Premier Blaine Higgs said last week dates for byelections to fill two vacant Miramichi-area seats likely won't be decided until next year.

Former Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin MLA Jake Stewart, and former Miramichi Bay-Neguac MLA Lisa Harris resigned their seats earlier this year to compete for a seat in the House of Commons in the September 20th federal election.

Stewart, the Conservative candidate, defeated Harris in that election, meaning Stewart will be sworn in as Member of Parliament for Miramichi-Grand Lake before Parliament resumes on November 22.

Paul Harpelle, spokesperson for Elections New Brunswick, says the date for the byelections must be chosen by February, but the byelections themselves could take place as late as September 2022.