The Progressive Conservative party’s 2025 election campaign slogan, “for all of us,” has been prominently featured by leader Tony Wakeham during the initial week of campaigning. The focus for the Progressive Conservatives during this period has been on media appearances and small events with limited attendance in various regions of Newfoundland.
During an announcement in Harbour Breton on Saturday, Wakeham emphasized his efforts to engage directly with constituents by traveling through districts and meeting voters face-to-face. He highlighted the key campaign themes of better healthcare, lower taxes, and safer communities as priorities based on feedback received from residents.
Apart from the party’s opening night rally in St. John’s, Wakeham’s most significant event occurred in Deer Lake, where he engaged with approximately 35 supporters of PC candidate Mike Goosney. Throughout the week, Wakeham consistently attributed issues such as healthcare worker shortages, rising crime rates, and increased living costs to the shortcomings of the Liberal government.
Despite smaller audience sizes, Wakeham made substantial campaign promises totaling around $190 million in government spending according to party estimates. These commitments included initiatives such as enhancing healthcare services, bolstering community safety measures, and implementing tax cuts along with expanding social benefit programs.
Wakeham’s proposed health-care initiatives aimed at addressing deficiencies, such as bringing medical professionals to rural areas and investing in healthcare infrastructure, were estimated to cost around $46 million. Additionally, his plans for community safety involved allocating nearly $20 million for initiatives like hiring new law enforcement officers and establishing mental health crisis response teams.
In a significant pledge made during a campaign stop in Stephenville, Wakeham announced intentions to lower taxes and enhance social benefit programs, with projected costs amounting to $117.4 million for the province. Furthermore, he committed to additional funding for essential services like hospice care and emergency room operations to meet the needs of communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.
One of the highlighted proposals included the establishment of a dedicated ministerial position for fisheries and aquaculture within a PC government, aiming to elevate the focus on these sectors compared to the existing departmental coverage. Wakeham expressed confidence in the recruitment and retention strategies for healthcare professionals and emphasized the importance of supporting volunteer fire departments with necessary medical equipment.
Throughout the week, Wakeham underscored the party’s commitment to addressing critical issues raised by residents and reiterated the core message of prioritizing the well-being and concerns of Newfoundland and Labradorians.
