MHA Tony Wakeham makes bid for PC Party's leadership

Tony Wakeham has thrown his hat into the ring for thePC Partyleadership race.

Wakeham, the MHAfor his home district ofStephenville-Port au Port, made the announcement late Tuesday afternoon in St. John's.

His slogan: "Right Leader, Right Time."

"The people of the province deserve better and I intend to lead the PC Party to form the next government of Newfoundland and Labrador," Wakeham said to a room filled with supporters.

"My vision is simple: a healthy, prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador where life is affordable, where health care is accessible and where no opportunity is left untapped and no one is left behind."

Wakeham's announcement comes the day after interim leader David Brazil announced his intention to bow out of the race.

Brazil told reporters he ultimately decided not to pursueleadership due to health concerns. He, along with other PC caucus members,attended Wakeham's announcement on Tuesday.

PC MHAs Craig Pardy, Joedy Wall and Pleaman Forseyall said they are endorsingWakeham's run.

Wakeham took aim at Premier Andrew Furey and the Liberal Party for its handling of the ongoing health-care crisisand for implementing a sugary drinks tax while inflation soars.

He said he'd immediately remove the tax if he becomes premier.

Wakeham ran for theleadership once before, in 2018, but was defeated by Ches Crosbie.

"Let me tell you, if the premier wants to tell you that his hands are tied and factors are beyond his control, I am here to tell you my hands are ready to go to work," he said.

"I know with absolute certainty that the Liberal premier is wrong. It does not have to be this way. There are always choices and better choices. Better choices will be accomplished with a different approach with the right people around the table."

Wakeham was first elected in May2019. He was then re-elected in March2021.He has spent over 30 years in the public service, including a stint as CEO of Labrador-Grenfell Health.

Health care was among his biggest priorities during Tuesday's speech.

"We've got to acknowledge that health care is one of the most pressing issues the province is facing right now," Wakeham said after his speech.

"It needs to be top of mind for everyone. As I said, I believe there are choices to be made and things can be done differently, but I think it's urgent that we do that."

He said the provincial government needs to be more proactive in offering graduate students from nursing and medicine full-time jobs to address the labour shortage.

"Recruitment is wonderful but we have to be retaining the people we have, and I think we've got to do things a little different," said Wakeham.

"Let's start now. Don't wait until they graduate to start recruiting them."

In July, Lloyd Parrott was the first to enter the race. Parrott,the MHA forTerra Nova, was also first elected in 2019.

The party willopen nominations for leadership candidates in May and then choose its nextleader in October.Votingbegins Oct. 4.

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