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Newfoundland and Labrador is once again forecasting a hefty budgetary shortfall, but is expected to lead the country by a wide margin this year when it comes to growth in the value of goods and services produced in the province.<\/p>\n
Finance Minister Craig Pardy revealed Wednesday that the government is forecasting a nearly $700 million deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year, and that level of red ink is a pattern across the country, with every province spending more than it takes in in revenue.<\/p>\n
But Newfoundland and Labrador is setting the standard when it comes to economic performance, with GDP growth forecasted to hit 5.5 per cent, which Pardy says “speaks volumes” for the province’s economy.<\/p>\n
Industries like oil extraction, mining and the fishery are humming at \u2014 or near \u2014 record levels.<\/p>\n
\u201cDemand for our seafood has never been better and we have some of the highest value seafood products in the world,” Fish, Food & Allied Workers union president Dwan Street said of the record $1.3-billion landed value of seafood last year.<\/p>\n
And Street believes that record will be short-lived.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re such a major player in global seafood,” she noted.<\/p>\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777556289_689_default.jpg\")
Fisheries union president Dwan Street says the Newfoundland and Labrador seafood industry is poised for success as quotas grow and demand increases. (Danny Arsenault\/CBC)<\/p>\n
But once again, oil is the economic driver, with $2 billion in royalties forecasted for the coming fiscal year. That’s 19 per cent of the province’s revenues, second only to taxation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no portfolio I\u2019d rather be in. It\u2019s an exciting time to be here,” Energy and Mines Minister Lloyd Parrott told reporters on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Much of that oil windfall can be attributed to a spike in prices caused by war and economic blockades in the Middle East, and a total production of nearly 100 million barrels, which is an increase of 14 per cent over the previous year.<\/p>\n
WATCH | Despite deficit, N.L. sees growth in its economy :![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777556290_919_default.jpg\")
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N.L.\u2019s economy is growing fast thanks to these booming industries<\/p>\n
While Newfoundland and Labrador\u2019s 2026 budget forecasts another large deficit, the province\u2019s GDP growth is expected to hit 5.5 per cent. Cabinet ministers and industry leaders say that\u2019s largely thanks to the province\u2019s mining, fishing and oil and gas industries. The CBC\u2019s Terry Roberts reports.<\/p>\n