Conservative MP Jake Stewart says he won't run in upcoming election
In social media post, Stewart says politics has taken a toll on his family and health
Miramichi-Grand Lake Conservative MP Jake Stewart will not be a candidate in the federal election expected to be called soon, Stewart announced in a social media post Thursday.
Stewart wrote that as he enters his 18th year in electoral politics, "I have come to realize the toll it's taken on my family and my health. Therefore, I will not be re-offering in the upcoming election."
Stewart has not responded to an interview request.
The first-term MP's announcement follows criticism by Conservatives in the riding, including two-time federal candidate Mike Morrison.
Morrison told CBC News last week that he doubted Stewart could win the riding again because of feuds between Stewart and former staffers and party volunteers.
The financial agent for the Miramichi-Grand Lake Conservative riding association resigned in January, citing a "toxic and manipulative atmosphere" in Stewart's office.
In January, a House of Commons lawyer sent Morrison's son Shawn, who had worked on Stewart's office, a cease-and-desist letter, telling him to stop contacting Stewart's wife and his office.
Stewart's
announcement comes after concerns were raised by Mike Morrison, a
longtime Conservative organizer in Miramichi, about feuds between
Stewart and former staff and party volunteers. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Stewart had already been nominated as the Conservative candidate for the federal election that could be called as early as next week.
Kelly Wilson, the president of the party riding association, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday morning.
Kevin Price, the New Brunswick representative on the federal Conservative Party's national council, said he would not comment on Stewart's decision..
Lisa Harris, who ran as the federal Liberal candidate against Stewart in 2021 and lost by fewer than 1,500 votes, announced last week she'll seek her party's nomination again.
Stewart was a Blackville municipal councillor and then served as a provincial MLA for 11 years before resigning in 2021 to run federally.
He was one of the first MPs to endorse Pierre Poilievre to lead the party in 2022 and was appointed caucus committee coordinator, part of the leadership team, when Poilievre took over.
As a provincial member, he ran for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick in 2016 and was minister of aboriginal affairs in the Blaine Higgs government from 2018 to 2020.
Stewart said in his Facebook post on Thursday that being a politician was "incredibly hard for your family these days," and he thanked his wife Shannon and his four children for their support.
"I want you to know I have given my very best to local causes and I am forever grateful for all your support over the years from municipal through provincial to federal politics," Stewart wrote.
"I sincerely hope to have made a real, impactful difference in our community."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Veteran Miramichi Conservative says MP Jake Stewart can't win
Two-time candidate Mike Morrison says the local party organization he helped build has been ‘decimated’
A two-time federal Conservative candidate in Miramichi says he doesn't think current party MP Jake Stewart can win again in a federal election that is expected to start within weeks.
Mike Morrison says he has contacted the office of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to advise them of what's happening but has had no response.
"I don't think he should be the candidate," Morrison said.
Morrison said the party organization he helped build has "tanked" because Stewart has alienated or cut ties with many Conservative supporters, including many of his own staff and volunteers who helped elect him.
The 79-year-old veteran political organizer and two-time candidate says Stewart is hiding from constituents and onetime allies, leading many to conclude not only that he'll lose the seat but that he should resign.
"Everything's gone downhill," Morrison said in an interview at his home. "It's gone right off the end. There's no credibility. It's very toxic. … Nobody can get any answers."
Morrison's son Shawn is one of several people who were fired from or quit Stewart's office.
Stewart is hiding from constituents and allies, leading to a 'toxic' atmosphere, Morrison says. (Pascal Raiche-Nogue/Radio-Canada)
In January, a House of Commons lawyer sent Shawn Morrison a cease-and-desist letter, telling him to stop contacting Stewart's wife and his office.
"People [are] coming up to me saying, 'They're trying to blame everything on the Morrisons,'" Mike Morrison said. "We did nothing.
"What's happened here right now has been created by Jake Stewart himself."
Stewart has not responded to repeated requests from CBC News for an interview.
The financial agent for the Miramichi-Grand Lake Conservative riding association, Denver Brennan, resigned in January citing a "toxic and manipulative atmosphere" in Stewart's office.
He named eight people who left jobs in the office or were fired over three years.
Morrison confirmed some of the departures and said they often had to do with Stewart's temper.
"These kids … were having mental distress there with what was happening," he said. "Make one mistake in a letter or something like that — it was the end of the world."
The result now is a local board and party organization he calls "non-functional," while former campaign donors will no longer support Stewart.
"We're in a mess today," Morrison said, "and here we've got an election coming."
Two spokespeople for Poilievre have not responded to questions from CBC News about the situation.
Morrison
says he received texts from Stewart with links to the band the Strokes,
which he took as mocking after Morrison himself suffered a stroke. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Morrison said he asked Kevin Price, New Brunswick's representative on the Conservative Party's national council, to take his concerns to Poilievre adviser Jenni Byrne.
Price "knows where we're coming from," Morrison said. "He understands what's happening here."
So far though, no one from Poilievre's office has contacted him.
Price did not respond to an interview request.
It's a sad development for Morrison, who helped build the local Conservative Party of Canada organization in Miramichi after the 2003 merger of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties.
He was the first candidate for the party in Miramichi, running in both 2004 and 2006.
He worked on the 2008 campaign that led to the party's breakthrough win with Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, who went on to serve two terms in Ottawa.
More recently, he was the financial agent for Stewart's 2021 campaign and helped organize an early visit to the riding by Pierre Poilievre after he became party leader, an event attended by almost 400 people.
Poilievre "couldn't get over the organization," Morrison said. "He fell in love with Miramichi."
He believed Stewart was in line for a possible cabinet position in a Poilievre government, representing a chance to get some federal attention for Miramichi.
But "something turned," Morrison said. "Jake become another person."
He pointed to text messages from Stewart linking to music videos by the band the Strokes — apparently mocking the fact Morrison suffered a stroke in December.
"I kind of felt belittled, betrayed."
But, he added, "what hurts me the most about it all is the volunteers, the donors, all the people like ourselves, board people over the years that worked to get us to where we were, OK — how that has been decimated."
"I feel sorry for them. They put their trust in Jake Stewart. I put my trust in Jake Stewart."
Morrison said he was speaking to CBC News because no one else was acknowledging the problem.
"At least somebody is listening. The party doesn't want to listen. The national party doesn't want to listen. People have a right to know what's going on."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Miramichi MP Jake Stewart faces party turmoil ahead of election
Financial agent quits, office closes, House of Commons sends warning to ex-staffer
A New Brunswick Conservative MP running for re-election this year is losing some of his supporters after a falling out with former staffers and resignations from the local party organization.
Jake Stewart, the MP for Miramichi-Grand Lake, recently had a House of Commons lawyer send a cease-and-desist letter to Shawn Morrison, a longtime Conservative who used to work in his office.
The letter, dated Jan. 30 and obtained by CBC News, was sent to Morrison after an exchange of fiery and sometimes personal social media posts between him and Stewart.
That came a few days after the financial agent for the Conservative riding association in Miramichi-Grand Lake resigned in an email to members of the association board.
Miramichi MP Jake Stewart faces turmoil with former supporters"My decision stems from a profound distrust in the current board and staff within MP Stewart's office," Denver Brennan wrote in a Jan. 24 email obtained by CBC News.
He also said the atmosphere at Stewart's office was "toxic and manipulative" and eight other people had left jobs with the MP over three years, though one of them, Aiden Ingersoll, appeared in a Feb. 11 social media photo with Stewart.
Stewart, a first-term Conservative MP and former provincial cabinet minister in the Blaine Higgs government, has been nominated as the party candidate for the federal election expected this spring.
He has not responded to text messages or to phone calls or an email to his office requesting an interview.
In one Facebook post in January responding to Morrison, the MP appeared to challenge him to a physical confrontation.
"My address hasn't changed," Stewart wrote, daring him to "bring it" and using a profanity to describe Morrision.
Morrison and Brennan would not do interviews with CBC News.
Kelly Wilson, the president of the Conservative riding association board, did not respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, Stewart's office on the King George Highway in Miramichi was closed for several weeks after the Christmas break, with a sign in the window citing "security reasons."
Stewart's office was 'toxic and manipulative,' according to a resignation email from a party volunteer. (CBC)
Stewart posted two photos on his social media accounts on Feb. 11 showing him greeting constituents at the office, and when CBC News photographed the office the next day, the sign was gone.
But Brunswick News reported the sign was back later in the day.
When CBC News visited the office again on Feb. 20, there was no such sign in the window, but the door was locked and no one responded to repeated rings on a buzzer.
Stewart took part in a community event in Miramichi the same day.
The cease-and-desist letter to Morrison was signed by Aleksandra Pisarek, a lawyer in the office of the House of Commons law clerk.
It says Morrison has engaged in "unwelcome, malicious and vindictive behaviour," including unwelcome contact with Stewart's staff and his spouse.
It asks him to "immediately cease and desist" and warns him that if he continues, "all possible legal recourses will be considered."
Two spokespeople for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre did not respond to a request for comment. Kevin Price, the New Brunswick representative on the party's national council, did not respond either.
Stewart was first elected to the New Brunswick legislature in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2020.
He ran for the provincial Progressive Conservative Party leadership in 2016, placing fifth in the first round of voting.
Premier Blaine Higgs appointed Stewart minister of aboriginal affairs when the PCs formed a minority government in 2018, but dropped him from cabinet after winning a majority in 2020.
Stewart resigned as an MLA the following year to run federally and was elected MP for Miramichi-Grand Lake in the September 2021 election.
He was among the first MPs to endorse Poilievre for leader of the federal Conservative Party after MPs pushed Erin O'Toole out of the position in early 2022.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Subject: Fwd: RE Miramichi MP Jake Stewart faces party turmoil ahead of election
To: <info@faytene.tv>
V-Kol Media // PO Box 21045, Quispamsis, NB, E2E 4Z4, Canada
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From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Subject: Fwd: RE Miramichi MP Jake Stewart faces party turmoil ahead of election
To: <jim@miramichionline.com>
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Tue, Feb 25, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Subject: RE Miramichi MP Jake Stewart faces party turmoil ahead of election
To: <michel.bedard@parl.gc.ca>, <aleksandra.pisarek@parl.gc.ca
Cc: <susan.brophy.256@parl.gc.ca>, jake.stewart <jake.stewart@parl.gc.ca>, pierre.poilievre <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, <ps.ministerofpublicsafety-
From: Holt, Susan Premier (PO/CPM) <Susan.Holt@gnb.ca>
Date: Mon, Nov 4, 2024 at 11:43 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Premier Susan Holt and her new cabinet know some folks have a long memory and keep good records as well EH Ian Lee?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Thank you for your email. This account receives a high volume of emails. Thank you for your patience as our team prepares a response.
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From: Bockus, Kathy (LEG) <Kathy.Bockus@gnb.ca>
Date: Mon, Nov 4, 2024 at 11:43 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Premier Susan Holt and her new cabinet know some folks have a long memory and keep good records as well EH Ian Lee?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Mon, Nov 4, 2024 at 11:44 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Premier Susan Holt and her new cabinet know some folks have a long memory and keep good records as well EH Ian Lee?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
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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Again, we thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns.
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From: <info@votefaytene.ca>
Date: Sun, Oct 13, 2024 at 4:30 PM
Subject: Auto: RE PC Faytene won't discuss 'security concerns' that caused event's cancellation
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From: Chrystia Freeland <Chrystia.Freeland@fin.gc.ca>
Date: Sun, Oct 13, 2024 at 4:30 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: RE PC Faytene won't discuss 'security concerns' that caused event's cancellation
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
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From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
To: "info@votefaytene.ca" <info@votefaytene.ca>; blaine.higgs <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>; Mark.Blakely <mark.blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; "james@jsmklaw.ca" <james@jsmklaw.ca>; "info@ezrainstitute.ca" <info@ezrainstitute.ca>; "info@libertycoalitioncanada.
Cc: "awaugh@postmedia.com" <awaugh@postmedia.com>; Jason Lavigne <jason@yellowhead.vote>; art <art@streetchurch.ca>; "steve.outhouse@gnb.ca" <steve.outhouse@gnb.ca>; pierre.poilievre <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>
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From: Faytene Grasseschi / PCNB - Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins 2024 Candidate <info@votefaytene.ca>
Date: Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 9:29 PM
Subject: Re: RE Calls from Moncton RCMP (506 856 8139) about ‘PJ’ Andreetti and I
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
David,
I just tried to call you back. My apologies again that we had to keep the call short today due to an appointment. Thank you for your care, kindness and defence of me. I do appreciate it.
Please know how much we respect you.
Faytene
Premier's former spokesperson wants to run against Liberal Leader Susan Holt
Nicolle Carlin sets sights on Fredericton South-Silverwood
Nicolle Carlin, who has worked as spokesperson for Premier Blaine Higgs since 2018, has announced she is seeking the Progressive Conservative nomination in Fredericton South-Silverwood.
It's the same riding where Liberal Leader Susan Holt plans to run in the next election, which is scheduled for October.
Carlin said she resigned from her job as deputy minister of strategic initiatives and communications on Monday to campaign full time.
"I've been very fortunate. I do have a strong voice at the table and the premier's put a lot of faith in me and he's allowed me to be vocal," Carlin said in an interview with Radio-Canada.
"I loved serving in my job, but this is completely different. When you have people you are speaking for, when you are taking their issues to heart, when you're advocating for them, that's a completely different responsibility."
Carlin said she wasn't recruited by the PC Party and the decision to run was hers alone.
Stands with Higgs on Policy 713
Carlin has previously been a municipal councillor in Hanwell and worked as a reporter for both CTV Atlantic and CBC New Brunswick.
When asked, she said she stands with Higgs on the issue of Policy 713, the gender-identity school policy his government changed last summer.
The revised Policy 713 requires that school staff obtain parental consent before letting a student under 16 adopt a new name or pronoun that reflects their gender identity.
"I do stand with the premier on 713, and I don't think that there is a line between being progressive and supporting the role that parents play," Carlin said.
Liberal Leader Susan Holt, shown here at the recent Liberal nomination meeting for Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins, is running for a seat in Fredericton South-Silverwood. (Sam Farley/CBC News)
She said children should feel welcome in their schools and classrooms, but parents should be involved with elementary-aged kids transitioning and using a different name and pronouns.
"I'm very progressive. I'm a progressive in my views, I'm a Progressive Conservative and I stand with the premier on that issue, 100 per cent," Carlin said.
In an emailed statement, Liberal Leader Susan Holt said she welcomes Carlin to the race.
"Glad to see that PCs have found a candidate to make this a good race, which is critical to a strong democracy," Holt said.
"I look forward to seeing Nicolle at the doors and engaging in meaningful discussions about the most important issues to the people of Fredericton South-Silverwood."
Holt won a seat in a 2023 byelection in the riding of Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore, but has chosen to run in a Fredericton riding come October. The Liberal leader lives in the city of Fredericton.
Simon Ouellette is the Green Party candidate for the riding. (Radio-Canada)
The Green Party's candidate for the riding, Simon Ouellette, also welcomed Carlin to the race in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
"I'm looking forward to a fair and competitive race focused on good ideas and honest politics. I hope to see Nicolle at local debates, where we can share our different visions for the future of our province," Ouellette said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Journalist
Sam Farley is a Fredericton-based reporter at CBC New Brunswick. Originally from Boston, he is a journalism graduate of the University of King's College in Halifax. He can be reached at sam.farley@cbc.ca
With files from Alix Villeneuve
2004
All eyes turned, cameras were flashing, and Nicolle Carlin, budding reporter, just stood waiting to hear an answer from an MP in Ottawa. Only in Gr. 10, Carlin caught the MP off guard when she asked if her school could have some money back to fund their music program which had been cancelled. Reporters scrummed her afterwards and it is then, Carlin recounts, that she realized that she had an interest in journalism.
“Wow, I like asking questions…and I kind of like catching him off guard.” thought young Carlin at the time. Now 25 and a Videojournalist at ATV in Fredericton, there is no looking back. Carlin grew up in Saint John and chose to study Journalism at St. Thomas University.
Sherry and Mary Wilson are old school women that asks permission to go to the bathroom.
I like Margaret but she is old school too, but she fought for her bridge in Florenceville that will never happen. Higgs keeps dangling that carrot for her though so she’ll run again.
Andrea Anderson Mason and Arlene Dunn…Dorothy Shepherd too stood up to Higgs for years.
Jill Green is fascinated by Higgs when she doesn’t need the money.
Good luck Nicole. Higgs will put you in a woman’s role soon if you are elected as MLA.
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale
"Carlin said she wasn't recruited by the PC Party and the decision to run was hers alone."
Hmmmm, do I believe Higgs's spokescritter on this or any issue at this point?
Le Wier
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
I see Carlin’s father In law was high up in the former NBTel and a prominent family in Quispamsis and her mother was affiliated with the UPC.
Bobby Richards
Jake Stewart is the father of Nicole’s baby. That happened 2 terms ago
Bobby Richards
Reply to Le Wier
There used to be a vetting process
David Amos
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
IMHO Never believe anything until Higgy's spokescritter officially denies it
David Amos
Reply to Le Wier
Bingo
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Richards
Wow
Reply to Bobby Richards
Reply to Bobby Richards
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
Reply to Le Wier
Notice anything missing?
Reply to David Amos
Reply to Le Wier
More than that is missing
Keep trying.
Higgs has several women that he would boot out if that was the case.
Jill Green is fascinated by Higgs when she doesn’t need the money.
I think the baby Daddy is now in Ottawa.
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Reply to Bobby Richards
They spent many evenings together in the hotel
Reply to SarahRose Werner
I would suggest it’s more about being both humble and acknowledging the privilege she was afforded from the position……
Reply to SarahRose Werner
She will get treated very differently if she is elected and Higgs makes government. Higgs uses everyone for his own gain. Right now she feels on top but Higgs will put her on bottom if she dares speak up for her riding.
Perhaps I should ask you the obvious question
Reply to David Amos
Is that your real name?
Reply to David Amos
That is particularly true with my family name But everybody in the Conservative Party knows who my Father and Mother were particularly today
A lot of Canadians visited my Mother's favourite Brother's grave today
Kyle Woodman
She fits the mold of right wing yes woman.
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Indeed
Kyle Woodman
If she supports Higgs she is not Progressive no matter how many times she says it.
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Grits or tories, same old stories.
Reply to Howard Higgs
I don't believe that is the case in this election.
Reply to Howard Higgs
Agreed. But only since 2003, starting first at the Federal and having spread progressively to the provinces since.
C'est Vrai
Reply to David Amos
Robert Brannen
One is a matter of creating fantasy; the other, a matter of dealing with the harsh reality of the lives lived by the New Brunswick population.
Reply to Robert Brannen
You are right. She understands the mechanics of NB government but has had the privilege of being shielded by being on the inside.
It's nice to see young people engaged in the future of their province.
Reply to David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Reply to David Amos
The last thing we need is a 'mouthpiece' who only knows how to mimic and echo Higgs. Puppets are the worst kind of politician.
Reply to Bobby Richards
Did she work for Jake?
Only at the hotel
Yes outside of business hours
it sure wasnt to check his riding........i dont think Dawson goes around neither..........
They checked each other out in the evenings after dark
Art McCarthy
"I am a progressive." I work for a leader who is old-fashioned, old-school, reactionary, and stogy, who brooks no dissention from his views, yet I am progressive?
Something does not align here.
Everything Higgs is tainted. If she wants to run for the conservatives (I have long since dropped the word 'progressive') then have at it boss. All it means to us voters is that she is perfectly OK with the 'pronoun war distraction' over real issues.
Amen
Crafting Higgs Irvings messages must have been hard on her conscience OR perhaps not!
Reply to Doug McBride
I doubt it.
Reply to Doug McBride
For her......not at all.
" resigned from her job as deputy minister of strategic initiatives and communications on Monday to campaign full time."
There are strategic initiatives in NB? Might they include contract nurses or actually improving the health care system. Based on what people deal with day to day, clearly nothing viable occurring.
There really has been nothing progressive in the Higgs government in the last 5 years. Why think anything will change
Well this should be an easy seat for the Liberals to take. As spokesperson for Higgs she has to carry the burden of his misinformation on 713, illegal firings that cost millions, travel nurse contracts, Union lawsuits and preferential tax treatment to his former employer and so much more.
She will no doubt be a strong competitor to go against Holt
Reply to Daniel Henwell
Not a chance. She has to check everything she does with Higgy first.
Reply to Deborah Reddon
This is all Steve Outhouse’s idea.
I see the name Outhouse, I automatically assume they are full of you-know-what...
Reply to Bobby Richards
Of course thats his job
Miramichi MP Jake Stewart faces party turmoil ahead of election
Financial agent quits, office closes, House of Commons sends warning to ex-staffer
Jake
Stewart, the Conservative MP for Miramichi-Grand Lake, has been
nominated as the party candidate for the federal election expected this
spring. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)A New Brunswick Conservative MP running for re-election this year is losing some of his supporters after a falling out with former staffers and resignations from the local party organization.
Jake Stewart, the MP for Miramichi-Grand Lake, recently had a House of Commons lawyer send a cease-and-desist letter to Shawn Morrison, a longtime Conservative who used to work in his office.
The letter, dated Jan. 30 and obtained by CBC News, was sent to Morrison after an exchange of fiery and sometimes personal social media posts between him and Stewart.
That came a few days after the financial agent for the Conservative riding association in Miramichi-Grand Lake resigned in an email to members of the association board.
Miramichi MP Jake Stewart faces turmoil with former supporters"My decision stems from a profound distrust in the current board and staff within MP Stewart's office," Denver Brennan wrote in a Jan. 24 email obtained by CBC News.
He also said the atmosphere at Stewart's office was "toxic and manipulative" and eight other people had left jobs with the MP over three years, though one of them, Aiden Ingersoll, appeared in a Feb. 11 social media photo with Stewart.
Stewart, a first-term Conservative MP and former provincial cabinet minister in the Blaine Higgs government, has been nominated as the party candidate for the federal election expected this spring.
He has not responded to text messages or to phone calls or an email to his office requesting an interview.
In one Facebook post in January responding to Morrison, the MP appeared to challenge him to a physical confrontation.
"My address hasn't changed," Stewart wrote, daring him to "bring it" and using a profanity to describe Morrision.
Morrison and Brennan would not do interviews with CBC News.
Kelly Wilson, the president of the Conservative riding association board, did not respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, Stewart's office on the King George Highway in Miramichi was closed for several weeks after the Christmas break, with a sign in the window citing "security reasons."
Stewart's office was 'toxic and manipulative,' according to a resignation email from a party volunteer. (CBC)
Stewart posted two photos on his social media accounts on Feb. 11 showing him greeting constituents at the office, and when CBC News photographed the office the next day, the sign was gone.
But Brunswick News reported the sign was back later in the day.
When CBC News visited the office again on Feb. 20, there was no such sign in the window, but the door was locked and no one responded to repeated rings on a buzzer.
Stewart took part in a community event in Miramichi the same day.
The cease-and-desist letter to Morrison was signed by Aleksandra Pisarek, a lawyer in the office of the House of Commons law clerk.
It says Morrison has engaged in "unwelcome, malicious and vindictive behaviour," including unwelcome contact with Stewart's staff and his spouse.
It asks him to "immediately cease and desist" and warns him that if he continues, "all possible legal recourses will be considered."
Two spokespeople for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre did not respond to a request for comment. Kevin Price, the New Brunswick representative on the party's national council, did not respond either.
Stewart was first elected to the New Brunswick legislature in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2020.
He ran for the provincial Progressive Conservative Party leadership in 2016, placing fifth in the first round of voting.
Premier Blaine Higgs appointed Stewart minister of aboriginal affairs when the PCs formed a minority government in 2018, but dropped him from cabinet after winning a majority in 2020.
Stewart resigned as an MLA the following year to run federally and was elected MP for Miramichi-Grand Lake in the September 2021 election.
He was among the first MPs to endorse Poilievre for leader of the federal Conservative Party after MPs pushed Erin O'Toole out of the position in early 2022.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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.
Darell Fowlie
Darell Fowlie works as Director of Parliamentary Affairs for House of Commons.Darell can be reached at 506-778-8448
- First name
- Darell
- Last name
- Fowlie
- Title
- Director of Parliamentary Affairs
- Telephone Number
- 506-778-8448
- Alternate Number
-
- Fax Number
- 613-996-8418
-
- Street Address
- 229 Wellington Street (view on map)
- Country
- Canada
- Province
- Ontario
- City
- Ottawa
- Postal Code
- K1A 0A6
- Department
- HOC-CDC
-
- House of Commons
- Organization
- 92483-92483
-
- Jake Stewart
Darell Fowlie's team
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|
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|
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiden Ingersoll | Constituency Assistant | 506-778-8448 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Andrew Dawson (2023) | Parliamentary Assistant | 506-778-8448 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Andrew Russell (2022) | Parliamentary Assistant | 506-778-8448 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Denver Brennan (2024) | Special Assistant | 506-778-8448 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Eric Walls (2023) | Special Assistant | 506-778-8448 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Ethan Brown (2023) | Intern | 613-992-5335 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Jake Stewart | Member of Parliament | 613-992-5335 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Julia Curtis (2022) | Administrative Assistant | 506-778-8448 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Kateryna Orlova | Parliamentary Assistant | 613-992-5335 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Madeleine Ashe (2022) | Administrative Assistant | 613-992-5335 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Melissa Gilbert (2023) | Constituency Assistant | 506-778-8448 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Michael Morrison (2024) | Chief of Staff | 506-778-8448 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Piper Duffy (2022) | Administrative Assistant | 506-778-8448 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Stephanie Cook | Constituency Assistant | 506-778-8448 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
| Susan Brophy (2023) | Constituency Assistant | 506-778-8448 | 229 Wellington Street | Ottawa | Ontario |
Darell Fowlie fired by N.L. PCs over Larry's Gulch scandal
N.L. Tories hired Darell Fowlie to work on the party's re-election campaign
The PC Party of Newfoundland and Labrador has fired former Alward government official Darell Fowlie over his role in the Larry's Gulch cover-up controversy.
The party issued a one-line statement Wednesday saying it only recently learned of the scandal involving the altering of New Brunswick government documents.
"Due to information the PC Party of Newfoundland and Labrador was made aware of recently, the party has concluded its contractual relationship with Mr. Darell Fowlie," the statement says.
An investigation by Anne Bertrand, the province's information commissioner, concluded Fowlie and another PC-appointed deputy minister broke the province's Right to Information and Protection of Personal Privacy law in 2014.
As a favour to newspaper editor Murray Guy, Fowlie arranged for guest logs from the government-owned Larry's Gulch fishing lodge to be changed, removing a reference to Guy's trip there in July 2013. Another PC appointee, Greg Lutes, the deputy minister of tourism, was also involved.
Fowlie was Premier David Alward's deputy minister of communications from October 2010 to September 2013, when he left the New Brunswick government to work as a consultant preparing the New Brunswick PC Party's re-election campaign.
He recently signed on to work for the Newfoundland and Labrador PC Party's campaign ahead of November's election.
On Tuesday, party executive director Sharon Vokey confirmed "that we've hired Darell on" but said his role wasn't defined yet.
She wouldn't comment on whether the Larry's Gulch findings would affect his hiring.
The New Brunswick Liberal government has asked the Office of Public Prosecutions to look at Bertrand's report to decide if charges should be brought to court.
The violation of the act is an administrative offence that carries a maximum $10,200 fine.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
News Release
Office of the Premier
Premier announces deputy ministerial appointment
09 January 2013FREDERICTON
(GNB) – Gérald Richard has been appointed deputy minister of Education
and Early Childhood Development (francophone sector). The appointment is
effective Jan. 20.
Premier David Alward made the announcement today.
"I am confident that Gérald's experience, expertise and talent will
help support the efforts in the department," Alward said. "Staff will
benefit from his leadership as they continue to work together to rebuild
education and early childhood needs in the province."
Richard has a well-rounded career. He has held several positions in the
education system at the school and district levels. He became assistant
deputy minister of Education and Early Childhood Development in January
2011 and most recently served as the superintendent of the francophone
south school district in Dieppe.
Alward also thanked the outgoing deputy minister, Roger Doucet.
"I wish to thank Roger Doucet, who retires after more than 20 years of
service to the people of New Brunswick," Alward said. "As well, I remain
confident that the leadership team moving forward will help us rebuild
our province as we work to return to fiscal health and shift our efforts
toward a more focused, efficient and effective system of program and
service delivery."
Following is the complete list of deputy ministers, deputy heads and
presidents of Crown corporations (* denotes a change or addition):
Nancy McKay
Chief of Staff, Office of the Premier
Byron James
Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet
Darell Fowlie
Deputy Minister, Office of the Premier
Dallas McCready
Deputy Minister, Strategic Initiatives, Executive Council Office
Greg Lutes
Secretary to the Policy and Priorities Committee of Cabinet, Executive Council Office
Judith Keating
Deputy Attorney General
Deputy Minister, Justice
Dale Wilson
Deputy Minister, Public Safety
Jane Garbutt
Deputy Minister, Finance (acting)
Deputy Minister, Human Resources
Sylvie Levesque-Finn
Deputy Minister, Government Services
President, Service New Brunswick
President, New Brunswick Internal Services Agency
Jean-Marc Dupuis
Deputy Minister, Transportation and Infrastructure
Phil LePage
Deputy Minister, Natural Resources
Jean Finn
Deputy Minister, Energy and Mines
Robert Rioux
Deputy Minister, Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Marc Léger
Deputy Minister, Health
Edith Doucet
Deputy Minister, Social Development
Tom Mann
Deputy Minister, Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
Gérald Richard*
Deputy Minister, Education and Early Childhood Development (francophone sector)
Wendy McLeod-MacKnight
Deputy Minister, Education and Early Childhood Development (anglophone sector)
Denis Caron
Deputy Minister, Environment and Local Government
Margaret-Ann Blaney
President, Efficiency NB
Bill Levesque
Deputy Minister, Economic Development
President, Regional Development Corporation
Robert MacLeod
President, Invest NB
Kelly Cain
Deputy Minister, Tourism, Heritage and Culture
Carolyn MacKay
Deputy Minister, Healthy and Inclusive Communities
Patrick Francis
Deputy Minister, Aboriginal Affairs
Media Contact(s)
09-01-13
News Release
Executive Council Office
Premier announces senior leadership changes
05 September 2013FREDERICTON
(GNB) – Premier David Alward today announced changes to his senior
leadership team, allowing for an even greater focus on New Brunswick's
economic and resource development priorities.
“Creating jobs and strengthening the economy requires the right kind of
experience in the right place at the right time,” said Alward. “I am
confident that these changes to the senior ranks of the public service
will allow us to continue moving toward our goal of rebuilding New
Brunswick.”
Roger Clinch has been appointed chief of staff in the Office of the
Premier. As a former mayor, member of Parliament and senior manager in
the private sector, Clinch brings more than 25 years of leadership and
public sector experience to the role.
The following changes at the deputy minister level are being made in
support of government's key economic and resource development
priorities:
● Denis Caron, currently deputy minister of Environment and Local
Government, becomes deputy minister of Economic Development.
● Bill Levesque, currently deputy minister of Economic Development, becomes deputy minister of Natural Resources.
● Phil Lepage, currently deputy minister of Natural Resources, becomes deputy minister of Environment and Local Government.
In addition to changes designed to strengthen job creation and
strengthen the economy, further changes to the senior leadership team
are being made to provide continuity and to advance major reform areas
across government:
● Nancy McKay, currently chief of staff in the Office of the
Premier, becomes secretary to the Policy and Priorities committee of
cabinet and deputy minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and the
Women's Equality Branch.
● Daniel Allain, currently president and chief executive officer of
NB Liquor, becomes deputy minister, management and administration in the
Office of the Premier, effective Oct. 18. An executive search firm has
been engaged to recruit a new president and chief executive officer for
NB Liquor, as was recommended in the strategic review submitted to
cabinet in 2012.
● Darell Fowlie, currently deputy minister responsible for
communications in the Office of the Premier, begins a one-year leave of
absence to return to the private sector, effective Oct. 18. In his
absence, Christianna Williston will serve as the premier's director of
communications.
● Judith Keating, currently deputy Attorney General and deputy
minister of Justice, becomes chief legal advisor to the premier on
aboriginal and intergovernmental affairs and related issues. Guy Daigle
will act as deputy Attorney General and deputy minister of Justice until
a permanent replacement is recruited through an external search
process.
● Greg Lutes, currently secretary to the Policy and Priorities
committee of cabinet, becomes deputy minister of Tourism, Heritage and
Culture.
● Kelly Cain, currently deputy minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, becomes deputy minister of Human Resources.
● Kim Daley, currently deputy minister of Human Resources, becomes
deputy minister of Government Services, president of Service New
Brunswick and president of the NB Internal Services Agency.
● Sylvie Levesque-Finn, currently deputy minister of Government
Services, president of Service New Brunswick and president of the NB
Internal Services Agency, has decided to retire from the New Brunswick
civil service at the end of the year and will take on a special
assignment at the Executive Council Office until then.
Except where noted, all changes are effective in the month of September, 2013.
“I recognize the important contribution each of these dedicated public
servants has made to rebuilding New Brunswick,” Alward said. “Our
government is reinforcing our focus on creating jobs and strengthening
the economy and these changes will further that commitment.”
BIOGRAPHY: Roger Clinch
Clinch has more than 25 years of leadership and public sector
experience. He has worked at Xstrata Zinc in various leadership
capacities including most recently as manager of its operations in
Ireland. He has also served as a member of Parliament, the mayor of
Bathurst, and as a community volunteer. He holds degrees from St. Thomas
University and the Université de Moncton.
Following is the complete list of deputy ministers, deputy heads and
presidents of Crown corporations (* denotes a change or addition):
Roger Clinch*
Chief of Staff, Office of the Premier
Byron James
Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet
Nancy McKay*
Secretary to the Policy and Priorities committee of Cabinet, Executive
Council Office and Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and the
Women's Equality Branch
Darell Fowlie (leave of absence)*
Deputy Minister, responsible for Communications, Office of the Premier
Dallas McCready
Deputy Minister responsible for Strategic Initiatives, Executive Council Office
Daniel Allain*
Deputy Minister, Management and Administration, Office of the Premier
Guy Daigle*
Acting Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Minister of Justice
Dale Wilson
Deputy Minister of Public Safety
Jane Garbutt
Deputy Minister of Finance
Kelly Cain*
Deputy Minister of Human Resources
Kim Daley*
Deputy Minister of Government Services
President, Service New Brunswick
President, New Brunswick Internal Services Agency
Jean-Marc Dupuis
Deputy Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
Bill Levesque*
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
Jean Finn
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines
Robert Rioux
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Marc Léger
Deputy Minister of Health
Edith Doucet
Deputy Minister of Social Development
Tom Mann
Deputy Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
Gérald Richard
Deputy Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development (francophone sector)
John McLaughlin
Deputy Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development (anglophone sector)
Phil Lepage*
Deputy Minister of Environment and Local Government
Margaret-Ann Blaney
President of Efficiency NB
Denis Caron*
Deputy Minister of Economic Development
Robert MacLeod
President, Invest NB
Greg Lutes*
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture
Patrick Francis
Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Carolyn MacKay
Deputy Minister of Healthy and Inclusive Communities
Media Contact(s)
05-09-13
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