March 13, 2019
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS
Vol. XLVIII No. 56
The
House met at 10 a.m.
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
Before
we admit strangers, just to advise my colleagues, I wasn't in the room yesterday
but we had a burning sensation, smell. I'm told that the Minister of
Transportation and Works and his team are on it; there's a belt that's
malfunctioning somewhere in the building. I don't know what the belt does
(inaudible).
Admit
strangers, please.
Orders of the Day
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government
House Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Mr. Speaker, I move,
seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources, that the House resolve itself
into a Committee of Whole on Ways and Means to consider a resolution and bill
respecting the granting of Interim Supply to Her Majesty, Bill 55.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded
that I do now leave the Chair for the House to resolve itself into a Committee
on Way and Means to examine the Interim Supply Bill.
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.'
The
motion is carried.
On
motion, that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, the Speaker
left the Chair.
Committee of the Whole
CHAIR (Warr):
Order, please!
We are
now considering the related resolution and Bill 55, An Act Granting To Her
Majesty Certain Sums Of Money For Defraying Certain Expenses Of The Public
Service For The Financial Year Ending March 31, 2020 And For Other Purposes
Relating To The Public Service.
Resolution
“That
it is expedient to introduce a measure to provide for the granting to Her
Majesty for defraying certain expenses of the public service for the financial
year ending March 31, 2020 the sum of $2,864,878,600.”
CHAIR:
Shall the resolution carry?
The
Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi.
MS. MICHAEL:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Chair.
I'm
glad to have an opportunity to speak on some broader issues here in the House.
Since we are doing what we familiarly call the Interim Supply bill, it allows us
to look at how our money is spent. We know we need Interim Supply at this time
of the fiscal year because with a budget not in place – and we've been told by
the Minister of Finance that he intends to bring the budget in in April
sometime. With the fiscal year coming to an end, we have to make sure that we
approve the expenditure of money on April 1 in order to keep government running.
The
responsibilities of government is to take care of the people of the province and
to make sure the province works for the good of the people, and government has
programs and services to work for the good of the people.
One of
the things I want to talk about actually relates to that, because one of the
biggest expenditures that we have in our budget is education. That, along with
health, are probably the two biggest needs that people have and are the two
biggest expenditures that government has. Both of them are extremely important.
That's
why I think it's so important when it comes to education that we take seriously
the impact on families and on children of decisions that we make of how they're
treated, et cetera. I'm particularly going to speak to the issue of Bishop Feild
Elementary school. In the fall of 2017, Bishop Feild Elementary, as some of you
may remember, the building had –
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh, oh!
CHAIR:
Order, please!
Thank
you.
MS. MICHAEL:
Thank you, Mr. Chair; I
appreciate that.
The
building had an accident, I guess, is the word to use, but part of the ceiling
in the gym fell down. And with any old building, obviously, investigation into
that fall of the ceiling led to looking at other issues in the building, and I
understand that and I think the parents understand it, too.
Since,
I would say, January of 2018, you had the whole fall with this being dealt with,
partial information being given to parents, not very much, very partial
information being given to parents, the children having to go from the east end
of St. John's to the west end of the city, to the former School for the Deaf –
of course, you know buses are in play, et cetera – but this was a tremendous
impact on the families and on the staff of the school.
Beginning with January of 2018, I was looking back over my records, I think it
was around January I really started getting letters from the parents who were
really stressed out, and stressed out because they didn't have information,
stressed out because anything they knew they were trying to get from what was in
the media, and there was very little in the media. They were writing ministers,
they were writing the school board, they were trying to get information about
how the school was going to be repaired, was the damage going to be repaired,
when were their children going to be able to get back to the school that many of
them walk to on a daily basis – what was going to happen?
The
utter frustration that came out in many of the letters, and the stress that came
out in the letters, it really upset me. And even now, when I go back and read
some of them, it really disturbs me; parents who sat down and took the time to
carefully write their own letters.
We have
a real complication when it comes to how we run in government, how we run silos.
We have the Department of Education, we have the Department of Transportation
and Works, and these became the two departments, and then, of course, you had
the school board. But in terms of government itself, these became the two bodies
that parents had to work with.
So,
once a decision was made, the educational side of it, those decisions were made,
the children were now going to school in the west end until everything was taken
care of, and the actual investigation into why the roof fell, the investigation
into the damage, the investigation into what happened, of course, was passed
over to Transportation and Works. You had two different departments responsible
for two different things, but it seemed like nobody talking to the other, and
nobody talking to the parents.
It was
only recently, about six weeks ago, that you actually had a full meeting where
information was put out, you had representatives from the school council, you
had the school board, you had representatives from Transportation and Works. But
this is 2019, so a year and a half later before there was really a meeting where
full information was given.
The
information now is that the date that parents thought the kids were going to get
back in the school, which was September 2019, is now changed to 2020. And we do
now have stuff in writing, on paper, from the minister. We do have commitments;
we do have signs that this is when it's really going to happen. But the process
has been horrible. We've got to learn how to deal better with our parents.
As an
individual MHA, I can do the job that I do. I go to the ministers, I try to get
the information and I try to get them to communicate but we have got to deal
with people better. We have got to let them know – what's wrong with letting
them know what the report is, seeing it, not having to ATIPP it? The first
report that was done – what's wrong?
I've
had to ATIPP a report right now that I still haven't received. We ATIPPed it
from one department and it's really the other department, now we're waiting for
it from the other department to really see what was found so that parents could
fully understand why things have taken so long. By the time the children get
back into their school, it will be two years and four months since the ceiling
fell. They could have been told every step of the way what was found, why it was
taking so long for tenders.
I
understand that sometimes there's a reason why it takes so long for tenders, but
these parents – they were, up to a few weeks ago, were regularly going online
trying to see were the tenders being called at the time they were told they were
going to be called, finding nothing; once again, contacting the minister;
copying me on it, my contacting the minister. I understand why delays can
happen. And I bet the parents of the children in Bishop Feild and other schools
where things like this have happened, they'd understand too if they were given
the information and not waiting for two years before there finally is a real
meeting that fully informs.
We have
got to learn how to deal better, and we've got to learn too how not to work in
silos in government. It's not enough for the Department of Education to say this
is not our responsibility now; this is the responsibility of Transportation and
Works. No, children not being in the school that they're supposed to be in are
the Department of Education's responsibility. So what goes on between the two
departments, in one department urging the other one to give the information
that's needed so parents understand, because I'm telling you the stress has been
terrible.
What
happens is you get all kinds of speculation going on publicly. Early on, people
were saying that's it; that's the end of Bishop Feild. We've heard they're going
to be getting rid of Bishop Field; they're going to be shutting it down. Then,
the parents get blamed because that kind of talk was happening, but that kind of
talk is going to happen if people aren't informed.
If
people aren't given the information then they're going to speculate. And, what
can I do as an MHA? Can I say, no, that's not the intent of government to close
Bishop Feild Elementary? Well, I didn't know that. I don't know that. We're
assured now that's not happening. We're assured it's opening in January 2020.
There seems like that definitely will be the case, but I'm urging this
government – we spend so much money on education. It's really important – let's
spend a little bit more money on making sure that communication takes place,
just a little bit more money even if it does mean sending out something through
Canada Post that may cost a bit of money, but give people full reports, give
people information. Don't hold people in the dark because they will speculate,
because they fear and fear brings out speculation. And then, children are
affected. Their education is affected because their parents are concerned.
So, I
really beg this government to think clearly about how they work with the people
in this province.
CHAIR:
Order, please!
I
remind the hon. Member her speaking time has expired.
MS. MICHAEL:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
CHAIR:
The Chair recognizes the
hon. the Member for Bonavista.
MR. KING:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It's an
honour to rise in this House to talk about Interim Supply and what it means for
this province to get us through a hump between the end of the fiscal year until
the budget comes out. I certainly appreciate the work that the Finance Minister
has done on that. He and his staff have done an amazing job and I'm sure it'll
be another good-news budget come down this year.
I'm
rising today, Mr. Chair, to continue to talk about the good things that are
happening in the District of Bonavista. However, I'd be remiss if I didn't
address some unfounded accusations made about me by the Member for St. John's
Centre on social media.
The
Member accuses me of not caring about seniors, not caring about those living in
long-term care, or even caring about my constituents. That is on a Facebook post
she waited a week to put up, discussing a speech I gave in the House last week.
That's her words, not mine.
Mr.
Chair, our Government House Leader stated last Thursday in the House that facts
matter. Well, Mr. Chair, the fact of the matter is that the NDP or the former
leader from St. John's Centre does not hold a monopoly on caring about their
constituents or even social issues.
I can
stand here today, Mr. Chair, and say that it is very disingenuous and a low blow
to be such a part of petty politics just to score political points. I can stand
here, Mr. Chair, and be proud of the work that I've done over the past four
years.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. KING:
I'm not going to go down the
same road as the Member for St. John's Centre because I actually believe that
she is doing a good job for the people in her district, for her constituents,
Mr. Chair. Much like all 40 of us in this House of Assembly care about the
seniors in our district, care about those in long-term care, care about our
constituents.
I can
stand here proud to say that I care very much for the people in the District of
Bonavista. I can proudly say that my constituency assistant and I have helped
hundreds, if not thousands of people, throughout my district. This includes
seniors, those who live in long-term care and their families. Those who require
travel assistance. Those who need help through Income Support or other social
programs. Those who need new dentures is often brought up. Those who need
housing. Those who are subject to domestic violence who need help immediately,
and I can go on, Mr. Chair.
It is a
fallacy for the Member for St. John's Centre to think that government Members do
not care about our constituents or the people of our province. It is a fallacy
for the same Member to think that the NDP has a monopoly on social issues. That
couldn't be further from the truth. Mr. Chair, facts matter.
To
provide social programs that we can afford, we need to have money to fund them,
an economy which provides revenue from government to fund them, that is why I am
going to take the rest of my time here today to talk about the new businesses
which have started in the District of Bonavista over the past number of years.
So I'd say to my friend from CBS, listen very intently.
Mr.
Chair, the Bonavista-Trinity Regional Chamber of Commerce grew from 80 members
in 2016 to 158 in 2018. I'm going to repeat that again because the Member for
Mount Pearl - Southlands –
MR. LANE:
(Inaudible.)
CHAIR:
Order, please!
MR. KING:
– is heckling me right now.
MR. LANE:
(Inaudible.)
CHAIR:
Order, please!
MR. KING:
Mr. Chair, the local chamber
of commerce grew from 80 members in 2016 to 158 this past year, which it
currently has. That is a significant growth; almost 100 per cent.
Some of
the new businesses that we have, and bear with me because there are quite a few:
Art Bonavista Productions Inc.; Bonabooch Kombucha Co. Imagine, kombucha being
made in Bonavista, it's amazing; Bonavista Adventure Tours, and both Jordan and
Bonnie were featured on Eastlink TV's Discover NL, and it was a great segment on
what they do. CareGivers, for those working in the home care industry; Discovery
Sea Adventure Tours in Dunfield; East Coast Glow. Mr. Chair, they're featured in
Vogue in the United States. They ship all over the world, so they're not just
pigeonholed in a small market. They ship all over the world and have a wide
following.
Maudie's Tea Room in Keels, another success story. The Mesh's store was featured
in Maudie, they kept the old style
and now they've developed that into a tea room to grow the tourism industry on
the Bonavista Bay side of the District of Bonavista; Round Da Bay Inn in Plate
Cove West; Fishing Stage takeout in Champney's Arm; PJ's Take-Out in Port Union;
Bon Appetit takeout; Saucy Mouth food truck. Saucy Mouth, actually, is a
business located here in St. John's and they pop up at a number of different
events, but they're set up in Bonavista in the summertime.
Moreish
Cupcakes and Treats, a cupcake and cake shop, and they're open through the year.
Masters Taxi in Bloomfield; Dunrovin gas bar and trailer park, and we actually
helped them get going through a traffic study paid for by the Department of
Transportation and Works due to a regulation where it said you had to put in a
left-hand turning lane. We worked with them to help them establish their
business and get all their Service NL permits.
Robin's
Donuts in Lethbridge, and I can tell you I stop in there every time I go
through. It opened in, I think, November or December.
AN HON. MEMBER:
Good food, good food.
MR. KING:
It is good food and good
coffee, but they're busy all the time. It's remarkable.
Beth's
Variety in Princeton. This couple moved to Princeton from Ontario, they have
family in that area, and they took over an old convenience store that was
already there, but they've set a community tone for that town, and they're being
successful right now.
Vera's
Villa in Musgravetown, a number of seniors' apartments; low-cost affordable
housing units in Musgravetown. Nish Body Products in Trinity; Newfoundland Salt
Company. Newfoundland Salt Company started here in St. John's but they decided
to move to Bonavista because the economic conditions made it very lucrative for
them to come there. Now they're successful; they ship around the world. You'll
see them at any event going on, craft fair, whatnot, here in the province and
around the country; another success. They started off with just salt and they
get into other salt products as well.
What's
left to be said about Port Rexton Brewing Co.? We're helping them right now with
a repayable loan to expand. Currently, the TCII minister – they have 16
employees and with the new expansion they're going to be able to hire three more
people. Nineteen people working in a craft brewing industry in a small village
in outport Newfoundland, it's remarkable. And then independent from Port Rexton
Brewing Co. but associated with them is Oh My Cheeses, a grilled cheese and
french fries stand who provide a great meal with the product at Port Rexton
Brewing Co. As well, I should mention that Port Rexton Brewing has a pop-up
store here on Torbay Road.
In
Bonavista we have, in the Raymond Guy building, Pretty Pink Boutique, and I've
bought some stuff there for my cats. We also have Simply Chic Consignment
Boutique, which I have some clothing that I have up for consignment. Rosewood
Suites at Trinity, an old tavern dating back to the early 1900's that's been
redeveloped into a number of suites, which we've supported by a repayable loan,
adding to the accommodations on the Bonavista Peninsula, which you can't get,
it's hard to book in the summertime. You can't go up the peninsula now and get a
room on the spur of the moment. You have to book well ahead.
Shannon's Pub & Grill; Sweet Rock Ice Cream, two locations, one in Bonavista,
one in Trinity, and this goes from Aunt Sarah's Chocolate.
Now,
Mr. Chair, I'm not even near finished of all the businesses that have started up
over the last couple of years, so I'm going to take a few more minutes when I
get a chance to finish this list off and continue talking about the good news in
the Bonavista District.
CHAIR:
Order, please!
The
Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for Mount Pearl North.
MR. LESTER:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It
gives me pleasure to rise to speak to Interim Supply, fully understanding the
concept of this is a bridging facility between fiscal year-end and the new
budget approval. I'd like to, first of all, comment on the speech just given by
the Member opposite there. It was very eloquent and well designed. I'd like to
congratulate his speech writer.
Let's
talk about deferred revenue. I know the Minister of Finance has often referred
to the oil that's being left in the ground on account of the shutdown at one of
our production facilities as deferred revenue. Deferred revenue is a great thing
because it's revenue we can draw on in the future. But it's only a great thing
if we, as a province or as a business, which our province is, are operating in a
surplus.
Right
now, because we're not pulling that money out of the ground, capitalizing on the
sale of that product, we are looking at a larger deficit than we had forecasted.
We are looking at having to borrow extra money. So, in the future, we have to
look at that oil in the ground, that not only does that oil have to get the
market value of the oil as it comes out, but it also has to pay for the interest
that's it's going to bear now because it's still left in the ground.
Everybody often hears of the phase: Oh well, it's water under the bridge. And my
understanding of water under the bridge is, okay, water goes under the bridge,
you can't really stop it, but it gone down the river and that's all you got to
think about it.
So,
let's talk about water over the dam. As recent, in the past couple of days, it's
been brought to this House that since August of 2016 we've been letting water
flow over the dam, power go in the lines, Quebec used our natural resource to
fatten their coffers when we really should be looking at how much can we tax
them for that. That should be more of a revenue for us.
And
this water over the dam, we can't stop that. That's going to run through every
day. So, that is lost revenue. That's the kind of revenue we really have to
focus on, and it's tragic that the people of this province have had to bear the
cost of government's expenditures through increased taxation.
Yes, we
brought the deficit down, but the only reason why the deficit has gone down is
because world commodity prices on our exports such as oil and minerals has gone
up, and, of course, the tax burden on the people of this province has also
increased. That's something that we have to change because every regime in
history that has relied on fixing their deficit or fixing a spending problem
with taxation has fallen.
I think
that we quote one of the more famous situations in which the Queen said: “Let
them eat cake.” Basically, that's what's happening. We're taxing our people to
fix our problems, but taxation does not fix problems, it only magnifies
problems. It delays a problem, but it does not fix it.
What
we've seen, and I've said it many times in the past week, is people do not have
the extra money to take out of their pockets to put into staying here in
Newfoundland and Labrador. We've become one of the more expensive places – well,
probably the most expensive place, taxation-wise, to live in in Canada. And that
is not going to encourage our young people to stay here. That's not going to
encourage our well-pensioned pensioners and seniors to stay here. They are going
to move. Those who have the opportunity to move have been leaving, be they the
young and well educated, the well established and well reputed or the well
pensioned. Those people are the ones that are leaving and those people are ones
that are taking the investments of our province out and contributing elsewhere.
In the
consideration of Interim Supply, as I said, I completely understand the process,
but it does give us the opportunity to speak to other larger issues that are
occurring throughout our province. I've heard Members from the Third Party, the
independents, our Opposition and, just most recently, the governing party speak
to the plight of our seniors. Those and others who are on fixed incomes and
lower end of the scale, they are the ones who have been most affected by the
increase of the cost of living.
It's
not that we're getting more bang for our buck. Our insurance is not giving us
extra coverage. We're paying 15 per cent extra. That 15 per cent extra is
necessary to carry on the duties of our lives. It's necessary to get back and
forth to work, necessary to get to our doctors' appointments, necessary to go
out and visit local businesses, take a trip down to Bonavista to see if what the
Member is saying is actually true. We need to be able to traverse around our
province and spread our money around. We need to open up our pockets and take
the money out, but what I found is even people who do have money in their
pockets are not spending it. They're worried about what's coming next.
I would
love to hear a good-news budget, because last year's budget was a regurgitation
of the year before. I do understand that the government has a responsibility to
generate revenue. Again, as I said, they can do it in two ways; They can do it
through taxation or they can do it through economic stimulus. And the bit of
economic stimulus that we have been seeing, being the exportation of our
minerals, opening up of new mines, that's all driven by world commodity prices
and government has little or no control over that.
Another
issue I'd like to speak to is, yesterday, the Member for Placentia West -
Bellevue stood up and spoke regarding the closures of several fish plants, and
he referred to the previous administration as being responsible. A fish plant
closes for one reason usually. Do you know what that reason is? It's the lack of
fish. It's the lack of raw product to put through that processing plant to make
it feasible.
As I've
said before, in the terms of Confederation, those sitting around the table
thought it was more important to maintain the control of the colour of our
margarine than the colour of our fishery – the colour of our fishery, than
control of our fishery. Right now, and in the past, federal governments of
different stripes be they red or blue, they have ultimate control of our
fishery. They have ultimate control of the supply.
Supply
is necessary to keep our plants moving. Supply is necessary to keep our workers
working, our harvesters moving and the rural economies moving along as well and
sustainable. We can't blame provincial governments for making the decisions, but
what we can blame provincial governments for is not lobbying hard enough against
Ottawa, against decisions that will affect our fishery.
We need
to lobby harder with Ottawa to have at least, at the very minimal, joint
management between provincial and federal jurisdiction over our waters that
surround our province. It's time that we even look, okay, we are an Island
economy, as much as we like to say we operate on a global scale, but basically
things that happen around our Island, being in our waters or under our waters,
are what's driving our economy. Everything else is very important – different
industries, it is always important to diversify of course. With the oil industry
and the subsequent supply chain that surrounds it, I mean that generates a lot
of activity.
So now
in times of us renegotiating the Atlantic Accord, we have to make darn well sure
that we're looking at further down the road, not just for an immediate cash
grab, we need to look at what's going to happen as our province and population
move along long after we're just nothing more than a memory. Things that we
decide today are most important for those of the future.
We have
to look past what we're going to do right now. We have to look into what we're
going to do right now is going to affect our future. At the same time we can't
ignore those, such as our seniors, who have contributed so much to our
population and to our province as where we stand today.
It's a
delicate balance, but we have to look at the positive aspects of our province
and we have to make our province a more affordable place to live, and the first
part of that is to reduce the tax burden on the people of the province.
We also
have to look at reducing the tax burden and the administration costs of business
because business is what's going to fix our economic woes. It's not going to be
government, but in order for business to fix that, government has to make
necessary changes and one is take the – I'm sure other governments have been
just as guilty, but the nepotism and partisan actions or appearances of certain
economic decisions are discouraging legitimate business from coming to
Newfoundland and setting up here in the province.
The
resources that we all occupy are not ours, they are only on borrow from future
generations.
CHAIR:
Thank you.
The
Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for Exploits.
MR. DEAN:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It's
indeed a pleasure to speak to Bill 55, Interim Supply. As well, it's indeed an
honour and a privilege to rise today representing the good people of the
District of Exploits.
In an
imperfect world, there's still some good news and that applies to districts,
provinces and countries, so I would like to speak, even with all of our
imperfections, on some of the positive things that are happening in my district.
I'll
list just a few but they're certainly not all of the great positive news that
this government has brought forward to the District of Exploits during our
tenure.
Capital
Works projects Grand Falls-Windsor: upgrades to road infrastructure. Grenfell
Heights: road widening, new water storm Phase 1. Bishop's Falls: Hamptons Hill
water tower replacement, lift station upgrades and road upgrades. Botwood:
engineering design for town hall/fire hall. Outfall Phase 1, Circular Road.
Northern Arm: extension to the water main. Point Leamington: new water tank and
pumping system. Phillips Head: water line repairs throughout the community.
Bishop's Falls: new town road booster pumps system upgrades; Riverside Drive
paving project. Botwood: Confederation Place water, sewer and road upgrades,
septic tank; Fernwood Drive sanitary sewer. Norris Arm: sewage lift station.
Pleasantview: water system upgrades.
Government has also provided $3.58 million to expand the waste water treatment
facility in Grand Falls-Windsor. This is in addition to federal and municipal
funding. This investment will allow for the addition of a secondary level of
waste water treatment at the facility. These improvements will ensure the
municipality can meet current federal waste water system effluent regulations,
and the upgrades will also provide the necessary capacity to provide residential
and commercial growth across the region.
Mr.
Chair, in the 2018 and 2019 year, our government funded $2.3 million to pave the
TCH from the Sir Robert Bond Bridge to Grand Falls-Windsor. In 2017-2018, they
provided $125,000 for a water main replacement in the Town of Point Leamington.
Under
the Small Communities Fund, we have provided $241,000 for a water main extension
in Northern Arm. Significant brush cutting has been realized in the district,
with more to come. Significant paving on the Botwood Highway has been realized,
as well as on Route 352 and in Northern Arm. We can look forward to more paving
on this route and others to be forthcoming under the recently announced Rural
and Northern Communities funding plan.
On
October 26, 2018, I was joined by the hon. Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced
Education, Skills and Labour and MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans, to
announce the official opening for the Sir Robert Bond Bridge replacement
project, and also included the reconfiguration of the Botwood interchange and
the east and west approaches to the bridge, as well as demolition and removal of
the former bridge and upgraded underpass for the nearby Newfoundland T'Railway
system. Motorists now encounter a more familiar and universal diamond
interchange and approach the bridge along a flatter, straightened portion of
road, which allows for increased visibility and safety, especially in inclement
weather. The project also has resulted in the relocation of Route 351
intersection with the Trans-Canada Highway for a safer location further from the
bridge.
The new
bridge first opened to traffic in October of 2017. The project was completed in
partnership with the Government of Canada, through Canada Strategic
Infrastructure funding and represents a total shared investment of approximately
$22.5 million.
I wish
to express my pleasure upon the completion of the federally and provincially
funded replacement of the historic Sir Robert Bond Bridge. This occasion is
certainly significant to the District of Exploits, and provides an improved,
safer and more attractive and progressive thoroughfare in Central Newfoundland
to accommodate traffic from all regions of the province. It's a major element in
the province's plan for highway improvement.
As
well, the protective care unit at the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Care Centre in
Botwood, a contract valued at approximately $600,000 to design a 20-bed
protective care unit extension which will bring the total numbers of beds in the
unit to 49. Residents throughout the district are proud of our Dr. Hugh Twomey
Health Care Centre and we are blessed to have a facility providing such
important health services in this area of the province.
A
diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia is life changing for an individual with
that disease, as I would well know, but also for the family and friends. As the
disease progresses so does the degree of care an individual requires. The
expansion of the special care unit at the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Care Centre
will ensure that increasing numbers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and
dementia in Central Newfoundland receive the care they deserve and provide great
comfort to families who can be assured that a high quality of life in a safe,
secure environment for their loved ones will be maintained.
In
addition to the extension of the protective care unit at the Dr. Hugh Twomey
centre, government has also announced a new long-term care facility, both to be
built in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor as well. Government has also launched a
new primary health care reform initiative in Botwood. This involves working with
frontline providers at the Twomey centre to improve access to a variety of
primary health care services.
As part
of the services that will be provided Botwood will be the first community, and
is the first community to introduce remote mental health services using the
provincial Telehealth system. These remote mental health services will
supplement Doorways, the single session walk-in clinics which are now available
in Botwood and province-wide. I believe these initiatives are clearly
demonstrating our government's commitment to improving access to health care
services in the province and in the District of Exploits.
I'd
also like to acknowledge and mention the advancement and improvements made at
the Wooddale tree nursery, recently designated as a centre of excellence for
agriculture and forestry. I would also like to add that the agriculture and
farming industry throughout Central Newfoundland, and in particular in the
District of Exploits, takes a backseat to no one and the listing of assistance
provided by Minister Byrne's department towards those positive initiatives –
there's a litany of them, too many to name right now. For that, I know that the
operators are certainly thankful for the support of the government and the
department.
In
closing, Mr. Chair, I alluded to my connection with the Alzheimer's and dementia
health concerns. I got a mom and dad that are currently at the Hugh Twomey
Health Centre in Botwood, neither of whom are doing well. I guess it's only a
couple of days away, March 15 – the Ides of March is always what March 15 is
referenced as. Most people in this House and throughout the province would know
the background history of where that comes from. But it just so happens that my
dad's birthday falls on March 15 and, God-willing, in a couple of days, he will
reach his 81st birthday, and I'd like to wish my dad the happiest of birthdays,
even during these trying times.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. DEAN:
So with that, I've got some
more items that I hope I can bring forward and discuss at another time, but
thanks for your time and indulgence, Mr. Chair.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
CHAIR:
Thank you.
The
Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands.
MR. LANE:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It's
always a pleasure to be able to have the opportunity to stand and speak in this
hon. House. Of course, we're speaking to Interim Supply, so we have 10-minute
intervals. The good news is that unlike a bill, as long as there's an
intervening speaker, you can speak again. So I intend to speak again and again
and again on various topics and take every opportunity to do so.
I just
want to talk a little bit about tourism. This is something I've raised in the
past, maybe last year or year before, but I think it's always good to put these
things out there. The intent is not to be critical, just to point out some
observations. Before I do, I do want to say to the Member for Bonavista when he
spoke and he referenced the fact the Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands is
heckling me, what he didn't hear is that when he was talking about his district
and all the great things happening in Bonavista I said, you should call it
'Boom-avista,' because the place is booming, and I agree with him.
So I do
say, in all sincerity, I go to Bonavista at least once, twice a year. Myself and
my wife, we go there usually on a day trip. Sometimes we've stayed there, but a
lot of times it's on a day trip. It's a beautiful location. There's a lot of
history. There are tons of things to see and do, whether it be in Bonavista or
whether it be in Elliston. Of course, now we heard that there's going to be an
expansion in Port Rexton of the microbrewery. I haven't had the opportunity to
go there yet. I absolutely intend to go there this summer, though, and see what
they have to offer.
I say
to the Member that when we talk about tourism, the Bonavista Peninsula is an
absolute jewel, there's no doubt about it. From a tourist point of view, it is
an absolute jewel. We have many jewels throughout this province.
AN HON. MEMBER:
What about Twillingate?
MR. LANE:
The Member opposite said:
What about Twillingate? I say to the Member, I went to Twillingate – I can't
remember if it was this summer past or the one before, I think it might have
been the summer before, went through his area, went to Twillingate, went to the
Auk Island Winery, I think it's called. There were a number of attractions there
we went to see, and another absolutely spectacular part of our province. I
encourage anyone and everyone to certainly go out and explore Newfoundland and
Labrador. There's no doubt about it that we have so much to offer here to
tourists and we have so much to offer here to our own people, if they want to
take staycations and so on.
Anyone
that has this idea that there's nothing to do and see in Newfoundland and
Labrador, it really is a myth. There actually is a lot to see and a lot to see
outside of the St. John's metro area, an awful lot to see and I certainly
encourage people to do so.
We are
seeing increased rubber-tire traffic and so on here in the province. I think a
lot of it is due to the ads that have been done. Certainly, I believe it really
started with the former administration with some beautiful ads and then it's
been continued on by the current administration. I think it's really paid off
for sure in terms of getting people here.
I think
that Come From Away has absolutely
had a tremendous impact in driving people, driving traffic here to our province.
I believe that 9/11, which is what Come
From Away is all about, that really put us on the map. It was a sad time for
an awful lot of people, a lot of tragedy but it also opened up the world to
Newfoundland and Labrador and showed people what we're all about. I think that
has had an impact on bringing here to this province.
Of
course, it's all about word of mouth. When somebody comes and they have a great
experience, they'll go back to wherever it was they're from and they tell their
family members, they tell their friends, their neighbours and more people come
to Newfoundland and Labrador.
I think
we've only starting to realize the opportunity we have with tourism here in
Newfoundland and Labrador. I think that there's still more that we can do. We
can still bring more people here, I think there's still more work we can do,
particularly on the shoulder seasons, I think they're called, in the tourism
industry, to stretch out our tourist season, and I encourage government to
continue down that road.
One of
the things, of course, we have to do; it's one thing to attract people here and
want them to come here and entice them to come here, but there are issues around
getting people here. When we look at the flight to Dublin, for example, that
WestJet flight that was cancelled and so on, that's not good for our province.
When we look at Marine Atlantic and ferry rates that continue to rise, that's
not good for our province.
We
actually have a Member here who kind of made a federal career out of bringing
that issue to the forefront, and so he's nodding his head in agreement with me
about that issue. But we have to ensure as best we can, particularly given the
relationship that the government continues to say you have with your friends in
Ottawa and so on, to try to ensure we have stability and keep rates as low as
possible on Marine Atlantic to bring people here, to make it more attractive for
people to come here to Newfoundland and Labrador.
We also
have to be working, obviously, with the airline industries and so on in the
development of packages, particularly when we talk about Dublin and that and to
continue to work to get that flight back and other flights here. Because we are
right on the edge, of course, of North America in terms of just across the pond
to Europe, to England, Ireland and so on, and it's really hard to take the
concept that you've actually got to fly – if you're going from London or Dublin
or wherever, you're going to fly over Newfoundland, land in Halifax, and then
fly back to Newfoundland. Or if you're in Newfoundland, you want to go there,
you got to fly to Halifax and then fly back over Newfoundland to go over across
the aisle. So, that is a problem. It's something that I believe we need to work
on.
Another
couple of observations, which I have raised in the past: signage. I say to the
minister, to the government, that I really believe that there are opportunities.
Again, I'm not being critical for the sake of being critical, but I do believe
there are opportunities when it comes to signage on our highways and on our
byroads and so on, to actually get people to those attractions; to get people to
where it is they want to go and the things they want to see. I have certainly
experienced, when going throughout the province, that there are times when there
may be a sign on the highway saying that there's a certain site or location or
whatever and you turn off the main highway, then you're driving and you're
looking for it and the signage to actually find what you're looking for,
particularly if it's a road off of a road, off of a road, the signage has not
necessarily been great all the time to locate what it is you're trying to find.
I live
here and I'm from here and I've been around, and I've even been to places and
went back a few years later and had trouble finding the place that I had already
been to because of some of the confusion with signs and so on. So, if I'm
someone from away and not used to the place, never been here, then I think that
sometimes it could be a challenge because of the signage.
When
you go to other places, most of us have travelled off the Island, if you go to
Florida, for argument sake – and I understand that we're not Florida, Orlando,
Disney and all that but still I think, just to make the point, you'll never get
lost there. The signage is perfect. Every road you turn on, there's a sign and
everything directing you exactly where you want to go.
I'm not
trying to compare us to that. I know we don't have the size, the scale and the
amount of people and all that, I get that, but the point I'm trying to make,
though, is that there's no doubt when you go to a lot of places, you can easily
locate where you're trying to find because the signs are so good, multiple
signs, directional signs and so on. I'm not being critical; I'm just saying it's
something that we can work on. It's room for improvement, that's all I say to
the minister, to the government.
The
other thing I think is important, I've noticed that there are places around the
Island, some beautiful places, but there are also sites or things listed in the
tourist maps or on a sign of a place and when you get down there, the place is
falling apart because perhaps it was put there a number of years ago, maybe it
done using JCP money and grants and whatever the case might be. It was built and
then there was never any plan or money to maintain it.
So, I
think it's important to do an inventory of that and we need to decide what are
the spots that we want to make available, to encourage people to go to, and what
ones do we do and which ones, perhaps, we're just not going to do; but you don't
want to have a situation where someone drives –
CHAIR:
Order, please!
MR. LANE:
– 30 kilometres down the
road, gets down the road and the place is falling apart either.
CHAIR:
Order, please!
I
remind the hon. Member that his speaking time has expired.
MR. LANE:
Thank you.
CHAIR:
The Chair recognizes the
hon. the Member for Lewisporte - Twillingate.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. BENNETT:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It's a
great honour to get up and speak today on Bill 55, Interim Supply. For the
general public listening and watching, being a money bill, it gives us the
opportunity to speak on some things happening within our district. In the
beautiful district and scenic District of Lewisporte - Twillingate there are lot
of great, positive things happening.
I'm
just going to start by talking about a couple of events I attended over the
weekend. This past Saturday night, the Lewisporte Regional Fire-Rescue held
their annual banquet and awards ceremony. The Lewisporte Regional Fire-Rescue
has been doing a fantastic job of protecting the community of Lewisporte and
surrounding communities. This is their 70th year in operation in the area.
This
past October, they expanded their operations to form a regional service, which
basically now they're taking in the community of Brown's Arm, joining in their
fire protection service area. So far, since October, that relationship they have
built and the fire protection that they are now providing to a much larger area
has proved to be very successful.
I just
want to say a bit hats off to the Lewisporte and Brown's Arm fire departments
for the relationship they have built and the work they're doing, and also to the
councils and the local service districts for their understanding and their
commitment to the communities to provide the best possible fire protection to
the area.
During
the ceremony, which MP Scott Simms also attended with me, there were a number of
recognitions given out for long-service awards and also firefighter of the year.
I'm just going to give a little shout-out to those members. Keith Budden and
Mark Woodford both received their long-term service awards for 15 years. Ken
Curtis and Brad Haggerty received a 20-year service. Todd Pelley also received a
15-year service pin. Also a good friend of mine that I've had the honour of
working with for 25 years when I was with the Town of Lewisporte, Darrin Ryan
received his service pin for 30 years. Darrin, two of his brothers and his
father have been in the fire department for many, many years now and they have
done a great service to our community. So, Darrin, if you're listening, which
you shouldn't be, you should be out working today but if you're listening, a
great congratulations there.
I would
be remiss if I didn't mention, Steve Cole, another good friend of mine that I
have had the honour of sitting with on several committees over the years. Steve
was given the prestigious award of the Firefighter of the Year, this year. It is
a great honour because Lewisporte Regional Fire-Rescue has approximately 35
members and they train every week; it doesn't matter what's happening. Probably,
with the exception of Christmas and stuff like that, they are training every
week and they are an exceptional fire department and I sing their praise every
chance I get.
Mr.
Chair, in addition to the Lewisporte Reginal Fire-Rescue, I have approximately
12 other firefighting stations in my district. The one in Twillingate, in
particular, services all of the Twillingate area, Twillingate Island. New World
Island, there are two fire departments. Summerford services, I think, 17
communities, so they are a true regional service. In addition, like I say, there
are a number of other fire departments doing great work to protect our
properties, our homes and also responding to motor vehicle accidents and other
things.
To all
firefighters, first responders, a big thank you for your dedication and the work
that you do, and also to their families. So often that these firefighters go
out, either on an accident call or a fire, and their spouses and families are
left home not knowing what they had to face and that. So, their work and
commitment is to be commended, Mr. Chair.
I'd
also like to speak a little bit on Education Week. Last week, we celebrated
Education Week throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Friday, when I got back
into my district, I took the opportunity to go out and visit the seven schools
in my district. I had the opportunity to speak to a few teachers and the
administration. I just want to also commend them on the fantastic work they are
doing each and every day to help to build our future leaders within our
communities. So, Mr. Chair, a big hats off to all teachers and support staff
within our education system.
Mr.
Chair, on March 3, I had the opportunity to visit Pleasantview Manor, a seniors'
home in our community, where a gentleman from my district celebrated his 102nd
birthday, Mr. Victor Baker. Victor has been residing at Pleasantview Manor for a
number of years and, I have to say, is in good health for a gentleman 102 years
old.
During
my time to spend with him and have a chat with him, he was excited that spring
was soon coming. Victor, for the last number of years, has been planting all the
flowers and maintaining the flower gardens in the home, and he's looking forward
to doing that again this year at the youthful age of 102. So happy belated
birthday there, Victor.
Mr.
Chair, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we do have some challenges in
our area too. Back in 2015, the Cottlesville fish plant burned down and shortly,
two years after, the shrimp plant in Twillingate also closed as a result of
quota cuts. I just want to reassure the people of the area that I have been
working with the owners of the plant and also with the town council of
Twillingate trying to diversify and trying to find some other areas that,
hopefully, if not in the shrimp processing, that in future years that some other
type of processing can happen and that plant will reopen.
It is
the backbone of Twillingate. Mr. Chair, at the high point there was over 500
employees working out of that plant, and shortly before it closed they were at
approximately 100 to 125 employees. So it did have a devastating impact on the
community of Twillingate, but they are a very resilient group of people and I'm
quite sure they will be working hard, with the support of government, to try to
get some action back into those plants down in Twillingate Islands.
In the
meantime, the Town of Twillingate have been diverse in a lot. They've been
getting into the tourism industry. As everyone knows, Twillingate is one of the
hot spots for Newfoundland and Labrador and they have been growing that industry
quite significantly over the last number of years.
My
colleague from Bonavista is talking about all the great business happening in
Bonavista, and Bonavista is a great community. It falls a little bit short on
the tourism numbers than Twillingate, but they're working as hard as Twillingate
Islands. There are a number of new businesses that have been opening over the
last couple of years in the accommodation sector, a new microbrewery has opened
up, Split Rock, and they are doing fantastic out there.
Last
year, there were two new business started. There was a kayaking touring business
that just opened up and without any advertising, marketing, Mr. Chair, they were
booked most all of the summer. So, this year, I'm quite confident that they will
be much more successful.
Also,
Mr. Chair, I'm proud that another business opened up last year providing
helicopter tours of Twillingate Islands and also going out towards Fogo Island.
Again, a business that just sprung up overnight by a person visiting the area,
saw the opportunity and now this year, Mr. Chair, they're going to be, I guess,
in full swing, operating helicopter tours during, obviously, the peak tourism
season when the icebergs and the whales are most visible out there. They're also
looking at more types of tours to extend on that shoulder season. So, great
things are happening in Twillingate.
Mr.
Chair, the community I am from, Lewisporte, has also suffered a loss there over
the last year with the closure of the freight service to Labrador. I don't think
it was a surprise to anyone. It was probably a matter of when rather than if.
Once the ferry service discontinued a number of years ago, I think the writing
was on the wall that eventually the freight service would also close, especially
with the Trans-Labrador Highway becoming more and more prominent.
Myself
and the Premier, the Minister of Transportation and Works and other ministers
have been working closely with the Town of Lewisporte to see how we can divest
in and make other opportunities for the wharf and for the infrastructure at
Lewisporte because it is a great facility, the wharf facility. It is something
that Lewisporte has been built on – and my time is getting near as I see – but I
can assure the residents of Lewisporte and the town council that future meetings
will be happening and we will look forward to building the community again.
Thank
you, Mr. Chair.
CHAIR:
Thank you.
I
recognize the hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.
MR. PETTEN:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It's a
pleasure to get up again and speak on Interim Supply. As previous speakers have
said, it's an opportunity to get up and speak about various issues of
importance, whether it be in your district, it could be in the province or what
have you.
I get
up because a lot of times I have issues that I care strongly about, as I have
often in my petitions, I'll refer to the 1.6 kilometre issue. It could be roads.
In my critic role it's the carbon tax, many things. Sometimes I even mention the
$40 million that we're spending on the grow op, but, today – I couldn't resist
that one in the meantime. I see the Minister of TCII looking over, so I couldn't
– that was just a polite morning little motion.
Today,
actually, I'm going to talk about his department but in a different form. I know
my colleague or Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands mentioned tourism.
Ironically, I had in my mind, I wanted to speak about tourism today, actually,
because I'm sure the minister is aware, I did have the opportunity to spend
several years in that department, working with the former minister. I went in
there not really knowing, other than what the bare bones of what tourism was
about, I guess, in the province.
After
spending, it was in excess of almost four years there, I learned an awful lot
about tourism and our tourism in the province and our tourism campaign. It's
something that, regardless of what side of the House you sit on, I think it's
something we all should be very proud of. It's an award-winning campaign. We're
after getting in excess, I think, in the vicinity of 300 awards, national and
international awards. It's something that, back in the day, I know back in the
time, it was years back, when we were trying to draw tourism, previous
administrations tried unsuccessfully, I guess, to try to boost the tourism
product in the province, and we had all kinds of initiatives and they were all
well intentioned.
As we
all recall, there were these waterslides popping up in all these communities.
You go in, there was a waterslide, there was go-carts; it was trying to attract
what we thought the tourists were looking for, because we thought – we went down
to Disney and we went to other places and they had all these theme parks and
that's what we thought people come to Newfoundland to look for.
We're
off the beaten path. In the tourism world, we're not on – Newfoundland is not on
the – we're a bit off the beaten path by virtue of, I guess, being out in the
North Atlantic.
Back in
2006, I think, was the launch of it, in the early 2000s. In 2003, when the
former – it was when the previous administration took over, there was a group,
and I give credit to the group, there's a group of individuals that were tasked
with developing a tourism model. How do we attract tourists to the province?
What do we do?
Incredibly, basically, the Coles Notes of it: Do nothing. This is who we are.
We're simple. It's rocks. It's roughed coastlines. There's berry picking.
There's mountains. There's hiking. There's camping. It's trails. That's who we
are. We're not Disneyland. We're not a theme park. We are who we are and they
called it the Find Yourself campaign.
Like I
said, it's after winning over 300 awards and still winning. It maybe even more
than that or close on it, I think it's around the 300 mark. I guess the one
thing with tourism in our province that we all look at, and we're doubling our
numbers, we're bringing our – the goals of doubling it to $2 billion.
I know
when we were in power, I think $1billion was a big deal because it was more
value. It was bringing in more revenue to the province than the fishery, which
is incredible when you think about it for Newfoundland because the fishery was
always, and still is, one of the main backbones of our province. It will always
be part of us, but it's incredible how we grew a tourism product to be able to
bring in that much revenue.
Now
we're in excess of that, obviously, and the current administration has continued
on with this tourism campaign, and it is doing good. I think everyone deserves a
lot of credit, but there are public service awards given out to the individuals
who developed this Find Yourself campaign. A lot of them are still within
government.
They
deserve probably the majority of the credit. It's fine to say, this current
administration, previous administrations, provided the funding and the
encouragement to develop and support, but these people, these individuals that
work in that department, and a lot of them, I think, I don't know, I haven't
been over around there in a long while now but the minister could probably tell
me, that a lot of those same people are still there. They are very unique,
talented people. They're not your – you don't come across a lot of these people
every day. They have a passion.
We all
have our passions. They have a passion for tourism. They have a passion for the
province and they believe in what they do. I know when I got there within the
department, we started working within. I was really struck by that.
We talk
about bureaucrats within government and they're all – everyone as bureaucrats
think all the targeted jobs they do in departments and files they all work on,
but these people got a love for it. They love what they do. It's a passion. It's
not something that's a 9 to 5 to them. They're always creative. Their minds are
always going, they're creative, they're thinking.
I think
sometimes we say our tourism campaign, our Find Yourself campaign – I know I
found myself saying it and many others may have – how well it's done. I think
sometimes we forget the reason that's done so well, and the reason we've
accomplished so much and where we are and what this has done to the province and
the province's economy, is those people.
I know
a lot of them individually, like I say, they're amazing. This passion will not
die. I ran into some individuals who are no longer with Tourism, just in a
coffee shop wherever, and the first conversation, besides the normal
pleasantries, how are you and hope all is well, they'll target, they'll mention
something about an ad or some part of the province they were, or one of our
UNESCO sites. It's just amazing.
I went
in there as a total – I wasn't tourism oriented, I didn't really understand
outside of a pin or a postcard or I saw these beautiful ads that were on
television and I thought they were amazing. That's all I knew; really bare
bones. When I left there, it left me with a totally different viewpoint. It
changes your thought process because tourism – even people say tourism on its
own is you're promoting your province, you're attracting people from outside the
province, outside of the country to come visit, spend money, build your economy,
and that's really, truly, I suppose, the business case for tourism.
What we
don't realize sometimes is when you turn on the television and you watch one of
those ads, and all of those, no matter what ad, what campaign it is, the winter,
summer, whatever campaign, these ads make us feel good. As a Newfoundlander and
Labradorian, you cannot feel anything other than pride when you watch those ads.
When you feel good, good things happen. If you feel good about yourself, you
feel good about the place you live. It helps your psychology. It helps us all,
it makes us a better place. It makes us better people because I think that it
helps build your confidence. I used to always say that those ads always put a
bounce in people's steps, and I really, truly believe that they did.
I'll go
back again and I'll thank the creative individuals. I know Target Marketing has
been the creative minds. They've done the productions. They've done a wonderful
job for the province over the years, and others as well, but the individuals
that's brought on these creations deserve a lot of credit, and they don't ever
get, I don't think, personally – we say it, but I don't think they ever get the
kudos they deserve.
Personally, it's something that I get up and speak a lot of times and I sit down
and I think: Why didn't I talk about tourism more? I understand tourism, and I
learned a lot. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot more I can learn, but I think
those people deserve a lot of credit.
In
keeping with those individuals, I guess, and our ads, just recently last
December past, my district, my community, CBS, hosted the Boost National Grand
Slam of Curling, which was a huge success, but in preparation for that and
promoting our town, we created, our town created an ad and they consulted with
staff from the Department of TCII, the same individuals. They assisted with the
creative minds to help them develop their own ad to promote the Boost National.
That ad was absolutely beautiful, but it still had that same theme, that same
sense of place that all of our Find Yourself campaign ads have had. Again,
that's another credit to them. That did well.
As a
matter of fact, we are playing host again this year. It was such a success that
they've announced that CBS will play host in December of 2019 to the Boost
National once again. Maybe we'll have a new ad, I don't know, maybe they'll do
some adjustments to the current ad.
Leaving
it alone, it's fine, because nothing is going to change, because the ads depict
nothing special. We are special, no doubt, but there's nothing new, there's
nothing created, this is who we are. We're water. We're rocks. We're trails.
We're a beautiful place that we're all proud of and these ads depict, they just
tell the story, and the story we tell each other. We know that we go outside the
province, we tell it. These ads tell the story much better than we can do it.
I just
wanted, in my final seconds, to just say thank you to all the people that have
been involved with that. We all should be very proud of the place we live and
very proud of the work that's been done by these individuals.
Thank
you very much.
CHAIR:
Thank you.
The
Chair recognizes the hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and
Innovation.
MR. MITCHELMORE:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I
appreciate that the Member opposite is given such accolades to Target Marketing
for having a 15-year relationship with government and doing such exceptional
work on the creative, and the staff at TCII and the tourism team that worked so
diligently in partnership so that we can continue to build on the momentum.
The
Member opposite has an incredibly beautiful district, Conception Bay South. I've
been out there many times. I've been out there with the Member for Harbour Main,
who also represents a portion of that area. We've seen where we've, at Manuels
River interpretation centre, we've made investments in the trail networks to
create destination, to create sense of place and community in Conception Bay
South. That's one of the areas where you are seeing growth in tourism. You also
see the connectivity to the T'Railway and how we can do a lot of adventure
tourism.
Tourism
is, I would think, the largest employer here in our province with 20,000 people
employed, and the numbers are growing. Just five years ago that number was
18,000 people and we had 2,600 businesses in 2017. Last year, the numbers showed
growth that almost 2,800 businesses, many of them I think in the District of
Bonavista, in Twillingate and on the Great Northern Peninsula as well, we've
seen new businesses started in the tourism industry.
It's
exiting. I was at the Port Rexton craft brewery that they have and saw the
expansion, the jobs that are being created with the Member for Bonavista. Also,
there'll be a new craft brewery on the Great Northern Peninsula in St. Anthony
at the Clock Shop, that'll revive a heritage building, also create opportunity
and other economic benefits for the region.
One
thing, though, that I want to say to the Member opposite is that I disagree with
his statement of do nothing, because the people in the Department of Tourism,
the people in the industry that are working hard to get to those levels of
spending and to create all of these jobs are certainly doing a lot.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. MITCHELMORE:
They are working incredibly
hard. They are part of the process and when it comes to how we develop our
product, how we develop our experiences, this is a globally competitive
environment when it comes to how we grow tourism here in Newfoundland and
Labrador.
Ads are
one thing, and it's important to have that number one brand and that awarding
winning campaign. It's also equally important to have advance transportation
links to get people here and to have those people-based experiences and
opportunities once they come here. We know that we have so much to offer from
our four World UNESCO Heritage sites: Mistaken Point, L'Anse aux Meadows, Gros
Morne with the Tablelands and Red Bay, Labrador, and working on Discovery
Aspiring Geopark, which hopefully will have another UNESCO World Heritage site
in this province.
We're
working on Heart's Content with Valentia, Ireland to link the old world to the
new because, Mr. Chair, we have so many great opportunities here in our
province.
We have
$49 billion in economic activity that has been announced through government
initiatives and projects since we've started
The Way Forward.
I was
in my district and saw how – just in River of Ponds – small communities are
working hard and we have dedicated members on councils, some people serving 30
years, 20 years. They are very dedicated to their community and they're seeing
investments. They're seeing small business expand. They've been able to finally
upgrade some road infrastructure in their community. This comes when you work
together, Mr. Chair.
I was
at a meeting with the Town of Port Saunders to see their town centre. They've
been able to consolidate all of their organizations, their 50-plus club, their
Aboriginal women's group is operating out of this town centre building, along
with their town, all the community events. They just established a youth centre,
thanks to some support from the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and
Labour.
We see
as well that SEDLER opened up a satellite office for community employment
supports to help people with disabilities be able to attach to the labour force.
So, there are good things happening, Mr. Chair, in small communities when people
work together and find those partnerships and those opportunities.
I was
in Port au Choix for Ms. Eastman's 90th birthday. To get to hear, just two days
ago we made an announcement with the federal government in clean technology, in
fishing enterprises like with Ocean Choice International, with $1.4 million, Mr.
Chair, so that clean technology can be used to use that energy in a winch system
so that you're not using fossil fuels, that you can improve the bottom line.
I've
spoken to the community and to representatives at OCI, and they're eager to get
started even earlier in Port au Choix this year. They're quite excited about the
opportunities because trade agreements like CETA are reducing tariffs, which is
allowing for industrial product that would have been produced in other
countries, other jurisdictions, can now be done here in Newfoundland and
Labrador quite competitively, which is enhancing our competitive advantage in
the fishery. Those are very positive.
I have
to commend the Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources as well for releasing
the forestry action plan and all the initiatives. Finally, there is focus on the
forest industry as to how we can get more value-added product. The Great
Northern Peninsula has certainly suffered for years when it comes to stagnation
of forest industry, unlike some other areas of the province they've been able to
maintain sawmills, add value-added product and continue to great jobs. But when
you have two major mill closures in Stephenville and Grand Falls-Windsor, it
does have an impact. You need to find an outlet for your small diameter wood.
I was
very pleased to see that a company, Active Energy Group, looking to make a $20
million private sector investment with no government funds to create that outlet
and create those jobs and opportunities. As well I'm just as excited to see
opportunity in St. Anthony area with the Great Northern Port potential. The St.
Anthony area is very strategically positioned for international shipping. They
already have Eimskip operating; it's the second-largest international
containerized port in the province next to Argentia.
When we
look at Crémaillère Harbour, it's an ice-free port. It does present a strategic
advantage to do business activity and investment and present some long-term,
sustainable employment opportunities in St. Anthony and for the entire region.
Speaking of St. Anthony, we've seen where there's been investment in affordable
housing; $1.25 million to create 10 units because, as we age, our population has
different demands. So to see those units added will be very helpful to seniors.
I also
toured the John M. Gray long-term care facility in St. Anthony and to see the
work that was done by nurse practitioner, Lorraine Barker, and her spouse, Thom,
in partnership with the foundation and others who would've supported the Newell
family to see that the protective care unit now has murals and that it's a more
inviting behaviour. It's less institutionalized. It's stimulating for the
residents that are there.
That
was very impactful and powerful to see, and certainly leading to improvements
for the quality of life for residents that are residing at John M. Gray. Very
pleased to see that this nurse practitioner is here in the area and seeing a
number of clients from Shirley's Haven, John M. Gray and the community. A nurse
practitioner is a very valued member of the health care team and can certainly
play a tremendous role in primary care.
The
area of St. Anthony has just recently hired an audiologist. This was a service
that we've not had for some time, and there will be opportunity to have clinics
throughout Labrador as well to provide those much needed services. And there
will be more speciality services in this region and in this area.
I want
to highlight that this year has certainly faced some challenges when it comes to
the amount of snow that the Great Northern Peninsula has been facing, but I want
to commend the team at Transportation and Works for working hard and being
diligent, bringing in some additional equipment and deal with those tunnel
systems that exist in Goose Cove and Great Brehat and St. Anthony Bight and St.
Carols and Quirpon and Boat Harbour road, as well as Cook's Harbour and other
areas.
Just
yesterday, I saw an excavator on a mountain of snow by the Tim Horton's at the
Viking Mall parking lot. And these are the types of challenges that we have, as
well as the ice conditions with the new ferry system. I'm looking forward to the
ice moving off and the important movement of goods, people and services. It does
have an impact and I think that that's why it's so important that we continue to
look and advance a fixed link to have continuous movement of goods and services
and people. But that is necessary to also have a commitment from Quebec to see
Route 138 complete, and that's why it's important to continue those particular
conversations.
We've
invested in cellular coverage for 17 communities on the Great Northern
Peninsula. It's a $1.4-million project. There has been over $5 million in
broadband improvements slated for the Great Northern Peninsula, including Conche
and Cook's Harbour in particular, to deal with those issues.
Significant amounts of investment in roads because roads are critical, the
paving of the Conche road and Port au Choix. We've seen the tourism numbers go
up to 60 per cent in Port au Choix area. So I was very pleased to hear other
Members talk about how important tourism is to the Twillingate area and the
Bonavista area, and no different on the Great Northern Peninsula, Mr. Chair. So
I've very proud to help accelerate growth and see opportunities, even in your
District of Baie Verte - Green Bay, great opportunities there.
Thank
you.
CHAIR:
Order, please!
The
Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MS. ROGERS:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Chair.
I'm
happy to be able to stand once again and speak in Interim Supply. I would like
to talk about the situation of boarding houses, of temporary lodging,
particularly in my area of St. John's Centre where there seems to be a number of
them. But it's not only limited to St. John's Centre. We also know that there
are similar situations in Happy Valley-Goose Bay where there were boarding
houses, where there was an incredible housing crunch that was started because of
the construction in Muskrat Falls.
Often
what we see with our boom-and-bust economy is that one of the areas, one of the
most vulnerable areas that is hit is the issue of housing, affordable and
accessible housing. I'd like to talk a little bit about this. Mr. Chair, again,
it's a difficult topic. Some of the stories I will tell are difficult, but it's
about the reality of the lives of some of the people living in Newfoundland and
Labrador. It's kind of the underbelly of what we don't see so much in our
province. It's really hard for us in Newfoundland and Labrador where we pride
ourselves in our ability to take care of one another; we pride ourselves in our
sense of care and compassion for all people. That's what we do, so it's really
hard to see.
Unlike
larger cities like Toronto or Vancouver, or even in New York, where you see
homelessness on the streets, where you see people sleeping on the streets and,
in winters, trying to sleep over grates where the warm air is coming up, for
instance, from subway stations and that, we don't see that so much. We know that
there are situations of people living in makeshift shelters in different parts
of St. John's, in different parts of Labrador. We know that that is real but we
don't see a whole lot of that in terms of the real public display of the severe
issue of homelessness.
So, for
a lot of people, we figure it's not a big issue here in the province. Well, I'd
like to talk a little bit about, and describe a little bit of what I know to be
true and what are we going to do about it. I commend Newfoundland and Labrador
Housing for the work that they do. It's a program that we have for affordable
housing for people who are disadvantaged, or people who have low income. It's
not enough. It's not enough and lot of the housing in Newfoundland and Labrador
Housing was built in the '60s, in the '70s, when people had larger families.
Now, a lot of the homelessness we see are single people; single men, single
women, particularly seniors who can't afford housing.
So,
what Newfoundland and Labrador Housing has done to address that is to provide
rent supplements, but those rent supplements are always oversubscribed. There
are a lot of people who need rent supplements who cannot get them. They're also
not portable, which is a real problem, particularly for seniors.
I want
to talk a little bit about the boarding houses in my district and the rooming
houses in my district, and, again, a little bit beyond my district.
I got a
call from a gentleman who was staying in a boarding house that had three
bedrooms, and there were six to eight adults living in that boarding house. A
good number of the people were quite vulnerable. Their rent is paid by our
taxpayers' money. The house, because of some of the tenants finally speaking up
– and, again, tenants who are really vulnerable, who are homeless, put up with
some of the most incredibly difficult, difficult situations in some of these
boarding houses. I can describe some of them, but I know that even in my
describing them it will sound like I'm exaggerating. I would encourage people to
try and imagine the worst possible kind of place to live, and then you would
just start to begin to get to the reality of what some of these houses are like.
So, six
to eight adults – men – in this particular boarding house. There are only three
bedrooms. The house has now been condemned because of some of the folks speaking
out. Again, people are afraid to speak out because they have nowhere else to go.
A lot of these folks may be in receipt of income support for various reasons;
some because they've had accidents in their lives and are unable to do paid
work; some because they have had conflict with the law and they've been in
prison, they come out of prison, and it's really hard for them to get work
because they have a prison record. Some of them because they have very
persistent mental illness.
I have
a psychiatrist that I often do some work with in terms of helping some of his
clients who need advocacy around issues of income support or housing support who
says: Gerry, sometimes it makes no sense for me to even attempt to try and help
some of my patients because they don't have a safe place to live. If you have a
persistent mental health issue, if you're living with extreme paranoia or
extreme anxiety and depression and you don't have a safe place to live, it's
really hard to get stabilized. It's really hard to get well. It's really hard to
be able to take your medication because maybe you're in a boarding house where
other people are putting pressure on you and they want to take your medication
because people are dealing with addictions. So it's really, really tough.
We're
talking about houses, for instance, where there's payment of, at least – the
rent in most of these places, just for rent, is $600 a room and that money comes
directly from AES, which is our department that administers income support. It
comes directly from AES right into the pockets of the landlords. Those are
agreements that the people who are renting agree with their landlord. They have
to do a damage deposit and then their rent goes directly into the pockets of
their landlords.
If
there's any dispute, the landlord has control over that money. So, for instance,
there's one boarding house in my district, and I visited a number of times, and
social workers won't go in there anymore. If they really have to go in, they go
in by twos. No fridge, no stove, the dirt is not something where someone can
just clean up their room. The dirt is embedded in every place in the house. The
house probably hasn't been cleaned in 20 years at least. There are broken
lampshades, holes in the walls, windows that don't open, one raggedy towel for
all the men to share; no other towels. They have to provide their own cleaning
supplies. They have to provide their own toilet paper and there's nobody who
cleans anything.
Again,
we're talking about some of our most vulnerable people in society. People will
say: Well, why don't they just clean it up? But we're talking about people who
may not have that ability, who are dealing with depression, with anxiety, who
have been homeless a lot in their lives and who are afraid. Oftentimes, afraid
of the people that they're sharing a house with. There's oftentimes no
supervision. So this is our taxpayers' money.
You
have somebody who wants to leave that situation. They may complain, and they're
afraid to complain, but they complain, and then what happens is the landlord
kicks them out, keeps their damage deposit. It's midway through the month. They
also keep the rest of the rent and they are left homeless. They've got no income
support left for the month. They can't get their damage deposit to get another
place to live. They need a damage deposit, but they can't get their old damage
deposit back even though they may have done no damage.
These
are the stories we hear again and again and again and again, and the problem is
that there is no oversight. Some of our most vulnerable people live in
conditions that increase their vulnerability, that increase the danger in their
lives. I believe, Mr. Chair, that this is not how the people of Newfoundland and
Labrador want us to deal with this kind of housing.
Thank
you very much.
CHAIR:
Order, please!
The
Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for Placentia West - Bellevue.
MR. BROWNE:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It's
certainly not doom and gloom in Newfoundland and Labrador these days, I say. In
fact, there are a lot of good things, positive things happening in Placentia
West - Bellevue, representing parts of the Burin Peninsula and coming in on the
Avalon isthmus area of the province, as far as Long Harbour-Mount Arlington
Heights and Chapel Arm and Norman's Cove-Long Cove.
We have
such a storied district with so much industry; as I liken it to be the
industrial heartland of the Island portion of Newfoundland because there truly
is so much going on, and there's more happening.
MR. LETTO:
And Labrador.
MR. BROWNE:
I said the Island portion of
the province, I say to my colleague from Labrador. I certainly wouldn't want to
infringe on your highly industrial area that is seeing great success under your
stewardship as its MHA, I say to my colleague from Labrador West.
Mr.
Chair, there's certainly a lot happening in Placentia West - Bellevue that I
want to take an opportunity to highlight. We have, as I mentioned, so much
industry happening throughout the entire district. If you look at Bull Arm,
we've been discussing Bull Arm over these last number of days as it is now in
what I believe its rightful place in a new standalone oil corporation, separate
from the travails of Nalcor and whatever else they're doing in terms of utility
and hydro business.
It's
certainly the largest fabrication site in Atlantic Canada. There are great
things going to come from Bull Arm. The Minister of Natural Resources and I have
met several times now with the local communities that surround the site for
their input and to consult with them on how they see the future progressing,
because as the oil industry is evolving and changing, as we move towards
Advance 2030, the needs for that site
will also change and we have to adjust to what the industry needs, Mr. Chair. So
there are certainly good things happening in Bull Arm. I've had a number of
meetings with proponents that are seeking to secure access to the site via the
RFP out from Nalcor, so we'll see where that goes.
Also
very proud, Mr. Chair, of Grieg aquaculture project, not all Members of the
Opposition, certainly in the Third Party, have been in favour of this project,
and I'll let them speak for themselves; but what I can say is that the people on
the Burin Peninsula certainly have spoken in favour of this project. They are
supporters of aquaculture.
We are
seeing a turn now in our economic fortunes because we've had such a history, Mr.
Chair, of boom and busts with the shipyard, with the Cow Head facility. We had
1,200 people just three years ago working on the Drilling Support Module for the
Hebron Project in Marystown, making top dollar, and those who weren't working
there, Mr. Chair, were renting out their homes to workers. So, there was a quite
a bit of affluence floating around at that time.
We're
now seeing us get to a place where there's stability and people have the
opportunity, if they wish, to plan to stay at home with their families, with
their children at night and earn a good wage at home. That's what we're seeing
with the Grieg project, some 800 jobs tied to that. The world's largest hatchery
to be built in the heart of Marystown, with marine sites through Placentia Bay
which, by the way, if you took all the sea cages that are proposed for the Grieg
project, you'd fit them in Paddy's Pond.
The
notion that this is taking over the bay, or taking over Placentia Bay, that's
not the case. It's really important as we have these conversations to get the
proper facts out there and have discussions. We can disagree, Mr. Chair, but
base them on the facts and not blow things out of proportion, as some Members
opposite certainly seem to enjoy doing.
But
we're also seeing, with the Grieg project, a budding supply sector being built
up around them. In fact, if you travel through Marystown today, there are pipes
everywhere. There's 15 kilometres of piping that has to fit into the new
hatchery. With the lack of laydown space around the hatchery area, it's being
put everywhere in town that they can find. It's quite amazing to see the
industrial revival.
Of
course, that plays into what's happening in the former Marystown Shipyard, where
Marbase now will purchase directly from Kiewit – something that I believe is a
very positive development. The mayor of Marystown believes is a very positive
development. The president of Unifor Local 20 of the union workforce thinks it's
a very positive development. The president of the Chamber of Commerce for the
Burin Peninsula thinks it's a very positive development, Mr. Chair.
Everyone seems to be on board, except Members opposite. So, we hope that their
positivity will emanate on this project and we will see their support for the
people and the workforce of the Burin Peninsula, because we certainly didn't see
it when the two largest fish plants in the province shuttered on their watch.
But I
digress. So we're certainly looking forward to that opportunity coming to
realization, because that is very important. We need the stable, long-term
employment in our communities, and that's what we're working towards.
I also
want to take an opportunity to talk about the fishery. Recently, we had a major
announcement with the Atlantic Fisheries Fund. In Arnold's Cove the leading
groundfish processor exists, Icewater Seafoods. Just last week, I did a
statement on the passing of Mr. Wareham who had founded this company in his 60s
in 2004. So he obviously believed in the future of the cod fishery; he believed
in the future of Arnold's Cove. His son, Alberto, and the entire Icewater team
are taking that to the next level.
Just
through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, we secured funding in my district for
projects in Southeast Bight, Arnold's Cove and Norman's Cove-Long Cove for $4.5
million, including $3.2 million of cost-shared funding for an ice management
system at Icewater. So we're very much looking forward to that.
I also
want to touch on the Live at Heart international musical showcase, which is kind
of an evolution in Europe. We're seeing these Live at Heart festivals where a
high number of bands, 30, 40, 50, go to one Live at Heart and then they go to
another Live at Heart, whether it be in Sweden or other places – in Norway
there's Live at Heart as well – and they travel to each other's festivals.
So, for
the first time in Canada, this past fall this was hosted on the Burin Peninsula.
We had people like Jamie Gair, Mike Brennan, Barry Stacey and Ben Wiseman to
thank for that, and they've done a terrific job. Myself and the Member for Burin
- Grand Bank had the opportunity to visit with them. There were producers here
from all over the world. In fact, Jeff Bova was one producer from Los Angeles,
who has produced with Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, Katy Perry, so this has been a
major, major development. We're hoping this is going to expand this fall,
especially with our connection now with Saint Pierre et Miquelon just off our
shores with access to the European Union. We're hoping this will grow. This is a
major economic opportunity, as well as a musical opportunity.
Myself
and the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women had the opportunity to be
at Smugglers Cove – which if you haven't visited it, it's in the minister's
district, it's truly out of this world – and this is where we had an opportunity
to meet up with some of these people, but there were also venues all over the
Burin Peninsula, including in Marystown, so that was very positive.
Mr.
Chair, I'm going to conclude today talking about tourism, as has been mentioned
by many of my colleagues. As I just alluded to, tourism is such on the rise in
many parts of the province and it's no different on the Burin Peninsula. We have
such opportunity with our connection and proximity to Saint Pierre et Miquelon.
Now, it's our challenge as a region to rise to meet that, to ensure that people
who are travelling down the highway to catch the ferry in Fortune can stay a
night or two along the way at different accommodations, enjoy different tourism
products, and we're seeing that rise.
Just
this year, of course, I'm very proud of the fact that the provincial tourism ad
was filmed, in large part, on the Burin Peninsula. It is stunningly beautiful,
Mr. Chair. In fact, it has the highest number of YouTube views – the highest
number of YouTube view; 680,000 views already. The next closest to it has only
400,000, and that was four years ago. So you have 400,000 views in four years
versus almost 700,000 views in four weeks. It's amazing what the beauty of the
Burin Peninsula can inspire in budding travellers coming to the province, and
I'm sure there are other factors involved as well in terms of making that video
the success that it has been.
We have
to thank our terrific team in our Department of TCII who have done a fantastic
job with these ad campaigns. I'm delighted to see that the beautiful scenes of
the still waters of Fortune Bay East or the vistas of Parkers Cove. These are
all beautiful. There were sheep in a dory, with the beautiful and historic
Collins Cove church behind it in the Minister Responsible for the Status of
Women's district. So it's truly remarkable, Mr. Chair, what's happening on the
Burin Peninsula, the positives that are happening.
The
best can only be yet to come, there's so much happening and I look forward to
continuing working with our communities to make our communities stronger and
even better in the future.
Thank
you, Mr. Chair.
CHAIR:
Thank you.
The
Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for Ferryland.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It's
certainly a pleasure this morning to rise to speak to Interim Supply. For those
out there tuning in and listening, this is a process we go through every year in
preparation for the annual budget, to make sure funds are allocated on an
interim basis to get to the end of the fiscal year to make sure government
continues to operate and that amount of money is approved up to March 31, to the
end of the fiscal year –
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh, oh!
CHAIR:
Order, please!
MR. HUTCHINGS:
– which, as I said, allows
to continue operation of government –
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh, oh!
CHAIR:
Order, please!
Thank
you.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As I
said, to allow for the continuing operation of government to March 31, the end
of the fiscal year.
A
couple of points this morning, due to the latitude that's permitted in regard to
speaking to Interim Supply, that I just wanted to talk to. A few issues related
to my district, the District of Ferryland, which takes in from Goulds, Ruby Line
and south right to St. Shott's. So it takes in a portion of the City of St.
John's as well a number of rural communities right down through the Southern
Avalon.
The
Minister of TCII did mention economic opportunities that are certainly related
to tourism. He did mention Mistaken Point and the UNESCO heritage designation of
the United Nations that was designated in 2016. He did allude to it and things
that have being done, but, unfortunately, we've had challenges with this current
administration in regard to the promotion and the funding and being able to
drive the opportunity that exists with that UNESCO designation, which is one of
four here in the province, but this one is operated by the provincial government
and not by Parks Canada.
In
terms of the plan and what was presented to UNESCO to get designation in Turkey,
where those meetings took place, there were a number of items in regard to a
management plan that need to be fulfilled in order to meet the obligations of
that designation. One of those was the infrastructure, working with a volunteer
group, the Cape Race - Portugal Cove South Heritage Inc. and that volunteer
group, the name has changed several times. That's the volunteer group that
within the management plan talks about the provincial government partnering with
that volunteer group.
They
own the Interpretation Centre, which is the gateway to Mistaken Point and to
Cape Race and to the Myrick Wireless centre that is out at Cape Race. That
centre, in and of itself, in our time, we invested significantly in that. That
is the centre that sort of celebrates wireless communication. The Myrick family
and their presence over decades, centuries, really, in regard to Cape Race and
that area, but also recognizes the first SOS call from the
Titanic, that tragic event in the
Atlantic. That area was the first place to receive the message, a SOS call, from
the Titanic.
All
that's very historic and adds to the UNESCO designation and to Mistaken Point.
But with any regional economic opportunity, and certainly on the Southern Avalon
that is huge, there are needs for commitments and assistance to reach out to
those that are operating the site or involved in the site. That's where I get
back to the community group, that's the volunteer group on the ground, which is
partnering with the provincial government in regard to operating that site there
and being the gateway.
Some of
the things that we have challenges with, just in terms of operational funding
and making sure that there's enough funding there, initially, for a five- or
10-year period to lay out a plan to provide that funding so appropriate tours
can be done, the infrastructure is available and there are funds there for those
volunteers and advisory board now put in place, the advisory council, to be able
to give advice and direct the operations to make sure they maximize all the
opportunities.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of funding and lack of commitment we've seen by
this administration, we're actually seeing now, unfortunately, volunteer groups
out selling tickets, having dinners, having spins to try and raise money to
operate the facility in Portugal Cove South. Now, remember, Mr. Chair, this is a
world heritage designation.
You
look at how many designations are around the world and what it means and the
amount of traffic and the opportunity that that makes available. Since 2016,
we've seen the numbers rise in regard to visitations to Mistaken Point, but
we've also seen, unfortunately, people calling or people showing up but can't
get tours. I think this year, if my number is correct, there was around 600 that
called and weren't available to make tours. That's unfortunate. So, right now, I
think there are 24 that goes to the site each day. Not a large number, but if we
can accommodate more it drives economic opportunity.
What
we're seeing in the region is we're getting some small businesses set up in
Portugal Cove South and as well in Trepassey. We've seen significant investment
with the inn there and other small business as well, but it's about the influx
of traffic and what that means when people enter the region they stay, they
visit, they spend their money and drive local activity.
It's so
important that we have the support for Mistaken Point and, hopefully, in this
budget we'll see a commitment to that and see a new approach and supportive
approach that's needed to take advantage of this huge opportunity that exists
for that region.
It's
not just for that region, it's for the whole province. People fly in from all
over the world to visit UNESCO sites. They fly into St. John's, the Northeast
Avalon. If they're here to see this site, they may move on to see the other
UNESCO sites on the Island and on to the Labrador. So it's not about that region
or that community, it's about the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and
recognizing what we have in that and how important it is to the province that we
make a commitment towards it.
The
other issue I heard my colleague across the way talk about was aquaculture.
Certainly, on a provincial basis, we, in our time in government, certainly put a
lot of investment into the aquaculture industry and what it has meant for the
province in terms of combined with the wild fishery at various times is over
almost $1 billion in regard to activity and what it brings to the Newfoundland
and Labrador economy. So, coastal communities in various regions of the province
where we've seen a downturn certainly in the fishery, that has replaced it with
economic opportunity that we continue to drive.
There
are three big players now in this province: Cooke, Marine Harvest and now with
Grieg coming in, in terms of the amount of volume and production they're
expected to bring is certainly significant. I know in 2015, and prior to that,
as minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and as well Intergovernmental Affairs,
had opportunities to establish an MOU, memorandum of understanding, with the
Grieg group out of Norway and to look at enhancing the opportunities we have on
the South Coast, certainly Placentia Bay.
It was
an exciting time to share that information with them and encourage them to come
to the province and to make massive investments in regard to expanding our
aquaculture industry, and getting those volumes up to a point where you have
critical mass. Critical mass is so important in any industry where you're
allowed to get to that level. Then the business model is ripe for having small
businesses supply the support services that are required. So with Grieg and with
the production we have and helping getting to what their targets are, 40,000 to
50,000 tons, that allows us to provide those small businesses to grow to provide
those support services.
Now,
tied into that, we've had some discussion and a lot of discussion over the days
in regard to the sale of Marystown Shipyard and how that would be uses from a
conversion to a support facility, I think it's been called, for the aquaculture
industry. If so, that's certainly positive.
We
haven't heard yet who would use that facility. Would it be three of the major
players? Would they be able to provide the support services? All of those
issues, I guess, we're waiting to see, and how that would drive the industry
because there are things within the industry, you look at the feed that's
brought in, all brought in now for the aquaculture industry. You look at some of
those support services I talked about, cages, all those other things that
support that industry, that's all support that grows the industry as well.
Hatcheries, there are hatcheries in Stephenville. There's also one significant
to be built in Marystown, in that area. So all of that adds to the overall
industry and the importance for aquaculture and overall our fishing industry.
It's
certainly a pleasure today to get up and have a few minutes to speak to Interim
Supply, Mr. Chair. There are certainly good things happening in the province,
but as for areas like Mistaken Point, we need strong commitments from the
government of the day to exploit that to make sure we can maximize all the
benefits in the province.
Thank
you very much.
CHAIR:
Thank you.
The
Chair recognizes the hon. the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment.
MR. LETTO:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It's a
pleasure for me to rise today and speak on Interim Supply. The last time I rose
in this House I spoke on all the great things that are happening in Municipal
Affairs and Environment, but today I want to talk about the great District of
Labrador West and the great things that are happening there.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. LETTO:
Mr. Chair, where we've come
from in the last 3½ years has been really amazing with the iron ore industry. As
you know, the iron ore industry had taken quite a beating, but in the last
couple of years that's certainly rebounded and we're feeling the benefits of
that, especially in our mines in Labrador West.
I
certainly want to highlight some of the great things that are happening,
especially with Skully Mine, the reopening of the Skully Mine under Tacora
Resources Inc. It's amazing really to see the work that's going on there. When
you go on Facebook or whatever, social media, they have a great page, looking
and talking about all the great things that are happening within the project and
the facilities to prepare them for operations in early June.
You see
trucks being assembled, you see mills being rebuilt, you see additional silos
put on the load out, you see the installation of the manganese separators, you
see the realignment of the processing plant. It's all good stuff, Mr. Chair, and
it's done to make sure that this becomes a viable operation and it's there for
the people of Labrador West for many, many years to come.
We're
looking at – in the workforce – around 260 jobs that have started now. The
hiring process has begun and the target date for production, Mr. Chair, is June
3, 2019. So we look forward to that day when, once again, we'll see the steam
rising from the plants and the trains rolling –
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. LETTO:
– across the overpass. It
will be a great day for all of us in Labrador West.
Mr.
Chair, the Iron Ore Company of Canada continues to move ahead with the increase
in production. As we saw this past year – and by the way, I want to thank the
Minister of Natural Resources and her department for the work they have done to
make sure that we get back into operation – the Iron Ore Company of Canada, of
course, just opened another huge pit, Wabush 3, now known as the Moss Pit and
it's right behind the Smoky Mountain.
Many
people have heard of Smoky Mountain and the great skiing facility there. The
fact of the matter is you can still ski there. We're mining right behind the
mountain and because of that the Iron Ore Company of Canada put in all new lifts
for the ski hill, two brand new lifts. So, Mr. Chair, we're moving well ahead of
where we need to be. Certainly, we look forward to a great future there as well
with Smoky Mountain.
The
Iron Ore Company of course is the largest mine in Labrador City, Labrador West
and probably the largest mine in Canada. We are the iron ore capital of Canada,
by the way, so just not to confuse that with any other area of the province or
the country.
MR. BROWNE:
What about the mining
capital?
MR. LETTO:
We are the mining capital of
Canada and we're proving that time and time again.
Of
course, right behind the IOC and Wabush and the reopening of Scully Mine, we
have Alderon that's back in the picture after a hiatus because of the downfall
in the iron ore industry and certainly we saw many casualties of that. So
Alderon is back in the picture and they're working towards a new project, the
Kami project. They have a robust schedule put in front of them to start
construction in the spring, or the first quarter of 2020, if the funding can be
secured for this project. It's a considerable amount of funding that's required,
$1.2 billion, but if you look at their progress, they've partnered with a great
number of world-class organizations and companies to help them along with that.
We look
forward to the day when we see the announcement and hear the announcement from
Alderon that they're moving ahead with the Kami project, which will be another
significant boost to the economy. You're talking about a mine that's going to
produce 8 million tons a year and probably employ 300 to 400 people. Again, we
are very optimistic and hope that this will take place.
Right
across the border, of course, Mr. Chair, is the Bloom Lake operation and even
though it's in Quebec, we do reap a lot of benefits from that. All you have to
do to prove that is go to the industrial park in Wabush and talk to the owners
of the businesses there, the industrial businesses. They are the major supplier
for this mine, even though it's across the border in Quebec, like I said, but
they do supply a lot of goods and services to that mine. So what's happening in
Bloom Lake is a huge boost to the economy in Labrador West. It was great to see,
just probably about a year ago, that train rolling again across the overpass on
the Wabush highway. So, what happens next door certainly is good for all of us.
Mr.
Chair, I cannot get up and talk about the mining industry without remembering
the great folks of Wabush who were impacted by the shutdown in 2014. They're not
only in Wabush, they're not only in Labrador West. They're in every single
district of this province. We all have retirees and pensioners from Wabush
Mines, and the impact that they took when the mine shutdown and Cliffs pulled
out and left them hanging with an unfunded liability in the pension plan that
saw their pension plans cut by 25 per cent, in some cases, and lose all their
medical benefits. That was the first issue, actually, as I've said this in the
House so often, that the first day after I was elected, or just a couple days
after, I went along with the minister of Service NL, at the time, to terminate
the pension plan for the Wabush pensioners. It was not a pretty sight.
Since
then, we've done a lot of work, Mr. Chair. As you know, our government referred
it to the appeals court of Newfoundland and Labrador and we won our case, which
had a big impact. I still believe today that what we see now, today, is within
the next couple of months – I think May 1 is the deadline – you will see those
pensions back to about 94 per cent; 93, 94 per cent of the original pension,
which is great news. Great news for the people of Wabush and the pensioners of
Wabush who are, as I said, all over the province and the country.
There
are a lot of people who were involved in that. I have to single out one person
that I worked very closely with who was, herself, a pensioner of Wabush and
spearheaded a lot of the work that went on with regard to the court case and
recovering that, and that's Rita Pynn. As I said, she's a pensioner of Wabush
Mines, but she worked tirelessly and kept me in the loop, and I kept her in the
loop, and we worked together very closely to get to where we are today.
I know
there are others that were involved, but I just want to single Rita Pynn out
because of all the great work that she's done over the past four to five years
to get back the pensions that were taken away from them by Cliffs. So besides
that, as I mentioned, they also lost their medical benefits and last year – or
just a few months ago, actually, they were given a lump sum for the OPEBs that
they lost, their medical benefits.
We're
working now today – we're still working on that to make sure that does not
become a taxable item for them, because medical benefits, we believe, should be
exempt from taxation. That's something we're working on with our federal
counterparts, with the MP, Yvonne Jones, and others, to make sure that what was
given to them is not taken away again, because they don't deserve that.
Mr.
Chair, in closing, I just want to say that Labrador West is doing well. I thank
the people and all my constituents for their co-operation in the last four years
to get us where we are. There has been a lot of work done, we still got a lot to
do but I'm confident that we're on the right track and this government is on the
right track in improving the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Thank
you, Mr. Chair.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
CHAIR:
Thank you.
Shall
the resolution carry?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
On
motion, resolution carried.
A bill,
“An Act Granting To Her Majesty Certain Sums Of Money For Defraying Certain
Expenses Of The Public Service For The Financial Year Ending March 31, 2020 And
For Other Purposes Relating To The Public Service.” (Bill 55)
CLERK (Barnes):
Clause 1.
CHAIR:
Shall clause 1 carry?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
On
motion, clause 1 carried.
CLERK:
Clauses 2 through 4
inclusive.
CHAIR:
Shall clauses 2 through 4
inclusive carry?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
On
motion, clauses 2 through 4 carried.
CLERK:
The schedule.
CHAIR:
Shall the schedule carry?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
On
motion, schedule carried.
CLERK:
Be it enacted by the
Lieutenant-Governor and House of Assembly in Legislative Session convened, as
follows.
CHAIR:
Shall the enacting clause
carry?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
On
motion, enacting clause carried.
CLERK:
WHEREAS it appears that the
sums mentioned are required to defray certain expenses of the Public Service of
Newfoundland and Labrador for the financial year ending March 31, 2020 and for
other purposes relating to the public service.
CHAIR:
Shall the preamble carry?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
CLERK:
An Act Granting To Her
Majesty Certain Sums Of Money For Defraying Certain Expenses Of The Public
Service For The Financial Year Ending March 31, 2020 And For Other Purposes
Relating To The Public Service.
CHAIR:
Shall the long title carry?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
On
motion, long title carried.
CHAIR:
Shall I report the bill
without amendment?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
Motion,
that the Committee report having passed the resolution and a bill consequent
thereto, carried.
CHAIR:
The hon. the Deputy
Government House Leader.
MS. COADY:
Mr. Chair, I moved the
Committee rise and report the resolution and Bill 55.
CHAIR:
The motion is the Committee
rise and report the resolution and Bill 55.
Is it
the pleasure of the Committee to adopt the motion?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
On
motion, that the Committee rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again, the
Speaker returned to the Chair.
MR. SPEAKER (Trimper):
The hon. the
Member for Baie Verte - Green Bay and Chair of the Committee of Supply.
MR. WARR:
Mr. Speaker, the Committee
of Supply have considered the matters to them referred and have directed me to
report that they have adopted a certain resolution and recommend that a bill be
introduced to give effect to the same.
MR. SPEAKER:
The Chair of the Committee
of Supply reports that the Committee have considered the matters to them
referred and have directed him to report that the Committee have adopted a
certain resolution and recommend that a bill be introduced to give effect to the
same.
When
shall the report be received?
Now?
MS. COADY:
Now.
MR. SPEAKER:
Now.
On
motion, report received and adopted.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Deputy
Government House Leader.
MS. COADY:
Mr. Speaker, I move,
seconded by the Minister of Health and Community Services, that the resolution
be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded
that the resolution be now read a first time.
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.'
The
motion is carried.
CLERK:
“Be
it resolved by the House of Assembly in Legislative Session convened, as
follows:
“That
it is expedient to introduce a measure to provide for the granting to Her
Majesty for defraying certain expenses of the public service for the financial
year ending March 31, 2020 the sum of $2,864,878,600.”
On
motion, resolution read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. Deputy Government
House Leader.
MS. COADY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move,
seconded by the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, that this
resolution be now read a second time.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded
that the resolution be now read a second time.
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.'
The
motion is carried.
CLERK:
Second reading of the
resolution.
On
motion, resolution read a second time.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Deputy
Government House Leader.
MS. COADY:
Mr. Speaker, I move,
seconded by the Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, for leave
to introduce a bill entitled, An Act Granting To Her Majesty Certain Sums of
Money For Defraying Certain Expenses Of The Public Service For The Financial
Year Ending March 31, 2020 And For Other Purposes Relating To The Public
Service, Bill 55, and I further move the bill be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded
that the hon. the Deputy Government House Leader shall have to leave to
introduce Bill 55, the Interim Supply Bill, and that the said bill be now read a
first time.
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.'
The
motion is carried.
Motion, that the hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board to
introduce a bill, “An Act Granting To Her Majesty Certain Sums Of Money For
Defraying Certain Expenses Of The Public Service For The Financial Year Ending
March 31, 2020 And For Other Purposes Relating To The Public Service, carried.”
(Bill 55)
CLERK:
A bill, An Act Granting To Her Majesty Certain Sums Of Money For Defraying
Certain Expenses Of The Public Service For The Financial Year Ending March 31,
2020 And For Other Purposes Relating To The Public Service. (Bill 55)
On
motion, Bill 55 read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Deputy
Government House Leader.
MS. COADY:
Mr. Speaker, I move,
seconded by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, that Bill
55 be now read a second time.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded
that the said bill be now read a second time.
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.'
The
motion is carried.
CLERK:
A bill, An Act Granting To Her Majesty Certain Sums Of Money For Defraying
Certain Expenses Of The Public Service For The Financial Year Ending March 31,
2020 And For Other Purposes Relating To The Public Service. (Bill 55)
On
motion, Bill 55 read a second time.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Deputy Government House Leader.
MS. COADY:
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Torngat Mountains, that Bill 55
be now read a third time.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded
that the said bill be now read a third time.
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.'
The
motion is carried.
CLERK:
A bill, An Act Granting To Her Majesty Certain Sums Of Money For Defraying
Certain Expenses Of The Public Service For The Financial Year Ending March 31,
2020 And For Other Purposes Relating To The Public Service. (Bill 55)
MR. SPEAKER:
This bill has now been read a third time and it is ordered that the bill do pass
and its title be as on the Order Paper.
On motion, a bill,
“An Act Granting To Her Majesty Certain Sums Of Money For Defraying Certain
Expenses Of The Public Service For The Financial Year Ending March 31, 2020 And
For Other Purposes Relating To The Public Service,” read a third time, ordered
passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 55)
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Deputy Government House Leader.
MS. COADY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Noting
the time, I move that we adjourn until 2 p.m.
MR. SPEAKER:
And in accordance with
Standing Order 9(1)(b), this House stands in recess until 2 o'clock this
afternoon.
Thank
you.
Recess
The
House resumed at 2 p.m.
MR. SPEAKER:
Admit strangers, please.
Order,
please!
I'd
like to welcome the Members back. First of all, I'd like to draw your attention
to the Speaker's gallery today and I'd like to welcome Mrs. Keli Jo Healey. Mrs.
Healey is joining us this afternoon for a special tribute.
Welcome
to you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
I wasn't going to introduce
him but I am going to because there are not a lot of folks watching, but up in
the public gallery I have a friend of mine from St. John's, Mr. Fred Dodd.
Nice to
see you, Fred.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
Statements by Members
MR. SPEAKER:
For Members' statements
today, we will hear from the Members for the Districts of Exploits, Topsail -
Paradise, Torngat Mountains, Stephenville - Port au Port, Terra Nova and
Waterford Valley.
The
hon. the Member for Exploits.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. DEAN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr.
Speaker, I rise in this hon. House today to recognize four members of sister
Lions Clubs, Bishop's Falls and Botwood in the District of Exploits.
Lions
Robert Sheppard and Joe Thomas of Bishop's Falls were recently presented with
their 50-year service pins and certificates, while Lions Len Woolridge and
Walter Lee of Botwood were presented with the Melvin Jones Fellowship award for
dedicated humanitarian services.
These
Lions, as do their Lions colleagues, exemplify community service, selflessness
and their motto “we serve” and have always been at the forefront of any
community concern where their help is needed.
Mr.
Speaker, I ask all hon. Members to join with me in the delivery of
congratulations and a well-earned Lions roar for Lions Robert Sheppard, Joe
Thomas, Len Woolridge and Walter Lee.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Member for Topsail - Paradise
MR. DINN:
Thank you.
Mr.
Speaker, I rise today to recognize 15-year-old Alexa Tobin of Paradise who was
recently named Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association junior female
official of the year for 2018.
Alexa,
an excellent student and sports advocate, has received many accomplishments
including Junior Female Athlete of the Year for 2018 for Holy Spirit school,
second runner up for Junior Female Athlete of the Year for the Town of Paradise.
Alexa
trains year round with the under 16 provincial team and has been on the
provincial team for the past five years. She trains three days a week with her
club team and two days a week as part of the Vancouver Whitecaps academy
prospects group, an elite invite-only training program and was only one of seven
female players in her age from Newfoundland and Labrador to be chosen for this
distinction, one which she has spent three years at.
Alexa
is very dedicated to her teams and teammates and shows good sportsmanship off
the field as well. She is a consistent, positive example of what it means to be
a team player.
Mr.
Speaker, I ask all hon. Members to join me in congratulating Alexa Tobin on her
many accomplishments and in particular Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer
Association junior female official 2018.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for
Torngat Mountains.
MR. EDMUNDS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise
in this House to recognize the remarkable accomplishments of a young man from
the community of Postville in Nunatsiavut, Northern Labrador.
Mr.
Speaker, Bronson Jacque is not only an accomplished artist, but also boasts
surprising athletic abilities. Bronson will represent Canada after winning the
2019 Canadian Powerlifting Union bench press competitions in Ottawa.
Mr.
Jacque is 24 years old and weighs 178 pounds. He competed in three categories:
the squat competition, the bench press and the deadlift where he lifted a
combined weight of 1,482 pounds. This accomplishment earned him the gold medal
and the right to represent Canada at the Commonwealth Games to be held in St.
John's later this year.
Mr.
Speaker, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention his remarkable artistic talent. His
ability is so great that in many comparisons one cannot tell the difference
between a photo and a painting. Quite an accomplishment for a young man from the
tiny Inuit community of Postville.
I ask
all hon. Members to join me in congratulating Bronson on his national
achievement and wish him well in representing our province and our country on
the international stage.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for
Stephenville - Port au Port.
MR. FINN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
With
over 1.4 million members and 47,000 clubs serving in over 200 countries, Lions
Club International is the world's largest service organization. The hard work of
its dedicated and passionate volunteers in communities throughout our province
is truly remarkable and the club in Stephenville is no exception.
Just a
few short years ago in 2014, the Stephenville Lions Club was named one of the
top five Lions Club in the country. Yesterday, the Stephenville Lions celebrated
their charter evening for 67 years of service and the Lionesses club for its 66
years of service. Reaching this significant milestone was only possible as a
result of its founding members and last night two of them were on hand for the
celebration.
Eric
Lomond, at the young age of 91, who still volunteers with the Lions, was
acknowledged for 55 years of service and Minette Shave of the Lionesses, who
also still volunteers, was acknowledged for her 66 years of service.
Mr.
Speaker, it is these extraordinary volunteers who have given over half a century
of their time volunteering that are a testament to the Lions motto “we serve”
and are a true inspiration to us all.
I ask
all Members to join me in congratulating the Stephenville Lions Club and
Lionesses club on their success.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for the
District of Terra Nova.
MR. HOLLOWAY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise
in this hon. House to acknowledge the nominees and recipients of the Clarenville
Area Chamber of Commerce 12th annual Business Awards of Excellence and Hall of
Fame induction ceremony. Of the many initiatives which the chamber leads each
year, the business awards gala is one of its signature events.
For
2018, three individuals were inducted into the Business Hall of Fame: Mr. Ern
Warren and Mrs. Kay Warren, a husband and wife team, who, in 1974, became local
representatives of Steer's Insurance, a business which still exists in the
community today. Mr. Stanley Fleming, born in Portugal Cove, moved to
Clarenville in 1967 to open the Handy Andy store. Mr. Fleming operated this
store for 38 years before retiring in 2005.
During
the awards banquet, three additional awards were given out recognizing business
excellence in the community. Business of the year: the law firm of Mills,
Pittman and Twyne; Small Business of the Year: Craig's Locksmithing & Autoglass
and the Corwin Mills Community Cares Award went to Power to Hope.
Mr.
Speaker, I ask all hon. Members to join me in congratulating the winners of the
2018 Business Awards of Excellence and Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Member for Waterford Valley who will confirm he has leave, please.
MR. OSBORNE:
I ask leave of Members of
the House, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
Please
proceed, Sir.
MR. OSBORNE:
Thank you.
Mr.
Speaker, I rise in the hon. House today to address the passing of a pillar of
our community, Mr. Tom McGrath.
Throughout his adult life, Tom was known for his involvement in political
politics both provincially and federally. He was never daunted by any task at
hand, always willing to take on the challenge and exceed expectations. He will
be remembered for his leadership roles with the Duke of Edinburgh program, St.
Bonaventure's College, Gonzaga High School and the cadet movement.
Mr.
Speaker, if there was one thing that's been constant throughout his life, it's
ensuring that youth were provided with a voice. Tom had a great ability to
recognize a skill set and encourage youth to reach their potential.
He
lived by the philosophy instilled in him at Gonzaga. He was a Viking to the
core, a man for others. Tonight the Gonzaga community celebrates the life of Tom
McGrath through stories and song. This celebration will take place at St. Pius X
Church Parish Hall at 7 p.m.
Mr.
Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in paying tribute to a wonderful
individual who made a valuable contribution, not only to his community but to
the political process in this province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
Statements by Ministers.
Statements by Ministers
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Health and Community Services.
MR. HAGGIE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise
in this hon. House to congratulate the Memorial University Faculty of Medicine
on receiving the Rural Medical Education Award from the Society of Rural
Physicians of Canada. The award will be presented in Halifax in April.
The
society looks for a medical school program matching the most graduates to rural
family medicine programs. In 2018, Memorial excelled with 68 per cent of total
graduates matching to a rural family medicine residency. They've certainly set a
standard that other medical school programs can aspire to.
Graduates from Memorial's medical school are receiving world-renowned training
that will enable them to excel as physicians, and many of them are choosing
rural areas for their residencies, which is extremely important as we look at
physician recruitment and retention throughout our various regional health
authorities.
While
acknowledging the rural medicine award, I would also like to acknowledge other
faculty and students who have been recognized for outstanding work in their
respective medical fields: Dr. Jane Green, Dr. Wayne Gulliver, Dr. Vernon
Curran, Dr. Kris Aubrey-Bassler, Dr. Graham Fraser, Dr. Matthew Parsons, Dr.
Bruno Stuyvers, Dr. Qi Yuan, Dr. Jennifer Shea, Dr. Maria Matthews, master's
student Leah Curnew and medical student Travis Pickett.
I ask
all hon. Members to join me in congratulating Memorial's Faculty of Medicine for
their many outstanding accomplishments.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank
the minister for an advance copy of his statement. I join with the Minister of
Health and Community Services in congratulating the Memorial University Faculty
of Medicine on receiving the Rural Medical Education Award from the Society of
Rural Physicians of Canada.
Mr.
Speaker, Memorial University's commitment to rural medicine is something to be
incredibly proud of. Our graduates are world class and the recognition with this
award is certainly evidence of this.
The
Official Opposition would like to congratulate Memorial University medical
school and the other faculty and students who have been recognized for their
remarkable work in their respective medical fields.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MS. ROGERS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank
the minister. Congratulations to MUN Faculty of Medicine for receiving the Rural
Medical Education Award. How exciting is this and how well deserved? This award
reflects their commitment to working in interdisciplinary health care teams.
It's best practice and they know it works, and this is exactly how our young
doctors want to practise health care.
I
encourage the minister to establish more primary health care teams in our public
community health centres around the province to ensure we have enough doctors in
rural communities in the future, giving our people the best health care
possible.
Bravo
to MUN Faculty of Medicine and to the celebrated individual doctors.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Further statements by
ministers?
The
hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation.
MR. MITCHELMORE:
Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased
today to celebrate the fact that Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism has been
named one of the top advertising brands in Canada by Strategy's Creative Report
Card.
Strategy is one of the premiere marketing industry resources in Canada. Produced
annually, Strategy's Creative Report Card tracks and tallies the top agencies
and top brands for the year based on awards won at key regional, national and
international award shows.
Mr.
Speaker, this year Strategy has listed Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism as one
of the top 10 brands in the country for 2019. Not only is Newfoundland and
Labrador Tourism the only tourism destination to make the top 10, it is a
pleasure and an honour to be listed among brand leaders such as WestJet, IKEA
and McDonald's.
I would
like to also recognize and congratulate our agency of record, Target Marketing,
for their recognition among Canada's top 15 advertising agencies for 2019.
Mr.
Speaker, the Find Yourself campaign has become one of the most successful and
recognized tourism campaigns in the country, receiving 330 awards to date.
The
tourism industry is responsible for over 20,000 jobs, representing almost 2,800
businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism continues to deliver a marketing campaign
which inspires with its uniqueness and creativity. I commend their effort, and I
congratulate all who worked so diligently on this successful platform.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.
MS. PERRY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank
the minister for an advance copy of his statement. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the
Official Opposition, I would like to extend congratulations to Target Marketing,
the province's agency of record. It is their creative approach and strategy that
has resulted in Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism being named as one of the top
10 brands in the country. I commend the government for continuing with our
initiative.
Mr.
Speaker, I would also like to recognize the diligent, hard-working, warm and
welcoming individuals of the tourism industry. It is these individuals who
provide the inspiration for our tourism brand and who deliver on our brand
promise, which helped to ensure that visitors leave wanting to return.
However, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to encourage the minister to
leave the marketing of our tourism sector to the marketing professionals and
refrain from posting his own homemade videos on social media.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for St.
John's Centre.
MS. ROGERS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank
the minister. Bravo to the fine work of Noel O'Dea and his –
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MS. ROGERS:
Bravo to the fine work of
Noel O'Dea and his clever team at Target Marketing and the fabulous team in the
department who work so hard to define our tourism industry brand. Tourism is a
big industry in the province and growing by leaps and bounds.
Our
province has a lot to offer and Target Marketing's work gets folks here. Once
they have visited, visitors also do a lot of marketing for us, telling people
they know of the many wonders of Newfoundland and Labrador. Thank goodness, Mr.
Speaker, that Target is doing these ads and not the freelancing minister.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Further statements by
ministers?
Oral
Questions.
Oral Questions
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
Thanks, Mr. Speaker.
We'll
set the note of levity aside now for Question Period. We're seeing a cannabis
shortage that has recently driven a small retailer based in Clarenville out of
business. The Minister of Finance said that the original $40-million deal with
Canopy was to secure supply.
I'd ask
the Premier: Is Canopy fulfilling its supply contract with NLC?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation.
MR. MITCHELMORE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It's a
very important and pertinent question because Newfoundland and Labrador didn't
have a licensed producer; we were the only province. We entered into a supply
and production agreement with Canopy Growth Corporation and we've also since
entered into a supply and production agreement with Biome.
We have
the third-highest supply rate per capita in the country. If we did not have a
supply and production agreement, we would likely have the least amount of supply
in Canada. We've placed ourselves at a better advantage to get product into
marketplace.
Yes,
there are supply issues that's been acknowledged and there are supply issues
across the country, but Newfoundland and Labrador is in a better position
because of decisions that this government has made to secure supply agreements
for Newfoundland and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
We take great comfort in the
minister's answer, but to be more specific the contract with Canopy says they
must supply 8,000 kilograms of cannabis to the NLC each year. It also says they
must supply the NLC within one week of the order request.
I would
ask the minister: Is Canopy meeting its targets and if it is why are there
shortages?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation.
MR. MITCHELMORE:
Mr. Speaker, demand for
product is quite high in this province, here in Newfoundland and Labrador. We
have the third highest amount of supply in the country. It was released recently
that sales in the first few months were over $12 million by the NLC.
Certainly, we continue to work with our suppliers, all the suppliers because it
is not just Canopy that is providing supply here in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Recently, we've been able to work with Biome where they are providing shipment
and that's very important.
Supply
contracts and agreements, we have criteria that Canopy will supply us with 8,000
kilograms per year and they will meet those requirements, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
As the minister has averted,
the government has made two deals on cannabis. One is $40 million with Canopy,
another for $52 million with Biome, that's $92 million in subsidies to the
world's most lucrative industry.
I ask
the minister: Has his government approved any other deals to date?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation.
MR. MITCHELMORE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm
going to correct the record from the Member opposite because when it comes to
the cannabis industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, when cannabis became legal
in the country we did not have a licensed producer. Our government made a
decision that we would become a leader. It is our goal to be a leader in
Atlantic Canada when it comes to production and when it comes to the overall
industry.
So what
we did is we created a performance-based contract. It is an incentive to
encourage the investment and what we've done is we've been able to, with Canopy
Growth, secure 145 jobs at a production facility that's costing tens of millions
of dollars that the company is spending. They are spending that money, Mr.
Speaker, not taxpayers.
The
government is getting revenue for every sale that they're making and they only
get a return based on a sale here in Newfoundland and Labrador. So it's in their
interest to make a sale.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
Your
time has expired.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
Mr. Speaker, while the
Canopy contract was being negotiated, the cannabis PR consultant, Kevin Casey,
was hired at the NLC for $9,000 a month with no job competition or RFP.
What
were the consultant's responsibilities and what did he accomplish?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Finance.
MR. OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I will
consult with the board at the NLC. It was the board that made the decision to
hire Mr. Casey and provide him with the responsibilities at the NLC. He was not
hired through the Department of Finance but through the board of directors at
the NLC.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
I thank the minister for
that undertaking and ask something that would be within his direct knowledge.
Did
this consultant present to, liaise with, or advise Cabinet as part of his
responsibilities?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Finance.
MR. OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
board of directors, representatives from the board of directors, the CEO at NLC,
as well as others, including Mr. Casey, had provided updates, Mr. Speaker, to
government including, on occasion to Cabinet, on the process that NLC were
making getting ready for the sale and distribution of cannabis throughout
Newfoundland and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
In furtherance of Open
Government Week, which this is, we've received an ATIPPA response from the NLC.
The cannabis consultant, Casey, emailed his team at the NLC at the end of his
contract and said – quote: I think my contribution was important to get through
the Cabinet game.
I ask
the Premier: What does get through the Cabinet game mean?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I think
that question should be to the person that wrote the email because we take the
Cabinet process to be very serious. I think that most people we work with in
government would understand that there are certain committees in place, there's
an extensive amount of analysis that would occur before things get to a Cabinet
table and for the decision to be made.
But,
Mr. Speaker, what that email means is certainly not language that we use and I
would not have used that language. So, I guess, the question is best asked to
those that would have written that email.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
I thank the Premier for that
answer.
The
same consultant hired without a job competition or RFP for $9,000 per month was
working out of 7 Plank Road, the building permits for the secret-numbered
company were sent to 7 Plank Road, the advertising agency for the Liberal
election campaign is located at – fill in the blank – 7 Plank Road.
I would
ask the Premier: Has he found out who is behind the secret-numbered company,
80521 NL Limited?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Finance.
MR. OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr.
Speaker, I believe the consultant that the Leader of the PC Party talks about
was also a consultant for the PC Party for two general elections.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh, oh!
MR. OSBORNE:
He was consultant for this
party for one, for that party for two.
The
other fact that I'd like to tell the Leader of the PC Party is that it was Steve
Winter that hired the consultant, and I believe Steve Winter is a friend of the
PC Party.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
Obviously, the hon. Minister
of Finance knows a lot more about political details than I do.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
Order,
please!
MR. CROSBIE:
But in any event –
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
The
Members have been addressed.
Please
proceed.
MR. CROSBIE:
In any event, it's our
Question Period and our questions.
We
found out yesterday that there were three proponents who submitted bids for
Marble Mountain.
I ask
the Premier: Are any of these proponents based out of 7 Plank Road?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation.
MR. MITCHELMORE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Marble
Mountain, as I said yesterday, what we've done as a government is that we're
trying to develop the base at Marble Mountain, improve financial stability, but
we are committed to Marble Mountain and its operations. It will continue to
operate throughout the season, as we've committed.
We have
three proposals that's going through a review, and that matter is going through
proper due diligence. When we have something to report publicly on, we will, as
is the case with any of the cannabis supply and production agreements.
The
Member opposite asked me do we have any other agreements in place. No, we only
have agreements right now with Biome and Canopy Growth.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
Mr. Speaker, an open
government web portal now exists for the proactive release of government
information.
This
being Open Government Week, can the Premier confirm that the last date that the
government proactively released information to this open government web portal
was August 4, 2017?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER BALL:
Mr. Speaker, with open
government we've done a number of public engagements through EngageNL. As a
matter of fact, I think it was the minister, when we were talking about the ban
of single-use plastic bags.
There's
a success that we're having with engagement with Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians. We've had three very successful ones. One would have been ban the
single-use plastic bags that is currently at historic numbers of public
engagement. We've seen it with mental health and addictions within youths, well
over 2,000 people. We even saw it with engagement.
So
people are working within this government in a very open way. You look no
further than The Way Forward and
seeing the type of engagement that we're having with industry leaders. And guess
what? That is creating jobs for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in historic
ways. This party, this government, is engaged with Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
We're all in favour of engagement, Mr. Speaker.
But
specifically on the portal: What will the Premier do to ensure that the people
of the province have free and ready access to information about their government
through this portal?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government
House Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'll
take an opportunity, I guess, as Minister Responsible for the Access to
Information and Protection of Privacy Office, to talk about the fact that this
government right now receives more ATIPP requests than any government ever
before.
The
fact is that we have great staff that are constantly working on making sure that
information is available to the public at no cost. These requests come in at no
cost. I will remind the Member opposite to look to your colleagues who actually
brought in the law that made us the most regressive province in the country when
it came to the release of information. Maybe they could chat about that at their
next caucus meeting.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Leader of the
Official Opposition.
Order,
please!
MR. CROSBIE:
What I'd prefer to focus on now in Question Period are solutions to the issue
that the hon. minister just described, the Minister of Justice.
The
present procedure does force people to go through a costly and lengthy ATIPPA
process to get access to information that the government has already at hand.
Why not follow a proactive disclosure model?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Justice and Public Safety.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Maybe
I'll remind the Member opposite that we sat here in 2015 and debated a bill – a
bill I would say that amended the previous regressive legislation brought in by
the PC Members.
We
helped debate a new piece of legislation that saw free requests to information,
and in fact we have seen a greater uptake in requests, and it increases
exponentially every year. There is more information going out than ever in the
history of this province.
But if
there's a specific piece of information that the Member opposite would like to
receive, I would suggest that you simply ask for it.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
Well, I guess the point is, Mr. Speaker, that maybe members of the public
shouldn't have to ask, and that was the point about a proactive model.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MR. CROSBIE:
In a report in July, the Information and Privacy Commissioner said that the
government failed to comply with its legal obligations, failed to comply with
the mandatory deadline to respond, failed to fulfill the duty to assist. It took
86 business days to get a response for a request for access to information, when
the law says it should happen within 20.
What
will the government do to expedite access?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Justice and Public Safety.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Certainly, when we talk about the Information and Privacy Commissioner it's a
very important role, and I'd like to think that we've taken steps over the last
number of years when it comes to the legislation to ensure that position is as
important as it is.
And the
fact remains that, at times, because of the sheer number of requests that come
in, sometimes information requests do not go back in as timely a fashion as they
should, and that falls on us – even though I will give the public servants that
are doing this job an extreme pat on the back for the work that they do.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. A. PARSONS:
The fact remains, though,
that the vast, vast majority of requests that come in are granted and the
information put back in a legal format in a timely fashion. So again, I would
suggest that we've gone above and beyond to ensure information is out there.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for
Conception Bay East - Bell Island.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
On
September 5, the Minister of Natural Resources said in a response to questions
from the media that she had received draft reports from rate mitigation
committees. When we were asked through the ATIPP process, we were given a
heavily redacted slide deck. The slides following the title slide, proposed
approach to rate management, were missing.
Why
doesn't the Premier believe the people of the province should have access to
this information now when they are asking for it?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Natural Resources.
MS. COADY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I have
been forthright with the public on this very important issue, Mr. Speaker. Rate
management is probably one of the key concerns of the people of the province
right now, all because the former administration decided to build Muskrat Falls.
And as you know, Mr. Speaker, we are currently undergoing a full inquiry, and
some of the results of that inquiry are quite startling, to say the least.
We have
been working very diligently to get a better path for Muskrat Falls, Mr.
Speaker, to finish that project stronger than how it started. Secondly, we're
building a plan for how we can manage rates and how we can pay the mortgage of
Muskrat Falls. We are still working on that plan, and details will be
forthcoming.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Where
this is Open Government Week, will the government finally share the analysis
reports of their rate mitigation committee and trust the people of Newfoundland
and Labrador with the information they've compiled?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Well,
we fully intend – I think we've laid out our plans for putting in place a
credible rate mitigation plan, Mr. Speaker. I say to the Member opposite that
he's looking like – in a golf term, you'd call it a mulligan. You redo, you take
another shot, because your cheap plan is really not doing the job that you
intend it to do.
Mr.
Speaker, we will put out a credible plan on rate mitigation to Newfoundlanders
and Labradorians – one of the things that we've done, by putting committees in
place, but we've also brought in the Public Utilities Board that has put out a
lot of information. I think the Members opposite would have used that simply
because that formed the foundation of the cheap plan that they just put out this
week.
I
understand you're looking for a mulligan; you want to do it over. Mr. Speaker,
you'll have your chance. The people of this province will see a credible plan on
rate mitigation.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
The
hon. the Member for Conception Bay - Bell Island.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
No
doubt, I've watched a lot of mulligans being hit on this side of the House over
the last four years, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. BRAZIL:
On January 9, the Premier
announced a new clerk for the Executive Council, the fourth person to serve in
the role in three years. The recent clerk, Ms. Ann Marie Hann, was assigned to
lead the review of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy.
Will
the Premier explain the responsibilities for this review? Will the Premier table
the job description for Ms. Hann?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Environment.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. LETTO:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
Provincial Waste Management Strategy we have in place was put in place in 2002.
It was devised by that administration and the administration opposite decided
that they would go with that. There's been a lot of great work done on the
Provincial Waste Management Strategy. In fact, today, 81 per cent of the waste
in this province goes to two engineered landfills.
Mr.
Speaker, we've done a lot of good things right, there are a lot of good things
that need to be looked at again and there are things there that need to be done
in the waste management review. That's why we've ordered a review, to look at
what we've done, to look at how we can do things better and to look at the areas
in this province that are not yet part of the Waste Management Strategy. It's
doing a good job, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
minister didn't answer the question I had asked. I asked: Would he table the
responsibilities so we have an understanding of what Ms. Hann's role will be in
fulfilling this responsibility with the solid Waste Management Strategy.
That's
simple. We do ask that you table her responsibilities if you could, please.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Environment.
MR. LETTO:
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Hann has
devised, and we have approved, a terms of reference for this review. The review
will look at all different regions of the province, whether it's Eastern,
Central and Western.
Right
now, in this province, we have a mishmash of different policies, different
procedures for waste management. We want to look at it all; we want to bring
some uniformity. If the Member opposite wants the terms of reference for this
particular piece of work, I'm more than willing to give it to them.
Thank
you.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. Member for
Conception Bay East - Bell Island.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you.
Terms
of reference would be good, but the job description would be even better,
keeping in mind who Ms. Hann is.
The
clerk of the Executive Council is the top civil servant with a broad range of
responsibilities and authority. Ms. Hann's new role is more narrow in terms and
responsibilities, as we've just heard.
Will
the Premier explain why Ms. Hann continues to be paid as the highest civil
servant at the salary she received as the top civil servant?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Environment.
MR. LETTO:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We
consider this piece of work to be very important for the future of this province
and the future of waste management in this province.
Waste
management has always been a concern of ours and it still remains to be a
concern. The person, Ms. Hann, that's been hired to do this is very competent.
She has a lot of experience in the waste management field and we feel that it's
the right position for her and we look forward to her report. We know that she
will do a great job on it. It's a job that needs to be done in order to move
forward with the Waste Management Strategy in this province.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for
Conception Bay East - Bell Island.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Nobody,
particularly on this side, would question Ms. Hann's competency here, that's not
what these questions are about. They're about getting to the root here of the
responsibilities and the job description.
A
recent ATIPPA disclosed that the taxpayer paid $65,000 to relocate Ms. Hann to
her position as clerk.
Is
there a requirement to repay any of these expenses, keeping in mind that she
spent less than two years as clerk with this administration?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Environment.
MR. LETTO:
Mr. Speaker, I think this is
the day for cheap shots from the opposite side. There are a lot of cheap things
going over there.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MR. LETTO:
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Hann is a
very competent person. She is the right person for this job. She has a lot of
experience in waste management. In fact, she was part of the original Waste
Management Strategy. We feel that we've done the right thing with allowing Ms.
Hann to continue with the strategy, with the review. A review that's much needed
in this province. A review that we look forward to getting before the end of
this year so that we can put in a Waste Management Strategy that has some
uniformity in the province and will address the needs that still exist within
the Waste Management Strategy.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
On
January 11, the Premier announced that Mr. John Abbott was appointed as special
advisor, Health-in-All- Policies.
Will
the Premier explain Mr. Abbott's new responsibilities in this new role? Will the
Premier table the job description for Mr. Abbott?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Health and Community Services.
MR. HAGGIE:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
Mr.
Abbott was the obvious choice for a cross-government strategy that involves
health. We've enshrined this in one of the landmark pieces of legislation of
this administration, which is the Health-in-All-Policies approach. He has vast
experience in government in a whole variety of departments from Transportation
and Works, to Finance, to Health.
He was
the CEO of the Health Council of Canada and did this work on a national level.
Who better to put in the role to deal with this job?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for
Conception Bay East - Bell Island.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Again,
we're not questioning the competency here, we're questioning about the logistics
in the operation of the responsibilities and the costing related to that.
Mr.
Speaker, before becoming special advisor, Mr. Abbott was the deputy minister of
Health and Community Services, the largest department with a broad range of
responsibilities and authority.
Will
the Premier explain why Mr. Abbott continues to be paid the same salary that he
received as the deputy minister at the largest department?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Health and Community Services.
MR. HAGGIE:
Mr. Speaker, I think I will
have to take issue with the preamble. I spent four days with the Member opposite
in an atmosphere of learning about respectful workplace, bullying and
harassment. These people cannot defend themselves.
The
implication behind the question is that somehow Mr. Abbott is not suited for the
role for which we have appointed him, and that is heinous, Mr. Speaker, it
really is sneaky and nasty.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for
Conception Bay East - Bell Island.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Obviously, the minister is trying to cloud a simple question we asked relevant
to the taxpayers knowing that what we're paying for is relevant to the job
that's being done.
We're
asking that we get a job description for this new position to understand exactly
what we're paying top dollar for, that simple a question.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Health and Community Services.
MR. HAGGIE:
Again, Mr. Speaker, I take a
different and dimmer view of the activities of the Member opposite. He is doing
by stealth what outside this Chamber no one would be allowed to do, which is to
drag someone's name into the mud, implying in some way that this individual, who
is one of the best qualified health administrators in the country in health and
all policies, is in some way unsuited or incompetent for the job for which he's
been appointed, and I think it's reprehensible.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for Cape
St. Francis.
MR. K. PARSONS:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
Minister, harvesters are concerned about the DFO's planning when it comes to the
snow crab fishery this year. As a matter of fact, there's a major meeting on the
go today in Grand Falls.
Have
you been able to get any insight from the federal government on what DFO's plans
are when it comes to quotas?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Fisheries and Land Resources for a quick response, please.
MR. BYRNE:
Mr. Speaker, there are two
issues that harvesters have concerns with, which I also have concerns with. One
is that the representation from scientific analysis that there is a stock or a
biomass decrease. We always want to encourage and ensure that DFO has the best
scientific information available to it. We encourage DFO to improve its methods.
The
other thing, Mr. Speaker, that harvesters are very concerned about is a policy
process under the precautionary approach principle and the setting of a limited
reference point.
I've
had the opportunity to speak with the entire inshore council of the FFAW last
Friday. We met for three hours and this was a major point of our discussions.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MS. ROGERS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
United Nations declared 2019 as International Year of Indigenous Languages, and
warns of the loss of languages that are essential to preserving cultures, skills
and world views that humanity needs.
I ask
the Premier: Will his government commit to the long overdue investment of
training fluent Indigenous language teachers, translators and other human
resources needed to save Indigenous languages before it's too late?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the parliamentary
assistant to the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. EDMUNDS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank
the hon. Member for the question. After the announcement on declaring 2019 as
the International Year of Indigenous Languages, there have been a lot of
strategies that have been implemented.
TRC,
Calls to Action, has five which
include Indigenous languages. We've had introductions of junior high school
stories based on Indigenous cultures. We've had the university that's
re-implementing Indigenous language, Inuktitut specifically. We've had a young
girl by the name of Catharyn Andersen, who's from Makkovik, who's the special
assistant to the president of Memorial University, who's gone around doing
consultations and the list goes on, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you very much.
The
hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MS. ROGERS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Inuktitut and Innu-aimun translators helping Indigenous peoples through social
services, health and justice systems and other settings are poorly paid,
frequently overworked contract employees. They're often run off their feet
trying to help people in need.
I ask
the Premier: Will he commit to proper resourcing full-time Indigenous language
translators so people can access basic services that is their right?
MR. SPEAKER:
The parliamentary assistant
to the Premier.
MR. EDMUNDS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank
the Member for the question. Actually, in the last week I've had discussions
with both Chief John Nui and Grand Chief Gregory Rich, and this is an issue that
comes and goes. Right now, it's at a period where they're unable to find someone
who's committed to do the job. They're still looking and we're hoping that this
position will be filled.
It's a
concern that's not only ours, but it's a concern of the chiefs of both
Natuashish and Sheshatshiu and by the Innu Nation and Grand Chief Gregory Rich.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for St.
John's Centre.
MS. ROGERS:
Mr. Speaker, precisely
because people are overworked, run off their feet and not properly paid. So my
question was about addressing that.
Mr.
Speaker, every native Indigenous friendship centre in Canada gets provincial
core funding, except ours. For years the centres in our province have asked
government for core funding and have been denied, even though, for instance, the
St. John's centre alone has seen a 200 per cent increase in people seeking their
services.
I ask
the Premier: Why doesn't his government see the value of our provincial
friendship centres and support them like every other province in Canada does?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Well,
there is no question – no one questions the great work that those friendship
centres are doing, Mr. Speaker, and they're doing around our province. These are
discussions that we have during budget time to make the decision. But I can
assure you we have a good understanding of the great work that's being done
within friendship centres within Newfoundland and Labrador. These are the
decisions that we have to make with the resources that we have available to us
to support friendship centres, and the work that's being done by other community
groups supporting Indigenous peoples right throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
So we
are currently in the budget process right now. These decisions are made when the
budget is announced, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Finance already gave us
somewhat of a time frame of when that budget would be, but these are the
decisions that are being made (inaudible).
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for St.
John's Centre for a quick question, please.
MS. ROGERS:
Mr. Speaker, the Truth and
Reconciliation calls to action points to problems of access to justice for
Indigenous people. The critical lack of Indigenous language translators in the
Labrador court system has caused frustration and delays for everyone involved.
And the fact that Indigenous people are overrepresented in Labrador's criminal
justice system only adds to this injustice.
I ask
the Premier: Why isn't his government doing everything possible to ensure the
Indigenous people of this province have equal access to justice?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Justice and Public Safety for a quick response, please.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I take
offence to some of the premise of the question saying that we're not doing
everything that we can. And the Member opposite knows full well that we're
certainly trying our best to deal with this obvious issue. The fact is this is
an issue not just in Newfoundland and Labrador, but all across this country,
unfortunately. And we are doing what we can here.
The
fact is we have taken several initiatives over the past three years to address
this issue. In fact, we had a criminal justice summit in Labrador last year,
that I think the Member may have been at, where we had representatives from
every level of court in Canada at that summit. We are doing everything we can.
Thank
you.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The time for Oral Questions
has ended.
Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.
Tabling
of Documents.
Tabling of Documents
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government
House Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Mr. Speaker, I have a
document to table further to Question Period today, which is a note coming from
the ATIPP Office for the government, which details the number of pages released
through ATIPP.
In
fiscal year 2014-15, the number of pages was 14,159; 2015-16, the number of
pages was 55,595; 2016-17, the number of pages was 73,088; and in 2017-18, the
number of pages released was 60,280.
I'd
like to table this to concur with my answer from Question Period.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Further tabling of
documents?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
Notices
of Motion.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
I sense
there's something in the wind.
Notices
of Motion.
Notices of Motion
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government
House Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Sorry, Mr. Speaker, I got
distracted by the Opposition talking about access to information.
Mr.
Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to move the following resolution:
BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Assembly as follows:
WHEREAS
subsection 6(3) of the Independent
Appointments Commission Act provides that the Independent Appointments
Commission shall consist of a minimum of five and a maximum of seven members
appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council on a resolution of the House of
Assembly; and
WHEREAS
there are currently five members of the Independent Appointments Commission;
NOW
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the following persons be appointed members of the
Independent Appointments Commission: Mr. Earl Ludlow, Ms. Cathy Duke.”
Thank
you.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
Further
notices of motion?
Answers
to Questions for which Notice has been Given.
Petitions.
Petitions
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for St.
John's East - Quidi Vidi.
MS. MICHAEL:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
There
have been numerous concerns raised by family members of seniors in long-term
care throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly those suffering with
dementia, Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive debilitating conditions,
whereby loved ones have experienced injuries, have not been bathed regularly,
not received proper nutrition and/or have been left lying in their own waste for
extended periods of time. We believe this is directly related to government's
failure to ensure adequate staffing at those facilities.
THEREFORE we petition the hon. House of Assembly to instate legislation which
includes the mandatory establishment of an adequate ratio of one staff to three
residents in long-term care and all other applicable regional health facilities
housing persons with dementia, Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive
debilitating conditions in order to ensure appropriate safety, protection from
injuries, proper hygiene care and all other required care. This law would
include the creation of a specific job position in these facilities for
monitoring and intervention as required to ensure the safety of patients.
Once
again, Mr. Speaker, this is a petition, the wording of which is very familiar to
us, but people now from the Brigus area, quite a number of people, all from the
Brigus area, sending this petition in – a petition that has been generated by
the Advocates for Senior Citizens' Rights, a group that I hear from fairly
regularly, and is made up mainly of family members of people who are in
long-term care facilities and who are experiencing the conditions that the
petition outlines.
They
say that senior residents of long-term care facilities have the right to a
standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including adequate food,
physical environment, hygiene, medical care and safety. I think it's important
that they point out that this is a human right. We are dealing with a rights
issue for senior citizens.
As has
been indicated in the petition, they have come forward with many examples of
seniors who have suffered and because their basic needs are not being met. Mr.
Speaker, it's very disturbing to hear these stories which I do hear from
individuals, because you just get the feeling that, in some cases, we have
seniors who are not being treated humanly and their human rights are not being
met.
So, I
urge the House to listen seriously to this petition.
Thank
you very much, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
I
recognize the hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services, please, for a
response.
MR. HAGGIE:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
I'd
just like to draw the Member opposite's attention to several things. Firstly,
the number of these complaints seems to be outweighed by the volume of the
story, and it is very difficult to get a handle on some of these. What I would
encourage her to do is actually an obligation we each share as Members of the
House of Assembly which is, if she is aware of a specific individual who is
having some issues then if the family feel concerned about bringing it forward
she, on their behalf, should not; it is her job to do that.
I have
not heard in any detail, with any consent form or any approval of many, and
those issues that have been brought up have been resolved through existing
processes. In addition to that, we now have individuals within each RHA who are
responsible for safety and quality of care issues at each RHA. I would encourage
you to bring them forward.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
Further
petitions?
The
hon. the Member for Topsail - Paradise.
MR. DINN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
This is
timely, given that this week we had a day of action for ban the bag.
Single-use plastic bags are polluting our environment, endangering marine life
and wildlife and threatening serious health consequences for generations to
come.
THEREFORE we petition the hon. House of Assembly as follows: We, the
undersigned, call upon the House of Assembly to urge Government of Newfoundland
and Labrador to ban the use of lightweight single-use plastic shopping bags, and
to urge consumers to take reusable bags when shopping.
Mr.
Speaker, disposable bags have become and are a huge environmental problem, they
are for several reasons. They do not biodegrade harmlessly. They end up in our
waste areas and they don't break down as quickly as other waste does, so it
causes waste problems that way.
Due to
their lightness and shape you often see them blowing around, often outside our
waste management stream. They're caught in trees. They're caught in waterways.
They're caught wherever they can get hooked. They are unsightly, but more
importantly, they are a hazard or lethal to our wildlife in terms of choking,
suffocation or internal blockages. Billions have ended up in the sea to break up
into tiny pieces causing widespread harm when ingested at all levels of the food
chain.
Even
while whole they are hazardous. Turtles, for instance, make the mistake taking
them as jellyfish and they ingest them and die. On land these bags end up
blocking drainage systems and thus contribute to localize flooding. I think you
don't have to go far on the Internet or social media and you'll find the great
trash island that's off the coast down in Texas. It's 1.6 million square
kilometres in size; that's double the size of Texas.
This is
a huge problem and anything we can do to eradicate this and come up with a
better use or something alternative to that. I understand we're in the process
of a consultation. I hope we get the results of that soon, and I hope it'll come
up with some good solutions.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board.
MR. LETTO:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
To
reply to the petition just put forward by the hon. Member, we have engaged in
what we call a very robust survey and consultation process that has gotten
overwhelming response. In fact, on the EngageNL site nothing has been seen like
it that we've done so far regarding the response that we're getting. I might
add, Mr. Speaker, that not all of the responses we're getting are positive.
There are some people out there who do have concerns about the proposed ban.
I would
tell the hon. Member that this is something that was suggested by the
organizations and stakeholders that met back in September, that further
consultations were required. We're doing that. The survey closes on March 17.
We'll be meeting with the stakeholders immediately after that and a decision
will be forthcoming.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
Orders of the Day
Private Members' Day
MR. SPEAKER:
This being Wednesday, I now
call on the Member for Torngat Mountains to stand in his place and introduce the
resolution, Motion 1.
The
hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.
MR. EDMUNDS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move
the following private Member's resolution, seconded by the Member for St.
George's - Humber.
WHEREAS
the United Nations has declared 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous
Languages; and
WHEREAS
a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has estimated that 40 per cent of
languages spoken around the world are in danger of disappearing; and
WHEREAS
more than 70 Indigenous languages across 12 language groups currently spoken in
Canada and it is believed that 75 per cent of these languages are identified as
endangered; and
WHEREAS
Indigenous languages are a fundamental and valued element of our culture and
society and are essential in improving our Indigenous identity;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
officially recognize 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for
Torngat Mountains.
MR. EDMUNDS:
Nakummek, Mr. Speaker,
(Inuktitut spoken).
MR. SPEAKER:
Llaali.
MR. EDMUNDS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Good
afternoon, if I were to bring greetings in Innu-aimun, I would simply say:
(Innu-aimun spoken). Coincidentally, if I were to bring greetings in the
Miawpukek Mi'kmaq language, I would say: (Mi'kmaq spoken). So there are
similarities in our languages but there are vast differences as well.
You
talk about 2019 as the International Year of the languages, I think we're also,
in this province, referring to 2019 as the year of snow. The reason I say that
is because in Inuktitut we have some 26 words for snow and every Indigenous
language in our province has an Indigenous word.
To talk
about deep snow in Inuktitut, Mr. Speaker, I would say: maujak, deep snow. In
Innu-aimun, I would say: (Innu-aimun spoken), deep snow. In the Miawpukek
language I would say: pasaliteg, deep snow.
So, our
languages are alive, Mr. Speaker, the question is: Are they threatened? I'm
hoping, through the course of this debate, with what I say and what my hon.
colleagues on both sides of the floor will help me say, to point out these
differences and find out where our languages stand, and, hopefully, have a look
at some of the programs and services that are being done throughout our province
to bring it back.
Mr.
Speaker, I think the best example I can use is the one I'm most comfortable with
is the Inuktitut language in my culture. The first question that we ask is: Is
our language threatened and what were the reasons for our language endangered?
I'm
going to talk a little bit in my language and I'm hoping that my colleagues will
help me in the other languages around the province.
The
Beothuk language, Mr. Speaker, is obviously gone because there are none of our
Beothuk Indigenous people left, and I'd just like to, I guess, point out the
great work done by Saqamaw Chief Misel Joe on the repatriation of Nonosabasut
and Shanawdithit.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. EDMUNDS:
Or Demasduit, sorry, Mr.
Speaker.
In
Nunatsiavut, prior to 1752, I think the only language spoken was Inuktitut. In
the interior with the Mushuau Innu it was Innu-aimun. I guess our first impact
was with the arrival of the Moravian missionaries. They arrived in a place
called Ford's Harbour, which is just south of Makkovik. This was one of the
first contacts. They actually started building a small community onsite and then
they went down to a place called (inaudible) Island to trade with the Inuit for
whale bone. There was an altercation and some of them were killed, Mr. Speaker,
and the Moravians went back to Nisbet Harbour, picked up their crew and went
back to Europe.
A few
years later, a gentleman by the name of Jens Haven who have learned the
Inuktitut language in the Greenland dialect while being in Greenland, came over
and he was able to speak Inuktitut to our forefathers, if I could use that word,
Mr. Speaker. That's where I guess the story becomes more well known in terms of
impact on our Inuktitut language. It led to a chain of events that we're not
proud of that we were subject to, and certainly the story has been told many,
many times, and I'm going to share that story again with the emphasis on loss of
language.
The
irony in the arrival of the Moravian missionaries, Mr. Speaker, is that they
learned Inuktitut so they could communicate to our forefathers and tell us that
we can't speak Inuktitut. That was the first impact. And the story eventually
reveals itself, but we're still stuck with the loss of language. In communities
like Nain and Hopedale the language is still strong. Was it impacted? Yes, it
was. Is it still being impacted? Yes, it is.
The
Moravian missionaries came, set up their churches and set up their missions and
set up boarding schools, first locally, and then they expanded into Northwest
River and in some cases, St. Anthony, with, I think, boarding schools in Muddy
Bay on the South Coast of Labrador.
So, as
the Inuit were being converted into Christianity from being deemed as heathens,
Mr. Speaker, they were forbid to speak Inuktitut in boarding schools, and they
were punished quite severely for even attempting to do so. One can almost
imagine a child who has no language except Inuktitut is trying to communicate
and being punished for it. And I think that's how it all it started and it just
grew worse. Because once they expanded into residential schooling, not only did
they lose their language, they were removed from their culture, and culture is
language in many aspects.
Then we
get into the dark days of residential schooling. We've come a long way since
then, but we've all heard the stories. I guess I'm a descendant of residential
school survivors. My grandmother is 102 years old, can still speak Inuktitut. My
father was bilingual, and my mother and my older sisters are all survivors of a
residential school. I know the stories well.
Mr.
Speaker, this, in turn, is passed on through generations. I, by no means, am
fluent in Inuktitut. I know a lot of the words. I did spend time at a job when I
was young on a collectible, collecting fish from fishermen north of Nain, where
Inuktitut was the first language, primary language spoken, and I had good
teachers; teachers like (inaudible) Tom Barber, Paul Harris, Elias Harris, that
took the time to teach me, and it was immersion. I found that it was really
helpful and you learned a lot of words, especially about being out on the land.
But, as
I get into generations, we've come to the point now where a lot of our young
people are coming to us and saying we can't speak Inuktitut. You know, in some
cases the elders carry this guilt because they weren't allowed to teach their
young people, and the young people are saying you're not teaching us, and it
causes a lot of emotional distress. I guess the question is, in the bit of time
that I have – and I think this is the first time that I ever stood in this House
of Assembly in eight years, and 15 minutes wasn't going to be enough time for
me.
Mr.
Speaker, the next question is: What is being done? What is being done to bring
our language back, to make us feel comfortable with it, you know, when you're
saying things like 70 Indigenous languages are in danger. But there are
improvements, and statistics show that. In 2016, it's been estimated – and these
are Statistics Canada results – 160,500-odd people were speaking Indigenous
languages. The most recent figure shows that 263,840 people are speaking
Indigenous languages. The overall number of Indigenous language has grown by 3.1
per cent in 10 years. How did that happen?
I'm
going to just list off a few – by no means have I got the time to list them all
– but there are some programs that all levels of government – Truth and
Reconciliation Commission put forth 94 calls to action; five of these were
language- and culture-related. Aboriginal programs, immersion programs that I
talked about earlier, are taught in Aboriginal language for students.
Mr.
Speaker, a few years ago the Maori in New Zealand were in danger of losing their
language, so they created a little program called Language Nest where children,
as young as infants, were put into daycare and they were spoke to in their
Indigenous language. We actually sent a delegation of Inuit down there and
actually implemented a program in Nunatsiavut through the daycare program.
Mr.
Speaker, we've had teacher education programs and Labrador programs; 20-course
certificates, aimed to train Indigenous people education, ethics, instruction in
their own language; and this has been done through MUN, in Manitoba,
Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Quebec.
Mr.
Speaker, since New Year's we had a young girl from Makkovik by the name of Susan
Onalik who went to Memorial University with a petition saying Indigenous
languages, especially Inuktitut, should be offered in school. It gained a lot of
traction.
I'd
just like to mention the special assistant to the president of Memorial
University, Catharyn Andersen, who just recently came from consultation in
Nunatsiavut. I actually spent time with her at the airport in Goose Bay due to
weather home. Memorial University is taking great strides in promoting
Indigenous culture. Catharyn has mastered linguistics. She's done immersion,
she's studying Russia and we're really proud of Catharyn's accomplishments.
Mr.
Speaker, the Nunatsiavut Government whose prime mandate is to preserve culture
and language, they have interpreter-translation services;
OKâlaKatiget radio,
one-hour in Inuktitut and English; Inuktitut Master Apprentice Programs;
Labrador Inuktitut Training Programs; Inuktitut Rosetta Stone CDs, I think
they've come out with two and they're maybe working on the third – I can't
confirm that; Language Strategy; and even through the process of repatriation
with the remains of our forefathers on Rose Island in Saglek Bay.
The
provincial government, with their launch of traditional stories based on the
Tales from Shadow River are based on
true stories. They eventually put these into the junior high school program.
In my
closing remarks I'd just like to point out a few of many, many people that did
help in our language; people like William Kalleo, August Andersen, Rita
Andersen, Joan Dicker. These are some of the people who led the charge and are
helping us to bring our language back. Hopefully, we can do more to assist and
I'm sure, at the end of the day, we will develop programs that can help us
preserve and strengthen our language.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.
MS. PERRY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Certainly it's an honour and a privilege to rise in this hon. House again today
and speak to this very important private Member's motion, and we are happy to
join with other Members in celebrating the 2019 Year of Indigenous Languages.
I have
to say, though, at the outset, my apologies in areas where I am going to be
unable to do justice to the various languages. They are beautiful languages
indeed and certainly I think it's going to be of benefit to ensure that
Aboriginal persons themselves can re-learn their languages, and those of us who
have not experienced them get to experience and understand them as well.
In this
province there are Indigenous languages in continuous use because people have
chosen to continue using them and teaching them. But unfortunately, Mr. Speaker,
there are other Indigenous languages that have disappeared. Tragically, the
Beothuck language disappeared with those who spoke it. Only small remnants
remain, including the word Beothuck itself.
But all
Indigenous languages are at risk of disappearing if a concerted effort is not
made to maintain them. Obviously, the dominant languages of communication and
education in a society tend to crowd out the others. It's very difficult to get
by in this province without a working knowledge of English. Recognizing the
dominance of English, Quebec has made special efforts to preserve and promote
French, and Canada embraced official bilingualism, as did New Brunswick. In
parts of our own province, indeed, French continues to be used as a mother
tongue as well.
Many
immigrants and international students continue to use the languages they grew up
with, but they find that life is very challenging if they don't also have a firm
grasp of English. In Indigenous communities English also dominates, even when
Indigenous languages are commonly spoken at home and around the community.
Children in Indigenous communities grow up learning English in the classroom.
In the
modern, interconnected, online world, kids everywhere find that English is the
convenient common language. It's the dominant language of music and television,
and it's also the dominant language of music and gaming and online content. But
it's extremely important for young people to be taught that the Indigenous
language of their elders is an extremely valuable heritage that can only survive
if young people continue using it and teaching it down the line. Languages that
fall into disuse will disappear.
I am
delighted to see Indigenous community leaders and elders making a strong
successful effort to promote the use and knowledge of their own languages. And
I'm very proud to see young people showing a hunger to embrace that heritage.
Mr.
Speaker, I'm a very proud representative of an Aboriginal community in Conne
River. I have several nieces and nephews, actually, that are growing up in Conne
River and learning the language. And it's very heartwarming to see them learning
the Mi'kmaq language and to see it being brought back, because we came very
close to losing it. Through the efforts of the community leaders and the
education system in Conne River, we're seeing a resurgence of that language, and
it's great to see.
I'm
proud to see Indigenous film and television producers, musicians and event
organizers make a special effort to celebrate Indigenous heritage. It wasn't
always that way in Canada or in our province. As my colleague just previously
spoke about, there have been a lot of losses in our history. The residential
schools that caused such damage in our past were infamous for trying to crush
the Indigenous identity of our Indigenous children. They were punished for using
their language and taught to feel ashamed of it.
Mr.
Speaker, I think that's something that we should all be ashamed of as something
that happened in our history. It wasn't just in residential school; it was in
communities right across this province that many people were ridiculed for their
Indigenous heritage. We're hearing the stories all the time of people who felt
ashamed and even wanted to hide their ancestry. It's to our collective shame
that this was allowed to happen. It was probably rooted in a class-based
ordering of society where the best educated and best spoken were at the top rung
of the ladder and others didn't measure up.
It
wasn't so long ago that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians were given tutoring to
speak more like Central Canadians and hide the local accents, dialects and words
that were unique to this place. Mr. Speaker, I'm not an Indigenous person, but
even as a Newfoundlander I've certainly felt offence at being ridiculed at our
native tongue. The brogue we use in Newfoundland and Labrador is not the same as
that in Upper Canada and we were the target of many jokes because of that. That,
in no way, compares to what the Indigenous communities have suffered, but it
certainly speaks to the need for all of us as a society to recognize each and
every person's individuality and heritage.
If we
still feel that pressure, not to misplace our h's, imagine the ridicule and
pressure that Indigenous people were subjected to by those who thought the
language of their childhood was something to be ashamed of. Not just Indigenous
people, but all of us need to celebrate the heritage of Indigenous languages and
cultures that we find all across our fine province.
Imagine
if there could be a groundswell of interest in learning these languages at
school, college or university, not just for Indigenous persons but for all of
us, Mr. Speaker. Imagine if the families that were once told to feel ashamed of
their languages were instead to become the teachers and champions of language
preservation beyond their home communities. That day, I do believe, we're
working towards.
Every
language embeds a history. Take the English word, for example, disaster.
Embedded in that word is the Greek root astron, meaning star. The word embeds
the idea that, once, fortune was determined by the stars. The word itself
captures something of the culture of the people who first used it. In the same
way, the language of any culture captures the way of thinking about the world,
the meaning of life, the way people get along, the value systems, the customs
and the traditions and the knowledge gained across generations.
It is
often said that the Inuit people have many more words for ice and snow than the
English language contains. Being able to distinguish among various types of ice
and snow were vital to life in the North, more so than in the South. That
generational knowledge became embedded in the words themselves. The name Beothuk
apparently contained a reference to the colour red, denoting the red ochre that
the Beothuk used. It's so sad that we're left to guess so many things about
their language and culture. The loss to humanity is profound.
Consider the origin of the name Manitoba. A document published by the University
of Manitoba describes it this way: “Manitoba: The likeliest source is the Cree –
my apologies, Mr. Speaker, for the injustice in this word – maniotwapow, the
'the strait of the spirit or manitobau.' This name refers to the roaring sound
produced by pebbles on a beach on Manitoba Island in Lake Manitoba. The Cree
believed the noise sounded like a manito, a spirit, beating a drum. It has also
been suggested that the name comes from the Assiniboine words mini and tobow,
meaning 'Lake of the Prairie.' An additional source is Manitoo Ahbee, from the
Ojibway meaning 'Where the Creator sits.'”
The
name Coquitlam is “A word derived from the Salish tribal name Kawayquitlam which
can be translated as 'small red salmon.' The name refers to the sockeye salmon
common to the area.” So even if the salmon were to disappear, the name contains
the knowledge of how things were and that salmon were important when the place
was named.
But
what happens if the ability to understand and interpret that language is lost? A
scholarly publication in 2008 reported that many Indigenous languages in Canada
became extinct when their last speakers died, including: Laurentian (Iroquoian,
Quebec) in the late 1500s; Beothuk (isolate, Newfoundland) in 1829; Nicola in
the late 1800s; Huron-Wendat and Tsetsaut in the early 1900s; and Pentlatch
around 1940. Note that the Beothuk appears to have been an isolate; as such, it
represents an 11th language lineage in Canada.
Mr.
Speaker, I'll refer again to my part of the province where I live. There was a
gentleman and his name was Nicholas Jeddore. He was fondly known as Nickly. We
all called him Nickly. Actually, his Mi'kmaq name is Nigola. He was one of the
last fluent speakers of the language. I remember Nickly Jeddore. He was very
much a traditional Aboriginal. He spoke the language daily, from the time he was
born until the time he died.
He was
an eel fisherman and he carried his spears on his back. He regularly walked from
Conne River to St. Alban's, and that's over 30 kilometres by road. In the
wintertime, you could cross the ice in five minutes or so but not so in the
summertime, especially with the road networks. My dad would often stop and pick
him up, and he was a frequent visitor to our home. So, I had the pleasure of
knowing Nickly and he's still revered in Conne River today.
With
his passing, there are many people gravely concerned that we would lose the
language. But, again, through the efforts of the community in Conne River, the
language is coming back and many people remember hearing Nickly speak the
language himself in his native tongue.
Of the
languages that remain, many still face imminent extinction. For instance, less
than a dozen elderly speakers remain for the Munsee Delaware (Algonquian),
Western Abenaki, the Tagish, the Squamish, the Tuscarora, so many languages:
Chinook Jargon. Dialects, too, are disappearing, such as the Ts'ooke and Songish
dialects of Northern Straits Salish.
Mr.
Speaker, this state of affairs resulted in part from a deliberate action.
Aboriginal language use was generally forbidden in church- and government-run
residential schools, to which Aboriginal children were sent from the 1880s to
the 1970s, almost 100 years of suppression of their language. Other Aboriginal
languages, with more speakers, are nonetheless rapidly becoming obsolete under
the influence of English and French, which has become the languages of the
nursery and the living room in most of Canada, due in part to the influence of
mass media.
Recently, however, many Aboriginal communities have sought to counteract the
loss of their ancestral languages. With the help of government agencies, museums
and universities, they have launched programs to retain and promote their
languages and culture. As a result of this renaissance movement, some languages
have seen the establishment of an orthography for the first time. And others
have become part of the school curricula, or even a medium of instruction in
lower grades. Again, Mr. Speaker, we are seeing that happen in Conne River. It's
truly a delight to hear the young ones speak in their native tongue.
On a
positive note, it is remarkable that in spite of the difficulties confronting
them, several of Canada's Aboriginal languages are remaining relatively healthy.
For instance, over 90 per cent of Quebec's 5,000 Atikamekw speak their dialect
of Cree as mother tongue. Two-thirds of the 15,000 Innu in Quebec and Labrador
speak their own dialect of Cree as mother tongue, and about a third of them are
monolingual in it.
So, we
are seeing a renewed interest in the language and, for a change, we're seeing
support for Indigenous persons in re-learning this language. So I thank the
Member opposite for bringing this motion forward, for the opportunity to speak
to this very important bill here today and, by working together, hopefully we
will see these languages grow, and those of us who can't speak them will learn
the language and learn to appreciate it much better.
Wela'lin.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you very much.
The
hon. the Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, and the MHA for
Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair.
MS. DEMPSTER:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It's a
privilege always, any time you get a chance to stand in this Legislature and
speak to a bill or a motion, whatever the case might be, whatever is on the
floor. I want to commend my colleague, the MHA for Torngat Mountains, for
bringing forward this PMR. For those, anyone that might be tuning in or watching
today, where the MHA is asking his hon. colleagues in this Legislature that the
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador officially recognize 2019 as the
International Year of Indigenous Languages – very, very important.
When I
read this, and you ponder what is language, and why is it important, and some
people like yourself, Mr. Speaker, know many languages. Well, I barely know
English, my daughter might say, but it's so important.
I had
an interesting email last fall, a text – I'd forgotten it; it came to me when
this PMR came on the floor. Some know that my daughter was away in France last
fall, from September to December, a young lady, 22, and that was her first time
leaving home. As a parent you get all kinds of texts from your kids, but one day
I got a text that said: Mom, I really miss the English language. Now, what an
interesting text to get from your 22-year-old. Why did she miss it?
I
actually asked her after she came home. I said: What did you mean when you said
I miss the English language? I know you were in France, you were staying with a
French family, you were doing five French courses but what did you mean? She
said: I missed what was familiar.
So I
just say that in the context of why language is important, Mr. Speaker. The
youth of a particular language identifies each of us as belonging to a
particular group. For children growing up in a different country than they are
ethnically from, it can help them feel more connected to their parents and
relatives, those who speak the native language, and it can help them feel as
though, for some, they have a sense of home.
I can't
think, Mr. Speaker, as we all go through this journey of life, we all work in
our different fields and choose different paths, that there's one thing that I
think we'll all appreciate, and some of us are blessed with it more than others,
it's to have that sense of home and that belonging.
The
Member for Ferryland, I remember when we were talking about relocation and I
started quoting a song by Joe Diffie: Home is a swimming hole and a fishing pole
and all those things. It's about home and where people come from, where their
memories are, where, when they think about it, it's a certain piece of comfort
that they get from that. So, that's what we're talking about here today, people
who are at risk of losing their language, Mr. Speaker.
The
Member for Torngat certainly can speak much more eloquent to this than I can,
but I'm going to go back to, probably it was in the fall of 2015. I had a little
experience in Cartwright, one of the most Northern communities in the District
of Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair that I represent.
Mr.
Speaker, when you knock on doors you never really know what's on the other side.
You would appreciate that as an elected official yourself, and all of us have,
we knock on doors, sometimes you might get someone angry because they have an
issue that hasn't been dealt with. Oftentimes, you get people that are lonely,
but there are different things that we are faced with as elected officials.
This
particular day, I knocked on a door in Cartwright, quite a warm reception. I
went into this home and they began to share with me some of the experiences that
they had. Sadly, this was a man and wife that, as little children, six and seven
years old, had both been in the same residential school, had some terrible
experiences in that school, but to that gentleman, I said: Yes, I'm going to
take some time, I'm going to come in and visit with you guys. Sometimes we stay
five minutes and we move on.
He went
in, he said: I want to show you something if you have time. I said: Sure I have
time. He went in the room, he came out with a Bible that was printed in
Inuktitut. The man got all emotional and he started to weep. His wife started to
weep. He said there were a lot of things that happened to us in residential
schools. We tried to put it behind us, we tried to block it. Probably, he said,
as we get older, the biggest thing that we think about now is we lost our
language. He said: I have this Bible here that I cannot read because that was
taken from me.
Mr.
Speaker, the man was very serious and genuine. I could see the emotion of these
two people and the journey they had been on. I was pleased that they had at
least gotten married and found their way and they were on that journey together.
So, Mr.
Speaker, just another sombre example of what people lose when they lose their
language. I think about them often. When the prime minister came to Goose Bay –
was it November 17, maybe – and made the apology to those people that were
survivors in the residential schools, I was really touched to see that man had
made the trip from Cartwright and was there that day. You can only hope, you
can't go back and change the past, you learn from it, you move on. I can only
hope that, in time, they find some peace from that.
One of
the other things that really left an impression with me was – and my colleague
for Torngat may not even realize this, but when the Truth and Reconciliation
report came out and we gathered on the steps of Confederation Building with some
of our colleagues and he shared an experience of growing up in Northern
Labrador. How people from his community, the plane would come in the fall and
would take them away. When they came back in the spring, he said, we never
really knew why or there wasn't anything in particular we could put our finger
on, but they were different.
I
thought about that a lot. These people that had to leave their community, had to
leave these little remote Northern communities. There were some it happened to
in my district as well, Mr. Speaker. A different world than what we're living in
now. They'd go off and for that period, not only were those individuals in a
totally different environment, not only were they in an environment where they
were away from their culture, away from their language, which was such an
important part of their identity, where they were not being taught their native
language, but they were not treated very well.
That's
some of the sad stories of our past. We all, collectively, as elected officials,
want to do our part to help make life better, Mr. Speaker, for some of those
individuals.
Now, I
want to turn for a few minutes to my department, as the Minister of Children,
Seniors and Social Development, but, in particular, as the minister responsible
for child welfare; lots of times dealing with heavy things, Mr. Speaker.
We have
a tremendous team of people that work in that large social department, and I
couldn't toss them enough bouquets. I often wonder about their own self-care. I
encourage them to make sure they find some balance in their life and have
self-care. Mr. Speaker, they deal with heavy things and they genuinely care
about the work that they do, some 350 social workers around the province.
People
in this House, and certainly some around the province and our Indigenous groups
that we are working with, know that last year in May we brought in a new
Children, Youth and Families Act. Mr.
Speaker, that act is going to be proclaimed this spring. There's been a
tremendous amount of work happening since last May to put policies and
regulations in place around that act.
This is
a very progressive piece of legislation, Mr. Speaker, one that I believe will
have great benefits for children, youth and their families throughout our
province. If you'll bear with me for a couple of minutes, I'm going to tie in
the language piece to this new act, Mr. Speaker.
At the
heart of this new piece of legislation is child and youth centred with a very
real and tangible focus on families, but, Mr. Speaker, unlike its predecessor,
unlike the act that was in the department when I went in, one of the things that
I am most proud of is that it is culturally responsive – culturally responsive.
We deal
with so many Indigenous – and it's not unique to just Newfoundland and Labrador,
right across Canada, Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, we have an overrepresentation
of Indigenous children and youth in our care. Mr. Speaker, as an Indigenous
woman myself, I am so humbled that I was able to play a little role in bringing
this new piece of legislation forward.
Mr.
Speaker, as I already talked about, one key component of culture is language. In
the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development right now, we are
working hard to help support and facilitate this connection to culture for
children, youth and families. In particular, our new act will strengthen service
delivery to Indigenous children, youth and their families.
Some of
the changes that will help to address Indigenous involvement in service
coordination and planning, information sharing and very importantly inclusion of
cultural and community connections in decision-making regarding an Indigenous
child or a youth.
Mr.
Speaker, I want to stress today the significance of this recognition. The
current act does not directly mention – I couldn't believe it. Here we are with
such a – we deal with sometimes thousands of children and youth in our care, a
large proportion of which is Indigenous, and we had a children, youth and
families act that did not directly mention Indigenous governments and
organizations. Hard to be culturally responsive, of which language is a very
important component in that cultural piece, when you do not even make mention of
Indigenous governments and organizations. This is a first for child protection
legislation in this province and this inclusion is meaningful for Indigenous
children, youth and families.
One of
the things that I heard from my first meeting sitting down with Indigenous
groups, particularly, in places like Northern Labrador, our First Nation
reserves – now, I want to stress, I guess, before I make this statement, when we
are working with vulnerable families, removing the children is always a last
resort. As a matter of fact, about 80 per cent of the families we work with
around this province, the children are in their homes. Sometimes we have to
provide wrap-around supports to vulnerable families and help them through a
little challenging time in their life, but sometimes, just for a period of time,
always with a view to reunify that child with their family, we have to remove
the children. One of the things that we heard loud and clear from Indigenous
leaders was we don't want these children to lose their culture. That is so
important to their identity, the being away from their language.
So, Mr.
Speaker, this new act that is coming into effect this spring, this new
Children, Youth and Families Act, the
new act requires cultural connection plans, and we're pretty proud of that
because we have worked really hard. I'm not standing here taking all the credit.
I have a tremendous team. We've done a lot of work and a lot of work continues,
but what this new cultural connection plan means is that when an Indigenous
child or youth is removed from his or her family, and we consider specific
placements, they will require a cultural connection plan. There will be
provisions in place to connect people from that community with the child, or to
ensure that child has regular connections back with their family.
These
changes to the legislation are an important step forward to ensuring Indigenous
children and youth involved in the child protection system retain all those
important connections to their families and communities, which, of course,
enables connection to their language.
It is
important to note also – and we were just discussing this at lunch time today in
the department – there are lot of negative things around social media and
sometimes we all need to shut it down for our own mental health for a few hours,
but there are positive things in how social media has been able to bring people
together that's spread over a large land mass.
Often
you see elderly people now that are taking advantage of getting on social media
because it gives them an opportunity to engage a little with their grandchildren
that may be living in another city or another province, and they can only see
them once or twice a year.
One of
the things that technology has done, Mr. Speaker, is we are keeping up on new
ways to maintain connections with community. We have children that may be away
from their homes for temporary periods of time, or their community, and we are
using FaceTime to communicate. So when those children get an opportunity to
FaceTime with family members back in their Indigenous communities, language is a
very important component of that.
We're
going to continue, Mr. Speaker, to build on those ways to keep those children
and youth that are in our care that may be temporarily away from their families,
do all we can to ensure that they maintain a strong connection to their culture
and to their language, because we know, we understand the importance of culture,
the importance of maintaining connections with your community. It really is
something that's so important for all of us, as we go through life, to have a
strong sense of our own where we came from in order to determine where we want
to go in life.
Once
again, I want to toss a bouquet to my colleague –
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MS. DEMPSTER:
– the Member for Torngat,
for bringing the motion in. I'm happy to support this motion, Mr. Speaker, and
I've had an –
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
I
remind the Member her time is expired.
Order,
please!
I would
like to bring to the Members' attention, we do have a special guest observing
our very important debate this afternoon.
I'd
like to recognize Ms. Catharyn Andersen. She's Memorial University's Indigenous
advisor and special assistant to the president of Memorial University.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
And she's also from Makkovik
in Labrador.
Welcome, Catharyn, good to see you.
Thank
you.
The
hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.
MR. PETTEN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It's a
privilege to get up and speak on this private Member's motion brought forth
today by my hon. colleague from Torngat. I listened to all the previous
speakers, we sometimes forget how important, how deeply rooted we are in
Indigenous people and their languages. We get caught up in two main languages of
French and English, but anyone here, and if you're living in Labrador,
especially, and I'm aware of it as well, and most of us are, Indigenous language
and protecting them is very important.
Mr.
Speaker, the United Nations are concerned about losing the Indigenous languages.
They consider this to be a matter of development, peace building and
reconciliation. Here's how they put it: “Languages play a crucial role in the
daily lives of people, not only as a tool for communication, education, social
integration and development, but also as a repository for each person's unique
identity, cultural history, traditions and memory. However, despite their
immense value, languages around the world continue to disappear at alarming
rate.
“With
this in mind, the United Nations declared 2019 The Year of the Indigenous
Languages … in order to raise awareness of them, not only to benefit the people
who speak these languages, but also for others to appreciate the important
contribution they make to our world's rich cultural fabric.”
Here's
more of what the United Nations says on its website for this special year. “It
is through language that we communicate with the world, define our identity,
express our history and culture, learn, defend our human rights and participate
in all aspects of society, to name but a few.
“Through language, people preserve their community's history, customs and
traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking, meaning and expression. They also
use it to construct their future. Language is pivotal in areas of human rights
protection, good governance, peace building, reconciliation, and sustainable
development.”
Increasing understanding, reconciliation and international cooperation is one of
the five key areas that are listed from the United Nations. Creation of
favourable conditions for knowledge-sharing and dissemination of good practices
with regard to Indigenous languages is the second one. Integration of Indigenous
languages into standard setting is third. Empowerment through capacity building
is the fourth and growth and development through elaboration of new knowledge is
the fifth.
The
main objectives focus global attention on the critical risks confronting
Indigenous languages, their significance for sustainable development,
reconciliation, good governance and peace building. Target steps that will
improve quality of life, enhance international co-operation, strengthen
intercultural dialogue and reaffirm cultural and linguistic continuity. Increase
the capacity of all stakeholders to take measures that will support, access and
promote Indigenous languages in accordance with legitimate rights of the people
who speak them.
Mr.
Speaker, UNESCO, the main facilitator for this year – many governments are
partners in the initiative including the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. The
Canadian Commission for UNESCO is focused on other initiatives that are related
to this such as promoting dialogues between Indigenous and non-Indigenous
peoples.
Under
the banner, Let's Talk About Reconciliation, a series of dialogues continue to
be held until 2021 in public libraries across Canada. CCUNESCO helped organize
this series in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and
Reconciliation, the National Film Board, the Canadian Federation of Library
Associations and the Library and Archives of Canada.
Here's
something interesting about that initiative, a quote from an opinion piece in
La Presse in 2017, which states: Only
15 per cent of non-Indigenous Canadians are familiar with the history of
colonization in Canada, the cultural achievements of Indigenous peoples and some
of the obstacles they face such as racism, educational or economic inequalities,
for instance.
UNESCO
wants to do something about this, not that this initiative is promoting
dialogue, a word that points to language. The primary objective of this
initiative is to encourage participation by Canadians who are not directly
involved in the reconciliation process, or are not exposed to Indigenous history
and culture. These cross-country dialogues aim to strengthen relations between
Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities by creating space where the two
communities can interact with each other in a spirit of openness and mutual
discovery.
With
Qalipu, important discussions about Indigenous heritage and ancestry are opening
up, particularly in the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation organization. This process
has encouraged many people to begin telling their stories and all of us are
learning things about our province's history that were not widely known.
The
Qalipu Cultural Foundation was formed in 2014 to support Mi'kmaq culture in
Newfoundland and Labrador. We are making every effort to reach out to
individuals who have limited knowledge of their heritage and providing them with
information and experiences that will assist them in the discovery process. We
also seek to unite the people who have experience and knowledge of the Mi'kmaq
traditions.
At
Conne River, Miawpukek reserve was established according to traditional oral
history in 1870. In July, people gathered to join the Miawpukek First Nation
powwow where Mi'kmaq Nation culture is celebrated.
In
Northern Labrador, the Nunatsiavut Government has a Cultural Division that works
to ensure the future language and culture of the people. The Culture, Recreation
and Tourism Department works on preservation, protection, promotion and
advancement of Labrador Inuit language and culture. The Cultural Division
provides a range of language and culture-related initiatives and programs. The
department has three interpreter-translators on staff providing
Inuktitut-English services for the Nunatsiavut Government and the public. Once a
week the OK Society radio station in Nain runs a one-hour radio program in
Inuktitut, which is funded and supported by the department
Inuktitut Master Apprenticeship Program is a six-month program in each of the
five Nunatsiavut communities where fluent Inuktitut speakers are hired to teach
language and skills to students.
These
words are not that easy to say, Mr. Speaker.
The
Labrador Inuktitut Training Program, known as the LITP, was established through
partnerships. The department has developed a curriculum for Inuktitut
language-training program to be administered with the Department of Education
and Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. The program was delivered
successfully through the Inuktitut Bachelor of Education Program which plans to
expand the application of the program into additional educational settings.
The
department is participating in an effort to develop a unified national writing
system and language materials for Inuktitut. Together with partners, they are
using CD-ROM learning modules for the Labrador Inuit dialect of Inuktitut. The
department has been developing language strategy to target future programs,
services and policy directions to increase the understanding and the use of
Inuktitut in Nunatsiavut.
Mr.
Speaker, back in 2009 a partnership between the Department of Education and Innu
Nation resulted in the development of an Innu social studies curriculum and
resources for kindergarten, the first for Innu children in Newfoundland and
Labrador.
The
province's Education minister stated at the time: “There has been a great level
of consultation and collaboration with Innu over the past several years to adapt
the social studies curriculum to truly reflect the Innu culture and way of life.
The new resources have been written by the Innu for the Innu. What's more, the
Innu have drawn and photographed the images in the readers and the story-books.
This is a first for our province and I am pleased we were able to assist in
making this initiative a reality.”
“The
Kindergarten social studies curriculum was adapted by a working group of
representatives from the Innu Nation, the Labrador School District and the
Department of Education. It is the first time that the Innu have been so deeply
involved in their resource development, which also includes hands-on
professional development for Innu participants. This effort has resulted in a
curriculum for Kindergarten that is uniquely adapted to Innu, as well as a
framework for modifying other subject areas for Innu students at different grade
levels and subjects.”
Grand
Chief Mark Nui said: “For the first time ever Innu children will see themselves
in school materials and it will be an empowering experience for them, for their
teachers and for the Inuit people as a whole. This has required a collective
effort and I want to thank the Innu teachers and teaching assistants, the
Department of Education and the Labrador School Board for their dedication to
this project.”
“In
addition to adaptations to social studies curriculum, a number of other
initiatives have been introduced in recent years aimed at making the school
environment more culturally relevant for Innu students. For example, community
elders visit schools to help bring stories and local history and culture of the
Innu to language arts and social studies classes, and art and music classes now
focus on and embrace Innu art and music.”
The
former minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Ms. Patty Pottle, once said in years
past: “By teaching the children of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish with material
developed by Innu themselves, inspired by their language and culture, we see an
outstanding example of Innu Nation and the Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador working together to promote and preserve the Innu language and way of
life. I commend the Innu Nation for their ongoing efforts to establish a solid
foundation of learning for these children. Thanks to the combined efforts of the
Innu community, educators, and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Innu
children have increased opportunities to grow and prosper within their own
culture.”
The
present initiative is part of the approximately $9 million allocated by the
provincial government from 2005 onward in both K-12 and post-secondary systems
in support of initiatives to enhance educational experience for Aboriginal
students, including the Innu and Inuit, for after-school programs, a skilled
trades program at Nain and Hopedale and an expansion of the College of the North
Atlantic in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to accommodate Aboriginal students.
The
minister at the time said: “The nature of social studies easily allows for focus
on aspects of Innu culture and history; however, now that we have a framework in
place, we can make adaptations in many areas of the curriculum. We can provide
culturally relevant learning resources within the prescribed curriculum. Our
intent is to ensure that Innu students have the opportunity to learn about their
heritage and maintain their language, while acquiring the skills necessary to
succeed in our modern economy.”
The
NunatuKavut Research, Education and Culture department launched a Southern Inuit
Education Program in seven school throughout NunatuKavut in 2016: Cartwright,
Black Tickle, Norman Bay, Charlottetown, Port Hope Simpson, Mary's Harbour and
St. Lewis.
NunatuKavut worked closely with school to re-introduce Southern Inuit
traditional knowledge and skills into the curriculum. During the school year,
students get hands-on experience in building komatiks, making snowshoes,
learning crafts and surviving on the land. It's taught by NunatuKavut language
elders in the community.
As
well, Re-Storying NunatuKavut was
collaboratively developed by researchers from NunatuKavut and Memorial
University to explain how urban Southern Inuit youth in Happy Valley-Goose Bay
could be engaged in researching and documenting NunatuKavut-based historical
narratives. They pointed out that the stories and knowledge of Inuit women, in
particular, have not been widely heard or acknowledged within the scholarly
literature or within intergenerational community context.
This
research aimed to explore how the practice of storytelling by the NunatuKavut
women could destabilize established historical narratives and understandings,
and how the involvement of urban youth in digital storytelling could create new
interpretations of the diversity of experiences and Indigenous identities of the
Southern Inuit. Recently NunatuKavut has welcomed Indigenous writers to
participate and collecting an anthology of writing, with creations in Indigenous
languages especially welcomed.
Mr.
Speaker, in conclusion, I'd like to say the efforts of this province to step up
in the protection of popularization of Indigenous languages and cultures are
moving forward thanks to passionate people in the community. We need to
celebrate these efforts more widely and showcase this culture and linguistic
wealth wherever and whenever we can.
We're
pleased to support this resolution and join with others in calling on the
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to officially recognize 2019 as the Year
of Indigenous Languages.
Thank
you very much.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for
Stephenville - Port au Port.
MR. FINN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank
you to my colleague across the way for his words and segue in speaking this
afternoon. Mr. Speaker, for those who might be just joining us on the broadcast
or perhaps tuning in or listening, I'll just recount the private Member's
resolution that we're debating this afternoon. The private Member's motion was
brought in by the Member for Torngat Mountains and it states:
“WHEREAS the United Nations has declared 2019 as the International Year of
Indigenous Languages;
“AND
WHEREAS the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has estimated that 40 percent
of the languages spoken around the world are in danger of disappearing;
“AND
WHEREAS there are more than 70 Indigenous languages across 12 language groups
currently spoken in Canada and it is believed that 75 per cent of these
languages are identified as endangered;
“AND
WHEREAS Indigenous languages are a fundamental and valued element of our culture
and society and are essential in improving our indigenous identity;
“THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
officially recognize 2019 as the Year of the Indigenous Languages.”
Mr.
Speaker, the Member for Torngat Mountains had a chat with me prior to coming up
with this motion. It's something that he felt extremely passionate about, as he
alluded to in his opening remarks. Essentially, the intent of the motion is that
the province can now recognize 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages and as a
bit of a piggyback, if you will, of the some of the work that the United Nations
has done in calling on 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
Some of
the work that the United Nations has done on this is around awareness and it's
around encouraging other member states and nations to promote and encourage
Indigenous languages. This is some of the work that was developed from their
declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which was adopted in 2007. And
in that document that was adopted just over a dozen years ago one of the
articles specifically states: “… indigenous peoples have the right to
revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories,
languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures, and
to designate and retain their own names for communities, places and persons.”
So,
with this work coming from the United Nations, and as we moved on to see some of
the work that the Truth and Reconciliation recommendations here in Canada, I
think it's important that as a province we take and lend our voice to this
cause. I think that was the intention of the Member's motion here this
afternoon.
Mr.
Speaker, in Canada, as we said, there are more than 70 Indigenous languages
across 12 language groups. We are seeing a decline in the ability of folks who
are able to speak Indigenous languages. Some of the data from 2016 Statistics
Canada is also stating we had about a two-decade decline in the percentage of
Indigenous people able to speak an Indigenous language; 29 per cent in 1996,
down to 16 per cent in 2016. Mr. Speaker, those figures are quite startling and
I think it certainly is the reason why we're here speaking today.
The
Truth and Reconciliation Commission have put forth 94 calls to action, as
mentioned by multiple Members. A number of the initial –
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER:
It's just a little bit
noisy. If I could just remind the Members, please, to keep their conversations
down a little.
Thank
you.
MR. FINN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
Truth and Reconciliation Commission, one of the calls they put forth
specifically around some of the Languages Act, and we actually just saw the
federal government table some legislation on this, I believe, just about a month
ago. What they are doing is they are going to appoint, in consultation with
Aboriginal groups, an Aboriginal languages commissioner. The commissioner should
be able to promote Aboriginal languages and report of the adequacy of federal
funding for Aboriginal language initiatives.
So this
was called upon by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in December of 2015.
We understand and know that legislation takes time and some of these calls to
action have been acted on, but most recently we just saw legislation so we can
see an Aboriginal languages commissioner. I applaud the federal government; I
think that's a step in the right direction, and certainly something that we as a
province can build on as well.
In
Newfoundland and Labrador, as the Member for Torngat Mountains alluded to, we've
seen some great work from Memorial University. I know Catharyn Andersen here
this afternoon. For Mi'kmaq I would say kwe',
which means hello. So hello and welcome to you, it's great to see you here this
afternoon.
In
addition to Memorial, I know we've had some initiatives with the Department of
Education. We recently had some graphic novels that were introduced into the
school curriculum with respect to Indigenous principles and culture. But outside
of Memorial and outside of some other initiatives, we have a tremendous amount
of groups and non-profit organizations and Aboriginal and Indigenous groups that
are continuing to promote the teachings of Indigenous languages.
Some of
them, Mr. Speaker, are on the West Coast, where I'm from, in Stephenville. I
know the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre, which has an
Indigenous friendship centre located on Main Street in Stephenville, as well as
a friendship centre located on Main Street in St. George's. And they've done
some good work with respect to teaching Indigenous languages, but they also have
some challenges.
Some of
the challenges are directly alluding to the amount of people who are still able
to speak the language and speak it fluently. I know they've brought in folks
from Eskasoni First Nation. Dr. Bernie Francis, who is a linguist, was brought
over and has done some work and they've adopted some of his principles. He was
an individual who was able to develop the Francis-Smith method, which
essentially when you're speaking Mi'kmaq, there are two different ways to speak
the language. It could be the Francis-Smith method or the Listuguj method. And
this of course can vary depending on where you live. But he had come over and
had helped some of the folks there in terms of some of the teachings. Also,
Curtis Michael from Eskasoni had come over to Stephenville and to St. George's
as well.
Today,
we currently have two individuals who are teaching Mi'kmaq in Stephenville and
in St. George's. And that's Marcella Williams and Shane Snook. Both of these
individuals have been doing weekly classes. We tend to see an older demographic
come to some of these classes. I guess it gets to a certain point where in terms
of promoting and reviving the culture, which has been the goal of Qalipu First
Nation and some of the revival we've seen over the last number of years in
particular, but in terms of promoting the culture you get to a point where in
order to recognize the culture's importance, recognizing the language becomes
part and parcel. The difficulty around recognizing the language and those who
are able to speak the language certainly becomes a challenge but, having said
that, they are making some good inroads.
Mr.
Speaker, one of the things that we've learned in terms of promoting culture and
Indigenous culture is from our elders and it's been referenced here in the House
of Assembly on a couple of occasions. I just want to give a good shout-out to
two elders from my areas and that would be Odelle Pike who recently received the
Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and certainly someone who has championed the
Mi'kmaq cause for a number of years and also elder Calvin White, of course, who
is someone who is recognized nationally, receiving the Order of Canada for his
efforts.
I know
both of these people very well. In fact, I've actually had the fortunate
opportunity, outside of my role as a Member of the House of Assembly but in my
prior life working in non-profit organizations, to work with these individuals
in teaching employment skills and programming when Calvin was working in the
Flat Bay band and some of these initiatives and working with Odelle Pike from
the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network.
We, as
a government, have a role to help these organizations to continue to do the good
work that they do. I do know that just last year we were able to increase some
of our funding provincially to the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network,
which was certainly welcome, and we continue to help some of our different bands
around as well.
Benoit
First Nation in Cape St. George comes to mind. It's a band that does tremendous
work in the community and we've been able to help them through various Job
Creation Partnerships with respect to their building and their upgrading around
the Community Enhancement Employment Programs as well. So there are a number of
ways that groups can tap in where government can supply help and all of this
helps to provide a space, a cultural learning space for individuals to provide
this type of training.
Mr.
Speaker, I don't want to belabour it. I just wanted to lend my voice for a few
moments. As we know, we have a 15-minute allotment on private Members'
resolutions, but I did want to save some of my time today for my colleague from
St. George's - Humber who I know has spent a significant amount of time
throughout his district. Both of our districts are very rich with respect to our
Qalipu members. I, of which, am a member of the Qalipu First Nation as well.
With
that, I just wanted to lend my voice to talk about some of things that the
United Nations has done, what has spurred on the Member for Torngat Mountains to
bring in this motion today, some of the work that the federal government has
done that we can now take and move on and move forward with as well.
With
that, Mr. Speaker, I will leave you with another word in Mi'kmaq and it is:
M'sit no'kmaq, which means “all my relations.”
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MS. ROGERS:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
I'm
very happy to stand here and speak to this private Member's motion, and we
certainly will support it.
I do
have a question, and my question is: What does it mean to ask government to
simply officially recognize 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages? It's not
enough. We need more than just a simple acknowledgement or words, because
although this is about words, it's about more than just words and memorizing
words, it's about a whole cultural expression.
So,
really, we need to be asking government to really support the revitalization,
the preservation of Indigenous languages here in Newfoundland and Labrador where
we know that they are.
I want
to commend my colleagues for the wonderful statements that have been made, and
the Member for Torngat Mountains who has introduced this private Member's
motion. It's so important. It's so incredibly important.
What we
are seeing in light of the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, and what we are seeing
in light of an intentional – in the history of this province, we have seen an
intentional suppression of Indigenous languages – intentional. Not just what we
see globally in terms of an anglicization, the spread of English in so many
languages, it's more than that. We have seen an intentional suppression of
Indigenous languages – I'm having a hard time with English today, Mr. Speaker –
and so reparation is just, reparation must be done, and that reparation comes
with a cost.
We're
not talking just because, okay, just pour more money on, but it really comes
with specific actions and with a cost in order to ensure that there is
reparation, that there is justice, that there is preservation of what still
exists, and also revitalization. Because we know how important language is to
the expression of culture, and it goes hand-in-hand with, not only the
articulation of culture, but the development of culture.
So that
is my question: What is it that we really are asking government to do? Again,
not simply say: Oh yes, we support this or acknowledge this, but that it must go
beyond that.
UNESCO
declared 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages not because it
was a nice thing to do but because they recognized they had to encourage urgent
action. It's not just acknowledging Indigenous languages, it's saying we need
urgent action and we need urgent action to preserve, revitalize and promote
Indigenous languages around the world.
What
we're talking about here today, Mr. Speaker, is urgent action – urgent action to
preserve, revitalize and promote Indigenous languages around Newfoundland and
Labrador. Again, in reparation for this specific targeted suppression of those
languages that came along with colonization and now there's a lot of work to be
done.
UNESCO
also realized and recognized that measures are needed to avoid further loss of
these languages and their associated history, traditions and memory. So it's not
just words. It's all of the culture as well, the associated history of the
language, the traditions that are embodied within the language and how the
language embodies tradition and also memory.
When
the Member for Torngat talked about the numerous words in Inuktitut for snow, so
when you use those very descriptive and very specific words, they also elicit a
memory and a picture and an idea and a tradition, so how important that is.
UNESCO
says through language people preserve their community's history, customs and
traditions, their memory, unique modes of thinking, and we see that as well in
different Indigenous communities, a different way of thinking and that's
reflected in their language and the language also reflects a way of thinking and
meaning and expression.
How,
when we learn different languages, all of us, if we've had the fortune, the good
fortune of being able to learn a different language, you know that languages
also really have very specific meaning and expression and, particularly, again,
when the Member for Torngat talked to us about the different words for snow.
They have different meaning. They have a different expression.
Language is also used to construct the future. Language is pivotal in the areas
of human rights protection, good governance. We know how important language is
in our legislation in our House of Assembly, how we conduct our business here in
the House. Language is so important for peace building. There's a lot of peace
building and reparation that is required as we see through the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission, and, specifically, very targeted areas in the Calls
to Action. It's necessary, it's very pivotal in reconciliation and sustainable
development. So we know how important this is.
Many of
us take for granted that we can conduct our lives in our home languages without
any constraint or prejudice. When we look at the history of colonization on
Indigenous communities in our province, we look at the constraints and the
prejudice that were enforced upon Indigenous people around the use of their own
language. The loss of Indigenous languages has a huge negative impact on the
Indigenous cultures that are concerned. We're seeing that, and I think that the
Member for Torngat showed us that very carefully, and the Government of Canada
has endorsed this declaration.
But
coming with endorsing this declaration, again, must come crucial actions. The
Government of Canada introduced a federal
Indigenous Languages Act, it was Bill C-91, and that was introduced February
5 and it's now in Committee. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for
that. The act states that the rights of Indigenous peoples that are enshrined in
law include Indigenous languages. We need that provincially as well. We need
that provincially, we need a similar act. We need a similar law here in the
province that enshrines the rights of Indigenous people in law to include
Indigenous languages without prejudice, without suppression, without
discrimination.
I asked
questions in Question Period today about some very specific issues about
Indigenous communities having the right to adequate translation, to full
translation, when they're accessing health care services, social services and
justice. We know the Minister of Justice responded to me saying: We're doing the
best that we can. But we know how difficult it is in the justice system in
Labrador that, basically, there have been two full-time translators in Innu, and
how difficult it is. They go, they're running between court cases, between rooms
in the courthouse trying to translate, and in Inuktitut, different translators.
What happens is that there are delays in cases.
We
know, again, particularly in the law, how particular many terms are, how
particular that process is and how important it is for those who either have
been victims or who have been accused, how important it is for them to have a
full understanding of what's going on. It's about their basic human rights. We
know that the translation services are far from adequate in that situation and
more needs to be done.
What
needs to done is a translator in different circumstances, not just about
somebody who can speak the language, it's also about somebody who has the
expertise in a particular area that they're doing the translation for. So,
whether it's health care situations, again, which has very particular and
technical language, and the law as well.
I want
to do a shout out to those who are doing this work on behalf of their
communities, who are providing translation. Sometimes they work really long
hours, sometimes under a lot of stress. We need more people who are fully
trained, who are working full time, that this is their full-time job. Not just
contract work and being called at the last minute. We need people who are very
skilled in the particular areas that they are providing translation for.
I'd
also like to give a shout out to those who are doing really interesting work.
The school in Miawpukek First Nation in the Conne River school. They have one
Mi'kmaq teacher. They know that they need another one and they are doing
everything they can to ensure that their children are learning the Mi'kmaq
language.
Many of
us – I don't know if many of us, but I certainly went to Makkipok, which was an
Inuit Music for Passiontide and Easter at the Basilica. It was with the Lady
Cove and Newman Sound and the incredible Inuk classically trained singer,
Deantha Edmunds, who sang in Inuktitut her favourite Handel's “Messiah.” It was
an incredible event, Mr. Speaker. The Basilica was filled two nights; it was
incredible. There was so much pride bouncing around that Basilica those two
nights and what a celebration of the Inuit culture and the Inuit language. It
was just absolutely amazing.
Then
also Jerry Evans, a Mi'kmaq man, an activist artist with Pam Hall is doing an
encyclopedia of knowledge and it's of folk knowledge, of traditional knowledge
that will be published in Mi'kmaq. I'm really looking forward to that coming
out.
Shane
Snook and another woman who's doing an online Mi'kmaq course where you can learn
different – but again it's not just about learning words and pronunciations of
words, it's about learning a language and it's about learning how to speak a
language. They're providing that free of charge online and that's a wonderful
thing.
Eastern
Owl is a music group of Indigenous women who are singing in Mi'kmaq and other
Indigenous languages, celebrating that culture and that art. How great is that.
Their CDs are available to buy. They've got their second CD out.
The
Jerry Cans are Inuit folks from (inaudible) from Iqaluit and they sing in
Inuktitut and they're kind of a rock-and-roll type group and they're just so
great. To see Indigenous youth and Indigenous artists performing in their
languages, how important that is.
The
powwow in Miawpukek First Nation Conne River, I went this summer; it was just
fabulous. Again, the celebration and the pride that comes with celebrating one's
own culture – the powwow in Flat Bay.
Tonight
is the opening night of Huff, which
is a play written by Cliff Cardinal. He's an Indigenous playwright and actor and
he has toured across Canada with this play. It's on tonight until the 17th of
March at the LSPU Hall here in St. John's. I highly recommend that people go to
it. It's a fabulous play that has gotten lots of acclaim and it's a play about
the colonization and the implications of that colonization on his people.
Mr.
Speaker, I see that my time is running down, but I want to say, again, that to
simply say we support this is not enough. It takes urgent action. It's an urgent
issue. We are looking at the disappearance of very important culture and
language.
Thank
you very much, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
I recognize the hon. the
Member for St. George's - Humber.
MR. REID:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It's
great to have an opportunity to talk about this important issue here in this
House today. A number of Members have spoken and it's been a very interesting
debate. I want to thank the Member for Torngat Mountains for bringing forward
this resolution and giving us all an opportunity to think about and to talk
about and have a good discussion about Indigenous languages and the importance
of recognizing the importance of those languages.
Language, really, it's not just about the way we communicate, it's the way we
think. It's the way we interact with each other. One of the things, the Member
for Torngat Mountains talked about the number of words for snow. That sort of
language is rooted in the geography and the physical place where we live.
I had a
conversation with someone who speaks Mi'kmaq and they were telling me their
experiences of learning the language. One of the experiences they had was they
started to realize where the words for the months of the year came from and how
the words were connected to the things that came at that time of year. Berries
and things like this would sort of – the names of the months in the language
would relate to some of the physical things that were happening at that time of
year.
So,
it's a connectedness to the physical environment that, in many ways, sort of
develops our language and the way we speak and the way we talk to each other.
I have
a little bit of experience with this myself. I had an opportunity to teach
English at a university in Korea for a while. One of the things, we, as
Newfoundlanders, when we talk to people we often start off the conversation –
one of the things, if we don't know the other person, we often start off by
talking about the weather. We say: Oh, this is a nice day, right, we're having
here today. Or bad weather – what do you think of that weather? When I moved to
Korea first, my wife and I, I said: Yeah, nice day we're having today. They were
like: What are you talking about? Yeah, it's a nice day and it's going to be a
nice day tomorrow too. It's going to be a nice day for the next three months and
then it's going to get bad. It's going to rain for a month, right. So, it's the
way our language is connected to where we are and that's one reason why it's
important to maintain our language and the way we think about things and the
connectedness that we have.
I want
to take a few minutes just to talk about the cultural revival that I see
happening on the West Coast in the Mi'kmaq people there and some of the people
that I've talked with in the area, some of the experiences they've had. The
Member for Stephenville - Port au Port mentioned some of the same things that I
wanted to talk about here today, but I think some of them, as well, bear
repeating.
I
guess, really the thing that most people are aware of is the success of the Bay
St. George powwow that happens in Flat Bay. It's something that has led to a
real pride in the culture. It's led to opportunities for people to reconnect
with their culture. It's offered opportunities for people who aren't Mi'kmaq to
begin to learn more about the diversity of cultures we have in this province and
what we can learn from each other about the way our cultures have evolved and we
can learn things from each other.
I just
want to congratulate the Cultural Revival Committee on what they've done in the
Flat Bay powwow. It's quite the event. If you haven't been there, I would
certainly – I know a number of Members of the House have been there. I think the
Member for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi was there one year. Who else was there?
The Member for Stephenville - Port au Port is always there. The Premier was
there one year, I think. So we've had a number of people from the House visit,
and I certainly would encourage other Members to visit as well. It really is an
exciting few days and I would encourage you to attend.
As
well, I just want to talk about some of the people that I've talked to and some
of the people I've learned from, some of the elders in the Bay St. George area.
One of the people that I've talked to – and the Member for Stephenville - Port
au Port mentioned him as well – was Calvin White. He told me some stories about
suppression of Mi'kmaq culture in the early days.
He and
other people have told me stories about parents and grandparents who would not
speak Mi'kmaq in front of their younger children. There was such a stigma
attached to being Aboriginal at that time that people suppressed their culture.
As I say, with the Cultural Revival, we're seeing – I see a complete reversal of
that. People are taking pride in their culture, but it's a sad part of our
history. People talk about truth and reconciliation, and it's a difficult thing.
I know, I've talked to a lot of people about the anger that still exists and the
injustices that occurred.
It's
something we're still struggling with, I think, as a society in this province,
in Canada, generally. I think it's important that we continue to make efforts in
terms of truth and reconciliation in this province as well. I think having this
debate here today gives us an opportunity to talk about some of those things.
Another
person that I talked to, John mentioned Odelle Pike. Sorry, I mean the Member
for Stephenville - Port au Port mentioned Odelle Pike today. I certainly
recognize the work that Odelle has done and she's made a wonderful contribution
to the whole area. She's been recognized for it with the Order of Canada and the
Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Just to
go back for a second, Calvin White, as well, recently received the Order of
Canada for his work with Aboriginal people in this province and the work that
he's done over the years. He's also a recipient of the Order of Newfoundland and
Labrador.
Where I
was going first was I talked about Odelle, but also I wanted to talk about
Odelle's brother, Victor. Victor is an elder in St. George's. He does a lot of
visits to schools, a lot of work with young people and teaching them about their
culture and language. He's been very instrumental in promoting the culture. I've
had several chats with him. I've learned a lot from him about Aboriginal culture
in the area and the history of Bay St. George, generally. He's done a lot to
preserve the traditions. He's wrote several books and he's been a very important
figure in the cultural revival that's happening in Bay St. George.
As
well, I just want to take a few more seconds to talk about some of the efforts –
the museum in St. George's. If anyone is interested in learning more about
Aboriginal culture or reconnecting with their culture, the museum in St.
George's is in the old courthouse there and it has a lot of displays and lot of
material related to the history of Aboriginal people in this province.
Myself
and the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, the minister
responsible for Culture was out to the powwow as well, and while we were there,
myself and the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port, we dropped into the
museum in St. George's. I think we were all impressed with the displays there
and the expression of culture.
One of
the other things is we recently had the cultural round tables where the province
sought input from various groups about aspects of culture. I attended a session
in Corner Brook and also a session in Stephenville. One of the issues that came
up was issues around Mi'kmaq language, Mi'kmaq art and Mi'kmaq music as well. I
think it was interesting to hear that input and to hear that sort of case put
forward that we need to do more to encourage Mi'kmaq music to be heard on the
radio, or to make it possible for people to broadcast Mi'kmaq music, Mi'kmaq
stories and the use of language. So, I'm hopeful that in the future we'll see
some things like that happening.
Also,
another positive thing that I see happening is in some of the schools. Some
people have mentioned the problems of schools in our past, experiences with
residential schools. That's part of our history and that's part of something
we're still struggling with.
One of
the positive things I see, I've been invited to visit the school in St. George's
in particular, and one of the exciting things I see there is the school
principal and other teachers are inviting Mi'kmaq people into the classroom, to
bring the Mi'kmaq culture into the classroom and they're having events which
emphasize Mi'kmaq culture. I'm very encouraged by that. I want to give a
shout-out to the principal there, Wally Childs, and the teachers and the people
in the community who become part of that as well.
Language and cultural revival is all part of what we're seeing there. I just
wanted to mention a couple of artists from the area; Nelson White is someone.
I've had conversations with him. He really doesn't like to be referred to as a
Mi'kmaq artist. He says he's an artist who just happens to be Mi'kmaq. Some of
his paintings that I've seen are very interesting and I think they show not your
stereotypical maybe expression of Aboriginals, it's sort of a new look.
One of
his pictures that was really striking was someone getting ready to go to the
powwow, putting on their regalia, someone was helping them put on their regalia.
While they were doing that, the person had a cellphone in their hand and was
checking their email while they were getting dressed in their regalia to go to
powwow.
So it's
an interesting sort of showing that Aboriginal culture is evolving as well.
Other people have mentioned the use of technology to teach language and I'm
aware of the possibilities that are being used there.
Marcus
Gosse is someone who sort of uses Mi'kmaq art as part of what he does, but he
also interacts with sort of art from Andy Warhol and sort of mixes those sort of
styles with Mi'kmaq traditional art. Jordan Bennett is someone else who has been
very successful in putting forward Mi'kmaq art in the province and has had
displays at the Guggenheim in New York and has had big displays in Halifax and
is getting recognition from all around the world. He is someone else.
What
I'm saying is we've had some very interesting things happen. There's a new pride
I think and there's a new sort of attitude developing. I think language has to
be an important part of that and it all works together.
I just
want to thank the Member for Torngat Mountains for bringing forward his motion,
giving us an opportunity to discuss this issue here today.
Thanks
very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The
hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains to close the debate on his motion.
The
hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.
MR. EDMUNDS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
At some
point, maybe a correction will be needed in naming of my district. Torngat is an
English word derived from Tongait, which are the godly mountains.
Mr.
Speaker, when I opened by remarks and I introduced the PMR, I said that I would
have to leave it to my colleagues to address the Indigenous cultures around our
province. I'd like to thank them for the job they did because it shed different
angles on different cultures from Northern Labrador to the South Coast.
The
Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune who represents the Miawpukek community of
Conne River, an interesting remark that she made was the domination of English
and the insults that Newfoundlanders – if I could use that word, Mr. Speaker –
had to face in the evolvement of the dialects of English around the province –
an interesting comment.
I liked
her comments that she said that she can only imagine the insults and the
suppression that Indigenous cultures around our province had to face. I guess
the ultimate payment of sacrifice was the Beothuk nation. So I thank her for her
comments in agreeing that Indigenous cultures have taken initiatives. I think
everyone said that.
Some
comments from my colleague the hon. Member for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair,
stories about the almost total loss of language on the South Coast and how a lot
of this language was lost through residential schooling and forced teachings of
another culture.
She
also referred to the apology by the prime minister in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and
what it meant to the Indigenous cultures and how it started the healing process
to address some of the challenges with the Truth and Reconciliation report.
My hon.
colleague for Conception Bay South, Mr. Speaker, said that language is pivotal
in areas where culture is needed. He talked about the international initiatives
of dialect diversion. He mentioned the Miawpukek powwow and I'm assuming it was
the Torngâsok Cultural Centre.
I have
to give my hon. colleague from Conception Bay South thumbs up for his efforts at
actually speaking some of the Indigenous languages. As a matter of fact, Mr.
Speaker, when he started to speak Inuktitut, it's probably the clearest I ever
understood him since he became Member.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. EDMUNDS:
My hon. colleague from
Stephenville - Port au Port, Mr. Speaker, focused on the declarations from the
United Nations and the clearance that it gave for Indigenous cultures to go
forward in reviving language. He focused on the initiatives by Memorial
University and the Indigenous groups in our province. He mentioned some of his
elders: Odelle Pike and Calvin White, who have been recognized for their
efforts.
My hon.
colleague from St. John's Centre, Mr. Speaker, mentioned there's more need for
recognition, there's more need for action. She talked about international
suppression and that reparations must be done, and it comes with a cost. She
mentioned the questions in Question Period today.
I'd
like to take it one step further for what translators have to deal with. When we
started introducing another culture, the English culture, the translators, our
elders that did translations, actually had to invent words because some of the
terminology and some of the issues that came forward, there was never an
Indigenous word for it. So these are some of the challenges around that.
Mr.
Speaker, the Member for St. George's - Humber talked about the contrast in
cultures and the connectedness required. But he also talked about the revival in
his district, the powwow in St. George's, the pride in the culture and the
reconnection revival.
Mr.
Speaker, I thank everyone for their comments on all this.
I'd
like to talk a little bit about the repatriation, both in the Inuktitut culture
that I mentioned in my opening remarks and the work that's been done by Chief
Misel Joe and the Miawpukek nation on the repatriation of our Beothuk remains:
Nonosabasut and Demasduit.
Mr.
Speaker, there are a bunch of different Indigenous groups around our province. I
just mentioned the Beothuk and the Miawpukek, the Qalipu First Nation, Benoit
First Nation St. George's Band, Burgeo Mi'kmaq band, Northern Peninsula Makep'sk
Mi'kmaq Band, Flat Bay Band, NunatuKavut Community Council, Sheshatshiu Innu
Band Council, the Mushuau Innu Band Council that make up the Innu Nation and the
Nunatsiavut Government, Mr. Speaker. All of these have a mandate to promote,
preserve and, in some cases, revive or restore language as a part of their
culture.
In our
own government that started off in the '70s as an idea, members like Sam
Andersen who was the first president of the Labrador Inuit Association; Bill
Edmunds, my father; William Anderson III, Catharyn's father; Fran Williams, Jim
Lyall; Sarah Leo; Johannes Lambe; William Barber, all of these leaders had a
mandate and they've done what they could over time.
With
the Innu Nation we had great leaders like Ben Michel and Katie Rich, Peter
Penashue, Prote Poker, Mark Nui, Greg Rich. All of these that play an important
role.
Mr.
Speaker, in conclusion, I'd just like to, I guess, talk about the past, the
present and the future in my closing remarks. I think we need to focus on
recognizing the suppression and the ridicule that our elders faced with the
change in culture being forced upon them. These people, Mr. Speaker, faced the
worst discrimination that you could ever imagine and they still managed to hang
on to what culture we have. I think that by no means was an easy feat. I took a
lot of suffering, it took a lot of pain, but it took perseverance, Mr. Speaker,
and the one thing about our Indigenous cultures, we persevere.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. EDMUNDS:
Now, Mr. Speaker, I just
mentioned a whole bunch of Indigenous leaders from around our province who are
the leaders of today, who have taken this knowledge that has been passed on from
the elders and there's been a movement across this country, Mr. Speaker, and the
movement is gathering steam.
We have
in our province, band councils. We have governments, Indigenous governments. We
have Indigenous governments in the making. We have a land claims agreements that
is in negotiation, and if you look at the mandate of every one of those
governments and band councils and councils, the number one mission statement,
the one number mission is to promote and preserve culture.
Mr.
Speaker, they're doing their job, and every Member in here has talked about the
revival of Indigenous culture, Indigenous language around our province.
Now,
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my opening statements, our young people are
hungry and thirsty for knowledge, for Indigenous knowledge. The elders held on
to what they could with what was placed upon them. Our job is to take that
knowledge, mould it, restore it and pass it on to our children because they're
excited and I think that our future generations will make us proud because,
internationally, we have given them the go-ahead.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Is the House ready for the
question?
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?
The
motion is carried.
I'd
also like to say, if I may, wela'lin, tshinashkumitin, nakummek to our
Indigenous languages.
It
being Wednesday, and in accordance with Standing Order 9, this House now does
stand adjourned until tomorrow at 1:30 o'clock.
Thank
you.
Members
of the Management Commission will meet immediately in my office, I will say, at
5 o'clock, 1700.
Thank you.