Leaders of the three provincial political parties are ending this week of promise-making in various parts of the province.
Liberal Leader John Hogan committed to removing red tape as it relates to Crown Lands during a stop in Clarenville this morning.
He says the Liberals plan on improving the process by expediting approvals for land and titles that lawyers have already certified as legitimate, saying they will work with the Law Society to establish title standards.
Premier John Hogan with candidate Greg French. (NL Liberal Party).
Hogan also promised to expand the Primary Residence Land Title Program to include eligibility for secondary residences, which they argue would allow people without the clear title required for a Crown grant the ability to obtain a so-called quitclaim deed.
He also committed to reviewing the Crown land inventory to identify new development opportunities for things like housing developments in high-demand areas, and more draws for cabin development.
PC Leader Tony Wakeham, meanwhile, focused on health care today on the campaign trail in Grand Falls-Windsor.
Wakeham announced four initiatives that he believes will improve health care in central Newfoundland.
PC Leader Tony Wakeham flanked by incumbent MHAs Chris Tibbs and Pleaman Forsey. (NL PC Party)
The PCs plan on putting over $1.2 million toward reopening the emergency room at the hospital in Botwood, $5 million for volunteer fire departments that respond to medical calls, and $400,000 in additional funding for the Lionel Kelland Hospice.
Wakeham has also committed to a new MRI machine for the central region, located in Grand Falls-Windsor. That was originally announced earlier this week, with the PCs allocating $4.4-million for four MRI machines in rural areas.
In Labrador West today, a seat held by the NDP until MHA Jordan Brown announced he wasn’t seeking re-election, Leader Jim Dinn said it’s time government started caring about the needs of Labradorians, not just the Big Land’s resources.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn with candidate Shazia Razi. (VOCM News via Zoom)
The party unveiled its lofty election platform specific to Labrador, promising a new seniors’ complex, 200 new housing units and 140 additional health care workers.
The party also committed to repairing the province’s fifth waterbomber, and improving MTAP, the medical transportation assistance program, including making it more accessible and responsive to residents by removing requirements for additional doctor notes for patients who need an escort.
“For decades, Liberal and Conservative governments have focused only on Labrador’s resources while ignoring the people who live here and make it all possible,” said Dinn. “Labrador has given so much to this province and it’s time the province gave back.”
