Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 25 April 2024
Question Period focused heavily on the government's $20.7 million, three-year lease of the Comfort Hotel for transitional housing, with the Opposition criticizing the lack of occupants four months after signing and unclear plans for staffing and room allocation. Additional topics included reimbursement policies for private nurse practitioner visits, timelines for amending the Limitations Act in response to abuse cases, budget allocations in the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and shortages of mental health and addiction services in Labrador. The House debated the main budget motion (Motion 1) following Question Period. Members discussed health care access, mental health services, infrastructure needs, and various constituency issues. The Minister of Environment recognized Earth Day, and the Minister of Health announced two new urgent care centres for St. John's and Mount Pearl. Several Members presented petitions on topics ranging from bridge replacements to firearms regulations.
Members' Statements
Bob Marshall inducted into Boxing NL Hall of Fame
E. Joyce
The Member recognized Bob Marshall of Corner Brook, a founder of Boxing NL, for his 50 years of dedication as a coach and mentor who shaped boxers into better human beings.
Special Olympics medals for Colin Rumbolt
J. Brown
The Member congratulated Colin Rumbolt of Labrador West for winning two gold and one bronze medal in cross-country skiing at the 2024 Special Olympics in Calgary.
Stephanie Dawe receives national public safety award
P. Trimper
The Member recognized Stephanie Dawe of Happy Valley-Goose Bay for becoming the first Labradorian to receive SARVAC GSAR National Searcher Certification and for receiving the 2024 Union of Safety and Justice Employees National Public Safety Award.
Mount Pearl Minor Hockey Hall of Fame inductees
P. Lane
The Member congratulated eight individuals inducted into the Mount Pearl Minor Hockey Hall of Fame, including five builders, two players, and one official.
Garland Freake's 105th birthday
L. Stoyles
The Member celebrated Mr. Garland Freake of Mount Pearl North, a World War II navy veteran, on his 105th birthday, noting he was the oldest person in Canada with a valid driver's licence last year.
Earth Day and plastic pollution
B. Davis
The Minister recognized Earth Day (April 22) with the theme 'Planet vs. Plastics,' noting that 180 million beverage containers were diverted from landfills last year and that officials are participating in UN negotiations on a global plastic pollution agreement.
Two new urgent care centres announced
T. Osborne
The Minister announced two new urgent care centres for St. John's and Mount Pearl (on Stavanger Drive and near Topsail Road/Blackmarsh Road intersection) to provide timely care for non-life-threatening issues and reduce emergency department pressures, anticipated to open next year.
Routine Proceedings
Notice of motion for Bill 75 (Tourist Accommodations Act amendment)
S. Crocker
The Minister of Tourism gave notice that he will introduce Bill 75, An Act to Amend the Tourist Accommodations Act, on the following day.
Petition for replacement of Canning Bridge in Marystown
J. Dwyer
The Member presented a petition calling for immediate replacement of the Canning Bridge, which has been closed for a year and a half, causing significant costs and hardship for residents, particularly seniors and those on fixed incomes.
Petition opposing federal firearms buy-back program
P. Lane
The Member presented a petition urging the provincial government not to participate in the federal firearms buy-back program, arguing it would punish law-abiding gun owners and hunters without addressing criminal firearms violence.
Petition for timely child support payments
C. Pardy
The Member presented a petition calling for review of the 30-day payment window regulation for Child Support Enforcement to ensure payments reach single-parent families at the beginning of each month, affecting approximately 4,482 children.
Petition for road upgrades between Bay Bulls and St. John's
L. O'Driscoll
The Member presented a petition calling for upgrades to the road section between Bay Bulls and St. John's city limits, noting dangerous ruts and poor conditions affecting daily commuters and tourism traffic.
Petition for inclusion of Northern Labrador in provincial rebate programs
L. Evans
The Member presented a petition calling for Northern Labrador communities to be included in provincial incentive and rebate programs, noting they are excluded from programs like the Oil to Electric Incentive due to diesel electricity generation.
Petition for road improvements on Routes 350, 351, and 352
P. Forsey
The Member presented a petition calling for immediate roadwork to upgrade Routes 350, 351, and 352 in the Exploits District due to deplorable conditions causing safety issues and vehicle damage.
Question Period
Comfort Hotel transitional housing contract — who initiated contact
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey / F. Hutton
The Premier stated the hotel was investigated as an option to address homelessness and provide wraparound supports. The Minister of Housing clarified that Housing was contacted by community partners like End Homelessness St. John's identifying a gap in the housing continuum.
Comfort Hotel contract — competitive process and value for money
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister emphasized the need was identified through consultation with End Homelessness St. John's and CSSD, and that the service fills a critical gap, without directly addressing whether other proposals were reviewed.
Comfort Hotel — staffing and services promised
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey / F. Hutton
The Premier confirmed wraparound supports (mental health, addictions, case management, social navigation) are being offered to encampment residents. The minister stated services are being set up and will include 24/7 supports from NL Health Services, Justice, and CSSD.
Comfort Hotel — intended use and occupancy
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey / F. Hutton
The Premier described a flexible housing continuum approach. The minister confirmed the hotel is for transitional supportive living, currently has 12 clients, and is nearly ready for more residents who will sign leases and be referred through a coordinated access table.
Comfort Hotel — number of client rooms and total cost
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister clarified there are 140 rooms total, with some converted to medical examination rooms, counselling spaces, and common areas. Not all will be client rooms. He declined to specify total cost, emphasizing the value of mental health and addiction supports.
Reimbursement for private nurse practitioner visits
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health confirmed that individuals without access to a primary care provider can submit invoices for nurse practitioner visits and be reimbursed, specifically for driver's medicals for those 75+. He clarified this does not apply to all services, as virtual care and pharmacists are available alternatives.
Virtual physician service vs. local nurse practitioners
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister defended the Teladoc virtual service as ensuring access for those without primary care and keeping emergency departments open. He stated the priority is filling public system vacancies, not enabling private practice, and noted expanded pharmacist scope and Family Care Teams.
Timeline for amending the Limitations Act
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by J. Hogan
The Minister of Justice committed that amendments to the Limitations Act will be brought forward in the "not-too-distant future" and will be the first bill introduced after constituency week, with three weeks remaining in the spring sitting.
OCIO budget — $250,000 salary savings explanation
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by S. Stoodley
The Minister of Digital Government clarified that the salary savings were in the Capital account, related to salaries for a project element that was no longer needed.
OCIO budget — $11 million allocation without identified projects
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by S. Stoodley
The minister explained the $11 million is new funding for technology improvements, split between Capital and Current as a placeholder while specific allocations are finalized. Planned uses include mainframe upgrades, Microsoft 365, cybersecurity, and integrating Education and Housing IT.
OCIO cybersecurity budget
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by S. Stoodley
The minister stated cybersecurity is integrated across all IT activities and is everyone's responsibility, rather than a separate budget line.
Mental health services in Labrador — six-bed psychiatric unit and supports
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health acknowledged the six-bed unit in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is temporarily closed due to staffing but will reopen this spring. He noted expanded services compared to previous years and awaits recommendations from the All-Party Committee.
Psychosis nurse position in Labrador
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister confirmed the position is posted and filling it depends on finding a suitable candidate.
Staffing the Comfort Hotel amid health care worker shortages
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by F. Hutton
The Minister of Housing stated End Homelessness St. John's has issued calls for workers, and NL Health Services and CSSD will be involved. He emphasized record housing investments and a whole-of-government approach.
Shelter standards for NL Housing Corporation facilities
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by P. Pike
The Minister of CSSD confirmed shelter standards were in place, including inspections before occupancy. An external review of standards is expected to be completed by June or July 2024, and the government remains committed to implementing them.
Addiction treatment centre in Labrador
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by T. Osborne
The Minister of Health noted the All-Party Committee is consulting stakeholders and will consider recommendations, including the possibility of a treatment centre in Labrador, based on expert and lived-experience input.
Orders of the Day
Budget debate - health care access in Northern Labrador
L. Evans
The Member spoke extensively about barriers to health care in Northern Labrador, including delays in medevac services, lack of doctors (Makkovik has only seen a doctor twice in recent years), inadequate mental health supports, high costs of heating oil ($500 per drum), and exclusion from provincial programs. She emphasized that quality of life issues including access to food, housing, and transportation disproportionately affect Northern communities.
Budget debate - fishery, agriculture, and district issues
E. Loveless
The Minister spoke about the passing of broadcaster Bob Cole, the documentary 'The Forgotten Warriors' about Conne River, the fishery challenges and recent decisions on outside buyers, the importance of the outfitters industry ($60-100 million annually), agriculture self-sufficiency, and upcoming Crown lands legislation. He also addressed the Rocky Brook Bridge issue and thanked volunteers and health care workers.
Budget debate - health care, mental health, and rural services
L. Parrott
The Member discussed misleading information about community care clinic rostering (50,000 rostered but only 30,000-35,000 actually receiving care), inadequate mental health services, difficulties accessing birth certificates (only available in Mount Pearl), poor road conditions, and the need for rural lens on policy. He thanked the Premier and Minister Crocker for invitation to France for Unknown Soldier repatriation.
Budget debate - positive economic indicators and municipal affairs
J. Haggie
The Minister highlighted positive economic trends including falling unemployment, rising workforce engagement, and improved debt management by the Minister of Finance. He discussed Municipal Operating Grants increasing 27% over two years, increased training budgets for councillors, and developments in Gander including a new Family Care Team, nursing program success, and planned live holding tanks for fishery products at the airport.
Budget debate - mental health crisis and need for immediate action
P. Dinn
The Member spoke passionately about the mental health and addictions crisis, citing cases of young people (14-16 years old) overdosing twice weekly with parents unable to access help, wait-lists over a year for psychiatrists, and the harm caused by announcing programs without immediate implementation. He argued that mental health supports are 'need to have' not 'nice to have' and criticized spending priorities like the new turf facility when urgent mental health needs go unmet.
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.