Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 3 November 2022
Question Period focused heavily on two controversies: the Premier's fishing trip with billionaire John Risley and concerns about conflicts of interest in the wind energy process, and the government's failure to consult the Privacy Commissioner on Bill 20 (Provincial Health Authority Act). Opposition members also pressed ministers on the cost of living, carbon tax, health care access (especially in Fogo Island and Labrador), and search and rescue resources in Labrador. The government defended its actions, with the Minister of Health taking responsibility for the Bill 20 oversight while insisting it was unintentional, and the Premier reiterating opposition to the federal carbon tax while maintaining he followed all ethical rules regarding the Risley trip. The House debated and passed Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Wild Life Act, which allows licensed hunters to donate moose and caribou meat to registered food banks, clarifies residency definitions for Canadian Forces and RCMP members, and makes the act gender neutral. The House also adopted a government resolution urging Memorial University to include both the "Ode to Newfoundland" and the "Ode to Labrador" in all future convocation ceremonies.
Members' Statements
Brady Ryan academic achievements
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Recognized Brady Ryan of Marysvale, a 24-year-old who graduated from Memorial University with honours degrees in statistics and applied mathematics, received multiple medals including the Governor General's Silver Medal, and is now pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Michigan on full scholarship.
Templeton Tigers provincial champions
E. Joyce
Congratulated the Templeton Tigers for winning the boys triple A slo-pitch provincial tournament for the second consecutive year, defeating Mobile Central High 8-7 in the final.
Bill Soper and newcomers to Labrador West
J. Brown
Recognized Bill Soper, regional settlement coordinator for the Association of New Canadians in Labrador West, for his work helping newcomers integrate into the community, including facilitating a Come Home Year mural project.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation discussion
P. Trimper
Described meeting with Grade 8 students from Mealy Mountain Collegiate who wrote letters about the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, discussed land acknowledgements, the Moose Hide Campaign, and Orange Shirt Day recognizing residential school survivors.
Mount Pearl Sports Hall of Fame inductees
P. Lane
Congratulated the 2022 Mount Pearl Sports Hall of Fame inductees and award recipients, including Coach of the Year Steve Nolan, athletes Michael Drover and Sarah Dawe, and Hall of Fame inductees Kevin Dicks, Kevin Walsh, Ryan Clowe, and Dean Blanks.
Glenn Roil mental health advocacy
T. Osborne
Recognized Glenn Roil, a global mental health advocate who has worked to destigmatize mental illness and recently received the Lionel Aldridge Champions Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness for his courage, leadership, and service.
Chief Petty Officer Roderick Deon
B. Davis
Honored 101½-year-old CPO Roderick Deon, a WWII veteran who served on HMCS Ottawa, participated in the Normandy invasion, received France's Croix de Guerre medal, and has participated in the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign for 54 years.
Routine Proceedings
Apology for remark
B. Petten
Apologized to the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune and withdrew a remark made the previous day in response to a point of order, stating no personal harm was intended.
Ministerial statement on youth custody facilities
J. Hogan
The Attorney General offered a sincere and profound apology on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to young people who experienced abuse at youth secure custody facilities in the 1970s and '80s, acknowledging the harm suffered and the province's commitment to learning from the past.
Response to ministerial statement
Multiple
The Official Opposition (H. Conway Ottenheimer) and Third Party (L. Evans) acknowledged the apology, expressed sorrow for the victims' trauma, and emphasized the government's obligation to ensure no such abuses occur today and to support those who come forward.
Notice of motion on sitting hours
S. Crocker
The Government House Leader gave notice that the House will not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2022.
Petition on wind farm proposal
T. Wakeham
Presented a petition from residents opposing an industrial wind farm on the Port au Port Peninsula due to concerns about environmental impacts, health outcomes, and infrastructure strain, urging government not to approve the project.
Petition on wood cutting permits
C. Tibbs
Presented a petition on behalf of residents of Central Newfoundland who have been unable to obtain permits to cut wood for personal use, asking the minister to meet with affected individuals to find a solution.
Petition on Random Island road conditions
L. Parrott
Presented a petition calling on government to repair and maintain roads on Random Island to a safe standard, citing deplorable conditions with numerous potholes causing vehicle damage.
Petition on Crown Lands and private land claims
C. Pardy
Presented a petition calling for legislative amendments to resolve existing private land claims on Crown land and revisit 1976 legislation abolishing squatters' rights, citing cases where residents cannot sell or mortgage properties due to Crown Lands objections.
Question Period
Premier's fishing trip with John Risley and transparency
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Furey and A. Parsons
The Premier stated he always follows the rules and established an ethical wall. The Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology asserted the wind energy process was completely fair and no one received improper advantages.
Failure to consult Privacy Commissioner on Bill 20
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health took responsibility, calling it an unintentional oversight by a dedicated public servant. He stated officials had productive meetings with the Commissioner and are working to address concerns raised.
Cost of home heating oil for seniors
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Abbott
The Minister cited multiple financial supports including increased seniors' supplement, low-income supplement, heating oil rebate, and $500 payments before Christmas to help with rising costs.
Carbon tax and cost of living pressures
Asked by T. Wakeham, L. O'Driscoll · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated he does not agree with the federal carbon tax at this time due to inflationary pressures, has written letters opposing it, and answered 'yes' when asked if he would say no to the carbon tax. He clarified it is a federal tax, not a provincial one.
Food insecurity and poverty reduction
Asked by L. O'Driscoll, C. Pardy · Answered by S. Coady, D. Bragg
The Finance Minister highlighted over $430 million in supports including increased benefits, lowered child care costs, and $500 payments. The Agriculture Minister noted progress toward food self-sufficiency targets in fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, and chicken.
Family doctor shortage in Fogo Island
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister explained that a doctor who received approval changed their mind about coming. He stated the government is working to eliminate red tape through the new Medical Act and that Central Health is speaking with candidates, but could not provide a specific timeline.
First Voice report and police oversight board
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by J. Hogan, P. Parsons
The Justice Minister stated he scheduled a meeting with First Voice after the House closes and needs to consult with multiple Indigenous groups. The Minister for Women and Gender Equality described ongoing work with Indigenous women's groups on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls calls for justice.
Search and rescue resources in Labrador
Asked by C. Tibbs · Answered by A. Furey, L. Dempster
The Minister for Labrador Affairs stated the government supports elevating 5 Wing Goose Bay to primary search and rescue status and plans to lobby federal ministers in Ottawa alongside the family of Marc Russell from the Island Lady tragedy.
Air access and flight costs
Asked by J. Dwyer · Answered by S. Crocker
The Tourism Minister described meetings with multiple airlines and the federal government on this Canada-wide issue, and plans to lobby the federal government again in Ottawa after the House recesses.
Bill 20 and health information disclosure concerns
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister stated the characterization of the bill allowing political interference with health records is completely inaccurate and there will not be disclosure of personal health information. He rejected suggestions of improper connections to Sequence Bio as despicable and shameful.
Consultation with unions on Bill 20
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister stated public sector unions were advised it would be status quo for employees with no changes to union representation, and all employees would move to the singular health authority.
Anti-replacement worker legislation
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by B. Davis
The Labour Minister confirmed awareness of federal anti-replacement worker legislation, stated he learned of it via Twitter, and is working with federal colleagues on the matter pending consultation.
Orders of the Day
Second reading of Bill 10 (Wild Life Act amendments)
D. Bragg
The Minister introduced Bill 10 to amend the Wild Life Act to define residency for Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP members, allow donation of moose and caribou meat to registered food banks with proper documentation, and make the act gender neutral. The bill does not increase the number of moose licences.
Debate on Bill 10
Multiple
Members from all parties spoke in support of Bill 10, discussing the importance of moose hunting as recreation, the need for food bank support, proper documentation requirements, and suggestions to expand donations to include other wild game and fish. Concerns were raised about record-keeping requirements for volunteer-run food banks.
Committee of the Whole on Bill 10
Multiple
The Committee considered Bill 10 clause by clause. Questions addressed whether the bill would increase moose licences (no), controls on meat sale, roadkill policies, drone use (illegal), disabled hunter regulations, farm meat disposal, and documentation requirements for food banks. The bill passed without amendment.
Government resolution on Memorial University Odes
Multiple
The Government House Leader moved a resolution urging Memorial University to include both the "Ode to Newfoundland" and the "Ode to Labrador" in all future convocation ceremonies. Members spoke passionately about the importance of the anthems as expressions of provincial pride and identity, with particular emphasis on including Labrador's anthem to be more inclusive.
Other business
Recognition of Glenn Roil
The Speaker
The Speaker recognized Glenn Roil, who was watching the broadcast from home and was the subject of a Member's statement.
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.