Robert J. Higgins
Encyclopedia
Robert J. Higgins is a supernumerary justice on the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick
and a former member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
who served as the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party
from 1971 to 1978.
Robert Higgins graduated from St. Francis Xavier University
in 1956 then earned a law degree
in 1960 from the University of New Brunswick
. While practising law in the city of Saint John, New Brunswick
, Higgins turned to politics and in the 1967 provincial election
was the only successful Liberal Party candidate in the seven Saint John city ridings. He served in the 46th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly
and on April 1, 1968 was appointed to the Cabinet
by Premier
Louis Robichaud
as Minister of Economic Development
. On February 11, 1970, he was appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs
, serving until November 12th of that year when he was personally reelected in 1970
but when his party lost power.
, Higgins was voted the party's leader and became Leader of the official opposition
in the Legislative Assembly. He led the party to a majority of the popular votes cast in the 1974 provincial election
, but lost in total seats to the governing Progressive Conservative Party
of Premier Richard Hatfield
who earned strong support from the Acadian
community. Prior to the 1978 election
, Higgins staked his reputation and his position as party leader on an assertion that Premier Hatfield was personally involved in a scandal. The accusation could not be proven and Higgins stepped down as party leader in favour of Joseph Daigle
.
After leaving politics, Higgins returned to the practise of law and would be appointed a justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick in Saint John. Since April 1999 he has been a justice with supernumerary status.
In 2006, Robert Higgins was inducted in St. Francis Xavier University
Hall of Honour.
|-
|-
Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick
The Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick is the superior court of the Canadian province of New Brunswick.- Structure :...
and a former member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
who served as the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party
New Brunswick Liberal Association
The New Brunswick Liberal Association , more popularly known as the New Brunswick Liberal Party or Liberal Party of New Brunswick, is one of the two major political parties in the Canadian province of New Brunswick...
from 1971 to 1978.
Robert Higgins graduated from St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
in 1956 then earned a law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
in 1960 from the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
. While practising law in the city of Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
, Higgins turned to politics and in the 1967 provincial election
New Brunswick general election, 1967
The 26th New Brunswick general election was held on October 23, 1967, to elect 58 members to the 46th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada....
was the only successful Liberal Party candidate in the seven Saint John city ridings. He served in the 46th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly
46th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly
The 46th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly represented New Brunswick between February 27, 1968 and September 3, 1970.Wallace Samuel Bird was Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick.Robert B. McCready was chosen as speaker....
and on April 1, 1968 was appointed to the Cabinet
Executive Council of New Brunswick
The Executive Council of New Brunswick is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
by Premier
Premier of New Brunswick
The Premier of New Brunswick is the first minister for the Canadian province of New Brunswick. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive....
Louis Robichaud
Louis Robichaud
Louis Joseph Robichaud, PC, CC, QC , popularly known as "Little Louis" or "P'tit-Louis" , was a Canadian lawyer and politician...
as Minister of Economic Development
Business New Brunswick
Business New Brunswick is a department in the Government of New Brunswick. It is charged with stimulating economic prosperity and global competitiveness in the province....
. On February 11, 1970, he was appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs
Department of Municipal Affairs (New Brunswick)
The Department of Municipal Affairs was a part of the Government of New Brunswick. It was charged with the planning and supervision of local government in New Brunswick. From 1938 to 1954, this ministry was combined with Education. In 1986, the department became the Department of Municipal Affairs...
, serving until November 12th of that year when he was personally reelected in 1970
New Brunswick general election, 1970
The 27th New Brunswick general election was held on November 18, 1974, to elect 58 members to the 47th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada...
but when his party lost power.
Party leader
Following the defeat of his governing Liberals under leader and Premier Louis RobichaudLouis Robichaud
Louis Joseph Robichaud, PC, CC, QC , popularly known as "Little Louis" or "P'tit-Louis" , was a Canadian lawyer and politician...
, Higgins was voted the party's leader and became Leader of the official opposition
Leader of the Opposition (New Brunswick)
The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick, Canada is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government....
in the Legislative Assembly. He led the party to a majority of the popular votes cast in the 1974 provincial election
New Brunswick general election, 1974
The 28th New Brunswick general election was held on November 18, 1974, to elect 58 members to the 48th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada...
, but lost in total seats to the governing Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick is a centre-right political party in New Brunswick, Canada. It has its origins in the pre-Canadian confederation Conservative Party that opposed the granting of responsible government to the colony...
of Premier Richard Hatfield
Richard Hatfield
Richard Bennett Hatfield, PC, ONB was a New Brunswick politician and long time Premier of the province .- Early life :...
who earned strong support from the Acadian
Acadian
The Acadians are the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who settled in Acadia . Acadia was a colony of New France...
community. Prior to the 1978 election
New Brunswick general election, 1978
The 29th New Brunswick general election was held on October 23, 1978, to elect 58 members to the 49th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Richard Hatfield's Progressive Conservative Party narrowly won its third term.In the lead up to...
, Higgins staked his reputation and his position as party leader on an assertion that Premier Hatfield was personally involved in a scandal. The accusation could not be proven and Higgins stepped down as party leader in favour of Joseph Daigle
Joseph Z. Daigle
Joseph Zenon Daigle, BA, BCL, QC born June 23, 1934 in Saint-Charles, New Brunswick, is a Canadian lawyer and a former politician and Chief Justice of New Brunswick....
.
After leaving politics, Higgins returned to the practise of law and would be appointed a justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick in Saint John. Since April 1999 he has been a justice with supernumerary status.
In 2006, Robert Higgins was inducted in St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
Hall of Honour.
|-
|-