26 septembre 2018 – Times & Transcript

Power play: Is it possible Gallant can stay ?

JOHN CHILIBECK, ROBERT WILLIAMS & ADAM HURAS LEGISLATURE BUREAU

Liberal Premier , 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 said the premier was just “putting a spin on things,” arguing the Queen’s representative in 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 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 to suggest he let his name stand for speaker. 26 septembre 2018 – Times & Transcript

The former federal cabinet minister beat Liberal candidate 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 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 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 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.