Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 23 January 2023
Question Period focused almost exclusively on the government's emergency legislation to designate private ambulance workers as essential services following a strike. Opposition parties criticized the Premier and ministers for failing to act proactively on labour negotiations and broader health care system failures, including ambulance access in rural areas, emergency room closures, and physician shortages. The government defended its approach, citing ongoing negotiations, contingency plans, and implementation of the Health Accord recommendations. The House of Assembly was recalled on January 23, 2023, for an emergency sitting to address a strike by private ambulance workers. After initial procedural disputes over leave to suspend routine proceedings, the Government House Leader's motion was eventually granted, allowing the House to proceed directly to debate Bill 24, An Act Respecting the Provision of Essential Ambulance Services. The bill requires employers and unions to negotiate an essential ambulance services agreement before any strike or lockout, suspends the current job action, and provides for binding arbitration if parties cannot agree. Members debated the bill's merits, the government's delay in bringing forward legislation, and the working conditions of paramedics.
Question Period
Implementation of Health Accord recommendations on ambulance access
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier acknowledged ambulance access as a Health Accord priority and stated the government is working to expand paramedic scope of practice and improve services through technical solutions, with plans for further policy development.
Government action on health care crisis and ambulance strike
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier outlined multiple actions including increased enrollment in nursing, paramedic, and medical schools, incentives for rural doctors, and Health Accord implementation, characterizing these as efforts to create a sustainable modern health care system.
Timing of emergency legislation and contingency plans
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier explained that while contingency plans were in place, they recognized these were unsustainable long-term and the conciliation process was not working, necessitating immediate legislative action to ensure ambulances return to service.
Government responsibility for the crisis
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier defended the government's proactive engagement with unions and conciliation process, noting the contract did not expire until end of March but action was needed to ensure essential service delivery when negotiations failed.
Timing of essential service designation
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by B. Davis
The Minister Responsible for Labour stated they wanted to allow the negotiation process to proceed without interference, as a negotiated agreement is the best outcome, and only acted when that failed.
Director of Labour Relations report
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by B. Davis
The minister committed to tabling the report and stated it arrived just before Christmas, noting such reports are routine tools that don't always lead to strikes.
Consultation with union prior to legislation
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by B. Davis
The minister stated he spoke with union representation Saturday night about the legislation and emphasized the Minister Responsible for Labour must remain balanced and not interfere in ongoing negotiations between parties.
Adverse health events during the strike
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The Health Minister confirmed awareness of one incident in the Fewer's Ambulance area but stated he was advised it was not directly related to the strike and the outcome would not have changed.
Pay disparity between private and public ambulance workers
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated government provided funding to private ambulance employers equivalent to NAPE's agreement (roughly 2% for two years plus $2,000 retention bonus), and it is up to employers to pass these increases to staff.
Potential essential service designation for other private health workers
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by B. Davis
The minister said government will always look at opportunities to improve labour legislation and will consider concerns on a case-by-case basis if brought forward.
Ambulance service in Trepassey
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister disclosed that government has been served notice of withdrawal of service by the ambulance operator in Trepassey and that Eastern Health and the department are actively working on how to resume and maintain service in that area.
Ambulance response time in English Harbour East
Asked by J. Dwyer · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister said he was not aware of the specific incident but would look into it, and explained the legislation provides avenues for essential service agreements and binding arbitration.
Ambulance coverage and response times in Harbour Main
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister reiterated that the legislation ensures avenues for essential service agreements and binding arbitration if needed.
Working conditions for ambulance workers in Conception Bay South
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by B. Davis
The minister explained the legislation establishes essential services agreements before labour action and provides a pathway to binding arbitration, bringing private workers more in line with public service.
Emergency room closures and ambulance strike in Bonavista
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister outlined physician recruitment initiatives and incentives that have been successful in Harbour Breton, Fogo Island, New Wes Valley, and Bell Island, and stated they will continue working to attract physicians to Bonavista.
Creating supportive work environment for health care workers
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier rejected the characterization of using a 'stick' and pointed to extensive incentives for all health care providers, including investments in Collaborative Team Clinics to ensure everyone works to full scope of practice.
Collaborative approach with health care professions
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister cited the nurses' think tank as an example of collaboration that produced retention bonuses, an HR plan, and workplace initiatives, noting national media have recognized the province's proactive approach.
Health Accord recommendations on ambulances
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated some Health Accord measures have already been enacted and that broader discussion of ambulance and paramedical services requires a robust sustainable plan, but today's focus is ensuring essential services.
Consultation with union leadership before legislation
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated the responsible minister maintained appropriate position during labour dispute, and expressed gratitude for the conversation with union members and their service as front-line heroes.
Employer refusal to allow workers back on the road
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by B. Davis
The minister defended government engagement from the start with the director of Labour Relations and stated they are acting to fix a problem that could hurt people when a collective agreement could not be reached.
Airstrip upgrades and aircraft services in Torngat Mountains
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister offered to sit down with the Member to examine the issues and determine if airstrip paving and upgrades are achievable outcomes for Labrador-Grenfell Health and the Provincial Health Authority.
Plan to address systemic health care staffing issues in Labrador
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister pointed to the Health Accord as a 10-year plan with initiatives already underway, noting the province faces challenges similar to other jurisdictions globally but is faring better than many.
Retention plan for rural and Labrador health care workers
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister defended aggressive national and international recruitment efforts across all health disciplines, stating recruitment will help reduce the workload for the currently overworked health professional workforce.
Orders of the Day
Motion to sit past 5:30 p.m.
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on January 23, 2023. The motion was adopted.
Second reading of Bill 24, An Act Respecting the Provision of Essential Ambulance Services
Multiple
The Minister Responsible for Labour (B. Davis) introduced Bill 24, which requires unions and private ambulance employers to negotiate an essential ambulance services agreement before any strike or lockout, suspends the current job action, and provides for binding arbitration through the Labour Relations Board if parties cannot agree. Opposition members (J. Wall, L. O'Driscoll, C. Pardy, P. Dinn, J. Dwyer, J. Dinn, H. Conway Ottenheimer, P. Lane) and some government members (P. Trimper, E. Joyce) debated the bill, raising concerns about the government's delay in bringing forward legislation, inadequate consultation with the union, poor working conditions and compensation for paramedics, lack of timelines in the bill, and the need for binding arbitration. Members praised paramedics for their essential service and called for better treatment and parity with public-sector workers. The debate continued with multiple speakers addressing the bill's provisions, the state of ambulance services in rural areas, and the broader health care crisis.
Other business
Motion to suspend routine proceedings and expedite Bill 24
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved to suspend routine proceedings and deem Bill 24 (Essential Ambulance Services Act) ready for second reading, citing an urgent emergency. The Leader of the Third Party (J. Dinn) initially refused leave twice, stating he had not received the bill until sitting in the House. After a recess and a revised motion allowing Question Period, leave was granted and the motion carried.
Recess until 3 p.m.
J. Hogan
Following passage of the procedural motion, the Government House Leader requested a recess until 3 p.m., which was granted.
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.