Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 2 November 2023
Question Period focused heavily on health care access and the government's contract with an American virtual physician provider, with the Opposition raising concerns about physician pay parity, potential poaching of local doctors, and follow-up care. Additional topics included offshore oil exploration (zero bids in the latest land sale), housing construction targets, pay equity legislation, school bus safety inspections, student support resources, food bank usage, and critical minerals development. The House of Assembly conducted routine business including Members' Statements recognizing community volunteers and achievements, a ministerial statement on the Gallipoli Newfoundland Memorial, and legislative proceedings. The House passed Bill 60 (House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act amendments) through all stages without amendment. Second reading debate continued on Bill 54 (Towns and Local Service Districts Act), with concerns raised about consultation and the treatment of Local Service Districts. The House also appointed a Members' Compensation Review Committee.
Members' Statements
Recognition of constituency assistant Brenda Wootton
C. Tibbs
The Member recognized Brenda Wootton, constituency assistant for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans, for her extraordinary dedication to constituents over 4½ years, working tirelessly to ensure residents are warm, fed and safe despite personal challenges including the loss of her father.
Community Impact Award for Michelle Payne
E. Joyce
The Member congratulated Michelle Payne, owner of Fox's General Store in Curling, for receiving the Community Impact Award from the Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade for her extensive community support including school supplies drives, winter coat drives, and fundraising for palliative care.
Recognition of Nympha Byrne's treatment program
L. Evans
The Member recognized Nympha Byrne, an Innu social worker and counsellor, for developing and delivering a revolutionary 21-day treatment program at the Labrador Correctional Centre that addresses core Innu issues, with all 10 graduates completing the program.
National dance champion Maci Battcock
P. Trimper
The Member announced that Maci Battcock, an 11-year-old dancer from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, won the junior national title for the second consecutive year at a competition in British Columbia, becoming the first dancer to win this title twice.
Volunteer firefighter Gerard Penney
H. Conway Ottenheimer
The Member recognized Gerard Penney for 45 years of service with the Holyrood Volunteer Fire Department, including 12 years as fire chief and 26 years as deputy fire chief, noting his family's collective 200+ years of service to the community.
Recognition of Doug Wells
E. Loveless
The Member thanked Doug Wells of Harbour Breton for his 30-year teaching career and retirement volunteer work researching and presenting local history, including landslides, war memorials, and Halloween ghost stories to schools throughout the region.
First female Level V umpire Kearney O'Keefe
T. Osborne
The Member congratulated Kearney O'Keefe for becoming the first female umpire in Newfoundland and Labrador to obtain Level V designation, recognizing her journey from playing softball to achieving the highest umpire certification in 2022.
Gallipoli Newfoundland Memorial and Turkish monument
S. Coady
The Deputy Premier marked the one-year anniversary of the Gallipoli Newfoundland Memorial unveiling in Turkey, completing the Trail of the Caribou, and noted the reciprocal monument to Turkish soldiers unveiled at Quidi Vidi Lake. The House observed a moment of silence for veterans ahead of Remembrance Day.
Routine Proceedings
Private Members' resolution notice on targeted relief
T. Wakeham
The Leader of the Official Opposition gave notice of a resolution for November 15 calling on government to review all taxes and fees, end the carbon tax, eliminate the sugar tax, continue gas tax relief, review Income Support, index Seniors' Benefit to inflation, and deliver a new poverty reduction strategy.
Extended sitting hours notices
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice of motions to extend sitting hours on November 15 (until midnight) and November 16 (past 5:30 p.m.).
Petition on Limitations Act for child abuse claims
E. Joyce
The Member presented a petition calling for amendments to remove limitation periods for civil child abuse claims against minors, arguing that abuse in government institutions should be recognized retroactively, similar to residential school abuse acknowledgments.
Petition on seal population management
C. Pardy
The Member presented a petition calling on government to address seal overpopulation by fulfilling provincial quotas and enhancing markets for seal products, citing the Atlantic Seal Science Task Team report and the negative impact on groundfish stocks and commercial harvest.
Petition on Witless Bay Line highway upgrade
L. O'Driscoll
The Member presented a petition urging government to upgrade the Witless Bay Line, a significant piece of infrastructure used by commuters and for commercial, residential and tourism purposes, noting serious safety issues with potholes and road conditions.
Petition on Limitations Act for child abuse (physical)
P. Lane
The Member presented a petition calling for amendments to the Limitations Act to remove limitation periods for physical child abuse claims, noting that victims of physical abuse lack remedies available to victims of sexual abuse and calling for retroactive application.
Petition on anti-temporary replacement worker legislation
J. Brown
The Member presented a petition calling for legislation banning temporary replacement workers during strikes or lockouts, citing examples from Quebec, British Columbia and federal commitments, and noting such laws reduce the length and divisiveness of labour disputes.
Question Period
Virtual physician contract and NLMA consultation
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated the NLMA observed the RFP evaluation process and their concerns were addressed. He tabled a May 16, 2023 letter directing that physician compensation align with the NLMA agreement, that physicians be licensed by the College, and that the contract prohibits poaching Newfoundland and Labrador doctors.
Follow-up care for virtual consultations (e.g., cancerous tumours)
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister confirmed a meeting is scheduled with the NLMA and assured that pathways for in-person follow-up care have been established. He also listed multiple initiatives to increase primary care access, including Family Care Teams and mobile primary care.
Housing construction: 850 affordable homes vs. housing options
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady and P. Pike
The Deputy Premier cited the Budget Speech confirming 850 affordable homes. The Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development said phase one locations will be announced within days, noting over 100 applications were received and builders are eager to start construction.
Zero bids in offshore land sale and oil industry climate
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by A. Parsons
The minister acknowledged disappointment but highlighted ongoing investments (Terra Nova, OGIRA Fund, West White Rose) and $2.1 billion in future exploration bids. He noted Equinor recently hired a project manager in St. John's and emphasized the province is also developing wind, hydrogen, and mining sectors.
Pay equity legislation amendments
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by P. Parsons
The minister stated that consultations are complete and officials are working on regulations. She emphasized this is the first pay equity legislation in the province's history and that pay equity is one of many tools for advancing women and gender equity.
Highway enforcement officer vacancies and school bus inspections
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by S. Stoodley
The minister did not provide vacancy numbers but assured that school bus inspections are the top priority, with 100% of buses inspected by official stations before September and again by highway enforcement officers, plus 30% re-inspected in April. She committed to finding out when inspection results will be published.
Instructional resource teacher shortages and student support
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
The minister said the department is working with the NLTA on a recruitment and retention plan for educators, including addressing hard-to-fill positions. She acknowledged issues with resource allocation timelines and committed to streamlining the process.
Food bank usage and cost-of-living supports
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier cited over half a billion dollars in cost-of-living supports, including a 15% increase to the Income Supplement and Seniors' Benefit, and reductions in gasoline tax. She encouraged vulnerable individuals to contact the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development.
Exclusion of Northern Labrador from Oil to Electric Rebate Program
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by B. Davis
The minister explained the program targets greenhouse gas reduction for those on the grid. He said the department is working with the Minister of Labrador Affairs to find solutions and develop a program that includes all communities.
Gender wage gap evaluation in the public service
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier stated the civil service has four key pillars of pay equity ensuring gender does not affect job evaluation, and a pay equity officer now provides oversight to ensure full compliance.
Electrical capacity and secondary processing for critical minerals
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by A. Parsons
The minister acknowledged the need for more power generation and confirmed active conversations with multiple parties. He stated that secondary processing is part of those discussions and emphasized the strong excitement around mining opportunities in the province.
Orders of the Day
Bill 60 - House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act amendments - Second Reading
J. Hogan
The Minister explained that Bill 60 implements organizational restructuring approved by the House of Assembly Management Commission, removing references to the abolished Clerk Assistant position, specifying delegation of authority in the Clerk's absence, and allowing the Audit Committee to appoint an acting chair when needed.
Bill 60 - Opposition response
Multiple
Opposition Members (C. Pardy for Official Opposition, J. Brown for Third Party) supported the bill, noting it reflects Management Commission decisions to realign staff structure after the Clerk Assistant retirement and addresses the Audit Committee chair vacancy issue. Both parties indicated support for the housekeeping amendments.
Bill 60 - Committee of the Whole
Multiple
The bill proceeded to Committee of the Whole where C. Pardy asked about future organizational changes and position reclassifications. The Minister confirmed no immediate changes are planned and any costs will be within existing budget appropriations. The bill passed all clauses without amendment.
Bill 60 - Third Reading ordered
The Speaker
Following Committee stage, the bill was reported without amendment and ordered for third reading on the following day.
Bill 54 - Towns and Local Service Districts Act - Second Reading debate
Multiple
Extended debate on Bill 54 continued with J. Dwyer raising concerns about treatment of Local Service Districts (LSDs), arguing they should have access to Municipal Capital Works funding and discretionary business taxes like incorporated municipalities. L. Evans criticized the rushed timeline for reviewing the 146-page bill and lack of consultation with Inuit Community Governments and Nunatsiavut Government, noting concerns about poll tax elimination and legislative impacts.
Bill 54 - Minister's closing remarks
J. Haggie
The Minister closed debate noting consultations began in 2018 with extensive engagement including MNL and PMA. He clarified that LSDs have no legislative authority to levy taxes, can apply for grants and MCW, and that the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement Act maintains supremacy. He emphasized second reading establishes need and principles, with detailed clause review to occur in Committee stage.
Bill 54 - Second Reading passed
The Speaker
Bill 54 passed second reading and was ordered referred to Committee of the Whole for the following day.
Members' Compensation Review Committee appointment
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved a resolution, with agreement from all parties, to appoint Heather Jacobs, KC, to the Members' Compensation Review Committee effective December 1, 2023, with a mandate to review and recommend on MHA salaries, allowances, severance and pensions, reporting by April 1, 2024. The motion carried.
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.