ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Peter Jackson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
@pjackson_nl
Premier Dwight Ball marked a bittersweet moment Wednesday as he attended his last COVID-19 video briefing.
Ball will pass the torch to either Andrew Furey or John Abbott on Monday when the results of an online Liberal leadership vote are unveiled. The winner will immediately take the reins of the top job in the province.
“I made a commitment that I’d see this through until a successor is chosen,” Ball said at the end of the weekly briefing, adding he had no idea what was to come when he announced he was stepping down in February.
He thanked several people behind the scenes, including his own staff, ASL interpreters and frontline workers generally who kept things running during the lockdown. He also offered a word of thanks to the media.
Then he addressed the public more broadly.
“I wanted to say it’s been an honour to serve you as premier of the province through this unprecedented time,” he said, praising “all these Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who seriously followed our public health guidelines and got us to where we are today.”
Ball saved his warmest comments for those he has regularly shared the hot seat with for almost four months.
“We’ve been through a lot together throughout the years, and I want to thank you, sir, for your friendship and for your professionalism, and for the humour which was appropriate as we worked through this pandemic,” he said to Health Minister Dr. John Haggie.
“Your strength, your dedication, I would say your wise decision-making has been inspiring to all of us,” he said to Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald.
But it didn’t end there.
Before closing, he reached under the table and pulled out a large basket of Newfoundland Chocolate Co. treats, and a mock street sign that read “Fitzgerald Way,” which he presented to Fitzgerald.
“You’ve been providing the waypoints for us throughout all of this,” he said.
“And to quote a famous Newfoundlander today, I say, ‘Hold fast, Newfoundland and Labrador,’” he said.
The phrase is Fitzgerald’s trademark signoff after opening remarks.
Both Haggie and Fitzgerald also offered their well wishes earlier in the briefing.
“I wish you well as you step away from your role as premier, and I hope you get some well deserved rest,” Fitzgerald said.
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health for The Telegram
