Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 11 May 2023
Question Period focused heavily on the ongoing snow crab fishery dispute, with the Opposition pressing the Premier and ministers for leadership, EI extensions, and support for affected workers and communities. Additional topics included the cyberattack ransom question, Memorial University's decision not to play the provincial anthems at convocation, severe child care shortages (with parents in the gallery), emergency room closures and physician shortages in rural communities, and concerns over school infrastructure decisions and maintenance in Labrador West. The House conducted routine business including ministerial statements on teaching awards and tabling of a child protection report. The main legislative work involved passing Bill 37 (Loan Act authorizing up to $1.5 billion in borrowing) through all stages, and advancing Bill 23 (remote witnessing of documents by lawyers) to third reading. Members debated infrastructure needs, health care access, child care shortages, and fishery issues during consideration of the loan bill.
Members' Statements
34th Annual Baie Verte Mining Conference
B. Warr
Highlighted the upcoming mining conference on June 9-10, noting the region's long mining history dating to 1864 and the importance of partnerships in building the economy.
Jeff Blackwood's Community Volunteerism
L. Stoyles
Recognized Jeff Blackwood's four decades of volunteer work with the Canadian Red Cross, cancer support groups, and his published historical novel, receiving multiple honours including the Order of the Red Cross.
Clarenville High School Wellness Initiative
L. Parrott
Congratulated students Billie Wicks and Katie Spurrell for presenting at an international conference in California on student wellness, leading to monthly wellness activities and new facilities at their school.
Town of Torbay 50th Anniversary
J. Wall
Recognized Torbay's 50 years of incorporation since 1972, commending volunteers who organized celebration events from July 1 to September 30.
Routine Proceedings
Premier's Award for Teaching Innovation and Minister's Award for Compassion in Teaching
J. Haggie
Announced nominations are open until May 26, 2023 for awards recognizing teaching innovation and compassion, noting continued investments in teaching services and education programs.
Annual Report on Indigenous Children in Protection Services
J. Abbott
Tabled the second annual report fulfilling Recommendation 13 from the Child and Youth Advocate's 2019 review on child protection services to Inuit children.
Child Care Accessibility Petition
B. Petten
Presented petition calling for accessible child care, criticizing the $10-a-day program's implementation and limitations on for-profit operators, citing parents unable to find care despite affordability improvements.
Child Care Accessibility Petition (continued)
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Supported the petition, stating parents are emotionally and financially exhausted, with women disproportionately affected, calling for immediate leadership and action beyond current efforts.
Dental Care for Low-Income Seniors Petition
J. Dinn
Presented petition calling for restoration of the Adult Dental Program eliminated in 2016, arguing oral health impacts overall health and that bureaucratic gatekeeping in the surgical program should be eliminated.
Child Care in Bonavista Health Facilities Petition
C. Pardy
Presented petition requesting child care operation in Bonavista health facilities to serve health care professionals, noting space is available and it would aid recruitment and retention.
Ambulance Service in Trepassey Petition
L. O'Driscoll
Presented petition calling for a second ambulance in Trepassey, citing geography and distance to hospitals (2+ hours), with current contract expiring in July and no replacement plan announced.
Question Period
Snow crab fishery dispute and support for workers
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by D. Bragg / B. Davis / S. Coady
Ministers stated that offers continue to be exchanged between ASP and FFAW, with a mediator engaged, and urged both parties to return to the table. The Deputy Premier emphasized the government's concern and engagement but did not commit to specific EI extensions or financial support measures beyond existing programs like JCP.
Economic impact of losing the snow crab fishery
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier acknowledged the multi-billion dollar value of the fishery and the government's concern, reiterating that the Premier and ministers are working diligently to resolve the dispute, but provided no specific economic impact figures.
Cyberattack ransom payment disclosure
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by S. Coady / J. Hogan
The Minister of Justice stated the government has been open and transparent since the attack on NLCHI, but on advice from provincial and national security advisors (including federal Cabinet members), will not disclose whether a ransom was paid to avoid jeopardizing the health care system and government operations.
Memorial University not playing provincial anthems at convocation
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by S. Crocker / K. Howell
The Minister of Tourism confirmed Memorial made a mistake and the government is advocating for reversal, noting the university's autonomy. The Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs said the department takes the issue seriously and will consider legislative amendments to the Provincial Anthem Act, with the Opposition promising fast passage.
Child care space shortages and accessibility
Asked by B. Petten / H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister of Education acknowledged the shortage, stating affordability has been fixed and accessibility is being addressed. He cited 480 new spaces in four months (exceeding the 700 annual target pace), 245 new early childhood educators graduating soon, and ongoing discussions with licensees about extended hours and after-school care under a revamped Operating Grant Program.
Child care for health care shift workers
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health stated plans to incorporate early learning and child care centres into the new St. Clare's replacement, the Health Sciences complex, and Western Memorial, recognizing that health care workers do not work 9-to-5 hours.
Support for crab fishery workers in Bonavista
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by D. Bragg
The Minister of Fisheries mentioned programs like JCP (on-the-job training) to extend EI while the dispute continues, and expressed hope for a resolution rather than a shutdown, but did not confirm federal EI extension discussions.
Bonavista emergency room closures and triage access
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health said offers have been made to physicians for Bonavista and highlighted the $400,000–$450,000 incentive package. He committed to discussing with the Health Authority whether doors can be unlocked for triage by medical staff when no physician is present, and mentioned virtual care oversight contracts to keep doors open.
Emergency diversions to Grand Falls-Windsor from multiple sites
Asked by P. Forsey · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister acknowledged staffing challenges across Canada and stated active discussions with two physicians for St. Lawrence and two (or three) for Harbour Breton, emphasizing the government and Health Authority are working on resolutions with competitive incentives.
Family doctor and ambulance service in Trepassey
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister stated the Health Authority will not place a salaried physician in Trepassey (which has two nurse practitioners), but the former physician can return as fee-for-service if the business case supports it. He noted ambulance integration is underway and discussions are ongoing with the former operator and the Health Authority.
Airfare costs for Newfoundland and Labrador residents
Asked by J. Dwyer · Answered by S. Crocker
The Minister of Tourism acknowledged ongoing discussions with airlines and the federal government about domestic pricing, noting airlines are profit-driven and not required to prioritize domestic markets. The issue has been raised at federal-provincial-territorial tables and a meeting with the federal minister is scheduled.
Data and process for new high school in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister of Education explained that school infrastructure decisions are made by a committee chaired by the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, based on data from the school district and other sources, with some discussions protected by confidentiality. He stated there will be no change to programming at PWC and defended the decision based on demographic change.
Concerns over Menihek High School maintenance and staffing
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister stated that maintenance and sanitation issues are managed by the school district on a case-by-case basis, none are health-and-safety or mission-critical, and the district has met with families and staff. He emphasized the building is older but in good condition and concerns have been heard.
Orders of the Day
Bill 37 - Loan Act (Committee of the Whole debate)
Multiple
Members debated authorization to borrow up to $1.5 billion. Discussion covered road infrastructure needs (Random Island, Southwest Arm, Bonavista Peninsula), health care challenges (ER closures, doctor shortages, long-term care), child care shortages, fishery crisis and EI extensions, mental health services, housing shortages, and seniors' supports. Minister E. Loveless defended $1.4 billion five-year infrastructure investment and health care efforts.
Bill 37 - Loan Act (passage through all stages)
The Speaker
The resolution and Bill 37 were reported from Committee, read first, second and third times, and passed authorizing the province to borrow up to $1.5 billion.
Bill 23 - Remote Witnessing of Documents by Lawyers (second reading and Committee)
J. Hogan
Minister introduced bill making permanent the COVID-era temporary measure allowing lawyers in good standing to remotely witness wills, affidavits, notarized documents and deeds using audio-visual technology, with safeguards to protect integrity. Bill passed second reading, Committee stage, and was ordered for third reading.
Budget Speech Motion (Motion 1)
S. Gambin-Walsh
Member highlighted the $7.7 million investment in family-managed care for persons with disabilities, noting wage increases from $15.55 to $17.05 per hour effective April 1, benefiting vulnerable individuals and their family caregivers.
Third Readings of Bills 29, 30, 31, 32, and 39
J. Hogan
Government House Leader moved and the House passed third readings of five bills: Architects Act amendments, Mortgage Brokerages regulation, Patient Safety Act amendments, Pharmaceutical Services Act amendments, and Memorial University Act amendments.
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.