Here are 3 of the 14 first-timers headed to the House of Assembly
CBC News | Posted: May 17, 2019 12:24 PM | Last Updated: May 17, 2019
First-time MHAs enthusiastic, but face steep learning curve
After a historic provincial election in Newfoundland and Labrador Thursday, there will be plenty of new faces sitting in the House of Assembly when the legislature resumes.
Fourteen first-time MHAs were elected Thursday as the Liberals formed a minority government, the first in the province since 1971.
Sarah Stoodley, the new Liberal MHA for the district of Mount Scio, says she is ready to represent her constituents.
"It's just kind of overwhelming … but I'm focused on the people of Mount Scio. I've learned a lot about what their concerns are and I'm champing at the bit to get to work," she said.
Stoodley said her experience outside of politics worked in her favour at the polls.
"Because I'm brand new, every conversation I had with people really mattered and that's what I really focused on over the last month, having conversations with as many people of Mount Scio as possible," she said.
"I've learned a lot, I have a lot more to learn, but I'm really excited."
They will get everything that I have. - Sarah Stoodley
The election win will mean a lot of personal changes for Stoodley as well, as she'll have to leave her job in financial services and resign from volunteer positions on several boards.
"I'm sad to be leaving one life, but I'm even more excited and proud to be giving myself to the people of Mount Scio and Newfoundland and Labrador," she said.
"They will get everything that I have."
'Significant shift' in Harbour Main
The new MHA for Harbour Main, Progresssive Conservative Helen Conway-Ottenheimer, is also a first-time representative.
Conway-Ottenheimer said her election marks a "significant shift" in the district.
"I could see from listening to the people that they had many real concerns and issues," she said.
"I could very much hear the vocal dissatisfaction with the Liberal government and that did translate into a strong win for the PCs in this district."
Conway-Ottenheimer will now switch her focus from teaching at Memorial University to serving the people of Harbour Main. And while she said she's already learned a lot, Conway-Ottenheimer felt she still has a lot to learn.
Committed to the north coast
Newly elected Torngat Mountains MHA Lela Evans echoed that sentiment.
"It's going to be a learning curve for me within the next couple of weeks just to understand how things work and how to move forward with the issues," she said.
A PC, Evans ousted Liberal incumbent Randy Edmunds. Evans said she's "committed to the whole north coast" of Labrador and is ready to work on important issues in the district, like the closure of the only gas station in Rigolet.
"We've got to work together and we've got to look forward, move forward together."
Born and raised in Makkovik, Evans said she now plans to move back home to her district and hit the ground running.
"I'm looking forward to, basically, going to the communities and talking to the people and just working with them," said Evans.
"People are going to see me regularly."