Central Newfoundland

Central Newfoundland is a vast federal electoral district covering much of the interior and north-central coast of Newfoundland Island. Formerly known as Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, the riding was renamed following the 2022 redistribution. Its major population centres include Grand Falls-Windsor, Gander, Lewisporte, Botwood, and Bishop's Falls, along with dozens of smaller communities stretching from the south coast bays to Notre Dame Bay.

The riding is one of the largest in the province by area, spanning dense boreal forest, river valleys, and a long stretch of coastline. Its population is spread across widely separated towns and outport communities, many of which face the pressures of an aging population and out-migration common to rural Newfoundland.

Candidates

Clifford Small (Conservative) is the incumbent MP, first elected in 2021 when he defeated longtime Liberal MP Scott Simms by 264 votes in what was then Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame. Small, who grew up in Wild Cove on the Baie Verte Peninsula, was the first Conservative MP from Newfoundland and Labrador since 2013. Before entering politics, he owned and operated several Smitty's restaurant franchises in the region.

Lynette Powell (Liberal) entered federal politics for the first time after a career that began in the province's fish plants before she became a medical trainer and eventually served as president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association. She campaigned on expanding the riding's tourism industry and federal investment in housing.

Darian Vincent (NDP) originally from British Columbia, relocated to Newfoundland as the cost of living crisis pushed him out of his home province. A retail worker and graduate of Camosun College's digital communications program, Vincent ran as a political newcomer focused on affordable housing.

About the Riding

Central Newfoundland's landscape is defined by the boreal interior of the island — vast tracts of spruce and fir forest, the Exploits River system, and the rugged coastline of Notre Dame Bay and the south coast bays. The region has historically been tied to forestry, mining, and the fishery, though the economic base has shifted significantly over the past two decades.

Grand Falls-Windsor, once dominated by its Abitibi-Bowater pulp and paper mill, has reinvented itself since the mill's closure in 2009. The town now serves as a regional service centre, and new economic activity has been spurred by Marathon Gold's Valentine Gold Project, a series of gold deposits roughly 80 kilometres from town that was expected to begin production around 2025. Gander, the riding's other major centre, is known internationally for its role sheltering thousands of stranded airline passengers after September 11, 2001, and maintains an economy anchored by its airport, healthcare, and government services.

The cost of living was the dominant issue in the 2025 campaign, with all three candidates acknowledging that affordability was the most common concern at the doorstep. Under the shadow of a potential prolonged trade war with the United States, the Conservative incumbent argued for economic diversification through expanded mining and natural resource development, including gold, iron ore, copper, and nickel. The fishery remains important to coastal communities, though an aging workforce threatens the long-term viability of fish processing operations in the riding.