PREMIER SEEKS MAJORITY IN FEB. 13 ELECTION

Newfoundland and Labrador will become the fourth province to go to the polls during the pandemic after Premier Andrew Furey called an election for Feb. 13. The Liberal leader is hoping his party will continue the trend established in previous pandemic elections in Saskatchewan, British Columbia and New Brunswick, where the incumbent parties were all re-elected with majorities. It will also be the first provincial campaign for Furey, a surgeon, since he was elected Liberal leader in August, replacing premier dwight Ball. “This election will be about your choice on leadership,” Furey said. “Who you want to lead the province through the pandemic. Who you want to lead it through the economic challenge. Who you want to sit at the table with the federal Liberal government to strike a new deal.” He said he chose a Saturday for the vote to give people time to get to the polls and to avoid crowding at polling stations during the pandemic. Furey’s biggest competition will come from the Opposition Progressive Conservatives, led by lawyer Ches Crosbie, son of John Crosbie.