Daniel Allain

Daniel Allain has been chosen as the new leader of New Brunswick’s Progressive Conservatives.

Allain received 2,543 votes to Don Monahan’s 1,797.

“I am humbled, proud you have chosen me to lead one of the greatest institutions in our province,” Allain said.

“Our party has a long history of great leaders who made New Brunswick a better place to live, raise a family and be proud that we’re Canadian.”

Allain said the PC Party is being called on to step up for New Brunswickers, and made a pitch for unity within the party.

“I need you with me,” he said. “Because it’s time to have one team again.”

Allain praised Monahan’s hard work during the leadership campaign.

“You stepped up, Don,” he said. “Your commitment to rural New Brunswick and your understanding of rural issues resonated.”

Allain added one of his first tasks will be to sit down with Monahan and chart the path forward for the party.

He also reached out to Monahan’s supporters.

“I know it doesn’t feel good right now,” Allain said.

“I’ve been in politics a long time and I’ve lost too. But I know you guys did the hard work and you guys did it for our province. So, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

The road ahead

Allain thanked the party’s caucus for holding the Holt government to account for the last two years, “exposing their lack of leadership and out-of-control spending.”

Turning toward the next two years and the next election, Allain said the party must be broad and welcoming.

“Whether you’re a man or a woman, English or French, rural or urban, north, south, east, west, a person of faith, a member of the LGBTQ community, a young person, an old person, a PC member for 50 years or for the last five days, you belong to this party,” he said.

“We are at our best when we are socially progressive, fiscally conservative, believe in the rights of the individual, prioritize private sector growth, believe in bilingualism, care for society’s most vulnerable, are fiscally responsible and work to create strong families and communities.”

Allain said the party will begin a comprehensive policy renewal process.

“We’ll create opportunities for people all over New Brunswick to discuss how the PC party can represent their interest in the next campaign,” he said.

He added the party’s communications and fundraising processes will be modernized, and party members will be given new ways to engage with the party and other members.

Looking ahead to 2028, Allain said the party will prepare a 49-seat strategy, including having riding presidents and organizations in every riding in the province.

“There’s not one riding that will be left behind,” he said.