PDF Version (Day)

PDF Version (Night)

May 14, 2025 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Vol. L No. 115

The House met at 10 a.m.

SPEAKER (Bennett): Order, please!

Admit visitors.

Government Business

SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

L. DEMPSTER: Thank you, Speaker.

I call from the Order Paper, Motion 1, budget debate.

SPEAKER: We will now be debating the subamendment of the budget.

The hon. the Member for Exploits.

P. FORSEY: Thank you, Speaker.

Again, it's a pleasure to get up and speak on the subamendment of the budget. It's always nice to get up and represent the people who elected me and put me here. Last night, of course, I sat here and I listened to a great deal of the debate. There was a lot of issues brought up, a lot of concerns by the different MHAs.

Health care, of course, was one of the big ones that I did hear and there's no difference, I guess, in my district. Again, I will bring up the health care issues. I suppose I'll start with that one. In 2016, the Liberals stripped the 24-hour emergency service out of the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Care Centre.

Since then, there has been two promises made, two different elections, two different premiers, still Liberal government and nothing has happened. That decision in 2016 was nothing primary, only a government decision. Nobody else's decision. Staff was there, people were there and the facility is there. Actually, prior to 2014, in a previous administration, there was over $4 million spent on that hospital to do up the blood clinic, the lab, everything was done. The facility itself, I think, there was roof repair. All of that stuff was done to have a great facility there. They stripped the 24-hour service in 2016, and it still remains a big issue today.

Of course, doctors in the region – we spoke about it yesterday – Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans where the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre is to, we're lacking in doctors. The emergency unit up here stressed, overwhelmed; 24-hour emergency service at the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Care Centre gone.

We need to streamline that, as I said before. In 2019 the first election, what did the one of the former premiers say? We're going to reinstate the 24-hour emergency service. That went a couple of years. Never happened. 2021, same thing. New premier, new candidate, they promised we're going to reinstate 24-hour emergency service. Not my words, that's theirs. They came out and said it. Everybody knows it. Still not happening.

Actually, the Liberal candidate at the time who made the promise, where's he to? I've heard this brought up a couple of times last night: Where's he to? The 2021 campaign, Premier's office, Grand Falls-Windsor, failed Liberal candidate, okay, we'll give you a job in Grand Falls-Windsor in the Premier's office.

Yet, we still can't get our 24-hour emergency service.

AN HON. MEMBER: Decisions (inaudible).

P. FORSEY: Decisions that they make, yes. And to see that they could put someone, open up that office in the Premier's office in there.

At the time, 2019, Central East, Central West, I'll call it, seven MHAs, basically. At the time in 2019 we had five Liberal MHAs and two PC MHAs got elected. And the two PC MHAs, I must say, we were doing fine. We were talking to the constituents, doing work. We didn't ask for the Premier's office in Grand Falls-Windsor. We didn't want it. Nobody consulted us.

So I'm left to believe why that decision was made. I wasn't consulted. I didn't need any help in there. I don't think the Member for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans needed any help in there. As far as I know, he wasn't asked.

The only thing I can see is out of the candidates that got elected on the Liberal side, they needed some help. Or the Premier at the time didn't have confidence in them – something there, something happened. I don't know why. It had to be one of it. We didn't need any help. Yet, they could put a failed Liberal candidate at the Premier's office in Grand Falls-Windsor.

I'm hoping now that we have a new Premier he will see fit to say that I don't need any help in Exploits. I'm sure the Member for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans doesn't need any help in his district. We can work fine with the constituents.

Anyway, to see that they can find funding for that kind of stuff to support their Liberal friends is ridiculous. It's bad decisions, totally bad decisions. It really is.

I've talked to people at the Exploits Community Employment Corporation, they've been there for years. I know this money comes through transfer funds through the federal government. I know it does, and it's employment money for people with disabilities to put them to work. Last year that was cut. Nobody is advocating for them – nobody – through the federal government to get this funding put back in place.

Now, that's funding that puts people with intellectual disabilities to work in different areas, different places and they work well in society. They love their jobs. They feel great that they're part of the community, community based. They feel great that they're doing something. They have initiative in the morning to get up and go to work, and we have lots of it out there. We have a lot of people out there in those predicaments that need that sort of help.

Was there anything extra in this budget for those people? No, nothing there extra for those people. I think they had it up to somewhere around $2 million, I think, somewhere in that area that they were employing people with those disabilities. Great to have the funding for them, great initiative, great project, great way to have people employed.

Now they're just barely hanging on; only working, probably, three months at a time or whatnot; just getting enough to even keep the offices open when those people worked with those individuals with disabilities. So where are they left to now? Probably some of them have enough work that they've got EI, I guess. After their EI is finished, where are they to then? What happens to them then? More than likely on our own assistance. That's basically where they are going to end up to when they are good, productive people of our society and they're left out, fell between the cracks because of government's decisions.

When I see that government's decisions can employ a failed Liberal candidate, Liberal friend in an office in Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans in Grand Falls-Windsor, not on.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. FORSEY: Put that money where it should be. I know the Member for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans said a quarter million dollars, and we've all said a quarter million dollars. And yes, there are lots of places we can spend it. I know we can say a quarter million dollars for the hospice, which the Member for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans mentioned yesterday. I know we can say a quarter million dollars for that.

I know I could say I take the quarter million dollars and give it to the Exploits Community Employment Corporation. I know I could say take that quarter million dollars and give it to some organizations. Take that quarter million dollars and let's invest in some of our roads or food banks. There's lots of areas that we could spend that quarter million dollars a year. Lots of ways – summer students, again.

But to see that it's there to support a Liberal candidate that was out making promises in the last election, and they're willing to support that. I mean like I said, the government side, they're willing to support it. The office is still there. We have another new Premier; the office is still there. And there's lots of places that we could spend that quarter million dollars. Not saying we don't want a lot more. Yes, I mean I just mentioned a few places. No trouble to get rid of a quarter million dollars. It's pretty simple, pretty easy.

To see those people at the Exploits Community Employment Corporation falling through the cracks, it's terrible – it's terrible. Their mothers and fathers they call me. I've gotten the calls. Pleaman, what am I going to do? Johnny loved his job down at the drug store, loved his job over at the shoe store, loved his job doing the construction. Now he has no job. Where he could do that job and the people around him loved him. They really did. They loved what he was doing. He interacted with the community. He felt like he was contributing to society, but there's no funding.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

P. FORSEY: Anyway, they all want to say something about it, so they can get up and talk about it all they like what they're going to do. They can tell me what they're going to do when they get the chance.

But when they said some of them are still working, so is the member in the office in Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans. He's still working as well, and not coming out of it, either.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. FORSEY: Anyway, that's one of the issues I hear, but if they want to get up and explain that situation, they can. If one of them would get up and have something to say about it, I don't mind. I'm sure the crowd at the Exploits Community Employment Corporation would love to know what you got to say about it. I'm sure they would like to know, really.

Then we hear of closures and diversions in health care. They say they're doing marvellous work with health care. We're still hearing closures and diversions every week. Closures and diversions on the Connaigre Peninsula, Baie Verte, Lewisporte, Kittiwake, all those areas still being left without physicians, still being left without those services.

So the 24-hour emergency service and the way the government has used the fundings where they cut and then put it somewhere else and the type of spending that they're doing, the people in my district see it easy enough. They really do. They see it and they feel it. Those are things that need to be done, more constructive decisions at government's expenditures. We certainly need more constructive decisions.

I'll go to our volunteer sector. I got a few minutes left, so I'll talk about our volunteer sector. Our volunteer sectors in our society, especially in the Exploits District, make up for community projects, community benefits. They're amazing for what they do for our communities. They really, really are, all of the community sectors.

The volunteer fire departments are what we depend on. We have no career firefighters in the Exploits District, but we have all volunteers. We depend on them every day and I think somebody here mentioned it yesterday that they're first responders now. They need the equipment and the tools to be able to be first responders. Because what they're responding to these days, accidents and medical calls – they're even the first call now for a medical call, not ambulances anymore.

I spoke about it through a petition here earlier this year. They needed some of their fire equipment – all declined. All of the small fire departments all being declined when the government is relying on those people for their services every single day and they're low on equipment. They're low on equipment and telling me, b'y, can you check on my application or we got declined on our application, we don't have our breathing apparatus. We don't have our tanks. You know, we need this. To see those people left out when we rely on them every single day – now don't tell me it's not happening. I had the letters; I had them through a petition and brought it up.

It is happening, so we need to put the funding where it should be. There's another spot right there. A million dollars for four years after $250,000 from the Premier's office in Grand Falls-Windsor – a million dollars, man, if you gave a million dollars and that's where it went, through some apparatuses for those volunteer fire departments, sure they'd be all done now. They'd be all done; they'd be all looked after, rather than throw it away up in the Premier's office – wow.

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

P. FORSEY: I did say four or five times but it needs to be repeated.

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

P. FORSEY: It needs to be repeated, but I'm glad I finally got your attention. I'm glad I finally go your attention.

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

P. FORSEY: There you go, somebody else got to say.

You look at the websites every day, there's virtual care – virtual care is what they call it now. Virtual care is actually what they call it now. You get the virtual care; they don't even tell –

E. LOVELESS: (Inaudible) said diversions on the Connaigre Peninsula; that is a lie.

SPEAKER: Order, please!

P. FORSEY: What was that word?

SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the Member to retract that please. I clearly heard it.

E. LOVELESS: I will do the honourable thing and get on my feet and I'll apologize for that comment.

SPEAKER: Thank you.

The hon. the Member for Exploits.

P. FORSEY: Anyway, Speaker, I see my time will soon be up, and I know they're eager over there to speak. I can tell this morning that they can't wait to go. So I think that we're going to have to go and vote on our budget. I heard the Member for Mount Pearl - Southlands last night bring up a good point actually. I mean to say he mentioned of the $400 million that was in the budget last night, the way it was put in the budget, he's having doubts about voting for the budget and –

P. LANE: No doubt.

P. FORSEY: No doubt, apparently. He says he's not voting for it.

As a matter of fact, the way he spoke about it last night, it got me convinced . It got me convinced of not voting for the budget. You know, I had second thoughts. I was right on the borderline of whether I was going to vote for the budget or not, but the way that Member spoke last night and proved that –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. FORSEY: – you know, that's what's happening, this type of situation in the budget, I'm convinced as well. I think now I'm finally convinced. I think my mind is made up.

So other than that, Speaker, there are lots of things that I could bring up in my district but –

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible) leave.

P. FORSEY: Actually, I think there's somebody mentioning leave. I'll take the leave. I don't care. I could stay here all day. I actually could stay here all day, but one thing I would like to bring up, Speaker, is the fishing of course.

I do have a small community in my district – actually, it's where I'm from and very proud of it. The community of Leading Tickles are the only fishing licences that I have in my district. Their fishing season is on and I'm glad the season went ahead this year without too many disruptions, because fishing is what they do. Fishing is what they love, fishing makes their community and when they get up in the morning, that's what they want to do is go fishing. So I'm glad that they're back on the water this year without too much disruption.

I do wish them a very successful and safe season, and I'm looking forward to talking to them every time I go down.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. FORSEY: Good luck with the fishing season and continue what you do.

Other than that, Speaker, I got a few seconds left, but I'll just take my seat now and let somebody else take a turn at their speaking privileges. It looks like they can't wait. There are two or three of them that can't wait there now to get up, so I'm going to let them get up.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

E. LOVELESS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I didn't plan to take any time to have anything to say this morning, but I think it's the responsibility of all of us in terms of when we speak and when things are said that are not correct and not factual, then they should be pointed out and it should be corrected.

I would like to know where the Member for Exploits got his information – please table it and provide it – that down on the Connaigre Peninsula, there are closures and there are diversions. His exact words, but that is not true. It's not factual.

I would like to know where his source of information is, and I say that because the people in the Connaigre Peninsula went through a very difficult time when there were diversions on the go. He knows it; we all know it. So I have a responsibility on behalf of my constituents this morning because somebody may be listening to that and think, oh, there are more diversions and closures now. What closures? There are no closures.

If anything, we got a good situation in the Connaigre Peninsula hospital down in Harbour Breton and in St. Alban's and in all the other clinics. What he said is not true, so I think he should do the honourable thing and go back and do his research and come back and report to this House what is correct.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Government Modernization and Service Delivery.

S. STOODLEY: Thank you, Speaker.

I just wanted to also correct the record. In my previous capacity as minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, I did oversee the Supported Employment program. The Member this morning has been talking about that program, so I wanted to correct for the record what's going on with the program. We did talk about that extensively in Estimates, so I would encourage anyone who's interested to go back and review the Estimates records for that as well.

The Supported Employment underwent a review, Speaker. We've extended all of the contracts for the Supported Employment agencies until the end of July, and then new contracts will be starting August 1.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

S. STOODLEY: I just also want to say, the government is not the employer here, but also, the amount of funding is being maintained for all Supported Employment organizations. There is no funding being cut. Every participant is being grandfathered in and we're making changes to make sure that the spirit of the program is maintained, because in not all instances was, necessarily, the spirit of the program in place and I guess in the contract, so we are making sure that all the contracts align with the spirit of the program.

There were also areas where there was budget in other areas that was not being utilized. We want to make sure that all the available budget goes towards giving clients who need it employment and job trainers and putting it towards helping people get to work and get back to work.

I fully disagree with the statements of the Member. All the funding has been maintained. No one should be without employment and government is not the employer. The Supported Employment agencies are the employer. If there is anything going on outside of what I've described, please let myself and the current minister know and we'd be happy to have the team to look into it.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Placentia West - Bellevue.

J. DWYER: Thank you, Speaker.

It's always a great honour to stand in this House and represent the people of Placentia West - Bellevue. I'm so proud to represent them. But I want to start today by wishing probably the most compassionate, hard-working, honest and faithful to their job people and say happy Nurses Week.

I think it deserves a round of applause actually.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. DWYER: We heard from the new Premier yesterday, and it was actually nice of him to stand in his place and talk about the budget because it was the first time I heard a Premier talk about the budget in a long time. He had a lot of things to say and carrying on with the mandate that he inherited, and that's talking about our health care and filling those gaps in the health care.

We couldn't be happier to make sure that that happens as well because it's so important to each and every person, but not only that, to our doctors and nurses and administrators that work in our health care system that really need that support at this time. Like I said, with the recruitment and retention, if we can get those programs to be robust, I think it will make a big difference. You know, we have a minister now that has a former health care background, so just yesterday we started working on a very important project together as well.

So, again, there are good things about what we're doing here but the gaps in the system, I guess, are the big issue. We understand that it takes time, but the thing about it is, we've already utilized a lot of time that never did bear any fruit. I think the thing is, when we recreate health care from our Health Accord, we have to understand it's not a lens of how it affects you as an individual. It's a lens that we need to look at of how it affects the people of the province that so readily need it on a daily basis.

I think it's important that the communication from our hospitals to our patients is more robust, I guess, kind of thing and making sure that there are no missed appointments or there are no gaps in the system, I guess.

I got an 86-year-old man now that doesn't have a family doctor and there is no nurse practitioner near where he is, and he's unable to get that note to go and say that he can keep his licence. With that being said, I want to make a shout-out to my old buddy Eric Courtney. I'm sure he's watching in Arnold's Cove. He's at the Golden Years Manor. He is 96 years old – he just turned 96, actually, two days ago – and he actually has his licence.

He's still allowed to drive around Arnold's Cove. I don't think he's out on the highway or anything, but in the meantime, he has a smile that goes for days. It's a new lease on life for him because he really has always driven. It gives him an opportunity to go to the grocery store and all that stuff whenever he wants.

Like I said, that's the kinds of things I focus on and that's what I think that my job is as the MHA for Placentia West - Bellevue, to make people's lives better where I can. That's the whole reason why I always say that through hard work and communication we can accomplish a lot of things. That's where I come to and in saying that, I also give a big shout-out to Wayne Follett and Joe Mercer in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. DWYER: Absolutely two gems that I tell you – I would say their best attribute is that they listen.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: They care.

J. DWYER: And that's why they listen, because they care.

Do you know what? I've never had a rebuttal or anything like that. I've met with those guys and the ministers, and just to know that any minister that comes into Housing does not have to micromanage them, I can tell you that right now. They know what they're at. I think they're the ones that are helping us with filling some gaps. We're not there yet but, with people like Wayne Follett and Joe Mercer, I think that we're going to get there. That's the thing, it's the internal people that are in our public service that do so much great work, like our nurses.

This being Nurses' Week, the whole point is that we're all in this together. We all have a job to do. Nobody has a silver bullet and nobody is an expert in everything. That's the point I want to make. If you know how to listen, you can become an expert in everything, but if you think you're an expert in everything, then keep running your mouth and you'll have a sidewalk to walk on real soon.

It's a really different area for the simple fact that they're equidistant between Marystown and Clarenville, but the other odd part about my district being so large is that we don't actually have a physical hospital in our district. I do depend on the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre, which I support tremendously; the G.B. Cross and Discovery Health Care, that I support tremendously; and Whitbourne, as well.

I was honoured to go out there to their rally and help save the services for the Whitbourne hospital, which was very important, not only for the people that are employed there that are from my district, but the people that would present and the people that would have any issues while they're on their way to St. John's to get help – and Carbonear helps a lot as well.

The thing is, in saying that we're all in this together, there should be never a personal lens put on it when somebody's asking for help. You can't take it personal and you just have to help them. I mean, whether you agree or not with what they need help with is fine. Just because it doesn't fit into how you see your life doesn't mean that you can't help somebody with what they see as good in their life.

There's a few things I'd like to point out that, I guess – we don't want to say that anybody's derelict in their duty but there are things that have happened that I've been working on for literally years. Actually, come Friday for all the people that came in in 2019, it'll be our sixth anniversary of sitting in these seats and representing the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. I think we're all proud of that. So like I said, we all come in here together, but we all have different things for our districts that we have to focus on because not all things are equal and not all funding that comes to each district is equal.

I'll just talk about a couple of things actually. One thing outside of my district, I have a young girl – something I'm working with the new minister on. Hopefully, we can get there because it's kind of been one of these cans that has been kicked down the road with no real solution. I've brought a solution, and I'm hoping that we can look at it as a one-off or a unique piece.

This young lady has some issues with epilepsy and mental health issues. She's an adult and she's out on her own. She's already approved for 70 hours; they have a worker that comes in and does 40 hours and does a great job. She's been there for three years, but when somebody else comes in to work the 30 hours, I guess when they see an episode or anything like that it kind of scares them. They move away from it and the father is always left to look after his own daughter, but he's also a retired teacher that we could probably use in the teaching field.

He's not able to apply for a job, even as a substitute, because he doesn't know what days his daughter will need him. If somebody up and quits or somebody doesn't show up for the shift, they're not replaced right away so he has to automatically do that.

We know that this is a real solution to this gap and, in this instance, I think it would only make sense because the father has to do the training, actually, for the new people that are coming in if they take the other 30 hours even. He's more than done his part, but I think that's the solution: just let him get paid the 30 hours because (

a) he's not able to go back to work, and (

b) he's filling a gap that, right now, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services can't fill. So I think this young lady is more than deserving of getting these hours filled because bringing on somebody new is a little bit strange for this young lady as well.

Again, this is somebody that I'm dealing with from outside my district. I'm not here to call anybody out or anything like that, it's just that this family had been told by other family members and past relationships that if you want it done, call Jeff Dwyer. He'll help you out. He'll certainly call you back. I think that was their issue, they weren't getting called back from their own MHA once they reached out, but I've got nothing to say about that. Those people can do their job the way they want to do their job.

We've still got diesel on the ground down in Swift Current; we've got a Department of Environment. I find it really weird or funny we all talk about environment and how it's our job to take care of the environment and, you know, if you saw a fellow throw a chip bag out the window, b'y, you might take his licence plate down. That's how we're after being groomed to this point, do you know what I mean?

But when we spill diesel, if you don't have insurance, don't worry about it. The environment will take care of itself. Unbelievable; what an attitude. I could not believe it. The way this has been handled is derelict of duty, and I will say that for the simple fact, let's clean it up and let's go after the administration and the insurance and whatever needs to happen after the fact, but let's clean up this diesel – 700 litres of diesel.

A lady has a hobby farm next to it. You know, she's trying to grow some root vegetables for her father that lives on the other side between the two houses. It's just unbelievable that we'd be here today talking about – this happened back in, like, February or early March. I can't believe it. We're still here today talking that people are not calling them or people are not talking to the people of Swift Current.

Isn't it our responsibility in an emergency situation to go out and clean that up and the go after the cost later if we've got to recoup cost? It's the environment. Apparently, only if you can pay for the environment then we're worried about it. I guess that's what this whole transition to an economy means and all this kind of stuff. So when we beat the drum about the environment, let's make sure that we're not just doing it for our own self worth. I say to the former minister of Environment, you can get up and explain why you didn't want to talk to the people of Swift Current whenever you're ready.

About six years ago we came in, when they did the Health Accord, we, in Arnold's Cove, were losing a doctor that had stuck around for over 50 years, Dr. Geoffrey Fowlow, and I tip my hat to him. He's retired now but he still has some patients I think that he is helping out and still going to the homes and stuff like that. He's a great guy, actually. He's a big part of our community in Arnold's Cove. He's a wealth of knowledge and I appreciate talking to him all the time.

Again, we started about five or six years ago on this Arnold's Cove clinic because we understood that we were going to be a spoke to take away some of the pressure off G.B. Cross in Clarenville and the Newhook centre in Whitbourne. We have an area there where we have an aging community, but it's also a very industrial area and it could really use a clinic.

You know, at this point we're not even really looking for a doctor; we're looking for a nurse practitioner that can work there. Like I said, through COVID and all this kind of stuff, the jigs and the reels, it's not exactly anybody's fault but I think this is a fault that needs to move forward now in short order so we can really break ground this year, get the clinic built and then get it staffed with a nurse practitioner or a doctor.

To the people of Arnold's Cove, we're almost there. I know it's taken some time and it's been unfortunate, but we're going to get there. We are going to get there, and I'll stick with this until we get there because it's the volition of the town, it's the volition of the area and as long as it's their volition, it's my volition as well. I know that it will be a great help to take the pressure off G.B. Cross in Clarenville, that's already overwhelmed.

In my last four minutes, I guess I'd like to touch on the roads because having a large district, it's very important that people are able to come and go as they please. When we talk about roads, it's a whole trickle effect because, you can do whatever you want with the roads, if the brush is still there, it's not much sense. If you don't have any shoulders on the roads, people can't even walk. There are a lot of different things and, I mean, like I said, everything in my district is off a branch.

You have poor old Rushoon and Baine Harbour that have a school down there and a cow path for a road. I've asked many times, even if we can get a bit of cold patch or something just to try and fill in these gaps, and to no avail. It's unbelievable. We get invited in to give our priorities. I have 36 towns and 8 LSDs and 4 unincorporated areas, 16 fire departments and I get to bring in three priorities. Is that to tell my district that I didn't care about the other 42 entities?

I'm thinking so because the three priorities that I laid on the table are very rough areas and, to me, the reason why these areas are so rough is because we have five depots in my district and three of those shut down in the summer time for whatever reason. That really hasn't been explained yet either, but when you have a large district like that, it bodes well that maybe it's not that we have to close down the same three every time.

Maybe there's a couple that could stay open so that they can work on those areas that they are supposed to oversee; because, when it goes down to two, and that's not to take away anything from the people that work in our depots that are still open, it's just the fact that they're overwhelmed and they have, probably, too big of an area to cover for the amount of time that they have.

All I ask is, when we sit down and you ask for my priorities and they're not fulfilled or they're not even on the order sheet, was it a waste of time? I guess, really, if I'm not being listened to. That's the whole point, that's what I'm coming back to, you're only going to be as focused as good as you're listening because we all don't have the silver bullet. If you're not listening to people and how they see their lives and how they want to live their lives and live their best life, then I think we're missing the boat on really representing the people with the utmost respect and integrity that we should be doing here in this House.

Like I said, I do get a lot of calls from all over the province and I work with ministers and ADMs and EAs all the time to make sure that those people are looked after. What I always remind anybody that I work with is let's work on this together for somebody else. I'm not looking for a pat on the back. I'm not looking for anything. If the people want me to continue as their MHA I certainly will, but the thing is, when we're all in this together, people know that they can approach me, and I'll call them back.

I think that's the integrity that I bring to the table and the respect that I have for the people that have given me this opportunity to be their voice in the House of Assembly. On that note, I know my time is running out. I want to say thank you to all the people that do work with me on behalf of my constituents in Placentia West - Bellevue, and I really want to say I hope all our nurses stay safe and have a great Nurses' Week.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. WALL: Thank you, Speaker.

It's always an honour to stand and represent the good people of my district and, of course, the pleasure today to speak this morning to the subamendment to Budget 2025 .

Speaker, last night here in the House of Assembly, I do know it may have gotten heated at times. I commend you on the job you're doing, Speaker, but at one point the Premier did stand and, in the midst of debate, said: On this side of the House we care. I wrote it down when the Premier said it, I know several of my colleagues did the same, but it wasn't until driving home last night and I received two messages from constituents who were watching last night saying that it insinuated that we didn't care.

Now with all due respect to the hon. Premier, I know, again in debate, when things are said and it may not be thought through fully but I know that the 40 Members of this House care. I know in His Majesty's Official Opposition we care. Everyone cares in this House of Assembly. I just wanted to say that for the benefit of the two that did reach out to me who were watching the House last evening. I fully understand in the heat of debate things are said that may not be fully thought through, and, Speaker, I know again, with you in your position as well, that you do care.

So I just want to make that known for the people that did reach out to me, there are times heated debate does bring out these comments.

Speaker, last night here in the House, my colleague from Torngat Mountains spoke about food security and she spoke about the methods that families come together in her district when they are looking for affordable ways for food orders that come into her district. I realized, after speaking with her, the compounded challenges that constituents in her district face when it comes to food security and how that impacts her job as an MHA in helping her constituents in the best way she can.

Yesterday, also in the House, the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board stood when my colleague, I believe from Bonavista, spoke about food bank usage. I can be corrected, Speaker, but I do believe that the minister was referring to numbers coming down here in the province with respect to food bank usage. I'm not quite sure of the data she was using, but the message she was trying to convey to this House was that food bank usage was coming down in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Speaker, in my beautiful District of Cape St. Francis, I know that the food bank usage has increased dramatically. In my former role as an elected municipal official, I began working with the food bank. I continue to do what I can to support the Northeast Avalon Food Bank in the Town of Torbay, which services all of my district and a portion of the neighbouring district. As I said, food bank usage has increased over the last number of years.

A significant portion of food bank clients are children. Approximately one in three food bank clients are under the age of 18. So when you look at a single-parent family, albeit a mother or father with young children, I've spoken to several of them and they reached out as to how do we begin the process of receiving from the food bank.

When you look at it, Speaker, it takes a great deal of courage for an individual to speak up and to ask for help. I'm always, as my colleague from Placentia West - Bellevue just said, at the ready to give help and to be available, but it is becoming more and more prominent in my district. I'm sure we have other districts in this hon. House that are feeling the same.

Speaker, I went to just look for some information and HungerCount 2024 did some stats in that year, and they reached out to a total of 62 food banks across our beautiful province here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Those numbers state that 15,425 visits to our food banks, these 62 in particular, were in the course of one year, with one-third being children involved in the food bank usage. In their numbers, the visits increased by 12 per cent over 2023. I fully appreciate the stats that the Deputy Premier said yesterday with respect to food bank usage, but it's not matching what I'm reading and what I'm experiencing with my boots on the ground in my district.

To further continue on with that, Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest percentage of seniors accessing food banks in Canada, in our country. Newfoundland and Labrador seniors had the highest percentage accessing food banks nationwide. That, as I've spoken to in this House many times over the last four years, is a product of the high cost of living, and of course, wages not matching or keeping up with that.

Speaker, in addition to all of that, Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest percentage of homeowners accessing food banks. The highest percentage of homeowners in Canada are in Newfoundland and Labrador accessing food banks.

Now, one of my colleagues from across the way has said many times over this sitting of the House that numbers don't lie. Well, Speaker, numbers do not lie. When it comes to food bank usage, it is steadily increasing. That is alarming to me when I look at people who once supported the food bank, donated to the food bank, volunteered their time and their effort there are now users of the Northeast Avalon Foodbank in Torbay in my district. Speaker, that is very concerning when it comes to food security and moreover when we have children and seniors who are a part of that.

I would like to just give a shout-out to the new board of directors who are now operating the food bank in Torbay, as I said, the Northeast Avalon Food Bank. In December of 2024 a new board of directors came on, and I'd just like to share with this hon. House and the people of our province the individuals who are now operating that food bank: president, Crystal Murphy; vice-president, Cassie Manning-Dyke; the treasurer is Corrina Martin; the secretary is Emma; and director, Tera McDonald.

Now, Speaker, I do know that this group is enthusiastic. They are a solid team and very excited to help the people of my district and to carry on the future endeavours towards community care when it comes to accessible food and to helping out seniors and low-income families in our district.

I know I might get a ribbon for this one, or not, but my wife always tells me I shouldn't be naming names or making lists. From the top of my head, over the years, the people that provide great support for my district and the neighbouring District of Conception Bay East - Bell Island to the Northeast Avalon Food Bank – and I just want to share with you some of the people, organizations and groups that are always on the ready. They're always there to help and to provide assistance to those who are in need.

Speaker, we have the Lions Clubs in my district, Torbay Community Garden, the Canadian postal workers, the sports teams at Holy Trinity High in Torbay, students from St. Francis of Assisi in Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, local businesses, annual memorial softball tournaments that all funds go to the operation of the food bank, the Northeast Eagles Minor Hockey team, the various church fundraisers, Torbay Folk Arts Council, Music for Young Children and the many personal family donations.

The five municipalities, I'm very proud to say, all support, and the municipality of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's in the neighbouring District of Conception Bay East - Bell Island does as well. The Torbay Harbour Authority, the Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Development Association, the Knights of Columbus and the dozens and dozens of anonymous supporters; I'd like to publicly thank all of them and, of course, those I have missed because I'm sure I've missed some, Speaker, but they're always there to provide assistance for those who are in need.

Unfortunately, with today's cost of living, with what the people of the province are faced – I believe my colleague from Exploits said earlier that it wasn't in the budget to help offset the difficulties the people of the province are facing. These individuals, these groups, these not-for-profit organizations, they all help out and I'd like to publicly thank them for what they do.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Speaker, I want share with you now, a couple from Pouch Cove, Tony and Mary Palmer. Two individuals with a family who looked at what they could do to help others. I know I had the conversation with the Minister of Municipal Affairs in his former role with CSSD, but Tony and Mary began the food pantry in the Town of Pouch Cove. For my hon. colleagues in this House who are always attentively listening, and I thank them for that, the pantry redirects surplus food just prior to being out of date from the different box stores, from grocery stores and what have you.

They have a process of going to these establishments, picking up the food in a safe manner, bringing them back to the Town of Pouch Cove and dispersing this food to families, to hundreds of constituents in my district. I've seen first-hand the positive effects that Tony and Mary Palmer are having on many demographics in my district. Anyone can come to the pantry regardless of age and regardless of income. I've seen students. I've seen seniors. I've seen working families. I've seen those on income support. I've seen all demographics access this food pantry and no one is turned away.

I can tell you, by speaking with some of the people who are accessing the pantry in Pouch Cove, some who cannot afford to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, some who cannot afford to purchase milk, this is reality. This is what some people are facing in my district, and I know this is not a one-off. We have 40 districts in this House and I do know that many districts are facing the same and, Speaker, I'd just like to share with you some numbers.

From retail stores from June to December of 2024, there were 51 food rescues. It was an average value of $3,500 per rescue. That's just under $180,000 of food that was rescued from going to the landfill. Again, it's just prior to being out of date and the food is still good. So approximately $180,000 worth in value, 65,000 kilograms of food. That was just from June to December of 2024. I cannot comprehend the number of meals that 65,000 kilograms of food can produce, but I do know the smiles on the faces of the people who access the food pantry on a weekly basis that Tony and Mary set up.

Thanks to the Town of Pouch Cove for providing space, the municipal building that they operate out of two days a week to provide these food rescues to the individuals. I see the positive effect it has on the single mother with two young children who can't afford to buy yogurt, fruit cups and various things for their lunches. I've spoken to seniors who, for the first time in a long time, had fresh fruits and vegetables in their fridge. I've spoken to the working class who are between jobs for whatever reason and the difference that it makes to their household all to the thanks of Tony and Mary Palmer and the food pantry in Pouch Cove.

Speaker, just some more numbers I'd like to share with you. The food rescues from Second Harvest in 2023 was $37,000 in value and in 2024 was $32,000 in value. All of this makes a big difference. That's not going to the landfill and it is supporting our residents, so I would like to thank Tony and Mary Palmer for all that they do.

I can tell you they're feeling the pinch out of pocket when it comes to the price of fuel. For example, they're travelling from Pouch Cove to Costco twice a week, or to Dominion or Sobeys or whatever, and this is impacting their pocketbook with respect to paying for fuel in their vehicle to do this, and they're doing it all out of the goodness of their hearts. I'd like to thank them for what they do, what they're going to continue to do and I'll support them wherever I can as they continue to support my constituents.

Speaker, in the few minutes I have left, I do want to touch on Transportation and Infrastructure. I know the minister is always listening when it comes to Transportation and Infrastructure. Over the last number of years I've worked with three Ministers of Transportation and Infrastructure and, shortly ago, I presented a petition to this House with respect to roadwork.

First and foremost, I'm very appreciative of the roadwork that was approved for my district for 2025-2026. I've said that to the minister and I'll say it publicly. I look forward to that work being started very soon to make a difference to the people travelling through my district. I did present a petition on roadwork in this hon. House, and in that included the need of grading in my district. I asked a question with respect to the horrible shoulders that are on Route 20 and 21. I've taken many pictures; I've sent them to the department.

In places you have a drop of six, seven or eight inches off the side of the pavement. If you go off that you know what's going to happen? You're going to damage your vehicle. You're going to have an accident.

I did ask the question; the minister of the day said that he would get back to me. I checked with my CA and we did not receive anything from the minister with respect to the last time that grading was done in the District of Cape St. Francis on Route 20 and 21. I would like just to remind the minister, if that information could be received and the need for grading to be done in the district.

I do know that throughout the province there is much that needs to be done. My colleague from Exploits spoke about brush cutting. With respect to grading in my district and to correct the horrible shoulders on Route 20 and 21, it is something that's necessary. It's a safety concern. I've spoken to people who, unfortunately, went off the shoulder, dropped and damaged tires and rims, ball joints and front ends. So if we could get that or if the minister could provide that information and hopefully get a grader in the district to get some work done, it would be very much appreciated.

In my last couple of minutes, Speaker, I do want to touch on housing, and I know I spoke about housing just a couple of days ago but I want to speak on it again with respect to the information we received in Estimates and the further work that needs to be done.

My colleague from Placentia West - Bellevue earlier this morning mentioned two particular staff. I hate to single out staff, but these two individuals, Wayne Follett and Joe Mercer, are doing tremendous work and I would like to publicly thank them. I know the minister is nodding in agreement with respect to the work that they do. They are available whenever we call. They are always willing and ready to help and they have assisted me and my constituents many times over the last four years.

I'd just like to publicly say thank you to Wayne Follett and Joe Mercer for what they do and, of course, to all the staff within Newfoundland and Labrador Housing. It is a challenge and I admit that. It's not an easy task with respect to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, but there are many people that do need help. With over 2,500 people on a wait-list for housing, the more that we can do, the more that government can do, with respect to getting available housing back up and running for the people of this province who are in need.

Of those numbers, Speaker – out of 2,500 – we have about 430 who are listed as homeless, who don't have anywhere to lay their head. I know at night, when my head is on the pillow, that does concern me. It does keep me awake. Speaker, I do know that – you're nodding as well – it is one that does bother me when it comes to that. So with respect to Housing, whatever we can do with respect to getting more housing available, more housing built, more housing refurbished to get people back into, it is only the correct thing to do.

Speaker, I appreciate your time, I appreciate the attention of Members opposite, and I always thank the people of the District of Cape St. Francis for putting me in this role. It is a tremendous role. It's one I don't take lightly. It's always an honour to stand and represent my district, and I will have a chance to speak again, Speaker.

SPEAKER (Trimper): Thank you to the hon. the Member for the beautiful District of Cape St. Francis.

The hon. the Member for Topsail - Paradise.

P. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

It's always a pleasure to rise in this House and speak on behalf of the wonderful residents of Topsail - Paradise. We're talking about the budget subamendment, talking about the budget and what's in it and what's not in it. That's what we look at; we look at the whole picture. Although before I go on, I do want to congratulate the new Premier on being elected. I haven't had the chance to say that publicly, so congratulations to him, and I also want to congratulate Jacob Lewis last night.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. DINN: What a very proud moment for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

P. DINN: Oh, I will be there. You won't know what my talent is, but I will be there.

In any case, just to talk about the Premier rose yesterday and spoke about the health care and talked about it being a primary focus – and it should be – and talked about health care being available for all and listed off some things that were in the budget. I look at it, and I know there's a balancing act between funding and priorities, but I think we all agree health care should be a priority. I thought of things that I would like to see in the budget.

I hear from seniors in particular, but others who are on a drug program, and a particular drug works for them but is not covered and they can't afford to buy it. So I think we need to do a closer look at that because it's not a lot that are in those cases – sorry we can't fund this drug, but you have to use the one that's not working. So that's something we need to be looking at.

Long-term care continues to be a huge issue, continues to be a huge issue for seniors, and in particular, seniors who are couples and cannot be put together in an institution on their final years. We do need to do more there. I know there was a report done on it, but more action, certainly, is required there.

We're all very familiar with our demographics. We're an aging population. I believe we're the oldest population in Canada, so many challenges come along with that. One being dementia care. I know there has been a document put out on dementia care, but we still have huge numbers of individuals and families dealing with dementia, and it's not pretty. It really isn't. It may be because we are living longer, but one thing – and I'm hoping and I think I got the cue that government is going to do something about this.

It's not going to be soon, but they promised to do something about it and that was the shingles vaccine, which has been proven to reduce the cases of dementia by somewhere around 20 per cent.

That's something that saves us money in the long run. I said the other day, looking at a report, that dementia care in Canada costs over $40 million a year for various forms of care that someone suffering from dementia deals with. That would be a true investment.

Of course, I've always spoke about the continuous glucose monitoring devices. I won't say much more about them. I will get up again and talk to it, but that is an investment that we're not seeing in the budget that would save us, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association, upwards to $100 million per year. Those are investments in our residents and in our health care that actually save us money.

I also look at things that are time sensitive. I've got up in this House many, many times and advocated for IVF treatment here in this province. The Liberal government, during their AGM in 2016, spoke to doing that; five years ago, on the campaign trail, the past premier spoke to doing that, and we're not there. We know that it's been promised now for another year out.

For young families and young mothers or women out there who want to start a family, those six years now gone are lost years and some of them may not be able to conceive now. We talk about a demographic where our population is declining and people want to have families, start them here in the province and stay here in the province, then funding IVF is a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned there.

Mental health: I've risen here in the House many times talking about long-term continuity of care for mental health, those struggling with mental health. There's a wonderful building been built. On all accounts it's a wonderful, bright building and people that have entered the building speak highly of it. But we still need to come up with the programs and the staff that can provide individuals struggling with those challenges to have long-term continuity of care.

Speaking to that, you talk about our education system. We know the huge increase in violence in our schools, and it continues and continues and continues. The NLTA spoke to, in a recent report, that it's almost a 30 per cent increase, just shy of a 30 per cent increase in reported violence actions in schools. That ties into mental health because 70 per cent of mental health issues occur in childhood and adolescence. So we need to come up with more preventative measures that help young children struggling with mental health. And, hopefully, would be one measure to curbing violence in our schools.

I don't mention it much, but I will mention it here. The buzzword for us all is Muskrat Falls. I know the Premier spoke to that yesterday as well. I know when that was brought to this House – it must be four or five years ago now, the report – I actually stood up and I spoke on that. I looked at it: a misguided project. I said that word's not even strong enough for it. I remember the Member for Gander who was right across from me actually applauded me for that comment.

But I'm speaking truthfully to that. The project itself, as a hydro-producing facility, is a good project, no doubt. We need electricity. How it was managed, how it came to be, how the cost overruns occurred is totally unacceptable. And we certainly don't want to see that again.

Similar to the Churchill Falls agreement, signed back in, I think it was '67 – I stand to be corrected – we don't want to see that again. Just think of where we would be if we had a good deal back in '67. Just think of where we would be if we didn't have a mismanaged Muskrat Falls program. They have both held us back.

When we look at the discussion around the current hydro project and the MOU, we want to be ultra, ultra sure that what's being done, what's being proposed is the best deal for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. That's what we want.

I listened to the Premier, yesterday, reading quotes from the report. I don't think any of us can argue the report. It was a well-done report, and you have to learn from that I think was the words the Premier said. But when I look at it, the number one recommendation in that report – and I'll read it out – "The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador should never undertake, on its own or through one of its Crown corporations or agencies, the planning, approval or construction of any large project (meaning a project with a budget of $50 million or more) without: a. Engaging independent external experts to provide a robust review, assessment and analysis of the project."

The number one recommendation in that report, and I know everyone on this side of the House would love to see that recommendation followed through on because that gives us the certainty, or as close to the certainty that we can have. You know, you talk about independents, people who are not influenced or controlled by the project or those who are doing the project. This is a huge piece of our future, this project, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to have the best for this province.

I note actually the Premier spoke yesterday and called it a good project, and I know throughout the discussion we had on it, the debate we had on it, no one mentioned the best, only for afterwards in the press one of the panel actually said it. We want to be sure from an independent point of view, that MOU and a potential agreement will give us the best.

So there's no disputing that, and that's where we stand on it. That's, at least, where I stand on it. I couldn't vote against it because maybe it is the best. No one has told me that. I couldn't vote for it because, again, no one said it was the best deal, no one that was independent as per the first recommendation of the Muskrat Falls inquiry. Why spend money on reports – and that was a much-needed report – if we're not going to take heed of the recommendations that are contained therein?

I also want to just touch base on the Education Accord. January 2024, we were promised an Education Accord. We were promised an Education Accord that was going to solve all the problems in education. That was promised for – well, I believe it was New Year's Eve – December 31, 2024. As we all know, that didn't happen. A month or two later, a report was tabled but it was an interim report, which, as I said a year ago, is going to be a rehash of all the reports we have, and a good portion of that was. It was really a rehash of what the previous report said, as well as What We Heard, but stay tuned because two months ago we were supposed to get the actual report and we're still waiting on that.

My colleague spoke about food security and people using the food banks and the community pantries. Just last week, I attended a food drive up in CBS. My colleague for Harbour Main and my colleague for CBS are very much aware of Louise and Bernie Mercer. They have a program they call it S.O.A.R. – S - O - A - R – Spirit of Alex and Riley. They lost both their children, I think one at nine and one at 15, to a rare brain cancer – both of them lost to that. I can't imagine that. I can't imagine how hard that is on a family; both of their children at young ages.

They wanted to give back to the community so they've held these food drives. They also have a Christmas toy drive but they hold this food drive every year. The community really is huge in contributing to it. The Salvation Army up there provides their venue for storage for food, and huge, huge stacks of food. Every year I go there I speak to the food bank, because it goes to the Paradise-CBS food bank, and every year I'm told this amount of food would last three weeks, then, this amount is going to last two weeks, so the amount of food is not going as far as it normally did because there's a greater need. There is a greater usage for those food banks.

What does that say about society here? What does that say about our government? What does it say about us dealing with the most vulnerable out there? As I said earlier, our seniors, who are in need of life-altering or life-saving drugs and treatment, can't get it. Children – families who can't put food on the table. We should be embarrassed. We really should be embarrassed that we allow this to happen.

You know, having kids go to school who are hungry doesn't do us any justice. Our children are our most valuable resource and they should be treated as such. We should give them every opportunity to succeed. I know we have a new Minister of Education. I will give him credit because he did reach out already, and we're going to hopefully have a get together and chat about some of the issues in education and, particularly, in Paradise so I can talk about that on another note.

I do want to just briefly talk about the roads. Route 60 running through Topsail in the district has been in a terrible state of disrepair for many, many years. I've had the opportunity to actually meet with the many, many different ministers over the years, all very cordial and having a chat and all very committed to doing something about it.

I guess this is the first year that we've actually seen that road on a list. This

section of road that's been covered does not quite cover what needs to be done. I've reached out to – well, I'll have to reach out to the newer minister now because I reached out to the most recent one and have a discussion on how far we can get that road to go. It's a heavily travelled piece of road. We've seen people get injured because there are not a lot of places to walk there. It's a very eroded shoulder to that road and something needs to be done.

It's not a well-lit piece of road going through there. Again, lots of traffic goes through there. There's a soccer field. There's a beach. There are a lot of other amenities down there that people go to access on a daily basis. Of course, we're going to have – it may not be fixed in time for that – Canada Summer Games events down there as well so that road will be well travelled and, this time of year, we see, well, some will call them potholes and some will call them craters. Call them what you want but they're dangerous for traffic going down there and damage cars and vehicles.

I think the new minister was the minister before who I spoke to, so I hope to sit with him and determine exactly where that segment of road is going to go and, hopefully, we can extend it a little bit to cover the most serious areas that need repair. I'll be up again to speak a little bit more but thank you for your time.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Harbour Main.

H. CONWAY OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Speaker.

It's an honour to stand here on behalf of the constituents of the District of Harbour Main and speak on the budget, specifically with respect to the sub amendment.

Speaker, I had the opportunity yesterday to hear the Premier speak about the budget. First of all, his introduction was very interesting I thought. He talked about the money that has been spent on the budget. For example, he referenced the budget includes money for health care, money for the vulnerable and so on and so forth. He referenced the $10 billion that is involved here with respect to the budget.

When he got into his speech, he stated when he was in his law practice he practised defence law for most of his years and that that gave him the opportunity to listen and hear the arguments of the case first from others and then to poke holes in some of those cases. Well I too am a lawyer and had the opportunity to practice for pretty much most of my legal career as a defence lawyer so now I will get the opportunity to assess some of the points that he made yesterday, some of his arguments, and I think, perhaps, poke some holes in some of his points that he presented.

One of the things that he seemed to be intent on, Speaker, was talking about the importance of the facts. I, as a lawyer, believe that facts are everything. That's how we are trained is to look at the facts, not opinions, but facts. In fact, he said let's stick to the facts, so I'm going to do that in the next 20 minutes. I'll talk about some facts that I think the government here has to be reminded of.

First of all, with respect to Budget 2025 – now this is my opinion – it shows that this government are not good stewards of taxpayers' money. What I am basing that opinion on are some of the facts. Let's look at the facts, the massive debt. Let's look at the fact of the record borrowing this government has engaged in, the record spending, and in my opinion, that would be very irresponsible spending which indicates poor fiscal management of taxpayers' money. I would argue, Speaker, that the road to prosperity cannot be achieved through reckless spending that we have seen this government, in the last 10 years, engage in.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

H. CONWAY OTTENHEIMER: When we look at this budget document, I'll look at some of the facts. This budget is a recycled document, I would argue. Why is that a recycled document? It is filled with Liberal reannouncements – announcements over announcements, and I will point to the Justice Department as evidence and let's stick to the facts, as the Premier stated. When we look at the Budget Speech and what was argued and what was presented there, that $20 million over two years bolsters new public safety initiatives, well, guess what, Speaker? That $20 million, that was announced actually back in November 6, 2024.

The same thing with reference to the $40 million that was added over the last five years. That, too, was referenced in the announcement back in November of 2024.

I can go on and on. When we talk about the Joint Task Force Unit – the RNC and RCMP – that was part of the $20-million investment announcement. Well, that, too, is a reannouncement, part of a recycled document. That announcement was made way back in November 2024. The same with the $180 million annually of Policing Services Newfoundland and Labrador. That, again, was referenced on November 6, 2024.

This continues on and on. When we look at November 6, 2024, starting in '26-'27 there would be an additional 19 police officers. Yet we know – and this was ignored by the government – that the National Police Federation had requested, I believe it was 24 officers. That was ignored. The RCMP out in Harbour Grace area, they had requested police officers. Again, last year and this year, that was ignored in this budget.

So, Speaker, when we're looking at this budget, it's recycled. It contains Liberal reannouncements, more debt and really, I would argue, it's just simply more of the same of what we've seen in the past 10 years by this government.

Now, when I look at what the Premier had stated, yesterday, in his speech, he stated that we will get things right. When he talked, my colleague from Cape St. Francis indicated about this nonsense about them caring on that side of the House, insinuating that we don't care. I'm very surprised that our new Premier is starting off with that kind of rhetoric because that's all it is, Speaker, it's rhetoric.

On this side of the House, yes, we care as well, but I would argue, as my colleague from Cape St. Francis said, we all are in this because we care. We are here because we represent the people of this province. We believe in what we're doing to try to improve the lives of the people that we represent.

For the Premier to insinuate that, I mean that is just very disappointing. He has to do better than that as the new Premier of our province. This has to be about building bridges, not walls, and that kind of statement reduces that to dividing us as a people. I would even go as far to say that the population and the people that we represent are sick of that. They're sick of that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

H. CONWAY OTTENHEIMER: That kind of divisiveness that's going on.

We have to be in a spirit in a time of hope and at a time where we are coming together. We have many external challenges facing us in the world today, south of the border, and even within our own communities in terms of issues that are happening as related to crime and people struggling to make ends meet. So this is a time when we have to be together. We have to join one another and try to support the good initiatives, and I, for one, when I see that there are positive things that are done by the government, we have to support that. That is what the people want to see from us.

When we see that government is putting forth policies that are good, then we will support them, and we will commend them. Like, for example, the sugar tax.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

H. CONWAY OTTENHEIMER: Finally, they have agreed to scrap the sugar tax. I spoke before the Easter break saying we need to scrap the sugar tax. Well, fortunately, the position of the Opposition Party has now been adopted by the government, and we're happy about that. That is good.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

H. CONWAY OTTENHEIMER: And we commend the government for doing that. The same thing with the carbon tax, the same kind of approach there. We advocated always for the axing of the carbon tax.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

H. CONWAY OTTENHEIMER: Now we have seen government adopting that policy of ours. So we're happy about that. That is a good thing. We stand with you on that and that's what the people that we represent want to see from us. They want to see that co-operation and that collaboration. But make no mistake about it, when we see you doing something wrong, we will be the first to announce that to the public what you're doing. That is our responsibility.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

H. CONWAY OTTENHEIMER: I hear this often, this indignation from the government because we are asking questions in Question Period and well, that's a good question or that's a bad question. Every question we ask on behalf of the people we represent are good questions. They're legitimate questions. It's not for you to say what is good or not.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

H. CONWAY OTTENHEIMER: We represent the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and we will not be intimidated or challenged by you that we are not permitted or given the permission to ask these legitimate questions.

So, Speaker, this is what we're about. We believe that this is time for us to have a change of attitude here. I mean, we have an important role in this parliamentary system as Opposition Members. We cannot and should not be expected to apologize because we ask tough questions, or it may hurt a minister's feelings because these are tough questions. As a minister, you are in a very important position and if you're not able to take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

H. CONWAY OTTENHEIMER: Speaker, this is important for us as Members of the House of Assembly to say that we have a responsibility to represent the people that elected us. Now, every time we get up here and question the government or challenge them on something they do, they basically look at what we say and try to twist it and try to make it out to be something that it's not.

That's not what collaboration is. That is not what co-operation is. That is not working together for the purpose or for the people that we represent. I would say that to suggest otherwise is disingenuous of this government.

When we look at the responsibility of Members of the House of Assembly, we have to bring forward issues that matter. When I look at this budget, this budget is about choices and, yes, the Premier got up yesterday and he talked about the money, the $10 billion. There's no question that there was incredible spending in this budget, but our position is, that spending, that money has to be allocated properly.

The Liberals and this government had a chance to make smart choices in this budget that would make life better for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians at a time when so many of them are struggling. But I would argue that they failed to do so and I'm going to talk to you a bit about policing and the justice system.

As I indicated earlier, the budget ignored the recommendations of the National Police Federation. They asked for 25 more police officers in the province. Why is that important? Well, we should know, as this is National Police Week, this is a very important week for us because, right now, this week, we are showcasing and highlighting the important work that our police officers do.

The RNC, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, these officers are there every day, seven days a week, 24-7, 365 and they are here to represent us and to protect us in the community, yet we know that many communities have been left without the resources that they need. Many communities do not have the policing that they need at a time when they are experiencing more crime. The rise in the illicit drug trade is very worrisome and yet they don't have the resources that they need.

Now when I look at that, Speaker, I'm going to address one of the – recently we heard and I think this is very important to mention, last week, enough lethal drugs were seized in St. John's to wipe out an entire metro region. That's the headline that we're seeing in our media. That was on last Wednesday on a VOCM article, and then CBC referenced an article: Fentanyl seized in N.L.'s largest-ever bust enough to kill half the province.

Speaker, this is definitely a crisis. There's no question about this. The largest fentanyl seizure in the history of the province; 500 grams of fentanyl were seized. This drug trafficking bust has to be of major, major, major concern to everyone involved in any type of policing policy decision-making. Why is this so serious? This was 15 times larger than in any of the province's history. This is the largest fentanyl seizure to date and we're told that 2 milligrams of that fentanyl can be considered a lethal dose. We have our young people out in our towns and communities that are exposed to this.

We have a very serious, serious issue and yet, we do not see the level of police resources that we need. I don't know what it's going to take. Thankfully, the RNC were able to execute this drug bust but how many more drugs are out in our community? How many more that are slipping through the cracks? The RCMP and RNC need resources urgently. We see this happening; it's very serious. I think we need to also invest further in our education system so that our young people in school are really exposed to the risk of drugs in our society. I think we need to focus more on that, as well.

Speaker, when we look at calls for service for the RCMP and RNC, they can't keep up. What does this mean? This means that they cannot deal with the calls for service; that means that they're not able to really do the proactive policing, the crime prevention strategies that are necessary and the surveillance. Imagine what they would be able to do if they had the resources to do it, if we empowered them with the resources to do the crime prevention, to do the surveillance, to get out there in the towns and communities to provide that police presence.

It is not happening, Speaker. It is not happening. We need to see proactive crime prevention. We need to see more investment for our police officers. They require proper resourcing to make our community safe and it is my position that Budget 2025 failed abysmally in that regard.

Speaker, as well when we're looking at the drug crisis right now, we see that there are insufficient addictions treatment options in the province generally, which is driving drug-related crime. I've had the opportunity to speak to many police officers, and they have said to me that they're not able to really target the prolific offenders. They're saying as well that most of the crime that we're seeing, especially in rural area, is related to drugs; it is directly connected with the drug trade and the drug trafficking that's going on.

We need to see more attention to that. We need to see a focus, a priority by this government, on this matter. Otherwise, I think we're going to be in serious trouble when it comes to – we are right now as far as the drug addiction issue is in play.

On that note, I will conclude, Speaker. I thank you for the opportunity to allow me to speak on the budget and I look forward to speaking again.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Baie Verte - Green Bay.

L. PADDOCK: Speaker, it is a privilege to be able to get up here this morning and talk on the budget subamendment, which denotes the neglect across rural Newfoundland; across our residents, businesses and communities.

As an MHA for Baie Verte - Green Bay, a rural district, I will highlight some examples, but I will also highlight across in representing Central Newfoundland and in supporting my fellow colleagues from that area as well. Also, some impacts that are truly across our entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador. So where do I want to start? I want to start first with health care and come back to last night and an issue that my colleague from Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans highlighted, and that was the Lionel Kelland Hospice.

That Lionel Kelland Hospice, as was so passionately highlighted last night, was a grassroots effort. Fundraising for that occurred across all of Central Newfoundland. It's a hospice that's in Grand Falls but the fundraising, the drive and the vision for all of that captivated all of Central Newfoundland because it was a need that was lacking and it was a desire to do what is right for our seniors in the last days of their life, and for their families as well.

A significant fundraising effort was undertaken and, as the Member for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans highlighted last night, over a million dollars was raised.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. PADDOCK: Like he said, some of that was small, $1, $2 or $5, and then also some significant donations from businesses across the area because they saw the need. They saw the void.

Once that hospice was ready to open, lo and behold, photo op, and the Liberals swoop in for that photo op. This year, with the budget, we have a situation where that hospice now needs a little bit recurring bridge funding to continue to provide an ongoing capability, not just for Central Newfoundland, but all of the province. So let me explain.

That hospice is an opportunity for those within palliative care to die with dignity and to give their families some comfort and support and wraparound services as they do that. I have witnessed that myself, that story, from a number of residents within my own communities in my district. They spoke of the impact of having that hospice there and what it meant to them, what it meant to their families and what it meant to their friends.

I commend the Member for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans for so passionately highlighting that last night.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. PADDOCK: A little bit of funding now would take pressure off, not just the Grand Falls regional hospital, but the two regional outlets that I have in my area, Springdale and Baie Verte, but also across the province. We're getting those in palliative care, not just from across Central Newfoundland, but all over the province. This is simply the right thing to do. This is about having dignity. This is about having compassion. This is about doing the right thing for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that helped build this province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. PADDOCK: I believe the Premier hoisted in that impact last night when it was highlighted by the Member for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans. I somewhat expected to come in here this morning and hear or see a press release that the funding was going to be there. Unfortunately, that did not occur.

Then, this morning, I listened to my colleague from Exploits who further reiterated the issue with Lionel Kelland and then also tied it to the Liberal office in Grand Falls-Windsor. Budgeting is about choices and, as the Member for Exploits highlighted, we have an opportunity here with regard to an opportunity cost. We could do a little bit of cost containment on that office – that unnecessary office – in Grand Falls-Windsor and support something that is providing a vital level of support, taking pressure off hospitals right across the province.

So I was thinking about this as the Member for Exploits was speaking, a lot with regard to budgeting is about public engagement. We saw an example of that last night when the Member for Bonavista gave us a couple of polls for here in the House. I wrote up a couple of poll questions too, that I hope are not just for this House but also for the greater public to potentially engage with as well.

The first of those polls would be: Should the taxpayer fund a Liberal office in Grand Falls-Windsor? Now, I fundamentally believe that the resounding response to that would be no.

Further to that, and that would be like I said previously, that is about cost containment, and as we seen with the budget, we have significant cost containment to undertake. The other one with that is, as was highlighted last night and highlighted again this morning, budgeting is about choices.

The second poll would be: Should the Liberal office in Grand Falls-Windsor be closed and the funds diverted to the Lionel Kelland Hospice?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. PADDOCK: A simple choice. Let us do what is right, not just for Central Newfoundland, but for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. PADDOCK: I would hope that the greater public listening to that would help to make that a question of the day.

The next item I would like to speak on is road safety. Road safety is a significant issue across most of the areas in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and road safety is not just about pavement. It encompasses line painting, signage, guardrails, shouldering and, most notably, as was highlighted last night by the Member for Fogo Island - Cape Freels, brush cutting. Brush cutting is a huge issue, and I'll touch on some examples in my district.

But we have opportunity here to do what is right for a lot of our secondary routes in the province. Signage: Why can't we give a little bit of funding allocation to the depots, if they see something that needs to be fixed, let them get on with it and fix it? That is centralized. It is not working for those depots. They want to fix it. In fact, those public servants are the ones getting beaten down because those signs are in disrepair.

The other is guardrails. You know, as I previously highlighted, we're bringing in a lot of posts from Nova Scotia, driving up the cost. We have an opportunity here to leverage Newfoundland companies with regard to supplying those posts. For a tourist coming in and looking at that combination of very poor signage – some signage you can't even see, as I highlighted last summer – guardrails, lack of shouldering, a lot of them you see after they'll post on Facebook: That small community was a great place to visit, but I warn you in going there because of the road. That is simply unsatisfactory for the residents of those communities.

My colleague from Fogo Island - Cape Freels gave the example of driving to Hare Bay and the road was like driving through a tunnel – no chance to react if you see a moose. I was reminded this morning when I picked up the Moose Hide Campaign and a tenet that was highlighted on that about having a responsibility to protect women and children in your life. In my district, and this is the same across rural Newfoundland and Labrador, we have a lot of mothers that are driving their children for a variety of reasons: doctor's appointments, school sports. Our roadways are our lifelines and those secondary routes require significant attention.

In my district, I think of Route 410, that's the Baie Verte Highway, serving 19 communities. We've had multiple moose accidents over the past couple of years. Routes 411, 413, 417, 418 and 419, all of those highways require brush cutting, and coming then to the Green Bay side, Routes 380, 381, 391 and 392. This was talked about before from my colleague for Placentia West - Bellevue, it's about having a roads plan. It shouldn't be that this goes into a void and you're waiting for an answer, we need a legitimate five-year plan – no politics – covering both pavement and road safety, including brush cutting.

Brush cutting right now across my district is a significant issue. We have to give our residents, our motorists, our visitors to these towns, tourists, the capacity to be able to react in a sufficient manner. That requires additional brush cutting.

The Premier spoke last night about, for rural Newfoundland, he would have your back. Now, I know a couple of routes in rural Newfoundland in my area, Route 413, where, if you're driving on them, you're clicking brush. You're actually clicking brush as you drive by. So I respectfully, then, ask the government: Let's take the effort to clear the brush off the back of the residents that drive along those highways.

Now I'll come back to health care within my district. A number of residents have approached me and they highlighted that it was only a couple decades ago that we had front-line access as doctors would come from Grand Falls and see us on a weekly basis. It was set up for the clinics in Robert's Arm, Triton and La Scie; they've lost all that.

The Premier last night spoke about public access to health care. Let me say this: Right now, the plan is to have these collaborative clinics and you'd have one in Grand Falls-Windsor. That does not work for residents of Westport, Purbeck's Cove, Wild Cove, Coachman's Cove, Harbour Round, Miles Cove, Long Island or Brighton. We have to make it easier for the residents of those communities to be able to access front-line care.

The model that we have been advocating and the model that works across Northern Canada is a nurse practitioner. Can you imagine if a nurse practitioner would be able to provide front-line access in a number of those smaller communities?

We would take pressure off Baie Verte, we would take pressure off Springdale and, ultimately, we would take pressure off Grand Falls-Windsor and by doing so, we would probably retain more doctors and nurses as well because they wouldn't be so overwhelmed. As I highlighted, that is a model that works across Northern Canada with the nursing stations. It's a model with regard to front-line care that we used when I was serving in the military, as well, with medics. It is a proven model, and it's a model that needs to be now leveraged.

A year ago, when we were on the campaign trail with regard to the by-election in Baie Verte - Green Bay, there was a significant promise made with regards to health care in my district. That was in regard to the clinic in La Scie and the clinic is Triton.

Now, I queried in November, again, because nothing was happening with regard to those two clinics, and the answer that we got at that time: It's being worked on. Here we are now a full year later, how long does it take to implement a promise and why would you make a promise if you're not going to keep it?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. PADDOCK: So these types of promises just being trolled out willy-nilly is not doing any of us in this House any favours. That's why a lot of the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador become cynical to politicians. If you do that, I think you become morally bankrupt. When we make a promise, any of us here in this House, there's an expectation and a duty that that promise will be honoured.

So I respectfully ask that the promises that were made last May with regard to the two clinics, one for La Scie and one for Triton, in addition to promises that were made for roadwork along Route 392 and 391 be honoured. It's your duty.

Thank you so much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER (Bennett): The hon. the Government House Leader.

L. DEMPSTER: Thank you, Speaker.

I moved, seconded by the Deputy Government House Leader, that this House do now stand in recess until 2 p.m.

SPEAKER: This House do stand in recess until 2 p.m. this afternoon.

Recess

The House resumed at 2 p.m.

SPEAKER (Bennett): Order, please!

Admit visitors.

Before we begin this afternoon, in the Speaker's gallery, I'd like to welcome would like to welcome Eileen Pendergast, wife of the late fire chief, Jim Pendergast, along with family members, friends and coworkers of the Wabana fire department.

Welcome.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Also, I'd like to take a moment to advise that Members of the House of Assembly are participating in the annual Moose Hide Campaign and showing their support by wearing the moose hide pin. This year marks the eighth consecutive year that our Legislature has participated in this event. Special thanks to Inuk Elder, Emma Reelis, who led us in reflection and prayer earlier today.

The Moose Hide Campaign is a grassroots movement of Canadians, committed to protecting women and children and speaking out against gender-based and domestic violence, grounded in the Indigenous ceremony of traditional ways of learning and healing.

I want to thank all Members for participating today.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Baie Verte - Green Bay.

L. PADDOCK: Speaker, I respectfully retract my comments and questions from yesterday afternoon.

SPEAKER: Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: I do thank the Member for Baie Verte - Green Bay for withdrawing your comments from yesterday, but I would also like to take an opportunity to remind all Members of the importance of maintaining decorum in the hon. House.

Our Standing Orders are rules agreed on by this House. They are orders which allow us to conduct order and decorum in this House. Standing Order 49 states: No Member shall use offensive words against any other Member of the House.

While the privilege of freedom of speech comes with responsibility for all Members to act within the Standing Orders and by doing so uphold the dignity of this institution, all hon. Members know, as stated in Bosc and Gagnon,

chapter 13, "The proceedings of the House are based on a long-standing tradition of respect for the integrity of all Members." While I respect that debate can get heated and Members passionately speak on issues, I want to remind all Members to be respectful to one another, and also to this institution.

I just want to acknowledge that there is another point of order that has been brought forward, and I will be ruling on that one very soon, too.

The hon. the Minister of Seniors.

J. ABBOTT: Speaker, in the same spirit, I wish to withdraw my comment the other day when I was responding to a question from the Leader of the Third Party. I used the word misleading, and I wish to withdraw that and to thank you for your indulgence.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Thank you, Minister of Seniors.

Statements by Members

SPEAKER: Today, we'll hear statements by the hon. Members for the Districts of Torngat Mountains, Conception Bay South, Exploits, Ferryland, Fogo Island - Cape Freels and, with leave, Harbour Grace - Port de Grave, Mount Pearl North and Conception Bay East - Bell Island.

The hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.

L. EVANS: Thank you, Speaker.

Nain's Julius Dicker leads with his heart. His strength and courage come from a place of caring. Everybody respects and loves him. Julius, known to many as Joe, is a true advocate, always standing up for the people of Nain and the Labrador Inuit.

First elected vice-president of the Labrador Inuit Association, LIA, in 1986, he served two terms until 1995. In 1987, he stepped up as acting president, and again in 1994. During his terms, a young Joe showed honesty and integrity, instilling a belief that you could trust him to help. I was fortunate to know Joe during this time. He has been a role model for me.

Nainimiut understand Joe was the right person to lead their community into the future. They elected him, in 2014, as AngajukKâk of Nain, again in 2018 and 2022. With a year left in his term, Joe recently stepped down for medical reasons.

I asked the other Inuit Community Government, AngajukKâk, for a few words. They spoke of his commitment to Nain, how he always calls asking how their community is doing, do they need anything, but their first words to me were about Joe's lifelong commitment and love for his wife and his family.

So please join me in thanking Joe for his contribution to his people and a return to good health.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

Speaker, I would like to extend congratulations to the CBS Kiwanis Minor Baseball Association for being selected as a recipient of the Jays Care Foundation Field of Dreams grant for 2025, which is in excess of $100,000.

On May 4, Sportsnet's Blue Jay Central announced that the Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays, has committed to over $1.5 million in infrastructure investments to build and refurbish baseball diamonds in communities across Canada and through its Field of Dreams program.

The Jim Crosbie Field, home to the CBS Kiwanis Minor Baseball located in Conception Bay South, is one of 15 organizations in Canada chosen to receive this funding. The Jays Care Field of Dreams project aims to create safe and inclusive spaces, enhance and refurbish local baseball diamonds and promote the growth of the game of baseball throughout Canada. This initiative will transform Jim Crosbie Field and Stoney Hill Park into an inclusive baseball hub for the Town of Conception Bay South.

I ask all hon. Members to join me in congratulating the CBS Kiwanis Minor Baseball Association, the athletes, coaches and everyone involved in this process. The funding will make a huge difference to both the baseball community and the Town of Conception Bay South. Well done!

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Exploits.

P. FORSEY: Thank you, Speaker.

Today, I would like to recognize Kyle Morgan of Bishop's Falls, born on November 23, 1999. At two days old, he was transported from Grand Falls-Windsor to the Janeway, then to the IWK hospital in Halifax to undergo an 8½ hour open-heart surgery. Kyle was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder.

At age seven, he started playing the accordion, and he is considered one of the best in Newfoundland and Labrador. Now at age 26, he has entertained many people throughout our region with his impersonation of Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix. He had, also, the opportunity of performing with well-known talents such as Buddy Wasisname. He is a man of multiple musical talents.

Speaker, I would like for all Members of the House of Assembly to join me in recognizing Kyle for his continued entertainment and success in future endeavours.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Ferryland.

L. O'DRISCOLL: Thank you, Speaker.

I rise in this house today to congratulate Sowing Seeds – Growing Community. In the spring of 2024, Goulds Recreation, Goulds Lions Club, Kilbride to Ferryland Family Resource Coalition, St. Kevin's Food Bank, St. Kevin's Roman Catholic Church, St. Paul's Anglican Church and Amy Williams, an Ocean Wise alumna began a shared vision of providing produce for those in need and promote food sustainability.

During the summer and fall of 2024, Sowing Seeds – Growing Community distributed: St. Kevin's Community Food Bank, 1,900 pounds of potatoes, carrots and turnips, plus peppers, lettuce, tomato and zucchini; The Gathering Place, 550 pounds of carrots and turnips; Choices for Youth, 150 pounds of potatoes plus one crate of carrots; Community Food Sharing Association, 800 pounds of potatoes, plus four crates of small potato, carrots and turnips. This produce will be a part of over 10,000 meals for less fortunate in our local communities.

This project was funded by the Goulds Lions Club, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Community Garden Programs and the Anglican Foundation of Canada. The land was provided by the Anglican Diocese of Newfoundland and Labrador, and tractor and ploughing services were provided by Mr. Bobby Searle.

Congratulations, and may 2025 be an even more prosperous season.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fogo Island - Cape Freels.

J. MCKENNA: Thank you, Speaker.

I rise today to acknowledge the contribution made by the Robbins family in Lumsden. The Robbins family's presence in Lumsden dates back several generations. James Robbins was born in 1878 in Cat Harbour and later moved to Lumsden North.

James was a pivotal figure in the community, and his legacy continues. His entrepreneurial spirit was strong, and it has followed through the family lineage. This is evident in many businesses the family has started, grown and seen flourish over the years.

For three generations, the family had operated businesses as varied as a salmon cannery, a cod liver oil business, a grocery store and a trucking business. The grocery store and trucking business are still in operation today and continue to grow and prosper, providing much-needed work for the people in the area.

The newest venture, Kev's Corner, a small restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious meal and enjoy the local history through the pictures on the walls.

Both Robbins' Clover Farm and Robbins Trucking Ltd exemplify the vital role family-owned businesses play in sustaining and enriching the fabric of small rural communities like Lumsden. Their dedication to service and community ensures that they remain cherished pillars in the region.

Thank you for your contribution and years of service to the residents of Lumsden and surrounding areas.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave with leave.

Does the Member have leave?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Leave.

SPEAKER: Leave is granted.

P. PARSONS: Thank you, Speaker.

I rise today to proudly recognize my friend and constituent Jacob Lewis of Butlerville. Jacob has quickly become a household name across our great province and those who have been tuning in to this season's episodes of Canada's Got Talent .

Jacob is an oil and gas worker in Newfoundland's offshore but with a wife and two young boys at home in Bay Roberts, Jacob decided it was time for a career change for him to be closer to his twin boys, Luke and Levi, and his wife Sam. His journey started when he surprised his wife by entering the contest to try out for the show this past October. Little did they know, he would go all the way winning the hearts of celebrity judge superstar, Shania Twain, and the many friends and fans who tuned in to watch his musical performances.

Jacob has always been a genuine and humble person. He loves his family. He's a great hockey player as well; he played for the Conception Bay CeeBees senior hockey. It was his performance of Tina Turner's hit, Simply the Best , that scored his biggest goal, the grand prize of a $1 million just last evening on the season finale.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to vote to support Jacob on this exciting journey. A big congratulations to him and his family.

Jacob, you're simply the best.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Mount Pearl North with leave.

Does the Member have leave?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Leave.

SPEAKER: Leave is granted.

L. STOYLES: Thank you, Speaker.

Our city is full of remarkable youth, and Courtney Abbott and Eamon Fogwill are two shining examples.

As Mount Pearl's Youth of the Year, they represent the young people of our community with respect, dedication and commitment. They have attended city events such as Frosty Festival, City Days, dances, socials events and so many other things. They just don't attend events, they roll up their sleeves and make a difference. They are both graduates of O'Donel High School and have both just completed their first year at Memorial University. They were both featured in this week's issue of The Pearl newspaper.

Courtney and Eamon, thank you for what you have done. You have been outstanding ambassadors for Mount Pearl youth and I am so proud of you both. I have no doubt you will continue to do incredible things in our community. Our future is brighter with leaders like you.

The next Focus on Youth Awards will take place tonight, Wednesday, May 14, and while we will welcome two new Youth of the Year, we will always be grateful for the impact that you both have made on our community.

Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in wishing them both success in their future.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island with leave.

Does the Member have leave?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Leave.

SPEAKER: Leave is granted.

F. HUTTON: Speaker, I rise today in this hon. House, with a heavy heart but immense pride to honour the life and legacy of a remarkable Newfoundlander and Labradorian, Fire Chief Jim Pendergast of Bell Island.

Chief Pendergast dedicated an incredible 50 years of service to the Wabana Volunteer Fire Department.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

F. HUTTON: For 27 of those remarkable years, Speaker, he served as the chief.

Jim also worked for the Town of Wabana for an incredible 52 years. He worked right up until last Thursday, the day before he passed away. Throughout his decades of service, Chief Pendergast was a leader, a mentor to fellow firefighters, a source of strength and comfort to families in times of crisis and a true pillar of the Wabana community.

A few months ago, Speaker, I was honoured to present Chief Pendergast with a 75th Anniversary of Confederation Medal. It was a private ceremony in his house with just a few members of his family and one other firefighter; he was not one for fanfare. He didn't want all the credit but he certainly deserved it. His legacy is forever etched in the hearts of those he helped, protected and inspired. Bell Island has lost a hero, and Newfoundland and Labrador has lost one of its finest public servants.

On behalf of this hon. House, I extend our deepest condolences to the Pendergast family: his wife of 52 years, Eileen, who his here; his children, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren and some of the members of the Wabana Volunteer Fire Department. May he rest in peace.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

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

K. HOWELL: Thank you, Speaker.

I rise today to acknowledge National Nursing Week and all nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

K. HOWELL: The theme of National Nursing Week 2025 is The Power of Nurses to Transform Health.

Our government is transforming health care based on the recommendations of the Health Accord NL and we value the role that registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse practitioners are playing in that transformation. It's why we continue to make significant investments to improve the work environment and work-life balance for all nurses in our province.

Our actions include significant investments for recruitment and retention, child care spaces to meet the needs of health care shift workers, long service pay and retention bonuses for registered nurses, increased scope of practice for nurse practitioners and additional spaces for licensed practical nurse and registered nurse programs at post-secondary institutions. Our investments have led to a reduction in vacancies for registered nurses and nurse practitioners from over 700 in 2023 to below 400 in 2025.

In addition, more than 90 per cent of this year's graduates have accepted full-time work in our province, but we're not done yet. We do recognize there is still much work to be done and we'll continue to work on future incentives to show our appreciation for all nurses in the province.

I ask all hon. Members to show their appreciation for the nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

I thank the minister for an advance copy of her statement.

Speaker, it's an honour this week to celebrate the hard work of the thousands of nurses across the province. We find the theme of this year's Nursing Week to be ironic, though.

The Official Opposition, like many others in the field, have been vocal for years about the ability of nurse practitioners to transform health in our province. More than 100,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are without a family doctor and many are forced to pay out of pocket for primary care, yet this government refused to take advantage of a commonsensical direction towards fixing the crisis.

In the meantime, we learn that they continue to spend more than $100 million on travel nurses, despite reducing their use, all while refusing to hire local nurses seeking to return to the workforce. Speaker, we appreciate the work of our province's nurses, and we implore this government to reflect this week on their approach towards this vital health care role.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Labrador West.

J. BROWN: Thank you, Speaker.

I thank the minister for an advance copy of this statement, and I also thank her for her service as a nurse. I want to thank all the nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, especially those in Labrador West.

While the government boasts recruitment incentives, actual spending on travel nurses is higher than ever. We'd like to make some suggestions on a few incentives that would go a long way to make nurses feel more appreciated. Start by recruiting nurses after their first year of education; start paying for their work terms; set up an independent health sector council; and, most importantly, listen to workers, listen to the nurses. They have the solutions to help reduce burnout and listen to what they have to say because they're the ones who are on the floor.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Further statements by ministers?

The hon. the Minister of Seniors.

J. ABBOTT: Thank you, Speaker.

I rise today to recognize June as Seniors' Month.

Seniors' Month provides the opportunity to encourage seniors to stay active, connected and engaged within their community and to acknowledge how they enrich Newfoundland and Labrador.

Over the last two years, our government has made significant investment in the health and well-being of our seniors.

Budget 2025 includes funding to ensure supports and services are available to seniors to enable them to age at home, including initiatives under the Seniors' Health and Well-Being Plan.

We are also continuing to invest in our Targeted Basic Income pilot for eligible people aged 60 to 64.

These initiatives are in addition to other programs that support healthy aging, including the Seniors' Social Inclusion Initiative, Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program, the Community Transportation Program and the Seniors' Benefit, which Budget 2025 commits to indexing to the consumer price index.

We have recently released two guides for seniors in our province: Bridging Generations: A guide to Intergenerational Programs in Newfoundland and Labrador and, secondly, Guide to Provincial Government Programs and Services for Seniors . Both are available online and in print format.

Our government is committed to fostering inclusive, age- and dementia-friendly communities to ensure seniors remain active members of their communities, maintain their independence and age with dignity.

Speaker, I encouraged everyone to honour and celebrate our province's seniors and older adults for the important contributions that they make and continue to make to our province.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Bonavista.

C. PARDY: Thank you, Speaker.

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

Seniors' Month is a time for us to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of seniors to our communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. However, recent statistics are alarming. A recent report indicates that food insecurity among seniors has risen to 18 per cent, up from 12.2 per cent in 2023. This underscores the urgent need for our government to enhance support system.

The Office of the Seniors' Advocate, April 2025, publication, An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure , states falls are the cause of 85 per cent of seniors' injury-related hospitalizations and 95 per cent of hip fractures; 81 per cent of all hospital admissions for seniors were caused by falls, many of which could have been prevented.

We owe it to our seniors to do better. As they have paved the way for our community's growth and deserve to live with dignity and respect, let's unite in efforts to honour and support our seniors throughout the year, not just this month.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Labrador West.

J. BROWN: Thank you, Speaker.

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

We call upon this government to make the incentives for seniors more accessible. The Target Basic Income program needs to be expanded beyond its very narrow criteria to capture more people between the ages of 60 and 64, living in need. Improve the application process for the Aging Well at Home Grant so more people can access it. Finaly, raise the very low income cut-off for the Home Modification Program and other similar programs so more seniors in this province can avail of these very important programs.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Are there any further statements by ministers?

Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

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

T. WAKEHAM: Thank you, Speaker.

Speaker, there's a new food insecurity statistic report out for Newfoundland and Labrador and it is alarming. The new data shows that over 30 per cent of households in this province are food insecure – over 30 per cent.

After 10 years of this Liberal government, I ask the Premier, why are nearly one in three families still struggling to put food on the table?

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

S. COADY: Thank you very much, Speaker.

This is a very important conversation and topic. I think that all of us in this House of Assembly recognize that there are people who are struggling in our communities and we're doing our utmost to provide supports and assistance and changes to ensure that they are supported and recognized.

I will say that we have made big strides in affordability in this province. Speaker, $750 million we put back into people's pockets. We've increased the Seniors' Benefit. We've increased the Income Supplement. We've increased funding for income support. We've increased funding for disabilities.

Speaker, I'm happy to speak more about some of the supports that we are providing, but it is a very important that everyone in this House recognize how important this is.

SPEAKER: The minister's time is expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

T. WAKEHAM: Speaker, the stats don't lie. Obviously, we still have a significant problem right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. According to Stats Canada, that 30 per cent is 158,000 people in our province who are struggling – more than one-third – and 33.9 per cent of children live in food-insecure homes.

So I ask the Premier: Will you provide the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit to more low-income families?

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

S. COADY: Thank you very much, Speaker.

We have, indeed, increased the Child Benefit in this province. The Member opposite will recognize that that was done, I believe, in last year's budget, if memory serves me. In last year's budget, we increased that. We also increased the amount of money that we give to support children who are food insecure and that was a program that we put in place, again, last year.

There's a tremendous amount that we're doing to address poverty. The amount of support and assistance is continuing to increase. I know that we still see that there are people struggling and that's why we're continuously addressing this very serious issue.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

T. WAKEHAM: Speaker, one of the challenges is we have lots of programs but oftentimes we don't bother to look at thresholds. I know for a fact that many of the programs we offer, the thresholds have not been changed in 10 years. If you take a look at that, maybe so many people wouldn't be left behind when it comes to some of the programs that we're already offering.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

T. WAKEHAM: Your colleague said during his leadership campaign, "obviously current financial support programs are not sufficient for our seniors, so more needs to be done." That's what one of the candidates for the Liberal leadership said.

So I ask the Premier: Will you fix your budget and increase the Seniors' Benefit by the 20 per cent as recommended by the Seniors' Advocate?

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

S. COADY: Thank you very much, Speaker.

As members in this House do recognize, we have increased the Seniors' Benefit by 15 per cent and now we are indexing the threshold, as well as the benefit. That's a huge step. It's very expensive for this government. The Members opposite were lecturing me this morning; I'm being fiscally responsible and that is fiscally responsible.

I will say to the Member opposite, we are continuing to work on how we can support seniors. That's why we have a Department of Seniors. I will also say, last year, we brought in a seniors' well-being program that supports our seniors to stay in their homes. I will say to the Member opposite that there is a full review being undertaken on thresholds.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

T. WAKEHAM: Thank you, Speaker.

The $46 increase that the Liberals have added to the Seniors' Benefit – $46 – won't even cover the cost of one nurse practitioner visit for a senior in this province who have to pay to see a nurse practitioner.

I ask the Premier: Do you have any idea of how many people are paying out of pocket to see a nurse practitioner in this province?

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

K. HOWELL: Thank you, Speaker.

That's not a number that I have readily available at this moment, but I can certainly get it. If there's a way that we can improve health care access in this province, we're certainly interested and open to that conversation.

I know that the Nurse Practitioner Association here in Newfoundland and Labrador is very keen on their role of advocacy for moving the profession forward. I haven't had the chance to meet with them this week but look forward to doing so next week. I'm certain that that will be one of their key priorities to address. We're willing to work with them and continue those conversations to build a plan that meets the needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and best accesses the immense scope of practice that the nurse practitioners in Newfoundland and Labrador do have.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

T. WAKEHAM: Speaker, I can tell you how many are actually having to pay out of pocket to see a nurse practitioner in this province. Too many, it's as simple as that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

T. WAKEHAM: Too many, b ecause one is too many and instead of getting an answer on something they are going to do, we simply get more and more talk and more and more words. What we need, and what the seniors in our province are looking for, is action to be taken.

So again, most of the people that are actually going to see and pay to see nurse practitioners are seniors. I ask the Premier, again, when will the people of our province be reimbursed for paying out of pocket to see a nurse practitioner?

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

K. HOWELL: Thank you, Speaker.

As we look at the plan for nurse practitioners in Newfoundland and Labrador, it's certainly something that we're interested in developing and building upon, as I mentioned in my previous answer.

They have the most extensive scope of practice here in Newfoundland and Labrador, and I know that they are keen and they are interested in becoming a greater part of the solution to access to primary care here in the province. So I would tell folks to stay tuned because we certainly are looking forward to those conversations in the upcoming week and building a plan with the Nurse Practitioners Association as we move forward.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Baie Verte - Green Bay.

L. PADDOCK: Speaker, if Newfoundland and Labrador were like other provinces who are still deliberating on how to account for their tobacco settlement revenue, then what would be the deficit for this fiscal year?

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

S. COADY: Thank you very much, Speaker.

I know the Member opposite certainly properly acknowledged that he overstepped and over torqued his characterization of the revenue recognition yesterday. He is a professional accountant, so he would know under the public sector accounting standards as to when we have to trigger revenue recognition, and that's when the payment terms are finalized. We understand from legal that they will be finalized shortly.

I can table how many times we've spoken about this in debate, in Estimates and in the technical briefing at the budget time. I will say to