Furey stresses collaboration with other provinces ahead of vaccine plan, federal economic update

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Fureyis callingfor collaborationbetween Canada's premiers and the federal government as the country moves toward a distribution plan for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Furey, during an appearance on CBC'sRosemary Barton Live onSunday, spoke abouthis conversation with fellow Canadian premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling the conversation a "good, healthy, informative call"and stressed the importance of working together through the pandemic.

"We need to be working collectively as a country, as Canadians," Furey said. "This is a disease that knows no boundaries.

"In terms of jurisdictional arguments, I'm less concerned about that. I'm more concerned about working in a collaborative fashion to ensure that Canadians get protected, and the most vulnerable within the Canadian population are protected first and foremost."

I'm very comfortable and confident that we have some of the best health care workers across the country here in Newfoundland and Labrador.- Andrew Furey

As COVID-19 hot spots grow in areas like Ontario and Alberta, Furey said the safest way to tackle vaccine distribution would perhaps be per capita but the country's most vulnerable should be a top priority.

"We know now that there are populations and segments of the population that are more impacted than others with respect to COVID-19," he said.

"I think it's very important and crucial that we follow the evidence there. And I would strongly argue for a pan-Canadian guideline on who gets the vaccine, obviously with some modifications for local jurisdictions."

Watch |Premier Andrew Furey talks about the Atlantic bubble, a COVID-19 vaccine and more on Rosemary Barton Live:

N.L. premier explains 'difficult decision' to leave Atlantic bubble

4 years ago

Duration 8:30

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey says he is 'following the evidence' with the decision to pull out of the Atlantic bubble for now.

In a moment of openness from the premier, an orthopedic surgeon, Furey said he has had moments during the pandemic when he thought about returning to the medical community.

"I was on the front lines of the COVID unit here in St. John's.I saw first-hand those moments of anxiety and saw the nurses and the staff and the orderlies and the doctors show up not knowing what to expect," he said.

"As I drive by the hospital every day, I wonder, 'Should I be laying down the MHA pin and picking up the stethoscope again for the short term?' But I'm very comfortable and confident that we have some of the best health-care workers across the country here in Newfoundland and Labrador."

Furey watching economic update "with great interest"

Ahead of the federal government's 2020 economic update, Furey said he will be focused on announcements since the province projecteda $2.1-billion deficit earlier this year.

"I'll be watching with great interest," he said. "For my particular province, and I'm sure this is consistent with Alberta and Saskatchewan in terms of an energy sector, we're looking at sectors that could be supported in other ways."

Furey said he will also be looking for updates relating to child care, an industry the premier has been focused on since his leadership nomination.

"It's something that's near and dear to our heart, and I believe it's a good tool to emerge from this economic crisis," he said.

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