Newfoundland is ‘back in the oil business,’ new premier vows ahead of Carney meeting

Advertisement

Advertise with us

ST. JOHN'S - Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham says he is heading to Ottawa later today with demands for Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$0 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.75/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

ST. JOHN’S – Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham says he is heading to Ottawa later today with demands for Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Wakeham told a St. John’s business conference he wants Carney to designate Bay du Nord — a proposed offshore oil development by Equinor — as a major project of national interest.

The premier declared that Newfoundland and Labrador is “back in the oil business,” adding that the previous provincial government was reluctant to champion the industry.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham is shown during a television interview at a Progressive Conservative campaign party on election day in Stephenville, N.L., on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jessica Stapleton
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham is shown during a television interview at a Progressive Conservative campaign party on election day in Stephenville, N.L., on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jessica Stapleton

Wakeham said he also wants the federal government to make more national defence investments in the province.

The Tory premier would not provide details when he said briefings gave him “reason to believe” the province’s finances are worse than the previous Liberal government let on, though he promised a financial update next month.

Newfoundland and Labrador has the largest per capita provincial net debt in the country, and the Liberals had forecast the deficit at $626 million before they lost last month’s provincial election.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2025.

Report Error Submit a Tip

Business

LOAD MORE