Madame Premier were the words that filled the chamber of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick with applause and emotion – with Saturday marking the transfer of power to a new government with province’s first female premier.
Premier Susan Holt, her cabinet, and the remaining MLAs were sworn in at the legislative assembly in Fredericton.
On Oct. 21, the two-term Progressive Conservative government was defeated, securing just 16 seats. Former Premier Blaine Higgs was also defeated in Quispamsis, a set he has held for 14 years.
Women leading the charge
“It’s a dream come true to be able to serve the province that I love,” said Holt, while speaking with reporters after the ceremony.
Holt made a point to include women MLAs, both past and present, in the ceremony on Tuesday. She said to reporters it was important to include them because, without them, her place in history would not be possible.
Susan Holt, centre right, is sworn in as Premier of New Brunswick at the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly in Fredericton on Saturday November 2, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Hawkins
“The women who came before me paved the way, and every single one of them that got elected made it a little bit easier for the next of us to get here,” she said.
She posed for a picture with many of them on the front steps of the Legislature building, including current PC MLA Margaret Johnson, former MLAs Dorothy Shephard, Arlene Dunn, and Andrea Anderson Mason, as well as former Liberal MLA Aldéa Landry and Green MLA Megan Mitton.
“I wanted to make sure that they had an opportunity to be a part of the day,” Holt said. “Because I think it’s something that many of them have wished for for longer than I have. So, it was important for me to invite all of them, and I’m thrilled that so many came to participate.”
There were also several former premiers in attendance including Shawn Graham, Bernard Lord, and Camille Thériault.
At least 17 out of the 49 seats in the legislative assembly elected women – about 35 per cent of the entire assembly.
‘Not leaving us behind’
There was also significant involvement in the ceremony with Indigenous elders and leaders.
At the outset of the ceremony, Wolastoqi Elder Opolahsomuwehs, known in English as Imelda Perley blessed Holt, her family, as well as, all of cabinet. The cabinet members and the Premier also participated in an honour walk to the Fredericton Convention ceremony.
There, Perley, alongside Holt’s three daughters – Molly, 12, Paige, 10, and Brooke, 7 – helped place their mother in a pair of moccasins – which Perley said marks the beginning of a new relationship between the Indigenous community and the provincial government.
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and her cabinet speak to members of the media outside the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly shortly after the swearing in ceremony in Fredericton on Saturday November 2, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Hawkins
“We trust that you’re going to be walking in our moccasins with us, not leaving us behind,” Perley said addressing a large crowd at the Fredericton Convention Centre, where people could watch the swearing-in ceremony.
Holt was also wrapped in a ceremonial blanket – a symbol of protection.
Cabinet is expected to meet for the first time on Monday, Holt said, with the legislature expected to begin its first session on Nov. 19 – just over two weeks from now.
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