Please be advised that this is a PARTIALLY EDITED transcript of the House of Assembly sitting for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to the end of Question Period. The edited Hansard will be posted when it becomes available.

The entire audio/visual record of the House proceedings is available online within one hour of the House rising for the day. This can be accessed at:

https://www.assembly.nl.ca/HouseBusiness/Webcast/archive.aspx

The House met at 10 a.m.

SPEAKER (Lane): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

Before we proceed with the business for this morning, I want to welcome a new Page to the Chamber. He’s actually been here a couple of times already but he’s always here in the mornings. I usually do the introduction in the afternoon and each morning he was here, I thought he’d be here that afternoon but he wasn’t.

Anyway, I want to welcome Ahmet Mumcu. Ahmet is from Turkey. He’s currently enroled in a master’s program at Memorial University in political science. In May, he hopes to start a work term with the Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development.

Best of luck in your program, Ahmet and welcome to the House of Assembly.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

Government Business

SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

L. PARROTT: Thank you, Speaker.

Order 2.

I move, seconded by the Member for Humber- Gros Morne, that the House resolves itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider Bill 6.

SPEAKER: It has been moved and seconded that I do now leave the Chair and that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Pension Benefits Act, 1997.

All those in favour, ‘aye.’

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay.’

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 (Dwyer): Order, please!

We are now debating Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Pension Benefits Act, 1997.

A bill, “An Act to Amend the Pension Benefits Act, 1997.” (Bill 6)

CLERK (Hawley George): Clause 1.

CHAIR: Shall clause 1 carry?

The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you, Chair.

I just want to make sure; we’re in Committee for the Pension Benefits Act.

I’m just going to start off the way I started off last time. I was wondering if the minister can walk us through who can transfer what and where can they transfer it?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

I’ll ask that again. I was wondering if the minister can walk us through who can transfer what and where can they transfer it, please.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Chair.

In order for a pension to be transferred it has to be done ultimately through approval of superintendent. This is about transferring pensions outside the province.

SPEAKER: The Chair recognizes the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you, Chair.

Last time I asked the minister who does the transfer and the minister said pension benefit plan holders. That’s not a definition in the act. I was just wondering if the minister can elaborate on who does the transfer and what is transferred.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: This is about pension fund being transferred to another province and it would be done through the company.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you very much.

Am I correct in the minister saying that the company initiates this transfer so not the plan members it’s the company?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Chair.

Yes, that’s correct. It’s transferred by the company as a group plan.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

I’m wondering what the solvency ratio is when transferring a pension into the province.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Transferring into the province has to be 85 per cent, Chair, and it has to be up to 100 per cent in five years and it’s reviewed by the superintendent of pensions.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

So just to make sure I understand what the minister said, so they can transfer it in when it’s 85 per cent and in the first five years after it has been transferred, it has to go up to 100 per cent?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Correction, it has to be 100 per cent coming in, requested, and if not, it has to be within five years and under review of the superintendent.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you, Chair.

So when we look at the act, at the changes we’re making today, and you look across the country, I’m just wondering if the minister can tell us why the government has chosen to be where it has a solvency ratio that is equal to or greater than 0.85, or higher than the solvency ratio of the pension plan from which the assets were being transferred. I was wondering why that 0.85 was chosen. I believe that’s one of the lowest in the country.

Thank you.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: It’s ultimately about the safety and security of pensions, Mr. Speaker. If this pension were to be moved to Ontario, they fund it themselves and they’re more protected at 100 per cent, Mr. Speaker.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Okay, thank you. I might come back to that one.

I wonder if the minister could tell the House how many pension plans in Newfoundland and Labrador fall under this act and how many have a solvency ratio under 0.85.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Currently there are no requests at this time to be transferred.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you. That’s good to know.

I wonder if the minister has there how many pension plans fall under this act under the minister’s responsibility, and then how many have a solvency ratio less than 0.85.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Great question.

Thank you, Chair.

There are currently 150 plans in total. I’ll be glad to follow-up on how many are – (inaudible) questions.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you very much.

I’m wondering if the minister can walk us through, I guess, why this change is being made at this time? If there’s no one who has asked to transfer.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Chair, this change actually takes it from the regulations and puts it into the act, to make it official.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you, Chair.

The minister is saying it’s currently in the regulations and this change is being moved to the act. Is there any other impetus for this change right now?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Chair.

This is ultimately about moving the definition. Again, like I said, from the regulations to the act.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Okay, thank you.

I’m just wondering, I guess, why this change is brought forward at this time.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: This change at this time is ultimately about protecting pensioners and their hard-earned money, Chair.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

So the minister said this is currently in the regulations and they’re moving it to the act. So if that’s the case, then is there actually a change?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Yes, that’s correct, Mr. Chair and ultimately just to follow-up again from my previous question, this is about harmonization and following along with the multilateral agreement that was put in here in this House in 2023.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

I just wanted to be clear, so the minister is saying there are no extra changes here, everything, legally noting is changing, they’re just moving things from the regulations to the act, is that the case?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: This is ultimately, Chair, about protecting again the hard-earned money by pensioners.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

I’ll just ask one more time. I’ve heard the minister say that this change just takes things from the regulations and moves it to the act. So I just want the minister to confirm that there is no – I’m just wondering is there an actual change happening or are we just moving things from the regulations to the act, as the minister has said?

Thank you.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Chair.

This is ultimately about moving definitions from the Regs to the act as stated.

Thank you.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Okay, thank you.

So the purpose of this bill is to move things from the regulations to the act and there is no change to what people can do, okay thank you.

Wondering if the minister can talk us through the disclosure requirements. A company, as we’ve heard the company can initiate a transfer under this new legislation assuming the superintendent of pensions approves the transfer. Wondering if the minister can talk us through how and when did the pension plan members, are there any regulations or what is the onus on company or the superintendent of pensions to disclose to the pension plan holders.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Superintendent of pensions, Mr. Chair, regulates most registered pension plans in the province and ensures that they comply with the legislation to protect members’ benefits.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

I guess, I’m just trying to think through, if I was a member of a pension plan and my pension was being moved from Newfoundland and Labrador to Ontario, or from Ontario to Newfoundland and Labrador and the rules and regulations and the legislation governing the pension are changing, are there any requirements in the regulations or legislation for the company to disclose to the pension plan members that there is a change and the province – the province of regulation is changing for their pension.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Chair.

This is only moved when scrutinized and reviewed by the superintendent of pensions, Chair.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

So I assume, no, I would encourage the minister and his team take that away because I think, it’s important that there’s appropriate disclosure to pension plan holders, that their pension is being moved to another province. If there are no disclosure requirements today.

I just want to ask again, have there been any requested transfer? Is there a queue of plans ready to transfer after this receives Royal Assent?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: I’m going to follow-up on the former, as the former minister had asked just then. But every member is notified and it is disclosed, Mr. Speaker. I’d ask to repeat the question about Royal Assent.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

What was my last – so I asked about disclosure requirements. What was my other question? I’ve lost that train of thought. I can’t remember what my last question was. My apologies.

I’m wondering if the minister could walk us through who his department consulted with before making the change.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: I didn’t hear the question.

CHAIR: I ask the Member for Mount Scio to repeat the question, please.

S. STOODLEY: Sure, thank you.

I’m wondering who the minister and the department consulted with ahead of making this change.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: This would be a case-by-case transfer, Mr. Chair, and ultimately, again, back through the superintendent to plan members.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

I’m wondering if the minister or the minister’s team consulted with any pension stakeholders or any relevant parties before bringing that change to the House of Assembly?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Chair.

That’s a great question, Chair. Being new to this, that was the first question that I put to my staff to see where we go with this and ultimately, we discussed with other jurisdictions because this is something we want to take seriously and make sure that we’re getting it right.

Thank you.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you, Chair.

I remembered my question. I’m wondering if the minister could tell us how many pensions have requested this, and after this receives Royal Assent, how many are lined up for the superintendent to review?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: There are currently none in the queue.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you, Chair.

I’ll just ask the minister again: Why did they choose 0.85 per cent solvency? Is that in the regulations today and it’s just being moved to the act? If not, I guess, why did they choose 0.85?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Chair.

Ultimately it is 85 per cent and it is, as the Member opposite said, moving it from the regs to the act.

Thank you.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

So the minister said that because they’re moving it here, they’re going to make changes to the regulations. So I’m wondering when the changes to the regulations will happen, or when are they anticipated to happen, and what other changes the department is making to the regulations?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Within the bill, this is here. It would be after Royal Assent.

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you.

I’m wondering if the minister has approved any changes to the regulations that are outside of the changes directly impacted by this act?

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Chair.

The answer is no.

CHAIR: Seeing no more speakers, 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: Clause 2.

CHAIR: Shall clause 2 carry?

All those in favour, ‘aye.’

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay.’

Carried.

On motion, clause 2 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: A bill, An Act to Amend the Pension Benefits Act, 1997. (Bill 6)

CHAIR: Shall the title carry?

All those in favour, ‘aye.’

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay.’

Carried.

On motion, title carried.

CHAIR: Shall I report the bill without amendment?

All those in favour, ‘aye.’

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay.’

Carried.

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

CHAIR: The Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

L. PARROTT: Chair, I move that the Committee rise and report having passed Bill 6 without amendment.

CHAIR: The motion is that the Committee rise and report Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Pension Benefits Act, 1997.

Shall the motion carry?

All those in favour, ‘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.

SPEAKER (Lane): The hon. the Member for Placentia West- Bellevue and Chair of Committee of the Whole.

J. DWYER: Thank you, Speaker.

The Committee of the Whole have considered the matters to them referred and have directed me to report to the House Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Pension Benefits Act, 1997, without amendment.

SPEAKER: The Chair of the Committee of the Whole reports that the Committee have considered the matters to them referred and recommends that Bill 6 be reported without amendment.

When shall the report be received?

L. PARROTT: Now.

SPEAKER: Now.

When shall the bill be read a third time?

L. PARROTT: Now.

SPEAKER: Now.

On motion, report received and adopted. Bill ordered read a third time presently.

L. PARROTT: Speaker, I move that Bill 6 be now read a third time, seconded by the Member for Humber - Gros Morne.

SPEAKER: It’s been 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.

SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay.’

Carried.

CLERK: A bill, An Act to Amend the Pension Benefits Act, 1997. (Bill 6)

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 to Amend the Pension Benefits Act, 1997,” read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 6)

SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

L. PARROTT: Thank you, Speaker.

Speaker, I call from the Order Paper the second reading of Bill 8, Order 5.

SPEAKER: Order 5.

The hon. the Minister of Forestry and Agriculture.

P. FORSEY: Thank you, Speaker.

I move, seconded by the Member from Bonavista, that Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Wild Life Act, now be read a second time.

SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Wild Life Act, be now read a second time.

Motion, second reading of a bill, “An Act to Amend the Wild Life Act.” (Bill 8)

P. FORSEY: Speaker, this is an important bill. It’s to do with the hunting regulations and the fines and that stuff, so it’s very important to our wildlife. Hunting and trapping certainly has always been near and dear to the hearts of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. As minister responsible for wildlife, it’s my responsibility to ensure we are managing and conserving Newfoundland and Labrador’s biodiversity and wildlife resources sustainability for all of us.

As a long-time outdoorsman myself, I know first-hand how important it is to protect the important source of food and cherish tradition well into the future. We all know how much we cherish hunting in Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s been mentioned here the last time we brought up a bill, how we enjoyed hunting and we enjoyed outdoors. So we have to bring those legislations into the act so that it’s there for the future for not only us, Speaker, but for our grandchildren to enjoy as we enjoyed, and many more along the way for them.

It’s a great honour to be here and to be able to protect our wildlife way into the future. Whether you’re hunting, cutting wood, trouting, picking berries or just out for a walk in the woods, time outside is good for our physical and mental health. That’s been proven time and time again. A brief walk through the woods, Ski-Doo rides – all of our wildlife activities, it’s great to be out. It refreshes you and certainly an enjoyment to us all. I know there are Members from every district who hear the stories and they enjoy it themselves. That part of it alone is another reason why we need to be protecting the wildlife species and so that we can enjoy it for mental health reasons, for physical reasons, just for walking in the woods and other particular activities.

It always reminds us of where we came from and how lucky we are to be here. It’s part of our culture, part of our heritage. We survived on it for years. Our ancestors knew the wildlife, cherished the wildlife and it’s been passed down through the years and many of us can relate to that.

Hunting and trapping are essential to food self-sufficiency. These activities contribute to our economy and they are rooted into our culture. We recently opened the 2026-27 big game draw. In just one day, we recorded nearly 40,000 hits on our website and nearly 13,000 applications were filed. That showed the appreciation that people have for the game big licence. Everyone gets excited every time the moose licence draw. Everybody can’t wait to get their application in. They look forward to the next season of moose hunting. That’s part of this act so that we can enjoy. It shows – 13,000 applications filed in just one day. It shows the interest that people have in the wildlife and the activities that they enjoy throughout our province. It was good to see that.

That’s why any activities that negatively impact our cherished wildlife species are unacceptable. That’s why we need to protect them. That’s why we need to improve the acts so that we can have this cherished moose licence application and other activities in the woods. We’ve certainly got to protect that and we have to put in some regulations and rules in order to keep that species there and, you know, any activity outside of that is certainly unacceptable. So we need to protect that.

Today, I am bringing forward Bill 8, amendments to the Wild Life Act, which is important legislation that goes hand in hand with our amendments to the Endangered Species Act. Last week or a couple of weeks ago we brought in the Endangered Species Act, basically on the same rules and regulations, especially on the fines and other activities, legal activities that can be contributed there. So for our wildlife officers and for protection of the species, and much the same pertains to Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Wild Life Act. So it goes hand in hand with each act.

The amendments to the Wild Life Act modernized language, update penalties and improve enforceability. That is the three main things in this act, Speaker, is to modernize the language. Some of the language needed to be changed to bring it up to standards; update on penalties. We’ll be bringing in some extra penalties and that sort of stuff. But, then again, it’s to protect our wildlife, protect our forest industries, protect our animals. We need to be protecting, bringing our penalties up to date.

So that’s part of the reason for this act as well. We hate to see these stories that we hear sometimes with regards to what we hear in the news. So some of these penalties got to be brought up to date, and improve enforceability. So that will improve enforceability for our wildlife officers, some actions that they can take in order to act quickly on what they need to do as they do their job, and it helps protect them. It also helps to protect them. I mean, with regard to enforcement fines, they look at it in a second light, you know, should I or shouldn’t I? They know that they’re going to be paying more fines. The jurisdiction for that goes up and instead of saying well probably I will, they’ll just say I’m not taking that chance because it’s there. So that reduces the risk of what the enforcement officers have to do.

So it helps protect them along the way as well. We need to do everything especially, and this was brought up lots of times during Bill 7 when we put the Endangered Species Act with regard to our wildlife officers and the enforcement officers, how we could protect them. There was lots of conversation on that when we went through that one.

The same applies to this act here as well. The rules and regulations and the enforcement and the fines to help protect our enforcement officers for the great work that they do during the season and all throughout the year. I’d certainly like to thank those enforcement officers.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. FORSEY: Because sometimes it is a danger to them to be out there in the field and we know that and we’ve heard the stories. So we appreciate that.

I’d like to say that, speaking of our wildlife officers – there was one injured a little while ago but he’s doing fine. He’s doing good. We wish him all the best as we move along.

One change to this act is to add coyote to the list of fur-bearing animals.

We work to ensure the public is understanding and complies with the laws that safeguard our natural resources. We believe these amendments would strengthen legislation and enhance support for conservation and protection of Newfoundland and Labrador’s wildlife species.

They will ensure reinforcement officers are equipped to better protect Newfoundland and Labrador’s wildlife resources. Again, mentioned as I previously did, the same as in the other bill that this will ensure that resource enforcement officers are better equipped to protect Newfoundland and Labrador with wildlife resources. The better that our officers are equipped to do their job, they can do more to protect our wildlife species which will be there for years to come.

All of this pertains to everybody’s involvement – what we can do as a government, what we can do as people, what we can do as enforcement officers. Everybody working together will protect our wildlife species.

When we were consulted on the Endangered Species Act in ’23-’24 we also consulted the Wild Life Act so the two of them relate back and forth together. What happens in the Endangered Species Act also pertains, basically, to the Wild Life Act. All the conversations and all the acts and all the things that we put in the regulations pertains to both acts.

With almost 260 responses from across the province, in general, respondents supported the increase of fines under the Wild Life Act and regulations and the Endangered Species Act. There was 260 responses came in and everybody was in favour of bringing in this. So bringing in the fines to protect our species. Everyone knows how important it is to protect our species, protect our wildlife, protect our wildlife officers, protect the people in the system. That is something that was great to see – that there were 260 responses and everybody was in approval of that. Many responded including the need for additional education and public outreach as part of their comments.

So they even want more additional education of what they need to do and how it works. They need more education of – and education and public awareness and outreach is what protects our species, Speaker, what protects our wildlife. People need to know and they relate and they know that they shouldn’t do it and other people will talk and tell them, saying: B’y, it’s not right to do that, you know, like, we need to be able to enjoy it ourselves as well. So we don’t want you to be doing the illegal activities that we need to be putting in those fines, and we’d like to have that for our grandchildren out along the way. So public education, public consultations, public awareness are certainly great for all our activities that we do throughout the Wild Life Act.

Conservation concerns for big game populations and in-land species, salmon and trout, were shared by many residents over multiple questions. I thank those that did respond. Most of the people who enjoyed the great outdoors through outdoor pursuits including hunting and berry picking, mountain biking, hiking, trapping or all-terrain vehicle operations. All the people that pertain to wildlife, as I mentioned earlier, pertaining to the Wild Life Act and pertaining to wildlife and pertaining to our forest industries, the activities that we do, just enjoying the great outdoors that we have and the activities that we have there to enjoy it with.

So that’s the main reason that we have to protect our wildlife, we have to protect our endangered species so that it’s there for years and years to come, Speaker, so that, as I said before, many of us and our grandchildren and hopefully our great-grandchildren can enjoy the great outdoors and what it has to offer. So doing so in those regulations will have that there for all of us to come and certainly protect the people who make it happen.

Amending the Wild Life Act would enhance public safety, deter illegal activities and further protect Newfoundland and Labrador’s wildlife by enhancing a proposed fine structure. It will deter illegal activities that impact the species protected under the Wild Life Act. So by increasing the fines, like I said earlier, it will deter those activities so that people won’t do it, so that the species will still be here, the wildlife will be there, especially the moose. We just mentioned the big game applications.

So by deterring people from pursuing illegal activities, we’ll keep that remaining and everybody can keep applying for our moose licences and big game licences and even the small game. That species will always be there so that, hopefully, by increasing those fines, that will deter those illegal activities, such as fines for resisting, obstructing or impersonating a wildlife officer would increase from fines not exceeding $500, and in default of payment to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months to a fine of not less than $500 or more than $25,000 with the period of imprisonment maintained at no more than six months.

For corporation, the fines would be not less than $10,000 and no more than $50,000. So that’s fines for individuals and corporations increased by those amounts to deter illegal activity. That’s what the fines are put there for, to deter illegal activity, cut down on the endangerment for wildlife enforcements so that the less that’s doing those dangerous activities, you know, that will deter them so that the wildlife people can do their jobs and protect our wildlife as adequately as we can.

Increasing fines for big game penalties, first conviction from fines not less than $1,000 and no more than $5,000 or imprisonment for a term not less than one month or more than six months, or to both fine and imprisonment, to fines of not less than $2,000 nor more than $25,000, or a period of imprisonment maintained and not less than one month or more than six months.

Second or subsequent conviction that occurs within five years of a previous conviction, from imprisonment for a term of not less than one month and no more than six months, and a fine not less than $3,000 and no more than $10,000, to a fine of not less than $6,000 or more than $25,000, with a period of imprisonment maintained and not less than one month or more than six months. A person convicted of an offence would be prohibited from holding any type of hunting licence for five years, not just moose or caribou licence. So that would prohibit them from holding any hunting licence.

We believe increased penalties will act as a significant deterrent to illegal activities. Current financial penalties were set in the 1990s or earlier. So modernizing legalization for clarity and ease of interpretation. Enforcement and fines as a component of the wildlife management is unfortunately necessary, improving resource enforcement officers’ ability to do their jobs would help maintain or boost public respect for this challenging and often dangerous work.

We expected the interpretation will make less legislation easier, follow more enforceable, thereby supporting natural resource enforcement activities and enhancing public safety.

So as I said, Speaker, by enhancing those fines, it will decrease the illegal activities, deter those and increasing penalties on the big game licence and they wont’ hold a hunting licence. That is necessary to keep people from doing the illegal activities. I know the fines, some people might say, b’y that’s big fines but then don’t do the activity. Just don’t do it. We don’t want you to do it that’s why we’re putting them there. That’s why we’re trying to protect it and by increasing those fines, then well that’s why those are put in place.

We looked at the wildlife legislation across Canada and found that some fines of our province are lower than anywhere else. That helped informed the changes we were proposing. So we were probably lower than most of the Legislatures in Canada, Speaker, so we needed to increase those fines to keep us updated, to keep the update legislation there so that we could keep those fines in place and protect our wildlife species.

That will align our fines with other provinces, will help deter illegal activity and make it clear that these actions won’t be tolerated in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This is just another reason that we’re committed to protecting our wildlife and we will certainly don’t tolerate any illegal activity. We want to protect our species; we certainly want to protect our enforcement officers. We just won’t tolerate more of that and I think that the fines will do that, Speaker. I think, any illegal activity like that, the fines certainly would change anyone’s minds of doing something that they shouldn’t be doing out there in the wilderness. That’s the reason for this legislation.

As always, the provincial government wildlife staff resource enforcement officers and regional service teams are committed to conserving and protecting our wildlife resources. Their work to promote safety, knowledgeable and responsible hunting and safety practice is crucial. The people in this department, Speaker, they do their jobs adequately and efficiently and professionally as they can. Even the inside staff are looking all the time to ways that they can help the enforcement officers, help the people within the system and to help protect the species that we’re trying to protect.

I’d like to thank everybody in the department for all the work they do, because they put a lot of work into this and they appreciate the hunting values of our province as well.

I think we all do and I certainly would like to thank them for all the work they do and what they do for our department.

I’ll close by saying how proud I am to be the minister of this department and to support legislative amendments that will improve how we manage and enforce our important wildlife resources. Speaker, I’ll look forward to discussing this matter.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

E. LOVELESS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just reflecting on the minister’s comments. I don’t know for the first time, probably a word I don’t disagree with what you just said, so that’s a good thing right.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

E. LOVELESS: That’s a good thing and the minister’s making progress because he brought in protecting the Pipping Plover and now, it was chicken yesterday and moose management today. Listen, you’re doing a wonderful job, Minister.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

E. LOVELESS: Nothing like a little bit of enlightenment on a Wednesday morning.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: (Inaudible.)

E. LOVELESS: April Fool’s Day, well, we’re – laughter is a good medicine, by the way, I think, for all of us.

In terms of listening to the minister’s comments, the words that come to mind is certainly balance and certainly responsibility and certainly future.

The Wild Life Act, I guess is not something that’s discussed a lot in this House, but it is very important to, I guess, the existence of Newfoundland and Labrador. From a business, whether that’s outfitters or from a personal or people just enjoying nature as such and wildlife does support lifestyles in Newfoundland and Labrador and I know the minister referenced that.

I think,, what comes to mind is investment today for benefits for the future. This is Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Wild Life Act, as been referenced and the act sets the framework for how wildlife in Newfoundland and Labrador is managed, protected and harvested responsibly. That’s three pillars and I will speak to them.

The managed piece – being in the department before, certainly, you get an appreciation for staff and I wanted to thank them for all they do and continue to do and for when they briefed us on the changes that are coming forward. Thank them for that.

Moose management areas, just as a reference, are crucial to the population and truly reflecting the number of animals in Newfoundland and Labrador. For those, I guess, the moose management area topic is not of interest to everybody but just a couple of things on moose management areas.

Moose management area 10-20 which is Central Newfoundland which the minister and I are familiar with. The moose management area has its own quota of licences, specific season dates and rules for either sex, male only for hunting purposes. Why moose management areas matter – they matter because it helps maintain sustainable moose populations and this is just in reference to moose: control human-wildlife conflict like examples of vehicle collisions; ensure fair distribution of hunting opportunities and allowing targeted management where populations are too high or too low. I know a lot of work goes on in the department which we don’t really know about in terms of coming out with management plans and those management plans go back to the balance piece that I referenced earlier.

This is not just about moose because wildlife entails a lot of species that the minister referenced earlier. I know, in terms of Bay d’Espoir Highway – driving down that highway, especially late evenings, moose or caribou can become a scare. That’s also important in terms of the moose management pieces, as well, as I referenced the importance of it. Is population not too high, population not too low.

I say the word balance and I’ll say it many a times in my references here. I know the minister can appreciate this too, that licences for not profit are very important and make sure that continues and I know he will. I know for Lions Clubs they appreciate that because, believe it or not, that becomes fundraising for them in their efforts of what they do in communities.

In terms of the management piece as well, the jawbone program where you return the jawbone of the moose back to staff so they can do research and stuff, that’s very important. We’ve been trying to encourage it over the years, to do that, because it’s research. But that information they retrieve from that helps them with their management plan and identifying diseases in animals as well.

I think the lab is still in Pasadena that was there when I was minister, that I visited many times where they bring animals in and do what they need to do in terms of their work to determine behaviours of animals, types, age. So a lot of good work goes on in terms of the management piece.

I know when I was there as minister as well, moving animals from one area to another – and I don’t remember the island now that was referenced in terms of allowing the animals to grow in certain areas and stuff, and again, that’s the balance piece.

I know personally in terms of hunting, I was never a hunter. I’ve never shot a gun, never. My first time I went moose hunting with my father who loved to moose hunt, he shot the moose and I was kind of, like, very upset. I was like: Moose, get up, get up. I guess I look at it – love moose meat, no doubt about it, but I’m not a hunter in terms of looking at an animal that is a source of food or whatever. It is a source of food for a lot of people, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not a hunter. But I guess I’ll use the hockey analogy: You’re not a fighter, you’re a lover. But it’s a way of life, as the minister talked about, in terms of lifestyle.

So the other part of the three pillars that I talked about was protected. Protection, very important, and that goes to the enforcement piece in this act. The enforcement officers are definitely doing great work. But equipping them with the resources they need to do their job is very important. I attended a lot of trade shows during my time as minister and not as minister, just being there out of interest. I know the first question I used to ask those enforcement officers: Do you have what’s required to do your job? Most of the times, they would say yes; but, at times, they would give us feedback and we would take that back to ensure that they do have what they need to do their job.

Mr. Speaker, I reference clause 9 of section 18, obstructing or resist a wildlife officer, which is unacceptable and in this act, I think, it is strengthening for sure and I’ll read it, Section 18: “A person who obstructs or resists a wild life officer, licensed guide or warden while the wild life officer, licensed guide or warden is engaged in excising the powers or discharging the duties conferred or imposed under this Act or regulations is guilty of an offence .…” It references less than $500 and more than $25,000 in default of payment to imprisonment for a period not exceeding nine months.

This is being substituted, because the act is being reappealed and it’s a very important part of the act, because it protects those officers who are out there trying to do and trying to reach that balance, that I’ve referenced several times.

The other piece of the, I call it pillar number three, is harvesting responsibly as well, but I will reference in terms of section 19 (1) as well, impersonating wildlife officers. I think, here in Newfoundland and Labrador we’re saying that won’t happen in Newfoundland and Labrador, well I bring people’s minds to the unfortunate event that happened in Nova Scotia a few years ago, when impersonating an RCMP officer. We never thought that would happen, but it did and in here in this act, it references falsely represents to be a wildlife officer but there are fines for that as well. So we can never underestimate that, this could happen here in Newfoundland and Labrador. That’s a protection for that person out there trying to do their job.

Pillar three references the harvesting responsibility. Again, I say hard work by staff, by individuals but as the minister referenced as well, we know that people break that law, people poach unfortunately and another thing that I always, been always disturbing, I guess, in terms of people – it’s referenced in the act here about prohibition of waste. “A person who, having taken or killed wild life appropriate for food, wilfully or intentionally allows its flesh to be destroyed, wasted or spoiled, and a person who, having taken or killed a fur bearing animal, wilfully or intentionally allows their skins to be destroyed, wasted or spoiled ….” There are fines for that as well.

Again, that goes back to the balance piece because that has to be enforced as well and it’s important to do that to strike, again, that balance. It all can be achieved by good management protection and harvesting responsible plans.

There are other pillars that fall within the three I mention because the the Act to Amend the Wild Life Act also establishes licencing requirements. I think the key in that goes to the balance too. It’s not to issue too many licences but again to achieve a good management plan. Again, it goes back to people in the department doing their work and to make sure that that balance plan is there.

Also just a few comments to conclude. The intent of all of this today, too, is to modernize an older piece of legislation which the minister has referred to. It’s a good step forward, for sure. Public consultations just began in 2024 under our government when what we heard report following up to now has reached the House of Assembly floor. We got great feedback. Feedback determines where we go in terms of policy and that’s a good thing.

As we know, it’s been referenced, that the key changes in the bill – increased penalties hopefully discouraging behaviour that none of us wants to see in Newfoundland and Labrador; stronger enforcement powers which is important; telewarrants are referenced, as well and we’ll have some questions for the minister during Committee stage; updated definitions; modern provision; responsible wildlife management which goes back to the piece on the balance around all of this.

What’s happening to this bill, here today, is a good thing. I know they were broadly supported through consultation and that’s a good thing. Feedback from people determines where your direction is going.

With that I’ll take my seat and thank the minister for this opportunity on a very important piece of legislation for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John’s East - Quidi Vidi.

S. O’LEARY: Thank you, Speaker.

I certainly thank the minister for bringing forward this opportunity to clean up an obsolete clause, modernize the act to address new technology, increasing fines and penalties for offences. Look, wildlife officers’ jobs are dangerous, and I love to hear the recognition about how we are going to support those people who do invaluable work out there, oftentimes in the nighttime. So that’s where the technology certainly comes into play and, of course, with dealing with people who are armed. We don’t know.

So I think it’s incredibly important to give a huge shoutout to our wildlife officers for the work that they’re doing in the field. Of course, while this act does a lot to expand the ability for them to effectively do their work, we must ensure that they can do the work safely. So this certainly is a step in the right direction in terms of giving them the supports that they need to do their job, that they need, on behalf of us all.

So, Speaker, I come from a hunting family, even though I’m a townie. I come from a hunting family from the West Coast, and I have lots of family members who have been very, very active and continue to be, in moose hunting, fishing and farming actually, in lots of methods.

However, what I would like to, kind of bring into it, as the Member for St. John’s East - Quidi Vidi is, again, the intersection of wildlife with the urban setting. We are starting to see coyotes growing all the time. I do need to give a shoutout in my former role as municipal leader with the City of St. John’s, I invited the provincial wildlife officers to come and they hosted an information opportunity, a session in Airport Heights, because we were starting to see a proliferation of coyotes starting to come into the area, in Airport Heights, obviously via Pippy Park. We’re also seeing sitings in Bowring Park and Pippy Park, Airport Heights and, of course, in the heart of the District of St. John’s East - Quidi Vidi, of course we’re seeing them in Signal Hill and the areas around there, Cuckolds Cove. We’re seeing, of course, eagles’ nests, all kinds of different things. But specifically about coyotes, we know that that is becoming an ongoing issue.

So that particular issue there about coyotes, and I will say, and I’m sure many of the Members here, the hon. Members will recognize that we’re starting to see species starting to shift and develop because we’re seeing species where wolves and coyotes now are starting to come together, and how we’re going to try to address some of those changes because, you know, nothing is fixed. This is evolution, this is nature and how species continue to evolve.

Wildlife officers gave an incredible job ahead of them to ensure safety for, not only, the conservation efforts of the animal kingdom that we want to make sure to conserve as the minister so aptly spoke to but the reality is that we also want to make sure that they are safe when they’re out there, as well too, especially when we’re seeing these evolving species.

So another thing I just wanted to reflect upon – so that’s coyotes. That’s one species there but we’re also talking about, down at Quidi Vidi Lake, again, within the district, cormorants. The cormorants on Quidi Vidi Lake which are growing and then, of course, as I mentioned, as an avid hiker, seeing the eagle’s nest and things like that that are starting to grow. We’re seeing a lot more eagles on the coastline. This is all venturing into urban areas. It’s all coming together. We’re seeing that more and more and more all the time.

I, too, will have some questions in the Committee around some of those especially those intersections as the representative for an urban district. Knowing that this is something that really is a benefit to the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador and very, very welcomed to see this cleaning up of this bill because do want to make sure that everybody is safe – the wildlife officers with conserving the environment and the wildlife as it should be and, of course, for the public who enjoy it. I do agree with the minister that this is a mental health issue as well too. This is something that keeps us all grounded. I know, for myself, I need to connect with nature. I need to get out and hike and be in nature in order to be mentally sound. That is something, I think, with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that we are very, very in synergy with. We all love to get out there and connect because it gives us piece of mind.

There are so many different layers to this but the reality is that this is a good step forward and I will have some questions that I will ask when we get to the Committee level but I am very interested in how the intersection of urban intensification, the clarification and intensification of the regs, the seizure and forfeiture and all of those things. They’re really important, very important issues for everybody in our province.

I want to thank the minister for bringing this forward and I’ll have some more questions on behalf of the NDP to ask in Committee.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Labrador West.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. POWER: Thank you, Speaker.

Bill 8 amendments to the Wild Life Act is about upholding our shared responsibility to safeguard wildlife and natural habitats. They’re apart of who we are in Newfoundland and Labrador. Hunting and trapping areas always near and dear to the hearts of Newfoundland and Labradorians.

Speaker, I’m one of those people who recently applied for my moose licence. I was one of those 13,000 on the first day to put my name in, filled out my application. I do a lot of hunting and fishing. I do that much fishing in the summertime that I’d say I wastes $2,500 a year in lures. I break off about five fishing rods every summer. That many for sure, but if we didn’t have rules and regulations when it came to fishing and hunting. Like when I go fishing down in Labrador West, we go out, so many certain species that you’re allowed. You’re allowed two lakers, those lakers actually have to be 24 inches long in order for you to keep them. Anything under that has to go back in the water.

We’re allowed 10 pound plus one trophy fish when it comes to Ouananiche and speckled trout. Northern pike, you’re allowed two and you’re allowed shore lunch which is the best tasting fish you’re ever going to have in your life, haul the boat up on the beach and throw the frying pan out and cook up a nice fresh fish, best you’re ever going to eat.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. POWER: But, Speaker, if we didn’t have the regulations that we have, just those few there that I just named out about how many fish you’re allowed to have, how many you’re allowed to keep and that, there would be no fish left in Labrador, wouldn’t be no fish left in Newfoundland if we didn’t have those regulations and if we didn’t have the fisheries officers that we have out there, to protect those regulations.

I’ll give a big shoutout to the fisheries officers, I know a lot of them throughout the whole province. I know what they do. They need extra help, not only when it comes to fines and regulations. Probably a month ago I was down over the Trans-Labrador Highway, I was ptarmigan hunting and you’re only allowed 25 of those too by the way, in case anybody is wondering, daily bag limit.

The wildlife officer stopped, we were having a yarn, he asked to see my licence so I showed it to him. He was by himself and I actually – we had a conversation about that. I actually thought that was sad for a young man, he was probably 30 years old. He was out trying to do his job, but by himself. It’s sad to say, but there are lots of people in this world now in this day and age that – I’m just trying to word this right now – that wouldn’t mind pulling a gun on a young man if he had to or if he was going to get fined or if he was going to get in trouble. It happens. So we need to ensure that these wildlife officers and fisheries officers have the support, have the staff that they need to do their jobs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. POWER: A change to the fines will actually deter – hopefully deter – hunters. I’ll go back to the wildfires we had here last summer. When the fines started going up past $100,000 for lighting a backyard fire, a lot of people were deterred, believe it or not. They were. So if you increased the fine from $1,000 or $5,000 up to $25,000, hopefully that will deter people from poaching moose, taking too many fish, killing too many ptarmigan.

A couple of weeks ago when we started to debate this, our colleague from Lake Melville there, he mentioned the George River caribou herd. It’s gone from – we stopped hunting, I think it was 17 years ago in Lab West, that we weren’t allowed to hunt caribou. We could go over to the Esso station, walk in, show them your driver’s licence and you’d get two licences. I could get two for me, I could get two for my wife, I could get two for my father-in-law.

All gone; 900,000 animals down to less than 100,000 in 15 years. It’s unreal. A lot of them did drown, a lot of them did die off, but a lot of them got killed that weren’t supposed to be killed. A lot of them are still getting killed today that aren’t supposed to be killed. So we have to change this. We have to make it harder for those poachers and people who don’t want to follow the laws.

Again, as our minister said, the amendments to the Wild Life Act will modernize the language, update the penalties and improve enforceability. It’s important to assure our laws are effective and possible because they set clear expectations. When rules are clear and consequences are meaningful, people are likely to respect them.

Again, enforcement officers do important, often difficult work in the field. These amendments ensure the laws support them when they are carrying out their duties. Updating the penalties reflects the seriousness of offences that harm wildlife and undermine conservation efforts across the province.

Taken together, these changes reinforce public confidence that wildlife protection laws are fair and enforceable.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Mount Pearl North.

L. STOYLES: Thank you, Speaker.

I’m certainly delighted today to get up and represent my District of Mount Pearl North and I certainly couldn’t sit here without getting up and speaking about this bill. Of course, we all know my colleagues certainly mentioned how important it is to make the changes and do the necessary work that needs to be done on the Wild Life Act and things like that, but I don’t want to government of the day to forget how important it is on the management of moose here in our province and mention the number of people that have died on our highways and our byways or injured every year because of wild animals. We know how much Newfoundlanders and Labradorians love to hunt and that is part of our culture, but we cannot forget how important it is to saving lives herein our province.

I want to quote an article that my dear friend Linda Bishop, who passed away over a year ago, was so involved in the Save Our People Action Committee. Back then, there was over 100,000 moose, overcrowded moose on our highways and we met with every government over the past number of years to talk about moose management. We know how important it is to have our hunters our and anglers and bringing people in to hunt from other provinces and we understand and accept all of that but when it comes to managing the population of our animals, moose and coyotes and whatever that causes people their lives.

I want to mention Brent Cole who was a wildlife officer. I met Brent’s wife and Brent a number of years ago out in his home in Whitbourne after he had a moose accident. Like I said, he was a wildlife officer and spent his life looking after the wildlife. A couple of years after, he lost his life. I attended his funeral as well.

Last summer there was two young people in their 20s that was killed on the Trans-Canada Highway because of moose. So Brent Cole, Linda Bishop, Morrissey Johnson, Ben Bellows,  Hugh George, and I could go on and on and on for generations. I remember one year we had people come travelling from outside of Canada and two family members died because of moose accidents.

So I know the Save Our People Action Committee will be lobbying government to continue with the moose fencing. If we’re going to have those animals in our province that we brought here years ago for hunting, we need to protect the people. We need to make sure that the fencing is going to continue.

Other provinces in Canada, not only Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, but out in Banff, when they got the big animals, they put the money into saving the people’s lives. Besides the money that we need to put in for moose fencing, we also need to look at brush cutting. I know the Member for Ferryland stood up here in the House of Assembly a number of times and talked about brush cutting, how it wasn’t done on the Southern Shore. Well it needs to be done in the whole province to protect our people. We will be lobbying government to make sure that that continues. Besides that, the money it cost.

I know and I always say until it happens to you, it don’t affect you, because when we have a crisis and everybody says, oh my God. Everybody says they feel so sorry for everybody, when we had the helicopter crashes and we had all different disasters, and the fires out on the North Shore last year where I grew up at. I dealt with probably more calls than most people from the North Shore last year with the fires.

But after, weeks and months goes by, unless it affects you, it’s gone. It’s over your head and it’s over. But when it happens to you and you live with it every single day, because besides the people who died from those accidents, the people who survive and their families are the ones that’s suffering.

The cost to our government in health care is billions and billions of dollars. I know first-hand what that’s like because my daughter was in a coma for 17 days, and months in a hospital and still recovering from a moose accident. Every time I hear about a moose accident and someone that has been injured or hurt my day is ruined because it comes back every single time. When that police officer came to our house that Sunday evening and a knock came on the door. You can't drive. We’re taking you.

My husband got the keys and, no, we’re going and no, you can't drive. You have to come with us. Until it happens to you – I’m urging the government to not only look at what they’re bringing in today but look at what else needs to be done in this province because safety is always first.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: I’m not certain what capacity which you’re speaking. I’m going to say Minister of Labrador Affairs. How’s that?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Thank you, Speaker.

I won't go over my time.

I was just listening to the Member in the Official Opposition there talking about moose accidents. I think everybody in Newfoundland and Labrador can relate to what you said. It’s so important.

Coming from Northern Labrador, I just want to take a couple of minutes – it’s not going to take very long – just to put things into context. For me I grew up in Makkovik, Northern Labrador, an Inuit community with great ties to the land, to the sea, to the animals. For us, life is different in Northern Labrador. It’s still different today than it is from most places in the rest of the province because we still hunt and fish and this is our mainstay for our food source. For us, anything that impacts our ability to hunt and to be able have food from the land is important. That’s why I’m speaking today.

We are all about preservation and it’s really good to see some changes to increase enforcement and also to increase the protection of the wildlife officers. Just looking at that, recently, a few years we had Quebec hunters come in over the border, hunting our caribou. Very little was done to address this and right now in Northern Labrador and anywhere in Labrador we don’t have the ability to hunt caribou. In my district people’s food source is greatly impacted.

I remember when I was a young teenager, I used to go hunting with my dad. The caribou was kind of far inland in north so we used to have to get ready in the middle of the night and me and my dad – my dad has been passed away now for 25 years; I still remember those days. Me and my dad used to get ready in the middle of the night and what we’d do is we’d start off, we’d drive all the way up to Nain, we’d probably stay in Nain, gas up and then we’d go all into the country, we called it, and we’d go into the height of land. We’d go up and we’d actually get inside, going towards Quebec. We used to hunt caribou and we used to bring back probably about seven caribou and we’d share that amongst our family.

I remember dad cutting of the legs and the forearms and things like that and taking it to the elders. Speaker, everybody who came back from hunting north would do that. They would actually take parts of the caribou and depending on who it was given to, the elders, got the best parts.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, that what we did, we shared.

But, Speaker, especially in the largest community in Northern Labrador, Nain, we don’t have the ability to do that anymore. We don’t have the ability to bring back caribou. People who can afford the gas, can afford the snowmobile, can afford the rifle. Speaker, even to be able to afford the bullets, the cartridges now that’s a challenge for people.

The people who could go off and hunt and bring back and be able to share, Speaker, we don’t have that option because the caribou is not there and the ones that are there in small numbers, we’re not allowed to hunt. Speaker, sometimes that happens, we hear about it.

I tell you there’s nothing more uncomfortable then coming up across somebody whose coming back from somewhere and you don’t know what they have. Speaker, when you look at who they are, it’s probably a real poor family or somebody who is going to share with a really poor family.

Speaker, the thing about it is, we can’t afford to buy the food in the stores in Northern Labrador right now. We do it, but we can’t afford to do it. Because when you put all your money into food, it’s coming from somewhere else. It’s taken from somewhere else, I mean.

Really, we talk about choosing which bills to pay. You’re going to pay to heat your house. You’re going to pay to eat. You’re going to put clothes on your child to go to school. There’s really, I guess, right now I say we see the greatest impacts to equity and equality in our communities because if you got a good job, you’re doing a hell of a lot better than anyone else and if you’re on income support, Speaker, people are really struggling. Then what happens is not only are you and your family hungry, you’re unhealthy because the food that you buy usually is not very nutritious, but the caribou, the caribou is a lean meat, it’s high in protein, high in iron. Huge, delicious.

I remember when they brought in the moratorium for caribou, Speaker. When they brought in the moratorium for caribou and the reason why they brought it in is because overhunting, not by my people. Not with the people from Labrador. There are very few people in Labrador poached or overhunted or was wasteful and I’m talking about everybody. I’m not just talking about the Indigenous people there, basically the settlers and people coming and working.

When you’re in Labrador you understand the value of the land, you understand the value of the food source. Speaker, the reason why the moratorium was brought in for us not to be able to hunt caribou as a food source, for us, was because of overhunting and lack of legislation, lack of protection. We used to have Quebe hunters coming into Labrador and the wild life officers looking at them, not actually doing anything.

Speaker, also too, Hydro-Quebec, with the release of all that water back when I was really young and all the thousands and thousand of caribou drowned. That impacted the population as well. So it’s really important for us to be mindful and bring in good legislation to make sure that our wildlife officers are protected and has the power to actually enforce legislation but also, Speaker, is that we’re conserving. We’re basically protecting the animals because it’s too late for the caribou. Really right now I’d say we’re never ever going to get back to numbers where we can actually hunt them freely without actually having to do something illegal, Speaker.

Speaker, I remember when the moratorium was being brought in and I remember mom saying to me, she said, Lela, really what are we going to do? Because she said as my colleague said, caribou is delicious but also, Speaker, you can cook caribou multiple ways. You could roast it, you can fry it, you can bake it, you could dry it and it was a food source everyday for us. The thing about it is, not a lot of food you can do that. She said, like Lela what are we going to eat now? She said because you can only eat so many partridges. You can’t eat partridges every day, three times a day. You could eat a caribou every day, three times a day.

Speaker, so for me, in my district, the decimation of the caribou population that happened in the past and trying to recover the herd so that we can actually use it as a food source, Speaker, is so important. It’s so important, really, I would say, to the survival of the people in Northern Labrador.

But, Speaker, other things now, I think somebody mentioned cormorants. We have a lot of invasive species coming up. The cormorants now are coming into Northern Labrador and they’re taking over the nesting sites of our waterfowl, the ducks, and they’re driving out our food source because we hunt and we eat, like most people in Newfoundland and Labrador, we eat the waterfowl. These invasive species, they’re coming in and they’re pushing out our population, Speaker.

So I would say in actual fact, we should actually be probably looking at taking further action where we can actually have some sort of cull, some sort of protection, because at the end of the day, people will say that’s natural, but at the end of the day, it’s basically the changes to the environment that’s causing this migration of these species north, Speaker.

The thing about it is if we’re not careful and we don’t control these invasive species populations, they’re going to push out our food source and that’s going to really impact the people of Labrador, Speaker, because it’s not only the people in Northern Labrador that hunt and eat caribou in the past and also wildlife, Speaker. So it’s so important for us to be mindful of the changes and impacts that’s impacting our animals in our regions, especially our food source, Speaker. Most of the animals in Northern Labrador, Speaker, is a food source for us. So it’s so important and I just wanted to speak a little bit on that.

A lot of times, Speaker, I stand up and speak, not because I’m trying to make a point but because I’m just trying to share because the thing about it is Northern Labrador a lot of times is out of sight, out of mind. We need to be mindful of the impacts that’s happening and how our legislation can hurt or hinder the people of Northern Labrador, the Innu and the Inuit, because the lifestyle is so different than most of the other regions, Speaker, and the impacts can be quite significant.

But it was really good to see the penalties there in section 27, but also too is I am mindful. I think the minimum penalty now for section 27 is for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $25,000, Speaker. There are a lot of people who would probably create an offence to put food on their table who will not be able to afford that $2,000.

So I think we need to be mindful of the context to which we’re implementing legislation and we need to make sure that people are not being harmed because of the past inactions. I remember, just recently when we were having Quebec hunters come over the border, they were actually posting on Facebook, everybody knew where they were, where they were travelling in and they were decimating the population. In actual fact, there was a couple of small populations, their subspecies that they were driving into extinction. The thing, Speaker, is the wildlife officers were flying around in helicopters following them and they said that they couldn’t do anything because it wasn’t safe to land, because whenever they got close to the Quebec hunters, the hunters would take out the tarp and the tarp is if it got caught up in the rotors, Speaker, would cause a crash and fatality and no one wants that.

We have to make sure that our wildlife officers, the pilots who are there flying helicopters are safe. But, Speaker, the thing about it is it was tunnel vision. It was the only thing we could do was fly around in helicopter and that’s the only way we’d be able to enforce legislation and that was tunnel vision because in actual fact, I said in the House of Assembly, is that if you know where they are, you don’t have to approach them in a helicopter, you can actually just have wildlife officers on snowmobile in the area and actually be able to apprehend them. You could actually chase them back to the hotels they were staying in. They were talking the caribou back and the thing is nothing was done, Speaker, it was a lack of inaction.

So I think now with our new government in place we’ll be actually to take further action. We’ll actually able to deter this hunting of our species that are very vulnerable to extinction by other provinces like Quebec. Because it’s not only people in the province that they will be mindful and make sure they respects the regulations and the hunting conditions, is we have to be mindful that our species, who are threatened like the caribou are not decimated into extinction by hunters who come from another province. Just because the inaction is not there, basically when we take action that’s actually a deterrent, Speaker, because the impacts are so great.

Anyway, Speaker, with that I’m going to take my seat.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Corner Brook.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. PARSONS: Thank you, Speaker.

I just want to take a couple of minutes and speak to the importance of the management and protection of wildlife. Hearing my colleague from Lab West talk about fishing, gets me really excited and I think about how excited my son is as well for the coming fishing season.

One of the great privileges we enjoy here in Newfoundland and Labrador is our vast wilderness and the wildlife that inhabit it. As many people in this province, I’ve enjoyed hunting and fishing all my life and continue to do that. As they say now, the kids say, you have core memories and many of my core memories comes from hunting and fishing, sneering with rabbits with my parents and grandparents and now it’s something that I get to share with my children.

A few years ago, I was able to take my kids sneering rabbits for the first time. Now it sounds gruesome and maybe my colleague from Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune would disagree but sneering rabbits was a very traditional thing for my family and something that my grandfather did every fall. He would go and spend a lot of fall and winter up around Taylor’s Brook and in fact he died at his cabin snaring rabbits. I think if you could ask him how he wanted to leave this world, that’s how it would be.

So I got to do this experience with my children, take them out. They’re all really interested in wildlife, in all kinds of forms of wildlife and again, they are excited to learn about it, how to do it. It gets them outside and, of course, the one rule they have to eat it. So you don’t kill anything unless you’re going to eat it.

That goes for my son who is an incessant trout fisherman. He does not stop during the summer, like I did, following the train track, following all the little spots along the way, the brooks. My daughter has a keen interest in bird watching and if you haven’t, I’d encourage you to get out and learn a little bit about the amazing diversity of songbirds we have here. It’s fascinating. She even says she’s going to be an ornithologist when she grows up. This is a very important thing for my family, to be connected to nature. It’s something that we’ve lost a lot in our lives these days. We’re disconnected from that Styrofoam plate we see in the grocery store and I think, it’s important that our children know where our food comes from and see that.

It’s about a reverence for nature and respecting life and that’s why, I think, we have to protect what we have and the management of our resources is of utmost importance and I fully support this bill, absolutely. Again, these small changes are important to keep continually fixing little problems and little gaps in our legislation.

We talked about moose hunting, and again, the minister mentioned the moose licence management system is up and going and I’m sure it’s overheating the computers with all the applications. I got mine in. My wife, my mother, my father, they’ve all got their stuff in too, absolutely. I will be getting a licence in area 10, if all goes according to how it’s supposed to go this year.

AN HON. MEMBER: Take the Member with you.

J. PARSONS: Oh, but he’ll be asking me for moose meat.

Like the Member, I have a freezer full of moose and you know what? Talking about our cost of living, I actually had a conversation with one of our staff this morning about the high cost of meat and the importance of having things like wild game in your freezer. We’re always lucky to have a lot of wild game. Soon I’ll have to convert some of my steaks into sausage as I prepare for a harvest this fall. I got screwed up last year. Unfortunately, there was an election and it messed up my moose hunting.

So one thing that I will mention is there is a reference to coyotes and the changes in this legislation, and them being considered fur-bearing animals. So we’ll have some questions in Committee about that and how that will affect, again, the issues around waste and whether or not furs have to be kept and things like that. But coyotes, of course, a few years ago we were dealing with bounties and such to control that population, and that is still a serious issue.

But the last thing I want to mention is engagement with young people. It’s something that we’re seeing fewer and fewer young people hunting and fishing than we did years ago. Now we have fewer young people, of course, but it is something that I think is very rewarding and very important to connect us to nature. So protecting and managing our wildlife resource this way is very important, but we also have to think about how we can engage our youth in this and continue the traditions for generations to come.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to say again, thank you for this. It’s an honour to speak to this issue and just express how important I feel protecting and managing this resource is.

Thank you, Minister.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: If the Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands now speaks, he will close the debate.

The Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. FORSEY: Thank you, Speaker.

I appreciate all the comments that were said by all the Members who spoke on this legislation today and I appreciate the comments and I appreciate their values of knowing why this has to be done, because it is a very important piece of legislation. Again, the amendments to the Wild Life Act will modernize and update the penalties and improve the enforceability.

I think, everybody was in favour of that, so it’s great to hear that. But, just to elaborate on some of the comments that were made and I’ll start with – I usually start with the first speaker but I think, I’m going to move from the first speaker and I’m going to go to the Member for Mount Pearl North. I did appreciate her story and certainly her personal story of what she’s going through.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. FORSEY: She did talk about the moose management areas and the dangers on our highways and yes, that is certainly a part of all discussions when it comes to moose management. This year, we did have an increase on the Avalon licences because of the moose management areas that were discussed and we increased the licences on the Avalon.

Also with that, of course, she mentioned SOPAC and we know SOPAC has always been interested in the moose management areas. Of course, fencing is part of the transportation part. That continues to be looked at and worked at as we move along. We know how important the lives of people and car accidents are, to the people on our highways and we said safety for all of us in our communities and that pertains to people on our highways. We’ll do our moose management areas, control our moose management so that this stuff, we can reduce this stuff as much as possible if we can. But I do appreciate your story, the Member for Mount Pearl and appreciate your comments, I really do.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. FORSEY: With that I’ll start with the first speaker and all I can say is I’m gobsmacked. I didn’t think I would be, but he agreed with me. He agreed with me, I can’t believe. I think, everybody in this House heard it. I hope there was nobody outside or anything like that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. FORSEY: I appreciate it and listen I know that the Member got respect for this act and I know his knowledge of the act, I mean to say he was the former minister of this department and he values the workers, you mentioned that. He values the wildlife commitments and the workers and I do appreciate those comments; I really do and I’m sure they do too.

But he also mentioned the moose management areas and in particular he mentioned the Bay d’Espoir Highway which I think, that separates probably both of our districts really from Exploits down to Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune. That’s where a lot of that was done, so moose management area 21 and 25, by the way. I’ll say that his area takes in more of the Route 360.

Anyway, I do appreciate those comments and the moose management area and we know that both of those areas, area 21 and area 25 are a good population of moose, healthy population down that way. You’re right on a dark stormy night driving down over that highway sometimes, yeah it can be particularly dangerous at times especially in the fall of the year when the salt gets on the roads and the moose are out, you know, like chasing that kind of stuff. Moose management is a big part of the department’s work and we continue to do that sort of work and we put our moose licence applications and those to determine what issued because of the moose management areas.

I appreciate his comments and he values the protection for the future of the valued resource of our wildlife and management plans, so yes, I do thank you for your comments, especially the one that you agree with me.

The Member for St. John’s East - Quidi Vidi, she mentioned our conservation officers and appreciated the work they do and what we can do to protect them, whatever rules and regulations we can put in to protect our wildlife officers and that is certainly an appreciate comment because they do work and they do great work and keep our wildlife protected and healthy species so that everybody can enjoy it in the future. She also appreciated the values of out hiking and walking through the woods and that sort of stuff. How valued nature is. Now, how it does pertain to our mental health and issues. I’m glad to hear those comments and tidying the legislation. She did mention the coyotes being a problem in different areas and that sort of stuff and we have got rules and regulations in for the coyotes and regulations.

Actually, the wildlife officers themselves, they get involved with the coyotes that are in the areas of those places. So they monitor that all the time with regard to the coyotes. So they take a great part in those regulations for those too, so that was part of it. She agreed, of course, with tidying up the legislation and introducing those fines and the other parts of the act. So it was good to see those comments.

The Member for Labrador West, apparently the big trout they get down there, they use ours for bait. But it’s good to hear the Member for Labrador West speaking of the fishing and the hunting down that way, certainly how it’s valued in that area that, you know, we set out the regulations about how many fish to keep and the regulations around that, and why they certainly have such a bountiful harvest of trout and fish and pike, it almost makes me want to go today, actually.

But anyway, I appreciate that from the Member for Labrador West. He values the conservation efforts, the measures that we put in place to protect our wildlife, protect our species that we have with regard to deterring illegal activity in those areas, and especially how it pertains to food necessity in Labrador as well, and how he appreciates that.

So those are the comments that I certainly appreciate from the Member for Labrador West, and I certainly look forward to one day getting down there maybe, and take some of my trout down so I can go fishing with his big trout down that way.

So then we had the Member for Torngat Mountains who, again, appreciates the value of this legislation with regard to protection and illegal activity and protecting our wildlife and the protection of measures and values of the cultures of the land. She told us some stories with regard to the cultures and the values of her land and our land and what we do, and how the meat is – you know, by protecting our meat source, which is a great source of meat.

She talked about the food supply down that way and how expensive it is to have it down there and we know that. We’ve heard the stories. She’s advocated lots of times with regard to the stories of the food values down her way and she knows that the value of those food sources are a great source of meat, a great source of food for that area. But she also values the protection of our enforcement officers and values the protection of our wildlife and increasing the fines and the measures that need to be so that we can all have that sort of culture for years to come. Those stories are great to hear.

Then the Member for Corner Brook, another great comment. It really was, and it shows that everybody is in favour of the legislation and the rules. So, again, I appreciate that. But he spoke of this family and how they enjoy the hunting and fishing and the great outdoors again, and he’d like to see it that his children and his family for years and years to come can go fishing. We know certainly the Humber River is probably one of the best fishing spots around when it comes to that, besides the Exploits. I’ll just throw that in.

But, you know, it is a good river and people enjoy it and it’s nice to see that your family enjoys it and a lot of people related to you enjoy that and they also enjoy the hunting, values the hunting. Another great area over that way for the moose, in that area. So to be able to pass this down, to be able to protect our species, but we also need to be conscious that there are licences and that out there. We do need to protect our people as well, especially on the highways, and that’s why those licences and that are put out. So it puts a balance in the system.

But doing that as well, we need to protect it. Putting in those rules and legislation and the fines especially and helping our enforcement officers do the work that they do will help continue that your family, my family and for all of us concerned that our children and their children will enjoy the values that we’ve done and our fathers before us that value the wildlife on our territory.

So with that, Speaker, I’ll close and look forward to questions in Committee.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: All Members ready for the question?

All those in favour, ‘aye.’

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay.’

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill, An Act to Amend the Wild Life Act. (Bill 8)

SPEAKER: This bill has now been read a second time.

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

L. PARROTT: Tomorrow.

SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, a bill, “An Act to Amend the Wild Life Act,” read a second time, ordered referred to a Committee of the Whole on tomorrow.

SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

L. PARROTT: Thank you, Speaker.

I move, seconded by the Deputy House Leader, that we do now recess.

SPEAKER: It has been moved and seconded that we do now recess.

All those in favour, ‘aye.’

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay.’

Carried.

This House is now in recess until 6 p.m.

Recess

The House resumed at 2 p.m.

SPEAKER (Lane): Order, please!

Admit visitors.

Today I would like to welcome to the public gallery, Miss Newfoundland and Labrador, Cassidy Barry, who is the subject of a Member’s statement.

Welcome.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Also in our public gallery today we have members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Parliament Board of Directors. They are vice-president, external, Leah Patterson of Labrador West; vice-president, internal, Avery Patey of St. Anthony; director of debate and delegates, Liam Rowe of Carbonear; and director of delegates, Declan Walsh of St. John’s.

Welcome.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

Statements by Members

SPEAKER: Today we have Member statements by the hon. Members for the Districts of Humber - Bay of Islands, Labrador West, Lake Melville, Lewisporte - Twillingate and Mount Pearl North.

The hon. the Member for Humber - Bay of Islands.

E. JOYCE: Mr. Speaker, on February 10, Mark Sheppard’s leg got caught in the track of his snowmobile.

Hearing Mark’s cry for help, Glenn and Matt Jacobs rushed to the scene. Seeing the severity of the accident, they immediately hauled Mark out of the ditch, with his leg hanging and bleeding profusely.

Glenn immediately used his belt as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and kept Mark awake while him and Matt, with shivering hands and out of breath, pulled the belt as tight as possible to stop the bleeding for 15 minutes.

Glenn’s wife, Sue, called the ambulance, and as Mark’s father approached asking to hold Mark and help with the belt, Glenn refused, later saying I thought he was going to pass away and I didn’t want him to pass away in your arms.

When the ambulance arrived, Glen and Matt still played a crucial role to ensure Mark was safely in the ambulance.

Courage is what made Glen and Matt heroes that day. Even though Mark lost a part of his leg, he told me, because of Sue, Glen and Matt, I am here today with my family and friends.

I ask all Members to join me in thanking these heroes who saved a life in a potentially deadly situation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Labrador West.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. POWER: Thank you, Speaker.

It is always a pleasure to rise in this House and talk about Labrador West where winter lasts long and snow blankets the land for months. The communities of Labrador West transform the cold season into a powerful celebration. From early to mid-March, the region hosts the Labrador West Winter Carnival.

For about a week, the towns of Labrador City and Wabush burst with energy, laughter and colour. Skating tracks shine under the bright lights. Families gather for pancake breakfast. Music fills halls and arenas. Children race down snowy hills. Neighbours cheer at outdoor competitions. Instead of hiding from winter the carnival celebrates it. The carnival turns winter into a festival of joy and invites residents and visitors to celebrate the northern lifestyle together. This annual event has grown into a tradition that reflects the spirit, strength and unity of Labrador West.

This year from March 6 to March 15, Labrador West celebrated their 65th Winter Carnival.  This year we had tremendous support from our towns, sponsors, volunteers, and organizers, who offer a jam-packed scheduled. I would like to congratulate the Winter Carnival Committee and send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who makes this carnival successful each year. This collective effort demonstrates the strong sense of unity within Labrador West.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Lake Melville.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

K. RUSSELL: Thank you, Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the community of Sheshatshiu has been hit pretty hard of late. My last Member’s statement was for a son and this one is for his mother.

It was just a couple of months ago we wished Sheshatshiu Elder Mary Adela Penashue or Maniaten, as she was called, a happy 98th birthday.

It was a large Labrador day as the family celebrated her life and laid her to rest and it was an honour to share in the community's grief, this last Saturday morning, as we said good bye to one of the last nomadic Labrador Innu mothers of this great land.

Maniaten was born in Nutshimit, on the land, in 1928, during a time when the Innu way of life was lived fully and freely. As one of the last nomadic Elders, she witnessed much change and as a young girl, made the journey from Natuashish to Sheshatshiu with other Innu, on foot, where she later met her husband, Louis and had a very large family together.

Through all the changes she witnessed, from life in Nutshimit to the imposed settlement of the Innu, she remained grounded in the values of the Innu people, the Innu way of life, the respect for the land, the caring for each other and the passing on knowledge from one generation to the next.

Elders like Maniaten are the bridge between our past and our future and her life stands as a reminder of the resilience and the continuity of the Innu.

As we say goodbye, may she be reunited with her loved ones and once again walk the old trails in Nutshimit where the land remembers her footsteps. May she dance to the heartbeat of the drum and camp where the caribou are plenty.

I ask all in this hon. House to join me in recognizing the life of Mary Adela Penashue – Maniaten, Nika who will be remembered for her kindness, her quiet strength and the way she carried Innu traditions forward simply by living them.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Lewisporte - Twillingate.

M. BUTT: Thank you, Speaker.

I rise today to recognize the 40th Annual Mussel Bed Soiree in Lewisporte, a milestone celebration for one of the community’s most cherished traditions. For 40 years, the Soiree has brought people together through music, food and friendship, reflecting a strong sense of community that defines Lewisporte.

This year’s event is especially meaningful as it coincides with the town’s 150th anniversary of settlement, making it a fitting tribute to the resilience, spirit and a shared history of its people. The Mussel Bed Soiree continues to honour Lewisporte’s cultural roots while uniting generations in celebrations of heritage, hospitality and community pride.

With activities for all ages, the Soirée truly offers something for everyone, whether enjoying a favourite band with friends, watching fireworks over the waterfront or attending the ever-popular Family Fun Day, which creates lasting memories for residents and visitors alike.

As Lewisporte celebrates this milestone year, we look forward with excitement to the future of Mussel Bed Soiree. I ask Members of this House to recognize the tremendous support of volunteers, sponsors and participants whose dedication has made the past 39 years and this special year such a success.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Mount Pearl North.

L. STOYLES: Speaker, I am honored today to rise to introduce this year’s Miss Newfoundland and Labrador, Ms. Cassidy Barry.

Originally from Placentia, Cassidy now resides in my District of Mount Pearl North with her fiancé. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University, with a major in English and a minor in psychology. Throughout her studies, she also worked as a self-employed nail technician, demonstrating her strong work ethic.

Cassidy completed her training as a cardiology technologist and now works full-time at the Health Sciences Centre in the cardiac diagnostic unit. Her dream is to pursue medical school and ultimately become a heart specialist.

In addition to her professional and academic achievements, Cassidy volunteers with the education director at the Cardiology Technologists Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.

As Miss Newfoundland and Labrador, she will be travelling across the province, proudly representing our communities and attending festivals and events throughout the year.

Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in congratulating Cassidy and wishing her every success in her career and in her reign as Miss Newfoundland and Labrador. We know she will continue to make us proud.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. FORSEY: Thank you, Speaker.

Speaker, National Wildlife Week is a time to reflect on wildlife and its habitat. Our staff at Salmonier Nature Park know all about that. Whether they’re guiding visitors on the trail or visiting classrooms, our educators are happy to talk about the wildlife species that share our home.

Speaker, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are known for our love of the outdoors and our cherished traditions of hunting and trapping.

One person who lives those values is Chris Baldwin, who recently retired after a 32-year career with our department, including time as manager of the Salmonier Nature Park.

Chris is a champion for sustainable, accessible hunting and angling. He led the charge to modernize the Wild Life Act to lower the hunting age and to support hunters and anglers. 

Chris was instrumental to our work, from flying surveys to delivering education programs, monitoring species at risk and much more.

He has been a mentor and friend to all of us and his experience, kindness and passion for wildlife have made a difference. We all follow his example as we work to conserve and manage our wildlife resources. Thank you, Chris.

I encourage everyone to take time outdoors during National Wildlife Week from April 5 to 11 to appreciate this very special place we all call home.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.

E. LOVELESS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Certainly, congratulations to Chris from this side.

I’m honoured to rise in this House today to recognize National Wildlife Week. Our naturally majestic Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has over 20,000 wild species that are protected under legislation and we discussed it this morning. It’s not unusual to enjoy glorious views of our wildlife at any time, any place from incredible bald eagles to woodland caribou, from humpback whales and seals, we are renowned for our incredible land and wildlife.

Wildlife protection works, that’s when people are part of the solution. I ask the government to consider involving the public in a greater capacity by expanding citizen science programs, by supporting more community-lead conservation, especially in rural and Indigenous areas and by improving education and outreach about local species and ecosystems.

I encourage everyone to get outside, every day and appreciate nature, especially, the week of April 5 to 11, National Wildlife Week.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

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

Our congratulations to Mr. Baldwin and we thank him for his dedicated service.

We also want to remind government that our wildlife is a significant draw for tourists. Roughly 20 per cent of our visitors come from ecotourism and that’s why we ask this government to rethink it’s cancellation of the South Coast NMCA and expand the number of protected areas to meet our target, allow the feasibility process to continue and let the committee do its work.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Further statements by ministers?

The hon. the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. TIBBS: Thank you, Speaker.

Speaker, I rise today to highlight the critical role that safe drinking water plays in the health and prosperity of our people and communities.

Providing safe, potable water is essential to the well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Speaker, this government and this Premier is committed to developing workable and appropriate solutions to drinking water challenges that match the needs of our communities here in our (inaudible) province.

We are working with communities to protect drinking water sources, reduce boil-water advisories and provide training and certification to water system operators and funding to regional operators throughout the province as well.

Last week, the department’s annual Water and Wastewater Workshop and awards presentation in Gander recognized and supported the important contributions of water and wastewater operators, including Derek Seward as Small Systems Operator of the Year and PJ Genneaux as Operator of the Year. Congratulations to you both.

I look forward to working with local leaders, regional service boards, municipalities, local service districts and Inuit Community Governments to improve drinking water safety across this province.

Together, we will deliver safe drinking water in Newfoundland and Labrador, for all of us.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo - La Poile.

M. KING: Thank you, Speaker and I thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement.

I acknowledge the minister’s remarks and the recognition of our hardworking water system operators and I want to congratulate Derek Seward and PJ Genneaux on their well-deserved awards. Their commitment to safe drinking water is deeply appreciated across our province.

The reality for too many communities, especially rural ones, is that long-term boil-water advisories remain a daily fact of life. The minister talks about reducing advisories and improving training and I urge the minister to make this a priority in his government to address this longstanding issue.

It was the previous government that expanded operator training supports to the operator education training and certification program as outlined in the 2017 Drinking Water Safety Report. The previous government also advanced regional service delivery models that many small communities still rely on today.

We will continue pushing for measurable outcomes, not just acknowledgements so every community can count on safe reliable drinking water.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John’s East - Quidi Vidi.

S. O’LEARY: Thank you, Speaker and I thank the minister for an advance copy of the statement.

We would also like to congratulate Derek Seward and PJ Genneaux for their work to secure one of our most basic needs, yet we have a long way to go to make access to safe drinking water universal. I remind the House that last month there were 14o communities with boil-water advisories affecting nearly 9 per cent of the whole population.

I, therefore, ask the government to double down on its efforts to close this unjust gap.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

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

J. HOGAN: Thank you, Speaker.

Gas prices continue to rise in our province daily, and it’s now at least $2 a litre in every part of our province. The last time this happened, the then Leader of the Opposition was enraged, and now he’s Premier and he’s patting himself on the back for not cutting taxes.

Can the Premier tell everybody what his plan is to provide relief to the people of this province at the pumps when it is clear this problem is not going away?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: Speaker, as I have said before, it’s a terrible situation that’s happening right now in the world with this war in the Middle East and the impact that it is having on the people that live in that particular part of the world, but it’s also having an economic impact, as the Leader of the Opposition refers to, not only in our Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, but also in our entire country.

Gas prices are skyrocketing, but they would have gone up by another eight cents a litre if we had not stepped in and made sure that that reduction was permanent, which we did, because right now, as of today, if we did not do that, gas would be up an additional eight cents, and there was nothing in the Liberal forecast to make sure that that wasn’t going to happen.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: Speaker, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are not asking for taxes to stay the same. They’re asking the gas tax to be lowered.

I’d like to remind the Premier of a comment he made when he was in Opposition in 2022: We all know this is an international issue. At the same time, the provincial government does have levers that it can pull to help the people of our province.

Premier, listen to yourself, pull the levers and lower the price of gas.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

PREMIER WAKEHAM: Speaker, I say again, that’s why we took the action we did to make sure that this decrease is permanent, because we will ensure that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have the lowest gas tax of any province in the country.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: Speaker, we are listening to the people in Newfoundland and Labrador. That’s why we’re bringing in measures, not just about gas tax, but affordability and other measures in the cost of living, which will see more money in people’s pockets after our budget is announced.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: Speaker, it’s not just about the price of gas because high gas prices mean higher shipping costs, which businesses often have no choice but to pass onto the consumer. For those living on fixed incomes, especially our seniors, that means choosing between heat or food. Speaker, that quote is from February of 2022, and it’s from the now Premier.

Again, why won’t he listen to himself, take his own advice? I’ll put it in words that I know he understands: Why won't he axe the tax?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Thank you, Speaker.

The Leader of the Opposition, now, has used levers a couple of times citing the Premier in past statements in the House. Notice that levers are plural. He seems to focus on one lever, but he ought to know that there are many levers that can be used to put people’s money back in people’s pockets.

The Premier said, numerous times, that we’re going to lower taxes.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

C. PARDY: We’re gong to improve affordability and all we would need for the Leader of the Opposition to do is sit and listen to the budget that will come up very shortly and look at those levers that we are using.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: I’d like to know where the levers are because it’s been six months and not one lever has been pulled. Not one lever has been pulled. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians do not want to wait and should not have to wait. They are feeling the pain now.

So I say to the Finance Minister, if you know where the levers are – and you know where they are and how you can pull them – why won't you pull them today?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Speaker, we said that we were going to make sure that we were going to plan efficiently. We know where the levers are. We know where the levers are. They don’t know where the levers are and in 10 years of government, I can tell from the budget and the deficit that they, certainly, didn’t know where the levers were.

Now, all I would say is that the Leader of the Opposition would know that this budget is coming very soon.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

C. PARDY: This budget is coming very soon. I would ask him just to be a little more patient and I would think that the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are going to be pleased, as will the Leader of the Opposition.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: The Minister of Finance is missing the point. It’s not about me. It’s not an answer that I want for the sake of the House of Assembly. I’m asking on behalf of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who are sick of being patient. They cannot afford to continue to pay for the high cost of gas and other issues in this province. Affordability is getting worse under this administration because they are not pulling the levers that only the Finance Minister seems to know where they are and he refuses to pull.

I ask the Finance Minister: How much extra revenue is in the coffers of the Newfoundland and Labrador government since oil skyrocketed by over $50 since he took over?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, not nearly enough to cover the deficit that they left with us.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, a very, very miniscule fraction of the debt that they left us. The only thing being is that the platform that this previous government, the Opposition has read numerous times, would know that we talked about affordability. We talked about lowering taxes and –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

C. PARDY: The Leader of the Opposition would know that I stand today knowing that I think and would hope that affordability issues will be address through the upcoming budget.

SPEAKER: The minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: That’s fine, I mean they can continue to say patience, but I can say that people are running out of patience. They’ve waited for their income tax cut; they didn’t get it. They waited for a tax cut on the gas; they didn’t get it. They waited for medical travel to be free that was promised; they didn’t get it. They waited for free hospital parking; they didn’t get it.

So, Minister, I’ll ask you: When will you table the budget and deliver on what you promised for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, we’d be very pleased to announce in very due course and short course when the budget will be delivered, but you can rest assured that he will have a front-row seat to listen about all the affordability issues that we’re going to pass on to Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Again, the Leader of the Opposition got focused on one cent extra for gas tax without looking at other levers that are going to put money into people’s pocket. Any cent and any dollar that’s put back into residents’ pocket, it’s a good measure. The only thing being, we wanted to make sure that we have targeted measures for those most vulnerable.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: The Minister of Finance should speak to the Government House Leader who’s in charge of the Order Paper. The only reason I focused on that one lever, it’s because it’s the only relevant piece of legislation that’s come to the House of Assembly to deal with affordability in the last six months. So if you want us to continue to talk about other levers, I would suggest bringing forward the other promises you made.

Where is the legislation on the income tax cut? Where are the other promises that you said you were going to deliver on because they haven’t come to this House of Assembly?

So we focused on what was brought, but unfortunately what was brought was not enough for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: The Leader of the Opposition, he missed a question, but the only thing I would say is that in response to it, he focused on one lever. We know the budget is coming. I’m not sure whether they had pre-budget announcements or not. The only thing is that we are going to deliver what was in our platform in very short course. The only thing being is that what may different from us and the previous government, which we will debate in the PMR this afternoon, is planning efficiently.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: We have planned it out and we’re not going to have kneejerk reactions in order to send something out for the sake of sending something out – planning efficiently.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you, Speaker.

I’m certainly glad to hear that the Conservative government will be putting forward the Blue Book in the upcoming budget which is what they promised Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

So if they won’t assure the public, if they won’t confirm the date for the budget, can they assure the public that the House will not close early this spring?

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Order, please!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, in the answer to that I’m going to put out a prediction. A prediction will be that we will sit longer for every sitting than what the previous government has sat in the past six years. Will we sit for our full term –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

C. PARDY: – this siting, absolutely.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Will we possibly need more time, absolutely.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The minister’s time has expired.

C. PARDY: Thank you very much.

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair.

L. DEMPSTER: Speaker, on Monday the Leader of the Third Party rightfully pointed out the Minister of Health’s about face on medical transportation from when she was on this side of the House. She has gone from promising free medical transportation for everyone, everywhere, all the time to defending hefty bills incurred by patients.

So on behalf of the people I’m hearing from: Why hasn’t the minister done anything to improve medical travel in the past six months?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Thank you, Speaker.

I want to point out, just because people on that side tries to mislead and take things out of context of what I’ve said and what I’ve done, Speaker, it doesn’t make it true. The truth is we are working now for this budget to deliver on the medical transportation program, delivering it to 100 per cent, Speaker. We are working on that and we’re going to do that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Ten years of Liberal government, Speaker, they didn’t do that. In our first term of sitting, in actual fact, Speaker, we’re working on that and we’re going to deliver, Speaker.

That’s the difference between a Liberal government and a PC government, we take action.

SPEAKER: The minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair.

L. DEMPSTER: Speaker, because the minister does get upset when she says we don’t quote her properly, on December 15, 2020, she asked then Minister Haggie: Will this government commit to changing the Medical Transportation Assistance Program to allow for 100 per cent reimbursement of travel costs for people who have to travel for medical reasons? Yet, now, patients are being forced to pay out of pocket.

Why does the minister say one thing on this side of the House and a different position on the other side of the House?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, the good thing about actually being in government is you have the opportunity and the privilege to take action to help people. We are going to deliver on our Blue Book promise about expanding MTAP coverage to 100 per cent, which is what the Liberal government, when they were in power, refused to do.

We are going to enact change and, in actual fact, we’re going to look at affordable travel, not just for patients, but for every passenger that wants to travel in Labrador. That’s something that is significantly different than what those Liberal MHAs who are in Opposition did when they had the chance. They failed to deliver. We are going to deliver.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair.

L. DEMPSTER: Speaker, can the minister please tell residents why they haven’t done anything to deliver on their promises in six months? Still no free medical travel for everyone everywhere all the time, still no free hospital parking –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

L. DEMPSTER: – still no medical shuttle flights from Gander.

Why is the only thing this minister has done is cancel a hospital and let her boss pay for political advice out of the MCP fund?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, the MHA who asked that question, who was actually a Cabinet minister, either when she was in government didn’t understand how government works, which will explain a lot of the failures, especially for Labradorians –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: – or, while they’re in Opposition, they’re trying to actually mislead.

We are going to deliver on our commitments. The thing about it is we have to work on MTAP. We have to make sure that the system is properly put in place. We are going to deliver with that; 10 years of Liberal government, they didn’t.

We are into six months, we are actually taking action. The other thing is, we are going to actually take action and not just talk about it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.

E. LOVELESS: I say to the Member, I wonder where that freight boat is. Is that being sailed yet?

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of TI said there were flawed tenders for roadwork that had to be cancelled, which is concerning.

Can the minister tell us what those flaws were?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

Officials found there are flaws in their tender specs that come in. At first glance, they didn’t think it was an issue. We were discussing whether you award these tenders. They came back and decided that this was flawed. There was no decision – no decision needed to be made. It was done at a different level. They were just cancelled and, I guess, there is a lot of it being re-tendered or whatever. It’s just an operational thing. It wasn’t my decision, I say to the hon. Member.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.

E. LOVELESS: I’m not sure I got an answer from that. I’m just wondering, in terms of – because there are two sides to – the tender is released. Contractors bid on it. So was it flaws on behalf of the contractors or I’m not sure. I’d like for some clarity on that from the minister.

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

The flaws, I think, were on behalf of the contractor. They never met specifications so when it was reviewed, there was an oversight at first review and then when they looked at further it was deemed to be non-compliant. So, basically, it was like any non-compliance. When it was discovered, they had to cancel the tender. So, again, it never made it to me.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.

E. LOVELESS: Can the minister tell us how many contracts were cancelled because of those flaws?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: I’m not sure how many were cancelled because of flaws, but I will tell you there were some cancelled because of price. It’s an issue that I’ve been very adamant about with the industry and the public and I’m continuing on.

The prices are out of control and in your 10 years in government, your time as minister, I don’t understand. I know where I’m looking when they say the Leader of the Opposition. I don’t understand why you could, collectively, sit there and –

SPEAKER: Address the Chair, Minister.

B. PETTEN: – and let prices get out of control in this province like you did. Now we’re left, again, with another mess to try to fix the prices to get roads paved in this province and we will do it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.

E. LOVELESS: Mr. Speaker, I seek more clarity, but I don’t have the time for it. But I’ll ask the minister: What was the cost associated with cancelling those contracts?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Yes, I say to the Member opposite, it was a lot less than what we should have been paying. We saved a lot more than what we should have been paying.

When anything is over-budget, our responsibility is the public purse. As Members of this government, we have the responsibility to the public. It’s not our money. They thought it was their money in their 10 years. We know it’s not our money. It’s the public purse. We will do what we can to protect the public purse.

I really don’t care what the amount was. If it’s over-budget and I feel it’s not properly priced, we will not commit to tendering any work if it’s overpriced. It needs to be re-tendered and get a better price because the public deserves better.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Corner Brook.

J. PARSONS: Speaker, as a new MHA trying to deal with health care issues for my constituents, NLHS patient relations isn’t being responsive and senior staff and telling me to contact the minister’s office. After reaching out to the minister’s office, we’re being told to deal with NLHS.

What am I supposed to do? Who’s in charge of making decisions related to patients? Should I be calling Des Whalen instead?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, really, honestly. As Minister of Health, I just want to acknowledge that there are a lot of issues in patient relations and it wasn’t addressed, Speaker. But now in government we are actually taking action. We are actually working with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services. They’ve actually increased the staff at patient relations. That’s just starting to take effect now, Speaker, something that was failed to be done by the Liberal government. We deal with so many patient relations because there was a failure to address the need to actually have it properly staffed.

We are taking action and that action is going to benefit patients who are looking for answers for their complaints and their concerns and their appointments, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John’s West.

K. WHITE: Speaker, residents in my district now routinely see heavily armed police responding to criminal activity. In a recent CBC investigation shows that the number of guns being seized by police in this province is now at a record high. The RNC said – quote – sooner or later somebody is going to get hurt.

What is this minister’s plan to get guns off our streets?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Justice and Public Safety.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

H. CONWAY OTTENHEIMER: Speaker, I can say that our government is committed to ensuring that there’s public safety in our towns and communities throughout the province. We are looking at properly resourcing policing. We are investing in our police and law enforcement in the province. We will be tackling crime and reducing the amount of crime in our province. We will be looking at taking criminals off the street. We will be hiring more police officers, more RNC officers, more RCMP officers. We’re going to be looking at investing not only in policing but in the courts and in the corrections, the entire criminal justice e system.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John’s West.

K. WHITE: Speaker, the cost of living continues to climb and residents in my district are feeling the pinch. The Conservative platform claimed that there were over 300 unnecessary taxes and fees that would be eliminated. They’ve since adjusted the sugar tax from zero to zero and gas from 7.5 to 7.5.

Can the minister please tell this House what fees and taxes he’s eliminated in the past six months?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Under the theme, Speaker, of planning efficiently, these were all the fees and fines that this government brought in in 2016 – 2016, 300 of them.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, if there were 30 of them, we would have it done by now, but there were 300.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

C. PARDY: So I would say, we –

SPEAKER: Order, please!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the minister.

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, thank you very much, but listen, it takes time to go through all the fees and fines that they put out there, but I can tell you, we’ve started the review –

SPEAKER: The minister’s time has expired.

C. PARDY: – and it’s extensive.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Placentia - St. Mary’s.

S. GAMBIN-WALSH: Minister, as the cost of living continues to rise, provinces like Alberta, New Brunswick and Quebec have indexed their income support.

Will this government include indexing of income support in the upcoming budget?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, we know what we’ve been left with as far as the deficit and the debt. We also realize about people need affordability issues and we need to put money into people’s pockets and into their households. We hope to achieve to the best of what we’re able to do in this upcoming budget, to make sure that we put more financial resources, money, into people’s pockets, including some of the most vulnerable that we have in our province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Placentia - St. Mary’s.

S. GAMBIN-WALSH: Speaker, no answer for income support, and I was here in December of 2015, and I do remember what we inherited at that point.

So I’ll ask this: Minister despite your commitment yesterday to fix housing, rent supplements have been unavailable for months.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

S. GAMBIN-WALSH: What is your plan to meet the demand you already know exists?

SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Thank you, Speaker.

I’m so happy she asked that question because when I came into this office on October 29, I wasn’t able to give out one Canada Housing Benefit because it was all gone from the previous administration.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

J. WALL: Not one. Not one. I said yesterday –

SPEAKER: Order, please!

J. WALL: If they want to hear the answer, I expect them to listen.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

J. WALL: I listen, and I show respect –

SPEAKER: Order, please!

J. WALL: – every time I stand in this House.

Thank you.

Speaker, we have a plan to address that as we go forward. As my colleague, the Minister of Finance said, we are looking at all options to avail of when we help out our most vulnerable population.

As in the words from the opposite: stay tuned.

SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. ministers time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

J. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

Speaker, a litre of gasoline is above $2 for the first time since 2022. The Opposition Leader is calling on the Premier to cut the gas tax, the Premier is asking the prime minister to help with gas prices and there are rumours from the Minister of Finance of a budget with affordability measures.

So I ask the minister to confirm the rumours and tell the people today when exactly he will deliver the provincial budget so they can see for themselves the promised affordability measures? Will it be this week?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, it will be forthcoming in short course, as to the date of when the budget will be delivered.

I would say to the hon. Member that we do have affordability issues that will be coming in the budget. You’ve really read a platform, and the platform is what we’re going to deliver on.

We do feel that with the amendment, of which the Third Party and the Leader of the Opposition and his team had presented, was to reduce gas by one more so that the hon. Member for Ferryland, when he filled his gas tank, would save 50 cents. We think we need targeted approaches out there for the most –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

C. PARDY: – the most needy in our province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John’s East - Quidi Vidi.

S. O’LEARY: Speaker, on the topic of rental relief, the minister responded to my question on rent control saying he is passionate about people and that he will continue to meet with stakeholders, as he has been doing.

So I ask the minister: What stakeholders has he engaged since being elected directly related to rent control?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Government Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Speaker, a very important question

As before, when I was a mayor, I used to consult with lots of other communities. I’ve done that since being in this role.

I’ve also met with – I’ll answer the question straight up – tenants, landlords, Association for New Canadians, real estate brokers. I will be meeting with NLAR, which I was a part of and know them as professionals, SeniorsNL, counterparts across the country and I spend evening and evening after evening after evening looking for solutions to improve our legislation for all of us.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Third Party – quick question.

J. DINN: Speaker, of course affordability could be significantly helped by the Guaranteed Basic Income.

So I ask the Premier: While we’re waiting for the Minister of Finance to choose a date, will he commit to releasing the report of the All-Party Committee on Basic Income this week?

Now, I have a copy here. We can release it together following Question Period, it he likes.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board for a quick response.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: I’d like to borrow a term from the Leader of the Official Opposition: we stand for collaboration over confrontation. Anything that we can stand with you to share, to make better and to improve we will certainly stand with anyone.

The Guaranteed Basic Income, we can speak highly of putting money in people’s pockets who need it most. It’s great. The only thing being that we would look at, we would like to instill it and put it out there, guaranteed. We need the federal government’s help. We need to make sure that we don’t have a debt around $20 billion. We need to make sure that we don’t have $1.1 billion in interest charges on the debt.

SPEAKER: The minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Humber - Bay of Islands.

E. JOYCE: Mr. Speaker, the roads on Route 450 and 440, in the Bay of Islands are in need of repairs. These routes are heavily travelled by residents and tourists. The traffic with heavy trucks, due to the Baltic III shipwreck, has caused major damage to Route 450.

I ask the Minister of Transportation to have these routes reviewed and repaired where necessary.

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

I thank the Member for the question. I’ll say what I say to a lot of Members in this House on all sides. When we get contracts and we see where we are to with prices, because I stated just now in Question Period, we have to get the prices under control.

So I’ve made a commitment, if we get prices that are in line and we can find savings, we can find extra monies, I’ll definitely review his roads and I’ll review other roads, not just on any side of the House that need repair, but, right now, I make no commitments until we get pricing back and we see where we are to with our budgets.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Humber - Bay of Islands.

E. JOYCE: Mr. Speaker, safety is a top priority for all residents and town councils in Humber - Bay of Islands. I will be travelling with the staff to prioritize safety concerns for Route 450 and Route 440, to ensure the safety areas are prioritized.

I ask the minister to have these priorities reviewed to keep Route 450 and Route 440 safe for the residents and the tourists.

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

I have no issue with having any route reviewed. If the Member opposite wants to have those routes reviewed and he brings people out, like anywhere in the province, because we have to review most of the roads in the province.

Actually, there is a review, there is an idea of what kind of condition they’re in, staff are doing it on a regular basis and I have no problem with those roads as well. We make decisions at a later time, depending on the budgets, of course, and getting the work done, but we will definitely be able to look at that and other roads.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The time for Question Period is now expired.

Please be advised that this is a PARTIALLY EDITED portion of the House of Assembly sitting for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to the end of Question Period. The edited Hansard will be posted when it becomes available.