[2] The Progressive Conservatives formed a minority government after the election, at which point Blaine Higgs appointed Gauvin to the Executive Council of New Brunswick as Deputy Premier, Minister of Tourism, Heritage, and Culture, and Minister responsible for La Francophonie.

On February 14, 2020, he resigned from cabinet and the Progressive Conservative caucus to sit as an Independent MLA, citing Higgs' health reforms, including the nighttime closure of six hospital emergency rooms; in announcing his resignation, Gauvin called those reforms "an attack on rural New Brunswick.

On January 30, 2022, Gauvin announced his campaign for leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Association following Kevin Vickers' 2020 resignation.

The election took place on August 6, 2022,[5] and Gauvin was eliminated on the second round of balloting, finishing third in the contest.

As of September 8, 2024, he serves as the Official Opposition critic for Social Development, Rural Affairs, and Seniors and Long-Term Care.