January 29, 1996
(Executive Council)

Election to be held February 22

Premier Brian Tobin said today that a provincial general election will be held on Thursday, February 22. He made the announcement at a news conference at Confederation Building.

Brandishing a copy of Ready for a Better Tomorrow, Premier Tobin said the Liberal platform is realistic, positive and responsible and sets out a new approach to government based on partnership. "We are ready to bring the people together to apply their talents, their energies and their initiative," said the premier.

Premier Tobin said the Liberal government will create jobs and growth, reform social policy and create a more open government. "We have a plan to create new wealth from the land and sea," he said. "Major projects like Voisey's Bay, Hibernia, Terra Nova and oil on the West Coast can generate enormous growth. The full benefit from these resources must come to our province." He said that we must also fully develop our renewable resources and revitalize our rural communities, capitalizing at every opportunity on our strengths to secure existing jobs and create new ones.

"We must maintain a sound budgetary position" he said, "but that does not mean balancing the budget at any cost. We must provide high quality education and health care." He said: "We are ready to reshape government to focus on gaining full benefits from our mineral and petroleum resources, revitalizing our rural communities, rebuilding the fishery, developing our aquaculture potential and renewing our forests.

He concluded the news conference by stating that the Liberal Government, in partnership with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, are ready to face the challenges and are ready to sieze the opportunities that exist. "There can be no question we are ready for a better tomorrow," he said.

Premier Tobin left Confederation Building immediately after the news conference and boarded the campaign bus which will take him to events in every district in the province before polling day.

Contact: Cathy Coady, Director of Communications, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, (709) 682-3599.