Blaine Higgs shuffles cabinet after Robert Gauvin resignation

Premier Blaine Higgs has announced a cabinet shuffle that will see two MLAs step into new roles after Robert Gauvin resigned last week and became an Independent member of the legislature.

Saint John East MLA Glen Savoie will replace Gauvin as the minister responsible for the francophonie. Savoie is one of two members of the Progressive Conservative government — the other is Dominic Cardy — who also speaks French.

Riverview MLA Bruce Fitch will become the new minister of tourism, heritage and culture, a portfolio that was also held by Gauvin.

Fitch was first elected to the legislature as an MLA in 2003. In previous PC governments, he served as a minister of different departments, including energy, justice, environment and local government and economic development, but Higgs didn't choose him for his cabinet until this week.

"I have full confidence in the ability of all members of our cabinet," Higgs said during the announcement.

"We have an incredibly strong team and we have a plan … I'm looking forward to continuing to work together to face our challenges and build a strong province."

Francophone representation weak

Although Higgs considers Savoie to be francophone, he said one of the vulnerabilities of his government is that the PCs don't have enough representation in francophone communities.

• Gauvin sits as an independent as Higgs debates calling an election

"I could do a lot of symbolic things, but if I'm going to do a real, meaningful effort to ensure the north are part of a government plan going forward, it comes to being able to create a longer-term solution. And right now it seems like that is pending."

Savoie was first elected to the legislature in 2010. He has been chair of the standing committees on Crown corporations and estimates and fiscal policy, and vice-chair of the standing committee on procedures, provisions and legislative offices.

"I'm confident he will represent us well," Higgs said. 

Savoie considers himself to be both francophone and anglophone.

"I'm like many New Brunswickers who share deep and common heritage with multiple groups in the province," he said. 

Savoie said he understands the needs of the francophone community. 

"My heart and my desire is to ensure that the needs and the desires of the francophone community will be addressed through and with the help of the ministry that I am responsible for." 

The PC government will put forward its budget in the legislature next month. If it doesn't pass, the Higgs government will  be toppled and a provincial election called.

If that's the case, political scientist Mario Lévesque said, the new minister for the francophonie might not be in office for very long.

What Savoie will do?

The Société de l'Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick told Radio-Canada that it welcomes the appointment of a new minister responsible for La Francophonie but has questions about his mandate.

"In New Brunswick, new ministers do not receive a mandate letter when they take office — at least, no letters are made public," said  Robert Melanson, president of the society. "Will this new minister have a real mandate and the budget and human resources necessary to carry it out?  

"Or will he, like Mr. Gauvin before him, be treated as a symbol within the administration to be dismissed when making important decisions that affect all the citizens of this province?"

Gauvin ready to vote against PCs

Gauvin resigned from cabinet after two health authorities announced plans to close six emergency rooms overnight.

One of the affected ERs is in the Enfant-Jésus Hospital in Caraquet, where Gauvin was born. Gauvin represents the nearby riding of Shippagan-Lameque-Miscou.

Although Higgs later cancelled plans to go ahead with the ER reductions, Gauvin did not appear satisfied. In addition to resigning from government, he vowed to vote against the provincial budget, which hasn't been presented yet. 

Gauvin's role as deputy premier will not be filled, Higgs told the news conference.