New Brunswick Election Date Announced

The next general election in New Brunswick is scheduled to be held on or before October 21, 2024, according to the Legislative Assembly Act of 2017, which states that an election should be held every four years on the third Monday in October. The election will be held to select 49 members of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick of the 61st New Brunswick legislature. The previous general election in the province was held on September 14, 2020, which resulted in a majority government for the Progressive Conservative Party led by Blaine Higgs.

The election will be held on or before 21 October 2024

The next New Brunswick general election will be held on or before 21 October 2024. This is according to the Legislative Assembly Act of 2017, which states that an election should be held every four years on the third Monday in October.

The upcoming election will be the first since the Progressive Conservative Party, led by Blaine Higgs, won a majority government in the 2020 New Brunswick general election. The 2020 election was originally scheduled for October 17, 2022, but Premier Higgs called a snap election after failed negotiations with other parties.

The 2024 election will be an important event for the province, as it will determine the next premier of New Brunswick and the makeup of the 61st New Brunswick legislature. It remains to be seen whether the Progressive Conservative Party will be able to maintain their majority or if another party will gain more seats.

In the lead-up to the election, it is expected that the various political parties will be campaigning and nominating candidates for the different ridings. It is also possible that there will be changes to party memberships and alliances, as well as debates and discussions around key issues facing the province.

The election date may be subject to change if an early election is called or if there are other unforeseen circumstances. However, as of now, New Brunswickers can anticipate heading to the polls on or before October 21, 2024, to choose their representatives and shape the future of their province.

The Legislative Assembly Act of 2017 states that an election should be held every four years

The Legislative Assembly Act, RSNB 2014, c 116, outlines the privileges, immunities, powers, and dissolution of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick. The Act was amended by SNB 2017, c 50 and enacted on December 20, 2017, with retroactive force to January 1, 2016. The Act states that the Lieutenant-Governor has the power to prorogue or dissolve the Legislative Assembly at their discretion.

The Legislative Assembly Act further specifies that a provincial general election shall be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following the most recent provincial general election. This provision ensures that elections are held regularly and enables the democratic process to function effectively.

The Act also provides flexibility by allowing the Premier to choose an alternative date if the third Monday in October conflicts with a day of cultural or religious significance or a federal election. In such cases, the election can be held on the Monday immediately before or after the original date or on the third Monday in September or November of the same year.

The Legislative Assembly Act of 2017 plays a crucial role in maintaining the democratic process and ensuring that the people of New Brunswick have a voice in choosing their representatives. By mandating elections every four years, the Act helps to uphold the principles of democratic governance and enable the people to hold their leaders accountable.

Blaine Higgs could call an early election

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has a history of calling early elections. In 2020, Higgs called a snap election, citing the need for 'stability' amid the COVID-19 pandemic and internal political turmoil. This was the first time a premier ignored New Brunswick's fixed-date election law, which schedules elections every four years on the third Monday of October. Despite facing legal challenges, the courts ruled that Higgs was within his legal rights.

In 2023, Higgs again considered calling an early election, citing political drama and instability within his government. However, he ultimately decided against it, stating that there would be no election that year. The next election is currently scheduled for October 21, 2024, but Higgs has not ruled out the possibility of an early election.

Higgs has faced criticism for his willingness to call early elections, with some arguing that it is undemocratic and unethical. Additionally, there have been concerns about the impact on voters and volunteers, as well as the cost of organizing early elections. However, Higgs has defended his actions, stating that he needs a new mandate to ensure stability and address the challenges facing the province.

The possibility of an early election in New Brunswick remains a topic of speculation and discussion among politicians and the public. While Higgs has not committed to an early election this time, his past actions suggest that it is a possibility that cannot be ruled out. The stability of his government and the political landscape in the coming months will likely influence his decision.

The election will choose the next premier

The upcoming New Brunswick general election will be held on or before October 21, 2024, according to the Legislative Assembly Act of 2017, which mandates that an election be held every four years on the third Monday in October. The election will determine the next premier of New Brunswick, with the incumbent Blaine Higgs facing opposition from Liberal leader Susan Holt and Green leader David Coon.

Higgs, the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, has been the Premier of New Brunswick since 2018. He first came to power after the 2018 provincial election resulted in a hung parliament, with no party winning a majority of seats. Despite Liberal Party leader and incumbent premier Brian Gallant's attempts to remain in office, Higgs was able to form a minority government with the support of the People's Alliance. In the 2020 general election, Higgs' Progressive Conservatives won a majority government, solidifying his position as Premier.

However, the upcoming election will be a crucial test for Higgs and his party. His government has faced criticism and controversies on several issues, including education, healthcare, and housing. The Progressive Conservatives have also experienced defections and resignations, with several MLAs choosing not to seek re-election. As a result, both the Liberal and Green parties have been positioning themselves as viable alternatives.

Susan Holt, the leader of the Liberal Party, has been working to distance herself from the federal Liberals and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has faced a decline in popularity. She has also been critical of the Progressive Conservative government's handling of various issues, particularly in the areas of healthcare and education.

David Coon, the leader of the Green Party, has also been vocal about his desire to collaborate with the Liberals to prevent Higgs from retaining power. The Green Party has focused on issues such as healthcare, affordable housing, and rural development. Coon has proposed changes to renting policies and has worked to address shortcomings in the public school system.

With the election still several months away, it remains to be seen whether the Progressive Conservatives can retain power or if there will be a change in leadership in New Brunswick. The election will be a crucial test of the province's political landscape and the premier candidates' ability to connect with the voters and address their concerns.

The Progressive Conservative Party won a majority government in the 2020 election

The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick, led by Premier Blaine Higgs, won a majority government in the 2020 provincial election. This was the first time a government in New Brunswick had won two consecutive terms since Bernard Lord led the Tories to re-election in 2003. The election, held on September 14, 2020, was called a year early by Premier Higgs, who cited the need for stability at a difficult time for the province. The Progressive Conservatives won 27 seats in the 49-seat house, with the Liberals taking 17, the Green Party three, and the People's Alliance two.

The election was highly unusual as it was the first in Canada since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, few candidates campaigned door-to-door, and those who did wore masks and maintained physical distancing. There were no handshakes, no kissing of babies, and no large rallies. Instead, campaign literature was mailed out, and party leaders took part in outdoor events that were livestreamed.

Higgs, a former Irving Oil executive, presented himself as a dependable leader in a crisis. He highlighted the fact that New Brunswick had experienced a smaller economic contraction than the rest of Canada due to the province's quick containment of the virus. He also pointed to forecasts suggesting the province was leading the country in terms of an economic recovery.

However, despite the Progressive Conservatives' overall success, they failed to make gains within the province's French-speaking regions, and the province remains divided along linguistic lines.

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