The two candidates vying to be leader of New Brunswick’s Progressive Conservatives say divisions remain with party members, nearly two years after the PC’s electoral defeat. Daniel Allain and Don Monahan met for two leadership debates this week -- the only debates scheduled before PC members vote by mail. Results will be announced on Oct. 17 in Fredericton. Allain is a former minister of local government with the Blaine Higgs government and voted in the legislature against changes to Policy 713. Allain was removed from cabinet by Higgs (one of four ministers who were either removed or resigned during the Policy 713 debate) and didn’t reoffer as an MLA in 2024. Monahan is a sitting Progressive Conservative MLA first elected in 2024 and is currently the official opposition’s finance critic. Moving on from the party’s 2024 loss was a common theme from both Monahan and Allain during the two debates (in Saint Leonard and Saint John), with both avoiding the specifics of why divisions exist. Party unity was also a topic presented by moderator and interim Leader Glen Savoie, with both Allain and Monahan acknowledging strife amongst members. “Right now I’d still say it’s divided, and that has to change once the new leader is chosen,” said Monahan. “It’s been something that’s been going on prior to my arrival.” Monahan said he’s not connected to “drama” from the 2024 election. Allain said “it’s always tough after an election loss,” and that party unity is typically strained during any leadership campaign. “There’s only two candidates, so we have some challenges,” said Allain. “I’m positive that the PC party members will be up to the task to re-energize our party, to make sure we rebuild it also.” Earlier this week, Allain’s campaign accused Monahan’s campaign of violating campaign financing rules. Both the PC party and Elections NB found no rules were broken in the process of Monahan offering tokens and passes to music festival attendees with the purchase of a party membership. Allain said he disagreed with the ruling, but has accepted it. “The integrity of the process has been damaged a little bit,” said Allain. “But we move on now, we move forward.” Monahan said his campaign has run a “clean campaign with everything above board” since the first day he entered the race. “Because that’s who I am as a person,” said Monahan. “Unfortunately that’s not happening on the other side, and I’m not going to stoop to that level.” Both Monahan and Allain said their main priority in the next few weeks was to push a Aug. 14 deadline for PC membership registrations, which is required in order to vote. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
