The party’s two lawmakers in the legislature have joined the ruling Progressive Conservative government, marking the end of the original, populist movement created 12 years ago. Alliance leader Kris Austin and Miramichi MLA leader Michelle Conroy made the announcement with Prime Minister Blaine Higgs in parliament on Wednesday afternoon. Austin said he had spoken to supporters and members of the Alliance’s board in recent days about his decision and that the party organization would be “inventoried” and cease to exist. The second term MLA said it was involved in a “soul search” after the party lost an elected member in the 2020 election and decided it could more effectively represent the Fredericton-Grand Lake drive through government. Conroy said she jumped for the same reason. “We do it for the people we ride,” he said. “The best way we can continue to serve the people in our riding … is to join the government and have a seat at the table.” The Miramichi MLA and Popular Alliance member Michelle Conroy also took the floor to join the Progressive Conservatives on Wednesday. (Jacques Poitras / CBC)
Higgs said French-speaking New Brunswickers concerned about the Alliance’s position on language issues could be confident that computers would not change their attitude about bilingualism and duality. “No one should worry about us as a party and our direction,” he said.

Focused on working for my equestrian: Austin

Austin insisted he had always supported bilingualism, but had “disagreed with its implementation at times.” Asked if he would continue to call for the elimination of two regional health authorities and the post of official language commissioner as he did in the past, Austin said: “I am no longer a party leader,” noting that he would focus on working for his horse. “Bilingualism is an important part of New Brunswick, as I have always said. It must be done in a way that represents all New Brunswickers.” Higgs said Austin and Conroy recognize that all members of the PC Party should support the party’s statute, which includes support for official bilingualism, and says that “the diversity of our two language communities is a unique strength of of our province “. Prime Minister Blaine Higgs said the parliamentary group was “excited” about its two new members. (Ed Hunter / CBC)
The prime minister said he had spoken to the parliamentary group about the two new arrivals. “Everyone is excited about our new members,” he said. Local Government Minister Daniel Allain, the lone French-speaking member of the PC parliamentary group, said Austin and Conroy had taken positions “contrary to the Charter of Rights and some of our laws” with the Alliance, but he was happy that will now comply with the demands of their new party authorities. “I’m really happy to see the New Brunswick Alliance party disbanded today,” Allen said in a telephone interview. “I always argued that they did not have a good message for New Brunswick and that they were on the wrong side of the equation.” But Austin told reporters he urged former Alliance supporters to see “that I have not changed, Michelle has not changed and we want to continue working for the people.” “It’s not going to lower anyone’s voice. I think the opposite. I think it’s about strengthening that voice and being at the table, as opposed to being outside trying to make a difference.” Alexandre Cédric Doucet, president of the Acadian Society of New Brunswick, said that while he was happy to see the Alliance disintegrate, it was a “sad day” for the PC Party. (Submitted by / Alexandre Cedric Doucet)

No immediate response on language policy, cabinet plans

However, Austin did not respond directly when asked if he would push for language policy changes through the PC parliamentary group. The president of the Acadian Society of New Brunswick, Alexandre Cédric Doucet, said that while he was happy to see the Alliance disintegrate, it was “a sad day” for the PC Party. “Their party [former premier] Richard Hatfield and [Hatfield lieutenant] “Jean-Maurice Simard accepts two anti-linguistic, anti-binary MLAs in their consultation,” he said. Austin also avoided being asked if he expected to serve on the cabinet as a minister, saying it was up to Higgs. The prime minister said the acquisition of two new members would not be a “decisive factor” in whether to reshuffle his cabinet. Austin founded the Alliance in 2010 after failing to win a PC nomination to run in that year’s provincial election. The party made a breakthrough in 2018 when it won three seats, including Austin, and kept the balance of power in the legislature while supporting the Higgs minority government. But the party was reduced to two seats in 2020 when Higgs won the majority. Election leader Kimberly Pofenroth issued a statement confirming that the Alliance would be officially listed on Thursday following a written request from Austin. The first electoral impact of the dramatic move will be in June, when two by-elections are scheduled in southwestern Miramich-Bay du Vin and Miramichi Bay-Neguac. The Alliance has reached a distance of 35 votes since the victory of the PC regime in southwestern Miramich-Bay du Vin in 2018. And in the 2020 election, a combined PC-Alliance vote in Miramichi Bay-Neguac would be enough to defeat Liberal winner Lisa Harris. The new party ranking in the legislature is 27 PCs, 16 Liberals, three Greens and two vacancies, plus President Bill Oliver.