After the victory party has ended and campaign signs begin disappearing from front lawns, recently elected MHA Nick McGrath is ready to get to work.
Once he is sworn in this coming spring, he plans to begin making good on the campaign promises he has called the Three H’s: Housing, hospital, and highway.
“All three of those are issues that are either moving or already on the agenda. I've chatted with some of the powers to be, especially concerning housing, because housing here is a big issue.
Of course he won’t be able to jump into it immediately, he said.
“I'm going to have to sit down and get my head around who's in charge all that and what departments are best to deal with and try to get some stuff moving there to see some improvements to see some issues here.”
The issue of housing in Lab. West isn’t so black and white, and it will take time to look at each issue, he said.
“You've got the senior's housing, a shortage of housing, low income housing, and affordable housing. So there are four different tiers of the issues with housing.”
And although the new hospital in is six months ahead of schedule, McGrath still wants it opened as promptly as possible.
“I think it's very important to get the study completed in a timely fashion and making sure when the hospital is ready to open that the proper stuff goes into the hospital.”
McGrath said it was an exciting ride winning the election, but he’s looking forward to the future even more.
“It's an experience. It's something I've wanted for a long time, and I think I'm up to the job. I'm looking forward to getting in place, getting sworn in, and getting my feet on the ground and moving forward.”
MP Peter Penashue is also happy McGrath won.
“I have a good relationship with Nick and I think we'll be able to work together well. We agreed that we're going to work well for the district.”
Penashue is also pleased with Newfoundland and Labrador’s PC majority government.
“I think it's really good that the Kathy Dunderdale got re-elected with a big majority; there' no question that increases stability for the province. With all the projects that are being planned it's going to be really good for Labrador and the area. Lab West has an excellent future.”
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