Ethnicity and accommodation in the New Brunswick party system

This paper explores the relationship between New Brunswick's two ethno-linguistic communities and the province's Progressive Conservative and Liberal parties. Using data form provincial elections from 1908 to 1999, we examine the strength of electoral support enjoyed bye ach party in both communities and the degree to which the parties have represented both groups in their decision-making bodies. Results from surveys of party activists are used to examine inter and intra party opinion structures on questions relating to language and ethnicity. We conclude that over the past three decades New Brunswick's political parties have adopted a brokerage approach and have managed to transcend the province's ethno-linguistic divide.