All about leadership, says Paul Davis as PCs launch election campaign

Leadership will be a key issue in Newfoundland and Labrador's election campaign, said Progressive Conservative leader Paul Davis, as he launched the PC campaign with a rally Thursday night.

"Paul Davis. A leader you can trust" is the slogan on PC election signs that will soon be seen on lawns across the province. 

"I've worked hard for you, and I will continue to work hard," said Davis as he addressed party supporters at the Paradise Youth Community Centre.

"It will be a tough journey, but we have the team. We have the plan."

Davis said the party will campaign on a platform of "hard work, honesty and openness."

Priorities are health, opportunity, people and the economy, he said. 

The leader promises low tax rates for business, new targets for tourism, affordable childcare and a down payment assistance program for first-time homeowners.

'Just watch us'

"Those are the pillars on which we will build a better future," said Davis. "Just watch us."

It was a theme echoed earlier in the day as Davis emerged from Government House after dropping the election writ.

"I believe the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are looking for a strong leader," he said.

"They want to know who they're electing, and that's what this election is going to be about."

• 'The NDP is on your side': Earle McCurdy launches NDP campaign
• Liberals launch provincial campaign ahead of writ drop
• Provincial election set for Nov. 30

Voters will go to the polls on Monday, November 30 — no surprise, since Davis announced that date in June to avoid an overlap with the federal election.

Liberals launched early campaign 

Liberal leader Dwight Ball has been on the road since Monday, campaigning under the slogan "a stronger tomorrow."

Ball's campaign promises include replacing the Waterford Hospital, home assessments for seniors, increasing the early learning and child care supplement, and clawing back the two per cent HST hike government announced in April.

The NDP's slogan "on your side" was unveiled by leader Earle McCurdy at a noon event Thursday. McCurdy promised a full slate of candidates, and said he's hitting the road with first stops in Harbour Breton and Labrador.

"The opposition's free ride on accountability comes today," Davis said Thursday, accusing the other parties of "arrogance and a lust for power."

He acknowledged the Liberal sweep in Ottawa, and said PCs would be free to fight for the province.

"There will be no deals unless the primary beneficiaries are the people of this province," he said.

"We will fight anyone who stands in our way."

Davis welcomed new candidates to his team, including three businesswomen — Kathie Hicks, Tina Olivero and Alison Stoodley — who were named Thursday, and former New Democrat Ryan Cleary who was by his side in Paradise.

"The PC team is the team, and I'm the leader of the team," he said

Challenging numbers

The province's electoral map has been changed since the last election, with the number of seats reduced from 48 to 40.

The Progressive Conservatives have been in power since 2003, but the PCs have been trailing in public opinion polls and have lost a series of byelections.

A poll by Corporate Research Associates in September showed the Liberals leading with almost twice the support of the Tories, with the NDP running a close third.

"In the last year, I've worked very hard," said Davis. "And I know from talking to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that the conversations have changed, and people are feeling differently."

The PCs currently have 28 MHAs in the legislature while the Liberals have 16. The New Democrats have three elected members, and McCurdy is the party's unelected leader.