Liberal Leader John Hogan commenced the final week of his campaign with a pledge to establish a new major projects office aimed at streamlining bureaucratic processes. This office would collaborate with various departments and the federal government to support significant provincial projects such as the proposed Churchill Falls agreement, oil and gas initiatives, hydrogen development, and mining ventures.
Hogan emphasized that the office’s setup would primarily utilize existing government personnel and have a minimal impact on the budget. He also assured that a re-elected Liberal government would prioritize hiring protocols for construction projects linked to the Churchill Falls MOU, similar to those planned for Gull Island, favoring Innu Nation members, Labrador residents, Newfoundland residents, and then Canadian residents.
Furthermore, Hogan vowed unwavering support for the oil and gas industry, especially following recent layoffs by ExxonMobil in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Liberal government’s commitment to allocate $90 million over three years to an offshore exploration fund would persist under a re-elected administration.
In a move mirroring Alberta’s government, Hogan proposed advocating for the removal of the federal greenhouse gas emissions cap, arguing that Newfoundland and Labrador-produced oil is environmentally friendlier compared to oil from other sources. He emphasized the importance of transitioning to lower carbon emission oil gradually as the world still relies on oil.
Meanwhile, the NDP, led by Jim Dinn, reintroduced a proposal to eliminate the provincial portion of HST from all home heating bills if elected. This initiative, previously rejected, aims to ease the financial burden on residents like Sherie Hollahan, who shared her struggles with high heating costs. The tax cut, covering electricity, propane, oil, and wood, would result in an annual revenue loss of $68 million, as outlined in the NDP’s costed platform.
While the Progressive Conservatives did not address home heating tax cuts, they indicated a plan to permanently reduce the gasoline tax. The parties’ contrasting stances on tax cuts reflect the diverse approaches to addressing economic concerns in Newfoundland and Labrador.