New Brunswick Premier David Alward has called a byelection for June 25 in the riding of Rothesay, to fill a vacant seat left by former energy minister Margaret-Ann Blaney.
Blaney announced last week that she was quitting politics after 13 years. She is leaving her post to become president of Efficiency NB, a provincial Crown corporation mandated to promote energy efficiency, on June 4.
Her resignation is effective today.
Alward says he is confident the Tories will be able to hold onto the seat.
"I don't believe that we have to defend our government," says Alward. "Actually, we're looking forward to continuing to re-build New Brunswickers from four years of disaster with the previous Liberal government."
The Tories say they have at least two candidates for an upcoming nomination meeting in the riding. They currently hold 41 seats in the legislature.
The Liberals will choose their candidate on June 5. They currently hold 13 seats.
