Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 21 March 2023
Question Period focused heavily on the fishing industry's challenges (crab storage, mackerel closures, federal decisions), the government's legal action regarding the Privacy Commissioner's investigation of the cyberattack, delays in implementing an early childhood educator wage grid, a school bus mechanical failure in Mount Pearl, and systemic health care issues including psychologist and psychiatrist vacancies, long-term care incidents, and family doctor retention. The House of Assembly conducted routine business including introductions of guests, Members' Statements recognizing community contributions and achievements, and two Ministerial Statements on fiscal management and prescription drug coverage. The main legislative activity involved first readings of two bills related to the amalgamation of Nalcor and Hydro and amendments to electrical power legislation. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole to debate Interim Supply (Bill 21), requesting $2.974 billion to fund government operations from April 1 to June 30, 2023, pending passage of the full budget scheduled for March 23. Members raised concerns about health care access, child care availability, cost of living, infrastructure needs, and equitable treatment of residents across the province.
Members' Statements
Recognition of Lions Clubs in Placentia West - Bellevue
J. Dwyer
Recognized Lions Clubs for their volunteer work supporting seniors, youth, and community members in need throughout the district.
Frequent Flyers fundraising group for Bay St. George Sick Children's Foundation
T. Wakeham
Saluted a group of mothers who have raised over $20,000 for the Bay St. George Sick Children's Foundation while providing emotional support to families with sick children.
Canada Winter Games participants from Ferryland District
L. O'Driscoll
Congratulated athletes, coaches, and managers from Ferryland who represented Newfoundland and Labrador at the Canada Winter Games, including bronze medalist Michael Gosine.
Bishop Abraham Elementary cultural fair
J. Dinn
Celebrated Bishop Abraham Elementary's cultural fair during Education Week, highlighting the school's diversity with students representing over 25 countries.
90th birthday of Margie Warr
B. Warr
Honored his mother Margie Warr on her 90th birthday, celebrating her life, accomplishments, and love of curling and lawn bowling.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial Statement on fiscal management and European borrowing program
S. Coady (Minister of Finance)
Announced the province's strategic plan for financial improvement, including the launch of a European borrowing program and a Future Fund with $157 million contributed this fiscal year.
Ministerial Statement on prescription drug coverage expansion
T. Osborne (Minister of Health)
Announced that effective March 1, 2023, three anti-coagulant medications (Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Edoxaban) became open benefits under the provincial Prescription Drug Program, benefiting approximately 3,500 patients.
Notices of motion regarding House sitting hours
J. Hogan (Government House Leader)
Gave three notices: that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on March 21; that Private Member's Day be cancelled on March 22 for government business; and that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on April 3.
Correction to earlier statement
J. Haggie (Minister of Education)
Clarified that a member of the early child care advisory committee is an association partner, not a business partner, of a constituent who had written to a Member.
Petitions on mental health care, insulin access, road access regulations, electricity rates, and child care
Multiple
Members presented petitions calling for long-term mental health care, affordable insulin access, relaxed road access regulations in rural areas, fairer electricity rates for Northern Labrador, and accessible child care spaces.
Question Period
Fishing industry viability and federal engagement
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey / D. Bragg
The Premier and Minister of Fisheries emphasized ongoing dialogue with stakeholders and Ottawa, citing global market forces (China, Russia, oversupply) beyond provincial control. The minister highlighted attendance at the Boston seafood show and noted the fishery is in a 'reset' phase, with meetings continuing between processors and harvesters.
Government legal action against Privacy Commissioner over cyberattack investigation
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey / J. Hogan
The Premier and Minister of Justice defended the court application as necessary to address a reasonable apprehension of bias due to the Privacy Commissioner's prior roles at NLCHI and the Department of Health. They insisted the investigation will proceed but must first resolve potential conflict concerns through the courts.
Delayed wage grid for early childhood educators
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister of Education stated that operators and sector representatives requested more time and that multiple meetings and town halls occurred. He promised an imminent announcement on a competitive wage grid, asserting no ECE will earn less under the new system and many will earn more.
School bus mechanical failure and inspection protocols
Asked by C. Tibbs · Answered by S. Stoodley
The Minister for Service NL confirmed the bus was inspected before the school year and again in January by an official inspection station. She stated the bus is not in operation and an RNC investigation is underway with highway enforcement officers assisting. All inspection reports are publicly available online.
Psychologist and psychiatrist vacancies and mental health care access
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health acknowledged a vacancy rate over 50 per cent for psychologists and recent departures of psychiatrists in Western Health. He cited a recent market adjustment for clinical psychologists, recruitment efforts including Come Home benefits, and multiple mental health initiatives (Bridge the gapp, Doorways, Mobile Crisis Response, Strongest Families Institute).
Long-term care incident and delayed injury assessment
Asked by P. Forsey · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister expressed concern and offered to meet privately with the MHA to address the specific case, noting he cannot discuss individual patient details on the floor of the House.
Fonemed referrals and Patient Connect NL
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister said correspondence has been sent to Fonemed to review referral recommendations. He noted less than 1 per cent of those seen by Fonemed nurse practitioners are referred to emergency or family doctors, and Fonemed is recruiting additional nurse practitioners.
Support for existing family practices and retention
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne / A. Furey
The minister and Premier highlighted the announcement of 10 additional Family Care Teams, a forthcoming virtual care public tender, and a $25,000 retention bonus for family physicians. The Premier emphasized this retention bonus directly addresses the question of supporting current doctors.
Anti-replacement worker legislation
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by B. Davis
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change (responsible for Labour) stated the government is balancing worker rights with employer needs and will discuss the issue with federal colleagues at an upcoming federal-provincial-territorial meeting.
Rural health care centre doctor retention and Family Care Teams
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister pointed to the rural retention bonus announced the previous day, the $25,000 retention bonus, and the $200,000 recruitment initiative for Category B sites, citing early success in Bonavista and upcoming efforts in New-Wes-Valley and Baie Verte.
Orders of the Day
First reading of Bill 33 (Amalgamation of NL Hydro and Nalcor)
J. Hogan (Government House Leader)
Introduced and received first reading for Bill 33, An Act Respecting the Amalgamation of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro-Electric Corporation and Nalcor Energy, ordered for second reading tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 34 (Amendments to Electrical Power Control Act and Public Utilities Act)
J. Hogan (Government House Leader)
Introduced and received first reading for Bill 34, An Act to Amend the Electrical Power Control Act, 1994 and the Public Utilities Act, ordered for second reading tomorrow.
Committee of the Whole debate on Interim Supply (Bill 21)
Multiple
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole to debate Bill 21, requesting $2,974,162,700 in Interim Supply (approximately 37% of last year's budget) to fund government operations from April 1 to June 30, 2023, pending passage of the full budget on March 23. Members raised concerns about health care crises (doctor shortages, emergency room closures, long-term care bed shortages), child care accessibility despite $10-a-day program, cost of living pressures, infrastructure needs (roads, bridges), housing waitlists, treatment of seniors, Crown land issues, municipal responsibilities for health care, food bank usage increases, and equitable application of government policies across regions. The Minister of Finance emphasized this is standard procedure to ensure seamless government operations and is not incremental to the upcoming budget.
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.