Wade Verge
Wade Verge | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the House of Assembly | |
| In office September 5, 2014 – December 14, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Ross Wiseman |
| Succeeded by | Tom Osborne[1] |
| Member of the House of Assembly | |
| In office November 1, 2007[2] – November 27, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Rideout |
| Succeeded by | District Abolished |
| Constituency | Lewisporte |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Alma mater | Memorial University |
Wade Verge is a politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Verge represents the district of Lewisporte in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. He was elected in the 2007 provincial election as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party.
Verge was formerly an educator and served as the principal at New World Island Academy of New World Island.
In September 2009, Verge spoke out against his own government's cutbacks to health care in his district. Premier Danny Williams dismissed Verge's comments, saying that "he didn't understand that that's what it meant", and that, "for what it's worth, he's entitled to his opinion."[3] Verge was later booed at a rally against the cuts after he reversed his position and sided with the government, although he stated he also supported the people of his district.[4] On October 7, Premier Williams appointed a new Minister of Health and Community Services.[5] Joined by the new minister in Lewisporte on October 14, Verge stated, "Government is looking harder and digging deeper to try and find a solution to the problem. ...Hopefully at the end of the day we will be able to deliver all the services that the people want coming out of Lewisporte."[6] The government subsequently reversed its decision to remove laboratory and X-ray services from Lewisporte, as Verge reported in his year-end interview, saying, "It was an issue that caused me to have a greater appreciation for the people throughout our district and to also have a greater respect for our government - a government that proved it was willing to listen to the people and if necessary, to change its mind."[7]
Electoral record
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Conservative | Wade Verge | 2450 | 56.60% | – | |
| NDP | Lloyd Snow | 988 | 22.82% | ||
| Liberal | Todd Manuel | 891 | 20.58% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Conservative | Wade Verge | 2660 | 70.61% | – | |
| Liberal | Jack Martin | 647 | 17.18% | ||
| NDP | Garry Vatcher | 460 | 12.21% | ||
References
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/new-house-speaker-tom-osborne-first-to-be-chosen-by-election-1.3372475
- ^ "Media Advisory: Members of House of Assembly to be Sworn-in November 1". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. 18 October 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
- ^ "N.L. premier, MHA disagree on health cuts". CBC News. September 2, 2009. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
- ^ "Health-cuts protests grow". CBC News. September 4, 2009. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
- ^ "Premier Announces Changes to Cabinet". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, October 7, 2009.
- ^ "Holding out hope". The Pilot (Lewisporte, Newfoundland and Labrador), October 21, 2009.
- ^ "MHA reflects on 2009". The Pilot (Lewisporte, Newfoundland and Labrador), January 13, 2010.
- ^ Newfoundland & Labrador Votes 2007. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved May 22, 2009.