Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 3 May 2023
Question Period focused heavily on economic and social pressures facing Newfoundland and Labrador communities. The Opposition challenged the government on the relocation of Grieg salmon processing from St. Lawrence to Bay de Verde, the ongoing crab fishery dispute, delays in implementing Auditor General recommendations for seniors' home support, and access to primary care—particularly the integration of nurse practitioners. The government defended its record on job creation and economic management while emphasizing that some issues (such as the fishery dispute and aquaculture business decisions) are beyond direct government control. The House of Assembly debated and passed Bill 39, An Act to Amend the Memorial University Act, which allows faculty representation on the Board of Regents and updates gender-neutral language. Members from all parties supported the bill but raised broader concerns about MUN's autonomy, accountability, transparency, governance structure, and recent controversies including the removal of the "Ode to Newfoundland" from convocation. An amendment proposed by the NDP to broaden faculty eligibility beyond "teaching staff" was defeated in Committee.
Members' Statements
Adventure Biking Project in Eastport and Glovertown
L. Parrott
Recognized the adventure biking project empowering youth through cycling, leadership, and active living, including programs like Sprockids and student-led maintenance.
Killick Trefoil Guild
P. Dinn
Congratulated the Killick Trefoil Guild, a community-minded Guiding group active since 2003, for their outreach work with shelters, food banks, and seniors' homes.
Come Home to Wabush Week
J. Brown
Thanked volunteers planning Come Home to Wabush week (July 22-29) with events including a beach day, pet parade, talent show, and artisan market.
Zoey Tizzard's Speaking Awards
B. Warr
Recognized 16-year-old Zoey Tizzard of Springdale for winning multiple speak-off competitions and earning a trip to Ottawa through the Adventure in Citizenship Program.
Rosalind Coleridge Tribute
C. Pardy
Celebrated the life of Rosalind Coleridge of Trinity, author of 'Sufficiently Blessed: Growing Up In Trouty,' who passed away in late 2022 and was a passionate advocate for social justice.
Harbour Breton Fire Response
E. Loveless
Thanked fire departments from multiple communities, businesses, and volunteers who responded to a fire in Harbour Breton that required evacuations.
Routine Proceedings
Statement on Labrador Affairs Investments
L. Dempster
The Minister announced Budget 2023 investments including $3.3 million for snowmobile travel infrastructure, over $800,000 for the Labrador Sport Travel Subsidy, and $1 million for medical transportation assistance program improvements.
Notice of Motion on Executive Council Estimates
J. Hogan
Government House Leader gave notice that debate on Executive Council Estimates in Committee of the Whole will proceed in 10-minute question-and-answer periods.
Petition for Paving Wheeler's Road in Noels Pond
T. Wakeham
Presented a petition calling for paving of Wheeler's Road (0.8 km), citing safety concerns from increased ATV traffic, dust, and mud affecting residents.
Question Period
Grieg salmon processing relocation from St. Lawrence to Bay de Verde
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey / E. Loveless
The Premier and Minister of Transportation stated this was a business decision between two companies and the government has no role in that decision, but committed to supporting the people of St. Lawrence. They noted Grieg is still operating on the Burin Peninsula.
Crab fishery dispute and government intervention
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier described the issue as a market-driven labour dispute and said the government has offered to facilitate talks, provide a venue, and even food, but both sides must agree to negotiate. He stated he has spoken with both parties and has confidence in the Minister of Fisheries to lead discussions.
Eight-year-old boy from Howley unable to attend school due to lack of student assistant
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Furey / J. Haggie
The Premier confirmed he worked with the Department of Education and the parent, and a solution has been put forward to return the student to school. The Minister of Education noted a communication failure was identified and resolved, and that additional student assistant hours have been added system-wide.
Support for children with exceptionalities in education and child care
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated that children with exceptionalities are very important and the government endeavours to ensure they receive appropriate education, acknowledging there is often no simple solution for individual students. He noted some decisions in past cases date back to a previous administration.
Sole-source procurement and cost escalation for new correctional facility
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by E. Loveless
The Minister of Transportation clarified it was not a sole-source process—three proponents were involved, two dropped out, leaving one. He stated external advisors are ensuring the proposal is compliant and provides best value, and the government is working through the process to replace the aging penitentiary. He did not confirm the final price.
Implementation of Auditor General recommendations on home support services for seniors
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health stated the department is reviewing the AG's report and will adhere to recommendations. He highlighted the creation of an expert committee on long-term care and personal care, and noted funding for home support services in this year's budget, while acknowledging workforce recruitment challenges.
Cost of living pressures on seniors and food insecurity
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by J. Abbott
The Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development noted seniors receive federal and provincial income supports averaging around $2,000 per month, and the department will work with individuals in need. She stated the government is addressing cost-of-living pressures through increased budgets, poverty reduction strategies, and partnerships with food banks and Food First NL.
Personal care home access for seniors in Labrador
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health acknowledged the shortage of personal care homes in Labrador and stated that while these facilities are privately operated, the government is looking at options to provide incentives to make it more attractive for operators to build in underserved areas.
Listening to teachers' expertise in education decisions (Carter Churchill case)
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister of Education stated there are both informal and formal mechanisms for gathering teachers' input, including regular meetings with the NLTA executive and daily staff contact. He cited co-creation of a recruitment and retention plan as evidence that the department listens to and works with teachers.
Nurse practitioners billing MCP directly to address family doctor shortage in Corner Brook
Asked by E. Joyce · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health emphasized the government's priority is staffing the public system first, including integrating nurse practitioners into Family Care Teams and health authorities. He stated that only after the public system is adequately staffed can the government consider incentives for private practice, and noted 11 additional family care teams announced this year will more than double coverage.
Orders of the Day
Second Reading of Bill 39 (Memorial University Act Amendment)
Multiple
The Minister of Education introduced Bill 39 to allow faculty representation on MUN's Board of Regents and update gender-neutral language. Opposition Members (B. Petten, C. Pardy, P. Lane, T. Wakeham, P. Dinn) supported the bill but raised concerns about MUN's autonomy, accountability, governance size (95-member Senate, 30-member Board of Regents), recent controversies ("Ode to Newfoundland," presidential contract, Fogo Island trip), and called for greater government oversight. NDP Leader J. Dinn questioned whether one or two faculty seats would achieve true collegial governance. The bill passed second reading unanimously.
Committee of the Whole on Bill 39
Multiple
In Committee, J. Dinn proposed amendments to remove the word "teaching" from faculty eligibility provisions to broaden representation beyond teaching staff to include researchers and administrators. The Chair ruled the first attempt out of order; a revised amendment was ruled in order but defeated after the Minister of Education (J. Haggie) said it exceeded stakeholder consultations. All clauses carried and the bill was reported without amendment.
Third Reading of Bill 39 Scheduled
The Speaker
Bill 39 was ordered read a third time on the following sitting day.
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.