Fundy Albert mayor resigns, blaming province

A mayor in southeastern New Brunswick announced his resignation Friday afternoon, partially putting blame on the provincial government. 

Bob Rochon, mayor of Fundy Albert, posted a letter to social media explaining the issues the municipality had faced with amalgamation and within the council.

"... It has become clear to me that I no longer have the confidence and trust of members of council," Rochon wrote in the letter. "Without that, I am ineffective as mayor."

When reached by phone Saturday, Rochon declined an interview and would not answer questions about why councillors had lost confidence in him.

Rochon had been slated to serve as mayor until 2026.

His letter went on to describe the years since New Brunswick's local government amalgamation in 2023 as "turbulent."

He said the province "did little" to assist with challenges such as how to structure local government, managing complex budgets, addressing infrastructure gaps and planning for the future.

"In the end, we are left to our own devices with little or no assistance, or guidance from provincial government," Rochon wrote.

CBC News reached out to the Department of Local Government for comment and is awaiting a response.

Fundy Albert is a sweeping municipality south of Moncton that's made up of the former villages of Alma, Riverside-Albert, Hillsborough and five local service districts.

Rochon was previously the mayor of Hillsborough before amalgamation.

Under former Premier Blaine Higgs, many municipalities in New Brunswick were forced to amalgamate, cutting the number of local entities from 340 to 90.

Rochon's letter said his resignation goes into effect Dec. 31. 

Under the province's local government act, the deputy mayor will fill the vacancy of mayor until a byelection is called. 

Deputy mayor shares amalgamation concerns

In a phone interview, Fundy Albert Deputy Mayor John Ereaux said Rochon's resignation came as a surprise to council when he read the letter at the end of a special budget approval meeting on Friday.

While Ereaux declined to speak to Rochon's comments about a lack of confidence from council, he said he shares his concerns about amalgamation.

"We feel it's been a very difficult, tumultuous time since amalgamation two years ago."

He said Fundy Albert is "an extreme" version of amalgamation troubles, namely with differing tax rates. 

While residents across the municipality all receive similar services, Ereaux said the tax rate for what was the village of Alma is about 60 per cent higher than the neighbouring local service district, as an example.

"What we found is that everyone in Fundy Albert feels like they're being treated unfairly, which is strange," Ereaux said.

Fundy Albert is not the only municipality to face the growing pains of amalgamation. 

Lakeland Ridges had its council suspended, Sunbury-York South saw concern over plans for a new town hall, and St. Stephen had fire firefighters resign after amalgamation joined several fire departments together.

The other five Fundy Albert councillors either did not respond or declined to comment on Rochon's resignation when contacted.

"We have not been able to function well," Ereaux said of council.

"I think all the council members would feel that they wished we could have been more effective and got more done."

When asked, Ereaux said he is not considering a run for mayor.