Liberal Leader John Hogan tours Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula, promising new health-care Crown corporation amid mixed reactions from locals.
Liberals Hit the Northern Peninsula with Campaign Stops
Newfoundland and Labrador’s ongoing provincial election entered its third week on Monday as Liberal Leader John Hogan and incumbent Krista Lynn Howell visited communities on the Northern Peninsula. Residents in Plum Point and Brig Bay greeted the party with reactions ranging from curiosity to outright hostility.
During door-to-door visits, some residents criticized the Liberals’ handling of the tentative Churchill Falls deal with Quebec, while others expressed disinterest in voting. A tense confrontation arose when a driver accused Howell of using his photo without consent in campaign materials, prompting intervention from a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer. Liberal spokesperson Ben Murphy later clarified that the photo, taken three years ago in a public setting, was part of an old MHA newsletter.
Health Care Remains Top Local Concern
Despite the friction, some constituents engaged positively. Emmanuel Ford, a retired teacher in Brig Bay, emphasized that health-care availability is the community’s most pressing issue. “We’re hearing every day that there’s doctors, nurses leaving,” he told Hogan and Howell. Ford expressed appreciation for the visit but said he had yet to decide whom he would vote for.
Howell faces off against Progressive Conservative candidate Andrea Barbour and NDP contender Beth Ryan in St. Barbe – L’Anse aux Meadows.
New Crown Corporation for Health-Care Recruitment Announced
Addressing the province’s longstanding health-care staffing challenges, Hogan announced plans for a dedicated Crown corporation to manage recruitment, retention, and workforce planning. The new organization would take over these functions from Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) and the provincial health department, aiming to streamline efforts and better address vacancies.
“I think NLHS should focus on delivering health care,” Hogan said at Port Saunders’ town centre. “Working out recruitment and retention should be separated from that.” The corporation would collaborate with provincial and federal agencies, licensing bodies, and labor organizations. Current HR staff from NLHS and the health department could be transferred to the new entity.
Financial Commitments and No Cuts Pledge
Hogan also pledged that a re-elected Liberal government would maintain the health-care budget without reductions, despite recent reports highlighting potential cost-cutting measures. The party plans to spend $2 million covering practicum tuition for nursing students and an additional $2 million to expand the travel locum program.
Port Saunders nurse Kimberly Ryan, who attended the announcement during a short-staffed shift, expressed optimism. “If we can get more people here, it doesn’t really matter how they get here — it would just be great to have help,” she said. Ryan, however, remains undecided on her vote.
Election Campaign Continues Amid Mixed Reactions
As the provincial election progresses, Hogan and the Liberals are attempting to address both local frustrations and systemic challenges in Newfoundland and Labrador’s health-care system. While some residents remain skeptical or disengaged, campaign promises such as the new health-care Crown corporation are central to the party’s strategy to win voter support across the Northern Peninsula.
