Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 25 April 2023
Question Period focused heavily on the crab fishery crisis, with the Opposition pressing the Premier on government intervention in a billion-dollar industry facing market collapse. Additional topics included children with autism being excluded from daycares due to staffing shortages, pay equity legislation gaps, rising income support usage amid cost-of-living pressures, housing wait-lists and vacant units, and inadequate dental coverage for low-income seniors. The sitting focused on routine business including Members' Statements recognizing local achievements and community contributions, ministerial statements on Earth Day and environmental progress, tabling of reports including the Public Accounts Committee report on the MV Veteran and Legionnaire, and extensive budget debate. The House also considered a subamendment to the budget non-confidence motion criticizing the government's relationship with Ottawa and economic planning.
Members' Statements
Mom's Girls Comedy at Toronto Sketch Festival
J. Dinn
Congratulated Mom's Girls comedy sketch group from St. John's for representing the province at the Toronto Sketch Festival, having the top-selling show, and continuing the province's comedy tradition.
Clarenville All Stars at 2023 Winter Games
L. Parrott
Recognized Clarenville All Stars Special Olympians who competed in snowshoe racing and bowling at the 2023 Winter Games in Grand Falls-Windsor, listing individual medal achievements.
Conception Bay South Athletic Awards and Hall of Fame
P. Dinn
Highlighted the annual CBS athletic awards ceremony with 44 nominees across seven categories and four lifetime achievers inducted into the Hall of Fame, listing all award winners.
Simeon Nicodemus Nochasak Tribute
L. Evans
Paid tribute to Simeon Nochasak of Makkovik, who passed away February 2, 2023, recognizing his faithful service as Moravian Church organist and Inuktitut reader and his knowledge of old ways.
Trinity Hogan's International Peace Poster Award
C. Pardy
Celebrated Trinity Hogan, a 13-year-old from Port Rexton, for receiving one of 23 Merit Awards in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest, competing against over 600,000 applicants from 60 countries.
Routine Proceedings
Earth Day Ministerial Statement
B. Davis
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change recognized Earth Day (April 22) and reported that 2021 greenhouse gas emissions were 8.3 megatons, a 13% decrease from 2020, with further reductions of 615,000 tons anticipated by 2030.
Public Accounts Committee Report on MV Veteran and Legionnaire
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Presented Report Two of the Public Accounts Committee reviewing the Auditor General's report on the MV Veteran and MV Legionnaire, acknowledging the Auditor General, public servants, and Committee members.
Tabling of House of Assembly Management Commission Documents
The Speaker
Tabled the Management Commission annual report for fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, and minutes of Commission meetings held between January 26, 2022, and January 31, 2023.
Notice of Motion - Memorial University Act Amendment
J. Haggie
The Minister of Education gave notice of introducing Bill 39, An Act To Amend The Memorial University Act.
Notice of Motion - Cancellation of Private Members' Day
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice to cancel Private Members' Day on April 26, 2023, and instead meet at 2 p.m. for Routine Proceedings and Government Business.
Notice of Motion - Extended Sitting Hours
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice that the House will not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
Petitions on Early Childhood Educator Shortage
P. Dinn
Presented a petition calling for a short-term strategy to allow daycares to employ retirees, former teachers, or other qualified workers to address the shortage of early childhood educators causing children with exceptionalities to be displaced.
Petition on Memorial University Tuition Increases
J. Dinn
Presented a petition opposing the 150% tuition increase for domestic students and 97% increase for international students, calling for free education, elimination of differential fees, and cancellation of student debt.
Petition for Paving Wheelers Road in Noels Pond
T. Wakeham
Presented a petition from Noels Pond residents requesting paving of 0.8 km of Wheelers Road due to increased traffic from T'Railway upgrades and planned road connections.
Petition for Witless Bay Line Upgrade
L. O'Driscoll
Presented a petition urging upgrade of the Witless Bay Line highway infrastructure, citing poor road conditions causing vehicle damage and safety concerns for commuters and commercial traffic.
Question Period
Crab fishery crisis and market viability
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated government cannot dictate marketplace supply or demand but committed to supporting displaced workers. He confirmed the minister has written to the federal government requesting supports and clarified he is open to conversations about outside buyers only if stakeholders propose it.
Children with autism excluded from daycares due to lack of inclusion workers
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister of Education acknowledged the situation is unacceptable and stated a review of the inclusion program is underway. He noted there are 10% more disability inclusion staff now than in 2019, defended 2017 policy changes allowing workers to upgrade credentials while earning, and suggested the voluntary Inclusion Program may need to become mandatory.
Pay equity legislation amendments and coverage gaps
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by P. Parsons / S. Coady
The Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality stated consultations are underway to extend pay equity to the private sector and invited public input. The Minister of Finance confirmed core public service is fully pay equity compliant as of April 1, covering skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions.
Cost-of-living crisis and highest income support usage in Canada
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by S. Coady / J. Abbott
The Minister of Finance highlighted over $500 million in cost-of-living measures including gas tax reductions and Income Supplement increases. The Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development stated income support prevalence has declined from 15% to 7% and the program is being reviewed to be more responsive, with focus on youth employment opportunities.
Housing wait-lists, vacant units, and staffing shortages at NL Housing Corporation
Asked by C. Tibbs · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister committed $70 million over three years for affordable housing and stated the 290 vacant units will be occupied within 12-18 months. He attributed delays to contractor availability rather than funding, and noted expansion of rent supplements and new housing units across regions.
Inadequate dental coverage for low-income seniors
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health stated the province is awaiting details of the federal dental program for seniors and suggested the constituent contact the department to determine eligibility under existing programs. He acknowledged criteria must be met but indicated willingness to examine grey areas and exercise discretion where appropriate.
Orders of the Day
First Reading of Bill 38 - Revenue Administration and Income Tax Act Amendments
S. Coady
The Minister of Finance introduced Bill 38, An Act to Amend the Revenue Administration Act and An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, 2000, which received first reading and was ordered for second reading tomorrow.
Budget Debate - Subamendment on Federal Transfers and Economic Growth
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Moved a subamendment to the budget non-confidence motion faulting government for failing to hold the federal government accountable on health funding and transfers, failing to implement the Health Accord, and insufficient action on economic growth and diversification.
Budget Debate - Rothschild Report and Sugar Tax Concerns
T. Wakeham
Criticized the budget for lack of transparency on the Rothschild report, questioned funding for a second Rothschild review, and argued the sugar tax failed as a behavior modification tool while revenue projections increased from $9 million to $14 million.
Budget Debate - Recycled Money and Economic Development
J. Dwyer
Argued the budget recycles money rather than creating new economic opportunities, criticized taking credit for global oil prices while hiding behind COVID pressures, and called for getting Newfoundlanders back to work in blue-collar industries.
Budget Debate - Health Care Crisis in Central Region
C. Tibbs
Highlighted health care pressures in Grand Falls-Windsor including emergency room overflow into hallways, ambulance shortages, and called for a red-flag strategy to retain health care workers considering leaving the province.
Budget Debate - Seniors' Struggles and Federal Accountability
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Detailed seniors' financial hardships citing the Seniors' Advocate report showing 60% going without food, criticized lack of plan to hold Ottawa accountable on transfers and equalization, and called for indexed seniors' benefits.
Budget Debate - Doctor Shortages and Housing Crisis in Central
P. Forsey
Reported doctor losses in Bishop's Falls, Botwood, and Grand Falls-Windsor leaving residents without family physicians, called for reopening Botwood's 24-hour emergency service, and highlighted housing crisis with people living in hotel rooms.
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.