(St. John’s, NL – March 31, 2025) Last week, Energy NL sent letters to each of Canada’s national party leaders requesting their views on the energy industry and their approach to developing Newfoundland and Labrador’s energy sector. A version of the letter is available on the Energy NL website and leader responses will be posted as received.
“As party leaders tour the country to share their vision for Canada, Energy NL felt it was important to seek the views and policy approaches of each party toward the Newfoundland and Labrador energy industry. Each party is pursuing government at a crucial time for our industry and country, and we will not meet the challenge before us without supporting a strong energy industry at Canada’s economic core, specifically a robust energy industry in Newfoundland and Labrador that provides lower carbon energy and significant economic impact.”
• Charlene Johnson, Energy NL CEO
The letter outlines seven questions for the party leaders pertaining to the energy industry. These questions ask the leaders to share their party’s vision for the energy industry and plans to support the sector’s sustainable development. Specifically, the letter asks for each leader’s stance on the federal emissions cap, to which Energy NL is vehemently opposed, how the candidates intend to support the sector through uncertainty brought on by ongoing trade disputes, whether their government would support the continuation of the Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling, and if the candidates support the use of Newfoundland and Labrador’s lower carbon offshore oil to meet global demand.
“The Canadian energy industry provides opportunity to Canadians: opportunity to succeed now and opportunity to build careers and communities for the future. Policies such as the federal emissions cap are a cap on our opportunity and we need a governance approach that supports our energy industry, including oil and gas, renewable energies, hydroelectricity and more. Given global concerns, including the uncertainty with our closest trading partner, the Government of Canada needs to secure our energy future and support Canadian energy, especially Newfoundland and Labrador energy. Our industry provides lower carbon energy at above average wages and should be actively supported by the Government of Canada. Let’s make the most of our opportunity now.”
• Charlene Johnson, Energy NL CEO
The oil offshore Newfoundland and Labrador is 30% below the global average for emissions at extraction and is the largest contributor to GDP in the province, while employing almost 20,000 people through direct, indirect, and induced jobs. The province has massive hydroelectric resources that supply clean and reliable power to Canadians and there are also plans for significant wind-to-hydrogen projects in the province that will provide vast amounts of green energy while also employing thousands of workers. Government of Canada policies play a critical role in the success of these sectors and must reflect the significant benefits they provide to all Canadians.
Energy NL has requested a response to its letter by April 18, 2025. Responses from the leaders will be posted to the association’s website: www.energynl.ca.
Energy NL represents over 500 member organizations worldwide which are involved in the energy sector. Members are active in all areas of the supply and service sector and include a diverse representation of businesses that span a wide range of areas including health and safety, offshore supply vessels, helicopters, environmental sustainability, equipment, fabrication, operational maintenance, and services such as engineering, legal, and human resources.
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Media contact:
Ken Morrissey, Chief Strategy & Communication Officer
Mobile: 709-725-5172 |kmorrissey@EnergyNL.ca| @WeAreEnergyNL
