DOCSLIB.ORG

Is It Possible Gallant Can Stay Premier?

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Is It Possible Gallant Can Stay Premier? 26 septembre 2018 – Times & Transcript Power play: Is it possible Gallant can stay premier? JOHN CHILIBECK, ROBERT WILLIAMS & ADAM HURAS LEGISLATURE BUREAU Liberal Premier Brian Gallant, his wife Karine Gallant by his side, says the lieutenant governor told him Tuesday morning he can lead the next government, despite losing Monday night’s provincial election.PHOTO: JOHN CHILIBECK/LEGISLATURE BUREAU FREDERICTON • Premier Brian Gallant will try to stay in power following Monday’s election night nail-biter that saw the opposition Tories win the most seats. Emerging after a private meeting with Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau at Government House in Fredericton Tuesday morning, the Liberal leader told reporters she had given him permission to keep running the province until he loses a major vote in the legislature. But Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs said the premier was just “putting a spin on things,” arguing the Queen’s representative in New Brunswick had not given him a fresh mandate. “The lieutenant-governor has confirmed, and constitutional experts who have spoken to New Brunswickers through media have confirmed, we’re the government and I’m still the premier until we lose the confidence of the 26 septembre 2018 – Times & Transcript legislature,” Gallant said at a press conference outside the stone mansion laden with ivy. “If we do lose that confidence, there will be no hesitation and I will step aside so that there will be another party or parties that govern.” The tight election saw no single party reaching the 25 seats needed to hold majority power of the legislature. The opposition Tories won 22 ridings, the governing Liberals 21, while the People’s Alliance and the Greens each won three, guaranteeing a minority or coalition government. Tim Richardson, the lieutenant-governor’s spokesman, said she would not comment publicly, as is tradition. “I regret that I cannot disclose the details of the meeting today with Mr. Gallant,” he wrote in an email. “I can say that Her Honour asked if Mr. Gallant believes he has the confidence of the House. More discussions need to take place, and we await his decision.” Higgs said Tuesday the lieutenant-governor was waiting until a recount on Oct. 5 of two closely contested ridings before making a decision on who should get the first crack of forming government. Higgs told media outside his campaign headquarters in Quispamsis that after watching Gallant’s press conference, he called the lieutenant-governor’s office directly, and she told him she had not given the Liberal leader a mandate. A meeting has been set between Higgs and the lieutenant-governor for when those results are released, the Tory leader said. “Just be square with people, just tell people the real facts and don’t keep trying to put spins on things,” he said of the Liberal leader. One of the newly-elected MLAs would have to be House Speaker, who normally doesn’t vote unless to break a tie. The Tories said Tuesday the Liberals had already called PC victor Greg Thompson to suggest he let his name stand for speaker. 26 septembre 2018 – Times & Transcript The former federal cabinet minister beat Liberal candidate John Ames Monday in the riding of Charlotte-Campobello. “Greg Thompson was called by Jack Keir this morning, asking him to be Speaker,” said John Williamson, chairman of the Thompson campaign. Keir is the head of issues management for the premier’s office. “MLA-elect Thompson’s answer was an emphatic no.” Questioned by reporters about the call, Gallant said he “couldn’t confirm that,” but that “there are lots of moving pieces here.” Liberal party officials did not answer a request for comment. Higgs said he was aware the Liberals were making calls to his winning candidates. “I’m not concerned about any of them actually. We’ve got a team that we’re going to stick with. Brian Gallant is trying desperately to stay as premier.” The Liberals won the popular vote Monday, but the votes weren’t concentrated in the right places to win the most seats. They took close to 38 per cent of the votes, while the Tories won nearly 32 per cent. The People’s Alliance were next with 13 per cent and the Greens with 12 per cent. The NDP had five per cent of the vote and won no seats. Kris Austin, leader of the People’s Alliance, could be kingmaker, but he wasn’t speaking to reporters Tuesday. “Kris is taking today to recharge after a long hard fought campaign,” said party spokesman Wes Gullison. Green Party Leader David Coon is in a similar position but said he wouldn’t make any decisions until he meets with his caucus Wednesday and recounts in two ridings take place, including Memramcook-Tantramar, which the Greens won over the Liberals by 11 votes. Saint John Harbour was won by the Liberals over the Tories by only 10 votes. 26 septembre 2018 – Times & Transcript “It’s way early to talk about agreements with anyone,” Coon said outside the legislature.“This minority government situation is novel for us in New Brunswick. It hasn’t happened since the 1920s here. So every one of the parties is feeling its way along.” Coon said the message voters sent was they want change. Donald Savoie, the Canada Research Chair in Public Administration and Governance at Université de Moncton, said the lieutenant-governor would warn Gallant that if he lost the confidence of the legislature in a vote, it was Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs’ turn to lead the province, and New Brunswickers wouldn’t immediately return to the polls. “Last night, both leaders were right,” said Savoie, the day after the election. “And this morning New Brunswickers are getting a lesson in civics.” Although Gallant will get a first shot, Savoie said the Liberal leader’s chances of holding together a legislature seemed slim. The premier has refused to align with the People’s Alliance. “If I was going to look into the crystal ball, I would say it’s going to be difficult for the premier, given what he’s already said,” Savoie said. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Legislative Assembly
    JOURNALS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK From the 24th day of October to the 17th day of November, 2017 From the 5th day of December to the 21st day of December, 2017 From the 30th day of January to the 9th day of February, 2018 From the 13th day of March to the 16th day of March, 2018 Being the Fourth Session of the Fifty-Eighth Legislative Assembly Fredericton, N.B. 2017-2018 MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Fourth Session of the Fifty-Eighth Legislative Assembly Speaker: the Honourable Christopher Collins Constituency Member Residence Albert Brian Keirstead Lower Coverdale Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint Isidore Hon. Denis Landry Trudel Bathurst West-Beresford Hon. Brian Kenny Beresford Campbellton-Dalhousie* Vacant Caraquet Hédard Albert Saint-Simon Carleton Stewart Fairgrieve Hartland Carleton-Victoria Hon. Andrew Harvey Florenceville-Bristol Carleton-York Carl Urquhart Upper Kingsclear Dieppe Hon. Roger Melanson Dieppe Edmundston-Madawaska Centre** 0DGHODLQH'XEp (GPXQGVWRQ Fredericton-Grand Lake Pam Lynch Fredericton Fredericton North Hon. Stephen Horsman Fredericton Fredericton South David Coon Fredericton Fredericton West-Hanwell Brian Macdonald Fredericton Fredericton-York Kirk MacDonald Stanley Fundy-The Isles-Saint John West Hon. Rick Doucet St. George Gagetown-Petitcodiac Ross Wetmore Gagetown Hampton Gary Crossman Hampton Kent North Bertrand LeBlanc Rogersville Kent South Hon. Benoît Bourque Bouctouche Kings Centre William (Bill) Oliver Keirsteadville Madawaska Les Lacs-Edmundston Hon. Francine Landry Edmundston Memramcook-Tantramar Bernard LeBlanc Memramcook Miramichi Hon. Bill Fraser Miramichi Miramichi Bay-Neguac Hon. Lisa Harris Miramichi Moncton Centre Hon. Christopher Collins Moncton Moncton East Monique A. LeBlanc Moncton Moncton Northwest Ernie Steeves Upper Coverdale Moncton South Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Year in Review 2018-2019
    YEAR IN REVIEW 2018-2019 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT MY FINAL YEAR AS PRESIDENT OF THE NEW BRUNSWICK PHARMACISTS’ ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN BUSY AND PRODUCTIVE. The NBPA Board of Directors has moved forward with four than just talk. We can no longer rely on the ‘old way’ of caring for strategic directions: engage and enlarge our membership; facilitate patients. Patients need to demand solutions not just for their own transformation of the profession; demonstrate the value of health but for the benefit of the health care system. pharmacy services; and, adapt NBPA governance. I’m pleased to have members volunteering time and energy working toward these This year concludes my term as NBPA President. I consider myself goals with NBPA committees. fortunate to have been given the chance to serve in this capacity. I have had many opportunities to represent New Brunswick We welcomed 500 pharmacists and pharmacy professionals from pharmacists, but this role has also given me the chance to learn across Canada to Fredericton in June 2018 as the NBPA co-hosted from new experiences, and I’m grateful for that. the Canadian Pharmacists Conference. During that event, we released details about a New Brunswick study that clearly showed Our current Board members are passionate advocates for the patients benefit when pharmacists manage uncomplicated urinary pharmacy profession. I tip my hat to our Executive Director Paul tract infections (UTIs). The peer-reviewed study showed that Blanchard, who keeps me and the Board well informed of current pharmacists provided timely access to care (a full day sooner) and and future pharmacy issues both locally and nationally.
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Assembly
    JOURNALS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK From the 6th day of February to the 6th day of July, 2007 Being the First Session of the Fifty-Sixth Legislative Assembly Fredericton, N.B. 2007 The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences — Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1984. MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY First Session of the Fifty-Sixth Legislative Assembly Speaker: the Honourable Eugene McGinley, Q.C. Constituency Member Residence Albert Wayne Steeves Lower Coverdale Bathurst Brian Kenny Bathurst Campbellton-Restigouche Centre Roy Boudreau Campbellton Caraquet Hon. Hédard Albert Caraquet Carleton Dale Graham Centreville Centre-Péninsule–Saint-Sauveur Hon. Denis Landry Trudel Charlotte-Campobello Antoon (Tony) Huntjens St. Stephen Charlotte-The Isles Hon. Rick Doucet St. George Dalhousie-Restigouche East Hon. Donald Arseneault Black Point Dieppe Centre-Lewisville Cy (Richard) Leblanc Dieppe Edmundston–Saint-Basile Madeleine Dubé Edmundston Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak Hon. Kelly Lamrock Fredericton Fredericton-Lincoln Hon. Greg Byrne, Q.C. Fredericton Fredericton-Nashwaaksis Hon. Thomas J. (T.J.) Burke, Q.C. Fredericton Fredericton-Silverwood Richard (Rick) Miles Fredericton Fundy-River Valley Hon. Jack Keir Grand Bay-Westfield Grand Falls–Drummond–Saint-André Hon. Ronald Ouellette Grand Falls Grand Lake-Gagetown Hon. Eugene McGinley, Q.C. Chipman Hampton-Kings Bev Harrison Hampton Kent Hon. Shawn Graham Mundleville Kent South Claude Williams Saint-Antoine Kings East Bruce Northrup Sussex Lamèque-Shippagan-Miscou Paul Robichaud Pointe-Brûlé Madawaska-les-Lacs Jeannot Volpé Saint-Jacques Memramcook-Lakeville-Dieppe Bernard LeBlanc Memramcook Miramichi Bay-Neguac Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Reimaging a Better, Stronger New Brunswick: How Might We Help?
    A letter to the Premier, the Honourable Blaine Higgs: Reimaging a Better, Stronger New Brunswick: How might we help? Office of the Premier Chancery Place 6th Floor P. O. Box 6000 Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1 Canada Re: Reimaging a Better, Stronger New Brunswick – How might we help? Dear Premier Higgs, Let us begin by first offering our sincere thanks for your strong leadership throughout the current Covid-19 crisis that we are collectively faced with as Canadians. We are grateful and inspired by the commitment and collaboration shown across governments and throughout our communities. Everyone is doing their part and going above and beyond to ensure that New Brunswick comes through this in a way that strengthens us as people and a province. There have been many articles, theories and roadmaps for recovery from Covid-19 and, at times, it is overwhelming. There is no playbook to draw from and the task ahead daunting. Over the past four weeks, a number of leaders representing businesses, not-for-profit and the immigration sector have been meeting weekly to share information, support each other and think about: How can we collaborate to best contribute in a meaningful way that is helpful to government? Through our learning and discovery as a group, we looked at the way forward as having three phases: 1. Response – The government and communities’ response has been nothing short of amazing! We are so encouraged and grateful for the leadership and rapid response that has led New Brunswick’s risk level to be minimal. This has set us up to deal with the crisis effectively and to minimize the impact on New Brunswickers.
    [Show full text]
  • At the ICD's Fourth Premiers Series Event, New Brunswick Premier
    ICD EVENTS TIMOTHY PORTER PHOTOS: STEPHEN MacGILLIVRAY Reworking government At the ICD’s fourth Premiers Series event, New Brunswick Premier BLAINE HIGGS sat down with CEO RAHUL BHARDWAJ and members of the Maritime chapter to discuss the value of well-trained directors, the push to diversify the province’s economy and the importance of removing politics from government decision-making MAY/JUNE 2019 19 ICD EVENTS New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs from issuing motor vehicle licences to people of the province. His stated mission appealed to members of the ICD to use organizing the annual draw for moose- boils down to changing the way New their “unique perspectives” and insights hunting licences. Brunswickers relate to and interact with to help his Progressive Conservative-led “It is through well-trained directors their government. Or as he puts it, “We minority government make the province who understand the importance of good need to change the way New Brunswickers stronger. governance and the role of directors that think about their government. Speaking to the Institute of our agencies will be stronger – and strong “Instead of always turning Corporate Directors’ Maritime chapter Crown agencies are critical to a strong to government to fix things, New in Fredericton on May 8, he noted that New Brunswick,” he said. Brunswickers need to stand up for this many in the room were board members Higgs said organizations such as province and ask: ‘How can I contribute? or senior staff of Crown agencies and the ICD can offer wise counsel to his How can I be part of the solution?’ ” Crown corporations.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Candidates
    Your VOTE Counts 2014 New Brunswick General Election List of Candidates www.electionsnb.ca Campbellton 2 Notice of Grant of Poll 3 Bathurst 6 (Elections Act, R.S.(N.B.) 1973, c.E-3, ss.57(2), and 129(5)(b)) 1 7 49 4 8 48 5 Tracadie-Sheila Edmundston Advance Polls Ordinary Polls 47 9 Miramichi Saturday, September 13 Monday, September 22 Grand Falls Grand-Sault 10 Moncton-Dieppe Riverview Monday, September 15 46 18 21 12 11 Polls will be open from 10 am until 8 pm. 19 14 20 22 13 17 45 42 Please remember to bring your Voter Information 23 24 Woodstock 15 Card with you, so that we can serve you faster. 38 14 25 16 Fredericton 44 43 24 42 41 37 26 Saint John 39 40 38 43 28 27 34 36 34 39 37 29 35 30 31 Special Ballots 27 32 35 33 Special ballots, which are available at all returning offices, provide electors with additional voting options throughout the election period. Special voting officers can, by appointment, bring a ballot to those electors in hospitals, treatment centers, or at home and unable to access the various voting opportunities because of illness or incapacity. Using a special ballot, a qualified elector may vote at any returning office in the province for a candidate in the electoral district where the elector is qualified to vote. This option is available throughout the entire election period, except Sundays. The offices are open 6 days a week (Mon–Fri 9 am–7 pm, Sat 10 am–5 pm).
    [Show full text]
  • Anglophone South S C H O O L D I S T R I C T District Education Council
    Anglophone South S C H O O L D I S T R I C T District Education Council 490 Woodward Avenue Saint John, New Brunswick March 16, 2021 E2K 5N3 Minister Dominic Cardy Department of Education & Early Childhood Place 2000, 250 King Street Fredericton, NB E3B 9M9 Dear Minister Cardy: During the ASD-S District Education Council meeting of March 10, 2021, a motion was made and passed by Council to advocate in the strongest terms possible for the return of high school students to daily in person classes. We are writing to request immediate attention towards two acute concerns we have for high school students in ASD-S: 1) the state of their education and 2) their mental wellbeing. We know that you share these concerns and appreciate the public support shown by both you and the media this past week. We respect the incredibly difficult mandate involved in handling the pandemic, as well as the need to balance the many facets of public health that have been impacted; however, we are disappointed that the prioritization of youth in the vaccination plan has recently been rescinded. We would like to strongly reinforce the current public attention to our high school students - particularly those in grade 12 - that have been acutely impacted at a seminal point in their lives. As advocates for our education system, and first and foremost our children, we ask that you continue to advocate for all Public Health measures possible to return high school students back to class every day. The ASD-S District Education Council has solicited feedback from students, parents, teachers and staff, and the near- unanimous feedback has been that the single most important thing we can do to help these students' education and mental wellbeing is to get them back to school five days per week.
    [Show full text]
  • Seating Arrangement Plan De La Chambre
    Pages Sergeant-at-Arms Hon. Dale Graham L’hon. Dale Graham Pages Daniel Bussières Speaker président sergent d’armes Carleton Carleton Seating Arrangement Plan de la Chambre Claude Williams Brian Macdonald Sherry Wilson Bruce Fitch Donald Arseneault Rick Doucet Shawn Graham Kent South Dalhousie-Restigouche Fredericton- Petitcodiac Riverview Charlotte-The Isles Kent Silverwood Kent-Sud East /Dalhousie― Charlotte-les-Îles Restigouche-Est Serge Robichaud Ross Wetmore Craig Leonard Chris Collins Bertrand LeBlanc Miramichi Bay- Blaine Higgs Grand Lake- Fredericton- Hédard Albert Moncton East Rogersville- Neguac / Baie-de- Quispamsis Gagetown Lincoln Caraquet Moncton-Est Kouchibouguac Miramichi―Neguac Denis Landry Glen Tait Dorothy Shephard Victor Boudreau Wes McLean David Alward Brian Kenny Centre- Saint John East Saint John Shediac― Victoria-Tobique Woodstock Bathurst Péninsule― Saint John-Est Lancaster Cap-Pelé Saint-Sauveur Bill Fraser Roger Melanson Glen Savoie Carl Killen Marie-Claude Blais Paul Robichaud Miramichi-Bay du Dieppe Centre- Saint John- Saint John Moncton North Lamèque- Vin / Miramichi― Lewisville / Dieppe- Moncton-Nord Fundy Harbour Shippagan-Miscou Donald J. Forestell Baie-du-Vin Centre―Lewisville PC Clerk greffier Bernard LeBlanc Yvon Bonenfant Martine Coulombe Madeleine Dubé Roland Haché Hugh Flemming Memramcook- Madawaska-les- Restigouche-la- Edmundston― Nigadoo-Chaleur Rothesay Shayne Davies Lakeville-Dieppe Lacs Vallée Saint-Basile Clerk Assistant L greffier adjoint Danny Soucy Grand Falls― Ryan Ballak Jake Stewart Kirk
    [Show full text]
  • CANADA - April 2017
    CANADA - April 2017 SASKATCHEWAN - COUNCIL REMOVES AIRPORT TAX EXEMPTION ........................................................................ 2 SASKATCHEWAN - SASKATOON PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING UP: HERE'S HOW AND WHY .................................. 2 ONTARIO - OTTAWA DISHED OUT $17 MILLION WORTH OF MUNICIPAL TAX BREAKS FOR VACANT COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES ........................................................................................................................................................... 3 ONTARIO BECOMES SECOND PROVINCE IN CANADA TO IMPOSE EXTRA TAX ON FOREIGN BUYERS ...................... 4 SERVICE NEW BRUNSWICK RELEASES UPDATE ON PROPERTY TAX REVIEWS, CORRECTIONS MADE ...................... 5 BRITISH COLUMBIA - COUNCILLORS HOLD THE LINE ON 2017 TAX RATES .............................................................. 6 ALBERTA - EDMONTON COUNCIL SETS FINAL PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR 2017 ....................................................... 6 ALBERTA - FORT MCMURRAY RESIDENTS WORRY ABOUT PROPERTY TAX HIKES AS PROVINCE LOOKS TO BALANCE OUT TAX RATES ...................................................................................................................................... 7 ONTARIO - FIVE THINGS: COMPARING ONTARIO'S AND B.C.'S 15 PER CENT NON-RESIDENT REAL ESTATE TAX ..... 8 BRITISH COLUMBIA - VICTORIA COUNCIL ASKS B.C. FOR FOREIGN SPECULATORS TAX .......................................... 9 ONTARIO HOPES TAX ON NON-CANADIANS BUYING TORONTO HOMES WILL TEMPER PRICES ........................... 10 ONTARIO
    [Show full text]
  • Electoral Districts of New Brunswick Circonscriptions Électorales Du Nouveau-Brunswick
    ELECTORAL DISTRICTS OF NEW BRUNSWICK CIRCONSCRIPTIONS ÉLECTORALES DU NOUVEAU-BRUNSWICK 3-Restigouche-Chaleur Daniel Guitard (L) 2 -Campbellton-Dalhousie 4-Bathurst West-Beresford 5-Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore Guy Arseneault (L) Bathurst-Ouest-Beresford Bathurst-Est-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore Campbellton Brian Kenny (L) Denis Landry (L) 6-Caraquet Isabelle Thériault (L) 1 -Restigouche West Bathurst 49-Madawaska Les Lacs-Edmundston Restigouche-Ouest Gilles Lepage (L) 7-Shippagan-Lamèque-Miscou Madawaska-Les-Lacs-Edmundston Robert Gauvin (PC) Francine Landry (L) Edmunston ³² 8-Tracadie-Sheila Keith Chiasson (L) 47-Victoria-La Vallée 9-Miramichi Bay-Neguac Victoria-La-Vallée Baie-de-Miramichi-Neguac 48-Edmundston- Chuck Chiasson (L) 10 -Miramichi Lisa Harris (L) Michelle Conroy Madawaska Centre (PANB/AGNB) Edmundston- Miramichi Madawaska-Centre Jean-Claude (JC) D'Amours (L) Fredericton 11 -Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin ³² 46-Carleton-Victoria 12-Kent North Andrew Harvey (L) Miramichi-Sud-Ouest-Baie-du-Vin Jake Stewart (PC) Kent-Nord Kevin Arseneau (PVNBGP) 14-Shediac Bay-Dieppe Baie-de-Shediac-Dieppe Vacant 41 13-Kent South 15-Shediac-Beaubassin- Kent-Sud Cap-Pelé Fredericton 45 -Carleton Benoît Bourque (L) Jacques LeBlanc (L) Stewart Fairgrieve (PC) 40 42 -Fredericton-York 18 Hanwell Rick DeSaulniers 21 19 (PANB/AGNB) 43 Moncton 22 Dieppe New Maryland 38-Fredericton- 25-Gagetown-Petitcodiac 17 Ross Wetmore (PC) Fredericton Grand Lake 20 23 ³² 41 ³² Oromocto Kris Austin ³² ³² 40 (PANB/AGNB) 40-Fredericton South 43 Fredricton-Sud ³² David Coon ( PVNBGP ) 24-Albert 44 -Carleton-York Mike Holland (PC) 41-Fredericton North Carl Urquhart (PC) Fredericton-Nord Stephen Horsman ( L ) 37-Oromocto- 16-Memramcook-Tantramar 43-Fredericton West-Hanwell Lincoln- 26-Sussex-Fundy- Megan Mitton (PVNBGP) St.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the House of Commons
    43rd PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION House of Commons Debates Official Report (Hansard) Volume 150 No. 002 Thursday, September 24, 2020 Speaker: The Honourable Anthony Rota CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 25 HOUSE OF COMMONS Thursday, September 24, 2020 The House met at 10 a.m. Throughout his career, first as a lawyer and later as a politician, he was always the epitome of elegance and humility. John treated every person with dignity and respect. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot anyone's birthday. Prayer As a member of Parliament, John had the privilege of serving three different provinces. Thanks to his mastery of the law and the ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS democratic process, he was able to overhaul the Criminal Code. His work for the Department of Justice paved the way for legal aid in ● (1005) Canada, ensuring that every person could defend their rights, re‐ [English] gardless of their economic or cultural background. These changes transformed the lives of millions of Canadians. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO PETITIONS Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Presi‐ It was obvious to anyone who spoke with John how much he dent of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Lead‐ loved Canada. John always talked about his country with immense er of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Mr. hope and optimism. For him, Canada was a place where people Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour to helped and respected one another, a place where equality was a way table, in both official languages, the government's response to 67 of life.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Acadians' Electoral Weight in N.B.?
    5 octobre 2018 – Telegraph Journal What is Acadians’ electoral weight in N.B.? GABRIEL ARSENEAULT & ROGER OUELLETTE COMMENTARY Acadian Day festivities take place along Water Street in Miramichi. Scholars Gabriel Arseneault and Roger Ouellette write: ‘Since Acadians do not have enough clout in enough ridings to be indispensable to political parties, they must avoid being taken for granted or ignored by political parties.’ PHOTO: JEREMY TREVORS/MIRAMICHI LEADER Francophones now represent about one-third of New Brunswick’s population. How does this demographic weight translate into electoral clout? In which ridings do Acadians have the most influence? And for whom do Acadians vote? This demographic importance is fairly accurately reflected in the electoral boundaries, as shown by the most recent data from the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission of New Brunswick. Of the 49 ridings represented in the Legislative Assembly, 16, or 32.7 per cent of the total, have a majority of registered voters whose only mother tongue is French. Francophones also account for more than 20 per cent of the electorate in seven other ridings. In other words, the Acadian vote appears unavoidable in just under half of the ridings, or 23 out of 49. On the other hand, a clear majority of the ridings, 26 out of 49, contain less than 15 per cent francophones. In principle, it would therefore be possible for a party 5 octobre 2018 – Telegraph Journal to obtain a majority of seats without being overly concerned about the French- speaking vote. Over the past 100 years, Acadians have mainly supported the Liberal party.
    [Show full text]