The House met at 1:30 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Fitzgerald): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

The hon. the Premier.

Does the hon. Premier have leave?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Premier, by leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: By leave, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: By leave, the hon. the Premier.

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to inform my hon. colleagues, and the people of the Province, of a very important piece of legislation our government will introduce today in this Legislature. This piece of legislation is simply about trees and water, the most basic of all of our natural resources - natural resources that rightfully belong to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Indeed, Mr. Speaker, our Province is home to an abundance of natural resources, some of which have not been properly managed or protected in the past; however, this government stands for something different. We stand for the protection, the preservation and fair and proper development of all of our natural resources. This certainly includes those related to the forestry industry.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that the pulp and paper industry has faced tremendous challenges in the past few years. The people of Stephenville felt this first-hand when AbitibiBowater closed their mill a couple of years ago. I am proud to say that the people of that region were resilient, strong in the face of adversity, survived, and have thrived. Today, our people in Grand Falls-Windsor and surrounding region are facing the same fate. AbitibiBowater has announced that, after a century of operations, they will be closing their doors on March 28, 2009.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote from a letter dated March 24, 1903, from Mayson Beeton, President of the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company Limited - the predecessor to Abitibi - to the Right Honourable Sir Robert Bond. He said, "I have come to this colony for the purpose of ascertaining whether there are available any timber lands and water powers suitable for the creation of pulp, paper and lumber mills of the capacity we want for the supply requirements at home."

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, Section 3 of the 1905 Charter Lease states, "The Lessee shall be entitled (so far as the government can, consistently with any grants heretofore made and actually subsisting grant the same) to have, use and enjoy for its milling and logging businesses all streams, lakes, watercourses, springs or water in, upon, under, or intersecting the demised premises, and all water power or powers in and upon Exploits River down to and excluding Bishops Falls, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, the entire water power of Grand Falls on said Exploits River…."

These statements, Mr. Speaker, lay out the clear indication of the purpose and being of this company in our Province. This company has been granted some very generous terms in the past, in order to ensure they continue operations in the Province. Now, through their decision to close their operations, they have effectively told the Province that they are no longer willing to stand by their historic commitments.

Abitibi has reneged on the bargain struck between it and the Province over the industrial development of the Province's timber and water resources for the benefit of the residents of the Province.

Mr. Speaker, having said that, we cannot as a government allow a company that no longer operates in this Province to maintain ownership of our resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: We will not give away our valuable timber and water resources to a company that does not honour its historic commitments on industrial development of our timber resources.

For 100 years, Abitibi and its predecessors have enjoyed the privilege of Newfoundland and Labrador's natural resources. It simply makes sense that if Abitibi are not going to continue the operation of a pulp and paper mill, and renege on their commitment to our Province, they will no longer have access to our natural resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: We will, therefore, today introduce a bill to ensure that these valuable natural resources are returned to their rightful owners, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

There are numerous charters and licensing agreements which allow Abitibi to operate in this Province, and those relevant to the natural resources of Newfoundland and Labrador will be repatriated to the Province.

The provincial government will also be taking control of the power plants of Abitibi, as without these power plants the hydro power would be wasted. Nalcor Energy will now manage this asset.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Through the legislation, Abitibi may be compensated for any power related infrastructure assets which the provincial government takes control of.

It is not our intention to adversely affect the business interests of lenders or independent business partners of Abitibi in Newfoundland and Labrador and we will be discussing this matter with lenders and partners in the days ahead.

While the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will now own and control these assets, we will allow Abitibi full use of them until March 31, 2009 so that the mill can remain in operation as indicated by the company.

Once Abitibi ceases operations in Grand Falls–Windsor our government task force, which is already fully operational, will continue to work for the best interests of the people of the region.

I have, and we have, complete confidence in the resilient people of Grand Falls–Windsor and the surrounding area.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: And we have complete confidence in the viability of the communities, and our government is committed to stand by them through this transitional period.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition, by leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: By leave.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I certainly thank the Premier for a copy of his statement today and the opportunity to be briefed by him prior to coming to the House of Assembly; although it was limited time, and I am sure he understands that we are just getting a copy of the legislation itself, so we will need to have some time this afternoon to explore the more technical clauses of the bill. I guess through Question Period and debate this afternoon we will have an opportunity to explore some of the other clauses around it and what exactly this means.

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. We, on this side of the House, fully support Newfoundlanders and Labradorians having access and control of their own resources, and that is the way it should be.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JONES: We realize, Mr. Speaker, that the government is placed in a very unusual situation with the closure of AbitibiBowater's mill in Grand Falls–Windsor, and we also realize that any moves that they make are being done so for the protection of the people of the Province when it comes to the resources, when it comes to other benefits that should accrue to workers who have given time in that operation. We fully understand that and we fully support that.

We just want it to be clear that we need the opportunity to explore the information that is in the bill to ensure that the proper assurances have been given to the greatest extent that they can be given so that years from now there will be no question as to who owns the water resources, the timber resources, the land resources that was rightfully and always was belonging to the people of the Province and should always belong to the people of the Province in the future.

Industries that come to this Province have full co-operation, and have always had full co-operation of governments today and governments in the past. There has been many occasions when governments have bent over backwards to ensure that industrial and business developers in our Province have had full and free access, but it was always with the intention that once those operations cease that we, the people of the Province, still own the resource, still have control of the resource and still make the decisions around it.

It does not mean, Mr. Speaker, that we are closing ourselves off to business in any way. It just means that we are protecting the rights of people, and that is the job of governments.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, I ask today that in light of the seriousness of the bill that is on the table that as we proceed into Question Period maybe we could be a little bit lenient with the rules so that we can ensure that we have full, concise answers from the government and not have the time restrictions that we are often very good at complying to, I say to you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Does the hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi have leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: By leave.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the member by leave.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I, too, join with the Leader of the Official Opposition in thanking the Premier for giving us a briefing prior to our coming into the House today. I think we understand why the briefing had to be at such a last minute moment, to put it that way. However, it is important that we take time to read what has been put in our hands this afternoon. Again, to say that every single one of us in this House, I know, are here for one reason and one reason only and that is to do what is best for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS MICHAEL: What we have before us today is an opportunity to do something that is precedent setting because finally lands that had been ours and had been given away are back – the potential is to have them back in our hands where they belong, in the hands of the people of this Province. It shows what can happen when we have control over what we own. The offshore is such an enigma to us because of the rules of this federation that gives anything that is in the offshore, the authority goes to the federal government and there is always this negotiation that has to go on and the fight that has to go on.

Here we have land and water resources that are on our land and this Province has control over those. We own them. No matter what these agreements say, we do own them. So it is absolutely essential I think, that we take the time today to make sure that the decisions we make and the papers that we approve are to the best possible benefit of the people in this Province and that we make sure there are no loopholes that somebody can go through so that it will not work. This has to work. So, while there is urgency about what we have to do today, we also have to take those urgent steps with caution as well. We have had a discussion, all three parties together, obviously the government with the members of the Opposition parties and we will get time to step out of the Chamber and do some thinking and do some consultations that we have to do so that we can, when we do finally enter into full discussion on the floor, have as much information and thinking that we can put in before we do that.

We all know why we are here. We all know that we want to do the right thing. So I look forward to the rest of this day. I am sure it is going to be an intense one, but I think we are all going to be working in co-operation.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: It is the Speaker's understanding that we will be forgoing statements by ministers and members' statements and we will be now going into Question Period. That is the procedure for today. If I understand correctly, we will still be guided by the thirty minute Question Period but we will not go by the forty-five minute question and answer. Is that correct, while we are on this particular topic?

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. SPEAKER: Before I call Oral Questions, the Chair would like to recognize a long time Member of the House of Assembly, former Leader of the New Democratic Party, now a member in the House of Commons in Ottawa, sitting in the Speaker's Gallery, Mr. Jack Harris.

Welcome.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Oral Questions.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My questions are for the Premier.

Today we are debating an act to return to the Crown certain rights relating to timber and water use vested in Abitibi Consolidated.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier today: What prompted government to take this emergency action immediately, today?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, government has been reviewing this situation over the past several weeks to make sure that we acted to protect the interests of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and particularly our natural resources.

We did not want to act too quickly, on the basis that we wanted to make sure that we had done the proper research and the proper preparation and had brought the best minds that were available that we could bring to the table to look at this.

On Friday we actually, in fact, sent a letter, because I had indicated publicly that one of the options was that Abitibi would transfer these assets back to us. That would be the honourable thing to do, given the fact that the bargain was broken which had been established over a century ago.

So, in fact, the minister wrote Abitibi last Friday with that very simple request - and that correspondence can certainly be made available to the Opposition; I apologize for not even having it in the package of materials today, but that will be provided forthwith – asking them to actually transfer the assets over to us.

In fact, they came back on Monday and indicated that they would not be prepared to do that, but would be prepared to sit down over a period of time and discuss compensation.

At that point, of course, we felt that this was certainly an urgent matter that should be dealt with forthwith. As the House is moving towards the Christmas period, it is a closer time, a tighter time, and we felt the matter was of such importance that we should deal with it as soon as possible.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to ask: Have there been any discussions with Abitibi with regard to bringing this particular piece of legislation forward in the House today? Also, were there any discussions with the union, business or other affected interests that could be impacted by this legislation?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: As the Leader of the Opposition is aware, we are dealing with a publicly-traded company and these discussions are delicate at the best of times.

The correspondence was sent to Abitibi in confidence and was not discussed publicly at the time; and, of course, then they obviously had time to react.

Since then, and recently, within the last hour-and-a-half, we have certainly spoken with – the minister has actually spoken with - Abitibi. The Minister of Finance has spoken. The Minister of Justice has actually spoken with some of the lending institutions that were involved, because they would be affected.

We have also spoken with Enel, who were a partner in the Star Lake Partnership, and Fortis, who were a partner in the Exploits Partnership as well. We have made them aware –

MS DUNDERDALE: And the union.

PREMIER WILLIAMS: I am sorry - forgive me – and the union, as well, has been spoken with.

So we have basically tried to contact all the interested parties in the short time frame. Of course, our apologies to you. As I explained to you when we all met together, time restricts us here. Because the Legislature was due to convene at 1:30, we felt that the appropriate time to launch this information, for want of a better term, was just over an hour-and-a-half ago.

Time constraints prevent us, but certainly it was an attempt to give disclosure to everybody at the appropriate time without affecting the markets.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Under this particular bill you would see the assets such as timber and hydro being transferred, or being held by government through the Nalcor Energy Corp. What does this mean for Nalcor Energy in terms of compensation? If there are to be any payouts of compensation to any entities, whether it be Abitibi or to someone else, will that revenue have to come from Nalcor Energy or will the money be provided for it through the Province?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: A good question, Your Honour.

The way that this has been constructed, I indicated in my remarks that the assets, particularly the water assets, would be managed by Nalcor Energy, because obviously Nalcor Energy are now the parent company of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, so our expertise lies at Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. They would be, obviously, the appropriate ones to move in and to oversee the water assets particularly and then also to work in partnership with Fortis and Enel on the two partnerships that are on the river. The assets themselves actually revert to the Crown, so the Crown, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, is actually standing behind this, so we would basically be repatriating our water rights and also repatriating our land and timber rights back to the Province.

If, at some point in time, on a go-forward basis, then for purposes of the efficient operation and management of the hydro assets, for want of a better term, then, in fact, an arrangement would be done with Nalcor, but the ultimate liability and the ultimate responsibility very clearly rests with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, we talked about timber rights and hydro rights. I am just wondering if there are any mineral rights that are associated with this legislation that would be recovered as well.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

All of the rights that are held by Abitibi with regard to the 1.6 million hectares of land that is under consideration in this legislation, whatever their rights and privileges are under those legislations, acts and charters, will revert to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Last week in the House of Assembly we raised some issues around the potential for bankruptcy of AbitibiBowater, and we were basing it more or less on where the share prices were in the market and the volatility of the company in terms of they are losing their customer base and so on.

I guess what I want to ask the government today is: The action that you are currently taking, while it may be necessary, do you think it will potentially force this company into a bankruptcy position?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak for the company but it is my understanding that they are realigning their assets and conducting the proper financing, obviously to keep that company a viable company. Its stock in recent days has dropped somewhat, and has dropped over a period of time. They did actually consolidate and are actually trying to improve their worldwide operations. We have no information before us right now that indicates that this company is going bankrupt under any circumstances.

Of course, the core reason for this particular action is because, in fact, there was, as I said before, back in 1905, a Charter Lease which was executed which very clearly tied the milling and logging operations to the waterways and the water power and the hydro power. So, as a result of their announcement that this particular mill in Newfoundland and Labrador is closing down, we feel, obviously, we have the right then to repatriate those assets and, in fact, expropriate the power assets, but we have no information before us right now that indicates that this company is going bankrupt. If it did go bankrupt, then there are other consequences.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

If they happen to find themselves in a bankruptcy position, what will be the impact for the unionized workers who are due to get pensions and severance packages from the company? What protections would be there for them?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding from the pensions that in fact the pensions are pooled funds. I think the majority of these pension funds are actually registered in Quebec; that, in fact, because of the downturn in the economy right now, all pension funds – including, obviously, our public pension funds - are down. So if, in fact, for example, the pension fund for Abitibi was down by 25 per cent, it is my understanding that if, in fact, a bankruptcy took place then that would be frozen at the 75 per cent. The 25 per cent would be left on the table and then that 25 per cent would be something that would go into an unsecured creditors' pool.

Now, I am only speaking from second-hand information here. I do not have a direct opinion on that myself, but my understanding is that it would be status quo, so that the workers would have access to the pension fund, which was separate and apart, but it would be at current values.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We looked at this particular bill, and I guess back a couple of weeks ago when all this happened with Abitibi we had asked about expropriation of assets there. This bill does not necessarily deal with expropriation of all of the resources, but rather deals with repatriation of some.

I would like to ask the Premier: Why have you chosen that option as opposed to just expropriating all the assets and the resources connected with it?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: This hon. House, Mr. Speaker, and this Legislature is the paramount authority. It is the highest authority here in the land. So when it comes to basically cancelling or revoking and-or repatriating these particular licences and these particular rights - also, as well, overriding the provisions of agreements that have been entered into in the past - than the very best method of doing that is to bring this matter before the Legislature so that it is presented in the bill; that it is, in fact, available for public disclosure; that, in fact, it is available for debate if necessary, and it is the best method to proceed.

We have taken advice, of course, obviously from our own, from the minister and our own justice officials and also independent advice, and this is the best route for us to go. But, we have also coupled it with an expropriation on the basis that we want to send a clear signal of course to the company, that if there were nuts and bolts, for want of a better term, machinery type assets that were put on the ground with regard to power generation, than we are acknowledging that there is some value in those particular assets.

With regard to the water and the timber and our lands, those are the natural resources to the people that have been here for eons and eons, and as a result, we felt the best place and the best vehicle to do that was expropriations of the Legislature.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Actually, Mr. Speaker, my next question was with regard to legal counsel that the government would have retained around this particular bill, and the Premier just alluded to that.

So I would like to ask him: What legal counsel did the government solicit, I guess, in terms of looking at this particular legislation?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: It is my understanding that the legal counsel that was employed in this particular file was a corporate group called WeirFoulds. I do not know if there is any other counsel, if the Minister of Justice - if there is any other counsel that has in fact been retained and has given other opinions on this particular issue in recent weeks. That is the information I, obviously, can provide to the Leader of the Opposition. That is the dominant opinions that are available right now, as far as I am concerned.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, we understood from the Premier in his answers today and in the briefing that we had that there will be, I guess, a price tag associated with the buyout of the power facility itself.

I do not know if government has the answer to this yet but we are just wondering: What would be the ballpark in terms of a price tag that would be attached to that?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: I would have to say it would be minimal. Now, what the range for minimal could be when you are dealing with assets of this magnitude, the number could be a number that some people would not consider it to be small. However, having said that, the water assets and the timber assets and the land assets have basically been repatriated, taken back. So we are dealing with power facilities that have been put in place, presumably over the last ten years. I do not know the exact time of construction, but I assume it was in the late 1990s. They would obviously have a cost. They would obviously have a value. They would also have a depreciated value.

Cabinet will determine a formula; part of that formula could be on depreciated capital cost or something else. That is a formula that is within our power to determine at the end of the day, of course bearing in mind that there could be a considerable offset here. In fact, what we have done to the legislation is basically protected any environmental liability.

So, if, in fact, there is contamination which is located with operations in Botwood or around the mill in Grand Falls or the logging operations or any other rivers or whatever happens to be where they have constructed bridges or have had a presence in Newfoundland and Labrador, then there may be environmental fallout from that and that has to be quantified. If that is quantified, then that would be offset against any responsibility for compensation. If there is an excess of value over liability, then that would be the amount that would be paid.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, I can only assume that it would be too early to have an indication of what some of the environmental costs might be associated with that.

Maybe I could ask if the Department of Environment or government will be undertaking to do a complete assessment themselves to be able to determine what those costs would be and what it would entail?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: That work has actually already been undertaken. It is in progress right now. I certainly want to compliment all our officials in all the departments who have really pulled together over the last week to try and basically put all this information together.

It is certainly not a complete process. These assets are contained over a very significant geographic area, but it is certainly a number that we want to quantify and intend to quantify to the best of our ability as soon as possible.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The repatriation of water rights under this bill, does this include the Exploits River and Star Lake?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: This includes the water rights of Abitibi in the Province. So if there are any water holdings that they have on Exploits or Star Lake or the Exploits partnership, any of those assets at all, this bill is intended to encompass all of those water assets.

In fact, once this bill is passed, if it is passed with the wish of this House, then Abitibi's rights to lands and water and timber will be revoked and cancelled.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Under section 7 of the bill we understand that all agreements from 1905, except the Charter, will be revoked.

I would like to ask, Mr. Speaker, if this has ever been done and if there is any precedent for it. Is there any impact on any other legislation by revoking this? Have there been checks done in terms of how it cross-references in other departments or other projects?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Without passing the buck, I have to rely on the benefit of our legal advice on this. To the best of my knowledge, there hasn't been any precedent. We have certainly looked at all the documentation, which is considerable, which has been placed over the years relating to Abitibi and its operations in the Province.

With regard to any legal precedent in the Province, I am not aware of one. That it not to say that there isn't one. In fact, we will certainly make sure that we confirm that for you, but my understanding is there was no precedent.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I will continue on with questions. I won't repeat any that have been asked.

To come back to the environmental issues, Mr. Speaker: Section 13 of the bill does say that nothing in the Act affects the liability of Abitibi Consolidated related to undertakings made by it in relation to environmental remediation.

I would like to know from the Premier: If Abitibi Consolidated were to go bankrupt, if the worst case scenario were to happen, would the undertakings in relationship to environmental remediation have to be covered by those who would then hold the assets, or the liability?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am giving legal opinions on the fly here now, so take it for what its worth.

With regard to anything we do here under this legislation, it is my understanding that if it occurs before a bankruptcy proceeding then obviously it supersedes. If, in fact, a bankruptcy proceeding occurred before this legislation was actually finalized, then the question would be where the particular environmental legislation stands.

I would be inclined to thing that because that environmental legislation is already in place, it would certainly supersede a bankruptcy and would carry over to the trustee in bankruptcy.

With regard to this particular legislation, though, this particular legislation has to be completed before a bankruptcy, because a bankruptcy then would be a federal law that would be paramount to a provincial law and would oversee it.

The simple answer to your question: existing legislation already in place, already passed, dealing with environmental problems, I would suggest to you that that probably would be the paramount legislation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In his statement, the Premier said that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, once the legislation would be passed, would own and control the assets and would allow Abitibi full use of them until March 31, 2009.

I am wondering, when this legislation gets put in place – because I think it is our intent to make sure it gets put in place – if Abitibi wanted, if they came back and said, well, you know, we would like to continue a bit longer now, past March 31, 2009, what would be the response of the Premier to that?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: There would be no doubt, we would be in total agreement. This is about the operation of the mill, and the continuance of the milling and the logging operation.

If they, in fact, wanted more time or intended to continue on for a period of time, we would only be too delighted to have them do that, and would make those assets available for them.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just to push that a little bit further with the Premier, and I know I may be asking questions now that he may not have – maybe he had - time even to put thought into, but if that were to happen, what kinds of demands and restrictions would the government put on Abitibi with regard to continuation after March 31, 2009?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Without discussing this particular issue with the union – and we have worked very, very closely, through the Minister of Natural Resources, with the union to get their wishes, but - I would suggest to you that it would be a continuum of exactly the way that the mill is being operated right now.

Depending on the time, depending on how long, if this was an extension of a month or two months then obviously it would be a continuum of what is happening now. If it was intended to be a longer term arrangement then obviously we would have to sit with the union and the minister and officials of Abitibi and work something out.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I certainly want to thank the Premier for his co-operation in Question Period on this bill. The rest of the questions that we have, we will reserve until we have our briefing because they are more around the legislative clauses. Then, after that, maybe we can discuss any further questions that we might have.

In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I am going to move on to some questions in Health and Community Services.

My questions are for the Minister of Health and Community Services.

Mr. Speaker, many provinces, including P.E.I. and New Brunswick, have made legislative changes to allow pharmacists to manage medications without actually writing prescriptions. This includes the ability to cover situations like providing for pills to tie a patient over for a suspended period of time, I suppose, or to allow a doctor to do a refill.

I ask the minister: Is his government prepared to update the Pharmacy Act in this Province to permit medication management by the pharmacists?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The member opposite would know that this Legislature, I think it was about a year-and-a-half ago, passed new legislation dealing with the regulations and legislation around the practice of pharmacy in the Province. The member opposite would also recognize, too, that act has not been proclaimed yet.

There are a number of reasons for that, I say, Mr. Speaker, and one of them relates to some discussions that we are having with pharmacists in the Province around their practice, auxiliary services they provide, and the kind of compensation associated with that. As a part of that discussion there are a number of things that have surfaced. One of the things has been what the member opposite has raised. I say to her, it has been a topic of some discussion but it will form a part of the discussions we are having with the pharmacy association prior to the proclamation of the existing legislation that has already been enacted in the House.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Government announced changes to its provincial drug formula so that the Province would only accept prices for generic drugs that do not exceed the lowest price in any other province. There was concern raised - I know the minister knows this because he has met with them - with the Pharmacists' Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. There was a review that was completed back in October of this year.

I ask the minister today: Can he update us on what generic drug formulary government is considering and when will these changes come into effect?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: As I indicated in my earlier comment, the legislation that the member is referring to is legislation that was passed in this House about a year-and-a-half or so ago. In that legislation, the intent and thrust of that legislation was to ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians had access to generic drugs at a price equivalent to that of the lowest in the country, and that is what the legislation actually spells out.

As we were about to implement that legislation, proclaim it, there was a recognition by the pharmacy industry itself that it may have some negative impacts on some pharmacy operations. We were sensitive to that particular concern that was being raised, and since that time we have been trying to work with the pharmacy association on how we might mitigate some of the impacts of introducing that kind of legislation. As a part of that discussion, it brings me to the answer to her first question which was around the role of pharmacists.

The formula that is currently in use today is the same as the one that has always been in place, I say, Mr. Speaker. Until we have a better understanding of how it really impacts pharmacists in the Province, we have held off on the proclamation of that particular legislation.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, we also know that the pending regulation changes will mean significant savings to government.

I would like to ask the minister today: What is the projected savings for government in the next fiscal year based on these new pharmacy policies?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the challenge we have at this particular juncture in trying to forecast what might be the savings, there is a savings that will accrue as a result of an interpretation of the legislation once it is implemented, but, as I said earlier, we are trying to better understand the real impact on pharmacy operations, and what might we do to mitigate some of those financial impacts in the interest of providing service to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. So, as we create a net calculation of, on one hand, how much we might save with the implementation of the legislation but how much will it cost us in terms of service enhancements we might do to help mitigate the impact to pharmacists, that net calculation has not yet been done. Until we understand the extent to which we would want to implement any kind of mitigating measures, we will not be able to complete that kind of a calculation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, I am sure the Minister of Finance will soon have the numbers crunched now, as he is getting ready for his Budget, so maybe when that piece is done the minister can tell us what the savings will be.

The report on the provincial drug formulary outlines a list of activities that are performed by pharmacists in the Province. We all know, Mr. Speaker, that pharmacists not only dispense drugs and collect their fees but they also do many other things, such as medication adherence, reviewing patient files, drug interactions, and dealing with side effects of medication.

I ask the minister: Is government prepared to provide reimbursements to pharmacists for the value-added services that they provide, which is a program that is not uncommon in other provinces of Canada?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: The member has framed the question, and actually within her question there is the answer because it ties back to the earlier comment I provided as well, which is: I indicated that we are working with the pharmacy association to try to look at services that may be provided that they could be compensated for, that might help mitigate against some of the financial losses that might be incurred as a result of the proclamation of the legislation itself.

Through that process there have been a number of things that have been identified that pharmacists now do that add value to the customers that they serve and add value to the health services they provide, and that is a part of the consideration government is now looking at as we evaluate where we go forward.

The report that the member opposite is referencing is a report that was commissioned by the pharmacy association themselves. We, as a government, have had an opportunity to look at that report and look at its implications, its impact, to be able to validate some of the assumptions that are made in that report, but it will help inform a process. It will not be a report that we will implement because it is not our report. It will help inform a process, together with representations that have been made by other individuals on that same issue. We are working, also, with some of the other jurisdictions –

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the hon. minister to conclude his answer.

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thought we had an unlimited time today. I will, with respect for the House, conclude my comment. I also will tell the member opposite that I am working with my other colleagues in Atlantic Canada looking at how we might benefit from better generic pricing.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I should have clarified at the beginning that the rules are now in play, I say to the Minister of Health.

The report on the provincial drug formulary states that the average cost to fill a prescription in Newfoundland and Labrador is $12; meanwhile the government currently pays about $8.90 per prescription. Mr. Speaker, right now the pharmacists are recouping these financial losses through the generic drug rebates. Once the new regulations come into play in January they are not going to be able to do that.

I ask the minister: Is government planning to fill this gap and increase the amount that it pays to pharmacists across the Province to reflect the actual cost of filling a prescription in Newfoundland and Labrador?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As the member opposite raises each question, obviously it substantiates the reason why we would want to continue to do our review that is taking place. She has identified a number of things that are contained in a report commissioned by the pharmacists themselves where they assert what the cost might be to dispense drugs.

One of the things we are very conscious of, Mr. Speaker, is that the proclamation of the new legislation will have a financial impact on pharmacies in the Province. To the extent to which that happens is something that we are now in the process of trying to better understand. Whether or not the services, that the member opposite has outlined, become the subject of some kind of compensation, that is a piece of work yet to be done and that is tied to the question around: How much will it cost government? We need to better understand all of the questions raised by the member opposite.

One thing is important, Mr. Speaker, is that we are working with the pharmacy industry in this Province to come up with the kind of solutions that will be beneficial to both Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and to the providers in the pharmacies.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The report, as the minister knows, also speculates that pharmacies across the Province, especially in rural areas, will lose substantial revenue and as a result of these regulation changes, some pharmacies will be forced to close their doors. It is also anticipated that the changes will mean increased fees being passed on to patients, and we all know that this will have an effect on those that are most vulnerable in our society.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the minister: I know you are doing the review, I know that you are meeting with the pharmacists, but when can we expect some answers and when can we get some guarantees that these pending regulation changes will not affect service availability or the quality of care that is being maintained in our pharmacies around the Province right now?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, the mere fact that this government passed legislation in this House about a year-and-half or so ago, two years ago I think now actually, a little over two years ago, and the fact that we have not proclaimed it yet speaks volumes I think to our sensitivity to the issue. We understand the issues raised by the member opposite. If we did not understand them we would have rushed out and proclaimed the legislation a year-and-a-half ago but we did not do that, we did the responsible thing. When we recognized and became aware of the financial implications of the proclamation of the legislation we have held off on doing that until we better understand, and until we fully understand and until we have an action plan for the implementation, we will not be proclaiming the legislation.

So I say to the member opposite, she can be assured, and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador can be assured and the pharmacists can be assured, that until we are comfortable with the full implications of the proclamation it will not occur.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The time allotted for Oral Questions has ended.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

Tabling of Documents.

Notices of Motions.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I give notice that I will ask leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights. (Bill 75)

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Further notices of motion?

Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.

Petitions.

Orders of the Day.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, at this time, from the Order Paper we would like to go to Address in Reply. I would just like to offer some explanation as we do that, although it is not necessary to offer an explanation, it is on the Order Paper. But, because we are debating some very serious legislation here today as referenced in the Premier's statement, through Oral Questions and by the notice and motion just given by the hon. Minister of Natural Resources, we are going to take some time to ensure that members of the House of Assembly feel comfortable before we proceed with any debate on that particular legislation.

So before we call that legislation today, Mr. Speaker, we will return to Address in Reply, which is on our Order Paper.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Humber Valley.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KELLY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is my esteemed pleasure to rise in the House of Assembly today as the Member for the District of Humber Valley and give my reaction to the Throne Speech.

The Throne Speech was delivered on Monday, October 10, by His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor, the hon. John Crosbie. The purpose a Throne Speech is to lay out the vision of government, and for me, it was truly a memorable occasion.

I would like to welcome my new colleagues to the House of Assembly, from the District of Cape St. Francis and from the District of Baie Verte-Springdale.

Mentors, Mr. Speaker, are extremely important, and I would like to thank the hon. Tom Marshall who has not only been an inspiration, but a role model and a source of great advice for me. Thanks to others, the Premier, the ministers, and other colleagues also, for their support in the last year.

On October 9, 2007, the current government received an outstanding vote of confidence from the people of our great Province. I personally thank my supporters for the faith they have entrusted in me, and I am working diligently on their behalf to provide services to the District of Humber Valley. The district boundaries include Pasadena, Pynn's Brook, St. Judes, Deer Lake, Reidville, Cormack, Howley, Hampton, The Beaches, Pollards Point, Sop's Arm, and Jackson's Arm.

Throne Speech 2008 stated that it was government's mandate to build upon the initiatives of the previous four years. The overarching goal was to move Newfoundland and Labrador to self-reliance.

As a people, we were always a Have province in so many ways, but recently, we learned that economically, our Province has now been classified as a Have Province, and one of only four in the Canadian federation.

The Speech from the Throne highlighted the vast economic potential of our Province; the potential in energy, mining, fisheries, aquaculture, and forestry sectors were highlighted.

Also, quite noteworthy, was its emphasis on growth sectors, including tourism and culture, ocean technology, and engineering. Government's recognition of these sectors has significant implications for my district.

The District of Humber Valley has immense economic potential. The region is fortunate to have broad economic sectors that highlight the immense economic potential of the Humber Valley District. These sectors include tourism, agriculture, forestry, mining, transportation, and the provision of government services.

The tourism sector is experiencing significant growth. Much of this growth is being complemented by the expansion at the Deer Lake Regional Airport. The Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority officially opened its expanded facility in 2007, marking less than three years since the organization decided to self-finance - that is right, self-finance - the $11.5 million project to double the terminal size and to make other significant improvements to this facility that is so valuable as an asset to the people in my district and in the region. The airport terminal building is a state-of-the-art facility comparable in architectural detail and amenities to some of the best regional airports in Canada. It is truly an asset to Western Newfoundland and the region it serves.

Not only is the current airport a significant employer but the newly-expanded facility is a significant engine for economic growth in the region, and the Airport Authority is to be complimented for the outstanding work they have done in ensuring not only the success today but the future success of this very valuable asset.

Mr. Speaker, the tourism industry is very significant to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador. In fact, one job in ten globally is connected to tourism. Approximately 10 percent of the gross world product is contributed to tourism on a global scale. Our Province's unprecedented investment in tourism marketing is bringing dividends to our provincial economy. Tourism marketing investment has increased from $6 million to $12 million since 2003, resulting in award-winning multimedia advertising campaign, a revamped Web site, and an overall 15 per cent increase in non-resident visitations.

Our government has reduced ferry rates, which will stimulate our tourism sector by encouraging tourists to see more of our beautiful Province. It is so unfortunate that the federal government, through Marine Atlantic, has not had the same foresight as our provincial government.

The tourism assets in or near my district are quite significant. The tourism potential of the Humber Valley is huge, and work is being done to grow the industry by many individuals involved in the tourism sector in Western Newfoundland. I have had the pleasure of seeing some significant work being done to improve the Sir Richard Squires Park. The brush cutting, roadside ditching, campsite development and dumping station are important improvements that have taken place since my election. Tourists and local residents alike are amazed when they see the mighty Atlantic salmon jump the falls. Our tourism minister recently visited our district several times this past summer and was impressed with the vast tourism potential of my district and area.

Cultural industries, Mr. Speaker, are important in my district and throughout our Province. This government has a long-term comprehensive cultural strategy, with an investment of approximately $17.6 million in new funding over three years for the further development of the arts and culture sectors and heritage sectors in our Province.

Mr. Speaker, in the words of Winston Churchill: A love for tradition has never weakened a nation. Indeed, it has strengthened a nation in their hour of peril.

Our traditions and culture have certainly strengthened our Province, as this current government has recognized, through the significant infusion of capital to support and grow this vital industry to the future success of our great Province.

Another sector with growing economic significance is the agriculture-agrifoods sector. There are a number of strawberry farms, dairy farms and root crops in the Humber Valley. The Humber Valley Fall Fair is held every September to showcase the diversity of agriculture in my district. The government has provided a $4 million fund for new agriculture and agrifoods development to support this industry in our Province.

Forestry continues to be a significant economic sector in my district. Modern logging has changed significantly, and technology has removed much of the human resource from the industry; however, logging is still important in my district and it is comforting to know that government is committed to supporting it, which is so vital. The government has invested $15 million through the provincial silviculture program to ensure responsible management of the resource in the past two years, and millions of dollars spent on forest resource roads.

The mining sector, Mr. Speaker, is also significant. Exploration work has taken place in oil, uranium and precious metals in my district.

The fishing sector also plays a vital role in the White Bay area. There are two fish plants in Jackson's Arm. These plants are significant employers, providing jobs to all the communities in the White Bay area, including Jackson's Arm, Sop's Arm, Pollards Point and the Hampden area.

Mr. Speaker, the provision of government services brings significant economic benefit to my district. People are employed in health care, education, tourism, transportation, and other government services.

The provision of twenty-four-hour snow clearing as a pilot project that was recently announced is important to my district, providing employment and important snow clearing services in the winter months.

Mr. Speaker, one of my primary roles as MHA is to help individuals, organizations and community councils with their issues. In my new role as MHA I want to make sure that I am a strong voice for the people in my district. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, the past year has been a busy one for me and significant improvements have been made throughout my district. I will highlight some of them.

The completion of the Nicholsville Bridge highlighted $2.5 million worth of transportation improvements this past summer. I was at the official opening of the bridge with the Minister of Transportation at that time and it was certainly well received. It was part of the provincial government's $73 million Provincial Roads Improvement Program. Government promised the people of Nicholsville a new bridge. They have been patient, and I am proud government delivered on that commitment.

The Howley Bridge was repaired, and I was impressed when additional funding was found to repair the rutting problem between Deer Lake and Pasadena, which was a safety concern that arose over the summer. Government and the department found the $1.2 million necessary to correct that rutting problem on the highway which, no doubt, will mean many less accidents next year.

Work started on upgrading and repaving Route 420, Sop's Arm to Jackson's Arm, but this work will not be completed, of course, until spring 2009. Additional ditching work on Sir Richard Squires Park was also completed this fall.

Mr. Speaker, I am working closely with municipal councils and local service districts in my area. My background in municipal government has been an asset in working with these organizations. I spent three terms as a municipal councillor and was elected Mayor of Deer Lake prior to entering provincial politics. My municipal experience included Western Director of both the Municipal Assessment Agency and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, both elected positions.

Budget 2008 contained two very significant announcements that were applauded by municipalities right across our Province. One was the introduction of an improved cost-sharing ratio for municipalities, and increased capital works funding to allow municipalities to move forward with otherwise unaffordable infrastructure initiatives. We know the split; 90-10, 80-20, 70-30, depending on the size of the municipality. For the two largest municipalities in my district, Deer Lake and Pasadena, the new funding formula is 80-20, and for all other municipalities, including local service districts, the funding formula is 90-10; quite significant. Already this year I have seen a significant increase in the number of applications from these municipalities for valuable infrastructure work to be done in their community which includes, of course, water and sewer work and other important assets to those communities.

Safe drinking water: $6 million annually for upgrades to public water systems and $4 million towards waste water disposals systems which was contained in the last budget and, of course, which was also well received by municipalities across this Province.

Mr. Speaker, this government has done much positive work to support health care in our Province. Major enhancements have been made to the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program, making prescription drugs more accessible and affordable for the people of this Province. The annual investment in the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program has increased by almost 55 per cent with the current investment for Budget 2008 at nearly $151 million.

My office, Mr. Speaker, has provided support for the people seeking help to acquire their drug cards.

Funding has also included new MRI machines, new long-term care facilities, funding for mental health, addictions, new vaccines, insulin pumps and improved dental care programs for children. The addition of new drugs for cancer patients and Alzheimer patients, as well as $4 million to add services for families of individuals with disabilities was indeed quite significant, and the minister is to be complimented and congratulated for the job that he is doing.

Government has strengthened the Child, Youth and Family Services system with an unprecedented annual investment of over $9 million, resulting in more social work positions, enhanced professional development and training, and quality assurance initiatives to ensure the safety, health and well being of children and youth, while supporting your families, as mandated under the CYFS Act.

The announcement of new X-ray equipment for the clinic in Deer Lake is welcome news.

Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to have been elected to a government with such a strong record of achievement and success. Not only has the government invested strategically to grow the provincial economy, but has developed and implemented a comprehensive $11 million poverty reduction action plan.

Now, Mr. Speaker, some of those highlights are, indeed, quite significant to those in need in our Province. One of those things that I heard from residents in my area, when I went around, was the minimum wage. I was so pleased when Budget 2008 announced that the minimum wage in our Province was going to be increased to $10 by the year 2010.

Increased budget allocation for social housing to $25.5 million over the next five years, will double the provincial funding being provided to modernize the current social housing stock throughout the Province.

Government has doubled the current provincial contribution to the Provincial Home Repair Program, and just recently, we saw that government will also extend the home rebate program this year with improvements. Also, of course, the insulation program is to come on stream in the new year. These, as well, are very significant social programs for poverty reduction in our Province.

Government has doubled the current provincial contribution to the provincial home repair to $24 million over the next six years, and has increased housing to reduce the more than 4,000 applications that were on file down to approximately 2,600, as of September, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, significant improvements have also taken place in education. The elimination of the school fees, at a cost of $6.3 million was quite significant. Government also allocated $12.8 million to provide free textbooks. I have said before in this hon. House, I spent thirty-one years as a school administrator and the free textbook program was always K-8, and this was quite significant, and of course, a very important part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. Too often I saw students select a course because of the cost of a textbook.

Mr. Speaker, last budget spending in education hit $1 billion. A new teacher allocation formula was a part of it, which was based on two key elements. A focus on programming, teaching needs and, of course, maximum class size, two significant issues in the educational system. A new student aid package, which hails as one of the best in the country and the envy of students nationwide due to one of the lowest tuitions in the country, upfront needs based grants and debt reduction grants at a reduction of interest on the students.

Of course, now we are also in third reading of a new piece of legislation that will see even further improvements to the student aid program for people who serve in our Forces. Of course, the tuition freeze, we have one of the lowest tuitions in the country. I am so pleased to see that government honoured its commitment to continue with those tuition freezes.

Mr. Speaker, in this modern age of technology I am excited that the government has made a significant investment to bring Broadband to more rural communities and to increase the competitiveness of our Province. Two rural schools in my district now have better services. This fall – that is right, Mr. Speaker – thanks to improving technology, students at both Hampton Academy and Main River Academy now have better access to on-line courses.

Mr. Speaker, volunteers play a significant role in the social, cultural and economic development of the communities in my district. They are involved with sporting groups, town councils, library boards, fire departments, festivals, events, museums, zonal boards, church groups, service clubs, you name it. The contribution they make is quite significant to the district and to the Province. I would like to congratulate our government on having a minister responsible for working with the not-for-profit sector.

In the words again, Mr. Speaker, of Winston Churchill: "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

Mr. Speaker, some other accomplishments we have seen include, of course, the Hebron development. A multi-million dollar deal, billions in revenues and royalties, and of course we have a seat at the table and at least 3,500 jobs; quite significant.

MR. SPEAKER: Order please!

I remind the hon. Member for Humber Valley that his time for speaking has expired.

MR. KELLY: By leave?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: By leave!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. member, by leave.

MR. KELLY: Agreement with the Innu means the Lower Churchill development is in full steam ahead with lots of momentum, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KELLY: Mr. Speaker, $2 billion Atlantic Accord, equity ownership with a 5 per cent stake in White Rose. Other further accomplishments include released Focusing Our Energy, the first comprehensive long-term energy plan for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, also quite significant, which is a significant factor at this moment or at this time in our history, is that this government turned the fiscal situation around, from a potential billion-dollar deficit to massive surpluses. Oil and gas had a lot to do with it, but it does – sound fiscal management and this government right now, because of what they have done in terms of fiscal management, our Province is in a much better position to take on the current situation.

Governments, I guess, Mr. Speaker, there are two avenues open. One is monetary policy, and as we know, in this country monetary policy is controlled by the Bank of Canada. Basically, monetary policy refers to interest rates. Of course, we have seen that those have been coming down because of great concern by the Bank of Canada about us heading into a recession.

The other policy is fiscal policy, and that is what control governments have themselves. This government has made significant changes to fiscal policy in the last five years, which has bettered our position right now. We are in a much better position than many provinces in our federation of course, in many countries around the globe.

Personal income tax reduction, elimination of the insurance tax; quite significant. The Poverty Reduction Strategy, secured public sector and teacher pension plans that were on the verge of collapse, infrastructure plan worth about $3 million, quite significant, and when you think of it, only five years. Award of a $50.5 million contract for the construction of two new ferries here in this Province; $2.4 million recreation and sport strategy to strengthen services and programs aimed at creating a healthy, more physically active population. I hope to be involved, Mr. Speaker; $6 million comprehensive provincial immigration strategy.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciated the opportunity to address this House today. It is quite clear to me that this current government has done an outstanding job in this Province. It is quite clear to me that this government has vision and the determination to grow our Province both socially and economically.

I am confident that this team will further its economic and social agenda for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Mr. Speaker, I am excited about the opportunity to participate in the management and growth of this Province. I am confident that the direction of our leader, Premier Williams, and his team, will result in long-term sustainable benefits for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

I fully recognize the challenges that currently exist, and more are on the horizon, but I do solemnly believe that the current government will continue to meet and exceed the expectations of the people of the Province.

It has been a pleasure to be in this House today and to speak on the Speech from the Throne, and I look forward to getting things done in my district, and for the people of this Province.

Mr. Speaker, this current government is doing an outstanding job, and in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it."

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to speak in this hon. House.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for Trinity North; the hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, as you stand in this House, and as I listened attentively to my colleague from Humber Valley talk about the accomplishments of government, we may be accused of being political in this House, and sometimes we may be – however, we are politicians – but, at the same time, in all honesty, you cannot help but sit in the House and listen to the member opposite stand and talk about the accomplishments of our government over the last year or two, some of the investments we have made, some of the things we have established as a priority and we have moved forward and actioned, without having some sense of pride and feeling some sense of accomplishment as a government. Because we have, Mr. Speaker, we have made some significant investments in Newfoundland and Labrador since 2003, since we have formed government, and we have made some very strategic decisions - decisions that will hold the Province in good stead for the long term and establish significant foundations, because some of the foundational pieces of work that were done at the very beginning was getting our fiscal house in order. That is why we were able to stand and sit in this house the other day and hear our colleague, the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, stand and give a fiscal update that clearly reflects a government that has made some prudent decisions. That is why he was able to talk about the surplus that we are boasting this year, while at the same time being able to talk about some of the challenges that we are facing as a Province, as a nation, in making sure that we have programs and services that are sustainable in the long term and position ourselves to be able to weather the storm that is ahead economically that has been influenced by international forces, not just what is happening in our backyards but throughout the world.

I say, Mr. Speaker, it is rewarding and refreshing as I hear the member opposite stand and talk, recognizing that the achievements and the investments that he references are a reflection of a government that has made some strategic decisions in the last five years that have allowed us to be able to do some of these things that he has referenced in his comments.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take some time this afternoon in my comments, as the Minister of Health and Community Services, to talk about some of the things that we have done in health and community services.

Frequently, we will pick up the paper or we will listen to the evening news or turn on the radio in the midday and hear someone talking about a concern that they had about our health system, talking about there is a crisis somewhere or that there is a problem somewhere or that there is a lack of service somewhere or there is a gap or someone is on a waiting list. Mr. Speaker, I am not here this afternoon, I will not stand in this House this afternoon and try to suggest to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that there are not, on some occasions, and you might find yourself being able to go around this Province as we speak and find out that there is someone on the West Coast, there is someone in Northern Newfoundland or someone up in the Labrador portion of the Province who is on a wait-list far too long. I will not stand here and try to defend some new recent commentary with respect to individuals who have had surgery planned and they have been bumped because of some problem with having an ICU bed or some other issue that has created some pressures in the OR that day and resulted in a cancelled surgery. I am acknowledging that those things have happened. I am not suggesting that they are something that we want to see continued; nor would I support having it being a permanent part of our health system. It is something we are working towards but I think, in all fairness, frequently when we hear criticisms of our health system we need to sit back sometimes and reflect on some of the good things that are happening. I think there needs to be a balance to some of these things.

I am not here to say that everything is rosy. I am not here to say that the health system is functioning perfectly today. What I do want to do, though, Mr. Speaker, what I do want to raise here in this House today, and use my opportunity here in speaking to the Speech from the Throne, is to talk about some of the things that we have actually done, and talk about them in the context of being foundation pieces of work.

If you look at the Budget, for example, I say, Mr. Speaker, in the last five years since we have been in government we have seen our health budget now escalate up to $2.3 billion. I mean, 40 per cent of every single program dollar spent in Newfoundland and Labrador by the provincial government is spent on health and community services.

In last year's budget, we had a budget increase of about 10 per cent. In the last three years, I say, Mr. Speaker, over the course of the last three years, our annual increase in our budget has been in the order of 9.8 per cent, 10 per cent. That has been sustained for the last three years. This year, just recently, about a month ago, we received an update. A national organization that does some monitoring in health expenditures across the country produces a report annually, I say, Mr. Speaker, on a variety of expenditure areas. This is a report, though, Canadian Institute for Health Information; they provide an analysis of health expenditures across the country.

This year, Mr. Speaker, for the first time we now spend more money per capita than any other Province in Canada. Up until now we were the second. I think last year and the year before that we were in second place. The year before that I think we were in third place for a while. Now, in 2008, we are spending more per capita than any other province in Canada, some three thousand nine hundred and some odd dollars I think it is. It is more than any other province in Canada, I say, Mr. Speaker.

When we start talking about health investments, when you look at our record of the last three or four years, you will find a government that sees this as a significant priority, an important issue for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador; so much so that every single year when the Minister of Finance stands in his place and reads into the record our annual budget, he is able to talk about an increase in health expenditures in the magnitude of 10 per cent, around that figure, for the last three years. Now we are spending more per capital than anyone else in all of Canada. That speaks, I say, Mr. Speaker, to the high priority that we give to the health system in this Province, and to the health status of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

I just want to highlight a couple of those things, because over that period of five years you can't infuse two hundred and forty-odd million dollars of new money, over and above what we started out with in 2003, you can't take two hundred and forty-odd million dollars and infuse it into a health system without having some kind of an impact.

I want to talk about some of the things that money is being used for. To start with, let's talk about health facilities. You know, I go home to Clarenville on the weekends and I can't help but feel proud as I drive in Manitoba Drive and I look at a brand new long-term health care facility that is about to be opened; a some twenty-odd million dollar investment, Mr. Speaker, that we have made in enhancing services to the people of that region of our Province. It is not replacing an existing facility, because there is nothing there now. This is brand new.

Just recently I happened to be in Corner Brook and had an opportunity to tour the construction site of the new long-term care home in Corner Brook - a facility now, the structure is standing, the outside of the building is pretty well complete and they are working on the inside - another massive investment of improving long-term care services.

I had an opportunity to join my colleagues from Labrador very recently in opening a new dialysis unit in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, but while doing that I had an opportunity as well to tour the construction site of another long-term care home in the community of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Again, that building now is closed in and they are working on the inside, a some fifty-odd bed long-term care facility that, by the way they are progressing in the construction process, I suspect will be open some time in the latter part of 2009 or early 2010. The work is progressing well.

We have heard some of the critics talk about the new hospital in Labrador City, and wondering is it going ahead, why the delay. I tell you, Mr. Speaker, and I want to repeat here, the reason it was delayed was because IOC came forward and said: Government, the site that you are planning to build that hospital on is dangerously close to the expansion of our mine site, because we proposed to expand the mine site out much closer to the new site you selected than we initially thought. We need to better understand the implications of that. So they gave us the heads-up. They, together with IOC as a company, together with officials in government, needed some time to evaluate that site to determine the true impact of having a hospital located here, and a mine site here, and the implications for those blasts in a mine site and what impact it might have on a new hospital that we are building. That is why, fundamentally, we have seen a delay.

The upshot of it is we have lost the 2008 construction season and not being able to do anything in Labrador City because of that. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, until we had the land issue settled away and we knew exactly where we were going to be building this new facility, we were not able to proceed with plans. Obviously, as architects will tell you, we cannot design a building for you for a particular site unless you tell us where the site is going to be, and that is what we ran into, so the architects had to basically step down. They were not in a position to continue with their planning efforts until we were able to clearly tell them and confirm for them that the exact location will be this particular site right here.

That is what we have now done and they are proceeding, as they were originally engaged to do, which is to design and lay out for us a new building to be constructed in Labrador City. We are hoping to be able to start the construction of that as soon as we reasonably can, given the weather conditions in that part of the Province.

My colleague from Grand Bank, I understand, just a few short weeks ago, moved into a new community clinic in Grand Bank, a brand new facility that is being constructed there, a state-of-the-art facility, Mr. Speaker. That, along with a major redevelopment of Blue Crest long-term care home and a project that is also nearing an end pretty soon. In the very near future, early in the new year, I say, Mr. Speaker, I am going to be joining my colleague from Grand Bank and we are going to open that new facility in Grand Bank, a facility that will replace – in fact, I believe, Mr. Speaker, the facility that currently houses the clinic in Grand Bank is the last remaining structure that represents the cottage hospital network that was established in Newfoundland and Labrador many years ago. I think this is the last remaining building. It now has a practical use for a health facility. I think there is one in the Bonne Bay area that has been redeveloped as a museum, but practicing and functioning as a clinic and providing medical services, I think the one in Grand Bank is the last one remaining. That is going to be a very proud moment for my colleague from Grand Bank and for the people of that area as it sees an enhancement of services in that region.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, you cannot have buildings without equipment. Last year, Mr. Speaker, the year that we are now rapping up, we have a few short months left, we are going to spend some $52 million in new equipment in health services this year. That is on top of the $48 million that we spent in the previous year. I guess in the last sixteen months, Mr. Speaker, we have invested close to $100 million in new equipment for health facilities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

As we talk about some of that new equipment, we have put new CT scans in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, new CT's in St. Anthony. We have twelve new digital mammography machines purchased last year.

Mr. Speaker, just to speak to that point for a moment, last year we saw twelve new digital mammography machines purchased for the Province and that completes – we have now replaced all of the old analog technology that existed in the Province. All of the old analog mammography equipment has now been replaced with new digital technology, Mr. Speaker. Every single piece of mammography equipment in this Province has been purchased since we formed government and it is all the latest technology. That is something, again, Mr. Speaker, not only does it speak to the investment in technology but it speaks to, I think, our commitment, our commitment to ensuring that the health professionals who work in Newfoundland and Labrador have available to them the latest technology to assist them with the work that they do.

On that note, Mr. Speaker, I want to – I do not know if it is appropriate or not to read into the record, but I want to bring attention to a document that was produced by Canada Health Infoway. Now, Canada Health Infoway is an organization that was established by the federal government to provide an infusion of money for the provinces to assist them in bringing into play new electronic health information systems.

I just want to read, Mr. Speaker, the highlights of their most recent newsletter. It says: progress in Newfoundland and Labrador: Newfoundland and Labrador diagnostic imaging gets an A grade. Here is a national organization acknowledging the great work that we have done in this Province and the leadership that we have shown in this Province. In the diagnostic imaging service area, we now have every single X-ray, every single CT scan being performed, MRI scans, mammography exams, are all being stored digitally in a computer system.

If you are a patient in Western Memorial Hospital in Corner Brook today and you have an X-ray taken and the physician who is treating you - it could be in Bonne Bay, it could be in Western Memorial, it could be in Twillingate, and the physician who is treating you pulls up the X-ray on the screen and says: I believe this is such-and-such a diagnosis, but I would like to have a second opinion. He calls up a radiologist who is sitting here in the Health Sciences Centre, or he calls up a radiologist in Gander or Grand Falls and says: listen, can you have a look at this image with me and tell me what you think? While the two of them are looking at the same image on two different screens in two different communities, they are providing a more accurate diagnosis which will assist with the treatment of that patient who is being seen in that particular facility.

Mr. Speaker, not only were we the leaders in the country, we were the first Province in the country to achieve that penetration throughout our entire Province. In fact, we received such recognition for it, not only did we get published, acknowledging the great work we have done, the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information has been asked, because of their expertise, because of their knowledge and because of the leadership shown by that organization as national leaders on this front, they have been asked to participate with Canada Health Infoway. In fact, they have been contracted. Canada Health Infoway have given them a contract for $1.5 million dollars to assist Canada Health Infoway evaluate this system in other jurisdictions.

In other words, we have Newfoundlanders and Labradorians now who have been asked, because of their expertise and leadership, they have been asked to help evaluate this system that is now being implemented in New Brunswick and in Nova Scotia. So we have developed that kind of expertise and that leadership. I say, Mr. Speaker, as a part of that piece of work, we are about to – another component of this electronic patient record that we are establishing, in March of this year - March of 2009 rather, this year coming up - we are going to be piloting in Grand Falls-Windsor, in Central Newfoundland, we are going to be piloting a project that will see a pharmacy come online with an electronic pharmacy network. That will be the first pharmacy to come online, as a pilot, and they are a test site. They are testing a system that is already developed.

So by the time 2009 roles around, and fiscal 2009-2010 is over, we will have successfully implemented another component of our electronic patient record system. We are now – that is the second component, the PACS and the imaging system, as I just referenced a moment ago, was the first. We were the first in the country to do that. We will be among the leaders in the country to have a pharmacy network established. In this coming year, we will start with some matching funds from Canada Health Infoway – they are giving us about $18 million over five years, and we are going to match that money – to have our lab systems as a part of this electronic patient record system.

So just to place this in some context, Mr. Speaker, we will be one of the leading provinces in the entire country in moving towards having an electronic patient information system. As a Minister of Health and Community Services, I frequently get various journals come across my desk, various publications acknowledging what is happening in the rest of the country, and about maybe five or six months ago I picked up an article that talked about New Brunswick announcing their plan to move towards an electronic patient information system. They are announcing that in the last six or eight months.

We are standing here today – I am standing here today, as the minister, telling the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that we are the leaders in this field. We already have one component implemented, one other component – the pharmacy system – substantially implemented, and by the time this coming year is over, we will have started on the third phase, which is having a new lab information system. Leaders in the country, I say Mr. Speaker.

When people stand in this Province and criticize our health system and talk about what we are not doing, what it is we are lacking in this Province, and why don't we do things here like they do in other jurisdictions? I am here today, Mr. Speaker, to tell the people of this Province that we are, in fact, in some areas of our health system, well ahead of some others.

So when we start talking about how we improve access to health services, how we improve diagnostic services, how we improve the working environment to allow us to attract the kind of capable, competent people that we need around us, these are just some of the tools that we are putting in place, Mr. Speaker, to allow us to do that; investing in infrastructure, investing in technology. Being the leaders in moving forward with developing the kind of electronic patient information that provides improved access to health services, enhances the physicians and nurses and other clinicians ability to provide quality health services in a very speedy way and in a fashion that provides enhanced services with a view of always improving the overall health status of our population.

I know, Mr. Speaker, my time is about up but there is one other point, with leave from the House. With leave, I just want to highlight one other significant thing-

MR. SPEAKER (Collins): Order, please!

Does the member have leave?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Leave.

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. member by leave.

MR. WISEMAN: I do not know how I can contain myself. I have been in this House eight years and no one has ever given me leave before. So I thank you very much, to my hon. colleagues for – I think it is a recognition, Mr. Speaker, it is a recognition that my colleagues now fully understand I believe and truly appreciate the value of our health system and want to hear more about the wonderful things that we are doing to improve our health services.

One organization I do want to acknowledge – again, I want to read into the record. This is a publication from Memorial's Medical School, and the publication talks about medical education expansion and enhancements. I want to read you a couple of key things. Today, there are 208 specialists in this Province, or 56 per cent of the fully licensed specialists in this Province are graduates of Memorial University's Residency Program.

AN HON. MEMBER: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: The other thing, Mr. Speaker, we have 237 family physicians in this Province which represents - or graduates of Memorial University, which represents 59 per cent of the family physicians in this Province. So when we look at great institutions doing great work and providing capable, competent, very well qualified health practitioners for Newfoundland, we just need to look to MUN's Medical School.

I want to read a couple of other interesting facts, I say, Mr. Speaker, because this I think speaks to the wisdom of our government's decision to invest heavily in the expansion of Memorial University Medical School. We want to be able to move from the current sixty students enrolled to a full eighty students to be enrolled when the expansion is completed. Plans are progressing as we speak, and we have invested or committed to invest some $15 million in the capital construction of that school, that expansion, but also are committed to the funding that will be required to operate it once it is expanded.

I want to just read into the record, Mr. Speaker, three significant points, I think, that again endorses the wisdom of our decision. This document has suggested that from 2002 to 2008, 144 MUN medical graduates established practice in Newfoundland and Labrador, or represents forty medical students in total; 2008 alone saw seventeen family physicians graduating from MUN's medical school and establishing practice in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Here is the other interesting point, Mr. Speaker: Over 80 per cent of MUN's MD graduates who become licensed to practice medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador remain here after five years. Statistically, Mr. Speaker, once physicians have established their practice, established themselves in a community for a period of longer than five years, statistically speaking they are more apt to stay for the full duration of their career.

I say, Mr. Speaker, time goes pretty quickly. I have just spent twenty short minutes talking about some of the things that we are doing in health services in Newfoundland and Labrador, some of the investments we have made as a government, some of the improvements we have made, and I have only just touched the service. I have a binder here, Mr. Speaker, full of great achievements and great things that we have done. I could spend hours standing in this House, but I don't want to impose myself on my colleagues. I appreciate the fact that they have given me leave to continue. I could go on and on forever because I have just pages and pages, and lists and lists of accomplishments, but I do want to conclude with this, Mr. Speaker, on a very serious note.

On a very serious note, I want to take this opportunity to commend the thousands – in our health system in Newfoundland and Labrador we have over 20,000 people employed with our four regional health authorities and within the Department of Health and Community Services who, on each and every day of the year, go to work wanting to do good, wanting to ensure that they have an opportunity to improve the lots of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. I want to take this opportunity as I stand in this House today, on the eve of Christmas, to wish them and their families all the best for the Christmas season, prosperity through the New Year, and thank them, on behalf of the Government of this Province, for the great work that they do on behalf of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Before we proceed, the Chair would like to recognize in the gallery the Bhuiyan family from Bangladesh, who are here. One of their daughters works with Multiculturalism.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Welcome to the House of Assembly and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The hon. the Member for Cape St. Francis.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is both an honour and a privilege to stand here today to represent the constituents of the District of Cape St. Francis. I want to thank them once again for their support, and assure them that I will represent our district to the best of my ability and repay the confidence they have shown in me.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the individuals who helped me during my by-election campaign. I had a wonderful group of volunteers who gave freely of their time and energy, and I really appreciate the hard work that they have done.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a bittersweet feeling that I am in this position today. I am extremely proud to follow in the footsteps of the representatives of our district, but it is with a heavy heart that I am in this position today. I stand here following the loss of a great personal friend of mine, a great friend of the people of the district. I am sure you all realize I am referring to the late Jack Byrne and his dedication to his constituents of Cape St. Francis in particular and to the people of the Province in general.

Mr. Speaker, during my campaign I had the pleasure of knocking on lots of doors, and spoke to a countless number of people throughout the district, and all voiced their admiration and respect for Jack and his constant determination to help his region and its residents grow and prosper.

It is obvious that I have very large shoes to fill, and I want to assure the people of the district that the projects that were a priority to Jack Byrne are a priority to me as well.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I stand here today and say that our new regional arena is now in operation. It is a beautiful state-of-the-art building of which all people in the district should be very proud. Without the hard work of Jack and the co-operation of the communities involved - Flatrock, Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, Pouch Cove and Torbay - this facility would not have become a reality.

Mr. Speaker, the Torbay Bypass Road has long been a dream of the residents of Bauline, Flatrock, Pouch Cove and Torbay. Being one of the fastest growing regions of the Province, the number of vehicles traveling Torbay Road has steadily increased. Traffic congestion has become a real issue.

I am very pleased to inform the House and the residents affected that the tenders have been called. Construction will commence soon. Hopefully, the Bypass Road will alleviate the traffic problems we are having for many of our residents now.

Mr. Speaker, with the growth in the region, the influx of new families in the area, the increase of student population had to be accommodated. Due to the aging infrastructure and the foresight of some of our community leaders, a new elementary school was planned and necessary funds secured. There was a delay in the project due to location decisions, but it is my pleasure to inform the House again that the construction on the site work has begun for the new elementary school in the Town of Torbay.

Mr. Speaker, I can go no further without congratulating and thanking not only the late Jack Byrne but the federal, provincial and municipal governments for their vision and considerable financial input on the completion of these important projects.

Mr. Speaker, I represent five towns, a small part of St. John's, an area where fast growing region and infrastructure needs are increasing. In conjunction with the needs of the residents, as a former municipal leader I can emphasize with the municipalities in regards to these needs. I want to work side by side with the residents to solve any problems that may arise during my term as MHA. Hopefully, we can continue the co-operation between the communities, as we saw on the arena, and continue to work together to improve our area.

Also, I wish to work with the volunteer organizations. They put in countless hours and work tirelessly to make our communities strong and vibrant, to make them better places to live. Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of these groups throughout my district, and being a volunteer for many years gives me great insight into their needs and wishes. Let me assure all concerned, that I will be available to help them in any way I can.

Mr. Speaker, the District of Cape St. Francis has been represented by exceptional members since its inception in 1949 and I hope to continue with the commitment of these great individuals. One of these members was Kevin Parsons Senior, my father, who represented the district between 1986 and 1993.

Mr. Speaker, my mom and my dad are the ones who have had the most influence in my life. They are the main reason I am in this position I am in today and I would like to thank them for their commitment in raising their children to show compassion to those in need, to show respect for those less fortunate than ourselves and instilling the belief that community is family and families always take care of each other. This certainly became apparent during my by-election as well. When I needed help, my siblings and other relatives quickly offered support and soon my community family stepped in and all help necessary was quick at hand.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my two children, David and Nicole. I always had their full support, and I am so glad of that. My children play a major role in my life and they played a major role in my campaign. Along with their many friends, they educated me on the power of the Internet and the ability to contact so many people in such a short period of time. I was so impressed with the enthusiasm of the youth in the district, I think like many, the future of our Province is in our youth, and I also think our future is in good hands.

Mr. Speaker, the biggest concern with Newfoundland and Labradorians today is the world-wide economic situation and the effects it may have upon us. Right now, nobody knows how sure these effects are going to be, meaning we do not know how bad the situation could become.

Mr. Speaker, I was at a seniors' function recently, and I spoke to a senior. A gentleman eighty-two years old. We talked about the economy. He felt Newfoundland and Labrador was in a fortunate position, for the simple fact that we have such a great leader. What he said to me was, whenever the waters get rough, you need a good Captain at the wheel, and he feels confident Newfoundland and Labrador will weather any storm. Obviously, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians feel the same way, with the recent showing of our Premier with 80 per cent approval.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, as a new member, I have been listening to the speeches for the last couple of weeks, and I found them very interesting.

Mr. Speaker, there is one that hit home the most, it was from the hon. Member for Bonavista North, when he was speaking about the fishery. My family was involved in the fishery for years. My father fished. My whole family was involved in trucking fish. We trucked millions of pounds of cod and capelin from the District of Cape St. Francis.

Mr. Speaker, when the moratorium came in 1992, the area that I represent, the beautiful District of Cape St. Francis, was devastated by the loss of the cod fishery. Myself, like most people, thought it was all over for our fishermen. However, today, Mr. Speaker, I see a fishery more prosperous than ever, because of the movement from cod to crab.

As the hon. Member from Bonavista North spoke, fishermen who started the crab fishery – people did not think it was such a great idea. Now look at a fishery worth over $1 billion. Mr. Speaker, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have bounced back so many times. When one door closes, another one opens.

Mr. Speaker, I feel bad about the situation in Lab West and Grand Falls-Windsor area, and how the people find themselves due to the downturn of the economy, but I am sure there will be doors open in these communities. I know the Premier and the ministers and the government as a whole, will be working to ensure all opportunities are seized in these areas to alleviate any circumstances that these people find themselves in. I think all we have to do is look at today, an important piece of legislation hopefully this government will be passing here today.

Mr. Speaker, I have a friend of mine, who was one of my best buddies growing up. I speak to him on a regular basis. For the past twenty-five years he has been listening to the word Newf, and on a weekly basis, he has heard a Newfie joke. In a recent conversation, he informs me that things are changing. He works in Cambridge, Ontario, in a steel mill, and the talk around the water cooler and in the lunchroom has changed dramatically. People see Newfoundland and Labrador in a different light.

Mr. Speaker, since 2003, each year following, not only did Newfoundlanders and Labradorians change here but Canadians have changed in how they see our people. Mr. Speaker, this is a direct result of this government's policies and planning. Finally, we have a Premier who is not afraid to stand up and ensure that we get maximum benefits for our resources. The days of the giveaways are no longer.

I feel very fortunate to be part of this government with such a great leader and such a strong team. That is why Newfoundlanders and Labradorians here and away have the pride that they do in our Province today.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the hon. Member for Baie Verte-Springdale on his win as well. I wish him all the best, and I know that his district will be well represented.

Mr. Speaker, to conclude, I am looking forward to the next few years. As a former member of the Flatrock Flyers hockey team I was very fortunate in winning four Herder championships. For those of you who don't know what a Herder championship is, it is like the Stanley Cup for a Newfoundland hockey player.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: I know what is needed to have a successful team. You need strong leadership, you need collective strength, and you need hard work and determination. I have quickly learned that these are the characteristics of my new team.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all my colleagues for their courtesy and the support they have shown me in making my transition into public life much easier than I thought it would be.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On March 10, 2008, this government outlined a clear and positive direction for our Province, and now we enter into a new history-making time as a have Province.

I now have the opportunity to participate in the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne.

Mr. Speaker, as many of my colleagues alluded to, we are an action oriented government and it has indeed been a busy time for all departments, including the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs.

I would like to acknowledge my colleague, the hon. John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs, who, together with myself, advocated for the people of Labrador and indeed Aboriginal people throughout our Province.

During his response to the Throne Speech, Minister Hickey noted with some pride the accomplishments of this government to improve the lives and well-being of Labradorians under the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador, which will see more than $300 million invested during the course of the five-year plan. Indeed, from improvements to our transportation system to ongoing efforts to improve our many programs and services delivered through the Northern Strategic Plan, we have much to be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador is made up of rugged shorelines, beautiful majestic mountains and dense forests. Many of our people live in rural areas. I feel it is a priority for government to see first-hand how people live in remote communities and the challenges they face. Of course, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians throughout the Province can face challenges of food, clothing, shelter, and access to programs and services, but meeting these challenges can often be only the more difficult for people who live in our remote communities.

Mr. Speaker, recently I was very pleased to bring several of my hon. Cabinet colleagues to my beautiful District of Torngat Mountains.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: During those visits, my colleagues had the opportunity to meet and converse with residents and leaders of the Inuit community governments, Nunatsiavut Government, the Mushuau Innu Band Council and the Innu Nation. I believe it is important that our government not just govern from here in this hon. House but it is imperative that we see the effects that our decisions and our actions have on the people in this Province. This gives all of us a better understanding of what must be done to improve the lives of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

In the case of my own district, I can say with some pride a number of things we have introduced to assist people in their day-to-day lives. We have the $500 rebate for home heating, an increase of $100. There are reduced vehicle registration fees to reflect the fact that roads are not accessible year-round. I am also pleased to note that in the coming weeks residents of communities on the North Coast will no longer have to travel to Happy Valley-Goose Bay to have their photo identification necessary for air travel and will be able to have their photos taken in their own communities.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: Mr. Speaker, this is a government that listens to the concerns of people living in rural and isolated communities and works to address those concerns. Our recent consultations on the Poverty Reduction Strategy are a great example of this. I was pleased to join Minister Skinner when he visited the North Coast to hear the concerns of the residents of Hopedale. We are listening, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, these are indeed historic times for Aboriginal people in Newfoundland and Labrador. In the Speech from the Throne our government stated that it would work constructively with the Innu Nation toward the achievement of a comprehensive land claims agreement. On September 28 of this year this government, under the leadership of Premier Williams, laid out the framework of a wide-ranging agreement with the Innu of Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: The Tshash Petapen Agreement, which translates as the New Dawn Agreement, resolves key issues relating to matters between the Province and the Innu Nation surrounding the Innu Rights Agreement, the Lower Churchill Impacts and Benefits Agreement, and Innu redress on the Upper Churchill hydroelectric development.

My hon. colleague, the Minister of Labrador Affairs and MHA for the District of Lake Melville, stood in this Chamber earlier in this session and spoke about how the development of Upper Churchill took away the lands where generations of Innu hunted and trapped. He spoke of how the flooded Smallwood Reservoir changed the landscape of Labrador.

To speak personally, it was one of the most moving moments in my time as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs to take part in that announcement on a clear Friday morning in late September when we informed the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that we had reached this agreement - one achieved only hours earlier as the rising autumn sun marked the dawn of a new day in Canada's most easterly province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: As they spoke with great emotion and conviction, Innu leaders described what it meant for them as a people to have achieved an agreement that acknowledges wrongdoings for past actions along with financial compensation. Mr. Speaker, what we have done cannot be undone, but, for the sake of a prosperous future, wrongdoings can be acknowledged and compensation can be given for the mistakes of the past. That powerful sentiment certainly permeates the New Dawn Agreement.

Shortly after the agreement was signed, I had the pleasure of visiting the community of Natuashish in my district. It was moving to me to sense how people were excited and pleased with what the Innu leadership had achieved. Once the New Dawn Agreement is ratified with the Innu of Labrador, we will be on the right track for sanctioning of the Lower Churchill. This project will indeed make us a major player in our energy-conscious world.

The settling and implementing of land claims is essential to the development of new and respectful relationships between governments and Aboriginal peoples. The resolution of land claims ensures that everyone knows what the rules are and where they apply, providing a stable and predictable environment for investors.

Mr. Speaker, as an Aboriginal woman who grew up and went to school and raised my own family in my Aboriginal community of Hopedale, I know first-hand the struggles Aboriginal people have. This government has taken significant strides to address the concerns of many Aboriginal people, and in particular the terrible violence Aboriginal woman and children face.

This year's Speech from the Throne made it quite clear, this Administration will not tolerate family violence.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: Through the guidance of my good colleague, the hon. Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, we are investing over $9 million over a six-year period in the Violence Prevention Initiative.

I was pleased to recently join Minister Dunderdale to attend a provincial conference held here in St. John's that addressed the issue of violence against women. Some 150 community stakeholders discussed issues, including domestic violence, the Justice system, healing strategies for victims, and why some women stay in violent relationships.

This is the third year that partners of the Violence Prevention Initiative have come together to discuss violence in Newfoundland and Labrador. The conference featured a number of presentations on efforts to take on violence against women. One of the key note speakers was Brian Vallée, best-selling author of The War On Women and Life with Billy.

Mr. Speaker, recently we made several new grant announcements to the Violence Prevention Initiative that funds several sessions for Aboriginal people throughout the Province. This will provide a means to raise awareness on violence prevention and deliver culturally sensitive violence prevention workshops in their own communities. These important sessions will be a conduit where Aboriginal people will have the opportunity to share and learn from each other.

Mr. Speaker, this government is taking a strong stand against violence. These new grants for this year are another positive means by which we are continually working in collaboration with Aboriginal people and communities throughout the Province.

Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs I have had the privilege to travel to many of the Aboriginal communities throughout our Province. This past summer I participated in several cultural events and would like to take a moment to highlight a few of my visits.

In July, I had the opportunity to travel with Premier Williams to Conne River and partake in the 13^th annual Miawpukek First Nation Powwow. The Miawpukek First Nation Powwow was recently recognized as one of twenty-nine significant Aboriginal tourism events by Aboriginal Tourism Canada.

Mr. Speaker Mi'kmaq people enjoy a rich cultural heritage that is deeply rooted in our Province. Sagamaw Mi'sel Joe and the entire Miawpukek First Nation are to be commended for their preserving and passing along their cultural heritage to younger generations.

Recently, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador had a request from the Miawpukek First Nation to designate a protected burial ground so that all birds, especially eagles, could have a final resting place. Mr. Speaker, the eagle plays an important role in Mi'kmaq society. It is very sacred and is a source of spiritual strength. In Mi'kmaq culture it is widely believed that the eagle is the only bird to have touched the face of the Creator.

Through the Central Regional Crown Lands office, it was recommended that an island be restricted from any development not associated with the burial of eagles by the Miawpukek First Nation.

On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I was pleased to present Chief Joe with a framed map of the new protected burial site.

Mr. Speaker, as many of my hon. colleagues know, the Aboriginal traditions and way of life have become increasingly difficult to maintain in today's modern pop culture era.

In October, I had the great fortune to visit the West Coast of the Island to participate in celebrating the opening of the Bay St. George Cultural Circle. It was with the thought of a beautiful culture being extinguished that this group was formed. This cultural circle will teach our children that we can have a strong personal relationship with our heritage while living in a modern world.

Mr. Speaker, the Bay St. George Cultural Circle is more than a centre of learning. It is an opportunity for people to revitalize a way of life, for people to learn and share their heritage.

Mr. Speaker, these are indeed exciting times for our Province, and in particular, exciting times for our Aboriginal people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

I alluded to the New Dawn Agreement earlier, and I would like to add to that the achievements of other Aboriginal groups.

Here on the Island portion of the Province the Mi 'Kmaq have been very busy making history. In November of 2007, the Federation of Newfoundland Indians signed an Agreement in Principle with the federal government. This agreement enables further negotiations between Ottawa and the FNI and allows for the creation of what has been called a landless band. This will provide FNI members with access to federal programs, including post-secondary education and non-insured health benefits.

This historic agreement has since been ratified, and the FNI and its membership are to be congratulated for this impressive achievement.

The Nunatsiavut Government has been in existence for three years and we are continually working closely together to ensure the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement is fully implemented.

In February 2008, I had the pleasure to transfer lands to community governments of Rigolet, Makkovik, Postville and Nain, the freehold title to all of this Crown land in those Inuit communities. It was another historic day in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and especially for the Inuit people. The land transfer represents the strong and mutually beneficial relationship our governments enjoy.

For the Inuit of this Province, self-government has not been without its challenges, but overall the experience has been positive and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to enjoy a fruitful relationship with the Nunatsiavut government as we move forward with the implementation of the Land Claims Agreement.

As well, this government continues to prompt the federal government to make a decision on the Labrador Métis land claim. I recently wrote a letter to my federal counterpart, the hon. Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, to remind him that the LMN asserted land claim has been outstanding for some time and requires a final decision by the federal government. A timely resolution of the Labrador Métis Nation land claim will help clarify many of the issues that arise between governments and the LMN.

Mr. Speaker, it is the provincial government's desire to develop a good relationship with the Labrador Métis Nation. This government continues to support their efforts to seek access to federal programs and services.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that we live in interesting times. Current global events have created some uncertainty to be sure, but these are still times of opportunity and the Aboriginal peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador are eager to pursue responsible and sustainable economic opportunities. While they look ahead to the future of opportunity, Aboriginal men and women remain determined to maintain a strong connection to their past.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains deeply and firmly committed to working with Aboriginal people to help improve the well-being and circumstances. Many of the initiatives I have spoken of here today serve to demonstrate the true strength of these convictions.

As Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, I am proud to serve in a government that is showing true progress in many areas, not the least within my own department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The Chair finds that every now and then it is necessary to revisit some of the rules of debate, and quite often even our seasoned parliamentarians slip up. Members are not to be referred to by given names, including the Premier, and the minister is to be referred to by the riding that the person represents or the ministry that the person represents.

I would like to remind the House of that rule, and every now and then everybody has a chance to slip up a little.

The hon. the Member for the District of St. John's South.

MR. T. OSBORNE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to stand in the House today and provide some comments in the Address in Reply.

I will start off talking about some of the things that I remember from when we were in opposition. I remember one of the issues that I had strongly advocated on and worked on was the export of water in bulk. Looking at that issue, the people of the Province very strongly rallied against the bulk export of water from this Province, because they believed in the philosophy of no more giveaways. They rallied against that, because at the end of the day, when you look at the claw back on royalties that we would have received on bulk water exports from this Province, they would have left the Province with very, very little, and in return for that, we would have been giving away a very precious commodity, water. Most organizations in the world now, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, and so on, recognize that water is going to be one of the most valuable commodities in the future. Probably as valuable as oil. We would have been giving away, really, the control over that resource, under free trade agreements, NAFTA and other wise.

I say that for a reason, and I will go back to that, but really what I am doing is showing a pattern of what we have seen with previous governments.

We look at deals like the Lower Churchill. When we came to power, I remember back in 2003, the early part of 2004, the then Minister of Natural Resources had discovered, over in that department, some media materials, video and so on, of an agreement for the Lower Churchill. The previous government were about to make an announcement on the Lower Churchill, sign a deal on the Lower Churchill. When we looked at that agreement, and when we looked at the materials that were available, it would have been almost as bad as the deal on the Upper Churchill, and we ensured that that deal was not going to happen.

While we were in opposition we had campaigned on the premise of no more giveaways, but we discovered that material, very shocking material, and we were very shocked to learn of the fact that that news conference, that deal, was all in the name of politics, all in an effort to get re-elected. It was all designed to buy votes, but it would have been giving away another resource.

I remember, just prior to the election in 2003, the Premier held a rally at Mary Queen of Peace on MacDonald Drive and the hall was filled to capacity. In fact, I think we had to turn people away because of fire regulations that evening, and that rally was based on - the whole premise of the rally was no more giveaways. The fact we were campaigning on no more giveaways and the people of this city, and in fact other areas of the Province, because I remember people had - I spoke to people at that rally that had driven great distances to come to that rally because they believed in what our Premier, who was the Leader of the Opposition at the time, but they believed in what this party were saying. We were talking about no more giveaways, and people saw hope in that. They saw hope in the message that we were bringing forward. They liked what we were saying.

People voted for hope in 2003. In many ways, the recent election that we saw in the United States with the election of President-elect Obama reminds me a lot of the election we had in 2003 in this Province, because people voted for hope. Hope for a strong and prosperous future. Hope for a stand, a strong stand on no more giveaways. Hope for a strong economy. Hope for full and fair benefits from our resources, because we are a resource rich province. Perhaps the wealthiest Province in all of Canada resource wise, with the second smallest population. When you look at the mathematics of that, we should be the wealthiest Province in Canada. They voted for hope for jobs, for a fair return on our royalties, for spin-offs. When you look at previous deals, such as the Upper Churchill and the fact that Quebec on the Upper Churchill are making $800 million or $900 million a year on that resource and we are making in this Province $70 million or $80 million on that resource. That was nothing short of a giveaway.

Can you imagine what this Province could have done with that amount of money on an annual basis? Not only would we have been a have province here, we would have been able to finance projects ourselves, like Hibernia. We would not have needed the federal government to finance those projects for us; we would have been able to do it ourselves. We would have been a self-sustaining Province.

What we campaigned on in 2003, the hope that people voted for, we have delivered on. We have delivered on that hope. We have delivered on no more giveaways. We have delivered on greater benefits from our resources. You see, year after year, we are delivering surpluses. People in this Province now have pride in who we are as a people. They have pride in our culture, pride in our heritage. We have always had pride in our culture and our heritage, but now that pride, we are proud to stand up and show Canadians our proud culture and heritage. We are proud of where we have come from and we have confidence and faith in where we are headed. That is because we are now seen as contributing to Canada. We are a have Province. We have always contributed to Canada. We have always contributed to Canada in our brightest, youngest people leaving this Province to fill jobs that other provinces could not fill, in our resources going to other provinces.

I have often talked in this House of, in 1997, a study that was released or a review that was released by the Department of Industry, Trade and Technology at that time, that showed that because of our resources, our trade with Ontario, sending raw resources to Ontario, we created 22,000 jobs that year in Ontario in manufacturing, primarily, in developing our resources. So we have given to Canada.

Ontario, because of their exports to this Province, created 2,500 jobs, primarily in retail. Low-paying retail jobs, whereas what we have created in Ontario as a result of our exports of raw resources to Ontario, created 22,000 high-paying jobs. So we have given to Canada. We have always given to Canada, and now they are starting to recognize that. That is the reason we are proud to say now that we are contributing to Canada. We have always known it. The rest of Canada did not see it. We saw it. We are proud to say today that we are equal partners in Canada. We are contributing to the equalization formula in Canada.

We are strong as a people. We are strong as a Province. We are strong Canadians. Because of the promise of no more giveaways, because of fighting for a better deal on the Atlantic Accord, because of fighting for an equity share in our oil resources, because of ensuring that oil deals are now providing not only the much-needed jobs here, but we have escalator clauses on revenue that we are getting on oil resource deals. And other resource deals that we signed on a go-forward basis will have the same sorts of conditions applied, because as a people, as a Province, as a partner in Canada, it is the only way that we will maintain our ability to be fiscally strong as well as strong as a people.

In this Province, we have always had a strong will to survive. We now have a strong will to prosper, and that is something new for the people of this Province. It is something that has been delivered as a result of the hard work of this government, under the leadership of our current Premier, something that we have never seen in this Province before. We have always seen a strong will to survive. We have always seen a people that, despite the harsh elements, were able to eke out a survival from the land, from the sea, and we have done that for 500 years, but because of the new direction of this Province, it is certainly my hope that the next 500 years in this Province will see a stronger Province; a will, not only to survive, but a will to prosper; a will to be proud Canadians, to show Canadians who we really are.

I talked a little while ago about the U.S. election, about how they voted for hope when they voted for President-elect Obama, and how it reminded me of the election here in 2003. How they voted for change. The same type of thing we saw here in the election of 2003. It was a movement in the United States. It was not just an election, and that reminds me of the election here in 2003. Much the same thing and the similarities go much deeper than that. Because what we have done as a government, with strong governance and sound fiscal management over the past five years, is what President-elect Obama is now saying the United States needs to do to take them out of the crisis, the global economic crisis.

He is saying they need to put strong investment into infrastructure. Guess what? We have done that for the past five years. It is part of the reason – yes, oil has been part of the solution for us, royalties has been part of the solution, a better deal on the Atlantic Accord has been part of the solution, but part of the solution as well, folks, has been the fact that we have made wise decisions, such as investing heavily in the crumbling infrastructure that the previous government left behind: investing in roads, investing in schools, investing in hospitals. We have put very strong investment into our infrastructure, very strong investment, and that is what the United States is now saying is the answer to get them out of the global fiscal situation that was primarily caused by the United States, and they are the country that are perhaps suffering the most from it.

We are seeing President-Elect Obama say we need to put more money in the hands of the people. We have done that. We have reduced taxes on insurance. We have reduced personal income tax. We have a Poverty Reduction Strategy that is the envy of the country. Over $100 million on an annual basis, sustainable investment into that program. We have invested in the Prescription Drug Program. We have invested in health care, over 10 per cent increase every year over the last three years. So what has happened recently in the United States does remind me a lot of what happened here in 2003, in the fact that people voted for hope, and what we have promised we have delivered on.

The other thing that reminds me - I remember a quote that President-Elect Obama made during the campaign in talking about the Republican Party. That quote stuck with me because that reminded me very much of what happened here in 2003. He said: You can take an old fish and try to make it look good by wrapping it in new paper, but at the end of the day it still stinks. That is what he said of the Republican Party. Do you know what? That is what the people of this Province saw with the previous government, a different leader, new branding, but at the end of the day you can wrap an old fish in new paper but it still stinks.

Mr. Speaker, when you look at some of what we have seen throughout the history of Newfoundland and Labrador in giveaways, the people of this Province - and we have always had a strong desire to battle Ottawa and to take on Ottawa. Many Premiers in the past have done that. They have struck a battle with Ottawa, they have gone toe-to-toe with Ottawa, but primarily for political reasons.

In this Province we do not need to buy votes like we have seen previous Administrations do in almost unveiling a deal on the Lower Churchill that would have mirrored almost the deal on the Upper Churchill. We do not need to buy votes in those ways because the people of this Province have strongly supported this government. They strongly supported this government with an even stronger mandate in 2007. We remain strong in the polls. The reason for that is because they like what we are doing. We do not need to pull political tricks out of a hat. We do not need to buy votes. What we need to do is to continue doing what we are doing: providing strong government, sound fiscal management. That is the reason that Newfoundland and Labrador today is in better fiscal shape than most of the other provinces, almost every other province in fact - ourselves and Saskatchewan, I believe - and we have a record surplus again this year despite the global fiscal situation. We have that because of good government. We need to continue to do that, and if we continue to deliver what the people of this Province want, come election time we do not need to make political decisions, we do not need to try to buy votes, because people are happy to support a government that is providing good government and sound fiscal management, and that is what we need to continue to do.

You look at Hebron, a multi-billion dollar deal, 3,500 jobs; 3,500 jobs that is going to create in this Province. We are working very strongly on a Lower Churchill deal and, believe me, when we get that deal it will be an enviable deal; the same as the Atlantic Accord, the same as the deal we got on White Rose, where we got a 5 per cent stake in White Rose.

It is those decisions that have kept this Province strong and that will keep this Province strong in the future. We have a long-term energy plan that includes not only our oil resources, not only oil but wind energy, because we have one of the strongest wind resources in the entire world. Unfortunately, because we are not hooked into the national grid, we have not been able to develop that, but that day is coming. I am sure that as part of a Lower Churchill deal we are going to look at being hooked into the grid. It is something that our Premier has talked about, that this government has talked about, and then not only will we see the benefits of the Lower Churchill; we will see the benefits of our vast wind resources. We will prosper as a result of our vast wind resources as well.

Mr. Speaker, we have seen four consecutive surpluses in this Province. Not only surpluses, I may say, because we have seen the way previous governments have done their budgets, but our surpluses in this Province, Mr. Speaker, have been on a fully consolidated basis. For anybody out there who does not fully understand what that means, we have rolled everything in. We have rolled in the money that is outstanding on our pension plans, the money that government owes on pension plans. We have rolled everything into that. It is a fully consolidated surplus, Mr. Speaker.

We have gone from the Province with the highest taxes in the country to the Province with the fourth-lowest taxes in the country, putting money back into the hands of the people of this Province, stimulating the economy, real economic stimulus.

We have eliminated the tax on insurance, as I have said earlier. We have an infrastructure plan in this Province that is going to be approximately $4 billion over five years. That is enormous, when you look at when we formed government our infrastructure was crumbling. I doubt if you could find ten straight kilometres on the Trans-Canada Highway that did not need work. That is not the same today. People can see the investment that we have made. It is a real investment, and we are going to continue with that investment. That is real economic stimulus, almost $4 billion over five years.

Mr. Speaker, we have put money back into the hands of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador by eliminating school fees, by providing free textbooks for all classes from K-12. We have improved the minimum wage in this Province putting money into the hands of the people who need it most. We are committed to having a $10 minimum wage by 2010. That is just a little more than a year away. We have seen, from the time we have taken government in 2003, a minimum wage that was $6.50, I believe, to, in six years, being $10 an hour. That is economic stimulus, Mr. Speaker. That is real economic stimulus, and that is what is needed in this Province. That is one of the things that we are doing in this Province that we see places like the United States now saying we need.

Mr. Speaker, I see that my time is up. I will have other opportunities to speak in this House.

I can say, Mr. Speaker, that I am very proud of the accomplishments that this government has made. I am very proud of the economic stimulus provided by this government. I am very proud, Mr. Speaker, of the job that this government has been doing in providing good government and sound fiscal management, something, Mr. Speaker, that is going to charter our course into the future in good hands.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Grand Falls–Windsor–Green Bay South.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HUNTER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to get up today and have a few words on the Address in Reply.

I just have a few comments on some of the things that have been going on in my district lately, but before I do that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate our new member from Baie Verte–Springdale and our new member from Cape St. Francis.

The member from Baie Verte–Springdale I have been quite familiar with and worked with the last number of years when he was the mayor of Springdale and, of course, I was the MHA representing Springdale. We have had a lot of history together dealing with issues concerning Springdale and that general area. I must say, he has done a great job as the mayor of Springdale and I only expect a great job from him as the MHA for Baie Verte–Springdale. I congratulate him and, of course, I am always there for him if he needs any help and support. I think they have a great member over there.

Mr. Speaker, today, when I was hearing some of the people speaking, it brought me back to some of the memories in my district of some of the functions that I attended with respect to congratulating and honouring our volunteers. We certainly have a great number of volunteers; everybody in their districts.

Just last week I was to a volunteer Christmas appreciation dinner for the volunteers in Triton, and it was so good to see that we have so many volunteers. We had so many different aspects of volunteerism, and just to see the numbers of the people that volunteered and came forward and gave everything they could give for their community and surrounding area.

Mr. Speaker, just in the ambulance service alone we had seven volunteers that were committed twenty-four hours a day. The ambulance care in the Green Bay South area is certainly in good hands out there. The attendants were just on the scene whenever needed, and that was such a good thing for that area. There were nine drivers who were designated for the ambulance service there and there were seven who were on the committee. I mean, that speaks well for the volunteers. Even the fire department in Triton, Mr Speaker: there were thirty volunteer fire department members. That is quite an accomplishment for a small town that deliver this service. I can only say good things about our volunteers and particularly our fire fighters.

Over the last few years we have worked very hard to make sure that they have had the best equipment that we can find for them that we can cost share and deliver to our smaller communities. Triton has done well, Springdale has done well over the years, and some of the bigger communities, Roberts Arm. We have had good equipment, good volunteers and good training. The training part of our fire departments in rural Newfoundland is probably better than anywhere in North America. They are always out on training seminars and they are trained by the best in the Province that we have. We have some really good, good trainers in Central Newfoundland and Grand Falls-Windsor with the Grand Falls-Windsor fire department.

We have our fire chief and other members of that department who continually train and continually do courses and of course they pass that on to other communities that probably do not have the resources to go to these seminars and training sessions. This has been done continually, and it is so good to see that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians share when it comes to experiences and share when it comes to training. We want the best training that we can have for these people who put their lives on the line everyday to protect us and protect our properties.

Mr. Speaker, just in Triton alone, even with the firettes - we have twenty-nine firettes involved in the volunteer fire department. I tell you, they have no trouble putting off a dinner or a fundraising to raise money for equipment or anything that the fire department needs. They really put together things in the right way, and they have their local fundraisers. Sometimes they have it televised on the local channel and they raise a lot of money. Then, they might have a dinner, a hot dinner, and they raise a lot of money through that. They contribute to the fire department's needs. Not only that, Mr. Speaker, these people, when their needs are met within the fire department, they take money and then contribute to other causes, the Janeway, the cancer clinic and stuff like that. They put money into different things. That is so good to see our volunteers doing that kind of stuff.

Not only that, in Triton we have an arena there. It is a fairly big arena, and that arena takes a lot of money to keep going. We have eleven people on the recreation committee that, all year long, raise money. They do all kinds of functions. Then on Triton Day, that is when they raise most of their money for recreation. They raise thousands and thousands of dollars, of course with some help from our government and the member always involved in trying to keep our communities active and keep our young people active and keep them in the stadiums and on the ball fields and getting involved in different youth organizations, stuff like that, but it takes a great deal of money to do that. So we depend on all these people in volunteerism to not only take care of what they are responsible for in the committees and the groups that they serve, but to help each other. You can see that, no doubt, in my district. We can see it all year long, and these people work very hard.

Even the town employees go way beyond their job description when it comes to serving their community. There are eight employees in the Town of Triton. These employees work endlessly to make sure that the Town of Triton is well served and well protected, well cared for and take advantage of whatever they can take advantage of for the betterment of their community.

Not only in Triton, Mr. Speaker, I see it in all the communities in my district. Grand Falls-Windsor has a lot of volunteer organizations that contribute all the time to causes when it comes to health care, recreation. The people are just fantastic. We have two stadiums in Grand Falls-Windsor, an indoor swimming pool, three or four ball fields; all kinds of recreation facilities that takes a great deal of work and commitment by the volunteers and by the town. The town has to be congratulated. The town is always on the ball to get things for the people of Grand Falls-Windsor.

I remember one time when the baseball association was looking for lighting for the ball field. We had a very active association and the member of the day, Mr. Len Simms, lobbied hard to get some money to put on that, and it was up in the hundred of thousands of dollars that was needed to put in this lighting system. That was probably fifteen years or so ago, and that lighting system is still active today. The people that are involved in sports and ball fields and recreation are so glad that we had these facilities in our town so that young people, older people even, can take advantage of the infrastructure of the town to be active. Instead of sitting on their couches and chairs, and sitting back, they can get out. Even if they are not involved in sports, we have probably one of the best walking trail systems in the Province.

We have the Corduroy Brook walking trail. It is over fourteen kilometres long, right through the town and around the town, and some beautiful, beautiful scenery. It brings you back to the natural habitat and has all kinds of signage there explaining the different areas when you walk through them. That gives our seniors a chance to get out and walk through the community and see what the town has done and what our Corduroy Brook group has done. All the organizations chip together and they help each other.

We have ERMA, the Environment Resources Management Association, who is very active in the town with respect to our salmon enhancement and the Exploits River - very, very proud of what they are doing. They work alongside of the other groups, with the Corduroy Brook association, and other associations when they help out from time to time, because we know that these things must be done for the people of our community. We have to have the best that we can get with the money that we have to work with.

Thanks to local MHAs and my colleague here from Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans, and my colleague from Exploits, who is still involved in Central Newfoundland as well. I mean, Grand Falls-Windsor is a big part of his life, as much as it is for myself and my colleague from Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans. Even my colleague from Lewisporte, the MHA from Lewisporte and the MHA from Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune, they are so involved with what goes on in Grand Falls-Windsor. What is important to them is important to me, and important to my colleague from Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans, because we know that people from the Baie Verte, Springdale and Lewisporte and Coast of Bays that come to Grand Falls-Windsor for services, is what makes our town prosperous; what makes us survive so that we need to deliver the services in health care and in all types of retail establishments that benefit from this.

Unfortunately, last week we had some really bad news on the AbitibiBowater newsprint mill there that is going to hurt our town a lot – but I say we are lucky. Thank God, we have all the people that, surrounding our town, that come to Central Newfoundland, that come to Grand Falls-Windsor to shop, buy their cars, and I know that first hand. My son is a car salesman in Grand Falls-Windsor, and I tell you, he could tell you stories. When people prosper outside of Grand Falls-Windsor, it helps us prosper inside of Grand Falls–Windsor. It makes a big difference to a lot of lives, and now we are going to have to take this hit of the mill closing. I think with the government - when the Minister of Natural Resources was out last week we spent time with her. Myself and the Member for Exploits, and the Member for Grand Falls–Buchans spent a lot of time talking to the minister and the Premier, and of course the Minister of ITRD, who heads the commission now. I could see in their eyes the hurt that the ministers were finding themselves because they knew that decent, hard-working people were hurting and going to hurt.

This government is putting their foot forward to make some very serious decisions and make some very serious things happen for the people of Central Newfoundland; over forty communities that are affected, thousands of people are affected. I tell you, there is nobody in this House, in this Province today who was as proud as I was when the Premier got up and spoke on what we were going to do. I tell you, for too long our resources were being raped. They had been taken away and money taken out of the Province, going all over the world when the people of this Province should be benefiting the most from our resources. I have to congratulate our ministers and the Premier today that we are going to do the right thing. It is probably going to be a long, tough road but, thank God, we are on that road.

Mr. Speaker, I will clue up now and we will move on to other business, but thanks for the opportunity to have a few words to speak.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Government House Leader.

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, earlier today we had a notice of motion from the hon. Minister of Natural Resources regarding Bill 75.

Mr. Speaker, with leave, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Natural Resources, for leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights. (Bill 75)

I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister of Natural Resources shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi–Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights, Bill 75, and that Bill 75 be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the hon. minister shall have leave to introduce Bill 75, and that the said bill be now read a first time?

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, 'nay'.

The motion is carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Natural Resources to introduce a bill, "An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights," carried. (Bill 75)

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights. (Bill 75)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 75 has now been read a first time.

When shall the said bill be read a second time?

MS BURKE: Now, Mr Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Now.

On motion, Bill 75 read a first time, ordered read a second time presently, by leave.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, with leave, I call second reading of Bill 75.

MR. SPEAKER: With leave, it is moved and seconded that Bill 75 be now read a second time.

Motion, second reading of a bill, "An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights." (Bill 75)

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, Bill 75, An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights.

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is simple but its impact is significant. Through this bill we are asserting our role as stewards of our natural resources and making sure that our Province retains the value of these resources as they pertain to the Grand Falls-Windsor operation.

When we took office in 2003 we did so on the strength of a mandate to ensure that there were no more giveaways in this Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: Mr. Speaker, our goals, our plans and our actions from that point on have been in support of that fundamental principle.

When we took difficult and decisive steps to get our fiscal house in order, it was with the goal of being strong and self-sufficient so that we would be in a better position to ensure the optimal development of our resources.

When the Premier successfully negotiated the Atlantic Accord, it was to establish recognition of our right to be the primary beneficiaries of our resources, and to put us in a better financial position.

When we held our position on the development of our oil resources we were criticized for delaying projects, but we stood firm on our promise and we achieved ownership in those developments along with other benefits above and beyond what our Province had seen in the past.

Mr. Speaker, we all looked to the Upper Churchill Agreement as the prime example of how our Province has been used for its resources without adequate compensation to our people, but I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, the Upper Churchill Agreement was not the only bad deal done in the history of this Province and we have an obligation to address one of those situations right here today. I can assure you, this legislation is not a symbolic gesture. We do not take this decision lightly. We had to consider the many implications of our actions today, but ultimately, Mr. Speaker, the decision we made came back to that touchstone, no more giveaways.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: We have had to take this action to ensure that the resources of Newfoundland and Labrador are being utilized for the benefit of the people of the Province and not benefiting a company without any return to us.

The resources of our Province are available to those who are interested in its responsible development. We expect companies to benefit from their investments. We want them to benefit from their investments. We want them to grow, but we also expect people of the Province to benefit, and when that balance is no longer struck the government has a responsibility to act.

When we negotiate our oil development projects, Mr. Speaker, we ensure that our Province receives royalties for those resources in addition to benefiting from the employment and infrastructure that it generates. This is the acknowledgment that the people of the Province deserve to benefit directly from our resources. It is never our intention to be punitive toward any company that operates in good faith in our Province. Businesses have ups and downs, and it is in the best interest of our people and our economy to have healthy, secure companies that operate in an environment of certainty.

We understand that there can be challenges. We not only accept that reality; we do our very best to help ensure consistency and security for our companies during difficult times. In the past three years alone, Mr. Speaker, almost $12 million has been invested in various programs and services to assist AbitibiBowater during the challenges faced by the pulp and paper industry. This includes tax breaks, investment in maintaining silviculture programs, and a significant investment in the rate stabilization program to ensure that our industrial operators did not feel the burden of increased power costs following the closure of the Stephenville operation. In addition, Mr. Speaker, this company has realized a significant benefit from the water resources of our Province. All of this was intended to secure the effective development of our forest resources.

The community of Grand Falls-Windsor was developed quickly and deliberately as a means of establishing a pulp and paper mill. The British Harmsworth family held substantial newsprint investments and were anxious to establish a supply of paper away from the potential interruptions of conflict in Europe. As it is noted by the Grand Falls Heritage Society, the site at Grand Falls-Windsor was considered ideal for its access to significant timber resources, the possible availability of hydroelectricity, and a nearby deepwater port at Botwood.

It was the resource potential of the area that led to the incorporation of the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company on January 7, 1905, and work on the mill's construction began shortly thereafter.

From the beginning, Mr. Speaker, the resources of this Province were the reason for the development of the mill at Grand Falls-Windsor. In January 1905 the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company, commonly referred to as the AND Company, was granted a lease of approximately 518,000 hectares, consisting of the upper Exploits River watershed, by the Governor of Newfoundland, pursuant to the Pulp and Paper Act, 1905. The lease is referred to as the Charter Lease.

The Charter Lease states that its purpose was to encourage the manufacturing of pulp and paper in this colony, clearly specifying that the water rights were solely given to the company for the purpose of a milling and logging business. The lease rights have remained with the mill owner through various corporate changes.

In 1965, the AND Company joined with the Price Company in Quebec and became Price Newfoundland Pulp and Paper. In 1979, that company merged with Abitibi to become Abitibi-Price. On May 29, 1997, Abitibi-Price merged with Stone-Consolidated to form Abitibi Consolidated. In 2007, Abitibi Consolidated merged with Bowater to become AbitibiBowater.

The Grand Falls paper mill has operated continuously since construction, and the various owners throughout the years have managed and used the lands contained in the 1905 Charter Lease as their primary source of wood supply for manufacturing newsprint.

In the 1920s a lead-zinc mine operation began at Buchans, which was also located within the lands encompassed by the Charter Lease, and operated until the mid-1980s.

The company also acquired ownership of land through allocation of Reid Lots. Reid Lots were parcels of land granted to the Newfoundland Railway between 1893 and 1909. Originally intended to be land bordering the railway, a provision was included that where such land was deemed unsuitable the railway had the option to select lands elsewhere. The AND Company secured title to a number of Reid Lots as it proceeded to develop the Grand Falls mill.

The acquisition of timber rights on the railway lands had already been key to the establishment of a pulp and paper mill at Grand Falls by the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company. In 1905 the Government of Newfoundland paid Reid $850,000 to recover a number of the Reid Lots, which it then granted to the AND Company. Reid Lot Grant 59 is tied to the development at Grand Falls, while Reid Lot Grant 228 is tied to the development of Star Lake.

The original water power rights on the Exploits River down to but not including Bishop's Falls were granted to the AND Company in the Charter Lease to entice the construction of a paper mill and to ensure its long-term viability. The rights to the water and water power are premised on their use for milling and logging operations.

The water rights to Bishop's Falls were leased in 1907 to the Newfoundland Pine and Pulp Company, NPPC, in a 999-year lease, for the purpose of driving machinery. A pulp mill and power station was then built at Bishop's Falls.

In 1932 the Bishop's Falls mill, the power station and the timber rights, were sold to the AND Company which continued to produce pulp at Bishop's Falls until 1952. The power generated at Bishop's Falls was thereafter used in the Grand Falls mill.

In 2002, Abitibi undertook the expansion of the facilities at Grand Falls and Bishop's Falls. Abitibi was granted modern water use licences for any incremental production. The water use licences were issued on August 1, 2002, giving Abitibi the right to utilize water from the Exploits River watershed to generate an additional twenty-seven megawatts at Grand Falls and four point eight megawatts at Bishop's Falls. The power generated under these water use licences is not used for Abitibi's milling and logging business but rather it is sold to Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro under a thirty-year power purchase agreement.

Specifically in this bill, Mr. Speaker, we are cancelling the timber licences and water use licences issued to AbitibiBowater. We are also amending the terms of the Reid grants issued to AbitibiBowater to remove references to water courses. This bill also repeals the Pulp and Paper Act and the Charter Lease appended to the act. In so doing, Mr. Speaker, all lands and rights conferred to ABI revert to the Crown.

To ensure full access to the assets required for the generation of electricity, Mr. Speaker, we are expropriating all required lands and assets. While we have chosen to expropriate the electricity generation outside the normal course through the Expropriation Act, we have made provision in this bill to develop regulations to guide our discussions on compensation. These regulations will be developed and released in the near future.

Mr Speaker, the Premier was quite clear when we entered into the final phase of discussion with the company, that if AbitibiBowater was not operating a pulp and paper operation here in our Province that we would exercise whatever options were available to us.

Mr. Speaker, we hoped that we would never reach this point. We hoped that the mill would succeed and prosper in the community that it helped create. We hoped that AbitibiBowater would continue to operate and employ the people of the Province.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, our hopes were unfounded and we have been forced to exercise those options to secure the resources for the people of this Province. The people of Grand Falls-Windsor and the surrounding communities have lived with the threat of mill closure for years. In the past year, Mr. Speaker, the stress and anxiety around this possibility has grown considerably. Yet, in the face of all of this, these people, whose culture and community are intricately intertwined with the mill, have shown tremendous maturity and patience in their dealings with AbitibiBowater. They have worked to identify savings that would benefit the company and help secure the future of the mill. They have tried to resolve the remaining challenges and achieve further efficiencies, and when it became necessary, they stood together and made the most difficult decision of all.

I have talked with these people in their communities, Mr. Speaker. I have seen the concern in their faces and I have shared their frustration. This legislation is being introduced because the single most precious resource, the resource that we can never take back, is the time that these people have committed to this operation. Some have literally given the better part of their lives to this mill and they deserve to see their government stand up for their commitment and ensure that their legacy is respected.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: It is absolutely clear from the historical review of all of the assets held by AbitibiBowater that the intention in application is to support the development of our forest resources and the healthy and continued operation of the mill.

Mr. Speaker, we will not stand by and allow Abitibi to continue to benefit from the rights they have been granted in the past without any commitment to or benefit for the people of this Province. If we did, Mr. Speaker, we would be abandoning the most basic of our philosophies. We are introducing this legislation because it is crucial that we act to support the employees of AbitibiBowater, the residents of the Grand Falls–Windsor area and, indeed, all the people of this great Province in their right to remain the primary beneficiaries of these resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the minister for her introduction of the bill and for the explanation as to the reason why government has chosen to bring forward this legislation today.

Now, Mr. Speaker, we certainly understand that there is no urgency here, but at the same time, we also realize that any time there is a move on behalf of government or on behalf of anyone in the Province to protect resources that belong to people, we certainly, as an Opposition, are prepared to allow for that and to support it.

Obviously, Mr. Speaker, there has been many occasions in this Legislature when we have had bills go through in different stages. Some have been as little as housekeeping items. So, it does not mean that it is bigger or smaller, or more important.

Mr. Speaker, the minister talks about the reasoning for government bringing forward this particular bill. I do not think anyone in the Province could have anticipated, even a year ago, that we would be in the situation that we are in, especially in Central Newfoundland. No one ever anticipated that AbitibiBowater would have to close their doors simply because the markets were not there or that they could not compete in the global economy.

I say that because it was only back, I think about a year ago when we were celebrating the merger of AbitibiBowater in the Province and the strengthening of the company. It was only going back a few years before that when they had committed to production of all of their mill and paper operations in that area, and actually even tied some of their production levels to different things like timber rights and so on. It was never thought about during those periods that we would ever find ourselves in the situation where we are today, where hundreds of people in our Province are being displaced from this particular industry and a town that was founded on this particular industry could be losing one of its main employers.

Whenever those things happen, it is always government's responsibility to move quickly; move quickly to secure whatever employment, to secure whatever assets, to secure whatever business development that they can in the local area. It is always our job, as an Opposition, to ask the questions and to learn what directions they are going to take and what they have forecasted to do. That is what we have been doing in the last few days. We have had lots to talk about: well, we did not cause this problem, but it is not about who causes problems all the time. We have seen that in industrial sectors before in this Province. We have seen it with the fishery; we have seen it with other pulp mills; we have seen it with mining companies; that sometimes it is just a product of the environment that we operate in, but always it is the governments of the day that are left to pick up the pieces, to find the solutions, and to act in the best interest of people.

We certainly feel today that the bill that is before the House is being presented to us in the best interest of the people of the Province. We can certainly say that the clauses in this bill, of which I will get into very shortly, speak very definitively to the resource sector of the resources that were held by this company.

Mr. Speaker, people have to realize that this Province has always been a Province that has been open for business. If you look back through our history, we have probably been more accommodating and I think probably too accommodating in many cases when it comes to being a Province that is conducive to a business climate and to operating and to expanding and to building industry. We have seen lots of examples in our history where we can sit and debate and argue as to whether it could have been done better, whether it could have been done differently and so on. The real issue here is that we have always been open for business and we have always tried our best, no matter what governments were in power, to be accommodating to the corporate sector, to provide for a proper environment for them to do business in our Province and to not be too tough, Mr. Speaker, but tough enough. Tough enough to ensure that there is always protections and safeguards for people.

I think Abitibi over the last 103 years, I think it is in this Province, have had the opportunity to work in probably what is one of the best provinces in North America in terms of operating as a company.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JONES: In the past, Mr. Speaker, they have not only had workers that were prepared to bend over backwards to ensure the viability of the company, to work hard on their behalf and to produce a product that was first class and competitive in the marketplace around the world, but they have had the benefit of negotiating with governments that have been prepared to be lenient, to extend a hand to allow them to utilize the resources that belong to the people of the Province for as long as they needed to, to be able to operate as an industrial partner in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In Abitibi's case, that has been the rights to some of our timber, the rights to some of our water ways, and the rights to some of our lands. It was never offered reluctantly but it was always offered on the premise that if you stop operating or stop providing for industry and business in this Province than you no longer have the right to those resources. That is the premise we always operate on in this Province. Even today, that is still the premise that we operate on. When you do business with us, you do it on our terms and we are good to you, we provide for you, we create an environment that allows you to build a viable company and to operate in the world market, but at the end of the day, when all of that activity ceases, it is still the people of the Province who owns those resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, this particular bill is very straightforward. In fact, it outlines in a couple of the sections in the act, especially under sections 3, 4 and 5, "The timber rights and rights to lands currently held by Abitibi–Consolidated referred to in Schedule A are cancelled and the rights granted under them revert to the Crown." Very simple, very straightforward.

In section 4, Mr. Speaker, it says, "The water use rights referred to in Schedule B…" – and all the Schedules are attached to the act – "…are cancelled and the rights granted under them revert to the Crown."

Mr. Speaker, in section 5.(1), "The right, title and interest in all the lands referred to in Schedule C are expropriated on behalf of the Crown."

Mr. Speaker, I think this is very important legislation simply because it is just reaffirming what we have believed all of our lives as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. It is just reaffirming in this particular act, Mr. Speaker, an agreement that has always existed with this company.

Normally, I would have thought that maybe an agreement could have been sought between the government and the company to actually have the lands and the timber and the water resources just automatically revert to the Province, as would have been stipulated and understood over the course of the last 100 years that the company has operated. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, that was not the case so we are here today, I guess, looking at a bill that certainly allows and reinforces that, and we certainly have no problem with supporting anything that is in this particular bill. We have had an opportunity to discuss it in great detail with the officials within the minister's department and within the Department of Justice, and we have had an opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to ask the questions that we have needed to ask in order for us to have a comfort zone with this.

Mr. Speaker, we certainly realize that the future industry in this Province – and I know that Abitibi Consolidated has been in Grand Falls for 103 years, and I can tell you that this member, and I am sure there is no member in this House that ever wanted to see this company close. If there was ever a way to have secured the continuous operations of the company, I am sure that those options were looked at, as they were looked at in the past when the company also considered closing up, and so on and so forth. Mr. Speaker, the resources are what is key to future industry for the people in this Province. Companies will often come and go, and they will often leave tremendous voids in communities and in people's lives. We have a responsibility in this Legislature and as parliamentarians to mitigate those particular impacts in as best possible way that we can. We have the responsibility to help build new industry, to create new jobs, to ensure that the resources that belong to the people of the Province are going to be utilized for the benefit of the people - in this case - in Grand Falls-Windsor, in Botwood, in Bishop's Falls and all of that particular area that has been impacted.

Mr. Speaker, I truly believe that we have a wonderful future in this Province. I truly believe that, but I also believe that any future that we have is going to be connected to the resources that we have to negotiate those particular industries, those particular deals.

Mr. Speaker, I feel that the greatest thing that we can do for the people of Grand Falls-Windsor and the people of Central Newfoundland today who are impacted is to at least say to them that your rights to your land, your rights to your water, and your rights to your forests are going to be preserved. Certainly, they have known that all along but it is the most important thing that we can do for them at this particular stage.

Of course, there are lots of other things that we can do for them as well, and I will get to that in the days ahead – and I am sure the minister is expecting that in the days ahead - in terms of other things that can be done in that particular region, but today this is the issue that we are debating.

Mr. Speaker, before I conclude, I do want to say that I think there are lessons to be learned in all of this. The greatest lesson, I think, needs to come from the people who decide to do business in our Province, and that is: When you make a decision to come here, you come here with open arms and you are always welcome. There is always, as I have said, a good business environment created, and whatever can be done to ensure that your business is successful I am sure it will be.

At the same time, Mr. Speaker, there always has to be a long-standing respect for the people who live here. The only thing that disappoints me in all of this is that Abitibi Consolidated did not show that respect in good faith and just automatically revert that which belonged to us. I think that would have been probably the best gift and the best legacy that they could have left in this Province as a corporate citizen.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, let it be known to the other corporate people who come here, while they come here with a warm welcome and a firm handshake, they must show respect to the people who live here. That means, Mr. Speaker, if they do not do that, it will be the people themselves who will take things into their own hands, just as you see today, and I hope that is a strong message that will be sent to the other sectors in this Province.

Mr. Speaker, that will conclude my comments. There are some clauses, I think, in the bill that my colleague will raise in Committee, but outside of that I just want to certainly recognize the efforts of the government on behalf of the people in bringing this bill forward.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

It really does give me pleasure to stand today and to join my voice with the Minister of Natural Resources and the Leader of the Official Opposition in speaking to Bill 75.

We are doing something good here today: the fact that this is not so much a debate that we are having here this afternoon in second reading as we put this bill through today. What it is, is a mutual agreement that what we are doing is a good thing to do.

I have to say, and I hope my colleagues will accept my saying this, that it does my socialist heart good to pass a bill that is putting resources back into the hands of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, because it is a basic socialist principle, and I think it is good to recognize that the word socialism is a good word. It means, belonging to the people, so I am glad to see us doing a socialist thing in our House of Assembly this afternoon.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS MICHAEL: Thank you very much.

Because the resources do belong to the people. This is something that anybody who comes to do business inside of our Province, but anywhere else, when they come to do business, and that business involves using the resources of a community, the resources of a Province, of a country, that they do not take over the ownership. They are permitted, for a period of time, to use those resources, and we are happy when they do that and they benefit from them, if they are also causing benefit to the community within which they are working, or the Province within which they find themselves, or the country. We are happy for them to benefit from it, but corporations have to understand, they have our permission – it is a privilege that is being given to them - to use the resources. They do not own them.

That is what struck me as I have been reading some of the documents. This has been quite a day today, because this was presented to us at 12:45 this afternoon and now it is not even 5:00 o'clock and we have been through briefings, we have started the debate here in the House, et cetera. It has all happened pretty fast, so it has been a pretty quick crash course that we have been involved in.

In reading the documents that have been accumulated by the government as they brought themselves to the point of writing this bill, it surprised me to read some documents – I don't suppose it surprised me, but it upsets me to read some documents in which, for example, Abitibi-Consolidated has been claiming ownership of the land and ownership of the water. No, they never owned it. They had a lease that allowed them to use it and the lease was renewed, but it is not ownership.

What we are doing here today is rather precedent setting, I think, in the history of our Province. We too often passed over our resources and thanked people for coming and using our resources, thanked them profusely and did not realize they should be thanking us, and that is what is happening here today. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador into the future, I hope, will thank all of us here in this House today for working together in bringing forward this bill.

We all have a responsibility. Now that these resources, the land and the water resources and the power assets are coming back into the hands of the people who owned them, into the hands of the Crown, the Crown has a responsibility. The Crown has the responsibility that the corporation had. Now we had a corporation in Abitibi-Price who I do not think recognized its privilege. It was a corporation who had the cheapest fibre. They really had a cheap wood. They had the cheapest power and they did no investing in the mill. This is a fact.

This corporation was there to get whatever it could get for itself. Granted, it created employment. There is no doubt about that, but in terms of its understanding of its role, I think its understanding goes right back to the Charter of 1905, which really struck me when I read it today – I will have to read it from this note. In the quote from Mayson Beeton that the Premier had in his statement, and I am going to repeat it again because I think it really is at the basis of what we are talking about this afternoon, when the President of the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company Limited, the predecessor to Abitibi in 1903 said, "I have come to this colony for the purpose of ascertaining whether there are available any timer lands and water powers suitable for the creation of pulp, paper and lumber mills of the capacity we want for the supply requirements at home."

Well I think today it has come home. I think it has come home to roost, that the benefits of the timber and the benefits of the water are now going to benefit the home that it always should have benefited. So we have -

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS MICHAEL: We have a responsibility in this House of Assembly. The government, in particular, has a responsibility. The Crown has a responsibility, because we have to realize this is the first step. Bringing the resources back home, bringing the resources back to the hands where they belong means that we also have to realize that we, by ourselves, are not the people of Newfoundland and Labrador either. The government and those of us who hold elected positions, we have been given a privilege, and our privilege is to manage and to manage those resources and to manage them in consultation with the people. That is a responsibility that we take on. Now, having brought these resources and a large part of our resources back home, and bringing it back home with this bill means we also now are taking on a new responsibility.

There is a challenge to the government, and I know that I shall over the next days also be raising that challenge and asking questions about that challenge with regard to how we are going to ensure that having the resources now in the hands of the right people is going to really work for the benefit, especially of the people in the Grand Falls-Windsor area, not only but especially in that area. How are we going to make sure that they are going to be the ones who will continue to benefit from living in the midst of the great resource that was once owned by Abitibi? This is the challenge, and it is not an easy one. A consultation is not easy because it is always the issue, especially when you are talking about consulting with community, who in the community is the voice you consult with? Obviously, the municipality, but the municipality too is not all the people. Obviously, the unions of the workers, but the unions of the workers too are not all the people. So consultation, it takes time and it takes thinking and it takes real inclusiveness to make sure that everybody is going to benefit. I am sure a lot of us in this room have been involved in consultation and they know what I mean, and that is a big responsibility that we have taken on.

I think another responsibility that the government has taken on, and the task force will certainly have to deal with as it broadens itself in the consultation process because I understand the task force at the moment is fairly narrow and I think that will have to broaden. The other thing that we have taken on is, I believe - and I think it is a challenge. Again, I will be raising this as the days go on - the challenge to make sure that we help Grand Falls-Windsor have a diversified economy based on those resources; that the economy that gets developed is one that has several aspects to it, not just one focus; that this is the time - and I hope people in Grand Falls-Windsor see it this way, I know some do for sure – to move beyond just being the one industry town. It is not a one industry town. There are other industries, but we had a major one.

How do we diversify the economy using these resources so that in the future we do not have a situation again where one industry stops and a town could be faced with disaster? The other challenge, too, is even if the town continues with a pulp and paper mill, which is a possibility, probably not with the same building that is there, but a pulp and paper mill, then how to do that in a sustainable way so that the day will not come when that ever has to be closed down the road.

So, we are taking a big step here today, but it is the first step. I really encourage the government to continue the process of consultation that it started today. We had a very collaborative effort happen here in this House today, the second time this year by the way; two good collaborative efforts in 2008, the energy bill and now Bill 75.

I thank the Premier for the way in which he worked with us today. I thank the Minister of Natural Resources. It is a pleasure to be part of what we are doing here.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order please!

If the hon. the Minister of Natural Resources speaks now she will close the debate on Bill 75.

The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend our thanks to the Opposition parties in this House today. This is a matter that has been on all our minds, has been demonstrated through Question Period in the House here over the last month or so, and about inquiries that have been made. We have known the crisis that has been building in Grand Falls-Windsor and it is something that we have all been wrapping our minds around and pondering about. We all had a number of perspectives that we wanted put on the table, and all of those came together today, Mr. Speaker. There was a great deal of co-operation, a great openness in sharing views and ideas and information, and the legislation that we brought forward here today reflects all of that and is extremely important, so I want to thank them very much for their co-operation on this issue.

What we are doing here today is so important for the people of Grand Falls–Windsor and the surrounding communities. It is more, Mr. Speaker, than ensuring that they have the means to continue to create employment around the resources that exist all around them in that area of the Province. It is something more than that, Mr. Speaker. What we are doing here today as a government and as members of the Opposition parties, as the elected representatives of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, is keeping faith: keeping faith with the people of Grand Falls-Windsor, keeping faith with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador who have put us here as stewards of these natural resources, who have charged us with the responsibility to be good stewards on their behalf.

I think that all of us have risen to that occasion today, and I am very proud, as I suspect all members of this House are, to be part of what it is that we are doing here today, so I thank everyone, Mr. Speaker, and with that I conclude the debate.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House that Bill 75 be now read a second time?

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, 'nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi–Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights. (Bill 75)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 75 has now been read a second time.

When shall this bill be referred to a Committee of the Whole House?

MS BURKE: Now, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Now.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi–Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights," read a second time, ordered referred to a Committee of the Whole House presently, by leave. (Bill 75)

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Natural Resources, that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider Bill 75.

MR. SPEAKER: Before the Chair proceeds to put that motion, maybe the Chair can just introduce a motion to make sure that we do everything correct here, with the importance of this particular bill, and I might ask to have leave extended to all readings of the bill.

I will ask: Is it the pleasure of the House to grant leave to allow Bill 75 to proceed through all parliamentary readings, including Royal Assent, in this parliamentary day?

All agreed?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed.

MR. SPEAKER: It is unanimous.

The motion is that I do now leave the Chair, and that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole.

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, 'nay'.

The motion is carried.

On motion, that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

CHAIR (Collins): Order, please!

Before we commence debate on Bill 75, it is incumbent on the Chair to rule on a point of order raised by the hon. the Opposition House Leader in the night session yesterday, in which he rose on a point of order and made allegation that the Minister of Health, in his previous remarks, had directly quoted him.

Having reviewed Hansard, the review of Hansard indicates that what the Minister of Health was doing was interpreting the Opposition House Leader's remarks rather than quoting him, and subsequently the Chair rules there is no point of order.

We are now ready to debate Bill 75.

A bill, "An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights." (Bill 75)

CLERK: Clause 1.

CHAIR: Shall clause 1 carry?

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, 'nay'.

Carried.

On motion, clause 1 carried.

CLERK: Clauses 2 to 13 inclusive.

CHAIR: Shall clauses 2 to 13 inclusive carry?

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, 'nay'.

Carried.

On motion, clauses 2 through 13 carried.

CLERK: Clause 14.

CHAIR: Shall clause 14 carry?

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, 'nay'.

Carried.

On motion, clause 14 carried.

CLERK: Schedules A to E inclusive.

CHAIR: Shall the schedule carry?

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, 'nay'.

Carried.

On motion, schedule carried.

CLERK: Be it enacted by the Lieutenant-Governor and House of Assembly in legislative session convened, as follows.

CHAIR: Shall the enacting clause carry?

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, 'nay'.

Carried.

On motion, enacting clause carried.

CLERK: An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights.

CHAIR: Shall the title carry?

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, 'nay'.

Carried.

On motion, title carried.

CHAIR: Shall I report the bill carried without amendment?

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, 'nay'.

Carried.

Motion, that the Committee report having passed the bill without amendment, carried.

CHAIR: The hon. the Government House Leader.

MS BURKE: Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee rise and report Bill 75.

CHAIR: The motion is that the Committee rise and report Bill 75.

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, 'nay'.

Carried.

On motion, that the Committee rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again, Mr. Speaker returned to the Chair.

MR. SPEAKER (Fitzgerald): The hon. Deputy Chair of Committees and the Member for Placentia & St. Mary's.

MR. COLLINS: Mr. Speaker, the Committee of the Whole have considered the matters to them referred and have directed me to report Bill 75 carried without amendment.

MR. SPEAKER: The Chair of the Committee of the Whole reports that the Committee have considered the matters to them referred and have directed him to report Bill 75 carried without amendment.

When shall the report be received?

MS BURKE: Now, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Now.

When shall the said bill be read a third time?

MS BURKE: Now, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Now.

On motion, report received and adopted, bill ordered read a third time presently, by leave.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Natural Resources, that Bill 75, An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that Bill 75 be now read third time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 75 be read a third time?

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, 'nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights. (Bill 75)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 75 has now been read a third time, and it is ordered that the bill do pass, and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights," read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 75)

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Natural Resources, that the House do now adjourn.

MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that this House do now adjourn.

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, 'nay'.

This House is now adjourned until 2:00 p.m. tomorrow, being Private Members' Day.

[Applause]

On motion, the House at its rising adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, at 2:00 p.m.