Foote leaves ‘big shoes to fill’

Liberal MP Seamus O’regan didn’t want to talk about who might replace Judy Foote in the federal cabinet.

“We’re losing our skipper, and that’s tough,” O’regan said. “Today’s Judy’s day.”

Foote announced Thursday that she’s stepping away from politics after 20 years in elected life.

O’regan is rumoured to be a strong possibility to replace her as Newfoundland and Labrador’s representative in the federal cabinet. Long Range Mountains MP Gudie Hutchings is also considered to be a contender, but she wasn’t interested in talking about it, either.

“I’m going to look after the people of Long Range Mountains and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and the people of Canada however I can,” Hutchings said. “I don’t need a cabinet position. That’s up to the prime minister, whatever he wants to do.”

Provincial Justice Minister Andrew Parsons said whoever it is, they’ll have big shoes to fill. “Losing Judy Foote in Ottawa in any capacity is a loss for the province just because of her ability, her knowledge, her background, her dedication, everything,” Parsons said.

Former MHA Mary Hodder was at Thursday’s announcement. The two women were both elected to the House of Assembly in 1996, and worked together for many years in provincial politics.

“She’s certainly been a fabulous mentor for women, and I know for myself, I found her a great guidance when I was there.”

Hodder said she spoke to Foote the night before she announced her retirement, and Hodder said she thought Foote had given enough of her life to politics.

“Her health and her family’s health and everything else, there comes a time when you realize that it’s time — you can’t give it any more, you’ve given it everything you can,” she said.