The MHA-elect for Fogo Island-Cape Freels says the numbers in yesterday’s by-election speak volumes.

Jim McKenna of the PCs defeated Liberal Dana Blackmore by about a thousand votes with a voter turnout of just over 50 per cent. McKenna, a former businessman who works at the Canadian Coast Guard and who, before that, laboured in the oil sands in Alberta, is from the Fogo Island side of the district.

He says people around the entire province had their eyes on that by-election. He adds that government policies and practices on issues such as health care and the fishery leave much to be desired.

He says people aren’t happy with the Liberal government as they aren’t listening to the people.

Meanwhile, a Liberal Cabinet Minister says the party is moving forward following their defeat in the Fogo Island-Cape Freels by-election last night.

Steve Crocker says “this is politics,” and while any campaign is tough it is not unusual for governments to lose a by-election.

“We do that campaign and we move on. We get up this morning and we do our jobs.” Crocker says Blackmore was a “tremendous” candidate, and looks forward to seeing McKenna’s contributions to the House of Assembly.