Harper calls third Quebec byelection for Sept. 17

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Harper calls third Quebec byelection for Sept. 17

Canadian Press Published Saturday, August 11, 2007 9:19PM EDT

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OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced that a byelection will be held Sept. 17 in the riding of Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean, Que.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced that a byelection will be held Sept. 17 in the riding of Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean, Que.

The seat, about 250 kilometres north of Quebec City, became vacant when Bloc MP Michel Gauthier retired last month.

Roberval Mayor Denis Lebel will represent the Tories, the Bloc will run Celine Houde and businesswoman Louise Belanger will try to capture the seat for the Liberals.

Voters will also head to the polls in two other Quebec ridings on Sept. 17 - St-Hyacinthe-Bagot and the Montreal riding of Outremont.

All three ridings were held by the opposition parties and the Quebec byelections are seen as an important test for Harper in a province where he hopes to make further inroads.

In the 2006 general election, the Conservatives broke through with 10 Quebec seats. For the Liberals, the byelections will test support in Quebec for leader Stephane Dion.