The Progressive Conservatives, under leader Cyril Sherwood, had accused the Liberals of corruption for allowing an Italian company, Cartiere del Timavo, to construct a paper mill in Newcastle, and grant it rights to Crown land over other companies.

Analysts had wondered why Robichaud decided to call the election only two-and-a-half years into his mandate over what they thought was a small issue.

Several of his projects, such as tax reform and an overhaul of post-secondary education (which eventually led to the creation of the Université de Moncton and the University of New Brunswick at Saint John), died in the legislature.

Many voters perceived Sherwood as too timid in his attacks on the Liberals on the campaign trail, as compared to his vigorous speeches in the Legislature.

Robichaud then used the Liberal victory nationally as leverage provincially and promised New Brunswick would receive better treatment from the federal government with the same party in power.