Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 27 April 2023
Question Period focused heavily on cost-of-living pressures (Marine Atlantic fuel surcharge, carbon tax), the delayed return of the Terra Nova FPSO to production, and health care challenges including transplant coordination and Health Accord implementation. The Opposition criticized the government's relationship with federal Liberals and its handling of offshore energy projects, while ministers defended their investments and pointed to past PC decisions. Additional questions addressed student enrolment at Memorial University, medical transportation allowances, and housing and service inequities in Labrador. The House conducted routine business including Members' Statements recognizing community volunteers and milestones, a Ministerial Statement on affordable housing investments totaling nearly $140 million, and tabling of the Auditor General's monitoring report. The main business was continued debate on the 2023 Budget, with Opposition and Third Party members criticizing gaps in health care, cost-of-living supports, and lack of detailed implementation plans, while government members defended investments and outlined economic development priorities.
Members' Statements
Conception Bay South Citizen of the Year Award
B. Petten
Recognized Norine Taylor as 2023 Citizen of the Year for her extensive volunteer work with multiple community organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Canadian Cancer Society, Girl Guides, and the Children's Wish Foundation.
98th Birthday of Clara Reid
P. Forsey
Celebrated Mrs. Clara Reid of Bishop's Falls on her 98th birthday, noting her career as a teacher and her status as the oldest living resident in the town, still living independently.
Southern Shore Senior Breakers Herder Trophy Win
L. O'Driscoll
Congratulated the Southern Shore Senior Breakers on winning their second consecutive Herder Memorial Trophy, defeating the Deer Lake Red Wings in five games.
Recognition of Bradley Reid's Heroism
C. Tibbs
Honored Bradley Reid for his bravery at age six when he stayed with his injured grandfather for over a day after an ATV accident and successfully sought help.
70th Wedding Anniversary of George and Bertha Youden
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Recognized George and Bertha Youden from Georgetown on their platinum (70th) wedding anniversary, noting their health and active lifestyle at ages 90 and 87.
Tribute to Dr. G. William Fitzgerald
K. Howell
Honored the late Dr. G. William Fitzgerald, a general surgeon who served the Great Northern Peninsula for over 40 years, was a Member of the Order of Canada, and passed away April 17, 2023. A moment of silence was observed.
Affordable Housing Investments
J. Abbott (Minister)
Announced nearly $140 million in Budget 2023 for affordable housing, including $70 million for 850+ new rental homes, $25 million for emergency shelters, $17 million for social housing repairs, $10 million in homeowner grants, and $30 million for a health/housing hub in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Opposition and Third Party responses criticized growing wait-lists (up 55% to 2,352 families), 290 vacant housing units, and increasing homelessness.
Routine Proceedings
Tabling of Document
T. Wakeham
Tabled a document requested by the Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development during previous debate.
Auditor General Report
The Speaker
Tabled the Monitoring Report on Outstanding Performance Audit Recommendations 2014-2020 in accordance with the Auditor General Act, 2021.
Notices of Motion - Extended Sitting Hours
J. Hogan (Government House Leader)
Gave notice of motions to extend sitting hours beyond 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2023 and Thursday, May 4, 2023.
Petition - Emergency Plan for Working Poor
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Presented petition calling for an emergency plan to address cost-of-living crisis affecting working poor in Harbour Main district, citing concerns about grocery prices, rental costs, fuel, and mental health impacts, particularly on young families.
Petition - Fairer Electricity Rates for Northern Labrador
L. Evans
Presented petition seeking electricity rates comparable to Lake Melville region; Northern Labrador residents pay six times more (19 cents/kWh) above 1,000 kWh, disproportionately affecting seniors and low-income families.
Petition - Seal Population Management
C. Pardy
Presented petition urging proactive measures to address seal population impacts on groundfish stocks and commercial fishery, noting seals consume one million metric tons of capelin in 2J3KL while commercial harvest takes only 1.2%.
Petition - Memorial University Tuition
J. Dinn
Presented petition with 160 signatures (approaching 700 total) opposing tuition increases of 150% for domestic students and 97% for international students, calling for free education, elimination of differential fees, and debt cancellation.
Petition - Family Doctor Shortage in Trepassey/Ferryland Area
L. O'Driscoll
Presented petition calling for Eastern Health to accommodate a physician willing to practice full-time in the Cape Broyle to St. Shotts area, citing long wait times for appointments and blood work follow-up.
Petition - Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre Staffing
J. Dwyer
Presented petition urging full staffing and consistent emergency room availability at the Whitbourne health centre, which serves a catchment area of 6,500 and is strategically located on the Trans-Canada Highway.
Question Period
Marine Atlantic fuel surcharge increase and impact on cost of living
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey / A. Parsons / S. Crocker
The Premier acknowledged shared concerns and committed to advocate with the federal government. Minister Parsons noted that cost recovery began under a previous federal PC government. Minister Crocker emphasized that access is a major challenge and called for federal intervention similar to Prince Edward Island.
Terra Nova FPSO delays and timeline for return to production
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey / A. Parsons
The Premier defended the government's decision not to take equity, avoiding liability while enjoying royalties. Minister Parsons stated that without government investment the project would not have proceeded, highlighted 658 NL residents working on it as of December, and said the resource will remain available. He refused to commit to a specific production timeline but emphasized the project's economic benefits.
Memorial University enrolment decline and tuition increases
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
Minister Osborne said multiple factors (tuition, declining school enrolment) may have contributed to the drop and that enrolment for next year is at pre-pandemic levels. He stated that the former president had proposed tuition increases and that government redirected the tuition freeze money to student supports rather than operations.
Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MTAP) inadequacy for out-of-province transplant patient
Asked by P. Forsey · Answered by T. Osborne / L. Dempster
Minister Osborne said MTAP is under review to improve service and reimbursement. Minister Dempster confirmed the program transferred to Labrador Affairs on April 1, a review is underway, and encouraged the Member to reach out with the specific case.
Transplant coordinator staffing and support
Asked by P. Forsey · Answered by T. Osborne
Minister Osborne took the question under advisement and said he would see what improvements can be made to the transplant program.
Health Accord implementation: evaluation plan, seniors legislation, frail elderly program, and recruitment plan
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
Minister Osborne listed numerous initiatives already underway (Heart Force One, same-day joint replacement, health authority integration, ambulance service integration, world-class recruitment office, expert panel on long-term care) and noted the Health Accord is a 10-year plan with many recommendations already being implemented in the first year.
Teacher staffing shortages in Labrador West
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
Minister Osborne said the information provided by the Minister of Education came from the school district, but to be certain, the assistant deputy minister of Education will travel to Labrador to assess the situation on the ground and address any deficiencies.
Reinstatement of freight boat service to Northern Labrador communities
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by E. Loveless
Minister Loveless stated that consultations with stakeholders show great strides have been made, with increases in freight and passengers, and committed to continuing to build on that success.
Removal of provincial tax on heating fuel in Torngat Mountains
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by S. Coady
Minister Coady clarified there is no provincial tax on home heating and that HST is a harmonized federal tax beyond provincial control. She noted the government implemented a $500 home heat rebate program to assist residents.
Vacant Newfoundland and Labrador Housing units in Torngat Mountains (Nain and Hopedale)
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by J. Abbott
Minister Abbott said he and the Minister of Labrador Affairs visited Nain and met with Nunatsiavut leadership to discuss housing. Money is committed in this year's budget to address most units, but he could not commit to an October deadline as it depends on operational decisions and supply delivery.
Orders of the Day
Budget Debate - Opposition Concerns on Respect and Process
B. Petten
Argued that Opposition has a duty to ask tough questions without being accused of 'weaponizing' or 'demonizing' institutions like MUN; criticized government for lack of respect for Opposition's role and insufficient meaningful debate time in the Legislature.
Budget Debate - Criticism of Spending Priorities and Hypocrisy
B. Petten
Noted provincial debt has risen from $15 billion to $26 billion despite government's 2016 criticism of previous administration; accused government of hypocrisy in infrastructure spending and selective intervention in autonomous institutions.
Budget Debate - Need for Comprehensive Plan
D. Brazil
Emphasized budget lacks detailed implementation plans for addressing health care, cost of living, economic development, and fair treatment in Confederation; called for open debate on how $10 billion will benefit Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Budget Debate - Marine Atlantic Rate Increase Concerns
D. Brazil
Criticized government's reactive approach to 4% Marine Atlantic freight increase, warning of impacts on cost of living and tourism industry; contrasted with PEI's successful lobbying to prevent Confederation Bridge toll increases.
Budget Debate - Resource Development and Environmental Policy
D. Brazil
Advocated for continued oil production as cleanest available while developing green energy alternatives; highlighted province's leadership in hydroelectric, wind, and hydrogen development; called for confidence in local expertise and resources.
Budget Debate - Fisheries Management and Federal Relations
D. Brazil
Called for joint management of fisheries and criticized historical federal trade-offs that sacrificed NL fishing industry; emphasized need for all parties to advocate collectively with federal government on provincial interests.
Budget Debate - Health Care Recruitment Strategy
D. Brazil
Criticized lack of proactive recruitment of health professionals graduating from provincial institutions; suggested student loan forgiveness and other incentives for those committing to practice in NL rather than reactive cash bonuses.
Budget Debate - Parliamentary Process and Decorum
A. Parsons (Minister)
Defended current House proceedings by providing historical context, noting that when in Opposition his party faced revocation of petition rights and more hostile decorum than Opposition currently experiences.
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.