Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador poised to launch provincial election

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – A source says Premier Paul Davis of Newfoundland and Labrador will visit the lieutenant-governor on Thursday afternoon to formally launch a provincial election.

The source who has knowledge of the announcement but wasn’t authorized to speak publicly said Davis will visit the lieutenant-governor to dissolve the legislature at 3:30 p.m.

Newfoundland and Labrador has a fixed-date election, which is scheduled for Nov. 30.

Liberal Leader Dwight Ball, who experts tab as the election frontrunner, launched his campaign Monday.

Earle McCurdy is fighting his first campaign as leader of the NDP.

The latest Davis could call an election is Sunday under the province’s election law.

The Progressive Conservatives have held power since 2003.

The Tories have 28 seats in the legislature, the Liberals 16, the New Democrats three, with one seat vacant.

The electoral boundaries were redrawn earlier this year to reduce the number of seats in the legislature to 40 in a cost-cutting measure.