John Hogan is now N.L.'s premier-designate. The opposition wonders if it will mean change

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John Hogan volition beryllium Newfoundland and Labrador's 15th premier, and helium says helium volition proceed the enactment of erstwhile premier Andrew Furey. But absorption leaders stay acrophobic that caller enactment volition mean change.

A provincial predetermination volition beryllium called sometime betwixt present and October

Abby Cole · CBC News

· Posted: May 04, 2025 4:48 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 minutes ago

Confetti and surface that says Congratulation Premier Hogan

Premier-designate John Hogan says helium is looking to proceed the enactment of erstwhile premier Andrew Furey arsenic helium heads into the relation this week.

The Liberal Party elected Hogan arsenic its caller person connected Saturday and volition go the province's 15th premier.

But he volition person to beryllium to voters implicit wherefore helium should and enactment successful that role, arsenic an predetermination could beryllium called astatine immoderate constituent earlier October.

Hogan says helium and Furey person antithetic enactment styles, but said, "I deliberation he's truly laid the groundwork for wherever we request to spell next," successful an interrogation with CBC News at the enactment convention.

Despite the caller leader, Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham says the authorities is the same.

"What we person present is thing new. We person the aforesaid Liberal government," Wakeham told CBC News.

WATCH | Opposition leaders measurement successful connected caller Liberal enactment leader:

Opposition leaders privation to spot alteration with caller Liberal leadership

The provincial Liberals elected John Hogan arsenic the party’s caller person and N.L.'s premier-designate connected Saturday. Opposition leaders Jim Dinn and Tony Wakeham stay hesitant that caller Liberal enactment unsocial volition marque existent alteration for the province.

Leader of the provincial NDP, Jim Dinn, told CBC News helium is looking for much definitive enactment to amended lives.

"There mightiness beryllium a caller premier and it mightiness beryllium a caller cabinet, but it's inactive the aforesaid radical connected the different side," said Dinn.

Hogan said he's committed to improving the province's healthcare system by filling successful gaps, improving entree to superior care and creating shorter exigency country hold times.

"The people's priorities are my priorities," said Hogan.

Hogan volition besides beryllium taking connected the work of getting the caller — and improved — Churchill Falls hydroelectric works woody finalized.

A memorandum of knowing was signed by Furey and Quebec Premier François Legault successful December that could bring successful immoderate $200 cardinal to the province.

Hogan says the program is to person the statement signed by April 2026, and get the 2025 backmost pay, which volition springiness the state an economical boost.

Hogan's caucus support

Leading up to his election, Hogan had enactment from 12 caucus members, including Transportation Minister Fred Hutton, and Justice Minister Bernard Davis.

Hutton said his enactment came down to Hogan's vigor and captious caput — particularly successful the clip of the Churchill Falls woody redraft.

"I deliberation having a lawyer successful that spot close present is critical," Hutton told CBC News.

Davis says helium is besides assured successful Hogan's quality to get the champion woody for Churchill Falls.

"He'll beryllium idiosyncratic that takes proposal from others. He'll beryllium idiosyncratic that works with assemblage groups," Davis told CBC News. "He's a precise caring individual."

Opposition remains captious of Liberals

Wakeham and Dinn some congratulated Hogan for his win, but said they are hesitant they volition spot immoderate change.

Wakeham pointed to Hogan's erstwhile portfolios arsenic justness and wellness minister. He says wellness attraction and convulsive transgression are apical of mind, and person not been decently addressed by the government.

"The state needs existent enactment close now," said Wakeham, who said his enactment volition beryllium showing however they volition bash things otherwise starring up to an election.

Wakeham besides said he's looking for the authorities to marque less announcements and instead make existent change.

"That's unluckily what this Liberal authorities has been doing for excessively long," said Wakeham. "People are acceptable for a change."

Dinn says he's acrophobic if Hogan volition bash thing to marque beingness much affordable for radical successful the province.

And arsenic the authorities works toward a Churchill Falls deal, Dinn says helium volition proceed to clasp the authorities to account.

"I'll beryllium looking for what we expected from premier Furey, which was that transparency portion and that consultation piece," said Dinn.

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