April 29, 2010                       HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS                  Vol. XLVI  No. 13


The House met at 1:30 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Fitzgerald): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

Statements by Members

MR. SPEAKER: Today the Chair welcomes the following private members' statements: the hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi; the hon. the Member for the District of Humber Valley; the hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White Bay North; the hon. the Member for the District of Mount Pearl North; the hon. the Member for the Cape St. Francis.

The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

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

Mr. Speaker, on April 10, I had the pleasure of attending the Avalon Dragon's fundraising Gala Dinner – a major event to support the Avalon Dragon Boating Association. It was a great show of support involving a tremendous number of enthusiastic volunteers.

The Avalon Dragon consists of breast cancer survivors, their friends, families and interested individuals who share the goal of supporting dragon boating on the Avalon Peninsula.

Their goals, as survivors, are: to support each other, improve their physical, emotional and spiritual health, celebrate life and have fun. As well, to support their friends, families and communities by showing them that there is vibrant, active life despite a diagnosis of cancer, and to raise awareness about the role of exercise and a healthy lifestyle in preventing breast cancer and its recurrence.

Avalon Dragon Boating has come a long way from when they "unleashed the dragon", in October 2006.

They built their own boat in 2007. They moved into a new home on Octagon Pond, Paradise in August 2008 and after just a few weeks of practice, they took part in their first festival competition in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia – where they came second in one race.

On September 14, 2008, they launched their dragon boat with music, speeches, dragon dancing by members of the local Chinese community, and a traditional ceremony to awaken the dragon with at least 500 supporters in attendance. It was a very moving moment and splendid to watch.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of the House to join me in wishing the Avalon Dragon Boat Association continued success in their work and in their lives.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Humber Valley.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KELLY: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this hon. House today to formally recognize the Winter Carnival Patron for the Town of Pasadena for 2010.

Mr. Speaker, this year's carnival ran from February 12 to February 22 and contained a balance of activities for all age groups. Each year the patron is selected based on their overall contribution to the community. This year, Madge Rolls was selected based on her extensive involvement in the community.

Mr. Speaker, Madge has been extensively involved with several volunteer organizations in Pasadena. She was involved with the Girl Guide movement for eight years. Her other voluntary efforts also included the O'Connell Centre, Pasadena Elementary School Breakfast Program, Pasadena Ski Lodge and Nature Park, Pasadena Lions Club, and she is quite active with the St. David's Anglican Church serving in a number of capacities.

Mr. Speaker, Madge felt honoured to be selected Winter Carnival Patron. She was definitely a wonderful ambassador for the carnival and I saw her in attendance at many carnival functions.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this hon. House to join me in congratulating Madge Rolls on being selected as Pasadena's Winter Carnival Patron for 2010.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise in this House today to once again recognize successful hockey in St. Anthony, this time by congratulating the members of the St. Anthony Polars Atom Hockey Team on winning the Atom ‘I' provincial championship at a recent tournament in Botwood.

I would like to congratulate the players who pulled of a stellar win, going undefeated in their six-team tournament to pull off their gold medal finish. Their hard work, relentless effort and attention to detail certainly helped led to their team's success.

I also wish to extend my congratulations to coaches Jim Pilgrim, Eddie Woodford, Todd Taylor and Kerry Decker. Their hard work and dedication to the team has certainly contributed to their victory. Sports are very important to the youth in my district and I commend the individuals who dedicate their time to coach them.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House today to join with me in congratulating this team and their coaches and wish them all well as they participate in future competitions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Mount Pearl North.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise in this hon. House today to congratulate the Town of Paradise on another successful Snow & Ice in Paradise Winter Carnival.

This year the carnival was based on Olympic theme. As I have been in previous years, I was very impressed with the variety of events organized by the committee. With the carnival running concurrently with the Winter Olympics being hosted in British Columbia this year, it was quite fitting to see so many Olympic themed activities.

Winter can be a downtime for many people. I think it is important to engage the community and offer families the opportunity to participate in various events and activities. Regardless of age, the Snow & Ice in Paradise Winter Carnival had something for everyone. Special thanks to the Town Council, and in particular to Jason Collins and Pat Silver, the Town's events and recreation team. I look forward to attending Snow & Ice in Paradise again next year, and invite all residents to join me. There truly is something for everyone!

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me in congratulating the Town of Paradise, as well as the organizing committee of the Snow & Ice in Paradise Winter Carnival in hosting a truly wonderful winter event.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

I rise in this hon. House today to congratulate the Torbay Volunteer Fire Department on thirty-six years of service to the Towns of Torbay and Flatrock.

Mr. Speaker, the Torbay Volunteer Fire Department responded to 190 calls last year. They put in 2,016 hours of on-the-job work and 2,793 hours of training. At this year's Annual Firefighters Ball, they recognized Mr. Bob Webber for his twenty-five years of service with the Town of Torbay. In my days as the Mayor of the Town of Flatrock, I had the honour to work with Mr. Webber. He was in charge of inspection of the town buildings. I was always impressed with his professionalism and the thorough job he did. Mr. Webber is highly respected among his colleagues. They look to him for guidance and advice. He is well known for his commitment and dedication to the fire department.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to congratulate Mr. Rudy Bragg for being name Firefighter of the Year for the Town of Torbay.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all hon. members in this House to join with me in congratulating Mr. Bob Webber, Mr. Rudy Bragg and the Torbay Volunteer Fire Department for their service to the Towns of Torbay and Flatrock.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SKINNER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Coming together and working together toward a common interest has many benefits.

To quote the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs, or NLOWE as it is more commonly known, "the greatest opportunities arise from pooling resources and working together to better export to international markets."

As a government, we share this view and are working with partner organizations like NLOWE to create new international business opportunities for companies from across this Province.

Central to the approach of encouraging partnerships and collaboration is our Business Networks Program. It is administered by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, and this program is advancing the export agenda of local businesses. Through it, companies across a variety of sectors including aerospace and defence, aquaculture, and manufacturing are working collectively to improve their competitiveness.

Currently, the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development is working with NLOWE on a network of women business owners who have joined forces to pursue export markets for their products and their services.

Through this network, business owners can leverage the advantages of being certified as a woman-owned business by WEConnect Canada.

This internationally recognized certification can lead to increased access to the supply chain of larger corporations and public sector organizations with supplier diversity policies. Members can also acquire valuable skills related to export readiness, market entry strategies, matchmaking, and contract negotiations.

Ms Bernice Walker from Corona College in Grand Falls-Windsor believes that networks and greater collaboration provide entrepreneurs with the keys to a world of opportunities. Collaborating with other businesses and thinking beyond the Province's borders has led it to generating business in Northern Canada, United States, and as far away as South Africa. Corona College is one of several network members, which also includes companies such as Applecore Interactive, Pilot Communications and TeleLink.

In June, representatives of the network will be participating in a trade mission led by NLOWE that will take them to Baltimore for the National Conference and Business Fair. This conference will provide network members with the opportunity to connect with global corporate buyers through a series of one-on-one meetings. While in the Capital Beltway area that encompasses the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore loop, members will also meet with other businesses to explore potential linkages.

Mr. Speaker, I wish the network of women business owners the best of luck as they proceed forward. I am confident that through greater collaboration and partnerships they can capitalize on any and all opportunities to realize their success.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for The Straits & White Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to, first of all, thank the minister for an advance copy of his announcement. I am glad I have to speak to the Chair because I find a glare from that tie he is wearing today.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DEAN: Nevertheless, I would like to say to the minister that this is a good announcement and we want to recognize that today and certainly would praise NLOWE for helping women get started in business, and helping grow and giving advice and so on.

Women owned businesses shows equality and it shows a competitive strength in our Province. Certainly, we would want to support the Business Networks Program and so on, and supporting the export agendas for exporting their products and services created by female entrepreneurs.

I would congratulate the conference on being a success and I look forward to more good announcements as well.

Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

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

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

As he has pointed out, NLOWE is a not-for-profit organization that fosters women in business through their network of community-based business development, co-ordinators, members, clients and partnerships in business. They have a women helping women approach which guarantees that there is an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing women entrepreneurs. I am glad to hear that the Business Networks Program is supporting this trip and I hope it will be a successful one for the Women's Business Network.

In my past life, before being in this House, I did a lot of work with women going into various aspects of work and did meet quite frequently with women entrepreneurs. I know some of the barriers that they face. One of the barriers that often prevent women from entering the workforce or starting a business is lack of child care. So one of the best things this government can do to encourage more women to enter the workforce is to implement a meaningful child care program and I encourage them to continue looking at this issue, which I continue to speak to, Mr. Speaker.

I want to congratulate NLOWE for playing a leading role in assisting women entrepreneurs develop and grow successful leading edge businesses. Good luck to all those participating.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Further statements by ministers?

Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

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

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

My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources. Minister, on Tuesday of this week in Question Period when responding to a question regarding Abitibi and how you found out about the blunder government made in expropriating the mill, you referenced Enda, a searching company here in St. John's.

Will you undertake to release to the public immediately and table in this House the report and the supporting documents provided to you by that searching company?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources and Deputy Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, we did hire Enda Searching to do the land consolidation registry, to move the land from Abitibi's name to the Crown. Mr. Speaker, I will go back and I will get the documents and whatever can be tabled here in the House, I will be more than glad to do it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the minister refused in the Estimates Committee – the Minister of Natural Resources that is - and here in the House of Assembly recently, to provide details about the $8 million government has spent so far with respect to the Abitibi issue. The minister advised, at that time, the Opposition to file an FOI request, which we have done.

In the public interest and for openness and transparency, will you at least undertake to disclose immediately the name of the law firm or lawyers who provided advice to government regarding the NAFTA implications of Bill 75 prior to Bill 75 being introduced in this House in December of 2008?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Deputy Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: Mr. Speaker, some of the problem we have in dealing with the Opposition is they have such difficulty in getting information correct. I have not done my Estimates yet, Mr. Speaker, so it would be very difficult for me to refuse to provide information in Estimates when they are not due to take place until May 17. However, Mr. Speaker, I will undertake to make available whatever information that we have in terms of the $8 million professional fees.

Mr. Speaker, I have said time and time again we are not trying to cover anything up here. We are being completely straightforward. We are saying what happened and what the circumstances were that led to the circumstances we find ourselves in at the moment.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

Minister, the Department of Justice routinely, every year, gives a listing when asked by the Opposition of all legal fees that are paid to any lawyer for work outside of the Department of Justice, no questions asked. We asked it last year and received it, asked this year again and the minister is in the process of compiling that information.

Why are you refusing in your department to release the information about the $8 million that you paid to lawyers for Abitibi so far?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I just undertook to make available all of the information that we could without interfering in any kind of way with proprietary information or whatever. Whatever can be released, we are going to release.

Mr. Speaker, all of the $8 million are not legal fees. Enda Searching is part of the $8 million, which I told the Leader of the Opposition during Question Period this week. CRA, which did work around environmental remediation, particularly as it pertained to Buchans, is part of that $8 million. So it is certainly more than legal fees. Again, Mr. Speaker, whatever we can make available we will certainly make available.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: My final question for this minister: Minister, can you confirm that there was indeed legal opinions requested and obtained by your government with respect to the implications of NAFTA prior to introducing Bill 75 in this House in December of 2008?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources and Deputy Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: Yes, Mr. Speaker, we asked a variety of questions. Let me point out once again to the Opposition House Leader, Mr. Speaker, that we shared what we had learned up to that point with the Members of the Opposition when we were about to introduce the legislation. Whatever we had, what we had been advised that NAFTA implications might be, in our briefing meeting with officials that took place in the Opposition caucus room, Mr. Speaker, we shared whatever information that we had at that time.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

For the record, at no time during any briefing was the Opposition provided with copies of any legal opinions that this government had obtained with regard to NAFTA. I just want that on the record, for the record.

Mr. Speaker, my next question is for the Minister of Education. Minister, earlier this week the President of CNA resigned. There has been some confusion given the multiple explanations as to what precipitated this action. We were first told that CNA has mismanaged their payroll and benefits to the tune of $5 million. We are later told that last month the college signed a one-year extension to the Qatar contract without proper authority and authorization.

Would the minister explain how these two items are related, and were they both involved in the sudden resignation of the president?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, I do not think the confusion is in the explanations I have provided, it might be in the interpretation the Opposition has put on the explanations I have provided. I have been very clear on what has transpired.

In the first instance, the issue of the one-year contract extension, I made it very clear last week, or last Question Period, when I talked about our relationship in working to support the college. I provided that as an example of an issue that we encountered as a government, and we worked and provided support to the college president and to the college executive team in spite of protocols not having been followed by the president at the time. In spite of the president doing this of her own accord, against the protocols and the expectations of government and the college board, we worked with them to resolve the situation. I offered that, Mr. Speaker, as an example of the kind of support that this government has provided to the college system.

The second item, Mr. Speaker, I have also been very clear upon, is that the resignation came to me at approximately 4:00 o'clock Sunday past and I received it while I was en route back from my district to here. There was no discussion with me, between me and the college president. I have been very clear about that. There is no confusion from this side of the House on what transpired there and we announced it shortly thereafter.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week the Minister of Education challenged the Opposition to go to the former president and find out from her what caused this resignation. As you well know, minister, the former president of CNA is subject to a gag order which you placed in her employment contract.

I ask the minister: In the public interest and to ensure complete openness and transparency, would you agree to remove the gag order and allow Ms Madill to tell her side of this resignation?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, certainly I do not have to stand here and talk to the Opposition House Leader about contracts and about legal law and how you interpret legal law. Certainly, Mr. Speaker, I do not have to stand here and explain that in Question Period today to the hon. member opposite, I am sure of that, but I will, if you would like me to, Mr. Speaker.

Let me give a little quick history lesson, the senior contracts that are signed by officials with this particular government, with senior bureaucrats and officials of the College of the North Atlantic or school boards or health boards or any other organizations, Mr. Speaker, that we are engaged with, are no different than they have always been. We did not invent the wheel on that. There have been many previous governments who have employed senior officials with the same kinds of contracts. So certainly, Mr. Speaker, a former Minister of Justice ought to recognize why that clause is put in place and why it will stay there.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I remind the minister that it is not me he has to explain anything to it is the people of this Province. I guess from his answer, the answer is no, he is going to keep the gag order on the former president.

Mr. Speaker, minister, you had told us that CNA overcharged the Qatar government $2 million for administration and there was a $3 million salary overpayment. What, and who, caused these overpayments, and why are we not seeking reimbursement of the $3 million salary overpayment?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, I hate to have to repeat myself over and over in the House of Assembly here but the member opposite keeps asking the questions that require the same answer. This government has taken a very proactive step in calling for an external review. If I had the answers to all the questions that the member is posing, there would be no need to do a review. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, we would have all the problems solved. We do not know why the events occurred. This government did not make the decisions that put us in this situation. Under the leadership of the former President of the College of the North Atlantic, that group made the decisions that put us where we are today.

Now I will gladly, gladly share with the public, as I have already said, anything that we find out that we can do to rectify this problem and correct it so that it does not happen in the future. The member opposite is quite welcome to that information when I become in possession of it, Mr. Speaker, but I do not have that. That is why we have called for an external review to look at the whole situation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

The minister cannot speak out of both sides of his mouth. He says on the one hand, we are doing a review and we will give you the answers. He has already publicly announced that we will not seek reimbursement of this $3 million. So you have obviously made some conclusions already, before you get back the very report you are talking about.

Now, minister, we have seen this government chase people for workers' compensation overpayments, social service overpayments, and school tax that have been outstanding for decades, yet you are refusing to go after this $3 million which you acknowledge should not have been paid. Would you explain the logic of this decision and why it is okay to write-off $3 million of the taxpayers' money?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, let me say this, that I will gladly stand here today and use logic in my explanations if I thought the member opposite would actually understand logic. What is very clear from the last three days' line of questioning, Mr. Speaker, that logic is not the rule of the day here, and leadership on the other side is not the rule of the day.

Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, that is why they are coming back from the political grave today in the name of a former Premier who lost to the leadership on this side of the House in the election of 2003, because they did not have what it takes to provide leadership to this Province. Well that is what we are doing. That is why we are reviewing the situation, and it is why we are going to get to the bottom of it, and it is why we will fix it!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

Now maybe that we are past the rhetoric, maybe the minister would like to give the people an answer to my question.

Why are you not seeking repayment of $3 million, which you acknowledge should not have been paid out to this staff in the first place? Maybe we can have a straightforward answer, without the rhetoric.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Education.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I will try to be as straightforward in my answer as I always am. It becomes very challenging when you provide a straightforward answer and it is not understood by the member opposite, Mr. Speaker.

What I have said are the facts as we know them today. The $3 million the member references, for the record, let me just say that it is a very, very ‘unfirm' number. I have talked about $3.5 million, $4.5 million but I have also said, Mr. Speaker, we have shared those numbers to give people of the Province an idea of the magnitude of this problem, to make sure that the whole issue, from my perspective, is very open and very transparent.

I could easily do what the Leader of the NDP wanted me to do three or four days ago, washed my hands of it, abdicate my responsibility, walk away, pretend it never happened, write-off the $5 million and perhaps do as my colleague the Minister of Tourism would say, add it to the NDP debt clock. I could have done that, or I could have done what the Leader of the Liberal Party asked me to do which was the complete opposite.

Well, Mr. Speaker, we are taking a responsible action here and when we determine what exactly has transpired here, and when we determine the appropriate actions that need to be taken; we will take them. Until such a time as we have the information to draw the appropriate conclusions, I am not prepared to stand here and speculate for a bit of political posturing on the other side of the House.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

It is nice to see that the Minister of Education thinks letting $3 million go down the tubes is a bit of political posturing. It looks like he is not prepared and will not give the people of this Province an answer. We will find the answer; we will find out why. This is not over yet.

I will move on at this point, Mr. Speaker. The Premier was in Ottawa this week for meetings. While he was there, we certainly hope he visited suite 1604 on Metcalfe Street, also known as the empty office of the Province's Ottawa representative, as the empty space is costing the taxpayers of this Province almost $100,000 a year in rental expenses.

I ask the Premier, the position of the Ottawa representative has been vacant since January: Is there any necessity to be throwing tax dollars away for the position that has proven to be totally ineffective?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, during that trip I really did not have time to put my feet up and have a cup of coffee in the office, to be quite honest with you. From the time we landed until the time we left, we were very, very busy. We went through an extremely successful group of meetings.

I met with Minister Strahl with regard to Aboriginal issues and actually dealt with the Innu issue and the lands claim agreement and facilitated an upcoming meeting between the Innu Nation and the federal government. That will take place, hopefully, within the next couple of months.

Then, we left there and went to the House of Commons where we were very well-received, favourably received by all parties in the House of Commons which is very nice. Then proceeded to an in-depth meeting with the Prime Minister and discussed a broad range of issues commencing with the fisheries, and the Lower Churchill, and Coast Guard and rescue and a host of issues.

Mr. Speaker, because of his time frames, we then moved on to another meeting and moved to the meeting with the Minister of ACOA, Keith Ashfield, and discussed funding for the Province with regard to the Atlantic Gateway, the Northern Gateway and a lot of other issues. Then, met with the minister responsible for the Province, Peter MacKay, and started with discussions on Labrador, 5 Wing Goose, Search and Rescue, and, again, another host of issues, and then finished up with a very, very fruitful meeting with the Minister of Finance with regard to the acquisition of the eight point five interest in Hibernia.

So, no, I did not have time to stop at the Ottawa office.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I appreciate the Premier's update as to who he did see there. Obviously, he did not go by 1604 Metcalfe.

Mr. Speaker, it has been reported by The Telegram on a recent visit to Ottawa that newspapers were piling up by the door and there was no presence at this office. Meanwhile, there is $378,000 budgeted for this office this year, including a support worker making $54,000 a year.

I ask the Premier: What is the current status of the office? Is there anyone still on the payroll there, and if so, what are they doing when we do not have a representative in Ottawa?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, we still have a presence on the ground in Ottawa, as the office is staffed. We are maintaining that office because that office has been very useful for meetings when ministers attend in Ottawa; they use it on a frequent basis.

I had conversations in Ottawa whereby people in Ottawa on the ground spoke extremely – very, very highly of Dr. FitzGerald, who is referred to as Dr. Feelgood by the Opposition. I refer to him as Dr. Sealgood because of all the fantastic work he has done with regard to promoting the sealing industry in Ottawa.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: So we intend to maintain that office. We intend to keep it there. We think it is very, very important that we have a connection. We think it is also very, very important that when ministers go to town that they have a place where they can operate out of. In fact, we will be looking in the very near future then to recruiting to have that position refilled.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

Both New Brunswick and Manitoba closed their offices in Ottawa. It is certainly obvious that our office has had very little impact as the past few years have represented the most strained relationship our Province has ever had with the federal government.

I ask the Premier: Are you prepared to follow the lead of these other provinces, let the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs do his job, save the taxpayers of this Province some $400,000 a year, finally admit the experiment did not work, and close down the office?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, I can tell the hon. member opposite what I am not prepared to do. I am not prepared to give up fighting for the interests of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Time and time again we have aggressively challenged Ottawa on major issues of importance to the people of this Province. The first round that we had with the former Liberal government, we came back with a cheque for $2 billion, so I would think –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: I would think our balance sheet is in pretty good shape at this stage, but we do intend to fight for the interest of the people of the Province, but at the same time we have also proven during the last round, which we consider to be a goodwill round, met with all the senior representatives of the federal government, all of the ministers were made available to us on reasonable notice, they were prepared to discuss any issues of importance to Newfoundland and Labrador, so I think at this stage, as a result of our efforts in fighting for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians we have the respect of Ottawa.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I say to the Premier, I would not crow too loudly about the Accord money these days. By the time we get Abitibi settled there might be none of it left.

Mr. Speaker, we requested travel claims for the former Ottawa representative through FOI and we were charged significant fees; however, we did pay for his 2007 travel claims to get a glimpse of his activities. As outlined in the documents, the former Ambassador charged the people of this Province seventy-two taxi trips from his private residence to work. There is nothing in his employment contact that permits such claims and no other public servant is permitted to claim travel to and from work each day.

I ask the Premier: Why did your office sign off on these travel claims, and do you consider it an appropriate expense to be reimbursed by the taxpayers?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, now that the hon. member opposite has raised it let's talk about the Abitibi exercise and let's talk about what we have done with regard to Abitibi.

The hon. member opposite knows, he is a lawyer, he is trained, he knows what the consequences would have been if we, in fact, had not acted on the Abitibi file. If, in fact, we had stood back and had not stepped in when we did and had not expropriated the property, one of two things would happened, either the property would have been sold and the assets would have gone outside the Province, and the people of the Province would have no say or no interest, or otherwise they would have entered into a receivership, or a bankruptcy, or a consumer protection. At that point as well, the assets of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, our timber, our land, our water and our infrastructure would have been gone. We would have been left, however though, with the environmental responsibilities and we would have been left with the responsibility that we had to the workers in Grand Falls-Windsor, Botwood and all the surrounding areas.

What we did, Mr. Speaker, because we had those assets, we, in fact, will be in a position, if we have to, to do the environmental cleanup. We have put nearly $50 million into severance and the hon. member opposite has stood up and has – knowing the difference – said that dealing with Grand Falls and dealing with the Grand Falls mill we have incurred liabilities, environmental liabilities of over a couple of hundred million dollars. That is just absolutely untrue – untrue.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I guess we will see at the end of the day when all the court dust has settled on the court cases as to what we actually are going to be on the hook for.

I will just ask the Premier: Would you like to give us an answer to my question about the taxi fares of Dr. Feelgood?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, it is obvious the priorities of the Opposition. You know, we are here today – we have a fishery that is being dealt with, that is very, very important to all the people of this Province, to all the communities in the Province. Have we heard a question on the fishery today? Not a question.

AN HON. MEMBER: No, not one.

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Do you know what the hon. –

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Maybe you will make some up now. Well, good for you if you make some up out of it after.

What the hon. member opposite is concentrating on today is the Ottawa representative getting a drive in bad weather from his office to the House of Commons where he does his business. Now if you want to concentrate on taxis, then fill your boots, but I have more important things to do.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.

MR. BUTLER: Mr. Speaker, we have been speaking to concerned residents of Bell Island relating to the disruption of their ferry service in recent weeks. While there are a number of issues being raised, the immediate question of residents is when will the Beaumont Hamel be returning to service?

I ask the minister, Mr. Speaker, when will the refit be completed and will the Beaumont Hamel be returning to the Bell Island run?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In response to the question from the member opposite, the Beaumont Hamel right now is into the last inspection stage. She will be back within the next couple of days and back on the Bell Island run.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BUTLER: Mr. Speaker, the motor vessel Captain Earle W. Winsor, which currently services Fogo Island, Change Islands is apparently due to go on dry dock for maintenance at the beginning of May. This is causing significant concern for many people, considering that the crab fishery only started a couple of weeks ago in that area and tourist season is about to begin. The spring and summer months, Mr. Speaker, would be the absolute worst time to take the Winsor out of service.

I ask the minister: Why is the Winsor being pulled out of service at a time that is particularly disruptive to the ferry users and will you consider delaying the refit to the fall months?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Mr. Speaker, I am well aware of the challenges that we as a government have in dealing with the current ferry fleet that we are managing, and managing as well as we can. Again, it just kind of irks me a little bit, Mr. Speaker, to get up and to have someone from across the way talk about ferries when the last ferry that was built, the last two really, were under the Peckford Administration. For fifteen years this former Administration ignored this fleet and left us with a legacy of trying to manage. We are doing as best we can under the circumstances. Of course, you also know on the other side that we have made significant investments. As a matter of fact, $55 million in this particular Budget to try to deal with the issues that we have.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: So, I say, Mr. Speaker, I am working very closely with the people in Fogo to make sure that we are doing everything we can with what we have to ensure, not only service to the people, but that economic piece as well. We have worked out with the Fogo committee a schedule that will certainly address their particular concerns.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

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

Mr. Speaker, in January, Eastern Health informed the public that they had developed a plan to deal with the rheumatology outpatient wait-list because of the impending loss of a doctor in May which will bring them down to four. As a result, 1,000 people with chronic non-inflammatory symptoms were dumped on family doctors who do not have the expertise or time to deal with these individuals. Rheumatologists say this is not a good change. Though there are four rheumatologists at present, in practice the rheumatologists say there really are only 2.5 of them doing full-time clinical work because of teaching and research commitments. Also, their workload will increase astronomically because we have a rapidly aging population.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Health and Community Services: What immediate action is he taking to recruit rheumatologists?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I have indicated on many occasions in discussions in this House about health care, it is a very emotional issue, it is one that affects people's lives; it affects everyone on a daily basis. The issue, Mr. Speaker, also relates to politicians and the people who serve in this House.

We know from what has gone on with the air ambulance – again, the height of the emotion. I say to the Leader of the NDP, I understand that in a Facebook Web site that was put up in St. Anthony, in talking about the Premier, that an NDP candidate of record suggested that the symbol for the Web site should be a black heart with a bullet hole in it. Is this the kind of action that is supported by the Leader of the NDP or is she going to do something about that? That would be my question to her, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

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

Mr. Speaker, I asked a question of the minister and he has not answered it.

Mr. Speaker, there are 89,000 people in the Province suffering from some form of arthritis. The outpatient wait times are 9.6 months for someone with an acute inflammatory condition or forty-two months for chronic non-inflammatory condition. Successful management of this debilitating disease needs prompt treatment. Delays mean peoples' conditions will worsen. Mr. Speaker, we have a serious situation with regard to people suffering from the various forms of arthritis.

This minister has not answered my former question, so I have to ask him: How can he continue to do nothing in the face of the suffering of so many people in this Province?

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, on March 30 I met with Brenda Kitchen, the Executive Director of the Arthritis Society and we discussed this issue of the shortage. We had an appointment set up with Dr. Hamilton, one of the rheumatologists, but he could not make it that day. So, Mr. Speaker, we are taking steps.

In relation to an allegation we are doing nothing, is what is the Leader of the NDP going to do about that candidate of record who made this comment that the Premier should have a - the symbol should be a black heart with a bullet hole in it? Do you support that position?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I remind the hon. members again to address their comments to the Chair, not to individuals.

Further questions?

The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

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

Mr. Speaker, governments across the country, including our own, are starting to expand –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MS MICHAEL: Mr. Speaker, I want to make one comment before I go on with my question. I am not responsible for the behaviour of people outside of this House of Assembly. I am responsible for myself, and I will not…

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The time for Question Period is getting nigh. If the hon. member has a question I ask that she pose it now.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, governments across the country - including our own - are starting to expand medical schools now after years of ignoring the problem of doctor shortages. The unfortunate thing, Mr. Speaker, is that these new spaces will not produce doctors for another ten years, and in the case of rheumatologists it is twelve years.

I ask the minister: Considering the toxic environment government has created around the doctors' negotiations, what are his department's plans for being able to recruit doctors to this Province?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am glad that the Leader of the NDP mentioned the expansion to the medical school. That is a very important step that we have taken, and one that I understand Dean Rourke was on with Randy Simms today speaking very positively about.

Mr. Speaker, in the last year, in 2009-2010, we had nineteen family practice residents, of which seventeen are going into practice. Fourteen are practicing in this Province, so we have retained fourteen of them. Twenty-seven specialists, Mr. Speaker; and, of the twenty-five going into practice, seventeen are practicing in this Province, so we are retaining specialists.

Mr. Speaker, again, when she asks what the government is going to do about things, what is she going to do about that site and the allegation or the insinuation that the Premier should have a bullet hole through his heart? Is that the kind of policy supported by (inaudible)?

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Time allotted for questions and answers has expired.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

Tabling of Documents.

Tabling of Documents

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

MR. MARSHALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Pursuant to section 5 of the Local Authority Guarantee Act, 2005, I wish to table the attached list of loan guarantees provided to local governments to enable them to arrange interim financing for their capital projects. The total of these guarantees is $6.5 million, and the projects financed include: water and sewer, $6 million; street paving, $0.3 million; and, municipal buildings, $0.2 million.

Mr. Speaker, the last report under this act was tabled on April 28, 2009 and includes guarantees usually up to and including 31 March 2009. The current listing covers the period from April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010.

MR. SPEAKER: Further tabling of documents?

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

MR. MARSHALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Pursuant to section 49.(2) of the Financial Administration Act, I wish to table the attached list of temporary loans that were raised under section 48 of the act since our last report to the House on April 28, 2009.

Pursuant to section 55.(3) of the Financial Administration Act, Mr. Speaker, I wish to report there were no guaranteed loans paid out by the Province since the last standard report also on April 28, 2009. While there are none to be tabled, it is necessary to indicate that in a report to this House.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 55.(1)(2) of the act, I wish to report that there has been no guaranteed debt of any Crown corporation or agency assumed by the Province since April 28, 2009, (inaudible) report.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Further tabling of documents?

Pursuant to section 10 of the Public Tender Act, I hereby table the Report of the Public Tender Exceptions for March 2010 as presented by the Chief Operating Officer of the Government Purchasing Agency.

Further tabling of documents?

Notices of Motion.

Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.

Petitions.

Petitions

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

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

I stand today and present another petition on behalf of the residents of Hickman's Harbour, Clarenville, Lady Cove, Random Island, Monroe, Milton, Georges Brook, Pilley's Island, Elliott's Cove, Lower Lance Cove, Britannia and Shoal Harbour.

I have to say, Mr. Speaker, I think mostly all of those are in my hon. colleague's district, or just about all of them anyway.

Mr. Speaker, for the record, I would have to read it in again. I think that is the practice.

WHEREAS we, the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, have always built cabins or tilts away from our homes for hunting, fishing, berry picking or just spending time up in the country, or places around our shores, sometimes just to get away from the stress of everyday living, a place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors; and

WHEREAS your government has come down hard on the thousands of cabin owners and trailer owners that are out on our land with eviction notices, and forcing them to move without providing them with an alternative; and

WHEREAS Kruger Inc. has timber rights to approximately one-third of all forested land on this Island and is refusing the vast majority of applications for cabin development;

WHEREUPON your petitioners call upon all Members of the House of Assembly to urge government to have compassion on the citizens of this fair Province and allow them the right to enjoy what is rightfully ours. We were born on this land and should have the right to enjoy it.

And as in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, that is just another of many of the petitions that I have. What those people are saying, Mr. Speaker, is that they have enjoyed the great outdoors in various ways for the last forty or fifty years. Their families have grown up since they went out, whether it is in cabins or trailers, and enjoyed the great outdoors. It is a long-standing tradition. Mr. Speaker, notwithstanding, if there are environmental issues, those people, what they are telling me, if there are environmental issues then let's deal with them, but sit down with us. Do not just go through the process that happened last year.

Mr. Speaker, I receive phone calls each day after I present those petitions, from other areas of the Province and they are saying: Look, explain to the hon. House of Assembly that we cannot afford to pay $45 or $50 to spend a night in Pippy Park. We cannot afford to pay the $25 in many of our parks.

Now, since this has happened and they know what is happening around this Province, there are parks in Central Newfoundland where the annual fee was $1,500 a year for those senior citizens and now the fees have gone up to $1,800 a year. They are just saying, Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford it. We are asking government to reconsider what they are doing, and sit down with us before they just tell us to take our trailers away, or our cabins away, and destroy them like the ones I mentioned yesterday.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to be able to present those petitions on behalf of those residents.

Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: Further petitions?

The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave, on another petition?

MR. BUTLER: On a different petition.

MR. SPEAKER: On a different petition, the hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.

MR. BUTLER: Mr. Speaker, I stand today to present a petition on behalf of 104 residents of Beachside, 80 residents of Little Bay, and 130 residents from St. Patricks. I will read it:

WHEREAS the road from Little Bay turnoff to Little Bay, and from Little Bay to Beachside, was paved approximately forty years ago, and since that time very little has been done to upgrade the road, the road is in a deplorable condition;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House of Assembly to repave the road from Little Bay turnoff through to Beachside.

And as in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, this petition was collected and supported by the Town Council of Beachside, the Town Council of Little Bay, and the Local Service District of St. Patricks. They are saying they are just disgusted with how bad this road is, Mr. Speaker, and how it has deteriorated over a period of time.

I understand, Mr. Speaker, where they are coming from. They are saying they are in constant repair of their vehicles because of the major potholes and everything that is happening in that road.

My understanding is, I think it is approximately ten kilometres from Little Bay turnoff to the RC church hill in St. Patricks, and from Little Bay to Beachside is another seven kilometres. Mr. Speaker, this road needs repairs immediately.

The former member for that area, I do not know if that is what he was fired over, but I know it had to do with something where he went looking for money for pavement of roads in his district. I think that is what happened to him and he left this hon. House.

AN HON. MEMBER: A former Premier.

MR. BUTLER: A former Premier, that is correct.

Mr. Speaker, some people might say, why are you presenting this petition? Well, Mr. Speaker, we all heard in this House about the "we care" speech. When they asked me would I present it, I said yes, we care; we will bring this forward on behalf of your residents.

I am sure the hon. member, when he stands to speak, either in Budget debate or whatever, will bring up the issues on behalf of those residents. Hopefully government will – I understand; I spoke to one gentleman today - they may, if at all possible, get a kilometre of this road done this year. That is a start, and they appreciate that, but, Mr. Speaker, they are asking government to really take action and see that this road is completed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Further petitions?

Orders of the Day.

Orders of the Day

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

MS BURKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General, for leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Commissioners For Oaths Act. (Bill 7)

I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that the hon. the Government House Leader shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Commissioners For Oaths Act, Bill 7, and that the said bill be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the said bill be now read a first time?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

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

The motion is carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to introduce a bill, "An Act To Amend The Commissioners For Oaths Act", carried. (Bill 7)

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Commissioners For Oaths Act. (Bill 7)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 7 has now been read a first time.

When shall Bill 7 be read a second time?

MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 7 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MS BURKE: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General, for leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Notaries Public Act, Bill 8, and I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that the hon. the Government House Leader shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Notaries Public Act, Bill 8, and that this said bill be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the hon. the Government House Leader shall have leave to introduce Bill 8 and that the said bill be now read a first time?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

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

The motion is carried.

Motion, that the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to introduce a bill, "An Act To Amend The Notaries Public Act", carried. (Bill 8).

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Notaries Public Act. (Bill 8)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 8 has now been read a first time.

When shall Bill 8 be read a second time?

MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 8 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, for leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000 No. 2, Bill 9, and I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded by the hon. Government House Leader to ask leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000 No. 2, Bill 9, and that the said bill be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that Bill 9 be now read a first time?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

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

The motion is carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board to introduce a bill, "An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000 No.2", carried. (Bill 9)

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000 No.2. (Bill 9)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 9 has now been read a first time.

When shall Bill 9 be read a second time?

MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 9 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, for leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Small Claims Act, Bill 11, and I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. the Government House Leader shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Small Claims Act, Bill 11, and that Bill 11 be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that Bill 11 be now read a first time.

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

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

The motion is carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to introduce a bill, "An Act To Amend The Small Claims Act", carried. (Bill 11)

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Small Claims Act. (Bill 11)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 11 has now been read a first time.

When shall Bill 11 be read a second time?

MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 11 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, for leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Grand Concourse Authority Act, Bill 12, and I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that the hon. the Government House Leader shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Grand Concourse Authority Act, Bill 12, and that Bill 12 be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that Bill 12 be now read a first time?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

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

The motion is carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation to introduce a bill, "An Act To Amend The Grand Concourse Authority Act", carried. (Bill 12)

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Grand Concourse Authority Act. (Bill 12)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 12 has now been read a first time.

When shall Bill 12 be read a second time?

MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 12 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. the Minister of Government Services, for leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act, Bill 13, and I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded by the hon. the Government House Leader to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act, Bill 13, and that Bill 13 be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that Bill 13 be now read a first time?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

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

The motion is carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Government Services to introduce a bill, "An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act", carried. (Bill 13)

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act. (Bill 13)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 13 has now been read a first time.

When shall Bill 13 be read a second time?

MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 13 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. the Minister of Government Services, for leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Private Investigation And Security Services Act, Bill 14, and I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded by the hon. the Government House Leader to ask leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act To Amend The Private Investigation And Security Services Act, Bill 14, and that Bill 14 be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that Bill 14 be now read a first time?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

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

The motion is carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Government Services to introduce a bill, "An Act To Amend The Private Investigation And Security Services Act", carried. (Bill 14)

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Private Investigation And Security Services Act. (Bill 14)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 14 has now been read a first time.

When shall Bill 14 be read a second time?

MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 14 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, before I call the order of the day for debate, I would just like to say that Bills 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14, as we just did the first reading, if they are ready for distribution, should be distributed at this time.

For today's order, Mr. Speaker, back to the Order Paper, I call Motion 1.

MR. SPEAKER: The Government House Leader has called Motion 1, the Budget Speech – the Budget motion.

The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.

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

It is a pleasure again today to be able to stand and take part in the debate with regard to the Budget Speech. We know that last week we went through the amendment that was put forward and the sub-amendment, Mr. Speaker.

I have to say, I have not been in the hon. House of Assembly for many years, but I sat quite a few years in the gallery, and I suppose listened prior to that, but I have to say last week when we started the debate on the main Budget and the Government House Leader stood in her place, and rightly so, and asked that we would vote on the amendment and the sub-amendment, I think it was the first time in history that I can recall – I was trying to find out – that when the motion was put forward – and I know it was a misunderstanding – but I think it was the first time in the House of Assembly that the motion that was put forward to condemn the government's Budget was voted on unanimously by the government themselves.

MS BURKE: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Government House Leader, on a point of order.

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, the hon. member that was just speaking, the Member for Port de Grave, indicated that there was a unanimous vote in the House. Mr. Speaker, if that was the case, I would like for him to produce the Hansard that would say that. The vote continued as it should have with the results that government expected. Mr. Speaker, if there was a unanimous vote that would have been recorded in Hansard.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

To that point of order, the motions that are put forward here and the motions that are recorded will clearly show, and Hansard will clearly show, that the sub-amendment and the amendment that was put forward here on the floor of the House was voted on and lost by the members that brought forward both the sub-amendment and the amendment.

The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.

MR. BUTLER: Mr. Speaker, I have to agree with you, but that was the second vote that was taken.

MS BURKE: (Inaudible) you do not challenge the Speaker.

MR. BUTLER: I am not challenging the Speaker. I am just telling you the facts of what happened here last Tuesday and we all know what happened. When the motion was put forward, I said aye and everyone in this House said aye with me and then we knew what went wrong and it was put forward again.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

AN HON. MEMBER: It did not come from this side. It was not everybody.

MR. BUTLER: No, not everybody –

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible)

MR. BUTLER: No, Mr. Speaker, I am not challenging you but I guess –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. BUTLER: - case closed. My hon. colleagues on this side, on the government side, said: We did not do it; it was that side. So case closed – case closed, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. BUTLER: Your colleague behind you said it.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Government House Leader.

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, on a point of order.

It needs to be clarified that the hon. member said there was a unanimous decision and now he is saying it was from one side or the other. Mr. Speaker, Hansard will indicate how that vote went, what the results were, and that the sub-amendment and the non-confidence motion put forward by the members opposite certainly was defeated by this government.

Mr. Speaker, you just gave a ruling on it; you spoke about that. The hon. member stood up and indicated he agreed, but - and he had to qualify as if he did not agree with the Speaker's ruling. Mr. Speaker, I do not think that at any point in any Legislature, and certainly in the House of Assembly here in Newfoundland and Labrador, do we challenge the Speaker's ruling.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Opposition House Leader, to that point of order?

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Yes.

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

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I do not think it is a point of order. I do not think the Member for Port de Grave in any way, shape or form - I was here in this Chamber and heard what he said - challenged any ruling by the Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, Hansard, as we all know, records what happens in this House. Nobody is disputing that, and the Member for Port de Grave is not disputing that. All the Member for Port de Gave was pointing out is that what he saw happen and what he heard happen in the House when those votes were taken. Now, the fact that the official transcript of this House of Assembly shows what Your Honour said it shows is absolutely correct and true. It is one thing what is officially recorded in Hansard, it is something else for an individual to refer to what the facts are as to what they see and observe in this House.

I would suggest, Mr. Speaker, there is no point of order. There may be a little bit of embarrassment on the government members but that is about it. Embarrassment does not a point of order make.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the hon. Member for Port de Grave to continue with his debate. There is no point of order. The facts are what Hansard shows.

The hon. the Member for Port de Grave.

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

Maybe it was a slip of the tongue when I said unanimous, but I can guarantee you, Mr. Speaker, it was a majority. Anyway, Mr. Speaker, I will continue on with the debate, and I am sure we are all hon. members. We all know what took place and so on, Mr. Speaker. Anyway, I want to just continue on for a while. I know I have used up five or six of my minutes on that, but continue on with regard to the Budget issues.

Mr. Speaker, from time to time we talk about –

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Government House Leader on a point of order.

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I know you have ruled that it was not a point of order when I stood and said it was not unanimous, but, Mr. Speaker, when we speak in this House of Assembly it is incumbent upon all members to say what actually happens or speak to the facts and not try to make up something or say something that is not real.

Mr. Speaker, when that vote was called and when that vote was taken it was recorded in Hansard, it is recorded in this House, and the majority indicated that they defeated that motion. Now for the member to get on his feet and to say that the majority voted for the sub-amendment and for the non-confidence after he said unanimous, then goes in and says the majority. Mr. Speaker, that needs to clarified, because when you get up and you address the people in this House of Assembly and in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and you know the difference of what you are saying, it needs to be clarified.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The Chair has already ruled that there is no point of order. The Chair has already ruled that the printed version of what happened here in this House when votes were conducted is, as the hon. Government House Leader stated, the sub-amendment was put forward for a vote and the sub-amendment was defeated. The amendment was put forward for a vote and the amendment was defeated.

If the hon. Member for Port de Grave interprets that in a different way it will show that the hon. Member for Port de Grave does not have the right information, because Hansard clearly shows that what the hon. member is saying is not actually what Hansard transcribed as happened here in this House.

The Chair is not going to be involved in any more debate on this issue. The votes have been taken, the votes have been recorded, and I call on the hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave to continue with his delivery.

MR. BUTLER: Mr. Speaker, some hon. members are saying: Stop digging, you are in a hole; stop digging. I say to the government, I would say this past week you have been down in several holes. Mr. Speaker, everyone in this hon. House knows what I am saying.

Mr. Speaker, to continue on with the issues on the Budget Debate, we all stand here and we reference the good that is in the Budget and we on this official side did that.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to go back to some issues that this government has not dealt with and that the people around this Province have major concerns with. Let's talk about the Newfoundland and Labrador pensioners. My hon. colleague, the Minister of Business, got up the other day talking about all the good, and rightly so, but I am going to tell you, several members got up and spoke on what people were saying, that everyone had an excellent response to the Budget. Well, I can guarantee you, the gentleman, in response to the Budget when they were talking about the pension issues, had far from an excellent response. I am not saying that he was totally negative but what the gentleman had to say, he said government continues to disappoint pensioners. That to me was not speaking out in favour of what was in this Budget.

That is only one of several groups, Mr. Speaker. He went on to say about how government continues to mix pension issues and benefits for seniors. The money they are talking about is very small and he compared it to somewhere around – it is very small when it comes to a comparison of a $7 million budget. All they are asking for, Mr. Speaker, is for their pensions to be indexed to the cost of living. That is all they are looking for.

Then we have the pensioners and senior citizens, the 50+ Federation. They have many issues that they have brought forward to this government from their annual conventions each and every year. They talk about the retirement pension increase that they are looking for. They also referenced that this government stand up for them and deal with the federal government when it comes to the Old Age Security, the clawbacks. They even go on and talk about a two-tier medial system, Mr. Speaker.

Another issue they asked the members of this government, this hon. House, to deal with is the issue with the ferry crossing the Cabot Strait and the problems that they encounter and the fees that are being charged. I know we have an excellent tourism industry in this Province, but I think if you really check it out, the majority of the tourism that came to this Province last year and the last several years, has been through the airport system probably here in St. John's and other centres. I can tell you that tourism with regard to trailers and motorhomes that travel to this Province are not what they used to be a few years ago, Mr. Speaker, and anyone who travels on the ferry can verify that.

Some of the other things they want us to have a stronger look at it, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to health care; they are asking that family members be able to provide home care for their loved ones. They even used the figures where it shows that it is far better for someone like that and more cost efficient for them to look after loved ones at home rather than to have someone come in, or if that cannot happen, where they have to go to various institutions. Mr. Speaker, we talk about our health care. I have said it before and generally I think that we have the best health care system in this world. If you travel outside of our Province, outside of our country, people will say that to you.

Mr. Speaker, there are many issues that have to be dealt with, many issues. I know back in the Budget of 2004 there was some $1.39 million that was in the Budget, 32.3 per cent of the Budget that year went to health care. In 2010, we have $2.8 billion, 37.4 per cent of the Budget. Mr. Speaker, people are asking – that is a difference of $1.5 billion, and they are saying: Are we better off? There is no doubt we have some of the greatest health care facilities in the country, but there are many issues. We have heard the issues that were relayed by the nurses just a few months ago, and there are many issues that still exist.

Mr. Speaker, I am not saying that because this government is here. I can remember back to 1984 when we were in Opposition, previous to this time being in Opposition. The issues that were brought forward at that time were the lack of beds, shortage of nurses, doctors, specialists, medications not covered. I remember again in 1989 when we did form the government and the issues that were brought forward. The issues that were brought forward by the Opposition that are now in government were the same thing. I remember the former Member for Ferryland, everyday he would stand on his feet on health issues, and the Member for St. John's South and others. Mr. Speaker, here we are today in 2010 and the same issues confront us. What is the answer? Many people say that health care is in a crisis and people want the issues dealt with.

Mr. Speaker, I have stood in this hon. House and said it before, I guess now it has been recognized by the doctors themselves. I know in my area many people - yes, there are many people who have their general practitioner but there are many people, Mr. Speaker, who do not have a general practitioner. A lot of them have to come to St. John's. One of the doctors left and moved in here to St. John's and his patients travelled with him because they cannot get a doctor.

Only recently, a gentleman who worked in my area retired and moved back to Central Newfoundland, and when he went back to that area he could not get a general practitioner. He came back to the community where he retied from, stayed there, got to see his own general practitioner that he had for eight or ten years, and lo and behold, he had to have his surgery in Carbonear hospital.

Mr. Speaker, that is where people are coming from. Some of them have to travel to different areas to see a general practitioner. I know much has been done with the wait list, there is no two ways about it, but I can assure you many people are still waiting for various time frames to see specialists, waiting up as high as a year or two years.

Mr. Speaker, it was only recently - and some of my hon. colleagues were here with me. This is an issue tied with regard to the moose on our highways and the problems that are encountered throughout this Province. When we attended the thirty-fifth anniversary of The Hub here in St. John's - and I think there were four or five hon. members from the government side there, and we attended their banquet. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker was there himself. There was one young gentleman there in a wheelchair and he relayed the story to me how he has a moose licence. He said: look, when you get up to speak in the House of Assembly or wherever, bring my concern forward. He said, I have a moose licence and someone can go and kill that moose for me, but he said the foolish part of it all, he says, I have to be within 100 feet of the individual who is going to be with me to hunt that moose. He said here am I in a wheelchair. It just cannot happen, cannot possibly happen. He is asking government: Would they consider looking at this issue?

Another issue, Mr. Speaker, is the recycling program for the used tires. I know I asked the minister questions last year and all she did, she went back to two previous contracts that had fallen by the wayside with the former Administration; failing to acknowledge the two contracts that fell by the wayside since this Administration took over. She assured me at that time that the tires are being stored properly. They are stored safely - and she is still nodding her head today, Mr. Speaker, that that is a fact. Well, I challenge the minister. I challenge the minister to go to the site in Dunville, because I did. I went there, and no doubt about it, the tires are stored very neat and tidy, but the concerns that the people have in the Dunville and Argentia area is not how the tires are stored, it is how they are protected. The site that they are on, all that is to that facility is just one swinging gate with a security guy there. The full site outside of that, there are trails going off the main highway. There are trails going off one of the side roads where anyone wanting to get in there can go in and the guy that is on security, all good (inaudible) to him, but they cannot see them going in there.

I do not know what the minister is saying about a fire, but that is the concern that the residents have. They are concerned that something would happen, and I can tell you I have had many phone calls, Mr. Speaker, and they would like nothing more than to be able to sit down with the Minister of Environment and Conservation and the Minister of Municipal Affairs to put their concerns to rest, because they know if something does go wrong, they know they are stored properly. I can tell you, there is firefighting equipment in the town but there is not too much firefighting equipment on that site if something should go wrong. They know the full area. They have even had it investigated to the point that if something should go wrong there - even Mount Pearl or Conception Bay North would be under a tremendous evacuation time frame. I mean that is the concern that they have. We are hoping nothing is going to happen, but that is where those people are coming from.

Then we talk about agriculture, Mr. Speaker. We know that agriculture is very important to this Province. In The Economy booklet this year, 2010, it states that the total from farm receipts declined 4.5 per cent in the first three-quarters of 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008; the value is $78.9 million. Fur production down 58.5 per cent, egg production down, and, Mr. Speaker, the list goes on.

One of the things that is a major concern in my area - and I have spoken to the Minister of Transportation and I spoke to the Minister of Natural Resources, and I have to get an e-mail to her on this issue – and that is the roads to the farmlands that the people have in my district, the Class 4 roads. Back a few years ago the government in their wisdom - and I know they found themselves in a difficult position. What they did, they said we are not going to do any more maintenance on Class 4 roads. Mr. Speaker, the roads going to those farms, and I named the First Pond road in Shearstown. There are four or five farmers in there. There are two or three farms in there with blueberries, and there are people in there that also cut the grain and that for their animals.

So, Mr. Speaker, there are many issues that we could talk about. I know my hon. colleague, the Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment talks about the food banks and the strategy that we have and how it is recognized around the country. That is true, but, Mr. Speaker, we cannot be third on the list when it comes to poverty if we know that - I think there was a 10 per cent increase in the use of food banks in this Province last year. Mr. Speaker, there are many issues and all I hope is that government will consider all the concerns that are put forward by the constituents, not only in my area but in each and every district throughout this Province.

Mr. Speaker, I know my time is just about finished. I just wanted to say that hopefully government will listen to those concerns and over the next few days we will be able to resolve some of those issues.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Before the Chair recognizes the hon. member for Mount Pearl North, the Chair would just like to revert to an exchange that took place when the hon. Member for Port de Grave was recognized to speak. There was some indication of what happened here in a vote in the House of Assembly. The Chair made a ruling that the written Hansard would reflect what did happen here and then a vote took place.

I would like to remind the hon. member and call his attention to our own Standing Orders as well, Standing Order 49 in the Standing Orders of our own House of Assembly, which clearly states, "No Member may reflect upon any vote of the House except for the purpose of moving that such vote be rescinded."

So I ask members to be guided by our own Standing Orders.

The hon. Member for the District of Mount Pearl North.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to rise in this House today to speak to Motion 1 and take part in this Budget Debate. As you can tell, Mr. Speaker, it is quite a debate that is taking place here in the House.

Before I get into my remarks that I would like to make about the Budget, I cannot help but address some of the comments that were just made by the Member for Port de Grave. I find it astonishing, Mr. Speaker, the attitude and the approach that this Opposition brings to this hon. House day in and day out.

The hon. member talks – he started by talking about what this government is not doing for pensioners and for senior citizens. Mr. Speaker, maybe the Opposition has not been paying attention for the last six or seven years as this government has made significant improvements that benefit older persons in this Province. We have improved fiscal policies that benefit senior citizens, we have improved health and income support programs that benefit senior citizens in this Province, we have introduced a Healthy Aging Framework, and the list goes on and on and on. Yet, the hon. member has the nerve to suggest that this government is not paying attention to issues affecting seniors.

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member talked about the Marine Atlantic ferry service to and from this Province. Surely he is not suggesting that this government has not been active and vocal in lobbying for improvements to the Marine Atlantic service, because we are on record year after year advocating for improvements to that service.

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member talks about health care and home support, yet we have released countless reports, during my time in this House, addressing reductions in wait times that have occurred in recent years in our health care system as a result of investments that this government has made.

In this very Budget that we are debating today, Mr. Speaker, we have improved subsidies for home support, affecting all kinds of families and senior citizens in this Province. We have seen consecutive increases in our overall health budget and we see record investments being made in health care, which I hope to have an opportunity to address later in my limited time today.

Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member for Port de Grave talked about our lack of attention to environmental issues, which is astonishing. When you look at the climate change initiatives that this government has undertaken, when you look at our investments in green energy, when you look at our investments in wind power, when you look at the expansion of recycling programs in this Province, it is just absolutely astonishing that members of the Opposition can stand and make some of the statements that they continue to make in this House. It is frankly disrespectful, Mr. Speaker. It is disrespectful to this government. It is disrespectful to the people of the Province that that is the kind of representation we see from members of the Opposition.

Mr. Speaker, as the member concluded, he talked about poverty and what this government is doing to address poverty. He cited himself that we have gone from having one of the worst poverty rates in the country to having one of the best records in terms of addressing poverty. We have one of the lowest poverty rates in all of Canada; and yet, the member stands in this hon. House and talks about what we are failing to do to address poverty reduction.

As he points out, Mr. Speaker, yes there are many issues that we have to address, but the difference between this government, this Administration, and the past Administrations led by Liberals is that we are doing something about those issues, that we are actually facing those issues and we are coming up with real strategies and we are taking real action to address those issues.

Anyway, onward. Mr. Speaker, there is a number of us, including the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development that are wearing red ties today. Let me be very clear that it is in no way a show of support for the Liberal Opposition. It is a show of support for the Montreal Canadiens, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: My apologies to Leafs fans, but it was certainly a good night for our team last night.

Mr. Speaker, now I will talk a little more about the Budget, and intend to use my time a little differently than the members of the Opposition have done. The Leader of the Opposition had a full hour earlier this week to participate in this debate. I only get twenty minutes, so I will use my time wisely. I am certainly not going to make reckless statements in an effort to create fear in people in this Province. I am certainly not going to be negative for the sake of being negative, as we continue to see from the Opposition, and I am certainly not going be as disrespectful as to twist facts in a feeble attempt to discredit this government. We all know that this Opposition would never let facts get in the way of a good story - God forbid.

The people of this Province will not be fooled by the antics of this Opposition, Mr. Speaker. In fact, many people that I talk to in my travels believe that this government is the best that this Province has ever had. It is a lot about leadership and it is a lot about vision, but that is not all. Mr. Speaker, I think people in this Province have confidence in this government because we are truly focused on the future. It is a government that is making decisions that are all about positioning this Province for that future. We are a government that is not looking as far as the next election, as we have seen from past Administrations. We are looking as far as the next generation and generations beyond.

So today in this Budget Debate, Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about the future. I want to talk about this Budget that we are debating and how the decisions that we are making are impacting that future. For me, this Budget hits home in many ways, and in some ways it hits home more than previous Budgets that I have been here for. It is all about the right investments for our children and our future. As a new parent, I think my perspective on a number of things in life has changed. I now look at issues through a very different lens. I am really proud to stand in this House with confidence knowing that I am part of a government that is making careful decisions, that is making tough decisions, that is making bold decisions to secure a future for my son and for generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that are not even born yet, Mr. Speaker.

What I want to talk today about is the future. You would think the Opposition would be concerned about the future as well. You would think they would be making constructive suggestions about issues impacted by this Budget and other issues that are being raised in this House, issues related to natural resources, issues related to post-secondary education, issues related to the fishery, but instead, they want to talk about taxi receipts. Then, they resort to fear mongering, fact twisting and other antics that actually allow people to see what they really stand for and what they are really all about.

Mr. Speaker, this government will continue to rise above all of that. This Budget speaks to the kind of future that I want for Newfoundland and Labrador. This Budget is all about building that future and making the right decisions, the right investments in the economy and in society, and having the courage to tackle tough issues, Mr. Speaker. This Budget speaks to the strong, confident leadership that this government is providing.

It is unfortunate that the Opposition does not want to have a productive discussion about the future, about how to further strengthen our society and our economy. They would rather focus on fear mongering and confusing facts. They would rather attempt to convince the people of this Province that the sky is falling. They would rather try and convince the people of this Province that we are living in an era of doom and gloom. That is really sad, but we have to continue to rise above that, Mr. Speaker, and ensure that we provide the kind of leadership that we were elected to provide.

Mr. Speaker, the Member for Port de Grave referenced a non-confidence motion that took place in this House earlier this week, and that is really ironic because we are at a time in our history in Newfoundland and Labrador where the public has incredible confidence in this government, and they have incredible confidence in the future of this Province thanks to decisions that this government have made. While the Opposition will continue to attempt to discredit this government, the confidence of the people in Newfoundland and Labrador has never been stronger.

I want to talk a little bit about the impact that this Budget has had on my District of Mount Pearl North. Mr. Speaker, the Opposition would have you believe that those of us in the backbenches are sitting quietly nodding our heads. Mr. Speaker, the facts tell a completely different story. I am thrilled to stand in this House today and make some noise and talk about the impact that this government has had on my district over the last two and a half years that I have been a member of this House. I can tell you in no uncertain terms that this government has invested more in Mount Pearl and Paradise than any previous government in the history of the Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of my colleagues, this government has invested more in rural Newfoundland and Labrador than any government in the history of this Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: Yet, the Opposition will tell you that the sky is falling.

Mr. Speaker, here is what is coming in this Budget for Mount Pearl North. Let me just give you the quick list: increased roadwork; water and sewer investments in Paradise and Mount Pearl; the completion of the Team Gushue Highway, which will benefit all residents of this region; replacing the Kenmount Road Overpass in Paradise; an expansion to the Glacier; Mount Pearl is getting a new pool and a new arts centre; improvements to housing units, not only throughout my district but throughout the Province; two new schools, two new elementary schools in the growing Town of Paradise; improvements at St. Peter's Junior High and Mount Pearl Senior High in the City of Mount Pearl; increased funding for the Paradise Youth Centre. Mr. Speaker, I could take the rest of the time I have left to talk about specific investments that are being made by this government in my district, and there are forty-eight districts in this Province that are all benefiting from the decisions that this government is making.

That is why people have confidence, Mr. Speaker. People have confidence in this government because we have actually strengthened the economy. The past year has been difficult, to say the least. We see the entire world coping with a world-wide recession, a recession that Newfoundland and Labrador has weathered quite well. So it is almost unbelievable that in the same year Newfoundland and Labrador celebrates have status for the first time and we also had significant growth, other provinces are reversing their have status to have-not and they are facing incredible economic uncertainty.

This Province has had growth, Mr. Speaker, in so many areas; population growth, personal income growth, labour income increases. We have seen a growth in retail sales when other provinces have faced some of the worst retail sales in decades. Our tourism market continues to grow in a time of economic uncertainty around the world.

Mr. Speaker, our Province was well equipped to deal with this recession. We have weathered the storm well and we have one of the strongest economies in North America as a result of decisions that this government has made, and I have no doubt that the growth will continue, Mr. Speaker. So it is no surprise that recent polls show significant support and satisfaction with this government. Why wouldn't people be confident and pleased? We are seeing unprecedented benefits for families, for seniors, for students, for community groups. The list is endless, Mr. Speaker, and it is all reflected in this Budget. So people do indeed have confidence. We are making the right investments and the right decisions, and I think people know this and I think they see through the antics of the Opposition.

The Leader of the Opposition spent recent Question Periods this week unsuccessfully trying to paint the picture that this government is making mistakes. Mr. Speaker, the people of this Province know that we have a confident Administration, a government that has incredible credibility. When we encounter problems, when we encounter challenges within government we have the courage to work hard and find real solutions that are going to be lasting and long term. Unlike the Opposition, you will not find this government playing politics with issues that are important. We will not spread negativity and we will not complain and not offer any solutions. We are actually going to roll up our sleeves and continue to solve problems when we come across them.

Mr. Speaker, in the time I have left, just to put into perspective what this Budget and recent Budgets have done for people in my district and people in this Province, I want to give you a few real examples. The Member for Port de Grave just talked about people he has talked to. Well, I want to talk to you now about some of the people that I am talking to in my district.

AN HON. MEMBER: Yes, real people.

MR. KENT: They are real people, yes, as my hon. colleagues have pointed out.

Mr. Speaker, the Member for Port de Grave talked about seniors. I want to talk to you about one senior citizen in my district. She lost her mother this past December and her husband left shortly thereafter. She was forced to leave work. She was placed on sick leave for stress related issues. Her medications were incredibly costly. Her EI sick benefits were not enough to cover her basic living expenses, Mr. Speaker. Well, this government assisted with her application for a prescription drug card, and because of improvements we have made over the last couple of years - she stated categorically that she would not have been able to continue living. She would not have been able to function if it were not for the support and the decisions that this government has made and the support that it has provided.

Mr. Speaker, the previous speaker talked about low-income families and low-income people in this Province. I want to talk to you about a single mother in my district who over the last number of months applied for the Home Repair Program that this government has supported through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing. She was absolutely thrilled with the results and the response she received in dealing with officials at Housing and within government. She was able to replace leaky windows and a deck that was falling off her house, and siding and a front door; all of which was problematic. She was also able to take advantage of the Home Heating Rebate Program through the Department of Finance. She thinks it is a godsend at this time of year, as we have just come out of the winter months, and it truly did help her deal with high heating costs.

Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about a family with one child who is in high school in Mount Pearl. Our government was able to assist with their application for dental work through MCP's dental program at the Janeway. Both parents work. They were just over the acceptable limit for a prescription drug card, and under this new Budget, this new Budget that we are debating in the House right now, Mr. Speaker, they are going to be able to get even more support from this government. They needed additional assistance, and through the work of this government and these new programs that we are introducing, they will get the support that they need.

Mr. Speaker, there are more and more people returning to Newfoundland and Labrador. A former resident of Mount Pearl who had spent most of her life in Ontario moved back last summer. She moved back to care for her elderly mother, which is a reality that many families and many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians contend with today, given our aging population. She moved home from Ontario and she needed help from this government to help her mother who was struggling with Alzheimer's disease get transferred to a suitable home. Our government helped her, worked with Placement Services at Eastern Health and had everything in place for their move this summer, and yet another family has successfully relocated back to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, I could tell you many more examples. Another single mother on income support whose son has chronic health issues. They wanted to move closer to their family in Central Newfoundland where they could have additional family support. This government was able to assist this resident in getting additional support from Human Resources, Labour and Employment to help with expenses and to ensure that the child was able to get back and forth to the Janeway for specialist appointments.

Mr. Speaker, it goes on and on and on. So I am quite proud of this government's commitment to positioning this Province for the future.

Mr. Speaker, earlier in this Budget Debate the Leader of the New Democratic Party talked about the tax cuts to big bad business, and the Minister of Finance, from across the House, challenged the Leader of the NDP to reference which tax cuts she was talking about. I looked back at the Budget, Mr. Speaker, and perhaps she was talking about the personal income tax rates that are going to be reduced for the second income bracket and the third income bracket to benefit thousands and thousands of average citizens in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: Perhaps she was talking about the corporate income tax rate that was reduced effective April 1 for small businesses from 5 per cent to 4 per cent. Ladies and gentlemen, small business is driving our economy in communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Are those the tax cuts that the Leader of the New Democratic Party opposes? That is all I could find, Mr. Speaker. It is quite clear that we are making investments. We are putting money back in taxpayers' pockets to allow them to invest in this economy and ensure that we continue to have the success that we are enjoying here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, I only have a couple of minutes left, and there is lots more in this Budget that I would love to have an opportunity to talk about. Some of the investments that are in this Budget related to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, and some of the investments that have taken place over the past year I would like to particularly note because they directly affect hundreds of families in my district.

I have received countless letters and e-mails and phone calls from residents of a couple of neighbourhoods in my district where Newfoundland and Labrador Housing has recently undertaken work to improve the units. One resident wrote that she waited so long for other governments to help, and finally this government came in and looked after the problems.

Residents are telling me that their homes are much better and their quality of life is much better because of these investments that we continue to make. Yet, the Opposition would attempt to convince you that we are doing nothing to address affordable housing issues in this Province. Another resident wrote that because of the improvements we have made in housing units in my district, since windows have been replaced, she no longer needs anti-histamines for allergic reactions caused by mould and leaky windows. Mr. Speaker, this is just yet another example of the kinds of investments that are making a meaningful difference in people's lives.

When I look at the record investments that we are making in health care, and in education, and in poverty reduction, it is amazing to see how well we are positioning this Province for future success. Mr. Speaker, these are issues that directly impact people's lives, and I think that they are the reason why people have such a high level of confidence in this government. I can say with certainty that the investments that we have committed to in this Budget are directly going to affect the people I represent, they are going to directly impact people in every district in this Province.

I know that people are looking forward to seeing many of the changes and improvements that this Budget will bring. I believe we are on the right track. I believe we are making significant investments, and we have momentum, and we are going to continue as a government to fight for the best possible future for our Province and our children.

Mr. Speaker, this Budget is all about the future. It is about children, it is about youth, it is about families, it is about communities. I am really proud to stand and participate in this debate and be part of a government that is so committed to social development and putting the needs of people first. I am excited about the future, proud to be part of a government that is doing the right things for our children and for our future, and I thank you for the opportunity to say a few words on the Budget this afternoon.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER (T. Osborne): The hon. the Member for The Straits & White Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is a privilege again today to be able stand and speak for the next few moments about the Budget and items that are related to it as well. Making reference to the sky falling in, I would suggest that parts of this Province feel, today, as though their sky is falling in; there is no question about that.

I want to go back again and speak for a few moments first of all about the monies in the Budget this year for the air ambulance and the relocation of it and so on. I presented, in past weeks, as much information as I possibly could around the issue, an important issue to the Province. I have to say that yesterday it was very sad to see that not even one member of government that was here, not even the member for the district next to mine that is being affected by it so much, was willing to stand in support of the private member's motion to look for more time to do a further study.

I have a letter that came in this week to me - and I would just like to refer to a couple of things in it and that sort of thing - from a previous supporter of this government. He made reference back in 2001 of going on the Northern Peninsula and spending some ten days involved in two by-elections there in The Straits & White Bay North and in St. Barbe and attended a couple of public rallies with our Premier – he was the Leader of the Opposition at the time – and he referred to the infamous words of our Premier who said: Give me these two seats and I will never forget you. Well, those words reverberate in the minds of all the people on the Northern Peninsula today because, quite frankly, they would just as soon that the Premier had forgotten them as to do the things that have happened in the past few years, particularly in health care.

We talk about - someone mentioned legacy there today in some conversation or some debate. We have one of the greatest legacies of this Province on the Northern Peninsula in that of Sir Wilfred Grenfell. We began shredding that legacy by doing away with the health board first of all, and the government has continued over the past five or six years to just take it and to dismantle, dismantle, dismantle. Here we have today, we have another great legacy, we have the air ambulance program for this Province that was started and it was built upon - a need that was recognized fifty-five years ago by one of the greatest doctors that this Province has ever had in Dr. Thomas. We agreed yesterday as a government - the government members agreed - that this no longer services the Province adequately, that it no longer has a place to play, it no longer has a role to play and that it is time to take it and relocate it into Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Certainly, that is a very sad decision. Again, not the fact that Labrador does not need air medevac services, it is just as important as any other part of the Province - I have no issue with that – but the fact that this service that served the Province so well for fifty-five years, today, all of a sudden, after the loss of a by-election just a few months ago, kind of coincidental I am sure, that this government would decide the service is no longer essential in the St. Anthony area - very unfortunate.

I would like to just go back and correct something too. The hon. member stood on a point of order yesterday - the hon. Member for Lake Melville - and suggested that I was talking off the top of my head and did not know what I was talking about and so on, and made reference to the fact that the Goose Bay hospital has an excellent ICU unit were his words.

I want to let the member know today, and I would love to be corrected if I am wrong, but there is no ICU unit in the hospital in Goose Bay. There is a special care unit there with two or three beds; basically the same as a general ward for all intents and purposes. There are no trained nurses in Happy Valley-Goose Bay that have critical care training and so on. As a matter of fact, I know that just recently when they did the accreditation of the ICU for the Labrador-Grenfell board that it had to be completed in St. Anthony for the very reason that there was no ICU unit in Goose Bay.

Just for the record to make sure that we are straight today, Mr. Speaker, I would want us to know that I did know what I was talking about basically, as I was fairly sure I did, and that there certainly is not an ICU unit there. If that is going to be the point of transporting our medevacs then, obviously, the government will need to step in and make sure that that loss of service, if you will, is corrected.

I would like also to refer for a few moments to a letter that the Minister of Health wrote back to myself and the Leader of the Opposition in response to a letter that we both wrote. Basically, he sent the same letter back suggesting that one letter would suffice saying we were kind of asking the same information.

In his letter he says: Your suggestion that the placement of the air ambulance in Labrador will result in a diminished service for individuals on the West Coast and Central Newfoundland is not supported by the air ambulance statistics. The fact that it demonstrates that the majority – it says the majority of the patient transfers on the Island originate in St. John's, not St. Anthony. We agree with that. We agree that the majority of the transfers from Gander and Deer Lake and other parts of the West Coast, they do originate or they do come from St. John's, but what about the minority that does not? What about those that do not come from St. John's, are they not just as important as the majority that do?

For example, in 2009 the minister noted that approximately 61 per cent of the air ambulance pickups within the Island portion of the Province, with the exception of St. Anthony, were done from St. John's; 61 per cent, so that leaves 31 per cent that were not. That means the other 31 per cent were done either by a charter aircraft or they were done by the aircraft in St. Anthony.

In Deer Lake he made note that 68 per cent of the air ambulance transports were from St. John's and just 21 per cent were from St. Anthony; so 21 per cent. In Stephenville there is 24 per cent that are transported by the St. Anthony plane, and in Gander there were 13 per cent. Those are large numbers when you consider that there are – transferred out of Stephenville last year there were – the number is not there, but there were 59 per cent of the calls and there were 24 per cent that were handled by St. Anthony.

These numbers, these 29 per cent that - or 28 per cent that were done in Stephenville last year that will be done in Stephenville again this year, or required in Stephenville, assuming the number stays somewhere around the same, then there will be a delay in the response time because that aircraft will come out of Goose Bay. I have already made that point, and I believe it is getting through. People of our Province are beginning to understand that yes, this is indeed a diminished service.

To suggest then, the minister says, that the residents of the Island will be negatively impacted by this decision, does not make sense to the minister. Well I do not know how that can be so, since we are saying that 29 per cent, and 13 per cent, and 21 per cent of the residents are going to be serviced by this second aircraft because St. John's is not available to come and get them. We know that it is going to take longer, so how can the minister suggest that these residents are not going to be negatively affected by this decision? How can logical minds find a way in which this decision does not negatively impact what is being done?

The minister says, as he said, that the placement of this aircraft in Happy Valley-Goose Bay will mean that everyone gets a sixty minute response time of an air ambulance. You can take that to the bank, so to speak. The minister is guaranteeing, practically today, that everyone in Newfoundland is going to get a sixty minute response time on an air medevac because of the decision of government. Well, you know when that 21 per cent, or that 19 per cent, or that 28 per cent from those other three airports require the air ambulance aircraft that is in Goose Bay, I want to suggest to you it is not going to be there in sixty minutes.

Another interesting thing that the minister put in his letter back to me was that – almost in his concluding remarks before he says, I am satisfied that the placement of the aircraft in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is the right decision for all residents of the Province, but before he says that, he says: In addition, residents of the North Coast of Labrador will have the benefit of the medical flight team travelling on the Twin Otter to these communities. Now, that is a great benefit. I am not disagreeing with that at all, but if the flight team is travelling on the Twin Otter medevac that goes off to the North Coast, then obviously it is not available to respond to medevacs on the King Air. So what does that mean in terms of delay? What does that mean in terms of improved service? What does that mean in terms of the time it is going to take for the aircraft to leave Goose Bay, fly to St. John's, pick up the medevac team, and then leave and fly back to Wabush, for example, again and pick up the patient that is there? Obviously, it means an extended delay over and above what it would mean today.

So this medevac team that we are supposing government will put in place, it is going to be on the North Coast often, and so it should be. If that kind of service is needed, that kind of service should be provided, but on those numbers of calls that are not included in the Drodge report – we do not find out for sure about the numbers and so on there, but the fact is that these numbers, when the medevac – if the medevac team is going to go with the Twin Otter every time that it goes, then there is going to be a lot of times that the medevac team is not going to be available to the King Air out of Goose Bay.

So I would suggest to the minister, that that does not seem to be something that really has come into consideration, either in terms of responding and in terms of really coming to a sound decision. The more that I look at it, and I have looked at it often, the more that I study it and try to rationalize it and so on, I realize just how improper, I realize just how inadequate, I realize just how flawed that this decision is, and I realize the loopholes that are there and the unfortunate situations that we are going to see in the delivery of health care across our Province in coming days. It is very unfortunate.

I would like for a few moments to speak as well, not only to the air ambulance service throughout the Province, but I would like to speak for a few moments to the fishery. We realize that our fishery again this year is in crises. We know today that there has been an offer that has gone out from the ASP to this price setting board, and we are encouraged by that. We hope this might be a means of a resolution, a means of a step forward; a means of finding a way forward into settling this dispute that is affecting so many people in our Province.

I am amazed, again, as I sit in this House day after day, that I never hear any government members talking about this issue. I suppose that none of them are from rural Newfoundland. They must all be from the city, I am not really sure. I thought the Province was broken down a little bit differently than that, but I am not hearing anything about the fishery and so on.

There are several things that I would like to mention about the fishery that affects so many of us here today. Number one, the crab fishery, for the last couple of years it has been going through this downturn and coming to a head. Working diligently to head off that crisis is something that has been encouraged time and time again. Yet, we have left it to the harvesters and left it to the processors and we do not feel that government has a big role to play here other than trying to mediate or trying to accommodate the process and so on. I want to suggest that when there are 20,000 paycheques that are at stake and when there are people now who are into their fourth week with no income, then I think that someone needs to speak up, and someone needs to get something done, and someone needs to find some headway so that we can find a way forward, this fishery can get on the go.

As I go back to my district on the weekends and as I look at the offloading facilities in different towns, I look at the boats that are tied up and so on, as I talk to people around the district, people are just - things are just so uncertain and people are so concerned about where this fishery is going. Hopefully, we can find something very shortly.

We talk about the challenge of NAFTA. Recently, the Premier, in a rarity of speaking to the fishery, when he suggested that the Province feared the risk of a NAFTA challenge should the Province choose to inject any cash into the industry. That is okay in and of itself, but it causes me then to kind of wonder and to beg the question, that if we are not willing to put money in to get the crab fishery going, in terms of providing some type of credit financing or inventory monies and so on, will we as a provincial government be willing to come forward and put money into the fishery when the MOU process is finished? I do not believe this MOU process will finish without a demand for investment of monies, whether it be from the federal government, the provincial government. The fact that we fear the risk of a NAFTA challenge, to me would suggest, as well, that perhaps we would fear that when the MOU process comes to a final point and government is asked to inject money there.

The fish price setting panel has been in the debate in recent weeks as this crab fishery has failed to get going again. We all know that it was created by government and has been an issue with processors for several years, and government has not moved to address those concerns, and I would say we need to find a way to do something with that, to settle, have another option, whatever the case might be, but there has to be a way that this dispute can be settled. There has to be a way that we can move forward with that and so on.

Another important part of the fishing industry this year that did not benefit our Province and certainly my district very well again was the sealing fishery – the sealing industry. It is interesting to just go out to Fishing Point and other parts of the Northern Peninsula, down through The Straits as I travelled back a couple of times early in the spring, and just look at all the seals that were just practically in on the beach on the bit of ice that was there. Just a tremendous opportunity, a tremendous industry that served us so well for years and we know where it is gone and so on, and it typically has provided, right up until the last year or so, fishers with 25 per cent, 30 per cent, 40 per cent of their incomes. I know two brothers who fish together on a thirty-five foot longliner that just, four years ago, made $70,000 fishing seals. This year they were not able to be involved in that at all, being able to participate.

I am not suggesting that government is responsible for the collapse of the seal fishery by no means. What I am suggesting is that there needs to be an investment of monies, there needs to be a look at where the seal industry is, government needs to get involved in finding a way to market our product, to promote our product and so on. Certainly, as that fishery stands, the Province needs to propose something that is going to basically enable marketing and communications and so on to move forward so that the industry can survive well into the future.

I have had a lot of calls recently on a plant on the Northern Peninsula. We have the New Ferolle plant there that is not operational. Government, basically, gave that to a new operator nearly a year ago now, in a few days, for the sum of $1 and the residents have been there waiting for this plant to get up and running. Again, it is another challenge to a particular piece of the fishery but very important to those that are involved in it obviously.

The MOU process I mentioned a second ago, it was a process that was put in place as a response to the crisis in the shrimp fishery last year as we all know. We are nearing the anniversary, and I know the Minister of Fisheries just last week made a comment that he would be somewhat pleased or satisfied or encouraged - I am not exactly sure of the word that he used right now – if, by the anniversary date, that there was something that had come about through the MOU process. I would say yes, we would all be encouraged by that, but time is moving, the process appears to be slow, there does not seem to be a lot happening with it and so on. While there has been a meeting or two in the past month or so, I am not sure that is the speed that it should be moving or if it can be taken ahead further and so on and quicker to get us where we need to go.

My concern, the concern of the people of this Province and the concern of the people who are involved in fishing today is that we hear the government, we hear the minister, time after time after time in this past month in particular, as we waited for the crab fishery start, say that we are not looking at a short-term process, that we are looking at a long-term process. We realize that the fishery needs a long-term solution. We realize that there needs to be an overhaul of that industry. We realize that changes need to come, that changes will come and so on. We also have to realize that there is the short term and we have to realize that many of the members in our districts, many of our constituents today in rural Newfoundland are fisherpeople and they do not have an income as of right now, their EI has finished for this year. So, if they have to sit back and wait for a long-term solution, then they are going to end up on the social service line or they are going to end up leaving the Province or going somewhere else to work. There has to be something short term. The government has to be willing to look at this very vital industry, an industry that has kept us going for generations and can keep us going for generations to come. They have to be willing to come to the table and to financially support this industry in the short term. Get it over the hump, get it into that long-term solution, and then I believe we will have done a justice to the people of rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, my time is just about done, and I am sure that everyone will be anxious to give me leave, but I will not ask for that. I thank you for the opportunity to stand today and speak to this motion. I trust that things in our Province will look up, that government will put good programs forth and that our suggestions on this side of the House, at times, will be listened to.

Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER (Kelly): The Chair recognizes the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure today to rise in this hon. House to make a few comments with regard to this seventh Budget that this government has brought in. Before I do, Mr. Speaker, I would like to respond to some comments that were made by the hon. the Member for Port de Grave a few moments ago in connection with some issues of communities in my district.

I have great respect for the hon. Member for Port de Grave; he is a fine fellow. I am sorry to see that he is calling it off this year. I am sure that he will be missed in his district. He has done a good job out there, a great constituency man and I have heard nothing but positive things about him.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. F. COLLINS: I am also pleased, Mr. Speaker, that he is assisting me in my representation of my district. He is feeling some calls on my behalf and I appreciate that. I appreciate his feeling some calls with respect to the storage of tires in Dunville. He said he had a number of calls. I guess the people in that area must feel they get better results from calling him than calling me because I have had none whatsoever on any problems or concerns with the storage of tires in Dunville. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, the Attorney General, in his last report, was very pleased with the system and the method by which the tires were stored in that facility. The hon. Member for Port de Grave is the Chairman, I understand, of the Public Accounts Committee so he would be aware of that. In the meantime, I pass along my appreciation for helping me out in my district – a good man, we will miss him.

Mr. Speaker, I have been here for five of the seven Budgets and I have spoken on all five. It has always been a pleasurable experience because they have all been good news stories. I was not here for the first two, which were not good news stories, so the timing was great as far as I was concerned. The first two Budgets were less than pleasurable situations because of the situation we inherited from the previous government in 2003.

If we flashback, Mr. Speaker, to 2003 for a minute some of the terms that we associate with the financial situation of the Province at that time were words like close to bankruptcy, cutbacks, wage freezes, generally gloom and doom type terms dealing with the conditions of the day. We flash forward, Mr. Speaker, to 2010; we get responses such as self-reliance, optimism, pride, confidence, sound and responsible investments, growth, strength. What a difference, what a comparison, Mr. Speaker, to what the situations were just seven short years ago.

If you look at the past year, Mr. Speaker, we were involved in a worldwide recession, probably one of the deepest, most severe in decades. There are some economies, Mr. Speaker, still reeling from the recession of 2009. If you read in the papers and watch the news recently about the economies in Greece complete collapse of the economy, and possibly the same in Portugal and Spain. These are disastrous situations so there are still some world economies still not recovering from that great recession.

Canada, Mr. Speaker, had done quite well. Of the G7 countries, Canada has probably come out better or probably best of the G7 countries. Of the provinces in Canada, Mr. Speaker, we have fared better or probably best in all of the country.

Mr. Speaker, in the 2010 Budget reference, labour income had increased in this Province by 4.2 per cent, which was the second best in the country. Housing starts, second best. Capital investment, fourth. Only four provinces recorded positive growth, we were one of them. Consumer confidence remained high. Retail sales tax grew. Personal income grew. This was at a time, Mr. Speaker, when most of the world was reeling from a disastrous recession.

Mr. Speaker, 2009 was a troubled year. We had some problems. Our GDP declined, our employment fell, but generally we did very well. The tremendous stimulus program we put in place, $800 million obviously worked well, and subsequently Newfoundland and Labrador is in great shape going into 2010.

Now if you look ahead to 2010, Mr. Speaker, again, the Budget refers to some positive news. GDP is going to increase by 4 per cent. Employment is expected to grow by over 2 per cent. Personal income is up almost 4 per cent. Retail sales will grow 5 per cent. Capital investment is up 23 per cent in 2010. Housing starts are going to increase. So on and on it goes for great news. Increase in tourists visits to the Province to increase by 1.3 per cent. So we have a very positive outlook for 2010. As matter of fact, beyond 2010, Mr. Speaker, the future still looks very bright, very positive.

That is what this Budget, Mr. Speaker, is all about. That is what the last five Budgets have been all about and that is why it has been such a pleasure, Mr. Speaker, to speak to those Budgets, because they are all good news stories. Up to 2008-2009 we were able to bring in four consecutive surpluses, and even last year in 2009-2010, while we forecast the deficit to be almost $750 million, we were able to reduce that by 60 per cent. So the record of this government, Mr. Speaker, over the last five years has been nothing short of being phenomenal. As was pointed out by the minister when he presented his Budget, this is not a time to slow down. We will continue to move forward with responsible and prudent investments, and that is what this Budget does.

Now, Mr. Speaker, that is just a backdrop to what my comments intend to be. I want to look at my own department, the Department of Justice, where we are putting, this year, $6.5 million into new initiatives in the Department of Justice.

Mr. Speaker, adult probations, I will just list some of them. Adult probations have shown a real need over the years. The workload of some of our probation officers has shown to be on the high side, especially in Central Newfoundland and in Labrador. Mr. Speaker, this year we have hired two new adult probation officers, one for Happy Valley-Goose Bay and one for Grand Falls-Windsor. We have also engaged the services of a retired Judge, William Baker, who is doing a review of our probation system and we hope to have that report in three or four months.

As well, Mr. Speaker, one of the most important components of the justice system is Victim Services. Victim Services offers services to those who have been victimized by crime. Victim Services is a very important and integral part of the Department of Justice. We are proud this year to be able to hire a manager to assist in that department. We have also hired, this year, six new correctional officers for various locations around Province, but I will deal with corrections in a few minutes.

I would like to take a few minutes to speak about our deputy sheriffs in the Province. We have some exciting new initiatives with respect to our deputy sheriffs. By the way, we have increased the number of deputy sheriffs since 2003 by seventy-two positions. We now have established deputy sheriffs' offices all around the Province. We have more than doubled the budget for deputy sheriffs.

One of the things we are doing this, Mr. Speaker, we have invested almost $400,000 to hire three new deputy sheriffs. That is in connection with security issues that we have at Atlantic Place downtown, the Provincial Court. The Provincial Court is probably the biggest court, the busiest court in the Province, and it is situated in a less than ideal setting in Atlantic Place, downtown St. John's. Mr. Speaker, it came to our attention in the fall of 2009 that there were some serious concerns that our people had with security issues in that particular facility. These concerns were expressed by our Crown prosecutors, by lawyers, by our court systems, and by the public using that facility. It emanated from incidents that happened that created quite a bit of concern for safety.

Mr. Speaker, we reacted to that, to the security issues, to the concerns. We want our people working in conditions of safety, not to be concerned for the safety issues in the court. So what we did, Mr. Speaker, we hired three additional deputy sheriffs and we are installing - on the fifth floor of Atlantic Place and two entrances, the elevator entrance and the escalator entrance - two situations for perimeter screening, where all admissions to that court facility, when this is installed, will have to go through this perimeter screening. That will preclude any possibility of coming in with weapons or it will preclude the thoughts of somebody creating some harm to some of our people in that facility, and that is good to us, Mr. Speaker. It was a major initiative that we have initiated this year and it was met with very positive results and very positive comments from our court security people. We are looking forward to having that in place by early fall, Mr. Speaker, and I think that will be a very positive addition to security in that particular facility.

Mr. Speaker, this is a very important year for human rights in the Province. We are hosting the Human Rights Conference this year. We are also preparing a Human Rights Code, hopefully to bring to the House before this session ends; if it is ready, and hopefully it will be ready. We are working on it actively. We are attaining three contract positions in the Human Rights division so as to catch up with the backlog of cases that have accumulated there and to streamline that division and get it back on stream.

We have approved four new positions for the courts, support staff positions. Mr. Speaker, with regard to policing, we made an announcement in the House the other day of hiring or investing in three new RCMP officers for Labrador. Two for Labrador to add to the relief force to give some assistance to the community of Postville. We attended the meetings in Postville, Mr. Speaker, along with the hon. Minister of Labrador Affairs, and Aboriginal Affairs, and the Minister of Transportation. The arguments that these people used were compelling. They were compelling for the need for a fleet. They felt completely isolated and at risk because of the lack of any police presence. It was being policed from Makkovik to the best that they could but it was sporadic, and despite the best intentions and the best efforts by the RCMP, the needs were still very evident. So we responded, Mr. Speaker. By adding two new positions now to the Labrador relief team they can provide twenty days of police presence in Postville a month; most of these on weekends, which will be a great addition and very well received by the community of Postville.

Mr. Speaker, we are also providing an ICE, child exploitation officer for Gander, in addition to the one they already have. This position, located in a crime unit in Gander, will be filled this fall. There is already one child exploitation investigator there, now we will have it up to two. In recent days we have heard complaints from the officer there. There is a tremendous workload. Mr. Speaker, the complexity of these offences and the potential risk to unsuspecting and unprotected children demands that we have experts in place to deal with that. There exists a need for trained subject matter expert investigators and we have supplied an extra one this year to ensure the safety of our children. I might add that is also a Blue Book commitment of this government, Mr. Speaker, the establishment of a police unit dedicated to combating sexual exploitation of children. That is an additional RCMP officer that we have supplied.

Mr. Speaker, since 2004 we have put 141 extra police officers on the streets in this Province – 141 extra police officers. The budget is up from 2004, from $65 million to over $102 million for policing. That is not to mention, Mr. Speaker, the capital investment going into the RNC headquarters here in St. John's. We now have two very professional, elite police forces in this Province; we are very fortunate. We have two professional, elite police forces policing this Province, and I might at this time add my congratulations to the RCMP who, this year, are celebrating sixty years of presence in this Province.

On Monday, Mr. Speaker, along with the Premier and the hon. Minister of Finance and the Member for Corner Brook, we will be opening the new courthouse in Corner Brook, a state-of-the-art facility, the jewel of the crown as far as justice facilities go in this Province, and the West Coast will be very well served - opening on Monday, and we are looking forward to that.

Mr. Speaker, we are continuing our violence prevention court, which is a pilot court. It was up to the tune of half a million dollars this year. It allows clients to deal with issues outside the adversarial nature of the court system. We have made a lot of investments, Mr. Speaker, in the Department of Justice this year and we are very happy with the achievements we have made.

Now I want to spend a few minutes on corrections, for a number of reasons. Mr. Speaker, we are all familiar with the Decades of Darkness report that came down in December 2008. It made seventy-seven recommendations, seventy-four of which are currently in some degree of progress; some of them completed, and some of them in very different degrees of development. We have invested over $5 million, mostly in the area of training and programming.

Before I get into that, Mr. Speaker, I want to mention an issue that has been a rather hot topic the last few days, and that has to do with the pre-trial detention centre in Labrador. The Opposition, over the last couple of days, have had great fun with that. You have a lot of latitude when you sit in Opposition. You can practically say what you like. You can twist the facts all you like. It must be an advantage of some kind, I suppose. There is no responsibility, no accountability; the sky is the limit of what you can say. It must be a great position to be in. Given the status of the Opposition parties, I do not think I will live long enough to have that opportunity, to sit in Opposition, but there must be certain advantages to that.

Mr. Speaker, I want to say about the pre-trial detention centre in Labrador, there was never any intention of this government to hide anything about the pre-trial detention centre in Labrador. The commitment was made to build a pre-trial detention centre in Labrador two years ago. We have looked at a number of options to try to deal with that. We are still evaluating options to deal with that. As we speak we are doing that. Mr. Speaker, that is in conjunction with and in connection with our overall plan, internal review, that we are doing in the Department of Justice to look at all of our correction centres; because we have come to the conclusion now, Mr. Speaker, that we are not going to get a federal prison, so we have to go from that premise. We have to look at all of our systems to see how we can reorganize, rejuvenate, reconfigure, whatever.

All of that is going to be considered, and very prominent in that consideration, Mr. Speaker, is the pre-trial detention needs of Labrador. Contrary to what the Opposition is saying, and the Third Party, in the press, we have not forgotten the interests of Labrador. We will do major consultation with the people in Labrador during the year to discuss how that option can best be met. We continue to be committed to that, we are still committed to that, and we will do that.

Mr. Speaker, it made no sense to spend a lot of money this year on a project that we are still evaluating and trying to decide how best to deal with it, how best to cope with it. We know that the need is there, but how best to cope with that need and how to respond to that is what we are analyzing. That is a step forward, Mr. Speaker, not a step back. It is not retrogressive. It is a step forward because we have to do the proper planning, we have to make the proper consultations, and we have to do something that is going to benefit us for the next twenty-five years.

Mr. Speaker, we are very comfortable with where we are with respect to the Decades of Darkness, and the training, the programming and the servicing that we are doing in our correctional institutions, but the next piece now is the facilities. We have a lot of work to do with our facilities. We have a lot of internal review to do: where we are going with them, how best to move forward, what expansions we need, what modifications we need, whether or not we have to reconfigure or change uses of institutions. We have a lot of thought to put into that and we will be doing that this year. Very prominent in that, Mr. Speaker, will be the needs of Labrador, not only the pre-trial detention centre but the needs of the Labrador correctional institution, which is one of the most over-capacitated facilities that we have.

Mr. Speaker, in the few minutes that I have left, I want to mention that in corrections we have spent over $5 million, mostly in programming and training; but, Mr. Speaker, we also have great new leadership in our correction system, becoming a very professional group of people. We are working with community agencies - Stella Burry Community Services, John Howard Society, Turnings, and the Mental Health Association - providing improved and increased programming in our institutions.

Each institution now has psychological services in addition to psychiatric services. We have hired a psychologist and an addictions co-ordinator for Her Majesty's Pen. The Canadian Mental Health Association has an in-reach program where they are working with people in the institution with mental health problems, and following them outside of the institution when they are released to get them assimilated into the community - a great project with great results.

Our health services have been improved. I mentioned the training. We have hired (inaudible) new correctional staff, fifty-two new on-call positions this year to help cut down on overtime and casual. Twenty-six have been hired here in St. John's, seven in Clarenville, nine in Labrador, two in Bishop's Falls, three in Corner Brook and five at the West Coast Correctional Centre. We have sixteen new female correctional officers hired as a result of all of that. Mr. Speaker, this year we are hiring six new, the budget to hire six new officers.

Mr. Speaker, I know my time is up. Could I have a couple of minutes to clue up?

MR. SPEAKER: Does the hon. member have leave to clue up?

AN HON. MEMBER: By leave.

MR. SPEAKER: To clue up.

MR. F. COLLINS: We have added 1,600 square feet of space to Her Majesty's Penitentiary to help in programming, especially addictions programming. With regard to Labrador and women, Mr. Speaker, at the Correctional Centre for Women in Clarenville, the Stella Burry Community Service is now providing weekly visits to that facility. We can now have a full-time classification officer present there. We have hired an Aboriginal prison liaison officer to provide service to Aboriginal inmates. We provide a nurse practitioner and a psychologist who is contracted to provide counselling in that facility in Clarenville.

In the Labrador Correctional Centre, we have added new psychological services each week. We have added a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder co-ordinator, and we had a very successful conference in February in Happy Valley where seventy participants were present.

The land-based program has been reinstated in the institution in Labrador. This program is extremely critical for Aboriginal inmates, as it teaches them a variety of skills in a culturally sensitive manner, Mr. Speaker, and further enhances the connection of the prison to Aboriginal life.

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of things. I could go on for another twenty minutes and list the great things we have done in corrections as a result of the Decades of Darkness report which one of my predecessors, the current Minister of Health, instigated. We are very proud of the great strides we have made in corrections. As I said, the second piece is the facilities and we have to work on that.

Mr. Speaker, I want to make some comments about my district. One of the things that they tell you when you become a minister, what happens when you become a minister, there is so much pressure on you, so much job responsibilities on you as a minister that it detracts from the attention you can give to your district. I suppose that is evident here today, Mr. Speaker. My comments today are down to what is happening in my department as opposed to what is happening in my district. Trying to find that happy balance, Mr. Speaker, of doing your job as a minister and doing your job as a constituency representative is that tender balance we try to find.

I am very pleased with what has happened in my district in last couple of years, and the investment that this Province made in 2009. More money went into the District of Placentia & St. Mary's in 2009, Mr. Speaker, than has gone into it for the last forty years. So I am very happy with what is happening in my district. I wish I had more time to go into the details, but there will be other occasions, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much for your time.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for Exploits.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity today to speak on the Budget.

Mr. Speaker, Budget time gives all the members - especially the backbenchers - an opportunity to go through the Estimate processes and gain some insight upon how the departments actually work, their revenues, their expenditures and so on. I would like to get into that, hopefully, if I have the time later on, Mr. Speaker.

In the House the past couple of days there has been a lot of, I think, accusations and fear mongering by the Opposition, and especially by the Leader of the Opposition. As a matter of fact, I happened to listen to a radio talk show this morning and it was - I happened to be driving downtown to a meeting. Anyway, she got on and she talked about basically what has happened in Central Newfoundland with AbitibiBowater and the expropriation of the assets, especially the old mill in there in Grand Falls-Windsor and she talked about the liability. She talked about heads rolling. She talked about NAFTA. It seemed like the gist of what she was trying to get through, although she said it was a big mistake and a big booboo, was that she is actually looking for heads to roll. That seemed to be what she was insinuating on an Open Line show today, Mr. Speaker, on a radio talk show.

Well, just let me tell you this, that the Opposition members, especially the Leader of the Opposition, for the information of the general public, they were briefed on the expropriation. They talked about NAFTA. They knew that there was going to be an issue with NAFTA, Mr. Speaker. She also said this morning that there is going to be millions of dollars, probably even a billion, and she said she did not understand that. Still for all, she was briefed on it in the initial stages, Mr. Speaker.

Then, she also said that government is not doing enough, Mr. Speaker, for the people out in Central Newfoundland. I beg to differ because when AbitibiBowater started getting into the issues and the problems that they were having because they were not investing in their facility – as a matter of fact, I took a tour of that place a while ago with the Minister of Transportation and my colleague from Grand Falls-Windsor-Green Bay South, and it is easy to see that they spent no money on that facility. They spent money on patch up work, Mr. Speaker, to keep the machinery going, to keep Number 3 and Number 7 machines going because that is what they were looking for, they were looking for the profit and they did not care about the equipment.

Mr. Speaker, leading up to that, back in 2008 the Premier put together a team of ministers to deal with what was to become of that mill. Let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, that I recall being at a meeting in September of 2008 at the Lion Max Simms Camp when these union members and leaders from the Paperworkers came in and met with us and met with the Premier. That was not the first meeting but it was one of many. It was in September, and they knew that the life of that mill was about to come to an end. If the people were there and could see the look on the faces of these workers and these union leaders, it was really, really sad.

Mr. Speaker, here is the comment that the union leaders made to us and to the Premier, even though the Leader of the Opposition is saying we did not do enough. The comment was: The proposal from AbitibiBowater will not work; it is designed to fail. They knew that right from day one when they started turning the corner of closure. They knew that, Mr. Speaker, that it was destined, designed to fail. Why was that, Mr. Speaker? The reason for it was that they had to take a vote to cut back on employees and take a vote on shutting down one machine or shutting down the complete facility.

Well, guess what? The majority of people in the first proposal were going to lose their jobs, so it was designed to fail. What did the union employees and leaders, what did they do? They had the seniority. What about the ones that had the seniority that was not going to lose their jobs? They supported – they said if one goes, we all go. They asked us for our support and saying: Listen, this is our decision. It was the union's decision. It was the union leaders and their membership, Mr. Speaker. They said: We are going down. If we are going down, we are going down as one. You could see the look on some of these union leaders, some of the workers and the membership. That is why I said it was sad, really sad, but it was their decision. They asked us for our support, which they got. They got a lot of support, Mr. Speaker, but there were some things that we could not do anything about, and that was where AbitibiBowater was going. Mr. Speaker, that is not uncommon in the forest industry.

I grew up in the fishery but also in the forestry. Back in 1971, a long time ago, my father passed away suddenly at the early age of forty-five. What was he doing? He was working for, then it could have been Price or Abitibi, they changed their name that many times over the years it is a job to keep up with what name they were called at the time, Mr. Speaker.

The issues did not start there; it also went back, Mr. Speaker, in the days of the IWA strikes. I can remember them. I can remember what happened when another government wanted to fight the union, but not us, not this government. We wanted to work with the union people and the membership. We wanted to do what was fair, what was right, what they wanted to do, and that is what we did, Mr. Speaker, as a government. Under the leadership of our Premier and Natural Resources Minister, and many other ministers who were taking part in that task force that worked with the people of Central Newfoundland, Mr. Speaker, our government and our members put a lot of time and effort into supporting the membership and the workers of Central Newfoundland.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: It seems like the Leader of the Opposition would like for us to say: okay, we have heads moving. We are going to have heads rolling, because that is what they want. They want heads to roll. Let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, the best thing probably that could have ever happened was for this government to make the mistake that they admitted that they had made.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: Because now at least the facility is in the ownership of this government, Mr. Speaker. We are not going to be caught like they did back years ago when we did not have the legislation in place and what happened to the properties in Newfoundland when the old CNR closed up back twenty years ago, Mr. Speaker, twenty-two years ago, and the state and environmental issues they left and is still in this Province today to be cleaned up. The same state that this government is cleaning up today in Buchans because we are doing the right thing.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: We are cleaning up the environment. We did not cause it, but we are not going to leave Grand Falls-Windsor or Central Newfoundland in that kind of a state. The people of the region are saying: Hey, it is a great mistake, because guess what? It does not matter. The place had to be cleaned up. Imagine if it was left with AbitibiBowater and it got caught up in the bankruptcy. We may never have known what would happen to it. We might be able to dismantle it probably, sell parts, sell stuff off, make a few dollars, and fix up the environment. There might be a use come in for it. It may be upgraded. There may be something else come in, but if it is in the title of AbitibiBowater and it is tied up in bankruptcy for years and years and we have an environmental issue out there we cannot do anything about. The people of this Province are better off today because of that mistake, Mr. Speaker.

Anyway, I would just like to get that point across of what the Opposition is trying to do here, and especially the Leader of the Opposition. It is basically fear mongering and they would like to see heads roll. They do not understand.

Before I get off that topic, Mr. Speaker, the Member for The Straits & White Bay -

AN HON. MEMBER: White Bay North.

MR. FORSEY: White Bay North, thank you. He gets up and says: Oh, well, where are the government members from? They cannot be from rural Newfoundland. I have to say, he does not know much about the membership in this House of Assembly if he does not know where we are from. Listen, myself, I came from a small fishing community of 500 people. Now I do not know, maybe in his eyes it is probably one of the biggest towns that maybe he ever lived in, I do not know, but to me, a community of 500 people on the Northeast Coast of Newfoundland in a small fishing village is rural Newfoundland; as rural as you can get. Once you leave that, you are going to England; that is it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: Anyway, Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of good news in this Budget. That is another thing, the Opposition, all they do is moan and groan and crow and squawk and cluck. I do not know what else they do. I cannot believe it! If they can find something negative – listen, the Minister of Natural Resources got up here the other day. We do not make mistakes on purpose and we are not perfect. How is that? I wanted to let the Opposition members know we are not perfect, but in the -

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: You told us for years you were.

MR. FORSEY: Well, maybe I am because my mother always told me that. I would like to respond, Mr. Speaker, or you can pass the message on to the Member for –

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Burgeo & La Poile.

MR. FORSEY: Burgeo & La Poile, thank you very much.

Anyway, we would certainly like to talk about good news, Mr. Speaker, good news in this Budget. By the way, being in the government and sitting down on the Estimates Committees and being able to review a lot of the different department's revenues and expenditures, Mr. Speaker, it is really knowledgeable and enlightening because you actually see - sometimes you miss a few things, because we see releases coming out from different ministers. We look at releases and investments in our districts and we are really pleased with it, but there are so many other things in that big Budget that we could never be able to obtain it all that is there, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank the ministers and their departments and their staff, Mr. Speaker, for making themselves available and able to respond to any questions that may arise during the Estimates procedure.

Now last week, Mr. Speaker, talking about investments by this government over the past few years, one of the good initiatives that we had taken was the investment in the Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector. Last week was Volunteer Week, and I had the opportunity to attend two different functions in my district, Mr. Speaker, in the District of Exploits, one in Bishop's Falls and one in Botwood. It is amazing how many numbers of volunteers that are in your communities.

I had the pleasure of having the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector to one of these functions, Mr. Speaker. It was just enlightening to him and really uplifting to him to see the amount of volunteers that are in these communities because, as the theme says, volunteers connect communities. You could see that, and the work that they put into their communities is what makes your communities sustainable. These volunteers now are finally being promoted and being recognized by this government, and that is why we are putting more funding into that department so the minister can get out there and recognize these volunteers that we have in the Province, all 197,000 of them, Mr. Speaker. I do not know if those stats are right because I think there probably could be more than that, actually.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity now to talk about some government investments, especially that is in the Budget. Mr. Speaker, getting back to the rural Newfoundland thing, 80 per cent of previous Budgets have gone out over - well, what we commonly refer to as the overpass, Mr. Speaker – 80 per cent of these Budgets have gone out to rural Newfoundland areas, rural Newfoundland and Labrador districts.

Mr. Speaker, there is more investment in Labrador with the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador and Northern Labrador right now than ever there was in previous governments, especially the immediate past government. This government has said that they need investments down there and they are getting it. Make no mistake about it, Mr. Speaker, make no mistake about it, that our government's performance is due largely to the leadership and the negotiating skills of our Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: Make no mistake about it.

That is why we have - as you will read and you will see - wise fiscal management. We have the revenue because we have a leader, Mr. Speaker, that has been able to negotiate with the people, with the conglomerates if I can call them that, that we can actually finally see some rewards for our resources that we duly deserve, Mr. Speaker.

Now, I want to talk about a couple of good news stories, Mr. Speaker, and also some district issues - I know my time is getting short. This year, we will witness a record investment of $2.7 billion in health and community services, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: Mr. Speaker, I just want to touch on where some of that investment is going because we noticed there was a need for it. There is now money going into the Foster Families Association to support capacity building within the organization. That is a very important investment because it was only last year that I rose in this House and I told you about a young woman who was sixteen years old and when she was six - from the time that was from age six to ten she had been in that many foster family homes she did not know which ones were good and which ones were bad. She was sixteen last summer, Mr. Speaker, when I made that member's statement in this House - she was sixteen. When she was age ten she had gone to a family because the family was asked could they keep her for one night. Well last year, six years later, she was still there, very much a part of that foster family. Well, I am happy to report this year, Mr. Speaker, that young lady is finishing Grade 12. She is going to post-secondary. I spoke to her myself because last year she contributed a story to the foster families' magazine in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and she won an award for it actually because of her contribution and her story. It is just amazing. Not only is she going to post-secondary, Mr. Speaker, she was also declared Miss Bishop's Falls this year as well in our community. Now if that is not an accomplishment for foster families and us as a government caring about our investments, then I think we will continue going down that wrong road, because that is the kind of one that I want to go down, Mr. Speaker.

I notice my time has expired.

MR. SPEAKER (T. Osborne): Order, please!

The hon. member's time is expired.

MR. SPEAKER: Does the hon. member have leave?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Leave.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Exploits, by leave.

MR. FORSEY: Actually, I should not have mentioned that my time was expired. Perhaps I could have got another couple of minutes without leave.

I want to talk about the investments in education, just very quickly, very quickly. I remember I think it was about four years ago, we were less than $1 billion in investment in education. This year, we will have a record $1.3 billion in education -

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: - which brings me to one quick story about education and investment, Mr. Speaker. When this government introduced the skill trades program into the high schools, it was a major, major step. I remember back in 2003, during the campaign, I think the Liberal Party at the time said they were going to eliminate school fees. I think that was their platform. They were going to eliminate school fees.

MS BURKE: Just after the school opened for the year.

MR. FORSEY: Just after the school opened for the year. Yes, thank you, I am glad the House Leader reminded me of that. However, that is what they were going to do. We have seen some major investments in education, and this is just one of them. Of course, we had a member heading up the skilled task force as well. When we came out with it in the beginning we had, I believe it was twenty-six pilot projects. Well, Botwood, in the District of Exploits, in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, just for the Opposition's information - because I am really glad that we put K-12 skilled trades in the urban area of Botwood. I am sure that was a big move on us.

In the meantime, I remember talking to a teacher, I remember talking to Mr. Antle, a teacher down there, that said he had a student, and he really did not know if he was going to finish high school. He put him in the carpentry shop that year, and he said he was at home. Well, Mr. Speaker, this year, Botwood Collegiate competed in the skilled competitions at the College of the North Atlantic and they won gold. Botwood won gold!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: Now they are off to Upper Canada to represent Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker. I think we are making the right investments, and I think that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador want us to stay a little bit longer to keep making those investments.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Following from the previous speaker, I guess I will pale in comparison because, again, those wonderful words about investment, about moving forward, about responding to educational needs; this, Mr. Speaker, is what this government is all about.

I am very, very proud to be on my feet today, as a matter of fact reflecting - I think this would be perhaps around my twelfth Budget - getting up today and looking around saying to myself that boy, I have seen some tremendous, tremendous changes in the twelve Budgets that I have been a part of.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: I look over, of course, at the Member for The Straits & White Bay North and the Member for Topsail, and going through the first Budget process, I certainly want to make a welcome to our Member for Topsail, a great addition to our government, our party and looking forward -

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: I hope that he is getting up one of these days and talking about the twelve Budgets that he has gone through because, again, that is what this government is all about, is attracting people like that who can come forward and bring forth the needs of the constituents in this Province.

When we talk about needs that is what a Budget is about. It is about projecting for this particular fiscal year what the needs of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are, setting priorities, putting the money in place. As we have heard some previous speakers - on the government side, I might add, because it seems on the Opposition side it is not about the positive investments that we have made, it is about negativity and about trying to put this Budget as the worst possible Budget that they have ever seen. Let me tell you, five of those Budgets that I talk about came from that previous Administration, and I can tell you right now, they pale in comparison to the tremendous strides that we have made as a government in bringing forth the needs of the people and fulfilling those.

To get on with it, Mr. Speaker, it is important that we realize that as a government - and I have heard the Leader of the Opposition get up and talk about the Budget and say we do not have a strategy, or all she hears is strategies, no action: The White Paper on education; strategy, no action. The Poverty Reduction Strategy, all strategy and no poverty reduction. Mr. Speaker, that is as far from the truth as you possibly can get because just on those, and many strategies - of course, as the Minister Responsible for Transportation and Works and the Housing Corporation, I can tell you that without a strategy that is well thought out, without a strategy that clearly identifies the direction that government should be taking, money can be thrown around rather loosely.

Let's just take the infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, I was on my feet today in Question Period talking about one aspect of infrastructure, that being the ferry system, and indicated to the House and the hon. members, and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, that right through the 1990s there was one boat that was built in Marystown. Well two really, The Flanders and the Beaumont Hamel. That was under the strategy of the Peckford Administration. Then in 1991, when she launched, that strategy of replacing the ferry system over time was lost. Through the 1990s an attempt was made by bringing in boats from outside and trying to refit them to fit the needs here. Certainly it has brought us to, as I pointed out today, the legacy that we are dealing with.

On that particular one, Mr. Speaker, we talk about the ferry system and this Budget. In the previous Budgets - right now, Mr. Speaker, we have two new ferries, because we are picking up where that former Administration left off back in 1991-1992. We have two ferries under construction right now as we speak in Marystown, built here in Newfoundland and Labrador by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and we are fully expecting that these will be completed by late fall, early winter, and we have a third in the wings. We have the propulsion system already put aside, and depending on how we move forward on these we will roll into that third ferry.

As well, we have - and the hon. member on the other side brought up Fogo today, and of course some of the challenges that we are having with providing ferry service there, but we currently have the replacement ferry for that under design and hopefully, will be able to get that moving, all rolling around the $55 million that we have put aside in this particular year.

As well, there are five ferries on the South Coast and one in Labrador. These are the six smaller ferries that we have, and again, insisting and doing everything we can to make sure that not only are we providing these new ferries as a service to the people on the islands around our coastline, but we are building them here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Again, I say, Mr. Speaker, that is resulting from strategy. We have a strategy in place, we are moving forward with it, and in the coming years we will have replaced, hopefully in a short period of time, the ferry fleet which is certainly in need of.

It is not only about ferries, Mr. Speaker. I also draw attention to, of course, our roads. In this particular year alone, we are talking about something to the tune of $235 million that we have allocated throughout Newfoundland and Labrador for road construction.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Again, I say to you, Mr. Speaker, that this is not, I guess - this goes more than strategy because, again, we have identified throughout the Province where we should be with regard to our road system. I am very, very pleased to say that we are continuing on and holding to that strategy as we move forward in making sure that we are putting the infrastructure in place that is necessary, not only to allow people to travel around but it is also about economics, Mr. Speaker, and trying to make sure that we have an adequate system so that we can transport our goods around the Province and import them from outside the Province and make sure that they get here in a timely fashion.

As well, that is with regard to - and with regard to that, Mr. Speaker, we are referring to, of course, something to the tune of $63 million for our provincial roads. We are looking at something like, for our Trans-Canada and other national highways, we are talking something like $45 million, and also included in that is our CBS Bypass; the Team Gushue Highway. We have something like $15 million for the Team Gushue; $7.5 million for Torbay Bypass; and we have $3 million set aside for the lift bridge out in Placentia; and of course, one interesting one, I think you will find interesting, and that is – we all heard about the overpass syndrome. Well, I am very pleased to announce that we will be taking down that overpass, which is good news, and replacing it with a more modern four-lane overpass. So there will be a period of time when really that phrase of "beyond the overpass" may not be applicable.

Using that analogy, Mr. Speaker, I also mention that when we talk about infrastructure, I just mentioned things like the Team Gushue Highway, but 80 per cent of the infrastructure money that we spend in this Province is spent outside of the St. John's area. So that is significant because, again, we recognize the tremendous needs that are out there and despite the fact that we are putting a lot of money into our infrastructure, there is a great catch up that we have to do. We are getting there. Certainly, I would ask the people in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador - because oftentimes we hear of protest, that this road was not done or that road was not done and so on, we expected to have it done, but it is not easy, Mr. Speaker, because, again, despite the millions of dollars – and we are on right now infrastructure up to the tune of $5 billion. You would think that when I talk about those numbers, that every need in Newfoundland and Labrador could be accommodated, but it cannot be done overnight.

When we look at, for the most part, the years of neglect that led into where we are right now, that took years to get to where we are and it is going to take years to get us to where we need to be. So I say to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, that we do have the priorities set, that we are knocking them off year after year, and even this particular year, Mr. Speaker, we could have, I suppose – when I look over at the Opposition and hear them talking about: well, why are you running a deficit? Why would you run a deficit? Listen, Mr. Speaker, we do it because we are responsible to make sure that we are continuing on in where we are going and that we cannot afford to lose even a year. Our strategy is moving us in a direction for the good of all of Newfoundland and Labrador. The decision, I believe, was a right decision; I know it was the right decision. It allows us to continue on in making sure that we are addressing the needs of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, in continuing on, again, we are not forgetting about maintenance. That was one of the big concerns that we have had and one of the pitfalls that many governments have fallen into, that they forge ahead with new roads and new buildings and so on, but they cannot do that without making sure that they keep maintaining them to a particular level.

Right now, Mr. Speaker, in my department alone, my ministry is responsible for something like 850 buildings, including the building that we are in right now. I can tell you that when we look at the seat of government and realize how this building has been neglected - and it has been neglected. We attempted to demonstrate the need by taking a section of the building, we have installed new windows, did repairs to the brick. I am glad to report that the building seems to be structurally sound. The windows that went in with some repairs and cleaning of – and the bricks seem to be in pretty decent shape. The windows really needed to be done.

To continue on with that, we will be investing the millions of dollars that is required to get all of the Confederation Building done because again, as a seat of government, we need to make sure that it is in the best possible shape. In the absence of maintenance through the years, it has gotten us to where we are right now.

I am reminded as well that it is not only this, that is the seat of government and so important, but also our schools. The school maintenance – and I know, I was a former principal, and the dollars that we got to maintain our schools in the years gone by have been embarrassing to say the very least. When we took government, just trying to get all the roofs done was a challenge, and running up against incidents of mould, but the thing that I like is that as we go forward we are making sure, and we have in this Budget, made sure that we are maintaining the maintenance dollars that are required to try to keep our buildings in a decent shape. What we are building, we hope, will be maintained properly over the years and will not take future governments to a place that we happen to be in right now as we are struggling to try to stay ahead, to try to get new construction out the door, but also maintain what we already have.

So, Mr. Speaker, from the aspect of Transportation and Works, we are – and I only talked about roads, a little bit about ferries, and our Works branch, but again, we have a direction given to us by well thought-out strategies, and these strategies are going to continue to inform us about how we can get to where we need to be.

As well, Mr. Speaker, I am responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and I am again very delighted to report that we, again, have made strategic investments this year to continue the good work that is going on with regard to the Housing Corporation.

Just to talk a little bit about the Housing Corporation, because all of us, as MHAs, have certainly dealt with the Housing Corporation, because when you look at the Housing Corporation, the mandate, or the ‘persondate' I should say, that we have is to basically make sure that people with incomes below $32,500 do, when they apply, get the assistance that we hope we can give them to allow them to live comfortably with housing, with a roof over their head, and basically making sure that – and what we are running, Mr. Speaker, something like 5,500 units, we are providing, in places where we do not have units, we are providing subsidies to something like 1,400 people. In moving forward, we are also working very, very closely with our federal government in getting the funding to again assist our non-profit organizations, and our private contractors or builders to try and make sure that we are providing as many of these units as we possibly can.

As a side note, Mr. Speaker, we are also redeveloping some of our properties, because again, the maintenance on these was abandoned, really, for the last thirty, forty, fifty years. A lot of these were fifty now or sixty years of age and in sad need of repair. We are taking them, unit by unit, going in, redeveloping them, and in many cases, looking to redevelop the four bedroom or the three bedroom into perhaps two one or two bedroom ones. That has been very, very successful, so we are increasing the number of units, and as well, making sure - because the need right now is not for three or four bedroom homes or units; it is more for the smaller family.

Mr. Speaker, with regard to housing again, very pleased in this Budget, pleased in the sense that we are moving forward. When we look at the dollars that we are putting in, again, I agree that there is never enough but we have to - and we do have a strategy, a strategy that we are following that we did a lot of consultation on and we are moving forward. We are talking about modernization as I pointed out, twenty-three social housing units, and our contribution, $17 million, $10 million from the federal, so we are talking about $28.2 million just to move through that particular part of it.

Our maintenance budget - and I already mentioned how important the maintenance budget is. We are looking at increasing that for this year and onward to the tune of an extra $1.4 million. Also, with regard to heating allowances because not only do we do rent subsidies, Mr. Speaker, but we also do heat subsidies, and this is of tremendous help to those individuals who find themselves working but not having the revenue, I suppose, to cover off on that. As well, Mr. Speaker, we are talking about this year something to the tune of close to $50 million going into housing, again to provide the necessary units that we need to do.

In getting down - I cannot stand on my feet without making some reference to my district, the District of Harbour Main. This is my third term representing that particular district, and again, very, very proud to do so. Again, after twelve years of servicing that district, I have seen over the last five years, six years tremendous changes in the ability of government to work with the people in my district, the municipalities, groups and that sort of thing, and to really move forward. I would be remiss, Mr. Speaker, if I got on my feet and did not mention, of course, the Cupids celebration which is taking place in this particular year.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I remind the hon. member that his speaking time has expired.

MR. HEDDERSON: Leave just to talk a little bit -

MR. SPEAKER: Does the hon. member have leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: Yes.

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

MR. HEDDERSON: Just to get back, this is the 400 anniversary of the establishment of the Cupids Colony by John Guy. Again, Mr. Speaker, just to report that everything is in readiness for the summer season, as it is ready now, because a lot of the events are unfolding even as I speak. Again, Mr. Speaker, this government was very instrumental in making sure that the dollars were there for this celebration of which the people of Cupids, and indeed the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, are very, very proud.

I just want to report that the interpretation centre, which is the legacy piece of this particular celebration, last Saturday I had the pleasure of being given a tour of that facility. I am told that none of the exhibits are in there yet but most of the major construction is done. It is going to be ready for their planned opening in early June. I am certainly encouraging, not only the people who are here in the House, but the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to make every effort this year to celebrate with Cupids, to celebrate with us as a Province, this tremendous, tremendous milestone, the 400 anniversary of John Guy establishing that particular community.

As well, Mr. Speaker, again I could go on and on about the wonderful improvements that I have seen and the appreciation. In closing off, Mr. Speaker, it is all about strategy but it is also all about leadership. I cannot say enough about the leadership that is being provided by our Premier. Over the years he has certainly proven himself time and time again that he has the interest of this Province at heart, and that he is not deterred by the Facebook things that appear every now and then, because he knows as we know that this government is on the right track, that this government is doing the right things, and then when we do make mistakes we are not deterred by that because we understand that mistakes do happen. We own up to them, Mr. Speaker, we do what we have to do to move forward. Again, I say to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that we still have a lot to do. We are determined to move forward. We will move forward.

I will leave it at that, Mr. Speaker, and say that I am looking forward to this Budget doing its job throughout this year in bringing about great improvement to the lives of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

It is such a privilege to get up after such a veteran politician and listen to the words of a twelve-year veteran, and I only a rookie here in the House (inaudible).

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: This is my second Budget, Mr. Speaker.

First of all, I would like to welcome the Member for Topsail. I had the opportunity to give him a little hand – not like he needed it or anything – at his campaign and knocked on a few doors in the Topsail area. As my colleague here by the side of me from Baie Verte-Springdale, did a fantastic speech here in the House about caring. What I say is, the difference between Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is that we are all caring people.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: As I knocked on the doors in the District of Topsail, the number one thing that people were concerned about at the time was our Premier, because of his health. Just to show you how concerned they were; they just wanted him to get back and make sure that he did his job. That was the concern of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians all over this place was the concern for each other, and that is what makes us a different people than anywhere.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, the other thing when I went and knocked on a few doors up there was the appreciation of the member for the job that he did with the CBS council, the job him and his wife did as volunteers in the area, and myself and this member have very similar areas. Topsail is very similar to Cape St. Francis. We are on the outskirts of St. John's; we are very fast growing places. Paradise is the fastest growing town in this Province and Torbay is the second fastest growing town in this Province. So, Mr. Speaker, we have a lot of similarities. I look forward to working with my colleague and I wish him all the best.

Like I said, Mr. Speaker, it is such a privilege to stand here today to represent the District of Cape St. Francis. I think I am very fortunate when I talk to my colleague on the side of me, my colleague from Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune, where she has to go from island to island or she has such far distances to travel in her district. In my district, it is twenty-five kilometres long. I have a district that I can attend; in the daytime, I am so close to St. John's I can attend different events. I can go to concerts; I can attend to everything that is there that the people want me to. So I feel very privileged to be in the district I am.

Mr. Speaker, I feel very privileged in talking to the people because the people in my district are very happy with our government. They are very happy with what government is doing. They are very happy with the investments government is making in our area.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, I am going to speak a little later about two major investments in my area. One, the Torbay Bypass road. The other one, when I get into it a little bit, I want to talk on education, about Holy Trinity, a new school built in Torbay.

First of all, Mr. Speaker, this session started with a Speech from the Throne, and I guess just reading the Speech from the Throne you get a great idea of where government is going. I have not been here since 2003 but you read and you understand the way money is getting spent in government and you see what investments government has made since this government took over. I look at some of the stuff that His Honour – we all love the unique way that he delivers his speech, it is different than anywhere else. I really enjoyed listening to him when he was in politics himself. In the Parliament of Canada he made us all proud, but it was his unique way of doing things. It really made us feel good about our Throne Speech.

He talked about things like what this government has done since 2003, like streamlining programs, cutting red tape, cutting income tax, increased benefits for seniors, increased benefits for families, tax reductions to everyone in the Province, infrastructure spending, highways, wharves, bridges, ferries, schools, hospitals, you name it – long-term care facilities, housing. We have increased the minimum wage. Now in July of this year we are going to move it to $10.

Mr. Speaker, we realize that the oil and gas industry is bringing a lot of money to this part of the Province and I realize that I am very fortunate, like I said earlier, to be from Cape St. Francis, but 80 per cent of the spending that this government is doing is in rural Newfoundland and I am very happy to be…

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, when you looked at the Throne Speech it was easy to see where this government was going; it was easy to see what our focus was going to be. As it started, Caring For Our Children, it said. The first line said: There is nothing more precious than a child. I think every member of this House would agree that there is nothing more precious than our children; there is nothing more precious than our youth. That is what this government is doing, Mr. Speaker. We are investing money in our children and we are investing money in our youth. Just the creation of the new Department of Child, Youth and Family Services shows how dedicated this government is to the people in society who need us the most; the people who are vulnerable and people who need our help. This is why this government set up this new department, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I listened to the Leader of the NDP as she responded to an amendment last week. As a member of the Opposition, I realize that they have a job to do; they have to be critics of the government. They have a job to do and they do their job. Really, sometimes I kind of shake my head and cannot understand where they are coming from.

As she spoke, she said this Budget has money for new schools construction, replacement; for construction of new hospitals and replacements; for maintenance at MUN; for maintenance and construction of a new highway system and a lot of different infrastructure spending. Then, she says, guess what? These are not investments in our youth and not investments in our children. Mr. Speaker, if we are investing in our education and we are investing in hospitals, and we are investing in post-secondary education, I cannot understand where she could come from and say that these investments are not investments in our children and investments in our youth.

Mr. Speaker, she also talked about no plan. Now, again, I was not here since 2003, but I know that the deficit was nearing $13 billion at the time. Right now, it is at $8 billion. Mr. Speaker, there had to be some kind of plan put in place to reduce the deficit by that much.

Mr. Speaker, as you look - and I know the Leader of the Opposition, she spoke the other day, and she put up too when we talked about school construction. Right now, there are fourteen schools in this Province under construction or planned to be under construction. Mr. Speaker, there has to be some plan in place in order to put fourteen schools out. Our population is growing, people are coming home, people are looking at the investments that this government is making and they want to live here and they want to stay here.

Mr. Speaker, disposable income is growing; people have more money in their pockets today. Our retail sales are up by 5 per cent. Housing starts this year, after the big turmoil we had in the –

AN HON. MEMBER: It is solid.

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: It is solid. That is right; it is solid. We are increasing by 1.5 per cent.

To the people that need it the most, Mr. Speaker, tax reductions to the low income people. This year, we are investing $48.5 million and a total, since 2007, of $1.2 billion in tax reductions. Mr. Speaker, there is a plan in place.

Mr. Speaker, we are benefiting our seniors with different programs we are doing that are going out. Seniors' Benefit this year is going from $803 to $900. Small business is the key to any province. It is the key to rural Newfoundland. It is the key to urban Newfoundland. We are reducing their tax rate from 5 per cent to 4 per cent.

Mr. Speaker, we all know there is one thing that we all look at and everything - there is nothing more important than your health. My mother says if you can get up in the morning in the day and put your two feet on the floor, it is going to be a large day. I mean, your health is so important to everybody. Mr. Speaker, this year we are spending $2.7 billion. That is a 10 per cent increase from last year.

Mr. Speaker, we are spending it everywhere. We are investing in infrastructure spending of $208 million. We are doing construction and redevelopment of $125 million, repairs -$31 million. Medical equipment – if you look at some of the news releases of different medical equipment that is going out, we are looking at an MRI for St. Clare's, and I think we are also looking at an MRI in the Gander area. We are looking at CT scanners, laboratory equipment. We are looking at new ultrasound equipment for all over this Province. We are looking at investments everywhere. Mr. Speaker, this government is making investments and has a plan for the health care of the people of this Province. We are spending money, but we are spending it wisely.

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member also said that - well she basically said there are benefits only for the wealthy, rather than the low income. Mr. Speaker, when we increase the minimum wage, we are increasing it for the low income. We are bringing them up. That is not the wealthy that gets that increase. Mr. Speaker, the threshold this year for the Prescription Drug Program is going to add an additional 12,000 people on this program.

Mr. Speaker, there are all kinds of different monies that we are spending. We are spending $6.8 million on affordable housing. We are adding an additional 233 different units; $17.6 million to modernize the housing units that we do have; $1.2 million for the heating allowance for low income tenants. Mr. Speaker, in our poverty reduction this year, we are going to invest $134 million. Since 2006, this government has invested $482 million in poverty reduction. We have moved from the highest poverty rate in Canada to the third lowest.

Mr. Speaker, I recently attended a progress report on poverty reduction with the Minister from HRLE. Just to get the figures and listen to the couple of speakers that were there - there was a guy from New Brunswick, another guy from, I think it was Ontario, and they just spoke about our poverty reduction plan and how we were looked at in all parts of Canada as a model. This is how to do it; this is how to reduce your poverty. It was just a proud moment to be there and realize that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is a model for the rest of Canada on how we are reducing poverty.

Mr. Speaker, in Child, Youth and Family Services, since 2006, we have added 223 positions. That is ninety new social workers in the front line, right where we need them. Mr. Speaker, we are going to be, not third, hopefully someday we are going to be first in poverty reduction in this Province – we are going to be first in the country, I mean.

Mr. Speaker, I have two children. They are a twenty-year-old and a twenty-three-year-old. My house, I do not know why, but a lot of them enjoy coming – they have a lot of friends, and they come to my house on a regular basis. I have the opportunity and I always look forward to speaking to them. I make a point to make sure that when they are there I am talking to all the kids, because I enjoy listening to them, and I enjoy hearing what they have to say. Mr. Speaker, our young people were never as optimistic as they are today. Our young people are looking at the future. Years ago when we came out of school, people were wondering where you could go in the rest of Canada to find a job. Our young people today are looking right here in Newfoundland and Labrador for employment.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, a young girl who is in her last year of nursing, she spoke to me about first when she started at nursing, her class were all talking about where they were going to go to work. Where are we going to go? We are going to Ontario. We are going to go to the States. Where are we going to go to work? In just a short time, she is talking about, and her class members are all talking about, where they are going to go to work in Newfoundland and Labrador. Last year, for the School of Nursing, there were 126 graduates that got employment right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is where they want to work. That is all because of the agreement we did with the Nurses' Union. Their wages are on par with everyone else in Canada, and this is where they want to be. Our young people want to stay home and they want to work.

Mr. Speaker, also, a couple of young people that do come to my house, two of them are going to be RNC officers in the near future. The last number of years, we have hired eighty-seven RNC officers. They look at it is a great career, it is a great opportunity, and it is a great place for our young people to get – it is a great job. Mr. Speaker, in the next couple of years, we are going to see a lot of RNC officers, because I know a lot of them are my age, and we are going to see retirees. There are going to be even more opportunities for young people to get jobs in the RNC.

Mr. Speaker, the young people today are looking at Newfoundland and Labrador, they are looking at engineering jobs, they are looking at jobs with government, they are looking at jobs everywhere, but they all want to stay here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Investments that we are making in education, we are making in post-secondary education, is going to make it easier for these kids and our children to stay right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: Now, Mr. Speaker, I have to talk a little bit about my district. The District of Cape St. Francis is a pretty diverse district, and I know you always hear about rural Newfoundland, as the hon. member across the way was talking about rural Newfoundland and the fishery, but the fishery is a very important part of my district also. I talk to fishermen on a regular basis, a lot of my buddies are fishermen, and they want to fish. There is no doubt about it, the fishery is in a crisis, but the one thing that they want is they are sick and tired of seeing the fishery in a crisis year after year after year. These fishermen want a solution, and that is what this government is doing, is making sure that there is going to be a solution in place. I am hoping through the new talks that they are doing now, the fishermen, and the union, and the processors will all get down and make sure that they do an agreement so in future years we do not have the crisis that we have this year.

Now, Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of young families that have moved into my district, and like I said earlier, the Town of Torbay is the second fastest growing town in this Province. The Town of Bauline, for example, has grown by 25 per cent just since 2006. This government, just to tell you, this government has made investments in the District of Cape St. Francis, I am very proud of.

The new school at Holy Trinity, for example, which is scheduled to open in 2010, right now Holy Trinity Elementary has 626 children there. The new school has a capacity of 710 and its students and teachers are looking forward to moving into a new gymnasium. Holy Trinity is known for their music program. There is going to be two different music studios in the school. There are all kinds of different benefits. Where the old school is, it is going to be torn down and a soccer field put in place. The people in Torbay and the area are very happy with this government and the investments we are making in education.

Mr. Speaker, we just did major renovations on another school in my district. We did it at St. Francis of Assisi in Outer Cove. Mr. Speaker, $750,000 was invested in new siding, roof and windows.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education had the opportunity to come with me during education week and we visited St. Francis of Assisi, and it was unbelievable to see the staff, how happy they were with the renovations, how happy they were with what government has done down there. We spoke to a teacher who is twenty-eight years teaching, and she expressed her appreciation to this government. One thing she stated was she never ever thought that there would be such a cap on the size of classes. This year we are even introducing it from six to nine. Mr. Speaker, people in my area in education are very pleased with the investments this government is making with class sizes and different investments we are making all through education.

Mr. Speaker, I have to speak a little bit now about the Torbay Bypass Road. Mr. Speaker, we are going to be in a little bit of trouble in the next little bit with the problems that we have, it is going to be the construction phase of the Torbay Bypass Road. The Torbay Bypass Road is a road that was designed thirty years ago, and to say it is a bypass road is not really true because it is not bypassing anything. Right now, with the growth in Torbay, it is coming through the middle of the town. The next phase of the Torbay Bypass Road is going to be from the RCAF Road just down past the Jack Byrne arena, which on a daily basis has 14,000 cars travel a day.

Mr. Speaker, in the next two weeks there is going to be major construction there. So I would like to advise a lot of residents in the area that - the road itself is not going to be closed down, there is going to be one lane left open, but there are two other ways out. There is going to be Indian Meal Line through Portugal Cove, or the Marine Drive through Outer Cove. So you are going to have to get used to it, and I know, and we realize that there are going to be a lot of delays. We are looking at, it is going to be finished - it is going to be short-term pain, but, Speaker, it is going to be finished by August 31, that phase of the road. We are looking forward to it, and we thank the Minister of Transportation for getting it on the go and getting it started for us.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to speak about some of the seniors' grants that have gone to my district. Last week I happened to be in Pouch Cove, where they received a seniors' grant, and they are doing an exercise class that seniors are coming out to. They are in the Anglican Hall down there, and it is twice a week. They wanted to get it started up, and just with a grant they got from this government, they got new mats, they got exercise ropes, they got weights, they got all kinds of – there are about thirty seniors that we are helping out. That is so important to the people, because they are the people who paved the road for us people. It is so important that we help these people, but I would like to say this government, thank you for those grants. Thank you very much for them, because we had one for Torbay, one for Outer Cove and one for Pouch Cove.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to just say something to the Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector. I happened to attend the URock celebrations that were taking place last Saturday night and I was so impressed by what happened there. I know we recognize our volunteers, and I know there are a lot of volunteers in place, but, Mr. Speaker, to recognize the young volunteers, because they are the volunteers of the future. What we have to do is make sure that we get young people involved in volunteerism. That was such a terrific night, it was a great night. One of the young girls from my district, Kristina Roche, was one of the recipients of these beautiful guitars. I am sure when she shows her friends what she did and gets more people involved, young people involved in volunteerism, it is all going to pay off for this Province in the future.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER (Kelly): The Chair recognizes the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: I would like to say to the Member for Cape St. Francis, he went right to the second. I have been in here now a few years, I do not know if I have ever seen anyone go right to the second perfectly with his timing. I hope I am as sharp as the Member for Cape St. Francis. He did a fine job.

One of the things he did mention, and I have a couple of things here I want to talk about, but one of the things he did mention was the bypass road for Torbay. I would also like to say that bypass roads in places like Torbay and places like Conception Bay South are certainly very significant because we are in growth areas. Just as happy as the Member for Cape St. Francis is, myself and the Member for Harbour Main is equally as delighted with our new CBS Bypass.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: They have just cut the wood off it and hopefully in the next year or two we will have the bypass road extended, I might add, right to where it was initially planned back in 1988 on the Roads for Rail agreement, but for some reason in the previous Administration it seemed to disappear from CBS. I do not know if it had anything to do with it being in Opposition at the time, but sometimes we hear Opposition today making accusations. Well, I can assure members opposite that I was around, maybe not as an elected Member of the House but I certainly remember when those commitments were made and how the money was moved to other places.

I notice the Member for The Straits is here, and I am glad he is actually because I like to have a bit of banter back and forth. It is always good when you are in debate. I usually like to speak after somebody on the opposite side because it gives both sides of the story. There are a couple of things I would like to point out today, if I might. In the last few days we have heard – and I am going to go right directly to the member's district in a little while, but a couple of things that we have been talking about over the last couple of days here in the House - it has been my first Budget process, actually. Certainly that is why we are here, but we have a bit of freedom during the Budget to speak on some other things.

One of the things that seem to be the topic of the last couple of days for the Opposition is Abitibi and the fact that government, in the last fiscal year, expropriated some properties in Grand Falls. I have to tell you, Mr. Speaker, of all the time I have been here I have to say that was one of the proudest days I was to stand in this House in support of that motion. The reason was because here was a large company that lived off the people of this Province and lived off the resources of this Province and was going to walk away high and dry and leave us with absolutely nothing, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, yes, we did expropriate their properties. We expropriated a significant amount of land. Mr. Speaker, in that region of the Province today, and it has to do with the ability that we did expropriate and now we have some value in that area, this government has invested into Central Newfoundland over $100 million.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Mr. Speaker, we did not expropriate this land on behalf of the people in this House of Assembly, we expropriated it on behalf of the people of the whole Province, in particular the people of Central Newfoundland. There was nothing more justified in this government doing, as when we provided for severance payments and other entitlements, almost $40 million, Mr. Speaker, to the residents of that area, the workers of that area. Mr. Speaker, I was proud to stand as a government when we actually did that, so much so that I still have the bill when we expropriated the property. It is not something I keep on a regular basis. I actually kept that bill, and someday down life's road when I am looking through some memorabilia it is something I will always be proud of that I played a very small part of, but certainly played a part of, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we did expropriate hydro generation dams which have value out there. Certainly, I guess that is the economic cog that drove the mill out there at the time. We ended up with a mill. It was an accident, no doubt about it. The facts have been straightened out and laid out as to why we ended up with a mill.

Mr. Speaker, the other things we did are of significant value, like I said, the hydro generating piece, but we also ended up with 1.6 million hectares of land. That is significant, 1.6 million hectares of land, forestry based, water based and timber based. Those are things now that we took back - we would have ended up with absolutely nothing had we not done this. Thank God, Mr. Speaker, that this government and this Cabinet of the day decided it was the thing to do, and we did it. I am telling you right now, if we could have expropriated Abitibi's head office somewhere down in the United States, I would have been in favour of that too, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Mr. Speaker, it is my first Budget process being involved with the Cabinet process. Let me just say, it is quite an eye-opener to see the decisions that you have to make at the Cabinet table and how the Province's money should be spent and it is not very easy. Many of the things that come to the Cabinet table and the decisions that have to be made are very, very good ideas, money that would be spent very appropriately, but obviously, like I always remind my friend from the NDP you cannot do everything. There is only so much money to go around. You cannot be everything to everybody as much as we would like. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to draw the line and you have to make choices, some of them often very, very tough.

Mr. Speaker, it was an interesting process to go through and one that I am glad to have had the opportunity to go through this past year. Of course, the department I now represent is Tourism, Culture and Recreation. The tourism piece speaks for itself, but the culture piece speaks to arts and heritage and, of course, then we have the recreation and sport division.

Mr. Speaker, I thought today, for a few minutes, that I would talk a little bit about some of the things that are happening in our department, some of the advancements and some of the success stories that have been happening. I guess you do not have to go any further than our tourism, Mr. Speaker. Anybody that has been involved in the tourism business or heard about tourism in this Province will certainly tell you how well we are doing.

Mr. Speaker, this is an 850-million-dollar industry right now in this Province. It employs some 13,000 people directly. It is a significant – and I use this line on occasion. There were a number of years ago that the fishery became a billion dollar industry in this Province, and I remember it well. This is not to suggest that tourism will ever replace the fishery, nor should it, nor could it for that matter. That just tells you the magnitude of the tourism industry in this Province. We have just come out with a new vision in 2009 called Uncommon Potential, and we plan to double those numbers by 2020. Mr. Speaker, that is not going to happen easy. We did not become an 850-million-dollar industry by accident either.

When we first took over government, they were spending $6 million a year on tourism in this Province. Today, Mr. Speaker, we are spending $13 million, upwards of $14 million on advertising in this Province. That is the reason that we are taking it to the next level.

Just to give you some ideas of some of the differences that have been happening in this Province, since 2003 our tourism industry have increased by 14 per cent. Mr. Speaker, in order to get a full idea and the range and how important that is, you have to take into consideration the last couple of years there have been downturns of the economy, both nationally and internationally, and we have still managed to gain. Mr. Speaker, look at our other friends from Atlantic Canada, you look at what has happened since 2003 in Nova Scotia, in Nova Scotia their visitations are down 5 per cent. In P.E.I. they are down 20 per cent. In New Brunswick they are down 23 per cent. Mr. Speaker, over the same period of time Newfoundland and Labrador is up 14 per cent. So that just speaks very highly of what this Province has been doing over the last number of years.

Mr. Speaker, when you talk about the ads, we have had ten chapters now on our TV ads getting rave reviews - and you do not have to go by me, I get e-mails and letters and notes on it on a weekly basis. If run into anybody that is in business that travels abroad, that travels outside our Province, the first thing they tell me when they come back: We love your ads. We saw your ads. We have to come back to the Province; we have to see it.

Mr. Speaker, throughout these few words that I have here I want to speak a little bit about some of the third party comments that I get in our department. This is not sought out comments; this is stuff that comes to me through e-mails, through letters, through articles written, certainly not stuff that I go looking for, but people are actually moved by our tourism ads and the promotion of this Province and the items that they see when we do promote our Province.

Mr. Speaker, our latest ad, of course, ancient land, which was our first one for Labrador. This is a letter I received in our department that I would just like to read, paraphrase it if I could, and just read a little bit about it: I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation for the outstanding work in promoting Labrador and, in particular, Torngat Mountains National Park of Canada with the advertisement Ancient Land. Please convey Parks Canada's appreciation and congratulations to all those involved in the production.

Mr. Speaker, there is our national Parks Canada writing this Province, thanking them and showing their support. The letter goes on, it says: Ancient Land showcases the area's incredible natural beauty, and highlights the significance of the Torngat Mountains National Park as an Inuit homeland. Mr. Speaker, these are the kind of letters that we get on a regular basis.

Mr. Speaker, one of the ads - and I said I would bring up my friend across the way earlier. He is up fairly regularly lately and he is complaining that his district is not getting enough and it is political too. He makes that case quite a bit, that the reason some things change is for politics. Mr. Speaker, I can assure you if politics were the case, this would not happen.

Mr. Speaker, we had two new advertisements in L'Anse aux Meadows and Gros Morne National Park; there has been $174,000 spent at the St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc.; there has been $86,000 spent at the White Bay Central Development Association to construct a bridge; there has been $57,000 in the season extension initiatives for the Viking Trail; there was $20,000 in support of the Iceberg Festival in St. Anthony; there was $36,000 to restore Bide Arm's Ashton House, and the list goes on and on.

Mr. Speaker, I want to share some numbers, because this is very important. I say to the hon. member I would like for him to take note of this and he can use it in his next political brochure because these are good numbers that this man should be using. The updated visitor survey from 2009 stated that Gros Morne experienced 174,000 visitors, up 16,000 visitors. His area has improved 16,000 visitors. Let me continue, the people visiting last summer invested $37.6 million in the area, which is an increase of $2.3 million from five years ago.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Mr. Speaker, that is in the hon. member's district, directly across. That does not sound like we are punishing the people of that area for voting for a Liberal, quite the contrary.

Let me continue, Mr. Speaker, because it gets better. I ask the hon. member for his co-operation; he should listen to this. The survey stated, and I am not fudging any numbers, the survey taken stated that half of the people who visited Gros Morne – now for those of us who are familiar with the Northern Peninsula, like I know the hon. member is and I am certainly, it is a place I go to just about every year. As you know, Mr. Speaker, half of the people who visited Gros Morne continued to travel north of the park and spent an additional $12.5 million, Mr. Speaker, all up on the Northern Peninsula.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: In places like St. Anthony, in places like Raleigh, in places like - all the places on the Northern Peninsula, in Conch, in Roddickton, in Bide Arm, in Main Brook, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: On The Straits, Mr. Speaker, along with - the same place the new hospital is going, in Flower's Cove, I might add as well.

Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to share that with the hon. member. So when he stands up and says that this government is penalizing the people of the Northern Peninsula because of him being in this House, nothing could be further from the truth, Mr. Speaker. There are probably others we prefer here, but now, Mr. Speaker, do not take that wrong. I would not want the hon. member to take it wrong; it is not a personal thing or anything of the sort.

Mr. Speaker, to get back to my tourism point and get back to our ads and so on, I have here a copy of a magazine that was sent to me, actually, and it was rating advertising. It is an advertising magazine and it rates advertisements throughout the country, and I believe North America. I am sure it is the country of Canada, but it may even be North America. Mr. Speaker, the Newfoundland and Labrador ads appear in the top twenty. This is an ad magazine and it says that Newfoundland and Labrador is in the top twenty ads in this country.

These are the types of companies that we share the top twenty list with, Mr. Speaker, companies like Procter & Gamble, which spends, I would think, hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising in the run of a year; Frito-Lay Canada; McDonald's; the Canadian Film Centre; General Mills Canada. General Mills probably, again, spends tens of millions of dollars in advertising. So, Mr. Speaker, that just shows you how well we have been doing in this Province with our Budget. We have kept increasing our Budget and certainly, we are getting a bang for our buck when it comes to our advertising here in the Province.

Mr. Speaker, I said a little earlier that we did not increase our tourism numbers by accident, and we certainly did not. Mr. Speaker, the reason we did is because not only do we promote our Province with tourism ads and tourism literature and flights across the country, we bring productions to this Province and we do things outside the norm.

I guess, Mr. Speaker, the most recent celebration that we had here in the Province was the JUNOs. It was the first time they have been here since 2002. Before I get into the numbers for the JUNOs, I would like to congratulate Amelia Curran. Mr. Speaker, Amelia Curran won the Roots & Traditional Solo Album of the Year for Hunter, Hunter and we are certainly proud to call her a Newfoundlander and Labradorian. I take my hat off to her in winning one of Canada's most prestigious music awards, in winning a JUNO right here at home. I certainly want to congratulate her for that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Mr. Speaker, we talk about return on investment. I do not have the updated numbers; I am expecting them any day now actually on the return on investment. I have some early predictions, Mr. Speaker. Just to give you some idea, when Alberta hosted the last JUNOs the return on investment, they ended up with $5.3 million to GDP in their province. This year what we did, we expanded it. We invested $750,000 to bring the JUNOs here but we also invested $200,000 into a local organizing committee here in the Province. So we expanded what was a weekend of activity, turned into a week, in typical Newfoundland fashion. You know we had to be the best in the country, Mr. Speaker, so we said let's have a JUNO week, let's not have a JUNO weekend. Mr. Speaker, out return on investment of almost $1 million, early reports are that we are going to have $10 million into the investment in this Province because of the JUNOs this year.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Mr. Speaker, that is significant. It is in the shoulder season, we are not into the summer season. We have passed the winter season. So this is money coming in when the tourists are not even here at their peak. So, certainly, we are looking forward to the numbers this year.

I could just give you a little insight on something that is coming out tomorrow to show our first quarter numbers for this year, that does not include the JUNOs, it does not include the Olympics, Mr. Speaker, and it looks like we are going to be up almost 8 per cent in the first few months of this fiscal year.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: So that will just tell you where we are headed in the coming year ahead, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to attend as much of the JUNOs as I possibly could. One story I read in the local telegram was that on the Tuesday or the Wednesday, I cannot remember which day it was, the hotels in St. John's - the hotels now, hotels only, because I got a little bit of trouble with the bed and breakfasts out there, if they happen to be listening. All the bed and breakfasts were not filled but most of the hotels in St. John's were filled, with the exception of four or five rooms. So, Mr. Speaker, that just tells you what it does.

I ran into another person at a restaurant and they told me it was one of their best weeks ever since they had opened. They have been in business for several years. It is a time of year when people are generally not eating out as much as normal. So, Mr. Speaker, again, that tells you what it does to the economy of the city here and indeed the Province.

Mr. Speaker, of course being JUNO Week, you had to go out for the occasional social. I know most people think that I do not but I do on occasion, Mr. Speaker. You would hardly believe it. I was in a small club downtown and they told me that the night before was their biggest sales ever in the history of the bar. They have been open for –

AN HON. MEMBER: That is because you were there.

MR. FRENCH: There were not many people there the night I was there, Mr. Speaker. They had not rang off the cash before I left so I could not tell you, but the night before was their busiest night ever, Mr. Speaker. I know the establishment; it has been there for probably eight or ten years. It just goes to show what something like the JUNOs did to promote not only the city but the Province, and we were delighted to host it.

Again, Mr. Speaker, we talk about a third party endorsement, one that was unsolicited, this is somebody who wrote this little note that I had better get in, in forty seconds, "I visited St. John's for the first time last week for a conference, and my arrival happily coincided with the Junos.

"Although the weather was not particularly spring-like, I was thoroughly impressed and amazed by the friendliness of your city and the beauty of the surroundings. Everyone was kind and helpful, from the cabbies to the restaurant and hotel staff, to people on the street. My colleague and I were given an impromptu tour of the city by… (a retired high school teacher), who we met walking his dog Charlie..."- I was not going to mention the dog's name; they might be able to tell who it is.

Mr. Speaker, he finished his dog walk, "The trip up Signal Hill turned into a tour of Quidi Vidi, downtown, Memorial University, the Janeway (we are health-care professionals), and back to our hotel.

"I am returning next month for another work meeting, but this time will take some vacation time afterwards to explore more of your amazing Province (lucky me!) and I will be suggesting Newfoundland as a vacation destination to friends and family."

Mr. Speaker, that is what events like the JUNOs do, and not only events like the JUNOs but that is what the people of the Province do. The people of this Province, we sell ourselves. It does not matter where you go, you will find a friendly face, a friendly smile and someone more than willing to take you on tour.

Mr. Speaker, besides that we did a little thing called the Olympics and Paralympics. The Olympics and Paralympics is certainly a sporting venue and it is all about sports, but the cultural piece of that is absolutely phenomenal. It was something you would not realize, and I certainly did not realize until I experienced it.

The Cultural Olympiad and the way that we promoted our Province at the Olympics was unbelievable, and unmatched I might add, Mr. Speaker. We had a place that we called Atlantic Canada House which we shared with our other friends from Atlantic Canada. Mr. Speaker, the statistics of the number of people who visited Atlantic Canada House is absolutely phenomenal. Mr. Speaker, they estimated they had 5,000 visitors a day at Atlantic Canada House and it was some 75,000 people actually visited the venue. We had a show with 9,000 people: Come On In! We had an Atlantic Canada Kitchen Party operated at full capacity. It was unbelievable.

Mr. Speaker, before I sit-down –

MR. SPEAKER (Fitzgerald): Order, please!

I ask the hon. member if he is asking for leave to continue.

MR. FRENCH: Could I have leave to clue up?

AN HON. MEMBER: Leave to clue up.

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

MR. FRENCH: Thank you very much.

I have this one last letter. I am going to clue up on this letter. I think it is important - I have a stack of letters here that I could read, but this is one I have that was written to the Premier, copied to me: First, let me congratulate the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador for the excellent presentation at the Olympics.

I had the opportunity to visit Atlantic Canada House. One could tell from the lineups of people who wanted to view the information, taste the food, and the kitchen party that Newfoundland Day was a great success. The visitors were from many nations of the world and from different provinces within Canada. It was a great feeling to see people lining up at 5:00 p.m. in order to get into the kitchen party that did not start until 10:30 p.m. I would like to also thank the staff for saying a personal hello to me and my wife at Granville House.

Once again, Mr. Premier - it goes on - thanks for making our day at the Olympics an enjoyable one. See you in your home province.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I will end on that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS BURKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Before I move a motion to adjourn, I would just like to remind the hon. members that the Resource Committee will review the Estimates of the Department of Environment and Conservation at 9:00 a.m., and I assume that is Monday morning. There is no meeting this evening for Estimates.

Mr. Speaker, with that, I move, seconded by the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General that the House do now adjourn.

MR. SPEAKER: The motion is properly moved and seconded that this House do now adjourn.

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

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

This House now stands adjourned until 1:30 of the clock tomorrow, being Monday.

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