Wakeham Commits to Always Prioritizing Local Workers

 

St. John’s, NL (September 4, 2025) – Today, Tony Wakeham, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and MHA for Stephenville–Port au Port, committed to ensuring that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are the primary beneficiaries of the province’s natural resource projects and public infrastructure investments.

 

Wakeham announced that a PC government will move immediately upon being elected to develop and implement a local benefits agreement on all public infrastructure contracts valued at more than $500,000.

 

These agreements will prioritize:
  • The hiring of local skilled trades workers;
  • The awarding of contracts to Newfoundland and Labrador companies;
  • The creation of opportunities for apprentices and underrepresented groups, including women, gender diverse individuals, and Indigenous workers.

 

“Government must take a lead in developing our workforce for the future and create opportunities for new graduates to go to work immediately,” said Wakeham. “A PC government will correct these errors of the past and put our local workforce first.”

 

“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians must come first when it comes to our resources and our infrastructure projects,” added Wakeham. “Local community benefits agreements will ensure our people and communities see the direct rewards of development in our province.”

 

A PC government will also commence an immediate review of benefit agreements used on resource development projects, and revise these to ensure local benefits are a priority. Trades NL has recommended benchmarks for resource development on oil and gas projects and hydro developments in Newfoundland and Labrador. Wakeham is committed to working with union leaders to incorporate these recommendations into a modern and revised benefit agreements used for resource development projects.

 

He made the announcement following a briefing hosted by Trades NL, underscoring his commitment to ensuring fair opportunities and meaningful work for the province’s tradespeople and businesses.

 

“Our people have the skills, the experience, and the determination,” said Wakeham. “It’s time to make sure they get the work they deserve and that development in this province means jobs and opportunities for all of us.”