Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 2 March 2026
The House of Assembly opened the First Session of the Fifty-First General Assembly with the Lieutenant Governor delivering the Speech from the Throne. The government introduced Bill 1 (An Act Respecting the Disability Advocate) for first reading and established a Select Committee to draft an Address in Reply to the Throne Speech. Leaders from all parties responded to the Throne Speech, outlining their priorities and positions on the government's agenda, with particular focus on affordability, health care, and the Churchill Falls MOU.
Routine Proceedings
Notices of Motion - Government bills and appointments
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader gave notice of seven bills to be introduced tomorrow (Bills 2-8), including An Act Respecting the Seniors' Advocate, interim supply, revenue administration amendments, pensions benefits amendments, and wildlife legislation. He also gave notice of motions to appoint the Deputy Speaker, Deputy Chair of Committees, a Committee to recommend Standing Committee members, and to appoint Alex Brennan as Sergeant-at-Arms.
Notice of Private Member's Motion - New provincial hospital
L. Dempster
The Opposition House Leader gave notice of a private Member's motion urging the government to commit to a new and modern provincial hospital, citing concerns about St. Clare's Mercy Hospital's deteriorating condition and the cancellation of planned hospital development. The motion will be debated on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Adjournment
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader moved adjournment until Tuesday, March 3, at 1:30 p.m. The motion was adopted and the House adjourned.
Other business
Opening ceremonies and Speech from the Throne
Lieutenant Governor Joan Marie Aylward
The Lieutenant Governor delivered the Speech from the Throne, acknowledging recent wildfires and flooding, articulating a mandate 'For All of Us,' and outlining the government's priorities including better health care, lower taxes, safer communities, economic development, and resource management. The speech emphasized transparency, accountability, regional equity, and putting Newfoundlanders and Labradorians first in resource development.
Introduction of Bill 1 - An Act Respecting the Disability Advocate
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 1, An Act Respecting the Disability Advocate, which received first reading and was ordered for second reading tomorrow.
Motion to establish Select Committee for Address in Reply
R. Balsom
The Member for Carbonear - Trinity - Bay de Verde moved, seconded by the Member for St. George's - Humber, to establish a Select Committee to draft an Address in Reply to the Throne Speech. The motion was adopted.
Address in Reply - Government perspective
R. Balsom
The Member for Carbonear - Trinity - Bay de Verde spoke in support of the Throne Speech, emphasizing the government's commitment to change, support for Conception Bay North wildfire recovery, cellular coverage improvements, resource development including Bay du Nord, and delivering on priorities of better health care, lower taxes, and safer communities.
Address in Reply - Government perspective (seconder)
H. Cormier
The Member for St. George's - Humber seconded the motion, highlighting the government's focus on affordability, health care access, rural development, agricultural strategy, emergency preparedness, support for first responders, and working with municipalities to strengthen communities.
Address in Reply - Official Opposition response
J. Hogan
The Leader of the Official Opposition congratulated the new government but questioned whether the Throne Speech meets the urgency of the moment. He emphasized the need for revenue to fund promises, expressed support for finalizing a Churchill Falls deal with Hydro-Québec, committed to holding government accountable while supporting measures that strengthen the economy, and defended the Liberal government's record on Bay du Nord and health care initiatives.
Address in Reply - Third Party response
J. Dinn
The Leader of the Third Party criticized the Throne Speech for lacking concrete plans and costed commitments. He emphasized affordability challenges facing residents, advocated for guaranteed basic income, a livable minimum wage, stronger rent controls, signing onto national pharmacare, addressing climate change, and demanded transparency on the Churchill Falls MOU including a plan to get power to Labrador.
Address in Reply - Premier's closing remarks
Premier Wakeham
The Premier thanked the Lieutenant Governor and welcomed all Members. He explained the 'For All of Us' mandate, defended the government's focus on lower taxes (repealing sugar tax, reducing gas tax, increasing basic personal exemption), better health care (recruiting professionals, ending agency nursing, covering medical travel), and safer communities (24-hour snow clearing, more police). He acknowledged the $1 billion deficit, committed to economic growth through resource development, and promised to help families before balancing the budget.
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.