Please be advised that this is a PARTIALLY EDITED portion of the House of Assembly sitting for Question Period on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. 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

Oral Questions

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

J. HOGAN: Thank you, Speaker.

A story in the news today says a daycare in my District of Windsor Lake lost a toddler, allowing the child to wander alone, onto a busy street, at rush hour.

I ask Premier: How did a three-year-old child leave a licensed daycare, go unnoticed and end up alone, on a busy street, in St. John’s during rush hour?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

When I heard this story – it’s very troubling. You have a youngster that’s in the care of a child care centre that is found wandering out on a street next to a busy thoroughfare. It’s something that should never happen.

Within the department, we have protocols in place that address instances like this. They have to be reported immediately. We take measures to work with the child care centre to ensure it doesn’t happen again. There are violations posted on site. There are other measures we can take to address this; either dismissal of an employee or suspension of licence.

So we take this very seriously.

SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: Speaker, I’m extremely disappointed the Premier did not answer that question.

This shows how he feels about children and parents in this province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

J. HOGAN: These are legitimate questions.

Premier, I will give you the opportunity to answer the same question, if you want to answer it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

J. HOGAN: Parents expect an answer from the leader of this province.

Meanwhile, the same CBC story states a separate violation order issued back in February indicates staff at Stephenville Primary frequently used tethers to restrain kids. “On numerous occasions, staff used tethers to physically restrain children as well as verbal threats to deal with behaviours.”

So I ask the Premier: How is it acceptable that children in a pre-kindergarten program were restrained with tethers on numerous occasions?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

There is absolutely nothing acceptable with what has happened – nothing. Tethering children is not acceptable.

Again, to my previous answer, we work with the child care operators. They are required to report any instances. If we require to bring in other authorities, we do. It’s posted on our website; all violations we post on the website. We take measures to either train, provide the resources to the child care centre to address this. It could result in the termination of a child care worker. It could result in the suspension of their licence.

Every measure is taken to ensure this doesn’t happen.

SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. minister’s time is expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: Thank you, Speaker.

Given that this incident happened back in February, what steps have been taken to offer supports to the children and families that were affected by these actions?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

With any incident that happens, communication is made with the parents that are involved.

There is certainly privacy concerns around this, not just for the child involved, but also for the worker that may be involved.

We work with them and the authorities to ensure that nothing like this happens again, and to ensure that all are well aware of the situation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: I ask the Premier or the minister to commit to an immediate province-wide investigation into the use of restraints in child care settings.

SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: Speaker, let me first address some of the preamble from the previous question. The Leader of the Opposition shouldn’t be focused on who answers the question. He should be focused on making sure we get to the issue, and this is a very, very serious issue –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: – and I couldn’t disagree with him more. This is a real issue, and I agree with him, and we absolutely need to do better, and there should be no more repeats, but I will agree that we’ll certainly do an investigation into why this is happening.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: Thank you, Premier. I very much appreciate the answer. I’m sure the children and the families appreciate that commitment as well, so thank you to the Premier for that, but I do ask: What concrete changes will be implemented to ensure children cannot leave facilities unnoticed in the future?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

I mentioned it in this House previously. When it comes to safety of our schoolchildren and early child care, it’s paramount, and I’ve also noted that policy that regards that is not static; it’s always changing. We continue to improve our policies around anything that we come across that needs improvement, and we will continue to do so.

The incident here, the child care centre is aware of where we stand on this, and they will be monitored on a more frequent basis and provided with the proper professional learning and training that’s required to address the situation going forward.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: Thank you, Speaker.

I appreciate it’s a good thing to continue to review policies, but given that this has happened, has this policy been reviewed and what changes have been made to ensure it doesn’t happen in the future?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.

P. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

Again, policy is not static. We continue to monitor that, to make changes, to amend it, to work with the industry and the sector and all parties involved to ensure that the policies that are in place are the best policies to address any and all issues that we come across. Again, not static, we have to continue to improve on this, and that’s what we intend to do.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

S. GAMBIN-WALSH: Speaker, we are hearing concerns from the community that a provincial director for intimate partner violence may have been appointed without any public announcement, transparency or clear connection to front-line organizations. Can the minister confirm whether this position has, in fact, been created or filled, and if so, on what basis?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, to address intimate partner violence and gender-based violence, as a whole we are improving the strategies and the supports for women and gender equality and also outreach to the different advocates across the province. One of the things that we prioritize is making sure that the staff within women and gender equality are properly supported and have the resources within the department to be able to succeed in that. As such we have actually created a stand-alone division and we do have a director hired, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

S. GAMBIN-WALSH: Speaker, I ask the minister who was consulted in making this decision and why has there been no clear communication with those directly impacted?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Women and Gender Equality.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, the position is a temporary position. It’s not a full-time secured position but also, I would remind the Member that after 10 years of Liberal government, it took a PC government to actually prioritize gender-based violence (inaudible.)

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: It took a PC government not only six months in power to prioritize the war against gender-based violence that’s impacting people across this province, our most vulnerable people, our marginalized people, people who need help and resources.

Maybe that’s the question she should be asking herself, Speaker, is why didn’t the Liberals, after 10 years, actually support and empower women to help women?

SPEAKER: The hon. minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

K. WHITE: Speaker, residents on Birmingham Street, in Cown Heights, in my district have lived next to a documented drug house, while the landlord knowingly continues to collect rent with zero responsibility for the chaos on that property.

Will the minister acknowledge that there is a massive gap in our system that allows landlords to profit from criminal activity and will be commit to closing that gap?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being, and Housing.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Member opposite for the question. That is a very important issue and it’s one that we are certainly cracking down on.

Since we came into office, Mr. Speaker, there have been eight, nine – I’m not sure if it’s eight or nine of these so-called houses that we have closed. This is an issue. It reoccurs, and there are very specific details around how these do evolve. But, Speaker, we are certainly working on that with the staff of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing. We are working with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, and we thank the members of the public who speak up and contact my office on this. This is very important. It’s a priority, and we will get it solved, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

K. WHITE: Speaker, these residents fear resolution will only come after a tragic incident occurs. Is the minister prepared to stand in this House and take responsibility if refusal to update our laws leads to a violent escalation in a neighbourhood that has been begging for help?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being, and Housing.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Member opposite for the question once again. I would hope that he heard my first answer when I spoke. It is a priority for the staff of my department and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing. It is a responsibility of ours and I am taking responsibility for it. We will work with the Members of the community.

Everyone should feel safe while at home, bar none. It doesn’t matter where you live in this province, everyone deserves safety in their home. With respect to these particular houses that are around our province, we are working with the people who are responsible for those units, those who live there and those who don’t live there, who move in, unfortunately, and take over the unit and run these houses. Speaker, we’re on it and it will be dealt with.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Gander.

B. FORD: Thank you.

Speaker, airlines around the world, including those serving Canada, are cancelling routes due to high fuel costs. This concern was raised at the Destination St. John’s AGM last week, noting that route cancellations will have devastating impacts on the tourism season.

Can the minister assure industry that all of the routes within Canada will be maintained?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts; and Sport, Recreation and Parks.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

A. BARBOUR: Speaker, I would like to thank Member opposite for the question. It’s a really good question. Our department, myself included as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts, and Recreation, are in contact with the airlines and the airports on a regular basis. We are talking to them and monitoring the situation.

But, like we said, tourism is looking really good this year. White Hills Ski Resort is the best year yet. Marble Mountain has had its strongest season. ParksNL is seeing a record demand and the cruise ships are visiting and they’re continuing –

SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Gander.

B. FORD: Thank you.

Speaker, tourism operators and organizations, such as Gros Morne Gatherings, representing several rural seasonal businesses on the West Coast, are raising concerns in the media about staffing shortages ahead of the upcoming busy season. Staffing shortages were also flagged at the recent Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador conference.

What steps is the Minister of Tourism taking to address these labour challenges?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

A. BARBOUR: Speaker, I would like to thank the Member opposite for the question.

Yes, Gros Morne Gatherings group of properties are indicating that bookings are up 30 per cent overall compared to last year.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

A. BARBOUR: So May to July bookings are strong in the Western region. One of the larger accommodation’s operators in Grose Morne indicated that, last year, they were at 65 per cent occupancy and this year, so far, they are at 85 per cent.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

K. WHITE: Speaker, the Minister of Government Services claimed he made sure there was no homelessness in Deer Lake during his term as mayor. We have heard from people over the weekend that have experienced homelessness in Deer Lake.

Why did the minister say that?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member opposite for the question.

We have all spoken in this House at one time or another with passion. It certainly does come out from time to time in all Members of this House.

Speaker, I have spoken to that comment. I will work with the Minister of Government Services, I will work with the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and do our best, as we work with municipalities right across our province, to end homelessness.

Everyone deserves a place to live, and that is a priority of this Premier, that is a priority of our government and I am looking forward to the budget tomorrow.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

K. WHITE: I would like to thank the minister for the answer, but it was the Minister of Government Services who claimed there was no homelessness in Deer Lake, and people there would like to hear directly from him.

So I ask again: Why did the minister claim there was no homelessness in Deer Lake?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member opposite for the question once again.

We are focused on homelessness in Newfoundland and Labrador, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Unfortunately, there is homelessness throughout our province and that is something, that when we came into this office on October 29, we were faced with.

We will certainly work with not only all Members in government, but all Members of this House of Assembly to make sure that we do our best to serve the people of the province and to operate within our means to deal with homelessness.

Speaker, under my department for poverty reduction and prevention strategies, that is going to come out this fall. With what we’re doing in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, we will have a solution for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

K. WHITE: If the minister won’t defend himself, does the Minister of Housing agree that there is in fact no homelessness in Deer Lake?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Government Services

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’d like to thank the Member opposite for the question, very important question.

Mr. Speaker, my late father always told me, if I want to make a difference in this world, I need to get the attention of those I’m trying to help and those I’m trying to work with to help.

I made a broad statement, Mr. Speaker, and I know exactly what I said. My comments last week were well-intended and to clarify, I’m committed to helping improve the lives of others. I’m also all about solutions. That’s what I signed up for. I’m committed to working with stakeholders as I have mentioned here many times before and I’m here to serve for all of us.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Virginia Waters - Pleasantville.

B. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Can the Finance Minister please confirm that there will be no layoffs or job losses in tomorrow’s budget?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: There will be no job losses or layoffs in tomorrow’s budget.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Waterford Valley.

J. KORAB: Straight answer, we can all applaud that, thank you.

Residents in my District of Waterford Valley continue to raise safety concerns about the Kilbride turnoff from Pitts Memorial. I’ve emailed the minister’s office; they’ve confirmed receipt which I appreciate.

Can the minister provide a timeline on some of the brush cutting, advance signage and any additional safety measures addressing this dangerous intersection that goes from 100 kilometres an hour, sharp turn into about a 30 kilometre an hour?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

I have gotten an email from the Member opposite, and I tend to agree it’s more of a commuter that effects everyone on the Pitts Memorial Drive and I’m aware of that turnoff and the dangers of also. We are, I think, going to do some brush cutting. We’re looking at other options, but that is a dangerous area, cars are backed on to 100-kilometre highway, and I agree 100 per cent and we’re going to try to work and resolving it.

If it doesn’t get finished this year, we’ll try to do something next year but it’s very important for everyone, for the motoring public actually.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Waterford Valley.

J. KORAB: Thank you, Speaker.

Somewhat concerning that it could be pushed off until next year, so I’d like to follow up, after on that.

Ironically enough when traffic gets backed up, it’s safer because cars can see it. There’s also an issue with that turning lane not being long enough.

So I ask the minister, have they conducted a recent safety assessment of the Kilbride turnoff and, if so, will you table it and, if not, could you have one done and then table it?

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

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

The first question is there’s nothing being pushed off. But the work involved, we have to have engineers go out and assess that area. It’s not so simple as going in and extending a lane because there’s road widening, it’s on a highway, there’s more involved than just going up and paving it. So to that point, officials need time to do their work.

I’ve already asked for some brush cutting to be done the year, and the people who heard me in the House, I said we’re doing a traffic study for CBS, Paradise, St. John’s and Mount Pearl to look at the full area. No doubt that area will be part of that study and when we get the study back, I’m sure I’ll share it with everyone, and they can see it themselves.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Waterford Valley.

J. KORAB: Thank you, Speaker.

From my time at the city, I know speeding, traffic and the volume of speeds is terrible all over Newfoundland and Labrador, certainly in the Northeast Avalon. I still find it concerning to say if we don’t get to it this year, next. So I would like to have a priority to the minister’s office to look at it for this year.

Will the minister commit today to installing enhanced warning signs and improving sightlines before peak summer traffic? That would be this year, Speaker, not next year.

Thank you.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

I guess when we get rid of the snow and winter finally ends, we might get some time to work out to get some signage on the ground. But that’s a part of an asset management part in the department. They do the work. They’re getting prepared for brush cutting, moose fencing, signage, all that is part of a bigger program.

We’re working towards getting those tenders out and the work all lined up. That’s all part of the internal work within the department. So whatever signage needs to be going there or anywhere in the province, for that matter, we’ll get to it. It’s just a matter of time. Right now, we’re just – May 1 is on Friday, we may have a storm next week, but we’ll get there. Trust you me, we’ll get there.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you, Speaker.

Earlier this week all government employees were notified of a privacy breech through the government’s group benefits provider. I ask the Minister of Finance: Has public servant personal information been breached and what is the government doing to protect employees?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: We all know that we’ve had breaches over the years, and yes, this has been a breach. One thing that can be gleaned positive from it is that there was no access to any banking information, SIN numbers and so on.

But, yes, there was some personal information that was shared and that’s bad enough. I think their couple of steps would be they’ve got some potential credit counselling that would be available. For others, there’s monitoring that would occur, that would be available.

My understanding is that all have been communicated of the breach, and I would think within hours after the notice of the breach, the system was secured – system was secured.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Mount Scio.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you, Speaker.

I’d like to thank the health care and the IT professionals on their launch of CorCare this past week.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

S. STOODLEY: Speaker, we’ve heard from residents with issues relating to their MyChart app and the accuracy of the information. The helpline is not helpful; residents are being told that they are waiting for on an outside firm for resolution with not ETA to issues.

So I ask the Minister of Health: Do you accept that response?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, we’re looking at the rollout of CorCare as successful. We know, and we anticipated, that there was going to be some issues. Those issues are being addressed. The Member did raise an important point there, and we are looking at the advice being given to us.

I just want to make reference to MyChart. We’ve only actually had one chart, one patient’s information, that was inaccurate. That was addressed right away. It was corrected quickly. We are very, very pleased at the performance of the rollout.

Speaker, I also want to mention and thank all the staff in Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services that stepped up and really made this successful.

SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

L. DEMPSTER: Thank you, Speaker.

The Minister of Health has acknowledged the federal government had decided to no longer negotiate a pharmacare program that would make diabetes medication and contraceptive free. I think we all agree that the federal government carry the blame for this decision as the current and previous governments have pushed for it.

Now, since the federal government won’t run the program, will the province seek money from the federal government to provide pharmacare themselves?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, I really don’t like the way sometimes my words are taken and twisted.

I said that they closed the door; they are calling it a pilot now, with three provinces and one territory. We are actually going back to the federal government to ask to be a part of that program, to be included. We are not accepting that this is a final thing.

In actual fact, we are looking for the federal government to, after they’re finished their pilot and they’ve made the improvements to the system, to have open engagement with us and allow us to come under pharmacare. That’s our goal; that’s what we intend. We are going to hold the federal government to account, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

On this National Day of Mourning, we honour workers killed, injured or made ill on the job and renew our commitment to creating safe workspaces. One way is to install an adequate number of automated external defibrillators, so I ask the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, how many AEDs are in the Confederation Building complex?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: I’d have to get back to the Member on that question, Speaker. That’s something I wouldn’t have in front of me right now, so I will provide an update to you later on that, sir.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. DINN: The answer is three, one in each of the security areas. Not nearly enough.

According to statistics, one in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Access to an AED increases chances of survival anywhere from 70 to 90 per cent. AEDs should be accessible and within a three-minute roundtrip from any location in a building.

Will the minister commit to installing sufficient number of AEDs in all government buildings so that they are available, accessible, and comply with the three-minute rule?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Speaker, that’s something I could look into, and I think the government opposite, or the previous government, the opposition opposite to the Member, I stood in my place in the House of Assembly and lobbied hard for an AED registry that would tell 911, wherever there was an AED to in the province if you had a 911 call, you’d know where they’re to and located to, but the opposition right now, the previous government refused to do so, something I’m looking into. So to the Member opposite’s question, something we’re really open to, no doubt about it, but I think any AED, any lifesaving mechanism or device around, you can never have too many, so I do agree.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. DINN: There is hope.

A registry system would record the number of AED devices, their age, compliance with standards, maintenance and location and would allow 911 personnel to direct a caller to the nearest AED.

I ask the minister: will he also commit to introduce legislation to establish an online registry of AEDs throughout the province?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

This is not a – this is my best guess – question in all honesty is really not in my purview, but this is my personal interest. It’s something that I’ve long lobbied for, so the Member opposite may have been speaking to the same person I speak to, but if he was, that’s fine. I think that we have to improve upon our AED registries. They’re put in place; they look good when they’re put there. There’s no one keeping track of the batteries unless you do yourself. There’s no one updating to make sure they work, and when someone needs that device, and it’s not there, ready to use, we have a problem. I’m a big supporter of the AED registry. I’m a big supporter of it being tied to 911, and we need to get them out there and get them in places. I’m all about it.

Now, whatever minister’s fully responsible for that, we’re going to work together on that, but right now, that’s where I stand.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

S. O’LEARY: Thank you, Speaker.

Dr. Anne Drover, Pediatrician and an associate professor at Memorial University says stigma is preventing pregnant women who use substances from getting help for both mother and baby. She says the first step would be to ensure safe housing with the necessary supports in place to keep mother and baby together, healthy and out of the foster care system.

What is the minister doing to reduce the stigma and will there be funding in the upcoming budget specifically for this issue?

Thank you.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, I am actually making plans to meet with her. One of the things that I raised when I was questioned about the issue was about the harms that stigma does create. We are working to reduce stigma, by actually making supports available but also on proper information. Speaker, at the end of the day, everybody – access to health care has to be available for all of us. That’s a pillar of this government. Speaker, we’re going to be reaching out to vulnerable people, we’re going to reaching out to people with addictions, mental health issues, people who’ve been marginalized, people from different groups who have actually been bullied by society. We are going to actually do the health better and the delivery of health care –

SPEAKER: The hon. minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

S. O’LEARY: Thank you, Speaker.

Dr. Dover also stated that there is no comprehensive recordkeeping for babies born exposed to substances in our province.

I ask the minister: Will you commit to ensuring that this data is being tracked so that we can better support expectant mothers who use substances?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, as Minister of Health, I was a little bit surprised to realize that there wasn’t a province-wide system that collected this information because the information is so important when we’re looking at resources and actual health care needs of people in the different regions.

One of the things I will say is that CorCare will actually make this information gathering on a provincial-wide level, now to be more efficient but effective, Speaker, and we will actually be gathering the information. But more than that, we will be putting the services in that the data says needs to be supported. We will be reaching out, making sure the services are available for patients in the different regions of the province that need this service, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The time for Question Period has expired.

Please be advised that this is a PARTIALLY EDITED portion of the House of Assembly sitting for Question Period on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The edited Hansard will be posted when it becomes available.