MD to MHA? Gander doc John Haggie wins Liberal nomination

John Haggie, a central Newfoundland surgeon who has spent many years working in medical politics, is hoping to move to provincial politics in the next general election. 

Haggie was named the winner Wednesday night in a three-way battle for the Liberal nomination in the district of Gander, defeating Gander Mayor Claude Elliott and insurance broker Trace Ledrew. 

In keeping with its practice with other nomination meetings, the party did not release results of the vote count. 

Haggie, who was raised in Manchester and was trained in the United Kingdom, has worked as a general surgeon at James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander since 1996. He had earlier worked in St. Anthony. 

Haggie, who lives in Appleton, has been a familiar voice on medical issues in Canada over the years. In 2001, he became president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association. 

In 2011, he started a one-year stint as president of the Canadian Medical Association.