Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Tuesday 19 May 2026
Question Period was dominated by the independent review panel's report on the Churchill River MOU, tabled today. The Opposition and Third Party pressed the Premier and Energy Minister repeatedly on why the panel's authors would not appear to answer questions, raising concerns about transparency, panel independence, and the negotiating path forward. Other topics included changes to the multi-year capital works program, the closure of Horizons at 106 homeless facility, and the proliferation of 'trap houses' in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing units. The Speaker opened with a recognition of the Moose Hide Campaign and welcomed numerous gallery guests connected to Members' statements and a ministerial statement. Members delivered statements honouring community organizations and individuals, followed by ministerial statements on World Family Doctor Day and a workplace safety award. The Premier tabled the Independent Review Committee report on the Churchill River, notice was given of a private Member's motion on restricting social media access for children under 16, and the House introduced three bills at first reading before continuing debate on the budget amendment.
Members' Statements
Rainbow Riders
S. Stoodley
The Member for Mount Scio celebrated Rainbow Riders, an organization with 23 horses and over 300 weekly volunteers that delivers therapeutic riding and mental health programs to over 200 clients weekly.
Singing Legionnaires
S. O'Leary
The Member for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi acknowledged the Singing Legionnaires, a choir formed in 1967 by veterans who volunteer at seniors' homes, schools and community events, performing wartime and older popular songs.
Tribute to Maxwell 'Max' Kirby
B. Davis
The Member for Virginia Waters - Pleasantville honoured Max Kirby, who passed away at age 103, an accomplished athlete inducted into two halls of fame and a longtime member of the Church Lads' Brigade.
Tribute to John Hutton
J. Korab
The Member for Waterford Valley noted the passing of John Hutton, a musician and co-founder of MusicNL who shaped the province's music industry for over 50 years, asking Members to rise and applaud him.
Tribute to Wilfred Hunt
J. Hogan
The Member for Windsor Lake recognized Wilf Hunt, a crossing guard in Airport Heights since 2005 who received the Canada's Favourite Crossing Guard award in 2014 and continues to serve his community at age 77.
Routine Proceedings
Ministerial statement on World Family Doctor Day
L. Evans
The Minister of Health and Community Services marked World Family Doctor Day, announcing an intention to work with the NLMA to formally recognize family medicine as a specialty and recognizing Dr. Andrew Hunt; opposition Members responded noting ongoing primary care access challenges and problems with CorCare rollout.
Ministerial statement on Safety Leader Award
M. Goosney
The Minister of Government Services congratulated David Mills, a powerline technician with Newfoundland Power, on receiving the Safety Leader Award; opposition Members joined in congratulations and called for publishing occupational health and safety inspection reports.
Tabling of Churchill River Independent Review Committee report
Premier Wakeham
The Premier tabled the report of the Independent Review Committee titled 'Creating Long-Term Value from the Churchill River for the People of Newfoundland and Labrador.'
Notice of private Member's motion on social media restrictions for children
J. Hogan
The Leader of the Official Opposition gave notice of a private Member's motion urging government to consult stakeholders and examine legislative changes to restrict social media access for children under 16 and to call on the federal government to establish national online protection standards.
Speaker's ruling on Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given
The Speaker
The Speaker ruled on the intended use of this routine proceeding following the Minister of Finance's May 7 remarks, clarifying it is meant to answer defined questions placed on the Order Paper and is not intended to be a continuation of debate.
Petition on Town of Epworth road repair
P. Pike
The Member for Burin - Grand Bank presented a petition urging government to have Transportation and Infrastructure assess and repair the deteriorated road into Epworth, citing safety, emergency access and forest fire evacuation concerns.
Petition to reopen Provincial Court in Port aux Basques
M. King
The Member for Burgeo - La Poile presented a petition urging government to reopen the Provincial Court in Port aux Basques to restore accessible justice services for the Southwest Coast, criticizing the government's lack of a plan forward.
Question Period
Montreal Canadiens and Alex Newhook
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by Premier Wakeham
The Premier enthusiastically agreed, praising Alex Newhook for scoring game-seven winning goals and noting Newfoundland and Labrador punches above its weight.
Availability of review panel authors to answer questions on the Churchill report
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by Premier Wakeham
The Premier said he asked the independent panel to present and answer questions but they declined, choosing to let the report speak for itself; he stated the panel is independent and beyond his control, and that the report is being tabled with minimal redactions.
Transparency, public confidence, and plan to develop Churchill River
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by L. Parrott
The Energy Minister thanked the panel, argued such committees do not typically testify (citing the LeBlanc inquiry), blamed the previous government's MOU for leaving $30 billion in debt, and said the independent panel is now dissolved.
Whether the Liberal MOU will form the basis of future negotiations and referendum commitment
Asked by J. Hogan · Answered by Premier Wakeham
The Premier said the MOU is not being torn up but that no deal exists yet; he committed to using the report as a framework to negotiate more power, transmission and value, but would not firmly commit to a referendum, saying a deal must be reached first.
Trustworthiness and independence of the panel members
Asked by F. Hutton · Answered by L. Parrott
The Minister defended the panel as independent, noted panelists like Mr. Wilson and Mr. Brown were acceptable to the previous government, and repeatedly challenged whether the Opposition had supported the 2 per cent escalation clause that he said would cost taxpayers $30 billion.
Plan and lost time after seven months, and what would be given up in negotiations
Asked by F. Hutton · Answered by L. Parrott
The Minister said the previous government did nothing for ten months and repeated criticism of the escalation clause. The Premier added he will not give up the future of the province, has spoken with Quebec's Premier and the Prime Minister, and is seeking more transmission, power and value.
Whether the report was shared with Hydro-Québec
Asked by F. Hutton · Answered by Premier Wakeham
The Premier confirmed the report was made public today, that he had asked the chief negotiator to reach out to Hydro-Québec's CEO, and that he shared the report with the Premier of Quebec.
Changes to the multi-year capital works program and funding shortfall
Asked by J. Parsons · Answered by B. Petten
The Minister said the change was a deliberate, sound decision, not a mistake, adding transparency and rules to what he called a former 'slush fund'; he committed to earlier tendering and said $40 million remains unspent and available to municipalities to use by 2027.
Closure of Horizons at 106 and transition plan for residents
Asked by S. Gambin-Walsh · Answered by J. Wall
The Minister said funding runs until December 31 and that End Homelessness St. John's was aware and had submitted a proposal; he committed that no one at 106 Airport Road would be left behind and would receive wraparound supports after December 31, 2026.
Trap houses in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing units
Asked by S. Gambin-Walsh · Answered by J. Wall
The Minister said the government is working with the Housing Corporation and the RNC to close trap houses, acknowledging it is a difficult process, and committed to improving public safety while noting he had received no correspondence from the Member on the issue.
Transparency and independence of the review committee compared to previous process
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by Premier Wakeham
The Premier said a signed MOU had previously been brought forward while now a fully public report exists, and that he would answer questions about the report; the Energy Minister added that panel independence means correspondence is never disclosed and the MOU remains the framework going forward.
Timeline for recommendations before negotiations and likelihood of transmission access
Asked by J. Dinn · Answered by Premier Wakeham
The Premier said the process of developing a negotiation strategy and required committees began after receiving the report on April 30 and that economic opportunities are being examined; he blamed the 1969 agreement for the lack of transmission access and pledged to secure the transmission, power and value the province deserves.
Orders of the Day
Bill 16 - An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act 2000, first reading
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act 2000, which was read a first time and ordered read a second time tomorrow.
Bill 17 - An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act 2000 No. 2, first reading
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act 2000 No. 2, which was read a first time and ordered read a second time tomorrow.
Bill 18 - An Act to Remove Anomalies and Errors in Statute Law, first reading
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader introduced Bill 18, An Act to Remove Anomalies and Errors in Statute Law, which was read a first time and ordered read a second time tomorrow.
Budget debate (Motion 1) - amendment
L. Dempster
The Member for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair continued debate on the budget amendment, criticizing the tabled Churchill River report and lack of panel transparency, and raising Labrador concerns including air access, medical transportation, energy capacity, road infrastructure, cancelled projects, health care wait times and mental health services.
Budget debate - restorative justice and affordability
S. O'Leary
The Member for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi spoke to the budget amendment, calling it a missed opportunity on affordability and advocating for restorative justice models, GPS ankle monitoring for intimate partner violence, and preventive investments in mental health, addictions and housing, while highlighting a recent restorative justice panel and the Human Rights Commission's Community Justice Connect program.
Budget debate - roads, fire services and Churchill report
P. Parsons
The Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave spoke to the budget amendment, congratulating NHL players from the province, criticizing the $66 million cut to the roads budget, advocating for firefighter supports and wildfire prevention, and expressing disappointment that the review panellists will not be available to the public.
Budget debate - fire and emergency services investments
P. Forsey
The Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands defended the budget's fire and emergency services investments, highlighting the returned fifth water bomber, over $10 million in funding including firebreaks under the Community Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Program, and 50 new wildland firefighters, while contrasting past equipment allocations between Liberal and PC districts.
Budget debate - Atlantic Wildfire Centre and 9 Wing Gander
B. Ford
The Member for Gander spoke to the budget, welcoming the Atlantic Wildfire Centre investment and placement of new wildland firefighters in Gander, expressing disappointment at the lack of reference to 9 Wing Gander and at being refused a list of student grant recipients, and criticizing the lack of transparency in the MOU review process.
Adjournment of debate and House
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader moved to adjourn the debate and then the House, with Members reminded the Resource Committee would meet at 6 p.m. to consider the Estimates of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation; the House adjourned until Wednesday, May 20 at 10 a.m.
Other business
Moose Hide Campaign recognition
The Speaker
The Speaker described the Moose Hide Campaign against gender-based and domestic violence, noting the Legislature could not commemorate it on the national day (May 14) due to the constituency break and would mark it in the fall 2026 sitting.
Welcome of gallery guests
The Speaker
The Speaker acknowledged the passing of music icon John Hutton, welcoming his wife and bandmates, and welcomed guests from Rainbow Riders, Wilfred Hunt, the Singing Legionnaires, and two visitors from the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Family Physicians.
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.