Daniel Allain has officially declared his candidacy for the leadership of the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative party at an event in Moncton on Saturday. Becoming the first contender in the race, Allain expressed his optimism about uniting the party and positioning it as a strong alternative for the 2028 election to challenge the status quo. Following his speech, Allain highlighted his experience as an MLA for Moncton East from 2020 to 2024 and as a former minister of local government and local governance reform until 2023.
The party is currently seeking a new leader following former premier Blaine Higgs’ resignation after the electoral defeat to the Liberals last year. Allain, who also previously served as a City of Dieppe councillor, emphasized his expertise in local government reform, stating that his skill set makes him well-suited for the leadership role.
During Allain’s announcement, several current PC MLAs, including Rob Weir, Bill Oliver, Tammy Scott-Wallace, and newly elected Kevin Russell, showed their support. Scott-Wallace praised Allain as a team-builder who values grassroots connections, essential for rural constituencies like hers. Despite the party’s recent setback, she expressed confidence in its future and emphasized the importance of unity.
Former MLAs from various governments, such as Ernie Steeves and Bruce Fitch, were also present to support Allain. Réjean Savoie, a former Miramichi-area MLA, endorsed Allain as the candidate capable of revitalizing and restructuring the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick. Other notable attendees included Sen. Rose-May Poirier, MP Mike Dawson, Mayor Erica Wallace, and City of Moncton councillors Bryan Butler and Shawn Crossman.
Allain outlined a five-point plan for the party’s renewal, focusing on increasing membership, enhancing party organization, engaging with constituents across all electoral districts, fundraising, and planning a policy convention in 2027. While he did not provide specific strategies for leading the party, Allain addressed key issues such as healthcare, education, and the cost of living during his announcement. The PC leadership convention is scheduled for October 17, 2026, as the party aims to rebuild and strengthen its position in the province.