Election debrief: After all that and we still don't know who's in charge

Good morning,

I'm so tired, and with good reason. It's the wee hours of Tuesday morning following a wild election night full of twists, turns and an unhealthy amount of caffeine.

And we still don't know who's going to form government.

Who will govern N.B.?

6 years ago

Duration 0:28

It was an extremely tight race - and both the PCs and Liberals say they will make a case to govern.

The Progressive Conservatives are claiming victory after winning 22 seats, one more than the Liberals. Both leaders said they intend to govern. Things get murky from there, but fortunately provincial affairs reporter Jacques Poitras will help you sort through it.

Also, the People's Alliance made some history, the Greens tripled their presence in the legislature and the NDP are sent back to the drawing board (again).

We have recaps and analysis galore,cabinet losers and regional breakdowns.

Here's what we're talking on the day after the election day:

The election, in 90 seconds

New Brunswick election night in 90 seconds

6 years ago

Duration 1:40

As PCs claim victory, Liberals try to hold onto power.

Analysis

Prior to the election, CBCpolling wizard Eric Grnierexplained how the Liberals suffer historically from an inefficient vote.

Well, history repeated itself Monday night. At 37.8 per cent, the Liberals carried the lion's share of the popular vote but failed to win the most seats.

Grnierexplores how that issue reared its head again and other fascinating voter dynamics.

Also,Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs may have won more seats on Monday night, but a constitutional expert says Liberal Leader Brian Gallant should have the first opportunity to form a government.

Jacques Poitrasexamined what happens now after New Brunswick elected its first minority government in almost 100 years.

Top headlines

• Liberals intend to form government despite Tory minority
  • New Brunswick's electoral landscape was thrown into chaos on Monday, as both the Progressive Conservatives and the incumbent Liberals hope to form government after the first minority legislature in almost 100 years.

• Higgs says he will see to govern as party overcomes challenges
  • "The one who wins the most seats forms government," stated PC Leader Blaine Higgs following Liberal Leader Brian Gallant speech on intending to govern.

• David Coon will head back to house with 2 other Green MLAs
  • Green Party Leader David Coon won't be alone in the legislature in the next four years after the party added two seats Monday night

• People's Alliance wins three seats in 'significant breakthrough'
  • It took eight years and three elections for People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin to break through and win a seat and the party did more than that.

• NDP leader loses in Saint John Harbour as party is shut out across province
  • The NDP drought in the New Brunswick legislature will continue after dismal performance in Monday's election.

• New Brunswick voters send 11 female MLAs to legislature
  • New Brunswick voters elected 11 female MLAs in the province's 49 ridings on Monday night a bump up from the 2014 election results.

• When it comes to the cabinet who won and who lost
  • A handful of Liberal cabinet ministers went down in defeat Monday evening but the bulk are headed back to legislature, whatever that might look like.

The pulse

The Green Party's support soared both in the popular vote count and in social media mentions.

Cameron Gordon with Twitter Canadasends along a note thatGreen Party Leader David Coon received the most mentions on the social media platform as of midnight Atlantic time.

Coon was mentioned 1.2 times more than Liberal Leader Brian Gallant, 1.45 times more than PC Leader Blaine Higgs and 2.9 times more than People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin.

Gordon notes that the environment was the top issue discussed by those using the hashtag #NBpoli.

"As of midnight, Sept. 24, 2018, had the most uses of #nbpoli on Twitter of any day in history," Gordon said.

Regional breakdowns

• People's Alliance does well in Miramichi as Greens pick up Kent seat
  • The New Brunswick riding map has some unfamiliar colours in the Miramichi region, with new patches of purple and green. On the flip side, some familiar names won't be returning to the legislature.

• Moncton region keeps Liberal, PC mix as Sackville goes Green
  • Eight incumbents were re-elected for the PCs and Liberals around Moncton, while the Green Party won a seat in Memramcook-Tantramar.

• Tory wave sweeps across Saint John regions as PCs win 9 seats
  • The Progressive Conservatives' showing in the Saint John region help propel the party to its slim minority position, but a Liberal newcomer is set to make waves at the provincial government.

• Tory makes comeback, Liberal minister falls in western ridings
  • Out with the old and in with the old? The Liberals lost a cabinet minister and the Tories lost a seat after a longtime MLA didn't re-offer. Now, two political veterans making comebacks are taking over.

• Fredericton area awash in colours as 4 parties send MLAs to legislature
  • Every party that won a seat in the 39th provincial general election won a seat in the capital region.

• Liberals hang on to most of north, but lose a minister
  • Another Liberal minister bites the dust, but the Liberals maintain their grip on northern New Brunswick in an election full of surprises.

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