QuickSketch: N.L. Liberal Leader Andrew Furey is a surgeon and political rookie

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — A look at Andrew Furey, leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal party. 

Age: 45. 

Early years: Born in St. John’s, Furey was involved in Liberal politics from a young age. His father, George Furey, is the current Speaker of the Senate. His uncle, Chuck Furey, served as a provincial legislator.

Education: Earned his medical degree at Memorial University in St. John’s, N.L. Trained in clinical epidemiology and orthopedic surgery.

Before politics: Worked as an orthopedic trauma surgeon and educator with Memorial University’s school of medicine. In 2010, he helped create Team Broken Earth to provide medical relief after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. He was later named humanitarian of the year by the Canadian Red Cross.

Political record: Elected leader of the governing party in August 2020, he was sworn in as the province’s 14th premier later that month. On Oct. 6, 2020, he was elected as the member for Humber-Gros Morne in a byelection.

Family: Furey and his wife Allison have three young children, Maggie, Rachael and Mark.

Quote: “The status quo no longer works, and quite frankly we can’t afford it any more. We must get away from that well-worn path of boom and bust and back again.” — Andrew Furey, speaking after he was elected to lead the Liberal party on Aug. 3, 2020.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2021.

The Canadian Press