Saint John mayor enters crowded race for N.B. Tory leadership

FREDERICTON -- The outgoing mayor of Saint John, N.B., is now the fifth candidate for the leadership of New Brunswick's Progressive Conservatives.

Mel Norton says its time for the province to come together with a common goal to make New Brunswick one of the country's leading provinces.

Norton announced in January that he would not re-offer for the May 9 municipal election.

The other candidates for the leadership are former member of parliament Mike Allen, MLAs Blaine Higgs and Brian Macdonald, and Moncton lawyer Monica Barley.

A new leader will be chosen Oct. 22.