Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 30 April 2024
Question Period focused heavily on health care and social policy. The Official Opposition pressed the government on job-protected leave for cancer patients, cancer screening wait-lists, and rural nursing shortages. The Third Party raised concerns about homelessness and the eviction of tent encampments. The government defended its investments in health care, housing, and poverty reduction, often citing ongoing consultations and budget increases, but provided few firm timelines or commitments. The House addressed routine business including petitions on chemotherapy services, municipal oversight, and Northern Labrador exclusion from rebate programs. Ministers delivered statements on wildfire preparedness and the province-wide public safety radio system launching June 1. The main Orders of the Day business involved passing motions to extend sitting hours and debating the Resource Committee Report, with extensive discussion on forestry, fisheries, mining, energy projects (wind/hydrogen), power development, and tourism initiatives.
Members' Statements
Multicultural social event in Glovertown
L. Parrott
Congratulated organizers of a March multicultural social in Glovertown featuring eight countries with cultural displays, food, and activities enjoyed by new immigrants and the broader community.
Miss Newfoundland and Labrador Megan Coles
P. Dinn
Congratulated Megan Coles of Topsail-Paradise on winning Miss Newfoundland and Labrador; she works as a pediatric nurse at the Janeway and volunteers with multiple organizations.
First female hockey referee Danielle Mills
C. Tibbs
Honoured Danielle Mills of Grand Falls-Windsor for becoming the first female official to referee a senior hockey game in Newfoundland and Labrador, just nine weeks after giving birth.
2025 Canada Games mascot designer Michael Tobin
L. O'Driscoll
Congratulated Michael Tobin, a student at St. Bernard's Elementary in Witless Bay, whose drawing 'Gusty' was chosen as the official mascot for the 2025 Canada Games.
Community volunteer Peggy Roche
J. Wall
Recognized Peggy Roche for 24 years of service on Torbay town council and numerous regional boards, committees, and the Catholic Women's League.
Wildfire preparedness for 2024 season
E. Loveless
Announced the 2024 forest fire season begins May 1 on the Island and May 15 in Labrador, with $1.5 million invested in new equipment and $1 million for training wildland firefighters.
Province-wide public safety radio system
J. Hogan
Announced that on June 1, 2024, a province-wide public safety radio system will go live, improving emergency response times and enabling Atlantic provinces to communicate during emergencies, with $181 million invested over 12 years.
Routine Proceedings
Petition for chemotherapy services at Bonavista hospital
C. Pardy
Presented petition calling for reinstatement of chemotherapy services at Bonavista hospital, which have been unavailable for two years, forcing patients to travel 1.5 hours to Clarenville.
Petition to amend Citizens' Representative Act
J. Dinn
Presented petition requesting municipalities province-wide be included in the Citizens' Representative Act Schedule to provide oversight and investigate complaints of conflicts of interest and wrongdoing.
Petition for Northern Labrador inclusion in rebate programs
L. Evans
Presented petition requesting Northern Labrador communities be included in provincial incentive programs like the Oil to Electric rebate, as they are currently excluded because they rely on diesel-generated electricity.
Question Period
Job-protected leave for cancer patients
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by B. Davis
The minister acknowledged the current seven-day protected leave is insufficient and stated the government is working with stakeholders (Canadian Cancer Society, Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke) to expand it. He offered no timeline, saying only to 'stay tuned' for future announcements.
Lung cancer screening program
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister said recommendations from the Canadian Cancer Society are taken seriously and reviewed by the department and health authority. He committed to implementing the program if feasible, but provided no timeline or firm commitment.
Medical Transportation Assistance Program funding
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by L. Dempster
The minister highlighted recent enhancements: an extra million dollars in Budget 2023, 100% coverage of the first $1,000 upfront for travelers from Labrador, elimination of the $400 deductible for the Island, and increased meal allowances. She did not commit to 100% coverage of all costs, stating the program is under constant review.
Cervical cancer screening wait-lists in Grand Falls-Windsor
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister acknowledged concern over the wait-list of nearly 300 women and stated the health authority has been asked to review Dr. Powell's concerns. He noted women should not wait more than one to two years for screening and emphasized the need for better public education on how to access screening. He also acknowledged delays in receiving results (three to four months) are problematic.
Nurse retention and travel nurses
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister defended the use of travel agency nurses as necessary to address shortages and reduce the burden on existing staff. He emphasized retention efforts, including agreements with RNU, NAPE, and CUPE, the Nursing Think Tank, retention bonuses, and dedicated recruitment and retention offices. He stated he is an advocate for reducing reliance on agency nursing and acknowledged over $100 million has been spent on travel nurses.
Nurse practitioner reduction in Ferryland
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated he had been in ongoing discussions with the Member since the previous week, had received conflicting information from the health authority, and had scheduled a meeting with the CEO and the Member for 3:30 that day to resolve the issue. He rejected the characterization that he had ignored the Member's concerns.
Mental health and addictions supports on the Burin Peninsula
Asked by J. Dwyer · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister acknowledged significant progress over the past five years but said more is needed. He cited funding in the current budget for mobile crisis units, opioid treatment, and other services. He did not provide a specific timeline for when the Burin Peninsula would receive a mobile crisis unit, stating only that the government is expanding services province-wide where required.
Illicit drug use and crime in rural Newfoundland
Asked by J. Dwyer · Answered by J. Hogan
The minister expressed confidence in the RNC and RCMP and noted an additional $10 million in the budget for new RNC front-line members and $17 million previously provided to the RCMP. He acknowledged RCMP recruitment issues nationally and committed to advocating for Newfoundland and Labrador's fair share of members when the commissioner visits next month.
Targeted seniors' Poverty Reduction Plan
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by P. Pike
The minister stated the targeted plan for seniors is being finalized and should be released within the next few weeks, before the House closes. She highlighted $10 million in Budget 2024 for a Social Well-Being Plan, including home repair, home modifications, caregiver supports, and grants for low-income seniors. She noted enrolment is open for the targeted basic income for people aged 60-64 on income support, but did not provide the number of expected beneficiaries.
Dust pollution from Tacora mine in Labrador West
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by B. Davis
The minister acknowledged the dust issue has persisted for decades and stated the government is working with the company and community through a liaison group. He noted this year is drier, which may increase dust, and committed to pressing the company to mitigate the problem. He did not commit to enforcing pollution laws or investigating the company's failures.
Eviction of tent encampments and housing options
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister stated staff and community partners are on site daily offering options to those in the encampment near the Colonial Building. He cited new initiatives, including transitional supportive living at 106 Airport Road, and noted the government has nearly doubled its housing budget in 2024. He did not specify where people would be relocated if evicted from the encampment.
Orders of the Day
Motions to extend sitting hours (Motions 4, 5, 6, 7)
J. Hogan
Government House Leader moved and the House adopted four motions to extend sitting hours beyond normal adjournment times on May 13, 14, 15, and 16.
Concurrence debate on Resource Committee Report - forestry and Crown lands
P. Forsey
Discussed forestry issues in Central Newfoundland including lack of secondary processing and need for more permits; called for legislation to address Crown lands title issues preventing property sales; raised concerns about moose management and beaver trapping licences.
Concurrence debate - environment and climate change initiatives
B. Davis
Highlighted Budget 2024 investments including $81.9 million for greenhouse gas reduction, $1.5 million for flood-risk mapping, $508,000 for drinking water improvements, and $654,000 for wastewater surveillance expansion; noted all 45 Climate Change Action Plan items completed.
Concurrence debate - fisheries and seals
C. Pardy
Argued the fishery should be worth more than current $1.2-1.4 billion; cited loss of 1,000 workers in the industry; discussed seal predation consuming 13 million metric tons annually versus 586,000 metric tons harvested by Canadian fishery; called for stand-alone fisheries department.
Concurrence debate - energy and resource development
A. Parsons
Discussed mining opportunities in Labrador, power development needs including Churchill expansion and Gull Island, wind and hydrogen projects with decommissioning requirements, Come By Chance refinery success ($1.6 billion investment), and emphasized stable government attracting investment.
Concurrence debate - community benefits and local employment
L. Parrott
Called for stronger community benefits programs requiring local hiring and procurement on resource projects; cited Voisey's Bay as example where supplies come from Quebec; proposed 95% local content requirements per tender package rather than overall project; discussed Labrador West power needs and wind energy infrastructure.
Concurrence debate - tourism and cultural initiatives
S. Crocker
Announced repatriation of WWI soldier remains in May, 75th Confederation anniversary commemorations, Year of the Arts, 2025 East Coast Music Awards in St. John's, 2025 Canada Summer Games, WestJet direct flights to London Heathrow starting tomorrow, and $1 million annually for five years for The Rooms capital investment.
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.