The first leadership debate of the provincial election campaign saw plenty of shots fired back and forth between the Liberal and PC Leaders and some opportunities for the two other party leaders to outline their policies.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour hosted the debate, with the first four questions from them covering healthcare, privatization, gender equality and labour.
The debate is officially underway with opening statements from the four leaders.
Ches Crosbie goes first, followed by Alison Coffin, Graydon Pelley and lastly Premier Dwight Ball. @VOCMNEWS #NLpoli pic.twitter.com/8AANtGKIXM
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyVOCM) April 30, 2019
Some questions that came from those in attendance were the fishery, green initiatives and post-secondary education.
Ball says they’ve done a lot over the four years. Now shredding Crosbie’s Blue Book. Crowd fired up from Ball’s response.
Pelley says PCs and Libs need to stop playing the blame game. Gets a little round of applause. Says it’s horrific what healthcare workers go through #nlpoli
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyVOCM) April 30, 2019
At almost every opportunity, Ball and Crosbie took a jab at one another.
For example, the two went on the attack over healthcare. Crosbie asked if we were getting a better quality of care now, four years after Ball came into power. Ball fired back with mental health stats and an almost 68 per cent reduction in waitlists and asked Crosbie if that was a waste of money.
Pelley Rakes Tories and Grits for Swiping at Each Other Instead of Solving Issues
NL Alliance Leader Graydon Pelley and NDP Leader Alison Coffin spent more time rolling out party policies rather than trading barbs.
Pelley received a round of applause from the audience when he said it was time for the Liberal’s and PC’s to stop playing “the blame game”.
Pelley says the debate was a learning experience for him. He says there were a number of important questions asked around education and healthcare, but it was disappointing to see the two leaders only go after each other.
Pelley says this was the very reason the NL Alliance was formed. The two leaders went after each other about Muskrat Falls among other things and this is why we need change in the province.
Coffin says the debate was a great opportunity to provide the NDP’s perspective, and an excellent contrast to what other parties have been saying all along. She says it shows the NDP have a solid platform and policies, and it is clear how well aligned they are with the needs of the people of the province.
Coffin says she has very serious concerns about promoting and providing incentives to an industry quite profitable on its own. Big round of applause.
Says they have a lot of green intiatives they will provide but ran out of time. #nlpoli
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyVOCM) April 30, 2019
When it comes to the mudslinging back and forth between Ball and Crosbie, Coffin says it was completely unnecessary.
