OPINION: 1/3 of New Liberal Government With Municipal Background
The dust has settled, and the New Brunswick election results are in.
As the new political landscape of New Brunswick takes shape, one key development has sparked a buzz in me; nearly a third of Premier-Designate Susan Holt's incoming Liberal government has a municipal background. This could begin a new era of collaboration and meaningful progress on long-standing issues for municipalities across the province.
Three of the newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have previously served as municipal councillors: Sam Johnston (Miramichi Bay-Neguac), Luc Robichaud (Hautes-Terres-Nepisiguit), and David Hickey (Saint John Harbour). These individuals are not strangers to the complex challenges facing cities and towns across New Brunswick. Their experience on the frontlines of municipal governance, where practical solutions to local issues must be found, will likely shape their approach in the provincial legislature.
Moreover, they join a group of five re-elected MLAs with similar backgrounds—Gilles LePage (Restigouche West), Guy Arseneault (Restigouche East), Jacques LeBlanc (Shediac-Cap-Acadie), Rob McKee (Moncton Centre) and Jean-Claude D’Amours (Edmundston-Vallee des-Rivières)—creating a formidable bloc of eight MLAs with direct municipal experience.
On top of that, Aaron Kennedy, former CAO of Quispamsis, famously defeated outgoing Premier Blaine Higgs, further strengthening this municipal voice in the Liberal caucus.
This influx of grassroots-experienced leaders is significant for New Brunswick's municipalities. Premier-Designate Holt will undoubtedly turn to this group for guidance on municipal matters when forming her cabinet and setting legislative priorities. In a province that has grappled with complex challenges around municipal amalgamation, financing, infrastructure deficits, and policing, the presence of these municipal veterans offers hope for a renewed focus on local issues.
In the aftermath of the election, the Union of the Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB) wasted no time expressing optimism. In a statement posted on social media, the organization extended its congratulations to Susan Holt and emphasized its readiness to collaborate on critical issues, "We look forward to collaborating with the premier-designate and the new government on issues of importance to our shared citizens such as fiscal reform, housing, municipal-provincial partnerships and much more. "
New Brunswick’s municipalities have been navigating a period of significant change in recent years. The Higgs government contentious municipal amalgamation process, aimed at creating more efficient and financially sustainable municipalities, left many communities grappling with the aftermath—particularly smaller towns that faced financial strain and uncertainty. Infrastructure deficits, from crumbling roads to aging public facilities, remain a persistent headache for local governments. Moreover, the costs and effectiveness of policing in rural areas of the province have become a hot topic.
For too long, these issues have simmered, often overshadowed by broader provincial priorities. But now, with a substantial number of provincial lawmakers having walked in the shoes of municipal leaders, there’s reason for optimism that these concerns will get the attention they deserve.
Municipal leaders know firsthand how provincial policies trickle down to affect their local budgets, services, and ultimately, the lives of citizens. It’s a unique vantage point that will likely lead to more practical and locally responsive solutions.
Additionally, municipal leaders tend to have a strong sense of fiscal responsibility, born from their time managing tight local budgets. This could translate into policies that focus on sustainable solutions—whether it's improving the funding formula for municipalities post-amalgamation, investing in necessary infrastructure, or working toward more efficient models of policing.
Premier-Designate Holt will have much to balance as she takes the reins, but with nine of her 31 Liberal MLAs coming from a municipal background, she has an unprecedented pool of advisors who understand the realities of life at the local level.
This could be a game changer for municipalities across the province, and one can expect that towns and cities are breathing a little easier today, knowing that their voices are likely to resonate more powerfully in Fredericton.
For now, municipalities should indeed be happy—because, for the first time in a long time, they have strong, experienced advocates on the inside.
Let's hope this marks the beginning of a new chapter of collaboration and success for New Brunswick's communities. Editorial Note: An earlier version of this story stated that Rob McKee (Moncton Centre) was newly elected as of the 2024 Provincial Election. This is incorrect. Mr. McKee was first elected as an MLA in 2018. We apologize for this.
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