ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — After a relatively quiet weekend in the provincial election campaign, leaders and candidates in all parties get back to a more robust schedule of campaigning today.
Liberal Leader Andrew Furey is in Labrador to start the week.
He ended his Burin Peninsula visit Saturday morning after announcing a Liberal government would address the gap between young people and older adults in the province.
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He said the gap can be attributed to various factors such as family mobility, single-family homes, and an increase in senior citizens living in assisted living and long-term care homes.
“Newfoundland and Labrador has an ever-growing population of seniors. Connecting generations benefits children and older adults alike,” Furey stated in a news release.
“It can often help seniors feel inspired to be more active, energizes their mental health, and offers mutual learning opportunities.”
Our team is heading to Labrador this morning after a quick pit stop at home last night. Great to be with our families, next stop @nlliberals candidate @wbutton123! As long as the weather holds... pic.twitter.com/mXOw9hSgLg
— Andrew Furey (@FureyAndrew) January 24, 2021
Furey said the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the negative effects of loneliness and isolation on a person’s mental and physical well-being.
As to how a Liberal government would go about bridging the gap, the release stated: “… the Furey government will develop intergenerational programs to increase interaction between young and older Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for their mutual benefit. Funded through the Seniors Social Inclusion Initiative and by partnering with care providers, community groups and educational institutions, the Furey government will consult with stakeholders to develop a resource to help organizations establish much-needed connections between the province’s seniors and youth.”
Progressive Conservative Leader Ches Crosbie visited the Farmer’s Market in St. John’s on Saturday with local candidates to discuss issues with vendors and patrons.
Back on the campaign trail in my district of Windsor Lake today! ☕️ First stop was Tim’s to warm up. 🥕 We then made...
Posted by Ches Crosbie on Saturday, January 23, 2021
Later on Saturday, and again on Sunday, he did some canvassing with local candidates.
In a news release, the PCs claim the election called by Furey — due to its short time frame and the fact it is happening in the middle of winter — disenfranchises rotational workers.
Chris Tibbs, PC candidate for Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans, said the voices of rotational workers deserve to be heard in the election campaign.
“Andrew Furey could have scheduled a five-week election campaign, which would have given rotational workers more time to get their special ballots in,” Tibbs said in the news release. “Instead, he decided to make it even harder for rotational workers to exercise their democratic right.”
The release states the PCs are urging rotational workers to do everything they can to ensure they’re able to vote in the election.
Thank you @GavinmWill for having me on the campaign trail today!
— Alison Coffin (@AlisonCoffinNDP) January 23, 2021
Great reception at the doors, and great chats about the realities small businesses are facing each and every day. #fightingforyou #nlpoli #nlndp pic.twitter.com/6TWki4IK3C
NDP Leader Alison Coffin was back in St. John’s to campaign with local candidates on the weekend after a trip to Labrador where she stated an NDP government would change the Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MTAP) so it would no longer require upfront payment and reimbursement for users. Coffin said they’ve been hearing about a variety of issues from people, including affordability, access to medical care and transportation.
NL Alliance candidates are pressing on in their campaigns after Leader Graham Pelley announced on Friday he would be permanently suspending his campaign after suffering a medical emergency and surgery. Pelley remains leader of the party to support other candidates while he focuses on his health and recovery.
