fix it? I think maybe some of them maybe need to step down. They need to go and just retire, just get out of politics if that's the way they think."

A woman with short grey hair and glasses glances to the left of the photo with a serious expression. It's fairly close-up and only the collar of a black blouse with aqua squares and some red patterning is visible. Former cabinet minister Dorothy Shephard warned Premier Higgs in October 2021 that his hands-on management style was alienating members of his cabinet and threatened to "destroy" his government. (Shane Magee/CBC)

Former minister Dorothy Shephard quit the cabinet last week but remains a PC MLA.

She said Higgs's handling of Policy 713 was "the last straw" and the latest in a string of examples where he has cut the cabinet and caucus out of decision-making and instead micromanaged issues.

But Wilson defended that approach.

"Blaine has his own leadership style. He does. But look at the work that's been done under his leadership. … He is the premier and he needs to know what's going on in every sector in government," she said. 

"In any of the departments, if something were to go wrong, the bucks stops with him. He needs to know so he can work with us and guide us." 

Two men hold hands, raising hands above their heads in victory signal. Premier Blaine Higgs celebrating with Miramichi Bay-Neguac MLA-elect Réjean Savoie after Savoie won a byelection last year. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Regional Development Corporation Minister Réjean Savoie, elected last year in a byelection in Miramichi Bay-Neguac, also defended Higgs. 

"The premier has done his job well," Savoie said. "We've never been in such a strong financial position."

He said he worried that the public split would damage the PC party.

"When we have a family disagreement, it should happen behind closed doors. … and the Progressive Conservative party is a family." 

Savoie was among the MLAs who stood behind Higgs in a media scrum minutes after the government lost the vote on the Policy 713 motion last Thursday.

He said the impact of the changes to the policy have been exaggerated. 

"I hope this will end well and we can try to calm things down," he said.

Former PC cabinet minister Jody Carr, whose brother Jeff Carr is a minister in the government and among those who voted for the motion, tweeted Thursday that it was sad to see Higgs "lose the confidence of his party, caucus and citizens, and be the last one to realize it."

Wilson was one of the few PC MLAs who supported Higgs in his campaign for the party leadership in 2016.

She became minister of women's equality and minister of Service New Brunswick when the party took power after the 2018 election, but was shuffled out of the cabinet when the PCs were re-elected in 2020.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
93 Comments

 
 
David Amos
The former minister of Service New Brunswick Sherry Wilson never did find my Harley. Perhaps she will now? 
 
 
 
 

Blaine Higgs, a visitor to the PC Party, may soon be shown the door

The premier ran for the party leadership as an outsider. That may now be his undoing

He's like that person who shows up at a house party as a virtual stranger or a new acquaintance barely known to the hosts.

They liven up the evening, but sometimes the party-goers look askance when they become disruptive.

"I did not grow up in a political family," Higgs said when he launched his campaign to win the PC leadership in 2016. "I did not come from deep roots politically."

Higgs had served one term as finance minister in a previous Tory government, but prior to 2010 never held elective office and hadn't even been a PC Party member.

He portrayed himself — accurately — as an outsider, the kind of person the party and the province needed to lead what he called "a movement" to save New Brunswick.

A man with short grey hair and a short grey moustache looks off into the distance to the left of the photo. He's wearing a navy suit over a white dress shirt and dark tie. Higgs served one term as finance minister in a previous Tory government. (Brian Chisholm/CBC)

"I have the independence of thinking this province desperately needs," he said.

Now Higgs faces a push from within for a leadership review, with more than half of party riding presidents signing letters to trigger the process.

And his willingness to defy long-established partisan norms is coming back to haunt him.

As minister of finance from 2010 to 2014, that willingness to question the conventional wisdom of party politics was often bracing and refreshing.

Uncomfortable truths

He uttered uncomfortable truths that political veterans never acknowledged: that expensive, poorly thought out campaign promises were responsible for a large part of the province's big deficits and debt.

"It's a case when politicians are the most vulnerable, and people say 'I'll get him to promise this,'" he said.

WATCH | Speaking earlier this week, Blaine Higgs acknowledged he is not perfect: 

Premier Higgs says he’s not perfect

Duration 0:39
Blaine Higgs reacts to a 2021 letter from Dorothy Shephard that said his leadership style 'destroyed' the team around him.

Another example was Higgs's refusal to endorse Premier David Alward's patronage appointment of cabinet minister Margaret-Ann Blaney to a plush Crown CEO job.

Longtime party stalwarts simply don't do that. They fall in line.

Higgs was different. That became his biggest asset, central to his brand.

Even Higgs's past involvement with the anti-bilingualism Confederation of Regions party — alarming to many francophones — underscored that he was truly different.

He once described threatening to resign when political staffers in Alward's office rewrote his budget speech on the eve of its delivery.

A man with short grey hair and a dark grey moustache talks to a variety of media microphones held in front of him. Higgs won the PC leadership in 2016 and the sceptics fell in line, then watched as his unconventional approach became, in their minds, a political liability. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

They backed off that time, he said, but in 2016 he argued he needed the top job to overcome those tired, same-old political considerations for good.

"I'm running for premier because I can't get it done as finance minister," he said.

Little support from MLAs

Only three sitting PC MLAs endorsed him, an indicator of how his more conventional colleagues saw his maverickness.

So he signed up countless new party members to go around them.

He told those recruits that "it doesn't matter what the party's called — use the PC Party as a conduit to change politics in New Brunswick."

Saint John Lancaster MLA Dorothy Shephard, who quit cabinet last week over Higgs's management style, wrote in a 2021 letter to him that most of his leadership supporters "had never supported the [PC Party] or had any connection to anyone in the party."

And, she added, most of them "are nowhere to be found now."

A man with short grey hair and glasses is seated in a chair at an event. He's wearing an indigo coloured suit jacket over a white shirt, dark dress pants and grey and white running shoes. Higgs was wearing new running shoes at an event in Woodstock this week. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Most MLAs who worked with Higgs in the Alward cabinet endorsed other leadership candidates in 2016 and chafed at his open disdain for old-fashioned party ways.

"When it's done right … politics is what makes things happen," veteran Portland-Simonds member Trevor Holder said at the time.

"Sometimes that takes political friendships and alliances to get that done." 

WATCH | In May, Higgs called for a controversial review of Policy 713: 

Premier Blaine Higgs defends his government's review of Policy 713

Duration 2:03
Higgs says schools should have to inform parents if a child under 16 wants to change their names or pronouns, and young children should not be exposed to drag queen storytimes.

Holder was among the cabinet ministers who defied Higgs last week to vote for an opposition motion calling for more consultations on changes to LGBTQ protections for students in Policy 713.

Higgs won the leadership and the sceptics fell in line, then watched as his unconventional approach became, in their minds, a political liability.

Criticism from caucus

The main accusation by his caucus critics is that he cuts them out of his decision-making process.

His 2020 push for health reforms — including the proposed closure of small hospital emergency departments — cost him his only francophone MLA at the time, Robert Gauvin.

Gauvin's father was the late Jean Gauvin, a longtime member of Richard Hatfield's cabinet who helped keep the embers of PC support flickering in Shippagan during the party's 12-year exile from power.

One man with short dark grey hair speaks animatedly into a microphone wearing a button up dress shirt that is sky blue. Behind him, to the right of the photo, stands a man with short grey hair and glasses, smiling and wearing a dark blue suit jacket over a lighter dress shirt. Higgs's 2020 push for health reforms cost him his only francophone MLA at the time, Robert Gauvin, pictured here in 2020. (Michel Corriveau/Radio-Canada)

Jean Gauvin also stood by Hatfield when party rebels tried to remove him from the leadership in 1985 — so his son's move to the Liberals is another symbol of Higgs's break with party history. 

Another francophone who backed Hatfield during that battle, Jean-Pierre Ouellet from Madawaska-Les Lacs-Edmundston, is now part of the push to dump Higgs, arguing the premier is advancing ideas inimical to the PC Party.

"As far as I'm concerned, he's trying to implement a platform that was the CoR platform when he was campaigning for the CoR party in the 1980s," Ouellete said.

Outsider status could be a threat

So the premier's outsider status — the very thing that propelled him to power — now threatens to undo him.

His best defence is his record: big budget surpluses, a lower provincial debt, low unemployment and unprecedented population growth.

But recent comments by Higgs suggest he doubts any potential new PC leader would live up to what he considers the high standards of success he has achieved.

"That is what's weighing heavy on my mind: are we going to keep the ball rolling or are we going to regress and go back into the political process?"

That's another alarming heresy for party veterans who value continuity, succession planning and long-term political viability.

A woman with short grey hair and glasses glances to the left of the photo with a serious expression. It's fairly close-up and only the collar of a black blouse with aqua squares and some red patterning is visible.    In her 2021 letter to Higgs, Shephard said that when he launched his leadership bid, she concluded he "didn't want to be leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick; you just wanted to be 'leader.' (Shane Magee/CBC)

Higgs dismissed the review push in a statement Wednesday that did not acknowledge there are letters from a majority of riding presidents.

Instead he called it "a strategically planned political drama" that has been "a focus from a certain group for a few years now," now heightened by the Policy 713 debate.

In her 2021 letter to Higgs, Shephard said that when he launched his leadership bid, she concluded he "didn't want to be leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick; you just wanted to be 'leader.'"

But the two can't be separated: if the push for a leadership review succeeds, Higgs would be facing the end of his tenure as both PC leader and premier.

That's the choice now facing party members: what to do with this guest who, to many, is wearing out his welcome.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

 
 
 
657 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos
Perhaps somebody should write something about who J P really is? 
 
 
 
David Amos

So where is Little Lou when Higgy really needs her??? 



 
Robert Blankenship
In a series of publicly funded hit pieces. Persuasion, borderline political interference. Do not call this news. Not weighing in on this man or these issues, but this is what it is.  
 
 
Geordie Stevens
Reply to Robert Blankenship 
Are you saying he might NOT be shown the door?  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Robert Blankenship 
It is what it is  
 
 
Bruce Dagsvik 
Reply to Robert Blankenship
You are correct. This is not real news, it’s entertainment, and Jacques doesn’t like this movie. 
 
 
Michael Hutton  
Reply to Robert Blankenship
Legislative changes are not news?  
 
 
Elliott Stranger
Reply to Robert Blankenship
C’mon. It’s an article by reporters from the province about the province and talking to the politicians from Higgs’ party. It seems pretty good to this outsider. I mean, what is being reported is happening. It’s not all sunshine and daisies right now for this guy or the party. Higgs has not been listening to his people and is plowing ahead with a very controversial piece of legislation. That’s not smart politics. At the least you need your own team on your side, if you don’t have that then forget it. 
 
 
Charles GALL 
Reply to Robert Blankenship
Thats jack potris style acadian all the way 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Charles GALL 
Yup
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dacre Gushue 
"a strategically planned political drama" that has been "a focus from a certain group for a few years now," now heightened by the Policy 713 debate.

And J P and the C B C can't help but twist it further.

Did you know lots of Europe including the Netherlands and the UK are changing the same policy NB just did? The reason being is gender affirmation in children that don't include the parent is not resulting in the outcomes they had expected. It is affecting them negatively. Read a book, NB.

 
David Amos
Reply to Dacre Gushue
Why not just relax and enjoy the circus? 
 
 
Geordie Stevens 
Reply to Dacre Gushue 
"the Netherlands and the UK are changing the same policy NB just did"

{citation needed}

Higgs came in, like DeSantis and lots of other righties in the US, both barrels blazing. He didn't bother to take the time to have a discussion with people who implemented the policy in the first place, and ask them questions. He's clearly giving in to social conservatives who are simply using this as a wedge to defeat policies that accept the fact that people are non-binary. They see the whole "transition" thing as an easy target, from which they ca make further inroads toward their goal of reversing the entire spectrum of policies that support non-binary citizens.

 
William Peters 
Reply to Dacre Gushue 
This issue he has brushed aside as being trendy. His problems do not stem from this issue. This is the camel's straw. It's a governance matter. He's taking his advice from some place outside of NB and bypassing the elected representatives. I understand that Conservatives think they can save face by trying to make this about an issue that polls well for them with their base, but this is a leadership crisis now. Try to stay on point. Higgs has shown himself to be oblivious or flippant to the social question. PR strategizing is all that is occurring with the issue you raise. The recommendations he got from his paid planners bombed as far as I'm concerned. Their national spearhead movement to take on this issue has died in NB just like fracking did. We became world notables in putting an end to the madness, and we ought to keep doing it despite these doomsday prophets telling us we are in need of their savior's medicine. 


Rachel Woods
Reply to Dacre Gushue   
This is simply respecting pronouns and names, it is not surgery or HRT. It is common decency and respect to use the pronoun and name someone requests, and their parents shouldn’t have say in the matter whatsoever if the child hasn’t decided to tell them yet


 
 

 

PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs

More than 20 riding presidents signed letters, the first step in removing N.B. premier as leader of the party

A member of the party's provincial council says 25 presidents of PC riding associations have signed letters calling for a leadership review vote.

That's a majority out of the 49 ridings. It also surpasses a key threshold in the party's constitution to trigger the process.

"That number constitutes over 50 per cent of riding association presidents and I think it clearly shows there's a desire for a change of leadership amongst the membership," said John Williston, a regional vice-president of the party who supports the review.

"This is from every part of the province. … It's important that this reflects a wide scope of New Brunswick — anglophone, francophone, northern, southern. It shows unity among our party throughout the province." 

A man in a plaid shirt speaks into a CBC microphone outside a building. Jean-Pierre Ouellet, one of the riding association presidents who signed a letter, says Higgs has made too many decisions without consultation. (Radio-Canada) (Radio-Canada)

CBC News has seen and verified 22 of the letters, two more than the number required to advance the issue.

Jean-Pierre Ouellet, president of the Madawaska-Les Lacs-Edmundston riding association and one of the signatories, said Higgs has made too many decisions without consulting the public.

"It's 'my way or the highway,'" he said, pointing to an attempt to replace French immersion, legislation weakening the powers of anglophone district education councils and eliminating elected positions on regional health authority boards.

Surpassing the 20-letter threshold doesn't guarantee a membership vote on Higgs's leadership will be held.

The party constitution requires letters from 20 riding presidents, and 50 party members in total, for the party's provincial council — its governing body — to put the question on its agenda at its next meeting.

No more than five of the 50 members can be from any single riding.

A photo of a letters, typed on white paper, fanned out. Some of the signed letters, seen by CBC News, calling for a leadership review vote. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Former party president Claude Williams told Radio-Canada's La Matinale on Wednesday morning that those 50 letters were also in hand.

"We have the numbers," Williams said. "If I were in his place, I'd retire." 

The council must vote by a two-thirds majority to schedule a convention within three months, where delegates would vote on whether to keep or remove Higgs.

Williston, a member of the council, said he believes a two-thirds vote is well within "striking distance."

"With approximately one-third of the caucus voting against the government and not willing to follow the premier at this point, it's quite obvious to me we need a change in leadership in the party."

Reviews are automatic if the party loses an election, but the process is elaborate and time-consuming when it's in power.

The move to dump Higgs is the first organized attempt to remove a sitting New Brunswick premier from their party's leadership since an effort against Premier Richard Hatfield in 1985.

Higgs was elected premier in September 2018 and re-elected two years later. 

Former cabinet minister Dorothy Shephard, who resigned as social development minister last week, said last week that she'd rather see Higgs leave "amicably" than face being ousted.

"I know that the party is mobilizing to consider a leadership review," she said on CBC's Power and Politics. "I'm sure that weighs on his mind."

But Higgs indicated Monday the ball was in the membership's court.

"It won't be a call that I make, right?" he told reporters. "If the party decides to do that, it won't be a decision I make. So if it happens, I guess it happens."

Shephard quit after she and five other PC MLAs, including three other ministers, voted with the opposition for a Liberal motion calling for more consultations on Policy 713.

Woman surrounded by microphones Dorothy Shephard explains to reporters her decision to quit cabinet on June 15. (Ed Hunter/CBC)

The premier said he was willing to face a party review process to defend his position on his controversial review of the policy, which sets out standards for providing safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ students in provincial schools.

PC Party president Erika Hachey said in an email she has not received any letters yet from riding presidents calling for a review.

The provincial council is scheduled to meet this weekend, but the party constitution requires letters to be submitted 21 days in advance, so the review would only appear on the agenda of the next meeting this fall.

Hachey was unsure exactly how many members sit on the provincial council and what number would constitute two-thirds support for calling a convention.

The council includes the 49 riding presidents, several party officials, including the president and nine regional vice-presidents, five MLAs whom she did not identify, and Higgs himself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
522 Comments


 
 
David Amos
IMHO The "Silent Majority" don't even bother to vote for rather obvious reasons 
 
 
 
 
David Amos 
Higgy will not resist this and I continue to maintain that Daniel J. Allain will be the next PC Leader/Premier in short order 
 
 
 
 
Ray Skavinsky
Hang in there Premier. The silent majority is still alive and well.  
 
 
Bill Green 
Reply to Ray Skavinsky
He is finished, bro. Time to wake up and smell the flowers.  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Ray Skavinsky
Dream on
 
 
Jim Graham
Reply to Ray Skavinsky 
25 RA letters calling for his resignation ... that not so silent majority?
 
 
Ray Skavinsky
Reply to David Amos 
David.you dont know me (remember I dont know you...) but I have some knowledge of what I say. Wait and see..lol  
 
 
Ray Skavinsky
Reply to Bill Green
...wait and see...  
 
 
G. Timothy Walton  
Reply to Ray Skavinsky
This is Canada/New Brunswick.

The silent majority usually has no strong feelings on any particular issue.

 
William Peters  
Reply to Ray Skavinsky
Listen to the local 18%? No, he's brought in the Alberta boys to strategize with. 
 
 
Don Corey
Reply to Ray Skavinsky  
Uh, no! The silent majority is starting to speak out. Why to you think the majority of the riding want a leadership review? 
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Ray Skavinsky
I am not laughing for the same reasons you are 
 
 
 
 
 
Shawn Tabor 
Just a thought,,, whats really going on, when everyone is focused on this issue. 
 
 
Ben Haroldson 
Reply to Shawn Tabor  
All is better again.  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Shawn Tabor 
please explain real slow  
 
 
William Peters 
Reply to Shawn Tabor 
Planners are planning. He's not paying his advisers to lose him his job, and yet that's what appears to be happening. Let that be a lesson to anyone else who thinks that we ought to be advised by Western Conservatives. As is often the case with Conservatives they do not have their finger on the pulse of the nation. So many of the last federal elections have shown this.  
 
 
 
 
 
Shawn Tabor 
The gong show. LOL  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Shawn Tabor  
"Let me remind it was Blaine Higgs who embraced Dominic Cardy and Kris Austin without any consultation with our party," Arsenault wrote.

PC official wants Blaine Higgs's leadership put to review

PC party official hopes for discussion of N.B. premier's leadership at annual general meeting

Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Oct 18, 2022 6:15 PM ADT

 
Donald Smith
Reply to Shawn Tabor 
lol 
 
 
Shawn Tabor 
Reply to David Amos 
Going to be a reckoning lol  
 
 
 
 
Matt Steele  
It is all moot as there will have been a provincial election before any type of Leadership review could even get started in the fall . At this point , it is all up to Premier Higgs if he wants an early election or not as he could easily win another majority government . 
 
 
Ben Haroldson
Reply to Matt Steele 
lol...strategy.. 
 
 
Inger Nielsen  
Reply to Matt Steele
you and about 7other people seem to be for Higgs just from reading comments 
 
 
Sterling Wright  
Reply to Matt Steele
So Higgs spends millions of tax dollars to win a job he already has? Not to mention he would still have a caucus that doesn't seem to want him. Maybe he should tackle the caucus issue before all else. 
 
 
Rob Sense  
Reply to Matt Steele
easily...famous last words 
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Rob Sense 
Those are not his last words 
 
 
 
 
 
Kyle Woodman  
All this comments section tells me is that civics education is severely lacking in NB. 
 
 
SW Home
Reply to Kyle Woodman
depends on who you ask. Some are right and some are wrong  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to SW Home  
Even a busted clock is correct twice a day 
 
 
 
 
Matt Steele  
Premier Higgs will lead the PC party into an election this fall , and win a majority government as his popularity surges among N.B.ers . Without Premier Higgs , the PC party would implode from within as the People's Alliance party would be quickly resurrected . 


Wendy Simon  
Reply to Matt Steele 
Better the devil you know than not know  
 
 
SW Home 
Reply to Matt Steele 
as long as Higgs is gone the rest is gravy 
 
 
Fred Brewer 
Reply to Matt Steele
I would wager you $100 that you are wrong.  
 
 
claude bourgeois 
Reply to Matt Steele
Who cares who wins the next election, as long as Higgs is gone!  
 
 
Pete Parent 
Reply to Matt Steele
Thats hilarious considering the PC party IS already imploding from within 
 
 
Ferdinand Boudreau  
Reply to claude bourgeois  
Well said  
 
 
Kevin Eastman 
Reply to Wendy Simon 
Sometimes the devil you don't know can be better than the devil you know.  
 
 
Ben Haroldson  
Reply to Matt Steele
He's not gonna be in the race.


G. Timothy Walton 
Reply to Matt Steele
Matt, the Keep It Simple Solutions party is looking for people.  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to G. Timothy Walton 
Not True  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Ben Haroldson 
I concur 
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Matt Steele 
Everybody knows the People's Alliance Party is already resurrected 
 
 
 
  
 
Matt Steele  
The PC party cannot win the next election without Premier Higgs as Leader as PC members would leave the party , and resurrect the Peoples Alliance party , with former PC voters following them . The PC party would implode if Premier Higgs left for whatever reason . 
 

kelly post 
Reply to Matt Steele 
You mean the Irvings can't win the next election if Higgs is gone. 
 

William Peters 
Reply to Matt Steele  
Let him go to the COR where he came from and see how electable he is. You need a wider base to get that ship off the ground. What's wrong with not electing Conservatives may I ask? You speak as if it is do or die. It doesn't matter what party we elect. When there's trash accumulating it must be put to the door. We' ll try again with some other bunch and avoid the pro business subsidy ideologies. 
 

Sterling Wright 
Reply to Matt Steele 
Matt the People's Alliance was resurrected days after the previous leader tried to destroy it. I must say though I find your comments very entertaining. 
 
 
David Amos 

Reply to Sterling Wright  
Me too but I find you pretty funny as well 
 
 
 
 
 
Marc LeBlanc 
Ms Shepard was wrong about one thing in that Higgs ran the province like a business. Anyone running their business like he is won't be running a business for long.  
 
 
Scott Macdonald 
Reply to Marc LeBlanc 
Record surplus’, paying down debt, hmmmm. Much better job than the previous gov’t… 
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Scott Macdonald  
What was the source of the surplus?  





Kat Burd  
Fractures appearing in Canada's Conservative parties both federally and Provincially can only end up being a good thing for everyone. I don't disagree in principle with the fact that parents have rights too, but this Premier seems to know no boundaries on his own agenda-pushing. 
 

Rob Kuiper 
Reply to Kat Burd 
Much like your PM 
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Rob Kuiper 
C'est Vrai
 
 
 
 
Donald Smith 
Don't leave Mr. Premier, Call a snap election. 
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Donald Smith 
That would make my day 

 
SarahRose Werner
Reply to Donald Smith 
Oh, but Higgs has said he doesn't want an election.
 
 
Rene Cusson 
Reply to SarahRose Werner
Oh course he doesn't...because he knows he will lose. 
 
 
SW Home 
Reply to Donald Smith  
That would be great. That way we can rid of him sooner 
 
 
 
 
 
Brent Grywinski 
Time to make a dignified exit. 
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Brent Grywinski
Thats the plan  
 
 
SW Home 
Reply to Brent Grywinski
That ship has sailed for him. Just leave and don't look back 
 
 
 
 
 
Allison Zane  
The party has spoken - it's time for a new leader.  
 
 
William Peters 
Reply to Allison Zane
The only one right enough and COR enough would be Chris Austin. Do you want to go there? If you think the COR are going to hand over the party back to traditional Conservatives I think you are overly optimistic.  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Allison Zane 
Too bad so sad that others are not permitted to speak 
 
 
SarahRose Werner 
Reply to William Peters
I wouldn't like to call that one either way. I think that's the big question facing the PC party right now: do we or do we not remain progressive? 


Alexis thuillier 
Reply to William Peters
It’s the “traditional Conservatives” who are calling for the review. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John Lawrence 
That would be excellent! What has he done for anyone? Should definitely be ousted 
 
 
John Stymiest 
Reply to John Lawrence 
He changed vehicle inspections from every year to every 2 years. That's a big plus for me..
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to John Stymiest 
Me too 
 
 
SW Home 
Reply to John Stymiest   
its about the only positive thing he has done 
 
   
Ralph Steinberg 
Reply to John Stymiest   
Lol. That is your thing? Vehicle inspection time lines?

Wow.

 
 
 
 
John Smith 
He was the first Premier of NB to be reelected since Frank McKenna over 28 years ago (1995). It is shocking to think that he might not even get to finish his second term. Looks like it isn't just the electors who don't like second-term Premiers.  
 
 
SarahRose Werner
Reply to John Smith 
Higgs got re-elected in 2020, nine months after the pandemic hit New Brunswick. Those are hardly normal circumstances. People were still in shock, and at that point, Higgs appeared to be doing a decent job of managing the pandemic.  
 
 
Ferdinand Boudreau 
Reply to John Smith 
1st time he had a minority. One he gained a majority he did a 360 turn  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Ferdinand Boudreau  
I am happy to see that somebody noticed 
 
 
 
 
Jack Anderson 
More Reformer circus acts.
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Jack Anderson 
C'est Vrai 





Kenneth Hewer
a premiership is not a kingship.  
 
 
Danny Benny 

Reply to Kenneth Hewer
Most of them if not all of them across the country think so. Doug Ford for sure.  
 
 
David Amos 

Reply to Danny Benny  
Tell that to Humpty Dumpty
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to David Amos 
or Boris Johnson  
 
 
 
 
 
Patrick Richard 
Shot across the bow, will the ship turn?  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Patrick Richard 
A wise Maritimer would  
 
 
 
 
Ray Fox 
Democracy in action. 
 
 
Dacre Gushue 
Reply to Ray Fox  
It's not democracy if it's not the electorate. These are riding presidents and they aren't elected by the electorate. You get what I am saying, Ray?  
 
 
Jody Melsom 
Reply to Dacre Gushue  
If voting is democratic, then the ousting of the leader by the party will be voted on democratically. You get what I am saying Dacre? 
 
 
Jenn Gogan 
Reply to Ray Fox
If voting is democratic, what gave Higgs the right to abolish the boards that I voted for in the last election?  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Jenn Gogan 
Good question
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Dacre Gushue 
I do 


Ray Fox  
Reply to Jenn Gogan  
Higgs did not have the right to do so 

 
 
 

Fred Brewer
My respect for Dorothy Shephard has gone up exponentially. 
 
 
Matt Steele 
Reply to Fred Brewer
No need to worry about Dorothy ; with her 13 years in government , she is entitled to a gold plated government pension that most N.B.ers can only dream of ; and she can start collecting it immediately after leaving government .  
 
 
Bruce Dagsvik 
Reply to Fred Brewer 
Dorothy who? Her 15 minutes is up.  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Bruce Dagsvik 
The last I heard of Dorothy she said “Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.” Then went down a rabbit hole with some girl named Alice and ended up in "The Place to Be" so she swore an oath the the Queen and took a seat in the circus 
 
 
Fred Brewer 
Reply to Matt Steele
I have not heard any news of her retirement. Please share because I think she might make a good premier.
 
 
 
 
 
Michael Cain
Sunny days are here again! 
 
 
Ray Fox 
Reply to Michael Cain 
Not really  
 
 
Ben Haroldson 
Reply to Michael Cain 
The big guy will get his come upins too.  
 
 
Michael Cain
Reply to Ray Fox
No, really!   
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Ben Haroldson
Yup
 
 
 


Michael Collins 
"PC Party president Erika Hachey said in an email she has not received any letters yet from riding presidents calling for a review."

Or

"A member of the party's provincial council says 25 presidents of PC riding associations have signed letters calling for a leadership review vote."

Which is it?

Calling for a review is not the same as calling to push Higgs out as party leader. Seems like a political ploy that is based more on hearsay than fact. Lets see the names of those calling for this review.

 
Jason Martell 
Reply to Michael Collins  
You don't need to- 22/25 have been verified by CBC. 
 
 
Michael Collins 
Reply to Jason Martell    
No letters have been submitted.Anyone can show you a letter they"intend" to submit.
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Michael Collins 
The plot thickens  
 
 
Donald LeBlanc 
Reply to Michael Collins  
The hope may be he will resign with dignity and integrity and as Ms. Shephard said “amicably”. 
 
 
 
 
 
Matt Steele  

As we all know , don't believe everything that you read on the internet ; but be prepared for a fall election as public support for Premier Higgs increases , although most MLAs do not want an election . 
 
 
Ben Haroldson  
 
Reply to Matt Steele  
He won't be in the race. 
 
 
Jody Melsom 
Reply to Matt Steele  
So far from the comments the best advice I can offer is you are correct and people should not believe what you keep saying. 
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Matt Steele 
Methinks that should include what you have to say N'esy Pas? 





Susan Power 
This made my day! 
 
 
Inger Nielsen
Reply to Susan Power 
Me to 


Dan Lee
Reply to Susan Power 
me too.....been againts him since he manipulated Alward so bad .................... 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Inger Nielsen
Ditto
 
 

 
Inger Nielsen
What a great wednesday morning  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Inger Nielsen 
Welcome back to the circus 
 
 
 
John Round

John Williston

VP, Business Development

Eastern to Central United States, Caribbean, and Puerto Rico.

john.williston@dplwireless.com
 
 
Office: (506) 869-3629
Cell: (506) 381-8493
 
 
 
 

Municipal Council

Mayor

IMG_0139 copy.png

Jean-Pierre Ouellet

Jean-Pierre started his career as a teacher. He taught French classes at different schools: École régionale de Saint-Basile, École Cormier d’Edmundston, and the Cité des Jeunes A.-M. Sormany d’Edmundston.

Elected deputy of Madawaska-Les-Lacs from 1974 to 1987, he held the following positions under Hatfield’s government: Youth, Sports and Leisure Minister, Historical and Cultural Resources Minister, Education Minister, as well as Francophone and Interprovincial and International Agreements Minister. He was a member of the first francophone summit committee held in Paris in 1985, and in Quebec in 1987. As Minister responsible for the Francophones, it is under his leadership that the New Brunswick government became a “participating government” to the Agence de coopération culturelle et technique, known today as the OIF, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

Mr. Ouellet was decorated as Commandeur of the Ordre de la Pléiade. Created in 1976 by parliamentary assembly, this distinction is awarded by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie to reward prominent contributions to the OIF’s ideals of cooperation and friendship.

Defeated at the 1987 elections, Mr. Ouellet pursued his career as a business and government relations consultant as well as a technology transfer consultant.

He was elected Mayor of the Community of Haut-Madawaska on May 15th, 2017 and is the President of the CSRNO (a regional service council representing the municipalities of northwestern New Brunswick).

The Community of Haut-Madawaska is experiencing a remarkable economic boom, and its main challenge is to attract workers in the Community to settle and fill vacant positions. The francophone immigration is the proposed solution.

cellulaire | Mindsoul Production(506) 739-3606

jean-pierre.ouellet@haut-madawaska.com 



 

Provincial Executive

Leader
Blaine W. Higgs
info@pcnb.ca

President
Erika Hachey
erika.hachey@pcnb.ca

Vice President 
Roy Wiggins
jroywiggins@gmail.com

Past President
Claude Williams
claude.williams@pcnb.ca

Official Representative
Duncan MacDonald
duncan@dlmca.ca

Secretary
Andrew Dykeman
andrewjdykeman@gmail.com

Official Agent
Robert Hatheway
bobhatheway@gmail.com

President, PC Women Association
Sherry MacEachern
slmaceachern@gmail.com

President, PC Youth
Alex LeBrun
alex.lebrun@pcnb.ca

Capital Region VP
Shawn Douthwright
ssducks@xplornet.ca 

Capital-Upper River Valley VP
James Grant
jd.grant@rogers.com

North-Northwest VP
Alex LeBrun
alex.lebrun@pcnb.ca

Péninsule-Chaleur VP
Diane Carey
info@careyconsultants.ca

Westmorland VP
Raymond Duplessis
raymond.duplessis2@gmail.com

Westmorland Albert VP
John Williston
john.williston@dplwireless.com

Miramichi VP
Andy Hardy
andy.hardy101@gmail.com

Saint John-Charlotte VP
Brian Cooke
Brian.Cooke@unb.ca

Saint John Kings VP
Francine Quinn-Steeves
francineqs@gmail.com

Executive Director
Andrea Johnson
andrea.johnson@pcnb.ca
Phone: (506) 453-3456

 

 https://www.pcnb.ca/ridingpresidents

Riding Presidents

1. Restigouche West
Leopold Ouellet
worth@nbnet.nb.ca

2. Campbellton-Dalhousie
Alex LeBrun
awlebrun@hotmail.com

3. Restigouche-Chaleur
Joe Noel
djnoel@rogers.com

4. Bathurst West-Beresford
Ann Bard-Lavigne
annebard.lavigne@gmail.com

5. Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint Isidore
Lester Young
lwyou1@rogers.com

6. Caraquet
Vacant

7. Shippagan Lamèque Miscou
Noemie David-Gauvin
nomiedavidgauvin@hotmail.com

8. Tracadie-Sheila
Gertrude McLaughlin
gertrudemclaughlin@hotmail.com

9. Miramichi Bay- Neguac
Tom Jennings
tom.jennings506@gmail.com

10. Miramichi
Paul Hambrook
paulhambrook99@gmail.com

11. Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin
Troy MacDonnell
portly1a@gmail.com

12. Kent North
Huguette Sawyer
huguette_sawyer@hotmail.com

13. Kent South
Maurice Cormier
danjoproducts@rogers.com

14. Shediac Bay-Dieppe
Brian Baxter
brianehbaxter@gmail.com

15. Shediac Beaubassin Cap-Pelé
Marie-Paule Martin
mpmartin@nbnet.nb.ca

16. Memramcook Tantramar
Thelma Cormier
thelmacormier@hotmail.com

17. Dieppe
Sylvie Godin-Charest
sylvie@droitsgclaw.com

18. Moncton East
Jane Mitton-MacLean
janemittonmaclean@gmail.com

19. Moncton Centre
Vacant

20. Moncton South
Robert Charman
rcharman@rogers.com

21. Moncton Northwest
Loretta Savoie
lynn.savoie@bellaliant.net

22. Moncton Southwest
Sherry MacEachren
slmaceachern@gmail.com

23. Riverview
Mike Boushel
mikeboushel@nb.aibn.com

24. Albert
Parker Elliott
vandpelliott@gmail.com

25. Gagetown Petitcodiac
Emilie Matheson
bfmath@nb.sympatico.ca

26. Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins
Ed Armstrong
edinnb@gmail.com

27. Hampton
Jeremy Salgado
jeremy_salgado@hotmail.com

28. Quispamsis
Emil Olsen
eolsen@quispamsis.ca

29. Rothesay
Grant Brenan
grantbrenan@hotmail.ca

30. Saint John East
Jake Stackhouse
jacobstackhouse@hotmail.com

31. Portland Simonds
Corben P. Parker
corbenp@hotmail.com

32. Saint John Harbour
Vacant

33. Saint John Lancaster
Brooklyn Galbraith
brooklyn.galbraith@gmail.com

34. Kings Centre
Jim Balcomb
balcomb@nbnet.nb.ca

35. Fundy-the Isles-Saint John West
Glen Hawkins
glennhawkins224@gmail.com

36. Saint Croix
Jennifer Urquhart
jenniferurquhart992@gmail.com

37. Oromocto- Lincoln- Fredericton
Chris McMorrow
chrisamcmorrow@gmail.com

38. Fredericton Grand Lake
Mark Paul-Elias
markpe32@gmail.com

39. New Maryland-Sunbury
Michael Phillips
mphillip@nbnet.nb.ca

40. Fredericton South
William Forrestall
willforall@mail.com

41. Fredericton North
Andrew Keezer
andrewtkeezer@gmail.com

42. Fredericton-York
Kelly Wilson
kellywilson9294@gmail.com

43. Fredericton West-Hanwell
Jeannine St. Amand toolsofengagement@gmail.com

44. Carleton-York
James Grant
jd.grant@rogers.com

45. Carleton
Steve McIsaac
snd_mcisaac@hotmail.com

46. Carleton-Victoria
Charles MacDonald
chasmac@nbnet.nb.ca

47. Victoria-La Vallée 
Marcel Michaud
gamfarms@nb.sympatico.ca

48. Edmundston-Madawaska Centre
Jacqueline Carrier
jacqueline.carrier@bellaliant.net

49. Madawaska-Les Lacs-Edmundston
Jean-Pierre Ouellet
jpouelle21@gmail.com

 

Hey Higgy Why is there no contact info offered for Maurice Arsenault??? Methinks he could use a friend who doesn't care for your butter tarts N'esy Pas Dominic Cardy?

 

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Tue, Oct 18, 2022 at 9:06 PM
To: "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, info@pcnb.ca, "claude.williams" <claude.williams@pcnb.ca>, shawn_morrison_1974@icloud.com, vtpca@xplornet.ca, duncan@dlmca.ca, andrewjdykeman@gmail.com, bobhatheway@gmail.com, slmaceachern@gmail.com, rwillseely@gmail.com, ssducks@xplornet.ca, jd.grant@rogers.com, awlebrun@hotmail.com, lwyou1@rogers.com, "stephan.richard1" <stephan.richard1@gmail.com>, ericwalls2015@gmail.com, Brian.Cooke@unb.ca, francineqs@gmail.com, andrea.johnson@pcnb.ca, "David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Hogan" <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "Arseneau, Kevin (LEG)" <kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "michelle.conroy" <michelle.conroy@gnb.ca>, "Roger.L.Melanson" <roger.l.melanson@gnb.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, "Greg.Turner" <Greg.Turner@gnb.ca>, "mary.wilson" <mary.wilson@gnb.ca>, "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, "rob.moore" <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, "ernie.steeves" <ernie.steeves@gnb.ca>, "bruce.fitch" <bruce.fitch@gnb.ca>, BrianThomasMacdonald <BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail.com>, "Macfarlane, Bruce (DH/MS)" <Bruce.Macfarlane@gnb.ca>, briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>, "robert.mckee" <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, "Dominic.Cardy" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, teilor@nizhtimes.com, newsdesk@thesaxon.org, i@thesaxon.org, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, "Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>


https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-28-information-morning-saint-john/clip/15942766-our-political-watchers-wild-week-n.b.-politics

Information Morning - Saint John with Julia Wright
Our political watchers on the wild week in N.B. politics
Play Segment
16:36
Share Segment
It was a busy end of the week in New Brunswick politics. There was the
resignation of Dominic Cardy and Roger Melanson followed by Cardy's
expulsion from the Progressive Conservative caucus and a cabinet
shuffle. Our political watchers, JP Lewis and Katey Davey, weigh in.
Aired: Oct. 17, 2022

https://www.pcnb.ca/nbexec

Copyright © 2022 The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
Tous droits réservés © 2022 le Parti progressiste-conservateur du
Nouveau-Brunswick
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Tel • Tél : 1 (506) 453-3456      Email • Courriel : info@pcnb.ca

Speaking of Copyrights I wonder who wrote many of these words first
Teilor Stone or Jacques Poitras???



https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/pc-leadership-discourse-1.6620750

PC official wants Blaine Higgs's leadership put to review

PC party official hopes for discussion of N.B. premier's leadership at
annual general meeting
Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Oct 18, 2022 6:15 PM AT | Last
Updated: 2 hours ago
Blaine Higgs recently told Brunswick News that he’ll announce during
his State of the Province speech in the new year whether he plans to
retire ahead of the next election in 2024 or seek another mandate.
(Jacques Poitras/CBC)

A Progressive Conservative party official in southeast New Brunswick
is trying to trigger a review of Premier Blaine Higgs's leadership of
the provincial party.

In an email to fellow party members, Maurice Arsenault, the PC
regional vice-president for southeast New Brunswick, accuses Higgs of
a "dictatorial approach."

He's hoping to rally enough PC members to sign letters to trigger a
discussion of the premier's leadership at the party's annual general
meeting Nov. 4-5 in Fredericton.

"Let me remind it was Blaine Higgs who embraced Dominic Cardy and Kris
Austin without any consultation with our party," Arsenault wrote.
A man wearing a grey suit and powder-blue tie walks next to a green hedge.
Kris Austin, a former leader of the People's Alliance who defected to
the Tories in March, was sworn into Higgs cabinet the same day Dominic
Cardy resigned. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Cardy, a former NDP leader, joined the PCs in 2017 but resigned from
Higgs's cabinet last week over the premier's leadership style.

The same day, Austin, a former leader of the People's Alliance who
defected to the Tories in March, was sworn into the cabinet.

"There's a lot of people who are not satisfied, and everybody's
talking about it, and nobody's doing anything about it," Arsenault
told CBC News.

"Then Cardy jumped the boat, and he's not the only one who's
frustrated, so I believe it was time to put my letter forward."
Caucus backs Higgs

Moncton South PC MLA Greg Turner said he convened a meeting of the PC
caucus Monday night after they "got wind" of the letter, and the
support for Higgs was unanimous, with no dissent.

"Without exception, [it was] 100 per cent complete endorsement of the
premier and his leadership for our province, actually," he said.

"Everybody had a chance to speak who wanted to speak on the subject,
and it was very, very positive. Ministers and MLAs alike were unified
in our endorsement of the premier and the work we have done and he has
done in leading us."
Moncton South PC MLA Greg Turner said he convened a meeting of the PC
caucus Monday night after they “got wind” of the letter and the
support for Higgs was unanimous, with no dissent. (Jacques
Poitras/CBC)

Arsenault, who lives in the riding of Moncton Centre, writes in his
letter that Austin "does not adhere to our party's constitution," a
reference to the Alliance party's opposition to aspects of official
bilingualism.

The PC constitution's principles include a statement that party
members support official bilingualism and the protection and promotion
of "the diversity of our two linguistic communities."

"It was enough to have Kris Austin" as a PC MLA, but "having him as a
minister, I can't stand that," Arsenault said.
Snap vote hurdles

He said he's been told by someone in the party that if he can gather
enough support quickly enough, the leadership question can be put on
the agenda at the annual meeting.

But the hurdles to a snap vote on removing the PC leader are considerable.

Reviews are automatic when the party loses an election, but when it's
in power, 50 party members, including 20 riding association
presidents, must ask the president's council for a vote on a review at
least 21 days before its next meeting.

The president's council is made up of members the party executive, its
regional vice-presidents such as Arsenault and all 49 PC riding
association presidents.

It must vote by a two-thirds margin in favour of a leadership review.
Only then would a vote by all members on ousting Higgs be scheduled
within three months, either at an annual meeting or special meeting.

PC party president Claude Williams says the president's council is
unlikely to meet until December and that means it's impossible for a
leadership review to get on the agenda at the annual meeting.
Debate has been going on for 'last few weeks'

Williams, a former cabinet colleague of Higgs in the David Alward
government, said as party president he cannot take a position on the
premier's leadership.

"The debate's been going on for the last few weeks," he said. "I don't
have an opinion."

Among Arsenault's other complaints is that Higgs has done nothing to
fix health care since firing the two regional health authority boards
in July, and has yet to respond to a review of the Official Languages
Act that was submitted 10 months ago.

He says he's been hearing "for months" from party supporters wanting a
change at the top.

    Health care crisis dominates N.B. Legislature's return

    Cardy says other ministers frustrated with Higgs should quit, too

But Turner says Arsenault is an isolated voice.

"We can't lose sight of the fact that this review call is from one
member of the party. That's how we look at this. I'm sure there's
always people who question the leadership of any organization at
certain times for certain reasons."

Higgs recently told Brunswick News that he'll announce during his
State of the Province speech in the new year whether he plans to
retire ahead of the next election in 2024 or seek another mandate.

But Arsenault says Higgs is "toying with us" and that timing is
"disrespectful" for a potential new party leader who would need to
establish their own agenda before the 2024 election.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New
Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in
Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on
every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio
Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and
Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books
about New Brunswick politics and history.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices


https://thesaxon.org/call-for-review-of-blaine-higgs-leadership-in-nb/

Call for review of Blaine Higgs leadership in NB

By Teilor Stonein News
Spread the love

Call for review of Blaine Higgs leadership in NB.

A regional vice-president wants Blaine Higgs to be put to a vote of confidence.

Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick, at the press scrum at the
Legislative Assembly, in Fredericton, in October 2022.

In a letter addressed to the members of the executive committee of the
Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick and of which
Radio-Canada obtained a copy, a regional vice-president, Maurice
Arsenault, launches an appeal to his peers to initiate a process to
review the leadership of Prime Minister Blaine Higgs.

This call comes a few days after the ex-Minister of Education Dominic
Cardy set fire to the powder by resigning from his post and publishing
an inflammatory letter in which he denounces the actions of Blaine
Higgs. Dominic Cardy has since been kicked out of the Conservative
caucus.

    “For months I have heard [Progressive Conservative Party]
supporters want change at the top. Blaine Higgs must be reminded that
he was not elected Prime Minister, our party was elected to govern
with him as leader. »

    — Maurice Arsenault, Regional Vice-President of Westmorland Albert

In his letter, the Regional Vice-President of Westmorland Albert
denounces the dictatorial approach of the leader. He also criticizes
the arrival of Dominic Cardy and Kris Austin, without any consultation
with the party. He writes that the appointment of Kris Austin as
Minister is once again a snub to Francophones and criticizes the Prime
Minister's management of health.

[Blaine Higgs] is not philosophically aligned to guide a
reconstruction of post-COVID society with all its challenges, he
believes.

Mauritius Arsenault calls on members to send letters to party chairman
Claude Williams by October 28 asking for a leadership review. Maurice
Arsenault himself sent a letter to officially make this request.

Before a review process is launched, other Progressive Conservatives
will have to add their voice to that of Maurice Arsenault.

According to the constitution of the PCNB, a leadership review may
have take place at any time, even when the party forms the government.

To do so, at least fifty party members – including at least 20
constituency presidents – must apply to have the party leadership
review placed on the agenda for the next provincial council meeting.

Party chairman Claude Williams says the next council meeting should
take place before the end of December.

If two-thirds of council members vote in favor of a revision, a
meeting will be convened within three months to hold a secret vote.

In this secret ballot, party members – that is, all citizens
registered as members of the Progressive Conservative Party of New
Brunswick – will be asked to answer the following question: Do you
support [Blaine Higgs ] as Party leader? .

If more than 50% of members say no, a leadership convention will be
held within six months to choose a new leader.

In an interview with Radio-Canada on Monday afternoon, Maurice
Arsenault said he was confident that he would manage to obtain the
necessary mobilization to trigger the process.

I am very confident that I will get the twenties [necessary supports].
Already, I received a dozen comments in my favor and I think the rest
will come, not only from the French-speaking regions, from the
English-speaking regions too, he says.

With information from Nicolas Steinbach


Teilor Stone has been a reporter on the news desk since 2013. Before
that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles
and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before
joining Thesaxon , Teilor Stone worked as a staff writer at the
Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal,
GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my
teilor@nizhtimes.com 1-800-268-7116

KEY EDITORIAL CONTACTS
Editor: Ian Soomersby
Deputy Editor: Mzxim Ornel
Acting Managing Editor: Barbara Street
Acting Head of Digital: Daisy Disel
Acting Digital Editor:Kann Miracle
Assistant Editor (News): Barny Johnson
Assistant Editor : Nikita Tanner
Arts Editor: Elizabet Garrison
Social Media Editor: Maria Watson
ADDRESS
TheSaxon
7a North St, Wilton, Salisbury SP2 0HQ
United Kingdom



https://www.pcnb.ca/nbexec

Blaine W. Higgs
info@pcnb.ca

President
Claude Williams
claude.williams@pcnb.ca

Vice President
Shawn Morrison
shawn_morrison_1974@icloud.com

Past President
Chris McLaughlin
vtpca@xplornet.ca

Official Representative
Duncan MacDonald
duncan@dlmca.ca

Secretary
Andrew Dykeman
andrewjdykeman@gmail.com

Official Agent
Robert Hatheway
bobhatheway@gmail.com

President, PC Women Association
Sherry MacEachern
slmaceachern@gmail.com

President, PC Youth
Will Seely
rwillseely@gmail.com

Capital Region VP
Shawn Douthwright
ssducks@xplornet.ca

Capital-Upper River Valley VP
James Grant
jd.grant@rogers.com

North-Northwest VP
Alex LeBrun
awlebrun@hotmail.com

Péninsule-Chaleur VP
Lester Young
lwyou1@rogers.com

Westmorland VP
Stephan Richard
stephan.richard1@gmail.com

Westmorland Albert VP
Maurice Arsenault

Miramichi VP
Eric Walls (Interim)
ericwalls2015@gmail.com

Saint John-Charlotte VP
Brian Cooke (Interim)
Brian.Cooke@unb.ca

Saint John Kings VP
Francine Quinn-Steeves
francineqs@gmail.com

Executive Director
Andrea Johnson
andrea.johnson@pcnb.ca
Phone: (506) 453-3456

 

YO Higgy As I read Louis Leger email published by Mr Jones I wonder how many of your cohorts read the emails and the note about the Butter Tarts etc you sent me before I ran against Tammy.Scott-Wallace's uddy Bruce Northrup

 

Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)

<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca>
Tue, Aug 3, 2021 at 5:35 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to write.

Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed at the earliest opportunity.

If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for review and consideration.

Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.

En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les meilleurs délais.

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If this is a Media Request, please contact the Premier’s office at (506) 453-2144 or by email

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S’il s’agit d’une demande des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le Cabinet du premier ministre au 506-453-2144. 

    

General Information

For general information and answers to common questions on novel coronavirus please visit:

GNB/COVID-19 or Canada.ca/coronavirus  information line  1-833-784-4397.

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Composez le 1-833-948-2800.

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Ligne d'aide CHIMO : 1-800-667-5005

Ligne d’écoute d’espoir : 1-855-242-3310

Agence des services frontaliers du Canada

L’Agence a mis en place une ligne d’information sur la COVID-19 pour les questions concernant la traversée de la frontière, le 1-800-461-9999.

LIGNE D’INFORMATION SUR l'assurance-emploi

Composez le 1-833-381-2725.

 

Office of the Premier/Cabinet du premier ministre

P.O Box/C. P. 6000 Fredericton New-Brunswick/Nouveau-Brunswick E3B 5H1 Canada

Tel./Tel. : (506) 453-2144

Email/Courriel: premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca

 

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Tue, Aug 3, 2021 at 5:33 PM
To: "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, Paul.D'Astous@gnb.ca, Louis.Leger@gnb.ca, cleveland.allaby@me.com, Nicolle.Carlin@gnb.ca, Francois.Robichaud@gnb.ca, "Holland, Mike (LEG)" <mike.holland@gnb.ca>, Tom.MacFarlane@gnb.ca, "tyler.campbell" <tyler.campbell@gnb.ca>, "nick.brown" <nick.brown@gnb.ca>, "hugh.flemming" <hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>, "Anderson-Mason, Andrea Hon. (JAG/JPG)" <Andrea.AndersonMason@gnb.ca>, Jeff.Carr@gnb.ca, Jake.Stewart@gnb.ca, "Dominic.Cardy" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, Margaret.Johnson@gnb.ca, "Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, Richard.Ames@gnb.ca, Jill.Green@gnb.ca, Ryan.Cullins@gnb.ca, Gary.Crossman@gnb.ca, Glen.Savoie@gnb.ca, Bill.Oliver@gnb.ca, Daniel.J.Allain@gnb.ca, Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca, Greg.Turner@gnb.ca, maryewilsonMLA@outlook.com, Sherry.Wilson@gnb.ca, Trevor.Holder@gnb.ca, Bruce.Fitch@gnb.ca, Kathy.Bockus@gnb.ca, Arlene.Dunn@gnb.ca, Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca, Tammy.Scott-Wallace@gnb.ca, claude.williams@pcnb.ca, shawn_morrison_1974@icloud.com, vtpca@xplornet.ca, duncan@dlmca.ca, andrewjdykeman@gmail.com, bobhatheway@gmail.com, lwyou1@rogers.com, francineqs@gmail.com, awlebrun@hotmail.com, jd.grant@rogers.com, ssducks@xplornet.ca, ilecwamh@hotmail.com, charlesdoucet850@gmail.com, rwillseely@gmail.com, stephan.richard1@gmail.com, slmaceachern@gmail.com
Cc: "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, "steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, andre <andre@jafaust.com>, motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "andrea.johnson" <andrea.johnson@pcnb.org>, jenica.atwin@parl.gc.ca, dominic.leblanc@parl.gc.ca, nobyrne <nobyrne@unb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "michelle.conroy" <michelle.conroy@gnb.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, Lisa.Harris@gnb.ca, David.Coon@gnb.ca, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "Arseneau, Kevin (LEG)" <kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/irving-oil-government-new-brunswick-1.6125019


'Have you heard anything from Andy C?' Hidden name in government
emails about Irving Oil revealed

Newly unredacted note between civil servants suggests contact with
Irving Oil executive
Robert Jones, Karissa Donkin · CBC News · Posted: Aug 03, 2021 6:00 AM AT


http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2018/01/yo-dominic-cardy-how-can-you.html


Friday, 12 January 2018
YO Dominic Cardy how can you Conservatives brag of buying Butter Tarts
when CBC tells me you dudes have to sell your HQ? Yet you wackos want
control of our provincial economy?

http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2017/10/methinks-if-blaine-higgs-had-two-clues.html

Tuesday, 10 October 2017
Methinks if Blaine Higgs had two clues between his ears he would not
have hired the Arsehole Dominic Cardy in the first place


---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2018 14:00:20 -0400
Subject  YO Dominic Cardy how can you Conservatives brag of buying
Butter Tarts when CBC tells me you dudes have to sell your HQ? Yet you
wackos want control of our provincial economy"
To: "Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>, "ht.lacroix"
<ht.lacroix@cbc.ca>,
jesse <jesse@viafoura.com>, "Armitage, Blair" <Blair.Armitage@sen.parl.gc.ca>,
"dan. bussieres" <dan.bussieres@gnb.ca>,
 David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>,
ethics-ethique <ethics-ethique@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, mcohen <mcohen@trumporg.com>,
djtjr <djtjr@trumporg.com>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>,
"Boston.Mail" <Boston.Mail@ic.fbi.gov>, jbosnitch <jbosnitch@gmail.com>,
andre <andre@jafaust.com>, "David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>,
"brian.gallant"<brian.gallant@gnb.ca>, briangallant10
<briangallant10@gmail.com>,
"Dominic.Cardy" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, postur <postur@for.is>,
nmoore <nmoore@bellmedia.ca>, david <david@lutz.nb.ca>
Cc: pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Bill.Morneau" <Bill.Morneau@canada.ca>,
"Gerald.Butts" <Gerald.Butts@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>,
"Norman.Sabourin" <Norman.Sabourin@cjc-ccm.gc.ca>,
"Giroux, Marc A :FJA" <marc.giroux@fja-cmf.gc.ca>,
"Joly, Philippe :HoC" <philippe.joly@cie.parl.gc.ca>, "Dawson, Mary :HoC"
<mary.dawson@cie.parl.gc.ca>, "Regan, Geoff - M.P. :HoC"
<geoff.regan@parl.gc.ca>, "ETHI@parl.gc.ca" <ETHI@parl.gc.ca>,
"cullen1@parl.gc.ca" <cullen1@parl.gc.ca>, "Zimmer, Bob - M.P. :HoC"
<bob.zimmer@parl.gc.ca>, "Erskine-Smith, Nathaniel - M.P. :HoC"
<nathaniel.erskine-smith@parl.gc.ca>, "Baylis, Frank - M.P.
:HoC"<frank.baylis@parl.gc.ca>, "Dubourg, Emmanuel - Député :HoC"
<emmanuel.dubourg@parl.gc.ca>, "Fortier, Mona - Députée :HoC"
<Mona.Fortier@parl.gc.ca>, "Gourde, Jacques - Député :HoC"
<jacques.gourde@parl.gc.ca>, "Kent, Peter - M.P. :HoC"
<peter.kent@parl.gc.ca>, "Murray, Joyce - M.P.
:HoC"<joyce.murray@parl.gc.ca>, "Picard, Michel - Député :HoC"
<michel.picard@parl.gc.ca>,
"Saini, Raj - M.P. :HoC" <raj.saini@parl.gc.ca>,
"Chagger, Bardish - M.P. :HoC"<bardish.chagger@parl.gc.ca>,
mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, "Joly, Mélanie - M.P. :HoC" <melanie.joly@parl.gc.ca>,
"Bradley, Heather :HoC" <heather.bradley@parl.gc.ca>,
Newsroom@globeandmail.com, christine.elliottco@pc.ola.org,
"derek.burney@nortonrosefulbright.com" <derek.burney@nortonrosefulbright.com>,
"Lampron.Raynald@psic-ispc.gc.ca" <Lampron.Raynald@psic-ispc.gc.ca>,
"Friday, Joe :PSIC" <friday.joe@psic-ispc.gc.ca>,
"Lachapelle, Edith :PSIC" <Lachapelle.edith@psic-ispc.gc.ca>,
brad.butt@parl.gc.ca,
pat.martin@parl.gc.ca, "OGGO@parl.gc.ca" <OGGO@parl.gc.ca>,
"manon.hardy@chrc-ccdp.ca" <manon.hardy@chrc-ccdp.ca>,
"Clemet1@parl.gc.ca" <Clemet1@parl.gc.ca>,
"Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca" <Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>,
"Gilles.Moreau@forces.gc.ca" <Gilles.Moreau@forces.gc.ca>,
"Ferguson, Michael :OAG" <Michael.Ferguson@oag-bvg.gc.ca>,
"janice.leahy" <janice.leahy@gnb.ca>, "Furey, John" <jfurey@nbpower.com>,
wharrison <wharrison@nbpower.com>, ecdesmond <ecdesmond@nbeub.ca>,
"Kim.MacPherson" <Kim.MacPherson@gnb.ca>,
"Easter, Wayne - M.P. :HoC" <wayne.easter@parl.gc.ca>,
"hon.ralph.goodale" <hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>,
"Scheer, Andrew - M.P. :HoC" <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>,
"Bernier, Maxime - Député :HoC" <maxime.bernier@parl.gc.ca>,
"Harder, Peter" <Peter.Harder@sen.parl.gc.ca>,
 "Brisebois, Jocelyne :HoC" <jocelyne.brisebois@cie.parl.gc.ca>,
"natalia.johnston@cbc.ca" <natalia.johnston@cbc.ca>,
"steve.murphy@ctv.ca" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Cardy, Dominic (LEG)" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2018 17:22:47 +0000
Subject: Hamish's birthday
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Cc: "Wright, Hamish (LEG)" <Hamish.Wright@gnb.ca>

Dear Mr. Amos,

As a regular correspondent I thought you would like to know that it's
Hamish's 20th birthday! We even gave him some butter tarts in your
honour! I'm sure he'd appreciate a note.

Have a good weekend, best wishes,

Dominic

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/progressive-conversative-headquarters-sale-fundraising-1.4484153

David Amos
Strange just today Dominic Cardy was bragging to me they have lots of
money to spend on Butter Tarts

Methinks the PCs are gonna lose the electin bitime with him as Mr
Higgs' Chief of Staff N'esy Pas?

(Piss Poor spelling a grammer I know but the real question is will CBC
even allow the comment o stand the test of time EH Jacques Poitras and
Hubby Lacroix?)



---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2017 14:57:57 -0400
Subject: Yo Brucey Baby is that your signature I see on the note with
the treats from Mr Higgs that your buddy Dominic Cardy sent?
To: kelly@lamrockslaw.com, david@lutz.nb.ca, David.Coon@gnb.ca,
blaine.higgs@gnb.ca, brian.gallant@gnb.ca, briangallant10@gmail.com,
bruce.fitch@gnb.ca, Brian.kenny@gnb.caDale.Morgan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,
kirk.macdonald@gnb.ca, postur@for.is, newsroom@globeandmail.ca,
Bill.Morneau@canada.ca, bill.pentney@justice.gc.ca,
jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca
Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, bruce.northrup@gnb.ca, Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca

http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2017/11/yo-blaine-higgs-i-just-called-and-tried.html

Thursday, 2 November 2017

Yo Blaine Higgs I just called and tried to talk to your buddy Hamish
Wright Trust that I don't care that Dominic Cardy is concerned about
his fondness for butter tarts

 Yo Mr Cardy Do Ya Think This Dude Cares About Your Dumb Puffin?

---------- Original message ----------
From: Póstur FOR postur@for.is
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2017 16:16:32 +0000
Subject: Re: Yo Mr Higgs I updated the blog for the benefit of your
mindless assistant, your pal Chucky "The Welfare Bum" Leblanc and his
many LIEbrano buddies for obvious reasons N'esy Pas David Coon?
To: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com


Erindi þitt hefur verið móttekið  / Your request has been received

Kveðja / Best regards
Forsætisráðuneytið  / Prime Minister's Office


https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/executive_council/news/news_release.2018.11.1262.html

News Release
Executive Council Office
Office of the Premier
Transition team announced
06 November 2018

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Premier-designate Blaine Higgs announced a
transition team to liaise with the civil service in the period leading
to the swearing-in of the new cabinet.

“A group of talented New Brunswickers have agreed to work with our
government to help ensure a seamless transition,” said Higgs. “These
team members bring decades of experience and expertise in the private
sector, governance and politics to this important process.”

The team members are:

    Louis Léger: With over 25 years of business experience, Léger has
spent  much of his career at the centre of the Atlantic Canadian
marketing communications industry and was recognized by Progress
Magazine as one of Atlantic Canada’s top 50 CEOs. Léger is on the
board of directors and chairs the finance committee of the Donald J.
Savoie Institute on Public Policy Research. He has also served on the
Université de Moncton’s board of governors.

    John Mallory: A retired deputy minister of finance, Mallory served
for 15 years under six premiers and seven finance ministers.

    Edith Doucet: Doucet has 33 years of experience in the public
service, including time as clerk of the Executive Council and head of
the civil service. She also served as deputy minister of social
development, healthy and inclusive communities and intergovernmental
affairs.

    Bob Youden: Youden is a partner in Savarin Consulting, a
consulting and holding company for business interests. He has over 30
years of experience working in the private and public sectors.

    Paul D’Astous: A retired chair and CEO with the New Brunswick
Insurance Board and former vice-president of sales and marketing with
Assumption Life, D’Astous is the executive director of the Progressive
Conservative Party of New Brunswick.

“Premier Gallant and I have met to discuss the transition and I want
to thank Mr. Gallant and the senior officials in the civil service for
the work they have done,” said Higgs.

 

 

 

 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/election-campaign-fundraising-progressive-conservatives-cashless-1.4765401

 

Cash-strapped PCs 'working hard' on building campaign war chest

The Opposition party applied for government assistance to hire staff last year

Money was so tight at New Brunswick Progressive Conservative headquarters last year the party successfully applied for $4,700 in government wage assistance to help hire staff and had so many overdue bills it spent almost as much on late charges as it did on heat and lights.

Bob Hatheway acknowledges 2017 was a financial challenge for the PCs, but the party's long-time official agent and Fredericton businessman is confident it will be able to raise the substantial sums it needs this year to fight an effective province-wide election campaign — even with tough new donation rules.

"The party fundraising team has been working hard on that," said Hatheway.   

"I have every expectation that as the election writ drops we'll be fully funded for our budget we need for fighting the election."

Huge Liberal advantage

Raising money is traditionally difficult for opposition parties in New Brunswick, but the financial gap at the end of 2017 between governing Liberals, who had $1.8 million in the bank, and Opposition Tories, who had $13,000 and change in their accounts, looks especially daunting heading into this year's election season.

Progressive Conservatives raised $1.5 million to help fight the last election in 2014, but 54 per cent of that came from corporate donations which are now banned in the province. Maximum donations from individuals have also been lowered from $6,000 to $3,000.

The Progressive Conservatives' head office in Fredericton. (Jacques Poitras/CBC News)

That will limit how much money can be raised this year and could lead to a no-frills campaign for the party as it tries to live on what it can coax from individuals or qualify for in reimbursements from Elections New Brunswick to finance everything it does.

"I don't know that we'll be able to reach that past level. I do know we are being very conscientious of what our budget is," said Hatheway. 

"The amount of money that any of the other parties have is not really too relevant to us because we have a budget that's in place for our own purposes and we're going to be able to raise the money that's needed for that."

Hatheway wouldn't say what that budget is, but the party has spent more than $3 million in each of the last two election years, most of that on the campaign. 

In each of those campaigns, the party ended up borrowing money to supplement fundraising but, at the end of 2017, still owed $256,405 from past loans and is trying to avoid more debt this time.

"Our intention is to spend money we do have," said Hatheway

"The fundraising has been going very well. I'm quite excited about how it's going."

 

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