Liberals and PCs continue battle over who will govern N.B.

Premier Brian Gallant sayshe's going to carry on governing New Brunswick, but Progressive ConservativeLeader Blaine Higgsinsists he's the premier-elect andthe Liberal leader is just "prolonging the inevitable."

The two men clashed Tuesday over how to interpret the results ofaprovincial election thatsuggested thePCs had eked out a minority government22 seats to the Liberals' 21 in a legislature requiring 25 for a majority.

Two third parties the People's Alliance and the Green Partyeach won three seats.

After meeting with Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau on Tuesday morning, Gallant said he has permission to continue governing the provincewhile he and his Liberals try to win theconfidence of the legislature with fewer seats than his main opponent.

"I am still the premier, and we are still the government," Gallanttold reporters after the meeting. "But we have heard the message loud and clear from NewBrunswickerslast night. There's some uncertainty at the moment, and I recognize that."

Results were clear

After listening to the premier's words,Higgssaid he was told bythe lieutenant-governor's office that Gallant hadn't, in fact, received permission to continue governing.

"It's unfortunate we have this time delay, and it's been brought to you by Brian Gallant," he said. "That's the road he's chosen to follow."

Higgs said he's ready to form a government but plans to wait until recounts are completed Oct. 5 in a few close ridings.

Asked for clarification of the lieutenant-governor's position, Tim Richardson, principal secretary to RoyVienneau, said sheasked Gallant at their meeting whether he has the confidence of the house.

"More discussions need to take place, and we await his decision," Richardson said, adding that would be the only comment.

Blaine Higgs' scrum on election results

6 years ago

Duration 14:19

PC Leader Blaine Higgs speaks about his party's seats and their plan moving forward.

Higgs said Gallant was desperately trying to save his job and expects the Liberals will be making more promises to try to keep themselves in power.

He said he has already spoken with Green Party Leader David Coon and hopes to speak with others to see where they can work together.

"Let's get on with it," he said. "Let's start fixing a few things."

Higgssaid he thought the Progressive Conservatives could find some common ground with both the Green Party and the People's Alliance but would not abandonkey principles, including their support for bilingualism.

David Coon on election results

6 years ago

Duration 4:27

Green Party Leader David Coon speaks to Power and Politics about the possibility of a minority government.

When asked if he's ready to make a deal with the Liberals or the PCs, Coon said not quite yet.

"The Liberals and Tories are in an awful rush to try and get control," he said.

"What I've said is, 'Relax, take some time, we've got lots of time to reflect on the opportunities New Brunswickers have presented us with as politicians,'" he said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson with thePeople's Alliance has said the party is taking Tuesday to recover from the election.

Gallant to call the legislature

AssumingGallant carries on parliamentary convention is on his side he will have tocallthe legislature before the end of the year, choosea Speaker, presenta throne speech andthen holdthe standard two-week debate on whether the legislature supports that speech.

Gallant said he expects the New Brunswick legislature will sit before Christmas, and if the Liberals lose the confidence of the house, thegovernment will resign.

The Liberals find themselves in thisdifficult spot, despite taking alarger piece of the popular vote in the province's39thgeneral election.With allpolls reporting, theLiberals won 37.8 per cent of the votes compared with the PC share of 31.9per cent.

Brian Gallant's scrum outside Government House

6 years ago

Duration 19:15

Brian Gallant speaks to reporters before asking the Lieutenant Governor to allow him to continue governing New Brunswick.

Gallant said the Liberals would continue to stick to their "progressive" principles while trying to work with other parties to get things done in the legislature.

Voters made it clear none of the five party platforms was "exactly what they wanted," he said, but they sent a strong message they want things to change.

"They did not clearly define who they wanted to lead that change. That is clear. But we did get the plurality of votes."

Gallant seemed optimistic he could win the co-operation of the Green Party.

They disagree about some issues, but Liberals "share Green Party values" on others, including the environment, women and official bilingualism, Gallantsaid.

The first test

The choice of a Speaker will itself be fraught for Gallant, because if he chooses a Liberal, he'll be down a vote in the house.

At the end of the throne speech debate, there will be a vote the first test of whether Gallant can win the confidence of the legislature.

If he loses that vote, the lieutenant-governor could then ask Higgsto form a government rather than trigger a new election.

"If we lose the confidence of the legislature, there will be no hesitation for me to allow another party or parties to form government or for there to be a general election, which I don't think anybody wants." Gallant said.

• Liberals intend to form government despite Tory minority
• Liberals get first chance to govern divided legislature, expert says
• Higgs says he will seek to govern as party overcomes challenges

The PCsand the Liberals were in a dead heat, at 21 seats each, when the final votes were counted Monday night. The last poll in Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin secured re-election for Jake Stewart and the PCs'22nd seat.

Gallant has the right to try to governbecause his government the cabinet, or executive remains in office until it resigns or is dismissed by the lieutenant-governor.

The province's last minority government happened in 1920, when the United Farmersparty held the balance of power.

New Brunswick's political deadlock: what's next?

6 years ago

Duration 8:44

'We've squandered our potential by dividing our province,' says PC leader Blaine Higgs.

With files from Colin McPhail and Jacques Poitras