N.L. optimistic about future of workforce despite barriers, high unemployment

Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest unemployment rate in Canada in April 2025 — 9.8 per cent — but the provincial government is not discouraged with megaprojects like Bay du Nord and the Churchill Falls MOU on the horizon. 

Premier John Hogan spoke with workforce leaders at a jobs forum in St. John's on Wednesday.

He said Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the country on projects deemed "nation building" by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

"To be honest with you, we already are the envy of the world," Hogan said.

According to the federal government, nation-building projects would "make a significant contribution to Canada's prosperity" and "advance national security, economic security, defence security and national autonomy through the increased production of energy and goods, and the improved movement of goods, services and people throughout Canada."

Examples include highways, railways, ports, airports, pipelines, critical minerals, mines, nuclear facilities and electrical transmission projects.

Hogan said Newfoundland and Labrador is currently ahead of other provinces, after hearing their pitches during a first ministers' meeting in Saskatchewan last week.

"When the media asked the premiers and the prime minister questions after we were done our meeting, they said 'Well who's going to build the pipeline?' And Premier Smith of Alberta said 'Well we don't know that yet,'" Hogan said. "'Who's going to build the transmission lines in Nova Scotia that you're talking about,' and they said 'Well, we don't know that yet either.'"

In contrast, Hogan said, Newfoundland and Labrador's plans are no longer concepts, but industry professionals are more concerned about workforce capacity and infrastructure. 

For example, Mining Industry N.L. executive director Amanda McCallum told reporters they will need 1,000 workers to help with construction or mine operations on the Baie Verte Peninsula.

She's not sure where all the workers will stay.

"The Baie Verte Peninsula, in the very near term, is certainly a pressure point," McCallum said. "When you're talking about having to increase a workforce, there's housing requirements, there's social supports, there's services."

McCallum said Mining Industry N.L. went into the jobs forum with the intent to be heard.

"It's not just jobs, it's ensuring that people have a nice, safe community to work in, that work-life balance," she said. 

The Association for New Canadians also voiced its concerns as newcomers often face additional barriers when trying to enter the workforce.

"The main challenge would be language. [The] language barrier is a common challenge for newcomers who come to the province," said Khalid Al-Hariri, the ANC's acting director of employment services. 

Jobs, Immigration and Growth Minister Gerry Byrne hosted the forum on Wednesday.

He said improving the province's workforce is a priority.

"There's a commonality with attracting a workforce, developing skills within the workforce, and creating that highly, highly dignified workplace. That's a goal for us all," Byrne said.

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.