St. John’s, NL (April 17, 2025) –  Tony Wakeham, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and MHA for Stephenville – Port au Port, spoke out again today expressing his concern with increasing violent crime and drug deaths in the province. 

Wakeham noted the latest statistics indicate that crime is up 20 per cent and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported 158 toxicity deaths between 2023-2024.

“This is alarming. It should be a wake-up call for the Liberal Government,” said Wakeham. “Despite this increase in crime, our information shows there are still over 100 vacant policing positions. In addition, the Government is celebrating the re-establishment of a joint police task force that was disbanded in 2018. This task force should never have been disbanded in the first place.”

Wakeham noted there has been another rash of violent drug related gun crime in the past few weeks, adding that the mayors of Grand Falls-Windsor and St. John’s have called for more policing.

“Rather than re-announcing positions, the Minister should never have let our police force experience such a high level of vacancy. We have talked to community leaders and residents on the Northeast Avalon and across rural Newfoundland and Labrador who are concerned about drugs and crime; they no longer feel safe,” said Wakeham.

“It is unfortunate the Liberals sat idly by when the Combined Special Forces Enforcement Unit was disbanded in 2018,” added Wakeham. “It is inexcusable that the Government watched front line policing erode, resulting in over 100 vacancies.  Where is the Ministerial accountability?”

Wakeham said a new PC Government under his leadership will fill vacant police positions, properly resource both police forces and establish mental health crisis units that will improve safety in communities for all of us.