Support, concern in N.B. as Andrew Scheer wins Conservative leadership
Andrew Scheer's election as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada drew applause and concern from New Brunswick politicians.
The leader of the provincial PC party issued a statement congratulating the new federal leader.
"I have spoken with Andrew and look forward to working with him to bring the Energy East pipeline to New Brunswick and to free our province from Justin Trudeau's unnecessary and job-killing carbon tax," Blaine Higgs said.
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Jeff Carr, the MLA for New Maryland-Sunbury, who supported Scheer, was pleased with the choice and bullish on Scheer's chances in the next federal election.
"Scheer has as good a chance as anybody to defeat Mr. Trudeau," said Carr.
"What Andrew has going for him is his positivity. He wants to lead a positive campaign and not a negative one."
"Congratulations to Andrew Scheer on winning the leadership of the CPC," tweeted Saint John Lancaster MLA Dorothy Shephard, who had supported presumed front runner Maxime Bernier in his failed leadership bid.
Leading candidate for N.B.
Scheer was the leading candidate for voters from New Brunswick through all 13 ballots. The only other province he did that in was Prince Edward Island.
On the final ballot, Scheer dwarfed Bernier's total in the province 60.33 per cent to 39.67 per cent.
Carr attributes Scheer's popularity in the province to his ability to connect to people on the East Coast.
"Andrew understands and values Maritimers, he understands that we are in deep trouble here as far as quality of life," said Carr.
Concerns about track record
Liberals, however, would beg to differ.
Ginette Petitpas Taylor, MP for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe and the Trudeau government's deputy whip, said that while she congratulates Scheer and hopes the parties can work together, she is worried about his track record.
"What really concerns me is that Scheer voted against policies that were really important to Canadians and New Brunswickers as well," said Petitpas Taylor.
Scheer "voted against tax cuts for middle class Canadians … voted against the [Canadian Child Benefit Program.]"
Both sides will have ample time to work together, or not.
The next federal election is in October 2019.
