What Is 28th New Brunswick general election

Overview

The 28th New Brunswick general election marked a pivotal moment in the province’s political landscape, held on September 14, 2020. This election determined the composition of the 60th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, with all 49 seats up for grabs across the province’s electoral districts.

Incumbent Premier Blaine Higgs led the Progressive Conservative Party to a decisive victory, securing a majority government despite the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Voter turnout was recorded at 62.2%, reflecting moderate public engagement during a time of health restrictions and remote campaigning.

• 27 seats were won by the Progressive Conservative Party, allowing them to form a majority government under Premier Blaine Higgs.
• The Liberal Party, led by Kevin Vickers, captured 17 seats, remaining the official opposition but falling short of expectations.
• The Green Party made historic gains, winning 3 seats and becoming the first Green party to achieve official party status in a Canadian province.
• The election was originally scheduled for 2021 but was called early by Premier Higgs in July 2020 to capitalize on favorable polling during the pandemic.
• Independent candidates and smaller parties collectively received less than 5% of the popular vote, indicating a continued dominance of the three main parties.

How It Works

New Brunswick’s electoral system follows a Westminster-style parliamentary model, where voters elect members to the Legislative Assembly from single-member districts using first-past-the-post voting.

• Term: The Legislative Assembly serves a maximum of five years, but elections can be called earlier by the Premier with the Lieutenant-Governor’s approval. The 28th election was called after just three years in office.
• Each of the 49 electoral districts elects one Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), and the party with the most seats forms government.
• Political parties must register with Elections New Brunswick and follow strict campaign finance rules, including donation caps and spending limits.
• Voting is conducted in person or by mail-in ballot, with over 130,000 mail ballots issued in 2020 due to pandemic concerns.
• Results are determined at the district level, and the party with the most seats forms government, even if it does not win the popular vote.
• Elections New Brunswick, an independent agency, oversees voter registration, polling, and the certification of results to ensure fairness and transparency.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of party performance in the 28th New Brunswick general election:

The table highlights how the Progressive Conservatives won a majority of seats despite receiving only a narrow lead in the popular vote. This discrepancy underscores the impact of New Brunswick’s first-past-the-post electoral system, where seat distribution does not always mirror vote share. The Green Party’s success in winning three seats with just over 10% of the vote reflects strong regional support, particularly in urban centers like Fredericton and Saint John.

Why It Matters

The 28th general election had lasting implications for provincial governance, policy direction, and democratic representation in New Brunswick. It reshaped the political landscape and set precedents for future elections.

• The Progressive Conservative victory allowed Premier Higgs to advance policies on healthcare, education, and economic recovery during a critical phase of the pandemic.
• The Green Party’s breakthrough demonstrated growing public support for environmental issues and increased diversity in provincial politics.
• Low voter turnout among youth and Indigenous communities raised concerns about equitable representation and access to voting.
• The early election call sparked debate about the use of snap elections to gain political advantage during national crises.
• Mail-in ballot usage surged to over 20% of total votes, prompting discussions about modernizing the voting process.
• The results emphasized regional divides, with rural areas favoring Conservatives and urban centers showing stronger support for Greens and Liberals.

Overall, the 28th New Brunswick general election was a defining event that reflected both continuity and change in the province’s political dynamics. Its outcomes continue to influence policy debates and electoral strategies in future campaigns.