Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 11 March 2025
Question Period focused heavily on housing, health care access, and public safety. The Opposition pressed the government on delays in staffing the Boston trade office, vacant social housing units, long wait times for developmental pediatricians, and concerns about crime near a supportive housing facility. The government defended its record on housing supports, health care investments, and police engagement, while announcing progress on a new child-youth care model and equipment replacements. The House debated Bill 105 (Interim Supply) to authorize $3.95 billion in spending for the first three months of the fiscal year, including a $200 million contingency for potential tariff impacts. Members also introduced two new bills for first reading: Bill 108 (Revenue Administration Act amendment) and Bill 109 (Provincial Health Authority Act amendment). The sitting included Members' Statements recognizing community contributions, a Ministerial Statement on Indigenous art and reconciliation, petitions on infrastructure and health care access, and tabling of the 2024 Architects Licensing Board annual report.
Members' Statements
Newfoundland Pony Sanctuary on Change Islands
J. McKenna
Recognized Netta LeDrew and Bernice Watton for their work preserving the only surviving native purebred pony breed in North America and operating a sanctuary that welcomes visitors and educates children.
Wayne Thomas of Grand Falls-Windsor
C. Tibbs
Honored Wayne Thomas for his military service, numerous medals, extensive community fundraising work with hockey associations and service clubs, and his leadership of the Grand Falls-Windsor Community Garden supporting the food bank.
Chuck Porter, outdoor educator from Labrador West
J. Brown
Thanked Chuck Porter for his YouTube channel promoting outdoor education, survival skills, and conservation while showcasing Labrador's wilderness and encouraging exploration of the Canadian wilderness.
Eleanor Furey, educator from Harbour Main
H. Conway Ottenheimer
Paid tribute to Eleanor Furey for 59 years of teaching (35 in classroom, 24 in private tutoring), including founding The Elf Centre and teaching approximately 500 students in tutoring alone, retiring in June before her 80th birthday.
Ministerial Statement on Indigenous cultures and reconciliation
S. Reid
Announced government initiatives including online training for public employees, K-12 curriculum review, support for Indigenous art projects, and upcoming artwork unveilings with Nunatsiavut Government and Miawpukek First Nation to promote Indigenous cultures.
Routine Proceedings
Tabling of 2024 Architects Licensing Board annual report
E. Loveless
The Minister of Digital Government and Service NL tabled the 2024 annual report of the Architects Licensing Board of Newfoundland and Labrador in accordance with the Architects Act, 2008.
Answer to question on land use planning applications
J. Haggie
The Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs answered a previous question from the Member for Cape St. Francis, stating there are currently four land use planning applications in the department.
Petitions on road conditions, cell service, health care access, and environmental cleanup
Multiple
Members presented petitions calling for: paving of River Loop Crescent in Gander Bay South; curb and gutter installation on Route 60 in Topsail; improved cell phone service in Harbour Main; cleanup of contaminated sites on Spotted Island; mental health supports in Northern Labrador; and repairs to Long Run Road in Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove.
Question Period
Boston trade office staffing
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier confirmed the office is not yet staffed but said interviews and negotiations are ongoing with Canadian representatives, including Bernadette Jordan, and an announcement is expected soon.
Reducing interprovincial trade barriers and trucking red tape
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by A. Furey
The Premier stated the government championed this initiative and was part of the trade table discussion before the issue gained national attention.
Vacant social housing units and 965 claimed new homes
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Stoodley
The Acting Minister of Housing, sworn in that morning, did not provide specific data but committed to reporting back on the locations and occupancy dates of the 965 homes and noted ongoing efforts to repair vacant units.
Safety concerns at 106 Airport Road supportive housing facility
Asked by T. Wakeham and B. Petten · Answered by S. Stoodley and B. Davis
The Acting Minister of Housing said the facility does not pose a danger and that End Homelessness and the RNC are engaged. The Minister of Justice accused the Opposition of fear mongering and confirmed additional RNC resources are deployed as needed.
Wait times for developmental pediatricians (autism and speech assessments)
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The Acting Minister of Health stated that referrals are prioritized clinically and that a new child-youth comprehensive care model is nearly ready for announcement. He also clarified that services can be accessed based on identified need, not diagnosis, under the 2019 Autism Action Plan.
Reimbursement for parents paying for private assessments
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister did not commit to reimbursement but reiterated that a comprehensive child care model is being built and funding has been identified for implementation.
Fire equipment funding and fire commissioner recommendations
Asked by C. Tibbs · Answered by B. Davis
The Minister of Justice did not table the recommendations but said decisions are made in consultation with the fire commissioner's office and communities, noting $21 million in requests and limited resources.
Salary overpayments to public servants
Asked by L. Paddock · Answered by S. Coady
The Minister of Finance acknowledged over 1,000 overpayments totalling $2 million (0.12% of payroll) and said the Comptroller General is implementing enhanced payroll reviews and manager involvement to prevent recurrence.
Enforcement of Residential Tenancies Act
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by E. Loveless
The Minister of Digital Government and Service NL stated there is a fair adjudication process in place for tenant and landlord disputes and that complaints can be heard through that process.
C-arm fluoroscopy unit at St. Clare's
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Haggie
The Acting Minister of Health clarified the unit is not missing but will be taken out of service in two weeks for replacement with a new one, and patients will be accommodated elsewhere during the transition.
Developmental assessment backlogs in Central Newfoundland schools
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by K. Howell
The Minister of Education stated that students do not require a diagnosis to receive supports; needs can be identified by educators and other professionals, and supports are provided based on those needs.
Use of $300 million federal health care transfer and access in Labrador
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by J. Haggie
The Acting Minister of Health cited significant investments, including 73,000 individuals registered with Family Care Teams, recruitment of over 1,133 nurses, and reduced vacancy rates. He also defended the use of virtual care (Teladoc Health Canada) to fill gaps in primary care.
Orders of the Day
First reading of Bill 108 (Revenue Administration Act amendment)
L. Dempster
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 108, An Act to Amend the Revenue Administration Act No. 8, which received first reading and was ordered for second reading tomorrow.
First reading of Bill 109 (Provincial Health Authority Act amendment)
L. Dempster
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 109, An Act to Amend the Provincial Health Authority Act, which received first reading and was ordered for second reading tomorrow.
Committee of the Whole debate on Bill 105 (Interim Supply)
Multiple
Members debated Bill 105 authorizing $3.95 billion in interim spending. Opposition members raised concerns about health care access, travel nurses costs ($400M), the Future Fund, cost of living, and infrastructure. Government members defended investments in health care, education, seniors programs, the Future Fund as prudent savings, and discussed tariff threats, Memorial University infrastructure issues, and agricultural development opportunities.
Other business
Points of order on parliamentary language
Multiple
Several points of order were raised regarding unparliamentary language including accusations of misleading the House and fear mongering. The Speaker ruled on some and took others under advisement. A recess was called after an exchange between members, and the Member for Topsail - Paradise was asked to retract unparliamentary language, which he did.
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.