Greens prepare list of conditions to support minority government
Leader David Coon says if no party wins a majority, he’ll be ready with demands
Green Leader David Coon says his party is preparing a list of conditions that would have to be met for it to support a minority government after next month's provincial election.
Coon refused to reveal those conditions at a news conference Thursday, where he unveiled his first platform commitment ahead of next week's official start of the campaign.
"Should we hold the balance of power after the election, there is a list of measures that we would insist on seeing implemented but I'm not going to share that list with you," he said.
"We're working on a list, should we not form the government."
Coon made the comments after promising a Green government would give households with income less than $70,000 a $25-per-month payment to help them cope with higher N.B. Power bills.
He said he would also cancel a subsidy program that lets pulp mills generate electricity, sell it to the utility and then buy it back at a reduced price.
But Coon didn't say whether those two promises would be on his list of conditions.
The election is scheduled for Oct. 21.
If no party wins a majority and Coon's Greens retain their toehold in the legislature, the party would hold the balance of power, determining whether a government can pass its budget and legislation.
Last year Coon ruled out propping up the Progressive Conservatives as long as Premier Blaine Higgs remains leader.
Liberal Leader Susan Holt hasn't been willing to discuss relying on the Greens to stay in power but Coon said Thursday she would not have much choice if she falls short of a majority.
"There will be negotiations, whatever she says, if she has the greatest number of seats. In a minority situation, she's going to have to have some support to stay in power to form a government," he said.
In 2018 no party won a majority, and then-Liberal Premier Brian Gallant courted the three Green MLAs to strike a deal that would keep him in power.
But even with a deal, the People's Alliance decision to back the Progressive Conservatives meant the combined Liberal-Green numbers weren't enough for Gallant to win a confidence vote on his government's throne speech.
After that defeat, Gallant's government resigned and the Blaine Higgs PC government was sworn in a week later.
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12 Comments
Methinks the Greens must win a few seats before they can rule the roost like the PANB once did N'esy Pas?
"We're working on a list, should we not form the government."
How to I get the coffee out of my nose?
irrelevant party
Reply to Jake Newman
I call them controlled opposition
Comment by Conrad Tanker.
6 min ago
This guy has demands .
Oh boy . . .
David Amos.
Reply to
My thoughts exactly
Methinks the Greens must win a few seats before they can rule the roost like the PANB once did N'esy Pas?
Wow, a whole $25!
MR Cain
The Greens ARE the smartest bunch in the legislature.
Reply to MR Cain
Nope but one is very good at yelling.
MR Cain
Reply to Graham McCormack
Yup, the smartest in the legislature. Who does the yelling?
Reply to Graham McCormack
Yup
Comment by Jake Newman.
40 min ago
so a very minor party who really doesn't represent anyone in NB wants to demand things (but on behalf of who?)
MR Cain
Reply to
Actually, they represent a large number; they have 3 MLAs.
Reply by Jake Newman.
36 min ago
wow a whole 3 MLAs, so again they don't represent very many folks.
MR Cain
Reply to
Enough to support a minority.
Reply to
not enough to make demands. they represent a very very very small percentage of the population. If voters cared for what they are offering more would vote for them. Same Federally. Federally greens (and bloc) shouldn't even be invite to the debates.
Reply to Jake Newman
Tired of having to explain everything; check out how Higgs got in to begin with.
Reply to Jake Newman
Their constituents. Called democracy; do we have to explain that too? sheesh
Reply to Jake Newman
I bet Mr Outhouse loved this news
Your retirement Poitras, is coming
up soon isn't it ??
David Amos
Reply to Dianne MacPherson
Not soon enough for Higgy
Reply to Dianne MacPherson
Then who'd be their " news manufacturer " ?