Newfoundland and Labrador – Premier Wakeham and Cabinet Sworn-in
The Progressive Conservatives, having won the recent Newfoundland and Labrador election, were sworn-in earlier this morning, the first time the PCs have held the levers of power since 2015.
Premier Wakeham noted today:
“We must use the opportunity in front of us to make a difference and deliver positive change so that more Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can achieve their dreams right here at home. Our team has the right combination of veteran experience and new energy to deliver a better, brighter future for all of us.”
The New Cabinet
- Barry Petten, who had served as the PC Health Critic prior to the election, became Deputy Premier and Minister of Transportation.
- Helen Conway Ottenheimer takes over as Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
- Paul Dinn is the new Minister of Education.
- Lela Evans is the Minister of Health and Minister of Labrador Affairs and Indigenous Relations.
- Loyola O’Driscoll is the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
- Craig Pardy is Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board.
- Lloyd Parrott has taken on the newly-named portfolio of Energy and Mines.
- Chris Tibbs is the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
- Joedy Wall is Minister of Social Supports, Housing, Poverty Reduction and Persons with Disabilities.
- Lin Paddock is Minister of Jobs and Growth, Rural Development and Immigration.
- The Tourism, Culture and Arts portfolio will be held by Andrea Barbour.
- Mike Goosney takes on the Ministry of Government Services, Labour and Workplace NL.
- Lastly, Pleaman Forsey takes over for agriculture and forestry.
Current Seats and Overview
The PCs garnered 21 seats in the recent election, compared to 15 for the Liberals, two for the NDP and two independents.
John Hogan, who served as the last premier, having taken over the Liberal leadership from Andrew Furey in the spring of 2025, has vowed to remain in leadership and serve as Leader of the Opposition.
The Wakeham government will face several public policy hurdles in the coming months and years. The Fraser Institute recently noted, “Newfoundland and Labrador’s deficit will now reach a projected $626 million this year, more than double the original forecast of $372 million in the spring budget. In other words, things have gotten worse for Canada’s most indebted province (measured as a share of the economy, or on a per-person basis).”
Former premier Andrew Furey negotiated a memorandum of understanding with Quebec in relation to a hydroelectricity agreement with Hydro-Quebec, which would replace the 1969 contract that has been a source of frustration for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for generations. Premier Wakeham asserted after the election that no deal would go ahead without the approval of voters in a referendum. In his election night speech, Wakeham stated: “We will develop Churchill Falls. We will develop Gull Island. We will electrify Labrador. We will develop our resources, with our workers, for the benefit of our communities. But the era of a rubber-stamp government is over. When it comes to our province’s resources, we will be the ones calling the shots.”
The complete list of portfolios and ministers is below:
- Premier, President of Executive Council, and Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs – Honourable Tony Wakeham
- Deputy Premier, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Minister of Public Procurement– Honourable Barry Petten
- Minister of Finance, President of Treasury Board, Minister of Seniors, Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission, and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation – Honourable Craig Pardy
- Minister of Health and Community Services, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, Minister of Labrador Affairs, and Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation – Honourable Lela Evans
- Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Registrar General, Minister of Community Engagement, Minister of Environment, Conservation, and Climate Change, and Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board – Honourable Chris Tibbs
- Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Arts, Minister of Sport, Recreation, and Parks, Minister Responsible for PictureNL, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, and Minister Responsible for the Pippy Park Commission – Honourable Andrea Barbour
- Minister of Government Services, Minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer, Minister of Labour, Minister Responsible for WorkplaceNL – Honourable Mike Goosney
- Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Minister of Advanced Education and Skills – Honourable Paul Dinn
- Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Minister of Women and Gender Equality, Attorney General, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management, Minister Responsible for Access to Information and Protection of Privacy, and Minister Responsible for the Human Rights Commission – Honourable Helen Conway Ottenheimer
- Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture – Honourable Loyola O’Driscoll
- Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, and Minister of Crown Lands – Honourable Pleaman Forsey
- Minister of Jobs and Growth, Minister of Rural Development, Minister of Immigration, and Minister of Francophone Affairs – Honourable Lin Paddock
- Minister of Energy and Mines, Government House Leader – Honourable Lloyd Parrott
- Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being, Minister of Housing, Minister of Poverty Reduction, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and Deputy Government House Leader – Honourable Joedy Wall