Island fisherman swept into office on Conservative tide

A Campobello fisherman will be the first islander ever elected to be a member of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, as Charlotte-Campobello candidate Curtis Malloch was swept into office along with a large majority of other Progressive Conservative (PC) candidates in the September 27 provincial election.
The Progressive Conservatives received less than half of the popular vote but three-quarters of the legislative seats. PC leader David Alward will take over from Liberal leader Shawn Graham as premier, with the PCs winning 42 of the 55 MLA seats but only 48.87% of the vote. The Liberals claimed only 13 seats but garnered 34.43% of the vote. The other parties did not win any seats.
Incumbent MLA Rick Doucet was one of the Liberals who were able to hold onto their seats, as he defeated four other candidates in the race for the Charlotte-The Isles riding, which includes Grand Manan, Deer Island, Blacks Harbour and St. George. Doucet received 3,176 votes to 2,286 for PC candidate Sharon Tucker, 305 for New Democratic Party candidate Sharon Greenlaw, 248 for People's Alliance of New Brunswick candidate Terry James and 180 for Green Party candidate Berton Folkins.
Malloch decisively won the five-way race in the riding that includes St. Stephen, St. Andrews and Campobello, receiving nearly twice as many votes as his nearest opponent. He garnered 2,980 votes, with Liberal candidate Annabelle Juneau receiving 1,516. The other candidates trailed, with New Democratic Party candidate Lloyd Groom receiving 798, Green Party candidate Janice Harvey 500, and People's Alliance of New Brunswick candidate John Craig 404.
Malloch believes the Liberals did so poorly in the election mostly because of their proposal to sell NB Power to Hydro-Quebec. Commenting that Premier Graham didn't consult with the people of the province about the proposed sale, Malloch says, "He can't do that to New Brunswickers. It's like saying your vote doesn't count C trying to sell what New Brunswickers own."
Joining Malloch during the election night at the Masonic Hall in St. Stephen to support him and then help him celebrate his victory were his many supporters from throughout the Charlotte‑Campobello area and also family members. Along with thanking his family and campaign staff, Malloch acknowledged Greg Thompson, retiring MP for the area, as well as Tony Huntjens, the outgoing MLA for Charlotte‑Campobello, and then thanked the voters most of all.
Malloch said, "It's been a long journey for me. Eighteen months ago I threw my name in this race as a fisherman, and here I am, your MLA, and I am telling you from the bottom of my heart, thank you, everybody." He finished his speech stating, "My promise to everyone here, and everyone who didn't vote for me, is that I will be a strong voice in Fredericton for everybody." Upon returning to Campobello, Malloch was greeted at the Campobello border crossing by friends and family who wanted to welcome their newest MLA home. Along with being the first MLA from Campobello, he is the first one from the area to be a member of the majority party.
In an interview, Malloch says he made a commitment to voters to take their issues to Fredericton and "fight tooth and nail" for them. Year-round ferry service to Campobello has been an issue for a group on the island, but he notes that others feel that paved roads are more important, and quite a few believe having a bank on the island that is open a few days a week is the most pressing issue. "All of the issues are important," he says, adding that he will work with the elected body on Campobello, once the councillors and mayor take office later this year, and the municipal bodies in St. Stephen and St. Andrews to advocate for their issues.
Concerning the promise by outgoing Premier Shawn Graham that approximately 115 acres of land on Campobello that was acquired by the province for unpaid taxes will remain in the hands of the people of the island, Malloch notes that land still will be held by the province with the change in government. He says that there are covenant restrictions on what can be done with the land, but if the new municipal government has a proposal for its use he will take it up in the legislative assembly.
Noting that the government can't create jobs in the private sector but can assist in their creation, Malloch says he will work on improving the economy. "Nothing comes easy these days. As a fisherman, I know that." Businesses are struggling, and with the Canadian and U.S. dollars so close in value, the markets are tighter for Canadian businesses that trade in the U.S.
For his part, Doucet, who will now step down as Minister of Fisheries, says he will be able to devote more time to serving the needs of his constituents. "We'll continue what we set a course for C to build a good foundation for Charlotte County." He notes that the Liberal government has provided for the building of new infrastructure for Charlotte County, including the work to complete Route 1 as a four-lane highway, new ferries for Grand Manan and White Head, plans for a new Deer Island ferry, and new civic centres for St. Stephen, St. George and Grand Manan.
"We'll now be working on job creation," says Doucet. "We need to strengthen the base so companies here can grow and look at other opportunities." He mentions that the information technology sector may be a possibility, as well as growth in the tourism sector.
"In retrospect, democracy has spoken," he says of the change in government. "Any government does the best they can.