(Fredericton) The New Brunswick Liberals elected a relative newcomer to the political scene on Saturday as leader of their party.
Posted at 5:32 p.m.
Susan Holt is a former adviser to a government led by former Premier Brian Gallant. She described herself during the campaign as the new voice for change.
In front of the Liberals gathered at the Fredericton Convention Center, Ms.me Holt said he hopes citizens discouraged by inflation and health care problems will see that she represents a revival in a political system that has harbored cynicism and dissatisfaction.
“These difficult times call for something different. New Brunswickers are fed up with the usual politics. They are fed up with conflicts and arguments. They want to see something different,” she said.
First woman elected as leader of the provincial Liberal party, Ms.me Holt promised more to bring about greater transparency, improved Indigenous relations and a less confrontational tone in the Legislative Assembly.
The 45-year-old former public servant resides in Fredericton with her husband and three young daughters.
She was chosen over former MP TJ Harvey in the third ballot. Former minister Donald Arsenault was eliminated in the first round and the MP for Baie-de-Shédiac—Dieppe, Robert Gauvin, in the second round.
TJ Harvey had finished first in the first two rounds.
Mme Holt is expected to lead the Liberal troops in the upcoming provincial election.
The Liberals form the Official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick. They have 16 deputies. The Conservatives have 30 and the Greens have three.