Corner Brook MHA Gerry Byrne joins exodus of N.L. Liberals leaving politics
Byrne spent three decades in politics, first serving federally
After 33 years in politics, veteran cabinet minister Gerry Byrne is the latest Liberal politician to bow out ahead of the provincial election.
"I've never felt more on top of what I do, but maybe that's the time that you allow fresh faces to move in behind you to become the next Gerry Byrne," he told reporters on Thursday, adding that there may be a familiar name on the ballot some day.
Byrne said the next Gerry Byrne in politics could be his son, also named Gerry Byrne.
"My son is going to law school this fall, and you may see my son's name on a ballot one day. You will potentially see Gerry Byrne back on a ballot again, but it won't be this Gerry Byrne," he said.
In the meantime, Byrne said he feels he is leaving politics at a good time.
"If I had any concerns for my party and for my leader in the next provincial election, I would not be retired," he said.
Bryne pointed to the party's potential incoming candidates.
"We've got two mayors who just came forward. The mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor, the mayor of Marystown, came forward looking to seek the nod of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador," he said.
Some of these candidates, Byrne said, would typically be associated with the Progressive Conservatives.
"What does that tell you? I'll tell you what it tells me. This old guy who knows this business fairly well, even the PCs don't think they're gonna get in," he said.
A provincial election has yet to be called, but must occur on or before Oct. 14.
Three-decade political career
Byrne's political career started on Parliament Hill. He was first elected to the House of Commons for the district of Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte in 1996.
He was re-elected six consecutive times and served as the federal cabinet minister of state under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
Byrne left federal politics in 2015, trading the title of Member of Parliament for member of Newfoundland and Labrador's House of Assembly.
Elected in the district of Corner Brook, Byrne has served as a provincial cabinet minister for the past decade.
He is currently the Minister of Jobs, Immigration, and Growth. With several cabinet ministers leaving alongside him, Byrne said he is not leaving because of the Liberals' recent leadership change.
"Premier John Hogan has my absolute support, and in fact, if I do have one regret, I would really like to serve under him," Byrne said.
"He's going to be the best premier we've ever had."
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With files from Peter Cowan