Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 12 March 2026
Question Period was dominated by Opposition attacks on government transparency, particularly over a Premier's-office staffer paid from the health care budget and the refusal to table the Bay du Nord/MOU agreement. The Liberals also pressed the government on child care ($10-a-day program, wages, pensions and paid sick leave), while ministers repeatedly deflected to budget confidentiality and blamed the previous Liberal administration. Third Party and other members raised health care recruitment and retention, CT scanner outages, medical travel, seniors' housing, rent controls, ankle monitoring for intimate partner violence, and an Indigenous-led care clinic. The House opened with the Speaker noting the passing of former Legislative Librarian Norma Jean Richards and welcoming a gallery guest. Members delivered statements honouring community figures, and ministers made statements including a solemn remembrance of the 17 lives lost in the Cougar Flight 491 tragedy, a $250-million Roads Plan announcement, and a $15-million investment in Venture Newfoundland and Labrador III. Petitions were presented on Indigenous health care, GPS ankle monitoring for IPV offenders, and the Aging Well at Home Grant. In Orders of the Day, Bill 5 (gas tax) passed second reading and moved to Committee where an Opposition amendment was ruled in order, and Bill 7 amending the Endangered Species Act passed second reading.
Members' Statements
Retired Major Michael James Pretty - Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
F. Hutton
The Member for Conception Bay East-Bell Island honoured Retired Major Michael Pretty of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, recognized with the Order of NL for 33 years of service, coordinating the Regiment's 2006 Beaumont-Hamel pilgrimage and founding the Trail of the Caribou Research Group.
Shorefast Institute on Fogo Island
J. McKenna
The Member for Fogo Island - Cape Freels recognized Shorefast, led by founder Zita Cobb, for its economic development work generating over $235 million in GDP between 2013 and 2024 and creating over 230 jobs on Fogo Island.
Junior A hockey players from the Yarmouth Mariners
E. Loveless
The Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune congratulated three Maritime Junior A hockey players from NL - Liam Dutcher, Keegan Warren and Ryan Loveless - graduating from the Yarmouth Mariners organization.
Smallwood Academy Ocean Ranger remembrance project
B. Ford
The Member for Gander recognized Grade 8 and 9 students of Smallwood Academy in Gambo and teacher Jo Anne Broders for an immersive Ocean Ranger commemorative project, and noted the anniversary of the Cougar Flight 491 tragedy.
Betty Neil of Spaniard's Bay
P. Parsons
The Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave honoured Betty Neil, president of the Goodwill Seniors Club, for her leadership and lifetime of volunteering with organizations such as the Beavers, Cubs, Sunday school and the local food bank.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial statement - Cougar Flight 491 remembrance
Premier Wakeham
The Premier marked the 17th anniversary of the Cougar Flight 491 tragedy, remembering the 17 lives lost and highlighting safety improvements following the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry; the Leader of the Official Opposition and Leader of the Third Party joined in remembrance.
Ministerial statement - Roads Plan 2026-27
B. Petten
The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure announced more than $250 million for highway construction in 2026-27, focusing on larger strategic projects; Opposition and Third Party responses welcomed the investment but urged merit-based, transparent decisions.
Ministerial statement - Venture Newfoundland and Labrador III investment
L. Paddock
The Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development announced a $15-million investment in Venture Newfoundland and Labrador III managed by Pelorus Venture Capital; Opposition and NDP responses commended the investment while urging investment in education and public sharing of data.
Notices of Motion - extended sitting hours
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader gave notice under Standing Order 11(1) that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, and Thursday, March 19.
Petition - First Light Indigenous Health Clinic funding
J. Hogan
The Leader of the Official Opposition presented a petition urging government to establish a funding partnership with First Light to support the Indigenous Health Clinic; the Minister of Health thanked First Light and committed to supporting solutions for Indigenous health care.
Petition - GPS ankle bracelet monitoring for IPV offenders
S. O'Leary
The Member for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi tabled a petition with almost 1,500 names calling for an active GPS ankle bracelet monitoring program for accused violent or repeat IPV offenders on bail; the Minister of Justice said government is assessing feasibility of pre-conviction electronic monitoring.
Petition - Aging Well at Home Grant
L. Dempster
The Member for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair presented a petition urging government to double the Aging Well at Home Grant; the Minister of Finance highlighted the program was honoured, rolled out faster and noted a 20 per cent bump to the Seniors' Benefit.
Question Period
Staffer in Premier's office paid from health care funds
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by Premier Wakeham
The Premier refused to give a specific date, defended taking advice from front-line health professionals, said the relevant advice was followed, and challenged Hogan to table any documents. He pivoted to health care commitments rather than answering the transparency question.
Release of the Bay du Nord / Churchill Falls MOU agreement
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by L. Parrott
The Minister of Energy declined to table the agreement, distinguished between a benefits agreement and an MOU, and accused the previous Liberal government of never publishing a benefits agreement in 10 years. The Premier added that an independent review of the MOU, committed to during the campaign, will report in April.
$10-a-day child care program and educator wages
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by P. Dinn
The minister called the inherited child care agreement a 'mess', said the province was left a five-year extension with no additional money, and committed to writing federal counterparts and meeting in Ottawa to fix it, but made no firm commitment to update the policy urgently or guarantee new spaces.
100 per cent enrolment provision in child care contracts
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by P. Dinn
The minister said the enrolment (not attendance) provision is needed to fill spaces, that the policy has not been changed and is out for stakeholder consultation, and will transition over the year based on feedback.
Pension funding for early childhood educators in the budget
Asked by S. Stoodley · Answered by C. Pardy
The Finance Minister declined to confirm budget details, stating the budget comes in spring and the government is not at liberty to share its contents, but said all platform pillars will be addressed.
Paid sick leave for early childhood educators
Asked by P. Pike · Answered by P. Dinn
The minister pointed to the Blue Book commitment to promote access to pension plans and paid sick leave over four years, but gave no specific timeline for delivery.
Reduction of the gas tax
Asked by K. White · Answered by Premier Wakeham
The Premier committed to making the existing gas tax reduction permanent, pledging $67 million in this year's budget, and blamed the previous government for not funding it.
24-hour emergency service at Whitbourne ER
Asked by S. Gambin-Walsh · Answered by L. Evans
The Minister of Health confirmed the Blue Book commitment to restore 24-hour emergency service at Whitbourne, said the department is working with NL Health Services to avoid impacting recruitment and physicians, and pledged to live up to the commitment without a firm date.
Affordable and independent housing for seniors
Asked by L. Stoyles · Answered by J. Wall
The Minister of Housing cited a groundbreaking in the government's first month and stressed the priority of seniors' housing across the province, but did not provide unit numbers, timelines, or confirm funding, citing budget confidentiality.
CT scanner outage at Health Sciences Centre and medical travel funding
Asked by L. Dempster · Answered by L. Evans
The minister confirmed CT scanner problems, said a mobile unit will be operational around March 30, and blamed the previous government for equipment disrepair. On medical travel, she did not confirm the $4.6 million cost figure but reaffirmed the promise to increase MTAP to 100 per cent coverage for medically essential travel.
Recruitment and retention of health care workers for expanded bed capacity
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by L. Evans
The minister said the government will plan efficiently, increase capacity, and work with NL Health Services on recruitment and retention, blaming years of neglect; she cited an example of an occupational therapist denied leave but gave no specific plan, and did not directly confirm working with unions on collective agreements.
Ankle monitoring for those on bail for intimate partner violence
Asked by S. O'Leary · Answered by H. Conway Ottenheimer
The Justice Minister emphasized the seriousness of intimate partner violence and listed stakeholder meetings, but said the government will look at the feasibility of ankle monitoring without providing an implementation date.
Rent controls to prevent unfair rent hikes
Asked by S. O'Leary · Answered by M. Goosney
The Minister of Government Services said he has met with stakeholders and is committed to improving residents' lives, but cited the province's billion-dollar deficit as a constraint and made no commitment to implement rent controls.
First Light Indigenous-led collaborative care clinic in St. John's
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by L. Evans
The minister said the government met with First Light, is reviewing the proposal, and supports improving access to care for urban Indigenous people, committing to work with First Light and Indigenous leaders, but did not confirm specific budget funding.
Orders of the Day
Bill 5 - An Act to Amend the Revenue Administration Act No. 2 (gas tax)
C. Pardy
The Minister of Finance closed second reading debate on Bill 5, which prevents an 8.05 cent per litre fuel tax increase, noting the reduction would be made permanent with $67 million in the budget; the bill passed second reading and was referred to Committee of the Whole.
Bill 5 - Committee of the Whole and proposed amendment
S. Stoodley
In Committee, the Member for Mount Scio detailed gas pricing components and moved an amendment to further reduce gas taxes (e.g., 3 cents off regular gasoline), estimated at $30 million and offset by higher oil royalties; the amendment was ruled in order and the Premier spoke on budgeting and poverty reduction before Committee rose and reported progress.
Bill 7 - An Act to Amend the Endangered Species Act
P. Forsey
The Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands introduced Bill 7 to modernize the 25-year-old act, increasing fines and penalties, updating language, and improving enforcement including telewarrants; members from all parties spoke in support, discussing conservation, hunting traditions, the George River caribou herd, piping plover, tourism, and protected areas, and the bill passed second reading and was referred to Committee for tomorrow.
Adjournment
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader moved adjournment; the House adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, at 1:30 p.m.
Other business
Passing of former Legislative Librarian Norma Jean Richards
Speaker (Lane)
The Speaker informed Members of the passing of Norma Jean Richards, Legislative Librarian from 1967 to 1997, and welcomed gallery guest Betty Neil and her husband Herman.
Reminder on naming Members
Speaker (Lane)
The Speaker reminded Members not to refer to one another by their actual surnames, noting the Premier had been referenced by surname during Question Period.
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.