PC Leader Blaine Higgs says he expects to govern eventually but won't cut deals
Higgs says Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau told him he'll be asked to govern if Gallant loses confidence vote
Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs says the lieutenant-governor has told him he'll be asked to form a government if the Liberals lose a confidence vote in the legislature, but he won't cut any deals to make it happen or stay in power.
"I'm hopeful we will form a minority government, because that's exactly what the province voted for," Higgs told reporters after his meeting with Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau in Fredericton, which lasted more than an hour.
At the meeting, Higgs also asked that the legislature be called back as soon as possible. Gallant has suggested it could happen anytime before Christmas.
The legislature is set to resume Oct. 23, a date set long before the election and subject to change.
"She said this isn't going to go on, we can't have this instability in the province," Higgs said. "She gave every indication this will not go months, it'll go days and weeks."
I have the most seats. That is typically how democracy works and I'm calling on Brian Gallant to realize he lost the election.- Blaine Higgs, leader of the PC party
After the meeting, Higgs made it clear there would not be another election until the Liberals give governing a try, and then the Conservatives if necessary.
Neither won enough seats Monday for a majority, but the PCs came out one seat ahead of the Liberals.
Higgs said he would not form a coalition and was adamant he will not "work things out" with Gallant. But Higgs did say he is willing to work with other parties in the legislative assembly.
"I have faith in both the Green Party and People's Alliance," he said. "I'm not cutting deals to stay in power."
Getting on with the job
Meanwhile, Green Party Leader David Coon has arranged to have individual phone conversations on Thursday with both Higgs and Gallant to "look at what kind of government might be built in the Legislative Assembly."
"It's going to be tough negotiations over the next couple of weeks," he said in an interview with Information Morning Fredericton.
"What we need here is an agreement to enable the legislature to function and a government to serve the people of this province."
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Initially, Higgs indicated he would be meeting with Roy Vienneau on Tuesday, but that meeting was postponed to Thursday, which last for more than an hour.
Liberal Leader Brian Gallant met with Roy Vienneau on Tuesday morning and said she gave him permission to continue governing while he and his Liberals try to win the confidence of the legislature.
But Higgs fired back that Gallant was merely "prolonging the inevitable" and it's "sad Gallant is so focused on his future career."
The PC leader urged the premier to call the legislature, so New Brunswick can have a legitimate government again.
"I have the most seats. That is typically how democracy works and I'm calling on Brian Gallant to realize he lost the election.
"The province deserves and needs a functioning government."
He said there are timely issues that need addressing, and he cited delays in compensating flood victims and the harm being done to New Brunswick companies by the 20 per cent U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber.
Crossing the floor
But Higgs also emphasized he wouldn't make backroom deals with other parties or MLAs, saying voters are "sick and tired of people holding onto power."
He suggested this set him apart from Gallant.
"It's evident he's desperate to hold onto power and he's trying to buy time with the hopes he can convince one of my MLAs to cross the floor," Higgs said.
Although he wouldn't say who, Higgs said he was present when one of his MLAs received a call from Liberals on Wednesday night suggesting the MLA cross the floor.
Before Higgs met with Roy Vienneau, a Liberal staffer shared copies of a PC to Liberal email about discussing the next government.
"All of a sudden the reception got real bad when I got on the phone," he said.
Before Higgs met with Roy Vienneau, a Liberal staffer shared copies of an email from a PC to a Liberal about discussing the next government.
Liberal staffer is at Government House ahead of Higgs meeting with LG, to hand out copies of a purported PC-to-Lib email to reporters. <a href="https://t.co/XYyecreIsV">pic.twitter.com/XYyecreIsV</a>
—@poitrasCBCHiggs said he did not authorize anyone to speak with other MLAs about crossing the floor.
"I will not buy anyone to cross the floor. I will not and have not offered anyone something to join."
Higgs and Gallant have been clashing this week over how to interpret the election results where the PCs won 22 seats compared to the 21 seats held by the Liberals. A party needs 25 seats for a majority government.
The People's Alliance and the Green Party each won three seats.
After his meeting with Roy Vienneau, Higgs was to meet with his caucus at the Fredericton Inn.
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