3 candidates ready to campaign in Waterford Valley byelection

Newfoundland and Labrador's three major political parties have revealed their candidates for the Waterford Valley byelection taking place Aug. 22. 

The elected MHA will be the first new face to represent the district since 1996. 

Former Liberal Tom Osborne, the longest-serving MHA in Newfoundland and Labrador's history, retired from politics in July. He held the Waterford Valley seat for 28 years.

Liberal candidate

Jamie Korab, a St. John's city councillor and Olympic curling champion, is the Liberal candidate running in Osborne's place.

Korab said he promises to be dedicated like Osborne was to the constituents of Waterford Valley.

"I can't tell you the amount of people that said I've got big shoes to fill, but I'm up for it," he said.

Trust is most important for Korab. It's a quality he says has followed him throughout his career.

"People trust me to find homes, to build their families, raise their families and for the last seven years, the people of Ward 3 have trusted me to be their representative around the St. John's city council table," Korab said.

In his campaign for provincial politics, Korab said voting shows who constituents trust to represent them in the House of Assembly. 

"If you put your trust in me, I will do right by you and I will work hard for you. So together, let's move Waterford Valley forward," he said.

PC candidate

Jesse Wilkins, the PC candidate for Waterford Valley, is a retired police officer who had a two-decade career with the RCMP. 

"I've been helping people my entire career through some of the most difficult times in their lives and through some very good times in their lives. And now as a result of being able to help the constituents in this district, I'm ready to help," he said. 

The district of Waterford Valley is well acquainted with the Tories. Osborne was a PC MHA there for 16 years before joining the Liberals in 2013 after a short period serving as an independent.

Wilkins says the cost of living and housing are the biggest issues affecting the district's constituents.

"People are so fed up with not being heard. So it's time. It's time for change," he said.

NDP candidate

Social worker Nicole Boland, the NDP candidate, says the district's constituents need more housing and access to health care.

"My big question going into this election is that we're spending money on that hotel — $23 million — we're spending $100 million on travel nurses but why aren't we investing those funds back into the community?" Boland told CBC News.

She said people are ready for a change.

"Tom held this district since the year I was born, and I know I'm ready to hit the ground and I'm just ready to really make these changes we need to see," Boland said. 

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