Article content“It’s sad when you see a situation where people have to be evicted from their accommodations because of the conditions of the building,” Wakeham said.Article contentHe added that Newfoundland and Labrador Housing was working on solutions for the displaced tenants.Article contentOn rent control, Wakeham acknowledged the rising cost of living and said the government would continue to support people through existing assistance programs.Article content“That’s something that we’ll look at and discuss and look at the pros and cons of what that would look like,” he said.Article content Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham gives his state of the province address at a Board of Trade luncheon Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Keith Gosse/The TelegramArticle contentCBS urgent care centre still plannedArticle contentWakeham reaffirmed his government’s commitment to a third urgent care centre in Conception Bay South, despite staffing challenges at the Mount Pearl center, which has yet to open.Article contentHe said CBS is a growing community and another center could help ease pressure on health services in St. John’s.Article content“It will take some of the flow away from the centre city,” he said.Article contentWakeham acknowledged, however, that building facilities alone would not resolve the province’s health-care challenges.Article contentArticle contentRecruitment and retention remain essential, he said, adding that the government has met with unions and will continue discussions.Article content Prime Minister Mark Carney greets Innu Nation Grand Chief Jodie Ashini in St. John’s, NL on Aug. 17, 2026, during the announcement of a new deal for Churchill Falls. Photo by The Telegram/File photoArticle contentDisagreement with Innu NationArticle contentWakeham said his government intends to reach an agreement with the Innu Nation over Churchill Falls after being asked whether the province could move ahead without their agreement.Article contentIn his address, Wakeham called the deal a “win, win, win” and said he hoped the Innu would be involved.Article content“I think what we’ll do is we will sit down with the Innu and come to an agreement,” he said.Article contentWakeham acknowledged that he had not personally spoken with Innu representatives recently, but said government negotiating teams and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro had continued to engage with them.Article contentAsked why he had not reached out personally, he said he had met with Innu Nation Grand Chief Jodie Ashini “many” times.Article contentHe recalled discussing Ashini’s access to provincial archaeology records, saying, “I said she could have access to all that information.”Article contentArticle contentWakeham said he would meet with Innu leadership again “at the appropriate time,” but did not give a date.Article contentEconomic growth to tackle debtArticle contentIn his State of the Province address, Wakeham presented offshore oil and gas and the Churchill Falls agreement as key opportunities to create jobs and generate revenue.Article contentHe argued that the province could not rely on spending cuts alone to improve its finances.Article content“You don’t cut your way to prosperity. You grow your way,” he said.Article contentThe address marked one year since the Progressive Conservatives took office.Article contentMHA pay report still under reviewArticle contentWakeham said he had received a report on Members of the House of Assembly’s pay but had not yet read it.Article contentThe report will go to the Management Commission for consideration.Article content“Once I go through a report and read through it all, it’s always a challenge, of course, when you’re asked to bring something back to the House of Assembly, to vote on your own increases,” said Wakeham.Article contentHe said he wanted to consider the report’s recommendations before taking a position. He also pointed to the need to attract more candidates with different backgrounds to the legislature.
Wakeham defends Barbour over rubber-boot keychain purchase, pledges cost-of-living relief
