This week’s announcement about the Bay du Nord project and the benefits agreement between the Province and Equinor marks an important moment for our province. Projects like this have real implications for the future of offshore work in Newfoundland and Labrador, and for the workers and families who rely on that sector.

Many of our own people work in the trades and offshore, and many of us have built our lives around that work. My own experience in the trades taught me just how much major industrial projects can mean for workers, families, and the communities that depend on them.

As this project moves ahead, it’s important to us that Indigenous people are meaningfully included, and that our members have real opportunities to take part in the jobs, contracts, and economic activity that come with projects of this scale.

As your Nation, our priority is to lead projects in a way that balances economic growth with environmental responsibility. By uplifting traditional knowledge and community voices, we can help ensure that development is done responsibly, protecting our lands and waters for future generations.

We continue to invest in our people. Every year, we put significant resources into education, training, and workforce development so our members can build careers in offshore energy, marine services, and the skilled trades. We’re also exploring partnerships with industry to help strengthen the workforce needed for future growth here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

We’re investing in the marine sector as well. Newdock, Canada’s first Indigenous‑owned shipyard, is positioned to support offshore development through fabrication, maintenance, and other marine services. As offshore activity increases, facilities like Newdock can play an important role in supporting the work that surrounds major projects, including barge construction, maintenance, and other essential services.

Projects like Bay du Nord have the potential to create benefits across many sectors and throughout the supply chain. Our focus is making sure we, as a people, are ready and well positioned to take part in those opportunities as they come, while leading in a way that respects both our environment and our communities.