Election day dawns in New Brunswick
Voters have until 8 p.m. to cast ballots that will determine which party governs the province
It's election day in New Brunswick, and voters have until 8 p.m. to cast their ballots and decide which party will form the next government — and whether it will hold a majority in the legislature.
Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs is seeking a third term, aiming to become the first premier to achieve that since Liberal Frank McKenna’s victory in 1995. Higgs has pledged to maintain the governing style that has produced six consecutive budget surpluses. His primary campaign promise was a two-point reduction in the 15-percent harmonized sales tax, phased in over two years.
Liberal Leader Susan Holt hopes to lead her party back into power after six years in opposition, focusing her campaign on fixing health-care issues and easing the burden of high living costs for residents.
Meanwhile, the Green Party, firmly established as the third party on the left, aims to retain the three seats it first won in 2018 and held again in 2020.
The NDP, People's Alliance, and Libertarian parties also have candidates running in various ridings, though the Social Justice Party and Consensus Party were unable to nominate enough candidates to maintain their official registration.
As of Friday afternoon, more than 574,000 New Brunswickers were registered to vote. In the previous two elections, voter turnout ranged between 66 and 67 percent.
Polling stations are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with CBC News providing live coverage of the results across all its platforms.
