Interim leader calls for end to 'self-inflicted wounds' as PC divisions remain

The interim leader of New Brunswick's Progressive Conservatives used the party's first meeting since the election to warn members against dividing into "ideological camps."

That comes after former leader Blaine Higgs, who lost his seat as the Liberals surged to a majority, faced criticism from elected members and party faithful over his direction — most notably on gender-identity policy and endorsement of a Christian conservative activist as a candidate. 

While Higgs's message ultimately failed to gain enough traction to keep the party in power, interim PC Leader Glen Savoie urged members in a speech Saturday to move past blaming Higgs for the loss. 

"You may remember the phrase, 'Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them,'" Savoie said, noting the 1987 election where Frank McKenna's Liberals won every legislature seat.

"Twelve years of excruciating Liberal rule.... Why? Because we remained fractured as a party. We divided into ideological camps because we could not come to consensus, and in so doing gave a clear path for the Liberals of the day.

"The cycles of self-inflicted wounds, election loss, rebirth – it's all there, replayed over and over again."

Savoie urged members to instead come together around a common purpose. 

"We can find better ways to disagree than we have most recently, I have to believe that," Savoie said. 

All elected PCs were in attendance, and joined Savoie on stage, except for Miramichi West MLA Mike Dawson.

The second-term MLA said he wouldn't be attending the AGM, which he called a "secret meeting" in a social media post the night before.

"There was an election on October 21, 2024, in New Brunswick. I want my constituents, and all New Brunswickers to know that I got the message," he said. 

"New Brunswickers told us that they expect an open and transparent government that listens when they speak.... The way to demonstrate this openness, transparency and respect for voters begins with the culture of our political parties."

Dawson, who did not respond to an interview request, took issue with the meeting having an early registration deadline for members to attend and vote, the agenda lacking a question period for members, and a decision to exclude media from attending.

When asked if Dawson will be allowed to remain in the PC caucus, Savoie said the group would make that decision privately.