NL Election 2025: Party Responses to Environmental & Energy Issues - Sierra Club Canada

All political parties in the 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Election were asked the following questions.

Please note: Views expressed in the below responses do not necessarily reflect those of the Sierra Club Canada Foundation or our chapters or programs.

1. Will your party commit to investing in a skills training/transfer program, informed by an engagement process led by Indigenous communities, teachers/professors, unions, trades workers, businesses, non-for-profits, and communities?

LIBERAL PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is aware of the changing face of our workforce and the types of jobs that will be called for in the future. By way of example, we have an Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy program that allows apprentices to earn while they learn, a Make It Excellent in the Skilled Trades campaign to encourage youth and underemployed individuals to pursue careers in the skilled trades, and a Youth Apprenticeship Summer Program through Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador.

Notably, the College of the North Atlantic, one of our public post-secondary education institutions offers programs in the School of Sustainable Development, which are designed to develop expertise required to service the Green Energy sector and support local employment opportunities for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, locally, nationally, and globally.

Additionally, our Liberal Government invested nearly $2 million to support clean energy workforce development this summer. We have also [i]ncreased collaboration with industry and other labour market partners to determine future workforce requirements and awareness of job possibilities in the skilled trades.

We continue to be committed to preparing our workforce for this time of transition by way of meaningful engagement and consultation with various stakeholders and community groups.

NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

We will negotiate with Ottawa for more funding to help transition our economy towards new green industries. We also need a just transition plan that makes every Newfoundlander and Labradorian better off. As part of that plan, the NL NDP will set up a Future Industries Secretariat within government to drive industrial growth for the decades ahead – attracting the climate-focused jobs and investment of the future, and making sure Newfoundland and Labrador can take advantage of the opportunities that arise in the new economy.

[….] I invite you to examine our platform for our complete set of fully-costed policies, at
https://nl.ndp.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/0925-NDP-Platform.pdf, for more information
about our vision and values.

THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

No response as of October 10th at 12:20 p.m. ET

2. Will your party revoke the 2018 provincial target to double oil production by 2030 and develop a strategy to shift to wind, solar, storage, and efficiency as a source of prosperity and security in NL?

NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

We have pledged to end subsidies for oil and gas corporations. As the world shifts towards net-zero emissions, our province risks getting left behind. We will negotiate with Ottawa for more funding to help transition our economy towards new green industries. We also need a just transition plan that makes every Newfoundlander and Labradorian better off. As part of that plan, the NL NDP will set up a Future Industries Secretariat within government to drive industrial growth for the decades ahead – attracting the climate-focused jobs and investment of the future, and making sure Newfoundland and Labrador can take advantage of the opportunities that arise in the new economy. As part of our platform, we also pledge to ensure that any new resource-based project setting up in our province adheres to strong environmental protections and labour standards.

THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

No response as of October 10th at 12:20 p.m. ET

LIBERAL PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

Our province truly is well-positioned to meet the world’s energy needs at this time of transition and geo-political uncertainty. With our strong environmental, social, and governance practices, and an abundance of resources – Newfoundland and Labrador’s energy sector has so much to offer.

Our Liberal Government lifted the wind moratorium on wind in 2022, and we continue to support the planning and construction of six different private onshore wind to hydrogen projects in this province. And just a few months ago we released our Natural Gas Resource Assessment which demonstrates the natural gas potential for the province in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin.

Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, hydroelectricity accounts for about 93-98% of Newfoundland and Labrador’s electricity generation, making it the province’s primary energy source. We also have an opportunity before us to further develop hydroelectricity projects in our province.

3. Will your party prioritize engaging with the federal government and developing investment strategies and community benefit agreement models for offshore wind development and inter-provincial electric grid infrastructure as part of Canada’s movement to build projects of national interest?

THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

No response as of October 10th at 12:20 p.m. ET

LIBERAL PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

Our Liberal government has always been open to engaging with our federal counterparts on matters of national importance. We recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the federal government to regulate and develop offshore wind projects within our inland bays. This agreement allows the province to dictate the speed and pace of development and ensure that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are the primary beneficiaries and regulator of offshore wind developments in the province.

The agreement aims to create sustainable jobs and power the province’s economy.

Newfoundland and Labrador is also actively involved in the development of an interprovincial electricity grid. The province’s 5-year Renewable Energy Plan is designed to take advantage of our renewable energy potential and continue our support for a low carbon economy.

Together, with the ongoing support and participation of industry and stakeholders, this plan will support Newfoundland and Labrador’s transition to a low-carbon economy, create employment opportunities for residents, and further position Newfoundland and Labrador as a Clean Energy Centre of Excellence.

NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

4. Will your party substantially increase funding for climate adaptation information, resources, and infrastructure for municipalities as they develop disaster preparation plans and response networks so communities can better plan for when storms, wildfires, and other climate change driven impacts occur?

NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

Our members and I understand fully well that climate change is real. Unfortunately, we just have to turn to recent history to see its effects. Our province has experienced longer and harsher droughts, bigger and more damaging wildfires, and storms that have destroyed homes and taken lives. New Democrats believe that while acknowledging the problem is just the first part, taking concrete action to meet the challenge is the most important.

[We] want to assure you that the NL NDP is up to the task. We have pledged to end subsidies for oil and gas corporations. As the world shifts towards net-zero emissions, our province risks getting left behind. We will negotiate with Ottawa for more funding to help transition our economy towards new green industries. We also need a just transition plan that makes every Newfoundlander and Labradorian better off. As part of that plan, the NL NDP will set up a Future Industries Secretariat within government to drive industrial growth for the decades ahead – attracting the climate-focused jobs and investment of the future, and making sure Newfoundland and Labrador can take advantage of the opportunities that arise in the new economy.

THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

No response as of October 10th at 12:20 p.m. ET

LIBERAL PARTY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESPONSE:

Increased funding to help communities prepare for the impacts of climate change is a significant part of our budgetary process. On June 30th of this year the department of Environment and Climate Change announced two new provincial Climate Change Action Plans for the 2025-30 period.

These two action plans build on the progress completed to date and will guide further efforts to reduce emissions and assist communities in adapting to the realities of climate change.

The need for climate change action plans is highlighted by the increased costs associated with the impacts of climate change, which include the rising prevalence of wildfires, flooding and sea levels.

The two plans build on the 45 actions that were completed through the 2019-24 Climate Change Action Plans and include 54 actions to help the Provincial Government achieve the global target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

As a government, our commitment to safeguarding our environment and our residents has never been more resolute. For example, we are helping homeowners become more energy efficient and transition from oil to electric heat and increasing access to electric vehicles and chargers. To assist businesses, organizations, Indigenous groups, and post-secondary institutions, Budget 2025 includes:
– $14.3 million for the Green Transition Fund.
– A 20 per cent Green Technology Tax Credit; and,
– $12 million for the Climate Change Challenge Fund.

Issues of waste management and wastewater are critical issues for municipalities as they work to create safer environments in their communities. This year, to assist in their work, we will be investing $2 million in a provincial waste management strategy and $100,000 for wastewater monitoring.

Note: In order to ensure fairness, the order of parties’ answers to each question is rotated in the first three questions, with the order of answers to the final question being selected by randomization. The first question starts with the answer from the party that was randomly selected as last in order in the last question.

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