
Patrick Butler
Patrick Butler is a Radio-Canada journalist based in St. John's. He previously worked for CBC News in Toronto and Montreal.
Latest from Patrick Butler
How big bucks from big tobacco prevented N.L.'s deficit from doubling
The Newfoundland and Labrador government included in this year's pre-election budget decades worth of revenues from the pending settlement of a lawsuit against tobacco companies, helping stem a flow of red ink that could have doubled the current projected deficit.
Canada -Nfld. & Labrador |

Abbott says 'safe' Hogan campaign for N.L. Liberal leadership promises 'nothing new'
The gloves are off. After a month of cordial campaigning, on Thursday John Abbott accused John Hogan, his sole opponent in the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal leadership race, of proposing "nothing new" in his bid to lead the party — and become premier.
Canada -Nfld. & Labrador |
N.L. PCs began election year with 17 times less cash than Liberals
New financial statements show Newfoundland and Labrador's Liberal Party ended 2024 with about 17 times more money in the bank than the Progressive Conservatives, with a looming provincial election slated to be called between now and Oct. 14.
Canada -Nfld. & Labrador |

Muskrat Falls lines failed 6 times since January
The Muskrat Falls transmission lines failed six times during the first quarter of 2025, although Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro says the problems had no impact on electricity customers.
Canada -Nfld. & Labrador |

N.L. schools ordered to destroy new books containing 'inaccurate information' on Indigenous people
Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Education ordered its schools to destroy thousands of books purchased two years ago because they contained 'inaccurate information' about the territories, culture and history of the province's Indigenous peoples.
Canada -Nfld. & Labrador |
Keeping Holyrood power plant open beyond 2030 would cost hundreds of millions
Keeping the aging Holyrood Thermal Generating Station open just five years beyond its potential 2030 retirement date would cost Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro more than $700 million.
Canada -Nfld. & Labrador |

Liberal leadership contenders not required to disclose campaign contributions
Both candidates in the race for the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Party leadership – a contest that will automatically elect the province’s next premier – said this week they’ll make all their campaign donations and expenses public.
Canada -Nfld. & Labrador |

New Stephenville airport owner still hasn't paid any property tax, bill grows to $500K
The mayor of Stephenville says the new owner of the town’s airport — who has promised to bring back commercial flights, pump hundreds of millions of dollars into construction and build futuristic drones — still hasn't paid any property tax.
Canada -Nfld. & Labrador |

N.L. Hydro 'taken to the cleaners' on Churchill Falls MOU, says former CEO
A former head of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro says the Crown corporation has been duped by Hydro-Québec, which he believes should have paid tens of billions more for Churchill Falls power under a new memorandum of understanding unveiled in December.
Canada -Nfld. & Labrador |

Turkish man 'smuggled' from St-Pierre to N.L. after meeting sailboat owner in bar
A Turkish national flew from Paris to the islands of St-Pierre-Miquelon in hopes of sneaking into Canada, but with no idea how. That is, until he met a Canadian sailboat owner in a bar, who offered to transport him to Newfoundland.
Canada -Nfld. & Labrador |