Voters in News Brunswick turned their backs on the province's entrenched two-party system -- electing enough third party candidates to leave the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives in a virtual dead heat, Monday evening.
The Tories took 22 of the 49 seats in the legislature, while the incumbent Liberals have 21.
The right-of-centre People's Alliance had three and the Greens three, while the NDP was shut out of the race.
A total of 25 seats was needed for a majority in the 49-seat house, which means the third parties are set to play a key role in deciding who governs the province.
But Conservative leader Blaine Higgs has claimed victory, saying his team has a mandate.
But Gallant says he plans to meet Tuesday with the province's lieutenant governor to explain that he intends to continue governing the province by securing support in the legislature on a vote-by-vote basis.
Gallant told supporters that New Brunswickers have sent third parties into the legislature in a way they haven't done before.
Pundits say the People's Alliance Party, led by Kris Austin, is more closely aligned with the Tories than any other party.
Austin says he's willing to work with any party ``that has some of the ideas that we have been pushing.''
The party's ``common sense'' platform took aim at official bilingualism, saying the dual systems in health care and school busing are costing the province too much money.
When asked during the campaign what would happen if his government was reduced to a minority, Gallant said he wouldn't work with the Progressive Conservatives or the People's Alliance, saying those parties don't share Liberal values.
The province has had virtually no experience with minority governments.