Meet Newfoundland and Labrador's new MPs-elect

This year's federal election has shaken up Newfoundland and Labrador's political landscape.

At least one red riding has turned blue, newcomers have entered the arena, and it's all in the middle of global trade uncertainty. 

"I think Canada is stronger and more united than it's ever been," outgoing Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said Tuesday morning.

Furey says Monday night's results supported a "strong government" that is ready to take on U.S. President Donald Trump.

Six of the MP-elects spoke with CBC News after their fate became known. The province is still waiting on votes to be counted in Terra Nova-The Peninsulas, a previously Liberal riding where party candidate Anthony Germain holds a narrow lead over Conservative Jonathan Rowe as of Tuesday afternoon. 

Elections Canada said the uncounted votes are special ballots cast by those living or working outside their riding, and that it may take until Wednesday until that race is decided.

Philip Earle, Labrador

Philip Earle is the new face of Labrador in Parliament. 

Longtime Liberal MP Yvonne Jones chose to step away from politics this time around, making way for fresh new candidates.

It's his first time in politics, but the Liberal MP-to-be says he's worked with all levels of government as a businessman. 

Earle is better known to the community as the vice-president of Air Borealis and a member of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Rotary Club.

"The word 'surreal' wouldn't describe it," Earle told CBC, reacting to his win.

His roots in coastal Labrador helped him connect with potential constituents, Earle said. He has also worked in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Labrador West.

Earle said he intends to continue Jones's work when he is sworn into Parliament — he said he'll tackle issues like cost of living, access to health care and housing.

"[Working] within Indigenous communities and ... for Indigenous businesses allowed my resumé to demonstrate that I knew the issues," he added.

Earle was elected to the Labrador seat with about 51 per cent of the vote.

Carol Anstey, Long Range Mountains

The western Newfoundland riding of Long Range Mountains was one to watch.

Conservative candidate Carol Anstey previously lost to former Liberal MP Gudie Hutchings, but came out on top this time around.

"Knowing that I could potentially be the first woman to ever serve in Newfoundland and Labrador as a Conservative, it was one of the deciding factors that made me really want to continue to push and work for this win," Anstey said Monday night.

She won just about 50 per cent of the Long Range Mountain vote against political newcomer Don Bradshaw who ran for the Liberal Party. Bradshaw won nearly 43 per cent.

Anstey said some of her success was thanks to her connection to Alberta. She said many residents on the western portion of the island fly in and out of Alberta for work, and Anstey herself lived there for some time.

"They want to see candidates be successful over here," the MP-elect told CBC News.

"There was financial support, but then there was also regular conversations, regular text messages and just constant communication," said Anstey.

Western Newfoundland's next MP wants her constituency to remain hopeful. She said people are often fearful of change, which is why she thinks it was a Liberal stronghold for so long.

Anstey said she will fight for Canadians as Trump continues to threaten the country with tariffs and annexation. 

But she also told CBC that she has the community at the front of her mind — she grew up there, and says she knows what the riding needs.

Clifford Small, Central Newfoundland

Clifford Small was the first Conservative candidate of the night to secure his seat once again.

Small entered federal politics in 2021 by edging Liberal Scott Simms out of the riding by a slim margin of 281 votes.

He's excited to be back. "My heart is bursting," he told CBC News as supporters cheered him on Monday night.

"It's a very humbling victory and I'd like to thank the people," he said. "I can't thank them enough — and my volunteers."

Small plans to work on the same issues that his constituents were concerned about in December. He said tackling the cost of living and crime are at the top of his agenda when he makes his way back to Ottawa.

"The blue wave started, I think," Small said Monday night.

The Conservative incumbent won 54 per cent of the Central Newfoundland vote. Doctor and Liberal candidate Lynette Powell was close behind with 43 per cent.

Paul Connors, Avalon

Paul Connors is humbled, excited and "ready to get to work" for the Avalon riding, even though he says he's a little tired from the election night rush.

As previous Avalon MP Ken McDonald's former executive assistant, Connors says he has a good understanding of what people want in the riding.

"People would really like to see the cost of living down," he said. "Close to that is Donald Trump," and fighting the trade war, Connors told The St. John's Morning Show host Jen White.

The Liberal candidate beat out the Conservatives' Steve Kent by over 7,000 votes, adding up to about 58 per cent overall. 

Connors owed that success to his team who helped him make phone calls and knock many doors in the riding that stretches from Bay Roberts to Trepassey.

The MP-elect said he's prepared to head to Ottawa "quickly," where he says he's looking forward to working with the other new members of Parliament. 

Tom Osborne, Cape Spear

The new Cape Spear riding formed in 2022, consisting much of the former riding St. John's South-Mount Pearl. Liberal Seamus O'Regan held that seat but stepped down from cabinet without seeking re-election last year, making way for an all-new group of candidates. 

Former provincial government mainstay Tom Osborne is set to take the first seat for Cape Spear.

"There was only one commitment that I made and it was the same commitment that I made through the eight elections that I won provincially," Osborne said as he took to a podium at his campaign headquarters. 

"If you give me the honour of representing you in Ottawa, I will do it to the best of my ability."

He told CBC that the transition from provincial to federal politics will be a big adjustment, but he's up for it.

"I'm really invigorated by the challenge and I really want to get at the work," he said.

Osborne won a staggering 68 per cent of the riding's votes.

Joanne Thompson, St. John's East

Joanne Thompson is the second Newfoundland and Labrador MP heading back to Ottawa this year.

Thompson told CBC Tuesday that she was entering a landscape that looked "completely different" than her last term. She still pushed forward.

"I am tired today," she said. "But I'm so pleased, and I'm really excited about the work that we're going to be able to do for Canadians."

The Liberal incumbent won by a landslide, with 62 per cent of the votes in St. John's East.

Thompson expressed thanks to her volunteers for an "absolutely amazing" run, and said the opposing parties were also "incredibly respectful" throughout the campaign.

She says she, too, is ready to roll up her sleeves and stand up to U.S. aggression. 

Canada's strenuous relationship with the United States isn't the only change in Thompson's return to Parliament. She'll also work under Prime Minister Mark Carney.

"I'm excited that he is the prime minister," she said. "I think he certainly is the leader we need at this moment, and I have great respect for him and I really look forward to serving in his government."

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