In a series of high-speed procedural votes, the New Brunswick legislature passed the Higgs government's budget Friday afternoon, clearing the way for politicians and civil servants to turn their full attention to the COVID-19 outbreak. But the most dramatic turn of events was a 24-0 vote in which the budget passed, guaranteeing there will be no provincial election this spring. Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers told reporters the party abandoned its hard line against the budget because of the COVID-19 crisis. Coon's decision pivotalThe budget vote became a foregone conclusion Friday morning when Coon said he would not vote against it. Shortly after his announcement, Coon and the other three party leaders in the legislature huddled to discuss accelerating the budget vote.

Source: CBC News March 13, 2020 16:36 UTC