Premier Stephen McNeil announced yesterday he is stepping down after 17 years in public office, seven as premier. “17 years is a long time and is long enough,” he said, adding he will stay on until the provincial Liberal Party elects a new leader.

“It’s a long time for my family,” he said. “I had looked at doing it earlier this year. Of course, COVID hit.”

CHNE-TV asked people in Chéticamp what they think about the news. In total, seven people provided their comments, including a few seasonal visitors, who are ever present in the touristic village each summer. 

Mary Mallon said, “It was really surprising news. I think he did a fabulous job the last five months with COVID and keeping us safe, and I wish him all the best of luck. I can’t give a reason why, but he maybe feels it was a lot of work and maybe he wants someone else to take over with a new perspective in case round 2 hits of COVID.”

Esther MacInnis said, “I think the last couple of months, I’ve been impressed with his devotion and energy toward the pandemic. But as a nurse, a long-time nurse, he was not very supportive in our union and for the rights of Nova Scotia government employees. So, it’s a mixed bag. It’s a mixed bag. But I understand why he probably wants to leave after 17 years. It’s not an easy job for sure. But I think whoever comes in has to be a bit more… work with unions as opposed to shutting them down.”

Tony Harris said, “Good that he’s leaving. Another person who has to leave is Trudeau, to tell you the truth. They’re a bunch of thieves and they know they are in the wrong now, so he quit. They are lost. They don’t know what to do. That’s why he’s resigning. He doesn’t know what to do at all. Him and Trudeau, get out of here. That’s what they have to do.” (Translated from French)

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