As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we pride ourselves on living in a safe and inclusive province, bursting with culture, heritage and authenticity. Investments through Budget 2025 will help us continue to promote the beauty of Newfoundland and Labrador to the world, while celebrating it as an ideal place to work, live, and raise a family.

Municipalities

This year, investments support our commitment to contributing to the well-being of communities, and include:

• $187.5 million for funding programs and grants, including Municipal Operating Grants, Special Assistance Grants, the Community Enhancement Employment Program, Provincial Gas Tax, and the Canada Community Building Fund.
• $3.8 million for volunteer fire department equipment.
• $225,000 for volunteer firefighter training.
• $508,000 for drinking water improvement initiatives.
• $350,000 for initiatives to support the 2025 General Municipal Election.
• $100,000 for wastewater monitoring.
• $75,000 to help mark the 100th anniversary of women achieving the right to vote and hold public office.

Celebrating Film, Television, Arts and Culture

Newfoundland and Labrador’s creative industry is our crowning glory. Our colourful arts and cultural sector, combined with our thriving film and television industry, help to tell our story while contributing significantly to our economy. Budget 2025 includes:

• The All-Spend Film and Video Production Tax Credit – a refundable corporate income tax credit that is available to eligible corporations at the rate of 40 per cent of eligible production costs, to a maximum tax credit of $20 million annually per project.
• $10 million in continued support for the Film and Television Equity Investment program.
• $5 million in funding for ArtsNL to support our province’s professional artists and arts organizations.
• More than $6 million for cultural economic development and arts infrastructure, which includes an additional $1 million.
• An additional $1 million to expand the Trail of the Caribou Commemoration Program, ensuring young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians remember the sacrifices of the generations before them.

Indigenous Peoples

Our government is committed to building strong, respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities. By working together, we are fostering a future where Indigenous peoples thrive, preserve traditions, and create new opportunities for future generations. Budget 2025 includes:

• $5 million for the Inquiry Respecting the Treatment, Experiences and Outcomes of Innu in the Child Protection System.
• $316,500 for the Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program, which supports violence prevention projects created and led by Indigenous Governments and Organizations.
• $225,000 for the Gladue Report Project.
• $250,000 to enhance Indigenous Education Resources in the K-12 education system.
• $133,900 for core funding to the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network.
• $90,000 for three friendship centres to support programs and celebrate Indigenous cultures.
• $25,000 for the annual Provincial Indigenous Women’s Gathering.

Safer Communities

Our government continues to prioritize safe and healthy communities as reflected by the series of multi-year initiatives totalling $44 million that were announced recently. These initiatives build on the nearly $40 million in additional funding for the RCMP and RNC advanced over the last five years. To support public safety, Budget 2025 includes:

• $10 million for the establishment of a Joint-Task Force Unit comprised of RNC and RCMP officers to target weapon, drug, and contraband enforcement and critical incident response activities.
• Close to $4 million for disaster emergency assistance.
• Close to $4 million to launch speed cameras.
• $3.4 million for:
  • six Crown attorneys to support public prosecutions.
  • 14 new deputy sheriffs to support the Office of the High Sheriff on the island and one manager of court security for Labrador.
  • 32 new correctional officers for correctional facilities in the province, including Her Majesty’s Penitentiary, as well as one information management manager for Adult Corrections.
• 10 new frontline Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officers for the Northeast Avalon.
• $611,000 to support and maintain safe winter trail access to isolated Labrador communities.

Eliminating Gender-Based Violence

Budget 2025 provides support for the organizations and projects working to prevent violence and improve the well-being of women, girls and gender diverse people. Budget 2025 includes:

• $3.65 million to support the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence initiatives.
• $1.1 million to Status of Women Councils and Women’s Centres.
• $879,100 for violence prevention organizations engaged in grass-roots community work to prevent violence.
• $456,200 for the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women.
• More than $400,000 for the intimate partner violence units in the RCMP and RNC.
• $271,000 for the Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program.
• $225,000 for NL Health Services’ Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program.
• $152,800 for the Safe Harbour Outreach Project, a project of the St. John’s Status of Women Council.
• $152,800 in core funding to the Multicultural Women’s Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador to offer programs and services to immigrant and newcomer women and their families.
• $144,600 to End Sexual Violence NL for its 24-hour Support and Information Line.
• $64,500 to the Coalition Against the Sexual Exploitation of Youth, a project of Thrive.