2020 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election

The 2020 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election was held due to the announcement by Dwight Ball on February 17, 2020 that he would be resigning as Liberal Party leader and Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador effective when the party elects his successor.^[3] Provincial legislation requires that a general election must occur no more than one year following a Premier's resignation.^[4][5][6]

2020 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election

Date	August 3, 2020
Convention	St. John's, NL
Resigning leader	Dwight Ball
Won by	Andrew Furey
Ballots	1
Candidates	2
Entrance Fee	$25,000[1]
Spending limit	none[2]
Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership elections May 2011 · August 2011 · 2013 · 2020

The leadership campaign was suspended on March 23, 2020 at noon due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Newfoundland and Labrador.^[7][8] The party's leadership election committee met on May 25, 2020, announcing that the race would resume on June 8, 2020.^[9] A virtual convention was held on August 3, 2020, at which Andrew Furey was elected leader.

Timeline

• 17 February 2020 - Liberal leader and Premier Dwight Ball informs Liberal Party president John Allan of his resignation as party leader and premier, to take effect when the Liberal Party chooses his successor. Ball subsequently announces his decision to the province in a pre-taped video.^[5]
• 18 February 2020 - Liberal board of directors meets to make decisions on the process to replace Ball.^[5]
• 24 February 2020 - Liberal Party releases leadership election rules, official opening of nomination period.^[1][10]
• 6 March 2020, noon - deadline for candidates to be nominated ($25,000 deposit and 50 signatures from 10 provincial electoral districts required).^[1]
• 18 March 2020 - the executive announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, the physical leadership convention would be cancelled and the vote would proceed entirely online.^[11]
• 23 March 2020 - The party executive announced that the leadership campaign has been suspended effective at noon due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The party executive is to meet on 1 May 2020 to decide whether the race can resume or whether it and/or the election will be postponed.^[12]
• 4 April 2020 - original deadline to become a party member or renew party membership so that one can be able to vote in the leadership election.^[1]
• 1 May 2020 - Party releases a press release stating that the leadership election committee will meet on May 11, 2020, to determine whether the suspension of the leadership election will be lifted.^[7]
• 8 May 2020 - leadership convention was to have opened (cancelled).^[1]
• 9 May 2020 - original date leadership vote was scheduled to occur by preferential ballot.^[7]
• 11 May 2020 - leadership election committee meets to determine whether the suspension of the election can be lifted and, if so, determine a new schedule.^[7] It announces that the race remains suspended and that the situation will be reviewed again on 25 May.^[8]
• 25 May 2020 - the leadership election committee announces that the race will resume on 8 June. No schedule was determined.^[9]
• 1 June 2020 - the Liberal party formally informs the candidates that the race will resume the following week, and announces that the results will be revealed at a virtual convention on 3 August.^[13]
• 8 June 2020 - Campaigning resumes.
• 21 June 2020 - NTV News hosted a virtual town hall debate with Abbott and Furey.
• 25 June 2020 - CBC NL hosted a debate with Abbott and Furey.
• 28 June 2020 - Deadline to become a party member or renew party membership so that one can be able to vote in the leadership election.^[14]
• 3 August 2020 - Virtual convention held. Andrew Furey elected leader.

Declared candidates

John Abbott

CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Deputy Minister of Health under Premiers Danny Williams and Dwight Ball

Date campaign launched: March 5, 2020^[15][16][17]

Former MHAs: Rex Gibbons, MHA for St. John's West (1989–1997)^[18]

Other prominent individuals: Paul Antle, businessman and political candidate^[19]

Andrew Furey

Philanthropist and orthopedic surgeon, founder of Team Broken Earth, son of Senator George Furey, and nephew of former cabinet minister Chuck Furey.

Date campaign launched: March 3, 2020^[20][21][22]

MHAs: Derrick Bragg, MHA for Fogo Island-Cape Freels (2015–present);^[23] Gerry Byrne, MHA for Corner Brook (2015-);^[24] Steve Crocker, MHA for Carbonear-Trinity-Bay de Verde (2014–present); Sherry Gambin-Walsh, MHA for Placentia-St. Mary's (2015–present); John Haggie, MHA for Gander (2015-present);^[25] Eddie Joyce, MHA for Humber-Bay of Islands (2011-present);^[26] Andrew Parsons, MHA for Burgeo-La Poile (2011–present); Pam Parsons, MHA for Harbour Grace-Port de Grave (2015–present)^[22][20]

Former party leaders: Brian Tobin, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador (1996–2000)^[27]

Former MHAs: Graham Letto, MHA for Labrador West (2015–2019)^[28]

Other prominent supporters: Jamie Fowlow, CEO of the Western Regional Hospital Foundation;^[29] Brendan Paddick, Chair of the Board of Directors at Nalcor Energy^[30]

Declined

• Paul Antle - St. John's businessman, federal Liberal candidate in St. John's East (2006), runner-up in 2013 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election^[21][31] (endorsed John Abbott)
• Bernard Davis - Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry (2019–present), MHA for Virginia Waters-Pleasantville (2015–present), St. John's City Councillor (2013–2015)^[32][33]
• Gerry Byrne - Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources (2017–present), Minister of Advanced Education and Skills (2015–2017), MHA for Corner Brook (2015–present), federal Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (2002–2003), MP for Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte (1996–2015)^[27] (endorsed Andrew Furey)
• Siobhán Coady - Minister of Natural Resources (2015–present), Government House Leader (2019–present), MHA for St. John's West (2015–present), MP for St. John's South—Mount Pearl (2008–2011)^[27]
• Steve Crocker - Minister of Transportation and Works (2017–present), Minister of Fisheries (2015–2017), MHA for Carbonear-Trinity-Bay de Verde (2014–present)^[34] (endorsed Andrew Furey)
• Lisa Dempster - Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development (2018–present), MHA for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair (2013–present)^[35][22]
• Jamie Fowlow - CEO of the Western Regional Hospital Foundation^[36][37][38] (endorsed Andrew Furey)
• Sherry Gambin-Walsh- Minister of Service NL (2017–present), Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development (2016–2017), Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development (2015–2016), MHA for Placentia-St. Mary's (2015–present)^[34] (endorsed Andrew Furey)
• John Haggie - Minister of Health and Community Services (2015–present), MHA for Gander (2015–present), surgeon^[39][40] (endorsed Andrew Furey)
• Carol Anne Haley - Minister Responsible for the Status of Women (2018–present), MHA for Burin-Grand Bank (2015–present)^[34]
• Yvonne Jones - Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs (2019–present), MP for Labrador (2013–present), Leader of the Opposition in Newfoundland and Labrador (2007–2012), former leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Party (2007–2011), MHA for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair (1996-2013), Mayor of Mary's Harbour (1991–1996)^[41]
• Dean MacDonald - owner of Newfoundland Growlers minor hockey team^[21]
• Christopher Mitchelmore - Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour (2019–present), Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (2015–2019), MHA for St. Barbe-L'Anse aux Meadows (2015–present)^[34]
• Seamus O'Regan - federal Minister of Natural Resources (2019–present), federal Minister of Indigenous Services (2019), federal Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence (2017–2019), MP for St. John's South—Mount Pearl (2015–present), former host of CTV Canada AM (2001–2011), correspondent for CTV National News (2011–2012)^[21]
• Andrew Parsons - Minister of Justice and Attorney General (2015–present), Government House Leader (2015–2019), MHA for Burgeo-La Poile (2011–present)^[21] (endorsed Andrew Furey)
• Pam Parsons - MHA for Harbour Grace-Port de Grave (2015–present)^[34] (endorsed Andrew Furey)
• Sarah Stoodley - MHA for Mount Scio (2019–present)^[34]
• Brian Warr - Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development (2019–present), MHA for Baie Verte-Green Bay (2015–present)^[34]
• Nick Whalen - MP for St. John's East (2015–2019)^[34]

Results

Furey defeated Abbott in all 40 electoral districts, with Abbott performing the best in St. John's and the surrounding regions.

Results by ballot ^[42][43]

Candidate	Ballot 1
Name	Votes	Points
Andrew Furey	13,645 64.42%	26,443 66.11%
John Abbott	7,537 35.58%	13,557 33.89%
Total	21,182	40,000

See also

• Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership elections

References

1. "Liberal leadership race is on, new leader to be named May 9". CBC News. February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
2. "Crosbie calls out Liberals over lack of spending cap, financial disclosures in leadership race". CBC News. February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
3. Mullin, Malone (February 17, 2020). "Dwight Ball stepping down as Newfoundland and Labrador premier". CBC News. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
4. Maher, David (February 17, 2020). "Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball stepping down". The Telegram. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
5. "Dwight Ball to Step Down as Premier, Launches Leadership Process". VOCM News. February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
6. "Dwight Ball stepping down as premier as soon as Liberal party chooses successor". NTV News. February 17, 2020. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
7. "Liberal leadership race still on hold". CBC News. May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
8. "Liberal leadership race to remain suspended, Abbott reprimanded | CBC News".
9. "N.L. Liberal Party plans to restart leadership race June 8". CBC News. May 25, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
10. "N.L. Liberals open leadership contest after premier's resignation". CTV News. Canadian Press. February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
11. "Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal leadership race continues amid COVID-19 pandemic". St. John's Telegram. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
12. "Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal leadership race suspended due to COVID-19". St. John's Telegram. March 23, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
13. "2020 Leadership". NL Liberals. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
14. Baird, Tom (June 28, 2020). "On Corporate Ties, Andrew Furey has Nothing to Hide". The Independent. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
15. Connors, Michael (February 24, 2020). "Liberal party defends lack of spending limits in leadership race". NTV News. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
16. "Former N.L. Bureaucrat John Abbott first to confirm he will seek Liberal leadership | CBC News".
17. "John Abbott Officially Enters Race for Liberal Leadership". VOCM. March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
18. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (March 5, 2020). "A crowd is gathering at the Sheraton for John Abbott's campaign launch for the Liberal leadership. Former cabinet minister Rex Gibbons will be introducing Abbott. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved March 5, 2020 – via Twitter.
19. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (June 16, 2020). "Businessman and former leadership candidate Paul Antle has endorsed John Abbott for the Liberal leadership. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved June 16, 2020 – via Twitter.
20. "Andrew Furey kicks off campaign for Liberal leadership". CBC News. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
21. "Who's in, Who's Out to Replace Dwight?". VOCM News. February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
22. "Andrew Furey expected to launch Liberal leadership campaign Tuesday". NTV News. February 29, 2020. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
23. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (March 2, 2020). "I believe this is endorsement No. 5 for Andrew Furey from the Liberal caucus. Municipal Affairs and Environment Minister Derrick Bragg is the latest one to join in. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved March 2, 2020 – via Twitter.
24. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (March 4, 2020). "Gerry Byrne is supporting Andrew Furey. He says he could not support John Abbott because he disagreed with his comments about the current administration failing to make decisions to move the province forward. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved March 2, 2020 – via Twitter.
25. John Haggie [@Johnrockdoc] (June 28, 2020). "After much discussion & talking to both candidates, I will he supporting Dr. Furey in his bid for the Liberal Leadership. Deadline for registration is midnight tonight" (Tweet). Retrieved June 28, 2020 – via Twitter.
26. Ben Murphy [@VOCMBen] (March 4, 2020). "Independent MHA Eddie Joyce says he is in full support of @FureyAndrew. [...] Joyce adds what he likes best is Furey will make the tough decisions which, he says needs to be done" (Tweet). Retrieved March 4, 2020 – via Twitter.
27. "The fall of Dwight Ball: An embattled premier with waning caucus support". CBC News. February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
28. Graham Letto [@GrahamLetto] (March 2, 2020). "Thank you Andrew for the invite to your official launch. I will be supporting you all the way. You will make an awesome leader that will continue with the great work that has already been done by Premier Ball in these very challenging times" (Tweet). Retrieved March 2, 2020 – via Twitter.
29. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (March 5, 2020). "Jamie Fowlow has decided not to run for the Liberal leadership. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved March 5, 2020 – via Twitter.
30. "Crosbie, Abbott Call for Resignation of Nalcor Chair Over Conflict of Interest Allegation". VOCM. March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
31. "Paul Antle counts himself out of Liberal leadership race". NTV News. February 26, 2020. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
32. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (February 19, 2020). "Tourism Minister Bernard Davis is not ruling himself in or out of the Liberal leadership race. He's waiting to see what the rules are first. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved February 19, 2020 – via Twitter.
33. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (March 2, 2020). "Tourism Minster Bernard Davis says he will not be running for the Liberal leadership. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved March 2, 2020 – via Twitter.
34. Maher, David (February 18, 2020). "Ches Crosbie 'not ruling out' forcing Newfoundland and Labrador election before Liberal leadership race ends". St. John's Telegra. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
35. @VOCMBen (February 18, 2020). "Just heard back from @LisaVDempster's camp on her intentions to run for the Liberal leadership. Dempster is in me…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
36. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (February 27, 2020). "Jamie Fowlow, the chair of the Western Regional Hospital Foundation, says he is considering running for the Liberal leadership. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved February 28, 2020 – via Twitter.
37. Jamie Fowlow [@JamieFowlow] (February 28, 2020). "Thanks to ⁦@MikeConnors for the shout out on NTV News last night. It will take creative new ideas and unpopular decision making to lead this province. I have the creative new ideas. Still deciding if I want to be the unpopular decision maker" (Tweet). Retrieved February 28, 2020 – via Twitter.
38. Jamie Fowlow [@JamieFowlow] (March 5, 2020). "So close! A run is not in the cards this time. Have a look at how close we were! Thanks to all who helped and encouraged, incl you folks in the media!" (Tweet). Retrieved March 5, 2020 – via Twitter.
39. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (February 24, 2020). "Health Minister John Haggie says he's not ruling out running for the Liberal leadership. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved February 19, 2020 – via Twitter.
40. John Haggie [@Johnrockdoc] (March 2, 2020). "To those that have reached out to encourage me to run for the Liberal Leadership, Thank You. I am truly humbled. After careful consideration, I have decided to not run, & focus on serving the ppl of my District. We have excellent candidates so I know the Party is in great hands!" (Tweet). Retrieved March 2, 2020 – via Twitter.
41. Yvonne Jones [@YvonneJJones] (February 18, 2020). "Thank-you for your encouragement to seek the leadership LPNL, however my greatest service to people of NL right now is through my work in Ottawa. I take great pride in being the MP for Labrador it drives me to work hard everyday. Looking forward to strong contenders stepping up!" (Tweet). Retrieved February 19, 2020 – via Twitter.
42. "Andrew Furey wins Liberal leadership race, will become 14th premier of N.L." Retrieved August 3, 2020.
43. Maher, David (August 4, 2020). "Vote breakdown revealed in Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal leadership race". The Telegram. Retrieved January 3, 2021.