Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 6 November 2024
Question Period focused heavily on health care access, particularly in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. The Official Opposition and Third Party pressed the government on physician shortages, ambulance service delays, and emergency room wait times, citing specific patient cases and NLMA concerns. The government defended its Health Accord implementation, recruitment incentives, and new ambulance dispatch system, while repeatedly asking Opposition members to provide case details for investigation. The House of Assembly conducted routine business including the appointment of the Public Accounts Committee, passed Bill 82 (Labour Standards Act amendments) through all stages without amendment, and passed Bill 64 (Health Research Ethics Act) through all stages without amendment. The sitting concluded with a Private Member's Resolution urging the federal government to advance Newfoundland and Labrador's roles in national defence, NATO, and NORAD, particularly regarding 5 Wing Goose Bay.
Members' Statements
Recognition of Edward MacDonald's 1961 rescue
E. Joyce (Humber - Bay of Islands)
Recognized Edward MacDonald of Frenchman's Cove for his heroic 1961 rescue of three men and a boy from a sinking boat, commending his bravery in putting his own life at risk.
Thanks to those who helped Labrador West during July forest fires
J. Brown (Labrador West)
Thanked essential workers, volunteers, neighbouring communities (Churchill Falls, Happy Valley-Goose Bay), and first responders who assisted during the July 2024 forest fire evacuations of Labrador City and Wabush.
Recognition of Lake Melville's emergency response in 2024
P. Trimper (Lake Melville)
Saluted Lake Melville communities for their response to multiple 2024 emergencies including fires and evacuations, highlighting how Happy Valley-Goose Bay coordinated support and hosted evacuees from Churchill Falls and Labrador City.
Presentation of 75th anniversary medals in Mount Pearl North
L. Stoyles (Mount Pearl North)
Announced the presentation of 17 Confederation 75th anniversary medals to residents of Mount Pearl North who have contributed significantly to the community through volunteer work and service.
Routine Proceedings
Motion to appoint Public Accounts Committee members
L. Dempster
Moved and carried a motion to appoint six Members to the Public Accounts Committee: Members for Exploits, Mount Pearl North, Cape St. Francis, Labrador West, Lake Melville, and Placentia - St. Mary's.
Statements by Ministers - Confederation 75 educational resources
K. Howell (Minister of Education)
Announced K-12 educational resources and initiatives to commemorate Confederation 75, including curriculum materials, professional development for educators, resource packages for schools, and 75 scholarships for Grade 12 students.
Statements by Ministers - 50th anniversary of Public Service Commission
S. Coady (Minister of Finance)
Recognized the 50th anniversary of the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Service Commission, highlighting its role in merit-based recruitment, training programs, and employee wellness initiatives.
Tabling of documents - professional boards annual reports
E. Loveless (Minister of Digital Government)
Tabled three annual reports: 2023 Embalmers and Funeral Directors Board report, 2023 Professional Engineers and Geoscientists report, and 2023-24 Chartered Professional Accountants report.
Tabling of document - Family Care Team affiliation document
J. Haggie (Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs)
Tabled a December 2023 NLMA document on Family Care Teams, referencing consultation on primary care teams dating back to 2016.
Petition - recreational cod fishery regulations
C. Pardy (Bonavista)
Presented a petition calling on government to lobby the federal government for more flexible recreational cod fishery regulations, allowing residents to catch their food quota without rigid date restrictions for safety and cost reasons.
Petition - road conditions in Harbour Main district
H. Conway Ottenheimer (Harbour Main)
Presented her 14th road petition since 2019 calling for immediate repair and repaving of Routes 60 and 70, particularly Route 60 from Holyrood to Seal Cove and Upper Gullies, citing deplorable conditions despite meetings with multiple ministers.
Question Period
Rural health care crisis and physician shortages
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey / J. Haggie
The Premier cited the Health Accord as a transformational plan requiring time, noting recruitment incentives up to $650,000 for rural doctors. Minister Haggie stated the collaborative care model was developed with NLMA input, not imposed, and pointed to an affiliation agreement. Both emphasized ongoing work with physicians and multiple payment options.
Physician intimidation and fear of speaking out
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier called such intimidation unacceptable and urged physicians to bring complaints forward, stating the government wants to hear their voices and will not tolerate such treatment.
Ambulance service delays and centralized dispatch
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Haggie
Minister Haggie explained the new central medical dispatch system prioritizes calls and uses dynamic dispatching, where the nearest ambulance responds to priority calls. He asked for specific case details with patient consent to investigate individual incidents.
Cancer patient ambulance transport protocols
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
Minister Haggie stated ambulance decisions are based on clinical criteria, not political or administrative policy. He said if a physician determines ambulance transport is needed, they can organize it, and asked the Member to provide full case details for investigation.
Ambulance response to shooting in CBS
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by J. Haggie
Minister Haggie said he could not speculate without details but would investigate if provided with information. He noted the integrated 911 system provides time stamps for tracking ambulance locations and encouraged use of 911 for emergencies.
Health clinic services in Triton and La Scie
Asked by L. Paddock · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier confirmed commitments made during the by-election will be honoured and stated one physician has already begun providing increased coverage to La Scie, with ongoing recruitment for long-term positions.
Expired elevator inspection certificates
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by E. Loveless
Minister Loveless did not have the number of expired certificates but committed to obtaining the information and reporting back to the House, acknowledging public safety concerns.
Memorial University funding and deferred maintenance
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
Minister Howell stated the government provides a $298 million operating grant and continues to invest in infrastructure, including recent campus renewal fee relief. She emphasized the university's responsibility to manage public funds appropriately and noted regular meetings with university leadership.
Emergency room wait times in Labrador and rural areas
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by J. Haggie
Minister Haggie highlighted the $650,000 rural doctor incentive, Connect NL (which connected 62,000 residents), and recruitment of 43 new physicians since April. He called these incentives the most generous in Canada and stated they are working.
Emergency department crisis in Corner Brook area
Asked by E. Joyce · Answered by J. Haggie
Minister Haggie acknowledged throughput challenges due to alternate level of care patients and noted the government has added over 300 long-term care beds outside St. John's. He promoted virtual care options (811, Teladoc) and encouraged solo practitioners to join Family Care Teams through the NLMA affiliation agreement.
Orders of the Day
Bill 82 - Labour Standards Act amendments - Second Reading debate
Multiple
L. Dempster introduced amendments providing job-protected unpaid leave for long-term illness/injury/organ donation (27 weeks, 104 weeks for crime victims) and strengthened reservist leave provisions. P. Forsey and P. Trimper supported the bill. J. Brown supported but noted missing provisions for gig workers and paid sick days. Bill passed second reading.
Bill 82 - Committee of the Whole
Multiple
Members questioned L. Dempster on consultation process, business impact, definitions, timelines, and rationale for various provisions. P. Lane raised issues about split shifts and overtime pay not addressed in the bill. J. Brown's amendment to add 10 paid sick days was ruled out of order as beyond the bill's scope. Bill passed Committee without amendment.
Bill 64 - Health Research Ethics Act - Second Reading debate
Multiple
J. Haggie introduced legislation repealing and replacing the Health Research Ethics Authority Act, modernizing governance, adding public representatives to the board, clarifying responsibilities, allowing recognition of ethics approvals from other jurisdictions, and aligning with national Tri-Council standards. B. Petten and J. Brown indicated support with questions for Committee. Bill passed second reading.
Bill 64 - Committee of the Whole
Multiple
B. Petten questioned J. Haggie on consultation process, director appointments, board composition, and approval processes. J. Brown questioned provisions around minimal risk research and ministerial regulation-making authority. J. Wall questioned use of 'may' versus 'shall' in monitoring provisions. Bill passed Committee without amendment.
Private Members' Business
PMR on 5 Wing Goose Bay and national defence roles
P. Trimper
Introduced resolution calling on provincial government to urge federal government to advance Newfoundland and Labrador's roles in national defence, NATO and NORAD, specifically regarding 5 Wing Goose Bay as a Forward Operating Location in NORAD modernization, primary search and rescue designation for Labrador, and continued NATO training support. Debate began with L. Parrott responding.
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.