Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 15 May 2025
Question Period focused heavily on the Seniors' Advocate's new report criticizing the government's seven-year delay in addressing systemic issues in long-term care and personal care homes. The Opposition pressed for timelines on implementing 11 recommendations—including new legislation, increased comfort allowances, and public compliance reporting—but received few firm commitments. Additional topics included the lack of a disability advocate, enforcement gaps in residential tenancies, unfilled medical clinic promises, and labour issues such as card-check certification and pay equity. The House of Assembly conducted routine business including Members' Statements honoring community figures and initiatives, a Ministerial Statement marking the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in the province, and several petitions on infrastructure and health care issues. The main substantive business was the passage of Motion 3 nominating Kim Hawley George, KC as permanent Clerk of the House of Assembly, and the Committee of the Whole debate and passage of the Loan Act, 2025 (Bill 110), authorizing the province to borrow up to $4.1 billion for fiscal year 2025-26.
Members' Statements
Tribute to Rod 'Blackie' Bennett
C. Tibbs
The Member honored Rod Bennett, Director of Operations for Qalipu First Nation, recognizing his lifetime of community service including military service, baseball, fire department, and council work, and wished him support in his battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Recognition of Robert and Bev Forsey's work honoring Thomas Nangle
P. Trimper
The Member recognized Robert and Bev Forsey of Happy Valley-Goose Bay for traveling to Zimbabwe to locate and restore the grave of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Nangle, chaplain to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and architect of the Trail of the Caribou monuments.
Northern Outdoor Adventures YouTube series
J. Brown
The Member thanked Jason Linstead for his YouTube series showcasing Labrador's wilderness, hunting, fishing, and outdoor culture, promoting the natural wonders of Labrador West.
Vida Nova Recovery initiative
H. Conway Ottenheimer
The Member congratulated Mark Lane and co-founders on developing a world-class addiction treatment and recovery facility in Holyrood, featuring 16 treatment rooms and 10 sober-living cottages to address the province's addiction crisis.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial Statement on 100th anniversary of women's suffrage
S. Gambin-Walsh
The Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality commemorated April 3, 1925, when women achieved the right to vote and hold public office, honoring suffrage pioneers including Armine Gosling, Fannie McNeil, and others, and encouraging participation in anniversary events.
Response to suffrage anniversary statement
H. Conway Ottenheimer
The Opposition Member acknowledged the milestone but criticized delays in implementing pay equity regulations, calling for urgent action on gender equity issues.
Response to suffrage anniversary statement
J. Brown
The NDP Member emphasized the importance of voting rights and encouraged women and gender-diverse people to seek public office and exercise their democratic rights.
Tabling of House of Assembly Management Commission Annual Report
The Speaker
The Speaker tabled the Management Commission's Annual Report for fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, covering the period April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
Petition on rural road repairs
J. Dwyer
The Member presented a petition urging government to create a plan for provincial roads addressing rural road repairs, highlighting deplorable conditions in Chance Cove and safety concerns on the Doe Hills bypass.
Petition on nursing student compensation
J. Brown
The Member presented a petition calling for fair compensation for nursing students' clinical placements exceeding 48 hours per semester and removal of placement fees, arguing this would help recruit nurses and treat students fairly.
Petition on fertility clinic
P. Dinn
The Member presented a petition urging establishment of a fertility clinic in the province providing full IVF services and interim financial assistance for out-of-province treatments, noting government promises dating back to 2016.
Petition on Long Run Road repairs
L. O'Driscoll
The Member presented a petition calling for repairs to Long Run Road in Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, emphasizing the road's importance for tourism and the upcoming Summer Games.
Petition on Northern Labrador electricity rates
L. Evans
The Member presented a petition calling for fair electricity rates for Northern Labrador residents, noting they pay 21.3 cents per kilowatt hour above 1,000 kWh—the highest in the province—which prevents adequate home heating and discriminates against seniors and those unable to haul wood.
Question Period
Delay in completing Seniors' Advocate review on long-term care
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by J. Hogan (Premier) and K. Howell (Minister of Health)
The Premier cited the creation of a dedicated Seniors minister and an at-home-first policy. The Health minister noted the pandemic occupied resources from 2019–2020 and said work is now underway to address the report's findings, though no timeline was given.
Timeline for implementation plan and new continuum-of-care legislation
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by K. Howell (Minister of Health)
The minister confirmed draft legislation and operational standards are in development but declined to commit to introducing legislation in the current session, stating it will be presented 'in very short order' when ready.
Raising and indexing the Comfort Allowance for seniors
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by S. Coady (Minister of Finance)
The minister noted the Seniors' Benefit has been indexed and increased, but the Comfort Allowance has not been raised in recent years. She committed to continue reviewing it and the threshold limits.
Capping rental rate increases in care homes at inflation
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by K. Howell (Minister of Health)
The minister said an expert panel provided advice and an action plan will be made public 'in very short order,' without specifying whether rental caps would be adopted.
Working with personal care homes on any changes
Asked by T. Wakeham · Answered by K. Howell (Minister of Health)
The minister answered simply 'Yes.'
Public posting of compliance reports for care homes
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by K. Howell (Minister of Health)
The minister reiterated that legislative measures are being developed and will be brought to the House when ready, without committing to public compliance postings.
Tabling investigations into deaths, sexual assaults, and negligence in care homes
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by K. Howell (Minister of Health) and J. Haggie (Minister of Justice)
The Health minister said she would review privacy and confidentiality requirements and was unsure if investigations were complete. The Justice minister stated protocols were followed, law enforcement was notified where appropriate, and he cannot comment on police investigations.
Accountability for management failures in care homes
Asked by B. Petten · Answered by K. Howell (Minister of Health)
The minister said the government is taking the issue seriously and will present legislation with standards for care homes and home support programs publicly when ready.
Failure to implement 2016 Auditor General recommendation on performance indicators for children in care
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by J. Korab (Minister of Families and Affordability)
The minister emphasized the department's commitment to safety and well-being of children in care, noting increased complexity of needs and specialized training for service providers, but did not address the nine-year delay.
Guarantees that children in care receive best care available
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by S. Coady (Minister of Finance)
The minister acknowledged challenges with funding high-complexity cases and said the government has been fully funding children in care, sometimes from contingency, and is monitoring the situation to ensure proper funding.
Disrespect and lack of support for foster families, including unpaid funds
Asked by C. Pardy · Answered by J. Korab (Minister of Families and Affordability)
The minister praised the province's 545 foster families and invited the MHA to send specific cases to him or the department for personal review.
Creation of a disability advocate position
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by J. Hogan (Premier) and J. Korab (Minister of Families and Affordability)
The Premier explained that a statutory office review recommended broadening the Seniors' Advocate role, but the disability community opposed this. He committed to further discussions with the community. The minister said the issue is under consideration and he has a meeting scheduled with the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities.
Multi-year operational funding for Coalition of Persons with Disabilities
Asked by H. Conway Ottenheimer · Answered by J. Korab (Minister of Families and Affordability)
The minister said the Department of Finance is reviewing grant funding processes for community organizations and that annual funding is currently provided to the Coalition through the budgetary process.
Enforcement of residential tenancies legislation passed in 2018
Asked by L. O'Driscoll · Answered by S. Stoodley (Minister of Government Modernization and Service Delivery)
The minister stated a new staff position for investigations has been created and the quasi-judicial residential tenancies team is working with the Department of Justice and Public Safety. She emphasized that ministers do not direct where charges are laid; the team and lawyers will decide.
Opening of medical clinics in La Scie and Triton
Asked by L. Paddock · Answered by K. Howell (Minister of Health)
The minister acknowledged the commitment and said the department is working to fill vacancies provincewide, developing Family Care Teams that have rostered nearly 100,000 patients. She recommended unattached patients use Patient Connect and committed to continue working to fill roles.
More policing resources for Stoneville
Asked by J. McKenna · Answered by J. Haggie (Minister of Justice and Public Safety)
The minister reported attending an RCMP recruitment fair and noted that Regina graduates a class weekly. He said 10 new recruits are expected and the government has worked with both RCMP and RNC to increase cadet and recruit numbers.
Reintroduction of card-check certification for unionization
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by P. Parsons (Minister of Rural Economic Development and Labour)
The minister noted only Quebec and BC currently have card-check and called the issue complex. She said the government will continue to monitor but emphasized the need to balance employer and labour interests, citing recent amendments to the Labour Standards Act.
Anti-scab legislation
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by P. Parsons (Minister of Rural Economic Development and Labour)
The minister repeated that anti-replacement worker legislation exists only in Quebec and BC, highlighted recent amendments to job protection leave, and committed to monitoring legislation to remain responsive and relevant.
Full implementation of pay equity legislation
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by P. Parsons (Minister of Rural Economic Development and Labour)
The minister stated she introduced the province's first pay equity legislation and that a framework for pay transparency regulations is currently being drafted. Detailed discussions with targeted employers are underway.
Establishment of an occupational health and safety clinic
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by P. Parsons (Minister of Rural Economic Development and Labour)
The minister reported that 44 of 48 recommendations have been completed, with four ongoing (one led by WorkplaceNL, three by government). She offered to table the list and invited the MHA to meet to discuss best practices.
Publishing workplace health and safety inspections online
Asked by J. Brown · Answered by P. Parsons (Minister of Rural Economic Development and Labour)
The minister affirmed the government's commitment to transparency and bringing forward the best legislation but did not commit to publishing inspections online.
Orders of the Day
Motion 3: Nomination of Kim Hawley George as Clerk of the House of Assembly
Multiple
The House debated and passed Motion 3 nominating Kim Hawley George, KC for permanent appointment as Clerk. Government and Opposition House Leaders praised her qualifications, experience, and professionalism. The Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands and Member for Humber - Bay of Islands questioned whether the recruitment process followed section 7(2) of HOAAIAA requiring consultation on an appropriate recruitment process. The Member for Lake Melville defended the process, noting the Speaker consulted as required in April 2024 and Ms. Hawley George's unique qualifications. The motion carried with one opposed.
Committee of the Whole on Loan Act, 2025 (Bill 110)
Multiple
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole to debate the resolution and Bill 110 authorizing borrowing of up to $4.1 billion for fiscal 2025-26. The Minister of Finance explained $1.8 billion is for debt maturities (including first quarter 2026-27), $1.8 billion for infrastructure and pension payments, and $300 million for NL Hydro, plus sinking fund contributions and tariff contingency. She outlined the government's strategic plan for fiscal improvement including the Future Fund ($467 million to date), deficit reduction, and economic diversification. The Opposition Finance critic questioned the sustainability of borrowing, lack of planning for cost containment and revenue acceleration, treatment of the $520 million tobacco settlement as current-year revenue when only 40% will be received in cash, and transparency issues. He argued the real deficit is $629 million when properly accounting for the settlement over 30 years. The Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands raised concerns about transparency and questioned how balanced budgets could be achieved in future years given the structural deficit. The Member for Placentia West - Bellevue called for investments in Wi-Fi/cell service and disability supports. The Member for Labrador West requested that a percentage of resource royalties be earmarked for Labrador infrastructure given the region's resource contributions. The resolution and bill passed Committee and were reported to the House.
Other business
Recognition of Victoria Compton's 108th birthday
The Speaker
The Speaker recognized Victoria Compton of Lewisporte Health Centre, who will turn 108 years old, making her the second oldest resident in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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.