Returning PC MLA Sherry Wilson won for the fifth time in the New Brunswick provincial election this week and will serve in the riding of Albert-Riverview.
“Going door to door was very positive, but with any election, you never know what the outcome will be. Certainly, provincially it’s not what we expected, but it is what it is. And I’m sure that moving forward, things will work out, and things will come together again,” Wilson says.
She feels it’ll be a challenging Legislative session, but adds there are always challenges and as an MLA you have to be ready to do what you need to do.
“The opposition is there to hold the government to account, and that’s what we’ll do.”
Wilson says she spoke to many residents who have seen the challenges including homelessness and mental health and substance use disorders.
“I have a strong passion for that. Right from the 90s, when I worked with the police, I could see a rise in this. When I sat on the Police Board for Codiac, and as a Town Councillor for the town of Riverview, we saw an increase in mental health issues, homelessness and drug addiction. I am hoping that they(The Liberals) will intervene and put forward the Compassion of Care Intervention Act because this is really important. We cannot just step over people and forget they’re on the street when they can’t take care of themselves, or when they’re a danger to someone else or themselves.”
Wilson adds that it’s a wonderful feeling knowing that around 35 per cent of those elected this time are women.
“We’ve been pushing hard for more women to become part of politics. I’ve worked with some of my Liberal friends, and they’re great people but to see more women, they’re more detailed, they ask more questions.”
Liberal Leader and now Premier-designate Susan Holt will become the first-ever female Premier in the province of New Brunswick. Wilson congratulated her on her win, but that doesn’t come without concern.
“She was in the Premier’s office with Brian Gallant when they went after seniors assets and also with the fast track. So I do have concerns. But if Susan Holt is going to run the government, that’s got to be a priority, to have your own ideas and try to set your goals and your course of action that you want to take for the people to keep your promises made.”
PC Leader and outgoing Premier Blaine Higgs was not re-elected in the Quispamsis riding. On election night, Higgs told everyone he would be stepping down from his role as Leader in the coming days.
As for who will replace him, Wilson didn’t say, “Well, I haven’t had any real conversations right yet. There are a couple of people that I think would be very, very good. And other than that, I know that we’re going to come up with a leader that’s going to be very capable and be able to lead and do well.”
She says she will miss Premier Higgs because he was a hard worker and really cared about the province.
“He is a good man. He’s extremely intelligent, and we’re going to miss Blaine Higgs.”
