Fundy Albert mayor resigns, blaming province
CBC
A mayor in southeastern New Brunswick announced his resignation Friday afternoon, partially putting blame on the provincial government.
Bob Rochon, mayor of Fundy Albert, posted a letter to social media explaining the issues the municipality had faced with amalgamation and within the council.
"... It has become clear to me that I no longer have the confidence and trust of members of council," Rochon wrote in the letter. "Without that, I am ineffective as mayor."
When reached by phone Saturday, Rochon declined an interview and would not answer questions about why councillors had lost confidence in him.
Rochon had been slated to serve as mayor until 2026.
His letter went on to describe the years since New Brunswick's local government amalgamation in 2023 as "turbulent."
He said the province "did little" to assist with challenges such as how to structure local government, managing complex budgets, addressing infrastructure gaps and planning for the future.
"In the end, we are left to our own devices with little or no assistance, or guidance from provincial government," Rochon wrote.
CBC News reached out to the Department of Local Government for comment and is awaiting a response.
Fundy Albert is a sweeping municipality south of Moncton that's made up of the former villages of Alma, Riverside-Albert, Hillsborough and five local service districts.
Rochon was previously the mayor of Hillsborough before amalgamation.
Under former Premier Blaine Higgs, many municipalities in New Brunswick were forced to amalgamate, cutting the number of local entities from 340 to 90.
Rochon's letter said his resignation goes into effect Dec. 31.
Under the province's local government act, the deputy mayor will fill the vacancy of mayor until a byelection is called.
