Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 7 March 2024
Question Period focused heavily on two major issues: the ongoing fishery dispute and the lack of resolution for harvesters, and multiple health care controversies including a travel nurse contract, unclaimed bodies stored in containers outside the Health Sciences Centre, and rising health authority credit lines. The Opposition criticized the Premier and Fisheries Minister for being absent (in Washington and Boston) while fishers remain unable to work. On health care, the Opposition pressed ministers on oversight failures, inadequate morgue facilities, insufficient funeral assistance, and staffing shortages for the new Corner Brook cancer centre. A secondary theme was homelessness, with the Third Party challenging the Minister of Housing on his failure to meet a Christmas deadline for clearing Tent City. The House conducted routine business including Members' Statements recognizing community contributions and achievements, a ministerial statement on International Women's Day, and the third reading passage of Bill 36 (An Act to Amend the Revenue Administration Act No. 4). Three petitions were presented addressing the Bull Arm Fabrication Site, continuous glucose monitoring systems for diabetes, and fire department funding for out-of-boundary calls.
Members' Statements
Tribute to Henry Brenton
J. Dwyer
The Member paid tribute to Henry Brenton of Norman's Cove-Long Cove, a former councillor and mayor who passed away in November 2023, recognizing his extensive community service including roles with the Federation of Labour, volunteer fire departments, and various community organizations.
Recognition of Ann Lundrigan
L. Parrott
The Member congratulated Ann Lundrigan on 31 years of teaching music in the province, highlighting her Builder Award for music education and numerous achievements including forming the Clarenville Youth Choir and leading performances at national and international venues.
Recognition of Sully Ryan
P. Dinn
The Member recognized seven-year-old Sully Ryan who, despite losing part of his pinky finger in a skating accident, organized a fundraising event for War Amps and promotes skating safety through an annual Tim Hortons trading card event.
Celebration of Rick Boland
J. Dinn
The Member celebrated the life of theatre artist and community advocate Rick Boland, recognizing his contributions to the theatre community, social justice advocacy, and his compassionate engagement with community needs.
Recognition of Kate Peddle
C. Pardy
The Member celebrated Kate Peddle of Lethbridge for winning bronze in 400-metre snowshoeing and gold in the 4x100 metre relay at the Calgary Special Olympics, describing it as an experience of a lifetime.
International Women's Day Statement
P. Parsons
The Minister recognized International Women's Day (March 8), emphasizing the government's commitment to gender equality and the need to invest in women's education, health, economic empowerment, and leadership opportunities, with responses from Opposition members criticizing delays in pay equity legislation.
Routine Proceedings
Tabling of 2016 Budget Report
L. O'Driscoll
The Member tabled a 2016 budget report showing the government eliminated 24-hour snow clearing; leave was granted.
Attempted Tabling of Letters on Housing Crisis
J. Dinn
The Leader of the Third Party attempted to table letters regarding housing crisis solutions but was initially denied leave due to using Ministers' names instead of department titles; leave was subsequently granted after correction.
Petition on Bull Arm Fabrication Site
J. Dwyer
The Member presented a petition calling for the Bull Arm Fabrication Site to be returned to operation with a long-term viable plan; the Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology responded that an RFP is due March 15 and the government is working to balance asset value with attracting operators.
Petition on Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems
P. Dinn
The Member presented a petition requesting funding for continuous glucose monitoring systems for people with diabetes, arguing that such devices could save the province $80 million annually by reducing diabetes-related complications and emergency calls.
Petition on Fire Department Funding
C. Pardy
The Member presented a petition requesting that fire departments receive financial assistance for 911 calls outside their municipal boundaries, including cabin fires, forest fires, medical calls, and mutual aid responses, noting that current regulations only cover certain types of calls.
Question Period
Fishery dispute and absence of Premier and Fisheries Minister
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier defended the Premier and minister's travel to Washington and Boston as necessary for market access, stated that ASP and FFAW are meeting to resolve the price-setting mechanism, and expressed optimism that harvesters will be on the water soon.
Auditor General investigation into travel nurse contract
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health stated the Comptroller General is conducting a review and is capable of doing so independently; if the Auditor General needs to be involved, they will be brought in.
Health care system challenges (unclaimed bodies, MRI access, overall confidence)
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister acknowledged challenges but pointed to the 10-year Health Accord transformation plan, many recommendations of which are being implemented or already in place.
NL Health Services credit lines increase from $118M to $660M
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne and S. Coady
The Deputy Premier explained the lines of credit are used for operational cash flow, increased during COVID, are already included in total debt, and are under active discussion for improvement. The minister confirmed the issue is being addressed jointly by the health authority, Health, and Finance.
Minister's knowledge of travel nurse contract details
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister clarified he knew about the contract and agency nursing for months, but did not know about $1.6 million in meal payments not passed to nurses or items like air fryers and Walmart furniture. He explained the minister approves spending beyond budget and the purpose, but contracts are written between the health authority and the agency.
Morgue space deficiencies and 2017 Chief Medical Examiner report
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated he became aware of the situation through a CBC report (and a letter from the Member for St. John's Centre on Feb 23/24). He acknowledged the storage situation was disturbing and that the health authority is working on a longer-term, more respectful solution.
Staffing for Corner Brook cancer centre (radiation therapists, oncologist, physicists)
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated recruitment is ongoing and a top priority, with dedicated recruitment offices and the successful Come Home Incentive. He did not confirm whether the cancer centre would open in June, noting recruitment is a global challenge but the province has been successful compared to other jurisdictions.
PET scanner delay in Corner Brook
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister said the PET scanner timing and need is based on advice from health professionals in the Western region; government has put $2 million in trust with the health foundation for this purpose.
CSSD knowledge of bodies in storage and inadequate funeral assistance
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by P. Pike and S. Coady
The Minister of CSSD confirmed he learned of the situation at a meeting on February 16 with a funeral services operator. The Deputy Premier noted there is $1 million in the funeral assistance fund that is not fully subscribed, and the issue is complex and being reviewed. The minister later clarified media questions were about when he knew of the temporary morgue location near a dumpster, which he learned from CBC.
Funeral assistance rates ($2,338) unchanged in 20 years
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by P. Pike
The minister stated his department supports low-income families and works with them when notified of a passing; there is an application process and a phone line (877-729-8777) for assistance. He noted there are currently no arrears with funeral homes.
Elimination of 24-hour snow clearing
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister stated 24-hour snow clearing was only ever provided on 14 essential routes and continues on those routes when needed. Shifts run from 4:30-5 a.m. to as late as 10 p.m. if needed, and emergency protocols are in place for health care and ambulance support. Equipment availability is at 86 per cent.
Failure to address unclaimed bodies issue since 2021 and inadequate supports
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by P. Pike
The minister stated he first became aware on February 16, the issue involves multiple departments (Justice, Health, CSSD), and they are working together on solutions. He responded to the Member's February 23 letter yesterday and defended the timeline as reasonable given cross-departmental coordination.
Commitment to tie funeral assistance to inflation and review protocols
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by P. Pike
The minister stated his department supports low-income families, has a phone line for assistance, and works to process applications in a timely fashion. He noted there are no arrears with funeral homes but did not commit to specific policy changes or timelines.
Failure to clear Tent City by Christmas and housing as a human right
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott and F. Hutton
The Minister of Transportation stated he and the Housing Minister visited the encampment that morning, spoke with residents, and confirmed daily on-site support through CSSD, NLHC, and End Homelessness St. John's. Many individuals have been placed in housing through fall and winter, and affordable and social housing is being expanded. The Housing Minister emphasized supports are available, warming shelters are open, and nobody needs to sleep outdoors (providing a phone number: 1-833-724-2444).
Orders of the Day
Third Reading of Bill 36
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved third reading of Bill 36, An Act to Amend the Revenue Administration Act No. 4, which was adopted and passed.
Motion to Extend Sitting Hours
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2024; the motion was carried.
Adjournment
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader moved adjournment; the House adjourned until 1:30 p.m. the following day.
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.