May 28, 2026 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Vol. LI No. 33
Please be advised that this is a PARTIALLY EDITED portion of the House of Assembly sitting for Question Period on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The edited Hansard will be posted when it becomes available.
The entire audio/visual record of the House proceedings is available online within one hour of the House rising for the day. This can be accessed at: https://www.assembly.nl.ca/HouseBusiness/Webcast/archive.aspx
SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
J. HOGAN: Thank you, Speaker.
Yesterday, I asked questions related to seniors in our province. I met with the 50+ Federation this morning. They are concerned that their voices aren’t being heard by this government. In fact, they were disappointed that the Premier didn’t answer a question when asked about seniors yesterday.
So I’ll try again: When will the Premier open the Active NL grants and the Seniors’ Social Inclusion Initiative? That is so important to seniors in our province.
AN HON. MEMBER: Good question.
J. HOGAN: Oh my God, he’s not going to answer it.
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
C. PARDY: Speaker, as the Minister of Seniors – thanks to the Premier for allowing me to answer questions related to my department, which I greatly appreciate. We’ve met with the seniors. We’ve had a great meeting with them. They talked very favourably about the meeting that we held with them.
They thought – and in the Chair’s words – it was rather refreshing, the reception that they had when we met. Will we work with seniors going forward to make sure we address their needs? One hundred per cent we will.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
C. PARDY: We’ve made that commitment. I think we’ve surpassed what the previous government has done in relation to seniors.
SPEAKER: The hon. Minister’s time is expired.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
J. HOGAN: That’s funny because when I met with the seniors’ 50-plus club this morning, they said it wasn’t refreshing. It was the lack of a stand-alone seniors’ minister. They went looking to see who the new seniors’ minister was. They said they were disappointed that he was sandwiched between the Treasury Board and the NLC.
I say to the Minister of Finance: If that’s what I’m hearing from seniors, how can they expect this government to deliver what’s important for them?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
C. PARDY: I say to the Leader of the Opposition, when I received that question in Estimates, I shared the breaking news that the Minister of Seniors and the Minister of Finance are very, very close friends. I’m not sure what the Leader of the Opposition is insinuating that distant from the Finance Department to support seniors’ needs.
I can guarantee you the deputy minister is on one side of the administrative secretary. I’m on the other side. We meet about, no less than eight times a day. Seniors will be looked after with this government, Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
J. HOGAN: Seniors didn’t feel like that this morning and they weren’t laughing either, Speaker.
It’s been over two months since the minister announced the committee to make recommendations on early childhood educators, and essentially to tell him and to tell everybody what we already know: these recommendations have been made for months.
Now that it’s Early Childhood Educators Week, when will the Premier turn these recommendations into action, given that he didn’t do it in his first budget?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
P. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.
We’ve made the commitment in our blue book. We’ve indicated that we’re going to look at pensions. We’re going to look at wages, compensation – something that was totally not in the book across the hall there. Nothing. Never mentioned. Never mentioned early childhood educators.
We have it in our blue book. It’s a commitment and we will follow-through on it.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
J. HOGAN: Speaker, I again say we already know our early childhood educators want an upgraded wage grid, paid sick days and pensions, just like as they said was in their platform, but they didn’t deliver on it in this budget. They say they will get to it, but they haven’t already.
Can the Premier confirm that this failure will have no adverse effect on the system while they wait, to the ECEs that work in the system, the children and the parents who rely on it each and every day.
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
P. DINN: It’s interesting because it’s only yesterday the crowd across the way voted down our budget and early child care pieces were in that budget. It’s interesting to hear now that the previous government of 10 years never reached out to the early child care sector and now they are. I can tell you the many meetings I’ve had with those groups. They have listed their priorities. They haven’t listed them in order. I’ve recounted them. We will have a steering committee in place in very short order and we will work together to ensure that the issues we address are in the order in which they want them addressed, in their priorities. That’s what I commit to do.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo - La Poile.
M. KING: Speaker, yesterday in Question Period we asked about the revelation that Steve Outhouse, the Premier’s deputy chief of staff, was paid not out of the political staff budget, but to a private consultancy corporation through funds meant for the bureaucracy. He’s now had 24 hours to come up with an answer.
Why is the Premier treating not only MCP funds but government funds as his own political staff slush fund?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WAKEHAM: Speaker, the Member opposite wants to talk about budgeting and wants to talk about process. Let’s talk about process. Let’s talk about Transitional Supportive Living Initiative. Let’s talk about a flawed process that has cost the taxpayers of the Province of Newfoundland $24 million so far.
At the same time as the Auditor General has presented this report to the House, Members opposite, including the Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island, have publicly questioned the competency of the Auditor General.
That is not acceptable, Speaker. When they turn around and say that they wouldn’t have done it that way, that questions the integrity of the Auditor General.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo - La Poile.
M. KING: Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure what channel the Premier has in his earpiece, but the question I’m asking of this government, the government that is in charge now: Why is he using government funds to pay for his political staff slush fund?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WAKEHAM: Speaker, the Member across wants to talk about government expenditure, government expenditure. Well, we have it right here in front of us. We have an opportunity. We turned around, the Liberal government actually signed a lease with a Liberal contributor, a Liberal friend, for $7 million a year – $21 million over three years – when the hotel was on the books for less than $4 million.
So if they were so concerned with homelessness and doing something about it, why didn’t they buy the hotel and actually do something with the rest of the money and put it into actual program delivery?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo - La Poile.
M. KING: Mr. Speaker, it is May of 2026 and the Conservatives are in government, and these are the decisions that they are making with the taxpayers’ money of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Premier’s deputy chief of staff was in place well after the transition and did not appear in access to information requests for political staff pay because he was secretly paid through a corporation, not through the Premier’s office salary budget.
How much did the Premier give to his staffer’s consulting company?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.
They’re fixated on those issues and they know they’re trying to manipulate. We’re fixated on what really matters to the people of the province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
B. PETTEN: It’s irresponsible expenditures of money. We were told $13.8 million for the Airport Inn there, when it was, in actual fact, over $24 million. Thirty-four people transitioned out at a cost of $706,000 per person.
There were 25 beds left vacant down there in excess of $2 million. Do you know why? Because they wanted to cut down on the noise around the area. But they never did what was right and spent the money appropriately. Now they’re worried about trying to nickel and dime. Getting in, they’re trying to poke around how much someone was paid? They need to pay more attention to their backtrack record and it’s not very good, Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo - La Poile.
M. KING: Mr. Speaker, I would say to the minister that they should be following their process. They are in government. The Premier’s deputy chief of staff was signing off emails with that title, not using a government email, but a private email linked to the corporation he was secretly paid through.
Did the Premier also allow this use of a private email to keep records from the access to information process?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, the Member for Burgeo - La Poile was at Estimates when we did the Executive Council and he asked a similar question. I shared with the House, and those in attendance at that time, that the Premier’s office is $345,000 under budget than what the previous government was before. $345,000, and I think that will be quoted –
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
SPEAKER: Order, please!
C. PARDY: But let me finish. The report card came out from the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation. It gives Newfoundland and Labrador a C, fourth highest in the country. The only thing that dragged us down was the debt from the previous government that we had –
SPEAKER: The hon. minister’s time has expired.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo - La Poile.
M. KING: Well, let’s use that point, Mr. Speaker. If they are claiming that point, why are they paying a staffer $275,000, including a bonus through MCP? Why did they then, on top of that, pay a consulting company God knows how much money. We don’t even know.
Can the Minister of Finance explain that difference?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, the coffers have a net gain. We followed the contract that was signed by the previous government with NLMA that when we have professionals that we hire and quality professionals that we hire –
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
C. PARDY: – to direct the course for out-of-control spending in a certain element of which the person is looking after and administering advice. But let me say and add one thing from the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation: they gave us, on affordability in Newfoundland and Labrador on the past budget, an A+.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The minister’s time has expired.
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo - La Poile.
M. KING: Mr. Speaker, if there was a net gain why did the budget line not change in the Premier’s office?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
SPEAKER: I only want to hear the minister respond, nobody else.
The hon. the Minister
B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.
Speaker, again they’re fixated on issues. They’re trying to manipulate. All this money is spent right. We’re getting the proper service. Thank God the PC Party of Newfoundland and Labrador are in charge.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
B. PETTEN: Speaker, I have a couple of observations. The role of the Auditor General is to scrutinize government. Running the risk of appearing defensive or hostile to transparency, dodging political accountability, Public Accounts is the appropriate avenue.
I pass that along to the Members opposite, especially the Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island. That’s how you deal with the AG issues through Public Accounts, not in the public trying to discredit this lady.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave.
P. PARSONS: Thank you, Speaker.
Speaker, the Newfoundland and Labrador water bomber and air ambulance pilots have been notified that their chief pilot has submitted his resignation effective tomorrow, May 29, 2026.
Water bomber crews are warning that continuing operations without qualified leadership presents an unacceptable risk to crews, patient and public safety.
What is the minister’s plan for this fire season and for the provincial air ambulance coverage?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.
We all got that letter. It was sent to many, many Members, I think. I don’t know if everyone got it. We all got it. All the ministers responsible.
I’ve been aware of this. We were actually advertising for a replacement. We can't help if someone retires or moves on. Good for them. We wish them well.
We know the issue. We’re aware of the issue. We’re dealing with Transport Canada in the interim to deal with this. We’re fully abreast. It’s not new to us. We’re hoping to have a replacement in place soon, but in the interim, Transport Canada has been notified and we’re working with the appropriate officials. We will be ready for this coming season.
Thank you very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave.
P. PARSONS: Well, Speaker, if they knew about it why didn’t they say anything. Why didn’t they be open and transparent? Oh right. Never mind because they’re not transparent.
You know, whether the pilots say that without a qualified and approved chief pilot, air services many no longer legally operate after June 29 under federal aviation regulations.
Has the government been advised by Transport Canada that the air operating certificate could be suspended?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.
When we got the resignation, I think it was the same day I signed an RSA to put out a job action to replace that person. I don’t know if you want to call Transport – I don’t advertise every time someone leaves the department. That’s crazy.
Maybe the Member opposite could tell us about transparency when she was voting herself a raise, a secret bonus of $20,276. Maybe the Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave could tell us that answer. Maybe that’s about transparency.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave.
P. PARSONS: Thank you, Speaker.
Again, more deflection. They can't answer. We’re not talking about any department; we’re not talking about any personnel. This is urgent, Minister, so I’d advise you to take it seriously.
SPEAKER: I would ask you to address the Chair.
P. PARSONS: What is the government’s backup plans, Speaker, because this is urgent and he shouldn’t be making light or make jokes or mislead in any way?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
B. PETTEN: Speaker, I can't help but chuckle because we’re doing everything in our power. There’s no way you can do it any faster. I think it was the same day we got the resignation. We acted on it immediately.
What the Member opposite needs to realize is if she wants to come in and lecture me about transparency, we’re very transparent. I can tell you now, the former government, this administration that used to be in power, they’re in Opposition for a reason. They lacked a lot of transparency. My colleague from Finance just highlighted they were getting an F. We’re up to a C.
I’ve got another question: Why did the Member for Virginia Waters - Pleasantville – talking about transparency – vote themselves a secret bonus of $28,387? Maybe they can answer that question.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Virginia Waters - Pleasantville.
B. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We can talk about deflection all we want. That’s what’s happening here all day long. Despite the government’s inability to keep the urgent care clinics open, the Deputy Premier is defending his plan to open a new urgent care clinic in his own District of Conception Bay South.
Will the Deputy Premier commit to staffing the centres in St. John’s and Mount Pearl before building a new one in his own backyard?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
L. EVANS: Speaker, I talked about big announcements, rollouts without proper funding. Underfunding, I referred to it – significant underfunding in the millions of dollars. In actual fact, I am committed to staffing and fulfilling the mandate for the Family Care Teams, including urgent care centres.
They actually have a need. The problem is there was very little planning. We’re struggling with what we’ve been left after 10 years of Liberal government in terms of recruitment and retention, Speaker. Speaker, we’re not going to turn our backs on those urgent care centres because we have to have primary health care access for people in our province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Virginia Waters - Pleasantville.
B. DAVIS: I thank the Minister of Health for answering the question, saying those centres will be staffed first before that CBS centre is done.
The Deputy Premier also said in the media: The vast majority of the people in emergency rooms are from CBS and Holyrood.
Can the minister table any report or data that he has to confirm this statement? Or is it just made-up data justifying the building of a new centre in his backyard?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
L. EVANS: Speaker, it’s important to address the preamble because facts do matter. What I’ve said is I’m committed to actually staffing the urgent care centres: the one out on Stavanger, the one in Mount Pearl and the planned one in CBS. They meet an essential need, and we have to make sure – 10 years of Liberal government. Access to family doctors and a health care provider is really what we’re facing right now because of the lack of real action.
We are going to provide access to health care providers, Speaker, nurse practitioners, doctors, and we’re going to use urgent care centres to take pressure off emergency as well.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.
E. LOVELESS: Mr. Speaker, the FFAW says thousands of seasonal workers are being unfairly penalized by EI deviser rules.
I ask the Premier: Why hasn’t your government taken a strong public position demanding EI reform from the federal government, as requested by the FFAW in their letter to you?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
L. O’DRISCOLL: Thank you, Speaker.
I certainly did get a letter from the FFAW and we’ve been certainly reaching out to the federal government on this issue. We are hoping to hear back to see what we can do to make this issue go away or help the issue as it stands right now.
Thank you, Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.
E. LOVELESS: I say to the minister, I think FFAW is looking for more than it to go away. The FFAW is warning that changing EI calculations are already negatively affecting workers in this province and the situation could worsen in the coming months.
I ask the Premier: What immediate actions are you taking to protect seasonal workers, especially in rural Newfoundland and Labrador?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
L. O’DRISCOLL: Again, Speaker, we’ve reached out to the federal government. It is certainly a concern in all districts, how the calculation works. Again, we are waiting to hear back and when I get some answers to the question we’ll certainly report back here.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.
E. LOVELESS: We’re still looking for that plan that you have to address it, I say to the minister.
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, seasonal workers are being asked to absorb the consequences of economic conditions they cannot control.
What message does the Premier think it sends when his government stays silent while workers lose income support?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
L. O’DRISCOLL: Again, Speaker, I will say that I reached out to the federal government. It’s something that we’re looking into. He asked the same question now for the third time, so it’s something that when we get the answers we’ll get back to him, but it’s something that we’re very concerned about.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Waterford Valley.
J. KORAB: Speaker, the TI Minister said no contract was awarded for a swing vessel because all three bids were non-compliant. That’s odd for every bidder to be non-compliant.
Given the need for a new swing vessel, will the minister reissue the RFP so that the bidders would know any errors they made and can now be compliant?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.
Speaker, the process is Public Procurement Agency review all these bids in isolation of me or anyone in the department. They do the review. They made that determination.
What they do now that it’s put on MERX, they will meet with all those bidders, go over their bids, go over the flaws or the issues they had after, once it’s been publicly posted which it has been. So all of those bidders, they’ll get an opportunity to speak to them.
Our opportunities now are probably brokerage. We’re not sure if another RFP will work again. We are exploring options, but one thing is we’re committed to getting a swing vessel and building new vessels in this province and developing an industry. That’s our commitment to the people.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Waterford Valley.
J. KORAB: Speaker, I’m glad to hear that, but a couple of days ago the story was different. The story was said that we were working with someone that was late.
The minister is moving on to discuss what he said two days ago with a company that simply missed the deadline for the RFP. A couple of days ago it sounded like you were sole sourcing.
Are you going reissue the RFP or are you just going to review it and see what happens?
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible.)
J. KORAB: That’s what you said two days ago (inaudible).
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
B. PETTEN: Oh my, Speaker. They try to put words in people’s mouth.
No, that’s not what I said. Anyone can come forth to the department. I welcome anyone to come forth. If they have a swing vessel for the province that will fit our need, come on. I’m ready; come over and meet me right now. That’s all we are saying.
People have come in and expressed an interest since the bids have closed, and our officials are saying you are welcome. We will talk to anybody. That’s outside the RFP process.
The RFP process is closed; anyone now is welcome to come in and talk to our officials, and I do welcome them. Other than that, we may employ a brokerage firm. We’re not sure where we’re going. As for what he said, I stand by that. There are firms that never applied or never bid and –
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
SPEAKER: Order, please!
I only want to hear the minister.
B. PETTEN: Thank you, Sir.
They’re welcome to come in and talk to us. Our officials are meeting with them and having those discussions. If anything comes of it, I will be sure to let the people of this province know the minute I find out.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Gander.
B. FORD: Thank you.
Speaker, the College of the North Atlantic was supposed to have an early childhood education program and demonstration site open at the Gander campus just a few months from now, creating 45 child care spaces and 20 jobs, but nothing is happening. I wrote the minister a month ago and he said it was being monitored.
Given the urgent need, I ask: Will the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development commit that the program will proceed in Gander this fall?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
P. DINN: Thank you and thank you for the question.
I will say it again: early child care education is paramount in this province. The issue is being monitored, there’s no doubt about it.
When facilities come forward and register for child care, there are many issues, especially if it’s going in a building where they may need upgrades, renovations, certificates passed and assessed and inspections done. I will look at that file as soon as we’re back and I’ll give you a clearer update on it.
The child care centre hasn’t been tossed to the side. We are continuing to work together to increase our child care in this province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave.
P. PARSONS: Speaker, residents are raising concerns about blood collection at Carbonear Hospital. They won’t accept walk-ins or online appointments. Phone calls are not being answered or offering appointments months out.
Will the government commit to immediately fixing this problem?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
L. EVANS: Yes, Speaker, we recognize there are lasting problems leftover that we’re struggling with. Seriously, 10 years, we’ve only been in government eight months. In actual fact, we are looking at what’s going on out in Carbonear.
We are putting plans in place to address issues, long-standing issues. Carbonear is a place where people need to be supported. It’s a healthy community that supports a large region, and this government is interested in making Carbonear work.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Third Party.
J. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.
The Minister of Education announced a steering committee to help determine which benefit ECEs should be entitled to first. Child Care Now NL is calling on government to introduce a total compensation package for early childhood educators.
I ask the minister: Rather than a piecemeal approach and kicking the can further down the road with yet another committee, why not simply introduce a total compensation package that includes paid sick days, a health plan, a defined benefit pension plan and an increase in salary, the full meal deal?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.
P. DINN: Thank you, Speaker, and thank you for the question.
We’re not dealing with McDonalds here. This is not a take-out that we’re going to; this is a serious, serious issue for this province. I have reports from Child Care Now national. I’ve met with YWCA. They’ve all indicated –
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
SPEAKER: Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
SPEAKER: Order, please!
I don’t want to hear anybody but the minister. If I have to address this again, someone is losing their speaking privileges yet again.
The hon. the Minister.
P. DINN: Thank you for that.
I’ve met with many groups; it’s in their reports. They understand that this is not a quick fix. They also want to have a committee together, which we will be announcing very soon, on working through what their priorities are in terms of compensation, in terms of pension, in terms of benefits. We are doing what the sector has requested.
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible.)
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Waterford Valley, you need not rise any further today, you will not be recognized.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
SPEAKER: Would you like to be – would you like to join her?
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible.)
SPEAKER: I heard the Member for Waterford Valley heckling across at the minister when he spoke. Sorry – not Waterford Valley. I apologize. Mount Scio is who I meant. I apologize on that – Mount Scio.
And the minister’s time is long expired.
The hon. the Leader of the Third Party.
J. DINN: Speaker, I would say that paid sick days, a health plan, a defined benefit pension plan and an increase in salary – they’re more than a McDonald’s meal, they’re essential.
Speaker, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has redesignated the South Newfoundland West population of Atlantic salmon endangered due, primarily, to open sea pen aquaculture practices. Under the Species at Risk Act, the federal minister of Fisheries, upon receiving the COSEWIC status assessment, must develop a recovery plan for the species.
I ask the minister: Will he pause the expansion of open sea pen aquaculture along the South Coast until a plan for the recovery of salmon is put in place by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
L. O’DRISCOLL: Thank you, Speaker.
It’s certainly a pleasure to get up here and answer some questions on the aquaculture here in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s a very big industry.
We’ve met with the groups and we’re meeting with groups tomorrow as well on aquaculture. We have a plan going forward here for aquaculture in this province and it’s something that we take very seriously in regard to wild salmon here in this province,
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John’s East - Quidi Vidi.
S. O’LEARY: Speaker, workplace violence is very real for many front-line workers. In some sectors, such as health care and education, the hazard can be an individual’s behaviour, and the severity of the hazard can vary from person to person. Unfortunately, violence and harassment are seen as part of the job.
Will government increase the number of OHS investigators and publish their reports online to hold employers to account?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Government Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Speaker.
I’d like to thank the Member opposite for such an important question.
Since coming into this office I’ve met with many stakeholders. I know this is going to sound repetitive, Speaker, but I’m doing lots of work. I want to thank my department heads for doing lots of work.
We’re looking at into the fall sitting to bring forward adopting legislation that we’re looking through. I’ve been here to serve the people. That’s what I signed up for. That’s what I’m going to continue to do and I’m going to continue to do it for all of us.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: I’m going to allow the Member another question given she lost a lot of her time due to all this foolishness.
The hon. the Member for St. John’s East - Quidi Vidi.
S. O’LEARY: Thank you, Speaker.
Speaker, nurses, LPNs and PCAs are working overtime, not taking vacation or are being mandated to work because there are not enough staff to deal with the demands that we have in our health care system. They love the work they do, they care deeply for their patients and they want to provide the best care possible.
Will government establish an independent health sector council to address violence, prevent injury, enforce safety standards and promote a culture of safety?
SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
L. EVANS: Speaker, myself and my department has met with the Nurses’ Union – the Premier and myself have met with the Nurses’ Union. That is one of their priorities. They’ve raised it on behalf of their workers.
Speaker, we have to make sure that we actually will be able to properly recruit to fill vacancies because that is what’s happening, is that the workplace now doesn’t have enough nurses out there in the workplace and it’s creating a lot of stress and strain.
One of the things we’ve done, Speaker, is we’ve successfully gotten the vacancy rate down to under 5 per cent. So we’re back before COVID days. We are actually going to meet and exceed that. When we properly staff our health care professionals in the workplace –
SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. minister’s time has expired.
L. EVANS: Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SPEAKER: The time for Question Period has expired.
Again, I apologize to the Member for Waterford Valley on mixing up the district name. That was inadvertent.
Please be advised that this is a PARTIALLY EDITED portion of the House of Assembly sitting for Question Period on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The edited Hansard will be posted when it becomes available.