Furey slams PC's social media posts as 'Trump-style attacks' at annual fundraiser

As Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey gets ready to leave political office and return to being a surgeon, he is calling on some of his political opponents to do better.

At the annual "An Evening with the Premier" fundraiser, Furey spoke of his nearly five years in the role, reflecting on his legacy, including ripping up the Churchill Falls deal and signing a new one, improving the health-care system and bringing home the Unknown Soldier.

Tickets for the Delta Hotel event cost $500, with nearly 500 people in attendance, including prominent businesspeople and lawyers. The only empty table in the room was allotted to Pennecon Limited.

MHA Jamie Korab gave the opening remarks, followed MHA Sherry Gambin-Walsh saying grace before and a three-course dinner. After the meal concluded, Finance Minister Siobhan Coady spoke, followed by Furey delivering his keynote speech.

Besides listing off what he accomplished as premier, Furey took the opportunity to offer what he called some advice to Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham.

WATCH | Here's the attack ad that's got the premier comparing Tony Wakeham to Trump: 

Andrew Furey challenges Tony Wakeham to ‘be better’ at Liberal fundraiser

1 day ago

Duration 1:17

In a TikTok video, the Progressive Conservative Party Leader Tony Wakeham takes aim at the media and the Liberal government over what he calls ‘land deal scandals.’ The outgoing premier fired back, challenging Wakeham to change his political tactics.

Furey alluded to social media videos posted by the PC's in which they criticized the media — one video said, "here's what you didn't hear in the media this week," followed by Wakeham listing his criticisms against the Liberal government.

"The province demands and expects better. Better than childish memes. Expects better than Trump-style attacks on the media, calling into question their integrity," said Furey.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Furey said "Mr. Wakeham has always had a Trump-style approach," and accused him again of making silly memes, blaming the media, attacking reporters and attacking others. 

"I think the leader of the Opposition should do better," said Furey.

Wakeham responded on Thursday.

"The premier can call me all the names he wants, that's not going to change what we need to be talking about," he said.

The Opposition Leader said his party has made thousands of social media posts, and "in a couple of instances we have had posts go out that should not have gone out in terms of the way they were set up to go out, and I've dealt with those."

"My message last week that I put out was not about slamming the media. It was more about enforcing the message that we wanted to get out about the things that we talked about in the House of Assembly," he said.

Wakeham said they have made changes to their internal processes "to make sure that we don't keep making the same mistakes."

Health care legacy 

Furey said he already has a job lined up as an orthopedic trauma surgeon with the province's health authority, which he will start once he officially leaves his role.

Furey said he helped advance the health-care system during his time as premier, including securing a modernized medical record system, and transforming primary care to include virtual care.

WATCH | Premier says N.L. patient records have been brought out of the 1980s: 

Premier says N.L. health care has been significantly modernized

1 day ago

Duration 1:06

Outgoing Premier Andrew Furey will be returning to work as an orthopedic trauma surgeon. He says health care should always evolve, but believes his government has helped modernize the existing system.

But he acknowledged there is still work to be done.

"The health-care system should always be evolving," he said. "So is the work done? No. Is there more to do? Absolutely. Has the system changed significantly for the better? Absolutely."

Plans post-politics

Furey says he plans to introduce a budget, but that could change if there's only one leadership candidate. 

So far, MHAs John Hogan and John Abbott have officially announced they are running, but the nomination period doesn't close until March 24, and Furey says he doesn't want to make any decisions about budget timelines before that happens.

Furey told reporters there should be more information about the budget shortly after that date, but not to expect any surprises. 

"It will be very much a stay-at-home budget that addresses the immediate issue of tariffs with contingency, all the things we've already talked about — continuing to address cost of living — but with no significant strategic elements that would handcuff a future leader," he said.

In his speech, Furey said he might return to politics again someday, and wouldn't rule out running again.

Before being premier, Furey put together a team of medical professionals and volunteers to travel the world and offer health care through his charity Team Broken Earth.

He said once he's done in office, he is also interested in travelling to Guatemala or Port-au-Prince, Haiti to offer medical care.

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