Though some unions and stakeholders feel some key things were excluded in “safe” budget for 2025-2026Published Apr 09, 2025 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 3 minute readJessica McCormick, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) felt budget 2025-26 lacked a real and bold vision for the economy of the province. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramNewfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) president Jessica McCormick describes the budget 2025-26 as “pretty safe.”When it comes to tariff threats, there was nothing significant in terms of austerity measures, and she felt it lacked a real and bold vision for the economy of the province.Instead, McCormick says, the budget was designed to set the stage for the next premier rather than taking action now.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 contentWhat’s missing in the budget? A strong labour market strategy, McCormick said. The NLFL has been advocating for a tripartite approach involving government, employers, and unions to identify future jobs, required skills, and how to prepare the workforce.She was also disappointed to see her request for more investment to help workers unionize wasn’t addressed.“If we don’t have a strategy for that, if we’re not ready to meet that moment when it arrives, then we’re going to miss those opportunities. And I think that was a missed opportunity in this budget,” said McCormick.Missed the mark: RNUPrior to the budget, Yvette Coffey, president of the Registered Nurses Union, hoped to see violence in the workplace being addressed and a funding model established for nurse practitioners.Neither were included as line items in the budget.“How are we ever going to retain nurses if they are constantly being verbally and physically assaulted and suffering workplace injuries? It’s not there. They missed the mark,” said Coffey.Article contentCoffey felt there should have been an allocation to hire new nursing graduates.“We should have offered a permanent, full-time job to every single new grad this year, no matter if we were overstaffing — and believe me, there’s nowhere we would be overstaffing,” said Coffey.Coffey also hoped to see a larger investment in recruitment and retention efforts for registered nurses, nurse practitioners and other health-care professionals.“There is just so so many things that they missed,” said Coffey. President of the Registered Nurses Union, Yvette Coffey, said the provincial government missed the mark with budget 2025-2026. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramAlthough she wasn’t in attendance for the budget, Atlantic Chamber of Commerce CEO Rhonda Tulk said that while budget 2025 maintains tax relief and targeted investments for small and medium-sized enterprises, the Atlantic chamber believes more focus on interprovincial trade and rising costs, to ensure broader economic success, was needed.Some stakeholders happySome stakeholders are pleased with this year’s budget, including FFAW president Dwan Street.Article content“We’re always happy to see measures that address the cost of living issues, (that’s) always important to our members, fisheries specific. There wasn’t a whole lot of surprises,” she said.Street was happy to see the continuation of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund and the Harris Enterprise Loan Program.Street was curious about how the $200 million contingency fund will be used.“The fine details are going to really determine how we feel about what’s been announced, and how that rolls out to to our members,” said Street. FFAW president Dwan Street is happy with the province’s budget for 2025-2026. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramEnergy NL’s main budget wish was the continuation and modification of the Offshore Exploration Initiative. The budget allocated $90 million over three years for this initiative.In a release, Energy NL said the funding will attract offshore exploration, which benefits the supply and service sectors and creates substantial economic spinoffs.They were also pleased to see funds allocated for phase two of the natural gas resource assessment in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin, which will help better understand the potential of this energy source.“These are positive steps forward for the Newfoundland and Labrador energy industry,” the release said.Article content
What’s missing in NL’s 2025 provincial budget?
