Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Thursday 23 April 2026
Question Period was dominated by the Churchill Falls MOU, with the Official Opposition pressing the Premier over the April 30, 2026 expiry deadline and demanding clarity on future negotiations, while the Premier insisted he would not be rushed into any deal. Fiscal debate followed over the Future Fund and use of oil revenues amid a $22-billion provincial debt. Health care featured prominently, with questions on nurse practitioners, hospital elevators, MRI machines and Family Care Teams, and the sitting closed with housing and rent-control questions from the Third Party and independents. The sitting opened with the Speaker's welcome of Traditional Chief Mi'sel Joe, 9 Wing Gander officers, student exchange groups and family of the late Roland Butler, followed by an extensive point of privilege raised by Tourism Minister A. Barbour concerning bullying and harassment she has experienced, with responses from the Opposition House Leader, the Third Party, the Government House Leader and the Member for Virginia Waters - Pleasantville. Members' statements recognized volunteers, firefighters, a volleyball team, 9 Wing Gander and the late Roland Butler, while ministerial statements addressed housing and Indigenous economic development. The bulk of the day's business was second reading and Committee of the Whole debate on Bill 9, An Act to Amend the Future Fund Act, featuring detailed exchanges between the Minister of Finance and Opposition members over removing contribution requirements, the 10-year restriction and extraordinary circumstances provisions.
Members' Statements
Corner Brook Ambassadors
J. Parsons
The Member for Corner Brook recognized the Corner Brook Ambassadors, volunteers led by Robert Murphy who welcome cruise ship passengers, as part of National Tourism Week and National Volunteer Week.
CWT Firefighters and Firettes
J. McKenna
The Member for Fogo Island - Cape Freels recognized the Centerville-Wareham-Trinity firefighters and firettes on their 46th annual Firefighters' Ball and decades of volunteer service since amalgamation.
Bay d'Espoir Academy Senior Girls Volleyball Team
E. Loveless
The Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune congratulated the Bay d'Espoir Academy Senior Girls Varsity Volleyball Team on a championship-filled 2025-2026 season, including their first provincial title since 1992, and recognized individual award winners and coaches.
9 Wing Gander
B. Ford
The Member for Gander recognized the essential 90-year role of 9 Wing Gander in national defence, describing its squadrons, personnel and search and rescue operations, and asked members to thank them for their service.
Tribute to Roland Butler
P. Parsons
The Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave honoured the life and legacy of Roland David Butler, former MHA for Port de Grave (2001-2011), noting his public service and devotion to family.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial statement on Canadian Housing and Renewal Association congress
J. Wall
The Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being thanked the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association for holding its 58th National Congress in St. John's, noting the province was a title sponsor and that he met with Build Canada Homes CEO Ana Bailão.
Response to housing congress statement
Multiple
S. Gambin-Walsh welcomed the congress and stressed the need for government coordination and real progress on affordability, while J. Dinn thanked government and called for a detailed plan including a commitment to build social housing.
Ministerial statement on Indigenous-led economic development
L. Evans
The Minister of Labrador Affairs, and Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation celebrated Indigenous leadership, self-determination and economic innovation, citing enterprises such as Bird's Eye Inc., Air Borealis and others, and affirmed the commitment to economic reconciliation.
Responses to Indigenous economic development statement
Multiple
L. Dempster recognized Indigenous-led businesses, noted the NunatuKavut 40th anniversary launch and urged government to move beyond celebration into action on barriers, while S. O'Leary called on government to introduce legislation adopting UNDRIP.
Notice of motion — Forestry Act amendment
P. Forsey
The Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands gave notice to introduce Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Forestry Act.
Tabling of Auditor General reports
The Speaker
The Speaker tabled two performance audit reports under the Auditor General Act, 2021: one on Emergency Management and Business Continuity Plans and one on Fraud Risk Management.
Answer regarding Belanger Memorial School threat
C. Pardy
The Minister of Finance responded to the Member for Burgeo - La Poile's question about a potential threat at Belanger Memorial School, outlining the timeline of RCMP involvement and parent communication and offering a departmental meeting on communication protocols.
Petition on Route 361 road upgrades
E. Loveless
The Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune presented a petition calling on government to upgrade the deteriorated Route 361 between Head of Bay d'Espoir and St. Alban's, noting over 400 online signatures and consultations with local services.
Petition on paving Southeast Labrador branch roads
L. Dempster
The Member for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair presented a petition urging government to allocate resources to pave branch roads (Routes 513, 514, 516) in Southeast Labrador, expressing anger at the cancellation of the $3 million previously budgeted for the work.
Petition on rental increase limitations
S. O'Leary
The Member for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi tabled a petition to amend the Residential Tenancies Act to limit annual rent increases, and discussed the housing pressures facing the capital city.
Question Period
Churchill Falls MOU expiry and future of the deal
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by Premier Wakeham
The Premier refused to be bound by what he called artificial deadlines, insisting the MOU was sent for independent review and that any deal must be in the best interest of Newfoundland and Labrador. He declined to confirm negotiations with Quebec or others, stressing 'we have the power, they need the power' and would not sign a deal on expected revenues.
Future Fund and use of oil revenues to reduce debt and deficit
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by C. Pardy
The Finance Minister denied any withdrawals from the Future Fund and said money would only be added when in a surplus position, arguing the $22-billion debt must first be reduced. The Premier added the government would grow rather than cut its way to prosperity by building new industries.
Nurse practitioner pilot project and government's claims of consultation
Asked by L. Dempster · Answered by L. Evans
The Health Minister defended her statements, saying true consultation means listening and building relationships, and claimed the previous government showed a lack of engagement. She characterized the program as a federal one requiring government to win over nurse practitioners, and did not detail specific new improvements.
St. Clare's hospital elevators and renovation costs
Asked by B. Davis · Answered by B. Petten
The Minister said the elevators fall under NLHS's authority and are being reviewed and repaired despite an industry-wide shortage of elevator technicians. He said renovation and redevelopment of St. Clare's would cost far less than the up-to-$14-billion 'tower of power' hospital proposal.
MRI machine promised for the Burin Peninsula
Asked by P. Pike · Answered by L. Evans
The Health Minister said the government has a plan to deliver the promised MRIs and is committed to keeping its campaign commitments over its four-year mandate, but gave no specific timeline or staffing details.
Corner Brook Family Care Team opening
Asked by J. Parsons · Answered by L. Evans
The Minister blamed the previous government for rushed announcements without resources and refused to give an opening date, saying she cannot instantly produce doctors or nurse practitioners and that delays stem from lack of prior planning and staffing.
Increase in social spending and housing stock
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by J. Wall
The Minister declined to give figures, telling the Member to 'stay tuned' for the budget on Wednesday, and said the government is committed to building housing stock but did not commit specifically to doubling NL Housing Corporation stock.
Funding for women's shelters and support for intimate partner violence survivors
Asked by S. O'Leary · Answered by L. Evans
The Minister of Women and Gender Equality said she takes the responsibility seriously and is committed to ensuring services are available across the province for vulnerable populations, but did not confirm whether she advocated for specific increased budget funding.
Rent caps and vacancy controls to prevent homelessness
Asked by S. O'Leary · Answered by M. Goosney
The Minister of Government Services did not commit to rent caps or vacancy controls, saying he is working on solutions and invited members to visit his office, pledging to prevent homelessness under his watch.
Orders of the Day
Motion not to adjourn at 5:30 p.m.
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader moved, and the House carried, a motion under Standing Order 11(1) that the House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23.
Bill 9, An Act to Amend the Future Fund Act — second reading
C. Pardy
The Minister of Finance concluded second reading debate, arguing the government will not withdraw from or deplete the Future Fund but will only contribute in a cash surplus position, explaining sinking fund enhancements from 1.5% to 2.5% and defending against claims the fund would erode; the bill passed second reading and was referred to Committee of the Whole.
Bill 9 — Committee of the Whole debate
Multiple
In Committee, B. Davis, J. Hogan and J. Dinn questioned the Minister of Finance on removing the 10-year lock, discretionary contributions, sinking fund returns (8.6% vs Future Fund 7.08%), the definition and removal of 'extraordinary circumstances', and the ability to withdraw funds to service debt; the minister repeatedly stated no intention to withdraw and the Committee rose and reported progress.
Committee report and adjournment
Multiple
The Chair of the Committee of the Whole reported progress on Bill 9 with leave to sit again tomorrow, the report was received and adopted, and the House adjourned until Monday, April 27, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Other business
Welcome of guests to galleries
The Speaker
The Speaker welcomed Traditional Chief Mi'sel Joe and Sheila O'Neill of Miawpukek First Nation, officers from 9 Wing Gander, student exchange groups from Ottawa and Prince of Wales Collegiate, and members of the family of the late Roland Butler, former MHA for Port de Grave.
Point of privilege on bullying and harassment
A. Barbour
The Minister of Tourism rose on a point of personal privilege describing sustained personal attacks, bullying and harassment she has faced in and outside the House, particularly as a woman in public life, and stated she would not be shamed out of her voice or her seat.
Response to point of privilege (Opposition)
L. Dempster
The Opposition House Leader expressed empathy for the minister's experiences but said she was unclear what specific rules were broken, condemned social media harassment and doctored videos, and offered to convene a table to discuss the issue outside the House.
Response to point of privilege (Third Party)
S. O'Leary
The Member for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi expressed sympathy for the harassment the minister faced while stressing the importance of fulsome democratic debate on issues rather than personal attacks, and noted the extra challenges women face in politics.
Response to point of privilege (Government)
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader argued the conduct amounted to a breach of privilege or contempt, citing parliamentary authorities and the Member for Virginia Waters - Pleasantville's remarks about veterans, and asked the Speaker to find a prima facie case and order an apology.
Reply by Member for Virginia Waters - Pleasantville
B. Davis
B. Davis apologized if the minister felt hurt, said his question in the House was raised on behalf of veterans who contacted him and was never intended to malign the minister, and welcomed the Speaker's review.
Speaker's response to point of privilege
The Speaker
The Speaker expressed sympathy for the minister and stated he would review the tapes and all remarks before delivering a proper ruling at a later date rather than making a knee-jerk decision.
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.