New Brunswick’s Tory government survives non-confidence vote in the legislature

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs’s majority government survived a non-confidence vote in the legislature today.

The Opposition Liberals — led by Susan Holt — introduced a non-confidence amendment to the Progressive Conservatives’ throne speech, which was tabled last week.

The Liberal motion was defeated 27-19 in a recorded vote.

Every Tory member in the legislature voted against the motion, including six members who had previously voted against their own party.

Higgs’s government has been roiled by internal dissent since June when the six rebels voted against a government motion related to the province’s policy on gender identity in schools.

Since then, election speculation hasn’t let up as Higgs repeatedly complained about the need to quell political instability.

After the vote on Friday, the legislature was adjourned until next week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2023.