FREDERICTON — New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has called a provincial election for Oct. 21. The Progressive Conservative premier made the announcement this morning after visiting Lt.-Gov. Brenda Murphy at her official residence in Fredericton.

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has called an election for Oct. 21, signalling the beginning of a 33-day campaign expected to focus on pocketbook issues and the government's provocative approach to gender identity policies.

It's anticipated the writ period will kick off Thursday, launching a four-week campaign against a backdrop of political controversy and divisive topics.

For the first time in over a century, a New Brunswick government is campaigning to roll back civil rights and protections.

As New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs started his election campaign Thursday, he claimed his main rivals were already planning a power-sharing deal similar to the now-defunct one between the federal Liberals and NDP.