ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The search for the next premier of Newfoundland and Labrador has been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The race was suspended by the party effective 12 p.m. on Monday.
The Liberals had announced on March 18 that the race would continue. Shortly after that announcement, Health Minister John Haggie announced a public-health emergency in the province.
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Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal leadership election co-chair John Samms says the decision to suspend the race was not taken lightly.
“As with any democratic process, suspension is an extraordinary measure. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic indeed represents extraordinary circumstances,” said Samms.
“I’d much rather be criticized for being too slow to suspend the democratic process, than seen to be doing so hastily.”
Aside from expenses needed to maintain a campaign headquarters, the Liberals say no money can flow in or out of the campaigns during the suspension.
“No candidate may accept donations during the suspension. Neither candidate can spend or incur expenses in relation to the campaign,” said Liberal party board member Judy Morrow.
“We will require an accounting of all expenses incurred during the period of the suspension upon resumption of the leadership election.”
Campaigns will have 21 days to sign up voters when the race resumes.
The decision to resume the race will be informed by the province's chief medical officer, and whether any “extraordinary public-health measures” are in effect, including a provincewide state of emergency, according to the party. A meeting by the party executive on May 1 will determine whether the race will resume at that point.
All campaign activity will be suspended, and all campaign websites and social media accounts made inactive during the suspension.
Campaigns that break any of the rules will face penalties ranging from fines to disqualification from the race, at the discretion of the Liberal party executive.
John Abbott, whose campaign was first to call for the suspension of the race, says he welcomes the move.
“The primary reason I raised the urgent need to suspend the campaign was to give families time to deal with this health-care and economic crisis. Also, by continuing, we were denying the people of the province the opportunity to be informed and involved in the selection of the next premier,” reads a statement from Abbott’s campaign.
“It now appears the Liberal party sees the merits of my suggestion for the suspension and that is certainly the right and proper position.”
Andrew Furey, whose position before last Friday was to continue the race, says he will focus on assisting health-care professionals with the COVID-19 response, where he can.
“Since last week the province has declared a public-health emergency and imposed several necessary restrictions throughout the province which will require daily and weekly reassessments. These are trying times for everyone in our province,” Furey said in a statement.
“I am fortunate to be able to contribute in both the health-care and political fields and will focus during this leadership pause on supporting my health-care colleagues.”
Twitter: @DavidMaherNL