A politician who represents many of Newfoundland and Labrador's francophones has become the first member of the house of assembly to take an oath in French.

"It's part of my culture," said Tony Cornect, one of three byelection winners sworn in Monday at Government House.

Tony Cornect swore his allegiance to the Queen in French during a swearing-in ceremony Monday.
(CBC)

"I was very excited to have the opportunity to do it. I wanted to express my culture to the rest of the province and I'm very, very happy I had the opportunity to do it."

Port au Port covers the peninsula of the same name and is home to thousands of francophones whose ancestors settled there centuries ago. France once controlled much of the west coast of Newfoundland.

Cornect was joined by Kilbride MHA John Dinn and Ferryland representative Keith Hutchings, who won byelections in those districts on Feb. 8.

All three are Progressive Conservatives.

Dwight Ball, a Liberal candidate determined to have won the Feb. 12 Humber Valley byelection in last week's judicial recount, will be sworn in soon, possibly as early as next week.