Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 5 October 2022
The House of Assembly reconvened in the restored Colonial Building for the opening of the Second Session of the Fiftieth General Assembly. Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor delivered the Speech from the Throne, outlining government priorities including cost-of-living relief, health care improvements, fiscal responsibility, and economic development. The government introduced Bill 1 (An Act to Amend the Medical Act, 2011) and gave notice of numerous bills including pay equity, balanced budget, and future fund legislation. Members from all parties responded to the Throne Speech, with the government announcing a new $500 direct payment to eligible residents to address cost-of-living pressures.
Routine Proceedings
Notices of Motion - Multiple bills and resolutions
S. Crocker
The Government House Leader gave notice of numerous bills to be introduced tomorrow including: a motion for an Address to the King expressing sympathy on Queen Elizabeth II's death; Bill 2 (Supply); Bill 3 (Pay Equity and Pay Transparency Act); Bill 4 (Balanced Budget Act); Bill 5 (Future Fund Act); Bill 6 (An Act to Amend the Revenue Administration Act); Bill 7 (An Act to Amend the Schools Act, 1997); Bill 8 (An Act to Amend the Credit Union Act, 2009); Bill 9 (An Act to Amend the Highway Traffic Act); Bill 10 (An Act to Amend the Wildlife Act); Bill 11 (Winding Up of Judgment Recovery (NFLD) Ltd. Act); Bill 12 (An Act to Amend the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act); Bill 13 (An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act); Bill 14 (An Act to Amend the Real Estate Trading Act, 2019); Bill 15 (Fairness Registration Practices Act); Bill 16 (An Act to Amend the Revenue Administration Act, No. 2); and Bill 17 (Aquaculture Act, 2022). He also gave notice that the House will not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022.
Other business
Opening ceremonies and Speech from the Throne
Lieutenant Governor Judy May Foote
Her Honour delivered the Speech from the Throne, acknowledging the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III. The speech outlined government priorities including cost-of-living measures (gas tax reduction, home heating supplement, $500 direct payments), health care improvements (recruitment incentives, community-based teams, infrastructure), fiscal responsibility (debt repayment, Future Fund establishment), and economic development (hydrogen alliance, wind energy, immigration growth).
Introduction of Bill 1 - An Act to Amend the Medical Act, 2011
S. Crocker
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Medical Act, 2011, which received first reading and was ordered for second reading tomorrow.
Motion to appoint Select Committee for Address in Reply
B. Warr
The Member for Baie Verte - Green Bay moved to appoint a Select Committee to draft an Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, seconded by the Member for Mount Pearl North. The motion was adopted.
Response to Throne Speech - Government Member
B. Warr
The Member for Baie Verte - Green Bay spoke in support of the Throne Speech, highlighting government achievements including Come Home Year 2022, population growth, economic development in mining and offshore oil, and the government's response to Hurricane Fiona and forest fires. He emphasized the resilience of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and expressed optimism about the province's future.
Response to Throne Speech - Government Member
L. Stoyles
The Member for Mount Pearl North seconded the motion and spoke in support of the Throne Speech, acknowledging challenges including cost of living and health care while expressing confidence in government measures to address these issues. She emphasized the importance of community spirit and working together as a team.
Response to Throne Speech - Official Opposition
B. Petten
The Opposition House Leader acknowledged the historic setting of the Colonial Building and thanked the Lieutenant Governor. He criticized the government for taking 15 months to provide meaningful cost-of-living relief and warned that vulnerable people may fall through the cracks of the $500 payment program. He outlined Opposition priorities including health care access, addressing the cost of living, pay equity, basic income, and support for seniors, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Response to Throne Speech - NDP Leader
J. Dinn
The Leader of the Third Party questioned government priorities, contrasting the $23 million spent on Colonial Building restoration with the $10.5 million needed to repair 120 empty public housing units during a housing crisis. He outlined NDP priorities including addressing homelessness and housing insecurity, implementing a guaranteed livable basic income, indexing social assistance to inflation, raising minimum wage to $15 immediately, and protecting public health care. He called for the government to strike the all-party Committee on guaranteed basic income as previously approved.
Response to Throne Speech - Premier
A. Furey
The Premier thanked Her Honour for delivering the first Speech from the Throne by a woman in the Colonial Building. He defended government actions on cost of living, noting over half a billion dollars in measures since March 2022, and announced the new $500 direct payment. He emphasized health care improvements, recruitment and retention initiatives, and the government's commitment to fiscal responsibility including the Future Fund and pay equity legislation. He highlighted population growth for the first time since 1972 and increased school enrollment for the first time in four decades.
This is Tabled's summary of the sitting, written from the official record; Hansard is only ever quoted at the link above. Search Newfoundland and Labrador Hansard for the words themselves, or read this sitting in the archive.