ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Andrew Furey’s favourite word Saturday was "bold" and he was blunt about how he feels about an election outcome seen by some as sketchy, given the low voter turnout and the fiasco of how mail-in balloting was rolled out.
“I think this is a legitimate election,” Furey said in response to a Telegram question about the potential of legal challenges piling up.
“Lawsuits will happen if they happen, but we are going to go ahead and govern.”
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Although he had thanked his opponents, NDP Leader Alison Coffin and PC Leader Ches Crosbie, in response to a media question about being the only leader elected, Furey said it may have come down to leadership stragegy and differences in platform.
Furey’s Liberals won a majority of 22 seats, according to preliminary results Saturday — results will made be final on Tuesday. It was a election that was supposed to end Feb. 13 but dragged on as in-person voting was cancelled due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, and mail-in ballots became the only alternative (beyond early advance polls and voting at district Elections NL offices before they were shuttered.)
The boldness factor was peppered throughout Furey’s victory speech at the Delta Hotel in St. John’s. Normally an election speech would be delivered in front of a packed room of supporters, but obviously given the pandemic, he spoke only to journalists, a handful of party officials and close family members.
“Well, there is certainly no question this election is one for the history books,” said party co-chair Judy Morrow before she introduced Furey as the province’s 14th premier.
— Barb Sweet (@BarbSweetTweets) March 27, 2021
Calls for unified province
Furey said the province must now work together.
“We may differ politically — you may have an issue with me, with this party or this government, but I am not asking you to put that aside. I am asking you to put the province first, because the momentum we seek will come from many hands. To do this means boldness now,” Furey said in the speech, carried live by broadcast media.
“What we accomplish in the next four years together will define our province for generations to come. … If we are bold now, we have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change the trajectory of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Furey’s first thank yous were to his wife, Dr. Allison Furey, and then to his children, who he said always have his heart.
“This election has been a long road and you’ve been there every step of the way. I couldn’t do this without your tireless energy and unwavering support,” he said to his wife.
As in any political speech, supporters, the campaign team and volunteers were all thanked, as was the electorate — Furey says the people have chosen a government facing a mammoth challenge.
That includes tackling the Muskrat Falls boondoggle, as ratepayers can’t pay the debt alone, and the dire financial situation of the province that was worsened by the pandemic.
“It starts today with a clear majority mandate you have given us,” Furey said of what he hopes to be the province’s great comeback story.
Other priorities on his agenda include electoral reform, strengthening bonds with Indigenous people through reconciliation, increasing immigration, taking advantage of the potential of tourism, traditional industries such as mining and the fishery, the vast potential of the technology sector and green energy, as well as what oil and gas has to offer.
Furey said he felt all the people he met since becoming Liberal leader in the room with him.
“They are here to remind me to hold me to the simple truth that when you ask people to push, you better push with them. That when you ask them to sacrifice, you have to give every single thing you have. When you ask them to believe, you carry their hopes, that you say when you will speak for them, you do so loudly, honestly and only with the best intentions,” he said.
Muskrat Falls a priority
In questions from reporters, Furey was again asked about the timing of the election, as he has been repeatedly since the writ dropped. And he continued to defend the decision to call it.
He said he expects to get a cabinet together quickly.
“We have to put to bed the caretaker government and start governing. The people of the province need a government in there making decisions, actioning items and setting the agenda for the next four years,” Furey said.
The House of Assembly also has to resume as soon as possible so the interim supply bill is passed and teachers, doctors and civil servants get paid, he added.
“We have to put to bed the caretaker government and start governing." — Andrew Furey
Another priority is to tackle health-care reform and use any savings to help people live healthier lives.
And Furey repeated the promise that now is not the time to take jobs out of the economy by slashing the civil service.
He said the province needs a short, medium and long-term economic plan.
First off for the short-term strategy is dealing with Muskrat Falls.
“That is the hurdle we need to overcome to deal with some of the medium-term strategies and how we look at government, how government is operating and try to find efficiencies within it.” he said.
Negotiations with Ottawa are key to solving the Muskrat Falls puzzle, he said.
Congratulations on your re-election, @FureyAndrew. I’m looking forward to building on what we’ve accomplished over the past year, and continuing our work together to keep Newfoundlanders and Labradorians safe and supported during the pandemic - and beyond. https://t.co/IN1T1o35iY
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 27, 2021
PM congratulates Liberals
And Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was quick to offer a congratulatory statement to media.
“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have chosen to elect a majority government led by the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate Dr. Andrew Furey on his re-election,” Trudeau said.
“Since he took office last year, Premier Furey’s leadership and collaboration have been critical in the fight against COVID-19. Together, we will continue to strengthen health care, protect Newfoundlanders and Labradorians from the virus, and support them throughout this global pandemic. Building on key initiatives like the Atlantic Growth Strategy and the Lower Churchill projects, we will also work together to protect the environment, create good, middle-class jobs, and build a sustainable and clean energy future for the province and our country, including through the Atlantic Loop.
“Through our continued partnership, we will keep moving forward on the issues that matter most to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and build back better for all Canadians.”
Barb Sweet is The Telegram's senior reporter.
[email protected]
Twitter: @BarbSweetTweets
