Both PC and NDP leaders say they’re ready to go if the writ is dropped amid widespread speculation that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will be heading to the polls.
Ches Crosbie says if you spend any time in Confederation Building, you’d know rumours of an election are swirling – hinting heavily that the people of the province will head to the polls amid the COVID-19 pandemic, something that was inevitable as legislation states Premier Andrew Furey must call an election within a year of taking over the province’s top job.
However, if or when the writ is dropped, both Crosbie and Alison Coffin say they’re well prepared.
Crosbie says following a caucus meeting Wednesday morning, the general feeling is that they’re in an “excellent state of readiness” and are ready to “democratically” engage with the issues.
Coffin assured that the NDP are very prepared and will have a full slate of candidates.
She says knowing they’re in a minority government they’ve always been preparing – but with a change in leadership they knew the writ would be dropped within a year.
However, both leaders made it clear they want to see Moya Green’s Economic Recovery Task Force report made public before any writ is dropped.
Crosbie says the public needs to know what the issues are so they can choose what the future looks like, but the intention of the Premier seems to be not to let the people know.
Coffin explains that despite rumours, she is fairly certain that Premier Furey does not want that report to see the light of day before the writ is dropped as she believes it will be very devastating to the future of Newfoundland and Labrador, impacting us for generations to come.
