Newfoundland and Labrador premier Andrew Furey said he recognizes that these are difficult, uncertain times for the refinery workers.

The party says in a news release that the motion for a review of Ches Crosbie's leadership was presented at the party's annual general meeting on Friday.

The budget was delivered Wednesday, halfway through the year, because of delays associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's time to start being honest," he told reporters following the reopening of the provincial legislature.

The budget will be delivered midway through the 2020-21 fiscal year on Sept. 30 and comes after an update in July projected a $2.1-billion deficit.

A date has been set for a NL byelection on the island's west coast that will provide Premier Andrew Furey an opportunity to enter the legislature.

The app will provide up-to-date information and alerts in case of a COVID-19 outbreak.

The surgeon was elected Liberal leader Aug. 3 and will replace Dwight Ball to become the 14th premier of the province.

Andrew Furey was announced the winner of the provincial Liberal party leadership on Monday night. The 45-year-old surgeon and charity founder beat out John Abbott in the contest to replace Premier Dwight Ball.

The contenders are Andrew Furey, a surgeon with family connections in Ottawa, and John Abbott, a former civil servant and former deputy minister.