People's Alliance avoids spotlight as Austin discusses strategy

The People's Alliance have gone quiet in order to regroup and figure out what to do with their newfound power after winning three seats in Monday's provincial election.

Michelle Conroy, the MLA-elect for the Miramichi riding spoke to CBC and Radio-Canada on Monday morning after party leader Kris Austin began refusing interviews and before Austin asked his other newly-elected MLA, Rick DeSaulniers of Fredericton-York, not to talk to media.

"We have to meet," DeSaulniers said after refusing an interview. He said the party will meet sometime this week.

Conroy said she can't offer any predictions about what deals the party will make and with whom, but she said it may be more difficult to work with the Liberal and Green parties.

"We hear that the Greens and the Liberals are not willing to work with us, so we feel the voice of the people and what they want and they're looking for some change and we're hoping to work as a team," she said.

On Tuesday, Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau gave Premier Brian Gallant permission to continue governing, and the Liberals have until the end of the year to try to win the confidence of the legislature by gaining the majority of the house.

The majority threshold is 25 seats, but neither Liberals or Tories elected enough seats — 21 and 22, respectively.

So now eyes are on the Green Party and the People's Alliance — both with three seats — to discuss what alliances they may strike.

Conroy said she will discuss next steps with Austin, who won Fredericton-Grand Lake.

"We're a new party at this and we're going to go in as a team and we have a lot of things to discuss and that will all come in the next few weeks," she said.

During the election, Austin campaigned on the concept of allowing his fellow MLAs to vote freely, unencumbered by party lines.

He also campaigned on tax reform, ending language duality in healthcare and bussing, and ending corporate handouts.

Conroy's win

Conroy said her "common sense" platform helped her defeat Liberal incumbent Bill Fraser, the transportation minister. Conroy, who beat Fraser by 963 votes, said she has a lot of respect for him.

"He was the first one that came into the office," she said. "I know what's he's done and what he is capable of and I have the utmost respect for him."

Two other People's Alliance candidates came close to winning ridings in the region.

PANB candidate Terry Collette came second to Liberal incumbent Lisa Harris in Miramichi Bay-Neguac.

Art O'Donnell narrowly lost Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin to Progressive Conservative incumbent Jake Stewart.

Language not the only issue

Conroy said the language wasn't the only issue voters in Miramichi were concerned about

"The voters in Miramichi are ready for a change," she said. "They are tired of the red and blue."

She said the party's position on language has been misrepresented as being opposed to bilingualism in government services. 

"We're just looking for fairness and equality for all of New Brunswickers and any culture," she said.

Conroy said she expects the People's Alliance to play a role in the government, which Premier Brian Gallant said he will continue to lead despite coming up with fewer seats than the Progressive Conservatives.

"It looks like it's going to be a bit complicated," Conroy said. "The people in my riding voted for a change and I believe some of that change starts with a team approach to making New Brunswick better."