Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 2 May 2024
Question Period focused heavily on the Premier's recent comments about Churchill Falls and the 2041 power deal, with the Opposition demanding transparency and public consultation before any agreement is finalized. Other major themes included criticism of the government's handling of fisheries issues (mackerel closures, redfish quotas), concerns about cancer treatment wait times and radiation therapy access, and questions about housing for those experiencing homelessness at the Colonial Building encampment. The government defended its recruitment efforts in health care, its fisheries advocacy with Ottawa, and its work on inter-provincial travel affordability.
Question Period
Premier's 'quasi-educated' comment about Churchill Falls 2041
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier clarified he meant many myths exist about 2041, such as Hydro-Québec's 35% ownership post-2041 and the 100-year water rental agreement. He emphasized the resource belongs to the province and will secure the best deal for its people.
Framework and details of 2041 Churchill Falls deal
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated he was describing publicly known megawatt capacities at Churchill Falls and potential upgrades, contrasting this with Muskrat Falls, which costs the government $740 million this year.
Public consultation and debate before signing any 2041 deal
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier committed that any deal, if reached, will come to the House of Assembly for full debate, unlike Muskrat Falls, which he said the previous PC government failed to safeguard properly.
Carbon capture and storage in ocean and impact on fisheries
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier defended exploring carbon capture opportunities using offshore wells, calling it a multi-billion-dollar synergistic opportunity. He argued the province should not ignore such potential despite concerns about fisheries impact.
Federal mackerel fishery closure and American harvesting
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey / E. Loveless
The Premier said he met with the federal Fisheries minister to advocate for reopening the mackerel fishery. The Fisheries Minister tabled a letter of disagreement with DFO's decision and stated the government supports harvesters and the FFAW.
Redfish quota allocation and federal fisheries management
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by E. Loveless
The minister defended the government's engagement with harvesters, saying they responded to concerns and are seeing positive results, while criticizing the Opposition for lacking a plan on aquaculture and fisheries.
Radiation therapy wait times and cancer treatment access
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister acknowledged wait time concerns and cited a task force with 32 recommendations being implemented. He attributed delays to human resource challenges common across Canada and noted recruitment strategies, including the Come Home Incentive, are showing success.
Decline in timely radiation therapy from 94% to 57%
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister attributed the decline to human resource challenges faced globally and in every Canadian province, emphasizing ongoing recruitment efforts and that the radiation unit is now operational again.
Recruitment and retention of health professionals
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister stated the College of Physicians and Surgeons confirmed recruitment strategies are working, with more licensures and better retention this year. He acknowledged challenges but said the province is successfully recruiting to the radiation unit.
Fogo Island Health Centre expansion timeline
Asked by J. McKenna · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister assured that commitments made by government will be kept and the hospital will be delivered sooner than the Corner Brook regional hospital was under the previous PC government.
Stoneville Volunteer Fire Department bunker gear funding
Asked by J. McKenna · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier confirmed the promise has been fulfilled and invited the Member to contact him if there are any issues.
Fine options program implementation
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by J. Hogan
The minister said the department is working on implementing a fine options program but wants to ensure it is successful. He noted fines remain on record and must be paid when renewing licences or registrations, and a policy announcement will come in the near future.
PWC school reconfiguration consultation process
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
The minister defended the 10-day consultation period as adequate for those with vested interest. She said over 600 responses were reviewed, concerns were already being addressed through transitional supports, and committed to providing enrolment projections and the What We Heard document to the House.
Team Gushue Highway construction timeline
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister stated design will be finished shortly, tenders will be out shortly, and construction will start shortly, repeating his previous Estimates Committee response.
Fisheries industry growth initiatives
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by E. Loveless
The minister cited issuing a new licence, promising a review requested by stakeholders, investing in marketing (especially crab), and noted increased competition and prices for harvesters as evidence of progress.
Seal population imbalance in ecosystem
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by E. Loveless
The minister defended the fisheries review as requested by stakeholders and challenged the Opposition to present their own plan, which he said he has never heard.
Colonial Building encampment and homelessness
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister expressed disappointment with the question and stated the government's mission is to secure the safety of individuals at the encampment. He said they are working with the Minister of Housing to house individuals appropriately before closing the encampment.
Intra-provincial travel costs and accessibility
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by S. Crocker
The minister noted the Premier, as chair of the Council of Atlantic Premiers, led an RFP process with all four Atlantic provinces to address inter-provincial travel affordability. Results are being reviewed by intergovernmental affairs and tourism departments.
Indigenous economic and social marginalization
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by P. Parsons
The minister cited over $300,000 in budget 2023-24 for Indigenous-led violence prevention programs, the National Action Plan's pillars of support, and the province's first-ever Reconciliation Council with Indigenous women as evidence of action beyond symbols.
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.