Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 29 May 2024
Question Period focused heavily on housing and homelessness issues, particularly the $13 million budget for the former Comfort Inn transitional facility and its slow occupancy. Other major topics included pay inequities for rural chemotherapy nurses, ferry service disruptions affecting Fogo Island and Northern Labrador, and the relocation of long-term care patients from the old Western Memorial Regional Hospital. The Premier and ministers defended spending on Muskrat Falls rate mitigation while Opposition members pressed for detailed budget breakdowns and timelines. The House of Assembly devoted its Private Members' Day to debating a resolution urging government to expeditiously bring forward legislative amendments to the Crown Lands Act. Members from all parties expressed frustration that promised Crown lands legislation has not been introduced despite commitments spanning three sittings, and cited numerous cases of residents—especially seniors—facing legal and financial hardship over land title disputes. The resolution passed unanimously.
Members' Statements
Lionel Kelland Hospice opens
C. Tibbs
The Member for Grand Falls-Windsor–Buchans congratulated the Lionel Kelland Hospice on receiving its first resident after 10 years of work, highlighting the vision of Ken Dicks, Dr. Jeff Cole, and Dr. John Campbell, and encouraging participation in the June 9–15 Hike for Hospice.
Royal Canadian Legion Poppy and Remembrance contest winners
L. Parrott
The Member for Terra Nova recognized provincial and national winners of the Legion's Poppy and Remembrance Day Poster and Literacy contest, including Alexa Sturge and Mackenzie Quinonez who will travel to France and Belgium for the 2024 Trail of the Caribou.
Maria Merkuratsuk receives Cultural Preservation Award
L. Evans
The Member for Torngat Mountains honoured Maria Merkuratsuk of Nain, an Elder and cultural teacher who received the first annual Nunatsiavut Government Cultural Preservation Recognition Award for her work teaching traditional knowledge, Inuktitut, and advocating for climate action.
Tribute to Harry Stone
J. Dinn
The Member for St. John's Centre paid tribute to Harry Stone, who passed away April 6, recognizing him as a community builder, social justice advocate, lifelong NDP member, supporter of the arts, and board member of the AIDS Committee of NL and Wonderbolt Productions.
Paradise Warrior Elite Kickboxing Club national success
P. Dinn
The Member for Topsail–Paradise congratulated 10 athletes from Paradise Warrior Elite Kickboxing Club who won medals at the WAKO National Kickboxing Championship in Niagara Falls, with five earning spots on Team Canada for the World Junior Championships in Budapest.
Aidan Sampson named Loran Scholar
L. Dempster
The Member for Cartwright–L'Anse au Clair recognized Aidan Sampson of St. Lewis Academy as the first Labradorian selected as a Loran Scholar, receiving $100,000 for undergraduate studies and praised for his leadership and commitment to community.
Question Period
Financial support for Town of Cape St. George after flooding
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier acknowledged the commitment made on May 14 but did not have an immediate update, promising to obtain the information for the Member.
Budget breakdown for Comfort Inn transitional housing facility
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by F. Hutton
The Minister confirmed $13 million is budgeted with $7 million for rent, but repeatedly declined to provide a detailed breakdown of the remaining $6 million in the House, stating it was covered in Estimates and offering to provide it on paper later. He emphasized the facility will provide wraparound supports including healthcare, meals, and addiction counselling for up to 100 residents.
Timeline for full occupancy at Comfort Inn facility
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by F. Hutton
The Minister repeatedly stated there is a 'phased-in approach' but provided no specific date for full occupancy, emphasizing the goal is to ensure the initiative succeeds and thanking staff who have come on board.
Total spending on temporary accommodations for those experiencing homelessness
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by F. Hutton
The Minister did not provide a year-to-date figure, reiterating that detailed budget information was presented in Estimates and would be provided separately, while defending the phased approach to reduce pressure on emergency shelters.
Pay inequities for rural chemotherapy nurses
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister stated that work continues with NL Health Services and the RNU to resolve pay discrepancies, affirming the principle that people doing the same job should receive equal pay, but provided no timeline or explanation for why appeals in Stephenville, Clarenville, and Carbonear were denied.
Fogo Island-Change Islands ferry service disruptions
Asked by J. McKenna · Answered by J. Abbott
The Minister explained that a fire in the Flanders' engine room created the crisis and that only one vessel (Astron W) is available until the Veteran returns from dry dock in 10-12 days. He rejected relocating the Beaumont Hamel from Bell Island, citing opposition from Bell Island stakeholders including the former Opposition Leader.
Consultation with private daycare operators on new employee benefits
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister defended the government's consultation process, stating extensive collaboration occurs with operators in the Operating Grant Program, and offered to meet if a specific request is made, while emphasizing the new medical benefits are part of recruitment and retention efforts during Early Childhood Educators Week.
Standards and safety measures for bedsits and shelters
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by F. Hutton
The Minister declined to discuss the specific case related to Rayna Dove's death as it is before the courts, but offered to meet with the Member and the victim's mother privately to discuss shelter standards.
Anti-scab legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by B. Davis
The Minister acknowledged federal anti-scab legislation but stated it is a divisive issue requiring balance between employer and employee interests, and that discussions continue with federal colleagues without committing to provincial action.
Northern Labrador ferry service start date
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by J. Abbott
The Minister stated the Kamutik W has left Fogo, will undergo initial maintenance, and service will resume within two to three weeks, but did not commit to the June 10 start date requested.
Rent and vacancy controls to protect seniors from homelessness
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by S. Stoodley
The Minister stated that recent research shows rental increases and rates in Newfoundland and Labrador are among the lowest in Canada, but offered to review new data from the CMAJ report and reconsider if evidence supports a policy change.
Relocation of long-term care patients from old Western Memorial Regional Hospital
Asked by E. Joyce · Answered by J. Haggie and A. Furey
The Minister and Premier stated that case-by-case discussions are occurring with families about options, which may include transfer to other facilities or waiting for beds in the geographical area. The Premier acknowledged the stress involved and committed to discussing operational improvements with NL Health Services if the information about families being given ultimatums is accurate, while emphasizing government cannot interfere with clinical decisions.
Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day called
The Speaker
The Speaker called Orders of the Day, transitioning the House to Private Members' Business.
Private Members' Business
Motion 2: Crown Lands Act amendments (P. Forsey)
P. Forsey
The Member for Exploits moved a resolution calling on government to bring forward legislative amendments to ensure fair reconciliation of land title claims for people who have occupied land in good faith for generations. He cited the 2015 Crown Lands review, ongoing delays, and cases like the Diamonds of Catalina who faced legal fees and were charged for land they believed they owned. He emphasized that seniors trying to sell properties and farmers seeking land access are being harmed by bureaucratic red tape and section 36 (adverse possession) of the Crown Lands Act.
Government response and support for Crown lands reform
J. Abbott
The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure praised the resolution as well-written and clear, acknowledged that Crown lands issues cause stress and delay development, and confirmed that the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture is working on amendments. He noted that 2023 consultations received only 124 submissions and that proposed amendments were seen as not going far enough. He committed that legislation will come forward, if not this session then the next.
Opposition criticism of delays and financial costs
C. Pardy
The Member for Bonavista criticized the government for failing to act on Crown lands reform despite a 2015 report and three sittings of promises. He cited the Cullimores (55 years on their land) and the Diamonds (charged over $10,000 for land they had already paid for) as examples of financial and emotional harm. He quoted an industry expert who described the situation as 'bureaucratic theft' and argued that rural Newfoundland's early settlement patterns and lack of formal title registry make the current system unjust.
Lake Melville perspective and affidavit challenges
P. Trimper
The Member for Lake Melville acknowledged Crown lands as one of the top three issues in his office, praised Crown Lands staff for doing their best within a cumbersome system, and explained the legal tests for adverse possession (open, notorious, exclusive, consecutive). He highlighted challenges such as grants versus leases, churches trying to sell property, and the difficulty of finding elderly affiants who can attest to 20 years of continuous occupation dating back to 1957–1977.
Leader of the Opposition: urgency and missed opportunity
T. Wakeham
The Leader of the Official Opposition expressed disappointment that the House is debating a PMR instead of actual legislation, noting that the minister had committed to introducing Crown lands amendments this session. He argued that the problem is not with public servants but with the failure to bring legislation to the floor, and that people who have lived on land for decades and paid taxes should not be told they don't own it. He called for immediate action and offered to stay in session as long as needed to pass reforms.
Corner Brook: legal framework and history
G. Byrne
The Member for Corner Brook (a former Crown Lands minister) outlined the common law principles of adverse possession—open, notorious, exclusive, consecutive—and explained that the 1976 Crown Lands Act under Premier Frank Moores set a 20-year statutory period (1957–1977) and was designed to eventually extinguish squatters' rights as affiants aged out. He argued that any legislative solution must balance fairness with legal principles and that no solution will satisfy everyone, but amendments to the statutory period and incorporation of recent jurisprudence are necessary.
Multiple Members: constituent cases and systemic problems
Multiple
Members for Labrador West, Placentia West–Bellevue, Harbour Main, Ferryland, Terra Nova, and Humber–Bay of Islands shared constituent stories of seniors unable to sell homes, farmers blocked from land access, churches unable to transfer property, and individuals facing court battles and tens of thousands of dollars in fees. They criticized the closure or reduced hours of Crown Lands offices, long wait times, bureaucratic obstacles, and the use of outdated maps. All called for immediate legislative action and expressed willingness to work collaboratively to pass reforms.
Closing remarks and vote
P. Forsey
The Member for Exploits closed debate by thanking all Members for their contributions and examples, noting broad agreement across the House that Crown lands legislation must be brought forward and that residents need fair reconciliation and accessibility to Crown Lands services. The resolution passed unanimously.
Other business
Speaker's ruling on point of order (unparliamentary language)
The Speaker
The Speaker ruled on a May 16 point of order raised by the Member for St. John's Centre regarding the Minister for Housing's use of the term 'misinformation.' After reviewing Hansard, the Speaker found no point of order, distinguishing misinformation (inaccurate without intent) from disinformation (deliberately false) and noting that what constitutes misinformation is a difference of opinion, not a matter for the Speaker.
Ministerial Statement: Expansion of Trail of the Caribou student program
A. Furey
The Premier announced that beginning in 2025, the Trail of the Caribou Pilgrimage will expand from 30 to 100 Newfoundland and Labrador students annually, allowing more youth to visit First World War sites in France and Belgium and participate in Remembrance ceremonies including the July 1 ceremony at Beaumont-Hamel.
Ministerial Statement: 50th anniversary of NL Human Rights Commission
J. Hogan
The Minister of Justice and Public Safety marked the 50th anniversary of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission, noting the province's leadership in the late 1960s as the first Canadian jurisdiction to prohibit discrimination based on political opinion and the second to ban sex discrimination in the workplace, and thanking commission staff past and present.
Ministerial Statement: Federal cuts to Labour Market Transfer Agreements
G. Byrne
The Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills reported that the federal government's $625 million annual cut to Labour Market Transfer Agreements costs Newfoundland and Labrador $16.8 million. He stated that NL has led a coalition of 13 provinces and territories demanding reversal of the cuts, that federal Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault acknowledged the budget was flawed, and that the province has stabilized services but calls on Ottawa to return workers' money to workers.
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.