FFAW RELEASES ELECTION REPORT CARD
April 27, 2025
With just one day to go before the Canadian federal election, FFAW-Unifor conducted a federal election questionnaire, seeking clear, direct commitments from all major parties on the pressing issues facing members and the broader coastal communities of Newfoundland and Labrador. As in previous elections, our goal was to present these responses in a transparent “Report Card” format, empowering our members to make informed decisions at the ballot box.
Profound Disappointment in Liberal & Conservative Parties
We must express our deep disappointment in both the Liberal and Conservative parties for their failure to make any clear or meaningful commitments to the people of coastal Newfoundland and Labrador. Despite being presented with yes/no questions on issues central to the future of our fisheries and rural communities, both parties avoided direct answers or failed to offer substantive commitments. In accordance with our process, any lack of clarity or refusal to directly answer is recorded as a rejection of the commitment sought.
This outcome is especially disheartening given the longstanding sense of abandonment felt by our members—concerns that have not been adequately addressed by the Prime Minister, the Liberal government, or the Conservative opposition. Our members expected unequivocal positions on fisheries resource management, policy decisions, and the federal government’s legislated obligation to support adjacency and the long-term sustainability of our coastal communities.
Implications for Coastal Communities
The priorities outlined in our questionnaire reflect the urgent needs and frustrations of inshore harvesters and plant workers, who have watched as successive governments fail to deliver on promises or meaningfully engage with the realities of life and work in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. The lack of clear commitments from both major parties only reinforces the perception that the concerns of our region are being sidelined in federal decision-making.
FFAW-Unifor remains steadfast in demanding clear, actionable commitments and real follow-through from those seeking to represent our communities in Ottawa. Our members deserve nothing less.