Haggie taking leave to deal with 'health concern'

John Haggie says he's stepping away from his roles as MHA and education minister to deal with a health problem.

Haggie broke the news on his Twitter account Tuesday morning, saying "I will be taking some time off to deal with a health concern. My constituency office will remain open."

In a follow-up message, Haggie said Tom Osborne will act as his alternate in the Department of Education while he takes time away. 

"Thank you for your understanding and support at this time," he said.

Haggie had previously taken time off in August 2020 to deal with an unspecified medical procedure.

He was the province's health minister from 2015 to 2022, when he swapped portfolios with Osborne and became education minister. 

CBC News has requested an interview with Haggie. It's unclear how long his leave of absence will be.

Haggie, originally from Manchester, moved to Canada in the early 1990s. He made his career as a surgeon before jumping into politics in 2015, becoming MHA for the Gander region.

He helped lead the province through the early days of the pandemic alongside Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, and then-Premier Dwight Ball. 

Haggie is the second cabinet minister to take a leave of absence for medical reasons this month. On Jan. 9, House leader and Tourism Minister Steve Crocker stepped away to recover from an emergency surgery. Sarah Stoodley is covering his ministerial role, while John Hogan took over as House leader.

Interim PC Leader David Brazil also took a leave of absence after suffering a near-fatal heart attack in October.

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