| Libertarian Party of New Brunswick | |
| Colorcode: |
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| Leader: | Keith Tays |
| President: | François Provost |
| Founded: | July 2024[1] |
| Ideology: | Libertarianism, Individualism, Localism |
| Headquarters: | New Brunswick |
| Country: | Canada |
| Native Name: | French: Parti libertarien du Nouveau-Brunswick |
| Colours: | Navy Blue, Yellow |
| Blank1 Title: | Fiscal policy |
| Blank2 Title: | Social policy |
| Seats1 Title: | Seats in the House of Commons |
| Seats2 Title: | Seats in the Senate |
| Seats3 Title: | Seats in the Legislative Assembly |
| State: | New Brunswick |
| Parties Dab1: | List of political parties in New Brunswick |
| Elections Dab1: | List of post-confederation New Brunswick general elections |
The Libertarian Party of New Brunswick is a provincial political party in the Canadian province of New Brunswick which adheres to the general principles of libertarianism to "significantly cut taxes and reduce the size of government".[2] [3] It was formed in the months prior to the 2024 New Brunswick general election, with party leader Keith Tays saying ""I don't expect to win any seats this early on just because we've had so little time to get the word out."[4] [2] [5] [6]
The party advocates for free market growth, and "reducing the size and intrusiveness of government, cutting and eliminating taxes at every opportunity, and allowing peaceful, honest people to offer their goods and services without inappropriate interference from the government", specifically referencing a proposed provincial police force, a provincial referendum to determine the breadth of issues like abortion, school choice and self-defence.[4] [7] Leader Keith Tays indicated that many of the initial party members had also opposed lockdowns and mandates during Covid-19.[8]
The party identifies as neither left-wing nor right-wing, noting its mandate is to "take power away from government because it's not the role of government to interfere in people's lives and people's businesses...we're talking about cutting government in half".[9] [10] However, they have been described by CBC News as being on the "populist right"[8] and by the Telegraph-Journal as being on the "political right".
In 2024, Libertarian Party fielded 18 candidates, winning 0.5% of the popular vote overall, behind the Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, Greens, NDP, and People's Alliance, and placed last in each riding contested by the party. Individual candidates received from 0.6% to 1.9% of the vote in their constituencies.[11] [12] The party ran more candidates than the People's Alliance, which leader Keith Tays criticized as having failed to stand on principle and embraced centrism.[8] [13] [14]
The election guide for the University of New Brunswick student newspaper, The Baron, described the Libertarian Party as "radically different...as they believe in a form of government that holds limited power, especially over one's wallet, body, and mind, meaning the government should hold the most power on a local level."[15] [16] In an editorial, the Telegraph-Journal daily newspaper welcomed the creation of the party prior to the election, while not endorsing it, calling it "a necessary balance on the political right" to the social conservativism of the Progressive Conservatives under Premier Blaine Higgs.[17]
| Provincial Riding | Candidate[18] | Total Votes | % of Votes | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert-Riverview | William Jones | 97 | 1.2% | 5th of 5 |
| Arcadia-Butternut Valley-Maple Hills | Anthony Matthews | 149 | 1.9% | 4th of 4 |
| Beausoleil-Grand-Bouctouche-Kent | Eddy Richard | 90 | 1.0% | 5th of 5 |
| Champdoré-Irishtown | Adam Hennessey | 103 | 1.5% | 4th of 4 |
| Fredericton North | Andrew Vandette | 46 | 0.6% | 6th of 6 |
| Fundy-The Isles-Saint John Lorneville | Keith Tays | 88 | 1.3% | 6th of 6 |
| Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins | Barb Dempsey | 120 | 1.4% | 6th of 6 |
| Hanwell-New Maryland | Meryl Sarty | 67 | 0.7% | 6th of 6 |
| Kings Centre | Crystal Tays | 139 | 1.8% | 4th of 4 |
| Restigouche West | Ron Geraghty | 116 | 1.9% | 4th of 4 |
| Riverview | Rebecca Mallaley | 69 | 0.9% | 5th of 5 |
| Rothesay | Austin Venedam | 85 | 1.1% | 4th of 4 |
| Saint Croix | Krysten Mitchell | 82 | 1.1% | 7th of 7 |
| Saint John East | Denise Campbell | 92 | 1.3% | 6th of 6 |
| Saint John Harbour | Shelley Craig | 82 | 1.4% | 5th of 5 |
| Saint John West-Lancaster | Sherie Vukelic | 69 | 0.9% | 5th of 5 |
| Sussex-Three Rivers | Wayne Wheeler | 159 | 1.9% | 4th of 4 |
| Tantramar | Donna Allen | 57 | 1.1% | 5th of 5 |