Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 12 May 2025
Question Period focused heavily on government commitments and accountability, particularly around emergency compensation for fire evacuees, the shingles vaccine for seniors, and the sugar tax. Housing and homelessness issues dominated the latter portion, with criticism of the government's approach to tent encampments and shelter spending. Health care staffing challenges in rural areas, elevator inspection backlogs, and air travel affordability in Labrador were also raised. The House of Assembly conducted concurrence debates on the Resource Committee and other standing committee reports covering departmental estimates. Members debated investments in fisheries, forestry, agriculture, tourism, immigration, mining, energy, and infrastructure. Several ministers highlighted budget priorities including health care infrastructure, road improvements, and economic development initiatives. Opposition members raised concerns about trade apprenticeships, community benefits agreements, resource revenue capture, and service delivery in rural areas.
Members' Statements
Recognition of Mike Torraville for Newfoundland culture education
P. Lane
Recognized O'Donel High School teacher Mike Torraville for providing hands-on cultural experiences including traditional Jiggs' dinners, boat building demonstrations, and museum tours to preserve Newfoundland history and culture.
Recognition of filmmaker Justin Simms
L. Stoyles
Recognized Mount Pearl North resident Justin Simms for his successful film career including features that premiered at Cannes and documentaries addressing masculinity and Newfoundland themes.
Best of Torbay Awards 2025 recipients
J. Wall
Congratulated recipients of the Best of Torbay Awards including youth achievement awards, volunteer recognition, business awards, and lifetime achievement honours for their contributions to the community.
Recognition of Trevor Mills for Lions Club leadership
P. Forsey
Recognized Trevor Mills of Botwood for his leadership in the Lions Club, receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship award and serving as district governor overseeing clubs across Western Newfoundland and Labrador.
Recognition of SpiceX Blackmarsh Superette
J. Dinn
Congratulated Mithun Mathew for opening SpiceX Blackmarsh Superette, which blends traditional Indian cuisine with local Newfoundland dishes while retaining staff and preserving the beloved local landmark.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial statement on Mark Hiscock's passing
F. Hutton
The Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation paid tribute to acclaimed musician and Shanneyganock founding member Mark Hiscock, noting his contributions to traditional Newfoundland music. The House observed a moment of silence. Opposition members J. Dwyer and J. Brown offered condolences.
Social Services Committee Estimates report
C. Tibbs
Reported that the Social Services Committee passed without amendment the Estimates for Children, Seniors and Social Development; Education; Health and Community Services; Justice and Public Safety; Municipal and Provincial Affairs; and NL Housing Corporation.
Government Services Committee Estimates report
L. Stoyles
Reported that the Government Services Committee passed without amendment the Estimates for Consolidated Fund Services; Digital Government and Service NL; Finance; Labrador Affairs; Public Procurement Agency; Public Service Commission; and Transportation and Infrastructure.
Resource Committee Estimates report
C. Pardy
Reported that the Resource Committee passed without amendment the Estimates for Environment and Climate Change; Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture; Immigration, Population Growth and Skills; Industry, Energy and Technology; and Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation.
Private Member's motion notice on Labrador air travel
J. Brown
Gave notice of a motion calling on government to work with partners to reduce costs and increase accessibility of air travel to, from, and within Labrador, recognizing the prohibitive expense and economic disadvantage faced by Labradorians.
Motion to nominate Kim Hawley George as Clerk
L. Dempster
Gave notice of a motion to nominate Kim Hawley George, KC, for immediate appointment as Clerk of the House of Assembly.
Petition on Trepassey breakwater repairs
L. O'Driscoll
Petitioned for urgent repairs to the Lower Coast breakwater in Trepassey, noting the town has heard nothing since October despite the breakwater being damaged since February of the previous year, with rocks washing over the access road during storms.
Petition on policing in Exploits District
P. Forsey
Petitioned for adequate policing funding in Central Newfoundland, noting residents feel unsafe in their homes, crime is rising, and a 2019 review recommending two additional officers was ignored.
Question Period
Emergency compensation for fire evacuees in Small Point, Adam's Cove, Blackhead, and Broad Cove
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Hogan (The Premier)
The Premier thanked first responders and stated the province will support affected residents once they assess the damage, noting the Minister of IET has visited the area.
Budget amendments to reflect new Cabinet structure
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Hogan (The Premier)
The Premier defended the Cabinet reorganization as reflecting priorities such as families, affordability, and seniors, but did not commit to budget amendments.
Shingles vaccine coverage for seniors
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady / K. Howell / J. Hogan
The Premier eventually committed that vaccines will be delivered to everyone over 50. The Health Minister indicated a phased approach starting with ages 65–70 and immunocompromised individuals, with expansion over time.
Elimination of the sugar tax
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Hogan (The Premier)
The Premier confirmed he has written to the Finance Minister requesting repeal of the sugar tax to address affordability.
Extension of Comfort Inn lease (Horizons at 106)
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister stated the program continues with no change and no negotiations underway for extension or renewal.
LPN unable to work casual but hired as travel nurse
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by K. Howell
The Health Minister requested specific details to investigate, noting efforts to reduce reliance on travel nurses while acknowledging they are sometimes necessary to maintain services.
Urgent care centre and virtual care in Lewisporte
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by K. Howell
The minister stated work continues on resourcing rural health centres and that virtual care is a viable option in some cases, with efforts ongoing to find appropriate human resources.
Exclusion of Labrador from subsidized air travel program
Asked by L. Evans · Answered by J. Hogan / L. Dempster
The Premier committed to reaching out to Labradorians about affordability and access. The Labrador Affairs Minister noted federal advocacy efforts and increased medical transportation funding, stating the new Premier will meet with stakeholders.
Creation of a disability advocate
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by J. Korab
The new minister acknowledged the 2023 Fowler review recommendation to include disabilities under the Seniors' Advocate and committed to consulting stakeholders, but provided no timeline.
Elevator inspection backlog (65% incomplete)
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by S. Stoodley
The minister clarified that inspections use a risk-based approach prioritizing high-risk elevators and that a system is being developed to allow private contractors to conduct routine inspections.
Trepassey breakwater project timeline
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by E. Loveless
The minister indicated the approximately $900,000 project will be awarded very soon.
Reversal of separate Housing Department status
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister insisted housing and homelessness remain priorities and that government will continue investing in housing and supportive housing programs.
Criminalization of homelessness and lack of housing plan
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Abbott
The minister defended last year's tent encampment actions, stating tent encampments are not a solution and that government is investing in housing and supportive housing, reducing wait-lists.
Orders of the Day
Procedural motions on sitting hours
L. Dempster
Government House Leader moved and the House adopted motions to extend sitting hours beyond normal adjournment times on May 12, 13, 14, and 15, 2025.
Concurrence debate on Resource Committee - fisheries and Crown lands reform
G. Byrne
Minister of Jobs, Immigration and Growth highlighted Crown lands reform (first major changes in 50 years), agriculture initiatives including transplant production at Wooddale, forestry diversification, and fishery improvements including the 10-point plan, new pathways for harvester processing licences, and support for value-added processors.
Concurrence debate - tourism sector opportunities
J. Dwyer
Shadow minister for Tourism argued the sector can grow from $1.2 billion to $3 billion through better marketing, networking, and infrastructure. Emphasized the need for improved Marine Atlantic capacity, affordable air travel, better Wi-Fi and cell service, and leveraging volunteers and local ambassadors.
Concurrence debate - transportation and health infrastructure
E. Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure discussed virtual care and travelling nurses as necessary supports, shingles vaccine expansion, aquaculture's importance in Fortune Bay, and budget investments including $23 million for Kenmount Crossing hospital planning, $316.8 million for roads, and various health and education facility projects.
Concurrence debate - forestry, immigration, and fishery concentration
C. Pardy
Raised concerns about lack of forest management plan, need to reopen Bonavista immigration office, and presented DFO data showing concentration of fishing licences (626 snow crab licences in 3K in 2016 down to 523 in 2024). Called for government action on controlling agreements and better data collection.
Concurrence debate - Industry, Energy and Technology priorities
S. Crocker
New Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology thanked first responders for Adam's Cove wildfire response, reflected on four years at Tourism, and outlined opportunities in Bay du Nord, hydrogen, wind, mining, critical minerals, and Churchill Falls agreement ($225 billion over lifespan).
Concurrence debate - trades training and resource revenue capture
L. Parrott
Criticized failures in trades education delivery (entire classes failing exams, lack of course availability), inadequate enforcement of community benefits agreements, and revenue losses from Quebec-registered vehicles and Quebec-sourced supplies at Labrador mines. Called for repeater stations on wind towers for communications and immediate access to Churchill Falls power.
Concurrence debate - Government Modernization and Service Delivery
S. Stoodley
New minister reflected on work with Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing ($8 million for repairs), and Mental Health and Addictions, highlighting the stark contrast between the old Waterford Hospital and the new Mental Health and Addictions facility.
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.