Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 14 March 2023
The House debated Bill 21, the Interim Supply bill granting $2,974,162,700 to sustain government operations from April 1 until late June while the full budget is scrutinized. The Minister of Finance emphasized this is standard housekeeping to maintain payroll and services, not additional spending. Members also debated the sugar-sweetened beverage tax, with government defending it as a health measure whose revenues fund nutrition and activity programs, while Opposition called for its repeal and a poverty reduction strategy instead. Several bills received first reading, including amendments to the Revenue Administration Act, Architects Act, Patient Safety Act, and Pharmaceutical Services Act. The Minister of Finance tabled a special warrant order-in-council, and the Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology tabled a performance evaluation of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program.
Members' Statements
Recognition of volunteer firefighters John and Wayne Rowsell in Leading Tickles
P. Forsey
Recognized John Rowsell's 43 years with the fire department (30 as chief) and brother Wayne's 30 years (23 as treasurer), noting their fundraising efforts that raised $30,000-$35,000 annually for the department.
Shirley Barnable honoured as lifetime 4-H Canada Honorary Member
L. O'Driscoll
Recognized Shirley Barnable from Ferryland for receiving lifetime honorary membership in 4-H Canada for her decades of leadership as club president, volunteer leader, and provincial council chair.
Exploits Hurricanes athletes at Special Olympics Winter Games
C. Tibbs
Honoured athlete Liam Gibbons who bowled two perfect games in one day at the 2023 Special Olympics Winter Games in Grand Falls-Windsor, earning two individual gold medals and entering the 900 Club, and recognized Melvin Hanhams who will represent Canada at World Games in Berlin.
Holyrood Heritage Society Museum
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Recognized the Holyrood Heritage Society Museum, Art Gallery and Gift Shop for its 11 exhibition rooms showcasing local history, support for local artists, and construction of a second-floor workshop space that will include work by the late artist Gerald Squires.
Fundraiser for Ryder Walters in Lark Harbour and York Harbour
E. Joyce
Recognized the community fundraiser on February 11 for Grade 10 student Ryder Walters who is receiving cancer treatment, which raised $23,961.75 through a benefit concert, bake sale, auction, and other activities organized by local band Route 450 and the school.
Routine Proceedings
Premier's statement on one-year anniversary of Ukrainian humanitarian mission
A. Furey
The Premier marked one year since the province launched airlifts bringing over 700 Ukrainians to safety, with an additional 1,600 arriving independently for a total community of over 2,300. He reported from a recent trip to Poland that the province remains a desired destination and thanked Polish officials and the Canadian ambassador.
Opposition response to Ukrainian statement
D. Brazil and J. Dinn
The Official Opposition welcomed Ukrainians and thanked the Association for New Canadians but called for more assistance with housing, noting hotel accommodation is not a long-term solution. The NDP Leader emphasized the need for adequate housing stock, dental care, child care spaces, and school supports to retain newcomers.
Point of order regarding unparliamentary language
G. Byrne
The Government House Leader raised a point of order citing Standing Order 49, alleging the Member for Conception Bay South used the word 'misleading' during Question Period, which is unparliamentary, and requested the Member withdraw the remark and apologize.
Response to point of order
D. Brazil, J. Hogan, and B. Petten
The Opposition Leader argued it was a debate about facts, not a violation of House rules. The Government House Leader countered that unparliamentary language cannot be excused by claiming debate. The Member for Conception Bay South defended his passionate advocacy on child care issues and refused to apologize, stating he believes in what he said. The Speaker took the matter under advisement to review and report back.
Tabling of special warrant order-in-council
S. Coady
The Minister of Finance tabled an order-in-council authorizing preparation of a special warrant for fiscal year 2022-23 pursuant to section 28(4)(e) of the Financial Administration Act.
Tabling of Junior Exploration Assistance Program evaluation
A. Parsons
The Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology tabled the Junior Exploration Assistance performance measures evaluation for years 2019-20 to 2021-22, prepared in June 2022, consistent with the Auditor General's recommendation to report to the House.
Notice of bills to be introduced
A. Parsons
The Minister gave notice of two bills to be introduced: Bill 33, An Act Respecting the Amalgamation of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydroelectric Corporation and Nalcor Energy, and Bill 34, An Act to Amend the Electrical Power Control Act, 1954, and the Public Utilities Act.
Petition on Dr. Wm H. Newhook Community Health Centre emergency room closures
J. Dwyer
Presented petition calling for the Whitbourne health centre to be fully staffed and open, noting its strategic location on Route 1 serving a catchment area of 6,200 people and citing a recent rally that drew strong community support despite weather postponement.
Petition on coverage of newer blood thinners
C. Pardy
Presented petition calling for newer, safer anticoagulants like Xarelto and Eliquis to be added to the Prescription Drug Program, arguing they are less likely to cause strokes than Warfarin, have fewer drug interactions, and monitoring costs for Warfarin exceed the cost of generic newer drugs.
Petition on road conditions in Harbour Main district
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Presented petition calling for repair and repaving of Routes 60 and 70, acknowledging recent announcement of paving between North River and South River but emphasizing continued concerns about Route 60 from Upper Gullies to Holyrood, including safety concerns raised by ambulance services.
Response to roads petition
E. Loveless
The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure stated that Route 60 requires long-term planning involving multiple stakeholders including the City of St. John's and asked councils to participate in developing a comprehensive plan.
Petition on keeping senior couples together in long-term care
J. Dinn
Presented petition calling for policy change to prevent separation of couples due to differing care levels in long-term care, and for legislation to this effect, noting the issue stems from staffing shortages and closed beds in facilities.
Petition to cancel sugar-sweetened beverage tax
T. Wakeham
Presented petition calling for cancellation of the 20-cent per litre sugar tax, arguing it is within government's control to cancel unlike other cost-of-living factors, and questioning how much revenue has been collected and whether the tax has modified behaviour as intended.
Response to sugar tax petition
S. Coady
The Minister of Finance defended the tax, tabling a British Medical Journal article showing UK sugar consumption from soft drinks fell after their sugar tax, and citing support from the World Health Organization, dental association, cancer society, and other health organizations for the measure as a health initiative.
Orders of the Day
Motion to extend sitting hours on March 14, 2023
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, under Standing Order 11(1). Motion carried.
First reading of Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Revenue Administration Act No. 3
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 27 for first reading. The bill was read a first time and ordered read a second time tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Architects Act, 2008
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 29 for first reading on behalf of the Minister for Digital Government and Service NL. The bill was read a first time and ordered read a second time tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 30, An Act Respecting the Regulations of Mortgage Brokerages and Mortgage Brokers
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 30 for first reading on behalf of the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL. The bill was read a first time and ordered read a second time tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 31, An Act to Amend the Patient Safety Act
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 31 for first reading on behalf of the Minister of Health and Community Services. The bill was read a first time and ordered read a second time tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Pharmaceutical Services Act
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 32 for first reading on behalf of the Minister of Health and Community Services. The bill was read a first time and ordered read a second time tomorrow.
Committee of Supply debate on Bill 21 (Interim Supply)
Multiple
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole to debate Bill 21, An Act Granting to His Majesty $2,974,162,700 for interim supply (37% of 2022-23 budget) to cover government operations from April 1 until the full budget is passed. The Minister of Finance explained this is standard practice to maintain payroll and services during budget debate. Opposition Members supported the bill but raised concerns about health care access, doctor and nurse shortages, emergency room closures, road conditions, municipal operating grants, education funding, child care accessibility, and cost of living. Government Members defended the sugar tax as a health measure with revenues directed to Kids Eat Smart, prenatal programs, and physical activity credits, and highlighted investments in roads ($225 million plan), Ukrainian resettlement, Indigenous tourism, and pay equity legislation consultations. Debate included extensive discussion of health care challenges including 136,000 without family doctors, 752 nursing vacancies, long-term care bed closures, emergency department deaths up 24%, and air ambulance delays in Western Newfoundland with patients waiting up to 35 days for transfer to St. John's.
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.