Bruce Fitch

Bruce Fitch
Fitch in 2020
Minister of Health
In office July 15, 2022 – November 2, 2024
Preceded by	Dorothy Shephard
Succeeded by	John Dornan
Minister of Social Development
In office September 29, 2020 – July 15, 2022
Preceded by	Dorothy Shephard
Succeeded by	Dorothy Shephard
Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture
In office February 24, 2020 – September 29, 2020
Preceded by	Robert Gauvin
Succeeded by	Tammy Scott-Wallace
Leader of the Opposition
In office October 18, 2014 – October 22, 2016
Preceded by	Brian Gallant
Succeeded by	Blaine Higgs
Minister of Local Government
In office October 18, 2014 – October 22, 2016
Preceded by	David Alward
Succeeded by	Blaine Higgs
Minister of Local Government
In office October 12, 2010 – October 12, 2014
Preceded by	Chris Collins
Succeeded by	Brian Kenny
Minister responsible for Service New Brunswick
In office October 12, 2010 – September 22, 2014
Preceded by	Victor Boudreau
Succeeded by	Ed Doherty
Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs
In office February 14, 2006 – September 18, 2006
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	T. J. Burke
Minister of Energy
In office June 27, 2003 – February 14, 2006
Preceded by	Jeannot Volpé
Succeeded by	Brenda Fowlie
Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for Riverview
In office June 9, 2003 – September 19, 2024
Preceded by	Pat Crossman
Succeeded by	Rob Weir
Mayor of Riverview
In office May 11, 1998 – 2003
Preceded by	David Richardson
Succeeded by	Clarence Sweetland
Personal details
Born	Ralph Bruce Fitch 1958 or 1959 (age 65–66) Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Residence(s)	Riverview, New Brunswick, Canada
Occupation	Politician

Ralph Bruce Fitch (born c. 1958) is a former Canadian politician. He represented Riverview in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 2003 until 2024.

Early life

Born in Moncton, New Brunswick, he is the son of Dr. Ralph Fitch. In 1980, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Mount Allison University. His career in the private sector was in the insurance and financial industries. He worked with Scotiabank and its brokerage firm ScotiaMcLeod for many years prior to his election to the legislature.

Political career

He was first involved in politics when he was elected in 1989 to the municipal council of the Town of Riverview. He was re-elected to that position in 1992 and 1995 before successfully running for mayor in 1998. He was re-elected mayor in 2001 and served in that capacity until his election to the legislature in the 2003 provincial election. Fitch was the only non-incumbent Progressive Conservative to win a seat in that election and was immediately named to cabinet as Minister of Energy. He was shuffled to the new Justice and Consumer Affairs portfolio on February 14, 2006 despite having no legal training; this was made possible by disassociating the functions of the Office of the Attorney General from the Justice Department.

He is a member of the First Baptist Church. His hobbies include sailboarding and golf. An ardent fan and supporter of minor sports, he is frequently seen on the sidelines of his children’s games. He also coached minor soccer and football in the past.

He has been involved in the community for many years. He has been a member of many boards and committees, including Codiac Regional Police Board, Lakeview Manor Senior Citizens Home, and the Atlantic Baptist University.

On October 18, 2014 after the Progressive Conservative Party under David Alward failed to form government, Fitch was made interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition of New Brunswick.

Fitch was re-elected in the 2018 and 2020 provincial elections. On April 5, 2024, he announced that he would not be seeking re-election during the 2024 provincial election.

Electoral record

Riverview

2020 New Brunswick general election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Bruce Fitch	4,695	60.08	+11.06
	Liberal	Heath Johnson	1,281	16.39	-10.80
	Green	Rachel Pletz	800	10.24	+3.06
	People's Alliance	Troy Berteit	778	9.96	-3.36
	New Democratic	John Nuttall	261	3.34	+0.04
Total valid votes			7,815
Total rejected ballots			13	0.17	-0.02
Turnout			7,828	65.99	+1.98
Eligible voters			11,863
	Progressive Conservative hold		Swing		+10.93
Source: Elections New Brunswick

2018 New Brunswick general election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Bruce Fitch	3,701	49.02	-3.71
	Liberal	Brent Mazerolle	2,053	27.19	-2.29
	People's Alliance	Heather Collins	1,005	13.31	--
	Green	Stephanie Coburn	542	7.18	-0.44
	New Democratic	Madison Duffy	249	3.30	-6.86
Total valid votes			7,550	100.0
Total rejected ballots			14	0.19
Turnout			7,564	64.00
Eligible voters			11,818
Source: Elections New Brunswick

2014 New Brunswick general election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Bruce Fitch	3,751	52.73	-10.15
	Liberal	Tammy Rampersaud	2,097	29.48	+6.01
	New Democratic	Danie Pitre	723	10.16	+3.55
	Green	Linda Hardwick	542	7.62	+0.58
Total valid votes			7,113	100.0
Total rejected ballots			28	0.39
Turnout			7,141	61.84
Eligible voters			11,547
	Progressive Conservative notional hold		Swing		-8.08
Source: Elections New Brunswick

2010 New Brunswick general election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Bruce Fitch	4,358	62.88	-0.46
	Liberal	Lana Hansen	1,627	23.47	-10.23
	Green	Steven Steeves	488	7.04	–
	New Democratic	Darryl Pitre	458	6.61	+3.65
Total valid votes			6,931	100.0
Total rejected ballots			41	0.59
Turnout			6,972	65.15
Eligible voters			10,702
	Progressive Conservative hold		Swing		+4.88
Source: Elections New Brunswick

2006 New Brunswick general election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Bruce Fitch	4,326	63.34	+12.56
	Liberal	Ward White	2,302	33.70	-10.29
	New Democratic	Richard Grant	202	2.96	-2.27
Total valid votes			6,830	100.0
	Progressive Conservative hold		Swing		+11.42
Source: Elections New Brunswick

2003 New Brunswick general election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Bruce Fitch	3,794	50.78	-6.90
	Liberal	Ward White	3,287	43.99	+16.04
	New Democratic	John Falconer	391	5.23	-6.31
Total valid votes			7,472	100.0
	Progressive Conservative hold		Swing		-11.47
Source: Elections New Brunswick

External links

• MLA Bios, Government of New Brunswick