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New Brunswick's lieutenant-governor on Tuesday gave Premier Brian Gallant permission to continue governing the province while the Liberals try to win the confidence of the legislature with fewer seats than his main opponent.
Gallant met with Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau the morning after the results of the provincial election suggested the Progressive Conservatives had eked out a minority government — 22 seats to the Liberals' 21 — in a legislature requiring 25 for a majority.
Two third parties each won three seats.
"I am still the premier, and we are still the government," Gallant told reporters after the meeting. "But … we have heard the message loud and clear from New Brunswickers last night. There's some uncertainty at the moment, and I recognize that."
Before the end of the year, Gallant will have to call the legislature, choose a Speaker, present a throne speech and then hold the 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, the government will resign.
The Liberals find themselves in a difficult spot despite taking a larger piece of the popular vote in the province's 39th general election. With all polls reporting, the Liberals won 37.8 per cent of the votes compared with the PC share of 31.9 per cent.
CBC News
Brian Gallant's scrum outside Government House
00:00 19:15
Brian Gallant speaks to reporters before asking the Lieutenant Governor to allow him to continue governing New Brunswick. 19:15
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, led by David Coon.
They disagree about some issues, but Liberals "share Green Party values" on others, including the environment, women and official bilingualism, Gallant said.
The first test
The choice of a Speaker will itself be fraught, because if Gallant 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 PC Leader Blaine Higgs to 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.
Higgs will speak with reporters at 2:30 p.m. AT in the Saint John suburb of Quispamsis.
Gallant has the right to try to govern because 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 Farmers party held the balance of power.
Gallant met with Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau the morning after the results of the provincial election suggested the Progressive Conservatives had eked out a minority government — 22 seats to the Liberals' 21 — in a legislature requiring 25 for a majority.
Two third parties each won three seats.
"I am still the premier, and we are still the government," Gallant told reporters after the meeting. "But … we have heard the message loud and clear from New Brunswickers last night. There's some uncertainty at the moment, and I recognize that."
Before the end of the year, Gallant will have to call the legislature, choose a Speaker, present a throne speech and then hold the 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, the government will resign.
The Liberals find themselves in a difficult spot despite taking a larger piece of the popular vote in the province's 39th general election. With all polls reporting, the Liberals won 37.8 per cent of the votes compared with the PC share of 31.9 per cent.
CBC News
Brian Gallant's scrum outside Government House
00:00 19:15
Brian Gallant speaks to reporters before asking the Lieutenant Governor to allow him to continue governing New Brunswick. 19:15
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, led by David Coon.
They disagree about some issues, but Liberals "share Green Party values" on others, including the environment, women and official bilingualism, Gallant said.
The first test
The choice of a Speaker will itself be fraught, because if Gallant 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 PC Leader Blaine Higgs to 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.
Higgs will speak with reporters at 2:30 p.m. AT in the Saint John suburb of Quispamsis.
- 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
Gallant has the right to try to govern because 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 Farmers party held the balance of power.
