The Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today issued the following statement following the passage of the resolution regarding the Definitive Cooperation and Implementation Agreement for Churchill Falls and Gull Island:

“Today, the House of Assembly made a historic decision about the future of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Following four days of debate, questions from experts, Members of the House of Assembly have voted in favour of a resolution regarding the new and better deal for Churchill Falls and Gull Island.

I want to thank the experts who appeared before the House and shared their time, experience and knowledge. I also want to thank my colleagues in the Legislature for the seriousness with which they approached this debate. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have been well served by their efforts.

The decision before us was significant.

For generations, the 1969 Churchill Falls Agreement has cast a long shadow over our province. While the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding represented an opportunity to begin addressing that historic injustice, the Independent Churchill River Review Committee identified significant concerns and concluded that the MOU in its then-current form was not in the public interest.

Our government went back to the negotiating table determined to secure a new and better deal, with Newfoundland and Labrador as the primary beneficiary of our own resources.

The agreement before the House delivered more power, more value and more transmission for Newfoundland and Labrador.

It gives our province control over how we use our power, providing the opportunity to support new industries and economic growth here at home.

It delivers $49 billion in value in today’s dollars, or $273 billion in nominal cash flows, over the life of the agreement.

It provides greater access to transmission so Newfoundland and Labrador can reach new markets.

It will create thousands of jobs and opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to build careers, homes and lives here in our province.

This agreement is not simply about building generating stations. It is about creating something that will outlive all of us and provide future generations with the power, revenue, jobs and opportunities to build their own future and choose their own path.

We will move forward alongside the Innu Nation, recognizing the importance of Indigenous partnership as we advance the development of Churchill Falls and Gull Island.

This is also part of a much bigger vision our government has for Newfoundland and Labrador.

From Churchill Falls and Gull Island to Bay du Nord, mining and critical minerals, and new opportunities in our marine industries, our government is focused on turning the natural resources of this province into lasting prosperity for the people who live here.

More jobs. More industry. More businesses. Stronger public services. Better infrastructure. Lower costs for families. And a stronger fiscal future for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Today, the House of Assembly took an important step toward that future.

The time to act is now.

Our government is ready to get to work building a stronger and more prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador, for all of us.”

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