NDP again questions timing of Newfoundland and Labrdor election

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — NDP Leader Alison Coffin questioned again Tuesday the timing of Liberal Leader Andrew Furey’s election call.

“A spring election would have given us more time to roll out the (COVID-19) vaccine, it would have been safer and less likely to have a snowstorm and it would have given us the opportunity to see the Moya Greene (economic recovery task force) report as well as see a preliminary budget,” she said.

Coffin said she trusts the advice of Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald and urged people to follow the public health guidelines as COVID-19 cases from community spread ramped up Monday with 11 new cases, and another 30 cases announced Tuesday.

“It is going to be very incumbent on the chief medical officer and the chief electoral officer to ensure that public safety is paramount in this election,” Coffin said, adding accessibility to vote for those who don’t want to go out is a concern.

“Certainly it’s going to make people think long and hard about whether they want to go out given we have community spread. … So it is a very huge concern. … I would like to see the opportunity for everyone to vote for what is important to them. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve to have a voice and determine the future of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Voters seemed stressed even before the pandemic turn of events, Coffin said.

"Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve to have a voice and determine the future of Newfoundland and Labrador.” — Alison Coffin

“Even before the number of COVID-19 cases climbed there was no doubt that people were concerned about what was going to be in store for our province,” she said.

“Decades of Liberal and Conservative governments have brought us to this place of financial uncertainty.”

Coffin reiterated her party’s platform of helping people, including a $15-per-hour minimum wage, cutting taxes for small business, bringing back the home heating rebate and dental care for seniors, as well as hiring more personal care attendants, nurses, licensed practical nurses, paramedics and health-care professionals.

“I know that voters are quite savvy. I know they know what is important for them. … Certainly my party has clearly articulated what we are fighting for, what we stand for, so I like to think that people are certainly going to be using everything that they know to make their decision,” she said.