The writ for the upcoming provincial election is expected to drop this week, but candidates are already getting their campaigns ready.
In the Moncton Centre riding, Incumbent MLA Chris Collins is running an an Independent, and he says this is a crucial election.
“The role of an Independent can be extremely important for the future of New Brunswick. We’re very close, because of spending, to have our credit rating dropped. That will cause us to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in additional interest alone.”
Collins says if elected as an Independent, he isn’t concerned that his voice won’t be heard in the Legislature.
“Absolutely I will have say in the Legislature. I will have more say than any other Backbencher. I’m in this for the constituents of Moncton Centre, first and foremost. I’m also in it for our province,” Collins says.
He says he has always been a Liberal, but there is no fiscal restraint right now with that party, and the spending needs to stop, “I’m going to be speaking on behalf of now, and what we need to do now, as opposed to any one political parties beliefs. It will probably be an amalgam of different party beliefs.”
Collins made the decision to leave the Liberals and run as an Independent after allegations of harassment.
A Legislative Administration committee recommended that Collins issue an apology and take anti-harassment sensitivity training.
He issued an apology last month.
The Moncton Centre riding has been labelled as one to watch in the upcoming election.
Other candidates include Progressive Conservative Claudette Boudreau-Turner and Liberal Rob McKee.