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June 23, 2021

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS

Vol. L No. 21

The House met at 10 a.m.

SPEAKER (Bennett):

Are

the House Leaders ready?

Order, please!

Admit strangers.

Orders of the Day

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Government House Leader.

CROCKER:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I call from the Order Paper, third reading of Bill 7,

An Act To Amend – sorry, go ahead.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Government House Leader.

CROCKER:

Sorry, Mr. Speaker, I was skipping your part.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of

Municipal and Provincial Affairs, that Bill 7,

An Act To Amend The Vital

Statistics Act, 2009, be now read a third time.

SPEAKER:

is moved and seconded that the said bill be now read a third time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

SPEAKER:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

CLERK (Barnes):

bill,

An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act, 2009. (Bill 7)

SPEAKER:

This bill has now been read a third time and it is ordered that the bill do pass

and its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, “An Act To Amend The Vital

Statistics Act, 2009,” read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on

the Order Paper. (Bill 7)

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Government House Leader.

CROCKER:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I call Order 3, Bill 11.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Government House Leader.

CROCKER:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I move, seconded by the Minister of Industry, Energy

and Technology, that Bill 11,

An Act To Amend The Children, Youth and Families

Act, be now read a third time.

SPEAKER:

is moved and seconded that the said bill be now read a third time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

SPEAKER:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

CLERK:

bill,

An Act To Amend The Children, Youth and Families Act. (Bill 11)

SPEAKER:

This bill has now been read a third time and it is ordered that the bill do pass

and its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, “An Act To Amend The Children, Youth

and Families Act,” read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the

Order Paper. (Bill 11)

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Government House Leader.

CROCKER:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I move, seconded by the Deputy Government House Leader,

that this House now recess until 2 p.m.

SPEAKER:

The

motion is that the House do recess until 2 p.m. this afternoon.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

SPEAKER:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

This House do stand recessed until 2 p.m. this

afternoon.

Recess

The House resumed at 2 p.m.

SPEAKER (Bennett):

Are

the House Leaders ready?

Admit strangers.

Order, please!

Before we begin, I would like to thank all Members for

joining us in the Chamber before proceeding to start today to recognize the

Moose Hide Campaign.

As Members know, the Moose Hide Campaign is an

Indigenous-led initiative that stands up against violence towards women and

children. I would like to say a big thank you to Inuk elder Emma Reelis and

Stacey Howse, Executive Director of First Light, for joining us this morning.

I think all Members are wearing their moose-hide pins

as a pledge to act on the issue. I thank each and every one of you for

participating this morning.

I would like to take the time now to rule now on a

point of privilege raised by the MHA for Humber - Bay of Islands on Tuesday,

June 22, 2021.

Following a thorough examination of the Member's point

of privilege, I find that no prima facie point of privilege has been

established.

In the text

Parliamentary Immunity in Canada , 2016, Joseph Maingot provides a practical

definition of parliamentary privilege: “If someone improperly interferes with

the parliamentary work of a member of parliament – i.e. any of the member's

activities that have a connection with a proceeding in parliament – … that is a

matter involving parliamentary privilege.”

The Member has not shown how his individual

parliamentary privileges have been affected in the execution of his

parliamentary duties, nor how he has been obstructed, impeded or in any way

interfered with in his parliamentary duties in the 48th, 49th or 50th General

Assemblies. He has continued at all times to participate vigorously in debate,

to hold government to account in Question Period and through petitions and in

debate he has capably represented his constituents' interests in this House.

In his point of privilege, MHA Humber - Bay of Islands

asserts that his parliamentary privilege has been violated because of the way in

which the Commissioner interpreted Principle 10 of the Code of Conduct.

I note that the Commissioner made findings other than

those based on Principle 10. These relate to the commitments

section which apply

in the Code of Conduct as a whole. These commitments are contained in the Code

and were ascribed to by the Member.

In the Executive

Summary and on page 36 of the report,

the Commissioner found that “the manner in which he dealt with the Complainant,

and particularly during the call on April 8th, I do not think that MHA Joyce met

the expectations of the Code of Conduct, that he perform his duties with

'...accountability, courtesy, honesty and integrity.'”

This language repeats exactly the language of the Code

of Conduct

preamble. A violation of these commitments would result in a

violation of the Code of Conduct, generally, without the need to refer to a

particular Principle.

Justice Knickle, in the decision upon which the Member

relies in his point of privilege, describes the Code of Conduct of Members in

paragraphs 79 and 80, generally, as follows: “The kinds of conduct that might

result in a violation of the Code of Conduct are broad.”

“The Code of Conduct is not only broad in the

obligations it establishes for members, it is an aspirational statement for how

members should conduct themselves. This is supported by

section 35 of the HAAIA

which establishes the Code of Conduct.”

In the case of

The Joyce Report , October 18, 2018, the 48th General Assembly of this House

decided by a majority vote to accept the recommendations of the Commissioner for

Legislative Standards that the Member apologize to this House and added to the

recommendations to require individualized respectful workplace training by the

Member. The Member apologized and completed this training.

That was the determination of the House. I would point

out Standing Order 49 which states: “No Member may reflect upon any vote of the

House except for the purpose of moving that such vote be rescinded.”

Subsequently, this is not a matter of privilege, it is

a matter of procedure. Therefore, any Member who wishes to reflect on this vote

of the 48th General Assembly may do so by way of a motion that the vote be

rescinded and the report be re-examined. However, while matters are ongoing in

the courts, any such motion will have to be considered in light of the

sub-judice convention.

The Member also makes comments alleging certain actions

by former Premier Ball. As those are currently before the court, I will not

comment on them except to note that at the time the matter was being considered

by the Commissioner,

section 36 of the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act

contains a provision that provides authority for any premier to make a request

of opinion under the Code of Conduct by any Member.

This concludes my ruling on the matter.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Humber - Bay of Islands.

JOYCE:

I'm

not questioning your ruling, but there were a few points. There was a letter

there where the former Speaker asked me not to sit in this House while this was

on the go. That impeded my rights; that letter's in front of you. The whole

point is Principle 10, where a certain person was classified.

So I'm not questioning your ruling, but I'm just saying

SPEAKER:

Okay, you are questioning the ruling.

JOYCE:

– you should read what I wrote.

SPEAKER:

did take a thorough look at all your papers that you provided and your point of

privilege and a determination has been made.

Statements by Members

SPEAKER:

Today, we will hear statements by the hon. Members for the Districts of

Ferryland, Cape St. Francis, Terra Nova, Conception Bay South, Burin - Grand

Bank and St. John's West with leave.

The hon. the Member for Ferryland.

O'DRISCOLL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to recognize all volunteer fire

departments in the Ferryland District and the members who have served in the

past and serve today. These include Goulds, Witless Bay, Ferryland, Fermeuse -

Port Kirwan, Portugal Cove South, St. Shott's and Trepassey

I want to acknowledge and say thank you to our many

volunteers as well as all those over the years who have given so much to the

regions protection and well-being. The hours that each firefighter volunteer

gives peace of mind to the residents of our communities and ensures them they

have someone to rely on in the event of a fire or of any type emergency.

The volunteer firefighters have performed many heroic

and life-saving acts over the years and are to be commended for their dedication

and commitment. There are many challenges that first responders face today in

carrying out their duties; however, our firefighters continue to do remarkable

work and have lived up to that challenge. I want to also recognize the partners,

spouses and families of the members for their continued support.

I ask all Members in this House to join me in

recognizing our volunteer fire departments on the amazing job they do.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Cape St. Francis.

WALL:

Mr.

Speaker, today I recognize an annual event in my district as well the

neighbouring District of Conception Bay East - Bell Island. Since 2006, the

Killick Coast Games are scheduled for one week in August and is a fun-filled,

spirited week of friendly competition for children between the ages of 11 and

The first games were held in the Town of Torbay 15

years ago with approximately 200 participants. Hosting of the games rotate

between municipalities and is supported by many of the athletes' family and

friends.

The last games were held in 2019 in Portugal Cove-St.

Philip's with over 600 young athletes competing in 5 different sports. This

year, the Town of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove will host from August 15 to 28

to ensure that the COVID-19 safety plan is followed.

As a parent of two former Killick Coast athletes, I can

attest to the importance of such an event to a young person's well-being and

social development in taking

part in organized sports.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to volunteering at this

year's Killick Coast Games and ask that all hon. Members join me in wishing

great success to this year's host town of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove and,

of course, all the athletes.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Terra Nova.

PARROTT:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, June is Recreation Month and I would like

to recognize the efforts of Glovertown and its recreation department. Glovertown

takes recreation seriously and has a keen interest in getting their 2,000-plus

residents active and living healthy lifestyles.

Perhaps the most successful and longest running

activities are their biking programs, Sprockids and adventure biking. Three

hundred and fifty-plus kids from Glovertown and surrounding communities across

the region register yearly. These programs focus on bike safety, riding a

variety of terrains, survival and cooking skills, team-building exercises and

most importantly, having fun.

Over the past 6 years, their biking programs have been

recognized provincially and nationally, featured in the provincial Guide to

Biking and the Canadian Cycling Magazine

and asked to present at the annual Atlantic Recreation & Facilities Conference.

Their model is used by Bicycle NL and School Sports throughout the province.

Special thanks go to Pam Thornhill, the town's recreation director and Andy

Poole, along with a complement of volunteers that ensure their success.

During this month I would like to recommend that

everybody run, bike, dance, walk, skateboard, swim, do some yoga or tai chi, cut

a cord of wood, play hopscotch, kayak or even thumb wrestle: the possibilities

are endless.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.

PETTEN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Conception

Bay South Fire Department. Founded in 1973, it has evolved from a volunteer-only

organization to a composite fire department that operates 24/7 with almost 50

volunteer and career firefighters who respond on average to 1,000 emergency

calls per year.

The department has achieved many firsts in the province

over the last number of years specific to the mental health of its members. In

partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Conception Bay

South Fire Department will be the first in the province to deliver the Resilient

Minds program. Resilient minds is an evidence-informed, peer-to-peer,

skill-building program designed by firefighters across Canada to develop

strategies to mitigate and better manage occupational health and stress and

enhance personal resilience, resulting in informed and healthier teams.

This program has already begun its delivery in

Conception Bay South through department member, fire captain, Richard Hynes, who

is a certified instructor through the Canadian Mental Health Association in this

program. This training will continue over the next couple of weeks to include

all members of the Conception Bay South Fire Department.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating fire

chief, John Heffernan, for his dedication to the Conception Bay South Fire

Department members and raising mental health awareness with all its members.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Burin - Grand Bank.

PIKE:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Today, I would like to recognize in this House, Mr.

William Butt, who was born in 1937 in Grand Bank, but now resides in Fortune

with his wife of 65 years, Hattie. Mr. Butt worked with CN for 50 years as an

engineer on the MV Atlantic Freighter .

It was during this time that his ship made many trips through the Persian Gulf

carrying supplies during the Gulf War.

In April of this year, Mr. Butt was recognized for his

efforts and achievements for the role he played in defence of Canada, and was

presented with a Department of Defence Challenge Coin given to him by the

minister of National Defence. He received an Expeditionary Award from the United

States Merchant Marines for his contributions supporting American and

international coalition military forces in operations Desert Shield and Desert

Storm in the waters of Southwest Asia.

We thank you, Mr. William Butt, for your sacrifice and

the role you have made and played in advancing peace for our country, Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all hon. Members to join with me in

thanking Mr. William Butt for his service.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for St. John's West, with leave?

HON. MEMBER:

Leave.

COADY:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Today, I pay tribute to the life of the late Gerald

Thompson of Grand Falls-Windsor. Gerald was born in Botwood in 1943 to Lloyd and

Lillian Thompson. It was there that his sense of community service and helping

others began.

Gerald was husband to Ruth; father to Wayde, Peter,

Kellie and Jim; grandfather to 15; and great-grandfather to seven. He was also a

good friend and an exceptional community leader.

Winston Churchill once said: You make a living by what

you get; you make a life by what you give. Gerald's community service,

leadership and volunteerism have had a profound effect on his community and his

province.

Gerald's career spanned many years. He worked for CJON,

Beothuck Ford and Dicks and Company. Most recently, he served as executive

director of the Exploits Regional Chamber of Commerce. He worked diligently to

support his community and to promote and improve its economic prosperity.

As a community leader, Gerald gave tirelessly of his

time and his talents. He was a member of the Memorial United Church and served

the Masonic Lodge Northcliffe for over 40 years. His other passions included

writing poems, painting, cooking and local politics.

I ask all Members to join me in celebrating the life of

Gerald Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

BRAGG:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I recently visited the Centre for

Agriculture and Forestry Development at Wooddale, where our fantastic team are

using cutting-edge technology to advance our province's agriculture sector and

food self-sufficiency goals.

We launched a Vegetable Transplant Program in 2018, to

provide high-quality, affordable vegetable transplants to commercial farmers,

with the aim to increase the amount and variety of produce they grow. In the

first year, we distributed a quarter-million vegetable transplants to 25

farmers. This year, our staff went above and beyond, preparing more than four

million high-quality, ready-to-plant vegetable transplants for 110 farmers.

Mr. Speaker, farmers report these transplants improve

yields by up to 40 per cent per acre. Transplants grow faster and stronger in a

short season compared to direct seeding, and offer a more diverse variety of

produce. Our farmers are not just growing Jiggs' dinner vegetables –

non-traditional crops, such as leeks, broccoli, lettuce, onions and asparagus

are also on the menu.

Community gardening is also contributing to food

self-sustainability, Mr. Speaker. This year, increased funding to the Community

Gardens Support Program will see friends and neighbors in more than 130

communities gardening, working together to grow fresh food for their families.

Mr. Speaker, we made a commitment to increase food

self-sustainability in fruit and vegetables from 10 per cent to 20 per cent by

2022. So far, we have seen a steady increase to 17.3 per cent. With the recent

addition of more Crown land for more large-scale potato production, the expanded

Vegetable Transplant Program and a passionate group of farmers and backyard

growers growing fresh, nutritious food on farms, at home and in the community

gardens, we expect to exceed the 20 per cent food self-sufficiency – God, I

can't roll that off my lips today, Mr. Speaker – target come harvest time.

From the smallest vegetable patch to the largest farms,

I wish all growers a bountiful harvest.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Exploits.

FORSEY:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I'd like to thank the minister for the advance copy

of his statement.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to

recognize the Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Development at Wooddale in the

wonderful District of Exploits. I would like to take this opportunity to thank

the staff and the farmers who go above and beyond to ensure this program is a

success. We call on the government to invest more in Vegetable Transplant and

Community Garden programs to support farmers and their families at the

grassroots, so that we can continue to improve food self-sufficiency to 20 per

cent by 2022.

Mr. Speaker, growing our own vegetables has been part

of our livelihoods for many years and the Community Garden Support Program

allows communities to come together and grow fresh food for their families. We

must do more to further expand this program to increase the interest in the

agricultural industry.

I am looking forward to seeing the process of both the

Vegetable Transplant Program and the Community Garden Support Program, and,

hopefully, by 2022 we can exceed our food self-sufficiency goals.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.

DINN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I, too, thank the minister for an advance copy of

his statement.

It's certainly good news. Local community gardens and

commercial farms contribute greatly to the vitality of our economy, strengthen

our communities and provide us with nutritious meals. Last year, it was the

Tessier Park group in my district that planted a number of fruit trees and berry

bushes, so it's certainly productive.

While these measures also strengthen our food security,

they only do so imperfectly. I can say that in my district, especially, the

problem is not the availability of food, but it's the affordability. When faced

with an increase in rent, heating and electricity costs many people choose to

cut the more flexible part of the family budget: grocery bills.

This is why I'm calling on this House today to

re-establish the Select Committee on basic income that we unanimously voted on

to form last year and to fix the other half of the food-insecurity equation:

income.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

Further statements by ministers?

The hon. the Minister Responsible for Indigenous

Affairs and Reconciliation, and Labrador Affairs.

DEMPSTER:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Some people say: Some women are born leaders. I like to

say: Some leaders are born women.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

DEMPSTER:

wish inform my colleagues today of two women who are making aviation history.

Captain Allison Rumbolt and Captain Zoe Webb recently

earned the distinction as the first all-female crew to fly a helicopter for

Cougar Helicopters to the offshore.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

DEMPSTER:

This is a groundbreaking event that was made even more special as both pilots

are from Labrador and are long-time friends.

The moment wasn't lost on Captain Rumbolt, who made a

comment to the media after the flight, humbly stating: “At the end of the flight

you kind of look at each other and [say], 'Wow, we have come a long way in the

past number of years.'”

Allison Rumbolt, who hails from Mary's Harbour, is the

first woman to captain the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter for Cougar Helicopters. Zoe

Webb, who comes from Nain, on Labrador's North Coast, became the first woman

captain for Cougar Helicopters a few years ago when she piloted the Super Puma.

Women are marking their presence in non-traditional

areas, but the field of helicopter aviation haven't had the same growth. Captain

Rumbolt offers encouragement to women and girls to follow their dreams. That's

what she did when she met Zoe Webb as a young girl. They are friends and share a

common bond.

Please join me in congratulating helicopter pilots

Allison Rumbolt and Zoe Webb. These high-achieving professionals stand tall as

role models for women and Labradorians. We are immensely proud of those two

Indigenous daughters of Labrador who are leading the way, breaking down barriers

and inspiring others to succeed. We wish them both long and successful careers

and always a safe landing back at home base.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.

EVANS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the minister for the advance copy of her

statement.

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to be given this opportunity

to join the minister and recognize these two pioneer women of Labrador. Captain

Allison Rumbolt and Captain Zoe Webb demonstrated that women are leaders.

They've shattered the glass ceiling in aviation history in this province by

becoming the first all-women crew to fly the helicopter for Cougar Helicopters

to the offshore.

This is another first for Zoe Webb of Nain,

Nunatsiavut. Zoe began flying Cougar back in 2004, piloting the Puma and

becoming their first female captain. At the time, Zoe was the only woman in

Canada and one of only a handful of women in the world who was flying offshore.

Things have changed a lot since then thanks to the

leadership of women like Zoe Webb who paved the way for others.

Captain Allison Rumbolt you, too, are truly an

inspiration to all women and young girls. Being named in 2019 as the top 20

under 40 in Canadian aerospace, you are only one of five women to make that list

that year. This year, you've already made history twice as Cougar Helicopter's

first female captain to fly a Sikorsky-92 helicopter and now flying their first

all-female crew offshore. The world is your oyster and the record books await

your skill and leadership. Not bad for a young woman from Mary's Harbour,

Labrador.

Captain Allison Rumbolt and Captain Zoe Webb, I wish to

you congratulate you both for being an inspiration to the many women who inspire

to walk or fly in your footsteps.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Labrador West.

BROWN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I, too, thank the minister for the advance copy of her

statement.

The Third Party caucus would like to congratulate

Captain Rumbolt and Captain Webb on their professional success and their

historic flights. Events like these are great to witness, but we have to keep

working towards making this a common occurrence rather than just one historic

event.

Government can help with this by implementing pay

equity legislation and increasing the minimum wage. Roughly, 60 per cent of

minimum-wage earners are women and that really needs to change. If we want to

help women enter non-traditional industries, we need to stop underpaying them

and forcing them to live with their struggles to make ends meet. That will help

women achieve their dreams and realize their full potential. Therefore, I call

upon the government to increase the minimum wage and implement pay equity

legislation to continue to build on this success.

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.

BRAZIL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This year's budget announced a review that would

determine the fate of Nalcor Energy. In the press conference today, the minister

said initial analysis has been completed to support today's decision to merge

Nalcor Energy into Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

I ask the Premier: Will you direct the minister to

table all analysis that informed today's decision?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Premier.

PREMIER A. FUREY:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for that question.

Of course, we will provide the analysis that's

available, including the PUB report from February of 2020, which had this very

recommendation in it. We think conceptually this makes sense, to have Nalcor

folded into Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

There's no sense, after the Muskrat Falls Project is

complete, having two utility companies, Mr. Speaker. We believe this is the type

of efficiency that we are bringing forward to make sure that we're responsibly

using taxpayers' dollars.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

BRAZIL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We look forward to getting that analysis and doing a

review of it. At today's press conference, the Premier and minister would not

provide any estimates on money saved or job cuts as a result of the merger.

I ask the Premier: If this is an evidence-based

decision, where is the evidence?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Premier.

PREMIER A. FUREY:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The evidence lies mainly in the fact that there are

significant duplications within those two corporations, Mr. Speaker. The

corporation's governance structure is complex and cumbersome. We can be

streamlined, especially as Muskrat Falls is being completed.

After Muskrat Falls is complete, I'm not sure what the

purpose of Nalcor is. We have a utility company in Newfoundland and Labrador

Hydro. OilCo is no longer with Nalcor, so what is the purpose, Mr. Speaker?

We're not prepared to continue to waste money on

corporations that don't have any more purpose. We believe that there are

significant synergies to be exercised, while maintaining the expertise that has

built up over a time within that corporation. They can be better housed under

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

BRAZIL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We look forward to seeing where these savings really

are. In 2019, Consumer Advocate, Dennis Browne, estimated by merging two

divisions of Nalcor into Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, the province could

save $20 million annually.

I ask the Premier: Why couldn't you provide any

estimates for money saved when the Consumer Advocate has estimates that are two

years old?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Premier.

PREMIER A. FUREY:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

These are all things that we considered, but we didn't

say we didn't have – we said that whatever number we would provide would likely

be inaccurate. We're still doing a fulsome analysis of the exact savings.

Likely, there will never be an exact determination, prior to folding in, of

exactly what these savings will be. We'll have an estimate, of course, and that

number was one we used to help guide our analysis in going forward.

But we recognize there is significant duplication

within those two corporations right now and there's frankly no need of it. We're

unsure of the conceptual design of Nalcor after the completion of Muskrat Falls,

Mr. Speaker, so it makes sense. Sometimes you have to do what makes sense.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

BRAZIL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My understanding is that analysis is normally evidence

based to make a determination on any decision that you would make in the future.

I would have thought that would have been done here.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

BRAZIL:

The

minister said that the province will need the current employees of Nalcor for

future hydroelectric development.

I ask the Premier: Does this mean a deal on Gull Island

is imminent?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Premier.

PREMIER A. FUREY:

Mr.

Speaker, as I've said here many times in this session of the House – and the

Member opposite knows – there are no current discussions with respect to Gull

Island. It's an incredible asset; we recognize the value of the asset. It's a

really important asset now, more than ever before, as the world transitions to a

green energy source. We're very lucky to have it.

The most important thing is to make sure we have the

expertise and the appropriate people in place that when – if we do, and we

should consider doing a deal on Gull Island, that it is the right one that

returns the maximum value to the people of this province. We've lived through

two other failed hydroelectric projects in the past. We have to get this one

right, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

BRAZIL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

So am I understanding that you may keep employees for

something that may or may not happen in the future? Not a good way to govern, in

my opinion, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

BRAZIL:

The

Premier said there is still analysis and consultation happening on all 78

recommendations of the Greene report.

I ask the Premier: Why did you make the decision to

eliminate Nalcor before finishing the consultation and analysis of the Greene

report?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Premier.

PREMIER A. FUREY:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As we've said many times, the Greene report was just

recommendations. There were many things that we had been thinking about,

operating with and moving towards operationalizing in the past that just

happened to be in the Greene report. That just means other smart people agreed

with us, Mr. Speaker.

We are happy to move forward and do further analysis on

some of the other items of the Greene report, but, again, they're just

recommendations. These were ones that the minister and I – our government – had

discussions on for about a year or so. These are already things that we had

conceptualized and thought they made sense, especially as Muskrat Falls comes to

completion. That's one we were going to exercise, regardless of what was said in

the Greene report, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

BRAZIL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

So let's review: A major decision on a key Greene

report recommendation, zero evidence presented, zero public consultation and

zero transparency.

I ask the Premier: Is this what the public can expect

from your approach to the Greene report in the future?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Premier.

PREMIER A. FUREY:

Mr.

Speaker, I'm a bit baffled. This is a corporation that, frankly, required almost

a $30-million investigation with respect to the project that the Member opposite

was part of implementing. We are taking a proactive approach and being

transparent.

Today's announcement was a strategic visionary

approach. I said – and the minister and I said, granted, the operational and

logistical details aren't there, they can't be there, Mr. Speaker. We're being

open on step one, not on step 20 that will require an inquiry after to sort it

all out.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

BRAZIL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I still would think that the corporate world and the

citizens of this province would have liked the analysis and the business plan,

the business argument to make this a reality here.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

BRAZIL:

There are people's lives at stake here and the future of our hydroelectric could

potentially be at stake by not making the right move. A Nalcor by any other name

still has the same functions and lines of work as Nalcor.

Are you simply renaming the corporation that exists?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.

PARSONS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'm happy to finally get a chance to answer some

questions on this. What I will say is that the point that's been raised by the

Member opposite is just not sensible. This is absolutely a move to streamline

two corporations into one fully functional Crown corporation, which has an

emphasis on the provision of safe, reliable electricity, while at the same time

trying to do it in the most cost-affordable way possible.

What I can tell you is that we've just made this

announcement today, but I'm sure there will be other commentary publicly about –

I think the general populace is going to think that this is a move in the right

direction.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

WAKEHAM:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I reiterate that it's not about the announcement; it's

about the evidence used to make the announcement.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

WAKEHAM:

Mr.

Speaker, it's been 48 days now since the release of the Greene report and it's

still unclear how many of the 78 recommendations will be enacted.

Since the government claims to be open and transparent,

I ask the minister: Will she release the full analysis done that resulted in the

Greene report recommendations?

SPEAKER:

The

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

COADY:

Thank you very much.

I think it's really interesting when we're talking

about Nalcor. In the rate mitigation plan that the Members opposite endorsed

called the CHEAP, if you recall, Mr. Speaker, there was $30 million – and I'll

quote from it – for cuts and restructuring at Nalcor. They understood that there

were requirements of cuts and restructuring at Nalcor as well, so it's an

interesting line of questions.

With regard to the Greene report, I'm pleased to –

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Oh,

oh!

SPEAKER:

Order, please!

COADY:

report to the House that some 1,500 people have already participated in the

process by submitting either suggestions or ideas, making phone calls. As I've

indicated in this House, we had community discussions, Mr. Speaker, and over 200

people participated and we're now going to have stakeholder discussions as well.

There's a lot of discussion going on about the many, many recommendations in the

Greene report.

SPEAKER:

Your time has expired.

COADY:

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

WAKEHAM:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the minister for her answer, but we're still no

further ahead on what analysis was used to actually come up with the

recommendations that are actually in the Greene report, which is what the people

on this side of the House and the people of the province would like to know.

Some of the actions in the '20-'21 budget are laying

the groundwork for recommendations from the Greene report, namely selling off

School District and today's news about Nalcor Energy. These decisions are being

made while public consultations are still ongoing.

I ask the minister: What other Greene report

recommendations will be implemented before these discussions are finished?

SPEAKER:

The

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

COADY:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I've been quite transparent and, as a matter of fact,

as soon as the Greene report came out I said there is going to be some crossover

because we're speaking to the same stakeholders, we have the same financial

information, Mr. Speaker, and we were already in the process of the budget. As a

matter of fact, I think the Greene report didn't come until the end of the first

week in May and, as the Member opposite should know, the budget would have been

fully enforce or fully in function by that point in time.

There has been a lot of discussion with stakeholders in

the community as to how we can move forward. We presented some of the action

items, full disclosure, of what we're planning to implement. We are in

discussions now with the communities and with individuals as to what more from

the Greene report or what pieces of the Greene report should be implemented.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.

WAKEHAM:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Again, you had a report that came out with 78

recommendations and nothing that indicates how they came up with the

recommendations. The analysis that was used, the information that was used or

provided to form those recommendations, that's all we're asking for. Give us an

example. Table it in the House. Let everybody in the province know exactly what

they're based on.

Mr. Speaker, today's Nalcor announcement, again,

reminds me of the budget: aspirations without any details about how we get

there. The minister continues to refuse to release government's five-year budget

projections.

I ask the minister: Will you release the five-year

budget projections that you outlined in your speech?

SPEAKER:

The

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

COADY:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

As the Member opposite well knows, the budget is the

detail for the fiscal year in which it's presented. We have provided all the

details. As a matter of fact, the Member opposite sat through multiple evenings

of Estimates and multiple Estimates processes, Mr. Speaker.

I will say to the Member opposite there's plenty of

detail in the Greene report, in the report of the Premier's Economic Recovery

task force and I invite him to participate in the discussions that are currently

taking place. There are 78 recommendations, Mr. Speaker, and we will be looking

at those 78 recommendations to determine how best to move forward for this

province.

We have a tremendous debt in this province –

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Oh,

oh!

SPEAKER:

Order, please!

COADY:

and I believe the Greene report indicated somewhere around $46 billion. Mr.

Speaker, that is a concern for all of us in this House and all of us in this

province, and we'll be working to address it.

SPEAKER:

Your time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.

PETTEN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As the school year draws to a close, on behalf of the

PC Opposition, I would like to wish all students, parents, teachers and staff a

safe and happy summer vacation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

PETTEN:

There is no doubt that it has been an exceptionally stressful year with all the

COVID-19 challenges.

The complexity of integrating the Newfoundland and

challenge, but my question is: What's the plan for the French school board?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Education.

OSBORNE:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I, too, would say to all administrators, educators,

staff of the schools and as well as parents and students that it has been a year

full of anxiety because of the pandemic and the changes in health protocols and

I wish to thank them for getting us through the school year and doing it

successfully.

Mr. Speaker, at present we have had discussions with

the francophone school district, we've asked them to identify operational

efficiencies, as well as fiscal efficiencies. There is some question as to the

constitutionality of folding the district in, so before we even look at that or

go down that road, if we can achieve for their 350 students the efficiencies

that need to be achieved, Mr. Speaker, that's what we'll focus on.

SPEAKER:

The

minister's time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.

PETTEN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, does the government plan to ignore

collective agreements to change school opening and closing hours to an

eight-hour day for teachers as proposed in the Premier's Greene report?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Education.

OSBORNE:

Mr.

Speaker, that's not a priority at the moment for the department or for

that into the department, the changes that we've announced for Memorial

University, Mr. Speaker, and getting us to $10-a-day early learning and child

care.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.

PETTEN:

Thank you.

Do the changes planned in the Premier's Greene report

for the K-to-12 system this year include removing principals, vice-principals

and supervisory staff from the NLTA?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Education.

OSBORNE:

Again, Mr. Speaker, that's not a priority at this time for the department or for

government.

District into the department, the changes that we've announced in the budget for

Memorial University and getting us to $10-a-day early learning and child care.

Those are very ambitious goals, Mr. Speaker, and they will take up the time of

the department at the moment.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.

PETTEN:

Mr.

Speaker, bus contractors who stepped up last September to save government from

the mess when thousands of schoolchildren were left without school busing are

now scrambling as contracts expire and no direction has been provided for the

coming school year.

Mr. Speaker, are buses returning to full capacity this

fall?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Education.

OSBORNE:

Mr.

Speaker, first of all, I'd like to thank our busing contractors who did step up.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

OSBORNE:

had some 121 additional busing routes added because of the COVID pandemic, Mr.

Speaker, and they did step up and provide the transportation to our students.

Mr. Speaker, I was very clear, as far back as a month

ago I've done several media interviews, including one just yesterday, where I

indicated that school will get very much back to normal this year, including

busing, and at this stage for ages 12 and older who are currently eligible for

vaccination.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.

PETTEN:

Mr.

Speaker, contractors who incurred significant financial liabilities are now

without contracts for September and are liquidating fleets.

Given the unique opportunity with surplus buses in the

province, I ask the minister: Will he review the 1.6-kilometre busing policy?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Education.

OSBORNE:

Mr.

Speaker, there are two issues there. I will say that while the additional buses

were brought on, they were funded through the safe return to school by the

federal government, not the provincial government. The average cost of a run for

the 121 runs was 62 per cent higher than traditional runs. The average cost was

almost $97,000 for the year. The average cost on regular runs, not the COVID

runs, Mr. Speaker, was less than $60,000. We did pay a premium for these runs,

understanding that it was a one-year contract.

Having said that, Mr. Speaker, the funding was provided

by the federal government, not the provincial government. We are not currently

looking at the 1.6-kilometre radius.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.

PETTEN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That's unfortunate. The 1.6-kilometre busing is big in

a lot of district, but obviously it's not enough.

Mr. Speaker, because of what the minister described as

a mess last September with busing, government allowed contractors to use buses

older than the 12-year age limit.

Again, given we have a surplus of newer buses in the

province, many only one or two years old, will the minister meet with operators

to see if we can improve upon it for the safety of our children?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Education.

OSBORNE:

Mr.

Speaker, I'm absolutely looking forward to meeting with our busing contractors.

I heard one on the radio yesterday saying that they wanted to form an

association. I look forward to meeting with that association should they form it

and, if not, I'm looking forward to meeting with independent contractors.

Mr. Speaker, we did make an exception and allowed 13-

and 14-year-old buses on the road last year because of the pandemic and the need

for additional buses, but this year busing should return very much to normal.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Bonavista.

PARDY:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The annual capelin fishery is ongoing. DFO science that

dates back over 50 years shows that massive volumes of capelin are being

consumed by seal predation. This year our fish harvesters are only allowed to

catch 14,533 tons of capelin for human food. On the other hand, seals in 2019

consumed over 1.7 million tons of capelin and the seal population has grown

exponentially since.

What action has been taken on this critical issue, one

that affects the livelihood of thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, I

ask the minister?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

BRAGG:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think there were two questions in there: One was on

the quota for capelin and the other one would have been on the seals.

As everyone is aware in this province, the quota for

capelin is set based on the science by our federal counterparts. We pay

attention to that. We understand that seals do eat capelin. They eat codfish;

they eat crab; they eat any number of things. I'm hoping to work with my

Atlantic partners to discuss the seal herd population, our problem with that and

the other problems coming forward, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Bonavista.

PARDY:

Mr.

Speaker, if seals consume 200,000 metric tons in six days, I would impress upon

the minister that time is of the essence.

Mr. Speaker, just a few weeks ago a Newfoundland

fisherman, Jason Branton of Winterton, reported a patch of seals 60 miles out

from Baccalieu Island in Conception Bay that was estimated to be about five

miles in length. I'm assuming that may of us saw the video that he had posted.

Bob Hardy, a fishing industry consultant, stated that

he feels the seals were causing a lot of destruction and a successful seal

harvest is vital to addressing the increasing seal population.

For the record today, I ask the minister: What efforts

has he made to help strengthen the market for seal products so that a

sustainable seal hunt can take place?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

BRAGG:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Once again, a great question. I'll be happy to report

to this House that I took

part in the seal fishery. I went to the ice about 15

years ago. When you would look at the seals on the ice 15 years ago, I would

compare it to getting the biggest bottle of pepper you could ever get, putting a

sheet of paper on your desk and dumping it out. That's how thick the seals were

15 years ago, Mr. Speaker. There has not been a cull or a good harvest since

that time.

If you look at our pressures from the UK and the US,

those are our main markets when it comes to our crab and our cod fishery. We

cannot destroy these markets. I understand where we're to with the fishery.

There is no easy answer, Mr. Speaker, to get clear of the seal population. There

are many people with many videos. I for one feel strongly that we need to do

something with the seal population and I would hope we would get the

co-operation of our federal counterparts.

SPEAKER:

The

Member's time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Harbour Main.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Six years, three ministers and two premiers later, and

this current government still has not opened a Family Violence Intervention

Court in Labrador or Central.

Will the minister admit that six years is too long to

be working on this without results?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Justice and Public Safety.

HOGAN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for the question.

As I have said in this House several times, these

specialty courts are very important and they do help the individuals that are

before the courts. They help in all kinds of way, not just for criminal issues,

but societal issues and family issues. There have been announcements in this

provincial budget and in the federal budget and we'll work with our federal

government to get funds to make sure as many of these specialty courts can be

opened, not only here in St. John's, but throughout the province and in Labrador

as well.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Harbour Main.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Mr. Speaker, six years is way too long. We should be

able to see courts expanded by this time.

Also, Mr. Speaker, there is no Drug Treatment Court in

Central Newfoundland. In fact, the only Drug Treatment Court is in St. John's.

Several ministers have promised to create more Drug Treatment Courts, but it has

not happened.

When will another Drug Treatment Court be opened in

this province?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Justice and Public Safety.

HOGAN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member for the question.

Just for the record, too, these specialty courts are

fairly new. They're opened up one at a time to see if they work, to see what the

pros are and what the cons are. As we find out that they are working, that's

when we expand them throughout the province.

With regard to the Drug Treatment Court in particular,

there was an announcement in the federal budget this latest time around that

there will be funds for that. We are working with the federal government and we

are currently doing feasibility studies to see where and when these Drug

Treatment Courts can be spread throughout the province, particularly in Central

and in Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Harbour Main.

CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:

Mr. Speaker, this is a call to action. We need to see

action on these critical courts. For years, this current government has been

aware of this issue. One previous minister kept stalling when he couldn't pick a

town in Central. Another previous minister blamed the lack of wraparound

services. There is no Family Violence Court in Central or Labrador; there is no

Drug Treatment Court outside of St. John's.

Will the minister give us a commitment today to give

priority to the expansion of these important courts to other regions of our

province?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.

PARSONS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I had no choice but to step over my colleague, the

current Attorney General, to jump in on this one because I believe the Member is

referencing me.

I'll point out that when I took over in 2015, we had a

bit of work to do to clean up. The reason we couldn't pick a spot in Central is

that the PC administration had said that Clarenville was the central location,

not Gander and not Grand Falls. They wanted to put it in Clarenville and we had

some issues with that. What we did do is we did expand it to the West Coast.

I'll point out the Drug Treatment Court – there was

actually money sitting in the budget from the feds for five years and the

administration before me wouldn't take advantage of it, wouldn't apply for it.

What did we do? We took it and we created a court and we are going to expand it.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Labrador West.

BROWN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The caribou population continues to be endangered in

this province. Over the last few years, we've seen increased pressures on the

herd's recovery: habitat loss, illegal hunting activities, as well as other

challenges.

In the spirit of collaboration in this House, I ask the

minister: Will he strike an all-party Committee, including an independent

Member, as soon as possible to work to protect and build recovery of endangered

caribou and lobby Quebec and the federal government to assist in addressing

these issues? Let them carry their weight, too.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

BRAGG:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

A great question, a couple of great questions today,

actually, one on the seals and then one on the caribou. Vitally important to

this province, both of them.

The caribou, as we know, in Labrador are endangered.

They're on the endangered species list, Mr. Speaker. We're going to work with

our federal counterparts, with our – I have a stutter going on this morning; I

can't get it out fast enough. I can't get it out fast enough because I have so

much I want to say.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

BRAGG:

We're going to work with everybody to work on these caribou. We need to protect

the caribou. We need to start with the people we need to involve, everyone

involved. I'll accept any and all comers into the conversation because we need

to do it and get it done sooner rather than later, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Labrador West.

BROWN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We've seen some extra funds for the MTAP program in

this current budget, but we haven't seen any policy changes that would improve

the lives of Labradorians seeking medical service.

I ask the minister: Will he commit to eliminating

upfront costs for Labradorians having to fly to get medical treatment on the

Island?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

HAGGIE:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

The Member opposite and his predecessors and colleagues

from Labrador have been quite vocal on the issue of medical transportation. We

do, for income support medical transportation, completely cover the cost of

travel and escorts and accommodation, be it in a registered accommodation or be

it in private accommodation, as well as per diems.

We have also a reimbursement program for medical

transportation, which is not means tested. We advance up to 50 per cent of the

cost of airfare and will cover a flat rate of $1,000 for airfare, which is

different than we would do for non-Labradorians in this province, Mr. Speaker.

We'll continue to look at ways of being –

SPEAKER:

The

minister's time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Labrador West, for a quick question, no

preamble.

BROWN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I ask the Minister of Health: Will he eliminate the

upfront costs 100 per cent for Labradorians having to seek medical travel?

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

HAGGIE:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Income support medical transportation is a complete

payment program. The Medical Transportation Assistance Program is that, it is

meant to defray costs. Some of these are tax allowable. There is a deductible.

That deductible has been reduced significantly for Labradorians. There is now

only a 500-kilometre deductible.

They are allowed to claim for accommodation with

relatives. They are allowed escorts who can do the same. They are allowed a per

diem for food. In general, this has been very positively received.

It is the position of us that we will do what we can

within our fiscal envelope, Mr. Speaker, and continue to work with the Member

opposite and other Labradorian representatives to see what –

SPEAKER:

The

minister's time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Humber - Bay of Islands.

JOYCE:

Mr.

Speaker, climate change is real. The minister stated yesterday that the carbon

tax was going to have a revenue of $60 million this year. The carbon tax was set

up to be revenue neutral. My understanding yesterday is that the revenue was put

in general funds used for government services, not solely for environmental

carbon emission projects.

I ask the minister: Is that correct?

SPEAKER:

The

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

COADY:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

As the Member opposite would know, any funds that – the

majority of funds that come into the government would go to general revenue, but

we do allocate them through to departments. The Minister of Environment and

Climate Change would certainly be making use of those funds, Mr. Speaker, when

he talks about the Low Carbon Economy Fund and other approaches that he's taking

this year, including a new program to assist those families who want to move

from oil heat to electricity or for those who are now purchasing electric cars.

We've allocated money to that as well.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Humber - Bay of Islands.

JOYCE:

Mr.

Speaker, the fund was solely going to be used for carbon emissions, I say to the

minister.

Now that the tax was set up and used for general

revenues for this province – which it wasn't supposed to be; it was supposed to

be revenue neutral for the cost – I ask the minister: Now that you stated that

the money would be going to the Minister of Environment for environmentally

friendly projects, carbon emission projects, will you table the $60 million

worth of projects that are going to be used this year for carbon emissions in

this Province of Newfoundland and Labrador? If the government is living up to

the commitment of carbon emissions and the carbon tax to be neutral and to be

used just for carbon emissions reduction.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

DAVIS:

Mr.

Speaker, thank you for the question. I thank the hon. Member for a very good

question.

As the Minister of Finance mentioned, we do collect

revenue through general revenue. It comes over to departments through the

Estimates process that all Members would be familiar with. We've set out an

action plan. We've moved on 43 of the 45 recommendations that will have a

meaningful change in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate clean

innovation and growth in the economy.

We're also moving to, as the Minister of Finance also

alluded to, clean energy with respect to electric vehicle purchase and adoption

initiatives and rebates; also, for movement from oil-heated homes to electric

homes. We're going to move in that direction and we're continuing to do that.

There are many, many more things we've partnered with the federal government on

to utilize that revenue that's coming in so we can get the best value for the

people of the province, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

time for Question Period has expired.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

Tabling of Documents.

Notices of Motion.

Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.

Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

HAGGIE:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

On reviewing

Hansard yesterday, I fear I may have misspoken in response to a question

from the Member for Topsail. Moderna is actually only licensed from age 18 up;

however, Pfizer is available for those 12 to 17. The principle I elaborated in

the rest of the my answer still holds, that anybody who is in that age group who

attends an mRNA clinic will be accommodated with the Pfizer vaccine.

I apologize if there was any confusion, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

Any

further answers to questions for which notice has been given?

Petitions.

Petitions

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.

EVANS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate it.

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens of

Newfoundland and Labrador who urge our leaders to return affordable air travel

to the region of Northern Labrador through subsidization of the cost of airfare

to the Northern Labrador communities.

Our Northern Labrador communities are totally isolated

with no road access and marine transportation is limited to summer months only.

With the provincial government cancellation of the Lewisporte freight boat to

our communities, families are now struggling with increased costs of basic

needs, including food security. Our only means of transportation is marine or

air. Our marine transportation service is once a week, running July to October.

Our air transportation service is provided by a single monopoly airline, Air

Borealis.

Therefore, we petition the hon. House of Assembly as

follows: We, the undersigned, call upon the House of Assembly to the urge the

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide an air transportation subsidy

to reduce the cost of travel between Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the Northern

Labrador communities.

Mr. Speaker, I actually don't expect anything to come

of this petition. I don't expect the government to actually step up and help the

residents in my communities that are trapped in their communities by the high

cost. But I have to say, the North Coast communities of Labrador are in a

transportation crisis, not only for passenger travel but for freight, which

impacts the cost of food, building materials and all household goods.

Technically, the reason why I'm reading out this

petition – again, which will fall on deaf ears – is because my constituents are

prisoners in their communities. We rely on the summer months to travel by marine

because the airline cost is too expensive. For one person, a return ticket from

Goose Bay to Nain is $1,000. If you have four people in your family, two adults

and two children, that's $4,000, and as my sister says, that only gets you as

far as Goose Bay return.

The reason why I'm actually talking about this petition

is because the ferry that we have that services the North Coast, affordable

transportation, is restricted to 83 passengers. That's by Transport Canada for

the COVID regulations. In six Indigenous communities the ferry sails once a

week, so your only chance to travel anywhere is to get on that boat. Now,

Labrador Marine, by trying to help out the residents on the North Coast to

access those limited number of seats, they've restricted the travel to only

residents of the North Coast, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Black Tickle. Mr.

Speaker, that's unacceptable. That's not acceptable.

The Minister of Transportation at one point was talking

to one of my fellow MHAs and said you choose where you live. Well, Mr. Speaker,

the Indigenous people in my community, the Innu and the Inuit, did not choose to

live there. They were there first. Europeans chose to come over, chose to

actually enact laws and regulations that took away the land and now –

SPEAKER:

The

Member's time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.

DINN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This petition concerns the transition to land-based

aquaculture. The background of this petition is as follows:

The Newfoundland and Labrador Government wants to

expand open-net Atlantic salmon farm pens into Placentia Bay and further west

along the South Coast of the Island of Newfoundland.

There is evidence that these pens affect the wild

salmon stocks by exposing them to pollutants, disease, sea lice, et cetera. Also

salmon from these pens and interbred with the wild Atlantic salmon the effects

can be devastating.

If these pens are expended across the waters of the

South Coast we will see wild runs of salmon diminish as they have at Conne River

and Little River likely hurting the businesses of established outfitters and

possibly leading to serious reductions in runs of wild Atlantic salmon.

The best solution to this problem is the use of

land-based pens instead of open-net pens in the ocean.

Therefore we, the undersigned, call upon the House of

Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to create a plan

for the replacement of existing open-net aquaculture operations with land-based

pens.

Mr. Speaker, this petition was started by a young

junior high student from Gander, Ashton Goodyear. He had an online petition of

some 3,587 signatures. On this petition – the start of many – we have 32 and

that was over the last few days he got these, more will come.

It indicates that there is a lack of confidence in the

regulations, the legislation around open-sea pen aquaculture in this province.

There is a concern for the future of these stocks, Mr. Speaker, and the future

of the Atlantic salmon. Despite the assurances that Newfoundland and Labrador

has some of the most stringent aquaculture regulations in the country, people

are not buying it.

We know that in 2019 there was the loss of some 2.6

million salmon. Recent escape of 80,000 fish in the Hermitage area in Long Pond,

the extension of runs in Little River and potential extension in Conne River,

Mr. Speaker. The fact is that it takes to get a full environmental assessment of

salmon aquaculture projects requires court case after court case and, even now,

we have no clear direction in the most recent court case whether the government

will follow the direction of the court and institute a full environmental

assessment of the Indian Head Salmon Hatchery expansion in Stephenville.

Mr. Speaker, it's very clear here that either

government needs to do more to instill confidence or indeed start the plan to

move to land based where there is definitely a lot more security and protection

of the environment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Aquaculture for a response.

BRAGG:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member opposite for the

petition.

The Member Opposite would be happy to know, we are now

working with the federal government on a new Aquaculture Act for the East Coast

of Canada. Plus, we've signed a memorandum of understand with the Atlantic

provinces fisheries ministers on aquaculture. We want to learn from each other,

we want to make this industry the best it can be, Mr. Speaker, and we aim to

please.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

We're going to conclude here now, the Lieutenant-Governor is here to give Royal

Assent.

This House will recess for just a couple of minutes.

People can stay in their chairs, but Broadcast will shut down the intercom.

Recess

SPEAKER:

Order, please!

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:

Mr. Speaker, Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor has arrived.

SPEAKER:

Admit Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:

All

rise.

(The Speaker leaves the Chair.)

(Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor takes the Chair.)

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:

It is the wish of Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor that all present be seated.

SPEAKER:

is my agreeable duty on behalf of Her Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, Her

Faithful Commons in Newfoundland and Labrador, to present to Your Honour a bill

for the appropriation of Supply granted in the present session.

CLERK (Barnes):

bill,

An Act For Granting To Her Majesty Certain Sums Of Money For Defraying

Certain Expenses Of The Public Service For The Financial Year Ending March 31,

2022 And For Other Purposes Relating To The Public Service. (Bill 8)

HER

HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR (Judy May Foote, PC, ONL):

In Her Majesty's name, I thank her loyal subjects, I accept their benevolence,

and I assent to this bill.

SPEAKER:

May

it please Your Honour, the General Assembly of the province has at its present

session passed certain bills, to which, in the name and on behalf of the General

Assembly, I respectfully request Your Honour's assent.

CLERK:

bill, “An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act, 2009.” (Bill 7)

A bill, “An Act To Amend The Children, Youth And

Families Act.” (Bill 11)

A bill, “An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration

Act.” (Bill 13)

A bill, “An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000.”

(Bill 14)

A bill, “An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000 No.

2.” (Bill 15)

A bill, “An Act To Authorize The Raising Of Money By

Way Of Loan By The Province.” (Bill 17)

A bill, “An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act, 2009

No. 2.” (Bill 19)

A bill, “An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act

No. 2.” (Bill 21)

HER

HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR: In Her Majesty's name, I assent to these bills.

I'm caught up in someone's comfort chair here.

Thank you so much for all your work, on behalf of Her

Majesty.

I get that sense – and I know what it's like because

I've been here before – it's like school is out. But thank you for all that

you've done and that you will continue to do as you return to your

constituencies and to the people who made it possible for you to be here. I

appreciate your hard work and I know that they do, too. But it will also give

you an opportunity to be with your families, and I know how important that is to

continuing your work, to have the support of your families behind you.

Thank you so much, stay safe over the summer, take time

for yourselves and enjoy what life has to offer.

I want to applaud you for your hard work. You've been

really, really busy. I'm especially interested in the amendments to the

Children, Youth and Families Act . As I

read those amendments I thought that's what being a Member of government is all

about: making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable. You have done

that with the amendments to that particular act. Of course, all your other work

is very important as well, especially when you're talking money bills, but I get

particularly interested in the different policy direction that the government is

going in, so thank you – all of you – for making that possible.

Again, have a wonderful break. Look forward to coming

back because we need you here to continue the good work that you've been doing

and I look forward to continuing to watch what you're doing.

Stay safe and take care of yourselves.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:

All rise.

(Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor leaves the Chamber.

The Speaker returns to the Chair.)

SPEAKER:

Please be seated.

Order, please!

I'm just going to make a few quick remarks and I'll

have a few other remarks before we conclude today. But before we conclude today,

it has been our custom that we recognize employees of the House of Assembly

Service who are retiring soon or who have retired in the past few months.

Ms. Armorel Tucker retired after 21 years of service as

a Hansard parliamentary trans-editor, and Ms. Debbie Dwyer after 28 years of

service as a parliamentary trans-editor and editor of legislative debates.

Ms. Dayna Wicks, manager of the Human Resources

Services and Payroll Administration in Corporate and Members' Services, retired

at the end of November following 33 years of service with the provincial

government, and the last 11 of which were with the Legislature. Dayna returned

for several months after retirement to assist with the HR processing associated

with the election and just recently stepped back to a retirement mode.

Last but not least, a familiar face in this Chamber

each day and a familiar face that I see every morning after I make coffee, our

Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr. Wayne Harnum.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

can't see him. I have a feeling he's back there crying.

Wayne, who has only been in the role for seven years

and was appointed by the Legislature in 2014, joined the House of Assembly

Service following a 32-year career with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

I ask all Members to join me in wishing each and every

one of these individuals a happy and healthy retirement, and extend our utmost

appreciation for their diligent and faithful service to our Legislature.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

Our

work as elected officials and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are truly

grateful.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

would like now to give the floor over to the Leader of the Official Opposition.

BRAZIL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Indeed, it's an honour to address the House again, I

guess for the last time during this sitting, our spring sitting of the House of

Assembly. We're getting closer and closer back to normality in the operations of

the House of Assembly.

No doubt, I don't think there is one Member in this

House who isn't looking forward to the day when we get back sitting in the

normal process and doing the normal things. Particularly, when we can no longer

wear the mask so we're not mumbling under our breath and we're having a good

conversation with everybody. I'm looking forward to that also. I do want to

start by congratulating and particularly thanking those retirees who have so

diligently served us in the House of Assembly and in government, as we try to do

the will of the people in this hon. House and serve the people to the best of

our abilities.

To the Sergeant-at-Arms, a heartfelt congratulations

and thank you for your years of services. I was fortunate enough to be around

when you came in. You've added a very high sense of professionalism and

commitment to the House of Assembly. The Official Opposition thanks you for that

and wishes you well in your next part of retirement, wherever that may take you.

We also thank you for your distinguished career with the RNC in serving the

people of this province.

Thank you very much, Sir.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

BRAZIL:

There are, obviously, many to thank in any sitting of the House of Assembly for

those who make this all possible. Before I get to that, I just want to talk a

little bit to our viewers about what this sitting was all about.

We came in very trying times, in very challenging times

for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, to put together a budget; work with

government on a budget that was presented. We, in the Official Opposition, the

Third Party and the independents have a responsibility to ensure that the monies

and the revenues that are generated and expended in Newfoundland and Labrador

are done in the best interests of Newfoundland and Labrador.

I'm confident to say we had a very robust debate. We

spent more than 100 hours debating various components of this budget through

Estimates and through the various bills that were debated in this House of

Assembly. We, in the Official Opposition, asked over 300 questions in Question

Period and, for the most part, we got answers. We may not always agree with the

answers, but we got answers and we appreciate that. That's the democratic

process that we have in the House of Assembly.

I do also want to note, for those who are watching,

sometimes it might look like there's heavy bantering here, or we don't get

along, or we're not on the same page. But I can reassure everybody at home,

every person in this House of Assembly and everyone who has come before us – and

I suspect those after – come for the right reason and come for the one reason:

to serve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and do the best of their

ability, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

BRAZIL:

I'm

proud to say I don't feel I saw anything different from that philosophy in this

sitting of the House of Assembly. I'm looking forward to the next number of

sittings in the House of Assembly with our colleagues here and, again,

particularly as we get back to some sense of normality.

I do want to also acknowledge to the general public who

may be watching here, the role of an MHA is very challenging. People may not see

it. You may see what they would call the glory part of it – if there are any

glory parts of it – but the glory parts are when you get to do some of the

public things. You get to be able to acknowledge the good people who do good

work in your districts as a part of that. But people don't see the sacrifices

that are made in this room, that are made in districts and that are made when

people are travelling 500 or 600 kilometres in their vehicle to get to their

district, to attend an event or to deal with a particular individual.

I'm fortunate to have a district where pretty well on a

moment's notice I can get to my district, can attend an event and can deal with

a crisis, if it's necessary, and not be that hindered or that disrupted with

dealing with my own personal issues, or life or family. But there are a number

of people in this House who have to travel enormous kilometres and take all

kinds of modes of transportation to be able to get to serve their people. When

they're doing that, they're sacrificing other things: they're sacrificing their

health, they're sacrificing time with their family and they're sacrificing their

own well-being as a part of that.

I just want to make people aware that at the end of the

day there are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes for an MHA and what

they commit that the general public may not need to know. At the end of the day,

we don't look for acknowledgement for any of that, but I guarantee you there are

people in this room who have gone well beyond the call of duty to service their

constituents.

I, personally, want to thank those who have more

challenging districts when it comes to being able to access their individuals

and what they do for them. I appreciate that and I would hope their constituents

do the same. Obviously, when you sit here you get an acknowledgement that they

do appreciate it. That's why they elect you or they re-elect you. That's hats

off to the people in this room.

I do want to also thank the multitude of people who

were involved in making this a reality in the House of Assembly. To, Mr.

Speaker, yourself, the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chair of Committees for

very professionally and diligently keeping us on the right track and ensuring

that we get in and out on a timely fashion and deal with the agenda items that

are put forward. So I appreciate that, Mr. Speaker, for you and your staff.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

BRAZIL:

the Table Officers, who are the guiding lights here at the end of the day, there

are a multitude of things that go on in front of us, but behind the scenes also,

that direct exactly how we operate professionally in this House. It's very

important, one, to keep the decorum going, but, two, to ensure that what we're

setting here – the policies and the regulatory process here – is done in a

manner that it should not and cannot be challenged and that the people of this

province know at the end of the day everything that was done was done in

accordance to the laws. We have to live by laws in our society, Mr. Speaker, or

we will not have a just society.

I thank the Table Officers for their diligent work, and

all those behind the scenes of the Table Officers for ensuring that we can

operate in a very professional manner in this House. Thank you for that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

BRAZIL:

all the other support staff that we have – there's security here, there are all

the other people who are responsible for the House itself and the operations

there. I do miss the days when the Pages were here, because you could have a

collaboration. You got to know some of the younger people and what they're up to

and what their aspirations are. Hopefully, we will get back to that normality in

the very near future. I want to thank those as part of the whole –

WALL:

(Inaudible.)

BRAZIL:

Yes.

I'm glad my hon. Member for Cape St. Francis reminded

me – and I said it at the beginning, the unique circumstance that we're under –

the cleaners, the people here who have ensured that we've stayed safe every day

we've come in here.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

BRAZIL:

very much thank them for that.

We all have unique operations within our own

organizations that keep us fluent and keep us above board, but, more

importantly, keep us professional. That's a testament to our own caucuses and

the people who support us there. Personally, from our perspective – and I speak

on behalf of the Official Opposition – I want to thank our chief of staff. I

want to thank all of our staff that works to ensure every day that we're

prepared for the House of Assembly; that when we're out on issues, we have the

facts and we speak to them; that we have opportunities to serve our constituents

and we get to do that.

I know on behalf of each one of us here as MHAs, we

want to thank our constituency assistants for the work they do in our offices.

We may go weeks at a time, particularly, Members who come in here for the House

and, if there's a storm or if there's an event in here, don't get home or back

to their district for a particular period of time. That falls back on their

constituency assistants to keep things afloat. We thank them for that and the

great work they do to ensure our constituents are taken care of. To all of those

who support what we do behind the scenes, another special thank you.

This is my first full sitting as the Leader of the

Official Opposition. I do want to thank everybody for making it enjoyable,

making it very professional and making me feel that, you know what, we're on the

right path in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our government is in a good place when

it comes to the Legislature. We collectively can set the direction here that

gets Newfoundland and Labrador in the right path and gets us to financial

stability, but, more importantly, gets us to a place where people in

Newfoundland and Labrador continue to be as proud as they are and want to stay

here and raise their families here and encourage others to come here.

I thank everybody in the House for giving me that

opportunity and supporting me on that. Particularly here, I want to thank my

fellow Members on the Opposition caucus. My fellow Member here, the Opposition

House Leader, for being very supportive and very capable to negotiate with the

Government House Leader in ensuring that things get done in a timely fashion and

meet the needs that we're trying to propose here.

To our Deputy Opposition House Leader, a sincere thank

you for being there also to support. It is 100 moving parts continuously in the

House of Assembly. No matter what party you're in, no matter how big you are,

the same type of work has to be done, just done by fewer people.

To our caucus Chair, I want to thank him for his

support in organizing our caucus and ensuring that every day things are done in

a timely fashion and the agenda items are taken care of. To our caucus Whip, for

ensuring information is shared and people are knowledgeable and aware of what

we're doing in a timely fashion, how important it is to do that. For all the

other Members of caucus, those who have stepped up to sit on Committees, those

who sat for hours in Estimates, those who sit on the Public Accounts to ensure

that accountability is here for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, I

sincerely thank you.

I want to end by saying I want to, on behalf of our

caucus, thank our family members. These are the people who stand every day.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

BRAZIL:

They sacrifice, they sometimes have to put up with our absence at special events

and sometimes they have to deal with some of the fallout from our actions as

elected officials. We sincerely thank them for this. Without them, we would not

be able to be politicians and do the job we do.

Finally, I want to thank the Premier and the government

for engaging us in the democratic process here. We look forward to continuous

collaboration, a little bit of bantering here and there, but at the end of the

day seeing the benefits of the work that we do collectively for the people of

Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, I want to end by wishing everybody a

healthy, safe holiday as we go through – and I say holiday because I say it

tongue-in-cheek. The minute we leave here, every one of your constituents that

you know are going to say, so you're on holidays now. They don't realize the

real work begins, because now you're 24/7 into your constituency issues, you're

24/7 if you're a minister into your responsibilities there, and you're 24/7 into

the other responsibilities that people have in the Official Opposition.

I do want to ensure and ask that everybody be safe. We

look forward to seeing everybody back here again for our fall sitting.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.

DINN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The first time I engaged in this was just after the

first election. I think I used the analogy that it was like riding a bike except

the bike was on fire, you were on fire – everything was on fire. I don't know if

the bike is no longer on fire but it's certainly still smouldering, that's for

sure.

The last year and a half – it's been three years now,

three June sittings; one month of the salmon season has gone by. For those who

are anglers, you know how much of a sacrifice that is. This last year has been

particularly challenging, and we all know it, with COVID. It's probably also the

longest election that we've all been engaged in. It was a winter election.

Dealing with the fiscal situation of the province, which is overwhelming.

Regardless of what side of the House we're on, it's taken its toll on all of us

and the people of this province as well.

We also know that if you walk into any public building,

hospitals, schools – and it's hard to walk into a school but certainly for those

of us who have gone to appointments, you know that you can see the tension

there, just the procedures that are in place to protect people on both sides of

the wicket. We know that it's certainly made life challenging, but through it

all, we're getting through it.

The budget process never ceases to amaze me because

we're voting on billions of dollars. If you let that sink in, it becomes almost

overwhelming. It's easier just to look at it as numbers on a page and forget

that we're talking about billions of dollars. I forget what I would spend – a

billion in a year – if you had to spend it each day, but it would be

overwhelming.

Even more overwhelming is that this money, that this

budget will change the lives of many people. It will affect the people of this

province of all income levels. It's also going to set the future of where we go

with the province. When you sit down to analyze it, look at it and reflect on

it, it's a significant piece of legislation. I used to think the NLTA voting on

a budget of several million dollars was significant; this is a whole new level

of reality.

I do want to thank you though, because when you look at

the enormity of this, again, there are many people behind it. I guess we're sort

of the front people. We sit here, we speak to the issue but behind us, there are

significant numbers of people who are there keeping us together.

I'll start with my wife. In terms of being the support,

encouraging me to run, I don't know if that was to give me something to do to

get me out of the house or what, but obviously I was probably cramping her style

in some way. Nevertheless, the fact is that I couldn't have done it without her

support. I can tell you that I certainly wouldn't be that well coordinated if I

didn't pass the inspection of the chief executive officer before I left the

house.

To my children, who, again, also have to put up with:

You're Jim Dinn's daughter? Yeah. Sometimes they even claim not to know me if it

helps, or claim to know me if it helps or otherwise pretend you don't know me,

whatever helps you in the situation. It does wear on family. I still go back to

the fact that our mother, both of us, said: Why would you want to get involved

in politics? I still remember that lecture over and over and I'll get to that in

a minute.

I also want to thank my two colleagues who are here in

the House with me, to our leader Alison Coffin and the Member for Labrador West,

Jordan Brown. Certainly, it makes the work a lot more – even though there are

just three of us, and two of us in the House here, it's good to have the support

of colleagues.

To our caucus staff, you're right; they do a lot of the

heavy lifting when it comes to getting the information in our hands, the media

releases out, what our focus is going to be and so on and so forth. You cannot

do it without them. Certainly, they labour behind the scenes and often

unrecognized.

To all those who took

part in the Estimates, it's a

fantastic process in terms of getting to know where the money is going and to

get the information that you may not get during a Question Period. To the public

servants who keep this building and all the buildings and the services to the

people of the province in order and making sure that services are carried out

and that we have the necessary information in our hands.

To the ministers on the other side of this House – and

to the MHAs, too, but to the ministers especially – who when we bring issues to

them, often in sidebars or after, we can get work done. Usually, what it comes

down to is about helping to solve the individual problems that people face.

Certainly, to MHAs on both sides of this House, we talk

about ourselves as a government, Official Opposition, Third Party and

independents, but in the end we do try to work together. My colleague from

Placentia West - Bellevue has given me a hand with regard to a constituent who

is neither one of ours; nevertheless, we're working together to try to resolve

the issue.

To the people of Hansard who quickly get the

information out, it's amazing.

To the Speaker, to the Table Officers, to the retirees

who have performed significant service to the House. Mostly, I have to argue, to

our constituents who elected us and who put their faith in us. Even if they

didn't elect us, they still come to us and we still have to serve them.

I'll say this, constituency work for me – and I would

say for everyone in this House – is what I enjoy the most. It couldn't be done

without our constituency assistants. When you are able to solve a problem at

that level, to use your position to help someone, that's the reward. It's a

significant reward. Why else would some MHAs take a pay cut? There are a number

here that have taken a pay cut to serve in this capacity. It has to be because

of the love of service and to have that sense of service to the people in their

districts. Why else do we bring petitions, ask questions or make Members'

statements but to highlight concerns and issues in our district? It's also, as I

said, the opportunity to work with Members on all sides of the House.

I know we're all passionate. You just have to sit back

and listen to the debate at times. Although, I will have to say, folks, being a

teacher I think somewhere along the line I would have had to put my foot down

and say: Okay, enough is enough. Let's get on with it here.

But you know what? Summer is here. The weather is nice.

Problems are still with us. There's a river calling. Problems are still with us.

We're still getting through the vaccination, but I'll tell you the optimism is

palpable and you can feel that we're on the track to get back to some semblance

of normal, whatever normal is, what that means. I think right now people are

looking to get down on the pedestrian walkway, to get together with families

from other parts of the Atlantic region and the country. I think that's a good

thing, because during the darkest days when people were thinking that we're not

getting out of this, that this is going to destroy the economy, you can just

look around and you can see the signs that there is hope.

We in this party thank you for the opportunity to work

with everyone. We look forward to when we sit again and to carry on with the

business of the province.

Have a good summer. Be safe. I hope to see you all

again in October.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

The

hon. the Premier.

PREMIER A. FUREY:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'd like to be able to just say ditto to the speech

orated by my colleague opposite, who happens to be my MHA and slayer of potholes

everywhere, far and wide.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

PREMIER A. FUREY:

Mr.

Speaker, it has been quite a busy session for all of us here in the House of

Assembly. I want to thank all hon. Members of this House who have brought

passion and vigour to debate during this session.

I have no doubt, Mr. Speaker, that each of us here will

continue to represent our districts to the best of our ability and with the best

interest of the collective of Newfoundland and Labrador in mind. I want to

personally thank the residents of Humber - Gros Morne for their continued

support.

As I stated at the beginning of this session, putting

this province on the right track is a journey and we must all take that journey

together, regardless of political stripe. Passing

Budget 2021 was a stepping stone on this journey. The budget

provides a framework for the beginning of modernizing and transforming

government to meet modern needs. We have been doing a lot of the same for many

years in this province, and it is time that we have to start to think outside

the box for the future. It sets a path for a strong recovery, smart investments

in health and education, building stronger communities and a resilient economy

for the future.

Supporting our tourism industry with $30 million for a

Tourism and Hospitality Support Program to alleviate pressures experienced by

COVID-19; a Physical Activity Tax Credit which will provide a refundable tax

credit of up to $2,000 per family to help families get healthy, Mr. Speaker; $25

million over the next three years to improve connectivity through cellular and

broadband services, which are essential, and we have learned that through the

COVID-19 pandemic; significant investments in health care, education and so much

more. The government is focused on delivering good outcomes for the people of

this province.

I want to take this time to thank those who worked

behind the scenes for Budget 2021 ,

including the front scenes, by the Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, and,

indeed, Mr. Speaker, all public servants for the work they do. Even during the

pandemic, the public service of Newfoundland and Labrador has been there for the

people of this province, working day in and day out.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

PREMIER A. FUREY:

I'm

so proud of this government, collectively, for the work we did during the

negotiations for the Terra Nova FPSO, Mr. Speaker. This government took a bold

stand, stood firm and it paid off for the people of this province.

All of us in this House support the women and men in

our oil and gas industry, and getting a deal done for the province was

critically important, as all Members know and held us to account. A deal was

done, one that works for the best interest of the future of the industry and the

people of this province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

PREMIER A. FUREY:

look forward to seeing this project sanctioned and providing jobs for many women

and men in this oil patch and Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker.

We also made good strides on the path of reconciliation

with our Indigenous leadership, which was evidenced in some of the legislation

that we tabled in the House this session. This is just the first step of many

steps on the path of reconciliation. It will be long; it will be twisted and it

will be bumpy at times, but we all need to walk it together with our Indigenous

leadership, Mr. Speaker, to fully recognize and reconcile the mistakes of the

past but, more importantly, create a path together for the future.

Although these items take up a lot of time in this hon.

House, we were also able to pass some important legislation for the people of

the province. Amending the Vital Statistics Act to allow residents of

Newfoundland and Labrador whose birth is not registered in this province to

change their sex designation is another important step for equality. I was proud

to celebrate this change with Minister Stoodley and my good friend Gemma Hickey,

who has been a fierce advocate for equal rights. These changes may seem small,

but it is important to the people of this province and this government, and we

will continue to make the necessary changes to support continued equal rights

throughout the province.

I would be remiss, Mr. Speaker, if I did not thank you

personally for your continued dedication to the House. Thank you for your

decorum, your rulings and your thoughtful approach that you bring every single

day. I know you have staff who work behind you to support you, and I equally

want to thank the staff of this honoured House.

Thank you to the Clerk and to her staff and the Clerk's

office and all the staff of this House of Assembly, so many hard-working people

keeping everything going and wearing many different hats during this particular,

difficult, COVID-19-style Legislature. To the Legislative Library, Hansard, the

Broadcast team, the Table Officers and, especially on this day, to the

Sergeant-at-Arms, thank you.

To the security guards who are here day in and day out,

sometimes giving tickets in parking lots, serving the building, we greet every

single day. To political staff everywhere, no matter your political stripe, we

know you sacrifice as well. In our constituency offices, in particular, thank

you to our staff. As the Member opposite rightfully pointed out, a lot of the

time we spend in here the responsibility, the tasks fall to them and it does not

go unnoticed, so thank you.

I would also like to specifically congratulate, as

others have, the Sergeant-at-Arms, Wayne Harnum, on his retirement from this

House of Assembly. Your years of service are appreciated and I certainly hope

all staff retiring enjoy having more time with their families. You, Sir, will be

missed and the province owes you a debt of gratitude for your service, not only

to this House, but for keeping us all safe in your past life. Have fun.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

PREMIER A. FUREY:

Mr.

Speaker, as we close this House, I want to thank all Members, regardless of

stripe, again, for their dedication to the people of this province. There is

still a serious situation facing the province, we have an opportunity – not an

opportunity. We have a necessity to work together to change it.

Last but not least, I wanted to thank the Members

opposite for their thoughtful debate, passion and compassion when it comes to

the people of this province. Questions, examinations, challenges and inquiry are

not only the essential part of any democracy; they are crucial now and essential

to us in order to create the right path forward. Our side owes you a debt of

gratitude for keeping us honest and fulsome on our debate.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

PREMIER A. FUREY:

With that, Mr. Speaker, I want to wish everyone else in our public service and

beyond a happy summer. As the Member Opposite suggested, our work now is just

beginning.

Have a good summer. Stay safe.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

Before we conclude I would also like to say a few thank yous.

First of all, to my wife and family back home. My wife

is celebrating her birthday today, alone.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

SPEAKER:

many of the previous speakers said, they are the people that support us day and

night. Times when we are down and getting knocked down, they are the ones that

we rely on to bring us back up and give us the motivation to keep doing this

great job that we do.

I'd like to also thank the people of my beautiful and

scenic District of Lewisporte - Twillingate that had the faith to elect me in

2015 and re-elect me again in 2019 and 2021.

A couple thank yous. First of all, to the Deputy

Speaker and the Deputy Chair of Committees for your support throughout this

session. Being a new Speaker, it has been a steep learning curve and I do

sincerely thank you for your support, co-operation and your experience.

To the Premier, the Leader of the Official Opposition

and to every Member in this House of Assembly, I sincerely thank you for giving

me the honour to sit in this chair. It is quite the honour and it is something

that I do not take lightly. I do thank you for your co-operation, your respect

and the decorum. I think we've all seen times in the past when things have

gotten a little loud or a little obnoxious and that, but I think I can honestly

say that the level of decorum this year has been quite good. I do thank each and

every one of you for that.

As was said earlier, this operation, this machine

doesn't happen without the support of a lot of people that keep the House of

Assembly moving. Although the previous speakers did identify some, I just want

to make sure that we didn't miss anyone.

First of all, I'd like to thank our Corporate and

Members' Services. They're the people that diligently work behind the scenes to

keep us up and on track and make sure that our operations are running smoothly.

To the Legislative Library, they are our research arm

and respond to all the references and questions that we all ask.

Our Information Management staff. These are the people

that make sure that our information is kept appropriately and they respond to

access-to-information requests.

To the staff of Hansard, who provide us with written

versions of the words we speak. Every day they transcribe Question Period and

are always there to assist us when we need to review excerpts from our

proceedings.

To our Broadcast team, who captures our audio and

visual and keeps us on the air in the public.

I'd also like to thank our Clerk's office staff:

Maureen Dooley; Yvonne Power; and my executive assistant, Kala Noel, who keeps

me on track and keeps us all on track in our day-to-day operations.

Our Sergeant-at-Arms, Wayne Harnum, as we said, also

protects the order of the House, maintains security in the gallery – although

it's been pretty quiet this session – but also makes sure that the House is and

we're all protected and that. I do wish you all the best, Wayne, in your

retirement. I am going to miss our 6:30, 7 o'clock conversations and coming out

and having a coffee and that. I wish you and your wife all the best in your

retirement.

Lastly, but definitely not last in importance, our

Table Officers: our Clerk, Sandra Barnes; our Law Clerk, Kim Hawley George; as

well as Bobbi Russell, Kim Hammond and Mark Jerrett.

I have to say, before coming into the Speaker role, I

did – not that I questioned what they were doing and that, but I really didn't

know the amount of work and time that they dedicate to this position and how

serious they take this role to protect this Legislature. Any time I have reached

out, day or night, 24-7, within minutes I do get a quick response. I do

sincerely appreciate all your dedication, plus the service that you're providing

to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In closing I'd just also like to wish everyone a very

safe and enjoyable summer. Like the Member for St. John's Centre, I do hope to

get a chance to tighten a line out on the rivers. It's something that I dearly

enjoy, but I also look forward to being able to go safely in our communities and

to visit the people in our district and the different events and functions that

happen that we all enjoy so much. Because lots of times in our offices, we may

get calls from our constituents, but when you get out to these events and

functions, that's where the people get their opportunity to pull you aside and

really address some of the concerns that they may have and that they may never

call you on. So I'm looking forward to that.

Before I conclude and before we adjourn, back a couple

of years ago we did take time to sing the

Ode to Newfoundland , and I would like that to be a tradition from now on. I

think it's something that we all should hold very dearly.

Since I don't have the best vocals I will ask my good

friend, the MHA for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave and also the Minister

Responsible for Women and Gender Equality to lead us.

I ask all Members to please rise as we sing the first

and last verse of the “Ode to Newfoundland.”

PARSONS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please join me in singing the “Ode to Newfoundland.”

When sun rays crown thy pine clad hills,

And summer spreads her hand,

When silvern voices tune thy rills,

We love thee, smiling land.

We love thee, we love thee,

We love thee, smiling land.

As loved our fathers, so we love,

Where once they stood, we stand;

Their prayer we raise to Heaven above,

God guard thee, Newfoundland

God guard thee, God guard thee,

God guard thee, Newfoundland.

SPEAKER:

And

Labrador.

PARSONS:

And

Labrador.

SPEAKER:

Thank you, everyone.

The hon. the Government House Leader.

CROCKER:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Quickly before I adjourn, I want to take a quick second

to recognize a constituent of mine who so happens to be the Sergeant-at-Arms.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

CROCKER:

look forward to seeing him either on the wharf or on Green Point rock this

summer.

With that said, Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the

Premier, that this House now adjourn until the call of the Chair.

SPEAKER:

The

motion is that this House do now adjourn to the call of the Chair.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

All those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

SPEAKER:

All

those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

SPEAKER:

One

last time, Wayne.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

On motion, the House adjourned to the call of the

Chair.