(March 5, 2021) – PC Leader Ches Crosbie says it’s time to Bring Back Jobs and renew hope for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Crosbie says a PC government would prioritize growth over cuts. He says that’s the only way to truly get our economy on track.

“The PC Blue Book is brimming with ideas to stimulate job growth, increase access to healthcare, and prepare Newfoundland and Labrador for the post-pandemic recovery. We will support job creators and help critical industries such as offshore oil and gas, tourism, and fisheries prepare for a post-pandemic world,” said Crosbie.

Crosbie says his “made in Newfoundland and Labrador” approach contrasts with the Liberal record of hiring outsiders to dictate the future of our economy, like the American company that’s been contracted to cut the province’s healthcare system.

“We have the people, the resources, and the can-do spirit to turn our economy around,” says Crosbie. “The missing ingredient is a government with a plan to Bring Back Jobs and stand up for our province on the national and international stage. That’s what Progressive Conservatives are offering.”

Crosbie says recent weeks have proven Andrew Furey does not deserve four full years with a majority mandate.

“The election is a mess, the economy is in ruins, people are leaving this province in record numbers every day. That is the Liberal record. Voters must now decide whether Andrew Furey deserves four full years with a majority government after seeing the mess he’s created,” said Crosbie.

“Now is the chance to make real, positive change for Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Crosbie.

Policy highlights:

1. Strategic tax relief: Targeted tax relief will allow businesses to hire more Newfoundlanders and Labradorians by cutting the job-killing payroll tax, enacting a relocation tax benefit to allow businesses to attract and retain new talent, and providing a hiring tax benefit to promote job creation.

2. Fairness from Ottawa: A PC government will be the fierce advocate Newfoundland and Labrador deserves in the coming negotiations with Ottawa, arguing for a new fiscal arrangement that recognizes geography and the cost of servicing residents, getting results on Equalization, and ensuring a federal equity stake in the Muskrat Falls development project.

3. Local workers first: By requiring local benefits policies when public funds are spent on infrastructure, a PC government will ensure local workers see the full benefit of local work. A PC government will also require a percentage of new hires on public projects are staffed by apprentices.

4. Supporting traditional and new industries: A PC government will demand federal action to get our offshore oil and gas industry back to work, while preparing for the green economy by allowing development of natural gas and meeting greenhouse gas reduction standards set by the federal government.

5. Unlocking Labrador’s potential: A PC government will ensure Labrador is a priority and unlock the economic potential by developing a Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador in collaboration with local stakeholders. We’ll also launch a feasibility study on a North Coast highway to increase economic activity throughout the region and review services and bed availability in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Labrador West.

6. Support public health: A PC government will support the COVID-19 pandemic response and work with public health officials with the aim of keeping our people safe and our economy open.

7. Sustaining the fishery: A PC government will negotiate joint management of fisheries to make sure decisions are made closer to home, work with stakeholders to expand secondary processing opportunities, and empower the Fish Processing Licensing Board to inquire into foreign ownership of fish processing operations.

8. Empowering women: A PC government would immediately develop pay equity legislation, ensure a gender-based analysis plus lens is applied to all government decisions, and bring back the standalone Status of Women portfolio cut by Andrew Furey.

9. Modernize mining: A PC government will promote the wealth of undeveloped mineral resources including rare earth minerals critical to green technology, while incentivizing mining exploration and review the mining royalties and taxation regime.

10. Revitalize tourism: A PC government recognizes the critical role tourism will play in the economic recovery of the province and will ensure a strong post-pandemic comeback. We will launch an air access strategy to bring back air routes to the province, complemented with a land and sea access strategy focusing on affordability and accessibility, and promote the tourism industry through targeted national and international marketing campaigns.
 

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Communications

(p) (709) 769-2216

-30-