
Catholic Teaching
God gave humans dominion over the earth, thereby making us stewards of creation as we work with Him in His continuing act of creation.
We must constantly consider how our actions glorify or harm this wonderous gift God has entrusted to us. This is a multi-faceted question, which must not be over-simplified.
With a vocation to glorify all life which includes respect for the inviolability and integrity of life, humans find themselves in the presence of all God’s other creatures. We can and are obliged to put them at our own service and to enjoy them, but our dominion over the world requires the exercise of responsibility. It is not a freedom of arbitrary and selfish exploitation. All of creation has value and is “good” in the sight of God. This is a marvelous challenge to human intellect. – 112, 113, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork
is essential to a life of virtue: it is not an optional or
secondary aspect of our Christian experience.
-23, 217, Laudato Si’
The Book of Genesis provides us with certain foundations of Christian anthropology, including the meaning of human activity in the world, which is linked to the discovery and respect of the laws of nature that God has inscribed in the created universe, so that humanity may live in it and care for it in accordance with God’s will. – 37, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
Climate Change
There is urgency to this issue. Every Pope since at least Paul VI has written of our need to shift to a more responsible use of the earth and its abundant resources. The Church accepts that that need is now urgent.
A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system… Humanity is called to recognize the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption, in order to combat… at least the human causes which produce or aggravate it. It is true that there are other factors, yet a number of scientific studies indicate that most global warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases released mainly as a result of human activity. – Pope Francis, Laudato si’, –23
Energy & Resources
The good steward neither allows the resources entrusted to him to lie fallow or to fail to produce their proper fruit, nor does he waste or destroy them (Matthew 25:14-30). Rather, he uses them responsibly, for the Lord’s purposes, to realize their increase so that he may enjoy his livelihood and provide for the good of his family, his descendants, and his neighbors.
Humanity’s relationship with creation and the creatures of the earth “requires the exercise of responsibility, it is not a freedom of arbitrary and selfish exploitation.” – 115, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
One of the higher priority issues in economics is the utilization of resources, that is, of all those goods and services to which economic subjects — producers and consumers in the private and public spheres — attribute value because of their inherent usefulness in the areas of production and consumption… Resources in nature are quantitatively scarce, which means that each individual economic subject, as well as each individual society, must necessarily come up with a plan for their utilization in the most rational way possible, following the logic dictated by the “principle of economizing.” – 346, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Because of the powerful means of transformation offered by technological civilization, it seems that the balance between man and the environment has reached a critical point… A reductionistic conception quickly spread, starting from the presupposition — which was seen to be erroneous — that an infinite quantity of energy and resources are available, that it is possible to renew them quickly, and that the negative effects of the exploitation of the natural order can be easily absorbed… – 461, 462, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Conservation & Sustainable Development
Care for the environment represents a challenge for all of humanity. It is a matter of a common and universal duty, that of respecting a common good, destined for all, by preventing anyone from using “with impunity the different categories of beings, whether living or inanimate — animals, plants, the natural elements — simply as one wishes, according to one’s own economic needs.”
Responsibility for the environment, the common heritage of mankind, extends not only to present needs but also to those of the future… This is a responsibility that present generations have towards those of the future… A correct understanding of the environment… at the same time…must not absolutize nature and place it above the dignity of the human person himself. In this latter case, one can go so far as to divinize nature or the earth, as can readily be seen in certain ecological movements that seek to gain an internationally guaranteed institutional status for their beliefs. – 346, 461-463, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Species Diversity & Wildlife
Man and woman find themselves also in the presence of all the other creatures. They can and are obliged to put them at their own service and to enjoy them, but their dominion over the world requires the exercise of responsibility, it is not a freedom of arbitrary and selfish exploitation. All of creation has value and is “good” in the sight of God, who is its author. Man must discover and respect its value. This is a marvellous challenge to his intellect, which should lift him up as on wings towards the contemplation of the truth of all God’s creatures, that is, the contemplation of what God sees as good in them. Man must recognize all of God’s creatures for what they are and establish with each of them a relationship of responsibility. – 113, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
“Each of the various creatures, willed in its own being, reflects in its own way a ray of God’s infinite wisdom and goodness. Man must respect the particular goodness of every creature, to avoid any disordered use of things which would be in contempt of the Creator and would bring disastrous consequences for human beings and their environment.” – 339, Catechism of the Catholic Church
It is a responsibility that must mature on the basis of the global dimension of the present ecological crisis… This perspective takes on a particular importance when one considers, in the context of the close relationships that bind the various parts of the ecosystem, the environmental value of biodiversity, which must be handled with a sense of responsibility and adequately protected… -466, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Climate Change
The party’s 2025 Budget speech states that its commitment to safeguarding the provincial environment and provincial residents remains resolute. Its goal is to be net zero by 2050. To achieve that goal, it advocates:
-helping homeowners become more energy efficient and transition from oil to electric heat; and Increasing access to electric vehicles and chargers.
-to assist businesses, organizations, Indigenous groups, and post-secondary institutions meet this goal, Budget 2025 includes:
*$14.3 million for the Green Transition Fund;
*a 20 per cent Green Technology Tax Credit; and,
*$12 million for the Climate Change Challenge Fund.
-issues of waste management and wastewater are critical issues for municipalities as they work to create safer environments in their communities. For 2025, it has allocated $2 million for a provincial waste management strategy and $100,000 for wastewater monitoring.
Energy & Resources
In its most recent platform statement (dated 2019), the party states that:
-it got $320 million from the federal government for an Oil & Gas recovery fund.
-it secured $844 million in Federal relief for Muskrat Falls hyrdo project costs.
Clean energy “Centre of Excellence”
In its most recent platform statement (dated 2019), the party states that:
-it undertakes to address climate change with a dual sense of responsibility and opportunity. In order to reduce the province’s environmental footprint, it committed to achieve net zero by 2050. “Net zero” refers to striking a balance within a jurisdiction between greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) produced and GHGs eliminated or taken out of the atmosphere.
-demand for renewable energy solutions is growing around the world, and companies are ramping up investment in green industries. Newfoundland and Labrador can be a global leader in the green transition.
-it advocates working with the private sector to identify key clean growth industries and building on existing competencies in these sectors; and engaging with investors from around the world to promote Newfoundland and Labrador as the global destination for green investment.
Species, Diversity & Wildlife, Resources, Conservation & Sustainable Development
Agriculture
The party’s most recent platform statement (dated 2019) states that:
-it will continue to support the growth of the agricultural sector and meet the goal of increasing provincial food security to 20 percent by 2022, continuing to identify opportunities to grow, buy, and export healthy food from Newfoundland and Labrador, including exploring investments to assist local food producers to increase productivity and scale up.
-to encourage healthy eating and improve food self-sufficiency, it advocates increased support for Community Gardens, which invests up to $100,000 annually to establish new and enhance existing community gardens and has implemented 124 projects with upwards of 5,900 gardeners and students participating.
Aquaculture
The party’s most recent platform statement (dated 2019) states that:
-aquaculture is a promising industry with large, growing demand from export markets around the world. Newfoundland and Labrador is well positioned to establish itself internationally and capitalize on the growing global aquaculture market.
-it advocates strategic investment in aquaculture to promote competitive advantage, including development of a multi-species strategy for resilience and job growth.
-it seeks to ensure that growth of the aquaculture industry is inclusive and creates economic and business opportunities for all gender and Indigenous entrepreneurs, and serves as a platform for entrepreneurial and technology sector growth.
Secondary processing
The party’s most recent platform statement (dated 2019) states that:
-it advocates investment to grow the value and volume of provincial exports by exploring secondary processing and manufacturing opportunities, including working with industry to research and identify opportunities, including new uses for materials currently considered to be waste or low-value byproducts.
Wild-caught fishery & aquaculture
The party’s most recent platform statement (dated 2019) states that:
-it is committed to supporting and growing the province’s wild caught fishing industry, guided by knowledge from DFO science, from fish harvesters and from other industry stakeholders. This industry is the backbone of many rural communities, and a pillar of the provincial economy as a whole.
-it advocates integrating the fishery as a key industry in the future provincial economy, in an inclusive and growth-minded way, creating synergies with the technology sector while creating new economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples, women and young people in the industry.
-it advocates managing transition to greater groundfish activity, and investigating threats and opportunities in the shellfish and seal industries, as well as working with the province’s Fisheries Advisory Council both to navigate the immediate future and chart the path forward for a modern, world class fishery.
The party’s 2025 Budget speech states that:
-fisheries remain a large part of the provincial culture, economy, and identity. Local seafood products are exported to 38 countries with exports totalling approximately $1 billion annually. It employes more than 16,000 workers in 400 communities.
-to help modernize and position the industry for long-term success, during its term in office the party has promoted enhanced seafood quality; enabled fish harvesters to bring their product to new markets; lifted caps on snow crab processing licenses; and launched a new Harvester Enterprise Loan Program.
-it has also recently introduced a $5.75 million Seafood Marketing Support Program to help identify and develop new markets for local seafood products.
-to maintain the Atlantic Fisheries Fund as a cornerstone of its strategy, driving innovation and transformation in the fish and seafood sector, the party proposes allocation of $4 million to support infrastructure, innovation, and science partnership initiatives.
-there is also $500,000 available in the Multi-Species Research and Development Fund which will support investment in the research and development of aquaculture species that are not currently commercialized in the province.
Clean energy “Centre of Excellence”
The party’s most recent platform statement (dated 2019) states that:
-it undertakes to address climate change with a dual sense of responsibility and opportunity. In order to reduce the province’s environmental footprint, it committed to achieve net zero by 2050. “Net zero” refers to striking a balance within a jurisdiction between greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) produced and GHGs eliminated or taken out of the atmosphere.
-demand for renewable energy solutions is growing around the world, and companies are ramping up investment in green industries. Newfoundland and Labrador can be a global leader in the green transition.
-it advocates working with the private sector to identify key clean growth industries and building on existing competencies in these sectors; and engaging with investors from around the world to promote Newfoundland and Labrador as the global destination for green investment.
Oil & gas
The party’s most recent platform statement (dated 2019) states that:
-it will continue to support the hard-working women and men in the oil and gas industry. During its prior term in office it secured a $320 million investment from Ottawa, and established the Oil and Gas Industry Recovery Task Force to help distribute the funding to maximize value and employment.
-$32 million of that fund was dedicated to support the provincial service and supply sector, another $16.6 million to keep the Come by Chance refinery in warm idle and ensure employment while the owner continues towards securing a buyer or investor.
-it also established an accelerated exploration initiative to provide companies with the incentive to drill more wells in the best prospects. This is a policy measure that will allow all future bid deposit forfeitures to be reinvested, resulting in an injection of hundreds of millions of dollars into the provincial offshore.
-undertakes to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador is a globally-preferred location for investment in oil and gas, by emphasizing exploration in an environmentally sustainable manner to drive discovery and production.
The party’s 2025 budget speech states that:
-it expects $1.59 billion in oil royalties for 2025-2026.
-the party considers the oil and gas industry to be a major contributor to the provincial economy, directly employing more than 3,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The future is positive with West White Rose expected to produce first oil next year. Over its 14-year life span, it is expected to generate nearly $20 billion in gross domestic product, and over $7 billion in labour income. Equinor continues to work to advance the Bay du Nord project. We will continue to work with the company to maximize benefits for our province.
-with over 650 leads and 20 basins mapped there is much opportunity in offshore as well, especially with its low carbon per barrel.
-to increase exploration and encourage discovery, beginning in 2026, it proposes allocation of $90 million over three years to advance an offshore exploration fund. This measure will provide incentive for drilling activity, employment opportunities, enhance global competitiveness at a critical time, and position the province to realize its significant resource potential.
-$20 million is allocated through the Innovation and Business Development Fund to grow the province’s energy supply and service capabilities and position the province as a preferred location for energy development.
-almost $1 million is also allocated for phase two of a natural gas resource assessment to build an inventory of proven and prospective gas resources in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin.
Mining
The party’s most recent platform statement (dated 2019) states that:
-Newfoundland and Labrador has rich deposits of the minerals the world requires, including materials required for electric cars and other areas of growing demand. This presents opportunities for well-paying jobs and economic activity in our rural regions.
-during its prior term in office it allocated $1.7 million to support the mineral exploration industry through the Prospector Assistance Program and Junior Exploration Assistance Program. It will continue to support exploration and innovation in order to realize the potential of our mining sector in a productive, sustainable manner, including identifying high-potential opportunities for extraction and secondary processing, and reviewing the provincial regulatory regime to ensure timely and responsible development.
Forestry
The party’s 2025 Budget speech states that:
-the provincial forestry sector has a market value of approximately $340 million, with total direct employment of close to 2,000 people. Managing our forest habitat supports provincial wildlife and game populations.
-the province has taken the lead to deliver effective wildfire management and emergency responses for the long-term protection of Atlantic Canada’s forests, communities, and residents, including by allocation of $4.2 million for 2025, to establish an Atlantic Wildfire Centre, building on the province’s air services, procuring firefighting equipment, and providing extensive training for department wildfire-fighting staff.
-$4 million is allocated for the Spruce Budworm Early Intervention Strategy, which is a proactive approach to preventing outbreaks of forest pests that threaten our forests. The Provincial Silviculture Program supports reforestation efforts by producing approximately five to seven million high-quality tree seedlings annually at the Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Development.

Climate Change
Green New Deal
The party’s latest published policy statement (dated 2021) states that it advocates a provincial Green New Deal aimed at social, economic, and environmental betterment throughout the province, including:
-consultation with community groups and stakeholders to explore the most effective approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide a just transition for workers in affected industries, strengthen environmental protections, update the provinces labour laws, and other actions with the goal of building a more just and equitable society while working to protect the environment.
The party further declares climate change to be a global emergency, and that fighting climate change is a top priority.
-it commits to reducing net carbon emissions to at least 50% of 2005 levels by 2030, and will support programs to achieve net-zero carbon emissions within the province by 2050.
-it advocates achieving net zero by reviewing financial legislation to ensure provincial financial levers and Crown corporations are aligned with the goal of net zero.
-it supports a just transition for workers as the economy transitions away from fossil fuels, ensuring they will thrive while leveraging skills and experience to achieve climate targets.
-it advocates working with municipalities on the Avon Peninsula having significant commuting populations to organize appropriate public transit options in the St John’s Metro Area to decrease reliance on individual vehicles.
Species, Diversity, & Wildlife
The party’s latest published policy statement (dated 2021) states that it supports:
-allowing surrogate hunters, with no distance limit, to hunt game on behalf of hunters with mobility issues and other disabilities, and undertakes to push government to fill vacant wildlife officer positions in Labrador to ensure that regulations are followed and provincial wildlife populations are preserved.
-recognition of a trapper’s base camp and its associated tilts as one enterprise and subsequently billed as a single Permit to Occupy, including establishment of a working group between the Lands and Wildlife Divisions to review outstanding trapper issues and to engage in meaningful collaboration with the Newfoundland and Labrador Trappers Association.
Energy & Resources
The party’s latest published policy statement (dated 2021) states that it advocates:
-increasing royalty payments for natural resource extractors by an additional 3% per annum, and increasing their corporate tax rates to 20% immediately.

The party has published no current statement concerning its policies relating to:
• Climate Change
• Species, Diversity, & Wildlife
Conservation & Sustainable Development
As one of its three policy pillars, the party’s most recent platform publication (dated 2019), identifies providing jobs and hope to restore confidence in the future and assist in keeping young people in the province, including by:
-implementing a cod and seal plan, based on science, to recover cod and seal populations grow rural NL.
-banning single-use plastic bags.
-promoting provincial forestry, to bring more employment and value-added spinoffs benefits to local communities.
-implementing an Agriculture Action Plan to promote collaboration with farmers to grow provincial potential.
-implementing a farm loan guarantee program, proving real help so the province can produce much more of its own food.
-to promote the mining industry, applying the lessons of oil and gas by driving geoscience and exploration.
Ocean economy
The party’s most recent platform publication (dated 2019) states that:
-the vast majority of the resource and economic activity that underpins the province’s economy – fisheries, marine aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, shipping, ports, maritime and coastal tourism – occurs in the waters and the seabed of the Continental Shelf.
-the province’s contiguous waters and seabed were under the province’s contraol when Newfoundland and Labrador joined the Confederation in 1949, and they are now in federal jurisdiction.
-the ocean economy provides livelihoods for a significant share of the provincial population and is worth billions of dollars, and it is expected to double by 2030.
-the Atlantic Accord, negotiated between the province and the federal government, made the province and the federal government co-managers of the province’s Offshore Oil and Gas industry, and the “principal beneficiary”of it. Bill C-69 resulted in more costly and time-consuming regulations that threaten the province’s resource economy, and diminishes the principles of joint management set out in the Atlantic Accord by transferring key management decisions to federal agencies and the federal cabinet, denying the province its full entitlement to benefits from offshore oil and gas resources. The party advocates fighting for the province’s rights.
-the Atlantic Accord, negotiated between the province and the federal government, made the province and the federal government co-managers of the province’s Offshore Oil and Gas industry, and the “principal beneficiary”of it. Bill C-69 resulted in more costly and time-consuming regulations that threaten the province’s resource economy, and diminishes the principles of joint management set out in the Atlantic Accord by transferring key management decisions to federal agencies and the federal cabinet, denying the province its full entitlement to benefits from offshore oil and gas resources. The party advocates fighting for the province’s rights.
-it advocates application of principles of joint management and economic benefits operating in the Atlantic Accord to the provincial fishery, including a Federal-Provincial Agreement to co-manage all fish, shellfish, fish habitat, and marine mammals including harvestable quotas for all marine species on and over the seabed that is a contiguous part of Newfoundland and Labrador.
New Ocean Industries
The party’s most recent platform publication (dated 2019) states that:
-in addition to the provinces traditional ocean industries, which continue to grow and innovate, a technology revolution is reshaping and diversifying ocean economies here and around the world. These include gas-to-wire technologies for generating electricity from offshore natural gas, offshore wind energy, tidal and wave energy, seabed mining, and marine biotechnology (the creation of product from marine organisms). The long-term potential for innovation, investment, jobs and economic growth offered by new industries and the expansion of existing industries in our Ocean economy is impressive.
-the province’s undersea electricity transmission link to North American markets enables the province to meet demand for cleaner energy in North America, and entice heavy consumers of electricity to locate their industries here, near to an industrial scale source of clean energy. It advocates seeking advice from industry leaders on developing this potential.
Mining
The party’s most recent platform publication (dated 2019) states that:
-mining is a multi-billion-dollar economic activity in Newfoundland and Labrador, which has a mineral-rich landmass bigger than many countries, that remains relatively unexplored.
-it is one of the most attractive jurisdictions in the world for investment in mineral exploration and mine development. Abundant sources of clean energy make Newfoundland an attractive location for processing minerals into value added products.
-it is concerned that regulatory overreach by the federal government in Bill C-69 will discourage investment in mineral exploration and mine development, and advocates addressing the issue with the federal government.
-it undertakes to make Newfoundland and Labrador a globally attractive jurisdiction for exploration and development as the world’s need for natural resources increases.
Forestry
The party’s most recent platform publication (dated 2019) states that:
-Newfoundland and Labrador’s forestry sector employs over 5,000 men and women directly and indirectly, and contributes more than $250 million a year to the provincial economy.
-it provincial forestry industry is a leader in sustainable forestry practices and in managing forests for future generations.
-it advocates protecting, promoting, and partnering with forestry workers and companies to expand economic opportunities in provincial forest industries.
Agriculture and Agrifoods
The party’s most recent platform publication (dated 2019) states that:
-the agriculture and agrifoods industry provides direct and indirect employment for 6,500 people and has sales valued at $500 million annually, led by the expansion of farms and value-added production in the dairy industry. Energy and feed costs are limiting factors on production and must be addressed.
-it advocates immediate launch of comprehensive consultations with farmers, and with processing and marketing companies to find the best way to ease the unique economic pressures on farming and food production in Newfoundland and Labrador, and identify the best ways for government to promote the expansion of fresh and processed food production.

Points to Ponder: Stewardship of Creation
Many voices, including scientists, the Vatican, and the United Nations, agree that in order to avoid catastrophic global heating, with resulting unpredictable increases in the number and severity of extreme weather events, loss of agricultural land, particularly in the poorest countries, and collapse of ecosystems, the global average temperature increase must be limited to 1.5 degrees Centigrade; and that to achieve such a limit, emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide (collectively, “greenhouse gasses”, or GHG) must be cut in half by 2030 and brought to zero net increase by 2050. Canada is currently committed to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but according to the federal Auditor General may not meet that goal. Others wonder whether Canada’s commitment is big enough to be fair to other countries.
The charts below show different aspects of GHG emissions in Canada, using the most recent comprehensive data available. They provide rich ground for reflection on the application of Catholic Social Teaching. The first chart, labeled “Figure 9“, shows emissions per person in each province, by province. The second, labeled “Table 2”, shows the levels of emissions for various industries as of 2005 (the “benchmark” year by which most international GHG comparisons are measured), 2019, and 2022. The third, “Chart 20”, shows the federal government’s understanding of past emissions levels, and predictions for getting to its agreed level by 2030.
- Emissions in Newfoundland and Labrador: Figure 9, the per-capita provincial comparisons, suggests that on a per-person basis Newfoundland and Labrador to a middle group (along with BC, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia) whose emissions are just below the current Canadian national average of 18.2 tonnes per person, between higher emitters Alberta and Saskatchewan and lowest emitters Quebec and PEI. It would appear, however, that work remains to be done if Newfoundland and Labrador wants to catch up with the current global average of 5.9 tonnes per person per year (the gold line in Figure 9), and even more if it wishes to reach the global target for 2030, of 2.1 tones per person per year (the green line).
- What, if anything, can or should fairly be done by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to join a global drive to reduce emissions levels? What choices are available to a province that seeks to act prudently?
- What, if anything, can or should fairly be done by the other provinces, and/or the federal government?
- Industrial Emissions: Table 2 suggests both encouraging and concerning trends in various industries. For example, it suggests that Canada-wide emissions caused by the generation of electricity have been reduced by more than half, while significant progress has been made in other heavy industries. On the other hand, emissions in the oil and gas, agricultural, and buildings sectors have continued to rise. What can or should be done about that, bearing the principles of subsidiarity, solidarity, the common good, and the sanctity of life in mind?
- Canada’s Fair Share: Chart 20 seems to present a challenge for all Canadians, wherever we live.
- For example, it is disappointing to see that emissions levels for the first 20 years shown in the chart have remained relatively constant, with the bulk of the reductions being predicted for the last 10 years, at points now in the future. It seems disappointingly common for curves on social phenomena to show the bulk of the progress in the future, while little improvement has been made in the years since commitments were made. Must that always be so? Assuming that it is true in this case, can or should we do better?
- The chart also seems to suggest that even if we meet the 2030 goal as a nation, we all have much work to do beyond that: our nation has committed only to reduce emissions to a point at which we are producing about six times as many emissions as the rest of the world. If that is true, can or should we do better?
