2026 Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick leadership election

2026 Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick leadership election
DateOctober 7, 2026
Resigning leaderBlaine Higgs
Candidates2
Entrance fee$35,000[1]
Spending limit$250,000

In 2026, the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick will hold a leadership election to choose a permanent leader to replace Glen Savoie, who became leader on an interim basis following the resignation of Blaine Higgs. Higgs announced his resignation after being defeated in the 2024 New Brunswick general election.[2]

Timeline

  • October 21, 2024 – Blaine Higgs, the leader of the party since 2016 and premier of New Brunswick since 2018, was defeated at the 2024 general election.[3] He resigned as leader after being unseated in his own district.[4] The party lost nine seats at the election, with a total of 16 seats remaining.
  • October 28, 2024 – Saint John East MLA Glen Savoie was announced as interim party leader.[5][6]
  • May 13, 2025 – Leadership election rules adopted by the party's provincial council.
  • October 18, 2025 – Former Moncton East MLA Daniel Allain announces his candidacy.
  • October 20, 2025 – Campaign period start date.[7]
  • February 7, 2026 – Arcadia-Butternut Valley-Maple Hills MLA Don Monahan announces his candidacy.
  • June 19, 2026 – Candidate application deadline.
  • July 17, 2026 – Candidate review deadline.
  • July 31, 2026 – Ballot qualification deadline for approved candidates.
  • August 14, 2026 – Last day to join the party to vote.
  • October 17, 2026 – Leadership convention takes place.

Rules

The election rules were announced in May 2025. To qualify on the ballot, candidates need to collect 500 endorsements from party members, with regional considerations. They also need to donate at least $35,000 to the party and abide by a spending limit of $250,000. Voting will be conducted by mail, using a ranked choice voting system.[2]

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Endorsements

Endorsements of Daniel Allain

Current MLAs: (4)

Former MLAs: (8)

Municipal elected officials: (3)

Endorsements of Don Monahan

Current MLAs: (4)

References

  1. ^ "With rules in place, N.B. PC leadership race kicks off — unofficially". CBC News. May 27, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Perry, Brad. "PCs to elect new leader in October 2026". Country 94. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  3. ^ Mott, Sean (October 22, 2024). "'My future has been decided': Blaine Higgs loses seat as party falls in N.B. election". CTVNews. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  4. ^ "Blaine Higgs officially steps down as leader of N.B. Progressive Conservative Party - New Brunswick | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  5. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-pc-leadership-race-1.7543967
  6. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/pc-members-vote-rule-changes-election-defeat-nb-1.7534983
  7. ^ https://assets.nationbuilder.com/newbrunswickpc/mailings/12172/attachments/original/2026_PCNB_Leadership_Election_Rules_-_Finale.pdf?1758803588
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Walton, Victoria (October 18, 2025). "Daniel Allain first to announce bid to lead N.B.'s Progressive Conservative party". CBC News. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  9. ^ ICI.Radio-Canada.ca, Zone Politique- (February 7, 2026). "Don Monahan lance officiellement sa campagne pour la chefferie du PCNB". Radio-Canada (in Canadian French). Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  10. ^ Poitras, Jacques (December 19, 2025). "Kris Austin will sit out N.B. PC leadership race". CBC News. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  11. ^ Poitras, Jacques (June 27, 2025). "Interim PC Leader Glen Savoie won't run in party leadership race next year". CBC News.

See also

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