Liberal leader hopefuls make final pitch to party voters, who'll soon tap the next N.L. premier

Newfoundland and Labrador will have a new premier this weekend when the Liberal Party chooses its next leader.

John Abbott and John Hogan were previously in outgoing Premier Andrew Furey's cabinet, but now they're facing off as they vie for the leadership. The Liberal convention starts Friday, May 2, at the JAG Soundhouse in St. John's.

The leadership race ends on Saturday, and just under 14,000 members of the provincial party registered to vote.

Hogan and Abbott sat down with CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show in separate interviews to make their final case to those members.

John Abbott

This isn't John Abbott's first go at the Liberal Party's top job.

He ran against Furey in 2020 and lost, winning 34 per cent of the vote. 

The St. John's East-Quidi Vidi MHA is hoping for a different outcome, now with five more years of experience in his back pocket.

"I've had, obviously, more visibility and exposure across the province," Abbott said Wednesday. "People know that I work hard and they want that in their premier."

Abbott has criticized his opponent's campaign, describing Hogan's platform as "safe." He says he has three priorities if he becomes the province's next leader. 

First up is a targeted basic income for seniors. 

The province's 2025 budget included $4.75 million for a pilot program for those aged 60 to 64 who receive income support, but Abbott would like to implement the real thing in the next few years.

Abbott's platform also includes affordable housing. The former housing minister said Newfoundland and Labrador needs 10,000 housing units by 2030.

He said he'd like to improve cellular and internet service throughout the province, as well.

"I don't want to be a premier that is carrying that debt and passing it on to future generations," Abbott said after being asked how those projects will be funded given the province's existing debt.

"I think it is manageable based on the fiscal forecast that we already have," he said. 

Abbott said he is happy to have the support of six MHAs, even if Hogan has more of the current caucus on his side.

At the end of the day, he said, the decision is up to the voters within the Liberal Party on May 3.

John Hogan

The second of the two Liberal leader hopefuls is John Hogan. 

Hogan was a lawyer before becoming the province's attorney general in 2021. He has since worked in ministerial roles in departments such as justice and health.

When Furey stepped down in February, Hogan soon launched his campaign with the support of 11 MHAs.

"It's been a real honour of a lifetime," said Hogan, reflecting on his time in Furey's cabinet.

"I've very much enjoyed the work and doing what I can to help this province and help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," he said.

Hogan hopes to continue that work as the premier.

He said he will help respond to Canada's current trade relationship with the United States, and will deal with the impacts tariffs have on workers and several industries in the province.

The Windsor Lake MHA also said he will prioritize access to health care, especially in rural communities.

"There are still gaps to be filled," he said. "We need to … make sure that ambulances are available, road and air, to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."

Hogan added, once again, that he wants to make shingles vaccines available to every person over the age of 50. It's currently available for those 65 and older.

Responding to Abbott's claim that his platform is nothing new, Hogan said he's been listening to communities and making notes of what they need and want.

"The government structure needs to reflect the priorities of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," he said.

Going through with the Churchill Falls plans outlined in the memorandum of understanding is a priority for Hogan too. He said the province can't afford to "drop the ball" on another megaproject. 

Hogan said he'll continue to push hard in his campaign for Liberal leadership until noon on Saturday, when the final vote is cast. 

The party will announce the winner Saturday afternoon.

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