N.L. voters need to question Poilievre on key provincial issues, says Furey

In the wake of another byelection loss for his federal counterparts, Newfoundland and Labrador's Liberal premier Canada's only one says voters in the province should question Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's commitment to issues facing voters.

Voters in the federal Montreal riding ofLaSalle-mard-Verdun dealt Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a blow in a byelection on Monday, electing theBloc Qubcois candidate to take over what had been a Liberal stronghold.

The defeat follows one in Toronto-St. Paul's in June, which raised questions about Trudeau's leadership ability ahead of the next federal election.

When asked about the result on Tuesday, Andrew Fureytold reportershe'sfocused on fighting for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"We here have expressed differences [in] opinions with respect to the federal government, and have always made it very clear that we are fighting for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians first and foremost," he said.

But one thing Furey and Trudeaudo agree on is the need for affordable child care.

Furey said he hasn't heard thatcommitmentfromPoilievre.

WATCH | Andrew Furey on his relationship with Pierre Poilevre:

Furey on relationship with Poilievre; O'Regan on Trudeaus leadership

4 days ago

Duration 2:28

Asked to comment on the federal governments latest byelection losses, MP Seamus ORegan said Justin Trudeau remains determined to lead the Liberals into the next election, while N.L. Premier Andrew Furey spoke about his relation with Trudeaus potential replacement, Pierre Poilievre.

"Voters here like it. They need it. It's not only a good social program, it's a great economic programand it's one that we started even before the federal government," he said.

Furey said he hasn't met Poilievreyet, but hassome concerns over some of the answers from the federal Conservative leaderon important topics.

"I do have concerns that he's not given direct answers to what he'd do with child care, to what he'd do with equalization, to what he'd do with dental care. All of these are reasonable questions to ask what could be the future prime minister of the country," he said.

"Newfoundlanders and Labradorians need to ask that man where he stands on all of these issues."

Liberal MPSeamus O'Regantold CBC News he was disappointed by the byelection loss in Montreal. He saidthe party put in hard work to keep that seat.

He said governments losing seats in their third mandate isn't uncommon, but the party has more work to do.

"We have to make a case to Canadians as to why we should be in government for the next four years," O'Regansaid. "That is going to be a case that I know this prime minister is going to make."

O'Reganstepped down from Trudeau's cabinet in July and announced he wouldn't be seeking re-election.

Download ourfree CBC News appto sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador.Click here to visit our landing page.