(St. John’s, NL – October 7, 2025) At the outset of the 2025 Provincial General Election, Energy NL wrote the leaders of the three major political parties seeking their responses to questions on key energy issues facing Newfoundland and Labrador. The purpose of the letters is to help Energy NL members understand the positions of the parties with respect to energy development. Energy NL has received responses from all three parties in the time requested and has shared those responses on its website and social media channels. The responses can be read in their entirety here; below are highlights of the responses.
The first question asked: Will your government support our offshore oil and gas industry and demand the cancellation of the oil and gas sector emissions cap regulations by the Government of Canada?
New Democratic Party Leader Jim Dinn said the party supports better regulations and would work with Ottawa and consult stakeholders to determine if the regulations are working as intended, consider modifications that could be made, and look at technologies that can be adopted to reduce emissions. Progressive Conservative Party Leader Tony Wakeham said the emissions cap is a cap on production and should be eliminated and its unilateral implementation is an attack on the Atlantic Accord. Leader John Hogan indicated that the Liberal Government has been advocating for the cancellation of the emissions cap to the Prime Minister and will continue to do so.
The second question of the letter asked: Will your government join Energy NL in advocating for incentives that will spur economic investment, accelerate sanctioning of Bay du Nord, and encourage offshore tiebacks? What specific actions will your government take to encourage the Government of Canada to implement these incentives? Will your government consider similar provincial incentives?
NDP Leader Jim Dinn acknowledged that the offshore oil and gas sector remains an important part of the Newfoundland and Labrador economy and that energy demand and operator willingness will drive the sanctioning of projects. PC Party Leader Tony Wakeham supported incentives to support projects such as an investment tax credit or the former Petroleum Incentive Program and indicated he would work with Energy NL to review incentives that could be implemented provincially. Liberal Leader John Hogan referred to monies allocated by the provincial government to encourage offshore exploration and committed to advocating for a tax incentive for offshore projects, along with supporting Government of Canada efforts to fast-track major projects.
Energy NL also asked how its members would be ensured a role in resource project developments: How will your government ensure that the local energy supply and service sector receives optimal benefits from all energy projects such as Bay du Nord, the Churchill River hydroelectric projects, wind development, and others?
Mr. Dinn provided a four-point “yardstick” to determine the merit of a project, including hiring Newfoundlanders and Labradorians first, providing royalites to adjacent municipalities and Indigenous governments, upholding strong environmental and labour standards, and generating maximum return to government through royalties and other payments. Mr. Wakeham said his government would ensure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are the first to receive benefits from energy projects, would develop a 10-year Energy Plan for renewable and non-renewable energy in consultation with stakeholders, and ensure first consideration for local supply companies as outlined in the Atlantic Accord, while also stating all projects of $500,000 will require local community benefits agreements. Mr. Hogan indicated his party takes a strategic, project-specific approach and believes the people of Newfoundland and Labrador must be the principal beneficiaries of energy projects and explained the procurement process for the planned Churchill River developments, including an already approved benefits plan as part of the Lower Churchill Project environmental release.
The final question of the letter: Will your government commit to addressing concerns of project proponents for onshore wind-to-clean fuels projects and the fiscal framework in a timely fashion to ensure the projects can proceed with clarity and confidence?
Mr. Dinn stated his government would work with industry, labour, and communities to streamline processes and examine the fiscal framework to provide clarity and investor confidence. Mr. Wakeham said his government would ensure a competitive fiscal framework to provide clarity to investors and proponents and assist with community engagement. Mr. Hogan responded yes, his government would work with proponents toward a transparent and predictable fiscal framework to provide confidence for investors.
“I would like to thank the leaders of all three provincial parties for taking the time to provide thoughtful responses to our questions about Newfoundland and Labrador energy issues. I encourage Energy NL members to read and consider all three responses prior to voting next week. These are important issues and the leadership shown by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador over the next four years will have a significant impact on how we move forward as an industry.”
• Charlene Johnson, Energy NL CEO
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 range from offshore supply vessels and helicopters, carbon reduction and sustainable technologies, health and safety equipment and training, engineering solutions and fabricators to law firms and human resource agencies.
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Media contact:
Ken Morrissey, Chief Strategy & Communication Officer
Mobile: 709-725-5172 |[email protected]| @WeAreEnergyNL
