In a statement, Premier Blaine Higgs thanked Fitch for his long service.

"I know it wasn't an easy decision to retire and each person comes and goes from politics for their own unique reasons," he said.

"I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement."

The minister, who turned 65 this year, said it was the right time to step back and focus on other things, including his family. 

Fitch is the 11th Tory MLA elected in 2020 to either quit or decide not to run again, though he made it clear his decision had nothing to do with Higgs's leadership.

"I feel the only option for the province of New Brunswick in the next election is Premier Higgs and the PC team," he said. 

Fitch was not among the six PC MLAs who voted against Higgs on Policy 713 last June, some of whom complained about the premier's leadership style.

He told reporters he had decided heading into the last campaign in 2020 that it would be his final term. 

And he avoided questions Friday about the split in the PC caucus and how Higgs's leadership style compared to the two other Tory premiers he worked with, Bernard Lord and David Alward. 

"All three premiers have had different manners of administration," he said.

"The last year has been a little tumultuous. That's obvious. But that's not weighing on my decision." 

Fitch, a former mayor of Riverview, held a variety of high-profile provincial cabinet positions over the years, including energy, economic development, environment and local government, social development and health. 

He was also interim leader of the PC party and the official opposition from 2014 to 2016.