Liberal Leader John Hogan returned to St. John’s, pledging over $20 million for increased police presence in the province. He committed to hiring 90 new Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officers by 2030 and adding 30 RCMP officers on more frequent patrols. Additionally, Hogan proposed raising police training subsidies to $20,000 per recruit and promised extra funding for municipalities to hire and train more enforcement officers.
Furthermore, Hogan vowed to introduce new legislation, including a Civil Forfeiture Act, to enhance public safety. He emphasized the importance of accountability, transparency, and community well-being in policing. Hogan stressed the need for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to feel secure in their neighborhoods, highlighting the Liberal government’s track record in delivering safety initiatives across the province.
Meanwhile, Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham, during a campaign stop in Grand Bank, expressed his commitment to reopening the local RCMP detachment, which has been closed since 2011. Wakeham pledged to request the stationing of four RCMP officers in Grand Bank and invest in infrastructure to support this initiative. However, he acknowledged that the final decision lies with the RCMP.
In a separate event, NDP Leader Jim Dinn unveiled the “N.L. Cares” plan at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, aiming to address staff shortages and improve patient care with an annual budget of $25.6 million. The plan includes hiring 1,000 additional health-care workers, targeting medical students for recruitment, and creating a provincial office for medical recruitment. Dinn also proposed establishing a health sector safety council and empowering health-care workers to self-schedule where appropriate.
The parties continue to roll out their campaign promises as the election approaches, focusing on key issues such as public safety and healthcare.
