The New Brunswick Liberal Association scheduled a leadership convention for June 22, 2019, in Saint John, New Brunswick, as a result of Brian Gallant's announcement on November 15, 2018, that he will be resigning as party leader. On December 28, 2018, he announced that he would be stepping down effective the next Liberal caucus meeting, in February 2019, when an interim leader was chosen. As the Progressive Conservatives are leading a minority government, a leadership election was to be held quickly so that a new leader can be in place in case there is an early general election. The deadline for candidates to file was March 29, 2019. Following the withdrawal of René Ephestion, Kevin Vickers was the only candidate for the position. The party's executive board declared Vickers to be acclaime