Gallant says lieutenant-governor has OK’d his bid to stay on as premier for now
FREDERICTON — Brian Gallant says the lieutenant-governor has given him permission to continue on as New Brunswick’s premier for the time being, signalling the province’s high-stakes political drama won’t be over any time soon.
Gallant met Tuesday with Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau to discuss Monday night’s election, which left his Liberals in second place with 21 seats to the Tories’ 22 seats, and two smaller parties winning three seats each.
She gave him the go-ahead to stay on as premier and attempt to seek the confidence of the house, he said, and he is promising to convene the legislature “before Christmas.”
“Indeed we’re still the government and I’m still the premier until we lose the confidence of the house. She has granted us the opportunity to face the legislature to see if we can maintain the confidence of the house,” Gallant said after meeting Roy-Vienneau for less than a hour.