Mr. Speaker, I congratulate premier-elect Tony Wakeham and the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador on their victory in last week's provincial election. I give a special thanks to all who put their names forward, regardless of political stripe. The willingness to be involved strengthens our democracy.
After 10 costly years of a Liberal government that too often collaborated with its federal Liberal friends to ignore our fisheries, stifle opportunity in our offshore oil and gas sector, and ignore rising crime, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have chosen a new direction. Tony Wakeham ran a positive, solutions-based campaign that put working people, rural communities, resource development and health care back at the centre of the province's future. This victory is a clear message that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are ready for leadership that listens, acts and delivers results.
I look forward to working with the incoming PC government for all of us.