FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2025
St. John’s, NL – Today, Premier John Hogan, KC, leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, joined by Liberal Candidate for Virginia Waters-Pleasantville, Bernard Davis, announced the creation of a new Major Projects Office, and new support for our Major Industries.
Creating a Major Projects Office
To seize the full potential of Newfoundland and Labrador’s unrivalled economic opportunities, a Liberal Government will create a Major Projects Office. Reporting directly to the Premier, it will reside within Executive Council. It will serve as the central point of contact for the federal government’s own dedicated major projects office working to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador plays a leading role in Canada’s nation building agenda.
The major projects office will also be mandated to coordinate all government departments and agencies involved in the development of provincially-designated major projects, including the Churchill Falls agreement, oil and gas projects, hydrogen development, critical minerals and mining, defence, and other transformative opportunities.
The Major Projects Office will break down silos and red tape to ensure there is a single point of provincial government coordination providing clear direction to partners and investors. It will be tasked with improving development timelines, reducing duplication, and coordinating Indigenous and community consultation.
Churchill River Jobs Plan
The new Churchill Falls deal will mean almost 10,000 new jobs in the Province. In order to ensure we are prepared, a re-elected Liberal Government will establish a dedicated, comprehensive Churchill Falls Jobs Plan. We will ensure benefits for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are maximized, including preparing the workforce through education and skills training. The Major Projects Office will be responsible for collection of labour market data, supply and demand mapping and educational and training program preparedness. Working closely with Memorial University, the College of the North Atlantic and other training institutions, we will develop sufficient spaces in key programs.
The Liberal government will also support proponents and partners through the creation of a digital recruitment platform. This would work to simplify talent pool development and mobility while supporting continuous workforce planning. It would provide prospective employees considering Newfoundland and Labrador with a one stop registry of opportunities and direct links to employers.
Community and infrastructure planning in support of major projects is a complex process to ensure these developments are integrated into the wider regional context in a way that is sustainable, functional and beneficial for local residents. The Major Projects office will also undertake assessment and strategic planning of demographic, housing and infrastructure needs to meet community needs.
The Gull Island project already has legally-protected jobs and benefits priorities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The hiring protocol prioritizes – in order – members of Innu Nation, residents of Labrador, residents of Newfoundland, and then residents of Canada.
A re-elected Liberal Government commits to a similar hiring preference for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for the new construction projects in the MOU, including upgrades and expansions to the existing Churchill Falls power plant, as well as new transmission lines.
Incentivizing New Offshore Exploration
A re-elected Liberal Government will continue its strong advocacy and support for the oil and gas industry. Our offshore oil industry has been a major economic driver in our province for decades. It has created well paying jobs, provided billions to our provincial treasury, and made our province an innovation hub for offshore technology.
A Hogan Government will continue to be a strong supporter of our offshore oil and gas industry and the people it employs. To expand our offshore sector, we will continue to commit $90 million over three years for an offshore exploration fund. This will help encourage new exploration offshore, spur job creation and economic growth.
Advocating for Regulatory Certainty from the Federal Government
In order for our energy industry to thrive, proponents and workers need regulatory certainty from the federal government. A Hogan government supports efforts by the new federal government to fast track projects of national importance and provide a more stream lined process through the major projects office.
However, regulatory road blocks like the Greenhouse Gas Emissions cap still remain in place. A re-elected Hogan government will advocate for the removal of the federal emissions cap. We will demand that our industries receive regulatory certainty from Ottawa and that unnecessary red tape is removed.
Our government will also advocate for the introduction of an investment tax credit, similar to the Atlantic Investment Tax Credit, to apply to future oil and gas developments in Newfoundland and Labrador – including Bay du Nord.
Critical Minerals
With the development of new technologies and increased electrification across the globe, critical minerals are of vital importance. Newfoundland and Labrador has an abundance of critical minerals and is positioned to be a major hotspot of mining activity.
Building on our Critical Minerals plan announced in 2023, we will continue funding the Junior Explorers Assistance program. A re-elected Liberal government will continue to fund Critical Mineral Geoscience and provide regulatory certainty to potential proponents through our new Major Projects Office.
Renewable Energy
Newfoundland and Labrador has all of the right elements to develop a thriving renewable energy industry. With an abundance of fresh water, large amounts of developable land, high wind speeds, deepwater ports and close proximity to Europe, our province is primed to be a major provider of renewable energy.
Our government will continue to support the development of a renewable energy industry by providing regulatory certainty and a clear fiscal framework for energy development. We are committed to using our resources in a way that ensures our province is the primary beneficiary by creating quality employment opportunities for our residents.
With real momentum, energy and leadership, the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is embracing our province’s tremendous opportunities to deliver a stronger future for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Quote:
“By aligning policy, regulatory approvals, infrastructure planning, and community engagement under one coordinated framework, we will make Newfoundland and Labrador a more attractive, responsive, and reliable place to do business. This approach will help us secure investment, create good jobs, and maximize long-term benefits for the people of the province.”
– Premier John Hogan, KC, Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
Background
The memorandum of understanding MOU for hydroelectric generation outlines four new development projects – Churchill Falls expansion, Churchill Falls upgrade, and the enabling transmission. These four projects together are expected to generate an average 3000 direct jobs annually during the construction phase with a peak of 5000 direct jobs when including indirect and induced employment are expected to generate an average of 5000 jobs during construction and a peak of 9500 jobs. Hydro-Québec has publicly stated that they expect construction on Gull Island to begin in 2027.
These projects will require diverse skills, including equipment, operators, carpenters, electricians, crane operators, line workers, and office and accommodation workers. Innu nation members will be given hiring preference on Gull Island related projects followed by residents of Labrador, then residents of Newfoundland and then residents of the remainder of Canada. The projects are expected to occur alongside other significant major developments in the province and nationally, particularly as first ministers have expressed their commitment to accelerate major projects throughout Canada.
With 12.4 billion in major capital spending planned or underway in Newfoundland and Labrador, the next decade will bring increased competition locally and nationally for labour. In addition, between now and 2033, 5900 construction workers are expected to retire with only 4000 new local entrants currently forecast to replace them.
As Newfoundland and Labrador prepares for mega projects, including under the hydroelectricity MOU government departments, NL Hydro, Indigenous, governments and organizations, industry, labor, post-secondary institutions and community partners must work collaboratively to ensure workforce needs are met. A skilled labour force will be essential to maximizing these economic benefits.
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Media Contact:
Ben Murphy
Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
E-mail: [email protected]