Justin Trudeau's win aligns New Brunswick and federal leaders
Last time Liberals held office in New Brunswick, Ottawa at the same time was 1990s
With all of New Brunswick turning Liberal red in Monday's federal election, the provincial and federal governments stand to be aligned under the Liberal banner for the first time since the 1990s.
Not since 1993, when Frank McKenna ruled New Brunswick and Jean Chretien swept to power federally, have the Liberals been in power simultaneously in New Brunswick and Ottawa.
"I think it does help," said Jamie Gillies, a political scientist at St. Thomas University in Fredericton.
"Certainly, if federal dollars can flow here and the provincial government can partner at two different levels on projects, I think with the promise of infrastructure spending, that probably will help us in some way."
One of Trudeau's election promises was infrastructure spending at the expense of balanced budgets in the short term to spur economic activity.
From 2010 through 2014, the Progressive Conservatives ruled New Brunswick while their political cousins held office in Ottawa.
Gillies notes that Beausejour MP Dominic LeBlanc stands to be a very powerful figure in the Trudeau cabinet.
'Dominic LeBlanc is probably going to be a very important player in the Trudeau cabinet.'- Jamie Gillies, political scientist
"I think one of the benefits for New Brunswick last night was that Dominic LeBlanc is probably going to be a very important player in the Trudeau cabinet — potentially deputy prime minister or a key, key role he will play," he said.
"That makes him the regional minister and the voice for Atlantic Canada and that serves our region probably pretty well."
LeBlanc set aside his own leadership ambitions and opted not to run when Trudeau ran for the party leadership.
The two have known each other since childhood, when LeBlanc's father Romeo LeBlanc served in Pierre Trudeau's cabinet and was a power broker in the Liberal government.
"He and Sophie are friends of ours," LeBlanc said on Tuesday.
"I've known him since we were kids and to watch him deliver what I thought was a magnificent speech in Montreal, very magnanimous and very much focused on bringing the country together after a difficult election.
Erin Crandall, a political scientist from Acadian University in Wolfville, N.S., who specializes in Canadians politics, notes LeBlanc co-chaired Gallant's successful election campaign last year.
She said she believes the connection will work in the best interests of New Brunswick.
"So I think a lot of eyes will be on Dominic to see what he's going to be able to do in this kind of new position of influence," she said.
Although Gallant pledged at the outset of the campaign he would remain neutral and work with all party leaders in the interest of New Brunswickers, he did appear with Trudeau at campaign stops in the province.
On Tuesday, he issued a statement congratulating Trudeau.
"I look forward to working with Mr. Trudeau and his government to advance the interests of the people of New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada, and all Canadians, in order to create jobs, grow our economy and support families," he said.
Although New Brunswick elected all Liberals, Gallant thanked the candidates who ran for all parties.
"It takes courage and conviction to run for public office," said Gallant.
"It is my hope that they will all continue to do what they can to help spur economic growth and support families in New Brunswick."