Two cabinet ministers came to the defence of Premier Dwight Ball when fielding questions from reporters on Wednesday.
Natural Resources Minister Siobhan Coady and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, Bernard Davis shared similar sentiments when it came to Premier Ball’s resignation.
Coady says people have to give Ball a lot of credit for the hard work he has done over the last number of years with regard to a very difficult fiscal situation in the province and Muskrat Falls. She says she’s looking forward to the leadership contest, but the focus needs to remain on growing the economy, the fiscal situation, completing Muskrat Falls, and paying for it.
Coady adds that new energy and vision is always good for the party and the province.
Davis couldn’t agree more. He says Premier Ball spearheaded a number of initiatives to fix some long-standing problems within the community like mental health.
As for pressure from cabinet or the caucus for Ball to step down, both ministers had his back.
Davis says there was none to his knowledge. Coady agreed, and added that Ball was assessing this since the holidays. He was coming upon a leadership review in June, and she believes he chose the time that works best for him and the province.
The Natural Resources Minister doesn’t believe Ball was concerned about going through that review in June or that it had anything to do with recent scandals. She says Ball recognized he wasn’t prepared to run in the next provincial election, therefore he stepped down to give someone else an opportunity to make their mark.
Davis Not Ruling Out a Leadership Bid
Meanwhile, Bernard Davis is not in the Liberal leadership race, but he’s not necessarily out of it either.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, Davis says he hasn’t made any final decisions by any means, but he is waiting to see what the Liberal party’s process will look like.
He says he won’t rule anything out until that process has happened, but he is looking forward to the process starting.
The minister says there a few important considerations to make.
Davis says the time frame, cost to enter and spending limits are all important considerations. He says in any decision, he likes to make it with all the information in front of him.
