Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 10 March 2025
Question Period focused heavily on the government's response to U.S. tariff threats, health care spending and infrastructure, housing and homelessness, land purchases for a new hospital, firefighting equipment allocation, and municipal planning delays. The Opposition pressed the Premier and ministers on transparency, accountability, and regional equity—particularly regarding Corner Brook cancer care, Labrador West housing, and the distribution of firefighting funds. The government defended its record investments, rate mitigation, and emergency measures while emphasizing ongoing recruitment and infrastructure projects. The House of Assembly conducted routine business including welcoming a new Page, hearing Members' Statements recognizing community leaders and volunteers, and receiving ministerial statements on hunting and trapping. The House passed Bill 102 (Law Enforcement Oversight Commission Act) through Committee of the Whole without amendment and debated Bill 106 (gas tax reduction extension) at second reading and in Committee, ultimately passing it without amendment. Motions were adopted to extend sitting hours on March 10 and 11, 2025.
Members' Statements
105th birthday of Louie Pelley
C. Pardy
The Member for Bonavista recognized Louie Pelley of Harcourt, who celebrated her 105th birthday on February 1, 2025. Pelley was a community leader, Girl Guides founder, played church organ for 80 years, and received the Canadian 75th Anniversary Medal.
Public libraries in Cape St. Francis district
J. Wall
The Member for Cape St. Francis thanked the public libraries in Torbay and Pouch Cove, their board chairs, staff, and volunteers for providing essential services including digital media, internet access, and community programming.
Sara Thorne, NASCAR driver
J. Dwyer
The Member for Placentia West - Bellevue recognized Sara Thorne of Chance Cove, the youngest woman ever to drive in the NASCAR Pinty's Pro-Line 225, who has won multiple championships and awards including Rookie of the Year and two-time TCM Most Popular Driver.
Harry Parsons, Kin Canada Life Member
P. Forsey
The Member for Exploits congratulated Harry Parsons on his induction as a Life Member of Kin Canada at the Botwood Kinsmen Club, recognizing his 46 years of service since 1979 in various leadership positions.
Brian Harte, Kin Association Life Member
L. O'Driscoll
The Member for Ferryland recognized Brian Harte of Witless Bay for receiving Life Membership in the Kin Association after over 30 years of service, including developing the Community Pantry project that received national recognition.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial statement on hunting and trapping season
G. Byrne
The Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture announced that big game applications are open for 2025-26 with stable population trends for most game and fur-bearers. The season is extended in the Grey Island caribou area and for fall black bear hunting, and a new trapper's beaver licence is introduced for unoccupied traplines.
Opposition response to hunting statement
P. Forsey
The Member for Exploits thanked stakeholders for wildlife management success and called on government to facilitate establishment of a federally regulated slaughterhouse to boost food self-sufficiency and help beef producers.
Third Party response to hunting statement
J. Brown
The Member for Labrador West called on government to review the disabled hunters' program to be more inclusive and eliminate barriers that prevent hunters with disabilities from participating.
Tabling of document on rental costs
J. Brown
The Member for Labrador West tabled a Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report titled 'Out-of-Control Rents: Rental wages in Canada, 2023' describing the renting situation in the province.
Notice of motion for Bill 108
S. Coady
The Minister of Finance gave notice to introduce Bill 108, An Act to Amend the Revenue Administration Act No. 8.
Notice of motion for Bill 109
J. Haggie
The Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs gave notice to introduce Bill 109, An Act to Amend the Provincial Health Authority Act.
Private Member's resolution on shingles vaccine
T. Wakeham
The Leader of the Official Opposition gave notice of a private Member's resolution for March 12 urging government to provide the shingles vaccine free of charge to seniors and individuals with compromised immune systems, as recommended by the Seniors' Advocate.
Petition on home care hours for seniors
P. Forsey
The Member for Exploits presented a petition calling on government to increase home care hours for seniors at lower rates to help them remain in their homes longer, noting current shortages of workers and insufficient hours available.
Petition on poll tax for municipalities
C. Pardy
The Member for Bonavista presented a petition from King's Cove residents requesting permission to continue using poll tax instead of property tax, arguing the new legislation mandating property tax contradicts the spirit of municipal autonomy and will cost residents $86 per household for assessments.
Petition on Bay Bulls to St. John's road repairs
L. O'Driscoll
The Member for Ferryland presented a petition urging government to upgrade the road between Bay Bulls and St. John's city limits, citing dangerous conditions including deep grooves, deteriorating pavement, and safety hazards for commuters and tourists.
Question Period
Tariff response package and export contracts
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier confirmed the province is taking tariffs seriously, has established a tariff table with all leaders, and is developing a comprehensive contingency plan including a $200 million fund. He promoted Newfoundland and Labrador at the Toronto mining conference but did not announce any new signed contracts.
Airport Inn lease and vacant NL Housing units
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Stoodley
The minister defended the Airport Inn emergency shelter as providing wraparound supports (health care, addiction counselling, police) for individuals who are difficult to house, emphasizing the goal is to help them become independently housed.
$50 million Health budget cut
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier insisted this is not a cut but savings from amalgamating health boards and middle management, to be reinvested in transformation initiatives like Family Care Teams, virtual care, and a new medical records system.
Kenmount Crossing land purchase and appraisal
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Crocker
The minister clarified the appraisal was done before the MOU in November, with the sale finalized in January. He defended the purchase as necessary for a new acute care hospital and road expansion, and stated it was an independent appraisal.
Snow's Lane land sale and alleged depreciation
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by S. Crocker
The minister explained that the land depreciated due to flooding and water retention caused by the Outer Ring Road forming a dike, as documented in the independent appraisal.
Radiation therapy at Western Memorial Regional Hospital
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister stated radiation services are a priority, recruitment is underway with the most attractive incentives in Canada, and the department is working with Eastern cancer care to initiate services before full recruitment is complete. He noted radiation oncologists are in very short supply globally.
Mobile Crisis Response Team missed calls
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister explained that when the Mobile Crisis Response Team is unavailable, calls are automatically rerouted to 911 and serviced by paramedics, ensuring no one is left without care. He expressed a desire to expand the team to more locations.
Trepassey breakwater repair
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by S. Crocker
The minister confirmed the department is working with the Town of Trepassey on assessment and engineering for the breakwater replacement, emphasizing it must be properly engineered before tendering, but provided no specific timeline.
Firefighting equipment allocation to Liberal districts
Asked by C. Tibbs · Answered by B. Davis
The minister defended the distribution, stating that $4.2–4.3 million in SCBAs and other equipment was allocated based on need as recommended by the fire commissioner's office, not political favouritism. He noted that more Liberal districts were elected, but emphasized decisions are based on need.
Municipal planning delays and lack of certified planner
Asked by J. Wall · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister stated there are no plans on his desk awaiting signature and committed to providing the number of plans in the department. He explained delays are often due to incomplete or inaccurate documentation and expressed willingness to work with municipalities to speed up the process.
Rising electricity bills and energy poverty
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by A. Parsons and S. Coady
The Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology confirmed Newfoundland Power does not cut power in winter and urged constituents to contact the utility to check metres and billing. The Minister of Finance highlighted $750 million in cost-of-living relief, home heat rebates, and $240 million in rate mitigation to keep rates the lowest in Atlantic Canada.
Rent control and housing in Labrador West
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by E. Loveless and S. Stoodley
The Minister of Digital Government and Service NL emphasized a balanced approach considering tenants, landlords, and housing investment, without committing to rent control. The Minister of Immigration announced a tender for four new units in Labrador West and stated work continues on 40 additional units with the federal government.
School safety and far-right protests
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister of Education condemned harassment and violence targeting schools and teachers, affirmed that schools must be safe places of learning, and noted existing legislation protects school grounds by requiring protests to be a safe distance away.
Orders of the Day
Committee of the Whole consideration of Bill 102
Multiple
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider Bill 102 (Law Enforcement Oversight Commission Act). Members questioned provisions regarding police investigating police complaints, the role of the chief in appointing investigators, civilian oversight composition, and transparency measures. The Minister of Justice clarified that serious complaints go to the civilian commissioner while internal HR matters are handled by the chief. The bill was carried without amendment.
Motions to extend sitting hours
L. Dempster
The Deputy Government House Leader moved and the House adopted motions to extend sitting hours beyond 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2025 and Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Second reading debate on Bill 106
Multiple
Members debated Bill 106 to extend the seven-cent gas tax reduction until March 31, 2026. Opposition members supported the measure but argued it should be permanent and go further, noting gas prices affect the Consumer Price Index and cost of living, particularly for seniors and rural residents. The Minister of Finance noted Newfoundland and Labrador has the lowest provincial gas tax in Canada at 7.5 cents per litre (compared to 16.5 cents under the previous PC government) and the measure will cost government $70.4 million. The bill passed second reading.
Committee of the Whole consideration of Bill 106
Multiple
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider Bill 106. The Leader of the Official Opposition spoke about tax burdens, carbon tax history, and called for elimination of HST on gas taxes. The bill was carried through Committee without amendment and ordered for third reading.
Other business
Welcome of new Page
The Speaker
The Speaker welcomed Alana Norman, a geology student from St. John's at Memorial University, as a new Page to the House of Assembly.
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.