Andrew Furey’s departure as Newfoundland and Labrador’s top comes at a surprising time, putting an end to his career. His withdrawal, revealed Tuesday following a conference meeting at Confederation Building in St. John’s, caught some by surprise, including older members of his state.
Furey, who took office in August 2020, said he would be returning to his job as an orthopedic surgeon. ” It has been a crazy and sudden journey, right from the start to send us here to now, to the finish”, he said. Fighting back tears, he concluded his speech by saying,” God bless the beautiful people of this province, and God guard thee Newfoundland and Labrador”.
Big successes and difficulties
Furey’s decision comes shortly after Quebec and it signed a traditional memorandum of understanding regarding Churchill Falls hydraulic power. The deal, which he described as “history made and previous wrongs rewritten”, would change the controversial 1969 deal 16 years ahead of schedule and is expected to offer$ 200 billion in value to both regions.
His day as leading was marked by major challenges, including the COVID-19 crisis, socioeconomic concerns, and continued healthcare system struggles. He also faced controversies, such as the use of traveling nurses, a fisheries opposition that disrupted a municipal finances, and a conflict-of-interest sensor regarding a hunting trip with a billionaire, in which he was eventually cleared.
Furey also participated in discussions of international trade, particularly in the midst of hostilities with the US. Reflecting on recent talks with Trump administration officials, he warned,” We’re looking at four years of erratic, crazy, bonkers behaviour by the president of the United States. Over the next four years, this will be a widespread issue for Canadians.
political timing and family considerations
Furey cited family and electoral timing as significant factors in his choice to step down. Newfoundland and Labrador’s fixed election laws require an election within a year of a party changing leaders, meaning the province could have faced back-to-back elections.
We thought this was the most trustworthy thing to do for the people of this province, he said. Furya ruled out running for president in the upcoming federal election and declared that he would remain in office until a new Liberal leader is chosen.
His wife, Allison Furey, expressed pride in his leadership, saying,” I think the province knows Andrew as somebody who gives 150 per cent, and he’s done that for the last five years in this role as premier”.
Uncertainty over leadership succession
Deputy premier Siobhan Coady, who learned of Furey’s decision just before the announcement, said the party has not yet set a timeline for selecting a new leader. When asked whether she would consider running, she responded,” I haven’t even spoken to my husband since this announcement”.
Quebec Premier François Legault, who worked closely with Furey on the Churchill Falls agreement, praised him in a message of support. ” With this historic agreement, we have transformed the relationship between Quebec and Newfoundland, making it one of the strongest relationships in the country”, Legault wrote on social media.
Furey will remain in power as premier until a replacement is found, causing uncertainty about the Liberal Party’s leadership as the province prepares for the following election.
