New N.L. premier reveals resignation note from man who quit Quebec energy deal panel

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham speaks to the media on the grounds of Government House following a swearing-in ceremony, in St. John's, N.L., on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly

ST. JOHN’S — Newfoundland and Labrador’s new premier has published a resignation letter from an accountant who quit a panel overseeing the province’s energy negotiations with Hydro-Québec.

The former Liberal government had refused to release the letter unredacted but Progressive Conservative Premier Tony Wakeham published it Thursday.

Mike Wilson’s letter dated May 12 says he quit the three-person panel in part because a top civil servant with the Liberal government began telling the group how to operate.

Wilson writes that he felt the instruction was inappropriate since the panel was supposed to be independent from government.

The former Liberal government established the panel in response to demands from opposition parties for an independent review of a tentative deal with Hydro-Québec.

Political scientist Russell Williams says if the Liberals had ordered such a review in the first place, they could have avoided the scandal that sprang from Wilson’s resignation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2025.

The Canadian Press