Manitobans are going to the polls on September 10, 2019.
Premier Brian Pallister made the announcement flanked by members of his caucus and new Progressive Conservative candidates.
The election will come about 13 months earlier than the province’s fixed election date of October 6, 2020.
Pallister had previously said on several occasions that an election should not interfere with Manitoba’s 150th Anniversary celebrations.
Although the election date has been announced Pallister has not yet asked the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the legislature. That is expected to happen in early August. By law, the official election campaign period must be at least 28 days and no more than 35 days.
Last week the government placed themselves under a voluntary 90-day communication blackout even though this type of blackout only applies prior to a fixed election date.
Healthcare, the Meth crisis and crime are expected to be hot button election issues over the coming months.
Within an hour after the announcement the Progressive Conservative party began the unofficial election campaign by taking to social media with their first attack ad.
