Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 13 March 2023
Question Period focused overwhelmingly on the province's health care crisis, with the Opposition pressing the Premier and Minister of Health on physician and nurse shortages, ambulance staffing, long-term care violence, and medical travel. Additional topics included school safety following a violent assault at Prince of Wales Collegiate, the cost of living (sugar tax, carbon tax, grocery prices), and controversies at Memorial University. The government defended its Health Accord initiatives, recruitment efforts, and cost-of-living measures while acknowledging ongoing challenges. The House of Assembly conducted routine business including ministerial statements on Gordon Pinsent's passing and the extension of the gas tax reduction, tabled documents, gave numerous notices of motion for upcoming bills and budget matters, heard petitions on seniors' benefits indexing, long-term care facilities, air travel subsidies, collaborative care clinics, ambulance services, and debated Interim Supply Bill 21 ($2.97 billion for April-June 2023 operations). Members focused heavily on health care challenges including ambulance response times, medical transportation costs, long-term care safety, and workforce shortages.
Members' Statements
Teachers Change Lives campaign and Holy Name of Mary Academy in Lawn
P. Pike
Recognized Principal JeanAnne Lambert and teacher Julia Grant-Pretty at Holy Name of Mary Academy for creating outstanding learning opportunities and winning the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence in Science.
Bob Sheppard's volunteer service in Bishop's Falls
P. Forsey
Acknowledged Bob Sheppard's 55 years of service with the Bishop's Falls Lions Club and numerous other community organizations including church, development corporation, minor hockey, and fire department.
Special Olympics Winter Games in Grand Falls-Windsor
B. Petten
Congratulated the CBS Brightstars athletes and coaches who participated in the first provincial Winter Games since the pandemic, with 43 participants earning multiple medals in snowshoeing and 5-pin bowling.
Mark Butt and Lily Evans' bronze medal in pairs skating at Canada Games
C. Pardy
Celebrated Mark Butt of Bloomfield and Lily Evans of Pouch Cove for securing a bronze medal in pre-novice pairs figure skating at the Canada Winter Games in PEI, noting Mark's dedication traveling 230 km each way for training.
Cape St. Francis athletes at 2023 Canada Winter Games
J. Wall
Recognized 17 athletes, coaches and staff from Cape St. Francis who competed at the Canada Winter Games, particularly congratulating Lily Evans and Mark Butt on their bronze medal in figure skating.
Routine Proceedings
Statement on Gordon Pinsent's passing
A. Furey
The Premier paid tribute to actor Gordon Pinsent, highlighting his six-decade career, numerous awards including Companion of the Order of Canada, and his role as an ambassador for Newfoundland and Labrador. Opposition leaders D. Brazil and J. Dinn offered condolences.
Gas tax reduction extension announcement
S. Coady
The Minister of Finance announced continuation of the seven cents per litre gas and diesel tax reduction until March 31, 2024, at an estimated cost of $63.4 million, maintaining the province's second-lowest gas tax among provinces.
Tabling of annual reports and orders-in-council
Multiple
Minister Stoodley tabled the 2022 annual report of the Architects Licensing Board. Minister Coady tabled 10 orders-in-council relating to funding pre-commitments for fiscal years 2023-24 to 2033-34.
Notices of motion for budget and bills
S. Coady
The Minister of Finance gave notice for Supplementary Supply Bill 25, Revenue Administration Act amendment Bill 27, Loan and Guarantee Act resolution Bill 28, budgetary policy approval, and main Supply Bill 26.
Notices of motion for health legislation
T. Osborne
The Minister of Health gave notice to introduce amendments to the Patient Safety Act (Bill 31) and the Pharmaceutical Services Act (Bill 32).
Notices of motion for other bills
S. Stoodley
The Minister of Digital Government gave notice for amendments to the Architects Act, 2008 and for Bill 30 respecting regulation of mortgage brokerages and mortgage brokers.
Notices of motion for extended sitting hours
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice that the House will not adjourn at regular times on March 14, 15, and 16, 2023, to allow for extended debate on government business.
Petition on seniors' benefit indexing
C. Pardy
Called for indexing of the provincial seniors' benefit calculator to prevent clawback of federal CPP and OAS increases, noting the calculator hasn't been updated since 2016 and treats couples and singles the same.
Petition for new long-term care facility in Bay St. George
T. Wakeham
Requested a feasibility study for a new long-term care facility to replace the 45-year-old Stephenville Crossing facility, which has substandard room sizes and bathrooms not designed for current care levels.
Petition for Northern Labrador air travel subsidy
L. Evans
Called for an air travel subsidy for Northern Labrador residents similar to Quebec's program (30-60% subsidy), noting communities are isolated without road access and face prohibitively expensive air travel costs.
Petition for publicly run collaborative care clinics
J. Brown
Urged government to commit to a timeline for opening collaborative team clinics across the province, particularly in Labrador West, where residents face shortages of family doctors and specialists requiring follow-up care.
Petition for improved ambulance services in Ferryland District
L. O'Driscoll
Called for reliable ambulance service with advanced care paramedics from Bay Bulls to St. Shott's, citing response times exceeding one to two hours, unstaffed ambulances in Cape Broyle, and only one ambulance in Trepassey.
Question Period
Health care crisis — physician and nurse shortages, emergency room closures, long-term care bed vacancies
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey / T. Osborne
The Premier acknowledged the crisis and cited the 10-year Health Accord, recruitment from India, same-day joint replacements, and retention bonuses. The Minister of Health highlighted collaborative care teams, Heart Force One, and joint replacement expansion as evidence the Accord is working, though changes take time.
Federal health care funding and Health Accord implementation
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated that multiple Health Accord initiatives have been initiated, including eight collaborative care teams opened or near opening, and that the benefits of changes are being seen.
Sugar tax repeal
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier defended the sugar tax as a disincentive to change beverage choices, citing British Medical Journal evidence that it changes behaviour while allowing producers to sell more beverages.
Carbon tax and home heating oil cost increases
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier emphasized that the carbon tax is federal, not provincial, and that the province has fought against it. He invited the Opposition to stay tuned for cost-of-living measures in the upcoming budget.
Grocery costs and support for local farmers
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by S. Coady
The Finance Minister noted the province maintains the second-lowest gas tax in the country to help farmers and delivery costs, and that the government is meeting or exceeding agricultural development targets.
School safety following violent assault at Prince of Wales Collegiate
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister of Education condemned the targeted attack outside the school, confirmed two arrests by the RNC, and stated that schools are safe. He noted the Safe & Caring Schools Policy is a living document last reviewed with the RNC in 2022 and will be debriefed after the investigation.
Teacher shortages and mental health supports contributing to school violence
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister acknowledged recruitment and retention challenges, cited increased Memorial University cohorts, and stated that a co-created recruitment and retention strategy with the NLTA is under way, including bonuses for remote schools.
Confidence in Memorial University president over Indigenous heritage controversy
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister stated the issue lies with the Board of Regents, who hold the president's contract. The president is taking a leave of absence, and the Board has established an Indigenous round table. The minister emphasized Memorial's statutory autonomy and the importance of academic freedom.
Ambulance staffing in Cape Broyle and the Southern Shore
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated the operator is living up to the contract and that the closest available ambulance is dispatched when needed. He announced a rapid response unit with an advanced care paramedic for the area, though details on 24/7 availability would be provided later.
Health Accord action on long-term care quality and protection for seniors
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister cited an expert committee reviewing personal care and long-term care homes to improve quality of life for residents and employees and address systemic issues. A report is expected in six to eight months and will be acted upon.
Violence against seniors in long-term care facilities (Botwood, Carbonear)
Asked by P. Dinn / P. Forsey / H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister acknowledged incidents are unacceptable but complex, often involving residents with dementia or mental health issues. Health authorities are implementing mitigation measures and investigations. He emphasized the expert committee's review will further improve operations and quality of life.
Discrepancy in number of people without a family doctor (NLMA vs. government figures)
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by A. Furey / T. Osborne
The Premier stated it is unhelpful to debate numbers and that even one person without access is important. The minister detailed recruitment successes: 25 physicians from September to December, 51 through Come Home, 23 through the family physician start-up program, and retired physicians returning. He promised further announcements, including blended capitation.
Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MTAP) review and consultation with Labradorians
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister confirmed MTAP is under review by departmental officials to identify improvements and assured that Labradorians and health authorities in Labrador will be consulted. He noted he and a caucus member met with Labrador groups earlier in the month.
Medevac response times for North Coast communities in Torngat Mountains
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister acknowledged meeting with the Member and stated the department is examining the issues raised. Medevac is contracted with Air Borealis, and he committed to further consultation as the contract renewal approaches.
Orders of the Day
Motion to extend sitting hours on March 13
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 13, 2023. Motion carried.
First reading of Bill 22 (Management of Information Act amendments)
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 22, An Act to Amend the Management of Information Act and the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act. First reading carried; second reading scheduled for tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 23 (Alternate Witnessing of Documents by Lawyers)
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 23, An Act to Amend Various Acts of the Province Respecting the Alternate Witnessing of Documents by Lawyers. First reading carried; second reading scheduled for tomorrow.
Interim Supply Bill 21 debate
Multiple
The Minister of Finance introduced Interim Supply Bill 21 requesting $2,974,162,700 (37% of 2022-23 budget) for April 1 to June 30, 2023 operations while Budget 2023 is debated. Members debated extensively, focusing on health care challenges including ambulance services, medical transportation costs, long-term care safety concerns, doctor and nurse shortages, wait times for procedures, and the need for collaborative care clinics. Multiple members from rural and Labrador districts emphasized geographic barriers to accessing health care and called for 100% medical transportation reimbursement.
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.