FREDERICTON -- New Brunswick residents are casting their votes in what polls suggest is a tight election centred on two leaders with sharply contrasting visions for the province.
Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs is seeking a third term as premier, after running a low-key race during which he held no public events for at least one-third of the 33-day campaign. The former oil executive presented voters with a two-page platform containing 11 promises, including a pledge to cut the harmonized sales tax by two percentage points to 13 per cent.
The Liberals led by Susan Holt have made 100 campaign promises, such as opening 30 community health clinics by 2028 and eliminating the provincial sales tax on electricity bills for residential customers.
The Greens, led by David Coon, have also focused their campaign on health care, promising to spend $380 million a year on the network and decentralize decision-making to give more freedom to hospitals.
Coon cast his ballot Monday in his Fredericton riding, while Holt and Higgs voted early in advanced polls.
At dissolution, the Conservatives held 25 seats in the 49-seat legislature. The Liberals held 16 seats, the Greens had three, there was one Independent and there were four vacancies.
New Brunswickers enjoying Friday's sunny, mild weather can cast their votes at polling stations until 8 p.m.
The three major parties are each holding viewing parties as the votes come in after the polls close.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.