Bruce Fitch

Ralph Bruce Fitch is a Canadian politician, He represents Riverview in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick.

The Honourable
Bruce Fitch
MLA
Minister of Health
Assumed office
July 15, 2022
Preceded byDorothy Shephard
Minister of Social Development
In office
September 29, 2020 – July 15, 2022
Preceded byDorothy Shephard
Succeeded byDorothy Shephard
Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture
In office
February 24, 2020 – September 29, 2020
Preceded byRobert Gauvin
Succeeded byTammy Scott-Wallace
Leader of the Opposition
In office
October 18, 2014 – October 22, 2016
Preceded byBrian Gallant
Succeeded byBlaine Higgs
Minister of Local Government
In office
October 18, 2014 – October 22, 2016
Preceded byDavid Alward
Succeeded byBlaine Higgs
Minister of Local Government
In office
October 12, 2010 – October 12, 2014
Preceded byChris Collins
Succeeded byBrian Kenny
Minister responsible for Service New Brunswick
In office
October 12, 2010 – September 22, 2014
Preceded byVictor Boudreau
Succeeded byEd Doherty
Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs
In office
February 14, 2006 – September 18, 2006
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byT. J. Burke
Minister of Energy
In office
June 27, 2003 – February 14, 2006
Preceded byJeannot Volpé
Succeeded byBrenda Fowlie
Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for Riverview
Assumed office
June 9, 2003
Preceded byPat Crossman
Mayor of Riverview, New Brunswick
In office
May 11, 1998 – 2003
Preceded byDavid Richardson
Succeeded byClarence Sweetland
Personal details
Born
Ralph Bruce Fitch

Moncton, New Brunswick
Political partyProgressive Conservative Party
ResidenceRiverview, New Brunswick
OccupationInsurance and Finance

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.[1]

Fitch was re-elected in the 2018 and 2020 provincial elections.

References
  1. New Brunswick Progressive Conservatives choose Bruce Fitch as interim leader
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