Carleton byelection called for Oct. 5

Premier Brian Gallant is sending voters in western New Brunswick to the polls on Oct. 5 to replace former premier David Alward, who resigned from provincial politics in May.

The byelection was prompted when former Progressive Conservative premier DavidAlwardresigned the seat on May 22 after being appointed Canada's consul-general in Boston.

Gallant had six months to fill the vacancy. The premier said the Progressive Conservatives have been demanding the byelection be called for weeks.

Gallant said the federal election on Oct. 19 had to be factored into the byelection call.

"Now with the federalelection being 78 days. We told ourselves we can't necessarily take that long, there may be some voter fatigue after the federal election. So we think it is a good time," Gallant said.

"Many of the parties have their candidates, they have been campaigning for quite some time now anyways, so we figure it is a good time to do it."

The Carleton riding has been a safe Progressive Conservative seat for many years.

The governing Liberals hold 26 seats in the Legislature, with the Tories holding 21 and the Green Party has one seat.