Tributes were paid in the House of Assembly today as Premier Andrew Furey transitions back to private life and his medical career.

Today was the premier’s last sitting in the House of Assembly as the legislature takes a two-week Easter break followed by Constituency Week.

Premier Andrew Furey shocked his party, and the province when he announced his intention to step down from political life back in February.

John Abbott and John Hogan are in the running for the Liberal party’s top job, with a leadership convention set for May 3rd.

Government House Leader Lisa Dempster called today a “bittersweet day.”

She acknowledged that Premier Furey will be welcomed back in the operating room in his role as a skilled orthopedic surgeon.

“As I’ve traveled around the province and around my own district, many, many, many times I’ve ran into folks that have said ‘he did this for me, he did that for me.’ One guy said ‘he fixed my missus’ arm,’ and that’s just an example. Someone said ‘he put my daughter back together.” Dempster took the time to acknowledge what she called “the incredible contribution that our premier has made to Newfoundland and Labrador during his five-year tenure”.

Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham says it takes a lot of courage to offer yourself up for public service.

“It takes an extra-special commitment to take on the role of premier. So I want to congratulate the premier on his efforts for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and I wish him and his family well into the future.”

NDP Leader Jim Dinn meanwhile says the demands of representing a large district far removed from the place where he lives is challenging enough.

He acknowledged the challenges in representing the province and it’s massive geography, and representing the province on the world stage, and the time that takes away from family and his career as a surgeon. “For those things, I thank you.”