Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 12 March 2025
Question Period focused heavily on health care challenges, particularly physician shortages in rural areas, long-term care bed closures, and emergency room overcrowding. The Opposition also pressed government on budget timing, pay equity regulations, firefighting equipment allocation, and road infrastructure tenders. Ministers defended increased health spending and cited ongoing implementation of the Health Accord, while acknowledging some operational issues require further investigation. The House conducted third readings of several bills, including amendments to the Revenue Administration Act and legislation establishing the Law Enforcement Oversight Commission. A procedural issue arose regarding Bill 90 (Atlantic Accord amendments) when the Opposition requested a vote be postponed pending promised information from the minister; after a recess and clarification, the bill passed. The afternoon featured a Private Member's Resolution calling for free shingles vaccines for all seniors 65-plus, which prompted significant debate after government announced a more limited program (65-70 and immunocompromised 70+) just before the sitting began.
Members' Statements
Recognition of Inuit Elder Joe Goudie
P. Trimper
The Member for Lake Melville celebrated Joe Goudie, an 80-year-old Inuit Elder, founder of the Labrador Heritage Society, former Cabinet minister, and renowned canoe builder who continues to lead trips on the Churchill River and build canoes and kayaks.
75th anniversary volunteer medals in Mount Pearl - Southlands
P. Lane
The Member congratulated 17 recipients of the provincial 75th anniversary volunteer medals in his district, recognizing their contributions to the community.
Recognition of Anthony Healey of St. Joseph's
S. Gambin-Walsh
The Member for Placentia - St. Mary's recognized Anthony Healey, an educator, former mayor, and Parish Council chair, for his decades of community service and leadership, including receiving a Confederation 75th Anniversary Medal.
100th birthday of Elizabeth (Bessie) Nugent
B. Petten
The Member for Conception Bay South wished Bessie Nugent of Kelligrews a happy 100th birthday, celebrating her life, sense of humour, and sharp mind.
Recognition of Ruth McDonald, constituency assistant
L. Stoyles
The Member for Mount Pearl North recognized Ruth McDonald for over 50 years of volunteer work and 32 years as a constituency assistant, helping constituents across party lines with compassion and dedication.
Recognition of Tony Brennan, third-generation barber
J. Dinn
The Member for St. John's Centre (with leave) recognized Tony Brennan, a third-generation barber with 40 years' experience, who continues the family tradition at Tom Brennan Barbour Shop on Alexander Street.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial statement on immigration and population growth
S. Stoodley
The Minister of Immigration reported that 2024 was a record year with nearly 6,000 new permanent residents, and the province successfully negotiated the return of 1,000 economic immigration spaces for 2025. Over 80% of Ukrainians arriving since 2022 remain in the province.
Ministerial statement on early learning and child care
K. Howell
The Minister of Education announced the extension of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement to 2031, supporting $10-a-day child care. Over 11,200 spaces now operate at $10/day, and medical benefits have been introduced for early childhood educators.
Answer to question on Emergency Health and Paramedicine Services Act
J. Haggie
The Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs responded that regulations for the Emergency Health and Paramedicine Services Act are still in negotiations; once complete, the act will be proclaimed.
Tabling of Mineral Incentive Programs evaluation
A. Parsons
The Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology tabled the Department's Mineral Incentive Programs '22-'23 and '23-'24 Junior Exploration Assistance Performance Measures Evaluation.
Petition on Amherst Cove depot filtering screen
C. Pardy
The Member for Bonavista petitioned for replacement of the broken filtering screen at the Amherst Cove depot to reduce large stones and salt on roads, which have caused numerous windshield breakages for residents and cancer patients travelling for treatment.
Petition on road conditions in Harbour Main district
H. Conway-Ottenheimer
The Member for Harbour Main petitioned for immediate repair and repaving of Routes 60 and 70, citing deplorable conditions, potholes, rutting, and safety concerns. She called for a transparent, objective evaluation process for road paving that prioritizes the worst roads.
Petition to bring back the Residential Energy Rebate
J. Dinn
The Member for St. John's Centre petitioned to restore the HST rebate on home heating (cancelled in 2015), noting that heat is a necessity and many seniors and people on fixed incomes are struggling with rising electricity costs.
Petition to reinstate freight boat service to Northern Labrador
L. Evans
The Member for Torngat Mountains petitioned to restore direct marine freight service from the Island to Northern Labrador communities, which are isolated with no road access and face exorbitant price increases for basic needs since the service was cancelled.
Question Period
Budget date and fiscal planning
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady
The Finance Minister stated that within weeks the government will be able to announce a budget date, noting that contingency funds for tariff impacts have been approved.
Physician vacancies, especially in rural areas
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Haggie
The Acting Health Minister acknowledged 145 vacancies (85% in rural areas) but noted 143 physicians have been recruited recently. He emphasized programs to help communities attract families and cited a 41.5% health budget increase over five years.
Crime and safety concerns at former Airport Inn (Horizons at 106)
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Stoodley and B. Davis
The Acting Housing Minister cautioned against linking homelessness to crime and said processes are in place with RNC. The Justice Minister clarified that additional resources are deployed based on community calls, encouraging residents to report incidents.
Closure of beds at Lions Manor Nursing Home in Placentia
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Haggie
The Acting Health Minister stated operational decisions rest with the health authority and offered to investigate the specific facility. He defended the first-available-bed policy and noted efforts to place patients appropriately, including in personal care homes.
Long-term care review and action plan for seniors
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister listed multiple investments totaling over $40 million (home support review, dementia action plan, aging with dignity plan, etc.) and stated that recommendations from reports have been accepted and implementation has begun.
Conditions in long-term care facilities and alternate level of care patients
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister cited recruitment of 1,133 new nurses and new long-term care facilities in Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor, and Gander. He emphasized the Health Accord, home-first philosophy, and aging-in-place programs as the plan to address these issues.
Approval process for firefighting equipment funding
Asked by C. Tibbs · Answered by B. Davis
The Justice Minister confirmed he approves funding in consultation with the fire commissioner and departmental staff, based on community need, mutual aid agreements, and training certifications. He noted the budget doubled but demand far exceeds available funds.
Implementation of pay equity regulations
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by P. Parsons
The Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality confirmed regulations have not yet been implemented. She stated officials in the Labour Division are working on them and emphasized other initiatives to close the gender wage gap, including $10-a-day daycare and venture capital for women.
Status of C-arm fluoroscopy unit and patient appointments
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister clarified the old C-arm is at end-of-life and will be taken out of service in two weeks, with services continuing at other facilities during a four-month supply chain delay for the replacement unit. He offered to investigate specific patient appointment issues if details are provided.
Implementation of Wells report recommendation for autonomous C-NLOPB Safety Division
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by A. Parsons
The Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology stated he has not received recent correspondence or outreach on this recommendation from industry or offshore partners, but is willing to take it under advisement.
Timeline for 45-bed renovation at old Western Memorial Regional Hospital
Asked by E. Joyce · Answered by J. Haggie
The minister confirmed the CEO's estimate of spring or summer 2025 remains on track.
Delay in road infrastructure tenders
Asked by E. Joyce · Answered by E. Loveless
The Minister of Digital Government and Service NL noted the government committed an additional $1 billion for roads and stated that tenders will be released very soon, according to communications with the current Transportation Minister.
Orders of the Day
Third reading of Bill 100 (Revenue Administration Act No. 6)
L. Dempster
The Government House Leader moved third reading of Bill 100, which was adopted without debate and passed.
Third reading of Bill 102 (Law Enforcement Oversight Commission Act)
L. Dempster
The Government House Leader moved third reading of Bill 102, which was adopted without debate and passed.
Third reading of Bill 106 (Revenue Administration Act No. 7 / gas tax)
L. Dempster
The Government House Leader moved third reading of Bill 106 (gas tax bill). After brief confusion about which bill was being debated, it passed without substantive debate.
Third reading of Bill 90 (Atlantic Accord amendments) — procedural dispute
Multiple
The Opposition requested the vote be postponed until promised legal information was provided. The Government House Leader committed to providing it that afternoon. The Speaker called the vote, which passed, but the Opposition raised a point of order about procedural irregularities. After a recess and review, the Speaker confirmed the vote had carried but allowed discussion to reopen by unanimous consent. The Government House Leader confirmed the information had been provided and the matter was resolved.
Private Members' Business
Private Member's Resolution on shingles vaccine for seniors
Multiple
The Member for Stephenville - Port au Port moved a resolution urging government to provide the shingles vaccine free of charge to all seniors 65+ and immunocompromised individuals, citing six years of recommendations from the Seniors' Advocate. Government announced that morning a program covering ages 65-70 and immunocompromised 70+, effective June 1. Opposition Members criticized the age cap as inadequate and discriminatory, arguing all seniors 65+ should be covered as in other provinces. Government Members defended the program as evidence-based (citing immunosenescence) and a significant investment in preventative health. Debate was extensive, with contributions from Members across all parties emphasizing the severity of shingles, the financial burden on low-income seniors, and the need for broader coverage.
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.