Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 12 March 2024
Question Period was dominated by urgent concerns over the fishing industry, with harvesters and plant workers filling the gallery and steps of Confederation Building. The Official Opposition pressed the Premier and Minister of Fisheries on free enterprise, corporate concentration, and government intervention to ensure a timely start to the season. Additional topics included funeral assistance rates, unclaimed bodies at the Health Sciences Centre, child care wait-lists in Labrador West, the federal carbon tax, rehabilitative programming at HMP, and addiction treatment access in Labrador. The House dealt with a point of order regarding unparliamentary language used during petition presentations, recognized recent graduates joining the public service, and debated Bill 22 (amendments to the Management of Information Act and House of Assembly Accountability Act). An amendment to delay the bill for public consultations was defeated, and after procedural confusion over second reading, the government declined to move into Committee of the Whole and adjourned the House.
Members' Statements
Recognition of Jenna Lake, volleyball star
H. Conway Ottenheimer
The Member for Harbour Main recognized Jenna Lake of Upper Gullies for leading Acadia University's volleyball team to its first Atlantic University Sport title and being named Playoff MVP. Jenna will compete in the Canadian University Championships.
Recognition of Barry Park, teacher and mentor
E. Joyce
The Member for Humber - Bay of Islands recognized Barry Park, a dedicated teacher at Templeton Academy in Meadows, for his contributions to students and community. Barry was honoured by colleagues and students and invited as guest of honour at a Corner Brook Royals hockey game.
Congratulations to Cain's Quest snowmobile race participants
J. Brown
The Member for Labrador West congratulated all racers in the 2024 Cain's Quest snowmobile race, particularly winners Team 99 (Randy and Sebastian Malleck), and thanked volunteers, staff, and search and rescue personnel for ensuring safety during the world's longest and toughest snowmobile race.
Recognition of Sarah Dawe, volleyball coach
L. Stoyles
The Member for Mount Pearl North congratulated constituent Sarah Dawe on being named to the coaching staff for Team NL's indoor volleyball at the 2025 Canada Games. Sarah has an accomplished playing and coaching career and holds advanced degrees in kinesiology and occupational therapy.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial statement on graduate recruitment program
S. Coady
The Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission welcomed the newest cohort of university graduates joining the public service through the graduate recruitment program, which provides work experience, mentoring, and pathways to management roles. Responses from opposition parties noted concerns about retention of local graduates and unpaid work terms for students.
Notice of motion for Bill 71
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice of introducing Bill 71, An Act to Amend the Correctional Services Act.
Petition on Long Run Road repairs
L. O'Driscoll
The Member for Ferryland presented a petition calling for repairs to Long Run Road in Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, a main access road to a major tourist attraction that is in deplorable condition. The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure responded that the department has a multi-year $1.4 billion budget and will address the work in future annual budgets.
Petition on brush cutting on Routes 350, 351A, and 352
P. Forsey
The Member for Exploits presented a petition calling for immediate brush cutting along Routes 350, 351A, and 352 to address safety issues and increased moose-vehicle accidents. The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure responded that brush cutting will begin as early as possible in spring and that the department is also considering moose fencing.
Petition on medical travel access for Northern Labrador residents
L. Evans
The Member for Torngat Mountains presented a petition calling on government to remove barriers preventing Northern Labrador residents from accessing medical appointments outside their communities. She emphasized that patients, including cancer patients, are frequently unable to get seats on medical flights to appointments in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, St. Anthony, St. John's, and Corner Brook, causing treatment delays.
Petition on reinstating Fisheries Loan Board
C. Pardy
The Member for Bonavista presented a petition calling for reinstatement of the Fisheries Loan Board to help young harvesters secure funding to enter the fishery. He noted the current Fisheries Loan Guarantee Program has had only two applications since 2020, both withdrawn, and that prospective harvesters are being directed to major banks in Toronto rather than receiving local support.
Question Period
Free enterprise and government intervention in the fishing industry
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey / E. Loveless
The Premier stated that two sides are negotiating and government is facilitating discussions, committing to review structural issues including outside buyers, processing capacity, and corporate concentration. The Minister of Fisheries emphasized the need for balance and fairness across harvesters, processors, and plant workers, and noted that a new price-setting formula has been developed to share risk.
Funeral assistance rates and unclaimed bodies
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by P. Pike / T. Osborne
The Minister of CSSD confirmed that rates for funeral assistance (currently $2,300) are under review and that funeral home operators will be consulted. The Minister of Health stated that the health authority maintains respectful storage of remains until next of kin are contacted, and plans are underway to expand morgue capacity. Both ministers emphasized that families can apply for support through Income Support.
Child care wait-lists in Labrador West
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister of Education noted that 8,600 children province-wide are accessing $10-a-day child care or less, and that establishing new settings takes time to ensure certified professionals and resources are in place. She acknowledged room for improvement and stated that new centres are opening imminently.
Federal carbon tax impact on Labrador
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by A. Furey / S. Coady
The Premier stated that the government does not agree with the federal carbon tax and has written to the prime minister multiple times, including today, asking for a pause. The Deputy Premier emphasized the Premier's persistence and noted that the federal government removed carbon tax from home heating fuels as a result.
Rehabilitative programming at Her Majesty's Penitentiary
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by J. Hogan
The Minister of Justice stated that new correctional officers have been hired and trained, and that consultations are underway through the budget process for temporary measures to provide space for rehabilitative programs. He also confirmed commitment to implementing a bail supervision program and electronic monitoring.
Ministerial responsibility for operational issues at Health Sciences Centre
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health maintained that government provides policy, oversight, and direction to the health authority, while operational issues are managed by the authority. He cited the quality council, quarterly Treasury Board monitoring, and additional auditing as examples of oversight.
Housing options for homeless individuals
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott
The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure stated that the task force on acute homelessness is working with front-line workers and government departments to find long-term solutions, and committed to addressing any specific issues raised regarding individuals at the tent encampment.
Addiction treatment access in Labrador
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health acknowledged that wait times for addiction treatment (9–16 weeks) are an issue in Labrador and other areas. He noted that Towards Recovery has laid a foundation, and that an All-Party Committee is making recommendations to build on it, while government continues to provide funding for mental health and addictions.
Opening of family care clinic in Labrador West
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by T. Osborne
Question Period expired before the minister could fully respond.
Orders of the Day
Debate on amendment to Bill 22 (Management of Information Act amendments)
Multiple
The House debated a reasoned amendment to delay Bill 22 for public consultations. The Member for Humber - Bay of Islands argued from personal experience that the Management Commission has failed to document meetings and provide minutes as required, emphasizing the need for public input on accountability measures. The Minister of Digital Government and Service NL explained the bill implements recommendations from the Muskrat Falls inquiry and Justice Wells' ATIPPA review, requiring public bodies to document important decisions, and noted consultations were held with 160 public bodies a year ago. The Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands supported duty to document but raised concerns about exemptions under ATIPPA (Cabinet documents, solicitor-client privilege) and the exemption of OilCo and NL Hydro from ATIPPA, arguing documentation is meaningless if information cannot be accessed. The amendment was defeated.
Second reading of Bill 22 and procedural confusion
Multiple
Following defeat of the amendment, the Speaker called for debate on the main bill and, hearing no speakers, called on the minister to close debate. After the vote, confusion arose over whether second reading had been properly called and whether Members had opportunity to speak. The Opposition House Leader raised a point of order arguing the process was unclear given the bill's year-long hiatus and the confusion over voting on the amendment. The Speaker ruled there was no point of order, that second reading had been properly conducted, and that the vote was carried. When the Deputy Government House Leader moved to go into Committee of the Whole, opposition Members voted against, defeating the motion. The House then adjourned.
Other business
Point of order regarding unparliamentary language during petition presentations
L. Evans
The Member for Torngat Mountains raised a point of order under Standing Order 49, alleging that the Member for Windsor Lake used unparliamentary language by calling her petition presentations on the Limitations Act and justice system reform "mistruths" and "misleading." She argued this disrespected survivors of sexual assault and abuse whose concerns formed the basis of the petitions, and requested the Speaker review the matter and ask the Member to withdraw his comments. The Speaker took the matter under advisement.
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.