Voters in Stuart Jamieson's Saint John-Fundy riding aren't happy their veteran MLA has been kicked out of cabinet over the controversial NB Power-Hydro-Québec deal.

Jamieson stepped down as tourism and parks minister Friday night at the request of Premier Shawn Graham.

Graham said he had "no choice" but to ask Jamieson to resign for breaking cabinet solidarity by suggesting the proposed power deal should go to a referendum.

'You know, he's elected, he's the voice of the people. And I certainly don't think he should be railroaded out of cabinet because he's trying to get our point across.'—Jeff Leblanc, St. Martins resident

In St. Martins, even those with differing views on the deal support Jamieson, who has represented their riding since 1987, getting elected seven times.

Lifelong resident Jeff Leblanc said Jamieson was doing his job, representing the concerns of his riding.

"You know, he's elected, he's the voice of the people. And I certainly don't think he should be railroaded out of cabinet because he's trying to get our point across," Leblanc said.

Marie Brown said she's disappointed to see Jamieson punished for representing her concerns.

"I don't really think it's fair," she said. "I think everyone has their opinion, but when you're in politics your hands are pretty well tied."

Brown said Jamieson's work as tourism minister made a big difference for people in her community.

"He had a lot to do with the Fundy trail, which brought a lot of business to St. Martins," she said.

Referendum 'smart' idea

Mickey Huttges, who owns Huttges General Store, said it's a shame Jamieson lost his place — even though he thinks a power-rate freeze will be in the best interest of his store.

"I probably think Stuart was in the right, and if Mr. Graham was smart at all he would have had a referendum on it in the first place, even though it was probably a good decision by Graham," Huttges said.

"If something goes up five per cent a year, and five per cent the next year, that's compounded to about 13 per cent. And running a business, it means a lot."

Both Huttges and Brown hope Jamieson will run again in the provincial election Sept. 27.

Jamieson, 60, has said that's unlikely.

Hédard Albert, minister of wellness, culture and sport, and minister responsible for la Francophonie, the French-speaking equivalent of the Commonwealth, has been appointed acting minister of tourism.

Jamieson was one of five members of the Liberal caucus who said they could not vote to support the original NB Power deal, announced in the fall. When the revised deal was unveiled last month, the premier said it had unanimous support from his caucus.

The proposed $3.2-billion deal, unveiled Jan. 20, would see Hydro-Québec acquire most of NB Power's generation assets, but New Brunswick would maintain control of transmission and distribution.

Under the deal, New Brunswick’s residential ratepayers will get a five-year rate freeze. Medium-sized industries will see a roughly 15 per cent cut in power rates and will have those rates locked in for five years, while large industrial customers will see their power prices fall by roughly 23 per cent.

After five years, rates will increase with inflation and be regulated by the Energy and Utilities Board.

The deal was watered down from the original $4.8-billion deal announced in October after a public outcry and open dissent within the Liberal caucus.