Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 12 November 2024
Question Period focused heavily on the government's site selection and procurement process for the new St. Clare's hospital, with the Opposition challenging the lack of public tendering and the $23-million land purchase. The session also featured sustained questioning about nursing recruitment and retention, particularly regarding job offers for 2025 nursing graduates and the use of travel nurses. The government defended its compliance with procurement rules, emphasized commitments to hire all graduating nurses, and highlighted infrastructure benefits of the chosen hospital site. The House conducted routine business including welcoming gallery guests, hearing Members' statements recognizing community contributions and a life-saving act, and a ministerial statement on stuttering awareness. The sitting focused primarily on legislative advancement, passing four bills through third reading (Bills 64, 65, 80, 82), completing Committee consideration of three bills (Bills 88, 91, 84), and advancing Bill 89 through Committee. All bills passed without amendment and received multi-party support.
Members' Statements
Rachel Edmunds and Perry Voisey of Makkovik
L. Evans
Recognized Rachel Edmunds and Perry Voisey for their community support in Makkovik, including sponsoring events, covering hockey registrations, and stepping up to provide essential goods after a fire destroyed the local general store.
Shea Heights Remembrance Day ceremony
J. Korab
Highlighted the annual Remembrance Day ceremony in Shea Heights organized by community volunteers, honoring veterans and instilling values of history and remembrance in younger generations.
Dorset Soapstone Quarry and Museum
L. Paddock
Promoted the Dorset Soapstone Quarry and Museum in Fleur de Lys, which showcases Dorset Indigenous history and French fishing heritage, and noted the museum committee's fundraising efforts for expansion.
Bella Short's life-saving action
C. Pardy
Recognized 18-year-old Bella Short of Musgravetown for using her CPR training to save a man's life outside Walmart in Clarenville in August 2024, along with Felicia Phillips and Susan Keats who assisted.
Tribute to Jake Anstey
P. Dinn
Honored 11-year-old Jake Anstey of Paradise who passed away November 2 after suffering cardiac arrest, noting his positive spirit despite being wheelchair-bound and his impact on the community through Team Jake.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial statement on stuttering awareness
J. Hogan
The Minister of Health raised awareness about stuttering and its mental health impacts, announced provincial funding for the NL Stuttering Association's walk/run fundraiser and bursary program for individuals with communication disorders.
Responses to stuttering statement
Multiple
B. Petten (PC) and J. Dinn (NDP) both supported the statement, with Dinn calling for a comprehensive recruitment and retention program for allied health professionals including speech language pathologists.
Tabling of documents
The Speaker
The Speaker tabled minutes of House of Assembly Management Commission meetings held May 21, July 2, August 27, and September 18, 2024.
Notices of motion for new bills
E. Loveless
The Minister of Digital Government gave notice of two bills: Bill 95 (An Act to Amend the Public Safety Act) and Bill 96 (An Act to Repeal the Financial Services Appeal Board Act).
Notice of extended sitting
J. Hogan
The Government House Leader gave notice that the House will sit beyond 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, until midnight to conduct government business.
Petition on first aid certification in schools
C. Pardy
Presented a petition calling for mandatory first aid certification in the K-12 health curriculum, citing Bella Short's life-saving actions as an example of the importance of widespread first aid training.
Petition on Northern Labrador health care access
L. Evans
Presented a petition calling for removal of barriers preventing Northern Labrador residents from accessing medical appointments, particularly flight availability issues that cause patients to miss or cancel appointments.
Petition on residential energy rebate
J. Dinn
Presented a petition calling for reinstatement of the HST rebate on home heating, arguing current government measures are inadequate for seniors facing rising costs of living.
Response to energy rebate petition
S. Coady
The Minister of Finance noted the province offers a $500 home heat rebate for eligible residents, which likely exceeds most HST amounts paid on heating bills.
Petition on Long Run Road repairs
L. O'Driscoll
Presented a petition calling for repairs to Long Run Road in Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, noting the road's poor condition and importance as access to a major tourist area.
Petition on policing in Exploits District
P. Forsey
Presented a petition calling for increased RCMP enforcement in the Exploits District due to rising crime, speeding, and ATV activity, noting the detachment remains short of recommended staffing levels.
Question Period
Deloitte report on St. Clare's hospital replacement and site selection
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey / F. Hutton
The Premier stated the work is ongoing. The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure explained the site was selected based on departmental recommendations and consultant input, noting it borders multiple municipalities and provides infrastructure benefits, though no formal tender was required under the Public Procurement Act.
Cost and rationale for $23-million land purchase for St. Clare's without public tender
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister defended the purchase as compliant with procurement rules for site selection (schools, hospitals, penitentiaries do not require tender), emphasized the site's central location at Kenmount Crossing with access to the Outer Ring Road, and noted support from four adjacent municipalities. He stated tendering will occur for construction.
Alleged hidden $23-million cost in St. Clare's announcement
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister denied hiding anything, stating they announced the hospital location to serve a growing population (270,000 vs. 170,000 two decades ago with fewer hospitals) and questioned whether the Opposition opposed building the hospital.
Comfort Inn lease without public tender and connection to Premier's office
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Abbott
The Minister of Housing stated the facility at 106 Airport Road has been successful to date, currently housing 54 residents with seven already moved to permanent housing, and providing wraparound health care and housing supports.
Travel nurse contracts and alleged connection to Premier's office
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier deflected by stating agency nurses originated in 2014 under Labrador-Grenfell Health when the Opposition Leader was CEO, accused him of wanting to cut nurses and use agency nurses, and stated the government now has a plan to eliminate agency nurses in favor of locally educated and recruited nurses.
Job offers for 121 fourth-year nursing students (only 3 offered jobs according to RNU)
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Hogan / A. Furey
The Minister of Health stated all nurses in the 2025 graduating class have been told they will have jobs, with formal offers rolling out in December and January after interviews and matching to positions and specialties. The Premier clarified the 90% hiring rate referenced the 2024 graduates, not 2025.
Rural nursing incentives not being offered to graduating students
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Hogan / K. Howell
The Minister of Health stated incentives will be available for those accepting rural positions once the matching process is complete. The Minister of Education (a former rural nurse) defended the process, noting students operate under graduate licenses and must be appropriately matched, with the government on track to exceed last year's 90% employment rate.
Alleged preference by NL Health Services manager for hiring private agency nurses over graduates
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister of Education did not directly address the allegation but thanked health care workers and referenced her experience as an RN when travel nurses were introduced in 2014, criticizing the subsequent poor decision-making and leadership.
Wound care and other services discontinued at G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by J. Hogan
The Minister of Health stated the government is committed to delivering the best health care, acknowledged the situation is not perfect, and said they are continuing recruitment, retention, Health Accord work, and infrastructure building. He offered to address individual cases if MCP numbers are provided.
Process for determining St. Clare's site location and whether independent land appraisal was done
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister stated the decision was made in consultation with NL Health Services, the Deloitte consultant (hired in 2023 for functional planning), and Transportation and Infrastructure officials. He emphasized the site's infrastructure benefits and optimal location but did not confirm an independent land appraisal was conducted.
Allegations of favoritism toward Liberal donors in land purchase and Comfort Inn lease
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by F. Hutton
The minister stated the decision was about what's best for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and the health care to be delivered for decades to come.
Internationally educated nurses not receiving promised registered nursing jobs
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by J. Hogan
The Minister of Health stated internationally recruited nurses need training and upskilling to adapt to Canadian standards before being fully implemented, describing this as a new ongoing process. He committed that they will receive the jobs promised.
Orders of the Day
Third reading of Bill 64 (Health Research Ethics Act)
J. Hogan
Bill 64, An Act Respecting Health Research Ethics, was read a third time and passed without debate.
Third reading of Bill 65 (Animal Health and Protection Act amendment)
J. Hogan
Bill 65, An Act to Amend the Animal Health and Protection Act, was read a third time and passed without debate.
Third reading of Bill 80 (Medical Act and Psychologists Act amendments)
L. Dempster
Bill 80, An Act to Amend the Medical Act, 2011 and the Psychologists Act, 2005, was read a third time and passed without debate.
Third reading of Bill 82 (Labour Standards Act amendment)
L. Dempster
Bill 82, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act, was read a third time and passed without debate.
Committee of the Whole on Bill 88 (Municipal Financing Corporation Act repeal)
Multiple
Bill 88 to repeal the Municipal Financing Corporation Act was considered in Committee. Minister Coady confirmed approximately $5 million in assets will transfer to general revenue and two outstanding items with municipalities are being resolved. The bill passed without amendment.
Second reading and Committee on Bill 91 (Family Relief Act amendment)
Multiple
Bill 91 to amend the Family Relief Act was introduced by Minister Davis to include cohabiting partners as dependents who can apply for estate relief. The bill received unanimous support, passed second reading and Committee without amendment. Questions addressed consultation processes and the definition of void marriages.
Second reading and Committee on Bill 84 (Registered Nurses Act amendment)
Multiple
Bill 84 to amend the Registered Nurses Act was introduced by Minister Haggie to create a regulatory framework for registered psychiatric nurses as a new nursing discipline. The bill received multi-party support and passed Committee without amendment. Discussion covered the distinction between psychiatric registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, jurisdictional comparisons, and potential for future provincial training programs.
Committee on Bill 89 (Revenue Administration Act amendment)
Multiple
Bill 89 to amend the Revenue Administration Act was considered in Committee to address unintended tax consequences related to the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Minister Coady explained the Revenue Administration Act is under constant review and frequently amended. The bill passed without amendment.
Other business
Recognition of gallery guests
The Speaker
The Speaker welcomed several guests to the public gallery including Bella Short and her parents (subject of a Member's statement), Greg O'Grady (co-founder of the NL Stuttering Association), and students and teachers from Prince of Wales Collegiate.
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.