A Premier-designate has been named for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Andrew Furey won the provincial Liberal leadership race last night.
He received almost double the votes over civil servant John Abbott.
“For the challenges we face together, and with an unending will to make a difference, I accept the Leadership of the Liberal party of Newfoundland and Labrador, and I am humbled and honoured to be the next Premier of our great province,” Furey said during his acceptance speech.”
He says he is excited for the opportunity, but his mind is racing about the future, during a pandemic, “We’re still all concerned about COVID-19 and what the future might hold with it. But we’ve been informed and we’re better informed than we were six months ago. We’ve had time to adapt, to prepare and to learn how to protect ourselves.”
Furey has never run for politics before, and he doesn’t currently hold a seat in the provincial Legislature.
“The economy, managing our fiscal situation and ensuring that we have jobs across our province is critical now,” Furey says. “This(pandemic) is not a crisis we can overcome in a short term. There is no magic bullet, but it is one that we need to take action on immediately.”
He added, “Together we can emerge from this crisis as a stronger, more caring, more passionate and more diverse Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Outgoing Premier Dwight Ball announced in February that he was stepping down after five years in power.
Once Furey is sworn in, he will become Newfound and Labrador’s 14th Premier.
