By Mark Squibb
Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Driscoll intends to run again in this year’s widely expected provincial election and has already been named the Progressive Conservative candidate for Ferryland district.
“It’s a tough go, having an election, and the real work only starts after you’re elected,” said O’Driscoll. “Sometimes you sit and say, ‘Is this what I want to do?’ But it’s something I’ve committed to do for the people of this area. If I can get at something, I generally go at it pretty hard.”
O’Driscoll, who hails from Bay Bulls, was first elected in 2019 and then again in 2021, and hopes that 2025 is the year the PC’s form government again.
“I hope that people see what the Liberal government has done over this last 10 years, such as implementing the carbon tax and the sugar tax,” said O’Driscoll. “We are certainly hoping that we will be government. That is our intention.”
Looking back over 2024, O’Driscoll said he was glad to see some much-needed paving completed in the district, including along the Witless Bay Line, in Trepassey and Portugal Cove South.
“That’s positive for the district, but of course we’d like to see more obviously,” said O’Driscoll. “We’ve been pressing for more, but it’s government’s decision.”
The MHA said brush cutting was supposed to be completed last year, but the tendering process was delayed and so it’s unlikely to be completed before winter sets in.
On the subject of roads, O’Driscoll recently renewed his plea for 24/7 snow clearing during the winter months.
Currently, the Province offers around-the-clock snow clearing on 14 high-traffic routes. Snow clearing elsewhere begins as early as 4:30 a.m., with staff on call to clear areas around the clock in case of an emergency.
O’ Driscoll said it’s not enough, pointing out that it snows outside business hours and limiting snow clearing hours causes delays in getting the roads clear.
“There are people that get on the road at 5 and 6 o’clock in the morning to start their shift, say at the hospital, at 7,” said O’Driscoll. “They might be coming from Ferryland or Cape Broyle or Renews or wherever they may be. They have to get on the road early, and not every road is done when they hit the road.”
O’Driscoll said he was glad last year to be able to recognize residents in his district and present them with 75th Anniversary of Confederation Medals on behalf of the provincial government.
“That was a very nice experience, to be able to give 17 people what I would call volunteer appreciation awards for all they do for the community,” said O’Driscoll. “That was great. The problem was there were so many other deserving people, but each MHA was only given 17 awards. But it was a very nice event I have to say.”
Looking ahead to the rest of this year, O’Driscoll said delays in health care will need to be addressed.
“We try and work with constituents who reach out to our office with dire issues,” said O’Driscoll. “Sometimes waiting is not an option. These issues have to be diagnosed sooner rather than later. People’s lives are on hold until this stuff is done. So that’s worrisome for sure. It’s a concern.”
