Policing & Safety

“For All of Us”

The PCs earned just enough seats to form a majority government in a stunning upset during the 2025 general election on Oct. 14, 2025.

While earning 21 of 40 seats in the house of Assembly, the party only had the support of 44.5 per cent of voters, which means it is governing a population most of which did not vote for it. This is the result of our problematic first-past-the-post electoral system. 

Regardless, the PCs have made many promises that could improve the quality of life for many in our province.

The Independent has created this page as a space for journalists and the public to track the promises the PCs made before and during the election campaign, as well as any it makes after the election.

If you notice a promise we’ve missed, let us know!

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Policing & Safety

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To address rising crime, the PCs promised to:

Policing & Crime Prevention

  • Increase the presence of police in our communities. We will make sure there are enough police officers to respond to calls in a timely manner, to carry out fulsome investigations, and to take a preventative approach to crime reduction.
  • Restore the active-duty police force at the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) to the highest levels in ten years by filling all vacant positions while adding positions where necessary to meet provincial policing needs. This means hiring at least 21 new Police Officers.
  • Hire 25 new Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers to increase public safety in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Reinstate community-based policing to focus on crime prevention.
  • Ensure there are sufficient Crown Prosecutors and the necessary support staff to ensure trials proceed without delay. A delay in prosecuting crime does not reduce crime.
  • Expand mobile mental health crisis teams in the province.
  • Implement stronger civilian oversight of police services with the creation of a Police Oversight Board that is independent of police, civilian-led, politically neutral, and representative of the province’s diverse communities.
  • Work with federal lawmakers, police, and the court system to end the practice of “catch and release” where police officers arrest the same person repeatedly only to have them released back into society. We will also work with the federal government towards community-based bail enforcement and monitoring to better track compliance.
  • Continue progress towards a new Adult Corrections Facility in the metro area. The Liberals failed to replace Her Majesty’s Penitentiary despite a clear promise to do so and substantial federal money to get it done. This failure means offenders are being released back into the community without addictions treatment, fueling a revolving door of dangerous crime.
  • Support municipalities’ community safety plans.
  • Support those here at home who have the expertise and passion to provide rehabilitation services. We will support the creation of new treatment centres. This will increase access to detox, rehab treatment, and sober living for those recovering from addictions. We believe in recovery.

The party noted in its platform that safety “also about safe roadways, safe schools and safe places,” and “helping to support first responders – both paid and volunteer.” It promised to:

Emergency Services

  • Increase cellular coverage throughout the province by working with industry and advocating for additional investment from the federal government.
  • Create a public AED registry to help 911 and the public locate the nearest device in emergencies.
  • Fix the problems with the 911 system, including ambulance delays and a lack of funding to fire departments who respond to medical calls.
  • Ensure that the province is as prepared as possible to respond to natural disasters, such as floods, storms, and wildfires. This will include reviewing recent emergency responses to wildfires and making improvements for the future
  • Provide volunteer firefighters with training and equipment to respond to floods, forest fires, medical calls, and other emergencies. The Liberals only committed to purchasing wildland coveralls for 35 volunteer fire departments; we will make sure that every volunteer fire de- partment has the wildland coveralls they need.
  • Double the Volunteer Firefighter and Search and Rescue Tax Credits.
  • Maintain a fully operational and staffed water bomber fleet. A PC government will make repairs to the fifth water bomber a priority, so it can return to operation. Once repaired, it will be stationed and at the ready in Labrador.
  • Hire 50 more wildland firefighters and recruit the wildland firefighters four weeks earlier each year.

Roadways

  • Fix the Liberal mistake of canceling 24-hour snow clearing.
  • Enact a regular and proactive roadside brush-cutting maintenance plan to improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents, especially involving wildlife.
  • Increase moose fencing throughout the province.
  • Fix roads, fill potholes, and repair pavement with a multi-year planning approach