A snap election would give Higgs a PC Party in his own image

An early New Brunswick election would give Premier Blaine Higgs the opportunity to reshape the Progressive Conservative Party like never before.

The six dissident PC MLAs who hoped he'd retire had those hopes dashed by his announcement last Friday that he'll stay and run for a new mandate in October 2024 — if not before.

Ironically, their main function now may be as a pretext for Higgs to dissolve the legislature earlier than scheduled and end whatever influence they may still have.

The only date for an election "at this point," the premier said last week, is the one created by fixed-date election sections of provincial law — Oct. 21, 2024.

But that law also gives the lieutenant-governor the authority to heed any request for an early election, something Higgs wouldn't rule out if the six rebels make procedural mischief with his legislation.

"We all know the situation that exists within the legislature and within our government, so obviously that remains a big concern," Higgs said. 

The six Tory rebels, who broke ranks in a vote on Policy 713 in June, told their caucus colleagues in an Aug. 10 email that they had "no intent to disrupt our government's legislative business."

The email obtained by CBC News warned, however, that if they felt the PC caucus's role wasn't being respected, "we will stand up for what we feel is right."

Whether they'd go as far as voting against Higgs in a confidence vote isn't clear. 

But the premier's comments about the uncertainty reinforce rumours that the PCs could hit the campaign trail within the next month.

"I'm getting many messages from New Brunswickers that 'he's going, he's going,'" Liberal Leader Susan Holt said last week.

"We've heard rumours he's preparing, that he wants an election now."

Another piece of evidence is feeding the speculation.