Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 17 April 2024
Question Period focused heavily on health care workforce issues, particularly nursing education cuts and travel nurse expenses. The Opposition challenged the government on nursing seat reductions at the College of the North Atlantic, the $100+ million travel nurse scandal, and the lack of timely accountability. Additional topics included carbon and sugar taxes, classroom violence, driver's licence medical access for seniors, job evaluation fairness, mental health services in Labrador, and road safety concerns. The House debated Budget 2024 and a non-confidence amendment moved by the Opposition. Members discussed housing shortages, health care access, infrastructure needs in rural communities, and criticized the government's responsiveness to district-specific concerns. The amendment faulted the government for missing the mark on seniors, students, health care, persons with disabilities, Labradorians, fisheries, businesses, and cost-of-living issues. Debate was wide-ranging, touching on volunteer fire departments, school infrastructure, travel nurse spending, and the carbon tax.
Question Period
Cuts to nursing education and LPN seats at College of the North Atlantic
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by K. Howell / A. Furey
The Minister of Education stated that a two-year LPN pilot project was successful and enrolment numbers have been maintained with additional funding found. The Premier confirmed that potential cuts were identified but money was secured to keep seats open.
Nursing students in Happy Valley-Goose Bay paying their own travel to St. John's for clinical placements
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier acknowledged that nursing students sometimes must travel for clinical experiences and committed to reviewing the issue with the Ministers of Education and Health to explore reimbursement options, noting that bursaries are also available.
Whether nursing students have been offered full-time jobs
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health confirmed that any nurse who wants a full-time, permanent job in the province has one available, though jobs cannot be created in areas without vacancies.
Federal carbon tax and whether it should be axed
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated that the government opposes the federal carbon tax, calling it ineffective policy that does not work for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. He noted the province lowered the gas tax to offset the federal backstop.
Provincial sugar tax and whether it should be axed
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady
The Minister of Finance defended the sugar tax, citing support from health organizations (Cancer Society, diabetes society, dental association, WHO) and emphasizing its role in improving health outcomes in a province with high rates of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Tabling of Comptroller General's letter and files on travel nurse scandal
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by S. Coady
The Minister of Finance stated there is no summary, analysis, or report from the Comptroller General because the Auditor General took over the review before the Comptroller's work was completed. She emphasized not wanting to interfere with the Auditor General's independent work.
Recovery of $1.7 million inappropriately paid for meals in travel nurse contracts
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health stated it is not yet known whether payments were inappropriate until the review is complete. He indicated that if inappropriate payments are found, appropriate action will be taken.
Requesting the Auditor General prioritize the travel nurse review to avoid an 18-month wait
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health defended the 18-month timeline, stating the Auditor General is independent and has committed to starting immediately. He emphasized that a proper audit requires time and cannot be rushed.
Breakdown of how an additional $40 million paid to travel nurse agencies was spent
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health did not provide a breakdown, stating that if the Auditor General needs 18 months to complete the review, he cannot produce detailed answers immediately. He emphasized the government's focus on recruitment and retention to reduce reliance on travel nurses.
Increasing violence in classrooms and government action
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister of Education cited the formation of a Violence Prevention coalition with the NLTA and multiple departments. She announced $3 million in the budget for 104 additional student assistants, identified as a priority in the Teachers Think Tank, and emphasized a multi-faceted approach addressing students' complex needs.
Implementation of recommendations from multiple education reports and task forces
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister of Education stated that the Education Accord will consolidate recommendations from various reports into a 10-year action-oriented plan with measurable outcomes, designed to prepare students for a changing world and economy.
Seniors without family doctors being charged $75 for driver's licence medicals by nurse practitioners
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health stated that while a physician is required for these tests, last year's budget included a benefit to refund individuals who paid nurse practitioners for the service.
Review of the Job Evaluation System (JES) to ensure equal pay for equal work
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by S. Coady
The Minister of Finance defended the JES system, introduced in 2015 with union involvement, noting it uses nine factors to evaluate jobs and includes an appeal process. She encouraged anyone with concerns to contact human resources or request a review.
Access to mental health diagnosis and treatment in Torngat Mountains district
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health acknowledged the concern and referenced the Towards Recovery recommendations as a foundation for mental health services. He noted an all-party committee is working on further recommendations and committed to filling any identified gaps.
Safety concerns and repairs on Route 450 and Route 440 in Bay of Islands
Asked by E. Joyce · Answered by J. Abbott
The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure stated that safety is the number one factor in allocating paving funds and that decisions on the Roads Plan are made by the department, not Cabinet, based on safety and other considerations.
Orders of the Day
Motion 1 (Budget 2024 debate) and non-confidence amendment
Multiple
The Government House Leader called Motion 1. The Member for Cape St. Francis spoke on Budget 2024, highlighting the housing crisis (over 3,000 on wait-lists), inadequate support for vulnerable populations including tent encampment residents, and urgent needs for volunteer fire departments (e.g., SCBA gear expiring in Pouch Cove). He also recognized Volunteer Week and local volunteers. The Member for Labrador West criticized insufficient health care (delayed collaborative care clinic, lack of addictions treatment in Labrador, burdensome MTAP paperwork) and called for provincial investment in municipal infrastructure to enable affordable housing and attract workers. The Opposition House Leader (Member for Conception Bay South) moved a non-confidence amendment faulting the government for missing the mark on multiple fronts, criticized the carbon tax and sugar tax as ineffective behavioural taxes, condemned partisan by-election spending and municipal endorsements, and lamented the lack of a new school for Frank Roberts in Foxtrap and no Family Care Team for CBS despite a large population. The Speaker recessed to review the amendment and ruled it in order. The Member for Conception Bay South continued, emphasizing the importance of listening to constituents, the humbling nature of electoral politics, and the need for genuine responsiveness. The Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, and Labrador Affairs began a response defending the government and discussing the challenges of representing remote Labrador districts.
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.