Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 26 October 2023
Question Period focused heavily on the province's housing crisis, including deplorable conditions at a private shelter for former Tent City residents, the demolition of 32 uninhabitable units in Corner Brook, and the government's response to rising homelessness. Opposition also pressed on child poverty and food bank usage, governance failures at Memorial University revealed in the Auditor General's report, and the need to eliminate the statute of limitations for child abuse claims. The government defended its housing investments, cost-of-living measures, and oversight of Memorial University, while committing to reviews and future action. The House debated and passed a resolution to mirror the federal HST rebate on new purpose-built rental housing, removing the provincial 10% portion to stimulate construction and address the housing crisis. Members broadly supported the measure but raised concerns about affordability guarantees, administrative efficiency, Crown land access, and whether savings would reach tenants. The sitting also featured ministerial statements on Labrador sport travel subsidies and $10-a-day child care progress.
Members' Statements
Apology regarding Public Accounts Committee remarks
P. Lane
Lane apologized to Public Accounts Committee colleagues for comments made on Open Line suggesting the committee was not active, clarifying he did not intend to mislead or diminish their work.
Templeton Tigers volleyball teams
E. Joyce
Joyce congratulated the Templeton Academy junior and senior girls' volleyball teams for winning gold at the VolleyWest tournament and wished them success in upcoming competitions.
Ptarmageddon band recognition
J. Brown
Brown recognized the Labrador City/Wabush alternative rock band Ptarmageddon for their MusicNL nominations and for showcasing Labrador West in their music videos.
Tribute to Hilda Whelan, Mayor of Whitbourne
S. Gambin-Walsh
Gambin-Walsh honored Mayor Hilda Whelan for her resilience, community leadership, advocacy for widows' pensions, and ongoing work on physician recruitment.
Kinette Club volunteers recognition
P. Lane
Lane recognized five Mount Pearl Kinette Club members for their decades of service, including Deidre Levandier's 50-year certificate and Lucy Stoyles's Outstanding President's Award.
Mount Pearl Lions Club tribute
L. Stoyles
Stoyles paid tribute to the Mount Pearl Lions Club for nearly 70 years of community service, including organizing the Santa Claus Parade, eyeglass donations, and supporting local schools.
Labrador Sport Travel Subsidy enhancements
L. Dempster
The Minister announced increased funding for the Labrador Sport Travel Subsidy and School Sports NL to support young athletes traveling to provincial competitions and development camps.
$10-a-day child care progress
K. Howell
The Minister reported that $10-a-day child care is now available for all age groups, nearly 1,100 new spaces have been created, and a Child Care Demand Portal has been launched.
Routine Proceedings
Notice of motion to extend sitting hours
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice that the House will not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023.
Notice of bills
J. Hogan and A. Parsons
Notices were given for three bills: An Act to Amend the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act (Bill 60), An Act to Amend the Mineral Act (Bill 59), and An Act Respecting Quarry Resources in the Province (Bill 58).
Petition to amend Limitations Act for child abuse claims
Multiple
Multiple members (Joyce, Parrott, Brown, Evans) presented petitions calling for removal of limitation periods for civil child abuse claims, emphasizing the need for justice and closure for survivors.
Petition for Canning Bridge replacement
J. Dwyer
Dwyer petitioned for immediate replacement of the Canning Bridge in Marystown, citing its devastating impact on residents, emergency services, and the local economy.
Petition for road repairs in Harbour Main district
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Conway Ottenheimer petitioned for urgent repairs and repaving of Routes 60 and 70, highlighting safety concerns for school buses and residents, particularly in North River.
Petition for improved municipal incorporation process
C. Pardy
Pardy called for a more accessible pathway for viable LSDs to become incorporated municipalities, citing the $25,000 cost barrier for feasibility studies.
Question Period
Confidence in the Minister of Housing
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier defended the government's housing approach, citing a five-point plan, $3 million for renovating 143 units, and 750 housing options in development with 850 more to come.
Deplorable conditions at private shelter for Tent City residents
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier acknowledged the reports were unacceptable and troubling, stated he has asked the department and NL Housing to review the situation and conduct an inquiry into how it happened, and committed to changing future practices.
Premier and minister not speaking to media on shelter conditions
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated he did speak to media the day before for 10-15 minutes after a Choices for Youth conference, was available for 20 minutes the day prior, and is always available to media.
44% increase in food bank usage and child poverty
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier acknowledged the national food bank crisis, stated the government takes child poverty very seriously, and promised an announcement on the issue in the not-too-distant future.
Rising food costs and affordability for families
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady
The Minister of Finance cited measures including an eight-cent gas tax reduction, increased Prenatal Infant Nutrition Supplement, low-cost child care, and a 15% Income Supplement increase, totaling half a billion dollars invested to help residents.
High cost of living and housing consuming 30% of income
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Parsons
The Minister cited a Telegram article reporting that Newfoundland and Labrador has Canada's lowest cost of living based on Statistics Canada data, with the lowest housing prices, highest average income, and cheapest child care, rent, and other services.
Memorial University governance failures and lavish spending
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister of Education stated she has received the student union letter, acknowledged the lack of governance as the main concern, and said the president and Board of Regents chair have shown significant steps forward and are working on a plan to correct all identified issues.
Same executive team at Memorial University implementing change
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by K. Howell / A. Furey
The Minister noted 16 new Board of Regents members have been appointed with few continuing. The Premier stated he met with the president, expressed public concern, gave a mandate to do better with key performance objectives and timelines, and said the public deserves better.
Eliminating statute of limitations for child abuse victims
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by J. Hogan
The Minister of Justice expressed condolences to abuse victims, stated the government continues to provide compensation and work on cases, and confirmed they continue to look at all policies and statutes including the Limitations Act, but made no commitment to eliminate the limitation.
New measures to help residents struggling with cost of living as winter approaches
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by A. Parsons / B. Davis
The Minister of Industry defended the province's relative cost position citing Statistics Canada data. The Minister Responsible for Labour highlighted the new oil-to-electric program with wraparound services offering $5,000 to $17,000 per household in contributions.
Reimbursing Salvation Army for housing homeless people in Grand Falls-Windsor
Asked by C. Tibbs · Answered by S. Coady
The Minister of Finance praised the Salvation Army as an incredible community partner but did not commit to reimbursement, instead citing budget investments of $70 million for 850 affordable homes, $25 million for homelessness programs, and $17 million for provincial housing maintenance.
Contradiction about whether 143 empty units included 32 Corner Brook units to be demolished
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by P. Pike
The Minister of Housing clarified that the 143 units slated for repair do not include the 32 Corner Brook units, which are beyond repair and will be demolished and replaced rather than repaired.
Tearing down 32 housing units in Corner Brook during a housing crisis
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by S. Coady
The Minister of Finance reiterated the $70 million investment to construct 850 affordable homes with a focus on seniors, additional money to improve existing social housing, and $10 million in grants for low-income homeowners to complete repairs.
Helping municipalities address housing gaps and build affordable housing
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by P. Pike / K. Howell
The Minister of Housing cited the five-point plan and efforts to make social housing available quickly. The Minister of Education stated there are no legislative impediments to municipalities engaging in housing activities, that collaboration is needed, and modernized legislation will come to fruition in a few days.
Lack of action on social determinants of health impacting suicide rates on North Coast of Labrador
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health acknowledged concern over suicide rates, cited an action plan with recommendations for prevention and supports, and stated the All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions will focus on social determinants of health, which were part of the Health Accord and a major government focus.
Orders of the Day
Resolution on HST rebate for rental housing (Motion 6)
Multiple
The Minister of Finance moved a resolution to provide a provincial HST rebate mirroring the federal rebate on new purpose-built rental housing (4+ units). Members debated concerns about affordability guarantees, Crown land access, administrative efficiency, and whether savings would reach tenants. An amendment by J. Brown to require rent discounts was ruled out of order. The resolution received broad support as a step toward addressing the housing crisis, though members emphasized the need for complementary measures to ensure affordability and accessibility.
Other business
Apology for unparliamentary language
A. Furey
The Premier apologized for using unparliamentary language during Question Period, acknowledging it was inappropriate and committing to raising the level of debate.
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.