​Premier Higgs, Failure to Consult, Will Result in Your Downfall.

The deep political troubles of New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs stem from his failure to listen to the public through the members of his governing caucus.
 
Last week, Trevor Holder, who has served a quarter century as a member of the New Brunswick legislature, announced he is not running again, becoming the 10th Progressive Conservative MLA elected in the 2020 provincial election either to resign or decide not to run in this year’s election.
 
The Higgs government is in serious trouble with the departures from his government. There have also been four recent deaths in fires in homeless encampments. Premier Higgs and his, apparently, favorite minister, Public Safety Minister Chris Austin have chosen this moment to resurrect their idea of a Compassionate Intervention Act which they claim will solve two very complex social problems, homelessness, and addictions. Higgs and Austin have not explained how forced rehabilitation is the answer for these two very difficult problems.

Both Liberal Party Leader Susan Holt and Green Party Leader David Coon strongly criticized the idea of the Intervention Act. Opposition Leader Holt rightfully said it would “put people in jail” for being homeless and having addictions. These are complex matters, requiring carefully designed housing solutions, a variety of social and health supports including mental health counselling, and gradual development of the will to leave addiction and achieve a better life.

If the Premier were listening to his caucus the idea of enforced rehabilitation would never have make it to the light of day, let alone legislation in this province.

All this ties back to what Trevor Holder said in his June 2023 letter resigning from cabinet. He argued that the PC caucus has been “less about consensus and more about (Higgs) getting his own way.”

Holder also criticized what he called the Premier’s lack of empathy and his “inability to listen to valid concerns from all members of his caucus.”

A sad example of Premier Higgs’ lack of empathy came when another member of his cabinet, Arlene Dunne announced Feb. 2 she was leaving cabinet but did not immediately say why. The Premier spoke for her, saying “politics turned out to be not for her.” This showed a crushing lack of understanding of human dynamics.

To be fair, Premier Higgs did not make that mistake again. He showed he had learned something when he joined MLAs from all parties in the Legislature in a standing ovation after Holder announced his departure. The Premier told reporters later thar Holder was “a great statesman in the Legislature and in caring for his community generally.”

Two highly successful political leaders, Brian Mulroney as Prime Minister of Canada and Frank McKenna as Premier of New Brunswick knew how important a caucus is in a Parliamentary democracy. Both leaders enjoyed their caucus and spent a great deal of time with caucus members. Far more important than relying on public opinion polling, it was their way of staying close to what members of the public were thinking. Understanding the wants and needs of the public is vital for good government. It works much better than telling people what is good for them.

Although politicians in the great Houses of the people sometimes dip below the standards we expect of them, Holder demonstrated the spirit of his special place, the Legislative Assembly, when he concluded his remarks by saying: “We have other jobs in life. Some that pay more. Some of them may be rewarding…but I can’t think of any other job, and other role in a democratic society that is a bigger honour than defending your constituents’ interest in the New Brunswick Legislature.”
 
Well said, Mr. Holder. Bravo!