December 3, 2012                  HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS              Vol. XLVII   No. 62


The House met at 1:30 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Wiseman): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

Today, I am very pleased to welcome to the public galleries Kristy-Lynn March. Kristy-Lynn is a young woman in the Easter Seals House music therapy program. Kristy-Lynn is accompanied today by Mark Lane, the CEO of Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador, and Eileen Bartlett, Easter Seals' Director of Programming.

In addition to that, we have in our galleries seven visitors who are accompanying them. They were a part of a team that designed the guitar stand that enables Kristy-Lynn to play music. I want to welcome, as a part of the group, Memorial University Engineering students: Chris Tubrett, Adam Scammell, Anthony Parrell, Evan Rice, and Jon Bennett. They are joined by Leonard Lye, Associate Dean, and James Yang, of Memorial University's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.

Welcome to our House of Assembly.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

Statements by Members

MR. SPEAKER: Today we have members' statements from the Member for the District of Terra Nova; the Member for the District of Port au Port; the Member for the District of Grand Falls-Windsor – Green Bay South; the Member for the District of Humber West; the Member for the District of Kilbride; and the Member for the District of Torngat Mountains.

The hon. the Member for the District of Terra Nova.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. S. COLLINS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is my pleasure to stand today and recognize a constituent, former colleague, and friend. Paul Oram, former MHA who sat in this House from 2003-2009, has served his community in a far greater role than just as an elected official.

Mr. Oram, along with his wife Karen, has built a group of successful businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador; while congratulations on his business success are certainly warranted, today I prefer to recognize his charitable acts.

Always a strong supporter of his community, his most recent deed is perhaps the most significant. I recently attended the Glovertown Volunteer Fire Department's annual banquet and had the pleasure to officially present them with the keys to their new pumper truck. With acquisition of the vehicle, the town was responsible for 10 per cent of the cost; however, the Oram Group of Companies graciously paid the municipality's share, which amounted to approximately $23,000. Such charity is quite substantial to a small town and it certainly speaks to the Orams' overwhelming commitment to their community.

I ask all hon. members to join with me in recognizing the commitment of Paul and Karen Oram to their community and also acknowledge their success in building a strong, thriving business in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Port au Port.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. CORNECT: Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this hon. House to congratulate Jillian Forsey of Kippens for winning the Canadian Junior Women's Cross-Country Running Crown in Vancouver, British Columbia just last week.

It takes great sacrifice and determination to excel in sport. Jillian has clocked endless hours into her training and conditioning and she has an impressive athletic record to show for it.

Mr. Speaker, a week before a first-place finish in the Canadian Junior Women's National Cross-Country Running Crown, Jillian had competed in the Ontario Championships and finished in first place in the Junior Women's Race.

Jillian continues to excel in her sport of athletics and, in particular, cross-country running, and deserves our praise.

Jillian is a former member of Team Newfoundland and Labrador, representing our Province at the 2009 Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward Island. I am proud to say our government has supported Jillian through our Premier's Athletic Awards Program, which supports athletes who compete at the national and international level.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all hon. members to join with me in congratulating Jillian Forsey for her dedication and commitment. I also want to wish Jillian future success in her athletic endeavours.

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, I rise in his hon. House today to congratulate a very important volunteer and friend. Mae Ivany has worn many different volunteering hats in past years. This year, the Exploits Valley YMCA has presented her with the YMCA Peacemakers Medallion for her dedication to many years and smiles for the Children's Wish Foundation.

Mae works at Sprucewood Academy and has twenty years with the Children's Wish Foundation. Over that amount of time, one can only imagine the smiles she has made for sick children of the Central region as well as their families.

I have known Mae for many years and it is a great privilege to ask my fellow colleagues to join with me to applaud a lady who is a great volunteer.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Humber West.

MR. GRANTER: Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand in this House to congratulate a face of CBC Television that has flanked the airwaves of Newfoundland for the past thirty-four years.

Doug Greer retired this past month after covering stories through sound and video for three decades. Doug's unique voice and broadcasting style made him a suppertime favourite for the entire region, from St. Anthony in the North to Burgeo in the South, from Roddickton-Bide Arm to Baie Verte, Stephenville to Port au Port, and all points in between.

Over the years Doug has seen his share of media changes, especially in technology and role responsibility. Always though, his stories were told and shown with pinpoint accuracy and a style all his own.

Being on the other end of the camera and microphone from Doug, he always interviewed with grace and respect – a legacy he will leave behind at the CBC.

I ask all hon. members to join me in congratulating Doug Greer on his retirement and for the countless contributions made and seen through the eyes of the camera for the past thirty-four years. We wish him much happiness, health, and good wishes for his retirement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for the District of Kilbride.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DINN: Mr. Speaker, I stand in his hon. House today to recognize an outstanding young constituent of mine from Kilbride, Anna O'Grady.

Anna is currently a full-time student at Memorial University, studying physics and mathematics. She graduated in 2012 from Bishops College with honours and was named the Valedictorian for Bishops College graduating class of 2012. During the 2011-2012 school years, Anna won a number of prestigious awards.

She won a silver medal at the Canada Wide Science Fair; she won a Canadian Association of Physicist National Science Award; she was named the best in the Eastern Regional Science Fair in 2012; and she won a Memorial University Entrance Scholarship as well as a Newfoundland and Labrador Electoral District Scholarship.

Anna has been a piano student for twelve years and has completed two Royal Conservatory of Music exams. She has volunteered at Corpus Christi Church since 2007.

Upon completion of her Bachelor of Science and Honours in Physics at Memorial, Anna is hoping to do a Masters and Ph.D. potentially at the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics in Waterloo.

Anna is the daughter of Christine and Tom O'Grady and granddaughter of Stan and Dorothy Murphy.

I ask all hon. members to join me in congratulating this very fine young woman from Kilbride.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Torngat Mountains.

MR. EDMUNDS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise in this hon. House today to congratulate the girl's volleyball team from John Christian Erhardt Memorial School of Makkovik on being crowned provincial champions.

The Wolverines defeated Churchill Falls, Northwest River, Charlottetown, and Hermitage to advance to beat the Churchill Falls team again in an amazing and exciting final set of finals.

Mr. Speaker, once again Northern Labrador has proven that the size of the community or the school is no barrier to athletic ability and sheer determination. In fact, Mr. Speaker, the total number of students at J.C.E.M. is sixty-four from Kindergarten to Level III.

Mr. Speaker, hats off to Jessica, Charlene, Amanda, Haley, Mandy, Katrina, Charlie-Mae, and Kelli, along with coaches Trav and Julie, in adding yet another provincial champion to the school. John Christian Erhardt Memorial School Makkovik boasts more Triple A regional and provincial banners than any other school in the Province.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all hon. members to join me in congratulating the Wolverines volleyball team on being crowned provincial champions again.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise in this hon. House today to celebrate the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's success on securing an agreement on the terms for a federal loan guarantee for the Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Project with the Government of Canada.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: The loan guarantee represents a significant milestone in the development of Muskrat Falls, and this agreement, Mr. Speaker, is a testament to our Premier's outstanding leadership in getting us to this point.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, without the Premier's leadership to advocate on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and her vision on the Muskrat Falls Project to achieve energy self-sufficiency for our Province, there would be no loan guarantee.

Our Premier stood steadfast during these negotiations and her commitment to ensure that the principles of the loan guarantee be done in the best interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians never wavered.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Officials from Newfoundland and Labrador have been in discussions working out the details of the agreement since August 2011 when the Memorandum of Agreement was signed.

Mr. Speaker, negotiations on the loan guarantee were complex and detailed. We needed to attain a guarantee that provided maximum value for the ratepayers and ensured no interruption in project schedule. We accomplished this goal. Our Premier's perseverance and persistence have paid off and we have successfully achieved a loan guarantee that will provide projected savings of approximately $1 billion to ratepayers in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: The term sheet is a legal binding document that covers the full amount of project debt based on Decision Gate 3 costs. The loan guarantee will mean a $1 billion benefit from lower interest rates and savings will be passed onto electricity ratepayers in the Province.

Muskrat Falls has been determined to be the best least-cost source of new power for Island consumers and therefore the lowest rate available for consumers. Dividends from the Muskrat Falls Project will supplement revenues to the Provincial Treasury and benefit the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, Muskrat Falls will be a significant source of clean renewable electricity generation for Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: The development will meet the Province's increasing energy needs, ensure stable electricity rates for residents and businesses, support industrial development in Labrador, and provide tremendous economic, employment and social benefits for the people of our Province.

Muskrat Falls represents a pivotal opportunity for the Province to transform itself from a non-renewable resource economy, to one that will secure a sustainable economic base for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for many years to come.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The Leader of the Official Opposition.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the minister for the advance copy of his statement.

To say that the leadership was demonstrated on this negotiation I think may be a bit of a stretch when we saw the actual interview on Thursday. Indeed, the Premier was really unaware of what was going to occur in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Friday.

Mr. Speaker, too, I want to point out here that at $6.3 billion this term sheet, as we work toward the finalized and formalized loan guarantee, will not cover the cost of this project. Anybody at all with experience will know that this project will be substantially much more than $7.4 billion. The proper process through of all this, of course, as we have seen in the last number of weeks and a number of reports that have been tabled by this government, the proper thing to do on Friday would have been to make that term sheet available to us and the people of this Province.

Mr. Speaker, I will conclude by saying that we are a long ways, in my opinion, from a formalized loan guarantee, as we know that Emera has until July, 2014 to opt into this. They are indeed, I believe, in the driver's seat right now.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Third Party.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

I, too, thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement.

I do not know how the minister can expect me to congratulate government on a project I have so many unanswered questions about. We have no idea what the so-called agreement entails as it is still secret. In any case, it is a term sheet, and we know there is a long way from term sheet to final agreement. It was a year and a half when it was the Emera term sheet.

The fact is the Prime Minister says the loan guarantee is dependent on Emera sanctioning a Maritime Link. So, I am sorry, I cannot join the government in self-congratulations, Mr. Speaker. I do hope, though, that what they are calling a milestone will not become a millstone around the neck of the people of this Province.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Does the Member for St. John's South have leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: No.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SHEA: Mr. Speaker, today is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities – an opportunity to foster understanding of disability issues and respect for the rights of persons with disabilities.

The Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities provides a framework to ensure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can participate in unprecedented economic, educational, employment, and social opportunities. Since its launch, $6.5 million has been invested in initiatives that complement the strategy. This includes $650,000 for the Accessible Vehicle Funding and the Inclusion Grants. Other initiatives include the introduction of the Service Animals Act; legislative amendments that help adults with intellectual disabilities access Registered Disability Savings Plans, and increased parking fines and stronger requirements for blue zone spaces to be clearly identified.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, we recognize that accessibility and inclusion are universal themes that benefit all citizens. Perhaps more than ever, in 2012, we strive for increased accessibility and inclusion for everyone. That is why, on this day it is important to recognize the ongoing work of those who support our efforts, such as the women and men of the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, and others.

Today, successful inclusion efforts are evident in every corner of Newfoundland and Labrador. At Memorial University, engineering students recently designed a guitar stand so a young woman with cerebral palsy, Kristy Lynn March, can play music.

This evening, the Department of Advanced Education and Skills policy on supported employment will be featured in a report on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The department will be reviewing this program to ensure that it is as effective and efficient as possible in assisting persons with disabilities find long-term meaningful employment.

With our partnerships for persons with disabilities – and through our policies and initiatives – the provincial government is working towards the ultimate goal of full inclusion, a goal which we are called to reflect on today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo – La Poile.

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

I thank the minister for the advance copy of her statement.

Today on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I was very honoured to be invited to the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities, which had a meeting, or a guest speaker, at their office here in St. John's. I, along with members from both sides of this House, was very lucky to take in a speech by Mr. Francis Smith, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Calgary, who told us his inspiring story of growing up with severe disabilities – not only his physical disability, but the challenges he faced growing up, bullying and exclusion.

It is almost impossible to put in words, unless you were there, what challenges this gentleman went through and how he has grown up to be such a success. One of the things that he talked about is what we can do as legislators: we need to increase education and awareness. Those are the challenges that are out there; we can keep investing money, but we need to increase education, especially in our schools.

I would note that we are making strides in the right direction, but there are still steps we need to take. For instance, at the courthouse in Stephenville, I was pleased to note that there was recently a parking spot that was designated for people with access disabilities; however, we still have a courthouse that is not wheelchair accessible. There are contradictions there that need to be faced.

I would also take this opportunity to thank the MUN School of Engineering for being with us today, and Ms March. It is great to have them here with us on such an important day.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's North.

MR. KIRBY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks to the Minister for an advance copy of her statement. I am happy to join you in recognizing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and I am happy to recognize the work of these engineering students and Kristy-Lynn March for the great things they are doing.

This is a day to celebrate, to recognize the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, and to celebrate the great work that they and their advocates do in our communities. A number of us, as my colleague mentioned, heard from Dr. Francis Smith this morning. He teaches us that people with disabilities are accustomed to facing adversity and overcoming it. As we go forward I call on government to redouble its efforts to ensure that our society is inclusive, is accessible, and celebrates the unique contributions of every person across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Does the hon. the Member for St. John's South have leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: No.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. MARSHALL: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that residents of the Province can now apply for this year's Home Heating Rebate.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. MARSHALL: This is certainly a well-known program. When you consider that in addition, our government has removed the provincial portion of the HST on home energy, and our investment last year saw almost $58 million put back in the hands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, these are significant savings for people to use in other areas.

Application forms are available immediately on-line at the Department of Finance's Web site and will also be available at regional offices of the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, Service Newfoundland and Labrador centres, and the Seniors Resource Centre here in St. John's. The forms will also be available in local newspapers in the coming days.

Mr. Speaker, this government is cognizant of the fact that heating costs are a major expense in household budgets right across the Province. We are also aware that electricity rates have risen steadily since 2001, with the average ratepayer on the Island seeing a 32 per cent increase due to the high cost of burning oil to make electricity at the Holyrood thermal plant.

That is why Muskrat Falls is so important, Mr. Speaker. While there are significant economic benefits associated with the project, its residents and ratepayers will see the greatest positive impact. Muskrat Falls hydroelectricity will provide Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with an affordable, stable and environmentally-friendly source of electricity for generations to come – a source of electricity that other jurisdictions would love to be able to call their own.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the minister for the advance copy of the statement. We are pleased today to hear this announcement; the Home Heating Rebate is announced and available for this year.

I can assure you, based on the number of calls that we get through our own office – and I guess I can speak for members on both sides – that this is a very popular program; some 66,000 home heating rebates were issued in 2010-2011. There is a high demand for this.

What it speaks to are the difficulties that many low-income families are having with their budgeting process. It is our position; we said this in the last few days, that this is an announcement and a rebate that should be actually a set date. We need not wait for a Ministerial Statement; we should pick a date and this should be the date that this announcement is made on an annual basis.

It is a good program; it is a very popular program. I congratulate the minister for bringing this forward today.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's East.

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would also like to thank the minister for the advance copy of his statement. Fifty-five thousand people signed a petition that was presented in this House on March 28, 2001. It was a long time coming and it was pushed later by Jack Harris as well as by our leader here at the NDP.

It is time to make this permanent instead of holding everyone over the proverbial oil barrel every year. There is no sense in just making the announcement on this particular program; why not just make it a permanent fixture?

Mr. Speaker, one-third of residents needed to apply for this rebate in spite of the victories contained within the Poverty Reduction Strategy. We have 209,000 homes in the Province and 68,000 applications for this. I think the 33 per cent number is very, very telling of the need, for people for the energy need and the Energy Rebate.

On January 6, 2012 there was a release by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing that talked about conservation and the victory in conservation, stating that it resulted in almost a 35 per cent energy savings to residents in this Province. Conservation, Mr. Speaker, is not even considered as an option right now when it comes to Muskrat Falls. As regards to Muskrat Falls, we simply do not know yet if we need the power.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. MURPHY: The assessments are still out on that. We need to send it back to the Public Utilities Board.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Does the Member for St. John's South have leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: No leave.

MR. SPEAKER: Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On Friday, the Premier and the Prime Minister were again together on the stage, this time to announce they agreed to continue working towards a finalized loan guarantee for Muskrat Falls. Basically, what they agreed to was to continue to agree on things that we thought they already agreed to.

I ask the Minister of Natural Resources: The Premier has told the public that she will not sanction Muskrat Falls without a finalized loan guarantee, are you now going to break that promise and sanction based on a term sheet?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This nineteen-page document, which was signed on Friday, is a binding, legal document, Mr. Speaker. In fact, at the end of the document it states that it shall constitute an irrevocable legal, valid and binding obligation of the parties, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: The document that was signed on Friday, Mr. Speaker, is the federal loan guarantee.

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Well, I can imagine on one of those pages of the ninety-eight pages that the minister mentioned there is a piece there that says that if Emera does not opt into this project prior to July, 2014 that the loan guarantee will not be available.

If Emera has until 2014, why will you not send this to the PUB now for a full, independent review?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In earlier documents there had been discussion of Emera having until 2014 to make a decision on sanction, but, Mr. Speaker, there is no requirement that sanction – for example, sanction of this document is not equated with regulatory approval either in Newfoundland and Labrador or in Nova Scotia. Mr. Speaker, our Province will be in a position to make a decision on sanction before Christmas. I can tell the members opposite, Emera and Nalcor are working towards making a sanction decision in the foreseeable future.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: They might be working on an agreement, but one thing we do know, in Nova Scotia they are working on something else, too, and that is their own PUB is actually reviewing this.

Recently, in a briefing with the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, he said that the Muskrat Falls loan guarantee would be broken into two parts – actually, he said two components – one for Newfoundland and Labrador and one for Emera of Nova Scotia; however, the term sheet signed on Friday combines both, so that if there is no Maritime Link there is no loan guarantee.

I ask the minister: Why did the Premier cave and settle for something less, allow Emera to be now in the driver's seat?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I can tell the member opposite, from my personal experience dealing with the Premier over the last couple of weeks that she stood brave and tall in ensuring, Mr. Speaker, that Newfoundland and Labrador's objectives were met.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: In fact, Mr. Speaker, as late as 10:30 on Thursday night, it was until the Premier spoke to the Prime Minister that the deal was finalized.

Mr. Speaker, I do not think the member opposite heard my earlier answer. Sanction is not defined as regulatory approval. Both Emera and Nalcor are looking at decision on sanction in the very near future, Mr. Speaker, and we expect that from our position as a Province, and Nalcor's position, we will be in a position to make a sanction decision before Christmas.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: I understand that sanction does not require regulatory approval, but what we do know is the people of this Province would like to see an independent and regulatory approval. In August, the Minister of Natural Resources said if Emera does not opt into the deal by 2014 there is no guarantee that Nalcor would step in and build the Maritime Link. This was the Minister of Natural Resources. Since the Premier caved on separating the two guarantees this could possibly kill the loan guarantee.

I ask the minister: How much of our taxpayers' money will government have committed to before July, 2014? What is the cost up to July, 2014?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Section 3 of the federal loan guarantee agreement signed on Friday deals with the issue of guaranteed debt. It deals with the issues, Mr. Speaker, of the various components and recognizes that you have to have financing to construct one phase, move to the next phase, and that is the way the agreement is structured.

Mr. Speaker, what I said in relation to Emera, and I look at the section of the agreement, is that they had until July, 2014 to make a decision on sanction. What I am saying here today is that, Mr. Speaker, we as a Province will be in a position to make our decision before Christmas and that Emera and Nalcor are making their decision on sanction in the very near future.

Mr. Speaker, I repeat again, that we will not proceed on this until it is sanctioned by both sides.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Mr. Speaker, my question was about: What will our Province be committed to, the ratepayers and the taxpayers of this Province? We are going to have a significant commitment maybe before July 2014. We have asked for this information. We still do not have it.

Mr. Speaker, Ed Martin at Nalcor is quoted as saying the additional money will come from the $2 billion the Province currently has in cash reserves. Using that money for Muskrat Falls means government will have to borrow for other infrastructure plans – things like the hospital in Corner Brook, or the Placentia lift bridge, or even the Trans-Labrador Highway.

So I ask the minister: Who is deciding where the $2 billion is being spent? Is it Nalcor, or is it the Premier?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the federal loan agreement signed on Friday also deals with an issue of an independent engineer being appointed to ensure that the federal guarantee is looked after.

I want to repeat the comments that were made by the Prime Minister the other day. He had been assured by Nova Scotia and Emera that they were committed to the project, and he expected every party that is currently a party would continue to be – and as I sat next to the Premier of Nova Scotia, the NDP Premier of Nova Scotia, on Friday, he said –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. KENNEDY: Am I going to be allowed to answer the question, Mr. Speaker?

MR. SPEAKER: You have the floor.

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you very much.

MR. SPEAKER: You have three seconds left.

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, if you are not going to – the heckling on the other side –

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Well, there have been a lot of quotes to various sections within this term sheet. So, it is important to note that government did not make this term sheet publicly available on Friday.

So I ask the minister: Why has this been kept secret, why has this not been released, and will you now publicly release the complete term sheet that was signed on Friday?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the federal loan guarantee outlines the various components of the project. It has four major sections that deal with projects and transactions. The second section deals with transactions, the third section says the federal loan guarantee terms, and the fourth section is the project debt, Mr. Speaker.

It outlines in great detail the terms and conditions of the federal loan guarantee, it deals with guaranteed debt, it deals with debt-to-equity ratios, and it deals with the conditions precedent of the loan guarantee. The only condition precedent, really, Mr. Speaker, is that there be sanction by both Emera and Nalcor, who are the proponents in the loan guarantee.

Mr. Speaker, the federal loan guarantee document will be released tomorrow.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister, for that, we are looking forward to that by the way.

Mr. Speaker, in April government projected a deficit this year of $258 million. The price for a barrel of oil, as we know, has been consistently lower than $124 a barrel – the budgeted amount. The minister has also said for every dollar, we are going to see $25 million less for this Province.

So I ask the minister: When will you finally release the fall financial update for this year?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. MARSHALL: Next week, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Burgeo – La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills alluded to vacancies within staffing of the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

I ask the minister: What percentage of the full complement is vacant? Do you plan to fill these vacancies, or are they casualties of the 3 per cent cuts instructed by the Premier?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SHEA: Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarify that the Poverty Reduction Strategy is a cross-departmental strategy from various departments across the government. On an annual basis, we spend approximately $150 million in poverty reduction initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, these initiatives go through various departments, whether it is the Department of Justice, Advanced Education and Skills, or Health and Community Services. What I can say, Mr. Speaker, is that the programs that we have identified that we deliver to alleviate or reduce poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador have not been affected by any staff vacancies.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Burgeo – La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, on the government's own Web site there are three people listed as working on the Poverty Reduction Strategy, which is significantly less than those working on it prior to that.

I would ask the minister: Are you planning on filling these vacancies and releasing the action plan as promised?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SHEA: Mr. Speaker, first of all I want to clarify, there are many people in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and our various government departments, boards, or agencies who are working towards the Poverty Reduction Strategy who deliver the programs that the people benefit from day in, and day out. Mr. Speaker, we will be providing an update of the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

This government has set a goal that we want to, over a ten-year period, bring this Province from the Province with the highest rate of poverty to the Province with the lowest rate of poverty, Mr. Speaker. Our action and our work to date including, as I said, $150 million in programs and services that we offer annually certainly shows that this Province is serious about reducing poverty in this Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Burgeo – La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, I ask the minister: You have said you are going to release the action plan, when do you plan on releasing the strategy?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SHEA: Mr. Speaker, the strategy was released in 2006.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Burgeo – La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: I would note that the minister knows exactly what I am talking about and is evading the question that I asked, Mr. Speaker.

MHAs are entrusted by their constituents, Mr. Speaker, to inquire on behalf of the workings of programs and policies. Since Bill 29, MHAs are diverted at every turn to executive assistants.

I ask the Minister Responsible for Public Engagement: How are Opposition MHAs expected to do their job when your government is running political interference?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HUTCHINGS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act we certainly take very seriously –the balance between access to information and protecting individual privacy. There is a process in place under ATIPP legislation in terms of what the requirements are and the criteria of access to information. We certainly support the disclosure of information to be transparent. We believe in that. As well, Mr. Speaker, we believe in protecting individual rights and individual privacy. That is the balance we strike through the act. We intend to follow the act to make sure persons are protected.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo – La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, I would say we take it seriously too, which is why we do not want to release our constituents' private information to EAs who are not supposed to be connected to the process.

Mr. Speaker, we have determined from our work on behalf of constituents that Opposition MHAs are not only being diverted to the minister's EA; in some cases, they are being diverted to an EA designated for Opposition MHAs.

I ask the minister responsible: Can you outline for this House the procedure for Opposition MHAs making inquiries on behalf of their constituents? Why would we be diverted to an Opposition-specific EA?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HUTCHINGS: Mr. Speaker, in a general sense, the political staff can facilitate information, in terms of that flow of information from offices to those in the public who require that information. Your job as a representative, access the information in government to work with individuals you represent and to provide that information.

If there are particulars the hon. member wanted to speak to me on, or there is an issue of concern he has, as the Minister Responsible for Public Engagement I will certainly engage with him. He can outline for me what the issues are and we will deal with them.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo – La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, MHAs have obtained written consent from constituents to inquire on their behalf, often on delicate matters. When we are diverted to a political staffer we are forced to disclose private matters to yet another person.

I ask the minister responsible: Wouldn't you consider this a privacy breach, to run political interference and have delicate matters disclosed to someone who is not directly involved in the process?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HUTCHINGS: Mr. Speaker, anybody who is engaged in information in government is under the protection of that information, and confidentiality, and certainly holds that very dear in terms of to whom they can release it and what they can discuss.

They are working in those positions; they are required to hold in confidence the information they have. They work with government and other agencies, departments, and agencies. Office staff who call engage with them to get the information. At the bottom line, the issue is that is held in confidence by those individuals.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.

MR. EDMUNDS: Mr. Speaker, the motor vessel Astron is experiencing several weather-related delays on the North Coast of Labrador. There are still two loads of freight to be delivered to Black Tickle and the North Coast from Lewisporte. Much of this is the winter food supply.

I ask the minister: Now that it appears that freight will not be delivered until just before Christmas, are you now prepared to put a second vessel on to ensure freight and food is delivered before freeze-up?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As the hon. member opposite is aware, a vessel providing services to the North Coast of Labrador sustained a significant mechanical issue in September. The Astron has been carrying freight to the North Coast of Labrador since that time, Mr. Speaker, and it has been doing a very good job of delivering freight. As well, it has been working very closely with the contractor who is engaged in the business and in the last week has made several deliveries to Black Tickle.

We have one more full-vessel load of freight in Lewisporte. At this point in time, keeping an eye on weather conditions, we anticipate we are still going to be able to deliver that next load of freight.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member of Torngat Mountains.

MR. EDMUNDS: Mr. Speaker, there are still two loads of freight in Lewisporte and this is much more than a simple issue of commitment now. This is about getting a winter food order to Northern Labrador. Temperatures have dropped. Freeze-up has already begun.

I ask the minister: What are you prepared to do to get the freight sitting in Lewisporte to the people of Black Tickle and the North Coast of Labrador?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Each year, the department sets a date; November 16 of this year was the date set, where freight that was delivered to the dock in Lewisporte or to the dock in Happy Valley-Goose Bay will be delivered to the North Coast. I can tell the hon. member opposite, the House of Assembly, and the people of Labrador that the dock in Happy Valley-Goose Bay has been cleared of all freight. All freight from there is aboard the Astron and is being delivered to the North Coast.

The Astron has now actually reached Nain and is on the way back down the Coast, dropping off. I think it has one more stop before it returns to Lewisporte. We anticipate that the freight that is in Lewisporte – there is more than a full boat load there, but we are quite confident we are going to be able to make at least one more trip of the Astron to ensure the freight is delivered to the North Coast of Labrador.

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has just released a report indicating about 4,000 federal jobs will leave the Atlantic Canada region in the next few years, with 500 of these jobs disappearing from the Province by 2015. It looks like the rural areas will especially be hit.

Have there been any discussions with the federal government on the numbers and locations of federal job cuts within Newfoundland and Labrador?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. MARSHALL: Mr. Speaker, the Department of Finance has not had any of those discussions, but I did hear a news report from Minister Clement today that indicated that the Centre for Policy Alternatives had made errors in their estimates and that the job cuts here in the Province would not be what they said they would be.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

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

On Friday, the Premier signed a term sheet for a loan guarantee contingent on a decision from Emera about the Maritime Link, which at best is months away, a decision which is in no way guaranteed to be in our favour. With no finalized loan guarantee in sight, government still insists on rushing their plans for the Muskrat Falls Project.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Natural Resources: Why won't this government put on the brakes and send this project back to the Public Utilities Board for a full regulatory review?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have had numerous independent reviews conducted of all aspects of Muskrat Falls, Mr. Speaker, but one very telling statement that was made by the Prime Minister of Canada on Friday was that when they looked at the loan guarantee, there was minimal risk to the taxpayer of Canada. He went on further to say, Mr. Speaker, that there was zero risk. This is because, Mr. Speaker, the federal government has engaged in a rigorous economic analysis. They have looked the Decision Gate 3 numbers in detail; they have looked at the revenues projected.

What they are saying at the end of the day, they are convinced that this project is not only a good deal for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, the people of Nova Scotia, and the people of Canada, but also, Mr. Speaker, one that does not require any further analysis because they can reach that decision themselves.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My question to the minister is: Is this project going to have a regulatory review, and if it is going to have one, who is going to do it if not the PUB?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, we have had this project reviewed by Nalcor at their Decision Gate 2 phase, then Navigant reviewed it but they were not independent enough. Then, Mr. Speaker, we went to the PUB, nine months and $2 million, they could not help us. We then hired the group that they hired, Mr. Speaker, MHI. We have had natural gas reports released; we have had wind reports released.

We have looked at all aspects of this case, Mr. Speaker. We have now had the federal government say that this is a good project, because we would not put the taxpayer of Canada on the line, Mr. Speaker, if it was not a good deal. Finally, Mr. Speaker, the fact that Quebec is upset must make it a good deal.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS MICHAEL: Obviously, Mr. Speaker, the minister does not understand –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The Leader of the Third Party.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Obviously, the minister does not understand what a regulatory review is.

Mr. Speaker, the original Maritime Link term sheet was thirty-eight pages. The formal agreements when they were signed were more than 1,500 pages. The devil, as they say, can be in the details. For example, the detail that Emera has until 2014 to decide to proceed with the Maritime Link was not mentioned in the term sheet that was in the final agreement.

I ask the Minister of Natural Resources: How can government sanction Muskrat Falls without knowing the final details of the loan guarantee agreement?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: We do know the final details, Mr. Speaker, of the federal loan guarantee. We know the amount of the guaranteed debt. We know the debt-to-equity ratios that they are looking at, Mr. Speaker. The terms of the federal loan guarantee are outlined, the amortization profile, the conditions precedent, Mr. Speaker.

In relation to 2014, I would suggest that the member opposite read what is actually written there. If there was no sanction they had until 2014 to make a decision on sanction. What I am saying, Mr. Speaker, is that Emera and Nalcor are currently in the process of determining how to expedite the sanction process. What I can say from our perspective as a Province is that we will be in a position to make our decision in the near future.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I ask the minister: What bargaining power will this Province hold if Emera tries to drive a hard bargain on its Maritime Link deal after government has sanctioned Muskrat Falls and is well into construction? Emera holds the balls, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the one thing that Mr. Martin, the President and CEO of Nalcor, is very experienced at is negotiating complex deals. If the member opposite thinks that Mr. Martin has not foreseen all of these issues on how to dot every I and cross every T, she is underestimating that man and his team, Mr. Speaker.

What I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, is the federal loan guarantee is done. What is the benefit to the people of this Province? A billion dollars, Mr. Speaker!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS MICHAEL: I am really trying to understand government's approach. There are no solid markets for 60 per cent of the power, no firm agreement for a Maritime Link, thus no assurance yet of a loan guarantee, no regulatory review of the project, looming budget shortfalls, yet government is going to plow ahead with the Muskrat Falls Project.

Mr. Speaker, is this government determined to build Muskrat Falls at all costs on the backs of the people of this Province?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Yes, Mr. Speaker, I stood next to an NDP Premier of Nova Scotia on Friday who talked about how this was a game changer and a nation builder. So, we have an NDP Premier with vision.

Mr. Speaker, what we are dealing with here is a project that is in the best interests of the people of this Province. One, we need the power; two, we have to get it from somewhere. Muskrat Falls is the least-cost alternative.

In case the member opposite missed it, there is a paper on Labrador mining that you might want to have a read of, if you talk about the need for power in Labrador. At least the Opposition House Leader recognizes that need for power in Labrador and is saying to us: Develop Muskrat Falls so that you can supply that power to these mining companies.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for St. John's North.

MR. KIRBY: Mr. Speaker, bullies exploit power imbalances and use physical strength, embarrassing information, popularity, and other means to control or harm others.

Students with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to bullying. They, too often, have to contend with bullies who play on their fears, sensitivities, or limitations. This bullying and harassment of students with disabilities takes place at our schools and on the way home.

What does the Minister of Education plan to do to specifically – specifically – address this troubling issue?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, my reports tell me that the consultations are going extremely well around this particular issue. I think if we were to look at even the statements that were made in this House today, to see where inclusion has come over the past number of years is simply amazing. A lot of these children with disabilities were often stigmatized and separated from their fellow students. We have moved mountains, Mr. Speaker, in terms of addressing inclusion.

In terms of bullying, Mr. Speaker, it is something that we cannot accept as a society. We aim for the ideal that it will never happen. As we engage society more and they become more learned about it, Mr. Speaker, we will see a reduction in bullying.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for St. John's North.

MR. KIRBY: Mr. Speaker, this government has had years to come up with preventative measures to protect students with disabilities from bullying. Instead, they have repeatedly chosen to ignore the advice of special education and disability experts.

How can the Minister of Education stand up in this House and defend his record, when he has so clearly failed to take action to protect the most vulnerable students in our schools, Mr. Speaker?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, his tone tells me something a little different. He may want to sit down and have a chat at some particular point.

Mr. Speaker, our investment in students with disability –

AN HON. MEMBER: This is not a joke, Mr. Speaker.

MR. JACKMAN: Do you think I take this – Mr. Speaker, I will speak to you.

Mr. Speaker, I can assure you one thing. In all of my dealings, in all of my career, with my children, through fostering and everything else that I have done, I have never, never taken this issue as a joke and I feel insulted –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, this is a very serious issue. Our investment in special education and resources speaks specifically to how we address that, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The Member for The Straits – White Bay North.

MR. MITCHELMORE: Mr. Speaker, for years the government has said we need 330 megawatts of power to meet Island needs and to displace Holyrood, and remaining power from Muskrat Falls would go to Nova Scotia and sold on the spot market.

Roddickton has a pellet plant capable of producing 50,000 metric tons of pellets, which can put 250,000-megawatt hours into the system.

I ask the Minister of Natural Resources: What has happened to this carbon neutral power that can take the equivalent of thousands of homes off the grid, and why was biomass ignored in your alternatives?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We continue to work closely with the owner of Holson Forest Products in an attempt to ensure the viability of that plant, Mr. Speaker.

It is interesting that when myself and the Minister of IBRD met last week with the owner of Roddickton, Mr. Speaker, he was more interested in getting his plant up and running. He was more interested in supplying jobs for the people of the area. He was not talking to us about using biomass or anything else to fuel his plant. He wants to produce pellets to make fuel, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for The Straits – White Bay North.

MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That is exactly what I said: You need the biomass to create the fuel and you need to be able to sell it.

Mr. Speaker, BC's Green Heat Initiative has demonstrated biomass-heating success. The installation of a 400-kilowatt pellet boiler to heat Lillooet's arena and swimming pool will result in $30,000 to $50,000 a year in annual energy savings. The projects cost recovery is estimated at two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half years.

Mr. Speaker, our municipalities will find it even more difficult to heat their public facilities with Nalcor's proposed rate increases.

Will the Minister of Municipal Affairs permit towns to access the Immigrant Investor Fund to finance such energy saving projects?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, he starts out talking about biomass and then he moves into funding for municipalities.

Mr. Speaker, I want to correct one point, because this same mistake – I will call it a mistake, Mr. Speaker – was made the other day by a member of the Third Party: St. John's East. What we are seeing is that rates are going up between 2011 and 2016 as a result of the price of oil. There is nothing we can do about that. That is not Nalcor. If we do not develop Muskrat Falls then rates are going up higher than they would with Muskrat Falls.

It is misleading for these members opposite to put that forward, Mr. Speaker, as a justification for a position that rates are going to go up as a result of Muskrat Falls, when rates are going up anyway, and higher, without Muskrat Falls.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The time for Question Period has expired.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

Tabling of Documents.

Notices of Motion.

Notices of Motion

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

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Notice having been given, I wish to inform the House –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Government House Leader.

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Notice having been given, I wish to inform the House that the private member's motion standing in the name of the Premier will be called and debated this Wednesday, December 5, 2012.

MR. SPEAKER: Further notices of motion.

The hon. the Government House Leader.

MR. KING: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to move the following resolution respecting the reappointment of the Citizens' Representative:

Be it resolved by the House of Assembly as follows:

WHEREAS subsection 3(1) of the Citizens' Representative Act provides that the Citizens' Representative is to be appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council on a resolution of the House of Assembly; and

WHEREAS section 5 of the act states that a commissioner may be reappointed; and

WHEREAS the appointment of the current commissioner, Mr. Barry Fleming, expires on December 5, 2012; and

WHEREAS it is proposed that Mr. Fleming be reappointed as the Commissioner for a term of six years;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Mr. Barry Fleming will appointed as the Citizens' Representative for a term of six years.

MR. SPEAKER: Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.

Petitions.

Petitions

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Bay of Islands.

MR. JOYCE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition on family caregivers.

To the hon. House of Assembly for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS home care allows the elderly and people with disabilities to remain within the comfort and security of their own homes; home care also provides for people to be discharged from hospital earlier; and

WHEREAS many families find it difficult to recruit and retain home care workers for their loved ones; and

WHEREAS the PC Blue Book 2011 as well as the 2012 Speech from the Throne committed that government would develop a new model of home care and give people the option of receiving that care from their family members; and

WHEREAS government has given no time commitment for when government plans to implement paying family caregivers;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to implement a new home care model to cover family caregivers in 2012-2013 Budget.

As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, I have presented many petitions in the last session on this matter. This was a commitment that was made by the government in their Blue Book in the 2011 election. With or without the knowledge of a lot of people, the Premier came out and said that people will be able to take care of their loved ones in their own homes.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health in the last session said that there would be a new program coming in very, very shortly. That is almost six or seven months ago.

Mr. Speaker, I can assure you there are many, many people right now who are struggling to try to take care of their loved ones in their home. On the day for People with Disabilities, I urge this government – I urge this government – to follow through on their commitment.

There are a lot of people in their homes, Mr. Speaker – I know a lot personally and I am sure all of us know somebody personally – who have relatives and loved ones who have disabilities, who cannot find home caregivers, and who are finding it a tough struggle financially to make ends meet. They do not want to put their loved ones in some foster care or in some institution; they want to keep them in their homes, Mr. Speaker. How can anyone in this House of Assembly deny that person the right to keep the person they love at home where they can take care of them?

Mr. Speaker, this was a commitment made by this government.

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. JOYCE: I hear the Minister of Health right now. Minister of Health, you said in April or May that you were going to bring it forward very, very soon. We are still waiting for that very, very soon.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo – La Poile.

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

To the hon. House of Assembly in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS residents of the Southwest Coast must travel the Trans-Canada Highway between Channel-Port aux Basques and Corner Brook for work, medical, educational, and social reasons; and

WHEREAS Marine Atlantic ferries dock in Channel-Port aux Basques at various hours on a daily basis resulting in an extremely high volume of commercial and residential travellers using this section of the Trans-Canada Highway; and

WHEREAS the world-renowned Wreckhouse area is situated along this section of the TCH; and

WHEREAS the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador initiated a twenty-four hour snow clearing pilot project in 2008 that excluded the section of the Trans-Canada Highway from Channel-Port aux Basques to Stephenville;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to include the section of the Trans-Canada Highway from Channel-Port aux Basques to Stephenville in the twenty-four hour snow clearing project.

And as in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, this is a new petition that I have circulated amongst my constituents. In doing so, I could not believe the response that I received. I had people e-mailing, calling and Facebooking me, asking: how could they get access to this? The response was absolutely amazing.

There is a simple reason for that; this is a section of the Trans-Canada Highway that does have a fairly high volume of traffic. Now, it is not the same as the roadways say, down in St. John's, but I would say there is a major difference in the roadway here.

One part of that, is that we are the gateway to Newfoundland and Labrador when you have the Marine Atlantic ferries coming across with high volumes of commercial traffic and traffic coming all hours of the day and night. The ferry crossings these days are not the same as they used to be where you could tell when your schedule would be 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Now you have ferries landing at all hours of the day, 9:00 o'clock at night and 3:00 o'clock in the morning. You have people going back and forth.

The second part is that people in the Southwest Coast area, not just Channel-Port aux Basques but Cape Ray, Isle aux Morts, Rose Blanche, Burnt Island, Margaree and down in La Poile, we have to travel primarily to Corner Brook for just about anything to get major services, especially in the health care field. You cannot have a baby on the Southwest Coast of this Province; you have to travel to Corner Brook. You are on the road at all hours of the night and day.

This pilot project is a great thing. I have had conversations with the former Minister of Transportation and Works, I am hoping to have the same conversation with the new Minister of Transportation and Works. We had another incident just last week where a tractor-trailer flipped and lucky that nobody was killed there. We had normal vehicular traffic backed up there.

We need twenty-four hour snow clearing on that section of the TCH, the volume is high enough. The fact is the circumstances dictate that we should have access to safe roadways twenty-four hours of the day given the circumstances, and given that we are the gateway to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Third Party.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

I am very pleased to stand this afternoon and present this petition on behalf of the petitioners, and a petition that has been certified by the Clerk of the House.

To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents of Newfoundland and Labrador humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities is the entity responsible for the regulation of electric utilities in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador; and

WHEREAS the Muskrat Falls Project proposal is potentially the single-largest expenditure the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has considered; and

WHEREAS the PUB is an independent, quasi-judicial regulatory body capable of providing an unbiased and apolitical decision on the Muskrat Falls proposal; and

WHEREAS government is breaking its own commitment to greater transparency and accountability by not allowing the PUB to review the Muskrat Falls proposal;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge government to mandate the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities to review the Muskrat Falls Project proposal, along with any and all alternatives available for meeting our energy needs.

And as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, the petitioners on the petition today come from my own District of Signal Hill Quidi, other districts here in the St. John's area, from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and from Northwest River. I am very pleased to present this petition and their concerns to the House, Mr. Speaker.

In this Province, and it is obvious in the petition, we have a practice and an expectation that utilities come under the Public Utilities Board. That whether we are talking about a project itself, whether we are talking about the change in rates, whether we are talking about the form of energy that the utilities cover, we are used to, and the petitioners with whom I represent here today are used to having our Public Utilities Board receive proposals and then do an analysis based on the proposals that they have received.

The PUB gets expertise to help them as they make those decisions, but it is the normal way of dealing with utilities in our Province. Therefore, the petitioners for whom I speak this afternoon and whose petition I present, they have an understandable expectation that something as large as the Muskrat Falls Project, which is going to cost billions of dollars, and experts outside of the government's experts indicate will be more than the $7.4 billion that the government is talking about – that a project of that size, a project which will be paid for by the ratepayers – something which seems to elude the government and that is why these petitioners have such a right to bring forward this petition – they will be paying for it, all the petitioners, all the ratepayers will be paying for it. I really urge the government, Mr. Speaker, to listen to the voice of the people of the Province.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's North.

MR. KIRBY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents of Newfoundland and Labrador humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS violent workplace incidents involving convenience store clerks and gas station attendants are a serious health and safety issue; and

WHEREAS many public and private sector employees are being left in vulnerable situations, especially in the opening and closing of their buildings and establishments; and

WHEREAS all workers deserve protection from danger and harm; and

WHEREAS current government regulations are inadequate in providing even basic protection for these vulnerable workers; and

WHEREAS it is the responsibility of employers to keep workers safe and the responsibility of government to ensure employers adhere to regulations;

We, the undersigned, petition the House of Assembly to urge government to immediately enact legislation and recommendations to protect workers in hazardous workplaces, including late-night shifts in convenience stores and gas stations. This legislation must direct employers to have a minimum of two workers on-site after 10:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m. or have a secure barrier between the worker and the customer in place between these hours.

As in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, it is important to recognize the dangers that many workers face on the job. Often so, workers work at night to provide us with the services and, often, government programs that we all need and we all come to rely on. They often do so because they do not have any other choice; they have no alternative but to be in that job. In a lot of instances, these are younger workers, our brothers and sisters and daughters and sons and grandchildren, who work in the service industry.

It is incumbent on us as legislators to ensure that the conditions that they work in are as safe as they can be and as safe as they ought to be. I encourage all members to think about this and hear these petitioners.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Orders of the Day.

Orders of the Day

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

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Health and Community Services, for leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Regulate The Practice Of Pharmacy, Bill 50, and I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. Minister of Health and Community Services shall have leave to introduce a bill, An Act To Regulate The Practice Of Pharmacy, Bill 50, and that the said bill be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the minister shall have leave to introduce Bill 50 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 Health and Community Services to introduce a bill, "An Act To Regulate The Practice Of Pharmacy", carried. (Bill 50)

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Regulate The Practice Of Pharmacy. (Bill 50)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill has now been read a first time.

When shall the bill be read a second time?

MR. KING: Tomorrow.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 50 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Service NL, for leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Pension Benefits Act, 1997, Bill 51, and the said bill be now read the first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. Minister of Service NL shall have leave to introduce a bill, An Act To Amend The Pension Benefits Act, 1997, Bill 51, and that the said bill be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the minister shall have leave to introduce Bill 51 and that the said bill now be read a first time?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

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

Motion carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Service NL to introduce a bill, "An Act To Amend The Pension Benefits Act, 1997", carried. (Bill 51)

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Pension Benefits Act, 1997. (Bill 51)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill has now been read a first time.


When shall the bill be read a second time?

MR. KING: Tomorrow.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 51 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MR. KING: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, for leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Teachers' Pensions Act, Bill 52, and I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board shall have leave to introduce a bill, An Act To Amend The Teachers' Pensions Act, Bill 52, and that the said bill be now read the first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the minister shall have leave to introduce Bill 52 and that the said bill now be read a first time?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

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

Motion carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, to introduce a bill, "An Act To Amend The Teachers' Pensions Act", carried. (Bill 52)

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Teachers' Pensions Act. (Bill 52)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill has now been read a first time.

When shall the bill be read a second time?

MR. KING: Tomorrow.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 52 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MR. KING: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I call from the Order Paper, Order 1, Address in Reply.

MR. SPEAKER: Order 1.

The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I really feel it a privilege today to stand and speak to Address in Reply, because I feel that in this sitting of the House of Assembly we are at such a historic time in Newfoundland and Labrador, a momentous time, and a pivotal time in the course we are setting for Newfoundland and Labrador. I consider it an absolute privilege to be able to stand in this House of Assembly to be part of this Premier's government, and to be able to speak to some of the very key issues that are before us. In particular, Mr. Speaker, I want to use my time this afternoon to speak about Muskrat Falls.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Mr. Speaker, we are at a moment in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador where we need to find new ways to power our Province's energy future.

Mr. Speaker, I feel that we are ready. We are ready technically. We are ready with economic confidence. We are ready to move this project forward, to move Newfoundland and Labrador forward, Mr. Speaker, to make a way for generations that will come after us that are better than what we found this Province in when we first came here.

Mr. Speaker, what we are about to proceed to develop is a world-class hydro resource on the Churchill River. I have had the pleasure of visiting Churchill Falls, and I have had the pleasure as well of visiting the Hoover Dam on a holiday that I took several years ago. What I was struck by when I actually went to Churchill Falls is that it is a much bigger project than the Hoover Dam. Sometimes we do not stop to realize that.

Mr. Speaker, when I was in Churchill Falls I also had opportunity to speak with some of the employees at Churchill Falls, and to speak with some of the Nalcor employees as well. They take calls on a regular basis from people at the Hoover Dam asking them their technical expertise, asking them for their advice on how to problem solve.

Mr. Speaker, we have experts right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. They are the workers of Newfoundland and Labrador who keeps Churchill Falls powered every day. We have experts at Nalcor Energy who are on call all the time around the world to answer questions, to provide expertise. Mr. Speaker, I, for one, and this government are very, very proud of the expertise.

Mr. Speaker, our Premier has passionately reiterated on many, many occasions what Muskrat Falls will mean for Newfoundland and Labrador, most particularly though not for us, but for our children, our grandchildren, the generations that will come after us. We have this opportunity before us now. We have an opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to move ourselves forward, to build on momentum that was started at Churchill Falls and to move the Province in a direction that will make a difference.

Our Premier has spoken to that; she has shown her tenacity on a number of occasions, Mr. Speaker. Not the least of which was last Thursday night with the Prime Minister of Canada, when she refused to back down, when she held strong for this Province and for the people of this Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: We need to continue that. We need to continue what the Premier has started for us, Mr. Speaker. We cannot let this opportunity slip. We have to create, for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, a long-term, sustainable Newfoundland and Labrador. This project, Mr. Speaker, will help us to do just that.

Muskrat Falls has been shown time and time and time again to be the lowest-cost option for our homes and businesses to be powered into the future. I have heard the Minister of Natural Resources speak to it on a number of occasions. It will mean an end to dependence on oil and unstable electricity prices. It will mean clean, renewable power forever. How can we not sanction a project like this, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker, we all know that there is risk involved when you venture out into a project as large as this. Risk is not unknown to us here in Newfoundland and Labrador. We eek out our livings in some of the most harsh conditions in the world; we understand risk.

I want to talk specifically about one risk that was faced 100 years ago, a century ago by the people in my own district, Mr. Speaker. In Grand Falls-Windsor when the Northcliffes decided that they wanted to build a paper mill in Grand Falls-Windsor the naysayers from all over Newfoundland, from all over parts of Europe, said it cannot be done. You cannot develop something in the interior of the Province which is not even opened up yet. You cannot get to it, Mr. Speaker. We cannot transport it out of there, they would tell us.

The naysayers persisted. They told us that the river could never be harnessed, Mr. Speaker. You could never develop power out there. It was impossible to do. Read the history books. When I was working on the 2005 centennial celebrations, I was amazed by what I heard – that the naysayers of the day had said about that project and that it could not be done.

Mr. Speaker, we did open up the interior of the Province because of the development of that mill, and we connected east and west of Newfoundland. Mr. Speaker, we did harness that river and we are still producing power there today.

They told us that we would not have workers in Newfoundland and Labrador who would know how to make newsprint. Mr. Speaker, we have the finest papermakers anywhere in the world here in Newfoundland and Labrador, and we proved it time and time again. We mitigated all of that risk, Mr. Speaker. For 100 years after the naysayers said it could not be done, we produced paper in Central Newfoundland.

Mr. Speaker, we know how to mitigate risk in this Province. We know that to make money you have to invest. Mr. Speaker, we know that any major project comes with risk, but we take special care to make sure that we mitigate all of that risk.

Mr. Speaker, there were naysayers about the project in Bay D'Espoir. I have heard my colleague, the Minister of Finance speak to that many, many times. They threw up almost all of the same arguments, Minister, that we are hearing here now, but what happened? People who were able to have vision, people who were able to say this project can happen, moved in, took over and the project happened. We have benefited ever since, Mr. Speaker. We can go to the Web sites of any of these sites and we are able to see the progress that has been made.

Mr. Speaker, since the Muskrat Falls Project was first announced, what have we done to try to mitigate that risk? Mr. Speaker, we have been relentless in our pursuit of information to provide to us as decision makers, and to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador who need and deserve to have that information, we have provided as many facts and information as we possibly can so that we understand the project firsthand.

Mr. Speaker, we have engaged energy leaders from around the world; not just the energy leaders right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. We have them, Mr. Speaker, Nalcor is an expert. The people who work at Nalcor and who have been working on this project not for four or five years, Mr. Speaker, they have been working on these projects for thirty to forty years. I have spoken with many people over at Nalcor who have said to me: I have been working on this project since I went to work there twenty-odd years ago. This is not new to us, Mr. Speaker, but we have done that. We have engaged leaders' world round to gather that critical information for us.

We have entered into a process that is called the Decision Gate process, Mr. Speaker. That is a process that determines the viability of major capital projects. It is used around the world. It is an industry based approach to making decisions. It is accepted best practice, Mr. Speaker.

What is a Decision Gate, someone might ask? Decision Gate is, quite simply put, a point in the process where you have gathered your information and you stop, and you analyze it all and say: All right, what are the pros, what are the cons? Have we looked at all the checks and balances here? Are we ready to move forward to the next stage? Mr. Speaker, we have done that. We have done it time and time again on this project.

At Decision Gate 2 in November, 2010, we took that stop and we said here it is. Then we said, all right, let's move forward, let's do more work, let's do more engineering. Because at Decision Gate 2 we only had 5 per cent of the engineering done but it still looked like a good project. We weighed the risks, Mr. Speaker, looked at the checks and balances, made a decision and moved forward.

Mr. Speaker, that is such a credible and proven process that I really do not need to defend the process here. Anybody involved in industry understands this process, understands that it is an acceptable determination of level of readiness when we are moving forward on a project.

Mr. Speaker, Decision Gate 3 for us is a very critical point. Now we are at the point where we have to make a decision as to whether or not we sanction or we do not. Well, Mr. Speaker, when we released our Decision Gate 3 numbers some time ago, we also released the report from MHI and we released a plethora of information. The Minister of Natural Resources day after day after day released information, provided information, provided press conferences, brought forth whatever information we could possibly locate on this project, and risk mitigation of the project itself.

Manitoba Hydro, in particular, provided an independent assessment on the two generation supply approaches that were before us. We asked MHI to review that process, and we asked them to look at the work that had been completed since Decision Gate 2, up to the point of Decision Gate 3, and to make a determination as to what was the least-cost option on the updated costs that were provided.

Well, Mr. Speaker, MHI confirmed, unequivocally, that the engineering costs and the project planning completed by Nalcor were accurate. They looked at some of the risks that people had around the project, and they said, no, in actual fact there is a $2.4 billion preference for this particular option. The scope of the project has been refined, Mr. Speaker, early engineering site preparation, extensive planning, detailed design and engineering, all this done, and we have a much more accurate cost estimate than we ever had.

Mr. Speaker, in terms of this project, I feel that we are moving forward now with more confidence and more determination as a result of all of the work that has been done. We have provided a lower risk. We have mitigated the risks that were out there. Those questions were good questions, Mr. Speaker. They needed to have been asked.

The Premier of our Province said day over day: Ask your questions. We need to hear these questions. We need to investigate. If there is one little thing out there – the Premier said to us time and time again – that has not been looked at, tell us, because we want to get this right. We do not want to make a mistake here. The Premier was steadfast in that. On any number of occasions she told us that.

Mr. Speaker, the DG3 capital cost for the project is now at $7.4 billion. We know that the cost to Newfoundland and Labrador is $6.2 billion. The cost of the Maritime Link is $1.2 billion.

Mr. Speaker, we are not alone in our confidence on this project. We are not alone at all. We have Navigant, we have MHI, we have Ziff Energy, we have the bond rating agencies, we have Wood Mackenzie, we have economists such as Dr. Wade Locke, we have the federal government, we have the federal Liberals, we have the federal NDP, we have the Government of Nova Scotia, we have the Board of Trade, we have business leaders, and we have labour leaders.

The list goes on and on of people who have confidence in this project, Mr. Speaker. The only non-confidence in this project exists on the other side of the House. That is the only place, Mr. Speaker, we are hearing that non-confidence. Everywhere else around the world we are hearing confidence.

Mr. Speaker, when I go to my federal-provincial-territorial meetings, ministers are saying to me from all over this country: Wouldn't we love to be in the position that Newfoundland and Labrador is in? Wouldn't we love to have that energy warehouse available to us? I hear it wherever I go, Mr. Speaker. There is such confidence in it.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government just showed its confidence in this particular project on Friday past when they signed the loan guarantee in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Our Premier was the person who nailed down that agreement for the Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who sat at home wanting to see that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Mr. Speaker, her leadership and her advocacy for this particular project has never wavered. From day one, our Premier has said: this has to be done right. This has to be done for the future of Newfoundland and Labrador. This has to be done for the children we see around us every day, Mr. Speaker, because it is their futures that we are talking about.

I do not know about the other side of the House, but this side of the House is not concerned about us just today, Mr. Speaker. We have a concern that will take us into the next generation and the next generation, and further on.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Mr. Speaker, this Premier has vision. There is vision on this side of the House. There is vision from our Premier and that is why she said: no, I will not sign that agreement until we get what is best for Newfoundland and Labrador.

It happened, Mr. Speaker. We have that loan guarantee, a loan guarantee that for our children and our future grandchildren means $1 billion. That is not something to be laughed at from the other side of the House; that is something that history will show we will be darned proud of.

Mr. Speaker, I remind the people on the other side of the House someday that they might want to stop and think about what history is going to say about them. I wonder how history is going to report what they thought about this project. Did they oppose because they thought they had to oppose – because we are not hearing much else, Mr. Speaker – or did they really have any questions?

Mr. Speaker, I believe history is going to say: what a turning point for Newfoundland and Labrador when Muskrat Falls was sanctioned, when this was powered up, and when this particular project took root. I believe the history books will show that this government understood risk, mitigated risk, saw a project, saw an opportunity, and said: for our children and our children's children, we are moving ahead on this project. I believe that is what the history books will show.

They will show that the Premier who was at the helm of this had the vision, had the tenacity, had the steadfastness to keep the project moving, Mr. Speaker. She refused to back down from anybody and instead stood her ground, and we now have what we need to move this project forward.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: I have much more here than I could say and twenty minutes goes far too fast. I would tell you, Mr. Speaker, that I have spoken many times in this House of Assembly in the last five years. I have never spoken more confidently, I have never been more comfortable, and I have never been more convinced than with the message I am delivering today, and that is that Muskrat Falls is the right project at the right time for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Mr. Speaker, governance is about decision making. Decision making is about weighing all of the options, it is about looking at the pros and the cons, and it is about making sure the checks and the balances are in place. It is about doing all of the information gathering that can possibly be done and then taking a stand, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this Premier and this government know what stand to take. We want to stand for a future for this Province. We want to make sure that our children and grandchildren will always have a future here on this Island and in Labrador, a place that we know and love, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am confident because decades of study have been done. I am confident because experts have looked at this project from top to bottom. I am confident because I know that the Premier's analysis on this and the Premier's view on this has always been one that is based on principled decision-making. On a regular basis, our Premier says to us: Do not be advocates; be judges. Well, Mr. Speaker, we have judged this project. We have looked at all of the evidence. We are not simply advocating. We are judging based on evidence, sound evidence that has been provided to us by so many different authorities worldwide.

Mr. Speaker, for all of those reasons I am confident in that project. I am confident for my children, I am confident for generations to come, and I am confident that when we lay pen to paper and make a decision on Muskrat Falls, as this side of the House will, we will be setting a course for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that sets us apart, that makes us different and that provides for a future that otherwise would not have happened.

Mr. Speaker, I know how I will vote. I know how this side of the House of Assembly will vote. This is a good project for Newfoundland and Labrador. I am so happy to support this project.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER (Littlejohn): The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I thank you for acknowledging me this afternoon and giving me an opportunity to rise and have a few minutes in the Address in Reply.

I heard, last week, members opposite who were concerned about the fact that members on this side of the House were referring to this debate and using their time in this debate to discuss Muskrat Falls. I heard a comment from members opposite who said: Well, we have already spoken in this debate and we cannot speak again. What I would say to members opposite is that each one of us, as members of the House, when we are entering into a debate such as this, it is our decision in how we want to address the House. It is our decision how we utilize our time.

If we decide to utilize our time to debate or to talk about a very important matter, being Muskrat Falls, then that is the decision that each of us make. I know when time passes, at different points in time, there may be things that are the flavour of the day that someone wants to talk about, but I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, for some time now I have been looking for the opportunity to have some time to discuss Muskrat Falls and to point out some points that I see.

I can tell by the members opposite, the response that I am getting from there now, that they are not pleased to hear that, but we do have an opportunity to make those decisions. I was considering using some time to talk about –

MS JONES: A point of order, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Cartwright – L'Anse au Clair, on a point of order.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to point out for the House – because some of the information is somewhat misleading – when you are into Address in Reply, once members have spoken once in Address in Reply they do not have the opportunity to speak again. Many members in this House spoke in March, April, May, and June in Address in Reply; therefore, they do not have the opportunity to speak today.

To say that Address in Reply is a debate on Muskrat Falls is false. It is not that at all. In fact, it does not allow the opportunity for all members to stand and speak. If we were debating a different bill, maybe a Finance bill, then all members would have the opportunity to speak and choose what they speak on.

MR. SPEAKER: I thank the Member for Cartwright – L'Anse au Clair.

The hon. the Deputy Government House Leader.

MR. HUTCHINGS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just to clarify, Address in Reply is the ability for anybody to get up and articulate on any issue they want to. We call it debate.

To the hon. member and her comments, here in the House the Government House Leader did certainly make the offer that if there was an agreement, other members will get an opportunity to speak if they wanted enter into a debate on Muskrat. That was not accepted. The Government House Leader did offer that, and I think it is important that we get that out there. It was asked.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

While the clock is ticking, I am going to utilize the time as best I can.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. DAVIS: Mr. Speaker, I am going to focus my comments today in regard to Muskrat Falls on the cost of Muskrat Falls. There are a couple of different ways of looking at the cost of Muskrat Falls. What is important to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador is to grasp an understanding of how the rates will be affected and what will happen with rates under Muskrat Falls. That is what is important to people and that is where I am going to focus my comments this afternoon, Mr. Speaker.

I have heard the Minister of Natural Resources a number of times now here in the House and publicly bring forward two points. The first one is: Do we need the power? He asked the question: Do we need the power? I do not think there is much opposition. I do not think there is any opposition now – there was earlier – at this point in time that would argue we need the power. The second question he would ask is: Do you believe that Muskrat Falls is the least-cost option for Newfoundlanders?

Mr. Speaker, the hon. minister has released numerous amounts of information. Members opposite have asked for more information. They released more information at times. They provided more information than any other project in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador and have made that quite available to the members opposite, as well as the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is very important to do that because it is the people we are here to serve. It is the people of the Province we are here to serve. We are here to make decisions in their best interests for today and also for the future.

We are not governing based on today alone, Mr. Speaker. We are looking at decades and decades down the road when we are talking about Muskrat Falls. If you look at a project, such as my colleague here in her comments earlier referenced the Hoover Dam. Now, the Hoover Dam in United States was built between 1931 and 1936; it is eighty years old. It is eighty years old and it produces over 2,000 megawatts of power, Mr. Speaker, and it continues to produce. Eighty years later it is still producing power for the people of the United States.

Right here in the Province, we know the Upper Churchill Falls project was started in 1967. It was producing power in the early 1970s, forty, forty-five years ago, and continues to produce power today. How often do we hear, a breaking story, there is a problem with the production of power at Churchill Falls, or there is a problem with the production of power at the Hoover Dam?

Mr. Speaker, we do not, because it is a reliable source of energy. It is a reliable source of power that will last for many years; so not just for us today, but for the generations that will follow us. It will produce a reliable energy. It will be a clean, green, dependable source of power for the people of the Province, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have also heard the Minister of Finance, and he has tried to explain to people on how the finances and the investments in Muskrat Falls will not have any impact on the net debt. I want to try and explain it this way, because I have talked to the minister about this and I wanted to make sure that I understood it correctly.

If I can use a comparison, Mr. Speaker, an example would be if someone were to purchase a rental property. If you purchase a rental property say with two units in it that you are going to rent out, and for argument's sake you purchased a modest property at say a value of $100,000, and you finance that at $100,000. What you have is a mortgage for $100,000 and you have an asset worth $100,000. I know in many places in Newfoundland and Labrador it is going to cost you much more than that to purchase a rental property, but for argument's sake let's just use that as an example.

When you purchase an asset, which is the property, and you now have a mortgage for that $100,000, what you do is you are going to set your rental rate at a value that allows you to pay for the cost of providing that service of rental accommodations. You are going to set the rate that is equivalent to your cost. You are also going to factor in your cost for maintaining that property, because you want that property to last you a long time. The right way to do that is to ensure that you maintain it in good order so that it is going to give you longevity in use and purpose, that you are able to rent that out.

What happens is as the people who are utilizing the service start to pay off your debt, the debt that is equivalent to the value of the asset, your asset begins to grow in value to you. As you pay off that mortgage you become the owner of a very valuable asset, that if you maintain and you care for properly will last you a long, long time and provide you revenue for many, many, many years.

Hydroelectric projects have proven their longevity. That is what is going to happen with Muskrat Falls. As we pay off the cost of Muskrat Falls, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for years to come – and I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, it is not about me, it is about our children and our grandchildren in the generations to come who are going to benefit from this asset for years and years and years.

As I mentioned, Hoover Dam, at one point in time I had a chance to see myself and made a point to do so. It has been eighty years, and it continues to produce power for the people in the US. Muskrat Falls will have the same type of longevity.

The technology involved in hydroelectric development has not changed significantly over the years. It is a proven, reliable method of producing power. At the end of it, we will have a highly valuable, power producing facility and asset for the people of the Province.

Mr. Speaker, in Newfoundland and Labrador the rates that utilities are able to charge are regulated. We have regulation that regulates the rates that the utilities are able to provide. We essentially have two utilities in the Province. We have Newfoundland Hydro, which is Nalcor, and we have Newfoundland Power, which is a private company.

Now, 90 per cent of the power that Newfoundland Power distributes they buy from Newfoundland Hydro; 90 per cent of it. Newfoundland Power essentially has a grid of services that they provide to the people of the Island. They are the ones that actually take the power from Hydro and deliver it to the people in the Province. Newfoundland Hydro is the significant power producer in the Province, as we know.

Mr. Speaker, what takes place is that the rates are set so that both of these utilities are able to receive a return on their investment, the same as a rental property. They have to charge enough to cover the cost of operating a generation plant; that covers the cost of their transmission services; it covers the cost of their maintenance, and so on. There are really three fundamental costs that are considered when rates are set for them. One, like I said, is maintenance cost. With generation plants, there is a cost. There is maintenance involved in keeping them updated and keeping them operating. They are very successful at hydroelectric, at keeping those operating efficiently and effectively.

There is the transmission lines aspect of how you move power from place to place throughout the Province. They are able to make a case under regulation and say: We want a return for the cost of maintaining our transmission lines so that we can continue to operate a safe, efficient and effective utility service. That is what they need to do. They say we need so much money to charge back to the ratepayers to pay for this, and here is what it is going to cost.

As well, Mr. Speaker, they have to consider unforeseen maintenance. We live in a very harsh climate in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are susceptible to thawing, freezing, comfortable warm summers, and very cold winters. The climate changes from the West Coast to the East Coast to the Northern Peninsula to Labrador. There are a variety of climates throughout our Province in which our utilities must function and continue to provide their service. There are times when there are emergencies that occur, quite often weather related, where the utilities have to pay for maintenance and those costs. Under their rates, they are able to return those costs to be able to continue to operate and function in the black.

As well Mr. Speaker, the third feature of the rate setting in Newfoundland and Labrador is oil. It is the price of oil and the cost to operate the Holyrood thermal generation plant. Just this past year, actually, there was a process in place where oil is calculated on a regular basis, an annual basis, and this year it was in the range of a 7 per cent increase in rates based on oil, Mr. Speaker. It is oil that we are now dependent upon in order to keep the lights on. Without Holyrood, there is not enough power. As time goes on and the increase in demand continues to exist, the more reliant we become on Holyrood to generate power for Newfoundland.

Mr. Speaker, it was interesting to compare. I did some research on this as well. Where are rates around the country? It is interesting to know that historically and traditionally, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are paying a rate that is lower than the Canadian average. What was really interesting for me to see is that there are three jurisdictions in the country that are quite consistently below us. They are British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec. British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec traditionally have the lowest power rates in the country. Does anyone know why that is?

AN HON. MEMBER: What is the link?

MR. DAVIS: What is the link? Hydro – they all produce power at hydro; they hydro-produce power in BC, Manitoba, and Quebec, of course, which keeps them the lowest rates. Quebec is the lowest at $120. How Quebec developed hydroelectricity is probably a better matter for another day. Manitoba is $128, very close, and BC, $150.

Now, Newfoundland and Labrador is up to $191, the next-lowest in the country – $191 – and that is an average monthly cost. What makes that so much higher than the rest is the cost of oil and the cost to operate the Holyrood plant. That is where it is. That is the difference: the cost of oil.

Mr. Speaker, between 2001 and 2011 – and we have heard the minister talk about this before – the rates for power in Newfoundland and Labrador increased by 32 per cent. It came up today during Question Period. The rates for power between 2001 and 2011 went up 32 per cent, or on average $45 per month. That is a 2.8 per cent a year increase in the cost of power. A lot of that, again, has to do with oil.

We also know, from the great work or the great people at Hydro, that between 2011 and 2016 there is going to be another 16 per cent increase. That has nothing to do with Muskrat Falls, nothing at all to do with Muskrat Falls, because under regulation and under the laws of the land, the cost of Muskrat Falls is not going to be charged to taxpayers until we flip the switch and we turn it on. So, from the projections from 2011 to 2016, there is another 16 per cent.

Mr. Speaker, then we have to get into the time where Muskrat Falls would come online, the 2016-2017 time period. What is really interesting is that without Muskrat Falls, from 2016-2017 up to 2030, it is projected that the power costs for island users will increase by 38 per cent – 38 per cent over that time period, without Muskrat Falls, or $82 per month.

That is what people want to know: what is the effect on my light bill? So, I can tell the people that the analysis and the projections are that without Muskrat Falls, your light bill is going to go up during that time period another $82. That is after 2017.

With Muskrat Falls, Mr. Speaker, it is only going to go up 18 per cent. It is only going to go up 18 per cent, which is approximately $38 per month. The reason for that – a big reason for that – is we are getting off oil. Out at Holyrood – Holyrood currently produces between 15 and 25 per cent of the power needs of the island – 15 to 25 per cent. At peak times, it is using up 18,000 barrels of oil.

AN HON. MEMBER: That is a lot of oil.

MR. DAVIS: It is a lot of oil. It is a lot of oil.

The current costs – in 2011, the fuel cost for Holyrood was $135 million, just for the purchase of fuel. So that is fuel; once it is burnt, it is gone. It is fuel we are buying from oil companies from around the world. Once it is bought and paid for, the money is gone out of here; it is gone to pay for that commodity in order to look after Holyrood.

It 2017, Mr. Speaker, Nalcor estimates that the cost of oil purchases for Holyrood, without Muskrat Falls, will be up to, ready for this: $324 million a year – $324 million a year for the purchase of oil. Three years, that is about a billion dollars. That is about a billion dollars over a three-year period, Mr. Speaker.

Get this: if we get off of Holyrood in 2016-2017, that $324 million can be used to pay off the asset that we just invested in, the Muskrat Falls asset. Remember I talked about paying off your asset early when you pay off your house earlier? When you pay off your asset, you are left with a very valuable, highly valuable asset, being the ability to produce your own power, the ability to sell your own power through Newfoundland and Labrador, and also through our agreement with Emera. So, Mr. Speaker, once we get off oil, that is huge money, and instead of giving the money to oil companies and sending it away outside of the Province and outside of the country, it is invested right here in Newfoundland and Labrador and kept here for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Mr. Speaker, the clock is running down. I am getting to the end of my time, but I do want to tell the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and remind them that if you go into the government Web site – www.gov.nl.ca – you will find there Power in Our Hands and a block which brings you right into Muskrat Falls, or you can go to www.powerinourhands.ca, because there is an enormous amount of information there on this project, on Muskrat Falls. I encourage anyone –and I know I speak for members on this side of the House as well – if you want to have a look at it, we encourage you to do that.

One of the real nice features in there is a bill calculator. When you go in, it is on the left-hand side of the page. You will see a line there that says Information Centre. Underneath that is the bill calculator. I encourage people to go in and have a look at it because if you plug in what you are paying on average per month today, it will give you projections for the years to come.

It is very interesting. I know several people who have done it and have said I did not realize that. Because what happens is after 2016-2017, if you look at the cost with and without Muskrat, the cost to ratepayers, to individuals, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, what you see is you start to see a separation. You start to see that the cost to continue to operate with Holyrood starts to escalate like this; the cost of power to consumers with Muskrat Falls continues to stay lower and that spread grows as the years go on. It shows that the longer you are there, the more savings you are going to make. The bill calculator will actually do an analysis on how much money you will save as an individual, as a ratepayer with Muskrat Falls.

Mr. Speaker, in the minute or so that I have left, I want to talk a little bit about last week and the loan guarantee that happened last Thursday. Knowing now how this took place, I tell you I was pretty impressed. I was pretty impressed with our Premier and how she pulled it off. Mr. Speaker, what happened last week when the Premier was asked about Muskrat Falls and about Goose Bay and the Prime Minister coming to Goose Bay, she made a comment that she never had plans to go to Goose Bay. The reason for that was because from her perspective, the deal was not done. The deal was not done at that point in time.

Our Premier, representing every Newfoundlander and Labradorian, had a number of key objectives that she wanted to achieve before she was ready to sign a deal. Until late Thursday night, when she had a conversation with the Prime Minister herself and she said these are the key objectives we need to achieve – and she did achieve those and she brought that deal home. Before that time, Mr. Speaker, the deal was not done. She held firm, she was persistent, she preserved, and she said these are things that need to be in this agreement and until they are, I am not signing the deal. Once she achieved that on Thursday night, Mr. Speaker, let me tell you it was a –

MR. SPEAKER: I remind the hon. member his time is up.

MR. DAVIS: – monumental day and moment for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Thank you for the opportunity to speak to this, this afternoon. I can tell you, as my colleague has done, that I will definitely be supporting Muskrat Falls, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cape St. Francis.

MR. K. PARSONS: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

It is indeed a great privilege to be here today. I have been looking forward to this day for a long while. It gives me the opportunity to get up and debate. I know the Member for Burgeo – La Poile last week was worrying about what was on Twitter and how people were calling this debate. Yes, it is Address in Reply, there is no doubt about it, but it is an opportunity for me to get up and tell the constituents of Cape St. Francis my true feelings and what I want to express and the reasons why I think that this is a great, great, great project.

Mr. Speaker, whether it is legislation, the Throne Speech, the Budget or whatever, we are always debating, other than when you get up to do a member's statement. Any time you get up in this House, you are debating. It is not the special debate that we all wanted. I know I was looking forward to a special debate, to be able to hear the Opposition get up themselves and be able to get up. They did not want it. We offered everything we could, but still no debate.

Mr. Speaker, the Member for St. John's North – again as the Minister of Transportation just alluded to – was up last week and he was saying about how they did not have the opportunity because they could not get up on Address in Reply. It did not take long, Mr. Speaker, when it was offered to him by the House Leader to his leader – it took her about five seconds to turn it down. I am not sure who was quicker, either her or the Premier of Quebec, to turn down the loan guarantee.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. K. PARSONS: I heard that the elevator was on the first floor and she had to take the stairs she was running that far down to get to the thing. She wanted to race the Premier of Quebec to turn down our loan guarantee.

Mr. Speaker, like I said, this is an opportunity to really get up and express myself and what I feel about Muskrat Falls. I look at Muskrat Falls and there is one main reason that I think that we have to do Muskrat Falls, and one of the main reasons I am here: I look to the future. I always look to the children and the grandchildren – the grandchildren who I hope to have someday. I want to be called Poppy Parsons, like Poppy Pollard, someday here in the House of Assembly.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. K. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, the speaker before me, and all speakers, we all look at this – and I know the Minister of Natural Resources, day after day, since we have been here in the House, every time you go to a news conference there are two main questions: Do we need the power, and which is the least cost to give us that power?

Mr. Speaker, we have to look at what is happening out in Holyrood. I saw a newscast on a little while ago. A lady was on CBC; they were showing the dust and the soot on the side of her house and on the side of her car. She took her finger and she wiped it off. Mr. Speaker, that should not be happening today. We should not have to live in a society where you have dust and whatever else, the pollution that we are having.

I think it would be irresponsible for us to spend billions of dollars to retrofit it, to put the brushers and reciprocators that they are talking about in there. I do not think we should do it. I really do not think we should be polluting like we are doing. Burning oil – what are we doing? We are going to keep polluting.

Mr. Speaker – and like the previous speaker – 18,000 barrels of oil a day just to keep it going at peak production. That is unbelievable when you think about it. That blows my mind, when I think about 18,000 barrels a day.

Mr. Speaker, that is not all; then there are the emissions that we are putting in, the greenhouse gases that we are putting up every year. If we take that out, if we eliminate it, it is like taking 300,000 cars off the road a year. That is huge. That is unbelievable.

The previous speaker spoke about the percentage that it was going to go up, our light bill, from 2016 to 2036, but I will give you another little gauge he did not give you there. If we continue with Holyrood and do not do Muskrat Falls we will burn $385 million a year in fuel at Holyrood. That is huge. From 2017 to 2036, that is $7.7 billion, and absolutely nothing to show for it, absolutely nothing, thrown away to the oil companies – unbelievable.

Mr. Speaker, why don't we take that money and make an investment into our future?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. K. PARSONS: Make an investment into our children. That, to me, makes sense, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, like I said, instead of sending that money over – the Leader of the Opposition was up the other day on his private member's motion, and he was wondering what we were going to do with the dividends. Isn't that a great worry? Isn't that a great concern? What are we going to do with the extra money?

The government of the day will decide. It is not our way to make a decision; if there is money there and there is money turned over, maybe they will build schools, maybe they will build a new hospital, maybe they will do this, maybe they will do that. There is lots of stuff to do with money in Newfoundland and Labrador but, Mr. Speaker, it would be great to have the opportunity to be able to do it.

Like you said, Mr. Speaker, we know that we are going to need this power; all the experts, everybody is after looking at it. Even the critics, the critics out there that criticized this project, they all know the difference; they all know that we are going to need the power. None of them are disputing that. All I have to do, Mr. Speaker, is look in my own district, the District of Cape St. Francis, and even look at my own family. I drive around my district now; the homes are huge. They are big homes, and they need electricity.

There are houses today that are getting built. I go down and I am amazed that the houses are so big. I say: how many people are in that family? Most of them only have two or three kids in the family, and I say: oh, my God, look at the size of the house they are building.

Mr. Speaker, like I said, even my own family – right now my daughter is building a house. It is a very exciting time, I have to say, a very exciting time. She is a bit naοve and she figures she is going to get this done –

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. K. PARSONS: No, she figures Dad's going to do a little bit too much work; Dad, get a price on this for me, get a price on that for me; who do you know who can do this – but it is an exciting time, Mr. Speaker. It is a very exciting time. She is building a house, a beautiful home, and I think she is planning on have a couple of children some day. I tell you –

AN HON. MEMBER: Poppy.

MR. K. PARSONS: It would be Poppy. It would be Poppy, yes.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. K. PARSONS: You know what, Mr. Speaker, her house is big enough for at least ten children. It is a big home, and she will have all the gadgets in it. There will be pot lights all over the kitchen; there will be cable in all the rooms. That is the type of houses people are building today.

The minister the other day said that 86 per cent – our domestic use now – of new homes getting built now require electricity. Mr. Speaker, when I grew up – and it is the main reason I do not have a woodstove in my house – every Saturday my father would say: come on, Kev, we are going in; he would have us in cutting wood. Now, we would cut wood, and then we would have to go in and we had to pare it up, and then we had to go in and we had to haul it out. So every Saturday he had a job for me to do: go cut some wood. I tell you, we cut enough wood to keep all of Flatrock going, I guarantee you that. We had lots of wood.

You know what, Mr. Speaker, back then there was 80 per cent of the people – I can honestly say 80 per cent of the people in the community that I grew up in, Flatrock, either burnt wood or burnt oil for their main source of heat. That has changed; that has changed completely. As you go around, and you look now and there is –

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. K. PARSONS: Oh, yes, you look at what is happening right now, Mr. Speaker. We were all in one room watching a TV. That is the way we grew up; we all watched Maxwell Smart, and then we watched the news, and then we watched Hogan's Heroes, Truth or Consequences, Three's Company. There were all kinds, that was it, we all watched it.

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. K. PARSONS: No, we did not watch much wrestling. Father would not let us watch that, we got too rough. We were big fellows.

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. K. PARSONS: Oh, yes, I would get killed – my brothers were all bigger than me – or would when the wrestling would go on.

Mr. Speaker, just look at today. Look at what you see in people's houses now today. There are hot tubs, there are heated floors. There are computers in every room. You name it; there are TVs in every room. You have to charge up everything; everything you are doing today you are charging up.

Like I said, we grew up in such a different time; one TV. Right now, on Friday and Saturday nights I am usually out in the garage watching TV that is in my garage. We have TVs all over the place now. I know that the critics say conserve. You have to conserve. We have to conserve. Do you know what? I agree. I agree we have to do everything we can to reduce. I would like to reduce it because it is less bills that you are going to pay at the end of the month.

Mr. Speaker, I know in my house as fast as I go around and turn off a light, I am sure there is someone behind me flicking it back on again because every time I walk around the lights are always back on. We all want to conserve. I drive around my district and look in the nighttimes and people's habits have changed. People are in their own rooms. The children are in watching videos or they are in on their computers, and they are separate. I go in my own house and I am usually watching TV in my room. My daughter is watching TV in her room. My son is in – that is just the way things have changed. People are using more energy these days.

Mr. Speaker, this one is going to hurt a few people, but as you look outside people's houses they have everything lit up all over the place. I have a few friends who even have outside hockey rinks, outside their houses for their young fellows. They are lit up like you would not believe. They are lit up just like the Maple Leaf Gardens, Mr. Speaker. The only problem is, with Maple Leaf Gardens they have a whole lot of better hockey players playing on them than the Leafs. That is the only thing. I tell you that for sure.

Mr. Speaker, if you look at our demand – that is just in our domestic demand that I just talked about that time. Our demand has risen. Our habits have changed, times have changed. Like I said about burning wood, at one time as you drove through everybody had a stack of wood on the side of their house. That is what they did, everybody burned wood. We do not see that today. Young people today do not have time for it. The electric fireplace is a nice thing to watch. You can go in and watch an electric fireplace. It does not throw off a whole lot of heat anyway.

Mr. Speaker, as a Province and an Island, we have to make changes, and Muskrat Falls is where the change has to come. Development, like I said, and not only our domestic needs, residential needs are rising. Our commercial needs and our industrial needs are rising.

If you look at Long Harbour; Long Harbour, for example, started in 2011, by 2014 it is going to require eighty-five megawatts of power. That is at full production. I had a buddy of mine the other day; a good friend of mine just got a job out in Bull Arm. He was telling me on the weekend about it out there, because I did not know how far it was on and where it was going to. He said there are a lot of things happening out there. Apparently, after Christmas it is going to really ramp up and they are going to be doing a lot of production. That is going to require a lot of power, and it is great to see it, Mr. Speaker. We are living in a Province where the opportunities are unbelievable.

Mr. Speaker, hang on now I have that one done. Hang on, the next page, hang on. Okay, I have one more page here.

MR. JOYCE: You should have put it in the fireplace.

MR. K. PARSONS: I should have put it in the fire. I got too excited, Eddie.

Mr. Speaker, I will look at my district. I just want to look, and I will explain my district now. I take in a part of St. John's, the Clovelly area down on Stavanger Drive, that area. As I drive around in my district, it is just unbelievable. It is great to see, it is unbelievable to see.

Down in Clovelly, every time I drive down there now there is a new road going in and there are houses going up everywhere. Stavanger Drive, I commented the other night, there are four new buildings going up on Stavanger Drive, and there is even a new hotel going there by Boston Pizza. It is huge, the development in the area. Across the way there in the fields, meadows we call them, there is a new theatre going in. There is a road going in, there are all kinds of buildings going up in there.

Mr. Speaker, all over the St. John's area, and I know all over the Province – I talked to my good friend from Fortune Bay – Cape La Hune and she tells me about the areas in her district that are really doing well because of the investments we are making in aquaculture. Mr. Speaker, it is huge to see how it has developed.

Just in the small towns in my district, now they are not really small, Torbay has about 7,000 people. Mr. Speaker, I look at Torbay, in the last four years Torbay has grown by 17 per cent; the Town of Flatrock grew by 20 per cent; Pouch Cove 14 per cent; Logy Bay-Middle Cove 14 per cent; Bauline, the smallest community in my district, 12 per cent. That is just in the last four years.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. K. PARSONS: Just in the last four years it has grown. Mr. Speaker, everyday I get the opportunity to work with these towns. On a daily basis I know firsthand what growth is in the towns, and I know the type of homes that are getting build in those towns. Mr. Speaker, I know the future plans for these towns and I have to say, it is some exciting. It is an exciting time in Cape St. Francis because development and growth is unbelievable.

Mr. Speaker, while I am doing it now I really have to say a big thank you to this government. We have made some major investments in the District of Cape St. Francis. The Torbay bypass road – which I used to get a lot of e-mails, I do not get them anymore, Mr. Speaker – is working great. It is unbelievable. This government invested $23 million into the Torbay bypass road and I have to tell you, it is working great. On behalf of the people of the District of Cape St. Francis thank you very, very much.

Mr. Speaker, not only that, but we have a beautiful arena down there, it is called the Jack Byrne Arena. That is another reason why people like moving to our areas. The schools down there, Mr. Speaker, are top-notch. They have the best technologies you can offer; whiteboards in all classrooms. I have to say, they are really good. With the growth right now, there is a feasibility study being done because the population is growing and the schools are at full capacity. We are looking at doing the feasibility study and we will need a new school in the next little while. Hopefully we will get it, too, Mr. Speaker.

Like I said, how times have changed and how families have changed, Mr. Speaker. I look at the families where I watched how they grew up. I knew a lot of people who had twelve to twenty children in their family. Today, like I said, it is two and a possibility of three is the maximum size of families. Everything is after changing.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you one thing: Never in our history has there been a better time to live in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a great time to live in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. K. PARSONS: I say, Mr. Speaker, we are the envy of all Canada. Again, I look at my own district and I look at the people coming home. They are staying home. There are young people staying and building nice homes. It is a great place to raise a family.

Since 2003, our people have never been more confident. We are so confident in our place, we are confident in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the rest of Canada sees us in a different light. I can remember listening to the phrase they were using back in 2003 or 2006: masters of our own destiny. Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we are. When we do Muskrat Falls we are going to be masters of our own destiny even more. Generation to generation will be happy for us, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity the other day to listen to the Minister of Service NL and the Minister Responsible for Labrador. I am just talking a little bit about the demand now. Just listening to his speech, he talked about the possibilities and what is on the go there now. He told us about all the development there now. Then he said the possibilities for Labrador and how important it was for Muskrat Falls to reach the potential. He talked about $15 billion in possible mining. Can you believe that, Mr. Speaker – $15 billion?

MR. MCGRATH: That is what is going to be spent to develop it.

MR. K. PARSONS: That is what is going to be spent to develop it. Mr. Speaker, that is unbelievable and we need Muskrat Falls to be able to do that. This stuff is common sense.

Just look at the people who are benefiting. The other day he talked about all the different jobs for the different Aboriginal groups there in Labrador. Those are the people who deserve it and they are going to get it, Mr. Speaker. Labrador comes first for this development. Our government set that out right from the stage, and I know he is very proud of it. Mr. Speaker, look at the future for Newfoundland and Labrador. There is employment and revenue that is going to come out of Labrador and give all our people opportunities to go to work.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that we are going to need the power. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that we are going to need the power.

I do not have much time left (inaudible) too long. The other question the Minister of Natural Resources usually asked is about the least-cost option. Mr. Speaker, this project has been put through the ringer like you would not believe. It is unbelievable. We have had Nalcor. We have two years of scrutiny that you would not believe. It is just going mad. We had Navigant, we had the Department of Natural Resources, Manitoba Hydro, and last week we had the federal government give their stamp of approval because they are after going through it also.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke to many, many residents in my district. I was speaking to a lady one day. She is a good friend of mine. She is eighty-seven years old. This was in September and she was over getting a few potatoes out of her garden. I called up and asked her what she was doing and we got talking. Do you know what she said to me? She said: Kevin, I do not know much about Muskrat Falls. I think it is a good idea, but I know one thing, I think it is going to be great for my children and my grandchildren because they will have stable rates. She said: They will not be worrying about their light bill, like I am.

Mr. Speaker, that is the big thing about this. That is a great thing about it.

We looked at all of the different options with wind, natural gas, and all of the options. Time after time, the minister has come back with report after report and it is after showing the least-cost option, bar none, is Muskrat Falls. The next thing to it is $2.4 billion – even more, we do not know. Mr. Speaker, to me, this is common sense. I do not understand how some people do not get the common sense, but that is their choice I suppose.

Mr. Speaker, after we released the DG 3 numbers, I was waiting – I knew that the Minister of Natural Resources and Mr. Martin were going to get on the local radio show the next day and I was listening intently because I said, knowing Paddy, if any of the ones call in, any of the naysayers and the big critics call in and want to ask questions to Mr. Martin or to the minister, it will be a great time and he will get them on. Paddy had some good questions himself, but I do not think anyone called in at all. Neither one called in at all, because every question, every answer, has been given on this deal.

I only have ten seconds left. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say that this a great project for our Province, but most of all, it is a great project for our children and our grandchildren.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Bellevue.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great privilege to be able to stand here today in this hon. House, take my place as the Member for the District of Bellevue, and speak on some things that have happened in my district throughout this past summer. I have been through the district several times, I have talked to a lot of people throughout my district, and there are a lot of good things happening in my district.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I want to take the opportunity to get in part of this discussion and debate on Muskrat Falls and to talk about the great importance of this project to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, throughout Canada, and even throughout the United States.

Mr. Speaker, we saw this past weekend our Premier signing off the Muskrat Falls deal with the Prime Minister and also with the NDP Premier of Nova Scotia, Darrell Dexter.

We listen on the other side of the House and we hear the negativity coming from the Opposition and from the Third Party, on the opposite side of the House. It makes you wonder why the national leaders would support a project, why the project is so good of a deal to Nova Scotia, and then the people over there say: well, it is not a deal; we do not look at it as a good deal.

On this side of the House, Mr. Speaker, we know the difference. We know the difference on this side of the House. Over the past few weeks we have had several meetings with the officials from Nalcor and the experts in the field. We have been told several times, Mr. Speaker, that this is certainly a good deal. This project is going to make a big difference to the Province of Newfoundland, it is going to make a big difference to Canada, and it is going to make a big difference to the history of our government.

I want to congratulate the Premier on the fantastic job that she has done, on the fantastic stand that she has taken for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. PEACH: – and be firm in her position to make sure that we got the best deal for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: Mr. Speaker, when this project was announced in 2010 – our government has responded to the request as put forth by many of the Opposition, many requests from the Opposition and many from the Third Party. We have examined and researched this project, besides asking independent experts to look at this project. They have said that Muskrat Falls is the best option for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In the beginning, Mr. Speaker, I was not sure how I would feel about this project. I have listened to the many people as they express their views. I have listened to their concerns about electricity rates. I have heard the naysayers give the arguments against the project. Then I have asked myself: do I base my decisions on what they are saying, or do I base my decisions on the facts put forth to me and my colleagues by the experts who have scrutinized this project inside and out, Mr. Speaker?

We have so much information on Muskrat Falls, and the Opposition has so much information on Muskrat Falls, and the Third Party has so much information on Muskrat Falls. Mr. Speaker, we have heard that Muskrat Falls is a good deal. It is the best option. Each and every time the experts have shown us that we need the power and we need it now.

We also heard the Opposition House Leader say that if she could get all the benefits that she wants for her district, she would support this project, too, Mr. Speaker.

Muskrat Falls power will generate revenue that will benefit the Province, both in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a renewable resource that will generate revenue long after the oil and gas resources are gone, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Thank you.

The hon. the Member for Bellevue.

MR. PEACH: Thank you for your protection, Mr. Speaker.

The reports have shown and proven that Muskrat Falls power is more efficient than wind and natural gas. It will replace the old oil power plant at Holyrood, making this project a green energy project.

We do need the power, Mr. Speaker, from Muskrat Falls. To give you an indication of some of the power that is being used right now out in Long Harbour, just the other day I was talking to a supervisor. For one little portion of that project out there, they turned on the lights a while ago; it took up 70,000 watts of power just to turn on a few lights out there. So, Mr. Speaker, how big are these megaprojects and how much power is needed?

We need it in the mining sector in Labrador, for the commercial sector on the Island, and to meet the demands for industrial use and residential use, Mr. Speaker. To put it in perspective, look at the housing development in Newfoundland and Labrador. The residential housing sector has been booming. I know in my district, the people who are building homes today are not building homes like they built years ago; the homes are twice the size, some of them three times the size of what was built years ago.

I was raised – there were sixteen of us in the family, Mr. Speaker, and we only had a three-bedroom house. Now imagine what people would do today with a three-bedroom house. Some of them only have one child, and the houses are big enough –

AN HON. MEMBER: And one light bill.

MR. PEACH: And one light bill.

Mr. Speaker, that puts it in perspective: the homes are getting bigger, the need is there for the power, and we have been told that there have been 28,000 new homes built throughout the Province over the past ten years and 85 per cent of those homes are heated with electric heat. People are not building those small homes anymore, as I said earlier, Mr. Speaker.

In the District of Bellevue, we have seen an increase in demand on electricity over the past couple of years. We have seen growth in Long Harbour with the construction of the Vale Inco plant, and we will see more for power once this is in production. We have the North Atlantic Refinery in Come by Chance looking at extensions. In turn, we are seeing growth in businesses in that area.

We have the Hebron project ramping up in Bull Arm, Mr. Speaker, thus promoting and encouraging more business to start up in the area. Commercial sites are being developed in Long Harbour, Arnold's Cove and in the Come by Chance area. We are a growing Province and we do need the power, Mr. Speaker.

Let's look at Muskrat Falls to see what it means for employment if the project goes ahead. Jobs are very important to the people of the Province, especially for the young men and women. When I travel throughout my district, I get many people asking me: When will this project start? I was surprised to hear that many young men and women have trained in the field of power line workers and are waiting to go to work on the Muskrat Falls Project.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will be the prime beneficiaries of any employment associated with this project. It is expected that Muskrat Falls will generate 9,100 person years of direct employment in the Province, and 5,800 of those years will be in Labrador. The total indirect and induced employment opportunities for this project will provide years of good employment to the people all over the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: During the peak of the Muskrat Falls construction phase, Muskrat Falls will create employment opportunities for 3,100 men and women – at peak employment, 3,100 men and women. There will be seventy occupations employed, creating many opportunities for people throughout the Province.

Muskrat Falls will provide income and business to the provincial economy at approximately $320 million a year, Mr. Speaker.

AN HON. MEMBER: How much?

MR. PEACH: $320 million a year. This will add up to $1.9 billion in economic benefits for local labour and business.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. PEACH: I wish, Mr. Speaker, the Opposition would listen to this.

On top of that, Muskrat Falls will generate approximately $290 million in taxes to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. When someone asks me: Where do I stand on Muskrat Falls? Mr. Speaker, I have to say that the facts and figures put forth to me have convinced me that this project is a good project for Newfoundland and Labrador, and I will support Muskrat Falls. I will outline the reasons why I am supporting this project, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: This will keep the electricity rates among the lowest in Canada, providing affordable renewable energy. This project will provide revenue for the Province. The energy from Muskrat Falls is based on a renewable resource that will benefit us not only for the short-term, Mr. Speaker, but also for the long-term, for our children and for our grandchildren to enjoy long after the oil is gone.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: This revenue will be good for the future.

Mr. Speaker, let's look at the jobs. The men and women of the Bellevue District and from my colleagues' districts as well, Mr. Speaker, will benefit from the workforce needed to run this project. Construction companies will benefit from the work of this project.

In the Bellevue District, Mr. Speaker, I have three power line companies that construct power lines throughout our Province. Just this past year, one of these companies was bought by Emera. Emera owns one of the companies in the district now that provides the construction for power lines. Opportunities are great in this district for work in this field. We have many young people already trained and waiting to go to work.

Let's look at the green energy. This is a very important project for green energy, Mr. Speaker. Our Province will stand out as an example for the rest of the country and in North America. The federal government supports the project for this reason. The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada supports this project for this reason. The Opposition Party Leader, Thomas Mulcair, of the federal NDP supports this project for this reason. The late Jack Layton supported this project, Mr. Speaker, for these reasons. I do not understand why the Opposition in the provincial government here and the NDP Third Party do not support this, Mr. Speaker.

This project will support closure of the Holyrood plant that is aging and runs on dirty fossil fuels. Just ask the people who live near Holyrood. I was talking to a few people just the other day, Mr. Speaker, and they are really, really glad that this project is going to go ahead because they want to get rid of the emissions that going in the air there. They said in the summertime it is so dirty they cannot even have a barbeque sensibly. Just ask the people who live near Holyrood, and they will say it is about time. If we do not proceed with this project, it will take millions of dollars to replace the old plant of Holyrood and to operate on oil, which will continue to rise in prices.

Meanwhile, electricity rates will just keep climbing and climbing and climbing. Benefits for ratepayers, Mr. Speaker – with Muskrat Falls, we will see long-term benefits for the ratepayers. This energy plan secures long-term stability for ratepayers and it will secure environmentally friendly sources of power.

Muskrat Falls is a good energy plan that will meet our energy needs, and our electricity rates will be among the lowest in Canada.

As I stated earlier, the economic benefits are sustainable, generating many jobs and opportunities for the people throughout this Province, Mr. Speaker.

Our Province has a vision for long-term green energy that was released in 2007. This plan will take us up to 2041 and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I was talking to some people the other day at a function. There were a couple of lawyers there and there were a couple of doctors there. One of the doctors said to me that anybody who does not support this project, they should make an appointment with him. That was one of the doctors. That was what one of the doctors said to me. He said: by the time 2041 comes with the Lower Churchill, Mr. Speaker, this project will set us into a good position to negotiate for the Upper Churchill in 2041.

The development of the Muskrat Falls Project is good for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

I would like to take this opportunity to (inaudible) –

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

A point of order from the hon. the Member for Bay of Islands.

MR. JOYCE: I would ask the member if he is saying that there is something wrong if we disagree. I say, go down and ask the parents who are trying to get their kids to stay in their community (inaudible) –

MR. SPEAKER: There is no point of order, thank you.

MR. JOYCE: – and you would think there is something wrong.

MR. SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

The hon. the Member for Bellevue.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: Mr. Speaker, if you go back in Hansard you will find that I did not make that statement as my own statement. That was a judgement that was made by a doctor who was saying to the people out there, if you do not agree with the project –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. PEACH: Anyway, Mr. Speaker, I guess the facts are out and it is pretty hard to follow them, isn't it?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: I know my time is running down, Mr. Speaker, but I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Nalcor and to acknowledge the Premier on the fantastic job that she has been doing –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: I also want to acknowledge the great work that has been done by our Natural Resource Minister, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: Mr. Speaker, without the strong leadership of our Premier, Mr. Speaker, and without the strong leadership of our Natural Resources Minister, this project would not be possible today. This project, Muskrat Falls, would not be going ahead.

They have worked very hard on this project to make sure that the people of this Province have the best deal possible, a deal that will go down in history as one that will benefit the people of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Once this project is completed, Mr. Speaker, it will certainly do good for the people of Newfoundland with regard to the electricity rates and with regard to work for the people in the area. Everybody will benefit from this project.

Let us just look at some of the economic benefits and employment benefits of this project, Mr. Speaker: $1.9 billion in income to labour and business; $320 million on average income benefits per year; $290 million in taxes to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; 3,100 direct jobs at peak employment; 1,500 direct jobs per year on an average during construction, applies to more than seventy occupations; 9,100 person years of direct employment, including 5,800 in Labrador. Those are some of the facts here, Mr. Speaker, that the Opposition House Leader was looking for: 5,800 jobs in Labrador – that is enough to support the project, isn't it?

Mr. Speaker, $500 million in income to Labradorians and Labrador businesses – $500 million income to Labradorians and Labrador businesses. The project will lead to infrastructure improvements in the Lake Melville area, including upgrades to the port, airport, roads, and broadband.

Mr. Speaker, these are some of the facts of this project, some of the facts that our Opposition people have been looking for. They are there and they have all of this information. They do not want to hear the facts, Mr. Speaker. They do not want to hear the facts.

Mr. Speaker, my time is running down. I want to thank you for this opportunity. I will be supporting this project. I know that this is a good project for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a good project for the people of Bellevue. Mr. Speaker, I have reviewed all the facts that I have seen and I have made my decision. I will be supporting this project.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am certainly absolutely thrilled to be able to get up with Address in Reply and to respond to some of the criticisms –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Thank you.

MR. HEDDERSON: – that I hear from across the way, although I wonder why they criticize sitting down. I am surprised they are not on their feet. I am really surprised.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: The big lead-up all through the summer, Mr. Speaker, was that: We are coming in for a debate. We are going to get up and we are going to debate.

MR. A. PARSONS: A point of order, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo – La Poile, on a point of order.

MR. A. PARSONS: I would just point out that due to my giving my Address in Reply back in the spring I am not allowed to stand up. I am just correcting the member on what he had to say. I just felt the House should know that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I say to the hon. member on the other side: If I had something to say in this House, I would find an opportunity to get up and speak. I would find an opportunity. I would not have to wait for Address in Reply. You can get up at any time. Where were you in Question Period, I ask him? Where?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. A. PARSONS: A point of order, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo – La Poile, on a point of order.

MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, I do have something to say. What I would say is that I cannot support this right now because the government is being a little too secretive and should put it through a regulatory review.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

MR. HEDDERSON: Mr. Speaker, rhetoric – it is nothing but rhetoric. If you want to get up and speak about the pros or cons of anything, then get up and speak.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: You do not go hiding behind this, that, or the other thing.

As I was saying before I was interrupted, rudely, I might add, all during the summer there was a great expectation throughout this Province of Newfoundland and Labrador that this session of the House would bring forward a debate on Muskrat Falls. It was needed, according to many people. We were up to the task, Mr. Speaker, and we are still up to the task I say to the hon. members on the other side.

Who vetoed the debate? Who vetoed it? Mr. Speaker, who vetoed it? Oh, bring in experts. I say to the members opposite: We have presented to you the facts, as the previous member just got up and said, but you cannot handle the facts. You cannot handle them. You just cannot handle it.

I hear them yelling it again, but get up and refute the facts. Enter into some sort of a debate if you want to look at it that way. To hide behind bringing experts in – can't you have enough gumption to get up on your own feet and defend your position?

Anyway, Mr. Speaker, Muskrat Falls, to me, is a defining moment in the history of this Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: It is defining because it is separating those people who understand where we need to go in the future from those who want to be – what is it someone said over there? We want to approach status quo. Well, status quo, I say, Mr. Speaker, is not applicable in this situation. Muskrat Falls is a must.

I would not mind, Mr. Speaker, but Churchill Falls power development goes beyond our time here right now. This is nothing new. I would say that the former Premier Smallwood back in as early as 1950 was talking about harnessing what was then, I think, the Hamilton River. To get his point across, he had it changed to the mighty Churchill River, after the bulldog I suppose of Churchill. He wanted to make sure that the people of the Province understood the absolute potential.

It was a trilogy; it was not just about Upper Churchill. It was about Upper Churchill, it was about Muskrat Falls, and it was about Gull Island. It was about putting a reservoir in place that would supply the necessary water for these three power projects to basically produce the power, not only for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador but for all of North America – those that could attach themselves to that particular grid.

There we were, Mr. Speaker, back in 1950, and think about the first piece that was put in place. Unfortunately, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians built it, the Churchill generation – they built it. We, for the most part, financed it. Yet, it did not pan out as anyone expected. In the life of that generation plant, $20 billion has gone to Quebec. I think we have around $1 billion. Mr. Speaker, I say to you that we did not or are not receiving the benefits from that.

Subsequent Premiers – I will just go right down through the list of them. Look at Frank Moores. Frank Moores hoped that he could turn around that agreement and even looked at somehow developing the Churchill a little bit more, and dealt a little bit under feds looking for fed support, but that fizzled out as well.

On came the Peckford era, more oil than generation. Into the 1990s we had Premier Wells – almost made the biggest faux pas in all of our history. It ranks right up there with the Churchill Falls agreement. Everyone can remember here back in the early 1990s when the then-Newfoundland Hydro, our public utility, was put on the auction block, basically. They were going to sell it. Can you imagine where we would be today? Can you imagine where we would be with that sold? We would be under, now, another hydro company, without any doubt, and no hopes of ever developing the mighty Churchill.

In, I believe it was 1998, Premier Tobin made an attempt – made an attempt – and his attempt was, again, to make a deal with Hydro-Quιbec, but again, the resistance to that thought was enough to veto that deal.

In, I think it was 2001, 2002, 2003 – I do not know the exact date – the then-Premier decided that he would try. His attempt dealt with, again, a deal with Hydro-Quιbec.

Premier Grimes announced that his government had reached an agreement with Quebec on the Gull Island development, but of course, when you looked at the elements of that agreement – and this is only in, I think it was in 2002 –

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. HEDDERSON: 2002 – the minister is correcting me there. The core elements of the agreement included a long-term contract to sell Lower Churchill to – guess who – Hydro-Quιbec. Limited rights for Newfoundland and Labrador to recall power for its own use, maximization of economic and employment benefits for Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec, and – but, of course, the deal went off the rails, because again, it was giving it all to Quebec, all to Quebec: the marketing, the construction, the finance and eventual ownership, if there were any overruns.

Again, I say, just a short history, a compacted history – there are a lot of things in between.

Mr. Speaker, in 2003, a Conservative government took over the government in this particular Province, guided by the principles of no more giveaways, always acting in the best interest of the people, looking at stewardship of our resources – especially our environment – and making sure that our decisions were based on a vision of the future.

A vision of the future very quickly emerged from this government that we would look at, because we understood very quickly the terrible financial shape that the Province was in; if we were to drag ourselves out of that hole of something like $11 billion in long-term and reaching $1 billion in current, we had to base our future on renewable resource development. Henceforth, we would use what revenues we were getting from our oil industry and we would take those revenues and make sure we built up the infrastructure. What a tremendous effort this government has done with trying to take care of the infrastructure deficit passed along to us by previous Administrations.

Mr. Speaker, I would talk about that infrastructure in terms of billions. In the last nine years this government has invested close to $8 if not $9 billion in our investment of projects that are complete and projects that are in the works.

I say, Mr. Speaker, that I am very, very proud to be part of this government and to be part of an ongoing look.

I stray a little bit, because I want to get back to Muskrat Falls. Again, as I pointed out, previous Premiers and governments have tried desperately to get a deal, to draw in the federal government to make sure that they have the right partnerships to be able to move forward. Of course, our current Premier was given the job under the previous Administration of Premier Williams, the previous Administration to draw together an energy plan that would bring us into 2041. That energy plan will involve the development of Muskrat Falls.

Our current Premier took that energy plan, put it together, and now as Premier – then as minister, now as Premier – has done what no other Premier has done. That is to move the development of Churchill Falls to the second part, which is our development of Muskrat Falls. I might add, Mr. Speaker, not only is Muskrat Falls included as the next stage, but also that the Gull Island was put under the same environmental assessment as the Muskrat Falls, therefore both of them are in the mix.

To get back to our Premier, she has certainly demonstrated once again, on Friday, that she has the intestinal fortitude to be able to stand up to unrelenting criticism, to individuals personally attacking. She has risen above all of that, risen above it, and have delivered for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador a lone guarantee; the final piece that will move us to sanction, the final piece that will bring that project to fruition. I say, Mr. Speaker, I have nothing but the greatest admiration for our Premier and the team she has around her, and, in particular, our Minister of Natural Resources.

I sit here next to the minister in Question Period and I laugh when questions come his way because they are talking about experts and bringing experts in, but I can tell you there is nobody who knows any more about where we are going with Muskrat Falls than our Premier and our Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: They are in my books, and I will put them up against any expert who ever wants to come forward because the homework has been done. This is not a fly-by-night thing. This has been in the works now for nine years. Mr. Speaker, we should be dancing in the streets out there for this tremendous moment in our history. We are moving one step closer to getting the full potential out of that wonderful resource water, our mighty Churchill.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to bring attention to the fact that I represent the District of Harbour Main. I came into this House in 1999 to represent the people of Harbour Main. In that case, as a matter of fact, it was Harbour Main – Whitbourne. I sat in Opposition for close to five years. I stood on my feet making sure that my constituents were represented.

I tell you, the single most important issue to the residents of my district were those three stacks in Seal Cove that were spewing out about a million tons of greenhouse gases each year. That is not the only thing. We seem to look at the climate change, but you also have to take into account the sulphur dioxide that is going up the stacks. You also have to take into account the particular matter that is going up. That is what really affects the health of the people in that surrounding area.

Nalcor – I should not say Nalcor. Let's go back. Our former Minister of Natural Resources, in 2007, brought forth the Energy Plan. That Energy Plan clearly laid out the plans of this government to take that thermal generation facility off the grid. It was going to take time. They also said, because there was no guarantee in 2007 that Muskrat Falls would go forward. Again, the two questions had to be answered: Do we need the power? Is this the best alternative? I do not even need to go there because those questions have been answered a thousandfold.

Anyone in this Province, who have read the reports and seen and listened, cannot get up and talk about either one of those questions as being false. The response is: Yes, we need the power. Yes, the best alternative is Muskrat Falls.

Mr. Speaker, the thing that we have to look at is that right now, the commitment was made to make sure that – in the event that we could not answer those questions, guess what? Nalcor were to invest heavily in precipitators and other pollution preventions to try to keep that facility going as long as they could, knowing full well that they had to completely refurbish it in the billions of dollars over time and that it just was not the way that they wanted to go.

Since that time – I have to draw it down; I am running out of time. The funny thing about it is that in the election of 2007 I was driving by Nalcor and I saw this gathering there. If memory serves me, I believe the late Jack Layton was there, the Leader of the Third Party was there, and the candidate for the Liberal Party was there. They were all waving their hands and pointing at me. They were yelling: What are you going to do with that? They were yelling out: You have to take that out. What are you going to do?

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. HEDDERSON: Out in Nalcor in Holyrood during the election campaign of 2007. They were protesting: What are you going to do? Guess what? This government answered that question and we laid it on the table.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Guess what? Jack Layton got it, the current Leader of the NDP federally got it, the Liberal Leader got it that yes, Holyrood had to go and the loan guarantee was going to make sure that the project that was going to come in would take it out. When people on the other side get up, I wonder: Is their memory so short?

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion – and I could stand up here and go on; I have more things to say. I will say this: I certainly take my hat off to our Premier. Our Premier has brought us to a point in our history that is going to go down in history.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: She is going to give for generations – and let me tell you, I am proud to be a part of that team, and I am going to make sure that I stay around long enough to see those stacks at Holyrood shut down.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Terra Nova.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. S. COLLINS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As others have said today, this is a pretty significant time to be able to stand in the House. Of course we do our job each and every day, most of us. We get up and we debate different things, we talk about different things, and we discuss different things. You can call it whatever you want, you can call it a discussion, you can call it a debate, but whatever the case is we are standing here and we are putting forward our thoughts where we think we should be going. I am happy to be able to take part in that, as I am sure most would in this House of Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, we have heard a bunch of different angles on Muskrat Falls and there are so many different angles. There are so many different ways of looking at this and every way you look at this is a positive project. Before I get into the crux of my discussion, I just want to go over a couple of those, just touching on them briefly, if anyone is just tuning in.

The need for power. We all recognize that, both sides of the House – the Opposition see this as well. There is a need for power, there is a shortage coming up, and we have to meet that shortfall of power. Then you look at electricity rates. We have spoken about where electricity rates have come in the last number of years, and we suspect them to keep going that way. That is why Muskrat Falls is so important, because it is going to curb that, and it is going to make a big difference in people's power bills on a go-forward basis. I think that is probably something that resonates with people the most, is power bills: Where is my power bill going to be? So, certainly that is a huge reason as well.

Lowest-cost option – we have compared all the alternatives. I do not think you can forget that, Mr. Speaker, when we had the list of alternatives come out one after another, studies, one after another, one after another. All of them conclusively saying Muskrat Falls is the least-cost option. Then we look at the economic impact, and I know the Member for Bellevue was up and he went through some of those. I think it is good to reiterate a couple of them, because it is very important.

I think people in Newfoundland and Labrador forget where we came from. Ten, fifteen years ago this was a much different Province and the job prospects and the economic landscape was very different. I am glad to say that is something that is in our past now; I can hardly remember that. I mentioned before when I was up here I referenced an article by Margaret Wente. I am sure most of you remember that article talking about how we are a welfare state and all that kind of stuff. We are so different than we were ten or fifteen years ago.

So, I think it is important again just to point out briefly the economic impact, because that is something so vitally important to this Province. Mr. Speaker, $1.9 billion in income to labour and business; $320 million in average income benefits per year; $290 million in taxes to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – money that can be reinvested into other great things; 3,100 direct jobs at peak employment; 1,500 direct jobs per year on average during the construction phase; 9,100 person-years of direct employment, including 5,800 in Labrador – a very important component; $500 million in income to Labradorians and Labrador businesses; and certainly, this project will lead to other investments in the Lake Melville area, whether it be roads, airports, hospitals, whatever the case. So, certainly the economic impact is absolutely massive.

The other part, transitioning from non-renewable to renewable. We all know that oil has a lifespan, it is a finite resource, and it does not go on and on forever. So while we can base things on it and our spending on it right now, the oil is going to come to an end. So, a shortsighted person would say, let us just keep going with the oil, that is it, but at some point we have to recognize it is not going to be there any more. So when you are basing budgets on oil, when you are doing that type of management, obviously you have to look at something that is going to replace that, and certainly Muskrat Falls is a huge component and huge piece of it.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to focus on something that is a little bit out of character for myself. I wanted to talk about the environmental benefits. I say it is a little bit out of character for myself because anybody who knows me, anybody who is tuning in on television, would remember me as the fellow who would bring tires to the bonfire to burn. I certainly was not a tree hugger, if you would, when I was younger, but things change. You know, in the last number of years, ten, twenty years, environmental concerns obviously have been highlighted. We know a lot more than what we did ten or twenty years ago, certainly.

While we have all spoken about and heard, obviously, the aforementioned topics that I had talked about and the benefits along with those, there is a huge component of this, environmentally speaking. Right now, as we speak, a major portion of our electricity needs are met by burning oil in Holyrood. Now, what I fear is probably what most people fear: that oil burning, what is that doing to us? I think my greatest fear is that I have no idea what it is doing to us, but I know that the impacts to our health are significant.

Let us take a minute now just to think about what goes on behind the doors of Holyrood. While it is fine for us to sit in the Legislature here in St. John's, many of us do not know what goes on behind the doors of Holyrood. How do we get that electricity from Holyrood? How do we get it up to that 25 per cent of our electrical needs from Holyrood?

As the name suggests, of course, it generates electricity by burning oil, plain and simple. There is no other way about it. To fully understand the impact, we must understand the basics of its operations. The oil consumed by the plant in Holyrood is what they refer to as Bunker C. I am sure many people in the House here have heard that term before, but I do not think it really resonates with people, exactly what Bunker C is. I want to go through a little bit just to give you an example.

Fuel consists of six grades, Mr. Speaker; number one is the highest grade, and that would be things like kerosene and gasoline. Now as that chart falls, as that chart goes down to number six, the oils become less refined and more dirty. When we arrive finally at number six, or what we would call Bunker C, that is what we are left with after all of the good – what I will say are all the cleaner – fuels are taken out of it, we are left with the dirt, the "bottom of the barrel". That is what is being burnt in Holyrood. The bottom of the barrel; that is what is being burnt in Holyrood.

For comparison's sake, and for the general public's understanding, Bunker C would share the consistency with something that many people are familiar with here: molasses. That is what Bunker C looks like. It is the dirtiest of dirty oil and this is what we are burning each and every day at Holyrood. This is what is going up into the air; eventually it is falling down, and that is what is going into our lungs. Let us put that in perspective. That is huge, absolutely huge. This is what we are burning every day.

I would like to again just go into a little bit of how Holyrood runs: at peak production, Mr. Speaker, 18,000 barrels of oil each day – 18,000 barrels of oil each day. Let us break it down a little bit further; each barrel contains approximately 160 litres of oil. If my math serves me correctly, Mr. Speaker, you are up around almost 3 million litres of dirty Bunker C oil being burned on a cold day in Newfoundland and Labrador – 3 million litres in one day. That is absolutely significant.

Again, what I fear is what that is doing to our health. It is something no one has been able to exactly pinpoint at this point, but I can guarantee you it has huge, huge harmful effects. We cannot even begin to fathom what it is doing to our health.

The result of this burning oil is over one million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions into the air, that you, Mr. Speaker, it is what I breathe, it is what my children breathe, it is what our parents breathe; this is going into the air each and every day.

To put it in perspective, removing one million tonnes of greenhouse gas, Mr. Speaker, out of our environment would be the equivalent of taking 300,000-plus vehicles off our roads – 300,000. I do not have the numbers; I do not know exactly how many cars or vehicles there are in Newfoundland and Labrador, but I would think 300,000 is a good portion of them, maybe more than what already exists, I am not sure. It is a huge –

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible) half.

MR. S. COLLINS: It is about half, I hear from my colleague across the way. Imagine taking – in one solid swoop you take half the cars off the streets in Newfoundland and Labrador. That is the emissions this will take out of the air. That is massive.

Again, I have never claimed to be an environmentalist. I have never hung my hat on being a tree hugger or any of those terms that I find somewhat derogatory. The thing is, that is huge. Even me, someone who brought tires to a bonfire to burn, sees the significance in that. It is absolutely significant.

It is fine again, Mr. Speaker, for me to stand here in the House of Assembly as a resident of the Glovertown-Terra Nova District and talk about the Holyrood plant. Do you know what is even more pertinent: the person from Holyrood who wakes up each and every day with this thing in their back yard –just imagine.

I remember back in the day, waking up in the morning and the fish plant down the road would be processing capelin; I would wake up to the smell of capelin. God, was that ever terrible, but it never hurt our health. If it got on your clothes and you tried to get a date, it could hurt your chances. Just think about that small comparison. We used to think that capelin was bad thing; capelin, of course, like I said, never harmed your health. This is something these people wake up to each and every day.

While we can stand here today and talk about it, the proof is in the pudding: the people who are in Holyrood, specifically in that area, who have to wake up and deal with this each and every day.

I want to, if I can – most people are familiar with Jack Swinimer; sorry if I crucified the name. I have had an opportunity to meet Jack, actually, as recently we had a little Muskrat Falls announcement that went on down at the Sheraton. I had an opportunity to speak to him. He is a very interesting fellow. He is a fellow who is very well versed in this and somebody I certainly give a lot of credence to.

He made a very knowledgeable and convincing presentation to the Public Utilities Board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. S. COLLINS: Mr. Speaker, I suggest the Opposition listen, because they talk about the Public Utilities Board, so I want to talk about a presentation that was given to them. It was very informative. It was by someone who knew their stuff.

This was given back in February to the Public Utilities Board by Jack Swinimer. While stating the forty-year-old plant has to go due to its outdated, inferior operation, he said, "You just can't put the amount of toxins in the air that emanate from that plant and not have health concerns." It is simple. We know this.

He goes on to say, of course, "To undermine such a statement would be foolhardy." Let us take it. Jack is somewhat of an environmentalist from what I know, so some people would say: Boy, maybe Jack is a tree hugger. We cannot really listen to him. He is not the average Joe.

Well, let us talk about the Mayor of Holyrood. Many would know him, Gary Goobie. He weighed in on the discussion as well. As the municipal leader, he is someone obviously who cares a lot about his town and his residents' health. He has thrown his full support behind this project, and for good reason. He said: The decommissioning of the town's plant will end what he called "a cocktail of greenhouse gases being spewed into the environment" – a cocktail of greenhouse gases. He certainly is not proud of the fact that his town's plant has been recognized as one of the worst polluters, not only in Newfoundland, Mr. Speaker, but in all of Canada. I am dead serious.

The fact is that Newfoundlanders love being leaders, and we are leaders in many fields. I know in the last number of years we have been leaders in many fields, and I am very proud of that fact, but I do not think this is a leader we want to be part of. We do not want to be mentioned in the group of who are the dirtiest and who are the worst polluters, not only in the Province but across the country.

Through the environmental assessment studies, which I may say we passed both the provincial and federal, which is very important, we identified areas where we would need to pay careful attention. Our government recognizes we have to practise care and diligence when dealing with such a subject.

That is something that gets brought up quite often, actually, in the last number of days with regard to the mitigation and how we are going to deal with environmental impacts and, as they said, the fallout from Muskrat Falls. Certainly, we will be employing mitigating measures to reduce identified adverse environmental impacts as identified by the Joint Review Panel and assessments. Steps will be taken to minimize such things concerning fish and other wildlife as other wetlands and terrestrial habitats.

Worthy of mention – and it is something the Minister of Natural Resources brought up the other day – the fact is the flood basin for Muskrat Falls will be less than 5 per cent of the land used for the Upper Churchill – only 5 per cent. The flood plain is 95 per cent greater than Muskrat Falls. That is a massive difference. Much of the environmental fallout comes from the flood plain and how big that is. Obviously if we are able to mitigate that and minimize it to just 5 per cent of the Upper Churchill, that is a huge, huge factor and something that certainly needs to be touted.

In my view, Mr. Speaker, it is all about striking a balance. Everything comes with risks. You hear some people saying: Well, let us put in wind farms. Wind farms are the green way to go. In actual fact, they are not. There are risks with wind farms. There are risks with natural gas. There are risks with everything.

The thing is it is all about balancing, and I think that is what our government has been doing over the last number of years. Whether it is looking at different things or not, it is a balanced approach. We understand there are risks but we understand and we see the great upside and the benefits that come from Muskrat Falls. We as government obviously have to weigh those out, and what we are going to do is in the best interests of every Newfoundlander and Labradorian in Labrador and on the Island.

Mr. Speaker, in a time when carbon taxes are a reality and something that dominates topics of conversations – you only need to tune in to the news and you hear different topics and discussions, especially down in the United States, it was a part of the most recent presidential election. Carbon taxes are something that we are going to have to deal with and something that we are already dealing with now. It is a huge component; it is going to be even bigger on a go-forward basis, so it is something we need to get a handle on.

Newfoundland and Labrador will be right where it should be, a climate change leader, not only in this country but in across the entire world. Just imagine, once completed Muskrat Falls combined with the Upper Churchill will be the fourth largest hydroelectric project in the entire world – in the entire world.

I have researched hydroelectric projects quite a bit in the last little while, I have seen the scope of projects that are taking place, especially over in the BRIC nations, you have China and Brazil and those types of things. This is going to be the fourth largest when completed. That is massive and it speaks to the leadership and the ingenuity of people of this Province. That is something to be very proud of.

In conclusion, as a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, as a father, as someone who appreciates and respects the huge resource we have that we call the environment, I see only one way to proceed. Mr. Speaker, I find it very concerning when I see others across the way get up and talk about this project like it is something terrible and there are so many issues with it. The thing is we hear it every day but we never hear solutions, we only hear issues. Never a solution has been heard, ever.

I have been so happy to hear that through all the presentations that have been done, all the information that has been put out, the Opposition House Leader is finally on side. That absolutely warms my heart. I tell you why, Mr. Speaker. It is very important because it takes someone strong and this speaks to the character of the Opposition House Leader. It took a big step to be able to come forward and say I support this project.

I am hoping her positivity is going to spread like the flu over on that side because I think we need more people on board with this. We look at the polls and I hear almost a gasp of air come out of the Opposition's lungs when we see polls come out that say Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are overwhelmingly in support of this project, when we see the studies come out one after another saying this is the least-cost option, when we see studies coming out saying this is the most environmentally sound option we can do.

It is a great project, whichever angle you look at it. That is why I wanted to take – because I do not think enough attention gets paid to the environmental piece. Of course, we are a society that is all about economic benefit, which is fine, and that is obviously something that is very important, but I think a lot of times we do not look and we do not recognize the environmental benefits of these things. That is something huge. It has been said a number of times today: this is not for me, this is for my kids and this is for my grandchildren. Let's be cognizant of that.

I wanted to finish up – I only have a couple of minutes left, but I just wanted to say again it has been my absolute pleasure to be able to stand here in this House today. I knew when we were coming into this sitting of the House I would get an opportunity to stand and debate this. I am very saddened, I am disheartened that it is a one-sided debate, but, of course, that is what was chosen by the Opposition. That is unfortunate.

Mr. Speaker, when I am out in my district I always try to engage people, whether it is at a firefighters' ball or if it is at a seniors' function. I always try to engage people and I try to ask them their opinions. An overwhelming theme of conversations I have had with my constituents is: Why can't we have a debate? They say to me, it is not because we disagree with Muskrat Falls but because there is so much information that we would like to be able to have on the table. They want that and they deserve that. That is why we get paid, and we get paid very well, Mr. Speaker, to sit in this House and debate things. It is really concerning when we have to stand up and have a one-sided debate because the other side refuses to get up. It is very, very concerning.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to have this opportunity to pass along the concerns of my constituents and I am sure while they are glad to see myself up speaking today and others, it would have been good if the other side had gotten up and participated as well. I see the importance in this, and this is something that is going to go down in history as a huge project, as a huge benefit. The positive sides will be untold, Mr. Speaker, and it is really sad that the other side will not participate in that.

In the last couple of minutes I just want to – it was ironic, when we sat in this House and former Premier Danny Williams was here, he took a different line with the federal government.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. S. COLLINS: I can remember, specifically, the House Leader for the Opposition was always on his case because he took a hard line with the federal government: You have to be more conciliatory; you cannot be doing that; gee, you are killing Newfoundland doing that.

Now all of a sudden, we have a Premier who said: Do you know what? At that time, that was needed, but now what we are going to do is we are going to change gears. We need a conciliatory approach. We need to work with the federal government. This is the way we are going to move things forward. She did that. It was not an easy thing to do, and she has taken hits for it, I know. We all hear the Opposition get up day after day and talk about those things, but I think that took real courage. It really did. It took real courage and perseverance to work through this and make sure it worked for everyone in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. S. COLLINS: Mr. Speaker, the thing is the politically popular decision is the one that former governments would take day in and day out. We see where that got us. We only have to look at the former Administration and the state they left us.

MR. O'BRIEN: What a state.

MR. S. COLLINS: What a state, as Minister O'Brien would say. What a state.

We look at this government; we look at the path the current Premier has gone on with working with the federal government. Now the fruits of her labour are showing with the loan guarantee, $1 billion in savings, $1 billion.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. S. COLLINS: She is doing that for the people of the Province. She is not doing it for any other thing. I think that is the most selfless thing, and that is something that is very commendable with this Premier. She does things that are principled, and it is something we do not always see in politics, but I think it is to be commended. I think it shows vision and it shows strength, and it shows something that was lacking much in the past. For that I commend her.

I thank her on behalf of my constituents, on behalf of the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, for sticking up for us, not taking the deal that was given but taking the deal that we needed. That is what she came home with and I am very happy to be able to stand here today and say it is a great job with the loan guarantee. I can guarantee I will be supporting this. I can also guarantee from the constituents I spoke to, the overwhelming population is in agreement with this project. They are happy and they want to get this thing on the go.

It is going to spell huge benefits for the people of the Province. We see it, they see it, Dean MacDonald has seen it, Bob Rae has seen it, Justin Trudeau has seen it, Thomas Mulcair has seen it, Jack Layton seen it, the Member for Cartwright – L'Anse au Clair sees it, we all see it, everybody sees it. I am not trying to sell something that nobody sees. Everybody is in agreement with it.

In the last five seconds, I would humbly ask that the Opposition stand to their feet and support this and vote on it. I want to see where they stand. It is very important.

MR. SPEAKER (Verge): Order, please!

MR. S. COLLINS: With that, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I will take my seat.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for Exploits.

MR. FORSEY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

For the information of my colleague for Terra Nova, I believe Joe Chesterfield supports it too. The Member for Burgeo – La Poile will like that one.

Also, I noticed, I say to the Member for Terra Nova, when he was speaking about the oil and things, that the Member for St. John's East was listening tentatively because –

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. FORSEY: Yes, I am concurring with what you were saying. I think he was on the Twitter saying this is true, this is true.

Mr. Speaker, I listened to my colleague for Terra Nova, and he talked about the carbon tax –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. MURPHY: A point of order.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for St. John's East, standing on a point of order.

MR. MURPHY: I stand on a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to point out to the Member for Exploits that I was not on Twitter while the hon. Member for Terra Nova was talking, and indeed I was paying attention to what he was saying, but I was not –

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

There is no point of order.

The hon. the Member for Exploits, to continue with his debate.

MR. FORSEY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, as I was saying, my colleague from Terra Nova was talking about carbon tax, and the area that was going to be flooded, and all that stuff.

I would like to stick to questions that were asked, and the opinions that were expressed from my district, Mr. Speaker, and there were many. There were many. Of course, there were many questions raised about the cost of the project and the need for power, the environmental impact, the long-term benefits for Labrador, of course, and the alternative energy.

However, Mr. Speaker, these past few months I took the opportunity to talk with the people of the District of Exploits. Although I am on record as supporting this project, Mr. Speaker, I thought that I should take the opportunity to engage the people of the District of Exploits and get their opinions on how they felt. It was amazing, the number of different questions that were asked.

I came to find out that most – I would say the majority – of the people of the district, Mr. Speaker, support this project, but many of them had different questions on the project. I recall one particular discussion with a constituent who admitted that he did not understand the agreement; actually, he was not always a supporter of our government, I would say, Mr. Speaker. We had a lengthy discussion, and when we finished – but he did have a lot of trust in the people at Nalcor, I say, and this is where he was putting his emphasis and believed that this project, at the end of the day, would be good, and be good for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Some very knowledgeable people in the district – now retired, I would say, Mr. Speaker, from Newfoundland Hydro – I talked to several of them; they live in my district. I talked to them on different occasions. It could have been at the building supply store, and I know that we discussed it even at church. These are retired people from Nalcor, and they sort of advised me and told me the benefits that are derived from hydroelectricity, and they understood that. They said that this project must go ahead. They retired from working at hydroelectricity, I say, Mr. Speaker.

Actually, I have a very good friend from Bishop's Falls. He has worked all over North America in hydro development and for the past number of years he has been employed with Emera, I say, Mr. Speaker, as a project manager. A few months ago, when he was coming through the district and he was home, he stopped by. We had a long chat, actually. He explained to me the benefits that were going to be derived from this project and how it would benefit his home Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

He certainly clued me in and made me more knowledgeable about the project – although, I say, Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of information that has been given out from this department, or from the minister's department, the Minister of Natural Resources, and Nalcor. There have been all kinds of it.

From the responses that I received from the district, it was very clear that the majority of people in the District of Exploits support this project.

Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity to take part in a number of briefings and information sessions. I guess I have heard and digested all the reasons why Muskrat Falls is a crucial step in fully developing the entire Lower Churchill project.

I truly feel this project will have unlimited benefits for our Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. As one constituent now retired from Newfoundland Hydro stated: this will be a valuable asset with clean energy that will stabilize rates and will be another source of revenue for this Province. We need to move forward, he said, with this project, for all of the benefits it will bring to our Province, and we must have confidence in ourselves, Mr. Speaker.

Along with sustainable and clean energy for the Province, we will be able to supply electricity needs for future industrial development in Labrador. Availability of power will certainly encourage investments in mining developments in the Province, especially in Labrador.

There will be an increasing need for skilled labour, Mr. Speaker, and the spinoff jobs will certainly be a positive economic benefit. Further to that, more than 75 per cent of the work for the Muskrat Falls generation facility will take place in Labrador, including the construction of the dam, the powerhouse, and the transmission lines.

Mr. Speaker, our Premier has led this project since its inception when she was Minister of Natural Resources. She, along with the current Minister of Natural Resources and Nalcor, has been available to answer any questions or concerns pertaining to Muskrat Falls. Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge, no questions have been left unanswered.

As well, our government has provided all details and reports by Manitoba Hydro and Ziff Energy. Mr. Speaker, the Opposition have received briefings, presentations by Ed Martin, and he has always made himself available to respond to any questions of concerns. They have never contradicted Mr. Martin's answers, I say, Mr. Speaker. They are making it totally political, no interest for the good of Newfoundland and Labrador, and that is sad.

It is a fact that electricity rates will continue to increase while we are on oil. Once Muskrat Falls comes on stream, rates will certainly stabilize, and just let me say from 2001-2011 – and we all know this, we have seen it – electricity rates have increased by 32 per cent.

As a matter of fact, some people keep bills for a while and some throw them out. I should be throwing them out, but I was cleaning a couple of weeks ago and I did find my electricity bill from three years ago. In the same month that I was going through, which was November of this year, I found an invoice for November of 2009.

At that particular time, I was invoiced 8.91 cents per kilowatt. Three years later, I was invoiced 11.17 cents per kilowatt, Mr. Speaker. That is an increase of 20 per cent. In three years, a 20 per cent increase. That is the way it is going to keep going, as long as we are on oil. We have no control, we cannot regulate, and it will continue to rise.

Actually, Mr. Speaker, the main two questions again: Do we need the power? Yes, we do. Is it the lowest-cost option? Yes, it is.

Again, Mr. Speaker, some of the benefits from the Muskrat Falls Project – and we know this, and this is why the people in the District of Exploits have said this is a project that must proceed: the economic and environmental benefit; it will support industrial development in Labrador; access to markets in the Maritimes and the States; Muskrat Falls will reduce the Province's dependence on oil; and Muskrat Falls will ensure that customers receive a secure and renewable source of power at the least cost possible, Mr. Speaker.

Now, last Friday was a milestone for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker. I would have liked to continue on and talk about the district and the people, the information I received, and the support we got as a government from the people of the District of Exploits. Last Friday was also a milestone now for this project and this government, I say, Mr. Speaker.

Last but not least, I will say the benefit for Labrador is that the Muskrat Falls generation facility will take place in Labrador. Mr. Speaker, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has secured an agreement on the terms for a federal loan guarantee for the Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Project with the Government of Canada. With our Premier's leadership to advocate for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and her vision on Muskrat Falls, we now have the terms of the loan guarantee. This is a significant milestone and a testament to our Premier's leadership, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: Mr. Speaker, no doubt, there were tough negotiations, as was stated here today. There is nothing wrong with being repetitious with this particular statement, especially after the perseverance of our Premier. No doubt it was tough negotiations for all parties; however, the Premier's perseverance and persistence has paid off. We have successfully achieved a loan guarantee that will provide projected savings of approximately $1 billion for the ratepayers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: A billion with a B, that is correct.

Mr. Speaker, the development of Muskrat Falls is a game changer for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Atlantic region, and indeed the entire country. Our Premier led this project from the start to now, and this will secure a bright, renewable future for many more generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, Mr. Speaker.

Before I finish up, there are many people in the district who are huge supporters of this project. One in particular said he did not mind me quoting him. I had many opinions expressed by different people in the district, retired hydro workers, labourers, but one person in particular is a retired teacher. He also was a councillor in Bishop's Falls. He is now a former Mayor of Bishop's Falls; Mayor Rose at the time. Every time we met, he was saying: When are you going to sanction this project? When are you going to get it going?

This past Saturday, Mr. Speaker, at our Lion's Santa Claus Parade, he was there again. He was so excited when he heard the news that went on Friday in Labrador. He said: finally – finally. Anytime that this came up – it came up amongst a number of people; that evening when he mentioned it there were probably twenty or thirty people there, just congregated in the one area. Everybody seemed to be in the same agreement, Mr. Speaker.

This is why this project should go ahead, and will, and must go ahead, I say, Mr. Speaker. Myself personally, as the Member for Exploits, I have taken direction from the people in that district; as a Member of the House of Assembly here, Mr. Speaker, I will be supporting this project. I hope that the people across the aisle over there will see the light as well and support this project.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for Conception Bay East – Bell Island.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BRAZIL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In reference to Muskrat Falls, I was included in that by, I guess, baptism by fire. When I ran two years ago, during the nomination process and I became the candidate, I remember getting a call one afternoon from the present Premier, who was the former Minister of Natural Resources, saying there was going to be a meeting tonight, on a Wednesday night, at the caucus room, and I was invited there. I can remember looking at it and saying: I am trying to knock doors; I want to get out there. If I am invited into the caucus, it was a privilege to be there.

I remember walking into the room and all my colleagues of the day were there. The former Premier was there; the present Premier, as the Minister of Natural Resources, was there, and Ed Martin was there. I had no idea what was going to be announced. When the Premier and the Minister of Natural Resources announced that Muskrat Falls, there had been a deal struck, I was moved. I knew there was a future in this Province. I was very proud to be part of that, Mr. Speaker.

It is a privilege to speak to my House of Assembly colleagues and all Newfoundland and Labradorians on such an important project that will help shape the energy future of our Province. The discussions that are taking place in this historic House on such a historic issue will be recorded as one of the turning points in ensuring the citizens of our great Province have energy that is reliable, affordable, sustainable, environmentally friendly, and in the hands of Newfoundland and Labradorians. No longer will we be outside of the energy boardroom looking for some other outside entity to determine what we receive for our energy and, more importantly, what we pay for the energy we produce and use.

The people of this Province for far too long have lived with regret and disdain over not only what economic benefits we have lost over the past number of decades, but that we have always been at the mercy and control of others who do not have the best interests of Newfoundland and Labrador as their priority. This has been the case with the Upper Churchill development.

As we move forward and examine the development of Muskrat Falls, it becomes more and more evident that it has been determined we need this energy and it is the most cost effective to develop. When we further examine how we produce energy and deliver it to the consumers in our Province, it becomes clear that while all the other potential energy alternatives have some merits, it cannot compare to the sustainability, affordability, and environmental benefits that Muskrat Falls offers.

As the elected government of the people of this great Province, we have examined every aspect of the potential development of Muskrat Falls, from need, cost, rates, environment, sustainability, revenues, future development, employment, industrial development, and energy independence. All the pre-mentioned categories, Mr. Speaker, after being reviewed by experts, examined by officials, and discussed by stakeholders, have shown that Muskrat Falls is the project that puts power back in the hands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. I want to say that: back in the hands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BRAZIL: Mr. Speaker, I have for the past two years as the MHA for Conception Bay East – Bell Island been immersed in every aspect of examining whether or not this project is the best approach to addressing our future energy needs, and if so, is it the least-cost-effective method to addressing what all experts and I know will be an energy deficit we will be facing in the near future. Once we review all the information put forward by so many qualified, independent, and industry-respected individuals and organizations, it becomes abundantly clear that this project, Mr. Speaker, is the route we must take.

Mr. Speaker, with that being said, I can assure you that I have never made a decision on anything I was not 100 per cent convinced that all my concerns and questions would be answered.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BRAZIL: I would suspect, Mr. Speaker, this is the same for all my colleagues on this side of the House. I have spent the past two years reviewing historic documentation regarding the existing Upper Churchill and its impact on our Energy Plan, benefits to ratepayers, and financial benefits to all citizens of our Province. I have found that we have been on the losing end in all areas. After reviewing the documentation related to Muskrat Falls and being part of some twenty briefings – some of which were ones I had personally with officials of Nalcor and staff of Natural Resources, where I could be very frank and poignant regarding questions or concerns I had relevant to this development – all questions and concerns were answered to my satisfaction.

I have been part of nearly thirty radio and television broadcasts where I debated with elected members of the other parties the merits of developing Muskrat Falls, but more importantly, the merits of developing it now. In every debate and discussion I kept an open mind as to: Is there something we are missing? Is there another alternative? Are there too many vested interests? Are there too many risks? Is this the right time to develop? Do we have the right partner? Can we afford it? What do the people of this Province think? And, Mr. Speaker, my biggest question: Is there a smoking gun out there in reference to: are we doing the wrong thing?

Mr. Speaker, I must explain that I kept an open mind when I asked myself these questions and gave those, who opposed the views, an opportunity to present information that would sway me from my view that this project should proceed as we have presented it to the people of this great Province.

I reviewed the answers I received to these questions against the views of those opposed and have concluded that we are on the right track and we must proceed forward with this project immediately.

Mr. Speaker, I want to go back to the questions I asked myself before I was confident I would put my reputation on the line to support the development of Muskrat Falls. Let's start with: Is there something we are missing? Mr. Speaker, the discussion of Lower Churchill Falls development has been ongoing for decades and all involved, regardless of background, political affiliation or industry specialty have agreed that our next hydroelectric development should be Muskrat Falls. With this being said, I am confident we are missing nothing.

Next question: Is there another alternative? Mr. Speaker, there are always alternatives to everything we do. The question is: Which alternative is best? While some alternatives offer and address a small part of our energy needs they do not even scratch the surface of the energy needs, and more importantly, energy independence for our future. With that, Mr. Speaker, I am confident this is the right alternative.

Are there too many vested interests? I guess my suspicious nature made me think that maybe those advising us have a vested interest that may influence why this project is being touted as the best approach. Mr. Speaker, after reviewing all of the information put forward by Nalcor, MHI, Dr. Wade Locke, Navigant, and many others, and also examining the information presented by those opposed to Muskrat Falls, including 2041 Incorporated, I am unequivocally convinced that the only vested interest those who advocate for this project to proceed have is that they realize we need the energy and our future economic stability is directly connected to our energy potential. All involved, I am convinced, will be part of the legacy that protects the present and future generations of economic prosperity with affordable sustainable energy.

Are there too many risks? Mr. Speaker, with any development, there are risks. As our history will show, we flourished as a culture through risks our forefathers took for 500 years. The difference here, Mr. Speaker, is that our forefathers jumped in with little knowledge of what they may face and little planning. With Muskrat Falls, we, under the leadership of our Premier, have all the knowledge we need to make an informed decision and we have a definite plan as to where we need to be and how we will get there. I have no reservations regarding are we prepared for the risks associated with this development, Mr. Speaker. We definitely are prepared.

Is this the right time to develop Muskrat Falls? Mr. Speaker, I can think of no other time that would be more fitting for the development of this project. We have done all of the homework, the need has been determined, we have the most qualified advisors in the industry, all the economic factors are in place, this is the time to do this project, Mr. Speaker.

Do we have the right partner? Emera is a very qualified and respected player in the energy industry. With their experts, their understanding of the project, their assets, and their own energy needs, it is clear that this is a perfect match to address the design, development, and implementation of this project. Emera also added additional financial stability to this project.

Mr. Speaker, we could not ask for a better partner in this project. Emera is a partner we welcome and look forward to working with over the next number of decades.

Can we afford it? Mr. Speaker, with the money we have invested in Nalcor over the past number of years to attract some of the world's most talented energy professionals, the present interest rates, the partnership with Emera, the engineering design work completed, the signed loan guarantee and our historic best bond rating, we are in the best position we have ever been to move a project of this magnitude forward.

What do the people of this Province think? Mr. Speaker, if we just examine the latest polls we can feel confident that the people of this Province are behind us in moving this project forward. On a daily basis, they keep telling us: Do it, it needs to be done, move it forward. You have done all your homework, you have done a great job on it, we are convinced, let's make it work. Mr. Speaker, we do not govern by polls. We want to know what the people really think.

Mr. Speaker, I and my colleagues have spoken to thousands of our constituents regarding their views on developing Muskrat Falls. While there are always questions, the vast majority support the project and want us to get on with it. Mr. Speaker, it is time we did what the people are requesting and move this project forward. As you have looked in the papers in the last couple of days, the people are speaking and they are saying, the majority, let's move this forward. It is what we want, it is what we need, and it is time we did it.

Is there a smoking gun, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Speaker, when you examine any decision and when there are opposing views, you want to make sure that there is not something that may surface that indicates everything you have presented is not right. Well, the only smoking gun I can find belongs not to us or not to so many of the professional experts who advised this project is the way we should proceed, but the smoking gun belongs to those opposed, who have used misleading and fear mongering information to try to discredit the accurate information put forward by those commissioned to review this project.

Mr. Speaker, with all of these questions answered, it was my opinion that not only do we need this project but that this will be a cornerstone in ensuring that this Province is seen as a significant energy player in the national and North American hydroelectric markets. It would also ensure our future financial security.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say my father was one of the hundreds of Bell Islanders who, once the mines closed in the 1960s, worked on developing Churchill Falls. He, along with all Newfoundland and Labradorians who worked on that project, were proud of the construction marvel they helped create. They no doubt were hoping this would be a major benefit, both from a rate and a financial perspective for the people of this Province. They would be saddened by the few benefits we gained from that project. Mr. Speaker, I can guarantee you: if he was still alive, he would be adamant that we reap the maximum benefits for the people of this Province from future developments of hydroelectric power in Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, the approach we are using – with the leadership of our Premier, the leadership of our Cabinet, and the support of our caucus colleagues – to develop Muskrat Falls, and the benefits the people on all corners of this Province will receive, would have made my father proud, that we showed vision, leadership, creativity, and ingenuity in addressing present needs while planning for the future.

Mr. Speaker, when I review the needs – and some of my colleagues have already talked about this – the definite need we have here, and the ability to prosper, I look at the fact that Conception Bay East – Bell Island is a very unique district. We have Portugal Cove-St. Phillip's, a very economically viable community that is thriving out there. My colleague from Cape St. Francis had alluded to it, the size of houses. Dramatically – you go down to Country Gardens Estates, there is not a house less than a million dollars in value. The size of those houses dictates the need is there, the demand is there for it.

When we looked at Bell Island, a community that people had written off, that should have been dead years ago, it is the opposite. In my day, growing up out there, there were four companies that were delivering home heating oil. When I was the development coordinator back there in the 1980s, I was giving out 400 wood cutting permits to do it.

Today, there are no wood cutting permits; only one company supplies home heating oil over there. All the new homes being built, all the renovated homes are going with electric heat, obviously showing the demand for the energy that we are about to develop with Muskrat Falls, Mr. Speaker.

The other part of my district in Paradise, as we can see, the fastest-growing community in this country – the need up there, the size of the houses, the multitude of the amenities that all these communities have and all the houses have.

The money we have invested in recreation facilities – arenas, for example, all the needs that are going to be in that, when it comes to energy needs, trying to make them energy efficient, but at the same time make sure that they have viable energy at affordable cost. What we have been doing with swimming pools – we are adding all these extra supports for people, all these amenities of the community; at the same time, they are going to need energy. This is part of what we will be doing as part of our energy warehouse. We have done that.

What we are looking at now in Labrador, the developments that will happen in Labrador – we will be able to guarantee the companies that will come there will not have to be held back because they do not have the energy ability to develop the mines or add in new production facilities. That is what we do as an Administration here, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, just to conclude, this is why I have no hesitation in asking all members of this hon. House, regardless of your political colour, to support moving this Province's future forward with the development of Muskrat Falls. I hope everybody can put their political affiliations aside and look at the benefits of this project and see that the future generations should be taken care of.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HUTCHINGS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is good to get up to speak on the Muskrat discussion, Mr. Speaker. It is a pleasure to do so.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. HUTCHINGS: It is a pivotal time in our history in terms of moving forward with Muskrat Falls, Mr. Speaker – part of our government's direction, in terms of our Energy Plan in 2007, moving our Province forward on our natural resources and making sure we get the full benefits of those resources for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Mr. Speaker, in my district, in terms of hydro development, I come from a district that a significant investment in small hydro in the past number of years, approximately seven –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask all members for their co-operation.

The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

MR. HUTCHINGS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I said, my district on the Southern Shore, for the past number of years, dating in the early 1900s, had many developments in terms of small hydro projects. From that, there is the strong connection to hydro development on the Southern Shore.

My late father was involved with the utility company on the Southern Shore for thirty years. If you are familiar with the Avalon Peninsula at all, a lot of the inland waters on the Avalon Peninsula, where reservoirs were built and canals lead out to the coast along the Eastern side of the Avalon Peninsula, where there are several power plants that now exist: Perrys Brook in Witless Bay and in Mobile as well; Rocky Pond in Tors Cove – there are two in Tors Cove; Cape Broyle, and Horsechops. There is a long tradition and a long investment in hydro developments along the Southern Shore.

When you look at that and we talk about investment, it is capital investment up front to develop those hydroelectric plants. What happens is, when it is developed we have access to that energy. Once it is paid for, obviously, then it is much cheaper. Much like we are talking about today in terms of making a capital investment in Muskrat Falls, it is environmentally friendly, green, and as long as the water flows it generates electricity and generates energy. It is what we are going to see with Muskrat Falls, which is so important for today's generation and in the future.

That is what our Energy Plan was all about in 2007, certainly looking at short-term, but long-term into 2041 when the Upper Churchill contract expires, getting us through that and meeting our needs for today based on domestic use. We have options for industrial development both here and in Labrador, and as well have the ability to sell any excess power into the market. It gives us a number of options.

Again, as I alluded to, where I come from on the Southern Shore, once you build it, it is maintained. The water continues to run, continues to generate electricity, and continues to drive wealth for those who own it. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador obviously will own Muskrat Falls.

Mr. Speaker, the environment now in which we see ourselves in Newfoundland and Labrador is we are seeing a lot of wealth and prosperity over the last number of years. That buoyancy and optimism is seen in the business community and industry circles. A lot of that is driven by our natural resources.

StatsCan – just recently the employment in the Province is up 3,800. We have seen the highest growth rate in Canada from this time last year to 3.6 per cent. We see areas in our educational institutions – Memorial University is looking to double its size in its engineering school by 2020, an indication of what is happening in industry in the various projects.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Newfoundland and Labrador's business community has the highest level of optimism in Canada, Mr. Speaker –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. HUTCHINGS: – which gives an idea, as well, of what the environment is, how we are functioning, and how it is in Newfoundland and Labrador. That comes from careful stewardship and development of the Province's natural resources. This Premier recognizes that in terms of driving this project, Muskrat Falls, and ensuring that this moves forward with the expertise and with the know-how that we have in this Province. This is done for the best interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

In terms of the economic spinoffs developing from our resources, you can see them all through the Province. In my district, you see Pennecon establish a marine terminal centre in Bay Bulls, which services the offshore. In Labrador, you can see Carol Lake Metal Works capitalizing on the immense spinoff opportunities in Labrador West and expanding operations.

Look at major retail and commercial developments, which are all a part of business opportunities and industry developments and opening up various communities and sustaining these communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Large industrial projects we have seen to date, also lead the world-class expertise capabilities. It allows those who have the expertise in other parts of the world, maybe expats to return to Newfoundland and Labrador. We continue to produce those people out of our post-secondary institutions.

As well, we know large industrial projects drive company growth. Supplying services, right now in our Province we have at least 500 companies strong with various expertise to drive large industrial products or projects and that drives our economy and drives our projects as well. Large industrial projects sparks significant research, development opportunities, and help make new discoveries and build new industries, and make those industries leading edge in terms of technologies and how they operate. Again, it is about efficiency, those businesses, and returns to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Government works with all of those industry partners to maximum benefits for industrial projects and to benefit the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador. That is what we are doing with this project we are talking about, in terms of Muskrat Falls.

Development of Muskrat Falls, as I said, is an overarching part of our Energy Plan and not just the least-cost alternative to meeting the future needs of Newfoundland and Labrador. It provides and contributes to the provincial economy for generations to come, which is so important. It is a strategic development. As I said, it is an asset for future generations. As I alluded to before, those small plants that were built in my district a hundred years ago and less, the water still flows. Generators still generate electricity. It is still put into our grid and it is renewable, which is so important.

Support to continue diversification and growth in the provincial economy here on the Island, as well as in Labrador, ensures that significant energy needs are met for future developments. Through all the process we have gone through over the past year, and all the reports we have seen done from our experts at Nalcor, they are in the business of identifying what our needs are in terms of electricity. They have been maintaining our facilities and estimating electricity needs for the past forty years. They are very competent, very bright. They are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. They are the shareholders, along with us, in our energy and our natural resources. They are very competent in what they do and they recognize that we need additional energy. Through this project, we are certainly going to meet those needs.

As well, as part of this process I had an opportunity to meet with many of our Rural Secretariats over the nine advisory councils over the past few months. I had an opportunity to be in St. Anthony, as well as in Corner Brook. I met with these volunteers and had a presentation from Gilbert Bennett with Nalcor, went through the project, the benefit of the project. I had very good discussion and very good recognition in many communities about what it means, what the opportunities are, how this is needed for the future generations, how it is going to meet our needs, and how it can drive economic development in many parts of the Province.

It is very good to get that input from those volunteers who we met with all across the Province. We saw first-hand, heard from them and answered their questions in terms of what they thought was good for the Province. Overall, it was very positive and optimistic in terms of we move forward and not wait. We have been through for a number of years – I mean, you go back when the Upper Churchill was built, and it was thought shortly thereafter that there would be further development on the Churchill River.

We have come a long way. Now we are ready for this phase – Muskrat. Hopefully in the near future as we move forward, Gull Island, the capacity there. We will look at that as we continue to develop our energy capacity through hydro development and we will move that forward.

I was on the Northern Peninsula and talked there in terms of the opportunities for the Northern Peninsula, what it would mean there in terms of that region in terms of infrastructure. There are significant opportunities there in terms of economic development with Muskrat. Overall, I talked about the spinoffs for Muskrat, an enormous project, that phase alone, enormous opportunities and employment opportunities throughout the Province. It gives us stability and generates power to fuel the growth of our economy as we move forward.

It is certainly far-reaching, some of us realize, but as we move forward – in December 2011 last year, we announced a $24 million upgrade to Labrador's communication network, a direct benefit of Muskrat Falls Project. It will ensure the necessary communication infrastructure is in place to build the Muskrat Falls development, but also it addresses in the region capacity issues creating increased availability of the high-speed Internet, which is needed in the area. It allows us to do that and is a spinoff from the activity of an industrial project the size of Muskrat.

The project alone – it has been mentioned, but it is worth mentioning again in terms of significant economic impacts of the project. Mr. Speaker, $1.9 billion in total income for labour and business; $320 million in average income benefits per year; 1,500 direct jobs per year on average, across more than seventy occupations; and $290 million in taxes to the provincial Treasury, which we provide programs and services through revenues we generate. Through that, we can meet the services and needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, whether it is infrastructure, schools, hospitals, programs; whatever that is, we meet that through revenues, oftentimes through corporate and personal Income Tax. Again, this benefits on that side as well in terms of the Provincial Treasury and allowing us to meet those requirements.

Mr. Speaker, I mentioned earlier, too, about supplier development and how important it is, and small and medium enterprises, how they grow from large industrial-scale projects. My department, IBRD, is deeply involved with supplier development. It is also a key in ensuring maximum benefits are realized by local businesses; something like a transmission line being built right across the Province – tremendous opportunities and growth there in many parts of the Province for that as well, not only in the building on-site in Labrador.

Nalcor Energy and SNC-Lavalin certainly give consideration to provincial suppliers and contractors to provide those goods and services as this project rolls on. The scope of this is tremendous: everything from electrical, to concrete, to turbines, to generators, and a lot of opportunities.

For those who are out there who are involved in any type of business or think that they may have goods or services that support the project, I encourage them to get in touch with officials of IBRD and look at, through our Supplier Development Program, how we can assist them and build a linkage to the vendors and procurers who are out there to ensure that the development remains in Newfoundland and Labrador.

That is certainly some of the direct benefits: renewable energy and the opportunities for the industry. It is a project that keeps on giving and it will continue to allow business to grow because of the development.

Upon the completion of the project, we know that we have excess energy that can be exported into the market to generate additional revenues. We need to continue to service Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, which is so important.

As I said before, it is capital cost up front to build it; the water continues to run, like many of the hydro plants indicate in my district, and continues to provide that clean, green energy. This project will be owned by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and will generate revenue, so there are upsides to the project in all aspects, Mr. Speaker, and that is so important.

It is generational for years to come. I have two teenagers; for them and their families as we move forward, it is indeed so important.

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak to Muskrat, to this project as a government. I am delighted our Premier has taken a leadership role, and we as a government has taken a leadership role. We have done our due diligence. This has been talked for decades, in terms of the second development on Muskrat Falls. It is important to our Province, important to the people. I think it is important to move it ahead. It is the lowest rates to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is environmentally responsible. We can use the energy to be self-sufficient. It will drive and continue to diversify the economy.

This is the right project at the right time. It will continue to move this Province forward as this government has done, and it will be a legacy of this government that we will be quite proud of as we move the Province forward.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the contribution of members today.

Given the hour, 5:28 p.m., I move, seconded by the Member for Burgeo – La Poile, that we do adjourn debate.

MR. SPEAKER: It has been moved and seconded that this House do now adjourn.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

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

Carried.

This House stands adjourned until 1:30 o'clock tomorrow, Tuesday.

On motion, the House at its rising adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, at 1:30 p.m.