N.B. Environment Minister Gary Crossman resigns, says political beliefs 'no longer align' with Higgs government
Gary Crossman, New Brunswick’s minister of environment and climate change, has resigned from Blaine Higgs’ Progressive Conservative cabinet effective immediately.
In a Facebook post Friday afternoon, the three-term PC MLA for Hampton said disagreements with the Higgs’ government and PC party played a role in his decision to resign.
“My personal and political beliefs no longer align in many ways with the direction of our party and government,” said Crossman in the post.
Crossman declined an interview request on Friday.
Previously, Crossman indicated he wouldn’t re-offer in the next provincial election, scheduled Oct. 21.
Crossman said he’d also be leaving as an MLA in a “few days.”
Premier Higgs said there was “no surprise” about the resignation, in a brief written statement on Friday.
Higgs offered no reaction to Crossman’s comments about the PC party or the provincial government’s direction.
Several Progressive Conservative MLAs who’ve voiced concerns about Higgs’ leadership have either already resigned, or signaled their intentions not to reoffer in the next provincial election, including: Daniel Allain, Dorothy Shephard, Trevor Holder, and Jeff Carr.
Other Tory cabinet ministers who’ve recently announced they’re not reoffering include Bruce Fitch, and Mike Holland, while Arlene Dunn resigned from cabinet and as a MLA in February.
Crossman’s resignation means the PCs will have 26 seats when daily sitting in the legislature resume next month. In addition, there are 16 Liberal seats, three Green Party seats, and one independent seat.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C. woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
Man convicted of killing Toronto cop in 1980 granted day parole
A man convicted of murdering a Toronto police officer more than four decades ago has been granted day parole for six months.
Fast food chain value deals ramp up in the United States: What does it mean for Canada?
After years of price increases and a decline in customers, fast food chains in the United States are competing with each other and offering value deals in hopes of bringing more foot traffic into their establishments.