Former premier Brian Gallant will leave his seat in the New Brunswick legislature within the next month.

The MLA for Shediac Bay-Dieppe says he will resign by Oct. 7 — the fifth anniversary of the day he was sworn in as premier.

“I have cherished every moment that I have had the privilege to sit in the New Brunswick Legislature to represent the people of Shediac Bay-Dieppe and the former riding of Kent,” wrote Gallant in a Facebook post Friday.

“It is, however, time for me to move on to take on new challenges and pursue other opportunities.”

Gallant recently accepted a job as special advisor on innovation, cybersecurity, and law to the president of Ryerson University in Toronto.

He stepped down as leader of the New Brunswick Liberals after his party lost last September’s provincial election.

The party’s new leader, Kevin Vickers, thanked Gallant for his service to the province.

“The decision on the timing of a by-election is, of course, the premier’s decision. And, when the premier calls that by-election, the Liberal Party of New Brunswick will be ready for it,” said Vickers in a statement.