Miramichi is likely to be less of a race and more of a coronation for incumbent Bill Fraser. In 2014, Fraser won by more than 1200 votes and has since performed with distinction as a Liberal Cabinet member. His own personal popularity is higher than that of the government and he remains free of much of his government’s baggage. In addition to Fraser’s popularity and performance, the other parties contending for his office have put forward unknown candidates.
The Progressive Conservatives have chosen failed Miramichi Mayoral candidate Peggy McLean. McLean is an avid volunteer and sits on many boards in her community, but after serving as a city councilor for a single term, electors chose not to give her the promotion to mayor. She came in third place, falling 3100 votes short of victory.
The Green Party has put forward Louann Savage; a retired teacher. Of all the candidates in Miramichi, Savage is the one to have put forward the most comprehensive personal platform. Her political passions center on crown lands, healthcare, ending privatization, and community decision making. Savage aims to improve health standards in Miramichi, and New Brunswick, by improving environmental protections and increasing the number of nurses.
Douglas Mullin of the New Democrats has also put forward a few point on a personal platform. He aims to increase the minimum wage to $15; a goal set by the federal NDP a few years ago. Most economists in Canada have suggested that $15 is the base livable wage in Canada. Mullin also suggests that tuition rates in New Brunswick must be lowered. Tuition in New Brunswick is the fourth highest in the country, higher than Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Rounding out Mullin’s platform is the importance of improving transportation in rural New Brunswick.
The People’s Alliance put forward Michelle Conroy. Conroy has repeated the party cry for change but has remained unclear about exactly what change she would like to see. An administrative worker for the Miramichi Regional Health Authority, Conroy is the first PANB candidate to run the still new riding of Miramichi. In 2014, the inaugural race for the new riding, the PANB put forward no candidate to contend.
In 2014 Miramichi was a two way race between Liberal and Progressive Conservative. In fact, an independent candidate scored higher than the Greens and New Democrats.
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