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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.