Both handlers of the provincial agri-foods file, Newfoundland and Labrador’s natural resources minister Kathy Dunderdale and Liberal critic Yvonne Jones, kept their seats in the house of assembly in Tuesday’s provincial election.
Jones was one of just three Liberals to be reelected in the province, as Premier Danny Williams’ Progressive Conservatives won 43 of 47 seats and about 70 per cent of the popular vote, beating Liberal opposition leader Gerry Reid by seven votes in his own district and holding the New Democrats to just one seat, leader Lorraine Michael’s.
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Dunderdale, the MHA for the St. John’s riding of Virginia Waters since 2003 and a former president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, drew 4,043 votes over the NDP runner-up with just 710. Dunderdale’s previous portfolios have included rural development and the Rural Secretariat.
Jones, the MHA for the Labrador riding of Cartwright – L’Anse au Clair since 1996, a businesswoman and former journalist from Mary’s Harbour, won with 1,736 votes, well ahead the PCs at 646.
With this election the Tories improved their standings from 34 out of 48 seats at the close of the house, while the Liberals had held 11 and the NDP one; two seats were vacant. The election has been postponed due to illness in one riding until Nov. 6, and a PC candidate was acclaimed in another riding.
