N.B. Tories announce convention theme, co-chairs

New Brunswick Tories were in an optimistic mood Tuesday as they unveiled the details of their upcoming leadership convention.

Under the banner 'It's a new day,' thePCswill meet on Oct.21 and 22 toelect a leader totake the reins from interim leader Bruce Fitch, appointed whenformer premier David Alward resigned after the party's electoral defeat in 2014.

"We want to signal it's a new day come the 23rd of October, when we elect our leader ...where every New Brunswicker will have the opportunity to contribute to democracy," said Jason Stephen, party president.

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For his part, interim leader Bruce Fitch was bullish on the prospects for the soon-to-be leader.

"[We're] not just choosing the new leader for the PC party, but I truly believe that we're choosing the next premier here in the province of New Brunswick," said Fitch.

If recent history repeats itself, Fitchcould well be right.The previous two premiers, Alward and Shawn Graham, ran single-term governments, something that hadn't been seen since confederation.

However, there is some rebuilding to do, asthe latest Corporate Research Associates poll shows the Liberal supportat52 per cent compared to25 per cent for the PCs.

The partyalso announcedBruceNorthrupMLA forSussex-Fundy-St. Martinsand formerminister of natural resources in the Alward cabinet,andMadeleineDub,MLA forEdmundston-SaintBasileand a former minister of health, social development and education,asthe co-chairs for the convention.

The party is currently listing fiveleadership candidates on itswebsite; MLAsBlaine Higgs, Brian MacDonaldand Jake Stewart, former Saint John Mayor Mel Norton and Moncton lawyer Monica Barley.

Former MLA and MP Jean Duband former Conservative MP Mike Allen havealso announced theirintention to run and are in the process of becomingaccredited by the party.

To be accredited, a candidate must pay a $10,000 fee, gather 50 signatures from PC members and complete a questionnaire.

Candidates have until Sept.21 to enter the race.