People's Alliance MLAs cross the floor to join Tory government
CBC
The People's Alliance of New Brunswick is no more.
The party's two MLAs in the legislature have joined the governing Progressive Conservative caucus, spelling the end of the upstart, populist movement created 12 years ago.
Alliance Leader Kris Austin and Miramichi MLA Michelle Conroy made the announcement with Premier Blaine Higgs at the legislature Wednesday afternoon.
Austin said he spoke to supporters and members of the Alliance's board in recent days about his decision and the party organization will be "de-registered" and cease to exist.
The second-term MLA said he engaged in "soul-searching" after the party lost an elected member in the 2020 election and he decided he could more effectively represent his riding of Fredericton-Grand Lake from within the government.
Conroy said she was jumping for the same reason.
"We're doing it for the people in our ridings," she said.
"The best way that we can continue to serve people in our ridings … is to join government and have a seat at the table."
Higgs said that francophone New Brunswickers concerned about the Alliance's position on language issues can be assured the PCs won't change their stance on bilingualism and duality.
"No one should be concerned about us as a party and our direction," he said.
Austin insisted that he has always supported bilingualism, but had "taken issue with the implementation of it from time to time."
Asked if he would continue to call for the elimination of two regional health authorities and the position of official languages commissioner as he has in the past, Austin said, "I'm not a party leader anymore," noting he'll be focusing on working for his riding.
"Bilingualism is an important part of New Brunswick, as I've always said. It needs to be done in a fashion that represents all New Brunswickers."
Higgs said Austin and Conroy recognize that any members of the PC party have to support the party's constitution, which includes support for official bilingualism, and says "the diversity of our two linguistic communities is a unique strength of our province."
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