Hero of The Hill throws hat into party leadership race
NEWCASTLE, N.B. — Kevin Vickers, hailed as a hero for helping to end the 2014 attack on Parliament Hill, is making a leap to politics with a bid for the leadership of New Brunswick’s Opposition Liberals.
The former House of Commons sergeant-at-arms made the announcement to a packed hall Friday in Newcastle, N.B.
“My roots are here. My heart is here. I love New Brunswick. And I love the people of New Brunswick. New Brunswick has been good to me. It’s now time for me to give back,” said Vickers, who is making his political debut in his early 60s.
“I hope to make a difference right here in New Brunswick.”
Vickers retired this month as Canada’s ambassador to Ireland, and has been travelling New Brunswick over the last two weeks.
He is hoping to replace former premier Brian Gallant, who lost power last fall after the Liberals failed to form a minority government in the weeks following the Sept. 24 provincial election.
Vickers acknowledged his many years away from the province, but played up his roots in New Brunswick, saying: “I’m finally home.”
He said he had learned much during his long career as an RCMP officer about respecting the importance of everyone. His announcement Friday began with both an Indigenous honour song and an Irish dance troupe.
“I bring people together. That is what I do. That is who I am,” Vickers said to a standing ovation.
He listed multiple policy priorities, from health care and education to tackling climate change and green-lighting a highway project delayed by Conservative Premier Blaine Higgs.
Vickers said he wants to increase immigration to one per cent of the provincial population annually, and to bring former New Brunswickers home again, saying growth is key. “Demography is destiny,” he said. In a dark suit and green tie, the proud Irish-Canadian switched between French and English in front of an audience that included many sitting Liberal members of the legislature and former Liberal premier Camille Theriault.
“I think Mr. Vickers brings a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge of the different facts in the province of New Brunswick and he offers hope,” Theriault said.
Donald Wright, a political scientist with the University of New Brunswick, said Vickers’ entrance limits the candidates for the leadership.
“I think him getting into the race might dissuade other people from getting into the race because he’s generated by his name a lot of buzz and a sense of inevitability, coronation. I think it’s troubling,” Wright said.