Sackville-Cobequid byelection called for June 18

The people of Sackville-Cobequid finally know when they will get a new MLA.

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil announced Wednesday the byelection to replace former MLA Dave Wilson will be held June 18. Elections Nova Scotia rules say the premier has six months from the time of a departure to call a byelection. Thursday was the last possible day for McNeil tomake the call.

The seat has been vacant since Wilson retired in November.

Four parties have already nominated candidates for the race.Steve Craig is running for the Progressive Conservatives, Anthony Edmonds is running for the Green Party, Lara Fawthrop is representing the NDPand Michel Hindlet will carry the banner for the Liberals.

Craig is a Halifax Regional Municipality councillor, Edmonds is an aerospace engineer, Fawthropis a music teacher and Hindletis a salesperson. Edmonds and Hindlet both ran in the last provincial election.

While incumbency is not a guarantee in a Nova Scotia byelection seats have flipped in nine of the last 20 byelections Sackville-Cobequid has been a staunchly NDP district dating back to 1984, when John Holm was first elected.

Holm held the seat until 2003, the year he retired and Wilson was first elected.

Wilson retired after 15 years as a New Democrat MLA, which included a stint as health minister and House leader for his party. He's now the director of the provincial 911 system at the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office.

Sound Off: What's going on with the byelections?

5 years ago

Duration 1:36

A federal election on the horizon can easily overshadow provincial byelections. Jean Laroche and Michael Gorman turn their gaze to what's going on in Nova Scotia and what to expect in the near future.