Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 3 December 2024
Question Period was dominated by health care concerns, with the Official Opposition pressing on long-term care bed shortages, alternate level of care patients occupying acute-care beds at Western Memorial, Teladoc costs versus local physician pay, nurse practitioner reimbursement, and a letter from five Carbonear surgeons alleging disrespect and unsafe working conditions. The government repeatedly deferred to a forthcoming expert advisory panel report and emphasized Health Accord NL and virtual care, while exchanges grew heated over whether ministers were actually answering questions. Additional questioning addressed rising violence in schools, MTAP requirements for Labrador seniors, and a broken elevator stranding seniors at Northview's Keane Place apartments. The House recognized several guests, heard Members' statements honouring local volunteers and community organizations, and received a Ministerial Statement on MADD Canada's Project Red Ribbon. Petitions dominated routine proceedings, focused on health care service losses at G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital, exclusion of Northern Labrador from rebate programs, rising crime in the St. John's metro region, and road repairs. Orders of the Day saw third reading of several bills, first readings of new bills, and passage of Bill 101 (removing the sick-note requirement) through second reading and Committee, followed by a lengthy and contentious debate on Motion 4 to appoint Kerry Hatfield as Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Members' Statements
Tribute to Daniel Kelly
C. Tibbs
The Member for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans honoured Daniel Kelly for his community service, work leading the first accredited food bank in Canada, and his service in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.
Tribute to Jim Cook
L. Parrott
The Member for Terra Nova congratulated Jim Cook for 40 years of volunteer service in the Random Island area, including forming a volunteer fire department and serving on service boards.
Recognition of holiday volunteers
P. Dinn
The Member for Topsail - Paradise thanked volunteers and organizations such as the Kin Clubs, Lions Clubs and Salvation Army who assist community members during the holidays.
Recognition of Connections for Seniors
J. Dinn
The Member for St. John's Centre recognized Connections for Seniors for its housing centre, affordable housing program, meal delivery and transportation services for seniors.
Recognition of Terrenceville Church Committee
J. Dwyer
The Member for Placentia West - Bellevue acknowledged the Terrenceville Church Committee, which raised $40,000 in donations to purchase and maintain their church.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial Statement on MADD Project Red Ribbon
E. Loveless
The Minister of Digital Government and Service NL recognized Mothers Against Drunk Driving's 37-year Project Red Ribbon campaign and urged everyone never to drive impaired during the holiday season. Opposition Members L. O'Driscoll and J. Brown responded in support.
Petition on G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital services
Multiple
Members L. Parrott, J. Dwyer and C. Pardy presented petitions urging increased recruitment to restore lost specialist and nursing services at G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital, citing patient deaths and diversions to other hospitals; Minister A. Parsons responded on approach to health care advocacy.
Petition on Northern Labrador inclusion in rebate programs
L. Evans
The Member for Torngat Mountains petitioned for Northern Labrador communities to be included in provincial incentive/rebate programs such as the Oil to Electric Incentive and Residential Construction Rebate, from which they are chronically excluded.
Petition on crime and policing in St. John's metro
P. Lane
The Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands petitioned for additional police resources and Criminal Code reforms to address rising violent crime; Minister B. Davis responded detailing recent investments in policing and justice.
Petition on St. Shotts Road repairs
L. O'Driscoll
The Member for Ferryland petitioned to upgrade the deplorable, 38-40-year-old St. Shotts Road, citing safety concerns and increased tourism traffic in the area.
Question Period
Commission of inquiry into children in care and police response
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier said an office investigation is underway and the government will act on any recommendations when the report comes, but made no firm commitment to a commission of inquiry.
Public release of the review of personal care and long-term care homes
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier committed to making the review fully public within days to weeks once the minister is ready, stating there is nothing to hide.
Long-term care bed requirements and plan to build and staff beds
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Hogan
The minister declined to give bed numbers, saying the government is awaiting an expert advisory panel report and emphasized programs to help seniors age at home under Health Accord NL.
ALC patients occupying acute-care beds at Western Memorial and reopening the old hospital
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier said ALC patients are still being cared for, that pilot ALC strategies from the Avalon may be extended west, and that no decision has been made on the old Western Memorial; the minister added an RFP for additional ALC beds has gone out and personal care homes are being used for short stays.
Teladoc costs versus local physician fees
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Hogan
The minister did not confirm the specific cost figures, stating physicians via Teladoc are paid the same rate as in-person and that virtual care adds value by preventing rural emergency room diversions.
Reimbursement for nurse practitioners and health human resource plan
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier said the government continues to work with nurse practitioners to develop a modern funding model and on human resources, but gave no timeline and accused the Opposition of having cut nurses and closed clinics.
Concerns of five Carbonear doctors: office space, safety, respect and surgical services
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Hogan
The minister and Labrador Affairs minister said the NLHS CEO has met with the physicians to hear their concerns and information will follow, defended the government's health spending, and the Premier stated commitment to orthopaedic, general surgery and internal medicine services in Carbonear without detailing a specific plan.
Violence in schools
Asked by P. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
The minister pointed to progress including doubled pilot programs, 160 student assistants, 40 IRTs, improved guidance counsellor ratios (1-500 to 1-333), a revamped code of conduct and new bullying prevention interventions.
Broken elevator stranding seniors at Northview's Keane Place apartments
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by E. Loveless
The minister said the onus is on the owner to complete the work and that his department cannot inspect work that has not been done, offering no action to compel Northview beyond inspection once repairs are complete.
MTAP documentation requirements and escort letters for Labrador seniors
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by L. Dempster
The minister noted enhancements have been made and said she is willing to take away and review the documentation burden, but stressed physicians determine escort needs and accountability for the public purse must be balanced; she made no immediate commitment to remove escort letter requirements.
Orders of the Day
Third reading of Bill 85 (Provincial Health Authority Act and Fatalities Investigations Act)
L. Dempster
Bill 85, An Act to Amend the Provincial Health Authority Act and the Fatalities Investigations Act, was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 93 (Urban and Rural Planning Act and City of St. John's Municipal Taxation Act)
L. Dempster
Bill 93 was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 95 (Public Safety Act)
L. Dempster
Bill 95, An Act to Amend the Public Safety Act, was read a third time and passed.
Third reading of Bill 97 (Family Violence Protection Act)
L. Dempster
Bill 97, An Act to Amend the Family Violence Protection Act, was read a third time and passed.
First reading of Bill 103 (House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act No. 2)
L. Dempster
Bill 103 was introduced and read a first time, ordered read a second time tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 104 (Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act No. 2)
L. Dempster
Bill 104 was introduced and read a first time, ordered read a second time tomorrow.
Second reading and Committee of Bill 101 (Labour Standards Act No. 2)
L. Dempster
The Minister Responsible for Labour introduced Bill 101 to remove the requirement for employees to provide sick notes for short-term (three or more consecutive days) leave, citing support from the NLMA and reduced burden on the health care system. Opposition Members (L. Evans, J. Brown, P. Lane, J. Dinn, L. Parrott) supported the intent but raised concerns that employers can still require sick notes; an amendment by J. Brown to prohibit employers from requiring notes for five or fewer days was ruled out of order, and the bill passed second reading and Committee without amendment.
Motion 4: Appointment of Information and Privacy Commissioner
Multiple
The Deputy Government House Leader moved to appoint Kerry Hatfield as Information and Privacy Commissioner. Government House Leader J. Hogan and Minister S. Coady defended the process under section 85 of ATIPPA and the single recommended candidate from the Selection Committee, while the Leader of the Official Opposition (T. Wakeham), Leader of the Third Party (J. Dinn), H. Conway Ottenheimer and L. Paddock strongly opposed, arguing a roster should include multiple candidates and that they were denied ranking data and meaningful consultation.
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.