Newfoundland’s Tories Ousted in Provincial Election
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ST. JOHN'S, Canada — Newfoundland’s Liberals upset the ruling Conservatives in a closely fought provincial election Thursday that could spell trouble for Canada’s federal government.
The Liberals, after spending 17 years as the opposition in this east coast province’s provincial legislature, won a narrow majority government.
However, Liberal Leader Clyde Wells went down to defeat in his own electoral district in a tight race with Conservative Deputy Premier Lynn Verge.
The Liberals won 31 electoral districts, up from 15 seats in the previous election, compared with 21 seats for the Conservatives, who previously had 36 seats. The left-wing New Democrats were shut out, losing their only seat.
Election of the Liberals will make it difficult for the federal government in Ottawa to enact the so-called Meech Lake accord that proposes to bring the province of Quebec into the constitution.
The Newfoundland Liberals said they would like to negotiate changes to the accord if elected.
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