Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 24 October 2023
Question Period focused heavily on housing and health care crises, with the Opposition challenging the government's claims about housing construction, Memorial University spending, and mental health supports. The Liberal government defended its housing investments and programs, while deflecting criticism by citing budget allocations and accusing the Opposition of not supporting initiatives. Tensions also arose over Memorial University's administrative costs and the Auditor General's findings, with the Education Minister emphasizing collaboration over immediate action. The House of Assembly debated and passed Bill 55, which establishes a provincial framework for ride-sharing services (such as Uber) by amending the Highway Traffic Act and municipal legislation. Members also debated Bill 43, which integrates the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District into the provincial government, dissolving the school board and transferring its operations to the Department of Education. Both bills raised concerns about rural access, consultation, and whether the changes would improve services or create additional bureaucracy.
Members' Statements
Recognition of Grayson Budgell's iceberg ice business
B. Warr
Recognized 15-year-old Grayson Budgell of Triton for his entrepreneurial iceberg ice venture with his father, which was successful enough to fund a salmon fishing trip.
Mark Clench's bicycle journey for mental health
C. Pardy
Celebrated Mark Clench of Princeton for cycling 2,000 kilometres from Wabush to Princeton to raise money for children and promote mental health awareness.
Rolling Barrage motorcycle ride for PTSD awareness
J. Wall
Recognized the Rolling Barrage's seventh annual coast-to-coast motorcycle ride to raise awareness and funds for PTSD and mental health support for veterans, first responders, and emergency health care providers.
Tribute to Chad Haggett
C. Tibbs
Paid tribute to Chad Haggett, a community volunteer and pillar of Grand Falls-Windsor who passed away in September 2023, noting his extensive charitable work including with Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Recognition of Tony Andersen's service to Nunatsiavut
L. Evans
Honored Tony Andersen for his lifetime of work improving the lives of Nunatsiavut people, including serving as the first minister of the transitional and official Nunatsiavut Government.
Acknowledgment of volunteer firefighters
J. Hogan
The Minister acknowledged the province's 6,000 volunteer firefighters, announced that government doubled the budget for fire protection vehicles and equipment, and stated that each volunteer fire department will receive at least two radios at a cost of $2.6 million.
Routine Proceedings
Second report of the Standing Orders Committee
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader presented the second report of the Standing Orders Committee and recommended it to the House.
Tabling of Canning Bridge replacement schedule
J. Abbott
The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure tabled the schedule for replacing the Canning Bridge in response to a petition question from the Member for Placentia West - Bellevue.
Notice of motion on HST rebate for rental housing
S. Coady
The Minister of Finance gave notice of a resolution to provide a rebate of the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax on new purpose-built rental housing, mirroring the federal rebate.
Notices of motion on committee reports and membership
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice of motions to concur in the Standing Orders Committee report and to establish the membership of the Public Accounts Committee.
Clarification on unclaimed bodies
S. Stoodley
The Minister of Digital Government and Service NL clarified her previous answer about unclaimed bodies, explaining the process by which bodies flow through funeral homes and the medical system.
Petition for driver's road testing in Bonavista
C. Pardy
Presented a petition calling for the reinstatement of driver's road testing in Bonavista to serve 8,000-plus residents, noting the hardship of travelling 1.5 hours to Clarenville and the closure of local services like Scotiabank.
Petition for long-term mental health care
P. Dinn
Presented a petition urging government to provide access to long-term mental health care and ensure continuity of care, including more accessible psychiatric and neuropsychological assessments.
Petition for timely health care access in Northern Labrador
L. Evans
Presented a petition calling for adequate and timely access to medical care for Northern Labrador patients, noting that patients are frequently bumped from medical flights to appointments, including cancer treatments.
Petition for increased police enforcement in Exploits
P. Forsey
Presented a petition calling for increased RCMP enforcement in the Exploits District due to speeding, ATV activity, and slow response times caused by staffing shortages.
Petition to amend the Limitations Act for child abuse claims
P. Lane
Presented a petition initiated by the Whalen family calling for amendments to the Limitations Act to remove limitation periods for civil child abuse claims and make the changes retroactive.
Petition for anti-temporary replacement worker legislation
J. Brown
Presented a petition from Labrador West residents calling for legislation to ban the use of temporary replacement workers during strikes or lockouts, noting such laws exist in Quebec, BC, and federally.
Question Period
Government claims of building 750 homes
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier clarified that the budget referenced '750 housing options' created or under construction, not completed homes, and defended the language as accurate. She acknowledged a possible slip in phrasing six months prior but emphasized the government's $140 million housing investment and criticized the Opposition for not supporting these initiatives.
Health Human Resources Plan
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health stated that work on the Health Human Resources Plan has begun with a proponent guiding future planning, focusing on recruitment, retention, and appropriate staffing levels.
Seniors paying $65 to see nurse practitioners
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister outlined plans for Family Care Teams and a virtual physician program launching within weeks, providing 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. access and 24-7 emergency coverage. He questioned whether the Opposition was advocating for privatization of nurse practitioners.
Sugar tax on fruit punch powder
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier said she would look into the specific case but defended the sugar tax as a health measure supported by major health organizations, aimed at signaling the health impacts of sugar-sweetened beverages and encouraging healthier choices.
Memorial University spending and tuition increases
Asked by T. Wakeham and B. Petten · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister of Education acknowledged concerns raised by the Auditor General's report and committed to working with Memorial University on implementing recommendations. She noted some changes already underway (meeting procedures, in-house dean searches) and emphasized collaboration over heavy-handed intervention. She also highlighted $10 million in relief provided to students and enhanced student financial aid programs.
Housing units in Corner Brook
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by S. Coady and P. Pike
Ministers defended the government's housing investments, including the $140 million commitment and 850 affordable homes program, some of which will go to Corner Brook. They also cited the five-point plan for housing affordability and efforts to refurbish boarded-up social housing units.
Long-term mental health care access
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister cited the 54 recommendations in the Towards Recovery Action Plan and increased budget allocations for mental health. He emphasized progress made over recent years (FACT teams, opioid hub, Bridge the gapp) and repeatedly called for the PC Party to nominate members to an All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions.
Emergency room wait times
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister agreed that long waits are unacceptable and cited recruitment and retention efforts for health care professionals, as well as the establishment of Urgent Care Centres to relieve pressure on emergency departments.
Housing for people living in tents
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier stated that experts are being sent daily to assist those in tents, offering supports and working to find suitable housing. She emphasized ongoing investments in supportive and affordable housing but did not provide a specific timeline for permanent housing.
Shelter standards and nutritious food
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by S. Coady
The minister referenced ongoing work with OrgCode Consulting on shelter standards and emphasized investments in social services and wraparound supports, but did not commit to immediate action on food standards.
Land trust for co-operative housing
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier did not directly commit to a land trust but noted the government's recent announcement to unlock surplus government land and buildings for housing purposes.
All-party Committee on housing crisis
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health stated that the All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions will address social determinants of health, including housing, rather than forming a separate housing committee.
Renovations of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing units
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier explained that housing units undergo regular maintenance and some require more extensive repairs than initially anticipated. She praised the work of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing staff in turning units over as quickly as possible.
Orders of the Day
Motions to extend sitting hours
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved and the House adopted three motions to extend sitting hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the current week.
Second reading debate on Bill 55 (ride-sharing legislation)
Multiple
The Minister of Digital Government and Service NL introduced Bill 55 to establish a provincial framework for ride-sharing services, removing municipal jurisdiction and requiring Class 4 licences without extra driving tests. Opposition members supported the bill but raised concerns about rural Internet access, consultation with taxi drivers and municipalities, insurance requirements, and whether it creates a level playing field. The bill passed second reading.
Correction to Bill 43 title
L. Dempster
The Deputy Government House Leader noted that Bill 43 should be titled 'An Act to Amend the Schools Act, 1997, No. 2' as it is the second bill to amend the Schools Act this session.
Second reading debate on Bill 43 (Schools Act amendments)
Multiple
The Minister of Education introduced Bill 43 to integrate the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District into government, dissolving the school board and transferring operations to the Department of Education. The bill maintains school-generated funds within schools and establishes an expulsion review panel. Opposition members expressed concerns about lack of consultation, absence of a cost-benefit analysis, confusion over ministerial responsibilities, and potential negative impacts on rural and Labrador schools. Several members voted against or expressed reservations about the bill.
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.