The Canadian Alliance MP for Okanagan-Coquihalla is giving up his seat in Parliament, to allow Alliance Leader Stockwell Day to win a seat in the House of Commons.

MP Jim Hart says with his wife expecting a child, the timing was right for him to step aside, to make room for Day.

Day is expected to fly to Penticton Monday afternoon for a public rally, and begin his byelection campaign on Tuesday.

It had been widely expected that Day would run in the Alberta riding of Yellowhead.

Hart says he hopes Prime Minister Chretien calls a byelection as soon as possible, by early September at the latest.