Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 6 March 2025
Question Period focused heavily on two main themes: the government's $200 million contingency fund for potential U.S. tariffs and a controversial $50 million health care budget reduction. The Opposition pressed ministers on specifics of tariff mitigation measures and alleged cuts to front-line health services, including surgical wait-lists, staffing shortages, and delayed equipment. The government defended the health care savings as administrative efficiencies from amalgamating regional health authorities, insisting no front-line jobs or services were cut, while citing increased nurse and physician recruitment. Housing affordability and access, particularly for low-income residents and in Labrador West, also emerged as a concern. The House conducted routine business including tabling documents related to health care cuts and the Janeway eye clinic, and received notices extending sitting hours for the coming week. Members presented petitions on roads, policing, rental increases, health care access in Northern Labrador, doctor shortages, family law reform, and social work student funding. The main Orders of the Day featured second reading debate (minister's opening remarks only) on Bill 90 amending the Atlantic Accord to enable offshore renewable energy regulation, and Committee of the Whole consideration of Bill 105 (Interim Supply) with multiple members speaking on district priorities, health care, education, and tariff concerns.
Members' Statements
Holy Cross School students selected for Historic Sites Ambassador Program
L. Parrott
Two students from Eastport, Ava Burden and Noah Squire, were chosen to tour WWI battle sites in France and Belgium, following the Trail of the Caribou and learning about Newfoundland heritage.
Nain's 75th Anniversary of Confederation Medal recipients
L. Evans
Recognized Sarah Abel, the late Joanna Dicker, and Edna Winters for their decades of service to OKâlaKatigêt Society and community health/social supports in Nain.
St. John's Bosco Eagles Grade 6 girls basketball championship
J. Korab
Celebrated the team's perfect 5-0 record capturing the provincial championship, highlighting their teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship.
Avery Clance's fundraising skate-a-thon in La Scie
L. Paddock
Nine-year-old Avery raised over $700 door-to-door as the sole participant in an arena fundraiser, exemplifying dedication and community spirit in the Year of Sport.
King's Jesters improv team heading to nationals
P. Dinn
A Paradise-area high school improv group won regionals and the Spirit of the Games award, and will represent NL at the Canadian Improv Games in Ottawa in April.
International Women's Day recognition
P. Parsons
The minister marked March 8 as International Women's Day, noting the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in NL and the theme 'Strength in Every Story,' while acknowledging ongoing work toward gender equality.
Routine Proceedings
Tabling of documents on health care cuts and Janeway eye clinic
T. Wakeham and B. Petten
The Opposition Leader tabled a document on $50 million health care cuts, and the Opposition House Leader tabled an excerpt regarding the Janeway eye clinic, both referenced during Question Period.
Notices of motion to extend sitting hours
L. Dempster
The Deputy Government House Leader gave notice to extend sitting hours beyond 5:30 p.m. on March 10, 11, and 13, and to sit until midnight on March 12.
Petition on road conditions in Harbour Main district
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Called for immediate repair and repaving of Routes 60 and 70, citing severe potholes, rutting, and washouts. Argued for an impartial system prioritizing worst roads first, not politics.
Petition on policing enforcement in Exploits district
P. Forsey
Requested increased RCMP enforcement due to speeding, ATV activity, and crime. Noted two additional officers promised in 2019 have not been assigned despite ongoing reviews.
Petition to amend Residential Tenancies Act for rent control
J. Dinn
Urged legislation to limit annual rent increases, citing profiteering by landlords and REITs, and arguing that current lack of controls is forcing tenants into homelessness.
Petition on medical flight access for Northern Labrador patients
L. Evans
Highlighted that patients are frequently unable to reach medical appointments due to lack of seats on flights, despite promises of more flights and seats last summer.
Petition on doctor shortage in Trepassey and Ferryland areas
L. O'Driscoll
Criticized the removal of a full-time doctor from the region two years ago and the current reliance on nurse practitioners, calling for a doctor to be reinstated for the area.
Petition to review family and civil law system
C. Pardy
Called for legislative review of family law, citing costly, slow, and ineffective processes, lack of enforcement of court orders, and harm to children and parents.
Petition for funding social work student practicums
P. Dinn
Requested sustainable funding for community placements so social work students completing 700 unpaid practicum hours can receive at least minimum wage compensation.
Question Period
U.S. Tariffs and $200 Million Contingency Fund
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady
The Deputy Premier acknowledged high volatility and uncertainty around U.S. tariffs, stating the government has increased trade missions, engaged community and business leaders, lowered internal trade barriers, and set aside $200 million in contingency. She emphasized that specific uses for the fund remain undetermined due to ongoing uncertainty.
$50 Million Health Care Budget Reduction
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister stated the $50 million savings target is part of a multi-year efficiency plan related to amalgamating four regional health authorities, not front-line cuts. He noted health spending has increased year-over-year and that NLHS is currently $200 million over budget with extended lines of credit.
Impact of Budget Reduction on Procedures and Jobs
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister insisted no front-line jobs have been cut, vacancy rates have dropped, and surgical procedures have increased by nearly 30 per cent. He stated savings come from administrative consolidation and attrition, not service reductions, and highlighted recruitment of 1,133 additional nurses and over 140 physicians in the past 18 months.
Janeway Eye Clinic Wait-Lists and Staffing
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister denied job losses from budget cuts, attributing savings to administrative amalgamation. He noted recruitment of two new ophthalmologists, collaboration with the ophthalmology community, and implementation of central intake to manage wait-lists. He cited success in reducing cataract wait-lists through additional funding.
MRI Wait-Lists (8,500 People)
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister reported the province has increased from five to six MRI machines, with eight expected by year-end. He stated machines are running longer hours (one 24/7), MRI techs are being recruited, and a central triage system prioritizes urgent cases. He acknowledged the wait-list is not yet fully resolved but is declining.
Cardiac Surgery Wait-Lists (200 People)
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister explained that increased identification of cardiac patients is due to the success of the cath lab. The cardiac surgery program has expanded through collaboration with the University of Ottawa, bringing in surgeons or flying out patients as appropriate, which is slowly reducing the wait-list.
Colonoscopy Wait-Lists and Wound Care in Clarenville
Asked by L. Parrott · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister stated wound care is available in Clarenville and that there have been no budget cuts to the hospital. He said surgeons are working to reallocate time and resources to provide extra colonoscopy capacity, with no financial impediment, and suggested a communication problem with local surgeons.
Breast Cancer Screening Access and Expansion
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister stated breast screening has been expanded to a self-referral process available in every region, with new machines in at least three centres (Grand Falls-Windsor, West Coast, and St. John's). He cited the province's second-place ranking in Canada for breast cancer treatment and ongoing recruitment efforts to improve appointment availability.
Mammography Machine Delays in Grand Falls-Windsor
Asked by C. Tibbs · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister acknowledged supply chain delays for mammography machines and committed to finding out the specific timeline for the Grand Falls-Windsor machine. He stated three new machines are being installed across the province but did not provide a firm delivery date.
24-Hour Emergency Room Closure in Botwood
Asked by P. Forsey · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister reiterated there are no cuts to the health care budget, only expected savings from amalgamation and consolidation. He did not directly address the reinstatement of 24-hour emergency services in Botwood, instead emphasizing overall budget overruns and increased staffing.
Physician Shortage in Trepassey
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by J. Haggie
The Minister repeated that there are no budget cuts and that the health system is $200 million over budget. He cited the recruitment of 140 additional physicians province-wide over 18 months but did not provide specifics on physician placement in Trepassey.
Housing Affordability for Single Mother on Income Support
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by S. Stoodley
The Minister encouraged individuals with housing issues to reach out to their MHA and noted available programs including rent supplements and wait-lists for those under certain income thresholds. She acknowledged these are not immediate fixes but offered to work with individuals on available options.
Rent Controls and Homelessness Prevention
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by S. Stoodley
The Minister outlined multiple housing supply initiatives including a provincial HST rebate for developers, Rental Housing Development Loan Program, making government land available, First-Time Homebuyers Program, and Secondary and Basement Suite Incentive Program. She emphasized increasing supply across all market segments but did not commit to rent or vacancy controls.
Housing Crisis and Zero Vacancy in Labrador West
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by S. Stoodley
The Minister stated the government is working with Lab City and the federal government on a multi-unit housing project and urged the federal government to move quickly on funding. She reiterated the five-point housing plan and noted the NL Housing wait-list is under 20 people, not 30 as referenced, but acknowledged the need for federal support to address the housing shortage.
Orders of the Day
Second reading of Bill 90 (Atlantic Accord amendment for offshore renewables)
A. Parsons
The minister introduced mirror legislation to federal Bill C-49, enabling offshore renewable energy regulation alongside oil and gas. He emphasized that no federal minister can unilaterally cancel petroleum interests (both ministers must agree), fisheries concerns are addressed, and the province retains full control over royalties and benefits. Debate was adjourned after his opening remarks.
Committee of the Whole on Bill 105 (Interim Supply)
Multiple
Members debated the $3.95 billion interim supply resolution. P. Lane raised issues with summer student grant allocation changes and unpaid/delayed pay for student assistants. C. Pardy spoke on family law system failures and child access enforcement. P. Parsons highlighted International Women's Day events, the Shoppers Drug Mart menstrual equity donation, and the $13.6 million bilateral agreement on gender-based violence. L. Evans discussed health care access failures and prescription delays in Northern Labrador. S. Stoodley outlined immigration pathways for health care workers, Labour Market Development funding, and federal cuts to economic immigration spaces. J. Wall called for fair road prioritization, grading in Cape St. Francis, and better supports for teachers facing language barriers in classrooms.
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.