ST. JOHN’S — Voters in Newfoundland and Labrador will be heading to the polls on Oct. 14.

Liberal Leader John Hogan is seeking his first electoral win as premier. His main challenger is Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham.

The Liberals held 19 of 40 seats in the legislature when Hogan called the election on Monday. The Progressive Conservatives held 14 seats and the NDP held one. There were two Independents and four seats were vacant.

As the campaign begins, Newfoundland and Labrador is struggling under a staggering debt load. Its net debt was expected to reach $19.7 billion next year. In a province that is home to 540,000 people, the debt works out to more than $36,400 per person.

The Liberals are hoping a sweeping new energy deal with Hydro-Québec will help turn things aroun

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