Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 4 March 2024
Question Period focused heavily on two main controversies: the lack of resolution on fishery capacity and outside buyers ahead of the crab season, and a $36 million sole-source contract with Canadian Health Labs for travel nurses that included questionable expenses. The Opposition pressed the Premier and ministers on accountability for both issues, while government members defended their actions and deflected by referencing past PC government decisions. Additional topics included nursing recruitment, pay equity legislation, mental health crisis units, a new Paradise high school, and housing commitments in Labrador West. The House of Assembly conducted routine business including the swearing-in of the new Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island, tributes to former Member Derrick Bragg and former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and the introduction of four bills at first reading. The primary substantive matter was debate on Interim Supply Bill 63, requesting $3,286,755,700 to fund government operations from April 1 to June 30, 2024, while Budget 2024 is debated and approved.
Members' Statements
Recognition of Barbara Keats for 39 years of service to Port Blandford-Winter Brook Development Association
C. Pardy
The Member recognized Barbara Keats for serving 39 years with the Port Blandford-Winter Brook Development Association, including as president from 1995 to 2023, leaving the organization financially sound.
Recognition of Jack Hickey, firefighter and world champion competitor
J. Wall
The Member recognized Jack Hickey of Torbay, a retired Deputy Fire Chief who competed in the Firefighter Combat Challenge, winning four world records, 11 world championships, and being inducted into the World Firefighter Hall of Flame in 2023.
Recognition of businesses celebrating 50+ years in Conception Bay South
B. Petten
The Member recognized seven locally owned businesses in Conception Bay South that have operated for 50 or more years, including Taylor's Fish Market (1962), Sun Construction (1968), and others, celebrating their economic impact and commitment to the community.
50th anniversary of Kinsmen Club of Botwood
P. Forsey
The Member congratulated the Kinsmen Club of Botwood on its 50th anniversary, recognizing its community engagement and support for local organizations, schools, and charitable causes since its charter in 1974.
Appointment of Chrystal Kelly as first female captain of Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department
L. O'Driscoll
The Member congratulated Chrystal Kelly on becoming the first woman captain of the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department in its 34-year history, praising her communication skills and mentorship of new recruits.
Tribute to former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
Multiple
The Leader of the Official Opposition, the Premier, and the Leader of the Third Party paid tribute to former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who passed away. They recognized his role in negotiating the Atlantic Accord with Premier Peckford in 1985, which gave Newfoundland and Labrador principal beneficiary status for offshore oil and gas resources, transforming the province's economic fortunes. A moment of silence was observed.
Routine Proceedings
Tabling of Orders-in-Council for funding precommitments
S. Coady
The Minister of Finance tabled six Orders-in-Council relating to funding precommitments for fiscal years 2024-25 to 2029-30, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act.
Notice of motion to introduce Bill 69 (Memorial University Act amendment)
K. Howell
The Minister of Education gave notice of intention to introduce Bill 69, An Act to Amend Memorial University Act, No. 2.
Notice of motion to introduce Bill 70 (repeal of Economic Diversification Act)
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice of intention to introduce Bill 70, An Act to Repeal the Economic Diversification and Growth Enterprises Act.
Notice of motion to appoint Deputy Speaker
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice of motion to appoint the Member for Placentia - St. Mary's as Deputy Speaker.
Notices of motion regarding House sitting hours
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice of motions to extend sitting hours beyond 5:30 p.m. on March 5 and March 7, 2024, and to cancel Private Member's Day on March 6, 2024, replacing it with Government Business until midnight.
Petition regarding utility tax for Local Service Districts
C. Pardy
The Member petitioned for Local Service Districts to retain the 2.5% utility tax currently collected by government, noting LSDs receive no operational funding despite being responsible for recreation facilities under Bill 54. He cited that government collected $2.3 million from LSDs in 2023.
Petition regarding erosion and road conditions on Route 60 through Topsail
P. Dinn
The Member petitioned for a permanent solution including curb and gutter installation to address erosion along Route 60 through Topsail, citing safety concerns for pedestrians including schoolchildren and seniors, and deplorable road conditions with potholes.
Petition for anti-temporary replacement worker legislation
J. Brown
The Member petitioned for legislation banning the use of temporary replacement workers during strikes and lockouts, noting such laws exist in Quebec, BC, and federally, and that such legislation reduces the length and divisiveness of labour disputes.
Response to petition on temporary replacement workers
B. Davis
The Minister Responsible for Labour responded that government must balance needs of employers and employees, is working with stakeholders on both sides, and monitoring federal legislation and other jurisdictions.
Petition for upgrade of Witless Bay Line highway
L. O'Driscoll
The Member petitioned for upgrades to the Witless Bay Line to improve traffic flow, citing heavy commuter, commercial, and tourism use, and deplorable road conditions with extensive potholes that damage vehicles and force some users to take alternate routes.
Petition to establish plan to end use of travel nurses
J. Dinn
The Member petitioned for a plan and timeline to eliminate private agency travel nurses, citing the $35.6 million sole-sourced contract with Canadian Health Labs, difficulties for nursing students finding permanent positions, and burnout among public system nurses.
Petition regarding road conditions on Routes 350, 351A, and 352
P. Forsey
The Member petitioned for immediate roadwork to upgrade Routes 350, 351A, and 352 in Exploits District, citing safety issues, vehicle damage, and concerns about ambulance access due to poor road conditions that recur annually.
Question Period
Fishery capacity and outside buyers resolution
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated that the government heard harvesters' concerns and is implementing a new crab price-setting process with an outside committee. He indicated both sides are still at the table and very close to resolution, with the top priority being to get boats in the water on time this year.
Canadian Health Labs $36 million travel nurse contract authorization
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated he did not authorize the contract, explaining that the health authority faced a choice between using travel nurses or shutting down emergency departments and other services. He emphasized the government is working to end reliance on travel nurses and met with the Nurses' Union president that morning to provide reassurance.
Ministerial approval of Canadian Health Labs contract
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
Minister Osborne confirmed he did not sign off on the contract, stating the health authority governed it. He noted the Comptroller General is investigating whether contracts were followed properly and defended the use of agency nurses as preferable to closing services, pointing out the Opposition Leader himself signed off on agency nurses when CEO of Lab-Grenfell Health.
Auditor General investigation of travel nurse contract
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated the Comptroller General, who is independent, has been asked to review the matter and will provide a report to the Auditor General, who can then conduct her own assessment. He compared this to a similar process used for an NLC issue when he was Finance minister.
Nursing students not getting permanent jobs
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated there are full-time permanent positions available for nursing graduates, with 300 of 700 vacancies available to new graduates. He acknowledged some nurses may want positions in specific areas or disciplines where permanent positions don't exist, but insisted the health authority offers permanent work and invited the Opposition to provide names of any graduates not offered such opportunities.
Government ignoring nurses' concerns about travel nurses
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister agreed with concerns about cost, terms, and morale effects of travel nurses but defended their use as necessary to avoid closing emergency departments and other services. He stated he has been on record for months wanting to return to pre-pandemic levels of agency nursing and is lobbying federal counterparts and pushing the health authority to reduce reliance on agency nurses.
Pay equity legislation update and government accountability
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by P. Parsons
The minister rejected the claim that government officials said they would not respond to pay equity questions, calling the statement "simply untrue." She stated there were no new updates at the time of the media scrum but denied any refusal to respond to media or pay equity groups.
Mobile Crisis Response Team for Conception Bay North
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated officials are looking at Mobile Crisis Response Teams in areas of need and that such initiatives must go through the budget process. He noted the government looks where there is identified need and will match it if able, pointing to other mental health initiatives like FACT teams, ACT teams, Bridge the gapp, and Doorways.
Timeline for Paradise high school opening
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
The minister did not provide a specific timeline, stating the announcement was a significant step forward and that decisions on school size and site are subject to budget decisions. She indicated the department is working to ensure an appropriate-sized school on an appropriate site to service as many Paradise students as possible.
Plan to phase out private agency nurses
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister noted the nursing shortage is a national problem affecting multiple provinces. He stated the government met with the Nurses' Union president that morning and is looking at recruitment solutions, including a new $110 million collective agreement addressing retention issues, but did not table a specific phase-out plan.
Housing commitments in Labrador West
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by F. Hutton
The new Housing Minister stated she was not in Labrador West for the commitments but emphasized that housing in Newfoundland and Labrador, especially with a dedicated Housing portfolio, will receive even sharper focus than before.
Municipal infrastructure funding for housing development in Labrador
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister stated the department works with municipalities to allocate scarce resources and emphasized the need for federal infrastructure funding. He urged all members to pressure the federal government to provide funding to address infrastructure challenges that affect housing development costs.
Plans for former Grace General Hospital site
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister stated the demolition of the nurses' residence allows exploration with the City of St. John's and stakeholders on how best to use the site, whether for a new hospital, housing, a downtown clinic, or other uses. He indicated this process is currently underway and the member will be informed when decisions are made.
Orders of the Day
Motion to extend sitting hours on March 4, 2024
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2024. The motion was adopted.
First reading of Bill 44 (repeal of Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act)
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 44, An Act to Repeal the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act. The bill received first reading and was ordered read a second time tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 45 (amendment to Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act)
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 45, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. The bill received first reading and was ordered read a second time tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 66 (Pharmacy Practice Act)
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 66, An Act Respecting the Practice of Pharmacy in the Province. The bill received first reading and was ordered read a second time tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 67 (75th Anniversary of Confederation recognition)
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 67, An Act Respecting Recognition of the 75th Anniversary of Confederation. The bill received first reading and was ordered read a second time tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 68 (amendment to Lands Act)
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 68, An Act to Amend the Lands Act, No. 2. The bill received first reading and was ordered read a second time tomorrow.
Interim Supply Bill 63 - Committee of the Whole debate
Multiple
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider Bill 63, requesting $3,286,755,700 in Interim Supply for April 1 to June 30, 2024 (approximately 33% of the 2023-24 budget). The Minister of Finance explained the bill covers payroll, income support, and contractual obligations including tendering while Budget 2024 is debated. Opposition Members raised concerns about: the $36 million nursing agency contract and lack of accountability; pork-barrel politics and unequal distribution of infrastructure funding; single-bidder procurement issues; road conditions and snow clearing; housing shortages; Memorial University management issues and access to information; debt growth; and various district-specific infrastructure needs. The Minister defended the government's fiscal management, noting debt-to-GDP ratio decreased from 57.1% to 41% since 2020-2021, and $300 million deposited in the Future Fund.
Other business
Swearing-in of new Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island
The Speaker and A. Furey
Fred Hutton was sworn in as the elected Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island, having taken his Affirmation of Allegiance and signed the Members' Roll. The Premier formally presented him to the House.
Retraction of statements by Member for St. John's Centre
J. Dinn
The Member for St. John's Centre retracted statements made on October 19.
Tribute to former Member Derrick Bragg
Multiple
The Premier, Leader of the Official Opposition, and Leader of the Third Party paid tribute to former Member Derrick Bragg, who passed away. They recognized his service as minister of Municipal Affairs, Transportation, and Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, his dedication to his district of Fogo Island - Cape Freels, and his commitment to public service. A road in Greenspond was renamed Derrick Bragg Way in his honour. A moment of silence was observed.
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.