In state of the province address, Andrew Furey says he's energized with eyes on the future

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey's state of the province address in front of the St. John's Board of Trade took on a theme of energy — in more ways than one.

Furey said he's prepared to fight for residents and continued growth, as a provincial election looms on the horizon. 

"We must collectively stop thinking in terms of borders, and instead fully embrace the concept of reach," Furey told a sold out crowd of business and industry professionals Tuesday.

"We have a comeback story here in Newfoundland and Labrador, one that we're living today. And the rest of the country, the rest of the continent, and I can tell you the world, knows that we are now a contender."

Furey told the crowd he feels energized by growth in the province's economy, touting that consumer spending, new housing starts, retail, vehicle sales and employment are all on the rise. Newfoundland and Labrador's credit rating was raised by credit rating agency DBRS Morningstar in August 2023 from an A (low) rank to an A rank.

A path forward means focusing on growing businesses and fuelling the economy, he said, which comes with government needing to cut down on red tape.

"We are always trying to help make things efficient, make things effective for business, and we hear their feedback loud and clear," he told reporters after his speech.

"I understand there's frustration. We feel the frustration of pace, by the way, in urgency within government ourselves."

Furey's talk of energy also brought him to the province's energy aspirations in oil and gas, wind, hydrogen and hydroelectricity. He affirmed that oil and gas is still a necessity moving forward.

"Let me be crystal clear. The world needs our oil and gas today. It's a product that I love, it's a product the world needs and with its lower carbon profile it's a product that the environment requires today," he said.

Furey also spoke on the province's deal with Quebec on the Churchill Falls. Signed in 1969, the contract has made more than $28 billion for Quebec's hydro utility, while only returning $2 billion to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Furey called the agreement a thorn in the side of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"We now have an opportunity to write a new history that will benefit Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for generations to come," he said. "I will only accept a deal that ensures full and fair benefits for everyone in Newfoundland and Labrador."

N.L. energized to fight with Ottawa

Part of Furey's energy is also focused on Ottawa.

He has been vocal in his opposition of items like the federal carbon tax, saying it doesn't work for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, along with an "unfair" equalization payment system and management of fisheries.

"We are energized when it comes to our future goals, and doing everything possible to get us there, regardless of political stripe in Ottawa," he said.

In particular, Furey criticized the decision made by the federal government to slash the number of immigrants entering Canada over the course of the next four years — from 485,000 this year to 360,000 in 2027.

He said the province relies on immigration, and he wants Ottawa to reconsider its choice.

"We need to make sure that we're protecting the immigration pathways not just for the future of the businesses and Newfoundland and Labrador, but the for the future of Newfoundland and Labrador by and large."

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