The MLA for Antigonish says his experience as the province’s health minster makes him uniquely suited to be premier.
Randy Delorey says he has more time developing pandemic response than any other politician running in the Liberal leadership contest.
He’s up against fellow former cabinet ministers Iain Rankin and Labi Kousoulis.
Delorey tells The Hawk Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, the chief medical officer of health, served as spokespeople to pass on the province’s COVID-19 response.
“(They were) the face communicating to Nova Scotians consistently,” he says. “What that also allowed was for me, as the Minister of Health, to focus on not the communications with the public, but on the actual work being done within the department.”
Delorey says Strang could speak to the technical specifics, while McNeil could speak to the broader policy impacts.
He says that allowed him to work in the background.
“That served the people of Nova Scotia to keep them informed, while allowing me, as health minister, to continue to work with our partners to develop the programs that needed to be implemented.”
Delorey says those health care plans are in motion, and now his experience would be better served in the premier’s office.
McNeil announced he would step down as Liberal leader in August; the nomination period for candidates to replace him ended Friday.
A new party leader- and premier- will be announced after the Liberal Party’s leadership convention in February.
