REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has offered his congratulations to new Newfoundland and Labrador premier-elect Tony Wakeham following his election victory.
“Congratulations to NL PC Leader @TonyWakehamNL who appears will be the next Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador after a very close election," Moe posted on X. "I look forward to working with you to build our provinces within a strong and united Canada.”
Wakeham’s Progressive Conservatives narrowly edged out Premier John Hogan and the Liberals to win a majority in Tuesday’s provincial election, with the PCs winning 21 seats to the Liberals’ 15, the NDP with two and two independents.
The result has been described as a major upset, with most pollsters predicting another Liberal win prior to the election, but voters had other ideas.
The outcome now reduces the Liberals to just one provincial premier, Susan Holt of New Brunswick. Meanwhile, the number of conservative-leaning premiers has grown: there are now four Progressive Conservative provincial premiers, one United Conservative, one Saskatchewan Party, two NDP and one Coalition Avenir Québec.
It is too early to say what the implications will be for issues such as tariffs, interprovincial trade or the Notwithstanding Clause of the Constitution.
Five premiers, including Moe, have already signed a joint letter to the prime minister opposing the federal government’s stance on the Notwithstanding Clause in a case heading to the Supreme Court.
