Liberal Leader John Hogan has been emphasizing a significant memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by former Newfoundland and Labrador premier Andrew Furey with Hydro-Québec in late 2024. This MOU is hailed as a groundbreaking agreement that could inject billions of dollars into the province’s economy and lead to increased activity along the Churchill River through new hydro-electric projects.
The Liberals are promoting the MOU as a transformative agreement, showcasing it on campaign signs with slogans such as “Churchill Falls MOU: Better health care” and “Churchill Falls MOU: More money for you.” The potential deal, still in the works, is set to bring substantial financial benefits to both provinces involved, surpassing $200 billion over the next five decades.
Key components of the tentative deal involve the replacement of the outdated 1969 contract, which was deemed unfair to Newfoundland Labrador. The MOU includes plans for new hydroelectric developments, including the Gull Island project scheduled for completion in 2035. Additionally, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Hydro-Québec aim to construct a second plant at Churchill Falls and enhance production at the existing Churchill Falls complex.
If re-elected, Hogan has pledged various initiatives related to the MOU, such as setting up a committee to assist communities in preparing for Churchill Falls projects, building a third transmission line from Churchill Falls to Labrador West, reducing the provincial portion of HST on residential electricity bills, and investing in firefighting infrastructure and healthcare services.
Public opinion on the Churchill Falls MOU is divided among voters. While some, like Labrador City resident Darren Patey, view it as a top priority essential for regional development, others, such as St. John’s resident Derrick Dalton, stress the importance of securing a favorable deal for the province. The Progressive Conservative Party, led by Tony Wakeham, has indicated the possibility of subjecting the MOU to a public referendum if elected, a move that receives mixed reactions from voters like Gander resident Sandy Moss.
Amid differing perspectives, some voters prioritize other issues over the Churchill Falls agreement, such as housing, employment, and healthcare. Younger voters, like nursing students Elizabeth Haggie and Maia Snow, express limited interest in the MOU, emphasizing the need for solutions to their immediate concerns.
Hogan maintains that the MOU with Quebec will benefit Newfoundlanders and Labradorians financially and enhance various services. He asserts that the party can focus on multiple priorities simultaneously, highlighting the capacity for a diversified agenda beyond the MOU.