Lloyd Parrott lost a leg but gained a new perspective in his race to be PC leader
An early entrant in the PC leadership race, Terra Nova MHA is running on a platform of change
This is the second in a series of three profiles of candidates for Newfoundland and Labrador's Progressive Conservative Party.
Lloyd Parrott — who represents the eastern Newfoundland district of Terra Nova in the House of Assembly, and who now has his eyes set on the premier's office — doesn't like to talk too much about how he lost his leg.
"I don't get into great detail, but I lost my leg because of military injury in 2007," Parrott told CBC News.
The impact of that injury still affects him today, in both positive and negative ways.
He said it's made him a better listener, and a more empathetic and humble person. Now he's able to appreciate others' perspectives and struggles more.
"I'm not sure my listening skills were so great before that," he said.
"I wouldn't change a thing. I believe it's shaped me into who I am."
The legacy of that injury continues to pose issues for Parrott, who had surgery on the stump during the campaign. While doctors have told him not to walk on his prosthetic, he continues campaigning and will have a new prosthetic fitted after the leadership race.
Parrott is competing with fellow MHA Tony Wakeham and businessman Eugene Manning for the leadership of the Progressive Conservatives.
The winner of the Oct. 13 convention will face off against Premier Andrew Furey and the governing Liberals in the next Newfoundland and Labrador election, which is expected in October 2025.
Early jump on the campaign
Parrott became an MHA in 2019 when he won a tight race in the district of Terra Nova.
Brought up in Wabush, the career soldier was a councillor in his home of Clarenville. He also has volunteered for various charities and on different boards, including the White Hills Resort.
His resumé includes years working in private business, as well as an earlier stint with the 103 Search and Rescue squadron in Gander, which he described as "perhaps the most rewarding job I've ever had in my life."
Parrott is aware he is not a household name — a factor in his decision to enter the PC leadership race early. He declared in July 2022, more than a year ago.
"It's been a long process, no doubt. I didn't come into this process with a big popular name," he said.
"We knew that we had something that we had to grow organically and that's why the early announcement."
Parrott's campaign includes a focus on health care, and he draws upon his post-soldiering career as a recruiter for medical positions.
He also is positioning himself as a voice of change.
"Never before has this province needed change the way it does right now," he said.
"And if people want change, then I am the only solution that is out there for this party.… We don't need someone who's running on a family name or who's been a lifelong bureaucrat. And I'm neither of those."
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