Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 3 April 2023
Question Period focused heavily on the provincial budget's treatment of seniors and health care workers, with the Opposition criticizing inadequate financial support for seniors (a $6/month increase in benefits) and systemic failures in health care retention. The Churchill family's human rights case involving systemic discrimination in education also featured prominently, with calls for an apology and reimbursement of legal costs. The government defended its budget measures—including increases to seniors' benefits, affordable housing investments, and health care retention incentives—while the Opposition announced it would vote against the budget, citing lack of meaningful plans for health care, seniors, and cost-of-living relief. The House dealt with a point of privilege raised by the Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands regarding alleged misrepresentation of her statements during debate on Bill 22, which was resolved with an apology. The Minister of Health announced the amalgamation of four regional health authorities into Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services effective April 1. The main business was debate on the 2023 budget (Motion 1), with the Leader of the Official Opposition delivering an extensive critique acknowledging some positive measures while expressing concern about insufficient investment in education, nursing, and lack of clear implementation plans.
Members' Statements
White Hills Resort Award
L. Parrott
The Member for Terra Nova congratulated White Hills Resort in Clarenville for winning the Mackenzie Top Peak award of $100,000 after a competitive voting and social media process involving community support.
Shannon Holloway's Heritage Boat Building
C. Pardy
The Member for Bonavista recognized Shannon Holloway of Bloomfield for building an exact replica of a 1940s motor boat with a make-and-break engine to preserve marine history and enhance tourism.
Betty Saunders Community Volunteer
P. Forsey
The Member for Exploits recognized Betty Saunders of Norris Arm for over 60 years of community service including work with BGC Norris Arm, serving as town manager, and supporting various community organizations.
Kennedy Brothers at Canada Winter Games
L. O'Driscoll
The Member for Ferryland recognized brothers Alex and Jack Kennedy from Bay Bulls who represented Newfoundland and Labrador in wheelchair basketball at the Canada Winter Games in PEI from February 18 to March 5, 2023.
Return of Outer Cove Marines Hockey Team
J. Wall
The Member for Cape St. Francis recognized the return of the Outer Cove Marines to the Avalon East Senior Hockey League in 2022, an original team from the league's 1966 inception with a storied history.
Routine Proceedings
Minister's Statement - Health Authority Amalgamation
T. Osborne
The Minister of Health announced the amalgamation of four regional health authorities and the NL Centre for Health Information into Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services effective April 1, with five regional health councils to maintain regional focus. Opposition responses expressed concerns about consultation, protection of medical records, and whether the change would improve rural health care access.
Tabling of Activity Plans
D. Bragg
The Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture tabled 2023-25 activity plans for the Fish Processing Licensing Board, Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board, its Appeal Board, and Chicken Farmers of NL as required under the Transparency and Accountability Act.
Tabling of Privacy Commissioner Correspondence
S. Stoodley
The Minister of Digital Government and Service NL tabled a letter she sent to the Information and Privacy Commissioner and his response, clarifying debate around Cabinet records in relation to Bill 22.
Notice of Motion - House Adjournment
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice that the House will adjourn after proceedings on April 5, 2023 until Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Notice of Private Member's Motion - Health Care Privatization
J. Dinn
The Leader of the Third Party gave notice of a private member's motion urging government to reject further privatization of health care, roll back current privatization, and invest in a publicly funded and administered system.
Petition - Canning Bridge Replacement
J. Dwyer
The Member for Placentia West - Bellevue presented a petition signed by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Marystown calling for immediate replacement of Canning Bridge, requesting open communication and hard copies of reports. The Minister of Transportation responded that consultation has been ongoing and government will take time to do proper due diligence.
Petition - Retention Bonus for Hospital Support Workers
J. Dinn
The Member for St. John's Centre presented a petition with approximately 600 signatures from hospital support staff (administrative workers) who were excluded from retention bonuses, arguing they were described as 'the glue that keeps the place together' during COVID but now feel undervalued.
Petition - NL Housing in Central Area
P. Forsey
The Member for Exploits presented a petition calling for increased Newfoundland and Labrador Housing units in the Central area, noting over 300 people on the waiting list and urgent need for immediate housing solutions.
Petition - Health Care for Postville
L. Evans
The Member for Torngat Mountains presented a petition calling for adequate health care for Postville, which has only one nurse with no RCMP support and no road access, making the position vulnerable and difficult to recruit for.
Petition - Route 235 Maintenance
C. Pardy
The Member for Bonavista presented a petition from 700 residents calling for repair of Route 235 including washouts and damaged safety railing, and keeping the Amherst Cove depot open year-round. The Member cited a family who spent a day filling potholes themselves due to poor road conditions.
Question Period
Apology and legal costs for the Churchill family (systemic discrimination in education)
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey / J. Haggie
The Premier acknowledged past wrongs but noted the case predated his administration (2020) and committed to working with the family. The Minister of Education stated the Human Rights Tribunal settlement's financial elements have been or will be honoured by the school district, and clarified that the steering committee on deaf and hard of hearing education does include parent representatives.
Budget support for seniors and Seniors' Advocate recommendations
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey / J. Abbott / S. Coady
The government defended a 5% increase to the Seniors' Benefit (stackable with Income Supplement), a $500 home heat supplement, 850 new affordable housing units with emphasis on seniors, and free medical exams for seniors to maintain driver's licenses. Ministers argued the budget addresses cost of living and implements 90% of prior Seniors' Advocate recommendations, though the Opposition criticized the increase as only $6/month and insufficient to lift seniors out of poverty.
Nurses' retention, workplace conditions, and recruitment
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister stated that while the same number of nurses are working, many have shifted to casual or agency roles. Government is addressing workplace issues raised in the Nursing Think Tank, including a Health Human Resources Plan (RFP awarded), core staffing model review, mental health supports, and early learning/child care for nurses. Recruitment efforts include a mission to India. Compensation issues are being addressed through ongoing collective bargaining.
Funding for gender-based violence prevention and support organizations
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by P. Parsons
The Minister committed over $3 million from her department for gender-based violence initiatives and noted approximately $5 million in core funding increases across government for community-based grants and programs. She indicated a meeting is scheduled with the lawyer from the Nova Scotia inquiry and that staff are reviewing operations of community-based organizations to ensure funding meets service needs.
Gaultois resettlement vote eligibility and process
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister explained the policy allows anyone who was a permanent, full-time resident in the 365 days prior to the expression of interest vote (April 26, 2022) to participate. She stated the voter list cannot be released due to ATIPP privacy protections and emphasized this was a community-driven initiative with government support.
Municipal regionalization and shared-services funding
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister noted Municipal Operating Grants increased by $3 million this year and $3 million next year. She stated government is addressing challenges in the regionalization report related to population density and geography, and will work with communities to determine appropriate regional shared-services models and funding access.
Health care worker retention and access to dental care
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by A. Furey / T. Osborne
The Premier highlighted retention bonuses for GPs ($25,000) and $50,000 'come home' packages for nurse practitioners, RNs, LPNs, and paramedics, plus investments in modern facilities. On dental care, the Minister of Health stated government is awaiting full details of the federal dental program before determining its impact and has had discussions with the federal minister.
Social determinants of health and Health Accord implementation
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister stated the budget addresses Health Accord recommendations and multiple departments are involved in addressing social determinants of health, including housing, income support, and other measures to improve overall health outcomes.
Regional health authority restructuring and local representation
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister assured that the new provincial health authority board includes individuals from across the province, and each regional health council will have local representation and a seat on the provincial board, ensuring local voices are heard in decision-making.
Orders of the Day
Motion 6 - Public Accounts Committee Membership
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved to establish the Public Accounts Committee membership comprising seven MHAs from various districts. The motion was adopted.
Budget Debate - Motion 1
D. Brazil
The Leader of the Official Opposition delivered an extensive speech on the 2023 budget, his 14th budget speech in the House. He outlined the Opposition's role to scrutinize, hold government accountable, and offer alternatives. He acknowledged positive measures including health funding increases, medical transportation improvements, glucose monitoring program, gas tax relief, home heating relief, seismic investment, and tax removal from home insurance. However, he expressed serious concerns about insufficient investment in education (citing NLTA president's criticism), neglect of nurses (750 vacancies, inadequate retention bonuses), lack of support for teachers, inadequate response to surgical backlogs, rural ER closures, and absence of clear implementation plans. He criticized the tuition freeze removal at Memorial University while government claims strong finances, questioned the Future Fund priority when crisis issues remain unaddressed, and called for better federal health transfers and a comprehensive economic growth plan. He stated he remains 'cautiously optimistically hopeful' but is not yet convinced the budget will adequately improve lives, pending clarification through Estimates process.
Other business
Point of Privilege - Alleged Misrepresentation
S. Stoodley
The Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands raised a point of privilege alleging the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port misrepresented her statements during debate on Bill 22, specifically regarding housekeeping amendments and the Privacy Commissioner's recommendations. The Member for Stephenville - Port au Port apologized unequivocally and withdrew his remarks.
Recognition of Visitors
The Speaker
The Speaker welcomed Kelly Vodden's Masters Environmental Policy class from Grenfell Campus and past and present members of the Outer Cove Marines to the public gallery.
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.