ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Since the announcement of a new outbreak of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador, where the existence of a new and highly contagious variant was confirmed, opportunities to ask questions regarding the ongoing election have been scarce.
On Thursday, just short of a week after the deadline for voters to request a special ballot, Liberal Leader Andrew Furey took questions from the media over a Zoom call.
Furey continued to defend the timing of his election call, stating he had consulted beforehand with Elections NL and Public Health, including daily talks with Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald.
The province was the envy of the world, he said, and there was no indication of what was to come.
“At the time, we had very low numbers, kids were playing hockey, kids were playing soccer, life was normal, the numbers were extremely low, there was no evidence of community spread, we had the strictest rules in the country, with respect to anyone coming into our province had to isolate for two weeks,” he said. “If anything, there was pressure to lessen those restrictions, especially as we came through the Christmas season and New Year’s without any spread of the disease.”
Furey said he did get feedback from and considered the experience of New Brunswick, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, which also held elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There was hiccups along the way, but they all managed to navigate a COVID-19 election,” he said.
He said he was assured Elections NL had what it needed to run the election and didn’t think it was necessary to look into changing elections legislation, as has happened in other provinces. However, once the election is over, he says a Liberal government would reflect and make changes accordingly, as should be done in any election.
While other provincial officials haven’t been involved in COVID-19 briefings, Furey again stated he is acting in a caretaking role and is there to support Fitzgerald and her team.
“I think it’s important that people realize there is still a premier,” he said. “We’re in a strange moment in time and that has people’s anxieties heightened, but they still need to know that there is a premier and there is a cabinet."
Lack of information
During a telephone interview, Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance Leader Graydon Pelley said he’s been frustrated over what he sees as a lack of information, openness and transparency from Furey.
“If this wasn’t so serious, it’s laughable,” Pelley said. “The way the premier has been … not addressing the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and to make a deal that he’s going to come out today and address the media and to give again such repetitive answers and non-answers to questions, it’s an insult to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador the way they’ve been treated with both the election and this Moya Greene report not being disclosed.
“The people … deserve better.”
"... it’s an insult to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador the way they’ve been treated with both the election and this Moya Greene report not being disclosed." — Graydon Pelley
Pelley said has no problem with Furey being at the COVID-19 briefings, but wonders at what point it’s still necessary.
“When it came to the point where the media were outright told they cannot ask any questions outside of the COVID-19 questions, really, what purpose did the premier serve?” Pelley said. “There were times during the briefings, personally, I felt, that (Fitzgerald) looked like she was not feeling free to speak what she felt needed to be said.”
As for the election being fair and democratic under the current conditions, Pelley said it is absolutely not.
“It’s not legitimate,” he said. “If we get 45 to 50 per cent (voter turnout), it’s possible now that 20 to 25 per cent of eligible voters will elect a government and a premier. Really? How legitimate is that? What kind of mandate is that?”
Election timing
NDP Leader Alison Coffin responded to questions from reporters over Zoom Thursday afternoon and said having a winter election during a pandemic was a very poor choice.
“I think it was purely for political gain and not in the best interest of the public,” she said. “(Furey) has said repeatedly that … the timing of the election is his prerogative, so I really think he needs to own up to choosing to do this when he did.”
It’s questionable all around, she said, given the timing of the delivery of the vaccines and the Dame Moya Green report.
As for legal challenges and whether it will be a fair election, Coffin said the NDP has received advice on the interpretation of the election rules, but their primary focus is ensuring anyone who can vote, does vote.
"... really think he needs to own up to choosing to do this when he did.” — Alison Coffin
“Every vote absolutely matters,” she said. “The other thing that we’re doing is we’re ensuring that we’re trying to capture as many stories as we possibly can of people who either had difficulties or can suggest ways to change the approach to voting or anything that might have input into how we can redesign and modernize the (Elections Act).”
Even without a pandemic, the Elections Act needs to be reformed, Coffin said.
As for Furey’s role at the COVID-19 updates, Coffin said while it’s important to make clear the province stands behind Fitzgerald, she does wonder about Furey’s presence.
“(Fitzgerald) is a very, very capable woman. I’m not sure if she needs someone moderating her questions,” she said.
Election mess
While emotions were high over the new COVID-19 outbreak, perhaps it was justifiable for Furey to be at the health briefings, Progressive Conservative Leader Ches Crosbie said Thursday during a Zoom call.
“(But) he seems to have decided he’s going to be at these briefings every day until voting is complete (and) I believe that is not legitimate,” he said. “Step down. And Dr. Haggie, too, I might say.”
Crosbie said it is crystal clear now that elections legislation is inadequate for a COVID-19 election.
“When an outbreak occurs, we can all see that,” Crosbie said. “It’s poor planning. It was a poor election call by Mr. Furey. He did the most superficial of questioning of Mr. Chaulk … and it seems that Mr. Chaulk said, ‘Yes b’y, we’re all ready.’ Well, obviously they’re not.”
“Whether it’s legitimate or not legitimate I think we’re going to have to leave for the end of the process, when we can see it in the whole.” — Ches Crosbie
Issues with this election are numerous, Crosbie said, including access to the vote by seniors, people without internet access and those living on the coast of Labrador and in the Torngat Mountains district.
“Everyone’s dissatisfaction and frustration with the mess that this election has degenerated into, with many faults and failings, including a very likely voter turnout, we all know all about that,” he said. “Whether it’s legitimate or not legitimate I think we’re going to have to leave for the end of the process, when we can see it in the whole.”
The lower the voter turnout, the bigger the question mark over the process, Crosbie said.
The PCs have been “collecting complaints and evidence of inadequacies and irregularities against the possibility that we may have to go to law once all the dust has settled. … But there is certainly no decision about suing or litigation.”
@AndrewLWaterman
