N.L. Liberal byelection candidate defends federal Conservative Party membership

Liberal byelection candidate Owen Burt is running to keep the central Newfoundland district ofBaie Verte-Green Bay red, despite being a member of the federal Conservative Party.

Burt said he's volunteered in several Liberal campaigns, including with the district's former MHA, Brian Warr, and he likes the direction Premier Andrew Furey is taking the province.

"I think Mr. Furey is the man of the hour," Burt told CBC News in a recent interview.

He added the Conservative MP for Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame, Clifford Small, is a good friend whom he met at a Liberal convention 20 years ago.

Burt said he hasn't hidden his ties to the Conservative Party or his friendship with Small. His issue, he said, is with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"I don't like the way that our prime minister is taking the country, and I think the Liberals need to make a change at the top there."

Advance polling in the byelection started Tuesday, and voters go to the polls on Monday.

In a May 13 Facebook post, Burt said he supported Smallin a past election and plans to support him in a future one, in part because of his opposition to Trudeau.

"This does not mean I cannot support the provincial Furey government at the same time. I truly believe Premier Furey is the best leader for Newfoundland and Labrador right now. The provincial Liberal government has made great strides despite the financial challenges inherited from the former PC government," he wrote.

Outside the House of Assembly on Tuesday, Fureysaid he also doesn't always agree with Trudeau, citing the carbon taxas an example, so Burt's comments aren't an issue for him.

"While he may not support the prime minister, he's supportive of the values and direction and vision and the strategy that we have in place for the government that I lead and the future that we want to create for Newfoundland and Labrador," Furey told reporters.

He also said he isn't concerned that Burt, if elected, will cross the floor and join another party.

"Owen has been an incredible Liberal in that district for a generation."

Burt has been very involved in the Liberal party, Furey added, and his opinions about Trudeau don't preclude him from being a candidate.

The Baie Verte-Green Bay race has gotten heated in the past week.

PC candidate Lin Paddock is under scrutiny for comments made last week about the province recruiting doctors from overseas.

"We need to recruit in areas that love this, places like Germany where they adore the outdoors, not India and Pakistan where they will come here and then go to Toronto," Paddock said during a byelection debate at the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.

Paddock later said his comments were "poorly worded."

Breaking into politics

Burt said many people in the district vote Conservative during federal elections but Liberal in provincial elections.

"I'm not a one-off there," Burt said with a chuckle.

Warr announced in February he was leaving politics, triggering the byelection. Burt said he saw an opportunity to step into the political ring.

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