By Mark Squibb
Mount Pearl North MHA Lucy Stoyles says she is committed to running again for the Liberals in this year’s provincial election.
“The sooner the better,” quipped Stoyles last week, who, everyone, had been hearing rumours of an impeding election since before Christmas.
Stoyles, who was elected to the House of Assembly during the 2021 provincial election after serving on Mount Pearl council for decades, said housing and healthcare remain among the biggest challenges government will have to grapple with in the coming year.
Stoyles said she is not concerned with the winds of public opinion, and plans to run on her own merit rather than simply ride the party coattails.
“At the end of the day, people will make their own choice,” said Stoyles. “If they know I’m doing a good job and they want me to stay, I’m quite willing to stay. But if I wasn’t doing my job, I wouldn’t want them to vote for me. I wouldn’t be expecting it.”
Stoyles cited the role she played in introducing new regulations governing high-interest credit loans last June, and her involvement in new regulations to the common-in-Act, as some of her highlights from 2024.
Many of the people requiring help in her district are seniors, said Stoyles, and her office has been able to help them qualify for subsidies for things such as rent.
“A lot of people don’t realize that there are subsidies out there for low-income people to apply for,” said Stoyles. “And you don’t have to move — you can stay where you’re at and get a subsidy.”
The MHA also voiced her support for the new Churchill Falls agreement.
“We have the resources, and we’ve had them for years,” said Stoyles. “No doubt, mistakes were made. But I think this premier, and this government have looked at all the options. If I didn’t think they did, I wouldn’t support them. I believe that this premier is the best leader at this time, for this province.”
Just before Christmas, Premier Andrew Furey unveiled a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hydro Quebec, which he said will pay this province over $200 billion in revenue over the next 50 years. Following four days of debate in the House this January, Liberal and independent members voted to approve the MOU, while all 14 members of the PC Party walked out in protest, arguing the deal has no independent oversight.
Partisan politics aside, Stoyles encouraged anyone with an issue to reach out to her constituency office and ask for her help.
“Helping people is what it’s all about,” said Stoyles. “There are always people calling looking for help. And I will always call people back. If someone calls me, I will call them back.”
