Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 2 November 2022
Question Period was dominated by two major themes: the Premier's fishing trip with billionaire John Risley and the surprise announcement of a new St. Clare's hospital. The Opposition pressed the Premier to table receipts for the trip and questioned whether the hospital announcement was a political distraction. Additional topics included the sugar-sweetened beverage tax, staffing shortages in long-term care, infrastructure funding delays, regionalization plans, boil-water advisories, post-secondary student supports, and the GH2 wind-to-hydrogen project's environmental assessment process. The House of Assembly conducted routine business including adopting motions to alter the sitting schedule and set the 2023 spring sitting date. Bill 19 (Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act amendments) passed third reading. The main focus was second reading debate on Bill 20, which proposes creating a single Provincial Health Authority to replace the four regional health authorities. The Official Opposition moved an amendment to refer the bill to the Social Services Committee for further study and consultation, citing concerns about insufficient briefing time, lack of detail on regional health councils, and questions about whether the bill truly addresses immediate health care access issues.
Members' Statements
MusicNL Award Winners from Conception Bay South
B. Petten
The Member congratulated several Conception Bay South musicians who won awards at the 2022 MusicNL awards gala, including Justin Fancy (Entertainer of the Year) and Quote the Raven (Group of the Year).
Megan Hoskins — Businesswoman of the Year
P. Forsey
The Member recognized Megan Hoskins of Hoskins Funeral Homes, who received the Businesswoman of the Year award from the Exploits Chamber of Commerce at age 31.
First Home Dialysis Treatment in Labrador
L. Evans
The Member celebrated Bob Piwas of Natuashish completing the first home dialysis treatment in Labrador on November 1, a life-changing option for Northern Labrador residents who previously had to relocate for treatment.
Assistant Chief Dave Byrne — 50 Years of Service
C. Tibbs
The Member paid tribute to Assistant Chief Dave Byrne of the Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department, who has served as a firefighter for 50 years since joining in 1972 at age 17.
Jay Walters — Fundraising for Baine Harbour Fire Department
J. Dwyer
The Member recognized nine-year-old Jay Walters of Boat Harbour, who has donated $3,900 to the Baine Harbour Volunteer Fire Department since Kindergarten, in memory of his late grandfather.
Routine Proceedings
Motion 1 — Cancellation of Private Members' Day
S. Crocker
The Government House Leader moved to cancel Private Members' Day on November 2, 2022, and instead proceed with government business from 2 p.m. until midnight if not earlier adjourned. The motion was adopted.
Motion 2 — Spring 2023 Sitting Date
S. Crocker
The Government House Leader moved that the spring 2023 sitting commence on March 13, 2023, with all other aspects of the Parliamentary Calendar remaining unchanged. The motion was adopted.
Bill 19 — Third Reading (Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act)
S. Crocker
Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act, was read a third time and passed without debate.
Ministerial Statement — 2025 Canada Summer Games Track and Field Facility
S. Crocker
The Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation announced a new state-of-the-art track and field facility for the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John's, cost-shared by federal, provincial, and municipal governments. The City of St. John's will issue an RFP for the facility.
Ministerial Statement — Labrador Veterans Recognition
L. Dempster
The Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs recognized Labrador veterans who served with the Newfoundland Regiment in World War I and subsequent conflicts, ahead of Remembrance Day and Indigenous Veterans Day.
Petitions — Various Topics
Multiple
Members presented petitions on just transition legislation (J. Dinn), World Energy GH2 environmental assessment (E. Joyce), return of marine shipping service to Northern Labrador (L. Evans), local representation in physician recruitment for Bonavista (C. Pardy), and establishment of an IVF clinic in the province (P. Dinn).
Question Period
Premier's fishing trip with John Risley and receipts
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated he followed all rules, went beyond requirements by establishing an 'ethical wall,' and paid for the trip himself ('my time, my dime'). He refused to table receipts, noting there is no legislative obligation to do so.
St. Clare's hospital announcement timing and planning
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Furey / E. Loveless / T. Osborne
The Premier defended the announcement with data: the 100-year-old hospital serves a metro region whose population has grown 25%, seniors over 65 increased from 18,000 to 30,000, and hip fractures are projected to rise from 250 to 650 annually by 2027. The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure acknowledged no immediate budget or feasibility study but said planning has been ongoing for months. The Minister of Health noted infrastructure damage (steel falling off the building) and the need for modern facilities to recruit staff.
Sugar-sweetened beverage tax
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier dismissed the question, stating he has already made his case for the tax and believes the public understands it. He did not commit to axing the tax.
Long-term care staffing and bed closures in Grand Falls-Windsor
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health stated the government is conducting a review of services in personal care and long-term care homes to better utilize facilities and free up acute-care beds. He emphasized ongoing recruitment efforts domestically and internationally, including upcoming nursing and other health professional recruitment initiatives.
Team Gushue Highway completion and infrastructure funding delays
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by E. Loveless / S. Crocker
The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure said the government is proceeding responsibly and needs federal support, urging the Member to 'stay tuned.' The Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation highlighted recent federal-provincial infrastructure partnerships, including a new track and field facility.
Regionalization plan for municipalities
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs stated the joint working group report is still being analyzed to ensure the plan is evidence-based, fair, and equitable. She did not confirm whether the plan is on hold or cancelled, emphasizing the need to avoid undue burdens and ensure sustainable communities.
Boil-water advisories and unspent federal infrastructure funds
Asked by P. Forsey · Answered by B. Davis / E. Loveless
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change said drinking water is a priority and the government is working with municipalities to access federal funds, but municipalities must come forward with proposals. The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure noted over $100 million has been provided for 300 water projects over three years and the government is calling for more applications.
IVF services and consultation with local doctors
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health stated the government has provided a $5,000 fund for up to three out-of-province IVF trips and is issuing an RFP to assess available fertility services, waiting lists, and expansion needs. He committed to consulting with stakeholders.
Post-secondary tuition freeze and student supports
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister of Education stated that when Memorial University lifted the tuition freeze, the government redirected the tuition freeze funding directly to students in need. He emphasized that provincial funding for students has increased by approximately 50% compared to the previous year, with improved grants and weekly limits.
GH2 wind-to-hydrogen project and environmental assessment process
Asked by E. Joyce · Answered by B. Davis
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change denied that government advised GH2 on how to proceed or gave them an unfair advantage. He stated the environmental assessment is a legislatively governed process applied equally to all proponents, and that GH2 is proceeding through the standard environmental impact statement process with public consultation opportunities.
Orders of the Day
Bill 20 — Second Reading (Provincial Health Authority Act)
T. Osborne
The Minister of Health introduced Bill 20 to create a single Provincial Health Authority replacing four regional authorities, fulfilling a Health Accord recommendation. The bill also repeals the Centre for Health Information Act and transfers NLCHI responsibilities to the new authority. The minister emphasized the bill will strengthen consistent care across regions while respecting local needs through regional health councils and a quality council.
Bill 20 — Opposition Response and Amendment
P. Dinn
The Opposition Health critic expressed concern about insufficient consultation and a paperless briefing on complex legislation. He questioned whether the bill addresses immediate access issues, raised concerns about charging fees for services, information system security, and whether the bill aligns with the Health Accord's vision of an arm's-length authority. He moved an amendment to refer the bill to the Social Services Committee for further study and consultation, which was ruled in order.
Bill 20 — Amendment Debate
Multiple
P. Trimper (Lake Melville) opposed the amendment as a delay tactic, arguing health care is the dominant constituency issue requiring urgent action. T. Wakeham (Stephenville - Port au Port) supported the amendment, arguing the bill doesn't address core access problems and that seven years of government inaction created the current crisis. He emphasized the need for proper consultation on far-reaching legislation.
Bill 20 — Continued Debate
L. Parrott
The Member for Terra Nova began speaking to the bill, quoting health care workers' exhaustion with explaining to patients why they can't get timely appointments. (Debate was ongoing when transcript ended.)
Other business
Points of Order — Parliamentary Language and Conduct
Multiple
Two points of order were raised: S. Crocker objected to the Opposition House Leader's comment about a minister being "on parole" during Question Period. A second dispute arose between B. Petten and G. Byrne over alleged intimidation and inappropriate gestures, with both members eventually offering qualified apologies. The Speaker took both matters under advisement.
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.