Dr. Andrew Furey knows tough decisions have to be made to right the ship that is the current fiscal situation of the province.

Furey’s campaign speech last night was one of hope and the need to resist the negativity surrounding the province.

Furey says he knows the province is facing some tough times, and he wants to make a difference. He hopes it inspires others to step up as well.

There was a lot about hope in Furey’s speech, but not much around policies, he says those will come over the next month as the campaign rolls out, and people will know exactly where he stands.

Furey believes he brings a different skillset that can help tackle the problems the province faces.

He knows the province is under a budget crunch and his top priority is to get fully up to speed on the fiscal situation, get a better understanding of economic pressures and make the best evidence-based decisions for the people.

However he was very up front that he is not and will not be a career politician. He says he does not intend to be a career politician and needs to make sure he can go back to practicing medicine and caring for the people of the province once this is all said and done.

Support for Furey Abound From Liberal Caucus

There is no question who the vast majority of the Liberal caucus and cabinet are supporting in the Liberal leadership race.

Almost all of the Liberal caucus was in attendance when Dr. Andrew Furey officially launched his campaign on Tuesday evening. Others like MP Ken McDonald and former MP Nick Whalen were also there showing their support.

Minister Siobhan Coady says Furey’s message of hope was outstanding and he understands that so much can be achieved in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Coady believes Furey will make a tremendous leader of the Liberal party and an incredible Premier bringing new direction, hope and opportunity for the province.

No shortage of support for @FureyAndrew from the current @nlliberals caucus and cabinet. #nlpoli @VOCMNEWS @590VOCM @VOCMBen @GerriLynnMackey pic.twitter.com/oo5wzd5Ydd

— Fred Hutton (@Fred_Hutton) March 3, 2020

Minister Bernard Davis says he’s known Furey for over 25 years and his work speaks for itself. Davis says the most important thing about Furey is that he’s a really nice and smart guy. He looks forward to the day they have him in the House of Assembly.

Minister Steve Crocker and MHA Pam Parsons were also throwing their support behind Furey. Parsons says she has a lot of faith.

Crocker believes Furey’s speech was from the heart. He says the speech was from a man that has done work around the world helping people and sees an opportunity here at home.

Crocker reiterated what Furey said in his speech. He says it’s important that everyone pull together, regardless of political colour, as there is a job to do and everyone needs to be pulling on the same oar.

Independent MHA Eddie Joyce to Support Furey As Well

One Independent MHA is in full support of Dr. Furey for the Liberal leadership.

Eddie Joyce says he has always been a Liberal, and will always remain a Liberal with Liberal values.

He says what people heard was optimism and hope. His favourite part was that Furey said he would make the tough decisions, something Joyce believes needs to be done to put the province back on track.

As for if Furey taking the reins of the party is enough to entice Joyce to return to the Liberal’s, he says he won’t be crossing the floor anytime soon.

He says he made a commitment that he would not re-join the Liberals with Premier Ball and Minister Sherry Gambin-Walsh still in caucus as he says it’s something he cannot put his family thought again.

Joyce won the vote in his district by almost 70 per cent as an Independent and he made that commitment to the people, and those are the people he will stay loyal to.

Joyce says he has no issue not being in the Liberal party, but will support Dr. Furey as he says they share many of the same values.

Independent MHA Eddie Joyce says he is in full support of @FureyAndrew.

He says he’s always been a Liberal, will remain a Liberal and holds Liberal values.

Joyce adds what he likes best is Furey will make the tough decisions which, he says needs to be done.@VOCMNEWS #nlpoli pic.twitter.com/zlIBNqmCH1

— Ben Murphy (@VOCMBen) March 3, 2020