Byelection in northern Manitoba to fill seat held by politician who died in crash

The Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Voters in a northern Manitoba constituency are to go to the polls in a byelection June 7.

The seat of Thompson includes the city of the same name and several other communities stretching to Hudson Bay, and is a longtime NDP stronghold.

It was last held by New Democrat Danielle Adams, who died in a highway crash in December.

The seat has been won by New Democrats in all but two elections since 1969.

The NDP candidate this time is Eric Redhead, former chief of the Shamattawa First Nation.

The governing Progressive Conservatives have nominated Charlotte Larocque, a small-business owner, and the Liberals have said they will not field a candidate.

The Progressive Conservatives hold 36 of 57 legislature seats. The NDP hold 17 and the Liberals have three.

(The Canadian Press)