Some analysts believed Robichaud was tiring of the job of Premier, and that he had accomplished everything that he had set out to do, such as the Official Languages Act in 1969.

He campaigned across the province in a helicopter, and analysts were surprised at the ease in which he communicated in both official languages.

The party had made its first appearance in New Brunswick provincial politics in the 1967 election but ran candidates only in the district of Northumberland.

The party fielded candidates in 15 out of 22 districts in the 1970 election, but failed to win any seats.

"New Brunswick’s counties originally provided the basis for the province’s electoral districts, an arrangement which would last with only minor changes until 1974.