Premier Scott Moe has set February 15 as the date for the Athabasca byelection.

The seat has been vacant since last August when former NDP MLA Buckley Belanger resigned to run for the Liberals in the federal election. He lost the federal contest to the Conservatives.

The Saskatchewan NDP have named La Loche mayor Georgina Jolibois, while the SaskParty has Jim Lemaigre, a former RCMP member, as their respective candidates for the upcoming provincial by-election in the Athabasca riding.

The Premier says it is important that Athabasca residents are represented in the upcoming spring sitting of the Legislature.

The provincial government has been rolling out funding announcements in northern Saskatchewan like the new elementary school for La Loche and a commitment to finish the Saskatchewan side of the all-season road between La Loche and Fort McMurray.