Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 11 March 2024
Question Period was dominated by two major issues: the ongoing fishery dispute over price-setting and processing capacity, and controversies surrounding health care contracts and the storage of unclaimed bodies at the Health Sciences Centre. The Opposition pressed the Premier and ministers on accountability, with the Premier defending his facilitation role in fishery negotiations and the Health Minister deflecting operational questions to the health authority. Additional questions addressed ride-sharing background checks, homelessness supports, funeral assistance, digital health privacy, and medical travel in remote regions. The House of Assembly conducted second reading and Committee of the Whole consideration of Bill 69 (amending the Memorial University Act to define 'Newfoundland and Labrador resident' for medical school admissions) and Bill 67 (recognizing the 75th anniversary of Confederation through medals, scholarships, and honorifics). Both bills passed second reading and Bill 69 was carried through Committee without amendment. Members also presented petitions on child abuse limitations, road repairs, health care access, and fertility treatments.
Members' Statements
Recognition of Bill and Sharon O'Toole, volunteers in Bauline
J. Wall
Recognized Bill and Sharon O'Toole for 38 consecutive years of volunteering as helpers to Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Town of Bauline, spanning generations of families.
Tribute to Lions Clubs in District of Bonavista
C. Pardy
Celebrated four Lions Clubs in the District of Bonavista for their community service, including a $100,000 donation to the Discovery Health Care Foundation for the new Bonavista emergency room.
40th Anniversary of Bishop's Falls Lions Winter Carnival
P. Forsey
Congratulated the Bishop's Falls Lions Club on the 40th anniversary of their annual Winter Carnival, which began in 1984 to rejuvenate the community after a flood.
Tribute to Bernard Kavanagh
L. O'Driscoll
Honored the late Bernard Kavanagh, a businessman from Ferryland who passed away January 4, 2024, recognizing his successful wholesale delivery business and contributions to the province.
Recognition of Mike Goodyear
C. Tibbs
Honored Mike Goodyear for his community service including 23 years owning Central Funeral Homes, 41 years with Rotary, and 40 years with the Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department, retiring as captain on January 23.
Congratulations to Team Gushue on Brier victory
A. Furey
The Premier congratulated Team Gushue on winning their third consecutive Brier championship and sixth overall, making them the greatest Canadian curling team of all time. Responses from Opposition and Third Party leaders echoed the congratulations.
Newfoundland and Labrador First Procurement Strategy and Sustainable Procurement Strategy
J. Abbott
The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure announced two procurement strategies aimed at maximizing success of provincial suppliers, enhancing local employment, and increasing sustainable practices in government purchasing.
Routine Proceedings
Notice of motion for Privileges and Elections Committee membership
J. Hogan
Government House Leader gave notice of a motion to establish the membership of the Privileges and Elections Committee.
Notice of Private Member's Resolution on fishing industry impasse
T. Wakeham
Leader of the Official Opposition gave notice of a PMR urging the Premier and Fisheries Minister to take a hands-on role in resolving the current fishing industry impasse and finding long-term solutions.
Petition on child abuse limitations
Multiple
Three Members (E. Joyce, L. Evans, P. Lane) presented petitions calling for amendments to the Limitations Act to remove limitation periods for civil child abuse claims and make changes retroactive.
Petition on St. Shott's Road repairs
L. O'Driscoll
Presented a petition calling for upgrades to St. Shott's Road on the Southern Avalon, citing deplorable conditions and safety issues on the 37-38 year old road.
Petition on Patient Connect catchment area for Bonavista Peninsula
C. Pardy
Presented a petition urging government to extend the Patient Connect list catchment area for Clarenville to include the entire Bonavista Peninsula instead of ending in the Lethbridge area.
Petition on in vitro fertilization services
P. Dinn
Presented a petition calling for establishment of a fertility treatment clinic in the province providing full IVF services, and interim financial assistance for out-of-province treatments.
Speaker's ruling on Point of Privilege
The Speaker
The Speaker ruled that the Member for Humber - Bay of Islands did not establish a prima facie breach of privilege regarding payment of court-ordered costs and communication with the Commissioner for Legislative Standards, as he did not demonstrate interference with his parliamentary duties.
Question Period
Fishery issues and price-setting dispute
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated that fishers raised concerns about corporate concentration, outside buyers, and structural issues. He explained that the old panel price-setting system was not working, so government enabled the Blackwood report to create a risk-sharing formula. Both sides (FFAW and ASP) are currently at the table negotiating, with the ball in FFAW's court to report back this week. The Premier met with both parties separately on Tuesday morning.
Canadian Health Labs contract and travel nurse payments
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey and T. Osborne
The Premier said he first learned of the Canadian Health Labs contract from The Globe and Mail report. He confirmed that senior staff received an email from the company, which was forwarded to the appropriate department without direction. The Premier denied knowledge of any meetings or dinners with the CEO prior to the contract. The Health Minister stated that the Comptroller General has been asked to review the contract, and if any misappropriation of funds is found, law enforcement or the Auditor General will be called in. The minister refused to immediately demand the $1.6 million back, saying they must first determine if funds were spent inappropriately.
Storage of unclaimed bodies at Health Sciences Centre
Asked by B. Petten and C. Pardy · Answered by T. Osborne and P. Pike
The Health Minister stated he learned about the outdoor storage containers from a CBC report, though officials were aware of increasing numbers of remains. He repeatedly characterized this as an 'operational issue' for the health authority, not the minister's direct responsibility. He acknowledged the sight was disturbing and said the health authority is developing plans for more respectful storage connected to the morgue. The CSSD Minister said he was informed on February 16 and immediately checked whether his department was in arrears on funeral payments (it was not). Both ministers declined to provide specific operational details like current body counts or morgue capacity.
Redsea Riding background checks and approval process
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by S. Stoodley
The Minister of Digital Government confirmed that all drivers had clear criminal background checks when Redsea Riding's licence was approved, and the individual accused of sexual assault was not going to be a driver. Out of an abundance of caution, the licence was suspended when information came to light. The minister defended the quick approval (within one day) as meeting the standard two-business-day turnaround for commercial applications. She also announced that Uber is recruiting drivers to provide additional safe transportation options.
Homelessness supports and Colonial Building Tent City
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by F. Hutton
The Housing Minister denied that he was blaming or shaming homeless individuals, stating that Housing is now a stand-alone portfolio with dedicated focus. He reiterated that emergency shelters, warming shelters, and the Emergency Shelter Line are available, and that no one needs to stay in a tent.
Funeral assistance for families with limited resources
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by P. Pike
The CSSD Minister committed to working with families and funeral homes, stating that the department will consult with funeral home operators to review burial and funeral benefits under the Income Support program. He strongly encouraged families needing assistance to contact CSSD, where client services staff will help immediately with applications.
Teladoc Health data privacy and tracking pixels
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The Health Minister acknowledged awareness of the US class action lawsuit against Teladoc but stated that provincial rules differ. He assured that Teladoc and doctors licensed in the province will follow the Personal Health Information Act and Protection of Privacy Act. He did not directly confirm whether tracking pixels were used or commit to new data sovereignty legislation.
Medical flights for Torngat Mountains district
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The Health Minister stated that ambulance integration, including air ambulance services, is underway. The new air ambulance contract will increase reliance on helicopter services, reduce wheels-up time from 60 to 30 minutes, and ensure backup aircraft availability when one is out of service, anticipating greater service provincewide.
Orders of the Day
Motions on House sitting hours
J. Hogan
Government House Leader moved and the House adopted three motions extending sitting hours: not adjourning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday March 13 (continuing until midnight), and not adjourning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday March 12 and Thursday March 14.
Second reading of Bill 69 (Memorial University Act amendment)
Multiple
The Minister of Education introduced Bill 69 to enshrine in legislation the definition of 'Newfoundland and Labrador resident' for Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine admissions. The definition requires either completing four years of high school in the province within 12 years of application, or residing in the province for three years immediately before application. Members debated seat allocation (69 for NL residents including 3 Indigenous, 4 for PEI, 1 for Nunavut, 6 others) and questioned why six seats remain open to other Canadians. The bill passed second reading.
Committee of the Whole consideration of Bill 69
Multiple
In Committee, Members questioned the Minister about seat allocation, reciprocity agreements with other provinces, why the bill applies only to the Faculty of Medicine, and the 100-kilometre residency requirement. The Minister explained the six open seats are part of an implied reciprocity agreement allowing NL students to access programs not offered in the province. The bill was carried without amendment.
Second reading of Bill 67 (75th Anniversary of Confederation Recognition Act)
Multiple
The Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation introduced Bill 67 to recognize the 75th anniversary of Confederation through anniversary medals, $1,000 scholarships for 75 students, and authorizing current and former Executive Council members to use the honorific 'The Honourable' and initials 'E.C.N.L.' The minister outlined various commemoration activities including a Confederation 75 cultural funding program with 130+ applications, educational programming, and a commemorative book. Members generally supported the bill while raising questions about costs and expressing concerns about supporting vulnerable populations. The bill passed second reading.
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.