Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 4 March 2026
Question Period focused almost exclusively on the Bay du Nord offshore oil project benefits agreement announced the previous evening. The Opposition challenged the government for failing to secure guaranteed topside construction work in Newfoundland and Labrador, arguing the deal fell short of campaign promises. The government defended the agreement as creating a new industry via a floating dry dock, life-of-field subsea work, and apprenticeship opportunities, emphasizing support from Trades NL and federal partners. Tensions ran high, with exchanges on transparency, independent review, and cost commitments. The House appointed a new Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chair of Committees, confirmed Alex Brennan as Sergeant-at-Arms following a merit-based recruitment process, and continued Address in Reply with maiden speeches from Members for Lewisporte - Twillingate, Corner Brook, and St. George's - Humber. The government introduced Bill 5 to permanently reduce the provincial gas tax, which received support from all parties, though Opposition and Third Party raised questions about broader affordability measures and the need for transparency on other initiatives like the Bay du Nord agreement.
Members' Statements
Corner Brook Winter Carnival
J. Parsons
The Member celebrated the Corner Brook Winter Carnival's five-decade tradition of bringing the community together in winter, praising the volunteers, businesses, and sponsors who make it a success and create lasting memories for families.
Calvin Francis - Salmon Conservation
J. McKenna
The Member recognized Chief Calvin Francis of the Gander Bay Indian Band Council for over 40 years of leadership in salmon conservation, including founding the first River Watch Program in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1982 to protect Atlantic salmon from poaching.
Marie Bungay - Youth Network Service
E. Loveless
The Member thanked Marie Bungay for 20 years as executive director of the Harbour Breton Community Youth Network, highlighting her role in creating community partnerships, employment services, and the Building Blocks Quality Child Care Centre, and wished her well in retirement.
The Gushue Girls - Curling Fans
B. Ford
The Member recognized six women from Gander known as the Gushue Girls, who have attended Brier curling championships since 2016 wearing team-themed shirts and waving Newfoundland and Labrador flags, serving as phenomenal ambassadors for the province and the sport.
Volunteer Firefighters - North Shore Wildfires
P. Parsons
The Member recognized volunteer firefighters from Bay Roberts, Spaniards Bay/Tilton, Upper Island Cove, and Harbour Grace, along with Avalon North Wolverines Search and Rescue, for their courage and dedication during devastating wildfires in Conception Bay North, working around the clock to protect lives and property.
Routine Proceedings
Premier's Statement on Bay du Nord Agreement
Premier Wakeham
The Premier announced agreements with Equinor and BP on life-of-field benefits, royalties, and an equity option for Bay du Nord, expected to provide up to $6.4 billion in direct revenue in the first phase and generate 31 million person-hours of work over 25 years. The agreement includes $200 million in fabrication funding and targets for apprentice employment, with a minimum 95 per cent of subsea components fabricated in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Response to Bay du Nord Statement
Multiple
The Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island expressed concern that the government walked back promises on topside work and did not bring the deal to the House for debate as the Premier previously demanded. The Leader of the Third Party noted the NDP was not briefed on the announcement and raised concerns about public dollars, environmental impacts, and the need for transparency.
Tabling of Climate Action Plan Response
C. Tibbs
The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs tabled a February 25 response to the Leader of the Third Party regarding a climate action plan, clarifying that a response had been sent contrary to what was stated in Question Period the previous day.
Petition - Remove PST from Electricity Bills
M. King
The Member for Burgeo - La Poile presented a petition calling on the government to remove provincial sales tax from residential electricity bills, citing rising costs and stories of bills doubling or tripling for constituents, and arguing electricity should be recognized as an essential service.
Petition - Charlottetown Diesel Plant Replacement
L. Dempster
The Member for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair presented a petition urging government intervention to replace Charlottetown's diesel generating station, destroyed by fire in 2019. She described a standoff between Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro's regional facility proposal and the Public Utilities Board's rejection on cost grounds, and called for government action to resolve the impasse, noting the community has been running on temporary mobile units for six years.
Question Period
Bay du Nord topsides construction guarantees
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by Premier Wakeham / L. Parrott
The Premier stated the deal creates a new industry and jobs for years, not just short-term work. The Minister of Energy emphasized the deal includes apprenticeships, equity, higher royalties, and more fabrication than topsides alone, plus life-of-field subsea work. He argued local companies have the opportunity to bid on topside work but did not guarantee any percentage would be built locally.
Federal government guarantees for dry dock work (Navy/Coast Guard)
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by L. Parrott
The minister did not provide a federal guarantee, describing the dry dock as an 'opportunity' for future work rather than confirmed contracts.
Equinor contribution and cost escalation for the dry dock
Asked by J. Hogan / S. Stoodley · Answered by L. Parrott
The minister confirmed Equinor committed $200 million and the province has budgeted funds this year. He stated a pre-FEED process will determine final costs but did not specify protections against cost overruns or whether the federal government was asked to close the estimated $150-million gap.
Debate and independent review of the Bay du Nord agreement
Asked by S. Stoodley / P. Parsons / J. Dinn · Answered by L. Parrott / Premier Wakeham
The minister refused to commit to an emergency debate or independent expert review, stating the public elected the government to do the work and that stakeholders already support the deal. He contrasted this with the previous government's MOU advertising campaign. The Premier emphasized the deal's focus on workers and job creation.
Comparison of Bay du Nord work hours to Hebron project
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by L. Parrott
The minister dismissed the comparison, noting Hebron (a GBS) and Bay du Nord (an FPSO) are different project types ('apples to oranges') and suggested the Opposition do more homework.
Expression of interest for topside work and final investment decision timeline
Asked by B. Davis / J. Dinn · Answered by L. Parrott / Premier Wakeham
The minister confirmed Newfoundland companies have expressed interest in topside work and stated portions or possibly all of it could be built locally, but offered no guarantees. The Premier acknowledged Equinor's final investment decision is expected in 2027 but defended the announcement as focused on maximizing local work and creating a new industry with full support from Trades NL.
Public money and corporate subsidies for Bay du Nord
Asked by S. O'LEARY · Answered by C. Pardy
The Minister of Finance did not specify the amount of public funds committed but highlighted the project's projected $6.4 billion in revenues, arguing this will improve affordability for residents.
Nurse practitioner billing to MCP and support for office costs
Asked by E. Joyce · Answered by L. Evans
The Minister of Health confirmed the government is committed to a pilot project allowing nurse practitioners to bill MCP for medically necessary care at no cost to patients, expanded to include episodic care. She stated the pilot is funded for one year with a commitment to extend it and invited nurse practitioners to engage with the department on cost supports for offices and supplies.
Orders of the Day
Address in Reply - Maiden Speech by Member for Lewisporte - Twillingate
M. Butt
The Member recounted his journey from automotive technician to MHA, acknowledging his family's support and his battle with cancer. He described Lewisporte - Twillingate as a tourism treasure and pledged to advocate for fishing industry workers, health care access, and all residents regardless of political affiliation.
Address in Reply - Maiden Speech by Member for Corner Brook
J. Parsons
The Member reflected on his privileged upbringing in Corner Brook, his eight years as mayor, and his commitment to constituent service. He invoked Edmund Burke's philosophy that representatives owe constituents their judgment, not just their obedience, and pledged to work collaboratively across party lines for the province's benefit.
Address in Reply - Maiden Speech by Member for St. George's - Humber
H. Cormier
The Member introduced himself in Mi'kmaq, acknowledged his Indigenous ancestry through his grandmother Mary Elizabeth Prosper, and described his 35-year career at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper and service as a Pasadena town councillor. He emphasized that his grandmother's voice, once silenced, is now heard through him in the House, and pledged to serve all constituents with fairness and respect.
Address in Reply - Member for Humber - Bay of Islands on PET scanner and radiation unit
E. Joyce
The Member defended the current Minister of Health's honesty about the PET scanner timeline for Corner Brook, criticized previous false statements about the project, and recounted his decade-long advocacy for the radiation unit and PET scanner. He thanked former Premiers Tom Marshall and Dwight Ball for their support and urged the government to address the hospital's acute care bed shortage caused by long-term care patients occupying those beds.
Motion to adjourn Address in Reply
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader moved to adjourn debate on Address in Reply. The motion was carried.
Second reading of Bill 5 - Revenue Administration Act amendment
C. Pardy
The Minister of Finance introduced Bill 5 to permanently reduce the provincial gas tax, preventing it from reverting to 14.5 cents per litre for gasoline and 16.5 cents for diesel on April 1, 2026. He emphasized the government's commitment to affordability, lower taxes, and better health care, and noted the tax rate of 7.5 cents per litre is the lowest in Canada. He also discussed the need to increase provincial productivity and revenue through resource development.
Response to Bill 5 by Member for Mount Scio
S. Stoodley
The Member supported the bill, noting the gas tax has been 7.5 cents per litre since June 2022 under the previous Liberal government, which did not make it permanent due to concerns about the federal carbon tax backstop. She clarified the bill maintains the status quo rather than reducing prices, and urged the government to expedite Churchill Falls negotiations to secure additional revenue for the province.
Response to Bill 5 by Leader of the Third Party
J. Dinn
The Leader acknowledged the tax break but argued the province faces an affordability crisis, not just a productivity crisis. He noted that despite high GDP from oil, wages remain below the national average, and food prices remain high despite removal of carbon and gas taxes. He called for measures beyond tax cuts, including livable minimum wage, guaranteed basic income, rent and vacancy control, and expanded public transit to address affordability for those who don't drive or are on fixed incomes.
Motion to adjourn debate on Bill 5
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader moved to adjourn debate on Bill 5. The motion was carried.
Motion to recess
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader moved that the House recess until 2 p.m. The motion was carried.
Other business
Appointment of Deputy Speaker
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader moved that the Member for Placentia West - Bellevue be appointed Deputy Speaker, describing it as a formality to keep the House in order. The motion was carried.
Appointment of Deputy Chair of Committees
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader moved that the Member for Labrador West be appointed Deputy Chair of Committees. The Member for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair congratulated both appointees, noting the importance of these roles. The motion was carried.
Appointment of Sergeant-at-Arms
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader moved that Alex Brennan be appointed Sergeant-at-Arms following the retirement of Robert Escott. Brennan, a retired RNC inspector and Canadian Armed Forces colonel with 30 years of combined service, was selected through a publicly advertised merit-based process. The House Leader praised Brennan's credentials and thanked outgoing Sergeant-at-Arms Escott for his service.
Comments on Sergeant-at-Arms appointment
Multiple
The Member for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair outlined the Sergeant-at-Arms' responsibilities (security, ceremonial duties, maintaining order) and welcomed Brennan. The Leader of the Third Party praised Brennan's qualifications but raised concerns about the appointment process, noting the outgoing Sergeant-at-Arms sat on the interview committee, which he felt compromised the appearance of independence.
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.