Premier Roger Grimes has called a provincial election in Newfoundland and Labrador for Oct. 21. But the latest numbers suggest Grimes' Liberals will have a tough fight to get re-elected.

CTV.ca News Staff

Premier Roger Grimes has called a provincial election in Newfoundland and Labrador for Oct. 21. But the latest numbers suggest Grimes' Liberals will have a tough fight ahead to get re-elected.

The Liberals are trailing the Opposition Progressive Conservatives badly in the polls. 

The most recent survey by Corporate Research Associates found that Liberal support had dropped to 36 per cent of decided voters, down from 39 in May. The Tories, led by Danny Williams, were up slightly with 54 per cent of support. The NDP, led by Jack Harris, had six per cent.

"At the heart of this campaign is how we wish to define ourselves in the next four years and beyond,'' Grimes told party supporters at the provincial legislature.

"You have the opportunity to chose between the vague promise of future prosperity or the reality of solid, proven results,'' he said.

The Liberals currently hold 27 seats in the 48-seat House of Assembly. There are 19 Progressive Conservatives and two New Democrats.

Since the most recent election in February 1999, the Liberals have lost five of seven byelections to the Opposition, and one Liberal has crossed the floor to join the Tories.

The Liberals, who plan to campaign under the slogan "Take a closer look," have governed Newfoundland and Labrador since 1989 and have had four different leaders during that time.

As in many of the Atlantic provinces, auto insurance is likely to become a hot topic during the election campaign.

The Liberals have proposed a private insurance system that would deny compensation for pain and suffering for those who buy basic coverage. The basic packages should cost at least 30 per cent less than existing plans, the Liberals say.

The Opposition Conservatives are pitching a $2,500 cap on compensation for minor injuries, a plan they say will lower rates by 20 per cent. The New Democrats are proposing a public, not-for-profit system that they say could cut rates by up to 50 per cent.

The closure of the province's remaining cod fishery will also be a hot topic. The closure has thrown thousands out of work. The closure has renewed efforts to negotiate co-management of the fishery with the Ottawa.

Grimes is also promising to lower taxes and tuition to boost the economy and generate jobs.

"We will continue on that path and continue our agenda of change that challenges the status quo," Grimes told reporters Monday as he called the election.

The election will be the first since the Liberals were returned to power under Brian Tobin. He later quit to return to federal politics in 2000. Grimes took over in February 2001, but refused to call a snap election.