Judicial recount for crucial Labrador riding begins in St. John’s

Lawyers and political candidates have crowded into a St. John’s courtroom today to begin the recount for a Labrador electoral district that will determine the status of Newfoundland and Labrador’s government.

NDP newcomer Jordan Brown won the district of Labrador West by a five-vote margin over Liberal cabinet minister Graham Letto in the province’s May 16 election.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: NDP newcomer won by 5 votes in Labrador, causing minority Liberal N.L. government

Voters re-elected Premier Dwight Ball’s Liberals with a reduced caucus, one seat shy of the 21 required to form a majority.

Any election resulting in a difference of 10 votes or less requires a judicial recount, according to the province’s Elections Act.

READ MORE: New Democrats lose riding stronghold to Tories in Nova Scotia byelection

If the process goes in Letto’s favour, the Liberals will hold a majority.

The province’s House of Assembly reopened last week to re-introduce the annual budget that was tabled but not passed before Ball dropped the election writ.