Marine Atlantic fees, funding for First Nations, energy: Here’s what Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre promised during his time in NL April 1Published Apr 01, 2025 • 3 minute readConservative leader Pierre Poilievre arrives at a campaign stop in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador, Tuesday afternoon. At left is his wife Anaida. Keith Gosse/The Telegram Photo by Keith Gosse /Keith Gosse/The TelegramPierre Poilievre’s campaign stop in St. John’s on April 1 came with a lot of promises.Not only did he make promises to those who work in the oil, gas and energy sector but to the many fishermen in NL, and during his stops at Olympic Construction and Petty Harbour, Poilievre shared how he would fulfill these promises if elected as Prime Minister.Repeal Bill C-69For NL’s energy sector, Poilievre said he would repeal Bill C-69 and the tanker ban to be able to ship our resources to non-American markets.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“I voted against C-69, I have always been against C-69, I’ve said I will repeal C-69,” Poilievre said, adding that he would ditch the “Liberal law within 60 days of becoming Prime Minister.”Poilievre also said he supported NL’s plan to double offshore oil production by 2030.“I also will grant rapid permits for LNG Newfoundland Labrador, which will pipe gas from the Jandar oil field to the floating liquefaction facility, which will then be shipped off to Europe to break European dependence on Putin and turn dollars for dictators into paychecks for our people,” he said. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre arrives at a campaign stop in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador, Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Keith Gosse /Keith Gosse/The TelegramDoubling the fundingWhen speaking with fishermen in Petty Harbour, Poilievre announced that with a change of government, he would double the funding available for Canada’s small craft harbours.He said that he would reserve MPA zones that ban fish harvesters and would fight to get the quota back for NL harvesters.“This and the extra money that we’ll make available will be used for breakwaters to protect our infrastructure against storms, for dredging and for repairs, maintenance and operations on the small craft harbours that are essential to bring home the cash,” said Poilievre.Article contentPoilievre added that those measures will help NL and Canada stay strong against Trump’s tariffs.Recommended from Editorial Poilievre announces “Canada first” energy strategy in St. John’s campaign stop Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre visits Mount Pearl company on his second day in N.L. Fair is fair: NL politicians call for feds to ditch Marine Atlantic fees if tolls for P.E.I. bridge are removed ‘Don’t vote Pierre’ chant protestors during Poilievre’s visit to NL Giving First Nations funds, cutting Marine Atlantic feesPoilievre also said he would scrap the energy cap, the industrial carbon tax and speed up the process for mine approvals.Poilievre also said he wants to give loan guarantee control to First Nations. He added that he also wants to give First Nation governments the opportunity to collect a share of federal and corporate income tax from the companies that harvest resources on their land.“The choice is, after the lost Liberal decade, do we want to elect them to a fourth term, where they block resources for First Nations, or whether we want to put Canada first for a change with a new Conservative government that will unlock the power of First Nations workers and investment in our resource sector,” said Poilievre.Article content Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in Petty Harbour, NL, April 1, with his wife Anaida, left. Photo by Keith Gosse /Keith Gosse/The TelegramOutside of his promises — which he called demands, and clarified that they weren’t his demands but come from the 14 largest energy companies in the country — Poilievre did touch on a few other items, such as Marine Atlantic fees.In NL, the provincial government has called for Marine Atlantic fees to be lifted after the Conservatives pledged to eliminate bridge tolls in Canada’s other island province, Prince Edward Island. Poilievre said he is “definitely open” to eliminating them, adding it is something he is looking at currently. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre leaves a campaign stop in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador, Tuesday afternoon with his wife, Anaida. Photo by Keith Gosse /Keith Gosse/The Telegram‘Reverse course’Though his promises were at the forefront, Poilievre had a message beyond that, which he spread on the island during his stops.He emphasized that if a Liberal government was elected for another term, Canada wouldn’t be put first — whereas a Conservative government would do just that, he said.“Carney has the wrong plan, and our blessed country needs a new leader and a new change so that we can reverse course,” said Poilievre.Article content
Pierres promises: A look at Conservative leader’s promises during St. John’s campaign stop
