Hey Higgy John Williston and Maurice Arsenault seem to agree about you EH?
Moore, Rob - M.P.<Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca> | Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 4:24 PM |
| To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | |
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David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 4:24 PM |
| To: "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, john.williston@dplwireless.com, info@pcnb.ca, "claude.williams" <claude.williams@pcnb.ca>, shawn_morrison_1974@icloud.com, vtpca@xplornet.ca, duncan@dlmca.ca, andrewjdykeman@gmail.com, bobhatheway@gmail.com, slmaceachern@gmail.com, rwillseely@gmail.com, ssducks@xplornet.ca, jd.grant@rogers.com, awlebrun@hotmail.com, lwyou1@rogers.com, "stephan.richard1" <stephan.richard1@gmail.com>, ericwalls2015@gmail.com, Brian.Cooke@unb.ca, francineqs@gmail.com, andrea.johnson@pcnb.ca, "David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Hogan" <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "Arseneau, Kevin (LEG)" <kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "michelle.conroy" <michelle.conroy@gnb.ca>, "robert.gauvin" <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, "Greg.Turner" <Greg.Turner@gnb.ca>, "mary.wilson" <mary.wilson@gnb.ca>, "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, "rob.moore" <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, "ernie.steeves" <ernie.steeves@gnb.ca>, "bruce.fitch" <bruce.fitch@gnb.ca>, BrianThomasMacdonald <BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail.com>, "Macfarlane, Bruce (DH/MS)" <Bruce.Macfarlane@gnb.ca>, briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>, "robert.mckee" <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, "Dominic.Cardy" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca> | |
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, teilor@nizhtimes.com, newsdesk@thesaxon.org, i@thesaxon.org, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, "Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca> | |
BTW My blog has been under a constant attack since I posted the email about Maurice Arsenault and Dominic Cardy Surprise Surprise Surprise N'esy Pas? http://davidraymondamos3. Wednesday, 21 June 2023 PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs | |
N.B. Premier Blaine Higgs faces growing revolt
N.B. Premier Blaine Higgs faces resignation pressure from within PC Party
Blaine Higgs drops 2 rebellious ministers in cabinet shuffle
Daniel Allain and Jeff Carr are out, replaced by newcomers
Premier Blaine Higgs has reasserted his authority over his fractured Progressive Conservative government by dumping two ministers who voted against him on the contentious issue of New Brunswick's school gender-identity policy.
In a cabinet shuffle Tuesday, Higgs dropped Local Government Minister Daniel Allain and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Jeff Carr, sending them to the backbenches.
He made it clear that their breaking ranks in a key vote on Policy 713 had cost them their jobs, violating the principle of cabinet solidarity.
"To go outside of that and to basically feel that it doesn't matter if you're in cabinet or not — it does matter. And to not address the situation is really putting the government in a very vulnerable position," Higgs told reporters after a 9 a.m. swearing-in.
"We have to respect the parliamentary system that we're in, the sanctity of cabinet, and the fact we'll have very frank and open discussion in cabinet or in caucus, but in cabinet you have to have solidarity."
Premier Blaine Higgs arrives at Government House for a cabinet shuffle on Tuesday. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
The new additions to cabinet are Carleton-York MLA Richard Ames, Moncton South MLA Greg Turner and St. Croix MLA Kathy Bockus. All are first-timers as ministers.
Rejoining cabinet are Moncton Southwest MLA Sherry Wilson, who was in cabinet from 2018 to 2020, and Oromocto-Lincoln-Fredericton MLA Mary Wilson, who was shuffled out of cabinet last fall.
Allain and Carr make four ministers no longer in Higgs's cabinet.
The two other ministers, Dorothy Shephard and Trevor Holder, resigned, both of them citing Higgs's leadership style that they said was at odds with the values and traditions of the PC party.
All four voted with the opposition parties on June 15 to help pass a Liberal motion calling for more consultations on Policy 713, which sets out protections for LGBTQ students in provincial schools.
Higgs claimed that day that the vote was not whipped, but he said Tuesday "I never made it a free vote, either."
In the past, the premier has often tolerated minor acts of dissent in his cabinet and caucus, referring to it as "a diverse group" that has pushed the envelope the same way he did when he was the outspoken finance minister in the Alward government.
But on Policy 713 Higgs has signalled he was losing patience.
"To take a position against the government in the legislature, voting in the legislature, is very significant," he said Tuesday.
Carr and Allain both said Tuesday they understood from Higgs that it was to be a free vote.
"Obviously the definition of free vote differs from one individual to another," Allain said.
Both former ministers said they were questioning their futures in politics.
Allain said he was pondering whether "maybe there are other ways" for him to serve, given the party "is in a crisis. … I'm asking the question: is it worth the fight?"
He wouldn't say whether he supports the push for a review of Higgs's leadership.
Moncton Southwest MLA Sherry Wilson at Government House on Tuesday, where she was appointed to cabinet. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Carr said he won't run in next year's provincial election if the premier is still leading the party.
He said he was disappointed but understands why he was removed from cabinet and did not regret his vote on Policy 713.
Carr insisted that the opposition motion called for exactly what the PC caucus had been promised by Higgs — a role for the child and youth advocate in determining if the policy changes were legally sound.
He also wished the new ministers well in Higgs's cabinet.
"If they feel satisfied with that type of leadership and governing, then that's okay. I don't judge them for that."
Higgs told reporters after the shuffle he'll try to reach out to unhappy grassroots members of the Progressive Conservative party, some of whom are organizing to remove him as leader
"I think we have some building to do, there's no question of that," Higgs said.
"I need to play a key role in that, reaching out to the membership, the executives throughout the province, and be able to sit down and have some very good discussions."
New ministers proclaim support for premier
"I can guarantee you he doesn't have to ask me" about my loyalty, Mary Wilson told reporters.
"I have no problem with our premier. I think he does a great job."
Ames proclaimed that "it's a new day, a new team, new cabinet, great caucus — we're moving forward."
And Turner, who chaired the PC caucus until Tuesday, rejected the claims by Shephard and Holder that Higgs didn't listen to his MLAs.
"In any caucus meetings I was in, absolutely. I was in all the caucus meetings. Absolutely," he said.
"Like any team, there has been a leader and there has been people who support the leader," Turner said. "I have full confidence in his leadership abilities for sure. There's no question about that."
Ames replaces Carr as minister of transportation and infrastructure, while Saint John East MLA Glen Savoie gets a promotion by taking over Allain's local government portfolio.
Allain was the senior francophone minister in government, representing a language community with few MLAs in the PC caucus.
"He'll continue to be a valued member in our caucus and I'm sure he'll continue to represent the community," Higgs said.
Arlene Dunn arrives at Government House for a cabinet shuffle on Tuesday. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Carr, Allain, Shephard, Holder and two other ministers, Arlene Dunn and Jill Green, signed a statement earlier this month complaining about a lack of transparency and process in the government's review of Policy 713.
Dunn, who missed the June 15 vote but said the next day she'd have voted with the opposition, remains in cabinet and takes over the post-secondary education, labour and training duties that Holder held.
Asked why he kept her in cabinet, Higgs told reporters that "I know if someone had been there, they might have done differently … but the fact is they weren't there and they didn't stand against the government."
Dunn told reporters after the cabinet shuffle that her issue had been with Policy 713.
"I didn't think we should have touched that. I think we should have stayed away from it," she said.
But beyond that, "I do have confidence in the leadership of the premier."
Green also missed the June 15 vote and later said she didn't know how she would have voted.
She's been promoted to minister of social development and also holds on to the housing file, with her provincial housing strategy expected to be released this week.
Opposition Liberal leader Susan Holt did not mention the internal PC party turmoil in a tweet congratulating the new ministers.
"Our team is ready to work with you to address the issues most important to New Brunswickers," she wrote.
New minister responsibilities:
- Richard Ames — Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, former backbencher.
- Jill Green — Minister of Social Development and responsible for Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation; still responsible for New Brunswick Housing Corporation,but no longer the Minister of Service New Brunswick.
- Arlene Dunn — Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, remains Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Minister responsible for Immigration; no longer responsible for Economic Development and Small Business and Opportunities N.B.
- Greg Turner — Minister responsible for Opportunities N.B. and Economic Development and Small Business, former backbencher.
- Glen Savoie — Minister of Local Government and still responsible for la Francophonie.
- Mary Wilson — Minister of Service New Brunswick and responsible for Military Affairs; former backbencher shuffled out of cabinet last fall.
- Tammy Scott-Wallace — remains Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, but no longer Minister responsible for Women's Equality.
- Sherry Wilson — Minister responsible for Women's Equality and for Addictions and Mental Health Services; minister from 2018 to 2020 who became a backbencher after the 2020 election.
- Kathy Bockus — Minister responsible for Seniors, former backbencher.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
They will be bolstered by the fact that Susan Holt and the Liberals have not given any reason for them or us to think she/they will govern much differently then the PCs. In that they will keep the fee cuts for billionaires on crown land, and tax free living for the Irving enterprises.
NBers should make sure that neither the Liberals or the Conservatives get a majority the next time we vote. Look what happens when we don't do that. The premier of the day begins to think that the province belongs to him/her and their advisors.
Your provided "fact" is a vote that is only for his riding, not for him as leader. In Alberta Kenney's UPC got elected with a strong majority yet he was ousted by his party. What you've outlined as "fact" is basically the scenario that happened in Alberta.
Same thing happened in Alberta with Kenney, and quite possibly will happen with Smith, and I'd even go so far as including the federal Liberals with Trudeau.
Higgs doesn't seem to have the support of his party and it could be completely irrelevant what the voters want. If the party wants him out, he'll be gone.
Higgs accused of launching 'vicious' attack on PC critic during Saturday meeting
Former president tells premier to ‘get over it’ ahead of Tuesday cabinet shuffle
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has been accused of launching "a vicious verbal attack" against a member of the provincial Progressive Conservative party's governing body who questioned his leadership.
Regional vice-president John Williston said the premier was "over the top" and "aggressive" when he shouted at the member of the PC provincial council on the weekend.
"He was clearly in a complete rage," Williston told CBC's Information Morning Fredericton.
"If this is how the premier speaks to his cabinet, if this is how the premier communicates with his caucus, it's clearly a toxic work environment that none of us would be willing to accept in our own places of business."
Higgs is facing a revolt within his PC caucus and in the party over his leadership style, which critics say is a top-down system that ignores expertise and allows little input from ministers and MLAs.
John
Williston, a regional vice-president of the Progressive Conservative
Party, says the premier shouted at a member of the PC provincial council
on the weekend. (Submitted by John Williston)
Two ministers, Dorothy Shephard and Trevor Holder, have resigned from his cabinet in the last two weeks over their concerns about his approach.
Higgs's spokesperson Nicolle Carlin told CBC News on Monday morning that the premier will shuffle his cabinet on Tuesday.
Two other ministers, Daniel Allain and Jeff Carr, joined Shephard and Holder in voting against the government on June 15.
Allain said Monday afternoon he hadn't been told yet if he'd still be a minister on Tuesday.
"There's a process," he said at a news conference in Grand Bouctouche. "We serve at the pleasure of the premier."
Allain and the three other ministers helped to pass an opposition Liberal motion calling for further consultations on the government's Policy 713, which sets out protections for LGBTQ+ students in schools.
All four helped to pass an opposition Liberal motion calling for further consultations on the government's Policy 713, which sets out protections for LGBTQ students in schools.
That vote crystallized a growing discontent within the party that Shephard said goes far beyond just Policy 713.
Former party president Claude Williams said last week that there are letters from presidents of 26 PC riding associations asking for a leadership review — more than the 20 required to force the provincial council to vote on whether to hold a vote.
Higgs looks at 'path forward'
Williston said the letters weren't submitted at Saturday's meeting because the number continues to grow, with two more presidents signing on after the meeting because of the premier's behaviour.
Higgs said on Saturday that there was "a good frank open discussion here and I think we have a path forward."
Asked about Williams telling reporters he was disappointed in comments by the premier in the meeting, Higgs said his remarks were "about team building, it was about us working together and having good discussions internally."
But Williston said Higgs's comments were "almost borderline shocking."
He also said the premier's critics tried to introduce a motion to schedule a special meeting of the council before the fall to deal with the leadership review issue but were ruled out of order based on procedure.
"Some people in the party are trying to to rag the puck," he said.
PC party president Erika Hachey, who ran Saturday's meeting, said Monday morning she had no comment on Williston's description of the discussion.
Williston said Higgs claimed in the meeting he was blameless for the party's poor election showings in francophone New Brunswick, pointing the finger instead at what he called negative coverage in the French-language newspaper L'Acadie Nouvelle.
Former PC party president Brian Harquail, who did not attend the meeting, told Information Morning that if Higgs can't unite his caucus and his party, he doesn't deserve to be governing New Brunswick.
"I was elected twice as president and we have a reputation of eating our young, and blaming somebody else for our own mistakes," he said.
"Well, it's time we took control and started to lead the party in the right direction."
'Things are going to escalate'
Harquail was one of four former presidents who signed a letter last week calling on Higgs to resign to avoid a divisive, drawn-out leadership review fight.
He scoffed at Higgs blaming negative media coverage for his lack of popularity in francophone New Brunswick.
"To attack the newspaper for doing their job is childish and shows a very, very strong lack of leadership," he said.
"Get over it, Blaine, because that's life and that's the way it is. And you wanted the job, so let's get on with it."
Former
Progressive Conservative party president Claude Williams previously
said there are letters from presidents of 26 PC riding associations
asking for a leadership review. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Williston said far from calming down, he believes that "things are going to escalate" in the party's internal battle.
He said the premier will eventually have to realize that he can no longer govern and that an election would be a risk now because many PC members in local riding associations won't work for him as leader.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from CBC Information Morning Fredericton
I continue to maintain that Daniel Allain will be the next Leader/Premier
Moncton's Power Plus Technology won the agency store contract
CBC News · Posted: Apr 23, 2013 9:35 AM ADT
CBC News · Posted: Oct 14, 2010 6:49 AM ADT
New Brunswick Premier David Alward appointed Tory faithful to key deputy minister posts Thursday, reversing a vow to change the way in which appointments are made by the provincial government.
The appointments include Daniel Allain to the key position of president and chief executive officer of NB Liquor. Dana Clendenning, the Liberal-appointed president of the Crown corporation, left his position last week with a taxpayer-funded severance package.
Previous premiers Shawn Graham and Bernard Lord both selected party loyalists for the job, which pays between $150,000 and $175,000 per year.
Two ministers stand down yet hold on to the golden paycheque
2016 was the first year when there were more people employed in renewable energy worldwide than there were in oil and gas worldwide.
Since then the job growth in renewables has continued to grow. But Higgs head was firmly stuck in the oilsands and NB has lost out on huge, well-paid job growth opportunities in renewables. Time for him to go.
'He was clearly in a complete rage'
We've had hints of this from Ottawa. One incident, about six yrs ago, that made it to a couple of papers, was the time when he jumped up on a desk and started screaming a profanity laden 10 min outburst at an MP who dared to voice what his constituents wanted.
No story on this site about it though. And you can be damned sure they knew all about it.
One is front page news on here.
The other incidents are totally ignored by this site.
PC party official hopes for discussion of N.B. premier's leadership at
annual general meeting
Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Oct 18, 2022 6:15 PM AT
Blaine Higgs recently told Brunswick News that he’ll announce during
his State of the Province speech in the new year whether he plans to
retire ahead of the next election in 2024 or seek another mandate.
(Jacques Poitras/CBC)
pointing the finger instead at what he called negative coverage in the French-language newspaper L'Acadie Nouvelle.
John Williston
VP, Business Development
Eastern to Central United States, Caribbean, and Puerto Rico.
Your post titled "PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs" has been reinstated
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Mon, Jun 26, 2023 at 4:45 PM |
| To: john.williston@dplwireless.com, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca> | |
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com> | |
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Michael Phillips <mphillip@nbnet.nb.ca> Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2023 19:57:55 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: RE PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. I'm not sure who you are David Amos, but you and most of your follows do not seem to understand the procedure spelled out in the constitution of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick for making a leadership review happen. If and when these so called letters are delivered to the president of the Party and the numbers meet the criteria then and only then will the process begins. The first step of this procedure could be referred to as "a shot across the bow". When you read the constitution you will see that the process maybe aborted at the next step if a 2/3 majority of the Provincial Council is not achieved. After attending the meeting on Saturday, I'm not sure if a 2/3 majority can be achieved. In the mean time, Premier Higgs will be working on resolving the rifts in his caucus. We will see how that goes. He does appear to be remorseful and sincerely interested in changing his management style. He does recognize many of his mistakes and I guess that would be the first step. I also want to tell you that under no circumstances is Dominic Cardy or Jody Carr spokesmen for the PC Party of New Brunswick. Even though they are members of PCNB, both of these gentleman are in the political wilderness and are only commenting to the media for their own self interests, not the Party. Mr Cardy claims he is a member in good standing of PCNB. Member yes, good standing NO. I have talked with many, many members of the Party in the past year and only one admits to being an ally of Mr Cardy. I have no idea why the media flocks to him each time there is a new development in New Brunswick politics. His opinion has zero value to most people in the Province. If the media wanted to renew their credibility they would stop interviewing him. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Blogger <no-reply@google.com> Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 19:42:19 +0000 Subject: Your post titled "PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs" has been reinstated To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Hello, We have re-evaluated the post titled "PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs" against Community Guidelines https://blogger.com/go/ reinstated. You may access the post at http://davidraymondamos3. Sincerely, The Blogger Team | |
Automatic reply: RE PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs
Holder, Trevor (LEG)<Trevor.Holder@gnb.ca> | Sun, Jun 25, 2023 at 6:08 PM |
| To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | |
Hello / Bonjour, I will be away from the office, returning June 26, 2023 / Je serai absent du bureau, de retour le 26 juin, 2023. Trevor A. Holder | |
Mitton, Megan (LEG)<Megan.Mitton@gnb.ca> | Sun, Jun 25, 2023 at 6:26 PM | ||||||||
| To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | |||||||||
(Le français suit)
Thank you for your email. Your email has been received by the office of MLA Megan Mitton. For immediate assistance, please call my constituency office at: (506) 378-1565 or the Fredericton office: (506) 457-6842. For media requests, please call: 506-429-2285.
Megan Mitton (elle / she, her) Députée de Memramcook-Tantramar
| Responsable en matière de la santé, le logement, le changement climatique, et les droits humains. Le Nouveau-Brunswick est situé sur les territoires traditionnels, non cédés des Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik & Peskotomuhkati. / New Brunswick is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik & Peskotomuhkati.
RE PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs
| |||||||||
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Sun, Jun 25, 2023 at 6:08 PM | ||||||
| To: "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, edinnb@gmail.com, bfmath@nb.sympatico.ca, vandpelliott@gmail.com, mikeboushel@nb.aibn.com, slmaceachern@gmail.com, lynn.savoie@bellaliant.net, rcharman@rogers.com, janemittonmaclean@gmail.com, sylvie@droitsgclaw.com, thelmacormier@hotmail.com, mpmartin@nbnet.nb.ca, brianehbaxter@gmail.com, danjoproducts@rogers.com, huguette_sawyer@hotmail.com, portly1a@gmail.com, paulhambrook99@gmail.com, tom.jennings506@gmail.com, gertrudemclaughlin@hotmail.com, nomiedavidgauvin@hotmail.com, lwyou1@rogers.com, annebard.lavigne@gmail.com, worth@nbnet.nb.ca, awlebrun@hotmail.com | |||||||
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, checkup@cbc.ca, Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca, "robert.gauvin" <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, "Trevor.Holder" <Trevor.Holder@gnb.ca>, Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca | |||||||
BTW Higgy's old buddy Dominic Cardy is about to speak about 713 on CBC Radio's Cross Country Checkup https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ Is Canada becoming more or less accepting of LGBTQ rights? What conversations are you having? Call us: 1-888-416-8333 CBC Radio · Posted: Jun 23, 2023 1:35 PM ADT Cross Country Checkup: Is Canada becoming more or less accepting of LGBTQ rights? 54 minutes ago Live It's Pride weekend in Toronto, but it comes at a time where advocates say trans people are being targeted and harmful rhetoric is on the rise. What conversations are you having? Toronto is hosting Pride celebrations this weekend, but it comes at a time where advocates say trans people are being targeted and harmful rhetoric is on the rise. In New Brunswick, the provincial government's decision to change an education policy on gender identity has caused significant controversy and even turmoil within the government. The changes make it mandatory for teachers to get parental consent before using a student's chosen name and pronouns. School psychologists as well as child welfare, education and human rights experts have all come out against these changes. Our question this week: Is Canada becoming more or less accepting of LGBTQ rights? What conversations are you having? Our Ask Me Anything segment this week features former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole. O'Toole resigned his seat as an MP at the end of the House of Commons' spring session this past Wednesday. What questions do you have? Join host Ian Hanomansing on CBC Radio One and CBC Listen and CBC News Network. Call Checkup at 1-888-416-8333, send an email text (226-758-8924) or find us on Facebook. https://davidraymondamos3. Wednesday, 21 June 2023 PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs | |||||||
Premier Higgs says he won't resign after calls for his removal
Higgs intends to stay on even after the resignations of 2 cabinet ministers
When asked what's next for him and the party, Higgs batted down any suggestion of stepping aside.
"It won't be a resignation," Higgs said.
The premier has been under pressure to step aside after changes to Policy 713 — a policy designed to protect LGBTQ students in schools — prompted the resignations of two cabinet ministers and letters from more than 20 riding presidents calling on Higgs to resign.
Higgs said there was no formal discussion at the meeting about a possible leadership review, but did say he wants to work with the party and his caucus to resolve any issues behind closed doors.
"I think we have a path forward here as we work through some of our issues," he said.
Claude Williams, a former president of the party who attended the meeting, said the reason there was no formal discussion about a leadership review is because the rules of the meeting made it impossible.
He also said he was disappointed in the premier's closing remarks to the meeting, but didn't elaborate further.
Support cloudy
The amount of support the premier has in caucus, and in the party, is up for debate.
On Wednesday, CBC News reported at least 22 riding presidents have written letters calling for a leadership review vote.
But Mark Paul-Elias, the president of the PC's Fredericton-Grand Lake Riding Association, said the majority of the party stands behind the premier.
While he admitted not everyone was supportive of Higgs — mentioning at least one person who walked out of the meeting — Paul-Elias maintained the premier has the party's support.
"You don't have a family that doesn't have the odd person who doesn't agree with what's going on. But the party is really united and we intend to stay united," he said.
With files from Lars Schwarz
Portland-Simonds MLA Trevor Holder, the longest-serving MLA in the legislature, announced in an open letter he was quitting as minister of post-secondary education, training and labour.
"Under the leadership of Premier Higgs, caucus has been less about consensus and more about him getting his own way," Holder wrote.
Holder's letter was sent out just one hour after four past presidents of the party called on Higgs to resign immediately.
"We ask that you avoid a disruptive, public battle that could tear the party apart. We ask that you leave graciously," the letter says.
The letter is signed by Claude Williams, Lester Young, Brian Harquail and Jason Stephen, all former presidents of the New Brunswick party."
So he signed up countless new party members to go around them.
He told those recruits that "it doesn't matter what the party's called — use the PC Party as a conduit to change politics in New Brunswick."
"When it's done right … politics is what makes things happen," veteran Portland-Simonds member Trevor Holder said at the time.
"Sometimes that takes political friendships and alliances to get that done."
His 2020 push for health reforms — including the proposed closure of small hospital emergency departments — cost him his only francophone MLA at the time, Robert Gauvin.
Gauvin's father was the late Jean Gauvin, a longtime member of Richard Hatfield's cabinet who helped keep the embers of PC support flickering in Shippagan during the party's 12-year exile from power.
Jean Gauvin also stood by Hatfield when party rebels tried to remove him from the leadership in 1985 — so his son's move to the Liberals is another symbol of Higgs's break with party history. "
"As far as I'm concerned, he's trying to implement a platform that was the CoR platform when he was campaigning for the CoR party in the 1980s," Ouellete said."
Not the voting public.
That’s why in this one singular niche situation the parent should be left out, if the child specifically requests it.
Parents are still informed and involved in literally everything else.
No surprise that Higgs would put himself ahead of his party and his province. He is a bitter ender of there ever was one. This is going to get much worse in the days ahead.
Next!
-
But YOU are the issue McFly!
That is false. He wouldn’t have made them cabinet ministers if they didn’t support him.
Another N.B. cabinet minister quits as turmoil over Higgs's leadership deepens
Trevor Holder resigns not long after 4 former party presidents call for premier to leave
Portland-Simonds MLA Trevor Holder, the longest-serving MLA in the legislature, announced in an open letter he was quitting as minister of post-secondary education, training and labour.
"Under the leadership of Premier Higgs, caucus has been less about consensus and more about him getting his own way," Holder wrote.
Holder said he has tried many times to explain to the premier the importance of working more collaboratively but to no avail.
"While I have tried my best to continue to work to maintain the integrity of the caucus system, I have finally come to the conclusion that this is no longer possible."
Premier Blaine Higgs has been facing backlash from his own MLAs. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
He also rapped the premier for "his lack of empathy as well as his inability to listen to valid concerns from all members of his caucus."
Holder was first elected in the 1999 election and has been a minister under three different PC premiers.
He said he plans to stay on as MLA for Portland-Simonds and called on party members to "build a thoughtful conservative movement in this province that brings people together rather than divide them."
Holder's letter was sent out just one hour after four past presidents of the party called on Higgs to resign immediately.
They wrote in their statement that Higgs has achieved a lot during his more than four years as premier but also lacks the ability to achieve "the delicate balance" required to govern New Brunswick.
"We ask that you avoid a disruptive, public battle that could tear the party apart. We ask that you leave graciously," the letter says.
"You have had some important successes as Premier of New Brunswick. But the moment now demands that you pass the baton and the PCNB reorient itself to face the future and move forward."
The letter is signed by Claude Williams, Lester Young, Brian Harquail and Jason Stephen, all former presidents of the New Brunswick party.
The four former presidents accused Higgs of trying to make the internal fight a fight about Policy 713, the policy on protections for LGBTQ students in provincial schools that the government recently revised.
But they said the problems run deeper and include the premier's attempts to replace French immersion and weaken district education councils and to eliminate elected members of regional health authority boards.
"Policy 713 was just the tipping point in a long line of disrespect he has shown to our Party, its values and its traditions," they wrote.
Stephen said in an interview that as a party volunteer for more than three decades, it was hard for him to sign the letter.
But he believes the party's future is at stake, including in the next election in October 2024.
"This is going to turn into a very divisive program, I believe. That's why I'm asking him to retire and pass the torch. He can leave a legacy of doing some very good things. But that legacy will be different if he tries to carry a fractured party into the election."
Jason Stephen, former president of the Progressive Conservative Party of
New Brunswick, says Higgs should resign or else he will divide the
party. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)
Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin MLA Mike Dawson said he's "behind Blaine Higgs 100 per cent" and doesn't understand what Holder's resignation will accomplish.
Since he was elected in a byelection last year, Dawson said, he's been in the Premier's Office many times, discussing issues with Higgs.
"Instead of letting the pot simmer and boil over, you go into the office, you have the discussions and you come out of the office on a level playing field, and everyone understands where each other stands," he said.
Dawson also defended the premier's hands-on approach to governing, which former cabinet minister Dorothy Shephard and others have complained about.
"Blaine Higgs is the boss of the PC party. He's the CEO," Dawson said.
Holder's resignation follows that of Shephard, his Saint John colleague who quit last week after she, Holder, two other ministers and two backbench PC MLA defied Higgs during a vote in the legislature.
They joined with the opposition parties to pass a Liberal motion calling for more consultations on Policy 713.
Holder said in his letter he now has to do "some significant soul searching" after a 24-year career in the legislature.
Critics of Higgs within the party have collected 26 letters from presidents of party riding presidents calling for a leadership review.
That's six more than the threshold under the party constitution for the PC provincial council to debate it at an upcoming meeting.
It also represents a majority of the 49 riding organizations in the province.
Earlier this week Higgs called the push for a review "a strategically planned political drama" that has been "a focus from a certain group for a few years now" and that was heightened by the Policy 713 debate.
On Thursday two PC caucus members, cabinet minister Réjean Savoie and backbench MLA Sherry Wilson, said they support Higgs staying on.
Wilson said PC MLAs who can't support his leadership "need to go and just retire, just get out of politics, if that's the way they think."
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PC caucus members voice support for Higgs amid push for leadership review
Moncton Southwest MLA says rebels should quit politics if they don’t like premier’s approach
Moncton Southwest PC MLA Sherry Wilson says Higgs's record on fiscal management and improving health care is a strong one, and members of the PC caucus who don't like his leadership should quit.
"For the people who don't support our premier, and don't look at the good work and the big picture and what's best for the people we serve here in New Brunswick, I think maybe it's time for them to step away," she said.
Critics of Higgs within the party say they have gathered letters from 26 presidents of PC riding associations and 50 rank-and-file members overall — more than enough to start the process of seeking to remove Higgs.
Sherry
Wilson, former minister of Service New Brunswick, said those Tory MLAs
should leave if they can't endorse Higgs's approach. (CBC)
Those letters were gathered over the last 10 days as a debate over Policy 713, on the protection of LGBTQ students in provincial schools, erupted at the legislature.
Four cabinet ministers and two backbench PC MLAs voted with a Liberal opposition motion calling for consultations, helping to carry the motion 26-20.
Wilson said those Tory MLAs should leave if they can't endorse Higgs's approach.
"To me it's a Conservative value that parents are involved in their children's lives. How do we fix it? I think maybe some of them maybe need to step down. They need to go and just retire, just get out of politics if that's the way they think."
Former
cabinet minister Dorothy Shephard warned Premier Higgs in October 2021
that his hands-on management style was alienating members of his cabinet
and threatened to "destroy" his government. (Shane Magee/CBC)
Former minister Dorothy Shephard quit the cabinet last week but remains a PC MLA.
She said Higgs's handling of Policy 713 was "the last straw" and the latest in a string of examples where he has cut the cabinet and caucus out of decision-making and instead micromanaged issues.
But Wilson defended that approach.
"Blaine has his own leadership style. He does. But look at the work that's been done under his leadership. … He is the premier and he needs to know what's going on in every sector in government," she said.
"In any of the departments, if something were to go wrong, the bucks stops with him. He needs to know so he can work with us and guide us."
Premier Blaine Higgs celebrating with Miramichi Bay-Neguac MLA-elect
Réjean Savoie after Savoie won a byelection last year. (Jacques
Poitras/CBC)
Regional Development Corporation Minister Réjean Savoie, elected last year in a byelection in Miramichi Bay-Neguac, also defended Higgs.
"The premier has done his job well," Savoie said. "We've never been in such a strong financial position."
He said he worried that the public split would damage the PC party.
"When we have a family disagreement, it should happen behind closed doors. … and the Progressive Conservative party is a family."
Savoie was among the MLAs who stood behind Higgs in a media scrum minutes after the government lost the vote on the Policy 713 motion last Thursday.
He said the impact of the changes to the policy have been exaggerated.
"I hope this will end well and we can try to calm things down," he said.
Former PC cabinet minister Jody Carr, whose brother Jeff Carr is a minister in the government and among those who voted for the motion, tweeted Thursday that it was sad to see Higgs "lose the confidence of his party, caucus and citizens, and be the last one to realize it."
Wilson was one of the few PC MLAs who supported Higgs in his campaign for the party leadership in 2016.
She became minister of women's equality and minister of Service New Brunswick when the party took power after the 2018 election, but was shuffled out of the cabinet when the PCs were re-elected in 2020.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Blaine Higgs, a visitor to the PC Party, may soon be shown the door
The premier ran for the party leadership as an outsider. That may now be his undoing
He's like that person who shows up at a house party as a virtual stranger or a new acquaintance barely known to the hosts.
They liven up the evening, but sometimes the party-goers look askance when they become disruptive.
"I did not grow up in a political family," Higgs said when he launched his campaign to win the PC leadership in 2016. "I did not come from deep roots politically."
Higgs had served one term as finance minister in a previous Tory government, but prior to 2010 never held elective office and hadn't even been a PC Party member.
He portrayed himself — accurately — as an outsider, the kind of person the party and the province needed to lead what he called "a movement" to save New Brunswick.
Higgs served one term as finance minister in a previous Tory government. (Brian Chisholm/CBC)
"I have the independence of thinking this province desperately needs," he said.
Now Higgs faces a push from within for a leadership review, with more than half of party riding presidents signing letters to trigger the process.
And his willingness to defy long-established partisan norms is coming back to haunt him.
As minister of finance from 2010 to 2014, that willingness to question the conventional wisdom of party politics was often bracing and refreshing.
Uncomfortable truths
He uttered uncomfortable truths that political veterans never acknowledged: that expensive, poorly thought out campaign promises were responsible for a large part of the province's big deficits and debt.
"It's a case when politicians are the most vulnerable, and people say 'I'll get him to promise this,'" he said.
Another example was Higgs's refusal to endorse Premier David Alward's patronage appointment of cabinet minister Margaret-Ann Blaney to a plush Crown CEO job.
Longtime party stalwarts simply don't do that. They fall in line.
Higgs was different. That became his biggest asset, central to his brand.
Even Higgs's past involvement with the anti-bilingualism Confederation of Regions party — alarming to many francophones — underscored that he was truly different.
He once described threatening to resign when political staffers in Alward's office rewrote his budget speech on the eve of its delivery.
Higgs
won the PC leadership in 2016 and the sceptics fell in line, then
watched as his unconventional approach became, in their minds, a
political liability. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
They backed off that time, he said, but in 2016 he argued he needed the top job to overcome those tired, same-old political considerations for good.
"I'm running for premier because I can't get it done as finance minister," he said.
Little support from MLAs
Only three sitting PC MLAs endorsed him, an indicator of how his more conventional colleagues saw his maverickness.
So he signed up countless new party members to go around them.
He told those recruits that "it doesn't matter what the party's called — use the PC Party as a conduit to change politics in New Brunswick."
Saint John Lancaster MLA Dorothy Shephard, who quit cabinet last week over Higgs's management style, wrote in a 2021 letter to him that most of his leadership supporters "had never supported the [PC Party] or had any connection to anyone in the party."
And, she added, most of them "are nowhere to be found now."
Higgs was wearing new running shoes at an event in Woodstock this week. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Most MLAs who worked with Higgs in the Alward cabinet endorsed other leadership candidates in 2016 and chafed at his open disdain for old-fashioned party ways.
"When it's done right … politics is what makes things happen," veteran Portland-Simonds member Trevor Holder said at the time.
"Sometimes that takes political friendships and alliances to get that done."
Holder was among the cabinet ministers who defied Higgs last week to vote for an opposition motion calling for more consultations on changes to LGBTQ protections for students in Policy 713.
Higgs won the leadership and the sceptics fell in line, then watched as his unconventional approach became, in their minds, a political liability.
Criticism from caucus
The main accusation by his caucus critics is that he cuts them out of his decision-making process.
His 2020 push for health reforms — including the proposed closure of small hospital emergency departments — cost him his only francophone MLA at the time, Robert Gauvin.
Gauvin's father was the late Jean Gauvin, a longtime member of Richard Hatfield's cabinet who helped keep the embers of PC support flickering in Shippagan during the party's 12-year exile from power.
Higgs's 2020 push for health reforms cost him his only francophone MLA
at the time, Robert Gauvin, pictured here in 2020. (Michel
Corriveau/Radio-Canada)
Jean Gauvin also stood by Hatfield when party rebels tried to remove him from the leadership in 1985 — so his son's move to the Liberals is another symbol of Higgs's break with party history.
Another francophone who backed Hatfield during that battle, Jean-Pierre Ouellet from Madawaska-Les Lacs-Edmundston, is now part of the push to dump Higgs, arguing the premier is advancing ideas inimical to the PC Party.
"As far as I'm concerned, he's trying to implement a platform that was the CoR platform when he was campaigning for the CoR party in the 1980s," Ouellete said.
Outsider status could be a threat
So the premier's outsider status — the very thing that propelled him to power — now threatens to undo him.
His best defence is his record: big budget surpluses, a lower provincial debt, low unemployment and unprecedented population growth.
But recent comments by Higgs suggest he doubts any potential new PC leader would live up to what he considers the high standards of success he has achieved.
"That is what's weighing heavy on my mind: are we going to keep the ball rolling or are we going to regress and go back into the political process?"
That's another alarming heresy for party veterans who value continuity, succession planning and long-term political viability.
In
her 2021 letter to Higgs, Shephard said that when he launched his
leadership bid, she concluded he "didn't want to be leader of the
Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick; you just wanted to be
'leader.' (Shane Magee/CBC)
Higgs dismissed the review push in a statement Wednesday that did not acknowledge there are letters from a majority of riding presidents.
Instead he called it "a strategically planned political drama" that has been "a focus from a certain group for a few years now," now heightened by the Policy 713 debate.
In her 2021 letter to Higgs, Shephard said that when he launched his leadership bid, she concluded he "didn't want to be leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick; you just wanted to be 'leader.'"
But the two can't be separated: if the push for a leadership review succeeds, Higgs would be facing the end of his tenure as both PC leader and premier.
That's the choice now facing party members: what to do with this guest who, to many, is wearing out his welcome.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
And J P and the C B C can't help but twist it further.
Did you know lots of Europe including the Netherlands and the UK are changing the same policy NB just did? The reason being is gender affirmation in children that don't include the parent is not resulting in the outcomes they had expected. It is affecting them negatively. Read a book, NB.
{citation needed}
Higgs came in, like DeSantis and lots of other righties in the US, both barrels blazing. He didn't bother to take the time to have a discussion with people who implemented the policy in the first place, and ask them questions. He's clearly giving in to social conservatives who are simply using this as a wedge to defeat policies that accept the fact that people are non-binary. They see the whole "transition" thing as an easy target, from which they ca make further inroads toward their goal of reversing the entire spectrum of policies that support non-binary citizens.
PC rebels say majority of riding presidents support ousting Higgs
More than 20 riding presidents signed letters, the first step in removing N.B. premier as leader of the party
A member of the party's provincial council says 25 presidents of PC riding associations have signed letters calling for a leadership review vote.
That's a majority out of the 49 ridings. It also surpasses a key threshold in the party's constitution to trigger the process.
"That number constitutes over 50 per cent of riding association presidents and I think it clearly shows there's a desire for a change of leadership amongst the membership," said John Williston, a regional vice-president of the party who supports the review.
"This is from every part of the province. … It's important that this reflects a wide scope of New Brunswick — anglophone, francophone, northern, southern. It shows unity among our party throughout the province."
Jean-Pierre
Ouellet, one of the riding association presidents who signed a letter,
says Higgs has made too many decisions without consultation.
(Radio-Canada) (Radio-Canada)
CBC News has seen and verified 22 of the letters, two more than the number required to advance the issue.
Jean-Pierre Ouellet, president of the Madawaska-Les Lacs-Edmundston riding association and one of the signatories, said Higgs has made too many decisions without consulting the public.
"It's 'my way or the highway,'" he said, pointing to an attempt to replace French immersion, legislation weakening the powers of anglophone district education councils and eliminating elected positions on regional health authority boards.
Surpassing the 20-letter threshold doesn't guarantee a membership vote on Higgs's leadership will be held.
The party constitution requires letters from 20 riding presidents, and 50 party members in total, for the party's provincial council — its governing body — to put the question on its agenda at its next meeting.
No more than five of the 50 members can be from any single riding.
Some of the signed letters, seen by CBC News, calling for a leadership review vote. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Former party president Claude Williams told Radio-Canada's La Matinale on Wednesday morning that those 50 letters were also in hand.
"We have the numbers," Williams said. "If I were in his place, I'd retire."
The council must vote by a two-thirds majority to schedule a convention within three months, where delegates would vote on whether to keep or remove Higgs.
Williston, a member of the council, said he believes a two-thirds vote is well within "striking distance."
"With approximately one-third of the caucus voting against the government and not willing to follow the premier at this point, it's quite obvious to me we need a change in leadership in the party."
Reviews are automatic if the party loses an election, but the process is elaborate and time-consuming when it's in power.
The move to dump Higgs is the first organized attempt to remove a sitting New Brunswick premier from their party's leadership since an effort against Premier Richard Hatfield in 1985.
Higgs was elected premier in September 2018 and re-elected two years later.
Former cabinet minister Dorothy Shephard, who resigned as social development minister last week, said last week that she'd rather see Higgs leave "amicably" than face being ousted.
"I know that the party is mobilizing to consider a leadership review," she said on CBC's Power and Politics. "I'm sure that weighs on his mind."
But Higgs indicated Monday the ball was in the membership's court.
"It won't be a call that I make, right?" he told reporters. "If the party decides to do that, it won't be a decision I make. So if it happens, I guess it happens."
Shephard quit after she and five other PC MLAs, including three other ministers, voted with the opposition for a Liberal motion calling for more consultations on Policy 713.
Dorothy Shephard explains to reporters her decision to quit cabinet on June 15. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
The premier said he was willing to face a party review process to defend his position on his controversial review of the policy, which sets out standards for providing safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ students in provincial schools.
PC Party president Erika Hachey said in an email she has not received any letters yet from riding presidents calling for a review.
The provincial council is scheduled to meet this weekend, but the party constitution requires letters to be submitted 21 days in advance, so the review would only appear on the agenda of the next meeting this fall.
Hachey was unsure exactly how many members sit on the provincial council and what number would constitute two-thirds support for calling a convention.
The council includes the 49 riding presidents, several party officials, including the president and nine regional vice-presidents, five MLAs whom she did not identify, and Higgs himself.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The silent majority usually has no strong feelings on any particular issue.
PC official wants Blaine Higgs's leadership put to review
PC party official hopes for discussion of N.B. premier's leadership at annual general meeting
Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Oct 18, 2022 6:15 PM ADT
Wow.
Or
"A member of the party's provincial council says 25 presidents of PC riding associations have signed letters calling for a leadership review vote."
Which is it?
Calling for a review is not the same as calling to push Higgs out as party leader. Seems like a political ploy that is based more on hearsay than fact. Lets see the names of those calling for this review.
Provincial Executive
Leader
Blaine W. Higgs
info@pcnb.ca
President
Erika Hachey
erika.hachey@pcnb.ca
Vice President
Roy Wiggins
jroywiggins@gmail.com
Past President
Claude Williams
claude.williams@pcnb.ca
Official Representative
Duncan MacDonald
duncan@dlmca.ca
Secretary
Andrew Dykeman
andrewjdykeman@gmail.com
Official Agent
Robert Hatheway
bobhatheway@gmail.com
President, PC Women Association
Sherry MacEachern
slmaceachern@gmail.com
President, PC Youth
Alex LeBrun
alex.lebrun@pcnb.ca
Capital Region VP
Shawn Douthwright
ssducks@xplornet.ca
Capital-Upper River Valley VP
James Grant
jd.grant@rogers.com
North-Northwest VP
Alex LeBrun
alex.lebrun@pcnb.ca
Péninsule-Chaleur VP
Diane Carey
info@careyconsultants.ca
Westmorland VP
Raymond Duplessis
raymond.duplessis2@gmail.com
Westmorland Albert VP
John Williston
john.williston@dplwireless.com
Miramichi VP
Andy Hardy
andy.hardy101@gmail.com
Saint John-Charlotte VP
Brian Cooke
Brian.Cooke@unb.ca
Saint John Kings VP
Francine Quinn-Steeves
francineqs@gmail.com
Executive Director
Andrea Johnson
andrea.johnson@pcnb.ca
Phone: (506) 453-3456
https://www.pcnb.ca/ridingpresidents
Riding Presidents
1. Restigouche West
Leopold Ouellet
worth@nbnet.nb.ca
2. Campbellton-Dalhousie
Alex LeBrun
awlebrun@hotmail.com
3. Restigouche-Chaleur
Joe Noel
djnoel@rogers.com
4. Bathurst West-Beresford
Ann Bard-Lavigne
annebard.lavigne@gmail.com
5. Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint Isidore
Lester Young
lwyou1@rogers.com
6. Caraquet
Vacant
7. Shippagan Lamèque Miscou
Noemie David-Gauvin
nomiedavidgauvin@hotmail.com
8. Tracadie-Sheila
Gertrude McLaughlin
gertrudemclaughlin@hotmail.com
9. Miramichi Bay- Neguac
Tom Jennings
tom.jennings506@gmail.com
10. Miramichi
Paul Hambrook
paulhambrook99@gmail.com
11. Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin
Troy MacDonnell
portly1a@gmail.com
12. Kent North
Huguette Sawyer
huguette_sawyer@hotmail.com
13. Kent South
Maurice Cormier
danjoproducts@rogers.com
14. Shediac Bay-Dieppe
Brian Baxter
brianehbaxter@gmail.com
15. Shediac Beaubassin Cap-Pelé
Marie-Paule Martin
mpmartin@nbnet.nb.ca
16. Memramcook Tantramar
Thelma Cormier
thelmacormier@hotmail.com
17. Dieppe
Sylvie Godin-Charest
sylvie@droitsgclaw.com
18. Moncton East
Jane Mitton-MacLean
janemittonmaclean@gmail.com
19. Moncton Centre
Vacant
20. Moncton South
Robert Charman
rcharman@rogers.com
21. Moncton Northwest
Loretta Savoie
lynn.savoie@bellaliant.net
22. Moncton Southwest
Sherry MacEachren
slmaceachern@gmail.com
23. Riverview
Mike Boushel
mikeboushel@nb.aibn.com
24. Albert
Parker Elliott
vandpelliott@gmail.com
25. Gagetown Petitcodiac
Emilie Matheson
bfmath@nb.sympatico.ca
26. Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins
Ed Armstrong
edinnb@gmail.com
27. Hampton
Jeremy Salgado
jeremy_salgado@hotmail.com
28. Quispamsis
Emil Olsen
eolsen@quispamsis.ca
29. Rothesay
Grant Brenan
grantbrenan@hotmail.ca
30. Saint John East
Jake Stackhouse
jacobstackhouse@hotmail.com
31. Portland Simonds
Corben P. Parker
corbenp@hotmail.com
32. Saint John Harbour
Vacant
33. Saint John Lancaster
Brooklyn Galbraith
brooklyn.galbraith@gmail.com
34. Kings Centre
Jim Balcomb
balcomb@nbnet.nb.ca
35. Fundy-the Isles-Saint John West
Glen Hawkins
glennhawkins224@gmail.com
36. Saint Croix
Jennifer Urquhart
jenniferurquhart992@gmail.com
37. Oromocto- Lincoln- Fredericton
Chris McMorrow
chrisamcmorrow@gmail.com
38. Fredericton Grand Lake
Mark Paul-Elias
markpe32@gmail.com
39. New Maryland-Sunbury
Michael Phillips
mphillip@nbnet.nb.ca
40. Fredericton South
William Forrestall
willforall@mail.com
41. Fredericton North
Andrew Keezer
andrewtkeezer@gmail.com
42. Fredericton-York
Kelly Wilson
kellywilson9294@gmail.com
43. Fredericton West-Hanwell
Jeannine St. Amand toolsofengagement@gmail.com
44. Carleton-York
James Grant
jd.grant@rogers.com
45. Carleton
Steve McIsaac
snd_mcisaac@hotmail.com
46. Carleton-Victoria
Charles MacDonald
chasmac@nbnet.nb.ca
47. Victoria-La Vallée
Marcel Michaud
gamfarms@nb.sympatico.ca
48. Edmundston-Madawaska Centre
Jacqueline Carrier
jacqueline.carrier@bellaliant.net
49. Madawaska-Les Lacs-Edmundston
Jean-Pierre Ouellet
jpouelle21@gmail.com
Hey Higgy Why is there no contact info offered for Maurice Arsenault??? Methinks he could use a friend who doesn't care for your butter tarts N'esy Pas Dominic Cardy?
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Tue, Oct 18, 2022 at 9:06 PM |
| To: "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, info@pcnb.ca, "claude.williams" <claude.williams@pcnb.ca>, shawn_morrison_1974@icloud.com, vtpca@xplornet.ca, duncan@dlmca.ca, andrewjdykeman@gmail.com, bobhatheway@gmail.com, slmaceachern@gmail.com, rwillseely@gmail.com, ssducks@xplornet.ca, jd.grant@rogers.com, awlebrun@hotmail.com, lwyou1@rogers.com, "stephan.richard1" <stephan.richard1@gmail.com>, ericwalls2015@gmail.com, Brian.Cooke@unb.ca, francineqs@gmail.com, andrea.johnson@pcnb.ca, "David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Hogan" <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "Arseneau, Kevin (LEG)" <kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "michelle.conroy" <michelle.conroy@gnb.ca>, "Roger.L.Melanson" <roger.l.melanson@gnb.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, "Greg.Turner" <Greg.Turner@gnb.ca>, "mary.wilson" <mary.wilson@gnb.ca>, "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, "rob.moore" <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, "ernie.steeves" <ernie.steeves@gnb.ca>, "bruce.fitch" <bruce.fitch@gnb.ca>, BrianThomasMacdonald <BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail.com>, "Macfarlane, Bruce (DH/MS)" <Bruce.Macfarlane@gnb.ca>, briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>, "robert.mckee" <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, "Dominic.Cardy" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca> | |
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, teilor@nizhtimes.com, newsdesk@thesaxon.org, i@thesaxon.org, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, "Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca> | |
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/ Information Morning - Saint John with Julia Wright Our political watchers on the wild week in N.B. politics Play Segment 16:36 Share Segment It was a busy end of the week in New Brunswick politics. There was the resignation of Dominic Cardy and Roger Melanson followed by Cardy's expulsion from the Progressive Conservative caucus and a cabinet shuffle. Our political watchers, JP Lewis and Katey Davey, weigh in. Aired: Oct. 17, 2022 https://www.pcnb.ca/nbexec Copyright © 2022 The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick Tous droits réservés © 2022 le Parti progressiste-conservateur du Nouveau-Brunswick 364 rue York St. Suite 215, Fredericton, NB E3B 3P7 CANADA Tel • Tél : 1 (506) 453-3456 Email • Courriel : info@pcnb.ca Speaking of Copyrights I wonder who wrote many of these words first Teilor Stone or Jacques Poitras??? https://www.cbc.ca/news/ PC official wants Blaine Higgs's leadership put to review PC party official hopes for discussion of N.B. premier's leadership at annual general meeting Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Oct 18, 2022 6:15 PM AT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago Blaine Higgs recently told Brunswick News that he’ll announce during his State of the Province speech in the new year whether he plans to retire ahead of the next election in 2024 or seek another mandate. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) A Progressive Conservative party official in southeast New Brunswick is trying to trigger a review of Premier Blaine Higgs's leadership of the provincial party. In an email to fellow party members, Maurice Arsenault, the PC regional vice-president for southeast New Brunswick, accuses Higgs of a "dictatorial approach." He's hoping to rally enough PC members to sign letters to trigger a discussion of the premier's leadership at the party's annual general meeting Nov. 4-5 in Fredericton. "Let me remind it was Blaine Higgs who embraced Dominic Cardy and Kris Austin without any consultation with our party," Arsenault wrote. A man wearing a grey suit and powder-blue tie walks next to a green hedge. Kris Austin, a former leader of the People's Alliance who defected to the Tories in March, was sworn into Higgs cabinet the same day Dominic Cardy resigned. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) Cardy, a former NDP leader, joined the PCs in 2017 but resigned from Higgs's cabinet last week over the premier's leadership style. The same day, Austin, a former leader of the People's Alliance who defected to the Tories in March, was sworn into the cabinet. "There's a lot of people who are not satisfied, and everybody's talking about it, and nobody's doing anything about it," Arsenault told CBC News. "Then Cardy jumped the boat, and he's not the only one who's frustrated, so I believe it was time to put my letter forward." Caucus backs Higgs Moncton South PC MLA Greg Turner said he convened a meeting of the PC caucus Monday night after they "got wind" of the letter, and the support for Higgs was unanimous, with no dissent. "Without exception, [it was] 100 per cent complete endorsement of the premier and his leadership for our province, actually," he said. "Everybody had a chance to speak who wanted to speak on the subject, and it was very, very positive. Ministers and MLAs alike were unified in our endorsement of the premier and the work we have done and he has done in leading us." Moncton South PC MLA Greg Turner said he convened a meeting of the PC caucus Monday night after they “got wind” of the letter and the support for Higgs was unanimous, with no dissent. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) Arsenault, who lives in the riding of Moncton Centre, writes in his letter that Austin "does not adhere to our party's constitution," a reference to the Alliance party's opposition to aspects of official bilingualism. The PC constitution's principles include a statement that party members support official bilingualism and the protection and promotion of "the diversity of our two linguistic communities." "It was enough to have Kris Austin" as a PC MLA, but "having him as a minister, I can't stand that," Arsenault said. Snap vote hurdles He said he's been told by someone in the party that if he can gather enough support quickly enough, the leadership question can be put on the agenda at the annual meeting. But the hurdles to a snap vote on removing the PC leader are considerable. Reviews are automatic when the party loses an election, but when it's in power, 50 party members, including 20 riding association presidents, must ask the president's council for a vote on a review at least 21 days before its next meeting. The president's council is made up of members the party executive, its regional vice-presidents such as Arsenault and all 49 PC riding association presidents. It must vote by a two-thirds margin in favour of a leadership review. Only then would a vote by all members on ousting Higgs be scheduled within three months, either at an annual meeting or special meeting. PC party president Claude Williams says the president's council is unlikely to meet until December and that means it's impossible for a leadership review to get on the agenda at the annual meeting. Debate has been going on for 'last few weeks' Williams, a former cabinet colleague of Higgs in the David Alward government, said as party president he cannot take a position on the premier's leadership. "The debate's been going on for the last few weeks," he said. "I don't have an opinion." Among Arsenault's other complaints is that Higgs has done nothing to fix health care since firing the two regional health authority boards in July, and has yet to respond to a review of the Official Languages Act that was submitted 10 months ago. He says he's been hearing "for months" from party supporters wanting a change at the top. Health care crisis dominates N.B. Legislature's return Cardy says other ministers frustrated with Higgs should quit, too But Turner says Arsenault is an isolated voice. "We can't lose sight of the fact that this review call is from one member of the party. That's how we look at this. I'm sure there's always people who question the leadership of any organization at certain times for certain reasons." Higgs recently told Brunswick News that he'll announce during his State of the Province speech in the new year whether he plans to retire ahead of the next election in 2024 or seek another mandate. But Arsenault says Higgs is "toying with us" and that timing is "disrespectful" for a potential new party leader who would need to establish their own agenda before the 2024 election. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jacques Poitras Provincial Affairs reporter Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices https://thesaxon.org/call-for- Call for review of Blaine Higgs leadership in NB By Teilor Stonein News Spread the love Call for review of Blaine Higgs leadership in NB. A regional vice-president wants Blaine Higgs to be put to a vote of confidence. Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick, at the press scrum at the Legislative Assembly, in Fredericton, in October 2022. In a letter addressed to the members of the executive committee of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick and of which Radio-Canada obtained a copy, a regional vice-president, Maurice Arsenault, launches an appeal to his peers to initiate a process to review the leadership of Prime Minister Blaine Higgs. This call comes a few days after the ex-Minister of Education Dominic Cardy set fire to the powder by resigning from his post and publishing an inflammatory letter in which he denounces the actions of Blaine Higgs. Dominic Cardy has since been kicked out of the Conservative caucus. “For months I have heard [Progressive Conservative Party] supporters want change at the top. Blaine Higgs must be reminded that he was not elected Prime Minister, our party was elected to govern with him as leader. » — Maurice Arsenault, Regional Vice-President of Westmorland Albert In his letter, the Regional Vice-President of Westmorland Albert denounces the dictatorial approach of the leader. He also criticizes the arrival of Dominic Cardy and Kris Austin, without any consultation with the party. He writes that the appointment of Kris Austin as Minister is once again a snub to Francophones and criticizes the Prime Minister's management of health. [Blaine Higgs] is not philosophically aligned to guide a reconstruction of post-COVID society with all its challenges, he believes. Mauritius Arsenault calls on members to send letters to party chairman Claude Williams by October 28 asking for a leadership review. Maurice Arsenault himself sent a letter to officially make this request. Before a review process is launched, other Progressive Conservatives will have to add their voice to that of Maurice Arsenault. According to the constitution of the PCNB, a leadership review may have take place at any time, even when the party forms the government. To do so, at least fifty party members – including at least 20 constituency presidents – must apply to have the party leadership review placed on the agenda for the next provincial council meeting. Party chairman Claude Williams says the next council meeting should take place before the end of December. If two-thirds of council members vote in favor of a revision, a meeting will be convened within three months to hold a secret vote. In this secret ballot, party members – that is, all citizens registered as members of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick – will be asked to answer the following question: Do you support [Blaine Higgs ] as Party leader? . If more than 50% of members say no, a leadership convention will be held within six months to choose a new leader. In an interview with Radio-Canada on Monday afternoon, Maurice Arsenault said he was confident that he would manage to obtain the necessary mobilization to trigger the process. I am very confident that I will get the twenties [necessary supports]. Already, I received a dozen comments in my favor and I think the rest will come, not only from the French-speaking regions, from the English-speaking regions too, he says. With information from Nicolas Steinbach Teilor Stone has been a reporter on the news desk since 2013. Before that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before joining Thesaxon , Teilor Stone worked as a staff writer at the Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my teilor@nizhtimes.com 1-800-268-7116 KEY EDITORIAL CONTACTS Editor: Ian Soomersby Deputy Editor: Mzxim Ornel Acting Managing Editor: Barbara Street Acting Head of Digital: Daisy Disel Acting Digital Editor:Kann Miracle Assistant Editor (News): Barny Johnson Assistant Editor : Nikita Tanner Arts Editor: Elizabet Garrison Social Media Editor: Maria Watson ADDRESS TheSaxon 7a North St, Wilton, Salisbury SP2 0HQ United Kingdom https://www.pcnb.ca/nbexec Blaine W. Higgs info@pcnb.ca President Claude Williams claude.williams@pcnb.ca Vice President Shawn Morrison shawn_morrison_1974@icloud.com Past President Chris McLaughlin vtpca@xplornet.ca Official Representative Duncan MacDonald duncan@dlmca.ca Secretary Andrew Dykeman andrewjdykeman@gmail.com Official Agent Robert Hatheway bobhatheway@gmail.com President, PC Women Association Sherry MacEachern slmaceachern@gmail.com President, PC Youth Will Seely rwillseely@gmail.com Capital Region VP Shawn Douthwright ssducks@xplornet.ca Capital-Upper River Valley VP James Grant jd.grant@rogers.com North-Northwest VP Alex LeBrun awlebrun@hotmail.com Péninsule-Chaleur VP Lester Young lwyou1@rogers.com Westmorland VP Stephan Richard stephan.richard1@gmail.com Westmorland Albert VP Maurice Arsenault Miramichi VP Eric Walls (Interim) ericwalls2015@gmail.com Saint John-Charlotte VP Brian Cooke (Interim) Brian.Cooke@unb.ca Saint John Kings VP Francine Quinn-Steeves francineqs@gmail.com Executive Director Andrea Johnson andrea.johnson@pcnb.ca Phone: (506) 453-3456 | |
YO Higgy As I read Louis Leger email published by Mr Jones I wonder how many of your cohorts read the emails and the note about the Butter Tarts etc you sent me before I ran against Tammy.Scott-Wallace's uddy Bruce Northrup
Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca> | Tue, Aug 3, 2021 at 5:35 PM | ||||||||||||
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Cash-strapped PCs 'working hard' on building campaign war chest
The Opposition party applied for government assistance to hire staff last year
Money was so tight at New Brunswick Progressive Conservative headquarters last year the party successfully applied for $4,700 in government wage assistance to help hire staff and had so many overdue bills it spent almost as much on late charges as it did on heat and lights.
Bob Hatheway acknowledges 2017 was a financial challenge for the PCs, but the party's long-time official agent and Fredericton businessman is confident it will be able to raise the substantial sums it needs this year to fight an effective province-wide election campaign — even with tough new donation rules.
"The party fundraising team has been working hard on that," said Hatheway.
"I have every expectation that as the election writ drops we'll be fully funded for our budget we need for fighting the election."
Huge Liberal advantage
Raising money is traditionally difficult for opposition parties in New Brunswick, but the financial gap at the end of 2017 between governing Liberals, who had $1.8 million in the bank, and Opposition Tories, who had $13,000 and change in their accounts, looks especially daunting heading into this year's election season.
Progressive Conservatives raised $1.5 million to help fight the last election in 2014, but 54 per cent of that came from corporate donations which are now banned in the province. Maximum donations from individuals have also been lowered from $6,000 to $3,000.
The Progressive Conservatives' head office in Fredericton. (Jacques Poitras/CBC News)
That will limit how much money can be raised this year and could lead to a no-frills campaign for the party as it tries to live on what it can coax from individuals or qualify for in reimbursements from Elections New Brunswick to finance everything it does.
"I don't know that we'll be able to reach that past level. I do know we are being very conscientious of what our budget is," said Hatheway.
"The amount of money that any of the other parties have is not really too relevant to us because we have a budget that's in place for our own purposes and we're going to be able to raise the money that's needed for that."
Hatheway wouldn't say what that budget is, but the party has spent more than $3 million in each of the last two election years, most of that on the campaign.
In each of those campaigns, the party ended up borrowing money to supplement fundraising but, at the end of 2017, still owed $256,405 from past loans and is trying to avoid more debt this time.
"Our intention is to spend money we do have," said Hatheway
"The fundraising has been going very well. I'm quite excited about how it's going."
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