On Tuesday, October 14, the 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador general election was held which saw Premier-designate, Tony Wakeham, and his Progressive Conservative party defeat incumbent Premier John Hogan and the Liberal government of 10 years.  

The PCs secured a majority 21 of 40 seats in the House of Assembly, which was considered a surprising result, according to polls results leading up to the election. The Liberals were elected in 15 seats, followed by 2 NDP Members and 2 independents. 

Energy was a top election issue throughout the campaign, especially around the Churchill Falls MOU. The outgoing Minister responsible for energy, Steve Crocker, did not reoffer. 

Progressive Conservative energy policies: 

The Progressive Conservatives and leader, Tony Wakeham, committed to develop a “comprehensive 10-year Energy Plan” to help guide development of both non-renewable and renewable resources. The Party’s Platform also committed to require local community benefits agreements for all natural resource projects and public infrastructure contracts valued over $500,000. 

Electricity (Churchill Falls MOU and future projects):  

  • Premier-designate Wakeham hasn’t full endorsed or rejected the MOU signed with Hydro Québec for future ownership and rates of Churchill Falls and to develop the Gull Island project. However, he has committed to do an independent review of the MOU, communicate these findings to the public, and then hold a referendum to determine the future of the agreement. 
  • “We will use the review to fix what needs to be fixed and to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador gets a better deal.”  
  • NL Hydro is aiming to negotiate final, binding agreements by April 2026. It is uncertain how this timeline could be impacted.  
  • The PC government committed to work with the mining industry to address the need for additional energy supply to facilitate growth in areas such as Labrador West. As well to work with local stakeholders to explore options to reduce reliance on diesel energy generation. 

Oil and gas:  

The PC government made several commitments relating to the development of offshore oil and gas. 

  • “The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap must be removed… I propose that a PC government join forces with industry stakeholders and mount a strong campaign against Ottawa, together we can end this attack on our industry.” 
  • The Premier-designate supports federal incentives (tax credit expansion) to help attract investment in the oil and gas industry. 
  • Regarding the proposed Bay du Nord development, the Premier-designate stated: “I also believe Bay du Nord must be front and center in national economic planning. The omission of Bay du Nord from the federal priority projects list was not bad luck – it was a failure…” 
  • He specifically mentioned “maximizing jobs and benefits for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians” in developing new oil and gas projects.  
  • The PC Platform committed to develop a feasibility study for offshore natural gas in partnership/funded with industry, and to help reduce timelines from discovery to production by working with the federal government and the offshore energy board.  

Clean fuels:  

  • The Progressive Conservatives acknowledged that an onshore wind-to-clean fuels fiscal framework is needed urgently and will develop one (implied). 
  • The Party committed to “maintain vigilant oversight” of wind projects to ensure, among other reasons, decommissioning costs are transparently addressed. 
  • The Party does “recognize” the potential of wind-to-hydrogen to strengthen the province’s position as a North American leader in green energy production.  

Miscellaneous: 

The PC Platform included several additional commitments relating to energy and the energy sector, including: 

  • lower the gasoline tax: “We will make the temporary gas tax reduction permanent, saving 8 cents per litre”; 
  • support rotational workers who travel out of province for work by introducing a tax credit of up to $2,000; 
  • put money back in the pockets of graduates. Graduates who stay, work, and live in this province will receive their tuition back; 
  • lower the small business tax to 1%; and,
  • aggressively reduce red tape to free businesses from outdated rules, thus allowing them to thrive in all regions of the province. 

Next steps: 

On October 22, the Premier-designate announced his transition team, which includes Ross Wiseman, Darin King, Steve Outhouse and Colleen Janes. 

On October 29, Premier Tony Wakeham announced his new Cabinet. John Abbott has been appointed Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.

Congratulations to Minister Abbott on his appointment. We look forward to working with him and the department to further energy development and energy literacy across Newfoundland and Labrador.

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