Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 15 March 2023
Question Period focused heavily on health care system failures—particularly emergency room closures in Whitbourne and Bonavista, delayed cardiac care in Labrador, and staffing shortages in long-term care. The Opposition also pressed the government on child care accessibility despite reduced fees, the delayed wage grid for early childhood educators, the carbon tax on home heating fuel, and cybersecurity deficiencies exposed by the 2021 health system cyberattack. Ministers defended their recruitment incentives, federal funding agreements, and upcoming policy announcements. The House debated and passed Bill 27, which extends the seven-cent-per-litre reduction on gasoline and diesel taxes until March 31, 2024, at an estimated cost of $63.4 million. While all parties supported the measure as cost-of-living relief, Opposition and independent Members criticized it as a temporary, reactive measure rather than part of a comprehensive plan, and called for broader tax relief and targeted support for vulnerable populations. Members also paid tribute to community pioneers and builders in statements recognizing their contributions.
Members' Statements
Tribute to Joan Stamp, Labrador West pioneer
J. Brown
Recognized Joan Stamp, who passed away at 96 after 61 years in Labrador West, for her community volunteerism, long service with the Status of Women, and dedication to family and community events.
Tribute to Charles Warr, Happy Valley-Goose Bay community builder
P. Trimper
Honored Charles Warr, founder of Warr's Pharmacy (Labrador's first), for his service on town council, support of the Paddon Home seniors' complex, promotion of sports infrastructure, and lasting legacy in Central Labrador.
Question Period
Emergency room closures and federal discussions
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by S. Coady / T. Osborne
The Minister of Finance confirmed the Premier discussed health care with the prime minister but did not commit to reopening Whitbourne ER. The Health Minister noted bilateral health agreements are progressing easily due to the province's 10-year Health Accord, which addresses collaborative care and recruitment.
Carbon tax on home heating fuel
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier stated the federal carbon tax is imposed across Canada and the province is disappointed it now applies to home heating fuel. She noted the province has offered over $500 million in cost-of-living relief but did not confirm a federal commitment to remove the tax.
Delayed cardiac medevac from Labrador
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister said four additional Heart Force One flights have been approved, including one to Labrador, and expressed hope the patient in question would be prioritized by cardiologists. He emphasized that patient selection is a clinical decision, not a ministerial one.
Bonavista emergency room closure and physician recruitment
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister expressed condolences for the death of Charlie Marsh and said the goal is 24/7 ER service in Bonavista. He highlighted a $200,000 signing bonus for physicians, $3,300 per 10-hour shift, and $1,000 bonuses for airway management training to keep Category B sites open virtually if needed.
Child care staffing shortages and wage grid delays
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated the wage grid will be effective April 1, retroactive to January 1, and defended the delay as necessary to get details right. He said 700 post-secondary seats have been added and outreach to retired educators is underway, but acknowledged it takes time for graduates to enter the workforce.
Lack of child care spaces despite affordability
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister acknowledged that reducing fees to $10/day increased demand and pressure on the system, but defended affordability as a priority. He said accessibility is being addressed through educator training, recruitment, and doubling the Family Child Care Capacity Grant, but did not admit to a 'crisis.'
Come By Chance refinery explosion investigation
Asked by J. Dwyer · Answered by S. Stoodley
The minister said the occupational health and safety investigation is the largest ever undertaken and is ongoing. She stated that if charges are laid, it will be before September 2024, and confirmed all stop-work orders have been lifted, meaning the site is safe.
Cybersecurity deficiencies post-2021 health system attack
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by S. Stoodley
The minister said cybersecurity is a top priority and measures are being implemented across government and ABCs, but declined to detail them publicly to avoid giving attackers a blueprint. She emphasized that tactics evolve constantly and vigilance is required from all users.
Home care worker wages and long-term care staffing
Asked by P. Lane · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister said the government is working with the federal government on home care worker wages and hinted at an announcement next week. On long-term care, he defended the expert panel review as addressing systemic issues beyond staffing and rejected the suggestion it is a waste of money.
Orders of the Day
Second reading debate of Bill 27 (Revenue Administration Act amendment)
Multiple
The Minister of Finance moved second reading of Bill 27, extending the gas and diesel tax reduction of seven cents per litre (8.05 cents including HST) until March 31, 2024, at a cost of $63.4 million, as part of cost-of-living relief measures. The Leader of the Official Opposition and other Members supported the bill but criticized it as a temporary, reactive measure rather than a long-term plan, arguing government should eliminate the gas tax entirely and remove HST on home heating as necessities of life. The Member for Labrador West noted the tax relief does not translate to lower grocery prices and called for removing HST on residential heating. The Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands emphasized the province's dependence on offshore oil revenue to fund such measures and cautioned that foregone tax revenue limits spending on health care and debt reduction. The Member for Topsail - Paradise called for a comprehensive plan with benchmarks and timelines, referencing the successful 2006 Poverty Reduction Strategy. The Leader of the Third Party supported the bill but argued for smarter taxation focused on the common good, a basic income guarantee, and addressing corporate profits and climate change costs. The Member for Humber - Bay of Islands criticized government for not fulfilling commitments on sugar tax revenue allocation to education and for failing to address the cataract surgery wait-list and nurse practitioner scope-of-practice issues in Western Newfoundland. The bill passed second reading unanimously.
Committee of the Whole consideration of Bill 27
The Speaker
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole, considered Bill 27 clause by clause, and reported the bill without amendment. Third reading was scheduled for the following day.
Retraction of comment by Opposition House Leader
B. Petten
The Opposition House Leader retracted a comment made during a point of order the previous day that government had taken offence to.
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.