Tony Wakeham has officially taken office as the 16th premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, marking the return of the Progressive Conservatives to power in the province after nearly ten years. The swearing-in ceremony, which also saw the inauguration of Wakeham’s cabinet members, took place at Government House in St. John’s. The newly appointed cabinet includes several PC Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs) who will oversee various significant portfolios.
Among the key appointments are Barry Petten, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Public Procurement, and Deputy Premier from Conception Bay South; Helen Conway Ottenheimer, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Attorney General, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management, Minister of Women and Gender Equality, Minister Responsible for Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Office, and Minister Responsible for the Human Rights Commission from Harbour Main; and Paul Dinn, the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Advanced Education and Skills from Topsail-Paradise.
Other notable appointments include Lela Evans, the Minister of Health and Community Services, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Minister Responsible for N.L. Health Services, Minister of Labrador Affairs and Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation from Torngat Mountains; Pleaman Forsey, the Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, and Minister of Crown Lands from Exploits; and Loyola O’Driscoll, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture from Ferryland.
The Progressive Conservatives secured 21 seats in the recent provincial election, granting them a majority government. However, the Liberals, who won 15 seats, have requested recounts in three closely contested districts – Placentia West-Bellevue, Topsail-Paradise, and Lewisporte-Twillingate. The Liberals stated that the judicial recount is essential to ensure every vote is accurately tallied in compliance with the law and to uphold the democratic process. In response, the PCs criticized the recount as a frivolous use of the court’s resources and labeled it a “scheme.”
The Progressive Conservatives’ return to power signals a significant political shift in Newfoundland and Labrador, with Wakeham at the helm as the newly sworn-in premier, leading the province under the PC government.
