Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 11 October 2022
Question Period focused heavily on the Auditor General's Nalcor audit, cost-of-living pressures (including carbon tax and a new sugar tax), health care system strain (emergency room closures, mental health, and suicide rates—especially in Labrador), and workforce issues (out-of-province workers on public projects and apprenticeship bottlenecks). The Opposition pressed the Premier on accountability, policy consistency, and support for vulnerable populations, while government ministers defended their recruitment efforts, new action plans, and refusal to adopt federal carbon tax increases on home heating. The House of Assembly convened for routine business and debate on Bill 5, An Act Respecting the Establishment of the Newfoundland and Labrador Future Fund. The Speaker recognized two retiring House employees, Catherine Simms and Andrew Petten, for their decades of service. Members passed a Humble Address expressing sympathy on the death of Queen Elizabeth II and congratulations to King Charles III. The House also unanimously approved the appointment of Linda Clemens-Spurrell as the new Child and Youth Advocate. The bulk of the sitting was devoted to second reading debate on Bill 5, which would establish a fund to invest non-renewable resource revenues and proceeds from major asset sales, primarily for debt repayment.
Members' Statements
LAV III monument dedication in Conception Bay South
B. Petten
The Member recognized the October 2 dedication ceremony for the LAV III monument honouring 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan and commemorating 162 Canadians who lost their lives, including 11 fallen soldiers. He thanked Wayne Miller and Kathleen LeGrow for securing funding.
Volunteer response to Central Newfoundland forest fire
P. Forsey
The Member thanked volunteer groups including Exploits Search & Rescue, Salvation Army, fire departments, Lions clubs, and church groups who provided shelter, food, and assistance to residents displaced by the summer forest fire emergency.
Come Home Year Celebrations in Ferryland District
L. O'Driscoll
The Member congratulated Come Home Year Committees across the district for organizing successful summer celebrations that welcomed thousands of visitors home with activities including tournaments, meals, hikes, and dances.
Retirement of Keith Antle from Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
C. Tibbs
The Member recognized Keith Antle's retirement after 35-plus years with the Town, from summer student to director of Community Services, praising his easygoing, accessible leadership style and dedication to making Grand Falls-Windsor a great place to live.
50th anniversary of Harbour Main-Chapel's Cove-Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department and tribute to Dave King
H. Conway Ottenheimer
The Member recognized firefighters receiving service awards (15 to 30 years) and paid tribute to Dave King of Brigus, who passed away September 17 after 55 years with the Brigus Volunteer Fire Department.
Recognition of Blanche Byrne's 97th birthday and volunteerism
J. Abbott
The Member recognized Mrs. Blanche Byrne of St. John's East - Quidi Vidi for 70 years of volunteer service with organizations including Canadian Girl Guides, CNIB, and Royal Canadian Legion, and wished her a happy 97th birthday.
International Day of the Girl Child
P. Parsons
The Minister recognized October 11 as the 10th commemoration of International Day of the Girl Child, highlighting government initiatives including free period products in schools, career path showcases, and next week's Future of the Vote event for 40 young women and gender-diverse people.
Routine Proceedings
Report of Select Committee on Speech from the Throne reply
B. Warr
The Member presented the Select Committee's draft reply to the Lieutenant Governor's Speech from the Throne, thanking Her Honour for the gracious speech addressed to the House.
Tabling of orders-in-council on funding precommitment
S. Coady
The Minister of Finance tabled two orders-in-council relating to funding precommitment for fiscal years 2023-2024 to 2033-2034 pursuant to the Financial Administration Act.
Announcement of Management Commission membership
The Speaker
The Speaker advised the House of the members of the Management Commission as required under the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act, including the Speaker, House Leaders, and designated Members.
Notice of motion to cancel Private Members' Day
L. Dempster
The Deputy Government House Leader gave notice of a motion to cancel Private Members' Day on October 12 and instead meet at 2 p.m. for Routine Proceedings and government business until midnight.
Correction to previous answer on NLTA meeting
J. Haggie
The Minister of Education corrected his Thursday statement, clarifying that the department met with the NLTA about recruitment strategies the previous week, not the previous day, and that he met with NLTA leadership again that morning.
Petition on destructive potholes in Bonavista District
C. Pardy
The Member presented a petition calling on government to ensure no destructive potholes remain on Routes 230 and 235 after July 1, 2023, citing vehicle damage and tourist concerns over a 25-kilometre untouched stretch.
Petition on upgrading Witless Bay Line
L. O'Driscoll
The Member presented a petition urging government to upgrade the Witless Bay Line to enhance traffic flow to and from the Trans-Canada Highway, describing eight to nine kilometres of road in poor condition causing vehicle damage.
Petition on World Energy GH2 project environmental review
E. Joyce
The Member presented a petition calling on government to reject Phase I of the World Energy GH2 wind turbine project and complete an environmental impact study on all three phases together to prevent project splitting and ensure proper evaluation.
Petition on fuel price freeze in Northern Labrador (zone 14)
L. Evans
The Member presented a petition urging the PUB to review the summer fuel price freeze in zone 14 (six Innu and Inuit communities), which was implemented without adequate consultation and resulted in Northern Labrador paying significantly more than other regions when prices dropped.
Petition on reforming justice system for sexual assault survivors
J. Dinn
The Member presented a petition signed by 60 people calling for justice system reforms including curriculum review on consent, alternative justice options, practice directives on witness treatment, mandatory trauma training for judges, and consultation on gender-based violence initiatives.
Question Period
Nalcor audit and potential RNC referral
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier called the Auditor General's findings troubling and noted the government eliminated Nalcor and rebranded it as NL Hydro. He expressed confidence in the new leadership and said all mechanisms are being considered, but did not commit to an RNC referral.
Cost-of-living rebate consultation and timing
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier defended the government's consultation process, citing the home heating supplement and rebate as responses to inflation and furnace oil costs, and stated they listen to people daily.
Carbon tax on home heating fuel and seniors' ability to stay in their homes
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated he has written to the federal environment minister opposing the carbon tax on home heating, arguing inflationary pressures make it the wrong time and that market forces already provide disincentives for fossil fuels. He confirmed the province will not sign on to the federal carbon tax increase for home heating.
Minister's support for carbon tax versus Premier's position
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier reiterated that given changing economic conditions and inflation, the government does not support raising the carbon tax now, despite earlier ministerial statements. He emphasized the policy instrument is federal and that the province has made its opposition clear.
Health Sciences emergency room overcrowding and hallway care
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier acknowledged emergency room pressures as a national problem but highlighted local solutions, including building a new emergency department and meeting with stakeholders (College of Physicians, NLMA, Eastern Health).
2021 suicide rate increase in Labrador-Grenfell Health (nearly 150% year-over-year)
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister cited $4.5 million annually for 'Our Path of Resilience' suicide prevention plan, acknowledged fluctuating rates, and said the government takes the issue seriously and is working with stakeholders on implementation.
Implementation timeline for suicide prevention action plan
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister said the plan was released in spring 2022 and officials are working toward full implementation. He noted an expert called it a solid plan and that improvements should follow as initiatives roll out.
Mental health care and family doctor shortages in Labrador
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister defended the government's record on reducing mental health wait times and increasing resources, and cited recruitment campaigns, signing bonuses, and bursaries to address the national shortage of health care professionals.
Long-term continuity of mental health care and wait-lists
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister did not directly address continuity of care but pointed to reduced emergency room diversions and active recruitment efforts to improve staffing and services.
Whitbourne and other rural emergency room closures
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister cited significant reductions in diversion hours at multiple rural ERs (Bonavista, Baie Verte, Fogo, etc.) and announced that helicopter services for Category B sites will soon be operational, organized by Eastern Health.
Paramedic retention and workload stress
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister highlighted $50,000 incentives for PCPs and ACPs to return to the province and said recruiting more staff will lighten the workload and improve work-life balance for current paramedics.
Sugar tax rationale and future expansion
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey / S. Coady
The Premier defended the tax as necessary to address NL's leading rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and amputations, urging healthier choices. The Finance Minister cited endorsements from the Canadian Pediatric Society, WHO, Cancer Society, Diabetes Association, and Heart and Stroke Foundation. No commitment was made to limit the tax to current products.
Impact of sugar tax and carbon tax on seniors' cost of living
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady
The Finance Minister did not address affordability concerns directly but reiterated health organization support for the sugar tax as a public health measure.
Out-of-province workers on mental health facility and other public infrastructure
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by E. Loveless
The minister stated the goal is 100% local employment and cited recent months with 98–100% NL workers on projects. He acknowledged some specialized expertise comes from outside but committed to providing specific numbers on out-of-province workers.
Out-of-province workers on Corner Brook hospital project
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by E. Loveless
The minister repeated that the aim is 100% local employment and said the government's record shows good performance, though some outside expertise is occasionally required.
Wait-list for heavy duty equipment technician apprenticeship (second block)
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by G. Byrne / J. Haggie
The Skills minister cited record financial assistance for apprentices and employers. The Education minister said government is working with CNA to align courses with labour market needs and is addressing the bottleneck, recognizing the challenge.
CERB clawback for income support recipients versus Nalcor spending
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister said the department is proud of its income support program, is conducting consultations for improvements, and is developing a social and economic well-being plan to address social determinants of health.
Long ER wait times and $500 rebate versus health care funding
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister said long waits are unacceptable, that ERs prioritize by acuity, and that recruiting more health care professionals will reduce wait times.
Suicide rates in Labrador linked to intergenerational trauma and marginalization; return of freight boat
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister acknowledged multiple factors (isolation, financial pressures, pandemic impacts) contribute to suicide but did not directly address colonialism or commit to returning the freight boat. He emphasized the goal of year-over-year reductions through the new prevention plan.
Teacher recruitment in Torngat Mountains and return of freight boat for economic/social welfare
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by J. Haggie
The Education minister reported a new teacher recruited for Nain since last week, acknowledged ongoing challenges, and said government is exploring connectivity improvements (e.g., leveraging clinic internet). No commitment was made to restore the freight boat.
Orders of the Day
Motion 3: Extension of sitting hours
L. Dempster
The Deputy Government House Leader moved that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on October 11, 2022. The motion was adopted.
Motion 1: Humble Address on death of Queen Elizabeth II and accession of King Charles III
Multiple
The House debated and unanimously adopted a Humble Address expressing profound sorrow at the death of Queen Elizabeth II after 70 years of service, and congratulating King Charles III on his accession. Speakers from all parties paid tribute to the Queen's dedication, leadership, and role as a female leader, with the address to be forwarded to His Majesty through the Governor General.
Motion 2: Appointment of Linda Clemens-Spurrell as Child and Youth Advocate
Multiple
The House unanimously approved the appointment of Linda Clemens-Spurrell as Child and Youth Advocate effective October 25, 2022. Speakers from all parties praised her 30 years of experience including front-line social work, policy development, and senior management, and her commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and the best interests of children and youth.
Bill 5: Second reading debate on Newfoundland and Labrador Future Fund Act
Multiple
The House began second reading debate on Bill 5 to establish a Future Fund. The Minister of Finance explained the fund would invest a portion of non-renewable resource royalties (2% to 75% depending on revenue levels) and proceeds from asset sales over $5 million, primarily to pay down debt for 10 years, with funds accessible only for debt repayment or extraordinary circumstances. Opposition members raised concerns about lack of transparency regarding the province's fiscal position, the unreleased Rothschild report on asset sales, and governance structure. The Third Party opposed privatization of public assets. Government and Independent members supported the principle of saving for future generations, comparing it to heritage funds in other jurisdictions like Norway, Alberta, and Quebec.
Other business
Recognition of retiring House of Assembly employees
The Speaker
The Speaker recognized Catherine Simms (21 years of service, manager of Broadcast Services) and Andrew Petten (37 years of service, Corporate and Members' Services) who both retired September 30, thanking them for their dedicated service.
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.