Quebec byelection in Montreal's Sud-Ouest borough called for March 13

Montrealers living in the city's Sud-Ouest borough willhead to the polls again in mid-March to choose who will represent them atthe province's National Assembly,the premier's office announced Monday.

"Now that some time has passed since the October 2022 election, it is time to allow the citizens of the riding of Saint-HenriSainte-Anne to decide who will represent them," said Premier Franois Legault in a statement.

The seat was leftvacant when Dominique Anglade announced she was resigning as leader of the Liberals and MNA for the riding a Liberal stronghold in December.

Less than two hours before the byelection was called,the Quebec Liberal Party unveiled its candidate in the riding. At a news conference held at the Burgundy Lion pub, interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay announced Christopher Baenningerwill run for the seat.

"It is with great pride that I begin this new adventure," saidBaenninger, speaking to reporters andflanked by his wife and son as well as other elected party members.

Becoming emotional during his speech, the candidate said his number one priority is "to have a positive impact in the community" the same one where his parents live and where he fell in love, he said.

He raised issues such as social housing, the crisis in public services (health, education, justice and daycare) and the environment.

"We have the ability to overcome these challenges together. We're a team that works for all Quebecers."

Baenninger came in second place behind Qubec Solidaire's co-spokespersonManon Massin the riding ofSainte-MarieSaint-Jacques in the last provincialelection. He is the president and founder of the marketing and communications agency NewBase Mdia.

Baenninger will compete for votes againstQubec Solidaire'sGuillaume Cliche-Rivard,animmigration lawyer who came in second in the riding in the general election, while the Coalition Avenir Qubec is putting up 21-year-old Victor Pelletier, who was chosen as the party's youth wing president last year.