New Brunswick Southwest

Stretching from the international border with Maine across Charlotte County to the suburban fringes of both Saint John and Fredericton, New Brunswick Southwest is a geographically diverse riding encompassing rugged Bay of Fundy coastline, forested interior, and island communities. The riding takes in the border town of St. Stephen, the resort community of St. Andrews, and the Fundy islands of Grand Manan, Campobello, and Deer Island, along with inland towns such as McAdam, Harvey Station, and Fredericton Junction.

Candidates

John Williamson (Conservative) — Born in Fredericton, Williamson held a degree in economics and political science from McGill University and a master's in economic history from the London School of Economics. Before entering politics, he worked as an editorial writer at the National Post and served as federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. He was appointed Director of Communications in the Prime Minister's Office under Stephen Harper in 2009, then won the riding in 2011 before losing it in the 2015 Liberal wave.

Karen Ludwig (Liberal) — The incumbent MP, Ludwig was the first woman elected in the riding. A university professor who joined UNB's Faculty of Business Administration in 2002, she held Master of Arts and Master of Education degrees and had received a departmental teaching excellence award for her MBA-level international trade instruction. She served as chair of the New Brunswick Federal Liberal Caucus and sat on the Standing Committee on International Trade during her term.

Susan Jonah (Green Party) — Jonah was the Green Party candidate in the riding, part of the party's provincial campaign effort. She was also active in provincial Green politics.

Douglas Mullin (NDP) — Mullin represented the NDP in New Brunswick Southwest. Minor candidates also included Meryl Sarty (People's Party) and Abe Scott (Veterans Coalition Party).

About the Riding

Charlotte County, which forms the riding's core, occupies the southwestern tip of New Brunswick where the St. Croix River marks the international boundary with Maine. St. Stephen and its American twin city of Calais share one of the busiest small border crossings in eastern Canada, and cross-border commerce has long been central to the local economy. The aquaculture industry — particularly Atlantic salmon farming — is a major employer along the coast and in the Passamaquoddy Bay area around St. Andrews. Grand Manan Island, accessible only by ferry, sustains a fishing economy built on lobster, herring, and dulse harvesting. St. Andrews, with its historic resort hotels and marine biology research station operated by the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, draws tourists and researchers alike. Inland, the riding takes in forestry-dependent communities and the suburban growth areas of Grand Bay-Westfield and the Hanwell-Kingsclear corridor near Fredericton. During the 2019 campaign, cross-border trade relations, aquaculture regulation, rural broadband access, and the future of the forestry sector were key local issues.