Tony Wakeham has taken office as Newfoundland and Labrador’s 16th premier, signaling the Progressive Conservative Party’s resurgence to power in the province after nearly ten years. Wakeham successfully led the PCs to a majority win in the provincial election on October 14.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at Government House in St. John’s on Wednesday morning, saw the inauguration of Wakeham’s inaugural cabinet. Notably, several PC Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs) were assigned multiple significant portfolios.
The cabinet appointments are as follows:
– Barry Petten, the MHA for Conception Bay South, assumes roles as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Public Procurement, and Deputy Premier.
– Helen Conway Ottenheimer, the MHA for Harbour Main, takes on the positions of Minister of Justice, Public Safety, Attorney General, Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Management, Women and Gender Equality, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy, and Human Rights Commission.
– Paul Dinn, the Topsail-Paradise MHA, serves as Minister of Education, Early Childhood Development, and Advanced Education and Skills.
– Lela Evans, the MHA for Torngat Mountains, holds the portfolios of Minister of Health, Community Services, Mental Health and Addictions, N.L. Health Services, Labrador Affairs, Indigenous Relations, and Reconciliation.
– Pleaman Forsey, the MHA for Exploits, is appointed as Minister of Forestry, Agriculture, Lands, and Crown Lands.
– Loyola O’Driscoll, the Ferryland MHA, takes on the role of Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
– Craig Pardy, the Bonavista MHA, becomes Minister of Finance, President of the Treasury Board, Seniors, Public Service Commission, and Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation.
– Lloyd Parrott, the Terra Nova MHA, is designated as Minister of Energy, Mines, and Government House Leader.
– Chris Tibbs, the Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans MHA, takes on the responsibilities of Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Registrar General, Community Engagement, Environment, Conservation, Climate Change, and Multi-Material Stewardship Board.
– Joedy Wall, the Cape St. Francis MHA, assumes roles as Minister of Social Supports, Wellbeing, Housing, Poverty Reduction, Status of Persons with Disabilities, and Deputy Government House Leader.
– Lin Paddock, the Baie Verte-Green Bay MHA, serves as Minister of Jobs, Growth, Rural Development, Immigration, and Francophone Affairs.
– Andrea Barbour, the St. Barbe-L’Anse aux Meadows MHA, is appointed as Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sports, Recreation, Parks, PictureNL, Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, and Pippy Park Commission.
– Mike Goosney, the Humber-Gros Morne MHA, is designated as Minister of Government Services, Chief Information Officer Office, Labour, and WorkplaceNL.
In a closely contested October general election, the PCs secured 21 seats, granting them a majority government by a slim margin in the popular vote. The Liberal Party secured 15 seats, while the NDP and Independents each claimed two seats.
The outgoing Liberals have requested recounts in three tightly contested districts: Placentia West-Bellevue, Topsail-Paradise, and Lewisporte-Twillingate. The Liberals emphasized that the recounts are crucial to ensure every vote is accurately counted in compliance with legislation and democratic principles.
Conversely, the PCs criticized the Liberal’s recount request as a “waste of the court’s time” and a “scheme.”
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