Provincial Liberals banking on boost from federal wins

Liberal candidates are banking on some added momentum in their campaigns from the red wave that swept Atlantic Canada and most of the countryduring last month's federal election.

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The provincial Liberals have been topping public opinion polls in Newfoundland and Labrador for many months, even before newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeauand the Liberals won 184 of the 338 seats up for grabs in the Oct. 19 federal election.

All seven federal ridings in this province were won by Liberal candidates, including Scott Simms, who stormed to victory in Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame, capturing 75 per cent of the votes.

Judy Foote, who was sworn in Wednesday as the new minister of Public Services and Procurement, won by an even larger margin in Bonavista-Burin-Trinity. She captured nearly 82 per cent of the popular

Simms campaigned with Liberal Leader Dwight Ball during the drawn-out federal campaign, and isnow spending time working with provincial Liberals, including Gander candidate John Haggie.

He says it's mutually beneficial.

"It's a relationship that worked with both of us. Even though our election is first,we've benefited as well," Simmstold CBC News.

Haggie is a surgeon and former president of the Canadian Medical Association.

HaggiesaidTrudeau's win nationally means convincing people to vote Liberal provincially is an easier sell.

"A government that's aligned provincially and federally, Ithink you're going to see much less of that division," Haggie said.