Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 25 October 2023
Question Period focused heavily on cost-of-living pressures, housing shortages, and infrastructure challenges. The Opposition pressed the government on carbon tax, the sugar tax, and support for seniors and families with complex needs. Housing dominated much of the session, with questions about vacant social housing units, repairs, and homelessness in Corner Brook and elsewhere. The government defended its record on affordability measures, housing investments, and efforts to address rural connectivity and infrastructure. The House debated Bill 43, An Act to Amend the Schools Act, 1997 No. 2, which replaces references to the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) with references to the Crown, the department, or the Conseil Scolaire as part of integrating the NLESD into the Department of Education. Opposition members raised concerns about lack of data on cost savings, potential loss of regional representation, increased bureaucracy with responsibilities split across multiple departments (Education, Transportation and Infrastructure, Digital Government and Service NL), and absence of a full consultant's report. The Minister of Education emphasized this is a nomenclature change enabling integration, with any savings to be reinvested in education, and assured that front-line operations would remain unchanged.
Question Period
Implementation of Citizens' Representative report on families with complex needs
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier said the government just received the report and will take time to read it, but committed to improving the situation for families with children with complex needs.
Scotiabank branch closures in rural areas
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated he and the Deputy Premier have reached out to Scotiabank to voice concerns about service loss to rural communities and seniors, but will not subsidize the bank.
Cost-of-living pressures on seniors and carbon tax
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady / A. Furey
The Finance Minister cited over half a billion dollars in supports including increased Seniors' Benefit, Income Supplement, and home heat rebates. The Premier reiterated the carbon tax is federal, that the province cut the gas tax in half to offset it, and has opposed the tax publicly.
Rebating $35 million in carbon tax revenue
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier did not commit to a rebate, stating the gas tax cut and $500 million in supports (including the $35 million) already put money back in people's pockets.
Cancelling the sugar tax
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey / A. Parsons
The Premier defended the sugar tax with evidence it reduces sugar consumption and diabetes rates, noting revenue funds programs like glucose monitoring. The Minister of Industry also cited the need to offset Muskrat Falls costs.
Vacant housing units in Corner Brook and repair numbers
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by P. Pike
The Minister clarified that 32 units in Corner Brook require replacement, not repair, so they are not included in the 143 units announced for repair.
Clarification on 750 homes built vs. options
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier said the minister misspoke about 750 homes and apologized; the commitment is to 750 options including 143 renovations and 850 new units under construction or development.
Vacancies for tradespeople at Newfoundland and Labrador Housing
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by P. Pike / G. Byrne
The Housing Minister acknowledged vacancies but said staff are managing emergency repairs. The Immigration Minister stated there are active job postings and the province invests $170 million annually in training and recruitment, including newcomers.
Delays in repairing housing units for families in need
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by G. Byrne
The minister reiterated aggressive recruitment and training efforts, and emphasized the government's commitment to filling vacancies and preparing the workforce.
Ride-sharing app functionality in areas without Internet coverage
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by S. Stoodley / A. Parsons
The Digital Government Minister said the government has invested in expanding cell coverage with federal support. The Industry Minister noted a recent cell coverage EOI with 70 communities applying, building on $20 million provincial and $136 million federal investments.
Progress on Crown lands and adverse possession
Asked by P. Forsey · Answered by E. Loveless
The Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture said the department is reviewing Crown lands issues with public feedback and discussions with Members, and positive changes are coming but did not commit to a timeline.
Support for residents affected by Canning Bridge closure in Marystown
Asked by J. Dwyer · Answered by J. Abbott
The Transportation Minister said the government is committed to replacing the bridge starting next year and is open to funding proposals from the town to address social issues like transportation subsidies.
Insurance costs for ride-sharing vs. taxi companies
Asked by C. Tibbs · Answered by S. Stoodley
The minister explained that auto insurance is mandatory and private market-based; fleet rating does not require PUB approval, and taxi operators were provided a list of insurers offering ride-sharing coverage.
Housing conditions for tent city residents
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by P. Pike
The minister said inspections of private shelters have been completed, expectations communicated to owners, and no one from the tent encampment is staying there anymore. A new not-for-profit shelter with wraparound services has been offered.
Housing crisis impacting Innu and Inuit communities
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by L. Dempster
The Minister of Labrador Affairs said the government is following the Innu inquiry and implementing changes along the way, not waiting for its conclusion, and is working with Indigenous governments on priorities for children.
Housing crisis in Corner Brook and funding for vacant unit repairs
Asked by E. Joyce · Answered by G. Byrne
The minister said an RFP for 30 temporary accommodation units is underway, repairs are proceeding on units that need them, and the government is expanding housing in Corner Brook and across the province.
Orders of the Day
Motion 8 - Public Accounts Committee membership
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved to establish the membership of the Public Accounts Committee comprising seven named Members. The motion was adopted.
Bill 43 - Committee of the Whole debate on Schools Act amendments
Multiple
Extended debate on Bill 43 in Committee of the Whole. Opposition members (C. Pardy, L. Parrott, T. Wakeham, B. Petten, J. Brown, L. O'Driscoll, P. Lane) questioned the rationale for the NLESD merger, lack of demonstrated cost savings, absence of a consultant's report, concerns about splitting responsibilities across three departments (Education, Transportation and Infrastructure, Digital Government and Service NL), loss of regional voices especially in Labrador, and missed opportunities to address substantive education issues like pre-K, teacher shortages, and maintenance. Minister K. Howell repeatedly clarified the bill simply changes nomenclature from NLESD to Crown/department/Conseil Scolaire as part of integration, with no front-line changes anticipated, consultations completed with unions and stakeholders, and any savings to be reinvested in education. Minister J. Abbott (Transportation and Infrastructure) defended the integration as progressive given low public engagement in school board elections and committed to improved school maintenance and accountability. Detailed questions covered procurement, hiring, repairs, teacher allocation, Francophone school board status, school council roles, collective agreements, liability provisions, and regional representation.
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.