Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 24 April 2024
Question Period focused heavily on the government's $21-million sole-source contract for transitional supportive housing at the Airport Inn (106 Airport Road), with the Opposition criticizing slow uptake, lack of transparency on costs, and absence of a cost-benefit analysis. Additional topics included deteriorating conditions at the Health Sciences Centre, school overcrowding and safety concerns related to a proposed reconfiguration in the PWC area, the situation at Tent City, and proposed amendments to the Independent Appointments Commission Act and fixed-date election legislation. The House debated a subamendment to Motion 1 (the budget motion) introduced by the Official Opposition. Members focused heavily on failures in education—including violence in schools, teacher burnout, and declining PISA scores—as well as health care access, the cost of living (especially carbon tax), housing shortages, mental health supports, and road infrastructure. The Opposition criticized the government for broken promises on IVF services, lack of a poverty reduction plan, and inadequate support for teachers and vulnerable populations.
Question Period
Airport Inn contract value and occupancy
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister defended the contract, stating that hotel rooms have been converted into medical facilities and that the investment will provide good value by helping people with wraparound services, though progress takes time.
Security and restaurant costs at Airport Inn
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister did not have exact figures on hand but committed to providing them and noted that food and other supports are built into the budget, which will be reviewed line-by-line during Estimates on Friday.
Cost-benefit analysis for Airport Inn contract
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady / F. Hutton
The Deputy Premier and minister did not provide a cost-benefit analysis, instead emphasizing that the facility is transformative and that detailed budget review will occur during Estimates. The minister stated End Homelessness St. John's identified the gap and the government is acting on expert advice.
Conditions at Health Sciences Centre (mould, dirt, disrepair)
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated that the provincial health authority has done walk-throughs and addresses issues as they arise, noting the facility is nearly 50 years old and operates 24/7, making repairs challenging. He defended cleaning staff and noted the emergency department is undergoing full redevelopment.
School reconfiguration in PWC area (overcrowding, safety)
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
The minister explained that a reconfiguration is necessary to better utilize existing space while new schools are built, and that a consultation process is underway. She committed to presenting an operational plan once consultations are complete and details finalized.
Offering rooms at Airport Inn to Tent City residents
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister stated that consultations are happening this week now that the hotel is ready, and that End Homelessness St. John's is hiring staff and providing feedback on offers made to tent encampment residents. He noted that alternatives are being offered regularly through various community partners.
Characterization of Tent City residents as protestors
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister clarified that there are two aspects: people who need help (whom the government is assisting) and protest elements organized by some individuals. He quoted an organizer calling it '100 per cent a protest' and stated that protestors sometimes impede efforts to help those in need.
Amendments to Independent Appointments Commission Act
Asked by P. Lane · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier confirmed that all recommendations from the statutory review are being implemented in due course, including legislative changes, and noted that extenuating circumstances provisions have been used only rarely.
Amendment to fixed-date election legislation
Asked by P. Lane · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier noted the legislation was enacted under a previous government and stated that the current government will comply with the fixed-election dates as set out in the legislation, without committing to the proposed amendment.
Orders of the Day
Debate on subamendment to Motion 1 (Budget 2024)
J. Wall (Cape St. Francis)
Criticized the government for failing to deliver on 2021 promises for restorative justice and safe schools. Highlighted violence, bullying, and chronic absenteeism in schools, citing a mother who quit her job to homeschool her son. Noted the NLTA gave the budget an 'F' grade and said teachers feel ignored. Also raised concerns about IVF costs and road conditions in his district.
Debate on subamendment to Motion 1 (continued)
T. Wakeham (Stephenville - Port au Port, Leader of the Official Opposition)
Shared constituent stories of seniors in poverty and nurses struggling with workload and agency staffing. Argued the government has failed to introduce a comprehensive poverty reduction plan or guarantee access to primary care. Called for nurse practitioners to be allowed to practice privately and be compensated fairly, and criticized discrepancies in pay for rural oncology nurses.
Debate on subamendment to Motion 1 (continued)
B. Petten (Conception Bay South, Opposition House Leader)
Accused the Premier of lacking courage and leadership, citing flip-flops on carbon tax and populist politics. Criticized the government for prioritizing photo ops over substantive action on health care strikes and other crises. Argued that paving decisions are politically motivated and that the government has lost public trust.
Debate on subamendment to Motion 1 (continued)
P. Forsey (Exploits)
Complained about unfair distribution of road paving, saying his district has been waiting years despite a supposed five-year road plan. Highlighted the cost of living, carbon tax impacts on families and farmers, food security challenges, housing shortages, and seniors unable to afford heating or groceries. Called for removal of carbon and sugar taxes.
Debate on subamendment to Motion 1 (continued)
P. Dinn (Topsail - Paradise)
Discussed the emotional toll of helping constituents in crisis, including seniors separated in long-term care and families struggling with mental health and addictions. Raised concerns about violence in schools (citing NLTA examples of teacher assaults) and road safety issues on Route 60. Urged the minister to find permanent solutions for deteriorating roads in his district.
Debate on subamendment to Motion 1 (continued)
C. Pardy (Bonavista)
Focused on education, noting Bonavista had the province's first school in 1727. Highlighted alarming declines in PISA scores (reading down 34 points, math down 29 points—the worst in Canada). Criticized increases to class sizes in 2016 and 2018 and the introduction of province-wide teacher seniority, which he argued removed merit-based hiring and harmed school culture and recruitment.
Debate on subamendment to Motion 1 (continued)
C. Tibbs (Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans)
Argued that record spending has not yielded results, calling it an 'F' grade. Described health care overload at Central Newfoundland hospital, lack of walk-in clinic capacity, and the mental health crisis. Shared a constituent's story about infertility and IVF struggles. Spoke emotionally about youth suicide (Michael Dalton) and offered his home as a safe space for anyone in crisis. Questioned the value of the Premier's Grand Falls-Windsor office.
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.