Daniel Allain Elected Leader of New Brunswick Progressive Conservatives

Daniel Allain speaks to media after being elected the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick at the party's leadership convention in Fredericton on Oct. 17, 2026. The Canadian Press/Eli J. Ridder

Daniel Allain has won the leadership race of the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party, defeating MLA Don Monahan with 58.5 percent of the vote.

Former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Allain, who does not currently hold a seat in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, replaces MLA Glen Savoie, who has served as interim leader since 2024, when outgoing Premier Blaine Higgs lost his seat and stepped down.

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

Allain received 2,543 votes, compared with 1,797 for Monahan. Following the results, Monahan said he supported Allain’s leadership and called for unity within the party.

Allain served as a city councillor for Dieppe before being elected to the provincial legislature in 2020. He was appointed local government minister, a cabinet position he held for three years before being removed in 2023.

In an Oct. 17 social media post, Liberal Premier Susan Holt congratulated Allain on winning the leadership race.

“It’s good to see Daniel back in leadership with his party. I wish him well in his new role and look forward to seeing him back in the Legislature someday soon. I look forward to finding ways we can work together for all New Brunswickers,” she said.

The Progressive Conservatives lost power in the October 2024, election, when Holt’s Liberals won 31 of the legislature’s 49 seats. The PCs won 16 seats, while the Green Party won two. Higgs, who had served as premier since 2018, resigned as party leader several days later.

Allain has criticized Holt’s government on provincial spending and called for measures to support small businesses.

In a Sept. 26 social media post, Allain criticized the government, saying the province recorded a $1.3 billion deficit in 2025, far exceeding the projected $549 million, after spending $754 million more than expected.

He called on the government to reduce taxes on small businesses, help offset energy costs, expand hospitality training, invest in tourism and downtown revitalization, promote local businesses, and simplify regulations.

Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre congratulated Allain in a social media post on Oct. 17.

“I look forward to working together to save Canadians money & jobs, keep people safe, cap immigration and put Canada first,” he wrote.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.