Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 2 December 2024
Question Period was dominated by health care, with the Official Opposition pressing on the cost of the Teladoc virtual care contract and a confidential briefing note describing unsafe conditions, physician exhaustion, and over-capacity hospitals in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Opposition members also questioned physician recruitment efforts in Ireland and internal medicine coverage gaps, particularly the pending loss of admitting doctors at G.B. Cross in Clarenville. Other topics included road maintenance and highway twinning, accessible housing for a specific constituent, U.S. tariff threats and trade diversification, and the NLHC wait-list. Government responses largely defended existing plans (Health Accord NL, recruitment incentives) while frequently deflecting to the Opposition leader's past record as a health authority executive. The House sat and conducted routine business including seven Members' statements honouring veterans, volunteers, community members and the Sisters of Mercy, plus tributes to the late Albert Williams and recognition of five decorated police officers. Several petitions were presented on snow clearing, road safety, policing resources, cell service and recognizing housing as a human right. Numerous bills were advanced, including third readings of Bills 68, 87, 96 and 98, first readings of Bills 99-102, and second reading and Committee passage of Bill 97 (Family Violence Protection Act amendments) and Bill 85 (unclaimed remains).
Members' Statements
Confederation 75 anniversary medal recipients in Labrador West
J. Brown
The Member recognized 17 Labrador West individuals who received Confederation 75 anniversary medals for their volunteerism and community contributions.
Santa to the Coast Christmas tradition
P. Trimper
The Member celebrated the 25-year partnership between the Rotary Club of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Air Borealis in delivering gifts to coastal Labrador children each December.
A Haunting on Whiteley Halloween display
P. Lane
The Member commended Chantelle and Dave Keen for their elaborate Halloween display and outdoor food pantry supporting those in need in Mount Pearl.
Echelon Wellness centre opening
L. Stoyles
The Member marked the opening of the Echelon Wellness clinic in Mount Pearl North, offering health care to military veterans and RCMP members.
Recognition of Nadine Reid
S. Gambin-Walsh
The Member congratulated Nadine Reid of South Dildo, a person with an intellectual disability, for her advocacy through Supported Employment and her Confederation 75th anniversary medal.
Tribute to Chief Superintendent George Powell
B. Davis
With leave, the Member offered condolences on the passing of retired RCMP Chief Superintendent George Powell, recognizing his service and volunteerism.
Recognition of the Sisters of Mercy
J. Abbott
With leave, the Member thanked the Sisters of Mercy for their contributions to health care, education and shelter in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1842.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial Statement: Tribute to Albert Williams
A. Furey
The Premier paid tribute to the late Albert Williams, chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and a noted engineer and family man; the Opposition Leader and Member for Labrador West offered condolences.
Ministerial Statement: Recognition of police officers
B. Davis
The Minister of Justice recognized five police officers honoured at the Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement conference and by MADD Canada, and welcomed new RCMP Assistant Commissioner Pat Cahill; Opposition and Third Party members added remarks.
Notice of Private Member's Resolution on Seniors' Benefit
T. Wakeham
The Leader of the Official Opposition gave notice of a PMR to be debated December 4 urging government to increase the NL Seniors' Benefit by 20 per cent and index it to inflation; a later correction set the effective date as January 2025.
Notices of bills and appointment resolution
Multiple
Notice was given of Bill 104 (Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act), Bill 103 (House of Assembly Accountability Act), and a resolution to appoint Kerry Hatfield as Information and Privacy Commissioner effective December 5, 2024.
Petition on snow plow stationing in King's Cove
C. Pardy
The Member for Bonavista petitioned to have a snow plow restationed in King's Cove for emergency response; the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure responded that the plow was there because the operator lived there and there is no depot.
Petition on Route 60 erosion in Topsail
P. Dinn
The Member for Topsail - Paradise petitioned for curb and gutter to address erosion on Route 60; the minister said he will look at all roads and that safety is a priority.
Petition on police resources for St. John's metro
P. Lane
The Member petitioned for additional police resources and Criminal Code reform to combat rising violent crime; the Minister of Justice cited $46 million in recent policing investments and a new joint task force.
Petition on Wi-Fi and cell service in Placentia West - Bellevue
J. Dwyer
The Member petitioned for improved cell and Wi-Fi service; the Minister of IET noted the issue is federally regulated and involves private providers, and offered to check on partnership program applications.
Petition to recognize housing as a human right
J. Dinn
The Leader of the Third Party petitioned for legislation recognizing housing as a human right, citing homelessness and the case of Rhonda Whalen in inaccessible housing.
Question Period
Cost and terms of the Teladoc contract
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Hogan
Hogan did not confirm the cost or contract length, saying contracts are operational with NLHS, that Teladoc was procured through an open and transparent process, and touting patient satisfaction rates of 80-90% and increased Patient Connect enrollment.
Out-of-pocket costs for seniors and low-income patients to see nurse practitioners
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
Furey did not address the fees directly, instead attacking Wakeham's record as a former health authority executive for cutting nurses and clinics; Hogan later said ER diversions are down due to Teladoc and rising health budgets.
Unsafe conditions and capacity crisis in internal medicine (Carbonear, St. Clare's, Central, Western)
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
Furey said government takes internal medicine issues seriously and will address workplace quality concerns, denied lives are at risk, pointed to plans for a new tertiary campus-style hospital and aggressive recruitment; when asked when the issue would be fixed, the Minister of Labrador Affairs responded by attacking Wakeham's record instead of answering.
Utilizing the old Western Memorial hospital for alternate level of care patients
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by L. Dempster
Dempster did not answer the question, instead using her time to attack Wakeham's past record on nurse cuts in Labrador and defend the government's health budget increases.
$100,000 Ireland physician recruitment trip and the internist who reportedly quit after one week
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by A. Furey
Furey said the initiative recruited students who signed return-in-service agreements and are now here doing residency; Hogan did not confirm the one-week resignation, saying residents are not yet qualified physicians and defending recruitment incentives and added MUN seats for international (largely Irish) graduates.
Plan to stabilize internal medicine and hospital services in Eastern/rural NL, including G.B. Cross Clarenville losing admitting doctors December 16
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by J. Hogan
Hogan repeatedly cited the same plan—higher rural incentives, added MUN seats for international IM graduates, and a sessional/alternate payment plan at St. Clare's to be leveraged province-wide—and on Clarenville said NLHS develops alternate plans and may transfer patients to other facilities when gaps occur.
Resurfacing of Route 60 and outstanding maintenance/equipment issues in Harbour Main district
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by F. Hutton
Hutton committed to looking at Route 60 in the coming year's roads plan and said maintenance items would be addressed, and defended equipment readiness, saying new equipment was purchased and safety is the top priority.
Progress on the Trans-Canada Highway twinning between Bishop's Falls and Grand Falls-Windsor
Asked by P. Forsey · Answered by F. Hutton
Hutton said brush clearing and geotechnical work are necessary early steps that are underway, noted increased brush cutting and twinning budgets, and said more RFPs and construction will happen in the coming year.
Lane closure and weight restrictions on the Red Harbour West River Bridge
Asked by J. Dwyer · Answered by F. Hutton
Hutton said the single-lane configuration with jersey dividers is the safest option recommended by engineering safety teams, that the bridge will remain open through winter, and upgrade work will continue as required.
Accessible housing for constituent Rhonda Whalen and reuniting her with her granddaughter
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott
Abbott said he had spoken with the mayor and provided funding to the city, which is responsible for remodelling one of its units into an accessible unit, but could not guarantee this would happen before Christmas.
Support for businesses facing U.S. tariff threats and trade diversification to European markets
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by A. Furey
Furey said government convened impacted stakeholders and is developing a contingency plan while hoping for a diplomatic resolution; Parsons added that government continually supports local businesses attending international trade shows and pursues opportunities abroad, encouraging affected businesses to reach out.
NLHC wait-list growth and funding to complete unit repairs and renovations
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott
Abbott said the wait-list is around 3,000 and roughly steady, that the repair budget has been increased, over 300 units were turned over last year with a similar pace this year, and long-term large repairs are down to 50 units with a goal of reaching zero.
Orders of the Day
Third reading of Bill 68 (Lands Act No. 2)
J. Hogan
An Act to Amend the Lands Act No. 2 was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 87 (Nurses Act)
Multiple
Bill 87 respecting nurses was read a third time and passed after E. Joyce and P. Lane spoke passionately urging government to allow nurse practitioners to bill MCP so seniors would not pay out of pocket, with the Minister of Health indicating the Nurses' Union opposed the change.
Third reading of Bill 96 (Financial Services Appeal Board)
J. Hogan
An Act to Repeal the Financial Services Appeal Board Act and amend various acts was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 98 (Arts Council Act)
J. Hogan
An Act to Amend the Arts Council Act was read a third time and passed.
First reading of Bills 99, 100, 101 and 102
J. Hogan
First readings were given to Bill 99 (United Church of Canada Act), Bill 100 (Revenue Administration Act No. 6), Bill 101 (Labour Standards Act No. 2) and Bill 102 (Law Enforcement Oversight Commission), each ordered read a second time tomorrow.
Sitting hour motions
J. Hogan
Motions were adopted for the House to sit until midnight December 4 and not to adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on December 2 and December 3.
Bill 97 (Family Violence Protection Act) second reading and Committee
B. Davis
The Minister introduced amendments expanding Emergency Protection Order eligibility to family members by blood, marriage or adoption and to those in care relationships, aimed at protecting seniors and vulnerable people; the bill received all-party support and passed second reading and Committee, with H. Conway Ottenheimer and J. Brown questioning consultation, definitions and training.
Bill 85 (Provincial Health Authority Act / Fatalities Investigations Act) second reading and Committee
J. Hogan
The Minister of Health introduced amendments creating a process for NLHS to respectfully dispose of unclaimed remains, prompted by remains stored in freezers at the Health Sciences Centre; members including B. Petten, L. Evans and P. Lane expressed dismay at how the situation arose, and the bill passed second reading with Committee questions on regulations, numbers, and gaps involving funeral homes.
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.