Premier Tony Wakeham names 14 ministers from 21 PC MHAs, rewarding long-serving members and streamlining cabinet leadership.
Wakeham Forms New Cabinet
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham has unveiled his first cabinet, rewarding longtime Progressive Conservative (PC) members with senior roles. The new lineup includes 14 ministers, down from 17 under the previous Liberal government, reflecting Wakeham’s promise of a leaner, more efficient administration.
Experienced Faces Take Key Roles
Wakeham’s selections emphasize experience and loyalty within the caucus. Of the 21 PC MHAs, most appointees are veteran legislators. Notably, all three women elected to the PC caucus now hold cabinet positions.
“I’m very proud that we have three women elected to our caucus and three women who will now represent this province in our cabinet,” Wakeham said during Wednesday’s news conference.
Women Lead Justice, Health, and Tourism
Former justice critic Helen Conway-Ottenheimer becomes Minister of Justice.
Lela Evans, longtime MHA for Torngat Mountains, takes over as Minister of Health, making her the first health minister from Labrador. Newly elected Andrea Barbour will oversee Tourism as the MHA for St. Barbe-L’Anse aux Meadows.
Wakeham said Evans’s appointment reflects her health-care advocacy and regional leadership:
“I am clearly sending a message to the people of Labrador that they are part of this. She will do an outstanding job.”
Fiscal Recovery Tops Priority List
With the province facing billions in debt, Wakeham named Craig Pardy, a former educator, as Minister of Finance. The premier said stabilizing Newfoundland and Labrador’s finances will be his government’s top goal.
“Nobody works harder than Craig Pardy. I am confident that he will bring our province to the fiscal stability it needs,” Wakeham said.
Meanwhile, Lin Paddock, the former finance critic, moves to a new portfolio overseeing Jobs, Growth, Rural Development, Immigration, and Francophone Affairs. Loyola O’Driscoll becomes the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, fulfilling a campaign pledge to create a separate fisheries portfolio.
Opposition Voices Concern
Reaction from opposition parties was swift. NDP Leader Jim Dinn said his caucus will press the PCs to deliver on health-care and social-equity promises.
“It’s about addressing the social determinants of health as laid out in the Health Accord,” Dinn said.
Liberal Leader John Hogan criticized the number of combined portfolios, warning that key issues such as affordability and technology could lose focus.
“I don’t think they’re off to a very good start,” Hogan remarked, adding that voters expected more targeted representation.
Next Steps for the New Government
Wakeham said his cabinet members were briefed on Wednesday and that the remaining MHAs will be sworn in on Monday. The premier emphasized that the streamlined cabinet aims to improve accountability and accelerate decision-making.
“Our focus is on results — fiscal responsibility, health-care reform, and opportunity for all regions,” Wakeham said.
