Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 18 October 2022
Question Period focused heavily on two major themes: concerns over abuse in Central Newfoundland long-term care facilities and the need for a broader investigation, and demands for local construction jobs on the Bay du Nord offshore oil project. Additional topics included the sugar tax and poverty reduction measures, funding for the Blue Door human trafficking program, IVF services, Crown lands delays, infrastructure projects, senior housing evictions, and consultation on pay equity legislation. The House of Assembly conducted routine business including ministerial statements on women in trades and tabling of documents. The main substantive work was second reading and Committee of the Whole consideration of Bill 12 (presumptive cancer and cardiac coverage for firefighters) and Bill 3 (pay equity and pay transparency). Bill 12 received unanimous support and was read a second time. Bill 3 sparked debate over the scope of consultations and whether the legislation goes far enough, particularly regarding the private sector.
Members' Statements
Recognition of Deon Cuza and Albert Parsons for cornhole achievements
P. Pike
Recognized two constituents from Point May who became the first pro cornhole players outside Ontario and received contracts with the American Cornhole League, competing nationally and internationally.
Ron Doyle receives 60+ Atlantic Canada Achievement Award
L. O'Driscoll
Congratulated Ron Doyle of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove for receiving the inaugural 60+ Atlantic Canada Achievement Award for his extensive volunteerism, including founding the local museum and serving as mayor.
Southwest Arm Academy school breakfast program
L. Parrott
Recognized volunteers supporting the school breakfast program at Southwest Arm Academy, which raised over $6,000 last year through their Walk to Breakfast fundraiser.
Botwood Mural Arts Society 12th anniversary
P. Forsey
Congratulated the Botwood Mural Arts Society on 12 years of creating outdoor murals and hosting the LaRUE street art festival, establishing Botwood as a tourism destination.
Rita Manning's 50 years of service to Town of Torbay
J. Wall
Recognized Rita Manning for 50 consecutive years keeping the Torbay town hall clean and in order, remaining a constant presence through many changes in municipal leadership.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial statement on women in skilled trades
G. Byrne
Announced government supports over 2,300 women annually in skills training and highlighted Holly Linklater's success story in carpentry, supported by the Skills Development program and Office to Advance Women Apprentices.
Tabling of 2021 annual report of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists NL
S. Stoodley
Tabled the complete revised 2021 annual report including financials, correcting an earlier incomplete submission.
Tabling of Lands Act Review Final Report
P. Forsey
Tabled the 2015 Lands Act Review Final Report.
Notice of motion for Bill 19
S. Crocker
Gave notice of introduction of Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act.
Notice of motion on Public Accounts Committee membership
S. Crocker
Gave notice of motion to establish the membership of the Public Accounts Committee with seven named Members.
Notice of motion to extend sitting hours
S. Crocker
Gave notice that the House should continue sitting past 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, until midnight if necessary.
Petition on moose licence flexibility for persons with disabilities
C. Tibbs
Petitioned for legislative changes to allow designated hunters to harvest moose on behalf of licence holders unable to participate due to extraordinary medical circumstances or disabilities.
Petition to repeal the sugar tax
C. Pardy
Petitioned to immediately repeal the provincial sugar tax, arguing it lacks evidence of effectiveness and burdens residents during inflation. Challenged government to table studies supporting the tax.
Question Period
Investigation into long-term care abuse in Central Newfoundland under the Adult Protection Act
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated that the RCMP and Central Health are actively investigating the situation. He indicated the government is awaiting the results of both investigations before determining if additional actions, such as involving the Seniors' Advocate, are necessary.
Local construction jobs for the Bay du Nord FPSO project
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Parsons
The minister emphasized that the government is working daily with Equinor to maximize local work scopes and that the majority of construction should be done by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. He noted the project has not yet reached sanction and that the framework agreement from 2018 is being revisited.
Sugar tax and its impact on poverty reduction
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier defended the sugar tax, citing health benefits and support from organizations like the Heart and Stroke Foundation. She stated revenues are reinvested into programs such as Kids Eat Smart and prenatal nutrition, and referenced studies showing reduced sugar consumption.
Housing crisis and measures to address rising rents
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister outlined investments in expanding housing stock through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, working with landlords via the Rent Supplement Program, and monitoring rent increases to ensure programs keep pace with market changes.
Funding for the Blue Door human trafficking program
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by P. Parsons
The minister explained that Blue Door was a federal program with federal funding that ended after five years. She stated the government is willing to help Blue Door secure new funding and has facilitated meetings with federal ministers, but did not commit to reinstating provincial funding.
Availability of IVF services in the province
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister acknowledged the need for an IVF clinic in the province and stated the department is working with health authorities on this. He noted that a travel subsidy was provided as an immediate measure, as established clinics in Halifax and Calgary offer the best chance of success.
Apology and review for families affected by babies switched at birth in provincial hospitals
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister expressed sympathy for the families but did not offer a formal apology or commit to a review or financial compensation. He emphasized that modern record-keeping systems are in place to prevent such incidents from happening again.
Delays in Crown lands applications and need for independent review
Asked by P. Forsey · Answered by D. Bragg
The minister defended Crown Lands staff and stated turnaround times have been reduced to 68 business days for regular applications. He rejected the call for an independent review and challenged the Member to provide specific cases, noting no emails had been received in over a year.
Completion of the Team Gushue Highway extension
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by E. Loveless
The minister stated the project is a priority but requires federal cost-sharing as the province does not have sufficient budget. He indicated ongoing discussions with the federal government, the City of Mount Pearl, and the City of St. John's to secure a financial arrangement.
Housing support for seniors facing eviction
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister stated that NLHC works with clients on a case-by-case basis to find appropriate housing when their residential needs change. He acknowledged the tight market and indicated the government is exploring ways to expand affordable housing in the upcoming budget.
Staffing of the Emergency Shelter Line and homelessness response
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister committed to follow up on the incident where the Emergency Shelter Line was unresponsive and a constituent was told to call the RNC. He stated the RNC should not be the default response and that the 1-800 line is meant to be available 24 hours.
Consultation with the Federation of Labour on pay equity legislation
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by P. Parsons
The minister defended the pay equity bill as historic and stated that consultation with the Federation of Labour and others will occur as part of the process to develop the best legislation. She tabled an email from the Federation expressing eagerness to participate in consultations.
Orders of the Day
Second reading of Bill 12 (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act amendments)
Multiple
Bill 12 adds eight cancers to presumptive coverage for firefighters (retroactive to December 18, 2019) and adds presumptive coverage for cardiac events within 24 hours of emergency response (effective November 30, 2022). This brings NL to 19 covered cancers, leading the country alongside Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Yukon. The bill received unanimous support from all parties, with Members praising firefighters' service and some suggesting the retroactive date could go back further. The bill passed second reading unanimously and was referred to Committee of the Whole.
Committee of the Whole consideration of Bill 3 (Pay Equity and Pay Transparency Act)
Multiple
Bill 3 establishes pay equity for the public sector (effective April 1, 2023) and pay transparency requirements. Opposition Members questioned the extent of consultations with advocacy groups and employers, noting the legislation provides a framework but leaves details to future consultation. Critics argued it doesn't go far enough and expressed disappointment it excludes the private sector initially. Government ministers defended the phased approach, emphasizing the need for fulsome consultation with stakeholders before extending to private sector, and noted NL will be only the third province with both public and private sector pay equity legislation.
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.