Friday 16 June 2023

Higgs government won't push forward with bill reforming education councils

 
 

Ex-minister's 2021 letter warned Higgs he had 'destroyed' his team

Dorothy Shephard told premier ‘this ship is sinking’ because of his leadership style, lack of trust

Shephard told the premier that he was micromanaging issues, running the government like a corporation and refusing to trust his ministers, staff or the civil service — leading to paralysis in decision-making.

"You avoid and circumvent process because you think it is a waste of time," she wrote in one passage.

"What … you fail to recognize is that there is an elected body from every part of the province that has a responsibility to represent their constituency, no matter how inconvenient it is, or how trivial you think the motives of any individual."

Shephard described the six-page handwritten letter in an interview last Friday with CBC's Information Morning in Saint John.

She turned down a request for a copy at the time but provided one late on Sunday.

WATCH | Higgs responds to letter from his former cabinet minister: 

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.

The Oct. 30, 2021, letter reads at times like a prediction of what happened in the last two weeks: a rebellion by members of the PC cabinet and caucus upset by what they called "a lack of process and transparency" in the Policy 713 review.

"You do not have a team and it is your own doing," Shephard wrote back then.

"Premier, this ship is sinking because you have [alienated] everyone who could bail it out for you.

"Whether it is with your elected colleagues, your senior management team or the public, your reckless and arbitrary conduct has destroyed a team that could make your success."

Shephard's criticisms are similar to those made by former education minister Dominic Cardy when he resigned last year.

Higgs told reporters at an event in Woodstock on Monday that he "reflected" on Shephard's letter at the time, but its contents and their subsequent conversation about it were private.

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.’

"We all can improve one way or another," he said. "I'm not saying anybody's perfect, least of all am I saying that I am. But I think we should really think about the big picture in our province."

He said he and the team around him had delivered good results for New Brunswick, and he wanted to focus on that, not the divisive Policy 713 debate.

"I want to move on," he said.

Shephard and three PC other ministers, and two PC backbenchers, voted with the opposition last week for a Liberal motion calling for more consultations on Policy 713 by Child and Youth Advocate Kelly Lamrock. The motion passed 26-20 thanks to their votes.

She resigned after the vote, and in subsequent interviews, her criticism of Higgs has closely matched what she wrote in October 2021. 

On Friday, she told CBC's Power and Politics that his handling of Policy 713, which sets standards for providing safe spaces for LGBTQ students in schools, was "the last straw."

Asked about the 2021 letter last Friday, Higgs said that he had "strong personalities in our caucus, as I think is well evident, and along with that come very hard-line positions taken from many, and you could include me in that as well."

"But I am the premier, so at some point decisions have to be made."

Shephard's letter was written nine days after an Oct. 21, 2021, news conference where Higgs acknowledged "we may have made mistakes along the way" in lifting COVID-19 restrictions in July 2021, only to see a new spike in cases by September and a return to masking.

She said in an interview that the letter wasn't prompted by COVID decisions but by "other issues" that she could not identify publicly because of cabinet confidentiality.

The letter paints a picture of a premier ignoring his ministers in favour of ideas he heard from "agenda-driven individuals" outside government, who Shephard said often turned out to be wrong. 

Those people were often people who reinforced what the premier already believed, she said, even if it was at odds with the reality that ministers or civil servants were telling him about.

"You do not trust the people who serve you," she wrote. "You do not value the insight that they bring to your table. You have built a system where no one takes things to the ministers anymore, they simply go to you — and you allow it."

She also offered that she would do "everything I can to help" if he changed his leadership style and started listening more.

Shephard also insisted she was writing as a friend and colleague and was not trying to launch a rebellion against his leadership. 

"No one can save you from yourself, except you," she wrote. "And I hope you can see that my incentive is not an agenda of mutiny — it is one of intervention."

Woman with eyes closed, rests hand on the arm of another woman holding a small rainbow flag Shephard, right, and LGBTQ-rights educator Gail Costello at a Pride flag-raising in Frederiction. Shephard says LGBTQ right are important, and the majority should stand up for the rights of the minority. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

The letter proposed an all-day cabinet meeting the following Sunday to air the concerns.

Shephard told Information Morning Saint John last week that she and Higgs didn't discuss the letter until January 2022 and that conversation didn't lead to the premier changing his ways.

"I can't say that there was anything that productive that came out of it," she said.

She decided to stay in cabinet at the time.

"I just put my head down and did my job and spoke up when I needed to," she said.

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.

 
 
 
 
335 Comments



David Amos 
I maintain that Daniel J. Allain will be the next PC Leader/Premier in short order 
 
 
Mike May 
Reply to David Amos  
God help you if he is! 
 
 
Don Corey 
Reply to David Amos 
Interesting. My personal opinion is that the time has definitely arrived for Higgs to ride off into the sunset.  
 
 
 
 
 
David Amos

Perhaps Shephard should share some of my emails to her
 
 
  
David Amos
 
The circus is in fine style today as it folds its tent for the summer 
 
 
 
Marguerite Deschamps 
I knew all along that Higgs was bad news. Now you know  
 
 
William Peters 
Reply to Marguerite Deschamps  
We know who printed that news.  
 
 
Karl Childers 
Reply to Marguerite Deschamps   
Bad news why?  
 
 
Noé Osé 
Reply to Karl Childers  
Why he says 🤣  
 
 
Dianne Bastarache 
Reply to Karl Childers  
Bad news because he is oblivious to such important things like the issues within the school systems. He actually used the term ``trending` about the concerns expressed by educators and students. In 2023 we should understand that gender issues are issues with which we are born....not trended towards, nor influenced by others. He is beginning to sound more and more like a dinosaur and wants to placate others within his ilk.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Marguerite Deschamps 
You tell that to all the guys 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

N.B. premier stands by changes to school LGBTQ policy, says he does not want an election

'I don't want to go to an election and that isn't my intent to do that,' said Premier Higgs

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs is maintaining his support of the changes his government has made to Policy 713, which was designed to protect LGBTQ students, despite rising tensions in the legislature. 

In an interview on Rosemary Barton Live, Higgs said he is trying to "find a path forward" in regards to managing the changes, but backpedalled on a statement he made on June 8, when he said he was willing to call an election on this issue.

"I don't want to go to an election and that isn't my intent to do that," he said.

The growing controversy in the New Brunswick legislature has stemmed from the government's review of and changes to Policy 713, which established minimum standards for schools to ensure a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for LGBTQ students.

Among the changes sparking debate is that students under 16 now need to get their parents' permission to have teachers and staff use their chosen names and pronouns.

Higgs defended the change, saying information about a child should not be hidden from their parents. 

"We're trying to find a path forward to protect the children and to involve the parents when the time is right and have the right people engaged in that process," he said. 

WATCH | N.B. premier defends changes to LGBTQ school policy: 

N.B. premier defends changes to LGBTQ+ school policy

Duration 10:08
Rosemary Barton Live speaks with New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs about controversial changes to Policy 713, an education policy meant to protect transgender students, and his comments about gender identity. Plus, a conversation with a N.B. transgender high school student about how the changes will affect LGBTQ+ youth.

The threat of an election on this issue was brought up by Higgs after he faced a rebellion from several of his top cabinet ministers in response to the policy review. 

Six ministers and two backbench MLAs refused to attend the June 8 morning sitting of the legislature "as a way to express our extreme disappointment in a lack of process and transparency," they said in a statement. 

Approach to review drives minister resignation

Since then, one of the six ministers has resigned from Higgs' cabinet. 

On Thursday, after hearing Higgs speak in the legislature about his conviction that gender dysphoria has become "trendy," and how he believes increased acceptance of it is hurting kids and excluding parents, former cabinet minister Dorothy Shephard got up and left the chamber.

In an interview on Power & Politics, Shephard said her departure was a "long time coming" and that she has had concerns about the government's approach to certain topics, like Policy 713. 

WATCH | N.B. minister resigns over controversial changes to LGBTQ policy: 

N.B minister resigns over controversial changes to LGBTQ policy in schools

Duration 8:44
As New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs spoke in the legislature Thursday about his conviction that gender dysphoria has become 'trendy' and increased acceptance of it is hurting kids and excluding parents, cabinet minister Dorothy Shephard got up and left the chamber. She later resigned from her position as social development minister.

"I just decided that it was time," she said. "I didn't feel I could accomplish anything more in this cabinet with this premier."

Shephard is critical of Higgs' leadership style, saying it is "difficult" and that he does not "form relationships easily."

Shephard is the third minister to resign from cabinet, the other two being former education minister Dominic Cardy, who resigned in October 2022 and now sits as an independent, and former deputy premier Robert Gauvin, who resigned in February 2020 and now sits as a Liberal. 

In response to Shephard's criticism, Higgs said that he recognizes that decisions made in the legislature will not all be unanimous, but the majority of caucus agreed they needed to "find a path forward" on Policy 713. 

"If our process is that every time there is a tough issue and we don't agree with where the majority of caucus had gone to, walking away is not the solution," he said.

Trans teen concerned about policy change

Alex Harris, a transgender high school student in New Brunswick, said in an interview on Rosemary Barton Live that he is most concerned about the change made to the self-identification clause in the policy. 

Harris, who is now over the age of 16, came out before the policy change. At the time, his teachers were able to use his preferred name and pronouns at school and then use his old information when talking to his parents.

"It actually made it easier for me to come out to my parents because I knew I had a safe space at school even if that didn't go well," he said. 

People holding up pride flag in foreground, legistlative assembly in background. Opponents of the review of Policy 713 demostrate outside the New Brunswick legislature. (Radio-Canada)

When Harris did come out to his parents he said it went well, but he said he knows people who may not have the same experience. He said he has "tons" of friends who came out at school before the changes to Policy 713 and now have to ask their parents for permission to have their teachers use their chosen name or pronouns. 

"That is terrifying to them because their parents would not be safe to come out to," said Harris.

Part of the change to the self-identification clause in the policy is that if students are fearful or object to informing their parents of their change in preferred name and pronouns, they can work with guidance counsellors or school social workers and psychologists to get to a place where they feel comfortable telling them. 

Harris said this development is "troubling."

"For most people who are concerned about this policy, it's not that they need to get to a place where they can talk to their parents, it's that their parents aren't at a place where they will be accepting of them being trans," he said. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jessica Mundie

CBC Journalist

Jessica Mundie is a journalist with CBC News in Ottawa. She was previously the Michelle Lang Fellow at the National Post. Reach her by email jessica.mundie@cbc.ca and on Twitter @jessicamundiee.

With files from Jacques Poitras and Hadeel Ibrahim

 
 
 
 

Former minister says N.B. premier's response to her resignation 'says it all'

Dorothy Shephard says she reached an expiration point, could no longer do any good in cabinet

She returned to vote with five of her colleagues for an opposition motion against Higgs's wishes.

Then she took her name plate off of her desk, put it in her purse and handed the Progressive Conservative premier a hand-written, two-sentence letter of resignation from her post as social development minister.

"He said, 'Well, it's good to get it in early,'" Shephard told Information Morning Saint John on Friday, the morning after the dramatic legislature sitting

That was his response, and I'll never forget it."

A piece of paper that reads June 15, 2023 Premier, I can no longer remain in your cabinet.\ I resign from cabinet, effective immediately.  Dorothy Shephard's signature is at the bottom Shephard's two-sentence letter of resignation to Higgs said it was effective immediately. (Alix Villeneuve/Radio-Canada)

Shephard said Higgs's response "says it all" and may have indicated he was already considering a cabinet shuffle. 

"I don't believe he's used to people standing up to him, and I've certainly done that on a number of occasions these past couple of years," she said. "Maybe it's anger, maybe it's surprise. It's hard for me to to be in his shoes, so I can only speak to myself, but it was as disappointing as I thought it would be."

Saint John-Lancaster MLA Dorothy Shephard explains why she resigned from the Progressive Conservative cabinet.

The premier's rhetoric about the review of the education policy meant to protect LGBTQ students — an issue she described as "mismanaged" — may have been the last straw for her, but she said it came after years of trying to work under Higgs's "difficult" leadership style.

Shephard is the third minister to resign from cabinet, the other two being former education minister Dominic Cardy, who now sits as an Independent, and former deputy premier Robert Gauvin, who now sits as a Liberal. 

Shephard said she's been struggling with his leadership style since the beginning — Higgs has been premier since 2018 — but especially since October 2021.

That month, she sent a six-page letter to Higgs airing her concerns about his unilateral decision-making. She said they didn't meet to talk about the letter until January, and even then, she didn't feel they got anywhere.

"I can't say that there was anything productive that came out of it," she 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.’

Shephard was health minister at the time, helping lead the province's COVID-19 response. CBC News has asked Shephard for a copy of the letter.

Shephard and Cardy both cited Higgs's unilateral decision-making and lack of consideration for other viewpoints as among their reasons for resigning from cabinet.

Cardy famously quoted Higgs saying "data my ass" in response to numbers on French immersion. Higgs said those numbers he was referring to were "irrelevant'" to the issue at hand.

When asked Thursday about Shephard's concerns, Higgs said "everyone had their own views." 

'We've accomplished many good things in spite of Blaine Higgs'

Shephard said that since she sent her letter in 2021, she made a commitment to herself and to her colleagues that she would stay and do the most good she can.

"I just put my head down and and did my job and I spoke up when I needed to," she said.

But the review into Policy 713 was the "beach head," she said.

Education Minister Bill Hogan said the policy now makes it mandatory to get parental consent to use a child's chosen name and pronoun even informally in class. The entire review process and the results have been criticized by many,  including the child and youth advocate, the New Brunswick Association of School Psychologists and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

The opposition motion passed by the legislature on Thursday called for consultations on the policy by child and youth advocate Kelly Lamrock, with a report in August.

Two men standing side-by-side, arms crossed Two MLAs who also quit Higgs’s cabinet, Dominic Cardy and Robert Gauvin, watch as the premier speaks to media after Dorothy Shephards resignation. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Shepherd said that during the 713 review, the premier's response to differing opinions inside his own caucus showed her that she can't do any more that would justify staying on.

"We have accomplished some good things under Blaine Higgs and I believe we've accomplished many good things in spite of Blaine Higgs that had been challenged and challenged and challenged," she said.

The MLA of Saint John Lancaster has served for 13 years. She said she would run again, but not if Higgs is still leader of the party.

She said several other MLAs share her views and hinted there may be further unrest in the party.

"I've made this clear to many of my colleagues. You know, some of us will have an expiration date, and we have to recognize when that expiration date may have happened."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hadeel Ibrahim is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick based in Saint John. She reports in English and Arabic. Email: hadeel.ibrahim@cbc.ca.

With files from Information Morning Saint John

 
 
 
 
1369 Comments




David Amos
Now that Hogan has withdrawn Bill 46 the plot has thickened bigtime  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to David Amos 
Higgs government won't push forward with bill reforming education councils

Minister says he wants to avoid perception legislation is ‘getting shoved through,’ and he’ll revise it

Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Jun 16, 2023 11:58 AM ADT

 
 
 
 
Mitchell Rondeau  
Blaine Higgs has my vote! Well done sir!
 
 
Stephen Penney 
Reply to Mitchell Rondeau  
What did he do? 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Stephen Penney 
What didn't he do? 
 
 
True Taylor 
Reply to Stephen Penney
trampled on the rights of children. apparently, that's popular in NB.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benjamin Twine 
If she was serious she would resign from governmnet and sit as an independent 
 
 
PJ Sirman 
Reply to Benjamin Twine  
Like you are a helpful resource...
 
 
Kyle Woodman 
Reply to Benjamin Twine 
I disagree. I think she will be more effective as a thorn in Higgs' side, ruling over his ultimate demise within the party ranks.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Me too 





Christine Martinez 
"Dorothy Shephard says she reached an expiration point, could no longer do any good in cabinet"

Given her track record, I'd suggest the expiration point has long since past and she's never been any good in cabinet. Glad to see the back of her.

 
David Amos

Reply to Christine Martinez 
Me too
 
 
 
 
 
Michael Hutton  
Much respect to Shepard, Cardy and Gauvin.  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Michael Hutton
Why?
 
 
 
 
 
Hammon Cherry  
Gender politics is a black hole. 
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Hammon Cherry  
Yup




 
SarahRose Werner  
The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick needs to decide whether or not they want to continue to be progressive. If they do, they need a new leader - but that's a big if. 
 
 
Edward Woodcroft 
Reply to SarahRose Werner  
I call what he's doing progress.  
 
 
Mike Fontana 
Reply to SarahRose Werner  
I call what he's doing progress.  
 
 
Rachel Woods
Reply to Edward Woodcroft 
They are putting the child’s well-being above all else, that’s what good leadership does. Putting the child’s well-being above all else might mean withholding their pronouns from their parents.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Edward Woodcroft 
Obviously Shephard didn't get that memo  
 
 
 
 

Marcel Belanger 
Dominic Cardy has posted that the premier will call a snap election next Monday. As it stands it’s either that or leave. The premier is not a leaver, he wants to go out on a bang, not on a bust.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Marcel Belanger 
When was the last time you believed Cardy?
 
 
Bill Harrison 
Reply to Marcel Belanger 
Was Cardy not at one time head of one of the other N.B. political parties? For him to change stripes seems nothing new! 
 
 
SAM Merkeocerugh 
Reply to David Amos
never  
 
 
Le Weir
Reply to Marcel Belanger 
"I read on Cardy’s twitter Higgs will try to call an election Monday if a bill got royal assent today..." 

 
Marcel Belanger 
Reply to David Amos
When he told Higgs where to go.
 
 
 
 

Higgs government won't push forward with bill reforming education councils

Minister says he wants to avoid perception legislation is ‘getting shoved through,’ and he’ll revise it

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
 
 
 
31 Comments



David Amos
Surprise Surprise Surprise 


Kyle Woodman 
Reply to David Amos
Indeed 





SarahRose Werner  
"The decision means the legislature won't need to sit next week." - Is Higgs worried about what might happen if the legislature sits next week?  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to SarahRose Werner 
Of course 
 
 
Doug Cochran  
Reply to SarahRose Werner 
Stick to your guns Mr Higgs, stand firm. Lots of people still support you on this roller coaster. Most parents stand behind you. Myself include. 
 
 
Inger Nielsen 
Reply to Doug Cochran   
yup stick to your guns higgs and you will find an early removal to retirment. Meanwhile, former Richard Hatfield-era PC cabinet minister Jean-Pierre Ouellet renewed his call this week for party members to launch a leadership review to remove Higgs.




 
Howard O'Toole
This government seems to act impulsively without proper consideration of all the ramifications of their decisions. It is the hallmark of a governance style that lacks proper consultations and imput from all the affected parties.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Howard O'Toole  
Remember Higgy and pension plans 10 years ago? 
 
 
David Amos

Reply to David Amos
Pension perk for deputy ministers should be cut, ex-MLA says

Former Progressive Conservative MLA Wes McLean says PCs should have ended special pension benefit

CBC News · Posted: Oct 17, 2014 7:05 AM ADT

 
 
 
 
William Peters
In other words perceptions are what matter most. They will attempt to get what they want by going another route which may be perceived to be less authoritative. With fracking what did that mean? It meant performing some good theater until Louis Lapierre, holder of the Irving subsidized chair of sustainable development, recommended what the Province always wanted, never mind what he had heard from the people. Just be aware that what he is saying is correct. They are looking for better avenues which offer better visibility. It's not surprising, since we know they are now under the guidance of Public relations experts from Calgary. What I'd like to know is how much to these unelected people have to say with the running of our province. Why do we accept that outside corporations be allowed to comes here and ply their craft without much fanfare. Can we vote of which PR firms get to spin our politics or is that solely the right of parties to decide. We give away an awful lot to outside control.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to William Peters  
How may years have I been saying such things?
 
 
 
 
 
Deidr Jens  
a ‘hot mess inside a dumpster fire inside a train wreck’ comes to mind. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Deidr Jens 
Well put  
 
 
 
 
 
Kyle Woodman  
Teams Higgs should stick to simple legislative matters like license plates and trailer inspections. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman 
Amen 
 
 
G. Timothy Walton 
Reply to Kyle Woodman   
I'm sure Kris Austin would like to finish doing away with both.

Calling Austin the Public Safety minister is oxymoronic.

 
 
 
 
Bob Smith 
Governing by feelings and perception over facts is wrong.  
 
 
Michel Forgeron 
Reply to Bob Smith  
Gutsy, I had limited respect for her before, but this changes my opinion. Seems like she's ready to accept the consequences of her decison. Standing up to a quasi-dictator takes a lot of courage.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Michel Forgeron 
This woman denied me my right to a Medicare Care Card Hence I have no respect for her whatsoever 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Bob Smith 
Yup


William Peters 
Reply to Bob Smith
But that is how political science works. These was Machiavelli's advice to any prince who wanted to stay in power.  
 
 
Bob Smith
Reply to William Peters  
That's how a person stays in power without having to face elections. It's called "dictatorship". 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Don Corey  
"Meanwhile, former Richard Hatfield-era PC cabinet minister Jean-Pierre Ouellet renewed his call this week for party members to launch a leadership review to remove Higgs".

I totally support Ouellet on this one. The time is overdue for the party to step in.

 
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey  
Long overdue
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Don Corey   
Deja Vu?

Ex-PC president denies patronage behind appointment to government board

Don Moore's appointment is the latest in a cluster of appointments going to supporters of the party in power

Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Jul 23, 2019 9:35 AM AT

 
 
 
 

Higgs government agrees to extra debate on educational governance bill

2 PC MLAs force legislature to extend sittings into next week, hear from witnesses

The house was scheduled to adjourn this Friday, but pressure from the opposition parties and some Progressive Conservative MLAs forced the government to agree to extend the session.

The legislation, Bill 46, will get two days of committee debate, next Tuesday and Wednesday, that will include the calling of witnesses.

Then the full legislature will return Thursday and Friday for third reading and royal assent.

"I understand that there's some probably some good points that can be raised," Education Minister Bill Hogan told reporters.

"What's actually really important here is that I'm going to get a chance to explain the bill. It's not going to get pushed through with everything and I'm elated by that." 

Bill will centralize power, critics say

The bill will transform the four anglophone DECs into advisory bodies only, which critics say will take away local community decision-making and centralize power in Fredericton.

Two PC MLAs voted with the opposition Liberals last week to try to send the bill to the legislature's law amendments committee for public hearings, a move that would have prevented it from passing quickly.

A woman in a blue dress with white trim stands in a hallway with flags behind her.   PC MLA Anderson-Mason told reporters that she ended up supporting the bill because the decision to devote more time to the legislation satisfied her demands. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Gagetown-Petitcodiac MLA Ross Wetmore said the bill would leave "no limitations" on "direct interference" by a premier in school decisions.

And Fundy-The Isles-Saint John West MLA Andrea Anderson-Mason said the bill "eliminates the checks and balances that are there to protect our citizens, our families, our children."

Both MLAs voted with the government in favour of the bill at second reading Thursday.

Anderson-Mason told reporters that she supported the bill because the decision to devote more time to the legislation satisfied her demands.

"We are looking at completely changing a governance model in the province of New Brunswick and the original intention of this government was to do it without debate," she said.

"I'm very pleased that they did listen to us to implore them to bring this to the house so we could have legitimate debate."

Bill 46 was one of nine subject to a government motion to strictly limit debate time and force them to final votes by Friday.

Government House leader Glen Savoie amended the motion to remove that bill from the motion, and the motion passed 25-20.

Anderson-Mason voted for it. Wetmore was in the house but did not vote.

Later in the day MLAs will vote on a Liberal motion calling on the government to reverse changes to Policy 713, which deals with safe spaces for LGBTQ students in provincial schools.

Bill 46 leaves the powers of the three francophone district education councils unchanged because of constitutional guarantees of minority language education governance rights.

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
 
 
 
31 Comments



David Amos

The plot thickens 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeff LeBlanc  
I can't name a single policy or piece or legislation Higgs did that made my life better. Not a single thing. 
 
 
David Amos
  
Reply to Jeff LeBlanc  
Nor I
  
Michael Cain
Reply to Jeff LeBlanc 
I am still trying to come up with s list of his accomplishments.
 
 
Ronald Miller  
Reply to Michael Cain
If you don't know them you have been living somewhere else.  
 
 
Ronald Miller 
Reply to Jeff LeBlanc  
Higgs doesn't create all the legislation even though you think he is all powerful. I suggest you try doing some reading on the subject, because you are simply ignoring all the good work that has been done. 
 
 
Jeff LeBlanc  
 
 
John Montgomery 
Reply to Jeff LeBlanc
He was doing great on covid until July 2021, then he lifted the mask mandate and before he realized what a mistake it was there were hundreds of cases and it was too late to go back to 21. 
 
 
Jeff LeBlanc  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Jeff LeBlanc  
Deja Vu???

Interim NDP leader calls for Higgs's resignation as party tries to assert relevance

Mackenzie Thomason says three people have expressed interest in leading struggling NDP

Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Mar 05, 2020 5:00 PM AST

 
Bob Smith 
Reply to Jeff LeBlanc  
I disagree with your statement.  
 
 
Ronald Miller 
Reply to Jeff LeBlanc  
What legislation would you have wanted to make your life better? 
 
 
Ronald Miller 
Reply to Jeff LeBlanc 
It appears the 1000s of people coming here disagree with you.  
 
 
Ronald Miller 
Reply to Jeff LeBlanc 
No gov't has done more for more people than this one, and I will challenge you fact for fact against any other one. 
 
 
William Murdoch 
Reply to John Montgomery 
A few in their Eighties passed on. Most of those in LTC. And for that the world has been turned upside down. 
 
 
 
 
 
Marcel Belanger  
Higgs keeps pushing the envelope until it's ready to burst and then backtracks. The reasons for his backtracking is always someone else's fault, it's never because his policy decisions are just not acceptable to citizens of this province. Is this what the conservatives have come to? We need another premier asap.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Marcel Belanger 
Your wish may come true in short order However........  
 
 
SarahRose Werner 
Reply to Marcel Belanger
Higgs is playing chicken. He doesn't want to call an election because he'll get backlash over the cost to the taxpayers. So he keeps pushing to see if he can force the opposition and rebel PCs to force the election instead. 
 
 
Ronald Miller  
Reply to Marcel Belanger
He is not even in the article, where is he blaming someone else? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Franklin  
Higgs realized that he wouldn't survive an election call so he is forced to backtrack which just makes him look weak.
 
 
Ronald Miller 
Reply to Daniel Franklin 
He would easily win another election, have you seen the options out there. This is the same thing this gov't has done numerous times now, offer up ideas, have them debated, and if needed alter them to make sure the majority are happy with the results. It is called good gov't, watch and learn. 
 
 
Rachel Woods 
Reply to Daniel Franklin  
As someone who wouldn’t ever vote for Higgs, “backtracking” is what I expect of our politicians, it proves they aren’t just towing a line or forcing things through.

Imagine driving with a friend and you know they are going the wrong way but they refuse to turn around because it would make them look “weak”.

 
Daniel Franklin 
Reply to Ronald Miller 
It's extremely depressing if this administration is what you call "good government"
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Ronald Miller 
Spin much? 
 
 
David Webb  
Reply to Daniel Franklin 
And what do you call "good government"? Have you taken a look around lately? 
 
 
Ronald Miller 
Reply to Daniel Franklin
Good government is willing to make changes and not stick to their own agenda without compromise.
 
 
Ray Skavinsky 
Reply to Ronald Miller   
Again you are right on the he money, sir  
 
 
John Montgomery 
Reply to Ronald Miller  
But good government would have been leaving it alone in the first place!  
 
 
Mathieu Laperriere 
Reply to Ronald Miller 
He thought with his majority he could stick to his agenda full force. Now it seems he is backtracking on everything. 
 
 
Ronald Miller 
Reply to John Montgomery 
Good gov't takes on tough subjects, parents backed him, good on him.  
 
 
John Montgomery 
Reply to Ronald Miller  
Is there evidence that "parents backed him"?  
 
 
Don Corey 
Reply to Ronald Miller  
Too bad we didn't have the same in Ottawa. 
 
 



Bob Smith  
Dorothy Shephard quitting the cabinet may change the plans of Higgs...harder now to put out the flames of rebellion.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Bob Smith  
Minister quits as N.B. legislature condemns premier's LGBTQ policy change

Dorothy Shephard quits cabinet after 6 PC MLAs join opposition to ask for more study of Policy 713

Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Jun 15, 2023 6:02 PM ADT

 
 
 

Minister quits as legislature condemns N.B. premier's LGBTQ policy change

Dorothy Shephard quits cabinet after 6 PC MLAs join opposition to ask for more study of Policy 713

Shephard, the MLA for Saint John-Lancaster, handed a letter to Premier Blaine Higgs just moments after the extraordinary vote.

"I can no longer remain in cabinet," said the handwritten letter. "I resign from cabinet effective immediately."

Her resignation as minister of social development came at the end of an emotional, and often personal, two-hour debate on the Liberal motion.

Her decision also intensifies a political furore surrounding Premier Blaine Higgs, who ordered a review of a policy that aimed to protect LGBTQ students in the province's schools. 

A woman with blond hair and glasses, wearing a royal blue jacket, speaks into several reporters' microphones and tape recorders. Dorothy Shephard told reporters friends had urged her to stay and advance her values within the government but 'there’s no accomplishing anything more in this cabinet so I’m ready to leave.' (Ed Hunter/CBC)

Shephard walked out of the legislature during Higgs's speech on the motion, but she returned later to join five other PC ministers and MLAs to vote with the opposition.

Fighting back tears, Shephard said she quit not only over the LGBTQ policy but also over Higgs's overall management style.

"It's not just about Policy 713. I resigned because there is no process," she said. "Cabinet and caucus are routinely dismissed. I have been struggling with this since October 2021." 

Shephard was health minister at that time, helping lead the province's COVID-19 response.

Opposition motion passes with support from PC bench

The initial version of the motion called on the Higgs government to reverse its changes to Policy 713, which sets minimum standards for safe, inclusive schools for LGBTQ students. 

Education Minister Bill Hogan introduced changes June 7 that he said make it mandatory to get parental consent before even using the chosen name and pronoun of a child younger than 16 in class.

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.’

The Liberals amended their motion to have it call for "full consultations"  by child and youth advocate Kelly Lamrock, with a report due in August.

The six PC MLAs voted for that amendment and then for the amended motion itself, helping it pass 26-20. 

Lamrock immediately announced on Twitter he will do the study.

"I am an officer of the Legislative Assembly. A vote of the majority of the House is binding upon me," he said. "I will carry out the direction of the Legislative Assembly to the best of my abilities."

Higgs would not commit to following whatever Lamrock recommends, after the majority vote for his study.

When it's transphobic, you call it out as transphobic."
- Gail Costello, Pride in Education

"I'm looking at the majority of caucus that supported what our minister put forward, so I'm going to rely on him to look at who else he needs to talk to about how to implement the policy, how to engage parents, and we'll allow that to unfold," he said.

"We can't let individual feelings in the legislature at this point … kind of overshadow the hundreds or probably thousands of parents and what is being identified as something that needs to be addressed."
 
A piece of paper that reads June 15, 2023 Premier, I can no longer remain in your cabinet.\ I resign from cabinet, effective immediately.  Dorothy Shephard's signature is at the bottomShephard's two-sentence letter of resignation to Higgs said it was effective immediately. (Alix Villeneuve/Radio-Canada)

And if a child says no to involving their parents, they should be referred to a school psychologist or social worker to come up with a plan to include those parents, the minister said.

The other Tories who broke ranks, along with Shephard, on the vote were ministers Jeff Carr, Daniel Allain and Trevor Holder and backbenchers Ross Wetmore and Andrea Anderson-Mason.

Whatever Lamrock decides won't be binding on the Higgs government, but the vote represents a symbolic rejection of the premier's approach to the issue.

Shephard plans to stay in PC caucus

Shephard told reporters that her friends had urged her to stay and advance her values within the government, but "there's no accomplishing anything more in this cabinet so I'm ready to leave."

She said she hoped to stay in the PC caucus.

Anderson-Mason said it was a shame Shephard had quit.

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 fields questions from reporters, backed by caucus members who did not break ranks. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

"She was an excellent minister. She was well positioned in the department of social development and I'm sure she will be missed very much," she said.

"She certainly had a heart for that department and she worked incredibly hard for it and I know she had the respect of the staff."

Anderson-Mason said she supported the amended Liberal motion because it reflected the consensus that had been reached in the PC caucus last week: to seek Lamrock's advice on Policy 713 and then follow it. 

WATCH | The CBC's Raechel Huizinga breaks down why the N.B. government changed a school policy about 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.

Instead, the caucus was denied the chance to see what Lamrock had said, she explained.

All six MLAs who voted for the motion signed a statement last week expressing "extreme disappointment" with the "lack of process and transparency" on the Policy 713 review.

The other two ministers who signed it, Arlene Dunn and Jill Green, were not in the house for the vote.

Gender dysphoria 'trendy,' says Higgs

Higgs was complaining during his debate speech about what he called a lack of openness to the role of parents, when Shephard got up and left.

The premier claimed gender dysphoria — a medically recognized diagnosis when the gender someone feels or experiences is different than the one they were assigned at birth — is becoming "popular and trendy."

"We have a situation that's growing because there's such acceptance that this is fine," he said — a comment that earned him swift condemnation.

Gail Costello of Pride in Education said Higgs's speech was offensive, like many of the other comments he's made in recent weeks.

"They don't like it when we say it's transphobic, but when it's transphobic, you call it out as transphobic," she said.

Higgs said during the debate that Policy 713 "kind of slid into the system" unnoticed under his watch in 2020 and only came to light when people began hearing about drag queen story times in libraries.

The trend was contributing to "an erosion of the family role in child's upbringing," Higgs said, criticizing activists whom he said are trying to make such policies "unquestionable."

Liberal Leader Susan Holt accused Higgs of "spreading hate" in his speech, but said she was pleased the vote and Lamrock's consultations created another opportunity to revisit and strengthen Policy 713. 

"I believe that the child and youth advocate will put forward a clear, strong, well-worded recommendation for Policy 713 that the house will be able to adopt, hopefully with unanimity," she told reporters.

Green Leader David Coon said Higgs's support in his caucus and in his party was clearly "evaporating" and he should resign.

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.

 
 
 
454 Comments



David Amos
The plot thickens even more
 
 
 
 
 
Donald Smith
She gets her pension anyway even if voted out 
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Donald Smith 
Of course 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Le Wier 
G. Timothy Walton
Reply to Le Wier

The Legislature doesn't have a lot of space on the first floor outside the chamber. Good luck finding more than three camera angles, let alone any without other MLAs in the background.

When they're taking a break you can forget about reaching the bathroom from the library.

 
David Amos

Reply to Le Wier 
Watch Chucky's videos if you want some political gossip  
Don Smith 
Yayyyyyyyy. Finally
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Don Smith
Yawn 
Douglas James  
As a political opponent of Ms. Sheppard a few years back, I want her to know how much I appreciate her principled decision and have sent her this letter.

Dear Dorothy

I am writing to you to express my gratitude and admiration for your decision to resign from your cabinet position. Your principled stance against the unfair and unpopular decision being promoted by the Premier is truly commendable.

In an era where political expediency often takes precedence over moral integrity, your unwavering commitment to upholding your principles is both refreshing and inspiring. Your decision to step down from your position speaks volumes about your dedication to serving the best interests of the people you represent, even when it means going against your own government.

It takes great courage to make such a decision, knowing that it may come with personal and professional consequences. By choosing to prioritize the values that underpin your political career, you have demonstrated true leadership and shown us all the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult.

 
Alex McKee
Reply to Douglas James 
Well said. 
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Douglas James 
Thanks for the chuckle 
 
 
 
 
 
Matt Steele  
 
 
Dan Lee 
Reply to Matt Steele 
not why she quit ........higgs should have quit years ago beccause of his retirement age  
 
 
Don Corey 
Reply to Matt Steele 
She's still an MLA. I expect she'll stick around to see what happens when the dust settles.  
 
 
Peter Larsen 
Reply to Matt Steele  
I don't think her resignation has anything to do with retirement or pension. Is there another page to her letter that only you have read?
 
 
Douglas James 
Reply to Matt Steele  
I think it is clear to just about everyone that this has nothing to do with wanting to slow down. Ms. Sheppard had clearly had enough of Mr. Higgs and while she has stood behind him on other issues, this was her line in the sand. Good on her.
 
 
Sarah Brown 
Reply to Matt Steele  
You have completely missed the point. She had not retired, she has resigned as Minister of Social Development
 
 
Cathy Watson 
Reply to Matt Steele  
1961? That's not old.
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Don Corey 
Of that I have no doubt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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