Liberal Leader John Hogan initiated the final week of campaigning by proposing the establishment of a new major projects office to streamline bureaucracy. Hogan emphasized the need to coordinate and simplify existing bureaucratic processes. The office would collaborate with various departments and the federal government to facilitate provincially-designated major projects such as the Churchill Falls agreement, oil and gas initiatives, hydrogen development, and mining ventures. Hogan highlighted that the office would mainly consist of current government personnel and have a minimal impact on the budget.
Additionally, Hogan pledged that a re-elected Liberal government would ensure that construction projects linked to the Churchill Falls MOU, like power plant upgrades, would implement a hiring protocol similar to the one intended for Gull Island. This protocol prioritizes members of the Innu Nation, residents of Labrador, residents of Newfoundland, and then residents of Canada. In light of recent ExxonMobil layoffs in Newfoundland and Labrador, Hogan also promised unwavering advocacy and backing for the oil and gas sector.
Furthermore, Hogan committed to continuing the Liberal government’s previous commitment to allocating $90 million over three years to an offshore exploration fund. In a move mirroring Alberta’s government, Hogan advocated for the removal of the federal greenhouse gas emissions cap, asserting that oil produced in Newfoundland and Labrador is environmentally friendlier compared to oil from other regions.
On a separate note, the NDP, led by Jim Dinn, reintroduced a previous proposal to eliminate the provincial portion of HST from all home heating bills if elected. This announcement followed a similar pledge made by the Liberal Party concerning residential electricity. The NDP’s proposal, which aligns with a denied private members’ resolution from earlier, aims to alleviate the financial burden on residents struggling with escalating heating costs.
Speaking at a media event in front of a resident’s home in St. John’s, Dinn emphasized the urgent need for this tax cut, highlighting the challenges faced by families like Sherie Hollahan, who grapple with exorbitant heating expenses. Hollahan, residing in St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi, expressed the collective concerns of working families regarding the rising costs of home heating. The NDP’s costed platform outlines that the tax cut would encompass electricity, propane, oil, and wood, resulting in an annual loss of $68 million in revenue.
While the NDP and Liberals address home heating costs, the Progressive Conservatives did not make a related announcement. In response to queries, the party clarified that they do not intend to eliminate the provincial portion of HST from home heating but plan to permanently reduce the gasoline tax.