Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 1 May 2023
Question Period focused heavily on the fishery crisis (lobster and crab standstills), Marine Atlantic rate increases, and systemic shortages in education and health care. The Opposition pressed the Premier and ministers on federal-provincial coordination, recruitment and retention challenges, and the government's responsiveness to rural concerns. The government defended its engagement with Ottawa, cited budget investments, and emphasized ongoing consultations with stakeholders. The House debated Bill 38, which amends the Revenue Administration Act and Income Tax Act to increase the payroll tax exemption threshold, double the Physical Activity Tax Credit rate, and repeal the provincial carbon tax effective July 1, 2023. The sitting also featured Members' Statements recognizing community achievements, a ministerial statement on the High School Short Film Festival, routine proceedings including notices of motion on Crown Lands and extended sitting hours, and petitions on education staffing in Labrador West, mental health care, marine shipping to Northern Labrador, physiotherapy booking at Bonavista hospital, and the Canning Bridge closure in Marystown.
Members' Statements
McIvers war memorial dedication
E. Joyce
The Member recognized the dedication of a war memorial in McIvers honouring residents who served their country, completed with $25,000 from Veterans Affairs and volunteer labour totalling 300 hours.
Labrador West Special Olympics athletes
J. Brown
The Member congratulated 10 athletes from Labrador West Big Landers who competed in the Special Olympics Provincial Winter Games in Grand Falls-Windsor, with each athlete returning home with medals in snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and curling.
Lucas Brooks receives Rise Award
B. Warr
The Member recognized Grade 11 student Lucas Brooks from Indian River High in Springdale for receiving the 2023 Rise Award, which will fund his attendance at the Boston Leadership Institute. Brooks plans to become a general practitioner serving rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mount Pearl Minor Hockey Hall of Fame inductees
P. Lane
The Member congratulated 11 individuals inducted into the Mount Pearl Minor Hockey Hall of Fame across builder, player, and official categories for their contributions to youth hockey in the community.
Sunshine Friends mental health group
P. Pike
The Member recognized Sunshine Friends, a mental health support group established six years ago in St. Lawrence that has expanded to other communities, offering soup kitchens, walks, and acts of compassion to combat depression and anxiety.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial statement on High School Short Film Festival
S. Crocker
The Minister congratulated participants in the Newfoundland and Labrador High School Short Film Festival, particularly 13-year-old Tristan Jenkins whose documentary 'Dance Chose Me' won top award. The Minister highlighted government investments in the film industry including the all-spend tax credit and a $10 million centre at CNA.
Opposition response to film festival statement
J. Dwyer
The Official Opposition congratulated the young filmmakers but raised questions about the PERT report regarding the all-spend tax credit.
NDP response to film festival statement
J. Brown
The NDP Member congratulated participants but noted that college-level funding doesn't directly help high school students and criticized the lack of provincial funding for the provincial drama festival.
Private Member's resolution on Crown Lands
P. Forsey
The Member gave notice of a resolution for May 3 debate urging government to bring forward legislative amendments to reconcile existing claims for people seeking title to land they have occupied in good faith for generations.
Notices of extended sitting hours
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice that the House will not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on May 8, 9, and 11, 2023, and that Private Members' Day on May 10 will be replaced with Government Business until midnight.
Petition on Labrador West education staffing
J. Brown
The Member presented a petition calling on government to address teacher shortages, maintenance issues, and teacher housing in Labrador West. The Member described how positions are being left unfilled or filled inadequately, with multiple teachers resigning due to workload and conditions.
Petition on long-term mental health care
P. Dinn
The Member presented a petition urging government to provide access to long-term mental health care and ensure continuity of care, noting that Mental Health Week makes the petition particularly timely.
Petition on marine shipping to Northern Labrador
L. Evans
The Member presented a petition calling for reinstatement of marine shipping service between the Island and Northern Labrador communities, removed in 2019, which has resulted in exorbitant price increases for food and essential goods. The Member questioned what consultations the Minister of Transportation conducted.
Petition on Bonavista physiotherapy booking
C. Pardy
The Member presented a petition calling for review of the physiotherapy booking process at Bonavista hospital, where patients must call during a 15-minute window on Thursday mornings for appointments the following week, with one constituent unable to secure an appointment for five weeks despite being discharged from the Miller Centre.
Petition on Canning Bridge replacement
J. Dwyer
The Member presented a petition calling on government to immediately begin replacing Canning Bridge in Marystown and implement interim transportation contingencies such as GoBus or taxi fare assistance, as the closure is impacting businesses and residents who must travel an extra 27 kilometres.
Question Period
Fishery crisis (lobster and crab standstills)
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated the Minister of Fisheries has been in daily contact with both parties, lobster has been resolved, and the government is encouraging resolution for crab. He noted market forces are beyond provincial control but emphasized the fishery's value and population growth in the province.
Federal support for fishery and surf clam quota history
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier deflected historical criticism (surf clam was federal jurisdiction) and confirmed the federal minister was in the province to ensure proper transportation for fish products, emphasizing the importance of getting product to market.
Marine Atlantic rate increases
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey / S. Crocker
The Premier said he phoned the federal transport minister over the weekend to express extreme frustration, calling Marine Atlantic an essential service and the rate increase unfair compared to the Confederation Bridge. The Minister of Tourism added that concerns were raised with Ottawa in December to prevent such increases.
Cost of living (carbon tax, ferry rates, federal policies)
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier defended the government's work with Ottawa to mitigate Muskrat Falls rate increases, arguing that without federal help electricity rates would have doubled. He framed this as addressing cost of living by fixing past mistakes.
Teacher shortages in Labrador West
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister of Education provided specific vacancy numbers (two quarter-time and one half-time out of 101 English School District positions, one quarter-time out of 5¼ Francophone positions) and acknowledged substitute shortages. He stated the district is working on recruitment and retention, with a co-created plan to be announced soon.
Relationship with NLTA and education leadership
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister defended delivering accurate numbers and said he enjoys a good face-to-face relationship with NLTA president Langdon. He announced a meeting this Thursday and expects to release a co-created recruitment and retention plan within weeks. He cited the $1.3 billion education budget as evidence of the government's commitment.
Violence prevention plan
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by P. Parsons
The Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality noted the federal National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence and ongoing bilateral agreements. She said her office has met with organizations and provides core funding, with continuous work to improve services, but did not commit to a provincial plan timeline.
Vacant policing positions
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by J. Hogan
The Minister of Justice cited a $17 million RCMP budget increase last year and 10 new RNC officers in this budget. He also announced a new 10-person unit in the department to work on policing contracts, policies, and crime prevention, pending budget approval.
Mobile crisis response team for Conception Bay North
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health committed to take the request away, examine demonstrated need and staffing capacity, and work with the MHA for the area on the issue.
Mental health services backlog and youth access
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister cited the Towards Recovery plan, the All-Party Committee, an additional $5 million in this budget, and a new mental health hospital opening soon. He acknowledged more work is needed but emphasized progress through multiple action plans and initiatives.
Recruitment and retention of mental health professionals
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister said psychologists are included in the Come Home Incentive, the government provided a market adjustment to public-sector psychologists, and he met with officials today on workplace retention issues.
Mental health services in rural areas
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister listed mobile crisis units, FACT and ACT teams, expanded Bridge the gapp (now being adopted by Quebec), and 811 mental health services accessible by phone provincewide. He acknowledged more work is needed.
New prison construction timeline and cost overruns
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by E. Loveless
The Minister of Transportation said the government is still evaluating options to move the project forward, with $7.3 million in the budget for planning. He did not confirm the reported $520 million cost or address the sole-source procurement criticism, promising more information in the near future.
Delta Hotel chemical leak investigation
Asked by C. Tibbs · Answered by S. Stoodley
The Minister of Digital Government confirmed the hotel has been deemed safe and is open, with an ongoing investigation involving Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety.
Digitalization of government health services
Asked by C. Tibbs · Answered by S. Stoodley
The minister highlighted expanded digital licensing and financial services and noted the regional health authority is leading a new health information system, urging support for the budget to fund health care investments.
Fractional teaching positions and recruitment
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier acknowledged the suggestion to convert fractional teaching units to full-time positions as reasonable and committed to taking it under advisement and working with the NLTA and stakeholders to ensure sustainable education opportunities.
Minister's dismissal of Labrador West education concerns
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister said the department regularly sends senior staff to meet stakeholders and an assistant deputy minister will visit Labrador early next week. He welcomed representation from educators and parents and said discussions will continue.
Online course time zones and core academic courses in Nain
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister noted curriculum development is ongoing (K-6 complete, junior high next) and CDLI will soon be integrated into the department. He committed to considering time zone issues and said recruitment and retention discussions for rural and remote schools will continue with the NLTA this week.
Confidence in the Education Minister
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister defended his commitment to education provincewide, reiterated vacancy numbers in Labrador West, acknowledged substitute and support staff challenges (including competition with IOC wages), and said he will work through issues with the NLTA and appropriate parties.
Orders of the Day
Motion to extend sitting hours on May 1
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on May 1, 2023. The motion was adopted.
Budget amendment vote
Multiple
The House voted on an amendment to the budget motion. The amendment was defeated 13-22, with Opposition and NDP Members voting in favour and Government Members voting against.
Second reading debate on Bill 38
S. Coady
The Minister of Finance introduced Bill 38 to amend the Revenue Administration Act and Income Tax Act, which increases the Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax exemption threshold from $1.3 million to $2 million, doubles the Physical Activity Tax Credit rate from 8.7% to 17.4%, and repeals the provincial carbon tax effective July 1, 2023 due to federal backstop imposition.
Opposition response to Bill 38
D. Brazil
The Leader of the Official Opposition supported the payroll tax exemption increase but criticized the sugar tax extensively, arguing it taxes healthy products like fruit juices without evidence of health benefits, disproportionately affects low-income residents, and was implemented without consultation. He also criticized the carbon tax as ineffective and the federal government's imposition of the backstop.
Government response on budget measures
E. Loveless
The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure defended the budget, highlighting health care investments including $21 million for Family Care Teams, housing investments of $140 million, and $1.2 million annually for Lionel Kelland Hospice in Grand Falls-Windsor. He criticized Opposition Members for voting against these measures while publicly supporting them.
Other business
Welcome to visitor from Ghana
The Speaker
The Speaker welcomed Portia from Ghana, who is completing her master's program in political science at Memorial University.
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.