April 15, 2021
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS
Vol. L No. 2
The House met at 10 a.m.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:
All rise.
SPEAKER (Bennett):
Order, please!
Please be seated.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:
Mr. Speaker, the Chief Justice of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has
arrived.
SPEAKER:
Admit the Chief Justice of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:
Mr. Speaker, Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor has arrived.
SPEAKER:
Admit Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:
All rise.
(The Speaker leaves the Chair.)
(Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor takes the Chair.)
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:
It is the wish of Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor that all present be seated.
HER HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR (Judy May Foote, PC, ONL):
Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members of the House of Assembly:
As a representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I welcome the newly
elected and returning Members of the House of Assembly for the opening of this,
the First Session of the Fiftieth General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II today mourns the loss of Her Royal Consort, His
Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The people of Newfoundland and
Labrador join together to offer Her Majesty the most sincere condolences on his
passing. The Duke was a great friend to this province, having occasion to visit
seventeen times from 1951 to 1997. Many will remember, with affection, His work
to encourage young people throughout this province, and indeed around the world,
to challenge themselves in the pursuit of the Duke of Edinburgh's International
Award. His dedication to public service was an inspiration to us all.
In opening this session, we respectfully acknowledge the province of
Newfoundland and Labrador as the ancestral homelands of many diverse populations
of Indigenous people who have contributed to 9,000 years of history including
the Beothuk on the Island of Newfoundland. Today, this province is home to
diverse populations of Indigenous and other people. We also acknowledge, with
respect, the diverse histories and cultures of the Mi'kmaq, Innu, and Inuit.
Honourable Members, you assemble here today during a perilous time in our
history. Locally, nationally, and globally we are collectively fighting the
COVID-19 pandemic that has changed every aspect of our lives in previously
unthinkable ways – from the economy to education, from industries to all
businesses big or small. It has claimed millions of lives around the world,
including six here in Newfoundland and Labrador. To their families and loved
ones, you have our deepest condolences. The people of this province share your
sorrow.
We are also grateful. To all those who get up every day to provide very
necessary services to our province, you have our profound gratitude. Together,
with continued perseverance, we will overcome this challenge.
My Government's vaccination plan continues to roll out. With more than 100,000
first doses in the arms of the people of this province, the goal of giving a
single dose of vaccine to every eligible person who wants one by June 30th
is achievable. There is a feeling of hope springing up, that this darkness we
have all lived under for far too long is nearing its end. Hope is
transformative. It is something that My Government fully intends to nurture and
grow, to broaden and build upon.
Honourable Members, My Government will always be forward thinking, forward
moving. My Government's priorities will include promoting a healthy Newfoundland
and Labrador, driving meaningful opportunities, fostering inclusive growth,
modernizing education and childcare, and building strong partnerships. The
coming years will bring reimagination and reinvention for our industries, and
the reinvigoration of the provincial economy.
The road before us starts with fully coming to terms with the extensive economic
crisis facing this province. It was a long slide to get to this point and there
is no overnight solution. The recovery will require bigger, bolder steps. It
will also require every Member of this House of Assembly to put aside partisan
issues and commit to work together. All Honorable Members must act today for the
future of Newfoundland and Labrador. My Government recognizes that the situation
is critical, but the opportunity is great. Each Honorable Member here today made
the decision to represent the people of this province. You put yourselves
forward for the good of this province. Now is the time to work together to put
the good of the province first. My Government is ready and willing to rise to
that challenge.
My Government's legislative program will focus on its initial plans toward
economic recovery, fostering economic growth, and establishing economic and
social conditions that will allow the people of this province to thrive. A
review of the Elections Act will be conducted in order to develop modern
legislation that ensures voting is as accessible as possible for the people of
our province.
My First Minister asked Dame Moya Greene to bring her world-renowned expertise
and experience to bear on the immense fiscal and economic hardships facing her
home province. Dame Moya will be presenting the recommendations from the
Premier's Economic Recovery Team in short order. She will set out the facts and
suggest a course of action to remedy the structural problems that have troubled
Newfoundland and Labrador for far too long.
Using this foundational report and broad consultations, My Government will,
together with the people of this province, determine the right direction
forward. Understanding the full magnitude of the challenges will allow this
province to choose the right solutions for the future. My Government will ensure
that the cure is not worse than the disease. It will strike the right balance in
navigating the necessary transformative change for all people in this province.
My Government will focus on responsible debt management while investing in our
exciting growth industries.
Newfoundland and Labrador will not be left to solve its problems alone. My
Government will continue to build on its solid relationship with the Government
of Canada. Negotiations are already advancing toward a renewed financial
structure for the Lower Churchill Projects, toward the realization of the
Atlantic Loop, and toward the end goal of affordable power rates. Newfoundland
and Labrador will bring its surplus clean energy solutions to help its partners
across the federation meet their global climate objectives.
My Government will address climate change with a dual sense of responsibility
and opportunity. In order to reduce its environmental footprint, Newfoundland
and Labrador will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This green
transition will drive the economy with clean growth.
Demand for renewable energy solutions is growing around the world. This
province's abundant renewable and non-renewable resources are needed to drive
technologies that people around the world increasingly rely upon. My Government
will seize these opportunities to redefine the province's traditional industries
for the future – including sustainable developments in the renewable energy and
mining industries. Through collaboration with the private sector, the province's
clean resources will be developed in a responsible, sustainable fashion. My
Government will engage with investors from around the world to promote
Newfoundland and Labrador as the global destination of choice for clean energy
investment.
While this transition is underway, there is still a significant demand for
Newfoundland and Labrador's oil and gas resources, which are some of the lowest
carbon footprint oilfields in the world. My Government will continue to make
strategic investments in oil and gas to ensure it supports the women and men
working in the industry, and realize the opportunity before us to position our
products during this time of transition.
Our traditional industries will enjoy modern successes. All segments of the
fishing industry, including the wild caught fishery, secondary processing and
aquaculture, will benefit from collaborative opportunities with our growing
technology sector and efforts to ensure it offers a prosperous and inclusive
career path for Indigenous peoples, women, and young people.
My Government will invest in important infrastructure projects and prioritize
the hiring of qualified workers based in Newfoundland and Labrador. It will help
companies and entrepreneurs reach global customers and investors through the
creation of innovative platforms. In order to provide companies and
entrepreneurs access to customers and investors around the world, My Government
will launch InvestNL. This one-stop online portal will highlight the province's
priority sectors and showcase Newfoundland and Labrador, both as a prime
location for business expansion and a hotbed for investment in innovative high
growth companies.
By supporting TechNL's new Innovation Centre, My Government will help develop
shared work space, networking initiatives, investment and incubation services,
research, and mentorship.
Technology has dissolved borders, and My Government is using the lessons learned
from the pandemic to expand its presence in the world. My Government will also
bring the world to this province by tripling current immigration targets and
increasing retention rates.
To address the province's aging and shrinking population, and stimulate the
economy, My First Minister has established a Minister of Immigration, Population
Growth and Skills. My Government will collaborate with the Government of Canada
to add more immigration categories aimed at addressing specific labour market
shortages in Newfoundland and Labrador. This will cultivate growth industries,
thereby creating more employment opportunities. This province will welcome more
people – including returning ex-pats – and grow its population.
Through regular discussions and engagement with the Premier's Youth Council, My
Government will incorporate their advice into a strategy to retain more young
leaders. Our demographic challenges will be addressed with investment, focus,
and vision.
My Government will continue to support and respect this province's greater
resource: the people. Indigenous communities will know that reconciliation is
action, not rhetoric. Building on commitments made to strengthen relationships
between elected representatives, their staff, and public servants, My Government
will ensure all receive training on Indigenous perspectives and culture. Sound
policies and programs are founded on mutual understanding and respectful
relationships.
My First Minister has established a Minister for Women and Gender Equality, and
work will continue to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador is a safe, accessible,
and inclusive place for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
My Government will remove barriers and empower women and girls to achieve their
full potential, both socially and economically. Inclusion must become a
foundational characteristic of this province.
My Government is working to achieve a vibrant, healthy Newfoundland and
Labrador. By 2031 and through culturally-sensitive, inclusive, and progressive
policy initiatives both at the community and provincial level, My Government
will work with the people of the province to make Newfoundland and Labrador the
healthiest place in the country. Its focus will be on making healthier choices
more accessible to all residents by building on the work of Sister Elizabeth
Davis, Dr. Patrick Parfrey, and Health Accord NL. This 10-year health
transformation plan will reimagine and revitalize the province's health care
system by using a value-based approach to health care across the board.
Action on addressing mental health and addictions services in this province is
evolving and will continue to be innovative, responsive, and adaptive. My
Government will oversee the completion of the new mental health and addictions
facility by 2024.
As part of the plan to address the social determinants of health, making
affordable, fresh, healthy, and nutritious local food choices accessible to
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is a priority of My Government. The agriculture
industry will be supported and will meet the goal of 20 per cent provincial food
self-sufficiency by next year.
My Government remains committed to addressing inequality and supporting
vulnerable residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Reinvigorated poverty
reduction measures will combat housing and food insecurity. Government services
must be provided in an accessible, modern, and efficient manner.
The community sector is vital to a healthy, vibrant, and prosperous province. My
Government will provide holistic support for volunteer and non-profit
organizations and the development of social infrastructure, including through
the creation of an incubator and accelerator to maximize the social and economic
impacts.
My Government will also increase access to fertility treatments in the province
and provide free period products in schools.
This province's students will also benefit from My Government's modernization of
education and childcare. New computer science and coding programming, as well as
a focus on entrepreneurship, will prepare the next generations for success in
the new economy. My Government will also integrate restorative justice
principles into schools and update the health curriculum.
This vibrant province will continue to grow and share its legendary artistic
talents with the world. My Government will expand its support for creative and
cultural industries through leadership, collaboration, and leveraging technology
to amplify the province's messages. The burgeoning entertainment sector
continues to outperform its own successes. Enhanced infrastructure, tax
incentives, and continued promotion will only solidify this province as a place
for productions of all sizes. The talent is already here and waiting.
Newfoundland and Labrador is a must-visit travel destination for so many
tourists and countless others who have a cultural or spiritual connection to
this place. My Government will build on the province's strong tourism sector as
it emerges from the pandemic and will bolster this and all other industries even
more. We look forward to hosting Come Home Year 2022 and the Canada Summer Games
in 2025.
My Government realizes the importance of sustainable communities and local
governance. Modern municipal legislation will be introduced, and opportunities
for regional collaboration explored to further enhance the province's
resilience. My Government will continue to improve on Labrador's equitable
access to services, including providing access to medical transportation and the
hard surfacing of the Trans Labrador Highway.
At this moment in Newfoundland and Labrador's long history, Honourable Members,
you have a choice to make – a choice between complacency or action. You must
choose between the status quo or change. Yes, our economic situation is
difficult, but it is up to everyone in this room to build our bright future.
That is the expectation for each and every Honourable Member of the House of
Assembly here today. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve your best.
Speaker and Honourable Members of the House of Assembly:
Estimates of expenditure will be laid before you in due course and you will be
asked to grant supply to Her Majesty.
I invoke God's blessing upon you as you commence the work of the First Session
of the Fiftieth General Assembly.
May Devine Providence guide you in your deliberation.
(Applause.)
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:
All rise.
(Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor leaves the Assembly Chamber.)
(The Speaker returns to the Chair.)
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
Please be seated.
The hon. the Government House Leader.
S. CROCKER:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I ask leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The
Elections Act, 1991, Bill 1.
SPEAKER:
Is there leave for the hon. the minister to introduce the said bill?
AN HON. MEMBER:
Leave.
SPEAKER:
Leave is granted.
The hon. the Government House Leader.
S. CROCKER:
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice and Public Safety, that
Bill 1, An Act To Amend The Elections Act, 1991, be now read a first time.
SPEAKER:
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
All those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
SPEAKER:
Carried.
CLERK (Hawley George):
A bill, An Act To Amend The Elections Act, 1991. (Bill 1)
SPEAKER:
This bill has now been read a first time.
When shall the said bill be read a second time?
S. CROCKER:
Tomorrow.
SPEAKER:
Tomorrow.
On motion, Bill 1 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
SPEAKER:
Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor has been pleased to make a speech to the
Members of this General Assembly. We shall now take a few moments to distribute
the speech to all Members.
(The Pages distribute the speech to all Members.)
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
All Members have a copy of the Speech from the Throne?
The hon. the Member for Burin - Grand Bank.
P. PIKE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
On behalf of the District of Burin - Grand Bank, I move the motion to appoint a
Select Committee to draft an Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne,
seconded by the Member for the District of Placentia - St. Mary's.
Thank you to Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor for being here today to read the
Speech from the Throne. The Speech from the Throne, so eloquently presented by
Her Honour, gives the government an opportunity to highlight the many challenges
we face and how we plan to address those challenges head-on. I believe it is
this government that will provide the necessary change our province not only
needs but deserves.
Mr. Speaker, the people from Burin - Grand Bank are also ready for this bright
future. I am thankful to all the people who supported me during this recent
election. I promise to support all residents and advocate for them each day in
the House of Assembly as your MHA.
Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador has certainly faced a number of
challenges during its history. We take our challenges in stride and find ways to
overcome them. That is our goal as a government. For the adversities we face
today, make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, as it was mentioned in the Speech from the
Throne, we must come to terms with the extensive economic crisis facing this
province.
Our province is experiencing multiple factors coming together all at once. From
the global COVID-19 pandemic to falling oil prices, it has been nothing short of
hard economic times. There is no overnight solution. I am encouraged and proud
to hear, in the Speech from the Throne, the forward-thinking and bold steps we
are embarking on to find long-term solutions through a long-term plan.
I'm even more encouraged, Mr. Speaker, to hear about the collaboration and
working together to help find those solutions. Putting aside our partisan
stripes and acknowledging, as Members of this House of Assembly, that we must
work together to solve problems and create solutions: This is why I am proud to
be part of this government.
Building on that collaboration with MHAs, I am pleased to hear from the Speech
from the Throne that the Premier's Economic Recovery Team will be bringing
forward their recommendations to the House for debate and for the people of the
province to have their say.
The Premier has brought together knowledgeable and innovative thinkers to
provide their vision and ideas on what they see as the future for this great
province. It builds on the foundation of how important it is to achieve the best
results for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, the District of Burin - Grand Bank has a history and culture
founded on our traditional resources. Our government is providing necessary
modernization to our traditional industries so our rural communities can
continue to grow and prosper. Our region, like others, was built on the fishery
and on the mining. Now, we see a revitalization of these sectors, which includes
aquaculture. Our district, Mr. Speaker, is a template of how these successes,
outlined in the Speech from the Throne, can be a reality.
Mr. Speaker, I have worked in education for 40-plus years before being elected
as a Member of the House of Assembly. It is encouraging to see in the Speech
from the Throne improvements to our educational system. By making investments
into new computer science and coding programs, entrepreneurship, an updated
health curriculum and integrating restorative justice principles, we are
providing the necessary tools and skills to our children to have a successful
future. Enriching the youth of our province is a key component of our
government's plan for a more prosperous province.
Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not mention the global pandemic facing
our province. I'm encouraged every day to see more vaccines being distributed to
the people in this province. It is of the utmost importance that we continue to
do our part and follow the necessary Public Health guidelines as this process
will continue into the months ahead.
The Speech from the Throne outlines a clear choice, not only for us as Members
of the House of Assembly but to the people of this province; it is either status
quo or change. I am proud to be a part of a government that is investing in
change. Our government will continue to build on the strengths of our people.
It was best said at the end of the Throne Speech, Mr. Speaker: The people of
Newfoundland and Labrador deserve our best.
I say to the people of the District of Burin - Grand Bank and, indeed, to the
people of this great province, I will do my best, as we, as a government, will
do our best to build a better and brighter future for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for Placentia - St. Mary's.
S. GAMBIN-WALSH:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I second the motion moved by the Member for Burin - Grand Bank to
appoint a Select Committee to draft an Address in Reply to the Speech from the
Throne.
I would like to begin by first thanking the residents of Placentia - St. Mary's
for their vote of confidence in electing me as their Member for the House of
Assembly for the third time. It has been an honour and a privilege to work on
their behalf for the past six years. I look forward to continuing to advocate
for them within government and indeed the House of Assembly.
I would like to thank Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor for delivering the
Speech from the Throne. I would also like to thank His Honour and Her Honour for
their dedicated service to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, the Speech from the Throne is an opportunity for our government to
present bold ideas and a fresh perspective to the challenges we face as a
province. It is an opportunity to outline our vision of a better and brighter
future for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador; a vision that is built on
collaboration, optimism and hope, not negativity and pessimism.
One of the first things the Speech from the Throne acknowledges is the
challenging time we have all faced together during this global pandemic.
COVID-19 has exposed weaknesses our society faces but has also shined a light on
the strengths we share together.
As an example, Mr. Speaker, the necessary measures to limit the spread of
COVID-19 have meant that so many seniors in our province have had to make their
way through this pandemic distanced from their loved ones. It has been amazing
to hear from so many seniors in my district who've adapted to technology as a
means of connecting with their families and friends. Many have learned how to
use FaceTime to see their children and grandchildren. The people of Newfoundland
and Labrador know how to come together to help one another, and I continue to be
inspired by that hard work.
Mr. Speaker, working together has been key to seeing us through this pandemic on
all fronts. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have embraced the Public Health
guidelines set out by our chief medical officer of Health and the Public Health
team. This guidance has helped us be leaders in the fight against COVID-19.
To even further display our efforts as a province to fight COVID-19, I am
optimistic, Mr. Speaker, to hear about our vaccine rollout highlighted in the
Speech from the Throne. Over 100,000 does of the vaccine have been administered,
that is over 100,000 first doses in the arms of people in this province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
S. GAMBIN-WALSH:
What a historic accomplishment as we work towards the end of this horrible
pandemic. I am encouraged by the optimism and hard work this government is doing
to achieve a single dose of vaccine to every person eligible who would want one
by June 30.
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to highlight from the Speech from the Throne the
collaborative approach we will take as a government. We will work with the
residents of this province to foster economic growth and build towards our
recovery. It is the same collaborative approach I have taken with the
communities and towns in my district to support the work they do. Supporting
that type of environment and leaning on our experiences in Newfoundland and
Labrador will help us work towards recovery.
Before I conclude, I would also like to highlight the importance of sustainable
communities and local governance. Having many municipalities and local service
districts in the District of Placentia - St. Mary's, I understand first-hand the
importance of supporting infrastructure projects and working together to achieve
results. I was pleased to hear these ideas brought forward in the Speech from
the Throne today and look forward to working with this government to build on
those ideas and provide the necessary modernization that our communities need.
My work as an MHA has helped me build relationships with our federal
counterparts to provide for our communities, whether it was roadwork,
infrastructure, water and sewer, capital works – the list could go on. Working
with our counterparts is key to providing the necessary funds that will move our
province forward. I will put my experience to work to help this government bring
forward the new ideas and bold thinking that will put this province on the right
track. Provincially, I look forward to working with our Cabinet and our Premier
to work collaboratively on the issues of the residents of Placentia - St. Mary's
and to celebrate our successes together.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I am optimistic about the future of Newfoundland and
Labrador. Our government is ready to collaborate with the people of this
province to build a better and brighter future for all of us. I am ready to be a
part of this work, and so are the people of Placentia - St. Mary's.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
SPEAKER:
The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
D. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I want to thank Her Honour for her eloquent delivery of the Throne Speech. I
also want to thank the mover and the seconder for their speeches.
On behalf of the Official Opposition, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip,
Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke of Edinburgh demonstrated a commitment to public
service which we can all aspire to. His unwavering support and commitment to the
people is an example of service before self.
Congratulations to all Members elected. Voting is one of the most fundamental
rights of Canadian citizens. This past election exposed serious weaknesses that
we must address. The courts will have their say, but we as elected Members must
take the lead in reforming the elections legislation to prevent the chaos we
witnessed from ever happening again. All such democratic reforms should be
driven not by one party in government, but by an all-party committee of the
House and be set up to draw on the broad base of expert and public input. People
must have confidence in the process as well as the final product so they will
feel positive about running for office and voting in elections.
Congratulations to the government on its election. Congratulations, as well, to
all Opposition Members. The people elect not only a government to make
decisions, but an Opposition to shine a spotlight on accountability on
everything the government does. We don't criticize for the sake of criticizing,
but because that's our job: to represent the citizens of our province in this
hon. House.
That's why parliaments are set up, just like courts, to be adversarial so
everything gets tested and weaknesses are exposed before they have an impact on
people's lives. The government has tremendous power over people's lives, and
that power must be held in check. That's the balance our system was designed to
strike. I urge the government to pay attention when we do our job and be humble
enough to admit when it is wrong, because no government is perfect. Sometimes we
will show you a better way.
What this province needs more of is collaboration. We are open to co-operate
when it is for the good of the province, but we would not be doing our job if we
gave you an easy ride, so expect a mix of criticism and suggestion for better
governance.
Many of the policies we brought forward in the election are worth considering.
This province urgently needs a job strategy to get people working again. That
was the central pillar of our platform. The current job crisis has to be tackled
as an urgent priority. Ottawa must be brought to the table to do more than it
has been doing because we really aren't reaching our potential in this
federation, and Ottawa could be doing a lot more to help kick-start growth here.
We also need to focus on Newfoundlanders' and Labradorians' benefits policy that
ensures our people are not left behind when our resources and opportunities are
developed.
Our own people include immigrants and anyone who moves here to live, as well as
those that want to move back home. We have to stop opportunities from draining
away. There are opportunities enough to support all of us, and we have to do a
better job of turning those opportunities into employment for our people. The
next budget has to be more than just a placeholder budget; it has to set a
sound, credible course for growth. Too much time has been lost; we can't afford
to keep slipping.
This Premier came to office talking about deep cuts and he appointed Moya
Greene, who was saying the same kind of things. During the campaign, the Premier
distanced himself from that stance, saying a pandemic is no time for deep cuts
that would leave us weaker when the province is already struggling. We all heard
the Premier's words and we will hold him to this. When we see the Greene report,
we hope it focuses more on growing our way to prosperity than on cutting the
services that people need and deserve.
Let's drive tourism with a new air access strategy and better land and sea links
that people can actually afford. Let's drive offshore exploration. Let's make
power rates affordable by finding the best uses of all the new hydropower that
is coming on stream, and bringing Ottawa in as a true partner. Let's get mining
ventures growing. Let's generate more income from the wild and farm fisheries.
Let's position ourselves as science and technology leaders, including ocean tech
and computer science. We need to be doing more in all these fields of
opportunity. Let's get our province healthier and give people access to timely
health care across our disciplines.
The Premier borrowed the PC health accord strategy by setting up the
Parfrey-Davis process, which we support because we've calling for the exact same
thing. Let's use this opportunity to bring improvements to health care delivery.
The principal focus has to be on improving patient outcomes and finding ways to
do this affordably. Dr. Parfrey and Sister Elizabeth assure us it can be done if
it's done right, but not if it's done wrong.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed serious weaknesses in health care delivery,
but also amazing strengths. We commend all of our front-line health care workers
and the chief medical officer of health and her team for keeping us far safer
than any other jurisdiction battling this challenge.
We commend Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for taking COVID-19 seriously and
acting cautiously to keep their friends and neighbours safer by wearing masks
and social distancing. We urge people to continue to be cautious because there
are parts of this country and the world that are showing us that the threat
still remains. Hopefully, the vaccine will be available soon to every person in
the province and we will finally turn the corner, but there's a great deal of
time left between then and now, and we have to be cautious.
In the meantime we're hearing concern from parents, teachers and students about
changes in classroom learning. It's our job to bring those concerns to the
floor, and we will. We need to do more as a province on truth and reconciliation
with Indigenous communities. It has to be more than lip service and symbolism.
There are major issues that must be addressed. We need to combat systemic racism
wherever it exists, because our society must yield no ground to bigotry or
intolerance.
Much more could be said today, but there will be many more opportunities in the
weeks ahead. All of us in this House want our districts and our province to
prosper. That's the common ground we have to build on. So now let's collaborate
and let's get to work and starting to deliver.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for St. John's Centre
J. DINN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank Her Honour on her speech. Members of the Third Party join her and
Members of the government and the Official Opposition in offering its
condolences to Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the passing of her
husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
We also congratulate the Speaker on being selected as well.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my wife, Michelle, and my children –
Jamie; Sarah and her husband, Zach; Kathleen and her husband, Will – and, of
course, our two grandchildren, Charlotte and Emily. I cannot forget my mother,
Mary, and, of course, my mother-in-law, Dorothy. I say this because this job
cannot be done without the support and love of family. That's a truism, I
believe, that is understood deeply by my colleagues, all colleagues, in this
House of Assembly. a
I am thankful to the many people who supported me in my re-election. An election
campaign, as we all know, depends on the support of friends, volunteers,
campaign organizers and financial donors. I'm humbled by the faith they've
placed in me as I am by the trust of those who voted for me. Regardless whether
people in the district voted for me or not, my job – my primary purpose – is to
represent all citizens of the district and to serve them to the best of my
ability.
Most of all, I'm grateful to all those constituents who braved the elements and
took the time to open their doors and have a conversation with me. If there is
anything that is the true benefit of a campaign, it's that. People expressed
fear in not being able to afford to live comfortably. They had concerns for the
future: the desire to keep all of our young people in our province, the ability
to raise their families, the need for all Members in this House of Assembly to
work co-operatively and collaboratively to solve our problems.
St. John's Centre is at once a district facing great challenges and offers
tremendous hope. Issues of poverty and housing claim most of the attention of my
constituency assistant and me daily, but it's also a district where many
not-for-profit organizations work to address these challenges and offer hope to
those in need. It's a district where small businesses thrive and new businesses
begin, even in the middle of a pandemic; where people raise their families,
retire, contribute to the economy and to their community. It is a district I
call home. I grew up in the area. My wife, Michelle, and I chose to raise our
children here. Yes, we are townies and we're proud of it. I'm proud, more
importantly, to represent this district.
To my colleagues on both sides of this House, congratulations on your election
or your re-election, and especially to my colleague from Labrador West. We look
forward to continuing the work with returning MHAs and to new collaborations
with newly elected Members. We are – to quote a former leader – a small but
mighty caucus ready to serve the people of our province. We are fortunate to
still have Alison Coffin as our leader, who for the moment, at least, joins us
in the Speaker's gallery.
All of us here understand it is a significant decision to offer oneself and to
serve in public office. We are no longer private citizens; we are here out of a
sense of public service. We may hotly debate issues in this Chamber and view
them from different lenses, but I have to believe that we are always motivated
by the common good and the interests of those we serve. What members of the
public do not often see, the part that does not always make it to the evening
news, are the many examples of collaboration that take place between Members of
all political stripes.
Barack Obama in his memoir A Promised
Land said: “Politics doesn't have to be what people think it is. It can be
something more.”
In her speech at the opening of the House of Assembly in 2019, our leader of the
Third Party called for the crafting of a new style of government, a new way of
doing business. As she noted in what would be a prescient comment: “Certainly,
we are facing tumultuous times.” The challenges she enumerated – Muskrat Falls,
rate mitigation, crushing provincial debt, climate change, demographic
challenges, affordable health care and many others – still face us.
However, it was the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that threw our economy,
our way of life, our relationships, our routines and our peace of mind into
disarray and turmoil. The pandemic further highlighted the need to mend the
holes in our social safety net.
In the tumult of those early months, it required the collaboration of all three
parties and independent Members to navigate the demands and the challenges
facing us. It required us to do things differently, to be innovative and to
transcend our political differences. It was not easy to put aside partisan
differences and mistrust but it was necessary and it worked, not perfectly, but
it worked. We got through it. We are still getting through it as a result of the
efforts of our chief medical officer, our health professionals, our school
communities, our front-line workers and the people of our province.
Less than a year later, vaccines were being developed, well ahead of what was
expected at the beginning. There is the promise that we can return to some
semblance of normality. Variants still pose a threat, but we can see a light at
the end of the COVID-19 tunnel.
We still have challenges ahead of us that will require our collective wisdom.
Strengthening and making the electoral process more inclusive and responsive is
one of them. An ill-timed election in the middle of a pandemic left many people
feeling angry, mistrustful, disenfranchised and cynical about the process.
Now, the Premier has stated on several occasions that now is the time for
boldness and to that end he has tasked his Minister of Justice with fixing,
improving and modernizing the Elections Act. If the Premier is sincere about the
need for boldness, about working together; if indeed he is truly serious about
the need to do things differently, then I challenge him here to reinstitute the
Democratic Reform Committee and allow it to continue the important work it began
in the last session.
It was our private Member's resolution, unanimously adopted by the Members of
this House, that made it an all-party committee answerable to the House of
Assembly and not just to the Minister of Justice. The Member for Mount Pearl -
Southlands chaired it. I am confident this Committee is more than capable of
bringing forth recommendations, not only for democratic reform but also
modernizing the Elections Act.
As Members of the Third Party, we believe in affordability and we need to be
concerned about the price of food, building supplies, gas, electricity, minimum
wage, women's issues, housing, child care, health care and other issues because
the other casualty of COVID-19 was the economy. It's clear from my conversations
with people that they are deeply concerned, even afraid; however, it is also
clear that the people of my district, of our province, are resilient and are
seeking leadership in meeting the challenges ahead of us.
Nelson Mandela said “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are
many more hills to climb.” If any people should know what it means to climb
hills both figurative and literal, it is Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The
challenges ahead of us are daunting. No one political party, no one Member of
this House of Assembly, no one leader of a political party, no one report by an
economic recovery team has the answers to meeting these challenges.
The responsibility lies with all of us to restore the confidence of the people
of this province to provide a positive and hopeful future for all – for
everyone. I firmly believe the solutions lie with all of us, but it will require
meaningful collaboration. To quote our leader again, from 2019, it will mean
crafting a new style of government, a new way of doing business in our province.
Like her, my colleague and I look forward to the opportunity to do that over the
next four years.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
SPEAKER:
The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER A. FUREY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, congratulations to each and every one of you on all sides of the
House for stepping up again and representing the people of your districts. To
echo the hon. Member opposite's comments, we all understand that that comes at
great sacrifice personally. You can't do it alone, so congratulations to your
families, to your volunteers and to everyone who made it a successful campaign,
regardless of political stripe.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the beautiful District of Humber
- Gros Morne for giving their confidence in me again to sit in this Legislature.
My friends, all of us in this House today have a clear choice to make. Yes, two
roads have emerged, but we must decide collectively which path we take. We can
either get bogged down in the day-to-day rhetoric of the status quo, or we can
all stand united against the menace in front of us: our economic crisis and what
it means for the people of the province.
A predominant issue we all heard on the campaign trail was the unease and worry
of each Newfoundlander and Labradorian about the future of the place we all
love. The narrative out there is that the problem is too big to fix, that
failure may be inevitable and that bankruptcy is imminent. Well, I don't believe
that and I know no one in this House does either. We all made a choice to run in
an election because we believe in the resilience and the fortitude of the people
of this place. We hope for better and choose to actively, passionately –
together – work towards it.
We all stepped up for Newfoundland and Labrador and the people of this province,
but stepping up, as we know, is just the start; now comes the heavy lifting, the
hard decisions and the hardest work. As I've said many times, our province
didn't get to this position overnight, and there are no instant, quick
solutions, no one budget to fix it all. It will take time. It will be a journey,
and we must all take that journey together. We can disagree with each other; we
should. We can offer opinions and best advice, but we must all be guided by what
is best for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in this critical moment of
our history. Our province's legacy asks that of all of us. The people of this
province expect that of us, and we must work together to achieve it.
Looking around this 50th House of Assembly, I see some new faces eager to start
and I see the familiar faces of those who have been here for quite some time and
know the fight that is ahead of us. I see Members of all parties and
independents, but collectively I see the faces of those who recognize the
seriousness of the situation we are in but have the strong will, boldness and
passion to change it. So, my friends, let's together get down to work.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded that a Select Committee be struck to draft an Address
of Thanks to be presented to Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor in reply to the
gracious Speech from the Throne with which she has been pleased to open the
present House of Assembly. The Members of the Select Committee will be the
Member for Burin - Grand Bank, the Member for Placentia - St. Mary's and the
Member for Cape St. Francis.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt this motion?
All those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
SPEAKER:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
Notices of Motion.
Notices of Motion
SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government House Leader.
S. CROCKER:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will move that this House resolve itself into
a Committee of the Whole on Supply to consider a resolution for granting of
Interim Supply to her Majesty, Bill 2.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will move that this House resolve itself into
a Committee of the Whole on Supply to consider a resolution for granting of
Interim Supply to Her Majesty, Bill 3.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will move that this House resolve itself into
a Committee of the Whole to consider a resolution relating to the advancing or
guaranteeing of certain loans made under
The Loan and Guarantee Act, 1957, Bill 4.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Access To Information And Protection Of Privacy Act, 2015,
Bill 5.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act Respecting The Protection Of The Health Of Persons Exposed To Radiation
And Respecting The Safety Of Persons In Connection With The Operation And Use Of
The Electrical And Mechanical Components Of Radiation Producing Equipment And
Associated Apparatus, Bill 6.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act, 2009, Bill 7.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow move the following motion:
That this House approve in general the budgetary policy of the government.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow move that this House resolve
itself into a Committee of the Whole on Supply to consider a resolution for the
granting of Supply to Her Majesty, Bill 8.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow move the following motion:
That the Member for Baie Verte - Green Bay be appointed Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will move the following motion respecting the
2021 Parliamentary Calendar of this House of Assembly:
That notwithstanding Standing Order 8 and the Parliamentary Calendar previously
established for 2021, the Parliamentary Calendar for 2021 shall be revised as
follows:
That this House will adjourn on April 22 and resume sitting on May 31, 2021;
That this House will sit from May 31, 2021, until June 30, 2021, and that no
constituency week shall be taken during that sitting time;
That this House shall resume sitting on October 18, 2021;
That a constituency week shall be taken the week of November 8, 2021;
And that this House shall adjourn on November 18, 2021.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow move the following motion:
That under Standing Order 11(1), this House shall not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on
Monday, April 19, 2021.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow move the following motion:
That under Standing Order 11(1), this House shall not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, April 20, 2021.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow move the following motion:
That under Standing Order 11(1), this House shall not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on
Thursday, April 22, 2021.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SPEAKER:
I'm glad I don't have to repeat all that.
The hon. the Government House Leader.
S. CROCKER:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move, seconded by the Member for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair, that this House
do now adjourn.
SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded that the House now adjourn.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
All those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
SPEAKER:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
This House now stands adjourned until 1:30 tomorrow.
On motion, the House at its rising adjourned until tomorrow, Monday, at 1:30
p.m.