New Brunswick Elections and a New Chapter for the Province

By: Thomas Lepper

On October 21st, 2024 the Progressive Conservative Party (PC) lost their New Brunswick election to the Liberal Party.

New Brunswick’s new Premier is now Susan Holt, a member of the Liberal Party. She not only broke the PC’s grasp on New Brunswick, but is the first female Premier of New Brunswick. The Liberals won by having more votes than the other parties, granting the Liberals the majority of seats. The Liberals won 31 seats, the PCs won 16 (so few seats that former premier Blaine Higgs lost his own seat), and the Green Party won 2 seats. 

When students were asked what they felt about the results of New Brunswick elections, the most common response received was an “I don’t care,” or an “ I’m sorry, I do not know much about the New Brunswick elections.” The most in-depth answer I received was “She was only just elected so it is hard to say there will be much, if any, good change.” These are fair and honest answers, yet other students mentioned they either did not know anything about the election beyond it was happening, or others did not know it was happening at all. 

Young people not paying attention to any elections shows a bigger issue at play here. The fact that not many young people pay attention to or even care about municipal, provincial, or even federal elections is a travesty. This is curious when the majority of people who protest are young adults. This begs the question: do young folks believe electoral politics are an effective means for change? Or have they become disillusioned by the process, instead preferring direct action?

Examples of this can be found within the last two years alone under former Premier of NB Blaine Higgs. During Higgs six-year term as premier, he and the Progressive Conservatives damaged both 2SLGBTQIA+ and women’s rights.

For example, Blaine Higgs’s 713 Policy that was proposed for the purpose to create inclusive spaces at schools for young children who are 2SLGBTQIA+. When Blaine Higgs got his hands on it, the policy was revised to make schools call students’ parents/guardians to ask for the parents consent if a child wants to change their name.

The damage continued as the last abortion clinic in Fredericton — Clinic 554 — closed under his watch. Officially, it was due to a lack of funding from the government and the higher rent cost. However, both are the responsibility of the Provincial government. 

Both of these events only happened last year and are serious topics that young people care about. As such, a protest against Policy 713 was carried out in September of 2023 and Clinic 554 closed in early 2024 and both were protested by primarily young people.

The simple fact of the matter is young people do not believe there will be any change, at least through the electoral system. This is especially true amongst students, a group of young folks who have studied the politicians and their acts. 

We know they say whatever they can to get voted into office. In a democratic nation there is no politician or party that captures the interest of the people and even if they say the right things, it is hard to hold them accountable to the promises they made on the campaign trail. Yet, everyone should pay attention to the politics in their respective regions. The only way we as students and the youth can have our voices heard is if we vote. While our protests and posts won’t convince them we must punish them in the polls. Only then can we hope for change. 

Trans Protests in New Brunswick; Blaine Higgs Actions Show Bias – The Brunswickan

Clinic 554 closing: Higgs Attack on Bodily Autonomy – The Brunswickan

New Brunswick election 2024 live results | CBC News

Susan Holt leads Liberals to majority, Blaine Higgs loses seat | CBC News