Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 16 October 2023
Question Period focused heavily on the housing crisis, with Opposition parties criticizing the Liberal government's eight-year record and pointing to tent encampments outside the Confederation Building. The Premier and ministers defended their investments in housing (750 units started, 850 announced, 143 vacant units to be renovated) and cost-of-living measures ($500 million in relief, gas tax cuts, increased seniors' and income supports). Debate also touched on the carbon tax (which the Premier opposes but Opposition says the government supported), the sugar tax, child poverty, food bank usage, school infrastructure in Paradise, and landlord-tenant protections. The House of Assembly convened for its fall sitting, focusing primarily on aquaculture regulation. The government introduced Bill 17, An Act Respecting the Regulation of Aquaculture in the Province, which modernizes the 1987 Aquaculture Act to reflect current industry standards, strengthen environmental protections, and increase transparency. The Opposition attempted to move an emergency debate on the housing and cost-of-living crisis, which the Speaker ruled did not meet the urgency threshold. Several other bills received first reading, and ministers tabled annual reports from various regulatory boards.
Members' Statements
Wheels & Heels Festival in Clarenville
L. Parrott
The Member congratulated volunteers for hosting the inaugural Wheels & Heels Festival, a weekend event featuring ATV tours, mountain biking, and culinary experiences that showcased Clarenville's trails and talent.
National Seniors Day
P. Dinn
The Member recognized October 1 as National Seniors Day, celebrating seniors' contributions and highlighting two active seniors clubs in Topsail-Paradise with over 250 members fostering healthy lifestyles.
Fall Heritage Festival in Labrador West
J. Brown
The Member thanked Gateway Labrador for hosting the Fall Heritage Festival, which showcased local artists through an Art Wander and a Dessert Theatre production celebrating the community's history.
Fishing tragedy near Fleur de Lys
B. Warr
The Member acknowledged the September 13 fishing tragedy that claimed three lives, extended condolences to the Walsh and Shea families, and praised rescue teams and communities for their support.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Ann Mercer's story
J. Dwyer
The Member recognized October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month by sharing constituent Ann Mercer's journey as a breast cancer survivor, emphasizing the importance of early detection and awareness.
Tribute to Barry Saunders of Bishop's Falls
E. Loveless
The Member honored the late Barry Saunders, who passed away July 17, 2023, recognizing his decades of public service, community involvement, and dedication to family. Condolences were extended to his wife and children.
Small Business Week and Co-op Week
A. Parsons
The Minister recognized October 15-21 as Small Business Week and Co-op Week, highlighting the contributions of over 15,000 small businesses and 70 co-operatives to the provincial economy and rural communities.
Routine Proceedings
Tabling of annual reports by Minister of Digital Government and Service NL
S. Stoodley
The Minister tabled 2022 annual reports for the Chartered Professional Accountants of NL, the Embalmers and Funeral Directors Board, and Professional Engineers and Geoscientists NL.
Tabling of C-NLOPB annual report
A. Parsons
The Minister tabled the 2022-2023 annual report of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.
Notices of motion for multiple bills
Multiple
Ministers gave notice of bills including An Act Respecting Towns and Local Service Districts (Bill 54), amendments to the Insurance Companies Act, Change of Name Act, Highway Traffic Act, and others. The Government House Leader gave notice for a bill on King's Counsel and Order of Precedence (Bill 53).
Private Member's motion on federal carbon tax and Clean Fuel Regulations
S. Reid
The Member gave notice of a motion urging the federal government to repeal the carbon tax and Clean Fuel Regulations, citing their disproportionate impact on Newfoundland and Labrador and the province's efforts to achieve net zero by 2050.
Petitions on child abuse limitation periods, Paradise high school, brush cutting, and housing crisis
Multiple
Members presented petitions calling for removal of limitation periods for child abuse claims, construction of a high school in Paradise, brush cutting on Routes 10, 350, 351A and 352 for safety, and a plan to build 60,000 new homes by 2030.
Question Period
Housing crisis and government's eight-year record
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier cited record investments including $140 million in Budget 2023, 750 units started since 2021, and 850 new units announced. He acknowledged the need to translate funding into units and committed to continued responsiveness.
Carbon tax and sugar tax
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated the carbon tax is federal and does not work for Newfoundland and Labrador due to lack of alternatives (e.g., electric vehicles in rural areas). He has lobbied the prime minister to oppose it. On the sugar tax, he said it provides optionality and revenues fund programs like glucose monitoring and school lunches, asking if the Opposition wants those cancelled.
Rebating carbon tax revenue ($35 million)
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady
The Finance Minister reiterated the government's opposition to expanding the carbon tax and said the Premier has repeatedly told the federal government this instrument does not work in Newfoundland and Labrador. No commitment was made to rebate the revenue.
Child poverty and food insecurity
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by S. Coady / K. Howell / P. Pike
Ministers highlighted over $500 million in cost-of-living relief, increased Seniors' Benefit and Income Supplement, the school lunch program funded by the sugar tax, and $10/day child care (down from $40/day in 2020). They noted the Opposition voted against these measures.
High school construction in Paradise
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
The Education Minister said the Premier and she met with the mayor of Paradise and the MHA to discuss needs. She emphasized that decisions on school allocations consider population, feeder schools, and growth potential, and that consultation is ongoing. She did not commit to a budget allocation.
Food bank usage and income support rates
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by P. Pike / S. Coady / E. Loveless
Ministers acknowledged rising costs nationally and globally, cited the all-party committee on basic income, and noted increases to income support and other programs. The Agriculture Minister mentioned efforts to increase local food production for self-sufficiency.
Vacant housing units (140 units) and housing wait-lists
Asked by D. Brazil · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier announced a five-point plan including funding to renovate 143 vacant units, 750 units under construction, 850 more planned, and measures to help developers and homebuyers. He acknowledged more needs to be done and committed to evolving the response as the crisis evolves.
Municipal support for affordable housing
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by J. Haggie
The Municipal Affairs Minister said there is no legislative barrier to municipalities building housing and the government is working with Municipalities NL on support. He noted a 26% increase in Municipal Operating Grants over two years and $500,000 in community collaboration grants available.
Landlord-tenant protections and rent control
Asked by P. Forsey · Answered by S. Stoodley
The Digital Government Minister said data shows provinces with rent control have seen higher rent increases than Newfoundland and Labrador. She expressed openness to discussions but argued that rent caps could lead to more evictions and that the priority is increasing housing supply, not adding red tape.
Tent city and timeline for permanent housing
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by A. Furey / J. Hogan
The Premier said government has deployed health services, housing officials, harm reduction teams, and police to assist those in tents and ensure they know shelter is available. The Justice Minister said he personally obtained a list of needs from tent residents on Thanksgiving and facilitated shelter placements, criticizing the Member for St. John's Centre for not sharing the list sooner. No specific timeline for permanent housing was provided.
Orders of the Day
Motion for emergency debate on housing and cost-of-living crisis
B. Petten
The Opposition House Leader moved to adjourn regular business for an emergency debate on the housing and cost-of-living crisis, arguing the matter required immediate attention during the brief fall sitting. The Speaker ruled the motion did not meet the urgency of debate threshold and denied it.
Motion to extend sitting hours on October 16 and 19
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 16 and Thursday, October 19, 2023. Both motions were adopted.
First reading of Bill 42, An Act to Repeal the Farm Products Corporation Act
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 42 to repeal the Farm Products Corporation Act. The bill was read a first time and ordered for second reading tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 43, An Act to Amend the Schools Act, 1997
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 43 to amend the Schools Act, 1997. The bill was read a first time and ordered for second reading tomorrow.
Second reading debate on Bill 17, An Act Respecting the Regulation of Aquaculture in the Province
Multiple
The Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture moved second reading of Bill 17, which modernizes the 1987 Aquaculture Act with strengthened licensing, animal health, biosecurity, transparency, and compliance measures. Opposition and Third Party members supported the bill while raising concerns about secondary processing, environmental impacts on wild salmon stocks, sea lice, escapes, and enforcement. The bill passed second reading and was referred to Committee of the Whole.
Other business
Retirement of Clerk Sandra Barnes and appointment of Acting Clerk Kim Hawley George
The Speaker
The Speaker acknowledged the retirement of Sandra Barnes, Clerk of the House of Assembly since 2012, thanking her for 11 years of ethical service and faithful stewardship. Kim Hawley George, KC, was welcomed as Acting Clerk effective September 1, 2023.
Introduction of guests in the public gallery
The Speaker
The Speaker welcomed Ann Mercer and her mother Kathleen to the gallery. Ann, a breast cancer survivor, was to be recognized in a Member's statement.
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.