3 candidates ready to campaign in Waterford Valley byelection

Voting today in Paradise district. (CBC - image credit)
Voting today in Paradise district. (CBC - image credit)
Voting today in Paradise district.
Voting today in Paradise district.

The Waterford Valley byelection is on Aug. 22.  (CBC)

Newfoundland and Labrador's three major political parties have revealed their candidates for the Waterford Valley byelection taking place on Aug. 22.

The elected MHA will be the first new face to represent the district since 1996.

Former Liberal Tom Osborne, the longest serving MHA in Newfoundland and Labrador's history, retired from politics in July. He held the Waterford Valley seat for 28 years.

Liberal Candidate

Current St. John's city councillor and Olympic curling champion, Jamie Korab, is the Liberal candidate running in Osborne's place.

Korab said he promises to be dedicated like Osborne was to the constituents of Waterford Valley.

"I can't tell you the amount of people that said I've got big shoes to fill, but I'm up for it," he said.

Current St. John's city councillor Jamie Korab is the Liberal Party's candidate for the Waterford Valley by-election.
Current St. John's city councillor Jamie Korab is the Liberal Party's candidate for the Waterford Valley by-election.

Jamie Korab is a current St. John's city councillor and the Liberal Party's candidate for the Waterford Valley byelection. (Henrike Wilhem/CBC)

Trust is most important for Korab. It's a quality he says has followed him throughout his career.

"People trust me to find homes, to build their families, raise their families and for the last seven years, the people of Ward 3 have trusted me to be their representative around the St. Johns city council table," Korab said.

In his campaign for provincial politics, Korab said voting shows who constituents trust to represent them in the House of Assembly.

"If you put your trust in me, I will do right by you and I will work hard for you. So together, let's move Waterford Valley forward," he said.

PC Candidate

Jesse Wilkins is the PC candidate for Waterford Valley.

Wilkins is a retired police officer who had a two-decade career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"I've been helping people my entire career through some of the most difficult times in their lives and through some very good times in their lives. And now as a result of being able to help the constituents in this district, I'm ready to help," he said.

Jesse Wilkins is the PC candidate running for the district of Waterford Valley. Wilkins is a former RCMP officer.
Jesse Wilkins is the PC candidate running for the district of Waterford Valley. Wilkins is a former RCMP officer.

Jesse Wilkins is the PC candidate running for the district of Waterford Valley. Wilkins is a former RCMP officer. (Mark Quinn/CBC)

The district of Waterford Valley is well acquainted with the Tories. Osborne was a PC MHA there for 16 years before joining the Liberals in 2013 after a short period serving as an independent.

Wilkins believes the cost of living and housing are the biggest issues affecting the district's constituents.

"People are so fed up with not being heard. So it's time. It's time for change," he said.

NDP Candidate

Nicole Boland is the NDP candidate in Osborne's former district.

Boland is a social worker and says there is a need for housing and more healthcare among the district's constituents.

Nicole Boland is the NDP candidate running for the district of Waterford Valley. Boland is a social worker.
Nicole Boland is the NDP candidate running for the district of Waterford Valley. Boland is a social worker.

Nicole Boland is a social worker and the NDP candidate running for the district of Waterford Valley. (Mark Quinn/CBC)

"My big question going into this election is that we're spending money on that hotel — $23 million — we're spending $100 million on travel nurses but why aren't we investing those funds back into the community," Boland told CBC News.

She said people are ready for a change.

"Tom held this district since the year I was born and I know I'm ready to hit the ground and I'm just ready to really make these changes we need to see," Boland said.

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