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.

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

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

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.