March 22, 2010

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Vol. XLVI No. 1

The House met at 2:00 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Fitzgerald): Order, please!

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Please be seated.

Mr. Speaker, the Justices of the Supreme Court have arrived.

MR. SPEAKER: Admit the Justices of the Supreme Court.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Mr. Speaker, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor has

arrived.

MR. SPEAKER: Admit His Honour the Lieutenant Governor.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: All rise.

Mr. Speaker leaves the Chair.

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor takes the Chair.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: It is the wish of His Honour the Lieutenant Governor

that all present please be seated.

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR (John C. Crosbie, PC, OC, ONL, QC):

Remembering Cougar Flight 491

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: Newfoundland and

Labrador is a seafaring Province with a long, proud history of reliance on ocean

industries. The mighty North Atlantic Ocean that has sustained Newfoundlanders

and Labradorians for centuries has also broken our hearts more times than we can

count. Last year, on March 12, in the dreadful crash of Cougar Flight 491, the

North Atlantic claimed seventeen precious lives: Thomas Anwyll, Peter Breen,

Gary Corbett, Captain Matthew Davis, Wade Drake, Wade Duggan, Corey Eddy, Keith

Escott, Colin Henley, First Officer Timothy Lanouette, Ken MacRae, Allison

Maher, Gregory Morris, Derrick Mullowney, Burch Nash, John Pelley and Paul Pike.

Only one individual, as we all remember, Robert Decker, was pulled to safety

from our icy waters. Last April, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore

Petroleum Board appointed the Honourable Robert Wells to serve as Commissioner

of the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are

confident particularly in light of Commissioner Wells' early recommendations

that he will take a thorough and comprehensive approach to safety in the

offshore. My Government will form a committee that includes representatives of

the families to identify an appropriate action to memorialize their loved ones.

Reporting Progress

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: Newfoundland and

Labrador has come a very long way since My Government was first elected to

office in 2003. Beginning on day one, in a determined effort to weather the

immediate financial crisis and chart a responsible course toward long-term

self-reliance, My Government demonstrated real leadership by taking decisive

action. Since then, it has taken a responsible approach to spending. It has

streamlined programs to make the most of every public dollar. It has cut red

tape and business taxes to get employers growing and hiring. It has given

generous raises to public sector workers and tax breaks to everyone in the

Province. It has cut income taxes and increased benefits for seniors and

families. It has led the country in measures to reduce poverty and enhancements

to student aid. It has invested unprecedented amounts in infrastructure, making

dramatic improvements in roads and highways, wharves and bridges, ferries and

terminals, schools and hospitals, long-term care centres, public housing and

municipal infrastructure. And most of these investments in fact, an

overwhelming 80 per cent have been in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: My Government has invested in

industries and enterprises offering brighter futures to thousands: agriculture

and aquaculture, fisheries and forestry, mining and energy, manufacturing and

innovation, tourism and culture. It has renegotiated the Atlantic Accord for a

gain of $2 billion. It has negotiated higher royalties from offshore oil and

equity stakes in offshore projects worth tens of billions of dollars and unlike

anything the Province has achieved before. It has secured underfunded pension

plans, turned around the fiscal decline and achieved impressive and important

upgrades of the Province's credit rating. As a result of strong leadership and a

clear vision, young and old together are celebrating the achievement of "have"

status for the first time since Confederation, and we are seeing the tide turn

on years of decline as our population continues to grow. All this and more My

Government has done through the strong and steadfast leadership of My Premier

and his team, and through the unwavering co-operation of the people of

Newfoundland and Labrador - and we are glad to see the Premier back in action

again and looking as well as he does today.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: This record of achievement is

fuelling the fires of optimism and hope that are burning brightly throughout

Newfoundland and Labrador today, and this is something of which all

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should be proud.

No province has weathered the global recession with greater confidence and

strength than ours. While retail sales across the country dropped by 3 per cent

last year, in Newfoundland and Labrador sales rose by 2.6 per cent; and across

the Province last year, despite the global recession, labour income grew by 4.2

per cent. No province is better prepared to seize the opportunities ahead than

Newfoundland and Labrador. How far we have come in so short a time. With My

Government at the helm, our Province is moving forward with incredible momentum

and unshakeable optimism into a new era of self-reliance full of the kinds of

opportunities for which generations of our people have long strived.

Caring For Our Children

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: There is no gift

more precious than a child, and no duty more important than advancing the best

interests of our children through the choices we make. My Government since 2003

has been focused on creating a family-friendly environment where people can

establish a lifelong foothold; where families can thrive; where children can

chase their dreams, seize golden opportunities and realize their greatest

potential. There is no greater legacy My Government is building for our

Province's children than the renewed sense of pride and confidence that they, as

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, are feeling as we become masters of our own

destiny.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: In classrooms and homes across our

Province, a new attitude is taking hold, full of hope in the dream of a

wonderful future for young people right here at home. This year's plan of action

builds with confidence on the extraordinary progress Newfoundland and Labrador

has achieved since 2003. My Government is committed to ensuring our children

remain our number one priority.

Last year, My Government announced the creation of a new department of Child,

Youth and Family Services and made the protection and well-being of our children

and youth its top priority. The new department will be better organized to

support the frontline workers who protect our most vulnerable children, and the

system will be more accountable. Under the department's direct management, the

monitoring and auditing of programs will be stronger and children will be better

served. The new department will revitalize our child protection system from the

ground up and get back to the basics of solid case management and service

delivery. The foundation for this change will be a new Child, Youth and Family

Services Act to guide future policies and program development. The department

will develop and deploy innovative solutions to address the shortage of foster

homes with the long-term goal of creating a full continuum of appropriate

placement options for at-risk children and youth. Already, My Government has

strengthened the front line of child protection services by adding 223 positions

since 2006 including ninety social worker positions and a range of other

positions to support frontline work.

The new department will be proceeding with the development of a ten-year

Early Learning and Child Care Strategy. This will be coordinated with the

Department of Education as it begins consultations this year with parents and

others on a draft Early Childhood Learning framework.

My Government in its first Speech from the Throne lamented that "Newfoundland

and Labrador's level of child poverty is the highest in the country", and

committed "to facilitate a progressive reduction in Newfoundland and Labrador's

rate of poverty until we achieve the lowest rate of poverty in the country". Six

years later, My Government's first Progress Report on its Poverty Reduction

Strategy demonstrates that Newfoundland and Labrador has made significant

strides in that direction. Our Province has moved from having one of the highest

poverty rates in the country to the third lowest. We are well along in the

journey to become the Province with the lowest poverty rates in the country.

National antipoverty leaders have applauded My Government's leadership in

fighting poverty and have described our Poverty Reduction Strategy as a model

for the entire country. My Government will move forward this year to release and

consult with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians on its second Poverty Reduction

Strategy Action Plan, partnering with communities and families to create

opportunities to share in our Province's prosperity.

Many women in our Province are particularly vulnerable because of the

violence they suffer. My Government has helped to change attitudes through its

"Respect Women" campaign and will continue to work to make violence against

women as unacceptable as any other violent crime. My Government will also

continue to support shelters where women and children can escape violence in

their homes.

Discrimination is another wrong from which individuals young and old should

be protected. The Human Rights Code is one of the most important Acts of our

Legislature, affording protection from discrimination by governments and the

private sector. This year, My Government will bring forward a strengthened Human

Rights Code to reflect the recommendations and values of Newfoundlanders and

Labradorians.

Strengthening the Local Economy

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly : Newfoundlanders and

Labradorians young and old are united in their determination to see our Province

grow to achieve its full potential as a place of prosperity, self-reliance and

opportunity for all. When the global financial crisis hit a year ago, My

Government responded swiftly and powerfully with an unprecedented program of

stimulus measures in a concerted effort to keep our people working, to keep our

businesses growing and to keep our economy moving forward with confidence and

strength. Weeks before last year's Budget was brought down, My Premier announced

an unparalleled increase in infrastructure spending to $800 million in the

2009-2010 fiscal year and a plan to grow infrastructure spending to more than $4

billion over the next several years. As My Government rolled out one project

after another under this aggressive Infrastructure Strategy, public confidence

surged, employers across the Province rolled up their sleeves to ready tenders

and, in short order, workers across the Province had their shovels in the

ground. By year's end, we had let tenders for $1.3 billion worth of projects.

Not only has this massive stimulus program fuelled economic activity throughout

our Province, but it has also prepared our communities to take the lead in

seizing growth opportunities as the world rebounds from the downturn. This is

not a time to slow down but a time to move forward. My Government will continue

to fuel the fires of economic stimulus in the year ahead with its unprecedented

infrastructure spending program. This approach is the right approach, not only

for the short term but for our long-term future.

Through steadfast cooperation linking communities and workers, businesses and

unions and the provincial government, central Newfoundland is weathering the

closure of the century-old paper mill at Grand Falls-Windsor and its associated

operations. My Government's response has been swift, comprehensive and

effective. In December of 2008, My First Minister stated clearly that we cannot

as a Government allow a company that no longer operates in this Province to reap

the benefit of our resources. We will not give away our land, timber, and water

resources to a company that does not continue to honour its historic commitments

on industrial development related to our timber resources. Through the passage

of Bill 75 on December 16, 2008, My Government revoked land, timber and water

rights from Abitibi and returned these natural resources to their rightful

owners, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Severance pay, training assistance,

employment programs and economic diversification initiatives have demonstrated

My Government's unwavering determination to ensure that the central region moves

forward just as the Stephenville region is doing to a new era of growth and

prosperity firmly established on an array of enterprises across many sectors.

The task will take time, but through the continuing partnership uniting people

throughout the central region, we will emerge stronger and more resilient than

ever.

In Corner Brook, My Government is working cooperatively with all stakeholders

to ensure the pulp and paper mill has a bright and prosperous future. The city

of Corner Brook and the surrounding region will always be one of our Province's

powerhouses of economic activity and a proud leader in each of the many sectors

in which the local economy is diversified.

From our larger regions to our smaller rural communities, My Government is

focused on pursuing every promising opportunity for new growth and jobs. Through

the Rural Secretariat, My Government will continue to work closely with citizens

and stakeholder groups to develop new approaches to regional collaborative

governance.

Rural communities have thrived over the centuries under the leadership of

strong individuals backed by tireless volunteers. Understanding the value of

municipal service, My Minister led a successful "MakeYourMarkNL" campaign which,

last year, increased the number of candidates seeking municipal office. My

Government is proud of those who have stepped up to serve on their municipal

councils, and is ready to work with them and Municipalities Newfoundland and

Labrador to strengthen local government and improve local infrastructure and

services, including access to clean drinking water.

On ball fields, in fire departments, in our hospitals and in many other ways,

tens of thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians contribute to their

communities and Province each year as volunteers, and we applaud them. In April,

My Government will present the inaugural U Rock Volunteer Award to individuals

thirty and under and to youth-run and youth-serving organizations that make a

real difference in our Province.

Widening Access

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: As a result of My

Government's unprecedented investments I hope I don't sound too boastful when

I say that the people of Labrador this year celebrated the historic completion

of Phase III of the Trans-Labrador Highway at long last linking Southern

Labrador to Labrador West. It is eager to continue work to improve and maintain

the quality of this artery in the years to come. My Government was also excited

to announce the establishment of a winter ferry link across the Strait of Belle

Isle, connecting Southern Labrador to the Island during the months of ice. My

Government will continue to work with the Federal Government to ensure it does

an effective job of meeting its constitutional obligation to provide

appropriate, reliable ferry services between the Island and the Maritimes at

reasonable, highway-equivalent costs to all users.

My Government has invested significantly in transportation infrastructure and

services within the Province, including roads, highways and provincial ferry

services. No less vital to our economic strength than land- and sea-based

transportation services is air access. My Government will take the lead in

implementing a new five-year strategy to improve air services in all regions of

the Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: My Government will continue to take

full advantage of opportunities to streamline operations and improve services

through electronic service delivery. The Province will continue to support

BizPaL, an online Business Regulatory Information Service launched in 2009.

Other such electronic service delivery projects in the pipeline include an

online deeds registration project, which will allow authorized users to securely

enter deeds registrations online; online access to applications for birth,

marriage and death certificates and electrical permits; and student loan

payments.

Raising Our Level of Expertise

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly : With a bold new

attitude of confidence in our ability to capitalize on opportunities and take

control of our future, My Government is determined to advance the Province's

expertise in the discipline of capital investment management. To this end, it

has invested resources to research the investment of large pools of capital,

such as pension funds. My Government is exploring options that will support the

development of professional investment expertise in areas such as portfolio

management - I wish I could have had some of that advice a year or two ago. This

research and evaluation will lead to the development of a framework that will

guide our Province in building the level of investment capacity required to

manage our own wealth over the next seven years.

The ocean technology sector in this Province is poised to become a

billion-dollar industry by 2015 with more than 6,000 employees, opening doors to

careers in offshore energy, life sciences, environmental technologies, aerospace

and defence. My Government is taking the lead in working with local stakeholders

and international partners to nurture knowledge-based capacity and capture

business development opportunities that capitalize on our coastal location and

expertise.

Catalyzing research and development in Newfoundland and Labrador is the

primary objective of the Province's new Research and Development Corporation,

launched by My Government in May 2009 to strengthen the focus, quantity, quality

and relevance of R&D undertaken for the long-term economic benefit of the

Province. Increased R&D activities will play a major role in driving innovation,

creating wealth and increasing economic growth in Newfoundland and Labrador for

future generations. R&D is a critical component of a healthy and robust economy,

and already, the RDC has launched two new programs to deliver against its

mandate.

Research and development has its genesis in a strong and vibrant education

system. It is often in the classroom that our Province's children learn to

explore their diverse gifts and reach their greatest potential. My Government

has demonstrated year after year that children are its number one priority by

its record-breaking investments in education. This year, My Government will

continue to build on these investments through important initiatives such as the

Excellence in Mathematics strategy for our K-12 students; the Futures in Skilled

Trades and Technology Program for high school students; the ISSP/Pathways

recommendations for our students who require extra support; and the new Teacher

Allocation Model extending class-size maximums to the remaining two K-9 grades,

namely six and nine.

At the post-secondary level, My Government is proud of the significant

investments it has made to enhance the student aid program and ease the burden

of debt for graduates. Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the country in

Province will be stronger in the years to come because of these investments in

students. My Government this year will follow through on its commitment to

increase autonomy for Memorial University Corner Brook's Sir Wilfred Grenfell

Campus. In November, we were delighted to give a warm Newfoundland and Labrador

welcome to Memorial's new president, Dr. Gary Kachanoski, and we would like to

echo that welcome here today.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Three years ago, My Government

released the report of the Skills Task Force it commissioned to prepare for

labour force needs and opportunities associated with large-scale development

projects on the horizon. Having acted early, it is more prepared than ever to

ensure our Province and people capture the opportunities these projects provide.

This year, My Government will take further action to implement improvements for

apprentices. To advance the participation of women in nontraditional trades, My

Government will continue to work with industry partners to develop and support

implementation of effective women's employment and business access strategies

for large-scale resource development projects. My Government will also continue

to support apprenticeship initiatives to strengthen women's access to training

and employment in the growing sectors of our economy.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Our Province's goal of sustainable

self-reliance means attracting and enabling young people to put down deep roots

in our communities. My Government is demonstrating that children and youth are

its number one priority by partnering with young Newfoundlanders and

Labradorians to make ours the province of choice for youth. It recently launched

its Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy and designated a Minister

Responsible for Youth Engagement to take the lead in putting the strategy into

action. It also began to use new tools to promote labour market attachment,

including our first provincial job matching site at JobsinNL.ca and a new online

human resources toolkit for employers. For the first time, Newfoundland and

Labrador is in a position to shape and deliver over $250 million in employment

and training programs to link people to opportunities for stable careers.

My Government is striving to make Newfoundland and Labrador a Province where

people with disabilities will have access to the same opportunities as others.

Having created a Provincial Advisory Council and a Disability Policy Office, My

Government is now working across all departments and agencies in collaboration

with the wider community to dissolve the barriers to inclusiveness. My

Government will listen attentively to these ideas and develop a new provincial

Strategy for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: To nurture healthy work environments

and promote growth, My Government has also been working to strengthen

partnerships among the public sector, the private sector and organized labour.

The Strategic Partnership Council has brought forward recommendations for

amendments to labour legislation to promote stable, progressive workplace

relations by making the framework that governs them more modern and flexible.

Harvesting Bountiful Resources

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: The fisheries

sector remains among the most important sectors in our Province. My Government

will work with stakeholders to make our fishing sector more competitive,

sustainable and self-reliant by continuing to implement the initiatives of the

Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy of 2007. This long-term strategy was developed

after a high level of consultation with industry and involves a total financial

commitment by My Government of up to $140 million. The strategy also identified

inherent structural issues that My Government has begun to address proactively

in collaboration with the Fish, Food and Allied Workers and the Association of

Seafood Producers, demonstrating the power of cooperation to progress this

critical industry. These are challenging times in world markets, but My

Government remains committed to a strong, sustainable fishing industry, which is

the backbone of so many rural communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Province will continue to lead the development and implementation of a

provincial Coastal and Ocean Management Strategy and Policy Framework to address

issues such as climate change, aquatic invasive species and the establishment of

new Coastal Management Areas.

The Province will also harness the power of fisheries innovation through its

continuing work with the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program and

the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation. The technology and opportunities

program supports research related to the harvesting and processing sectors that

will aid the provincial fishing industry as it strives to become more innovative

and competitive. The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation plays a

significant role in supporting research and development in the fisheries and

aquaculture sectors and it will bring the expertise, creativity and

infrastructure of Memorial University, in particular its Marine Institute, to

the challenges and opportunities in the fishing and aquaculture industries.

I will take advantage of this subject to have a drink of water myself.

A sector that has experienced economic growth in recent years and become one

of our most exciting industries is the aquaculture industry. Aquaculture has

changed the face of many communities and offers great promise to others. Today,

there are licensed aquaculture sites from the Northern Peninsula to Placentia

Bay, from the Port au Port Peninsula to Notre Dame Bay, Bonavista Bay, Trinity

Bay and along the Province's south coast. While the positive impact on the

economy of the Connaigre Peninsula, in particular, has been enormous, the south

coast holds much more opportunity for expanded salmon aquaculture. Innovation

and financial incentive programs have facilitated the rapid growth of the

sector, which has experienced a five-fold increase in production value since

2003. Operations in this Province are farming such species as steelhead trout,

Atlantic salmon and blue mussels. I noticed they are blue; the mussels I mean.

My Government is determined to pursue these opportunities aggressively and

responsibly through continuing investments in infrastructure and a steadfast

commitment to bio-security to ensure this new industry is sustainable and that

our reputation for quality is second to none.

My Government will continue to work with the federal government on

cost-shared initiatives to support research and development in the agricultural

sector, new farmland development and advanced research and surveillance of

important animal diseases for the protection of the agriculture industry and

public health.

My Government understands the challenges and opportunities in the forest

sector. Our forestry companies must have the ability to compete in a changing

global environment to ensure the continued sustainable development of our forest

industry. We will continue to work with the industry to enable these companies

to improve their businesses by diversifying the products that are developed from

our forests and identifying new markets for these products. My Government

continues to promote the use of wood pellets as a resource of home heating

through our Residential Wood Pellet Rebate Program, an action that is positive

from both an industry and an environmental perspective. Moving forward with

recommendations from the comprehensive marketing strategy for the Province's

forest industry, My Government is going to take the first step towards achieving

Environmental Management System certification that will open up broader markets

for our forest products in European countries. By ensuring the competitiveness

of our producers we will strengthen the entire industry.

Harnessing Energy and Mineral Potential

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly : The mines and

energy sectors continue to be major drivers of the provincial economy. Combined,

they represent the largest source of revenues for the Province.

The mineral sector will continue to grow this year as operations in Labrador

West return to pre-downturn levels and first concrete is poured at the Vale Inco

nickel processing plant under construction at Long Harbour. The Province's first

new iron ore mine in almost fifty years, in Western Labrador near Schefferville,

Quebec, has just been released from the environmental assessment process, and a

second is now being examined. The railway in Labrador West connecting the

Quebec-based Bloom Lake iron ore mine near Labrador City and Wabush to the

existing railway is nearing completion. Once the railway line is fully

operational, 100 per cent of the line's employees will be Newfoundland and

Labrador residents and the railway will be headquartered in Wabush. To advance

this key sector, My Government will develop a Mineral Strategy in consultation

with stakeholders and the public, reviewing all aspects of mineral policy with a

view to maximizing activity and optimizing wealth.

The oil and gas sector will also continue to grow this year as both

development and exploration work proceed. In February of this year, My

Government along with Nalcor Energy finalized an agreement with its partners in

the oil and gas industry for the development of the Hibernia Southern Extension.

This project will contribute $13 billion in incremental revenues to the Province

over its life.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: In the agreement, the Province also

furthered its Energy Plan objectives by achieving an equity position, an

enhanced royalty regime and commitments to gender equity and diversity.

Several important exploration programs, both offshore and onshore, will

proceed in 2010 on the heels of successful exploration programs in 2009

culminating with the Mizzen discovery in the Flemish Pass Basin. This is really

an encouraging step forward, so that we are not just restricted to the basin

that has been so good to us so far. In the Laurentian Basin, ConocoPhillips and

co-venture partner BHP Billiton commenced their first drilling in the

Newfoundland and Labrador offshore area. In the Orphan Basin, Chevron and its

other co-venture partners including ExxonMobil are ready to act on the

information they have gathered from their first well and subsequent geoscience

data with plans to spud a second deep water well. In the Jeanne D'Arc Basin,

north of the White Rose field, Husky Energy is busy exploring in collaboration

with Suncor and Statoil. Nalcor has commenced exploratory drilling onshore near

Parsons Pond. In the Deer Lake and Bay St. George Basins respectively, Deer Lake

Oil and Gas and Vulcan Minerals/Investcan are making their own plans. Seismic

acquisition programs are planned this year for the Labrador Shelf, the Sydney

Basin and the Laurentian Basin, making this a banner year.

In the electricity sector, My Government continues to advance prospects to

develop Lower Churchill power. The Environmental Assessment process continues to

proceed for both the generation and transmission projects. Recently, the Public

Utilities Board established a water management agreement between Nalcor Energy

and Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation. This agreement sets out the water

sharing arrangements between the two companies and is critical for the

development of the Lower Churchill. This agreement was made possible by

amendments that My Government made, with the assistance of the House, to the

Electrical Power Control Act and legislation that granted Nalcor Energy water

rights to the Lower Churchill River. The Province has also made its case for

transmission access through Quebec before that province's "Rgie de l'nergie".

I was waiting for applause.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: My fluency is not known to be great

in French, as you know.

The Province is awaiting a ruling. My Government also continues to explore

other options for transmission and access to markets in eastern Canada and

northeast United States.

Also this year, the Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation is proceeding with

its motion in Qubec Superior Court against Hydro-Qubec to address inequities

in the 1969 Upper Churchill Power Contract pricing.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: The current contract, as we all know,

is grossly inequitable for CF(L)Co and its shareholders for the next thirty-two

years. As a result of the Premier's diligence in reviewing all aspects of this

decades-old inequity, the government discovered a new, promising legal option to

address on a go-forward basis the gross inequity of this contract. Having

informed CF(L)Co, we are optimistic about the potential for resolution. Legal

advice indicates that, in the particular context of the Power Contract between

CF(L)Co and Hydro-Qubec, circumstances have changed in a way that could not

have been reasonably foreseen at the time the contract was initiated.

The consequence of these unforeseen circumstances, coupled with the

extraordinary length of the contract, has resulted in a gross inequity in the

distribution of contractual benefits between Hydro-Qubec and CF(L)Co. This

unique situation regarding the Power Contract, combined with the obligation

under Quebec Civil Law to act in good faith throughout the full term of a

contract, obliges Hydro-Qubec, upon request, to reopen the contract in order to

re-establish the appropriate equilibrium.

Developing Labrador

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: The Big Land of

Labrador continues to benefit from the implementation of the Northern Strategic

Plan and an array of related initiatives, including many already highlighted. My

Government is releasing the midterm report on the Northern Strategic Plan to

document progress on the many commitments to Labrador's people and communities.

Recent milestones include the opening of Phase III of the Trans-Labrador Highway

and the continued paving of Phase I; the expansion of satellite telephone

services on the highway; the introduction of year-round marine service across

the Strait of Belle Isle; an agreement on the boundaries of the Mealy Mountain

National Park Reserve and an adjoining Eagle River Waterway Provincial Park;

continued implementation of the Inuit land claims agreement; the award of a

tender for the Labrador West Regional Healthcare Facility; and the new tourism

marketing ad themed "Ancient Land", to name just some of the progress benefiting

Labradorians.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: My Government is very excited about

the initialing of the Tshash Petapen (or New Dawn) Agreement with the Innu

Nation in February of 2009. The Agreement marks a new beginning for the Innu of

Labrador and their relationship with the Province. Subject to ratification by

the Innu people of Labrador, the agreement resolves key issues relating to

matters between the Province and the Innu Nation surrounding the Innu Land

Claims Agreement, the Lower Churchill Impacts and Benefits Agreement and Innu

redress for the Upper Churchill hydroelectric development.

My Government has been especially vigorous in promoting the strategic

importance of the Province as a Northern Gateway. As the only Atlantic province

with a Northern region, Newfoundland and Labrador is positioned to play a

pivotal role helping develop new economic growth and international trade

opportunities; facilitating oil and natural gas development activities;

implementing environmental protection initiatives; assisting with adapting to

climate change; and maintaining Canadian sovereignty, as well as a host of other

initiatives.

Protecting Our Environment

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly:

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have an enduring love of their natural

environment. We envision a future in which self-reliance and sustainability go

hand-in-hand. By harvesting our natural resources responsibly, we are

safeguarding our Province's environment for the benefit of generations to come.

In particular, we are determined to ensure that our non-renewable resources fuel

a renewable future that endures long after the non-renewable resources are gone.

Through its Climate Change Action Plan, its Energy Plan and other

initiatives, My Government has demonstrated a strong commitment to responsible

environmental stewardship. The Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund provides

financial aid for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With a goal of

further advancing greenhouse gas reduction, promoting energy efficiency and

adapting to the impacts of climate change, My Government will release a

discussion document and undertake consultations to determine the best approach

going forward.

My Government will continue to collaborate with Environment Canada during the

upcoming review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act to ensure there are

provisions in the new federal Act to facilitate enhanced cooperation with

provinces in environmental assessments.

Celebrating Our Heritage

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: Uncommon Potential,

our joint government and industry tourism strategy for Newfoundland and

Labrador, and our substantial financial investments in marketing the Province

have been wildly effective in celebrating the heritage and beauty of

Newfoundland and Labrador and drawing tourists to our communities. The tourism

industry contributed almost $850 million to the provincial economy in 2008 and

employs approximately 13,000 people - a remarkable figure. The industry is

especially important in the rural communities that so many visitors are coming

here to experience.

Newfoundland and Labrador took full advantage in Vancouver and Whistler of

the opportunity to showcase our cultural strengths before an international

audience at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In April, we will celebrate our

hospitality and love for music when we host the JUNOS once again before a

broadcast audience on five continents potentially exceeding 250 million. Other

cultural showcases include the successful CBC Television national series

"Republic of Doyle" and I am sure all members are watching every Wednesday

night, a very handsome portrayal of the City of St. John's which created over

100 full-time local jobs and generated wage totals approaching $10 million, and

has just been picked up for a second season.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: It is a very positive step by CBC, if

I do say so myself. I am not looking for a starring role, by the way.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Two local films won considerable

kudos far from home this year: "Grown Up Movie Star", which screened at the

Sundance and Berlin International Film Festivals; and "Crackie", which screened

at, among other places, the Cannes Film Festival.

In 2010, we are drawing people to Cupids for the 400th anniversary

Canada. This year, My Government will establish a new Provincial Historic Site

in Cupids, the Cupids Cove Plantation Archaeological Site. We look forward to

major celebrations at Cupids and spinoff celebrations near and far as the year

unfolds.

Advancing Health Care

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: Over the last six

years, My Government has invested significantly to improve the health care

system in our Province and to enhance health care services in all regions.

Indeed, our total budget for health care has increased by $1 billion.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Some key investments over the past

six years total $17.9 million for mental health and addictions services, $112

million for health facilities repairs and maintenance, $281 million to improve

health infrastructure throughout the Province and $177.9 million for new health

care equipment. Recognizing that health care affects each and every one of us

individually, My Government will continue to ensure that our investments are

effective in improving the health care system for all who use it. This means

continuing to enhance health care services in rural Newfoundland and Labrador

and providing services to residents close to home, as My Government has done

with new dialysis units and unprecedented infrastructure projects throughout our

Province. Through the purchase of new medical equipment, My Government will

continue to improve access to services by reducing wait times.

Cancer continues to touch every family in our Province. Having commissioned

and learned important lessons from the Cameron Inquiry on Hormone Receptor

Testing, My Government will continue to ensure that those suffering from cancer

receive modern treatment options, and continue to work to improve the quality of

our laboratories and services.

I just note in passing that Madam Justice Cameron is retiring from the bench

this year after doing a superb job for us - I think something like twenty-five

years - and her report will be long remembered and will long be guiding our

health facility development in Newfoundland. She is to be congratulated.

By the end of this month, as mandated by recommendation number 60 of the

Cameron Inquiry report, My Minister of Health and Community Services will

provide an update to the House of Assembly and the people of the Province on the

status of implementation of the recommendations contained in the report. My

Government is committed to responding to all of the issues and recommendations

made by Madam Justice Cameron. My Government will plan ahead to ensure the

Province is prepared to deal with chronic disease while at the same time working

to prevent cancer from taking hold.

There are individuals in our Province who suffer from the stigma associated

with a mental illness or an addiction. My Government is determined to ensure

that those suffering from mental illnesses and addictions have effective

treatment options available to them. My Government has committed to build two

new treatment facilities, including a residential treatment centre for youth

with addictions in Grand Falls-Windsor and a residential treatment centre for

youth with complex mental health needs.

My Government knows that an investment in treatment must go hand-in-hand with

an investment in prevention. To this end, My Government will continue to promote

our Province's Wellness Strategy in communities throughout the Province. Through

the Office for Seniors and Aging, My Government will work to ensure our aging

population is a healthy population, and will plan ahead by supporting the types

of programs and services our seniors will need into the future.

Well Wishes

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: While we are on the

theme of wellness, I would just like to express again our collective best wishes

to the Premier, who is recovering marvellously from heart surgery. He has an

important job to do, and it is heartening to see him return in such short order,

rearing to go.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: I am just about at the end; I know

you are all sorry to hear that. It is a wonderful Speech from the Throne and I

congratulated the real author of it today. It is a marvellous piece of work.

Embracing a Future of Self-reliance

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: As My Premier has

said, the time has come in this Province to be proud of what we have achieved

together. Standing tall in the face of adversity; maintaining a united front;

saying "no more giveaways"; knowing what we are fighting for: these are the

things that now define us as a people. A "have-not" Province no more, we are

embracing our newfound status in the Canadian federation: a status that has

brought us newfound respect; a status that is well-deserved; a status that will

define the next generation of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as we reach for

new heights, strive to accomplish more than ever before, and meet the true

potential that has always been here in this Province. We are strong, proud and

determined, with confidence and self-assurance anchored deep in the hearts and

souls of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians at home and away. Imagine poor little

Newfoundland and Labrador standing proud and tall and strong, as a force of

change and progress on the national stage, putting to shame the defeatists and

finally getting the respect we have always deserved.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Our future is bright with

possibilities as we enter a new era of self-determination and self-reliance.

This is our time to shine. Better than ever is only the beginning. For

Newfoundland and Labrador, the best is yet to come!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Mr. Speaker and Members of the House

of Assembly: Estimates of expenditure will be laid before you in due

course and you will be asked to grant supply to Her Majesty.

I invoke God's blessing upon you as you commence this new Session.

May Divine Providence guide you in your deliberations.

Thank you.

[His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, Mrs. Crosbie, and the Justices of the

Supreme Court leave the Chamber]

MR. SPEAKER (Fitzgerald): Order, please!

Please be seated.

The hon. the Government House Leader.

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to introduce a

bill entitled,

An Act Respecting The Care And Protection Of Children And Youth.

(Bill 1)

MR. SPEAKER: Does the hon. minister have leave to introduce Bill 1?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

Motion, the hon. the Government House Leader to introduce a bill, "An Act

Respecting The Care And Protection Of Children And Youth", carried. (Bill 1)

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

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Natural

Resources, that Bill 1,

An Act Respecting The Care And Protection Of Children

And Youth, be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that Bill 1 be now read a

first time.

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act Respecting The Care And Protection Of Children And

Youth. (Bill 1)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 1 has now been read a first time.

When shall Bill 1 be read a second time?

MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 1 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

MR. SPEAKER: His Honour the Lieutenant Governor has been pleased to make

a Speech to Members of the House of Assembly. I ask that the Speech be now

delivered to all hon. members.

[The Pages distribute the Speech to all members.]

MR. SPEAKER: While the Speech is being delivered to hon. members, the

Chair would also like to recognize the Member Elect and offer congratulations

and welcome him to the House of Assembly: Mr. Paul Davis, representing the

District of Topsail.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Davis will take his seat in the House of Assembly when

the Elections Act has been met, when the guidelines have been met, and be

welcomed after he is officially sworn in to be a member who is duly elected.

Congratulations!

The hon. the Member for Lewisporte.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. VERGE: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand in the House of Assembly

today among my colleagues and representing the voters of Lewisporte district to

speak to the Speech from the Throne. I thank His Honour the Lieutenant Governor

for delivering the Speech from the Throne and communicating the positive message

on behalf of our government.

I would like to start my remarks by thanking the people of the Lewisporte

district for giving me a mandate to represent them as their Member in the House

of Assembly; yes, to be their MHA. It is a title I am proud to hold. It is a

position I take very seriously and it carries a level of responsibility that I

am honoured to be charged with. I want to assure my constituents that I am

determined to work diligently for the social and economic development of our

district a district that is the embodiment of rural Newfoundland and Labrador,

both in its spirit and in its drive.

Mr. Speaker, our Province is in the midst of an exciting and promising

period. It is a rewarding time for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. As a

Province, we have persevered and believed in ourselves and in this Island of

ours. We knew we had the right stuff. We also knew that one day we would see the

benefits of living on our Island in the sea or the Big Land in the North.

The people of Newfoundland and Labrador are a unique breed. We are people who

are proud of where we have come from and of who we are. To be part of this

government, a government that is planning and developing a strong and long-term

vision for our Province, is inspiring. With the prosperity that comes from the

utilization of our resources also comes the responsibility to make wise fiscal

decisions. As a government, we gladly take on that responsibility and we take to

heart the needs and the wants of our citizens. We have consulted and planned

carefully to develop a comprehensive strategy, a strategy that takes a

well-rounded approach; a strategy, Mr. Speaker, that looks at the big picture.

We are sincerely proud of our achievements thus far, and we anticipate building

on the momentum.

The people of Newfoundland and Labrador have come to expect positive action

from this government. We have taken many bold and strategic steps that have

proven to be effective and productive. The Province has made significant

progress in many areas with this government at the helm. Improvements have been

made on all fronts. In my district alone, we have seen investments in municipal

infrastructure that have helped improve the quality of life and the health for

people living in small towns; small towns like Comfort Cove, Stoneville, Norris

Arm, and others. Our government provided funding enabling these towns to develop

water system upgrades, because we understand that for communities to be strong

and to thrive they need sound municipal infrastructure.

Our government is particularly proud of strategies we have developed in the

past two terms - strategies such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Youth

Retention Strategy. Our Poverty Reduction Strategy is the envy of jurisdictions

across the country. When we pledged to transform Newfoundland and Labrador from

a Province with the most poverty to a Province with the least poverty in the

next decade, we meant it. Poverty carries significant social and economic cost

but by reducing poverty we will improve the quality of life for everyone and we

will ensure a strong and a prosperous future for our people.

Our Youth Retention Strategy is another strategy that we are extremely proud

of and believe in. With the promising economic outlook, young people can stay in

this Province accessing affordable education in world-class facilities and, upon

graduation, have many doors open to them. Premier Williams said in his speech at

the launch of the youth strategy: If you treat youth like leaders, they will

create a place of leadership.

That is what the youth strategy is all about. It is also about building

strong and healthy communities where we can flourish and also plan for the next

generation.

In my district just this past year we announced several seniors' housing

developments because we know how important the well-being of our seniors is to

all of us. We ensured that seniors in the District of Lewisporte would have

access to comfortable and affordable housing. In August, we opened an

eighteen-unit seniors' complex that provides below-market rentals to seniors who

are seeking housing.

Just last month, Mr. Speaker, we announced another ten units of affordable

housing for seniors in Lewisporte. Our country is seeing a growing and an aging

population and it is the responsibility of government to provide more housing

opportunities for this group.

There will be more demands placed on health care as our demographic gets

older. The Williams government has taken a targeted approach towards health care

in this Province, an approach that has been practical and effective. Through

planning and consultation we are working with stakeholders to identify the real

issues and to deal with them, enabling health workers and patients to have the

best health system.

Our government is willing to listen to the people, and they have shown that

they are open and accountable. After much debate last year, a decision was made

to build a new health facility in Lewisporte; a facility that will cost

approximately $30 million; a facility that will better serve the people's needs

in my district. The people told us what they wanted and we listened, because we

understand that health care is complicated and there are many diverse issues.

There are no quick fixes, Mr. Speaker. There are no easy solutions, but we know

we can deliver the best health care to the people in this Province.

Our government's investment in health care is unprecedented. The budget

allocation of $2.6 billion represents one-third of all spending in this

Province. We have committed to building new health facilities and to buying new

equipment so that our health care does not lapse, and we are committed to making

similar investments in other infrastructure areas. The infrastructure

investments we have made and continue to make have positively impacted the

economic forecast of this Province.

The can-do attitude of this government has improved our climate. Our Premier

knew that investments in infrastructure would promote economic growth and it

would help us to weather a global financial crisis, which we have done, and we

are coming out ahead, Mr. Speaker. Our Premier has the vision to know that

keeping the momentum going and investing in this Province is the right direction

to take. Strategic investments in programs and services will improve the lives

of all residents living in our Province. By investing today we are ensuring a

stronger economy for tomorrow. The investments in roads, hospitals, schools and

long-term care facilities, they are all paying off. My district has received

funding for improvements to roads and bridges in Campbellton, Norris Arm,

Horwood, Lewisporte, and in other towns. This investment has made travel safer

and it has also provided needed employment.

Last summer, Mr. Speaker, the Town of Lewisporte received funding assistance

from the Department of Tourism to assist us in hosting and promoting a highly

successful conference and boat show. That event brought many visitors to the

area and we received a great deal of positive media coverage. This will surely

have a positive effect on tourism for the District of Lewisporte in the coming

years as it has helped to get the word out that we have one of the most scenic

and unspoiled bays in the northern hemisphere. You are welcome to bring your

boat there, Mr. Speaker.

Coming out of the successful event last summer, our district is excited about

the possibilities before us, including the business opportunities that exist. It

is also interesting to note, tourism numbers were up all over the Province this

past year. This is incredible, when you consider the economic turmoil that has

been occurring throughout Canada and the rest of the world. It is obvious more

and more people want to visit Newfoundland and Labrador.

I am confident our government will continue to guide this Province in the

direction creating a positive future for the people of Newfoundland and

Labrador. We can be assured that our government will continue to develop the

people's resources in a responsible manner while always, always, fighting for

the best deal possible. We will work to attract investors, train skilled

workers, provide affordable education in rural and urban areas and also promote

our Province as a place to come and a place to invest. This government is

committed to the people of this Province. We are committed to making

Newfoundland and Labrador the best place to live, the best place to stay, and

the best place to raise your family.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here as part of this government. I proudly

move, on behalf of my constituents in Lewisporte district, that a Select

Committee be appointed to draft an Address in Reply to the Speech from the

Throne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Bay of Islands.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. LODER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On behalf of the people of the beautiful District of Bay of Islands, it is

indeed an honour to rise amongst my colleagues to second the motion that a

Select Committee be appointed to draft an Address in Reply to the Speech from

the Throne.

I wish to thank His Honour, the Lieutenant Governor, for his Speech today.

This year's Throne Speech highlights many of the positive initiatives underway

in this Province, as well as the need for continued investment, particularly in

our children, our infrastructure and our health care system. Globally, the

economic downturn has produced many challenges, and Newfoundland and Labrador

has certainly not been immune to its impact. As a result of this government's

prudent fiscal management, however, we have gotten through it relatively well

compared to some other provinces. This sound approach is very much appreciated

and endorsed by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, as demonstrated by the

people's overwhelming approval rating of this government and our Premier in

independent public opinion polls, and we can proudly boast that Newfoundland and

Labrador has the most popular Premier in this country today.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. LODER: Under the strong leadership of Premier Williams, this Province

has continued to grow and prosper despite some economic bumps in the road. While

this government has demonstrated sound fiscal practices to help ensure a bright

future for individuals, families, communities and the Province, it has not been

done on the backs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Inherent in this prosperity we are enjoying comes a need to upgrade and

expand our infrastructure, our roads, our schools, our health care facilities,

our water and sewer services, and our recreational facilities. Despite this time

of economic uncertainty and prudent spending, the people of the Province have

continued to benefit from unprecedented spending in areas such as

infrastructure, health care and education.

Mr. Speaker, Budget 2009 provided a careful plan that continued to strengthen

our economy while protecting important services and programs that our people

need and deserve. It contained significant economic stimulus, including targeted

expenditures and economic development, infrastructure, health, education,

poverty reduction and, of course, the environment.

Mr. Speaker, despite projected deficits over the next couple of years, this

government recognizes that stimulus is necessary and that a sound infrastructure

system provides the building blocks for a strong, self-reliant economy. Our

education and health care facilities, our transportation, justice, municipal

housing infrastructures provide vital services to our people, and not only

sustain communities but enable them to grow. From an infrastructure perspective,

this Province has come a long way since 2003, and Newfoundlanders and

Labradorians can see and enjoy many tangible improvements today.

Mr. Speaker, our government has been and continues to be aggressive in its

infrastructure strategy. Last year alone, we saw an unprecedented infrastructure

investment of over $800 million. This is more than a 50 per cent increase over

the previous year's investment. Areas throughout Newfoundland and Labrador have

all benefited from these investments, and the Bay of Islands district is no

exception. This year, to date, there has been approximately $2.5 million

invested in road upgrades in the district; as well, an additional $385,000 spent

to repair Gillams Brook bridge.

The Town of Gillams also has a tender that is being presently reviewed for a

new intake for its water system. The Town of MacIver's is working on their water

and sewer system as well. Funding was also announced for the water and sewer

project for Humber Arm South, Frenchman's Cove. The Town of Cox's Cove has paved

their main streets. There are more than fifty new short-term jobs created as a

result of Community Enhancement Employment grants. In 2009, the Corner Brook

Regional High School underwent an extensive $18 million redevelopment. Examples

of infrastructure improvements such as this can be found throughout the

Province, especially in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, government is continuing its commitment to improving health care

services for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. A record $2.6 billion was

allocated in Budget 2009 for health and community services within the Province.

Most people have either had first-hand experience or have known someone who has

had cancer infiltrate their lives. Indeed, it is a horrible disease; however,

early detection of all types of cancer is the best strategy for improving

survival and increasing the quality of life for those living with cancer.

Consequently, this government has invested heavily in cancer treatment and

prevention in recent years. For example, the government has invested $10.9

million for twelve digital mammography units for communities across the

Province; $10.6 million for the construction of bunkers and the purchase of two

new radiation machines for the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Treatment Centre; and

another further $17.2 million for new medical equipment, such as an MRI and CT

scanners, to diagnose and treat cancer and other diseases. These investments are

in addition to two new cancer centres in Central Newfoundland and the expansion

of the cervical cancer screening program Province-wide.

As well, our government just recently announced a new provincial screening

program for colorectal cancer, which is the third most common cancer for men and

women nationally and provincially. An investment, Mr. Speaker, of $240,000 will

be allocated under Budget 2010 to begin implementing the program, which is a

part of a $4.3 million commitment over three years.

Other investments that have direct benefits for the residents of the Bay of

Islands are: a new hospital in Corner Brook; a new 236 bed long-term care home

in Corner Brook at a cost of $68.5 million; a new eye care centre in Corner

Brook at a cost of $300,000; and the expansion, Mr. Speaker, of the Newfoundland

and Labrador Prescription Drug Program, with several new drugs having been added

to the formulary. There is no doubt that each of these incentives will directly

benefit the residents of the Bay of Islands as well as many surrounding

communities on our Province's West Coast.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that all hon. members here today will agree that the

most important resource in our great Province is our young people. Our youth are

our future and we must continue to make significant investments in our children

and services required to assist and support them. Budget 2009, Mr. Speaker,

included an investment of $8.5 million for increased support and resources to

the child, youth and family services system in Newfoundland and Labrador. As a

result of this investment, we saw the creation of a new department responsible

for child, youth and family services within the Province.

Based upon recommendations made by the Auditor General, our children and

youth are areas of renewed focus for our government. In my district, Mr.

Speaker, a new non-profit organization has been established to assist the youth

of the Bay of Islands area. Community Youth Network exists to help youth between

the ages of ten and eighteen who are living in or at risk of poverty through a

variety of initiatives.

Budget 2009 invested $1 million, Mr. Speaker, to begin planning for the

residential treatment facility for youth with addictions and a treatment centre

for youth with complex mental health needs. This will be of a significant

benefit for youth throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. As a parent and a

grandparent myself, I am proud to be a part of a government that is taking such

a strong approach in protecting and advancing the will of our Province's

children.

Mr. Speaker, another blessing in our lives is this beautiful place we call

home. Newfoundland and Labrador is known for its picturesque rugged beauty and

this is especially true of the Bay of Islands district. I suppose I am a little

bit biased when I make that comment, but I think it is true.

Last year, Mr. Speaker, the Outer Bay of Islands Enhancement Committee sought

to improve three hiking trails which linked to a series of attractions near Lark

Harbour and York Harbour. This was made possible by an investment by this

government of more than $30,000 which helped to enhance the hiking and

exploration venue. In turn, this increased the potential of new business

opportunities among local entrepreneurs and tourism operators.

Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador has overwhelming potential in its

renewable and non-renewable resources, its human resources, tourism appeal, and

new business and attraction opportunities. I have no doubt that our future will

continue to be bright and prosperous under continued careful management and

strong leadership.

Once again, it is a privilege to represent the people of the Bay of Islands

and it is a great honour to second the motion that a Select Committee be

appointed to draft an Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to respond to

today's Speech from the Throne.

I would also like to thank His Honour the Lieutenant Governor for delivering

today's Throne Speech, and my colleagues, the Member for Lewisporte and the

Member for Bay of Islands, for moving and seconding the Speech. I would also

like to welcome all distinguished guests who have joined us today in the House

of Assembly.

I want to recognize the one year anniversary of the tragic Cougar helicopter

crash that just recently passed. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the

families and friends of those affected by this tragedy, and the events of March

12, 2009, will forever be etched in the minds of the people of this Province.

Mr. Speaker, Throne Speeches typically outline government's agenda. I have

heard many such Speeches over the years, and this one echoes many that have been

presented in this Legislature in the past. These documents are riddled with

commitments that hint at the direction that government intends to take over the

next twelve months as they put forward their agenda.

While the language of the Throne Speech looks positive, it is often the

initiatives of the Budget that will tell the true story of whether government is

prepared to meet those commitments to our people. After reviewing last year's

Throne Speech, it is clear this government has failed the people when dealing

with its stated agenda. Many issues mentioned in last year's Throne Speech

remain empty promises today. No other topic illustrates the empty words of last

year's Speech better than government's stated commitment to improve health care

and implement the Cameron recommendations.

The Speech stated, and I quote, Mr. Speaker, "we have learned from those

mistakes and are prepared to move forward in light of the recommendations that

we have been given. My Government is committed to raising to a much higher

standard the quality of laboratory work that is central to effective diagnosis

and treatment of our Province's patients."

Yes, Mr. Speaker, it all sounded good and reassuring a year ago, but a year

later we can all feel the emptiness of that commitment as we have been rocked by

another health care crisis. It has been over a year since Justice Cameron

brought down her report, and the fact these recommendations have not been

implemented speaks to an unfocused government, one where the real needs of

people have just not been important.

People's health continues to be compromised by inaction. One only has to

remember the story of a fourteen-year-old boy who is still in critical condition

today at the Janeway because his body was toxified by too much cyclosporine. It

did not just relate to the fact that the lab equipment was not properly

calibrated; it speaks to a much bigger issue. It speaks to the lack of oversight

by a ministry that is responsible for this department to ensure that each and

every recommendation of the Cameron Inquiry was fully acted upon and integrated

into that system. Nothing and I repeat, Mr. Speaker, nothing should have

been a more important mandate for the current health ministry in the past year.

Further, Mr. Speaker, some of the major systemic problems of our health care

that were identified over a year ago still plague the health care system and

undermine the confidence of people in this vital service. Again, reports and

recommendations are fine, but until they are acted upon they cannot cure the

ills that they have identified.

Justice Cameron spent close to a year listening to the difficult testimony of

witnesses and writing a report that gave this government direction to boost our

health care delivery. It was a commendable report, but what is not commendable

is that government has not been fierce about ensuring these recommendations

become a part of the future delivery of health care.

Another key recommendation of the Cameron report was the necessity for

occurrence reports to be filed once problems were identified. This did not

happen in the latest health crisis involving cyclosporine; nor has the

appropriate health professionals' legislation that would further strengthen

their system been brought forward by government, as was committed to.

We have heard many platitudes and much rhetoric from both government and

Eastern Health that the system was improved and the mistakes experienced in the

breast cancer inquiry would not happen again. We hoped against hope, but it

proved fruitless as revelations about our health care these past weeks have been

astounding and discouraging. There have not been one or two, but three Ministers

of Health over the past year under your government. Supposedly, that is a lot of

smarts and intelligence, but each one did not carry out the due diligence to

ensure the recommendations of Cameron were followed, implemented and monitored.

As each problem and crisis arose in our health care, these ministers have not

taken the responsibility; nor did they feel a sense of accountability. Instead

they pointed fingers, quickly condemned and publicly disparaged our health care

providers. They did not empower, accept responsibility, provide solutions or

take proactive action. They simply ignited the system with their angry and

infuriating approach, leaving no further solutions for patients who depend upon

our system.

On page 438 of the Cameron report, it states, "...it was the failure of the

Department on behalf of the Minister to exercise due diligence in respect of the

information provided that contributed to the Government's lack of appreciation

of the problem."

That statement alone should be a lesson to all governments here and on a

go-forward basis. Why has it taken so long to get the labs accredited and to

ensure the proper training has been provided to laboratory staff, both of which

Cameron recommended? Where was the minister, in his oversight role - and

government, in their oversight role - to ensure that things were improved and

are being improved in our system? Any person tasked with the responsibility of

health care in this Province should have made it their number one priority to

ensure a major health report that offered solutions to many of the problems

problems that had taken the lives of people in this Province in the past

should have been implemented and been a priority.

Mr. Speaker, if it had been me I would have had an oversight committee next

door to my office, and each and every single day requested a progress report on

what was happening. We have not seen an oversight committee within government to

carry forward on those recommendations; however, Mr. Speaker, we must not forget

that it is the public that depends upon their government to do those things.

In the most recent crisis, I want to recall how the minister held a press

conference and threatened that heads will roll. Yet, there was no commitment to

look at the root of the issue and recognize that there are workload and resource

issues that are part of the problem in our health care system, part of a problem

that your government refuses to address.

There is another quote I want to point out from last year's Throne Speech,

and it says this, "Our health care system cannot function without doctors,

nurses and other professionals. My Government is ready to do more, within our

means, to make Newfoundland and Labrador even more attractive to health care

professionals." This obviously has not happened. Pathologists and other

professionals are resigning leadership positions, and morale is at an all-time

low in the system because government is not doing the "more" they promised in

last year's Throne Speech. Not only is there no agreement with doctors in

finalizing their collective agreement, but the minister and the Premier have

been engaged in a war of words and have inflamed the environment rather than

bring direction to it.

In addition to the problems facing our medical professionals, we have

witnessed another year of discontent in how health services are being provided

in this Province. It took the resignation of two Cabinet ministers, and two

by-elections, to send the message to this government that rural health care in

this Province is not there for the cutting!

Government MHAs did not stand up for their constituents, so citizens rose up

and fought for themselves. The political pressure worked and these rural

communities have maintained services. It is unthinkable that this government was

willing to balance their books on the backs of rural Newfoundland and Labrador,

proving again that government suffers from disconnect with rural values, rural

ways and rural people.

When it comes to resource development, last year's Throne Speech highlighted

a category entitled: Weathering Every Storm. In this section, the closure of the

mill in Grand Falls-Windsor was highlighted. It stated, "nothing will weaken

our resolve to weather this storm and come out on the other side stronger."

Great words, but displaced workers are certainly not seeing these benefits.

As recently reported by CBC, only 163 people have found employment over the last

year; hundreds remain unemployed and looking for jobs. We saw this frustration

first-hand when several former mill workers climbed the fence to protest the

fact that government did not give security jobs to them - a sign of how

desperate the need is in that area - once again demonstrating that this

government does not understand what is happening on the ground and how former

Abitibi workers are indeed struggling.

Government also touted the legislation they brought forward to expropriate

the assets of AbitibiBowater; however, we have learned that they are being sued

under the North American Free Trade Agreement for $500 million, even though the

Premier stated previously that Abitibi had no case. Also, Mr. Speaker, the

government accidentally expropriated the mill property through a lack of their

own due diligence and are now responsible for maintenance and security costs. We

still do not know the cost of environmental liabilities associated with the

Abitibi properties, and whether the people of the Province will be left to pay

those costs. We will be bringing these issues to government in this legislative

sitting and we expect that government will be prepared to address them.

Residents of Grand Falls-Windsor have also lobbied government to have the

mill's former power supply from the Exploits River provided for the benefit of

the local area. Government has refused to entertain this proposal that would

certainly help create additional opportunities for many in that region.

There are many questions and gaps that still exist related to AbitibiBowater

a year after the last Throne Speech and we, along with the people of Central

Newfoundland and the people of the Province, will look forward to government

providing more answers.

There was significant discussion in last year's Throne Speech related to the

Lower Churchill development It was stated, and I quote, "Planning to develop our

Lower Churchill green energy resource is moving full steam ahead".

Since that time, the Premier has circumnavigated the globe and gotten nowhere

with this project. First, there was the intention to put a transmission line

through Gros Morne Park, creating a furor in the Province and then dismissing it

as nothing but a joke, and then launched a fight, not a negotiation, with the

Province of Quebec, over possible transmission

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS JONES: - when it was your government who failed to buy power

transmission capacity a year earlier when it was available for purchase. Now,

the Government of New Brunswick is planning to sell their power utility to

Hydro-Quebec with possible implications for our Province.

The federal government has still not provided any loan guarantees to this

project and the New Dawn Agreement has yet to be signed by all parties. The

environmental assessment process is not complete and we have no confirmed

long-term customers for the power. For a project that is full speed ahead, we

have seen nothing only a media circus that has been led by the propaganda of

government.

Last year's Speech, Mr. Speaker, very briefly - and I add very briefly -

referenced the fishing industry, the industry that sustained us for over 500

years, the one that is the heart and soul of Newfoundland and Labrador and still

could be the lifeblood of our coastal communities if nurtured properly.

From day one of this Administration, the fisheries have been relegated to the

back burner. When you let seven years pass without putting in substantial

investment and initiative to the fishing industry, there is only one result and

that is disaster, which is why the annual Seafood Industry Year in Review 2009

has confirmed that there was almost a 22 per cent decline in overall value from

2008. It was not surprising from my vantage point, but it is disheartening, Mr.

Speaker.

Government takes comfort that the boom in aquaculture has produced record

landings and it likes to pass off the industry's challenges as being related to

the global recession; however, as a government, they have failed to give

leadership to this industry.

At this point, the Memorandum of Understanding process, which was

kick-started by another crisis in the fishing industry last year, appears to be

a critical tool in moving the industry forward, but the minister is already

cautioning the players not to expect too much from his government. I cannot

imagine those words being uttered in the oil and energy sector! "Whatever it

takes and how much I can give you" is clearly the message that government has

sent to both energy and oil in this Province - even running deficits so that we

can purchase equity in the oil industry.

However, the fishing industry is not just another sector, Mr. Speaker. It is

about our culture, our heritage, the spirit of people, and the very survival of

rural communities in this Province. Therefore, the onus is on government to not

only work with stakeholders to find solutions, but to also provide investments

that will ultimately set the industry on the right course for the future. There

is a willingness to commit significant amounts of money for the oil industry and

yet the fishery, a renewable resource, is not accorded the same treatment.

Another area of concern to us, Mr. Speaker, is how the provincial government

and the federal government have been negligent of their duty to focus on the

recovery of our cod. Not even a word of the cod recovery strategy was in this

year's seafood report, which is quite troublesome.

Mr. Speaker, in the words of the late Dr. Leslie Harris: What we are dealing

with is not just a piddly little fish that keeps half a million people in

Newfoundland alive and functioning. It is one of the greatest wonders of the

world, one of the great animal populations, which is part of the most complex

ecosystem that has developed and thrives in a very hostile and difficult part of

the ocean. It ought to be one of our glories to protect and preserve.

If we are to find new opportunity for our fishery over the next twelve

months, the time is now for real action and real commitment to replace the

rhetoric. The seafood report should be a wake-up call to government that there

will be greater challenges to face than a poor fishing season or two, as coastal

communities and towns finally buckle under this ongoing fisheries crisis.

I remind this hon. House that the fishery is a sustainable industry that, if

protected, will provide substance to our people long after the oil and gas and

minerals have expired, and the rebuilding of our cod stocks is the singular most

important legacy that we can leave our children.

The worldwide recession has impacted our Province, Mr. Speaker, despite the

rhetoric that we are protected. Oil and mineral prices have been fluctuating,

which are creating havoc with our budgetary projections. Diversification and

strengthening our renewable resource industries are crucial, especially in our

fishing, forestry and agricultural sectors. I hope this is a message that is not

lost on government in their agenda for the next twelve months.

There were significant global economic challenges experienced over the past

twelve months, which had an impact on our Province and our country. To mitigate

the impact, the federal and provincial governments invested significant funds

into infrastructure projects which helped displaced workers and struggling

industries. We commend government for making these investments, for providing

the assistance for infrastructure in these regions when people needed it, but we

want to emphasize that the work must proceed and not be continuously delayed as

we have seen with projects in the past, such as a new hospital for Labrador City

which took five years for government to move forward with infrastructure. For

certain, a significant portion of those committed funds were not spent in last

year's Budget and will be carried forward into next week's Budget. These will be

portrayed as new funds, and we will be scrutinizing to ensure that those

commitments are not shelved and that they will be completed in a timely manner

to benefit the people of the Province.

We will also be watching to see how government deals with an infrastructure

issue that arose in last year's by-election in the District of Terra Nova. In

July, government issued a tender for the provision of ferry services on six

coastal routes. The problem is that the tender forced bidders to submit bids

that would see new vessels built; yet, there was no stipulation in the contract

that required these vessels to be built at Newfoundland and Labrador shipyards.

This was a direct contradiction to government's Blue Book election commitments

and their commitment in last year's Throne Speech to have infrastructure

investments made right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is a very

important issue in shipbuilding areas of our Province and could mean hundreds of

jobs and millions of dollars into the local economy. Instead of shipping this

money and this work to other parts of North America, we would like a commitment

to be made that these projects will be completed right here at home. We have yet

to hear that commitment from government.

Just as importantly, Mr. Speaker, what has happened to government's much

touted broadband initiative? This ten-year, $200 million plan to put high-speed

Internet cable access into every provincial government building, every school,

every health care facility, was recently stopped dead in its tracks, not by a

press conference but by a quiet little press release from government.

Government's investment of $15 million of our tax dollars into a new cable that

was to be owned and operated, Mr. Speaker, by a private company was supposed to

be an essential first step to creating a new Province-wide network to encourage

investment and enable delivery of high-speed Internet access to all regions of

the Province. We were all told that this injection of public money into a

private asset was critical for its development; however, Mr. Speaker, we know

that the company was flipped in the market shortly thereafter and government's

commitment to this network has now been shafted. The goal was to stimulate

economic and social development by improving the communications capacity of the

Province's rural and urban communities. Now that project has been cancelled

because the costs are much higher than was anticipated. We are out $15 million,

and what investment or what program will government put in place to ensure that

the people in this Province can access affordable, reliable and fast Internet

services?

Education was also a major theme of last year's Throne Speech, and while some

things were very positive, there are still issues related to class sizes,

teaching units, ISSP programming, autism services, air quality and mould and

infrastructure that have gone unresolved. At the post-secondary level students

are struggling to find affordable housing in the region. The committed

investment into new university housing at Memorial University has been delayed.

A temporary parking lot currently sits where a new residence should be under

construction for our students.

At Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook, they are still waiting for

government to live up to its commitment related to university status for the

West Coast college. When government announced its half measures from the college

last fall, it sparked another attack from government on professionals in this

Province. Instead of having an appropriate discussion and public dialogue on

this important issue, government attacked the administration at Sir Wilfred

Grenfell for asking questions.

Well, why would they not ask questions? Why would they not look for

clarification on whether certain investments would be forthcoming in the future?

Because, after all, it was in the 2008 Speech from the Throne that government

stated, and I quote, "My Government looks forward to fulfilling our commitment

to grant Grenfell College full university status with a separate executive,

senate and budget, while maintaining a common Board of Regents to secure a

strong partnership between the Grenfell and St. John's campuses." You can

certainly understand, Mr. Speaker, why some confusion would exist: another

commitment of a Throne Speech by government that was not fulfilled.

You can also understand the confusion of many in this Province when they hear

government continuously boasting that the Poverty Reduction Strategy is having a

major impact and fewer people in this Province are poor. We heard it in last

year's Throne Speech and we heard it in government speeches and news conferences

throughout the year; but, Mr. Speaker, the facts speak for themselves. When you

look at tangible results, there are some disturbing trends that dispute the rosy

picture being portrayed by government. Food Banks Canada reports in their study,

"Hunger Count 2009" that this Province has seen a 10 per cent increase in food

bank use.

There are over 30,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who rely on food banks

on a regular basis, many of whom are children. In addition, this Province ranked

the highest in terms of food bank usage across the country. We have 6 per cent

of our population regularly accessing food from one of the Province's

twenty-eight food banks. Not only are these statistics on food bank usage

alarming, but government's poverty strategy and its progress report failed to

acknowledge that this part of our society exists let alone offer solutions to

address it. One of the purest indicators of economic struggles by families is

their use of food banks and their struggle to feed themselves.

Related to the demoralizing issue of poverty is the fact that there are

groups of people in this Province who are falling through the cracks of our

social system and experiencing hardship, poverty and homelessness. We hear from

people who have nowhere to live in this city and outside the city. Just recently

on a visit to Labrador West there were six families with children living in a

shelter who had no available, affordable housing acceptable to them in that

community.

Government has benefited significantly over the past several years due to

windfall oil revenues. Although our revenues have grown, our challenges have

gotten greater. If you do not battle to overcome poverty, social inequities and

homelessness when revenues are in surplus, then it will certainly be a test to

see what the priorities will be when faced with economic challenges and

continued deficits.

We also hear daily from seniors and public sector pensioners who cannot

afford to heat their homes and choose healthy nutritious foods. Despite our

insurmountable wealth over the past six years, the issues of poverty and the

financial struggles of public sector pensioners are not taken seriously by

government and no action invoked to assist them with dignity and with respect.

The Premier has already indicated that there will be a deficit this year, the

second in a row, even though we have more revenues coming to the Province than

ever in our history. The provincial budget has doubled since 2003, from

approximately $4 billion to $8 billion. We have asked the question of whether

this increase in spending is sustainable, and according to the Minister of

Finance it is not. Over the past few years this government stated that they

would not run deficits. They even contemplated bringing forward legislation that

would require balanced budgets. Yet, with high revenues, they are unable to

practice fiscal prudence.

What will we be faced with, Mr. Speaker, in the future when oil prices and

mineral productions start to drop? How will we sustain the increased spending of

your government? There are areas where service delivery can be improved while

keeping spending under control, particularly in our health care system and how

we care for our seniors. Government needs to start working with private home

care operators to look at how beds in public facilities can be freed up for

those requiring acute care services so they do not remain in hospitals at

extended cost to government.

Providing financial benefits to relatives who provide home care to their

loved ones is also an option that should be considered by government and could

save significant money to our health care system. There are many options, Mr.

Speaker, available to reduce wastage in government, and they should look at

those options with a will to provide a better service at a lesser cost.

Economic times will continue to be uncertain over the next twelve months as

resource revenues and the Canadian dollar fluctuates, and government will

repeatedly use these elements as excuses for inaction. Let's deal with the

things we can control! For one thing, there needs to be more civil dialogue with

our federal counterparts to ensure funding and assistance is available when

required. Our poor federal-provincial relationship has negatively impacted our

financial investment from Ottawa, and it is time to set aside differences and

get this relationship working in our favour.

We must also remember the importance of diversifying our economy and

investing in our renewable resource sectors such as the fishery, forestry and

agriculture. We must try harder and with more meaning to address the social

inequities in our communities. Find out what hurts families and provide the

solutions that will empower this unit. Tap the potential of people, whether they

live in rural Newfoundland and Labrador or in our great urban cities.

The Budget will come down next week, and we will again be asking tough

questions to ensure priority areas and issues get addressed. It is troubling

that this government has the largest revenue capacity of any government in our

history, yet they have not succeeded in achieving what our society needs.

As an Opposition, we play a valuable role on behalf of the people of

Newfoundland and Labrador. Notwithstanding insufficient resources imposed on us

by this government, our team is passionate about our work because we stay

connected to the people and we are prepared to stand and champion their issues.

Pointing out policy deficiencies and reminding government of their past

commitments, as we have done here today, will remain a priority and

responsibility for us as an Opposition. We live in a society where varying

opinions can result in change and improvement, and we will continue to search

for a better way.

Mr. Speaker, there were themes in today's Speech from the Throne that I can

only hope will be brought to fruition to improve the lives of people of

Newfoundland and Labrador, and we will ensure that happens to the best of our

ability and our capacity.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Vidi.

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

It is an honour to once again stand and to respond to the Speech from the

Throne. I want to thank His Honour the Lieutenant Governor for being with us

today and for delivering his Speech, especially for delivering it in the

entertaining way in which he did it. I think we are going to miss this

Lieutenant Governor when he is no longer there, because of the way in which he

does his little asides and keeps us a bit entertained from written speeches. He

did it this morning as well.

I welcome the guests who are still with us in the House, and also those who

are watching on television and on the Web.

I am happy to join with the Lieutenant Governor and with the Leader of the

Official Opposition in recognizing the first anniversary of the crash of the

Cougar helicopter Flight 491. I think one of the most important things that has

happened this year has been the setting up of the commission - of course, under

former Judge Wells - to study this disaster. I was quite pleased myself to be

accepted by Mr. Wells to present to the commission, and I think we have to be

ready for the recommendations that come from that commission and also from the

Transportation Board of Canada to make sure that everything is put in place that

can possibly be put in place to ensure that we never again have a disaster of

this nature.

With the Lieutenant Governor and the Leader of the Official Opposition, I

join in, once again, saying to the families how difficult it is, we know, for

them to have had the loss that they have had, and to also say to Mr. Decker that

we hope things go well for him in his life in the future.

It is interesting to stand and respond to the Speech. We have a Speech that

is on very glossy paper, a Speech that is given in very upbeat language, and a

Speech that I think: Wow, what a Province I live in! I love this Province and I

am proud of this Province, but I also know that for many people in the Province

the reality that is depicted in the Speech that we heard today is not the

reality that they live and I think it is my responsibility, as the Leader of the

Third official Party in the House and a party in Opposition, to bring some of

that reality to the floor, because the reality certainly is not present in the

Speech that we heard today.

I am not denying that there are many things this government are doing are

good. They are doing many things that have to be done, but they cannot ignore

the reality of the lives of many people, a large number of people: people who

are on income assistance, seniors who are on pensions that are inadequate, the

people who are standing in food bank lines, single parents, people who are

living in housing that is inadequate; these are the realities that we have to

bring to the floor.

Now I am not going to bring every issue to the floor that I would like to do

today, Mr. Speaker, and I look forward to the session that we are going to have

from now, I hope, until June so that those issues can be brought to the floor. I

do want to highlight some of the things that I think were glaring gaps in the

Speech that we heard today.

The first one I would like to speak to is the fact that we had a very short

piece in the Speech dealing with health. We had a reference to health and to our

health care system without any reference to something that I have been bringing

to the floor of this House now for at least two years, and that is the omission

of any reference to home care. There is one reference to the long-term care

facility, but the full care that is required includes both long-term care and

home-based care. It is very interesting that the Speech from the Throne did not

recognize a report that was done for Eastern Health by Siemens Consulting in

which they recommended and said very strongly that if anything is going to be

done with regard to patient flow in the health care system that there has to be

a fully funded community-based home care program. They speak to that need of

home care programs in this Province in several different ways in that report. I

have to say that I felt vindicated as a person who has been standing in this

House and speaking to the home care needs when I read the Siemens report. It is

very, very disappointing to have read that report and to know everything that I

know about the needs with regard to home care and to see no reference to home

care in the Speech from the Throne.

One of the things that we are still waiting for, that we have been waiting

for now for well over a year is the strategy from the Department of Health and

Community Services with regard to long-term care and home care. I would have

thought, knowing that strategy is supposed to be coming, that there would have

been some reference to that in the Speech from the Throne. So, that is the first

glaring omission that I see in the Speech from the Throne.

Another thing I want to speak to is the way in which the government, through

the Speech from the Throne, tries to dazzle us with dollar signs with regard to

what they are doing for health care for example. Much of the money that is

referred to in the Speech from the Throne is money that had to be spent, had to

be spent on infrastructure. We have to have buildings; we have to have

equipment. One of the things that the Speech from the Throne does not do is

speak to something that the Minister of Health and Community Services said

publicly last week and that is the way in which people's faith has been shaken

in our health care system. The minister himself said, with the latest news that

came out with regard to testing in one of our labs, that his faith in the system

was shaken - his faith was shaken.

Two weeks ago, I stood at the door of a house of an elderly couple and the

woman looked at me and she said: Ms Michael, here is one message I would like

you to bring to the floor of the House of Assembly. She said: It is my fear of

having to have surgery. She is slated to have surgery; she is still waiting for

her final date. She said: I have to tell you that I am afraid. Is everything

going to be okay? Is testing going to be done correctly? Am I going to get the

correct information? She said: I really am afraid to have the surgery but this

surgery is absolutely essential for my health and I will be having it. She said:

I want you to know how afraid I am and I want you to bring that message. So that

is what I am doing here today; I told her I would do it.

We have to make sure that everything can be done to show people that our

health care system is working and working well and that they do not have to fear

going into our health care system. That is not denying how good the workers are

in our health care system. We know we have fantastic people in our health care

system. This is not speaking about individual men or women. This is speaking

about how the system is working and we have to find all the reasons why the

system is not working as well as it should be. We have to explore and get all

the answers and how that has to be done - we have information from this report

done by Siemens Consulting, we have information on home care that maybe nobody

felt was what was going to come out of this study that was done by Siemens

consulting on patient flow. This speaks to what I also say here on the floor of

the House, of all the pieces that fit together.

So, one cannot look at home care as something out there by itself. Something

I have said many times here in this House is that home care is part of health

care. I think what Siemens has said in its report, and what it has proven to us,

is the degree to which home care is part of health care. We cannot talk about

our health care system without looking at having a fully funded that is their

language, it is my language too community based home care program. That is

what they tell us has to happen, and yet, not a word about those needs in this

Speech from the Throne.

Another thing I want to speak to with regard to this Speech from the Thorne,

I am very glad to see that the government has announced a ten-year strategy for

early learning and child care. This is absolutely essential. The need for child

care and early childhood education, again, is something that I have been

speaking to here in this House. Given the fact that the early childhood

education and child care plan expires next week, it is very good to know that

the Speech from the Thorne is announcing a strategy. My concern is that it does

not take ten years to put the ten-year strategy in place. It has been five years

since the federal government reneged on its responsibility in an agreement with

the provinces to get into a federal-provincial funding for child care.

At that time, in 2005, this government just accepted what the federal

government did and it did not take up its responsibility when the federal

government let go of its own leadership. There were other provinces that did;

provinces like Manitoba, provinces like Quebec. Ontario beefed up its child

care. We have been five years since that moment and we are so far behind in

having a full child care program and having well thought out early childhood

education programs.

I am very happy to know that the strategy is going to be put in place, but I

really would urge this government to make sure that that strategy is put

together really quickly. That resources are put into making it happen quickly,

and I am glad to know that there are going to be consultations but the

consultations do not have to keep repeating things that have already happened. I

am aware, and the government is aware, of groups in the Province who have been

working on this issue for years, who have been spontaneously giving their

information to government, spontaneously going to government asking for

consultation and giving the information that they have. So let's make sure that

not only is a ten-year strategy going to be put in place, but that we will find

resources immediately to show that this government is going to make sure it is

not ten years before we have a program in place, because again, it is an issue

that is continually being brought to me.

In the recent by-election that many of us were involved in, in an area where

there are many young families - and I think anybody who took

part in that

by-election knows how many young families are in the Topsail district. Over and

over again at the door I had young parents, late twenties, early thirties, talk

to me about the difficulty of child care. I did not count them, I wish I had,

but how many doors I went to at 3:00 or 3:30 in the afternoon and the

grandparents were the ones who have just come to the house to be there when the

bus arrives, to be there to take care of the children. What happens for the

parents who have no grandparents? There are some who are lucky enough, but I

could not get over the number of grandparents who were making sure that they

were there when the children got off the bus in the afternoon. That is the only

thing that a lot of the parents have; they are lucky enough to still be living

in the area where the parents of one of the parents of the children are, so to

be living where one of the sets of grandparents lives. That is not the way it

should be. It is wonderful if grandparents can be available, but that is not a

child care program. I am delighted that it is there. I am delighted that the

strategy is going to be put in place, but we have to have this happen sooner

rather than later because we are so far behind when it comes to the issue of

child care and early childhood education.

I also had parents speak to me about the fact that they do not think this

government understands how, for example, the needs of autistic children I had

at least three sets of parents with autistic children who spoke to me about

this, and one mother of a child with Down Syndrome, that the government, they

say to me, does not understand the need for early childhood education, because

early childhood education would be there for all children and those with special

needs would be covered. The need for children, for example, who are autistic, to

have all the services that are required that they get when they go into the

school system, they need them before that. That the earlier you can have

identification of the syndrome, and the earlier you can deal with it, the better

it is for the child. There are so many aspects to the early childhood education.

I understand how complex putting this strategy together is going to be, if one

looks at all the aspects of early childhood education. I think there is so much

information out there and so many creative thoughts among the people who have

been dealing with this issue, that, as I said, I hope it does not take ten years

to put it together.

The other thing that is again, it is startling because it is never talked

about by the government. The government does talk about, and the Speech from the

Throne talks about the skills trades' strategy, it talks about training

programs, but does not talk about the fact that we still have 15.5 per cent of

our people officially unemployed in Newfoundland and Labrador. We all know that

that percentage does not include people who are on income assistance. It is

talking about people who are employable and people who - some are on EI, some

are not, but 15.5 per cent of our people are officially unemployed. We do not

see a change in that. We continue to have the highest provincial rate of

unemployment. We have to become much more aggressive with regard to training.

One of the examples I think about is when Hibernia was coming onboard and the

platform was being built and so much energy was put into getting people trained

to be able to take

part in the building of the rig. I know there was federal

government money. I understand all that which helped that to happen, but we have

to become much more aggressive about trying to get unemployment dealt with in

this Province. We all know that we are continually being told there are not

enough workers to do the work. We are even told that with regard to the building

of affordable housing by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing; houses that are not

being finished at a certain point, work that is being done on them that is in

abeyance, and in abeyance for long periods of time because there are not

adequate workers to put it together. What if we put a strategy together for

training a whole group of tradespeople who would become involved in the housing

industry, and especially with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing? We have to

become more creative and more aggressive with regard to putting resources into

the training and employment of people in this Province because it is disgraceful

that we are still at the highest level when it comes to unemployment in the

country. The next closest to us is P.E.I., and even P.E.I. is five points below

us at 12 per cent and all the rest of the provinces are under 10 per cent; so

another dose of reality. We cannot have Speeches from the Throne that ignore

those realities. We have them, we should not have them.

Another thing I wanted to speak about is the comments in the Speech from the

Throne with regard to the people in Central Newfoundland, especially in Grand

Falls-Windsor. Yes, a lot of things were done; people got severance packages.

The government played a role in that, and that is good. One of the things I

noticed when I was out there recently - as a matter of fact, just on this

weekend. I spoke to some people, a variety of people actually, about how things

were going. The reality is if you look at it on the surface everything looks

fine. It looks like everything is going okay. There does not seem to be a major

impact in the retail sector, except for where one company in particular did a

lot of supply for the mill. In the general retail sector things seem to be going

okay, things seem to be all right. What was pointed out to me by some people was

that the crunch is going to come, not this year but next year, because you have

the severance package. People will be going on EI as well, but the crunch is

going to come twenty-four months after the closing of the mill. That is when we

are going to start seeing everything from people even needing social assistance,

right through. That is what has been said to me. I was told about people who are

only now feeling the impact. They did not even think about it and we do not talk

about it, the fact that when these people left the mill, when the mill closed -

yes, they can get severance but something they do not have any more is a

workplace health plan. I was told by one gentleman of how embarrassed he felt

one day in the pharmacy because he has a health plan, of how embarrassed he felt

when a woman in front of him, when her prescription was put in front of her and

she saw the cost of it, and he knew the woman, very quietly leaned over and said

to the pharmacist: I wonder, could I take half of it now because I can't afford

to pay for all of it? So, if I take half of the drugs now, then I will come back

when I have the rest of the money and get the rest of my prescription.

That is what is happening and that is going to worsen because right now, as I

said, people have their severance packages, they have an income that they are

working with, and some are getting some employment, some are getting contracts

of different types, but this thing of no longer having a workplace health plan

has not hit people. What is going to happen as those workers get older and they

do not have the workplace health plan? Well, number one, they are going to be

requiring a drug card; that is what is going to happen. The number of people

requiring a drug card is going to go up. They are not going to have dental care

- and I know, as you get older, we do not need as much dental care, but as you

become really elderly, dental care becomes very important. These are things that

are not being thought about. We know that while some I think about 150 or so

have gone away and have jobs outside of the Province and a lot of them are

coming back and forth, some have moved completely, but a lot are coming back and

forth. The majority, some are still in training, but they do not know what jobs

they are going to get. We have to speed up - and I know that there is a

committee still in place but we cannot underestimate the impact on people. They

are not going to come to the committee and talk about what they are going

through, they are not, because a lot of them are embarrassed about what they are

going through because this is a new reality for them.

There is one more thing that I would like to speak to. As I said, Mr.

Speaker, I could take a long time and go through quite a number of things, but I

am not going to do that. The next thing I want to speak to well there are two

things actually; one is with regard to Labrador. Again, the Speech from the

Throne speaks to everything that has been done in Labrador, all of which should

be done. They need everything. They need the roads that are being built. We know

they need that. Don't brag about it; they need it and it has to be done.

What really disturbs me is that the Combined Councils of Labrador have an AGM

every year and I have been able, a few times now, to go to that AGM. I find it

very important to go to the AGM and to be there and to listen and to hear what

they have to say and to hear what the realities are in all the different parts

of Labrador because the problems for people on the South Coast are not the same

problems for the people in Labrador West, are not the same for the people in

Happy Valley-Goose Bay or the North Coast. Yet this year, not one minister from

government was there at the AGM. The Leader of the Official Opposition and I

were both there, but not one minister. Yet, there are two minister who are

dedicated to Labrador, and yet neither one was there. They have sessions planned

to sit down and speak with ministers and there was no minister, and bureaucrats

were at the table.

I will tell you, the members of the councils from the Joint Councils of

Labrador were quite blunt with their bureaucrats - the bureaucrats who were

supposed to come and be the ones to talk with them - because the bureaucrats

could not give them any answers. The bureaucrats could not give them the

information they were looking for, so they would look at the bureaucrats and

say: Here is the message I want you to bring back to your minister. They want

the ministers at the table - and there was a time when the ministers came to the

Joint Councils' AGM. There was a time when that happened. Why has that stopped,

and especially now when there are two ministers specifically dedicated to

Labrador? That is not good enough.

I am also quite disturbed - and I think we all would be - by what happened

with the industrial accident in Labrador this past weekend. The accident itself

was on Thursday. I am hoping that this government will recognize the need, and I

hope the minister will recognize the need he did not back last fall but the

need for a dedicated air ambulance for Labrador. That Big Land is a pretty big

land. It is a pretty big land. It is not good enough with all of the industry

that is going on up there and with the distance that people are from hospitals

that there is not a dedicated air ambulance for Labrador. I am not talking about

changing the status of the air ambulance that is on the Island; I am talking

about they need a dedicated air ambulance. We have major industry going on in

Labrador and the type of accidents that happen, like the one that happened on

Thursday, they are going to happen. They are not going to happen often, please

God, but they are going to happen and we have to be able to ensure the workers

in Labrador who are working in these major industrial projects that they, if an

accident happens - even with all the effort to not have them that they are

going to be able to get the attention they need, that they are going to get it

as quickly as possible so that we do not have loss of lives.

We will never know - and I would never make the statement that it is true -

whether or not the person who died last Thursday would have died even if an air

ambulance had gotten in there in time. We do not know. Even if it had gotten

there in an hour-and-a-half, we do not know. His family will never know and that

is not good enough. We have to be just as concerned about safety and having

services available for workers in industry in all parts of the Province. We had

a wake-up call once again with regard to the offshore with Cougar 491, and I

would hope that the accident that happened last Thursday in Labrador, the loss

of life, not so much the accident but the loss of life, will be a wake-up call

with regard to the need of an air ambulance in Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, I think I have spoken to the main points that I wanted to speak

to. I look forward, Mr. Speaker, to the weeks to come. Next Monday we will hear

the Budget from the Throne. We will find out if the Budget is going to reflect

some of the goals that are in the Speech from the Throne. There is a lot of

highfalutin stuff in that Speech from the Thorne. I am really looking forward to

find out what the government, what it is it is planning with regard to improving

the air services in the Province. I am really wondering are they going to take

over the airlines. I am looking forward to seeing what is going to be in the

Budget about that with regard to they are going to come up with a plan and they

are going to make sure that air services get improved. So, I would like to see

what it is they are going to do.

I am looking forward to seeing the Budget. I am looking forward to seeing how

it reflects the goals that are in this Speech from the Throne. I do know that I

will have plenty of opportunities to raise many more issues than the ones that I

have raised today.

Once again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Lieutenant Governor for having

been with us, and once again I thank you for the opportunity to make my

comments.

Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I realize the lateness of the hour and I will try and move through my remarks

as quickly as possible.

Fellow Members of the House of Assembly, first of all this afternoon I do

want to thank His Honour the Lieutenant Governor for delivering the Throne

Speech.