What Is 27th New Brunswick general election

Overview

The 27th New Brunswick general election marked a pivotal moment in the province’s political landscape, taking place on September 14, 2020. This election determined representation in the 60th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, with all 49 seats up for grabs across the province.

Incumbent Premier Blaine Higgs led the Progressive Conservative Party to a decisive victory, securing a second term in office. Voter turnout was notable given the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, with health protocols influencing campaign styles and voting methods.

• 27 seats were won by the Progressive Conservatives, allowing them to form a majority government despite receiving less than 40% of the popular vote.
• The Liberals, led by Kevin Vickers, won 17 seats, remaining the official opposition but failing to unseat the governing party.
• The Green Party made history by winning 3 seats, becoming the first Green caucus to sit in a Canadian provincial legislature outside British Columbia.
• The election featured 49 electoral districts, all of which held contests, with no uncontested races reported province-wide.
• Voter turnout was 66.6%, a slight increase from the 2018 election, reflecting strong public engagement despite pandemic-related concerns.

How It Works

New Brunswick’s electoral system follows a Westminster-style parliamentary model, where Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are elected through first-past-the-post voting in single-member districts.

• Term: Provincial general elections in New Brunswick are constitutionally required at least every five years. The 27th election was called earlier than the maximum term allowed, following a minority government period.
• The 2020 election was originally expected in 2023 but was called early by Premier Higgs in August 2020 to seek a renewed mandate during the pandemic.
• Candidates ran in 49 ridings, each representing a geographic constituency, with winners determined by simple plurality.
• Eligible voters included Canadian citizens over 18 years old who resided in New Brunswick, with voter ID required at polling stations.
• Advanced and mail-in voting options were expanded due to COVID-19, allowing safer participation for high-risk individuals.
• Results were officially certified by Elections New Brunswick within one week of election day, with no recounts requested.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2020 election results with the previous 2018 election:

The table shows that while the Liberal vote share remained stable, the Progressive Conservatives gained both seats and public support. The Green Party’s emergence as a parliamentary force and the collapse of the People’s Alliance marked significant shifts in voter alignment. The increase in independent and minor party votes suggests growing political fragmentation.

Why It Matters

The 27th general election had lasting implications for governance, representation, and political dynamics in New Brunswick. It demonstrated voter responsiveness to leadership during a crisis and reshaped the province’s legislative priorities.

• The Progressive Conservative majority allowed Blaine Higgs to advance pandemic recovery policies without relying on opposition support.
• The Green Party’s success signaled growing public demand for climate action and environmental accountability in policy-making.
• The collapse of the People’s Alliance highlighted the volatility of smaller parties in first-past-the-post systems.
• Increased mail-in voting set a precedent for electoral accessibility during public health emergencies.
• The election reinforced New Brunswick’s shift toward a multi-party legislature, moving beyond traditional two-party dominance.
• Results influenced federal perceptions of regional stability, with implications for intergovernmental relations and funding negotiations.

This election underscored the evolving nature of Atlantic Canadian politics, where leadership, crisis management, and emerging parties play increasingly decisive roles.