Wakeham Announces Plan to Lower Taxes and Make Life More Affordable For All of Us
September 18, 2025
Stephenville, NL – Today, Tony Wakeham, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a major plank of his election platform: a clear plan to lower taxes and help families cope with the rising cost of living.
“After a decade of Liberal government, everything costs more – from groceries to gas to housing,” said Wakeham. “Too many families are struggling to make ends meet. A PC government will deliver relief by lowering taxes, putting more money back in people’s pockets, and making life more affordable for all of us.”
To make life more affordable for all of us, Wakeham said a Progressive Conservative government will:
- Raise the basic personal exemption to $15,000 – the highest in Atlantic Canada – so no one pays provincial income tax on their first $15,000 of earnings.
- Permanently reduce the provincial gas tax and cancel the Liberal government’s planned April 1st increase.
- Introduce a tax credit for rotational workers.
- Increase the Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors’ Benefit by 20%.
- Expand eligibility for the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit to help an additional 3,000 children.
- Provide tuition refunds for graduates who stay and work in the province.
- Expand paid work terms for students to help them gain experience and build careers here at home, this includes students who are studying to be nurses, teachers, social workers, and more.
Wakeham said his plan is about putting money back in people’s pockets: “We will never balance the province’s books without first helping families balance their own. This is about more than just getting by – it’s about getting ahead. A PC government will deliver lower taxes for all of us.”
Additional parts of Wakeham’s plan to lower taxes will be outlined in the coming weeks. A cost breakdown of these commitments is below.
Costing Information
