Survey Responses from Party Leaders

Liberal Party - John Hogan:

"Over the last three years, the Liberal Government has increased the Income Supplement by 15%. We’ve also increased the Senior’s Benefit by 15%. The health and well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is a priority for the Liberal Government. That is why, in 2023, we announced a new Poverty Reduction Plan, a three-year phased plan that is aligned with the recommendations of Health Accord NL. This plan, informed by consultation with community stakeholders, Indigenous and municipal governments, and experts, including people with lived experience, has resulted in meaningful accomplishments in key areas.

We increased the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit by 300 per cent, extended the Prenatal Early Childhood Nutrition Program up to a child’s fifth birthday, are expanding school food programs to all children pre-kindergarten to Grade 9, launched the Working Opportunities program last year, and implemented Targeted Basic Income programs.

There is more to do, and we look forward*"

New Democratic Party - Jim Dinn:

"The NL NDP commits to working with stakeholders to improve Income Support rates should we form the next government.

In addition, NDP policies – such as affordable housing, paid sick days, provincial HST off home energy and children’s goods, universal pharmacare, and expanding $10/day childcare – will help decrease the cost of living for people, thereby reducing the affordability crunch from the other side of the equation, not just through improved income."

Progressive Conservative Party - Tony Wakeham:

"A Progressive Conservative government will launch a responsive Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy with the goal of making Newfoundland and Labrador’s poverty rates the lowest in the country. This strategy will examine the current income support program to look for opportunities to help reduce food insecurity and poverty. We will also update eligibility criteria so that more families and individuals can access essential government programs when they need them most."

Liberal Party - John Hogan:

"The All-Party Committee on Basic Income has done a great deal of work since its establishment, and I thank the members of the Committee for their efforts on this important file. Our government intends to table the completed report in the House of Assembly at the earliest opportunity and that should come during the next session."

New Democratic Party - Jim Dinn:

"Too many people are falling through the cracks by no fault of their own. Government programs designed to combat poverty are too narrowly defined, restrictive, complicated and demeaning. The current Income Support system amounts to a poverty trap. The NLNDP believes so strongly in a Guaranteed Basic Livable Income that we introduced motions in the House of Assembly twice calling for government to set up an all-party committee to study the concept and make recommendations.

It took more than a year for the Liberal government to establish one – and now, several years later - we are asking for the tabling of the report during the next sitting of the House of Assembly. We have a vision where everyone can afford the basics of life. That’s why we’ll fight for a GBLI. And that work begins with going to Ottawa to negotiate co-funding for a pilot ion NL."

Progressive Conservative Party - Tony Wakeham:

"A PC government will reach out to the Chairperson of the All-Party Committee on Basic Income to determine why the report was not made public by the Liberal government. As the Chairperson was not a member of our Party and has since retired from political life, we cannot commit to tabling a report that is not ours."

Liberal Party - John Hogan:

"Our Liberal government has implemented two targeted basic income programs and we continually monitor their success. Our Targeted Basic Income Program for Youth in need of protection who receive residential services provides enhanced financial and wraparound supports, with 265 enrolled. And through the Targeted Basic Income for Seniors aged 60–64, seniors who are both in receipt of Income Support and supportive services from NLHS Community Supports Program, receive monthly benefits equivalent to federal seniors’ support.

We also launched the Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit that will achieve a basic income for Persons with Disabilities, which began in July 2025. It provides eligible individuals with up to $400/month in additional income, which is in addition to Income Support and includes a $1,200 annual contribution to a person’s Registered Disability Savings Plan."

New Democratic Party - Jim Dinn:

"Yes. See question #2."

Progressive Conservative Party - Tony Wakeham:

"Our approach is focused on putting more money directly into people’s pockets. We will lower personal income taxes so that no one pays tax on the first $15,000 of income. We will also provide targeted support by increasing the Seniors’ Benefit by 20% and extending the Child Benefit to 3,000 more children. Through a new Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy, we will strive to make Newfoundland and Labrador’s poverty rates the lowest in the country. While we support the principle of ensuring no one falls below the poverty line, we believe that a guaranteed basic income should be a national goal. A federal program would provide fairness and consistency for all Canadians, regardless of where they live."

Liberal Party - John Hogan:

"Budget 2025 announced that the Seniors’ Benefit and its eligibility threshold will be indexed to the consumer price index and came into effect in July 2025. This enhancement will benefit 50,000 seniors aged 65 or older. Our Liberal government is committed to reviewing the success of this program for any opportunities for expansion."

New Democratic Party - Jim Dinn:

"Yes, absolutely. The NL NDP supports indexing benefit programs to combat poverty and support low-income families and seniors in NL. We also believe in indexing minimum wage/living wage to inflation to prevent poverty, and ensure a basic standard of living for all residents of NL."

Progressive Conservative Party - Tony Wakeham:

"A PC government will launch a Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy that will take a holistic approach to long-term poverty reduction, this will include updating eligibility criteria. By updating eligibility criteria, we will allow more families and individuals to receive the support they require. Our goal is to make Newfoundland and Labrador a national leader in poverty reduction once again."

Liberal Party - John Hogan:

"Minimum wage rates in the province have increased significantly over the life of this administration. Today our minimum wage rate is $16.00 per hour, and the minimum overtime rate is now $24.00. An annual increase is required under the Labour Standards Regulations and is based on the percentage change in the National Consumer Price Index.

Our Liberal government understands the importance of the minimum wage rate to employees and employers in Newfoundland and Labrador, and we are committed to regularly monitor the minimum wage in our province to ensure it remains relevant, responsive and comparable to other Canadian jurisdictions."

New Democratic Party - Jim Dinn:

"Yes, the NL NDP supports and has called for a minimum wage high enough to lift workers out of poverty and provide a "livable wage," aligning with the goal of ensuring full-time, year-round workers are not below the poverty line, such as the Market Basket Measure (MBM). The party views a livable wage as a fundamental right, with policies designed to ensure that workers can meet essential costs and escape poverty.

We believe a sufficiently high minimum wage, in fact a living wage, is a critical tool to reduce working poverty, and ensure that people working full-time do not have to struggle to get by."

Progressive Conservative Party - Tony Wakeham:

"Our Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy will guide the actions of a PC government to help increase incomes for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. A previous PC administration was recognized nationally for its poverty reduction plan, and we are committed to building on that success. Our goal is to develop a robust strategy that reduces the breadth and depth of poverty, puts more money in people’s pockets, and strengthens our communities. As part of this work, we will carefully examine the question of wages."

Liberal Party - John Hogan:

"Climate change uncertainty is one of many challenges we face when trying to grow our agriculture sector. To lower costs of production, diversify the industry, enhance sustainable production methods and, overall, produce more food here at home, our government supports locally applied agriculture research. As we have seen in recent years, the threat of wildfires, water shortages and more severe storms must be dealt with. We will continue to work with Memorial University, Grenfell College, the production and research division at FFA and others in developing actions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on our food production system."

New Democratic Party - Jim Dinn:

"An NL NDP government would support policies that align with a resilient and equitable food system, such as investing in local food, addressing food insecurity, supporting Indigenous food sovereignty, and real climate action. We will focus on community-based solutions and long-term health and sustainability.

We will support the food and agriculture sector and engage with them with concrete and viable solutions.

We will engage with communities and organizations like yours to ensure a community-centric approach to policymaking and program development.

Additionally, the NL DNP will set up a Future Industries Secretariat to lead the fight to tackle the multiple challenges we face as a result of the climate crisis.

We will also assist municipalities with funding for climate-resilient infrastructure."

Progressive Conservative Party - Tony Wakeham:

"Newfoundland and Labrador is not producing enough of the food we consume. By working with farmers, food producers, and local retailers, a Wakeham PC government will grow the farming and agrifood industry to put more affordable, local food on shelves. We will launch a 10-year agriculture strategy—developed with input from farmers and experts—to remove barriers for new farmers, expand production, encourage indoor growing, and extend the growing season. We will use more Crown Lands for farming, create a farm loan guarantee program, and review grants to attract federal and private investment. We will also review the farm equipment bank and improve access to shared tools and machinery. Finally, we will support secondary food production by helping producers navigate red tape, set up processing facilities, and market their products."

Liberal Party - John Hogan:

“One of the top issues being discussed with our candidates is affordability. And we know that challenges with affordability and cost of living can have an impact on well-being.

Your Liberal government recognizes that many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians face challenges from the high cost of living in Canada and around the world, and we remain committed to keeping money in your pockets.

In addition to our Poverty Reduction Plan, we have introduced other targeted short- and long-term measures to help make life more affordable for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. These include securing a $5.2 billion deal with the federal government to stop electricity bills from doubling to pay for Muskrat, lowering child care costs from an average of $40 a day to $10 a day, a 50% reduction on the cost of registering passenger vehicles, trucks and taxis, free driver medicals for people aged 75 and older, and free shingles vaccines for seniors.

We are committed to continuing to address affordability. A re-elected Liberal government will remove the provincial portion of the HST from all residential electricity bills in the province, saving customers 10% on their bills every month, make the 50% tax cut on fuel permanent, maintain the home*”

New Democratic Party - Jim Dinn:

"It’s a real privilege to have people in the district open their doors and their hearts to their MHA or a candidate and share their stories. Some break your heart, others give you hope. Renovictions, substandard living conditions, couch surfing, food banks bursting at the seams, income supports that do not cover the costs of food, seniors who can’t afford to take their meds, or access special assistant programs because of prohibitive co-pays. Folks who can’t afford to turn on their heat, Single moms who call in sick at work because they can’t afford the gas for their car. These stories point to a system that has failed so many families and individuals through no fault of their own. The NL NDP will always fight for a NL where all of its residents can thrive. We all do better when we all do better!"

Progressive Conservative Party - Tony Wakeham:

“Across Newfoundland and Labrador, residents are telling us that the cost of living has simply become too high. Families are struggling to afford groceries, pay their bills, and keep up with everyday expenses. We know that 30% of people in our province are experiencing food insecurity, and that 40% of children live in food-insecure households. This is unacceptable.

A Progressive Conservative government will respond with a comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy aimed at making Newfoundland and Labrador’s poverty rates the lowest in the country. We will take immediate steps to put more money in people’s pockets, while also strengthening long-term supports to help families and individuals build stability. Our plan will address income supports, training and workforce development, and targeted benefits for vulnerable groups such as seniors and children. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve a government that takes these concerns seriously and acts decisively to reduce both poverty and food insecurity.”