Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 13 May 2024
Question Period focused on three main themes: the death of trucker Brian Lush and calls for answers from Ontario authorities; demands for passage of the Limitations Act and Crown lands legislation this session; and concerns over poverty, food insecurity, health care access in rural areas, and the government's plan to phase out travel nurses. Opposition parties pressed ministers for concrete timelines and targets, while government members emphasized ongoing recruitment efforts and incremental investments. The House of Assembly conducted routine business including ministerial statements, petitions, and notices of motion. The main legislative work involved second reading and Committee of the Whole debate on Bill 62 (amendments to the Liquor Control Act and Liquor Corporation Act) and Bill 66 (An Act Respecting the Practice of Pharmacy in the Province). Both bills passed Committee without amendment. Members also welcomed guests in the public gallery, including staff from VOWR radio station and family of the late Henry and Frances Pike.
Members' Statements
Tribute to Marina Power Gambin (mother of Member)
S. Gambin-Walsh
The Member honored her mother Marina Power Gambin, a retired teacher and author who published 'A Meadow in Time' and volunteers with the hospital auxiliary, wishing all mothers a Happy Mother's Day.
30th Anniversary of Burin Peninsula Brighter Futures
J. Dwyer
The Member recognized the community organization Burin Peninsula Brighter Futures for 30 years of providing family support programs including Healthy Baby Club, Baby & Me, and clothing exchanges on the Burin Peninsula.
100th Birthday of Rachel Cavell McKay
S. Reid
The Member celebrated Rachel McKay's 100th birthday, highlighting her resilience after being widowed, her work ethic, and her 50-year service award from the Anglican Church Women.
Cross of Valour Recipients Martin Sceviour and Harold Miller
C. Pardy
The Member honored Martin Sceviour (deceased) and Harold Miller for receiving the Cross of Valour in 1981 for rescuing 12 crewmen from a trawler in perilous conditions near Nain in 1978; Miller also received the Medal of Bravery in 1989 for another rescue.
VOWR Radio Station 100th Anniversary
J. Dinn
The Member congratulated VOWR, Newfoundland and Labrador's pioneer radio station, on its upcoming 100th anniversary on July 20, noting it is the longest-running church-operated station in Canada and continues to serve the public with 50 volunteers.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial Statement: College of the North Atlantic Award
K. Howell
The Minister congratulated College of the North Atlantic for receiving the Silver Program Excellence Award for Early Childhood Education from Colleges and Institutes Canada, noting over 600 students are enrolled in ECE programs.
Notices of Motion (House sitting hours and Private Members' Day cancellation)
L. Dempster
The Deputy Government House Leader gave notice that the House will not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on May 21 and May 23, and that Private Members' Day on May 22 will be replaced with Government Business until midnight.
Private Member's Resolution on Mental Health and Addictions Committee
B. Petten
The Opposition House Leader gave notice of a resolution urging government to expedite the work of the All-Party Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Addictions, which has seldom met since its September 2023 announcement, and to fully include people with lived experience and relevant stakeholders.
Answer to Question: Provincial Gas Tax
S. Coady
The Deputy Premier responded to a Question Period query about the federal carbon tax, noting the provincial gas tax is now one of the lowest in Canada at 7.5 cents, down from 16.5 cents under the previous Conservative government.
Petition: Amendments to Limitations Act for Child Abuse Claims
E. Joyce
The Member presented a petition calling for amendments to the Limitations Act to remove limitation periods for civil child abuse claims and criticized the government for not bringing forward promised legislation this session.
Petition: Reinstate Walk-in Lab Service at Bonavista Hospital
C. Pardy
The Member presented a petition requesting reinstatement of walk-in lab service at Bonavista Hospital, noting residents face long waits (up to three days) trying to book appointments through the call centre, leading to missed appointments and inefficiency.
Petition: Brush Cutting on Route 10 (Southern Shore Highway)
L. O'Driscoll
The Member presented a petition requesting immediate brush cutting on Route 10 to prevent moose-vehicle accidents, noting this is peak season for such collisions and calling for a scheduled maintenance plan.
Petition: Amendments to Limitations Act (continued)
P. Lane
The Member presented the same petition on Limitations Act amendments, expressing concern that while Crown lands legislation was promised for this session, the Limitations Act was only referred to the House Leader, suggesting it may not be debated or may differ from expectations.
Speaker's Ruling on Points of Order
The Speaker
The Speaker ruled on two April 30 points of order: confirmed Members should not refer to the absence or presence of other Members; clarified that watching proceedings virtually is not in keeping with Standing Orders; and found no point of order regarding allegations of lying but encouraged decorum.
Question Period
Brian Lush death investigation and Ontario coordination
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Crocker
The minister committed to speak with departmental officials and provide an answer as quickly as possible after Question Period, but could not provide a timeline for when the family would receive answers from the coroner's office.
Passage of Limitations Act this session
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady / S. Crocker
The Deputy Premier and Minister Crocker confirmed the legislation is on the Order Paper and is the number one priority for Justice, but deferred to the Government House Leader on timing and would not commit to passage this session.
Crown lands legislation and passage this session
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by E. Loveless
The minister committed 100 per cent to bringing Crown lands legislation to the House this session, but stated he cannot guarantee passage as that is up to the House to determine.
Caplin fishery update and labour unrest at fish plants
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by E. Loveless / B. Davis
The Fisheries minister defended the government's support for harvesters and stated he has had extensive communication with stakeholders. The Labour minister said conciliation officers are heavily engaged with both parties and the government is focused on facilitating a negotiated settlement.
Health care access in rural areas and nurse practitioners
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister cited Family Care Teams announced in the budget and extensive recruitment efforts (64 nurses from Dubai, physicians from Saskatchewan, 341 nurses from India). He rejected calls for a private payment model for nurse practitioners, arguing the government is focused on public health care and ensuring nurse practitioners work within the public system.
Child poverty targets and food insecurity
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by P. Pike / K. Howell / S. Coady
Ministers outlined investments including a 300 per cent increase to the Child Benefit ($30 million), $3 million for school food programs, a Prenatal-Early Childhood program, and increases to Income Support. The Deputy Premier stated the goal is zero per cent poverty, but no specific numerical targets or timelines were provided.
Forest fire preparedness and water bombers
Asked by P. Forsey · Answered by E. Loveless / J. Abbott
The Fisheries minister confirmed the department is ready with human resources and assets. The Transportation minister stated planes are positioned and they are working through tender results for the fifth water bomber repair contract, to be awarded in short order.
Travel nurse phase-out plan
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by T. Osborne
The minister defended travel nurses as a necessary measure to prevent overburdening staff and keep services operating. He stated the health authority CEO outlined a plan last week to phase out agency nurses to pre-pandemic levels, supported by ongoing recruitment efforts.
Emergency shelter safety protocols
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister acknowledged the seriousness of domestic violence situations and stated those fleeing violence are prioritized on wait-lists, but did not provide specific protocols or policies and offered to discuss further after Question Period.
Tent encampment removal and fines for unauthorized use of government property
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister stated the decision was focused on individuals' housing needs, not property protection, and that the tent encampment was not a safe place to live. He indicated fines would not necessarily be levied if individuals work with government and do not camp on public grounds.
Orders of the Day
Bill 62: Second Reading and Committee of the Whole (Liquor Control Act and Liquor Corporation Act amendments)
S. Coady
The Minister introduced Bill 62 to modernize 50-year-old liquor legislation, including adding telewarrants, consolidating licensing provisions, allowing electronic records, changing the offence from consumption to possession of open alcohol in public, removing outdated ID card references, and incorporating gender-neutral language. The bill passed second reading and Committee without amendment after questions about open liquor definitions, enforcement discretion, video evidence from social media, and impacts on trails and campgrounds.
Bill 66: Second Reading and Committee of the Whole (Practice of Pharmacy Act)
T. Osborne
The Minister introduced Bill 66 to modernize pharmacy regulation, including renaming the Pharmacy Board to the College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador, facilitating electronic prescribing (PrescribeIT), adding registration for pharmacy technician interns and students, providing flexibility for registering foreign-trained pharmacists, clarifying pharmacy ownership change requirements, increasing maximum fines from $10,000 to $25,000, and explicitly authorizing pharmacy inspections. The bill passed second reading and began Committee stage with questions about consultation, ownership transfer requirements, and scope of practice expansion.
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.