Tories poised for power

The transfer of power has begun in New Brunswick, after Brian Gallant’s Liberals fell on a confidence vote Friday.

Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau asked Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs to form government in a meeting late Friday afternoon.

Higgs struck an optimistic tone as he spoke to reporters shortly after becoming premier-designate.

“I guess the next step begins,’’ Higgs said.

“I believe our province can be in first place in all categories. And I believe that opportunity is right before us today.’’

Gallant, whose government fell when the legislature voted against the throne speech, said he was unsure about his own political future, but he wished the Tories luck.

“Their success will be New Brunswick’s success,’’ he said.

Higgs said he wants the transition to occur as quickly as possible and will present a throne speech before the end of the month.

“The throne speech won’t be a shopping list. It will be a priority list and it will be focused on some big items we can agree on,’’ Higgs said.

“We will set lofty goals and achieve them. We don’t need more taxes, we need results.’’

He hopes to have a cabinet sworn in by the end of next week.

The Tories won 22 seats in the September election — one more than the Liberals — while the Greens and People’s Alliance each won three seats.