John Abbott promises to 'tell it like it is' at launch for Liberal leadership

Liberal leadership candidate John Abbottformally launched his campaign Thursday morning, hopping in the ring with Andrew Furey

Furey was first out of the gate, officially entering the race at a packed Tuesday eveningevent that includedmost of the current Liberal cabinet.

Though he'll be the second to officially enter, Abbottwas the first to say he intended to run.

"We need a leader, a premier, who is prepared to tell it like it is, and who has the experience, skills and the know-how to get the job done," Abbott said at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John's.

"Time is not on our side. The challenges before us are huge. And without bold and immediate action, the task gets greater with every passing day."

Abbott said the Liberal Party has lost its vision, and residents are worried about their communities and the province's financial situation.

"The province needs a government it can trust, leadership that is transparent and accountable, and in it for the good of the people," he said.

Abbott said as leader of the Liberal Party, he would focus on four areas:

• Developing a plan to stabilize electricity rates, address the deficit, and support growth.
• Improving health and education, along with other social outcomes.
• Protecting the province's environment, culture and quality of life.
• Changing the way the party operates both as a party and as government, and in its relationships with Indigenous communities.

Making the jump

The 63-year-old has never run for public office before, but has a longhistory with the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, serving under former premier Danny Williams as deputy minister of health, and again under outgoing Premier Dwight Ball afterthe Liberals ran away with the 2015 election.

He would later be removed from his role in the health portfolio and shifted into an advisory role, a movehe believes was due to controversial comments he made two years ago about too many nurses taking too much sick leaveand abouthow doctors could be more efficient.

Abbott has also worked in senior roles in other provincial government departments, including Transportation and Works, Service NL, Municipal Affairsand Finance.

He is currentlythe CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association Newfoundland and Labrador.

Haggiemay lend support

Despite those controversial comments about the province's health-care system,it's possible Abbott may get the support of Health Minister JohnHaggie. Both Haggie and fellow Liberal MHA Perry Trimper were at Abbott's launch.

Haggie said he's not ready to throw all of his support behind Furey until he hears from the rest of candidate hopefuls, and he attneded Furey's campaign launch Tuesday

Abbottserved under Haggiein the province's Department of Health and Community Services.

"I am going to hear what a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party the party I belong to, the party I'm here because of has to say, and I would expect everybody, quite honestly, who's free, to do the same," Haggie said Wednesday.

"I am here as a voter with an open mind. You have got to sell me your vision of Newfoundland and Labrador and your vision of the Liberal Party to get my vote."

The party's new leader will be chosen at theannual Liberal Party convention on May 9 in St. John's.

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