Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham spoke with reporters inside the House of Assembly in St. John’s on January 7, 2025, during a pause in discussions over the Churchill Falls agreement between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec. The Canadian Press
Voters in Newfoundland and Labrador made their choice for change clear on Tuesday, ending ten years of Liberal leadership and electing the Progressive Conservatives (PCs) to power.
After a tight race and a dramatic final count, Tony Wakeham’s PCs secured 21 seats, giving them a narrow majority in the 40-seat legislature. The Liberals, led by John Hogan, won 15 seats, while the New Democrats picked up two, and two Independents also claimed victories.
Wakeham’s Promise of Change
Throughout the campaign, Wakeham struck a chord with voters by questioning the Liberal government’s track record and emphasizing financial accountability. A major focus of his campaign was Hogan’s decision to back a multi-billion-dollar energy deal with Quebec.
Wakeham, a former health-care executive, argued that the agreement “just wasn’t good enough.” He promised to have the deal reviewed by an independent third party, citing past energy project missteps as lessons learned.
His message connected with voters frustrated by rising living costs and economic uncertainty. “Are you better off under the Liberals?” became Wakeham’s rallying cry across the province.
A Political Shift in the Atlantic
The PC victory mirrors a broader shift in political sentiment seen earlier this year. In the spring, the federal Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre gained ground in Newfoundland, winning three rural seats — a sign that the province’s voters were ready for change.
For Hogan’s Liberals, the campaign faced several hurdles. The loss of key cabinet ministers before the election — including Siobhan Coady, John Haggie, Gerry Byrne, Andrew Parsons, and Tom Osborne — weakened the party’s momentum.
Meanwhile, Wakeham’s campaign kept attention on issues such as health care, housing, and the cost of living, but it was the Quebec energy deal that dominated the debates and defined the election’s tone.
The Controversial Quebec Energy Deal
The proposed agreement between Hydro-Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro became the campaign’s defining issue. Hogan claimed the deal could generate $225 billion over 50 years, calling it a potential economic lifeline for the debt-ridden province.
Under the draft agreement, Hydro-Québec would pay significantly more for power from the Churchill Falls plant, built in the 1960s. It would also pave the way for new hydroelectric projects and end the existing Churchill Falls contract 16 years early, addressing decades of imbalance where Quebec benefited from low energy costs.
Wakeham, however, questioned whether the deal truly served Newfoundland and Labrador’s interests and pledged a full review before moving forward.
Other Parties and Future Challenges
The New Democratic Party, led by Jim Dinn, surprised some observers by increasing its seat count to two. “It’s going to be the NDP putting forward ideas that benefit all people of this province,” Dinn told supporters on election night.
Wakeham now faces tough challenges ahead, particularly managing the province’s rising debt, projected to reach $20 billion next year — the highest per capita in Canada.
The PCs’ narrow majority gives Wakeham a mandate to push for change but also demands careful leadership as Newfoundland and Labrador enters a new political chapter.
