A long-time New Brunswick Progressive Conservative MLA has made the decision to step down.

Portland-Simonds MLA Trevor Holder made the announcement in the legislature on Thursday.

“There is a time for everything under heaven. And it’s time for the kid from the north end of Saint John to say goodbye to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick,” said Holder.

Holder, who was first elected to the provincial legislature in 1999, has served six consecutive terms as an MLA.

He has held many portfolios, most recently serving as post-secondary education, training and labour minister.

But he resigned from cabinet in June over concerns about how things were functioning under Premier Blaine Higgs.

“Under the leadership of Premier Higgs, caucus has been less about consensus and more about him getting his own way,” Holder said in a letter at the time.

“While I have tried my best to continue to work to maintain the integrity of this caucus system, I have finally come to the conclusion that this is no longer possible.”

Holder was among six Tory MLAs who sided with a Liberal motion calling for more consultation on Policy 713, the provnice’s LGBTQ+ policy in schools.

His regisnation is the latest in a growing number of Tory MLAs who have said they are not seeking re-election this year.