Athabasca byelection officially called for Feb. 15

The datefor the byelection in Saskatchewan's Athabascariding has been set for Feb. 15.

SaskatchewanPremier Scott Moe announced the decision in a news release Tuesday morning.

"It's important that Athabasca residents are represented in the Assembly in the upcoming spring sitting of the Legislature," Moe wrote.

The seat hasbeen empty since longtime NDP incumbentBuckley Belanger resigned in August to run in the federal election as a Liberalin the Desneth-Missinippi-Churchill River riding.

Belanger failed to take the riding.

Belanger won't return to run in the upcoming byelection.

Instead, the NDPhas nominated La Loche mayorGeorgina Joliboisas its candidate.

Jim Lemaigre, a retiredRCMP officer, will represent the Saskatchewan Party.

News of the byelection date shouldn't be a surprise for any politicos in Saskatchewan. It had to be heldby Feb. 15,according to Elections Saskatchewan.