Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 15 April 2024
Question Period focused heavily on wind-hydrogen project community benefits, the sugar tax's effectiveness and revenue, the carbon tax, and health care spending—particularly $80 million spent on private travel nurses while registered nurses await collective agreement payments. Additional topics included the cost of living for seniors, bodies stored outside the Health Sciences complex due to funeral cost issues, the Justice Minister's controversial statements on sexual assault survivors, and housing as a human right. The House of Assembly conducted routine business including third readings of several bills, tabled annual reports, and heard Members' Statements recognizing community volunteers and local achievements. The Premier delivered a ministerial statement marking the 75th anniversary of Confederation, followed by responses from opposition parties. The bulk of the sitting was devoted to budget debate, with the Leader of the Official Opposition delivering an extensive critique of government performance across multiple policy areas including seniors' care, poverty reduction, health care access, housing, and the fishery.
Members' Statements
Holy Cross School students at Innovation Fair
L. Parrott (Terra Nova)
Congratulated junior high students and teachers from Holy Cross School in Eastport for attending the Atlantic Canadian Brilliant Labs Innovation Fair in Miramichi, presenting a project titled 'Eco Eastport Powered by Magna Motors.'
Recognition of Reg Butler
C. Pardy (Bonavista)
Celebrated Reg Butler, a third-generation fish harvester with 51 years' experience, deputy mayor of Bonavista for 10 years, and community volunteer who provides music at charitable functions and events.
Topsail United Church Men's Club
P. Dinn (Topsail - Paradise)
Acknowledged the Topsail United Men's Club, formed in 1982-83, for their fundraising work supporting the church and community programs including breakfasts and the annual Flipper Dinner.
Community Supports Program palliative care
J. Dinn (St. John's Centre)
Recognized the interdisciplinary team at the Newfoundland and Labrador Community Supports Program for providing compassionate palliative care, highlighting clinical nurse Lori Greene's exceptional care for a terminal cancer patient.
Joe Tilley and Special Needs Christmas Party
J. Wall (Cape St. Francis)
Honored Joe Tilley, an original member of the Torbay Volunteer Fire Department, for organizing the annual Special Needs Christmas Party since 1995, now in its 28th year, providing food, entertainment, and gifts to families at no cost.
75th anniversary of Confederation
A. Furey (Premier)
Delivered a ministerial statement marking the 75th anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador joining Canada on March 31, 1949, celebrating the province's cultural identity and contributions to the federation.
Response to Confederation anniversary
T. Wakeham (Leader of the Official Opposition)
Responded to the Premier's statement, emphasizing pride in the province's identity and contributions to Canada while calling for continued advocacy to improve federal relationships, particularly regarding fisheries and energy.
Response to Confederation anniversary
J. Dinn (Leader of the Third Party)
Acknowledged reasons to celebrate Confederation but expressed concern that successive governments have squandered opportunities, citing crises in health care, homelessness, and seniors' poverty.
Routine Proceedings
Tabling of Citizens' Representative Annual Digest
The Speaker
Tabled the Citizens' Representative Annual Digest for 2022-2023 pursuant to section 34 of the Citizens' Representative Act.
Tabling of House of Assembly Management Commission report
The Speaker
Tabled the House of Assembly Management Commission annual report for fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, covering the period April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.
Notice of motion regarding Private Members' Day
J. Hogan (Government House Leader)
Gave notice of a motion to cancel Private Members' Day on Wednesday, April 17, and instead meet at 2 p.m. for Routine Proceedings and Government Business.
Petition on long-term mental health care
P. Dinn (Topsail - Paradise)
Presented a petition calling for access to long-term mental health care and continuity of care, highlighting advocacy by Kristi Allan (176 weeks) and concerns from the Canadian Mental Health Association about service navigation and access.
Petition on Limitations Act for child abuse claims
E. Joyce (Humber - Bay of Islands)
Presented a petition calling for amendments to the Limitations Act to remove limitation periods for civil child abuse claims, urging government to act rather than wait for court proceedings.
Petition on St. Shott's road repair
L. O'Driscoll (Ferryland)
Presented a petition calling for upgrades to the St. Shott's to Peter's River road, describing it as deplorable and a safety issue, particularly given increased tourism traffic to the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Petition on Limitations Act for child abuse claims
P. Lane (Mount Pearl - Southlands)
Presented a petition on the Limitations Act, noting Newfoundland and Labrador is the only jurisdiction allowing limitation periods for child abuse claims and calling for retroactive changes to protect victims.
Question Period
Community benefit agreements for wind turbine projects
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey / A. Parsons
The Premier recused himself from decisions on a particular proponent. Minister Parsons stated that all proponents must comply with the fiscal framework launched in February 2023, which includes community benefits and diversity plans. Community benefits are a condition of recent environmental approvals, and government works closely with proponents to ensure benefits for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Sugar tax effectiveness and revenue
Asked by T. Wakeham / C. Pardy · Answered by A. Furey / S. Coady
The Premier stated the government wishes to collect zero revenue from the sugar tax, with all proceeds funding the Physical Activity Tax Credit, insulin pumps, glucose monitoring, and school lunch programs. Minister Coady defended the tax as supported by international health organizations and noted 50 countries have similar taxes. The government aims to change behaviour through responsible choices, not just taxation.
Carbon tax—delay versus scrapping
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier reiterated his longstanding opposition to the federal carbon tax as the wrong instrument for the province, noting the government lowered the gas tax to offset it. He stated he has been advocating for a pause to develop alternative solutions and that the prime minister is now open to different approaches. The Premier emphasized concern for climate change but insists the current tax is not right for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Private travel nurse spending ($80 million over nine months) versus unpaid registered nurses
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
Minister Osborne explained that payments to registered nurses under their collective agreement are delayed due to complexity involving legacy health institutions with different calculation processes. He defended agency nursing as necessary to prevent emergency department closures, noting it is a national and global phenomenon. He stated the government is working on recruitment and retention initiatives and hopes to reduce reliance on agency nurses to pre-pandemic levels, though no specific timeline was provided.
Cost of living for seniors (groceries, oil, gas, carbon tax)
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by S. Coady
Minister Coady highlighted over $500 million in cost-of-living supports, including a 15 per cent increase to the Seniors' Benefit and $10 million for a Seniors' Well-Being Plan in the current budget. She emphasized the government's focus on supporting seniors and low-income residents.
Bodies stored outside Health Sciences complex and funeral cost assistance
Asked by C. Pardy / J. Dinn · Answered by P. Pike / S. Coady
Minister Pike stated the department is reviewing funeral assistance rates (currently $2,800 per funeral for 360 funerals in 2023) and will consult with funeral home operators within the next week or two to determine reasonable rates. The review includes burial expenses, clothing, and cremation costs. Minister Coady noted record investments in the budget for seniors, housing, and health, but did not specify additional funeral assistance funding.
Justice Minister's statements on sexual assault survivors and system reform
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer / J. Dinn · Answered by J. Hogan / P. Parsons
Minister Hogan apologized for his statements and described meetings with advocacy groups (PANSOW, The Journey Project, End Sexual Violence NL, PLIAN) to learn and improve. He cited trauma training for Provincial Court judges and a letter to the federal minister requesting stronger bail conditions for intimate partner assault cases. Minister Parsons expressed confidence in Minister Hogan and noted a $13.6 million bilateral agreement with the federal government to support stakeholders and systemic change.
Declaring housing a human right in Newfoundland and Labrador
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by F. Hutton
Minister Hutton stated that federal legislation and international law recognize adequate housing as a fundamental human right, and the government agrees with those principles. The province is working with federal and provincial partners to provide adequate housing, especially for vulnerable populations.
Medical Transportation Assistance Program coverage for amputees
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier acknowledged recent improvements to the program and stated he is happy to address the gap in coverage for amputees traveling to the Miller Centre with the minister to ensure they receive necessary care.
Orders of the Day
Third reading of Bill 44
J. Hogan (Government House Leader)
Bill 44, An Act to Repeal the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act, was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 67
J. Hogan (Government House Leader)
Bill 67, An Act Respecting Recognition of the 75th Anniversary of Confederation, was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 69
J. Hogan (Government House Leader)
Bill 69, An Act to Amend the Memorial University Act No. 2, was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 70
J. Hogan (Government House Leader)
Bill 70, An Act to Repeal the Economic Diversification and Growth Enterprises Act, was read a third time and passed.
Budget debate - comprehensive critique
T. Wakeham (Leader of the Official Opposition)
Delivered an extensive budget response criticizing government performance across multiple areas: fishery neglect (industry worth over $1 billion mentioned only five times), seniors' poverty and declining benefits, absence of a meaningful poverty reduction strategy, rising food insecurity (highest in Canada at 23%), health care crisis (136,000 without family doctors, lowest life expectancy in Canada), housing shortage and homelessness, inadequate mental health and addictions services, rising crime, and failure to implement recommendations from various reports. Called for a fisheries accord, indexed seniors' benefits, comprehensive poverty reduction strategy, and improved health care access.
Budget debate - cost of living and local issues
C. Tibbs (Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans)
Spoke about cost of living pressures on families, describing parents unable to afford groceries, vehicle maintenance, or children's activities. Highlighted local infrastructure concerns including deteriorating Buchans Highway (Route 370) due to heavy traffic from Marathon Gold operations. Raised health care access issues including emergency room diversions, closure of Botwood ER, and the walk-in clinic in Grand Falls-Windsor no longer accepting new patients, leaving residents with limited options for medical care.
Other business
Withdrawal of comments and apology
J. Hogan
The Member withdrew and apologized for incorrect statements made in response to a point of order from the Member for Torngat Mountains on March 12.
Introduction of guests
The Speaker
The Speaker welcomed guests in the public gallery including Community Supports Program workers and family members, Torbay Volunteer Fire Department members, and members of the Topsail United Church men's club.
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.