Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 5 March 2025
Question Period focused heavily on the government's response to U.S. tariffs, with the Opposition pressing for details on the $200 million contingency fund and immediate cost-of-living relief measures such as eliminating the sugar tax and covering nurse practitioner visits. The government defended its tariff preparedness and emphasized the seriousness of the trade crisis, while deflecting questions on health care and taxation. Additional exchanges addressed Marine Atlantic rates, health care procurement from U.S. vendors, fishery supports, and regional health care pressures in Corner Brook. The House debated Bill 106, which extends the seven-cent-per-litre gas tax reduction for another year until March 31, 2026. The Opposition supported the measure but called for it to be made permanent rather than renewed annually. Members also raised concerns about road maintenance, transparency in road project rankings, and the impact of transportation costs on residents and businesses. A motion to extend sitting hours was defeated. Members' Statements recognized local achievements in the arts, heritage preservation, athletics, and community service.
Members' Statements
Recognition of actor Colin Furlong
L. Stoyles
Recognized Colin Furlong of Mount Pearl North for his 20-year career in theatre and film, including performances at Rising Tide Theatre, Gros Morne Theatre Festival, and roles in Son of a Critch and Republic of Doyle.
Recognition of heritage volunteer Anita O'Keefe
S. Gambin-Walsh
Honored Anita O'Keefe of Great Barasway for over 40 years of volunteer work preserving and sharing local heritage and culture, ahead of International Women's Day.
Recognition of figure skater Kaetlyn Osmond
J. Dwyer
Recognized Kaetlyn Osmond of Marystown, Canada's most decorated female singles skater, with three Olympic medals, world championship medals, and recipient of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Question Period
Allocation of $200 million tariff fund to fishery
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady / G. Byrne
The Deputy Premier emphasized the seriousness of tariffs and sovereignty concerns but did not specify fishery allocations. The Fisheries Minister stated he would meet federal ministers shortly to develop a plan for when the fishery opens.
Elimination of the sugar tax
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady
The Minister of Finance refused to commit to eliminating the sugar tax, arguing that the Opposition should focus on tariff impacts rather than cost-of-living measures, and defended the $200 million contingency fund.
Marine Atlantic rate relief
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Crocker
The Minister of Tourism confirmed the government has reached out to the federal Transport Minister on multiple occasions regarding Marine Atlantic rates, emphasizing the importance for both food costs and tourism access.
Covering costs of nurse practitioner visits
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister stated that fee-for-service does not work for primary care and he does not support it for nurse practitioners, emphasizing that any nurse practitioner wanting a job with NLHS can have one. He later indicated discussions are underway with the RNU on alternative compensation models for private practice.
Investigation of high power bills
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister did not directly address the PUB investigation request, instead reiterating that nurse practitioners wanting employment with NLHS should contact him.
Replacement of U.S.-based health care contracts with Canadian vendors
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister stated he has directed the CEO of NLHS to review all U.S. procurement and identify alternatives where possible, acknowledging some highly specialized products may not be immediately replaceable. He committed to providing details on the Teladoc contract and the timing of his directive.
Fishery support plan and access to $200 million fund
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by G. Byrne
The Minister outlined existing diversification supports, trade missions, and plant retooling funds, stating that any circumstances causing hardship from tariffs would be eligible for support. He rejected the Opposition's approach as subsidizing American consumers and emphasized planning for success in selling crab to the U.S. in 2025.
Support for Come By Chance refinery and Voisey's Bay operations
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by A. Parsons
The Minister stated the government has met continuously with the union, Braya, and the federal government regarding tax credit issues predating tariffs. He noted the province's past investment kept the refinery open and led to over $1 billion in refurbishment, and confirmed readiness to help again.
Removing provincial HST from all forms of home heating
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by S. Coady / A. Parsons
The Finance Minister stated the federal government is responsible for HST and the province lacks flexibility to remove it from specific items, but would work with Ottawa. The Industry Minister noted $214 million in rate mitigation last year and up to $2 billion committed to 2030 to maintain the lowest electricity rates in Atlantic Canada.
Emergency department pressures and long-term care beds in Corner Brook
Asked by E. Joyce · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister confirmed over 50 long-term care patients occupy acute-care beds and stated the short-term solution is utilizing space in the old Western Memorial Regional Hospital. He acknowledged working with families and community supports to address the alternate level of care problem.
Other business
Motion to extend sitting hours (defeated)
L. Dempster
The Deputy Government House Leader moved to extend sitting hours on March 5, 2025 until midnight. The motion was defeated.
Bill 106 - Revenue Administration Act amendment (second reading debate)
Multiple
The Minister of Finance introduced Bill 106 to extend the seven-cent gas tax reduction until March 31, 2026, costing $70.4 million annually and resulting in the lowest provincial gas tax in Canada. Opposition members supported the bill but called for making the reduction permanent, citing impacts on cost of living, transportation, tourism, small business, and northern communities. Members raised concerns about road conditions, lack of transparency in road project rankings now decided in Cabinet, inadequate brush cutting budgets, collapsed culverts, and the need for 24-hour snow clearing. The Member for Torngat Mountains highlighted disproportionate gas prices and cost-of-living challenges in Northern Labrador. Debate was adjourned.
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.