A looming election is stirring the political winds in Newfoundland and Labrador
All three parties have ramped up their political machines as the Liberals near the end of their mandate
If you spend any time following politics in Newfoundland and Labrador, you've noticed that the level of activity and the rhetoric has intensified as the clock ticks on the governing Liberals, who are three-plus years into their current mandate.
The number of news releases, social media posts, announcements and media events have intensified as the three parties vie for public support and try to position themselves as the most credible option for voters.
The Opposition PCs are circling like sharks, having won two of the last four byelections. They're also making waves with an aggressive social media campaign that is attempting to raise their leader's profile, and get under Furey's skin.
"Making things personal, trying to turn complex issues into slogans and Dr. Seuss rhymes doesn't work," Furey said this week of the PC ads that criticize the Liberals over everything from health care and affordability to the province's financial situation.
Wakeham was in a campaigning spirit recently during the party's annual convention in Gander, and again last week when he greeted reporters in the lobby of Confederation Building to talk about his vision for growing and supporting businesses.
"You look like you're ready for something big," one reporter quipped.
"I'm ready to rumble," Wakeham replied.
Liberals have held power for 9 years
Wakeham said he's confident the PCs can end the Liberals' nine-year grip on power.
"There's change in the air. Governments have a useful shelf life. I believe that people are looking for change," Wakeham said. "They're looking to make their lives better. And that's exactly what a PC government that I lead will do. We will make life better for people."
And during a state-of-the-province event hosted by the St. John's Board of Trade this week, Premier Andrew Furey gave a full-throated defence of his government's performance when pressed by reporters.
"We've made bold, courageous, transformational decisions and actions that will change Newfoundland and Labrador for the better," said Furey.
Furey is enthusiastic about his government's focus on health care reform, affordable daycare, a swelling population driven by immigration, and is talking tough about the future of hydro assets on Labrador's Churchill River and the possibility of a new deal with Quebec.
This line, with only slight tweaks, has been repeated numerous times by Furey: "This is our electricity, it's our water, it's our time. And if they're going to show up, they need to pony up."
And even in this era of climate consciousness, Furey is unashamedly promoting oil and gas and the thousands of people — and voters — who work in the industry.
"It's a product that I love. It's a product the world needs," he told a receptive business audience on Tuesday.
Election fever is a national phenomenon
The current mood is not unique to Newfoundland and Labrador. The political temperature across Canada is in the red. There have been elections in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, and Nova Scotians will also go to the polls later this month.
And of course there's turmoil in Ottawa, with Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about as popular as a toothache after Halloween as he fights off an internal rebellion from nearly two dozen backbenchers.
The Conservative Party of Canada, led by Pierre Poilievre, hold a 20-point lead over the Liberals, according to CBC's poll tracker.
While he once boasted of his friendship with the prime minister, Furey is now being very careful to distance himself from Trudeau and his Liberal cousins in Ottawa.
The two sides are at odds over everything from equalization and fisheries management to immigration and the carbon tax.
That fracture was on full display during the four byelections, with "Team Furey" displayed prominently on campaign signs with a white background instead of the traditional red colour. You had to wince to find the word "Liberal" on the signs.
Furey admitted this week that he'll use the same strategy in the upcoming provincial election, saying the ratio of white to red colours on Liberal campaign material will be heavily imbalanced.
Wait and see
Meanwhile, according to the province's fixed-date election laws, a provincial election must be held by at least Oct. 20, 2025, but Furey can pull the trigger anytime he wants.
A fall election is very unlikely, but Furey is not ruling out a campaign anytime after that.
"You're going to [have to] wait and see," he said this week.
Whenever an election is called, expect Furey to remind voters about the situation he inherited when he became premier in the summer of 2020, because he was quick to make that point this week.
"When I took over the province was almost bankrupt," he said, adding that the province has made many advancements on the fiscal front, and in areas such as health care.
"If I can't campaign on this, I can't campaign on anything," he said.
However, Opposition politicians like Wakeham are not buying it.
"A PC government I lead will do things differently and better for people," said Wakeham.
The Liberals currently hold 22 of the 40 seats in the House of Assembly, while the PCs have a caucus of 14 MHAs. There are also two New Democrats and two Independents.
Next week, meanwhile, Furey and the Liberals will be back in the House of Assembly, defending their government's agenda, and no doubt taking it on the chin from people like Wakeham and NDP Leader Jim Dinn.
In a statement, Dinn said his party will continue to focus on housing, health care and affordability issues in the upcoming session of the legislature.
"People need reassurance that government understands the reality that people are facing, but I don't think they do," said Dinn.
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