The governing Progressive Conservatives have focused their final week in Newfoundland and Labrador's election campaign fighting on districts with Liberal incumbents.
On Monday, PC Leader Danny Williams led his campaign through Bay of Islands, in western Newfoundland, and to the southern Labrador district of Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair.
PC Leader Danny Williams speaks to students in Stephenville Monday, as local candidate Joan Burke listens.
(CBC)
Because Liberal Eddie Joyce won Bay of Islands by just 147 votes in 2003, the Tories are pulling out the stops to turn the district on Oct. 9.
"You know, everything — the polls and knocking on the doors — is running about 4-1 for the PCs," said campaign worker Ron Jesseau.
The odds are less promising in Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair, where voters have never elected a Tory, and even staunch PCs privately admit incumbent Yvonne Jones will win.
That didn't stop Williams, though, for making a pitch for PC candidate Dennis Normore on Monday evening.
"What I want you to deliver to me is a sweep of Labrador. I want four seats out of Labrador," said Williams.
Tory incumbents in two of Labrador's four seats are facing strong challenges, although the PCs are hoping to claim the northern Labrador district of Torngat Mountains, which the Liberals have held for the past 14 years.
The PC campaign schedule for Tuesday takes Williams to Torngat Mountains after a visit to Labrador West.
Meanwhile, in Stephenville on Monday, college students challenged Williams about a future they described as uncertain, particularly given that the newsprint mill in the town shut down in 2005.
"It is playing on the back of my mind all the time, that I owe money," said College of the North Atlantic student Nancy Kelly, who expects to graduate with a debt of about $20,000.
"It'll be a little nerve-wracking to pay that back."
Williams, though, told the students to prepare for a bright future.
"The opportunities on the horizon in Newfoundland and Labrador are unprecedented and incredible," Williams told a student gathering.
The provincial government struck a task force to find a new industrial base for Stephenville, which was rocked by Abitibi-Consolidated's closure of the mill, and the loss of about 300 jobs.
"I really don't want to be putting out expectations until the work is on the ground and they're ready to start," said Joan Burke, the PC incumbent in St. George's-Stephenville East.
Williams suggested possible opportunities in the area are in mining and energy.
Related
| Party | Elected | Leading | Total | Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC | 43 | 0 | 43 | 69.56% |
| LIB | 3 | 0 | 3 | 21.98% |
| NDP | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8.21% |
| OTH | 0 | 0 | 0 | .25% |
| Last Update:October 9, 10:58:12 PM NDT | ||||
| Unofficial results were updated at the time shown. For more recent results, visit Elections NL. The CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites. External links will open in a new window. |
NL Votes 2007 »
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