New Brunswick.

• Author: Del Frate, Alicia R.
• Position: Legislative Reports

General Election

The 39th general election that took place on September 24 produced a Liberal minority government, the first minority government in New Brunswick since 1920. The results were as follows: 21 Liberals, 22 Progressive Conservatives, 3 Greens and 3 People's Alliance. At dissolution, the standings in the House were 24 Liberals, 21 Progressive Conservatives, 1 Green, 1 Independent, and 2 vacancies.

The results in three ridings were confirmed by judicial recounts. The closest victory was for Gerry Lowe by 10 votes in the riding of Saint John Harbour, followed by an 11-vote win for Megan Mitton in Memramcook-Tantramar. In Oromocto-Lincoln-Fredericton, Mary Wilson maintained her 93-vote victory.

Lieutenant-Governor Jocelyne Roy Vienneau presided over the swearing-in ceremony for the Members of the 59th Legislative Assembly on October 19. Members took their Oath of Allegiance and signed the Members' Roll in the chamber of the Legislative Assembly.

Election of Speaker

The first session of the 59th Legislative Assembly convened in the morning of October 23 to elect a new Speaker. As only one Member allowed their name to stand for election, the Clerk declared Liberal MLA Daniel Guitard elected as Speaker. Speaker Guitard was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2014 to represent the riding of Restigouche-Chaleur.

During his time at the Legislature, Speaker Guitard has served as Government Caucus Chair, Deputy Government Whip, and Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Private Bills. He has also served as a member of the Legislative Administration Committee; the Standing Committees on Crown Corporations; Economic Policy; Law Amendments; Procedure, Privileges and Legislative Officers; and Public Accounts.

First Session of the 59th Legislature

The Lieutenant-Governor opened the first session of the 59th Legislature in the afternoon of October 23, delivering the first Speech from the Throne of Premier Brian Gallant's Liberal minority government.

The major theme of the speech was moving New Brunswick forward in collaboration with the other three parties through various initiatives related to job creation and economic growth; investing in education, health care and senior care; protecting the environment; and a fairer society and good governance. The speech proposed that all parties must work together to find common ground to advance the interests of New Brunswickers.

On October 24, a motion was adopted by the House to suspend the definition of "recognized party" in the Standing Rules for the duration of the 59th...