The Andrew Furey era of Newfoundland and Labrador history started with overcast skies and drizzle on the lawn of Government House in St. John’s.
Furey takes the wheel of a province in stormy seas, with the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and downturn in oil prices leaving the province staring down a more than $2-billion deficit — the same problem his predecessor Dwight Ball faced upon taking office.
Furey says it’s going to take hard work and hope to see the province through a generational crisis.
“Every other province is in their own unique financial situation, whether it be Alberta or British Columbia — we’re all in this together,” said Furey.
“We can’t lose sight of that. I think that drains the hope from the people. We’re going to need that, going forward, to reinvigorate the economy. We’re in tough times, but we’ll get out of it together, as long as we all work together.”
Furey, now the 14th premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was officially sworn into office on Wednesday, along with 14 cabinet ministers — some new faces, some returning to new portfolios.
Furey himself says he intends to maintain his certification as a surgeon in the province through his time on the eighth floor of Confederation Building. Section 27 of the House of Assembly Act contends a government minister “shall not engage in employment or in the practice of a profession” while in office.
Furey says he’s spoken with Commissioner for Legislative Standards Bruce Chaulk about the matter, which he says does not amount of a conflict.
“Just like lawyers and others have to maintain their professional credentials. Just to change the language a little bit, this is about maintaining credentials,” said Furey.
“It’s not about maintaining a practice. It’s about maintaining credentials so that, however that is, however long enough I’m lucky to be here, then I can go back to practicing the job that I also love.”
Furey wouldn’t say whether an election was imminent but gave a hint on where his name is likely to appear on the ballot. Furey is an unelected premier, for the time being.
“I will tell you, I had a great time on the weekend in Gros Morne,” said Furey.
Today has been really incredible.
— Andrew Furey (@FureyAndrew) August 19, 2020
Among all of the firsts, I have to say that playing a Motley Crüe song on the piano inside Government House, in front of the Hon. Lt.-Gov. @judy_foote was a special moment! pic.twitter.com/QS3OTxT6s7
Shuffled cabinet
Furey appointed former Natural Resources minister Siobhan Coady as minister of Finance and deputy premier in his first cabinet.
A budget is coming in September, although the new cabinet may not get a chance to change much from the work already completed by the Department of Finance under now-Education Minister Tom Osborne, according to Furey.
“Our budget is, essentially, (done) now, as we’ve said before, I said during the campaign, there’s not much we’re going to be able to change at this juncture. I’m thinking longer term. I’m thinking into the future,” he said.
“That’s why I’m confidence that minister Coady at the reins and as Deputy Premier, that we can establish a good economic recovery plan for the future.”
There’s a bit of a trend in politics of placing women in difficult roles at moments of crisis, with former finance minister Cathy Bennett and former prime minister Kim Campbell as examples.
Coady says she’s ready for the challenge ahead.
“I think this is a perfect time to come in with a great new team and a new premier and a new leader. He’s looking to the future. I am as well. I go back to the 1990s, when I was chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and in the early 2000s,” said Coady.
“I worked with former prime minister Paul Martin on making the changes that Canada needed to make on its budgetary process and strengthening the country. We’re better for it. I’m challenged, invigorated. I know we can do a lot in this province.”
Andrew Parsons leaves the Justice department and takes on a new portfolio in the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology — something of a blend of the former departments of Natural Resources and Tourism, Culture, Industry, and Innovation (TCII).
While Coady leaves direct responsibility for the Muskrat Falls project, Parsons now inherits the boondoggle.
Parsons is currently one of the people under review by the auditor general relating to the failure of the provincial government to cap the wetlands and the Muskrat Falls reservoir, despite agreeing with Indigenous leaders to do so. Parsons was acting minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment at the time.
Parsons says the review will not challenge his new role.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve written the auditor general, I said I’m willing to talk about it. This project was long started before we ever got there. We’re getting towards completion,” said Parsons.
“We’ve completed a multimillion, multi-year inquiry into it. That was just one facet of it. That being said, it does not worry me in the least. I look forward to talking about it.”
Elsewhere, the full picture of the Premier’s Office staff is not fully known at this time.
Peter Miles, an adviser in Dwight Ball’s office, has been promoted to chief of staff for Furey. Lawyer Melissa Royle Critch will serve as deputy chief of staff. Former CBC journalist Meghan McCabe is working as director of communications. Former journalist Fred Hutton will also have a role in the premier’s office, but it has not yet been defined.
Among the crowd of dignitaries and Furey family members gathered for the swearing-in were Senator Fabian Manning, musician Alan Doyle and Nalcor board of directors’ chair Brendan Paddick. Doyle and Paddick co-founded the Dollar A Day Foundation with Furey and are long-time friends.
Some faces will not return to cabinet and have decided to end their political careers.
Carol Anne Haley, minister responsible for the status of women, announced last week she would not seek re-election. Her department had become a standalone department for the first time in the province’s history — but has returned to being a shared portfolio in Furey’s cabinet, led by Lisa Dempster.
Furey says the department will get the same attention now as it did then.
“I don’t want there to be any confusion on this. That department is as it was yesterday. It’s just that we’ll have a minister that is answering to other portfolios,” said Furey.
“The structure is the same, the deputy minister is the same — in fact, I’m promising to invigorate the department with more resources so that it can do the work that needs to be done.”
Former TCII minister Chris Mitchelmore did not return to cabinet, announcing on Wednesday he would not seek re-election.
Furey says he thanked Mitchelmore for his service.
“I had a great conversation with Christopher this morning. In fact, I thanked him for his honesty and his integrity in telling me that … he wasn’t intending to run again. He wants to spend more time with his family,” said Furey.
“I believe that to be true.”
Furey’s first day as premier, facing down a storm of economic, environmental and pandemic-related challenges, starts today.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s new cabinet
Premier Andrew Furey — minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Siobhan Coady — Deputy Premier and minister of Finance; formerly minister of Natural Resources
Tom Osborne — minister of Education and Early Childhood Development; formerly minister of Finance, President of Treasury Board and minister of Service NL
Andrew Parsons — minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, and Attorney General; formerly Minister of Justice and Public Safety, and Attorney General
Steve Crocker — minister of Justice and Public Safety, President of Treasury Board and Government House Leader; formerly minister of Transportation and Works
Gerry Byrne — minister of Immigration, Skills and Labour, and minister responsible for WorkplaceNL; formerly minister of Fisheries and Land Resources
John Haggie — minister of Health and Community Services; remains in the portfolio
Lisa Dempster — minister Responsible for the Status of Women and minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, minister of Labrador Affairs, Deputy Government House Leader; formerly minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Bernard Davis — minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Recreation; formerly minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry, and Innovation
Brian Warr — minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, minister Responsible for NL Housing Corp, and minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities; formerly minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Derek Bragg — minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and minister Responsible for the Public Procurement Agency; formerly minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
Derrick Bennett — minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Municipalities, Education and Early Childhood Development; Registrar General, and minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, new to cabinet
Elvis Loveless — minister of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture; new to cabinet
Sarah Stoodley — minister of Digital Government and Service Newfoundland and Labrador, minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer and minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs; new to cabinet
Twitter: @DavidMaherNL
