Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Wednesday 11 March 2026
Question Period focused heavily on transparency and accountability issues surrounding the Premier's office staffing, with the Opposition pressing for details on a staffer's role and funding from the Medical Care Plan (MCP). The gas tax reduction bill dominated economic debate, with the Opposition proposing amendments to further reduce taxes while the government defended making the existing Liberal-era cut permanent. Energy agreements, health care capacity (particularly long-term care beds versus acute-care beds), and education system challenges also featured prominently.
Question Period
Premier's office staffer and transition team contradictions
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by Premier Wakeham
The Premier did not directly address the contradictions, instead pivoting to discuss health care challenges, specifically the need for more long-term care beds rather than acute-care beds, and commitments to improve air ambulance return transportation.
Use of MCP funds for political staff
Asked by L. Dempster · Answered by L. Evans
The Minister of Health defended the staffing decision as necessary to address problems inherited from the previous government, particularly the issue of over 300 patients occupying acute-care beds while awaiting long-term care, and stated savings were known from the arrangement.
Gas tax legislation and potential further reductions
Asked by J. Hogan and E. Loveless · Answered by C. Pardy
The Minister of Finance confirmed the bill maintains the current gas tax level (preventing an eight-cent increase scheduled for March 31) but does not reduce prices further. He declined to commit to Opposition amendments for additional cuts or discretionary authority, citing the need for careful fiscal planning given the $948-million deficit.
Bay du Nord benefits agreement transparency
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by L. Parrott
The Minister of Energy and Mines defended the agreement as superior to the 2018 deal (citing increased person-hours, operations spending, fabrication tonnage, and new funds) but stated it will be released "in due course" without committing to a timeline, while criticizing the Opposition for not releasing various documents during their tenure.
Grand Falls-Windsor family physician replacement and patient access
Asked by L. Dempster · Answered by L. Evans
The minister explained that the replacement physician has only a provisional licence requiring supervision, which cannot currently be accommodated, but committed to working with both doctors to find a solution to avoid leaving 2,000 patients without care while ensuring patient safety standards are met.
Medical transportation coverage expansion
Asked by L. Dempster · Answered by L. Evans
The minister clarified the commitment is to increase the Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MTAP) to 100% coverage for medically necessary services (currently partial coverage), with rollout planned for the next several months into summer.
Class size, composition, and school violence plan
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by P. Dinn
The Minister of Education did not commit to tabling a plan or confirm budget allocation, instead stating he is meeting with stakeholders including the NLTA and has reconvened the School Safety Coalition (which had not met in a year) with another meeting scheduled for early June.
Classroom capacity orders for fire safety
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by P. Dinn
The minister did not commit to posting capacity orders, reiterating that the government is working with the NLTA and School Safety Coalition on safety protocols and documentation, with stakeholder consultation ongoing.
Long-term care beds at old Western Memorial Regional Hospital
Asked by E. Joyce · Answered by L. Evans
The minister acknowledged the shortage of long-term care beds in Corner Brook (45-55 patients in acute-care beds) and called the suggestion to renovate the old hospital a "viable and possible solution," committing to work with Western Health to expand long-term care capacity and review the specific proposal.
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.