Blaine Higgs
Blaine Higgs | |
|---|---|
Higgs in 2024 | |
| 34th Premier of New Brunswick | |
| In office November 9, 2018 – November 2, 2024 | |
| Monarchs | |
| Lieutenant Governor | Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau Brenda Murphy |
| Deputy | Robert Gauvin (2018–20) |
| Preceded by | Brian Gallant |
| Succeeded by | Susan Holt |
| Leader of the Opposition (New Brunswick) | |
| In office October 22, 2016 – November 9, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Fitch |
| Succeeded by | Brian Gallant |
| Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick | |
| In office October 22, 2016 – October 28, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Fitch (interim) |
| Succeeded by | Glen Savoie (interim) |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office October 12, 2010 – October 7, 2014 | |
| Premier | David Alward |
| Preceded by | Greg Byrne |
| Succeeded by | Roger Melanson |
| Member of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly for Quispamsis | |
| In office September 27, 2010 – September 19, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Mary Schryer |
| Succeeded by | Aaron Kennedy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Blaine Myron Higgs March 1, 1954 Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Party | Progressive Conservative |
| Other political affiliations | Confederation of Regions (1989–2002) |
| Spouse | Marcia Higgs |
Blaine Myron Higgs (born March 1, 1954) is a former Canadian politician who served as the 34th premier of New Brunswick from 2018 to 2024 and leader of the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party (PC Party) from 2016 to 2024.
Higgs graduated from the University of New Brunswick as an engineer, going on to spend 33 years working for Irving Oil. In his early political journey, he joined New Brunswick Confederation of Regions Party, of which he ran for leadership in 1989, and left the party in 2002. As a Progressive Conservative, Higgs was first elected to the legislature in the 2010 provincial election and served as the Minister of Finance from 2010 to 2014 under the leadership of David Alward. In the 2018 provincial election, Higgs narrowly carried the PCs to a minority government, despite losing the popular vote. Higgs and the PC's were re-elected in the 2020 provincial election, though this time with a majority government.
In the 2024 New Brunswick general election, Higgs and the Progressive Conservatives lost their bid for a third term to the Liberals of Susan Holt, which won a majority government. Higgs lost his seat in the riding of Quispamsis to Aaron Kennedy of the Liberal Party, the first time since 1987 that a sitting New Brunswick Premier lost in their own riding. Higgs resigned as leader of the Progressive Conservative party a week after the election.