Liberal MLA and former house speaker Daniel Guitard has announced his resignation.

Guitard currently serves in the riding of Restigouche-Chaleur. His resignation gives newly elected party leader Susan Holt a vacant riding to potentially secure a seat in the legislative assembly.

Liberal MLA Denis Landry, who serves in the neighbouring riding of Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore is looking to make the jump to municipal politics, which would mean another resignation.

Premier Higgs recently met with Holt, and agreed to hold byelections promptly once the two departing MLAs publicly made their intentions known. Higgs must make a decision on byelections within six months of an MLA’s resignation.