PDF Version

October 21, 2020

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS

Vol. XLIX No. 55

The House met at 10 a.m.

MR.

SPEAKER (Reid):

Are

the House Leaders ready?

Government House Leader?

Opposition House Leader?

Third Party?

Independents?

Order, please!

Admit visitors and begin the broadcast.

Orders of the Day

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I call from the Order Paper, Motion 15.

MR.

SPEAKER:

Motion 15 has been moved and seconded.

MR.

CROCKER:

Oh,

sorry, Mr. Speaker.

I move Motion 15, seconded by the Deputy Government

House Leader.

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

motion has been moved and seconded.

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

MR.

SPEAKER:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

The hon. the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance, that the

Estimates of the Legislature and the Estimates of the Executive Council be

referred to Committee of the Whole on Supply.

MR.

SPEAKER:

is moved and seconded that I do now leave the Chair and that the House be

resolved into a Committee of the Whole.

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

MR.

SPEAKER:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, that the House resolve itself into a

Committee of the Whole, the Speaker left the Chair.

Committee of the Whole

CHAIR (P. Parsons):

Order, please!

Before we begin proceedings in Committee of the Whole,

Members will note that the Chamber has been reconfigured to accommodate the new

configuration of the Chamber precipitated by the eminent swearing-in of the

Member-elect for Humber - Gros Morne, and in adherence to COVID-19 restrictions

on social distancing, a

section of the Table has been removed and as a result

the Committee will be chaired from the Speaker's chair.

I ask that all Members should note that as we are now

in Committee, remarks should be addressed to the Chair.

We are now considering the Estimates of the

Legislature.

The Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

The Clerk has – go ahead.

CLERK (Barnes):

Subhead 1.1.01.

CHAIR:

Shall 1.1.01 carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, subhead 1.1.01 carried.

CLERK:

Subhead 1.1.02 through 7.1.01.

CHAIR:

Shall 1.1.02 through 7.1.01 inclusive carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, subheads 1.1.02 to 7.1.01 carried.

CLERK:

Total for the Legislature.

CHAIR:

Shall the totals for the Legislature carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, Legislature, total heads, carried.

CHAIR:

Now

we will consider Executive Council.

CLERK:

1.1.01.

CHAIR:

1.1.01.

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, subhead 1.1.01 carried.

CLERK:

2.1.01 through 4.1.05.

CHAIR:

Shall 2.1.01 through 4.1.05 carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Just an opportunity to ask some questions, Madam Chair.

CHAIR:

Absolutely.

The Chair recognizes the Opposition Leader.

MR.

CROSBIE:

I'm

looking at Premier's Office, 2.1.01 and beyond that. It's page 24 in the

pagination that I have.

I would ask: Could a list be provided of the positions

in the Premier's Office?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Just by way of clarification for those that may be

listening, we are in Estimates of Executive Council; a little different of a

format than what we've seen. This is Committee of the Whole. As Deputy Premier,

I'll be answering a lot of the Executive Council questions, Cabinet Secretariat.

Just for those that are listening, Cabinet Secretariat supports the Premier and,

of course, the work of the Cabinet and its Committees, as well as the effective

operation of departments and agencies.

Within that branch, of course, we also have

Communications and Public Engagement, Intergovernmental Affairs and, of course,

I can tell you that there are other divisions like Treasury Board that I know

the House Leader will be answering questions on. The Deputy Government House

Leader will answering questions on Indigenous Affairs and my colleague the

Minister of Digital Government will be answering questions of the Office of the

Chief Information Officer. OCIO, as we like to call it, internal, which is a

technology division of government.

To answer the Member opposite's question, completely:

Yes, I'm happy to have a list provided. Of course, the details would have been

in Budget Estimates books in any event but I'll endeavour to get a copy for you.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Thank you.

Could you tell the Committee how many positions were in

the Premier's Office, under the former premier, and has there been a change?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you very much.

I understand in general sense there are 17 positions in

a normal course of business in the Premier's Office. I'm not sure that they have

all been filled as we now have a new Premier, but I can endeavour to find that

out for you. There may be one or two less but I can't confirm that but I'll get

that for you.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

So,

as I understand the answer, Madam Chair, until recently, there were 17 positions

and that will continue more or less the same?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the hon. Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Yes, Madam Chair, there are 17 positions and I understand there will be no

change.

If I may just add some information there. You will have

noted the budget for 2019-20 was $1,505,500 and there is a slight increase in

the 2020-21 budget of $1,563,400 and that reflects the 27th pay period. Of

course, you'll see that throughout and I'm sure you've heard that throughout the

Estimates, that there is a 27th pay period in this coming –

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

So,

just to be clear on that, what was budgeted – I'm looking at line item 2.1.01 –

was $1,505,500 and there's been an increase in that by about $57,000. Does that

help to explain that?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Yes, the 27th pay period is a value of $57,900 that is the difference.

You'll see that scattered throughout and I will try and

draw your attention to that throughout the book as well.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Thank you.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Looking at Executive Support, Professional Services, this went over budget by

$17,601. Can you please explain why?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Are

you looking at Professional or Purchased Services under the same heading 2.1.01?

Just for clarity, I want to make sure I'm answering the question.

MR.

CROSBIE:

2.2.01, Executive Support, 01 has Salaries and Operating Accounts.

MS.

COADY:

Sorry, you've moved to 2.2.01, Executive Support?

MR.

CROSBIE:

Yes.

MS.

COADY:

Okay, my apologies, I was still back in 2.1.01.

2.2.01 and you're asking for the salary line again?

MR.

CROSBIE:

Well, the estimate was $12,400 and it went to $30,000. I'm just wondering why.

MS.

COADY:

$12,400 and it went to $30,000.

I'm sorry, Madam Chair, I just want to make sure I'm

answering the question. We're in 2.2.01, titled Executive Support and you're

asking about the salary line?

MR.

CROSBIE:

I'm

sorry. To be clear, it's Professional Services. It's under the heading 01,

Salaries, but Professional Services is a specific line item and you can see

there was an increase from what was budgeted. I'm wondering why.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you.

So you're talking about the $12,400 normally budgeted,

it went to $30,000 and then normalized at $12,500. There was a Professional

Services consultant review for the Clerk of Executive Council and the

consolidated review of executive policy; a normal review of executive policies

within government.

They put that there, but I will take note that

Executive Council was still actually under budget. They've used money within

another vote and just transferred it as per normal.

Yes, under that particular heading of Professional

Services, it was up to $30,000 from a budget amount of $12,400. That was for

that review of executive policy; however, overall it was still under budget by

about $40,000.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Opposition Leader.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Thank you.

Just for clarity, are these Professional Services

contracted outside of government?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Generally, they're for outside expertise.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Thank you.

I'm turning the page now, Office of Executive Council.

I'm looking at Communications and Public Engagement, Communications Branch. This

is the heading 2.3.01 and 01, Salaries, the column there for Professional

Services, Purchased Services and there were obviously savings over what was

budgeted in significant amounts, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars in

those two items.

Could you please provide some context?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you.

Under 2.3.01, Communications Branch, under Professional

Services, this is not an unusual change. I can say that this was for lowest cost

for marketing and professional services that might've been required, and it

might've been just that departments and others didn't require that work during

that particular period of time, but we have to budget for it. We have to have an

appropriation for it in case it's required. I'll use an example, such as the flu

campaign. There would be something coming up now for the flu campaign this fall

and they'll be using some of the monies from that department.

When the money is not spent it is a dropped balance, as

you can see, dropped balances, and redeployed either within the division or

redeployed within government.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Thank you, very much. It's encouraging to see money saved.

Now on page 26, Office of the Executive Council. The

item is 2.3.03, Policy, Planning and Coordination. We have under Salaries, item

10, Grants and Subsidies. There's also under Salaries, Professional Services.

Last year Professional Services went over budget by $72,600. Could there be an

explanation given?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you very much.

Under 2.3.03, Policy, Planning and Coordination,

Professional Services. It was increased last year and that was because of a

review for shared services. The Member opposite would remember that there's a

big evaluation of options in order to do some efficiency and savings under a

shared services. For example, instead of having two or three or four different

payroll systems we're looking to move if we can consolidate those into one. I'm

using that as an example only.

There was a review of shared services and funding was

budgeted, but then transferred into here, because of course it was under that

professional heading of Policy, Planning and Coordination that it was required.

As you can see, it's normalized for this year because that piece of work has

been done.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Yes, thank you.

The line item I'm looking at now is Grants and

Subsidies, $3 million-plus. Could the minister and Deputy Premier outline or

give a list of the grants awarded and to whom they were awarded?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you very much.

I'm going to break this down, probably in categories,

because I think some are standard, normal year to year.

The Community Youth Networks, for example, is basically

the same year over year, it's $2,562,200. I'll say that again, $2,562,200. Then

there's the core operating grant of $206,000 to the Community Sector Council. So

the operations of the Community Sector Council receives $206,000. Then there's

an application-based Grants to Youth Organizations and I'm happy that is worth

$451,000.

I would be happy to run through those if you wish me to

get to that granular level, and I'll just use these as an example: Thrive in St.

John's received $23,000; Green Bay Youth Centre received $96,000; Harbour Breton

Community Youth, $24,500; Southern Labrador/Strait of Belle Isle received a

grant of $73,000; the Youth 2000 Centre (Y2C) Corporation received a grant of

$22,500; St. Lawrence Community Youth centre received a grant of $25,000;

BAYNet, Bonavista Area Youth Network received a grant of $11,000; P4 Youth

Centre received a grant of $25,000; Community Youth Network, Nain, Inuit

community is $7,000. I'm just quickly going through some of these for you.

MR.

CROSBIE:

think at this point we can thank you.

MS.

COADY:

Okay.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Obviously, the spending is flat here, so that's satisfactory.

Thank you.

Now, I'm looking at the Office of the Executive

Council, or still looking. Intergovernmental and Indigenous Affairs

Secretariats, that's 2.5.01, Executive Support. We can see there that Salaries

have taken a bump up of about $95,000.

Could you explain whose salaries are included here and

what accounts for the increase?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you very much.

Executive Support is a deputy minister, an assistant

deputy minister and two support persons. Basically, there is some reprofiled

money. We're trying to balance it; we're trying to rightsize across different –

it's reprofiled from the operating budget from Communications. We're moving

positions, but not increasing cost. It's just a reprofiling of money. Also,

there's $15,000 for the 27th pay period requirement.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Opposition Leader.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Do I understand this is partly accounted for by moving

executive-level personnel around within government?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you.

No, it's just fully funding a position that existed.

Now we're just moving the monies to that fully funded executive position. That's

all. It's not moving personnel.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Under Grants and Subsidies, can the minister outline where the $35,000 goes and

why was $1,400 not given out last year?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you.

The Grants and Subsidies is $35,000, and as you can see

it was flatlined from budget last year. We actually only spent $33,600. It's for

the Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat. It's for funding of the

Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat. This is Newfoundland and Labrador's

share of those expenses.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Does the minister know why the $1,400 was left in the bank?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

I'm

glad to always continue, as Minister of Finance, to see lower costs.

I would think it's just divvied up across the

intergovernmental affairs network within Canada and it was just lower than what

we anticipated.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Now

I'm moving on to Financial Administration office of the Executive Council. Then,

actually, Intergovernmental and Indigenous Affairs Secretariats. Executive

Support, that's where I want to ask a question.

Salaries: Could the minister please outline whose

salaries are included here and what accounts for the increase?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Finance.

MS.

COADY:

Just for clarity, because Financial Administration is a vote, 2.4.01, do you

want to go there first or do you want to go to Indigenous Affairs?

MR.

CROSBIE:

can go past that and go directly to 2.5.01, Executive Support.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you.

I will ask my colleague, the Deputy Government House

Leader, responsible for Indigenous Affairs to answer the question.

Thank you.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you.

I do believe he's asked a question about 2.5.01,

because Intergovernmental and Indigenous seems to be together, but I actually

break in at 2.5.03.

If the Member is looking for some detailed information

around the salary numbers, we can certainly get that.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

have up to 2.5.02, so I'm turning to my colleague; I think he's looking for

2.5.03.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

I'm

looking at page 27, Intergovernmental and Indigenous Affairs Secretariats,

2.5.01, Executive Support, 01 Salaries and there was $95,000 increase.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Finance.

MS.

COADY:

can speak to the confusion –

MR.

CROSBIE:

have a duplicated page, my apologies.

MS.

COADY:

can speak to the confusion now. I had assumed you had moved on from in that

section, I had already answered that question. We were just having a little

parley now as to moving on to the next subheading.

Thank you.

MR.

CROSBIE:

(Inaudible) increases as I thought.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Official Opposition, and a reminder for those

viewing at home, we are going through the Estimates process.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Sometimes slightly confusing but we prevail in the end.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

We're now on Intergovernmental Affairs, 2.5.02, Grants

and Subsidies. My question is what is the $5,900 allocated for and why was it

unspent last year?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Finance.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you very much.

It's Newfoundland's contribution to the Internal Trade

Secretariat of $5,900. It was just savings as the expenditure was charged to

Executive Support. It was just savings in that area, but we have to do an

appropriation for the Internal Trade Secretariat of $5,900.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Thank you.

Moving on to 2.5.03, Indigenous Affairs and

Reconciliation, item 10, Grants and Subsidies. The line item is being increased

to $689,800. Could the minister please outline what the extra funding is for?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Finance.

No, we're going to go now to the – like musical chairs.

I am going to recognize the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

We're going to keep you on your toes this morning.

The Member is right, there's a $200,000 difference in

the budget this year. We were one of the offices to get some extra funds. What I

will say is the $200,000 is going to go toward Indigenous projects. I have

already reached out to the Indigenous leadership around the province, and we're

looking at a number of different ideas, but they will be carried out in close

consultation with the wishes of the Indigenous leadership.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

Would the minister be able to give us some idea of what types of projects or

events or whatever the case may be are anticipated to be funded by the extra

$200,000?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and

Reconciliation.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I will say, since I came into this portfolio the 19th

of August, I've been really pleased and excited with the three portfolios and

the various intersectionalities that cross over. In that short time frame, I've

probably sat down with all 13 Indigenous groups around this province, from the

West Coast of the Island right up to Nain, building upon a relationship that we

already had established, which is very important.

I know the Member would like some further detail, but

we're moving forward in close consultation with the leadership, and they will

come forward. We're working with folks like Chief Joe, folks like the groups in

Northern Labrador and Qalipu. We're looking at a number of different ideas and

all of that will be very public in due time once the decisions are made around

the grants and subsidies piece of the $200,000, Madam Chair.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Official

Opposition.

MR.

CROSBIE:

I could be somewhat more specific, is any of this increase in funding expected

to support the anticipated apology to Newfoundland and Labrador residential

school survivors, and is there a timeline for this?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you.

That's a very important question. No, that money will

not come from that. We're looking at things like the remains of Nonosabasut and

Damasduit. We're working closely with the Indigenous leadership to see what will

be the wishes for an example of a project and where their final resting place

will be.

What I will say about the apology is our government is

very committed to the apology. The former premier worked closely with leadership

and due to COVID-19 it was not able to happen. There's a cap on the numbers that

can assemble.

As the Opposition Leader will know, there was a joint

press release that went out saying that they understood because of the pandemic

that we were in, it could not happen right now. It's a very active file in my

office. Conversations are happening. There's ongoing dialogue. As we work with

the Indigenous leadership, that will happen when the climate allows and all

parties agree that the time is right to do so.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

Any further speakers?

The Chair will recognize the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I think the Leader of the Official Opposition may have

addressed many of my questions but one more of a nebulous question here. I note

even with the 27th pay period that most of the Salaries seem pretty consistent

here with the exception of the Office for the Status of Women and the Policy,

Planning and Coordination Office, both of which seem to have a drop in Salaries.

I'm wondering has there been an attrition target, was

that target met and did it come out of the Women's Policy Office and the policy

and planning office.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Oh,

oh!

CHAIR:

Order, please!

I'm just going to call some order to just keep our

conversations down. When Members want to speak would you please stand and then

sit down, because it is hard to see you guys when you're waving your hands or

whatnot.

The Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

I'll take the global question on attrition and then I'll ask my colleague, the

Deputy Government House Leader, to speak to the specific of the Office for the

Status of Women.

Yes, there are attrition targets across the entire

civil service, as you're well aware. Because there are very few people, I guess,

in this whole division, it is a small salary target, a small target. I think

there's one person in HRS and maybe one in OCIO or one position that is through

attrition, so it's a very small amount. I think the total is less than $120,000

in attrition savings across all the various divisions. It's a very small amount.

I'll ask the Deputy Government House Leader to speak

specifically to the Status of Women.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I think we're completely off base; we're not on line

items, but I'm happy to answer the question.

In Indigenous Affairs, we have a complement of 11

permanent positions. That has not changed. Last year we had 11 and this year we

have 11.

In Labrador Affairs we have eight positions.

Madam Chair, in the Status of Women, as the Member just

asked about, we did have two vacancies. COVID and everything around that delayed

us filling them a little bit, but we're actively going through that process and

expect them to be filled in short order.

There has been no reduction across the three offices in

staff.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

2.3.03, Grants and Subsidies; I know the Leader of the

Official Opposition had asked about a list of those. Can I have the set of

criteria associated with those Grants and Subsidies? You don't need to provide

them right now. In light of the time constraints, perhaps you can just hand them

over.

If we wanted to flip over to Labrador Affairs, I note

that Grants and Subsidies, 2.6.02 on page 29, have declined. Is there an

explanation for that? By quite a substantial amount, about $500,000.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

With the noise around me and behind me, I couldn't hear the Member. Can she

repeat that again?

CHAIR:

Yes, I agree.

Again, can we kindly ask everyone to keep their

conversations at a respectful level, or you can kindly take them outside? We are

going through an important process right now.

I will call on the Leader of the Third Party to repeat

her question.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'm referring to 2.6.02, Labrador Affairs, subsection

10. I note that Grants and Subsidies have decreased rather substantially by

about $450,000, $500,000. Can she explain why that's the case?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

I'm not seeing that, where she is.

MS.

COFFIN:

Page 29.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Yes.

MS.

COFFIN:

2.6.02,

section 10, Grants and Subsidies. I do believe it's supposed to be for

Labrador Winter Trails and the Combined Councils. The total in the budget was

$1,800,000, Actuals were $1,619,779, and the Estimates are now $1,351,000.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

That reflects a decrease due to the removal of one-time

funding to purchase a groomer that was $449,000, and snowmobiles and drags for

the Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy. Last year we had a new groomer go

on the North Coast. I think there was one in Cartwright, and we actually

purchased a couple of snowmobiles and drags. Very well needed because while we

talk about getting the highway done in here, that is the highway when you're in

remote northern communities. I was really pleased to see that our government

invested into those areas.

I hope that satisfies the explanation.

MS.

COFFIN:

I'm

happy to hear that the trails are groomed (inaudible) to Labrador West.

I do have another question.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

I'm

not sure exactly what the line number is, but as I've said before, the budget is

a manifestation of policy. If we don't ask the policy questions then we can't

really justify the expenditures.

A question I have here is: Where might the

implementation of the recommendations for the Truth and Reconciliation

Commission come in?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Madam Chair, the Truth and Reconciliation led by the federal government, there

are a number of departments involved here in the provincial government. There's

Justice and there's our department, the Indigenous Affairs and Status of Women,

and we're working closely in consultation to ensure that those TRs are carried

out.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

If I could just add to that. From the Justice

perspective, any time we deal with – and I think it's the same thing for another

inquiry as well. When you deal with FPT tables on inquiries, it's very difficult

actually but we are getting towards those results. When you deal with 10 other

provinces and three territories on recommendations and on coming to a common

ground, it's very difficult but it's something we work very hard towards.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I look forward to finding out where each of those

departments are spending the money to meet their commitments under the

provincial recommendations.

I do believe that's all the questions I have on this

section for now.

Thank you.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for Mount

Pearl - Southlands.

MR.

LANE:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I want to make more of an observation – perhaps it's a

question, although the Deputy Premier can respond if she so desires. Of course,

this being Committee of the Whole, I believe we do have the flexibility to do

this. So it doesn't have to be a question and answer back and forth,

necessarily.

I do want to take this opportunity to make what I think

is an important point anyway, and others can agree or disagree. I think it does

tie in to the policy of the government and of the Cabinet, who are primarily the

individuals that initiate at least the budgetary process. It's certainly the

ministers that would be feeding in to the budget. It's the Cabinet that would

approve the budget.

Madam Chair, I understand that we have a long-standing

process in terms of how the budget is done, how the budget is laid out from a

documentation point of view, how the budget is debated in the House of Assembly,

whether it be through the Estimates process and the other processes that are

involved in it. The observation I want to make – and I've raised this in a

couple of Estimates, but I want to raise it again just for the public record.

I'm going to use an example here. I'm not knocking this, by the way, but I'm

just going to use it as an example.

The Leader of the Official Opposition in asking some of

his questions, one of the questions he asked – and it was a fair question, I

have no issue with the question – but he talked about 2.5.01, Executive Support,

and a line there for Grants and Subsidies. Last year it was budgeted $35,000,

and the actual was $33,600. He questioned how come we didn't spend the $1,400.

Now, I have no problem with that question. It's a fair question; it's the

people's money.

We often heard the expression: Take care of the

pennies; the dollars take care of themselves. I'm not knocking that, but I want

to make this point. That at the same time we're talking about, in this case

$1,400, when we go through the budgetary process, Madam Chair – and I'll just

use Health as an example.

We went through Estimates in the Department of Health;

we were doing the same kind of thing, line-by-line scrutiny. Some amounts were

large amounts in salaries; some were very small amounts. It could have been

office supplies, it could have been a difference that we didn't do as much

photocopying as we did last year and so on. All those things are important, but

at the same time that we were doing that, we had one line in the budget – I'm

not going to take the time to try to dig it out here but there was one line –

grants and subsidies to the regional health care authorities, $2.9 billion, I

believe it was. I think it was $2.9 billion with a B.

One line, grants and subsidies to the health care

authorities. You can look at the health care authorities. You can look at the

millions of dollars that go into Memorial University. You can look at the

millions of dollars that go into the College of the North Atlantic. You can look

at the public money that's being expended and earned at the Newfoundland Liquor

Corporation, as an example. We can look at Nalcor, OilCo, these are all public

entities. These are entities that are spending literally billions of dollars –

way more money being spent in those entities than has ever been expended in this

document here.

We're doing a line-by-line core department, deep dive

but at the same time there are no opportunities for 40 elected Members of the

House of Assembly to really dig in and question how money is being spent at the

agencies, boards and commissions and so on. I think that's flawed. I understand

they are arm's length. I understand they have a board of directors and so on.

I'm not questioning the competency of the people who may be on those boards of

directors, but those people weren't elected. Those people weren't elected to

represent the public and to manage the public purse and to question how our

money is being spent. The vast majority of the money captured in this document

is being managed and scrutinized by unelected people, and we have no idea how

the money is being spent – not a clue.

Now, I know you can ask in Health, for example, and you

ask a couple of questions about the regional health authorities, the minister

does the best he can to answer a question on this or that but the bottom line is

there are billions of dollars and there's no line by line. There's no scrutiny

and so on. Whether it be part of this process or whether it be a separate

process, maybe A, B, Cs should be brought in on a rotational basis.

Maybe each year we're going to pick on a rotational

basis. Maybe OilCo and Nalcor get their turn for scrutiny this year. Then the

following year it's going to be NLHC and the following year we're going to have

the regional health authorities and have Mr. Diamond and whoever the other

people are in the House of Assembly, and their staff, so we can do a deep dive

and start scrutinizing how they're spending the public money. I really think

that's something that needs to happen. I really do.

We're talking about accountability and transparency and

public funds. That's where we need to go, in some form. I don't have all the

answers. I'm not suggesting this is the way it's going to be done or whatever,

but if there was ever something that we need to do to have true accountability

and transparency about how public money is being spent, we need to go down that

road.

We look at the example of what happened with the school

board just as an example, about that person that was renting a wheelbarrow or

something for thousands of dollars and all this stuff that came out in the AG's

report. It's absolutely ridiculous the stuff that was going on. I'm not saying

we would have picked up on that necessarily, but how much stuff is not being

scrutinized enough? How much is just being left out there and is not being dealt

with by this House of Assembly?

That was the point I wanted to raise here again this

morning for the public record. I'm not saying it to be critical. It has nothing

to do with this government, not a thing. I'm not being critical of this

government. I'm saying this sincerely to the minister, to the Deputy Premier,

Minister of Finance, to the Cabinet, to all Members of this House. It doesn't

matter what political stripe it is. It makes no difference. I'm not saying

you've done anything wrong. This is the way it's always been done, but just

because it's the way it's always been done doesn't mean it has to continue to be

done that way.

I put that out there as a suggestion of something we

can do in the future to have more accountability with the public purse so that

all Members have an opportunity to scrutinize what's going on and how billions –

literally billions – of taxpayers' money is being spent in this province.

I look under Policy, Planning and Coordination, 2.3.03,

and it talks about the responsibility, really, of the Cabinet when it comes to

transparency and accountability legislation. I will take this as another

opportunity just to plug, when we talk about accountability legislation, access

to information and the fact that Nalcor and OilCo are still exempted. They're

still exempted.

ATIPPA may apply to some of the day-to-day runnings,

but they have an out. That out has been used prior to the Muskrat Falls inquiry,

during the Muskrat Falls inquiry and since the Muskrat Falls inquiry. Even the

former premier himself was going to get information out about the contractors.

What would they call them? It wasn't independent, it was some other word they

were using but, anyway, they were independent contractors. Mr. Marshall – not

Mr. Martin – said, no, you can't have it. That was to the premier of the

province: you can't have it.

There's something wrong with that system, that Nalcor

and OilCo can just simply deny information outright. It doesn't matter. They

don't have to give any explanation as to why they're doing it. There's no

opportunity to challenge it. They can just say, no, you can't have it. There's a

problem with that.

Let the Privacy Commissioner decide. There's a process

in place for everything else. If it's commercially sensitive, the Privacy

Commissioner will say it's commercially sensitive, but let's remove the ability

of these people to do whatever they want and hide whatever they want from the

public. It's our money. It's our company.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

CHAIR:

The

Member's time has expired.

The Chair recognizes the Deputy Premier.

MS.

COADY:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

I thank the Member for that impassioned plea. I

listened intently because I think what he's talking about is further scrutiny of

agencies, boards and commissions.

For the people of the province, I will say they do have

– and I know the Member recognizes – a board of directors. They also have the

Auditor General and they also have the scrutiny of Treasury Board. But I take it

as a very valid point and I think I've said this to the Member before. I'm

certainly going to take it under advisement of how or what kind of process that

might look like.

As to the access to information, it is currently under

review. I encourage the Member opposite; I encourage everyone in the province to

weigh in on that review. I'm sure the Member will certainly have that. It is a

statutory review that is now underway.

I know there were discussions that were held coming out

of the inquiry into Muskrat Falls. I know the Member has petitioned this

previously and I'm sure he'll make good presentation to the Commissioner.

Thank you for your interventions.

CHAIR:

Any

further speakers?

The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Torngat

Mountains.

MS.

EVANS:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'm just going back now to

section 2.5.03, the

Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

section there, looking at the Grants and

Subsidies. Just looking at the extra budget there for $200,000, I know the

minister had actually responded to my leader's question there, but I found her

answer to be very vague when he asked –

MR.

CROCKER:

(Inaudible.)

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Just to make the point that I recognize the Deputy

Government House Leader is trying to answer these questions but, again, the

noise in the Chamber this morning is higher and it is really hard to hear. One

of the challenges I know the Deputy Government House Leader has is where her

seat is actually moved, the audio system is not the same as you would find in a

regular configuration of the Chamber.

CHAIR:

is and I agree. I'm having trouble hearing myself. So, again, for the third

time, can we keep our noise levels to a respectful level or, again, take the

conversations outside the Chamber.

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Torngat

Mountains.

MS.

EVANS:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Getting back to 2.5.03, Indigenous Affairs and

Reconciliation, and going down to the line for Grants and Subsidies. The Leader

of the Opposition had asked about the increase of $200,000 there for Grants and

Subsidies. I found the answer to be very vague coming back from the minister

going out to Indigenous projects and looking at a number of different ideas.

I was wondering: What's the consultation process to

make sure all Indigenous groups are aware of the extra $200,000 and to make sure

that it is properly allocated?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and

Reconciliation.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Certainly, that is why I did not give a detailed answer

because I cannot speak for the Indigenous groups. They are all aware. The Member

may not have heard me because of some of the chatter in the House that's still

happening.

I actually have sat down with the Indigenous leaders

very early weeks in my term in this office, and I've actually written each of

the groups on the projects. To date, we have received feedback from some and

some we have still not yet received feedback.

The groups that the Member asked about is a very

important question. If we're going to do something, there has to be a

consultation. Certainly, I think the Member can take heart that we have written

the groups, we've sat down with them. The Premier and myself have sat down, I

think, with most of the groups, as well, by now. Those decisions that we make

will be made in collaboration with the Indigenous leadership in the province.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Torngat Mountains.

MS.

EVANS:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you for your answer, Minister. The Leader of the

Third Party had actually asked about some monies there and the answer came back

for a groomer for the North Coast and snowmobiles and drags. I was just

wondering if any of those snowmobiles were purchased for the North Coast in my

district and any of the drags, because I know the former MHA for my district had

campaigned on these drags and snowmobiles.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

will tell my hon. colleague that my former colleague did carry through on his

promise, if that's what he campaigned on. The breakdown, under the funding for

the Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy, Madam Chair, we had increased the

budget to $471,000.

The investments from that included funding for the Nain

and Hopedale Inuit Community Governments for the purchase of new snowmobiles and

drags; one was my district, Cartwright, Black Tickle. There was a snowmobile and

a drag for Norman Bay and there was some funding for the Town of North West

River to support safety improvements to the trail system.

As the Member would know, that highway that leaves

North West usually heads up to the North Coast. Very important funding that we

allocate there, Madam Chair, to maintain snowmobile trails to remote Labrador

communities that do not have a year-round road connection to service centres.

Once again I was pleased to see just under $500,000 that we invested last year

into those road links.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Torngat Mountains.

MS.

EVANS:

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I thank the minister for her answer. I just needed

clarification if it was just the Nain Community Government only.

Also, the Leader of the Opposition asked about the work

being done to support an apology for residential school survivors. I find your

answer to be very sincere there on your work that's being done, especially I

know you reached out to Nunatsiavut Government and you've also reached out to

Mi'kmaq on the Island portion of the province.

I was wondering if there was any work being done

relating to the Innu because the Innu have said repeatedly there will be no

apology accepted without work being done for reconciliation on their social

issues.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

It's my understanding, since I've come into the

portfolio – and we've actually been working on the file as well – that each

Indigenous group will be putting together parameters and a framework around how

they each want their apology to be. For example, the Nunatsiavut Government may

have some different stipulations than how NunatuKavut Community Council would

want that apology to look like.

I will remind the Member that I believe we are building

on very positive relationships with our Indigenous groups in this province. Our

former administration, there were a number of things that we implemented that

had never been done before – a premier's Indigenous roundtable that happened

annually. Premier Furey has committed that together we will sit down and we will

continue to hold an annual Indigenous Leaders Roundtable.

We work closely with the Innu as well. The Innu have

been in, they've sat down with myself and the new Premier. We'll continue to

work with each of the groups to ensure that at the end of the day when the

apology is carried out, that all parties are satisfied and that it was what they

wanted. That is as it should be because it's been a long time coming.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Torngat Mountains.

MS.

EVANS:

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I thank the minister for her answer.

I think that's actually a really good answer. I thank

you very much for the individualizing of the different Indigenous groups, the

recognition that there are different issues.

I was looking back at the Estimates last year, and also

the previous for 2018 and 2017, and I asked a question last year regarding the

mandate of Indigenous Affairs. Is there a role there for actually advocating for

different departments for support services and allocations of services? The

answer has always come back, yes, Indigenous Affairs also advocates within

different departments like Education, CSSD and AES on behalf of Indigenous

people.

I was just wondering, is there any effort there,

looking at the budgets, to help Innu with their access to ABE? To me it's pretty

a second language have a large portion of their adult population who slipped

through the cracks of the education system. I was just wondering is there any

effort being made to help the Innu secure ABE, which is critical for their

adults to be able to access jobs and employment opportunities?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I thank the Member for the question.

What I will say, in response to her

preamble, is

Labrador Affairs Secretariat, the office of Indigenous Affairs and

Reconciliation and the Office for the Status of Women are three offices that

work very closely across government – whether it's the gender-based analysis

lens in Status of Women; whether it's policy input recognizing the unique and

geographical challenges of Labrador; or whether it's the Indigenous lens,

ensuring that is on each file across departments. We do that, Madam Chair. That

is ongoing. I work closely with all of my colleagues. Sometimes I think they get

tired of hearing from me, but that's important work that we do.

Around the Indigenous communities, I don't have the

information right in front of me. As the Deputy Premier went through the budget,

she broke out a lot of the funding that went to Indigenous groups around the ABE

portion. I did receive a letter; I referred it, Madam Chair, to my colleague

responsible for ISL now, the former Advanced Education, Skills and Labour. I

don't have the details to give her at this time, but I'll defer to the minister

for that department to answer this question in a few minutes.

Thank you.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Torngat Mountains.

MS.

EVANS:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

In actual fact, the fact that we have a separate

Indigenous Affairs portion that is also now tied to reconciliation, it shows the

importance of the Indigenous populations and the fact that they have different

social, educational and economic issues that face them.

That ties into my next question here out of the budget

for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation. Is the department also working with

CSSD? As we've noticed, we've had a lot of CSSD support workers actually leave

and go to other agencies, so I was wondering is that something that Indigenous

Affairs is working to actually try and resolve the issue, to address that issue.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Yes, as a former minister of CSSD, as someone who was

the minister in that very large social department for three years, when I was

there I worked closely with Indigenous Affairs and often Labrador Affairs, just

like I am now working closely with my colleague.

Actually, Madam Chair, the current Minister of CSSD and

myself have just been to Labrador, as the Member opposite would know. We had

meetings together in Goose Bay. We actually travelled to the Inuit community of

Nain where we sat down with Nunatsiavut, Martin Martin Group Home and the Inuit

Nain Community Government.

Madam Chair, the Member raises issues around children

in care that are very, very complex, and not easy to solve. I would say to the

Member that we work beyond Indigenous Affairs and CSSD to address – some of

those issues are connected in Health as we work around mental health and

addictions issues and sometimes we were challenged to keep children in the

community.

I want to say to this House here while I have an

opportunity, while we're not where we need to be, we have made tremendous

progress. We brought a new Children, Youth

and Families Act into this House. There's a very big focus on prevention,

Madam Chair. We have actually partnered, for example, with Family Connections

under NG. Our social workers may not have been aware of a certain placement for

a child, but by having that local knowledge there maybe an auntie or a grandma

or a significant other that could take the child.

There's some very positive work, Madam Chair, that is

happening around the issue of children in care and most importantly, paramount,

we're working very closely with the Indigenous leadership and consulting with

them as we move forward on the best interests of their children.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

Any further speakers?

Seeing no further speakers shall 2.1.01 through 4.1.05

inclusive carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

On motion, subheads 2.1.01 through 4.1.05 carried.

CLERK:

The

totals.

CHAIR:

Shall the totals carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, Executive Council, total heads, carried.

CHAIR:

Shall I report the Estimates of the Legislature and Executive Council carried

without amendment?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

The Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Madam Chair, I move that we rise the Committee and report the Estimates of the

Legislature and Executive Council.

CHAIR:

it the pleasure of the House to rise the Committee to report totals carried?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

The House is now in recess.

Recess

CHAIR:

Order, please!

The Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Sorry for the confusion, anybody at home trying to

follow us this morning.

Madam Chair, with consent, we will continue in

Committee and do the subheads for the Office for the Status of Women, Treasury

Board and OCIO.

CHAIR:

this the pleasure of the House?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

CLERK:

2.7.01 through 2.7.03.

CHAIR:

Shall 2.7.01 through 2.7.03 carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

First of all, I would like to say I am so pleased to

participate in this Estimates process in relation to the budget allocation for

the Office for the Status of Women. Obviously, this is a very important function

that needs to occur because it gives us the opportunity to ask important

questions which will provide transparency and accountability on these issues.

Before I address the specific heading, Madam Chair, I

would like to ask a few general questions first. With respect to last year in

Estimates, the previous minister spoke about taking a women's leadership

conference to Labrador. Could the current minister please provide an update on

this?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you for saying that correctly, Madam Chair, because today I've heard

several people calling it women's policy office. It is actually the Office for

the Status of Women. It's important for us to – as we had heard already in this

House early this week, language matters.

We are indeed committed to taking the leadership

conference, I say to the hon. Member, to Labrador, but right now we are in these

very different times with the pandemic and folks are being advised to only

travel when it is necessary, but we are committed to that. The funding is

allocated for it and we will see what happens in the remaining months. We take

our direction primarily from the province's chief medical officer of Health as

it relates to some of those initiatives and we follow her guidance.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you, Minister.

I'm glad to hear it's still on track and that funding

has been allocated, and that it will take place when the opportunity arises.

With respect to the Intimate Partner Violence

prevention program, could the minister please provide an update on this?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'm happy to say that on Friday morning I had what has

probably been one of the most important meetings that I've had since I've been

in the portfolio. I had an opportunity to sit down with Constable Lindsay Dillon

– I'm looking to my colleague, the former Justice minister …

MR.

A. PARSONS:

(Inaudible.)

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Pardon me?

MR.

A. PARSONS:

Malin Enström.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Malin Enström – he knew exactly the next question I was going to ask – the crime

analyst with the RNC and they're doing some very, very valuable work. It is my

understanding that both in the partnership work we do with the RNC and the RCMP,

that the vacancies are all filled. There's a full complement of staff and some

very important work being carried out. I look forward to building upon the

meeting we had last Friday morning.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you, Minister.

I'm glad to hear there are meetings ongoing and I look

forward to hearing about some positive and productive outcomes from these

meetings.

With respect to the Intimate Partner Violence

prevention program, can the minister please advise if there has been an increase

in activity since COVID-19?

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the hon. the Minister Responsible

for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I believe those units are busy ongoing all the time. It

was not part of our discussion on Friday morning. What I can say to the hon.

Member is there's been a huge increase since COVID. I actually believe there may

have been a slight decrease in the amount of work since COVID, Madam Chair.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you, Minister.

If you could provide confirmation of that, that would

be appreciated.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Deputy Government House Leader.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'm certainly happy to provide some confirmation on

whether the numbers are up or the numbers are down. I don't want to speak to

something without having some degree of certainty. As the Member would know,

normal Estimates process you have the staff in your department around you but

I'm here just going on the knowledge that I've accumulated for the two months

since I've been there. So I may not have everything readily available for her

but we will certainly get that information.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The hon. the Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you, Minister.

We would appreciate that.

With respect to the Indigenous Women's conference, can

you provide an update on that as well?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

That is another conference we're certainly committed

to. Again, during this time of COVID, most folks have been avoiding larger

gatherings of people that may be outside your bubble. We've actually had some

dialogue around the merits of possibly doing something through a virtual means.

We have been finding our way through this pandemic

since March, and many things have been delayed and put on hold. I think

initially we had thought for a temporary time, but as time goes on we will have

to look at finding new ways to have folks gather for conferences and perhaps

virtual may be one of those means. The commitment to hold that Indigenous

gathering is there.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you.

Minister, could you please provide an update on pay

equity legislation?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

What I understand is there has been an

interdepartmental working group predating my time. Since I've gotten there, I

have learned that much of the research around that has been done and it's moving

through. It's an active file. Conversations are happening.

The interdepartmental committee on pay equity have been

exploring the feasibility of pay equity within this province. They have now

completed significant research exploring pay equity-related initiatives, both in

the province and across Canada. The committee is currently in the process of

coordinating a meeting between ministers to discuss the findings of that

research.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Minister, last year in Estimates I asked a question of

the minister in regard to the pay equity legislation and we were advised that

there was a need to bring in more expertise. There was an indication that your

department would be reaching out to others in government who could come to the

table.

Is that what you're referencing when you say the

interdepartmental committee? Can you please expand on that?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'll just speak briefly from my Treasury Board role

because there's actually a role there as well where Treasury Board Secretariat,

former HRS, would be a part of that interdepartmental committee. I guess even

referencing back to the Member's remarks about last year's Estimates, it is very

complex. Because if you look at core government itself, I would think and I

would hope that we've achieved pay equity in the core of government as we hire.

In my briefings, as I move into the HRS side of this

department, the challenges when you look at pay equity as you go outside of

government – we have a very strong control over what we do inside our

organization, but as you go out it becomes more challenging.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you.

With respect to heading 2.7.02, Office for the Status

of Women, Professional Services, Madam Chair, '19-'20, $294,000 was budgeted but

only $160,000 was used. Could the minister please give some information on this,

including an outline of how the $160,000 was spent?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Madam Chair, can I just ask the Member, what was the heading again?

HON. MEMBER:

(Inaudible.)

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Okay, Professional Services.

2.7.02, I don't see that. I'm not sure if I'm in the

right place here, Madam Chair, but the $134,248 –

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you.

No, under 2.7.02, Office for the Status of Women, under

01, Salaries, and specifically Professional Services, you'll note that in 2019

to 2020 there was $294,900 budgeted but only $160,652 actually was used. I'm

asking if you could provide some information and an outline of how that money

was spent.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

have three offices on the go here; I apologize.

Under those Professional Services, $134,248 reflects

savings due to some vacancies and staff changes. As I had mentioned earlier,

we're in the process of going through getting both of those filled now.

Also, some of the savings have resulted from a

postponement of leadership initiatives due to COVID, as I also alluded to

earlier, and $24,900 reflects a decrease due to redistribution of funds related

to gender-based analysis, leadership initiatives and violence prevention

initiatives.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you.

Under Grants and Subsidies, which is under 2.7.02,

Office for the Status of Women, Minister, could you please provide some

information about where this grant funding is awarded? I'm specifically

interested to hear how the increase to $3.2 million will be utilized.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

I'm

sorry, Madam Chair, I missed the first part of her question. I ask her to bear

with me and repeat it again.

CHAIR:

The

Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

That would be under the heading Office for the Status

of Women, 2.7.02, under Grants and Subsidies. It says subsection 10. Could you

please provide some information about where this grant funding is awarded? What

I'm interested in is the increase went to $3.2 million and how that will be

utilized.

CHAIR:

The

hon. the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'm happy to speak to the Grants and Subsidies and the

overall increase in the budget in the Office for the Status of Women, because

our current Premier, during his leadership talked about he would work to elevate

the profile of the Office for the Status of Women. He would be supportive of

placing additional resources there to carry out the very important work of women

in this province. He's certainly done that. Indigenous Affairs and

Reconciliation and the Office for the Status of Women, I believe, were the only

two areas during this budget that saw an increase.

Under the Grants and Subsidies, some of the places

where we spend money right now, I say to the hon. Member, Madam Chair, is we

fund women's centres across the province. We fund, I believe it's nine or 11

violence prevention organizations across the province and groups like the St.

John's Status of Women Council, the Gander Status of Women, Corner Brook. I'm

happy to provide her with all of these details.

The Member asked about the additional $425,000 in this

year's budget. One of the priorities, it was very important for me in my

earliest days in the office to try and determine where the greatest needs are.

There are many needs and you want to ensure that the funding is going to meet

those needs.

One of the things that I had heard in feedback was the

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program that is here on the Avalon is working

very well. I think most here would understand the details around that program.

Some of the extra funding we would be looking at expanding that to the West

Coast. Our long-term view is to go into Labrador and do that very important work

as well.

There are a number of initiatives that we are looking

at. There may be one other staffing complement that will also come from that,

Madam Chair.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Minister, with respect to the $3.2 million and how it

will be utilized, you identify that there are women's centres, violence

prevention initiatives; however, you speak mostly in generalities and you did

indicate that you could give us some specific details. It would be appreciated

if that could be done.

CHAIR:

The Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

I have a full breakdown, obviously, of the people's purse and where those grants

and subsidies and amounts are going. We'd be happy to provide that for the

Member.

CHAIR:

The Chair recognizes the Member for Harbour Main.

MS.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

That concludes my questions.

CHAIR:

The Chair now recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

A couple of follow-up questions. What has been done to

ensure that the Domestic Violence Help Line number comes to the top of all

search engines?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I thank the Member for her question.

It's a very important one. The domestic line was put in

this spring during a time of COVID, recognizing that not every female or every

individual who is subject to violence would be able to use a telephone;

sometimes texting is the safer route. I was happy to see my predecessor ensure

that was carried out. There's some work happening right now to ensure that when

you go into Google search that number will be at the top of the line.

What I will say to the Member is we are seeing

increased uptake on that line, which is encouraging with respect to the fact

that it shows that people are aware of that. I understand that groups like PANL,

when folks call there, this information, the phone number is readily available.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I've pulled up two search engines and I get a news

release there, so we may want to check on that one. With respect to the

statistics, let's go specifically to the Violence Prevention action plan, but if

you want to speak to it a little more broadly, I would be delighted to hear that

as well. Can you provide us with updated prevalence statistics?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

think, Madam Chair, the hon. Member is not on a certain line item now; she's

asking a general question. I don't have that information here, but I'm certainly

happy to get it and get back to her.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Again, it is a policy that (inaudible) the budget, so

that's why I ask these larger questions.

Under Grants and Subsidies, 2.7.02 – we were talking a

little bit about Grants and Subsidies earlier. Can you give me a list of which

organizations now receive multi-year core funding?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The list of groups that we fund right now: Newfoundland

Aboriginal women, $203,000 – if the Member wants me to go through I'm happy to –

Corner Brook Status of Women, just under $202,000; the Gander Status of Women,

just under $143,000; St. John's Status of Women, that is just under $143,000;

Status of Women Central, same. Most of these are $142,625: Labrador West Status

of Women Council, the Gateway Status of Women Council, Multicultural Women's

Organization and Bay St. George Status of Women.

Then we move into a different amount, $135,000 to the

Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis; NorPen Status of Women,

$108,065. I say to the Member that one is a little less just because it was a

new office, I believe, that we opened up. I'm looking to the MHA for St. Barbe -

L'Anse aux Meadows who was an advocate for that. It was not a full year, so

those figures reflect that.

Then we have a number of organizations. They are:

Violence Prevention Labrador, $100,000; an extra $20,000 recognizing some of the

geographical barriers and extra costs of travel there. Then the remaining

violence prevention groups would be Violence Prevention Southwest, Violence

Prevention Avalon East, Communities Against Violence, Violence Prevention

Northern Peninsula, Western Regional Coalition and Violence Prevention South and

Central.

There's still a continued long list here, I'll keep

going, Madam Chair – Burin Peninsula violence against women. Then we move down

to a different amount. The First Light, St. John's Friendship Centre, $71,000

went for a provincial Indigenous women's gathering; Thrive, $60,000; and

Northern Peninsula Mi'kmaq was $24,100. That was an Indigenous violence

prevention grant.

I'm into grants now. The Member asked about core

funding and it's all combined on my note sheet here, the subsidies and the

grants. I also will say, while it's in my mind, Madam Chair, that this

government was the first government to give core funding to friendship centres.

We now have three friendship centres receiving core funding of $30,000 annually

coming out of our most recent budget. We're very pleased to see that additional

support.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and I look forward to that multi-year core

funding being continued for many more years.

Madam Chair, can the minister give me a list of the

data that is collected by their office. If they're not collecting any, that's

fine. I assume that perhaps some of the other agencies are.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the

Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Obviously, I will have to follow up, but just for

clarity for the record and for my officials that may be watching today, the

Member is asking for data around –

MS.

COFFIN:

All

data on women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

All

data.

MS.

COFFIN:

(Inaudible) what does the office collect.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

We'll get that information for her. There's a report that I recently saw that

has a lot of statistics and data in it. What we have, we're certainly happy to

share.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, with respect to gender-inclusive policies,

I understand that the Status of Women office was developing an equity profile

for the Status of Women in this province as part of developing gender-inclusive

policies, legislation, programs and service. Is that profile available?

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the

Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Madam Chair, I think I missed the first part.

I'll respond to gender-based analysis. Is that your

question?

MS.

COFFIN:

Equity profiles?

MS.

DEMPSTER:

would have to get that information and get back to her.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you very much.

Now we'll talk about gender-based analysis. I know that

there has been an initiative to ensure that all government departments, and I

would like to think – I hope, maybe you can confirm this for me – all of our

Crown corporations as well have been expected to undertake gender-based analysis

training.

Can you give me a list of those that have not received

that training yet?

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the

Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

There has been some very good work happening around

gender-based analysis. I can start with in-house, Madam Chair.

Each Cabinet paper, as it works its way through the

system, we work hard to ensure – and it's a given, my colleagues know that it

has to go to the Status of Women office – it has to have a gender lens applied

and then their feedback is incorporated. When we look back to, I think it was

2019, Madam Chair, it was the former premier that announced an enhanced mandate

for the Status of Women, one that would include a greater focus on gender-based

analysis. We've been using GBA+ regularly in all of our work.

I'm looking for some numbers here because I do have

them. To date, Madam Chair, the Office of the Status of Women has held 35

training sessions with 513 participants in total ranging from – that would be

deputy ministers; that would be executive-level staff to communications

professionals. I think important to note here, Madam Chair, the first people

being trained are those who are directly involved in the development of

programs, services, legislation, policies and budgets.

So the Member asked about ABCs moving a little further

out. Once our in-house work is completed, we will begin training for the general

public service as well as our agencies, boards and commissions. But in

prioritizing those folks that were hands on with the development, it was

certainly paramount that we get those done first.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'm not sure if there are any government departments

missing or not. I understand that a great many people have been trained in this

analysis, but I don't think it was answered that any of them have it. I know

ABCs will be rolled out eventually.

The minister did allude to the fact that Cabinet papers

are being viewed under a gender-based analysis, plus training. Can you confirm

if all policies undergo that since gender-based analysis was initiated?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'll go back to clarify, the Member was asking if all

departments had been done. It's my understanding – getting some information here

– that there was a couple that were outstanding to be done that were scheduled,

and it was during the time of COVID. So work is underway to ensure that the

remaining two departments are done.

To the current question, Madam Chair, that's on the

floor, what I will tell the hon. Member is that we are mandated; and my mandate

letter from the Premier is posted online and it's the same across all

departments and all of my ministerial colleagues understand that we are mandated

to do a Gender-Based Plus Analysis on all papers that go through the system, on

everything.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

That is refreshing to hear that everything is

undergoing a gender-based analysis.

Madam Speaker, I understand that there are some

concerns about the costs associated with pay equity legislation.

Does the minister have even a rough estimate of what it

would approximately cost to include such a thing?

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair Recognizes the Minister Responsible for the

Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

As I had mentioned earlier with a question from the

Opposition, an interdepartmental committee on pay equity have done some

preliminary work exploring the feasibility of pay equity in this province. We

are currently in the process of coordinating a meeting between ministers to

discuss the findings of that research. That meeting has not occurred yet, so I'm

not able to answer the specific question around what a potential cost might be.

Madam Chair, the Member opposite would know, this is

very complex and how you measure and put a dollar figure around that is probably

a very challenging thing to do. We've been looking at other jurisdictions and

what's been happening there and it's rolled out a number of different ways.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I do recognize the complexity of this; this is why I

asked the questions.

Madam Chair, I'm very interested in the Gender Equity

and Diversity Plans and Women's Employment Plans for major projects. It will be

really interesting to see what employers have been worked with and given the

nature of our economic and social circumstances right now, as we attempt to

reinvigorate our economy, it would be good to see who we've been working with to

improve gender equity and diversity as well as women's employment plans.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

We're actually pretty excited as a government with our

Gender Equity and Diversity Plans. I mentioned – maybe it was in Question Period

earlier – I attended a FPT with the three Atlantic provinces around status of

women and the launch of the Gender Equity and Diversity Plans that was led by

Newfoundland and Labrador. Recognizing, I guess, that this province historically

was heavily resource based and lots of male-dominated work happening. Since that

time we have been significantly progressing along.

I look to my colleague the Minister of Transportation

and Infrastructure and the former minister, there were targets I believe that

was built into P3s work that happens, and I'm going to let my colleague expand

on that a little on the work we're doing, if he so wishes.

But it's certainly a priority for us that any of the

work that we're involved with there are targets because we want to ensure more

women in every workplace and we're working hard to achieve that, Madam Chair.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The sex trade is predominantly female, I'm wondering if

any capacity has been afforded in the Office for the Status of Women for

addressing the women in that particular industry. I do recognize that crosses

genders as well, but I think that's a very important thing that we do not

address nearly enough. I'm just wondering if there has been any capacity

afforded to the Office for the Status of Women for addressing this very

important issue.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Member asked about individuals who have chosen the

sex trade industry. What I will say is that as a government we are concerned

about the safety of all people who work in our province.

During COVID, Madam Chair, recognizing that some of

those people who work in this area would not have fallen under other programs,

we did find in the Status of Women money – $60,000, as she will see here in the

Estimates – to support some of those women who would not have been a part of any

other system. There would have been the Safe Harbour Outreach Project under the

St. John's Status of Women. That's a group that does supportive work for women

in the sex trade, Madam Chair.

Also, funds went to CASEY, which is where we work with

a broad cross-section of organizations to support youth that are being sexually

exploited.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Madam Chair, I look forward to that core funding becoming multi-year – well, I

look forward to it becoming core funding and multi-year funding because I will

guarantee you that the sex trade will not go away.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair, that's all my

questions in this section.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Minister Responsible for the

Status of Women.

MS.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Just for the purpose of correcting the record, I remind

the Member that what I said was during COVID when many programs were being

rolled out, this was a group of workers that were not covered under other

programs. It was one-time funding.

I recognize the important work, but I would not want

this hon. House to misconstrue my words. It was a one-time funding that went to

SHOP and to CASEY during COVID. Of course, all of these things are always being

evaluated as we go forward.

CHAIR:

Seeing no further speakers.

Seeing no further speakers.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

(Inaudible.)

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes – I ask Members to stand because it is hard to notice if you

want to actually speak.

CLERK:

(Inaudible.)

CHAIR:

First, we will carry these totals.

You're moving on to a different topic, I take it?

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Right.

CHAIR:

Okay.

Shall 2.7.01 through 2.7.03 carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, subheads 2.7.01 through 2.7.03 carried.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Subhead 3.1.01, Office of the President of Treasury

Board, I have a couple of general questions. The first one has to do with Dame

Moya Greene. From the Budget Speech, she's being brought in to review

expenditures across government, analyze our fiscal capacity and reimagine

government service delivery. There's also a no layoff clause in our current

collective agreements. How are these two items going to work together, or are

they going to conflict with each other?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the hon. Member for the question. From the

Treasury Board perspective we constantly look for efficiencies, and from the HR

perspective we respect our collective agreements. We will continue to respect

our collective agreements.

I know the work being done by Dame Moya Greene will

take place in the coming months. I guess we'll have to wait and see that report

but, again, we are bound by our collective agreements.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

The

same topic: What is the current attrition plan which government is now

following?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Currently, to the hon. Member's question, this year I think the attrition plan

will achieve about $1.4 million in core of government; 2021-22 would also

achieve about $1.4 million in government. The outside entities, I guess ABCs,

would achieve in 2020-21, $2.7 million; and in '21-'22, $2.7 million in

attrition targets.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port

au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

it possible that these government-wide targets would be broken down, and can you

provide information on them?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

certainly will get as detailed information as I can for the Member opposite.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Subhead 3.1.02, Executive Support, Professional Services; last year there was

$939,000 spent, there was no budget. I just wonder what that expenditure was

for.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The $939,000 was spent last year on the shared services

initiative. As we work for overall savings in government there are going to be

obviously expenditures to help get us there, and that's what that would have

been for last year.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Can

we get a breakdown of what exactly it was spent on?

CHAIR:

The

hon. the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I will certainly provide whatever detailed information

we can get there for the Member opposite.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

3.2.01, Professional Services; last year there was a budget of $200,000 and only

$82,000 was actually spent. I'm just wondering why the savings and, again, this

year's budget seems to be approximately the same amount.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

That was Professional Services?

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Yes.

MR.

CROCKER:

That reflects savings due to lower actuary costs than anticipated. This year we

would go back to where we were for use of actuaries.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Similarly, 3.3.01 under Pensions Administration; Professional Services are

expected to go up to $172,000.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

apologies, Madam Chair, but it's like the speed round here.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

is when the clock is going.

MR.

CROCKER:

know. I'm sorry.

My apologies, 3.3.01?

MR.

WAKEHAM:

3.3.01 under Professional Services.

MR.

CROCKER:

That's the increase. There was an increase due to requirements funded within

Treasury Board for required systems maintenance.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Now

I go down to 3.3.02.01, Salaries. There's $57 million budgeted in Salaries that

wasn't there before. Is this related to the NLMA negotiations or something else?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Yes, it reflects an increase as appropriate for block funding allocations to

provide for compensation and contractual adjustments that are anticipated to

incur in the 2020-2021 year.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

The

NLMA would be part of that, I assume.

MR.

CROCKER:

Yes, that would reflect any adjustments in this fiscal year.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Okay. Thank you very much.

Let's go again now over to 3.4.01.

MR.

CROCKER:

Payroll and Benefits.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

I'll give you a chance to flick over the pages there.

MR.

CROCKER:

No,

I got there. I think I did.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

This is under the Payroll and Benefits section. This again is more to do with

the direction as opposed to a direct question on the amounts. That has to do

with the consolidation of payroll systems within all of the government agencies,

whether it be RHAs, the colleges, the housing, Nalcor.

Right now, we all know they all have their own separate

systems. They all have separate payrolls. I guess from my time on the shared

services model again, I was asking about opportunities for consolidation within

the government system and where this is and any work done, any estimate of

savings, that type of thing.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

can certainly look into that deeper and get back to the hon. Member. Just to

speak to his point, and I won't take much time, but it's a very good point,

because as we look at changes around government, the idea of everybody working

on separate systems is something that we're constantly in review with the

co-operation with, obviously, the Department of Finance and OCIO and others,

just to find these efficiencies that, in some cases, I would hope are

low-hanging fruit.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Again, on a similar theme, 3.4.02, it's the same type of concept. We have

multiple payment systems and the same thing in terms of our financial systems

and how we're set up. I'm just looking for any thoughts that you have on where

we might be heading with that.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Yeah, it would be a very similar answer, and an equally as important point,

because these are things that we have to achieve. There has been a lot of work

done, but I guess when you deal with systems and when you start expanding those

systems, it's very easy for us to control inside of core government. When you

try and start putting those systems into other organizations who are working

totally different in lots of ways, it becomes more challenging, but certainly

something that, again, is a place we are headed, but there's still some work to

do.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port

au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

have no more questions on this particular one.

CHAIR:

Any

further speakers?

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Curious here, Pensions Administration, 3.3.01. We're

spending twice as much this year as we did last?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Professional Services?

MS.

COFFIN:

Yes.

MR.

CROCKER:

Yes, I already answered this question, but it's a system maintenance issue.

MS.

COFFIN:

Okay. Let's move over to Financial Assistance, 3.3.03. There's $24 million that

was budgeted; $9 million was spent. Can I have a list of the criteria and

organizations that received that money?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

This is not Grants and Subsidies that would fall

outside of government. I can give you some examples, and I'll certainly get you

the best I can for a list, but this would be things like AESL's Public

Post-Secondary Education Review. There was some work done with HRS for actuarial

services. It's that type of thing. It's internal government coming to Treasury

Board, to the secretariat for financial assistance. I can certainly get you the

most detailed list I can.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

That would be wonderful, thank you, and I would appreciate that.

A more specific question: Yesterday or the day before

in Estimates, we found a pocketful of money that was essentially discretionary.

Is there any of that money in this pot?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

One

of the things that I have not found in my five years in Cabinet is a pot a

money.

MS.

COFFIN:

found one in two days.

MR.

CROCKER:

Yes.

No, within the department or within the secretariat

that I represent there are no discretionary funding pots. There's no

discretionary funding. This is funding for providing public services.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Thank you.

That is reassuring, but you know I have to ask.

In terms of Financial Assistance, it says Revenue -

Provincial. Is that a repayment of loans?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

The

one that shows zero balances?

MS.

COFFIN:

3.3.04, Financial Assistance, Capital.

MR.

CROCKER:

Yes, that's actually the repayment of a loan to Corner Brook Pulp and Paper.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Leader of the Third Party.

MS.

COFFIN:

Oh,

okay. Nice to see that's coming in.

Let's see here, I do believe that maybe all of my

questions in this section.

Thank you very much.

CHAIR:

Any

further speakers?

Shall 3.1.01 to 3.4.06 carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, subheads 3.1.01 through 3.4.06 carried.

CLERK:

4.1.01 through 4.1.05 inclusive.

CHAIR:

Shall 4.1.01 through 4.1.05 carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

The Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port

au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Thank you very much.

Again, some general questions, I guess, to start off

with.

I noticed in the mandate letter to the minister that it

talks about “leading shared services, continue to take steps to consolidate

corporate services that will provide increased efficiencies and savings.”

I wonder can you provide an update of exactly what has

been taken in under shared services right now. What is actually part of the

shared service model?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister for Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

Thank you very much.

In terms of shared services, my understanding is shared

services will be transitioning to my responsibility, but it hasn't yet. We

haven't yet looked at which areas can be consolidated and prioritized, but we

anticipate doing that.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

The

former minister of Finance referred to the shared-service model many times in

his speeches. Again, I ask: Can you find out exactly what has been consolidated

to date and what the plans would be for the next round? That would be fine.

MS.

STOODLEY:

Yes.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Carrying on in that same theme, I guess, is that the mandate letters asked to

reduce a lot of the manual paper-based processes and increase the number of

products that are being delivered online. In doing so, obviously, there will be

a need for less people.

I'm wondering if you have had any plans, or lined up

any plans yet, on what that would look like or have you talked to any of the

unions about it.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

Right now, we're looking across all government departments and which services

that we currently provide to residents of the province in different channels.

Some are online already, some by phone, some by fax and some in person. So there

are hundreds and hundreds of services.

We are prioritizing and looking at the cost benefits of

all of those, which ones we can and should digitize adding to the list that we

currently have, the projects are ongoing.

We have not considered, I guess, a reduction in staff.

That's not part of the thing we're looking at, at the moment. We are focusing on

the services, the highest vying services and moving them online for people who

want to do services online, to create better experiences for people on the

phone.

For example, Motor Registration Division, currently our

Mount Pearl office, as we spoke in Estimates last night, there's a seven-day

wait for an in-person appointment. So the more services we can provide online

for people, the better services we can provide for people in the current

channels, for example, phone and in person. At the moment, we are not looking at

a reduction in staff as a result of digital services.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Can you provide me then with how you're going to increase efficiencies and

savings without impacting staff? Where do you anticipate getting significant

savings from?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

We're currently looking at that. A big portion of the savings will be in

increasing how easy it is for residents to do transactions with us. For example,

if they're applying for income support, rather than a paper-based process that

they currently have, which is very onerous – as an MHA, I regularly drive around

St. John's and deliver an income support application to someone in paper, take a

picture of it and email it in for them.

For example, if someone is applying for income support

they might have a smartphone, so rather than having them complete a paper-based

process, they complete a process on their smartphone so that it's more

accessible to them. The lens we're looking at right now is in terms of ease of

the residents of the province who are completing the services.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

understand that principle is the idea to save some efficiencies for people, to

make it easier for people but I'm not sure how that equates into savings for

government at this time. That's what I'm a little confused about.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

are looking at savings. The funding model is interesting, if you will. For

example, OCIO, which is what we're talking about now – when we build something

for a department, OCIO absorbs the cost. Right now when we build a digital

service, the department doesn't pay any of that cost for development.

We are still working on the nuances of when we build a

new digital service, how and where do those departmental costs come out and who

bears the result of that. There are some internal discussions we still need to

have around that.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

There's really no direct plan that you could lay out today that says this is

where we're going, this is exactly what we're doing, type of thing.

MS.

STOODLEY:

don't have a plan yet. Other than the digital services we are planning to build,

there are no specifics in terms of which department is taking it, which

(inaudible) at the moment, but we're moving towards that.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Just on another general topic, I'm not seeing any additional costs associated

with COVID. Of course, there was a time in government, in my day, when you

couldn't get a laptop or a phone. I'm wondering if the additional costs on IT

requirements were needed to support all of the work that was done remotely and

all of the people that worked at home because of COVID, and where are those

costs reflected? Secondly, were there any security concerns with so many people

working from home?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

Firstly, I'd like to say I think the teams did an amazing job during COVID. The

majority of the public service worked from home during that time. It was very

difficult for a lot of staff, particularly the OCIO teams.

There were no direct costs to OCIO as a result of

COVID-19 that I'm aware of. Many of the departments absorbed those costs.

We did have a reduction of costs. If we went into some

of the line items, we would see that. For example, many projects that OCIO were

undertaking, those projects were delayed as a result of COVID-19, as staff

stopped doing things they were doing and did other things; for example,

configuring laptops for people. I know laptops were repurposed across the public

sector and they were kind of really shared. A lot of things stopped so that

other things could continue on.

As far as I'm aware, there are no direct costs related

to COVID-19 from OCIO.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Oh,

oh!

CHAIR:

Order, please!

Can we keep the noise levels down again, please?

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port

au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

just wanted to go back to the agencies, boards and commissions for a second.

Back in 2014, I directly worked on a project that identified a shared service

model for RHAs that would involve consolidation of payroll, supply chain,

finance and human resources. I'm wondering: Has that been rolled out?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

The

Member is asking about shared services for regional health authorities?

MR.

WAKEHAM:

part of the whole government, regional health.

MS.

STOODLEY:

Okay.

I don't have that information, but I'm happy to take it

away and report back.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

I'm

just wondering: Where does that fit in the overall plan for government? The plan

to consolidate shared services, back-of-office functions for all of government,

including government departments themselves, where is that? Is there a plan for

that to happen?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

the moment, we're looking at resident services that we're transitioning online.

I'll certainly take it away in terms of the RHAs and get back to the Member on

that.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

I'm

not sure, Minister, if you would know anything. Has the consolidation of the

data centres with the ABC's taken place? That was something we had asked last

year in Estimates and I'm not sure if it has been done yet.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

have not yet completed the consolidation of data centres with the agencies,

boards and commissions.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

number of years ago we were talking about the potential for government to move

to the cloud platform. I'm wondering if there's been any progress on that. Is

that part of where you might be going?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

That's certainly an excellent question. I've been asking that of the teams. It's

certainly something they are continually looking at, especially when we look at

saving costs.

Part of the challenge is that requires a significant

change in skill set in team members, and also has huge security considerations

for how we store and keep information and maintain information. It is something

we're actively looking at, but there's no immediate plan to transition any

services to the cloud at the moment.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

I'll get right into some of the quick ones. 4.1.01, Corporate Services and

Projects; under Professional Services there seems to be an increase in that

particular budget going up to almost $1.5 million. I'm wondering what that would

be for.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

Under Professional Services, essentially, that covers a lot of the contractors

we bring in. That includes: $350,000 of one-time project funding for Digital

Government; $200,000 to do some important needed work on legacy applications we

received; $99,000 integrated service management carried forward from last year;

and then a reduction of $76,000, as I think some things were realigned between

Purchased Services and Professional Services.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

4.1.02, under Professional Services; again, there's a budget of $1.77 million

and last year we spent $1.474 million. I was wondering if you could explain how

the monies in Professional Services were used last year and what the plan is for

this year.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

The

$1,474,026, the reduction was related to COVID-19, projects that were delayed

and couldn't progress. Obviously, that resulted in fewer payments to vendors

than what we expected.

Then, this year, we're anticipating a full complement

of projects. This year also includes one-time funding to move some reports,

transition them across data centres, which includes $70,000 extra.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Under 4.1.03, Operations and Security, under Supplies I notice there's

approximately a little over $7 million budgeted and spent last year the same

thing, about $7.1 million. Can you tell us exactly what that was spent on?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

Sure. So Supplies in OCIO actually includes all software for all government

departments. When the Department of Health needs a new piece of software, that

comes into OCIO under Supplies. So we're not talking about office supplies;

we're talking about Microsoft Office; we're talking about Adobe; we're talking

about all the programs that all government departments use.

In terms of the specifics under Operations and

Security, there's a small change this year, $41,000 less – things that we don't

need anymore over last year – and then an extra $10,000 reprofiling; a change in

software needs, essentially.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Thank you.

Again, under the Purchased Services just underneath

that, a line down in the same heading, 4.1.03. There's a budget of $4.1 million;

last year's actual of $5 million. Again, what types of services were purchased

and what are being planned?

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

Purchased Services under 4.1.03, the changes here reflect $1.1 million less

around moving data centres; $4,000 less in annualization of decisions made last

year; $77,000 less, just reduced demand; and then an extra $300,000.

Essentially, we engaged a new security service provider to help prioritize and

action security threats. That falls under this line item as well.

CHAIR:

The

Chair recognizes the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Thank you.

4.1.04, again under Professional Services, same type of

question. Last year, $5.8 million was spent and I'm wondering what the plans are

for the $6 million this year.

CHAIR:

The

Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.

MS.

STOODLEY:

Professional Services this year, this includes, like I mentioned previously,

contractors and extra people we have to bring in on short notice and people we

can't find to work on projects and people with specialized knowledge. This

number includes an extra $650,000 one-time project funding, as well as a

reduction of $275,000, which was a capital project reprofiling. These are

directly related to capital projects.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

can get a listing of those type of things, I assume?

MS.

STOODLEY:

Yes.

MR.

WAKEHAM:

Okay. Thank you.

That's all the questions I have.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

Any further speakers?

Shall 4.1.01 to 4.1.05 carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, subheads 4.1.01 to 4.1.05 carried.

CLERK:

The

total.

CHAIR:

Shall the total carry?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, Office of the Chief Information Officer,

total heads, carried.

CHAIR:

Shall I report the Estimates of the Legislature and Executive Council carried

without amendment?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, Estimates of the Legislature and Executive

Council carried without amendment.

CHAIR:

The

hon. the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I move, seconded by the Deputy Government House Leader,

that the Committee rise and report the Estimates of the Legislature and

Executive Council.

CHAIR:

it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

On motion, that the Committee rise, report progress and

ask leave to sit again, the Speaker returned to the Chair.

MR.

SPEAKER (Reid):

Order, please!

The hon. the Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave.

MS.

P. PARSONS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Committee of Supply have considered the matters to

them referred and have directed me to report that they have passed, without

amendment, the Estimates of the Legislature and Executive Council.

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

Chair of the Committee of Supply reports that the Committee have considered the

matters to them referred and has directed her to report that they have passed,

without amendments, the Estimates of the Legislature and Executive Council.

When shall the report be received?

MR.

CROCKER:

Now.

MR.

SPEAKER:

Now.

On motion, report received and adopted.

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance, for leave

to introduce a bill,

An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act No. 2, Bill

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

MR.

SPEAKER:

is moved and seconded that Bill 44, entitled,

An Act To Amend The Revenue

Administration Act No. 2, now be read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

MR.

SPEAKER:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Finance to introduce a

bill, “An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act No. 2,” carried. (Bill 44)

CLERK:

bill,

An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act No. 2. (Bill 44)

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

bill has been read a first time.

When shall it be read a second time?

MR.

CROCKER:

Tomorrow.

MR.

SPEAKER:

Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 44 read a first time, ordered read a

second time on tomorrow.

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Government House Leader.

MR.

CROCKER:

Mr.

Speaker, I move, seconded by the Deputy Government House Leader, that this House

do now recess.

MR.

SPEAKER:

is moved and seconded that this House does now recess.

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

MR.

SPEAKER:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

We are recessed until 2 this afternoon.

Recess

The House resumed at 2 p.m.

MR.

SPEAKER (Reid):

Order, please!

Are the House Leaders ready? Yes.

Third Party House Leader ready?

Independents ready?

HON. MEMBER:

(Inaudible.)

MR.

SPEAKER:

Okay.

Admit visitors and begin the broadcast.

Statements by Members

MR.

SPEAKER:

Today we will hear statements from the hon. Members for the Districts of Mount

Pearl - Southlands, Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans, St. Barbe - L'Anse aux

Meadows, Terra Nova and Bonavista.

The hon. the Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands.

MR.

LANE:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It's with great sadness that I recognize the sudden

passing of a gentleman who touched many lives in my district and throughout our

province. Ordained in 1987, this proud Mount Pearl resident, the Right Reverend

Dr. Geoffrey Peddle, served many parishes, including the Parish of the Ascension

and Parish of the Good Shepherd in my community.

A noted author, he penned various academic articles and

books including: From Mount Pearl to Mount

Sinai , The Atonement of Jack Fowler ,

The Church Lads' Brigade in Newfoundland:

A People's Story and The Church of

England Orphanage in Newfoundland: 1855-1969 . He became bishop of Eastern

Newfoundland and Labrador in 2014 and had just recently retired prior to his

sudden passing.

Bishop Peddle would be described by many as a visionary

who was well-known throughout the province for speaking out on issues facing

both the Anglican Church and the world at large, from same-sex marriage, to the

closing of churches, to the treatment of prisoners.

I ask all Members to join me in offering our deepest

condolences to Geoff's wife Kathy, sons Adam and Benjamin, and the rest of his

family.

May he rest in peace.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans.

MR.

TIBBS:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Dave Murphy recently put his scissors and clippers in

the drawer at his shop for the last time, retiring from his long career in the

barbering business. Dave's barber shop on Main Street in Grand Falls-Windsor is

a well-known business and landmark to many in the Central area.

Dave started cutting hair with Mike Murphy on January

27, 1952. He remained with Mike until the spring of 1966. He was the last barber

to apprentice under Mike.

In 1968, Dave started a shop with Terry Ballard. This

business partnership ranged from 1968 to 1974. Then Terry left and started up in

the mall.

Dave's shop on Main Street burned down on February 3,

1977. In less than a month he was up and running again. The number of haircuts

Dave has given I can only imagine. It's safe to assume he has given a

million-plus haircuts over his lifetime. Many will remember their very first

haircut from Dave's.

Hats off to Mr. Murphy for his many years of dedicated

service as he hands his scissors over to Mr. Greg Beson. After 68 years of

cutting hair, Mr. Beson has some big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt he's up

to the task.

Thank you for your service, Mr. Dave Murphy, and enjoy

your retirement after 68 years of cutting hair.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for St. Barbe - L'Anse aux Meadows.

MR.

MITCHELMORE:

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a leader on the Great Northern Peninsula –

Mildred Lavers of Port Saunders, who taught for more than 35 years locally and

in Indigenous communities in Labrador, Quebec and Nunavut.

She is a determined advocate for the advancement of

Indigenous people as president of the Great Northern Peninsula Mekap'sk Mi'kmaq

Band, NorPen Aboriginal Women's Circle president and director at the Qalipu

Cultural Foundation, and former director of Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's

Network, NAWN.

Mildred has led many talks; her women's circle shares

culture through a drumming group and has advanced various research projects such

as storytelling and a collection of oral Indigenous history. Throughout the

pandemic, her band council worked hard to support vulnerable people. They

recently received funds to provide vegetables to seniors in the community.

Mildred, along with various members, was instrumental

in advocating and collaborating with the public and government to submit a

proposal that would see the establishment of the first Status of Women's Council

on the Great Northern Peninsula. Mildred now serves as chair, and NorPen Status

of Women's Council is celebrating its one-year anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, Mildred Lavers deserves recognition,

especially for her dedication and commitment to the advancement of Indigenous

people and women on the Great Northern Peninsula.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Terra Nova.

MR.

PARROTT:

Mr.

Speaker, I rise today to speak about a group of individuals, both in my district

and across the province. Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of many towns,

LSDs and small communities. I am blessed to know so many of these passionate,

dedicated, driven individuals that serve, at a minutes notice, unselfishly.

They act as soon as pagers go off, leaving the dinner

table, getting out of bed without question, leaving their families behind in

order to help someone else in need. Unfortunately, throughout the last year we

have lost some of the finest firefighters I know, great friends and some family.

On October 17, 23 fallen members were honoured with a

virtual helmet-laying ceremony. From the District of Terra Nova, I am glad to

stand and honour these members, their families and their fire departments:

Wilson Wiseman from Clarenville, past president of the provincial association;

Dylan Simmonds, Harold Chatman and Hector Chaulk, all from Charlottetown;

Randell Meadus, South West Arm; and my own father, Frank Parrott from Wabush.

An excerpt from the firefighter's prayer, “I want to

fill my calling and to give the best in me,” describes every firefighter I know.

I would like for us all to stand and congratulate the

firefighters and pay tribute to fallen members.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Bonavista.

MR.

PARDY:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On Friday, July 10, within the District of Bonavista,

the Discovery aspiring geopark was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark. It

consists of a 1,400-square kilometre land mass and approximately 280 kilometres

of rugged coastline comprising 25 communities, seven of whom are incorporated

municipalities, with a population of more than 8,200 people. With over

half-a-billion-year-old rock formations, internationally acclaimed hiking trails

and provincial and national historic sites, the promise of increased tourism is

very real.

I commend the many volunteers over their 13-year

journey as they endeavored to bring natural resources geologist Sean O'Brien's

idea of a UNESCO designation to fruition. The pioneer members of this effort

included: The Sir William F. Coaker Heritage Foundation, Edith Samson; Tourism

Elliston, Colleen Duffett; the College of the North Atlantic, Marilyn

Coles-Hayley; Trinity Historical Society, Jim Miller; King's Cove Historical

Society, Mary Batterton; and the Town of Bonavista's, John Norman. This

initiative is a prime example of what can be achieved through leadership,

vision, determination and collaboration at the local level.

I ask the Members of the 49th House of Assembly to join

me in congratulating all those volunteers involved in this outstanding

achievement.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR.

SPEAKER:

Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

MR.

BRAGG:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am pleased to provide this hon. House with an update

on an infrastructure project that will improve the way we provide critical

health care services in Labrador.

Last week, I had the pleasure of taking

part in a

sod-turning ceremony for the new six-bed mental health unit to be built in Happy

Valley-Goose Bay.

The extension to the Labrador Health Centre will

provide private bedrooms for patients and include a dining space, lounge space

and recreation space. The extension will also include a group therapy room,

which can be used for Indigenous ceremonies.

Construction starts in 2021 and is set to be completed

in 2022.

Mr. Speaker, this extension means patients in Labrador

who require mental health care can receive it close to home and close to family.

A $5.1-million contract has been awarded to Moss

Development and the company has informed us they will be hiring between 25 and

50 people to work on the construction site – all from Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR.

BRAGG:

Mr.

Speaker, this project and the new adult mental health and addictions hospital we

announced this summer for St. John's are transforming the way we provide mental

health care in our province.

This project and our investments in the Trans-Labrador

Highway are also transforming the way we deliver services in Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Terra Nova.

MR.

PARROTT:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to thank the hon. minister for an

advance copy of his statement.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the government on this

important initiative. Access to health care is a critical concern, especially

for those residents in rural and remote areas.

As our society struggles with mental health and

addiction issues, this new addition will be a much-needed addition to Central

Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, I must, however, note, that the minister

proudly boasted the construction of the facility will be 100 per cent

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. As we have seen on the new Corner Brook

long-term care facility and in Central Newfoundland, this has not been the case.

It leaves me to question will he be able to boast about

100 per cent employment on the new mental health addictions hospital in St