Newfoundland and Labrador Hansard — Members' Statements; Statements by Ministers — 30 April 2013 (47th General Assembly, 2nd Session, Vol. XLVII No. 12)
2013-04-30
Newfoundland and Labrador — Debates (Hansard)
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April 30,
2013 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Vol.
XLVII No. 12
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
Admit strangers.
Before we start today's proceedings, I want to welcome to our galleries
seventeen students from Holy Heart of Mary who are involved in the International
Club. The students are accompanied today by their teachers Boyd Perry and Mandy
Penney.
Welcome to our Assembly.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: I want to also welcome today our new Page, Marc Brouillette.
Welcome, Marc.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
Statements by Members
MR. SPEAKER: Today we will have members' statements from the Member for
the District of Humber West, the Member for the District of Lake Melville, the
Member for the District of Bay of Islands, the Member for the District of Mount
Pearl North, the Member for the District of Signal Hill Quidi Vidi, and the
Member for the District of Mount Pearl South.
The hon. the Member for the District of Humber West.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. GRANTER: Mr. Speaker, on April 10 I had the opportunity to attend and
present a Bronze Medal Duke of Edinburgh Awards to twenty-three deserving young
women and men at the Corner Brook Duke of Edinburgh School Group.
To qualify for an award, participants must undertake a balanced program of
leisure-time activities and meet the prescribed standards in four different
areas of self-development, including community service, adventurous journeys,
physical fitness and skill development.
Over the past year or so, members of the Corner Brook D of E School Group
have been involved in many challenging and worthwhile activities under the
direction of committed volunteer leaders. In speaking with participants
individually, they tell stories of personal growth and commitment as they
embarked on the various challenges and opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all hon. members to congratulate Claire Andrews, Shaelynn
Barry, Sam Brake, Rebecca Davis, Liam Dicks, Andrew Dollomount, Angela Earle,
Riley Hogan, Emily Hynes, Nicholas Hynes, Morgan Penney, Allison Pittman,
Elizabeth Rowe, Whitney Shortall, Eliza Snelgrove, Julia Stagg, Kathryn White,
and Claire Woolfrey on being presented the Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze Medals and
wish them well in their silver and gold medal pursuit.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Lake Melville.
MR. RUSSELL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to recognize Goose Bay's Hotel North women's broomball team who
won the Senior Women's Broomball Championships held in St. Anthony this past
March.
During the provincial championships the team from Goose Bay had a perfect
round robin record, winning all four of their games, shutting out the team from
Corner Brook twice, and defeating St. John's twice in very tough games, one of
which went into overtime.
In the semi-finals they defeated St. Anthony 2-0 in front of their hometown
crowd before meeting Twin Towns in the finals, beating them 1-0 for the
championship.
Several members of the team were recognized for their play. Janine Battcock
was given the Top Defense award, Joanna Elliott won the Top Goalie award, Kayla
Nolan won Top Scorer, and Adrienne Morris was the team's MVP.
The team consisted of Cathy Elson, Dana Webber, Stephanie Webb, Adrienne
Morris, Toni Hamel, Tina Combden, Kelly Way, Janine Battcock, Candice Linstead,
Kayla Nolan, and goalie Joanna Elliott. They were coached by Clarence Webber,
Jordan Anthony and Ann Morris.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this hon. House to join me in recognizing
the success of Goose Bay's women's broomball team.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Bay of Islands.
MR. JOYCE: Mr. Speaker, last Thursday evening I attended the volunteer
appreciation night at the Town of Humber Arm South. This was a very special
occasion as a former mayor and outstanding volunteer of the town, who made a
major contribution to the whole south shore of the Bay of Islands, was honoured.
The family of the late Eric Humber wanted to recognize outstanding volunteers
from the town. In Eric's memory, they established the Eric Humber Helping Hands
Award. This annual award will recognize an individual from the Town of Humber
Arm South for their exemplary volunteer service.
The first two recipients were Mr. Murdoch White for 2011, and Ms Marina
Brothers for 2012. Both individuals are well deserving of this award for their
continued commitment and dedication to their town.
It was a privilege and honour for me to be asked by the family to present the
first awards in memory of my dear friend, Eric. Volunteering was a big part of
Eric's life and his family wanted to ensure that his legacy lives on.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating the recipients and thanking
the family, and above all, Eric, for his contribution to the Town of Humber Arm
South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Mount Pearl North.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to recognize recent recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards
at the bronze and silver levels.
Mr. Speaker, this success is a testament to the hard work and devotion of
those individuals who participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards program. As
someone who speaks from experience, I know first-hand the commitment and
dedication one has to have in order to achieve this award.
I would like to recognize all the recipients, in particular Mason Gulliver
for receiving the bronze award; Khristian Fowler for receiving the silver award;
Victoria Rose for receiving her silver award; Tyler Bennett for receiving his
silver award; Colin Hunt for receiving the bronze award; and last but not least,
Sarah Whelan for receiving the bronze award as well.
I wish them all the best in their future endeavours and hope that they
continue to participate in those activities that are of great interest to them.
They are role models for other youth who have a keen interest that they wish to
explore. They demonstrate that hard work and perseverance will enable you to
achieve what you put your mind to.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me in congratulating
these achievers of the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards program.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill Quidi
Vidi.
MS MICHAEL: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I rise in this House today to salute a unique club at Holy Heart of Mary High
School. It is not surprising there is a vibrant International Club at Holy Heart
there are over 150 students from more than fifty countries, speaking over
twenty different languages.
The International Club, or IC, as they call it, has a threefold mandate: to
welcome new Canadian students to Holy Heart, to create an awareness and
acceptance of the many cultures at Holy Heart, and to celebrate the school's
diversity, which is a lot more diverse than when I graduated from that high
school.
The largest project the group has undertaken was the diversity assembly on
February 19, and what an event it was. They planned and organized a wonderful
morning of dancing, music, guest speakers, and fifty-one Holy Heart students
carried the flags of their countries.
Other popular events include international potlucks for all staff and
students at the school, social activities for new, cultural awareness activities
and, of course, continuing orientation and mentoring of new Canadian students to
the school. Some of the students and their teachers are with us today.
I ask all members of this House to join me in congratulating the Holy Heart
of Mary International Club on their outstanding work.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Mount Pearl South.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LANE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is my privilege to stand in this hon. House to offer congratulations to a
group of individuals who have made a tremendous contribution to sport in my
community.
The Mount Pearl Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1995 by the Mount Pearl
Sport Alliance. Since that time they have inducted sixty-six tremendous
individuals.
Today I would like to acknowledge the achievements of five others: Brian
Cranford and Andrew Moyst have been inducted into the athlete-builder category;
Ralph Neil, in the builder category; and Terry Ryan Jr. and Julie Fiander in the
athlete category. I would also like to acknowledge the 1992 to 1995 Mount Pearl
senior boys basketball team who have been added to the team honour roll.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask all members of this hon. House to join me in
congratulating these individuals on this significant accomplishment, and wish
them all the best in their future sporting endeavours.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.
Statements by Ministers
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this hon. House to inform
members that I had the great privilege of attending the European Seafood
Exposition last week. My officials and I joined over thirty representatives from
the Newfoundland and Labrador seafood industry, including the Barry Group,
Clearwater Seafoods, Icewater Seafoods, the Labrador Fishermen's Union Shrimp
Company, Newfound Resources, Notre Dame Seafoods, Ocean Choice International,
Whitecap Seafoods International, the Fish, Food and Allied Workers, and the
Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University.
The European Seafood Exposition is one of the many important opportunities to
market fish globally. European countries, in particular, imported a total $23.7
billion worth of seafood in 2012. The European Union has over 500 million people
with a high level of fish consumption this offers tremendous opportunity for
Newfoundland and Labrador. Given the potential benefits of the anticipated
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement being negotiated between Canada and
the European Union, it is important for our Province to maintain a strong
presence in this marketplace.
Mr. Speaker, approximately 25,000 buyers, suppliers, media, and other seafood
industry professionals from over 140 countries attended the show to meet
face-to-face to do business. I can tell you it was impressive to witness this
first-hand.
Mr. Speaker, our government works very hard with the industry to promote
Newfoundland and Labrador seafood at every available opportunity. In Budget
2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future , we once again demonstrated this
commitment by allocating $2.6 million for seafood marketing. This is in addition
to our participation at seafood shows throughout the world, including Europe,
Boston, and China.
Other examples of our commitment to seafood marketing include: approximately
$80 million has been offered in the form of inventory financing for seafood
companies; $11.5 million has been offered in support of a seafood marketing
council and seafood sales consortia; $2.8 million for processing and marketing
services; and $1.6 million for market intelligence initiatives. An indicator of
our success is that over 65 per cent of Newfoundland and Labrador's seafood has
been, or will soon be, eco-certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. The MSC
label represents the gold standard in the certification of sustainable
fisheries.
Mr. Speaker, in partnership with our government, the seafood industry has
made tremendous progress and there is much more opportunity ahead in the future.
Our commitment to this vital industry is strong in every respect.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Member for St. Barbe.
MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for an advance copy.
On reviewing his trip to Brussels, I would have to say I would give him a C
plus. His heart is in the right place, but the money could have been better
spent.
For example, 20,000 people, it is true, still earn a livelihood in the
seafood industry in our Province, so it makes it the largest single sector in
our Province. It is critically important to us. We catch fish very well and we
can process fish when we are given a chance to, when others do not get it
shipped out to them, but we do not market it very well. True to form, the
marketing budget in 2011-2012 was $2 million. The Province spent $1.6 million.
In 2012-2013, it was $5.5 million and the Province spent $1.7 million. We have
not been using our marketing budget.
The biggest market we have for seafood is the United States and the Boston
Seafood Show has been around for thirty years, not twenty years like DFA's Web
site says. It has actually been around thirty years, so the minister might want
to update his Web site in that respect. What I would say is that his heart is in
the right place with his European frolic, but not to go to Boston is a huge
mistake that he cannot undo.
To go on from Boston, I would recommend that he would go to our other
emerging economies, the BRIC nations: Brazil is dynamic and growing, and it is
in our hemisphere; Russia has a similar market as we do; India has more
entrepreneurs than Canada has people; and China has an enormous market. I would
say it is good to go to Brussels, but it would be much better to go to the other
places. It is really unfortunate that he did not go to Boston.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Member for The Straits White Bay North.
MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I, too, thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement. The
indication of good marketing is more than just attendance at an international
seafood show. It requires on-ground co-operation for a marketing plan.
When we hear the word lobster, many people think of Maine. When we hear about
salmon, it is Alaskan salmon or Alaskan snow crab. These places have done
phenomenal jobs. Eco labelling and certification should be a key part of this
campaign.
CETA presents opportunities, but also significant threat, such as dropping
minimum processing requirements, costing us jobs and the ability to maximize
local benefits. The minister needs to be more open about these trade deals.
The minister has made many statements and thrown out a lot of numbers here
today, but there is very little in tangible results when it comes to dollars
actually spent on these initiatives.
Branding and co-operation for marketing with all stakeholders, that is
certainly key, so let's see if 2013 will bring with it a generic seafood
marketing campaign.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. MARSHALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform this House and, through this House, the
people of the Province that an agreement has been reached between the Government
of Newfoundland and Labrador and Fortis Properties Corporation on financial
compensation that arises from the passage of the Abitibi-Consolidated Rights and
Assets Act.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. MARSHALL: Through this agreement, Mr. Speaker, the government is
protecting the assets that belong to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
This is a fair settlement for the people of the Province and is the appropriate
course of action for us to take.
Under the terms of the agreement, final compensation of $18.4 million will be
provided to Fortis in addition to payments previously made that total $22.4
million in all. This concludes all compensation arrangements related to the
expropriation of hydroelectric assets formally owned by Abitibi.
A compensation arrangement has also been reached with a consortium of lenders
represented by Sun Life Assurance of Canada for the outstanding loan payments
and the balance related to the Exploits River Hydro Partnership assets. Nalcor
will assume a loan obligation of approximately $54 million, which will be
supported through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, the government took immediate, decisive action back in 2008 when
it became apparent that Abitibi was abandoning its pulp and paper operations in
Grand Falls-Windsor. Government was determined to ensure that the Province's
valuable natural resources remained in the hands of its rightful owners, the
people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. MARSHALL: Mr. Speaker, the legislation was introduced to protect the
people of Central Newfoundland and the Province's resources, and upon its
passage, the hydro, the timber and the land assets became the legal property of
Newfoundland and Labrador.
Upon the introduction of the Abitibi-Consolidated Rights and Assets Act, we
indicated that the interests of businesses and people in the Central Region
would not be adversely impacted by our decision to expropriate Abitibi assets.
The independent third parties that were involved, we told them that they
would be protected and this settlement now reinforces this commitment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I want to thank the minister for the advance copy of his statement. Of
course, this is something that we have been asking this government about now for
quite some time. Just last week I stood in the House and asked the question
about the updating of the negotiations with Fortis, as a commitment was made for
this company to remain whole. Again, this morning in Estimates, the minister
brought this up and said that this would be coming today in a Ministerial
Statement, so I thank him for this.
Of course, the $8.4 million, as the minister said, is on top of the $5
million that has been paid out over the last five years, but really the story
does not end there. This is part of one piece of what has been a total
compensation package for a number of the assets. Really, we still have, I guess,
some liability issues around the expropriation of the mill in Grand
Falls-Windsor and the environmental cleanup that would be attached to that mill,
so the story is not over.
From a Fortis point of view, I would say that back in 2003 when they were
making a commitment to upgrade the facilities and the Exploits River hydro
development that at that time they were not expecting that this project, this
asset of theirs, would be expropriated. So, there is a message I would say that
even though we end with the asset, I think from Fortis' point of view this was
not their intent back in 2003, nevertheless it puts an end to this aspect of
negotiation.
Mr. Speaker, we will look forward to the investments that we make in the
environmental cleanup of the Abitibi expropriation.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.
MS MICHAEL: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the minister for the advance copy of his statement. I have to note
the positive language being used by the minister for the cost of expropriating
Abitibi's assets. I think we need to reflect right now on the hasty
expropriation that this government conducted several years ago. We were assured
all was in hand and were asked for our support, which we gave, because we went
on the information given to us by government. It turns out that was not the case
and now we are saddled with the decrepit mill which will cost millions to clean
up.
Government calls their 2008 decision immediate and decisive. My mother had an
expression, Mr. Speaker, haste makes waste; and I suggest that this government
reflect on that axiom.
Thank you very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Does the Member for St. John's South have leave?
AN HON. MEMBER: No leave.
MR. SPEAKER: Oral Questions.
Oral Questions
MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The federal Auditor General's report released today stated that the ongoing
staffing and training challenges in the air and marine search and rescue are
impacting the sustainability of search and rescue operations in the Province.
I ask the Premier: In light of this report, will you now ask the federal
government to reinstate the maritime search and rescue sub-centre in St. John's?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we read with some concern the reflections of the Auditor General
in his report, especially as it relates to search and rescue and the capacity of
the federal government in our Province, where this is an extremely important
issue. A significant number of our population still earn their living on the
sea, Mr. Speaker, and their health and safety is of critical importance to every
person in Newfoundland and Labrador, and we will continue to pursue this issue
with the federal government.
We do not need this impetus to keep up our pressure on the federal government
to restore the marine sub-centre here in Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker,
and to keep search and rescue at the top of their priority list. It is extremely
important to us as a government, as a people, Mr. Speaker, and we reinforce that
every opportunity we have.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Well, my question was about, of course, the sub-centre that was recently
closed and the valuable asset that was in the overall search and rescue assets
in the Province. So, my question was: Will you speak to the federal government
and get that centre reopened again so we can protect the people in the Province?
Mr. Speaker, this scathing report reveals that inefficiencies exist in search
and rescue inefficiencies that were present during failed searches in our
Province. So, I ask the Premier: Is the Auditor General's report compelling
enough evidence to finally call a public inquiry into search and rescue in the
Province of Newfoundland and Labrador?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I answered the question posed to me by the Leader of the Opposition. Health
and safety, search and rescue in our offshore is a high priority with this
government, as it is with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker.
We continue to press our concerns about changes that have been made to search
and rescue in this Province at every opportunity with the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, we are not going to call a national inquiry in which we cannot
bring the federal government to the table. We are going to continue to do what
we are tasked to do by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to bring these
matters to the attention of the federal government.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would ask the Premier: Based on that response, have you even asked the
federal government and I would look forward to that response. Because our
understanding is that you have not even asked the federal government to initiate
or engage in a public inquiry, even if they need to be there.
Mr. Speaker, the report also states that the information management system
used in search and rescue cases is not adequate and is nearing a breaking point.
A replacement system is not expected until 2015-2016.
So I ask the Premier: What measures are you willing to implement to ensure
the safety of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians between now and 2015-2016?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, as I continue to say in this House of Assembly, and I say at
every interaction we have with the federal government, health and safety and
search and rescue are priorities of the people of this Province. We expect our
people to have adequate services more than adequate services when they go
about the means they have at their disposal to earn a living for themselves and
for their family. We advocate for the highest calibre of service that is
available in this country be available to the men and women in Newfoundland and
Labrador who work in our offshore.
Mr. Speaker, we will be taking what we learned today from the Auditor
General, the federal Auditor General, and we will be pursuing this argument
again with the federal government.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Well, I do not know who is watching what is going on there, but the AG's
report clearly says there is not adequate information systems and not adequate
maintenance being done.
So who is watching is this? How can you say they should be more than
adequate? I ask the Premier: Who is monitoring this on behalf of the Province?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is playing games. He understands
very clearly in this country certain responsibilities fall within the purview of
the federal government; certain responsibilities lie within the purview of the
provincial government. One of our responsibilities is ensuring the services that
are made available to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are adequate or more than
adequate to meet their needs.
Mr. Speaker, we do not have the means to audit a federal system. That is why
we have an Auditor General. When they bring these kinds of examples to our
attention, we launch a full-court press with the federal government at every
opportunity, with the Prime Minister and with ministers, to make our points.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Bay of Islands.
MR. JOYCE: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health has finally confirmed that
the new rightsized hospital in Corner Brook will have 15 per cent fewer acute
care beds than at the current hospital.
I ask the Minister of Health: Is this how you plan for the future and take
care of the residents on the West Coast, by reducing their access to acute care?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, this is absolutely amazing to me. Time after time after time,
the Member for the Bay of Islands stands up in this House of Assembly and
basically says he does not want the $500 million to $600 million facility that
we are proposing for the Western area of this Province. Mr. Speaker, I am
absolutely amazed at that.
This will be a facility, Mr. Speaker, that we intend to use as a flagship.
This will be a facility that will have within it opportunities to be able to
look after all of the needs of Western Newfoundland and Labrador. It will be
enhanced services. We are looking at 260 beds. We are looking at 100 long-term
care beds, Mr. Speaker. I really and truly do not understand why it is that the
Member for Bay of Islands does not want this facility.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Bay of Islands.
MR. JOYCE: Mr. Speaker, I say to the minister, I do not want the same as
what the Member for Humber East said, that we made a mistake with the long-term
care facility by having fewer beds. Mr. Speaker, the new Corner Brook hospital
will have twenty-two fewer acute care beds than Western Memorial has now.
I ask the minister: How many surgeries have been cancelled at Western
Memorial over the last six months due to the shortage of acute care beds?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, that is precisely what we are trying to address through this new
facility. That is precisely why we will have 100 long-term care beds as part of
this complex. What we will see as a result of that, Mr. Speaker, will be an
increase in the number of surgeries that are able to happen in that facility.
Now, once again he is arguing against it. We are here to tell the people of
the Western portion of the Province, we are arguing for it and we are going to
see to it that that is constructed for them.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Bay of Islands.
MR. JOYCE: I just want to let the people of Corner Brook and the West
Coast know that the Minister of Health does not know how many surgeries have
been cancelled in the last six months because of a lack of acute care beds.
I will ask another question, Mr. Speaker. The minister refused to acknowledge
the existing shortage of acute care beds and the lack of community-based
supports on the West Coast for post-surgery.
I ask the minister: What is the readmission rate for patients at Western
Memorial? How does this rate compare to St. John's and the national rate?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we have identified the needs for the Western region of the
Province in terms of health care services. We then engaged a corporation that is
vested in providing that kind of advice to the people who require the service.
We have taken the best advice that we can find. We have spoken with members of
the executive teams at Western Health, Mr. Speaker, and we are putting in place
a facility that is going to meet all of the needs of the Western region of the
Province.
Somehow or another that is not what the Member for the Bay of Islands wants.
Somehow or another, he wants something different. I understand he wants the
status quo. We want better, Mr. Speaker, we are going to see to it that we get
it.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Bay of Islands.
MR. JOYCE: Mr. Speaker, just for the minister, if it was status quo there
would be twenty-two more acute care beds than before.
Mr. Speaker, I am astonished that the Minister of Health does not know. There
is a report, you should get it. If you want a copy, ask me to tell you. It is 14
per cent. The national average is 10 per cent; St. John's is 10 per cent. You
should get the report, both reports, Mr. Speaker.
The Minister of Health has made a crucial decision on the capacity of a new
hospital when she cannot even tell us vital statistics like surgery
cancellations and readmission rates.
How can you make such a crucial decision on a new hospital without the
knowledge of these crucial facts, which obviously you just do not know? These
reports do exist in your department, Minister. Please, do the people on the West
Coast a favour, look for these reports and study them, please.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the last thing I need is advice from the member opposite.
Whatever reports I need to read, I read, and I read them very, very carefully.
We are taking medical advice, we are taking engineering advice, and we are
putting in place the best facility that we can possibly put in place for the
people of Western Newfoundland, Mr. Speaker. I do not know what else to say to a
member who does not want it. I really do not know what else to say to him, but,
Mr. Speaker, here is what we are doing.
We are putting in place a facility that will see 260 beds, 100 of which will
be for long-term care. We already know, Mr. Speaker, that a goodly number of
beds, 25 per cent of them on a regular basis are used for persons who are
alternate level of care. Mr. Speaker, we are going to see to it that they are
put into
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. Barbe.
MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, in the ongoing comedy of errors inflicted on
public education by this government, the Eastern School District just announced
the new school under construction in Carbonear already needs four additional
classrooms at a cost of $4 million.
I ask the minister: How can his planning be so deficient that he could not
count all the children in that growing community?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. JACKMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Let me outline for the member opposite, who probably cannot handle it, Mr.
Speaker, since 2003 thirty-nine major projects in the school system.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. JACKMAN: Nine new schools completed, Mr. Speaker.
MS SULLIVAN: How many?
MR. JACKMAN: Nine new schools completed; ten more under construction in
the development phase. Mr. Speaker, the rest of the thirty-nine projects are
major, major renovations in schools. That speaks to our commitment to having
facilities that are second to none, Mr. Speaker, anywhere in this country.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. Barbe.
MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, the minister missed not one, not two, not
three, but four classrooms full of students for a school still under
construction.
Given the minister's poor planning performance, will he now put a hold on
collapsing four school boards to pay even bigger and costlier mistakes that we
will have to pay for long after he is gone?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, not one school construction, not two, not
three, thirty-nine major constructions.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Member for Burgeo La Poile.
MR. A. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Dr. Wade Locke was recently hired by this government to advise the Finance
Minister on Budget 2013. We have heard just how implicitly government trusts his
work and his judgement. Dr. Locke also completed a 300-page report for the
Council of Independent Community Pharmacy Owners and in it he clearly says that
unless government makes changes to the business model, independent pharmacies
will go out of business.
I ask the minister: Have you considered Dr. Lock's advice, and are you
willing to make changes to ensure these independent pharmacies do not go out of
business?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, like with all reports, I have read that report from Dr. Locke.
In fact, I met with Dr. Locke and we had a discussion around this, and my
officials met with Dr. Locke and they had some discussions around this.
Mr. Speaker, what we are doing is what we committed to doing right from the
get-go. We are investing in pharmacies, particularly rural and remote pharmacies
right around this Province. Mr. Speaker, $37 million over a four-year period, in
fact. We are also investing $29 million, Mr. Speaker, to ensure that seniors in
this Province will not, at least under the NLPDP, pay any more than $6 per
prescription.
We are very, very much in tune with what is happening out there in our rural
and remote pharmacies. We are very much involved in negotiations to ensure that
we are meeting the needs of these pharmacies.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Member for Burgeo La Poile.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, Dr. Locke's report contains compelling
evidence that shows how government can save money, protect pharmacies as health
care providers, and demonstrate the real value independent pharmacies can play
to ensure sustainable health care. This report was sent to government on
February 4, but I am unsure as to whether there was a response to CICPO.
I ask the minister: In the face of compelling evidence from Dr. Locke, who we
listened to on the Budget, will you now commit to setting a new funding model
for independent pharmacies?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, as I just started to outline we certainly are concerned about
rural pharmacies, remote pharmacies, and we are investing in them. We have a new
dispensing fee that is to the tune of $17.5 million that will be reinvested, or
has been over the last year or so, and will continue to be reinvested into our
pharmacies.
Apart from that, Mr. Speaker and we had some discussions with Dr. Locke
around this as well we are aware that pharmacies want to be paid for
additional cognitive services that they provide. In the first go around of this,
we identified three areas of cognitive services for which we are, in fact,
reimbursing our pharmacists and our pharmacies. We will continue to work with
them to provide other services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Torngat Mountains.
MR. EDMUNDS: Mr. Speaker, this year's Budget has declared open season on
environment and conservation in our Province, and has left many to declare that
the government has now created a poacher's paradise. Cutting sixty-one positions
throughout the department is bad enough, but we continue to hear from groups and
organizations that were not consulted prior to this Budget.
I ask the minister: Why did you not consult with the Outfitters Association,
the Wildlife Federation, and your own standing committees before making these
damaging cuts?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. HEDDERSON: Mr. Speaker, I was tasked to look at it in my department,
and in looking at my department to make sure that I fully understood what our
core mandate was, and to balance up the budget that I have been given with the
personnel who are required to do the duties that they are required to do.
Mr. Speaker, that job has been done. I am more than satisfied that we are
able to respond to whatever group comes forward in a very positive and very
effective way.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Torngat Mountains, for a quick question
without any
preamble.
MR. EDMUNDS: Mr. Speaker: Will the minister strike a review committee
with all stakeholders to review these senseless cuts, as was done with the
Justice department?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation, for a
quick response.
MR. HEDDERSON: No.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.
MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We learned this morning of more public money spent on this government's
expropriation of the former Abitibi properties. We still have a mothballed mill
which will need extensive environmental cleanup, for which the taxpayers of this
Province will have to pick up the tab. There are also legal fees, operating, and
maintenance costs involved.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier: Can she give this House a dollar figure for
what her government's hasty expropriation will eventually cost the Province?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, when we made the decision to expropriate Abitibi's assets, we
did so because time was of the essence. We explained that very clearly to both
Opposition Parties at the time. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, we told, because
of the action needed to be done in a timely way, that we will be expropriating
the assets of Fortis and Enel. It was clearly our intention to restore both
those companies to their full status at the time of the expropriation.
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the NDP was at that table. She asked those
questions; we answered those questions. She ought to have known that what we
have done today was in the plan from the beginning.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.
MS MICHAEL: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
What the Premier should have said: I ought to have known how incompetent that
government was that they made the mistake they made that gave us the mill that
we now have around our necks.
I will now ask the Premier, who I am sure thinks this is a government
investment, what are the people of the Province getting from that government
investment?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, first of all what we got in the expropriation was hundreds of
millions of dollars of assets that we clearly understood at the time will be
able to take care of any liabilities that might occur as a result of the
expropriation.
Let me say to the Leader of the NDP and the Leader of the Opposition as well
that at the end of the day, once all the liabilities have dealt with, the people
of this Province will still have a great number of assets at their disposal and
at bargain-basement rates to drive the economy in the Central part of this
Province, Mr. Speaker. We kept what the people asked us to keep, something to
help them in the future.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.
MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Government is backing the $54 million loan for Nalcor and they are giving
Fortis compensation, but what are the direct benefits for the people of Central
Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we have a revenue-generating asset that we have in Central
Newfoundland in Star Lake and in the Exploits River, the generation facilities
in the Exploits River. That power is being generated, brought into the grid,
used for ratepayers here in Newfoundland and Labrador, and to drive industry in
Newfoundland and Labrador. It is creating revenue for the people of Newfoundland
and Labrador and in the long term will pay for itself.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.
MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would suggest the Premier tell that to the people of Central Newfoundland
and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, as this government has clearly shown, it is easy to sit in a
pool of oil, cutting cheques.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MS MICHAEL: What is less easy, but very important, is developing plans to
diversify the economy of the Province in order to wean ourselves off undue
dependence on the boom and bust oil and mineral economy.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier: Is she willing to embrace and apply community
economic development principles to the economy of this Province, or is this
government content to keep us all on the wild rollercoaster ride of the
commodity markets?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, this government is very proud of the oil revenue that comes into
this Province and the benefits agreements that we have been able to negotiate.
It makes up more than 30 per cent of our Budget.
Mr. Speaker, we are glad that we have $185 million business opportunity plan
in this Province that people can come and drive small and medium enterprises
right throughout this Province. We are proud of the aquaculture industry on the
South Coast, we are proud of innovation, and we are proud of the money that we
put into our cold climate expertise and market around the world, Mr. Speaker.
We are not interested, like the NDP, of not coming with any new ideas other
than burning shrimp shells in Holyrood, Mr. Speaker, and blowing up the projects
that now provide for (inaudible)
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.
MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The latest information available from Statistics Canada tells us that small
and medium-sized businesses
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The Leader of the Third Party.
MS MICHAEL: (Inaudible) GDP and account for a larger proportion of the
labour income part of GDP than do large businesses.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier why we do not see a more aggressive plan by
this government to support more small and medium-sized businesses, especially in
rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, when we came to this government in 2003 there was basically $2.6
million a year available for small and medium-sized businesses, and communities,
in this Province to drive investment. Mr. Speaker, that fund is now over $185
million available on an annual basis to small and medium-sized business and
not-for-profits in this Province, Mr. Speaker. That is the Progressive
Conservative way. That is what this government has done for businesses in this
Province, for free enterprise in this Province.
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the NDP got up in this House yesterday and talked
about universal daycare, universal pharmacare, and universal housing, Mr.
Speaker. Just tell us: How are you going to pay for it all?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The Member for St. John's North.
MR. KIRBY: Mr. Speaker, tens of millions of dollars in cuts in the
Department of Education this year will result in fewer specialist teachers in
music and in arts. To make matters worse, cuts to cultural connections programs
will further diminish students' exposure to Newfoundland and Labrador's unique
art, music, culture, and history.
Who did this government consult before they decided that the promotion of
Newfoundland and Labrador culture and heritage in schools was disposable?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, I would encourage the member to go to some of
our schools and see where things like theatre arts, where the music program has
come since we came into government. Mr. Speaker, let him go and see. I believe
there was a $20 million investment through the Cultural Connections Fund.
Our commitment, again, to the broader student of Newfoundland and Labrador,
the academic side but also that artistic side, the physical education side, Mr.
Speaker, we are educating a broad student.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's North.
MR. KIRBY: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education has said that he will
expect even more now from volunteer school councils with the creation of the
St. John's. At the same time, the minister has cut funding to the Newfoundland
and Labrador Federation of School Councils by nearly 20 per cent.
Can the minister explain how he expects school councils to do more with less?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, I wish he would stop shouting at me.
Mr. Speaker, I spoke at the Federation of School Councils on Friday night and
I did not know who the new executive was then, but I assured them that I am more
than willing to meet with them because in this Budget, Mr. Speaker, we said no
changes to allocations to special education students. No changes to class caps.
No changes to the allocations for guidance. Our investment was in front line
services, Mr. Speaker, and they will remain there.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MS ROGERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Since 2011, this government has promised a home ownership assistance program
to working families again and again and again, yet there is absolutely no money
in this Budget for it. Are they going to wait and haul it out during the
election year?
Mr. Speaker, I ask the minister: Where is the home ownership assistance
program he promised to working families?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker
Finally, I get a question on housing from the hon. member, the first one this
session. I would like to point out that we had a good discussion on this in
Estimates earlier this week. I pointed out to the hon. member at that point in
time that the program to which she refers was a commitment we made in our Blue
Book in 2011.
It is a commitment that we intend to uphold. It is one that we are working
towards. When we are ready to roll out a plan, we will certainly be doing that,
Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MS ROGERS: Obviously, Mr. Speaker, they are going to haul it out in the
election year, and the people will not be fooled.
Mr. Speaker, the minister cut the Residential Energy Efficiency Program by 50
per cent in this Budget. This is backwards and against all current thinking.
Worldwide, governments are doing whatever they can to help people make their
housing as energy efficient as possible. Reducing this program actually takes
money out of the pockets of homeowners.
Mr. Speaker, will the minister reinstate the funding back to the Residential
Energy Efficiency Program?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Now that I mentioned Estimates, I would like to acknowledge the very kind
words that the hon. member opposite had during Estimates for the great work that
the employees at Newfoundland and Labrador Housing have been carrying out. She
congratulated the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing executive and staff, and I
would like to acknowledge that and thank her for that. They do excellent work
over there, Mr. Speaker.
There are programs at Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, a suite of programs
that are there for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. They are good
programs that are affecting the people in a positive way. This year, the REEP
will provide services to 500 homeowners, Mr. Speaker, so that they can improve
the energy efficiency of their own homes. The Home Modification Program
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's Centre, for a quick
question without
preamble.
MS ROGERS: Mr. Speaker, that program used to help 1,000 families.
MR. SPEAKER: No
preamble please; a quick question.
MS ROGERS: Mr. Speaker, will the minister put a freeze on the sale of all
provincial-owned vacant land and buildings until he comes up with an actual real
plan to use it for affordable housing?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works, for a
quick response.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would just like to remind her that the Provincial Home Repair Program, as I
was mentioning earlier, is a great program here in this Province. We tripled the
funding for that. It is still at two-and-a-half times the traditional rate. We
have reduced the wait list by 75 per cent, Mr. Speaker, and we are going to
continue to provide programs to the people who need it most in this Province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The time for Question Period has expired.
Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.
Tabling of Documents.
Tabling of Documents
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Finance.
MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Pursuant to
section 5 of the Local Authority Guarantee Act, 2005, I wish to
table the annual report of loan guarantees provided to local governments to
enable them to arrange interim financing for capital projects. I am pleased to
report that there were no new guarantees issued on behalf of local governments
during the fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, the last report under this act was tabled on March 22, 2012 and
included guarantees issued up to and including March 16, 2012. This current
report covers the period from March 17, 2012 to March 31, 2013.
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to
section 49(2) of the Financial Administration Act, I
wish to table the attached list of temporary loans that were raised under
section 48 of the act since my last report to the House on March 22, 2012.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, pursuant to
section 55(3) of the Financial
Administration Act, I wish to report that there were no guaranteed loans paid
out by the Province's last annual report, also on March 22, 2012.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, pursuant to
section 55.1(2) of the act, I wish to
report that there has been no guaranteed debt of a Crown corporation or agency
assumed by the Province since the March 22, 2012 report.
MR. SPEAKER: Notices of Motion.
Answers to Question for which Notice has been Given.
Petitions.
Petitions
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. Barbe.
MR. BENNETT: A petition to the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of
Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the
undersigned humbly sheweth:
WHEREAS the offshore of the West Coast of the Island of Newfoundland is
recognized as a region containing potentially billions of barrels of oil; and
WHEREAS hydraulic fracturing could be an accepted and effective method of
petroleum discovery and exploration, and is compatible with the protection of
the natural environment and water sources when executed within the context of a
comprehensive regulatory framework; and
WHEREAS the petroleum exploration sector needs the certainty and confidence
of a stable regulatory regime; and
WHEREAS with that regulatory regime oil discovery and industry development
could provide unprecedented economic opportunity and bring people home to a
currently economically challenged region; and
WHEREAS the undersigned support properly regulated exploration and
development of oil and gas resource in the Province;
WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the
House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to
introduce a regulatory framework immediately under which hydraulic fracturing
could proceed safely, and move this industry forward in Western Newfoundland.
As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.
Mr. Speaker, one of the individuals who signed this petition is nearly eighty
years of age, and he is in Hawke's Bay. He is a well-known individual in Hawke's
Bay, a former mayor. One of the observations he has made is that Hawke's Bay has
been very, very poorly served, maybe due to nobody's fault; the downturn in the
forestry sector and the loss of the hardwoods business that was there. After the
mine left in the 1990s, it was the shipping centre. They lost quite a bit of
economic activity there.
His big concern, as he pointed out, is forty years ago he was one of a group
of people and they were lobbying for Gros Morne National Park. Today, it is
almost as if the shoe is on the other foot, in that back then he was one of a
group of people who went to Ottawa to basically plead with the Government of
Canada to continue with the national park.
It is unthinkable today that people in the area would not want the national
park, but enough people did not want the national park back then because they
did not want their lifestyle to be interfered with. Well, the park has come and
has established. For some people, it has brought significant benefit; for
others, it has not.
This individual, as well as others, are very concerned now that naysayers
with respect to economic development, and in particular, oil exploration and
hydraulic fracturing may have enough with small numbers, loud voices, and
mistaken arguments that they may stop economic development. That is a big
concern, and that is why this petition is being presented, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER: The Member for St. John's East.
MR. MURPHY: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in
parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents of Newfoundland
and Labrador humbly sheweth:
WHEREAS the process of slickwater hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, injects
hazardous chemicals into rock formations to extract oil, and is polluting
groundwater and air across North America; and
potential environmental impacts of shale oil and gas extraction in Canada,
including fracking; and
WHEREAS Quebec, Nova Scotia, and a number of US states have halted fracking,
and others are introducing regulations specific to fracking; and
WHEREAS it is incumbent upon the provincial government to ensure that our
natural environment is protected from harmful industrial processes;
WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the
House of Assembly to urge government to impose a moratorium on slickwater
fracking until it develops comprehensive regulations and ensures that each
proposed project undergoes a conclusive environmental assessment to determine
whether it is safe for the environment, the integrity of water supplies, and
human health.
As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.
Mr. Speaker, I do not know how many times I have been up with this petition,
but we are up with it again. This petition, again, comes from people in the
concerned area of the West Coast of the Province. They are writing in all the
time from St. George's, places all over the Port au Port Peninsula, Noels Pond,
Stephenville Crossing. I can go on with the communities, Kippens included. They
keep writing about the dangers of fracking. They keep asking government to slow
down and take a look at development. The members across the floor, as well as on
this side, should be directly concerned with a new process that comes in that
has the potential to do as much damage as what it does.
Mr. Speaker, I also have to note that just earlier today the US Interior
Secretary of State, I guess, Sally Jewell, says that down in the United States
they are going to be bringing in new rules surrounding the fracking industry,
and they are saying that these new rules are going to be coming within weeks
not months, weeks.
We know that the United States has been looking at it. We know that the
Government of Quebec is looking at it again; they have already had several
mistakes. They had thirty-one wells drilled when they called a stop to it;
nineteen of these wells were leaking when they done their inspections, so there
is a need here for the provincial government to address caution address
caution that these people are asking for when it comes to the development of an
oil industry.
There is nobody here who is going to be against fracking, as long as the
regulations are redeveloped and done right. We all know that we are all looking
for a disclosure of the chemicals that will be used. We all want to see
remediation in case there is any damage. We can go to Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker,
and we can see right now that they are talking about a problem that they have
with what is called orphan wells. What they mean by orphan wells, these are
wells that are drilled by companies; there was not enough money set aside for
things like environmental cleanup.
There is a lot of things here for government to consider. We hope that they
are going to do it. We have the signatures to support it.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Torngat Mountains.
MR. EDMUNDS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
A petition to the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and
Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned humbly
sheweth:
WHEREAS students of Adult Basic Education program at the College of the North
Atlantic do not wish to attend privatized educational facilities; and
WHEREAS the College of the North Atlantic has the most accredited ABE program
in Newfoundland and Labrador; and
WHEREAS students are concerned as to the availability of private institutions
and whether or not they can accommodate additional students;
WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the
House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to reverse
this damaging decision to the students and reinstate the Adult Basic Education
program at the College of the North Atlantic.
As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.
Mr. Speaker, I am getting petitions from all over Labrador and my colleagues
are getting petitions from all over the Island portion of our Province. This
petition that I have submitted today, Mr. Speaker, comes from ABE students who
are located Sheshatshiu and North West River. Their concerns are valid and they
are timely.
Mr. Speaker, there are students now who have been accepted into Adult Basic
Education programs. They have been accepted, but they are not getting sponsored.
The reason they are not getting sponsored, Mr. Speaker, is because there is too
much doubt created by the cancellation of ABE programs run by the College of the
North Atlantic.
As you get into northern regions, Mr. Speaker, there is no plan from this
government on infrastructure, on program delivery, on Aboriginal content. The
concern right now is that you have students who are accepted but you do not have
a sponsorship. The reason you do not have a sponsorship is because of confusion
that has been created by the cancellation of ABE at the college.
Mr. Speaker, thank you.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo La Poile.
MR. A. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I have a petition to the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of
Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the
undersigned residents of Newfoundland and Labrador humbly sheweth:
WHEREAS students of the Adult Basic Education program at the College of the
North Atlantic do not wish to attend privatized educational facilities; and
WHEREAS the College of the North Atlantic has the most accredited Adult Basic
Education program in Newfoundland and Labrador; and
WHEREAS students are concerned as to the availability of private institutions
and whether or not they can accommodate additional students;
WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the
House of Assembly to urge government to reverse this damaging decision to
students and reinstate the Adult Basic Education programming at the College of
the North Atlantic.
As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.
This is not the first time that I have entered this petition. We have heard a
lot about this very short-sighted decision, one that was done without any
planning. We do not even know what the results are going to net us. It is
something we will probably get a chance to talk about tomorrow during
government's private member's resolution when we talk about public programs and
services designed and delivered in ways that are focused and effective. The fact
is that there is no focus; we do not even know what the effect of this decision
is going to be because there is no plan in place, certainly not to the people
directly involved.
One thing I noticed since yesterday in the House, Mr. Speaker, the Member for
Conception Bay East Bell Island had some statements to make, and he was
talking about this process. I am sure he was speaking from the heart when he
said we have been a part of this process when we were laid off, and we were
bumped by people. We have sympathy for the people; we try to lessen the burden
on people.
It is funny because I got e-mails on that. What they are saying is if that is
the case, why are we not getting redundancy packages when government is cutting
jobs because of privatization when redundancy could possibly apply? That is the
funny thing; we have these people who are getting their jobs cut. If redundancy
is not factored in when you cut a public program to give the jobs to private
colleges, then where are you going to put it?
It is one thing to say we are going to lessen the burden on people, and then
it is another thing to actually know what you are talking about. Right now the
people out there in the Province do not believe a word that is being said
because we have no idea where this process is going to go.
I am worried about what is going to happen. I can only hope for the best, as
are the people who are affected by this. We know that advanced education,
workers are out the first thing they are being told on their scripted sheets
when they come out is do not worry, everything is going to be okay. How can you
say that when your union has to file grievances because the redundancy package
is not there, when your job is cut and the services kicked over to the private
colleges? Duplication I could get into, but I only have a few minutes.
Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER: The Member for St. John's Centre.
MS ROGERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in
Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents humbly sheweth:
WHEREAS with the passage of Bill 29, the Access to Information and Protection
of Privacy (Amendment) Act, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has
weakened citizens' access to information and has reduced government
transparency; and
WHEREAS the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has moved towards greater
secrecy and less openness; and
WHEREAS the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is breaking its own
commitment for greater transparency, accountability and freedom of information
which it said at one time was the hallmark of its government;
WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the
House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to repeal
the passage of Bill 29.
And as in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.
Mr. Speaker, we have seen time and again now over the past few weeks since
this Budget came down, how important it is for the people of the Province to
know exactly what these decisions were based on. We need to know what the
results of core mandate reviews were. We need to know how decisions were made on
programs that affect the people of the Province, affect their lives.
Also, on what basis were reversals of decisions made? We have no idea at all,
Mr. Speaker, and we have been asking for that information. We have asked it
innumerable times and the government is not forthcoming with it.
This petition is called, The Right to Know. Well, we do not know on what
basis the plans were made. We do not know on what basis the cuts were made. We
obviously do not have a right to know.
Mr. Speaker, again, this government was the one that prided itself and
bellowed out to the people of the Province that they were going to be more
accountable, more transparent, and there would be freedom of information. Well,
they did exactly the opposite. The people of the Province have a right to know
on what basis the decisions were made and how the money and the resources that
belong to the people of the Province are being spent.
Mr. Speaker, it does not look like that is going to happen. We will continue
to ask. They will continue to say no. They may say that is Cabinet secrecy, or
they may say that is solicitor privilege. When we look at the huge cuts to the
Justice department and then to see so many of those cuts reversed in a matter of
a few days, it is almost like someone can get whiplash just trying to keep up
with the changes that are happening.
Mr. Speaker, I think the people of the Province want Bill 29 revoked. It is
not in the best interest of the people of the Province. It is not in the best
interest of this House.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. Barbe.
MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, a petition to the hon. House of Assembly of the
Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of
the undersigned residents humbly sheweth:
WHEREAS there has been an agreement between the Federation of Newfoundland
Nation Band; and
WHEREAS persons submitted applications, with the required documents, for
registration in the Band up to the application date of November 30, 2012; and
WHEREAS the reported number of applications received by the Qalipu Mi'kmaq
First Nation Band are in excess of 100,000; and
WHEREAS the reported number of applicants now registered as members are
approximately 22,000; and
WHEREAS the agreement between the Federation of Newfoundland Indians and the
scheduled to end on March 31, 2013; and
WHEREAS the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band Chief has requested, but has not
received, an extension to the agreement to process the remaining applications;
and
WHEREAS to date there is no decision on how to deal with the remaining
applications;
WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the
House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to work
provide a fair and equal review of all our applications.
And as in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.
Mr. Speaker, when we came into our history of the way that we have dealt with
native peoples many of us in this House included who have some native ancestry
has been something that we have not been proud of. In fact, it has been
shameful and we have buried it. We buried it from the early 1800s in dealing
with the Beothuks.
When we came into Confederation there was no real consideration given to the
fact that we may have large numbers of people who are of native ancestry in our
Province. Proper provision was not made for the people who what has now become
the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band. Over the course of negotiations the
federal government is responsible for, under the Indian Act, people of native
ancestry.
The federal government has agreed that people who are eligible, who can
demonstrate the appropriate genecology, can demonstrate they are of native
ancestry, that they are eligible to be part of a landless band. That will
entitle people who are residents of this Province, the citizens of Canada who
were previously undeclared as people with native ancestry to claim certain
federal government benefits that accrues to people of native ancestry.
Mr. Speaker, there is a significant benefit to the Province of Newfoundland
and Labrador, to the population in general, that as many people who can claim
native ancestry under this agreement, under what really amounts to a modern-day
treaty, are acknowledged and approved because these individuals have a claim on
certain federal resources by virtue of being part of this native band.
Mr. Speaker, the people who have made application, it may be that they will
not all be approved. Certainly, all of them are entitled to the fairness of
having their application reviewed on the same standing as all of the other
individuals who were previously approved.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for The Straits White Bay North.
MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in
Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents of Newfoundland
and Labrador humbly sheweth:
WHEREAS the Western School District is considering a multi-year plan to close
Bayview Regional Collegiate at St. Lunaire-Griquet in June 2013; and
WHEREAS it has been proven from students who have graduated from Bayview
Regional Collegiate, they have excelled in their studies to prepare them to move
ahead and achieve their career goals; and
WHEREAS teachers and staff at Bayview Regional Collegiate are qualified and
continue to provide a strong academic program with a full curriculum of all
students attending; and
WHEREAS Bayview Regional Collegiate has developed a playground, library,
drama club, Kids Eat Smart lunch program, school council, and other activities
with exceptional community support; and
WHEREAS Bayview Regional Collegiate housed a K-12 school in the past with
200-plus students who have had access to science lab, cafeteria, art room,
computer lab, gymnasium, extra-curricular activities; and
WHEREAS the parents, business operators, social groups, concerned citizens,
and students of the Municipality of St. Lunaire-Griquet request to rescind this
proposal;
Since Bayview Regional Collegiate has met and exceeded all aspects set forth
for a viable school, we the undersigned petition the House of Assembly to urge
the government to ensure that the Western School District is provided with
sufficient funding to keep Bayview Regional Collegiate at St. Lunaire-Griquet
open.
As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.
Mr. Speaker, I put forward this petition on several occasions. It is signed
today by residents from Noddy Bay, Straitsview, Quirpon, L'Anse aux Meadows,
Gunners Cove, and Hay Cove. It is very frustrating to hear talk about the new
school developments that are happening when we look at the number of schools
that are also closing in my district. We are building a wonderful facility in
St. Anthony, and that is great, but it is collapsing three other facilities to
provide that one school for the region.
What is the pressing issue is that the residents from St. Lunaire-Griquet to
L'Anse aux Meadows and area feel they have not been adequately consulted. I,
myself, as the representative for the area have asked the Western School
District to be able to present, to be added to an agenda at a public meeting,
and they outright refused. They refused the committee. They refused any
representative to at least just be engaged and have their concerns heard in that
forum. That is very frustrating, and I think that needs to be taken into
consideration. Whether it changes the result or the decision, people need to be
allowed to voice their concerns, to be able to make a compelling argument and
put that forward.
I think that is one of the most upsetting things that has happened. It feels
like people do not have the right to know; they do not have the right to
contribute as to how these decisions came about.
So I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to put this petition forward.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Orders of the Day.
Orders of the Day
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Environment and
Conservation, Motion 6, pursuant to Standing Order 11, that this House not
adjourn 5:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, April 30, 2013.
Further, Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Environment and
Conservation, Motion 7, pursuant to Standing Order 11, that this House not
adjourn at 10:00 p.m. today, Tuesday, April 30, 2013.
MR. SPEAKER: It has been moved and seconded that pursuant to Standing
Order 11 that this House do not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, April 30;
and further, that the House do not adjourn at 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30,
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
Motion carried.
The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I call from the Order Paper, Motion 1, that this House approves
in general the budgetary policy of the government, the Budget Speech.
MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Bonavista South.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, hon. colleagues.
It is certainly a privilege and an honour to stand in this House today to
talk about the Budget, Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future.
The government of today is showing leadership and practicing the balanced
approach of paying off the debt, dealing with the deficit, and investing in
major projects such as infrastructure, building bridges, roads, hospital
renovations, nursing home renovations, new schools, colleges, universities, and
I can on and on and on. We do have a plan; we do have a vision a sound plan
for a secure future.
To reach this vision, our government must make decisions that are not always
popular, but are the right decisions for the people of this Province and for our
future generations to come. Our government does not just focus on the issues of
today. Our government makes decisions that will meet the future needs of this
Province and its people. Our government has prepared a 10-Year Sustainability
Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador a plan to ensure fiscal management over the
long term, a plan to eliminate the deficit, and a plan to return to a surplus
Budget, Mr. Speaker.
Our government will continue to invest in vital programs and services that
are essential to the people of this Province. Our economy is and will remain
strong. We have had to make difficult decisions due to the fact that the price
of a barrel of oil was less than initially projected. Added to that, there were
two offshore oil rigs shut down for refit over the past year. At the same time,
the global economy was very volatile. Federal government transfer payments were
reduced as well. To balance these unforeseen circumstances, each department
underwent a necessary core mandate review to ensure that they offer effective
and efficient programs and services.
It is unfortunate that some public sector employee jobs were eliminated, but
these measures were necessary, Mr. Speaker. With human resource costs accounting
for up to 55 per cent of the total provincial Budget, this was a logical area to
look at in order to find savings. Once it was discovered that layoffs were
necessary, we had to make some tough decisions as a government, tough decisions
that will make a difference in the future of this Province of Newfoundland and
Labrador.
This government found ways to lessen the impact of job loss by administering
alternatives such as a voluntary retirement program, removing positions that
were vacant in the system for years, and attrition management, Mr. Speaker. This
government listened to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador during the recent
pre-Budget consultation process that took place throughout the Province of
Newfoundland and Labrador. We are protecting the priorities that were
identified, namely in health care and community services, and education, Mr.
Speaker. In fact, there were no job losses to front-line health care and
education workers.
Let's look at our government's $2.9 billion commitment to the health and
well-being of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. This Budget will allow an
increase in access to health services and treatments. It will provide greater
long-term care and community-support services. It will enhance support for
seniors, and it will strengthen our infrastructure, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to highlight a great example of good fiscal management by our
government. By introducing a new generic drug program, which by the way will see
a further reduction by July 2013 resulting in residents paying 25 per cent of
brand drug costs, our government has been able to generate savings, savings that
contribute to the $9.5 million invested in Budget 2013 for new drug therapies.
As the Minister of Health and Community Services pointed out time after time,
right now Newfoundland and Labrador is the second in Canada in relation to wait
times for priority areas such as cardiac bypass and hip fracture repairs. We are
certainly proud of the modern, high-quality health care system available to the
people of Newfoundland and Labrador, a system derived from the sound planning of
this government, the government of today.
What about the $840 million being invested in childhood learning and K-12
education?
AN HON. MEMBER: How much?
MR. LITTLE: Eight hundred and forty million dollars, Mr. Speaker, what an
investment.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: This definitely shows our government's commitment to the
education of our children and our youth. Yet again, we are investing in a sound
plan for a secure future; our children and our youth are certainly worth every
single dollar being allocated to education in Budget 2013. I should think that
none of us would disagree with that, especially none of us on this side of the
House.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: Look at the $537 million approved for salaries within our
education system.
AN HON. MEMBER: How much?
MR. LITTLE: Five hundred and thirty-seven million dollars, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: Our government is protecting priority services for student
learning and is ensuring that our Province maintains the best pupil-teacher
ratio of any province in Canada, a ratio that is the envy of this country. I can
tell you I have talked to many people throughout the great Country of Canada and
they certainly look at our Province and look at the improvements that we made in
education in the last number of years and we are model to be looked at.
How did we earn these bragging rates, I wonder? Well, I tell you, it was
through the sound, fiscal management of this government. That is how we did it.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: Our government is investing in early childhood learning
through a strategy Learning from the Start, which is currently in its third
year. Our government is investing almost $102 million for new and ongoing school
infrastructure projects; $102 million, Mr. Speaker
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: - to meet the immediate and long-term demands in high growth
areas while ensuring existing facilities meet the needs of students and teachers
throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
In fact, there has been about $620 million allotted for K-12 infrastructure
in Newfoundland and Labrador since 2004. What an accomplishment by this
government, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: Six hundred and twenty million dollars allotted since 2004.
We have seen twelve major extension and renovation projects completed, with a
further eight underway in the planning stages, not to mention the more than
1,850 repairs and maintenance projects that have been completed. This is ongoing
in the education system, a strong plan, a secure plan for the future of this
Province throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, in many rural communities, in the
major centres right throughout the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Our government realizes that education does not stop there. We are providing
high quality, affordable education, programming and services to the people of
this Province with $466 million allocated in Budget 2013 to enhance skills and
training at the post-secondary level. Our commitment is certainly evident, Mr.
Speaker, and we will continue on that road in the future I am sure.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: Tuition freezes at Memorial University and the College of the
North Atlantic are continuing, keeping tuition rates in this Province about 50
per cent lower than the national average. Again, smart, fiscal management, the
lowest in the country, Mr. Speaker, and we will continue on that road as well.
This is something that I talked to a number of graduates this year from Memorial
University and from the College of the North Atlantic and they are delighted
that this government takes this issue serious and we will continue on into the
future with such programs I am sure.
Our government realizes the importance of education and skills development.
We understand this is key to maintaining a successful and prosperous economy for
Newfoundland and Labrador, and we do need to meet the job market of tomorrow. We
do need to look at where the jobs are and we do need to invest in the labour
market as well, and we have been doing that. We have been paying attention, and
we will continue to work on that road in the future I am sure.
With major projects such as Hebron and Muskrat Falls creating new job
opportunities and sustainable growth for Newfoundland and Labrador, our future
is brighter than ever before. Imagine $23 billion in returns estimated from the
Hebron project with 3,500 jobs at peak.
AN HON. MEMBER: How much?
MR. LITTLE: It is $23 billion in returns, Mr. Speaker, from the Hebron
project alone.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: What investments; what money is coming back to the people of
this Province and investments that we can make in relation to education, health
care, and for our youth and for future generations.
Muskrat Falls and the transmission links will generate 3,100 direct jobs at
peak employment, 1,500 direct jobs per year on average. I can tell you, there
are people in my district who will be working on those big projects, Mr.
Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: People who will not have to leave the Province to go to
Alberta but will actually work in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in
the future. What accomplishments this government has made in the past and will
continue to make in the future on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and
Labrador.
Through the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, Budget 2013 will
continue to support apprenticeship and trades. The Journeyperson Mentorship
Program will continue, as well as the Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy Program. It
will also continue to provide grants for women and Aboriginals in
apprenticeship. Through responsible fiscal management our government is working
to ensure a strong labour force is available to meet all future demands, Mr.
Speaker.
Communities will continue to see infrastructure development and ongoing
support through the Department of Municipal Affairs. Budget 2013 provides $230
million in funding to meet these needs, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: Two hundred and thirty million dollars to meet the needs.
We will continue to provide funding for Municipal Operating Grants as well as
a new Capital Works Program for the seven largest municipalities in the Province
of Newfoundland and Labrador.
This government will continue to offer a voluntary relocation program in
municipalities where at least 90 per cent of residents vote to relocate. We will
continue to offer sport and recreational opportunities which will contribute to
healthier and more prosperous communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Our government also realizes the importance of safety in our communities. We
will continue with the development and operation of a Province-wide basic 911
system. Furthermore, this government will provide $1 million to form a taskforce
on child exploitation and drugs, Mr. Speaker.
Our government is committed to reducing poverty which is evident in our
Poverty Reduction Strategy, a comprehensive and long-term approach to the
prevention, reduction and alleviation of poverty. Right now, Newfoundland and
Labrador's poverty is actually below the national average and our strategy is
considered a model for others to follow; a model in this country of Canada.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, $118 million; Budget 2013-2014
includes $46 million from our provincial government. This will allow the
corporation to continue supports for the most vulnerable in our society.
Core programs such as the Supportive Living program and the Home Modification
Program will continue, Mr. Speaker. In fact, no programs are to be eliminated.
Newfoundland and Labrador's Housing Corporation portfolio will also continue to
include such programs as the Provincial Home Repair Program and the Residential
Energy Efficiency Program.
It is worthy to mention, that in 2007 a six-year commitment to increase
spending for the Provincial Home Repair Program was made by our government, this
government, Mr. Speaker. During the last six years the waitlist for this program
has been very successful; successfully reduced from 4,300 people to 989 people,
Mr. Speaker. That is quite an accomplishment in such a short time.
The number of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have been able to avail of
the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation's many programs is quite
impressive and it is wonderful that these services are available to those in
need. I definitely talk to a number of people throughout the different
communities in the District of Bonavista South and I have had some very good
comments made to me commending the government to continue on with those very
important programs from the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and
the many programs that they provide. I am really proud to stand in this House
today to be able to discuss the programs that are provided and bring the message
to my colleagues in the House of Assembly how important those programs are to
the people out in the districts of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Significant funding has been allocated to the Department of Transportation
and Works from Budget 2013, as our government realizes the importance of
maintaining and strengthening our transportation network. From provincial road
construction projects, to several major Trans-Canada Highway and Trans-Labrador
Highway projects, to various bridge projects, be it for construction or repairs,
we are talking about nearly $250 million earmarked for these projects $250
million, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: Let's not forget the $76 million allocated for ferry vessel
replacement refit work and improvements to marine terminals and wharves.
Economic growth is yet another area in which this government has committed to
strengthening, as is evident in more than $200 million allocated in Budget 2013
towards investments $200 million to economic growth. What an amount. What
this government is doing is evident in more than $200 million allocated.
This Province will see over $36 million to support growth and innovation in
the business community through the Business Investment Fund, Mr. Speaker. We
will see over $11 million to support community and regional economic development
efforts through the Regional Development Fund.
Let us not forget the $100 million being invested in continuing tax credits
and incentives for businesses. There is: the Small Business Tax Credit, the
Manufacturing and Processing Profits Tax Credit, the Scientific Research and
Experimental Development Tax Credit, the Economic Diversification and Growth
Enterprise Program, and the Direct Equity Tax Credit.
I actually spoke to a person recently who owns a business in my own district.
He has various businesses in other provinces throughout Canada. He said that of
all the provinces where he has done business, Newfoundland and Labrador makes it
the easiest, most attractive, and most cost-efficient to start and operate
smaller businesses in this Province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LITTLE: What a statement coming from a businessperson who has
businesses throughout this great country of Canada. Economic growth is most
evident in my district through the tourism, culture, and recreation industries,
and I do not have enough time to continue on, on this particular topic, but I am
sure I will speak on this further.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make one final number that I want to highlight,
that reflects sound planning, good fiscal management by our government. It is
that this government has paid down $4 billion in the debt in the last ten years
$4 billion. Now, what other provinces or country, for that matter, can
highlight this accomplishment?
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER (Verge): Order, please!
I recognize the Member for St. John's North.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KIRBY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is a pleasure to stand here and continue in the Budget debate. I will just
quickly pick up where I left off. The last time, members will remember, when I
was speaking in debate on the Budget I was talking about the planned school
district consolidation. The plan to consolidate four school districts into one
minister's office for that matter, from some of the things that have been said
by members of his own Cabinet in the media.
That plan, which has caused such outcry across Newfoundland and Labrador we
have had entire boards of trustees speak out about this. We have had school
district trustees resign from their elected positions over this. We have heard
retired chief executive officers of school districts come out of retirement to
speak out about this, and we have seen a lot of people speak out about this in
the media. We are hearing more from parents, and more from students, and more
concerns as we go on.
One of the primary concerns and complaints that people have offered up is
that they were not consulted. They were not consulted. I have a theory about why
they were not. I do not believe the minister is engaged. I just do not think he
is engaged. We know the Premier is not engaged. She has already said, in the
press, the Premier has already said she does not want to be engaged, and I am
not sure if the minister wants to be engaged either.
I think this is really important. The last time I was speaking, I referenced
this report that was published just this year by Dr. Bruce Sheppard, who is a
former school board CEO himself, Dr. Gerald Galway, who is a former assistant
deputy minister in this Province, Dr. Jean Brown, and another individual from
the University of Manitoba. This was published in collaboration with the
Canadian School Boards Association, and it is a report called School Boards
Matter.
I just want to read this quote again because it says, "Our survey of the
literature and the empirical data from this study support a position that school
board consolidation and restructuring coupled with increased government control
and oversight have compromised the ability of school boards to focus on
authentic student learning and to meaningfully connect with their constituents."
I think this is an example of how this government is not engaged in the
current thinking around school district governance. This decision, this
wrong-headed decision, is a prime example of how government is not engaged in
what people are saying.
Now, last fall, we know that the minister had no objections at all to closing
down a number of Eastern School District schools. He had no objections to
closing down Swift Current Academy. He had no objections to closing down
Catalina Elementary. He had no objections to closing down Immaculate Conception
in Colliers. He had no objections to closing down Epiphany Elementary in Heart's
Delight. He had no objections, and he continues to have no objections, to
closing down Whitbourne Elementary. Unfortunately, those individuals who wanted
to see that done got their way and saw Epiphany Elementary and Whitbourne
Elementary closed.
I think this new supersized school district headquartered here in St. John's
overseen by the Minister of Education is going to create a situation where we
see more schools close. What was failed to be achieved last fall in some of our
rural communities is going to rear its ugly head again. There are great fears in
rural and outport communities across Newfoundland and Labrador, in those
communities that this government sees as no longer viable, that government's
agenda to close down some of those schools through this school district
consolidation is going to become reality.
I also want to take a little bit more time to say a few more words about $27
million in education cuts that we are seeing in this Budget, where they are
coming from, the impact that they are going to have, and what stakeholders in
the education community across Newfoundland and Labrador are saying.
The minister has said he strongly contends that there is going to be no
impact. I heard a member of his Cabinet on Back Talk last Friday afternoon, no
impact; in fact, that minister suggested that there was going to be positive
outcomes on these cuts, which I disagree with, many stakeholders disagree with,
and I would agree that the facts would suggest otherwise.
I was provided with a letter that the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers'
Association wrote recently to the Minister of Education about the cuts in the
Budget. It talks about how many members of the Newfoundland and Labrador
Teachers' Association are now beginning to see the folly of this Budget,
beginning to see the potential negative impact of these cuts. The NLTA has heard
from teachers, administrators and many stakeholders, and they say that the
message is loud and clear, that these cuts will have a negative impact on
students and their learning in classrooms and schools of this Province.
So, do not take it from me; teachers are saying that themselves. They are
saying that the cuts are regressive. Number one, that these cuts to education
are regressive; number two, they will have a direct negative effect on schools.
The letter goes on to talk about how the minister suggested that these will
be minimal or negligible, not impacting classrooms or students. They certainly
disagree because the Budget has removed teachers from the classroom there is
no question it has cut administrative time, and it has amalgamated boards.
That is the net impact of this Budget.
There is going to be a loss of specialist teachers in intermediate schools;
there is no doubt about that. There is going to be a loss of numerous literacy
support teachers, and there is going to be a loss of learning resource teachers.
We know that.
A large number of the teaching units that were provided under the needs-based
portion of the teacher allocation model which was previously lauded by the
government; they thought it was a grand thing that is not going to be any
longer available, a large portion of that. That is going to have a negative
impact on services to students. That is what the NLTA is saying.
Cutting administrative time in schools is going to have a negative impact on
schools at the same time as the board restructuring is occurring, and that is
going to really mean the downloading of tasks to the school level and cause
undue pressure.
Those are some of the things that the NLTA has to say. They say that their
members are telling them without hesitation that the reductions to teacher
allocations will have direct negative impacts on students and they will add to
an already heavy workload that teachers and school administrators are forced to
bear.
It goes on to that the NLTA School Administrators' Council has expressed
serious concerns that the announced reductions in administrative allocations
will have significant negative implications on their ability to carry out their
responsibilities and meet the requirements for their jobs.
There was an ad in The Telegram newspaper on the weekend it was
about a half a page that the NLTA had placed. It said what the cuts to
education really mean. They talk about the fact that in September 2013, this
coming school year, only one specialist teacher for every 150 students will be
in schools, instead of one for every 125 students that there is now in subjects
like music, fine arts, physical education, and skilled trades and technology. I
challenge anyone on the other side of the House to get up and give a decent
explanation as to why we would want to be making cuts to music, fine arts,
physical education or skilled trades and technology.
It goes on to talk about a number of other things, but I think one of the
important things that I want to highlight is that this ad not from me, from
the NLTA talks about cuts to program specialists. It says that in September
2013 there will be a significant reduction in the number of program specialists,
which means there will be less support for teachers in the implementation of
curriculum in their classrooms. Do not take it from me; that is the NLTA.
As I mentioned briefly the last time, the School Administrators' Council of
the NLTA, which is made up of school principals, assistant principals so those
who we used to call vice-principals and program specialists themselves. There
are 590-odd of these individuals, members of this special interest group of the
NLTA across Newfoundland and Labrador.
They say in a brief that they prepared I am not sure if it was actually
ever provided to the minister, but I am sure he has seen it, provided directly
by them, because it has been distributed widely through the media and otherwise
all of us see the reductions to school allocations as having direct and
negative impacts on student achievement and adding to an already heavy workload.
They are seriously concerned that recent reductions in personnel will have
negative implications in their ability to do their job. The roles and
responsibilities for school administrators have changed drastically over the
years.
I think this is one of the important things that we have to recognize, that
over time with reviews that have taken place really since the late-1960s, more
and more responsibility. Those members of the government caucus across the way
who have been in school administrative positions in the past, they will know the
level of responsibility that has been handed down to school principals and other
administrators over time, and it is very significant.
They talk about some of those in here. They talk about mandatory increases in
the implementation of government and school board policies related to such
things as school councils. Other things we hear the Minister of Education
lists when he gets up to give what passes for an answer in Question Period,
things like healthy and active living, Safe and Caring Schools, inclusive
education, LGBTQ initiatives, KinderStart, twenty-first century learning,
instructional technology, integration, occupational health and safety,
accounting and controls, electronic school report cards, school security, and
building maintenance. Those are just to name a few of the responsibilities that
have been levelled onto the shoulders of school administrators over time.
They make a very interesting point here, they say, "Resources that are scarce
at the best of times get stretched until the band breaks."
"The recent decision to once again reduce administrative time at the school
level has broken the band. It is regressive and will have direct negative
effects on schools as safe, healthy, inclusive environments focused on student
learning and achievement."
It will mean not having the resources available, and I think this is
particularly concerning. It will mean not having the resources available to
support students, not having the ability to support healthy and active living
programs, which is something government should champion, such things as
nutrition monitoring, breakfast and lunch programs. I know at the school
breakfast program that I volunteer at in my district, there is always someone
present from the school administration doing some form of supervision. They will
not be able to carry that out in the same way because of these cuts.
It means not having personnel available to deal with student conflicts and
fights with violence, I say, Mr. Speaker, that is what we are talking about
here. They will not have the resources they need to deal with violence that may
occur within the boundaries of the school. It means not having the personnel
available to secure a school and a child who may be under threat.
That is basically saying they will no longer be able to, 100 per cent, assure
security. I think that is very problematic in this day and age with everything
we are after hearing, everything we have heard about school violence and
bullying, the dangers of that. To significantly curtail funding now for
administrative tasks within the school is haphazard and, dare I say, a dangerous
decision.
They also go on to talk about the fact that already, prior to the minister's
cuts, many people, many teachers, many educators were already making the
decision to stay away from administrative roles in schools because of the level
of the responsibility, the weight of the responsibility that they have. This is
creating a worse situation. It is taking a bad situation and making it worse for
a lot of individuals, and it is not doing a lot for recruitment.
They talk about the reduction in time to learning resources, teachers, as a
direct loss in services to students. I will have a lot more to say about cuts to
literacy, school libraries, and learning resource teachers as time goes on.
They talk about the reduction in and loss of specialists' support at the
junior high level. They say that is difficult to comprehend. I asked the
minister in Question Period today who he consulted when the decision was made to
cut back on those specialist teachers in the area such as arts and music.
There was a time not long ago when the former Premier was out there, and all
the government caucus, talking about how proud we should be about our
Newfoundland and Labrador heritage and how important it was to teach our
children in schools about the importance of our heritage, to preserve our music,
to preserve our history, to preserve our arts, to preserve our culture. In some
way these decisions diminish that, and that is an important thing to point out.
We have to acknowledge that here, and we have to acknowledge that now because it
will have a detrimental effect.
I did mention this last time but I am not sure if everyone got it, so I want
to especially reiterate what I said the last time regarding this brief because
don't take it from me, you can take it from principals, assistant principals,
and program specialists themselves. They say: Perhaps the most significant
reduction in teacher allocations to schools is the loss of special education
teacher support.
While government has publicly announced its reductions to teacher workforce
in other areas, they have not admitted to a reduction in the numbers of teachers
allocated to serve the needs of our most vulnerable students. Government has
said that the allocation of special education teachers is done on the basis of
need. It is difficult to comprehend, reductions in these allocations when the
need of the population has not changed, yet the amount of time to serve the need
has changed and is reduced.
So, don't take it from me. I know the minister likes to suggest somehow that
I am the propagator of misinformation when it comes to and I say it is coming
and I am certainly going to be paying a lot of attention to this as we go into
the next school year. That we are going to see cuts in services for children
with special education needs in schools. We are going to see them, that is an
absolute fact. Don't take it from me, take it from the NLTA, take it from
principals who are making decisions right now about the numbers of teachers,
what the makeup of teachers are going to be in their schools in September.
That is what they are saying. I am a messenger in this. This is what they are
saying. The minister can like it or lump it, but these are the facts, Mr.
Speaker. Those are facts.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Minister of Education.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, he is exactly right in one of his statements. I
am going to correct him because he has done the same thing today as he did a
little while ago and he continues to do. I am still expecting that at some point
he is going to rise and say that he was wrong, and apologize to those parents
who he upset.
I have said here on occasion one of the most bothersome e-mails I had after
he made the statement that we were cutting service to children with autism was
an e-mail from a parent of a three-year-old child who has been diagnosed with
autism. That parent was very upset and concerned that we were cutting services
to children with autism and wanted to know if it was true. Mr. Speaker, that is
the ultimate of disrespect and disregard for parents who face challenges with
students with special needs.
He said it here again today, that we are going to cut services to special
needs. Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely wrong. He is Twittering and Tweeting over
there now as I speak, and I imagine he will be Twittering and Tweeting for the
next twenty minutes or so. I am going to correct him on some things, and he can
Twit, he can Tweet, and he can Twitter all he wants, I can tell you that.
I make no apologies, Mr. Speaker, for our investment in education. Let me put
one simple fact. He talked about cultural connections. Since 2005, we put $17.4
million into the education system as part of cultural connections. Now, let me
point out to him why we might have some reductions in the programming. Part of
that was the investment into such things as art supplies, musical instruments,
and print around connecting students to their culture.
So, Mr. Speaker, if you go around today and if you look at programs such as
music in our school system, it is prevalent probably more than it has ever been
before because
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible) apologize now.
MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, he is telling me he wants to get up and
apologize. So I will sit down if he wants to get up and apologize. If he wants
to apologize, I would sit and I would allow him the next seventeen minutes of my
speech to make his apology. I have absolutely no problem with that. If he wants
to do that, I am willing to sit down and allow him to do that.
Mr. Speaker, I will give you a couple of more examples. Because of our
needs-based formula that we introduced and I would like for the member to
listen to this. Because of our needs-based formula that we implemented in 2008,
there are 265 more teachers in the system today than there would have been if we
had continued with that model 265 more teachers.
In 2007, despite a decline of 2,200 students, we added thirty-eight teachers
to the system. In 2008, a reduction of 1,400 students; we put an additional
sixty-five teachers in the system. That is 103 extra teachers, despite the fact
that we had about a 3,600 student decline.
Mr. Speaker, he is talking about our investment in education let me give
you this example. Our class caps: Grade 1 up to Grade 6 students, twenty-five
per class; Grade 7 to 9, twenty-seven. Mr. Speaker, let me speak to those who
would have been in the education system, let's say, ten years ago. If, in Grade
4, there were thirty students, what would have happened? You would have had one
teacher with thirty students.
Now, Mr. Speaker, we put in the caps. Once you go over twenty-five, you
cannot have a teacher with thirty students in the class. What would happen, Mr.
Speaker, those thirty students would be split into two classes of fifteen. That
never happened before never happened before. That is our commitment to
education in this Province.
This time, I will tell you and the Premier was the one who was front leader
on this, and any of us who are in Cabinet will remember it. We started talking
about what we were going to do to have some savings in our education system. The
minute we started talking about well, we can save $50 million or $60 million if
we change these caps, just by one or two students.
Mr. Speaker, I will tell you this and either member of our Cabinet will
tell you the first person to speak up on that was the Premier. She said: We
are not touching class caps. She was very clear on it. We said then that class
caps would not be touched. I can guarantee you one thing, you can speak to
anyone in the school system and they will tell you how appreciative they are
that we have kept those caps in place, Mr. Speaker.
The member alluded to the NLTA and I have said this before. I spoke after
Ms Lily Cole spoke at the Federation of School Councils AGM the other night. I
said it there and I will say it again. When we sat down with her on the day
before Budget and she was looking at a 10 per cent cut, as other people were
looking at in other departments they were crunching the numbers, knowing where
we were going to have to go, Mr. Speaker she said she thought that where we
were going to go to was to touch class caps, because she knew that is where we
could have major savings. This government did not touch class caps.
Now, Mr. Speaker, I spoke at the Federation of School Councils, and the
Member for St. John's North got up and left before I spoke. Now, I thought it
was just the politics. I will say the Member for Bay of Islands, I looked at
him, and he was intent on my speech. He was intently listening to my speech, and
I looked down and the Member for St. John's North was gone. I thought, that
shagger that shagger, he left. Mr. Speaker, I have to give him credit because
I did find out afterwards that he had a gastrointestinal problem, it seems, and
he did leave, and I even went as far as to verify it
AN HON. MEMBER: He was fracking.
MR. JACKMAN: Somebody said he was fracking.
Mr. Speaker, I did, and I certainly wish him the best in the recovery. He
told me on Monday he came over and he said: Look, I did not walk out on your
speech because I did not want to listen to you. It is because I really did get
sick. I respect that; I really do, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, you cannot deny the commitment of this government to education.
I know I have gotten up here and said this stuff before, and I am going to say
it again I am going to say it again. All I have to do and I mentioned it in
Question Period today is to go down through the list of infrastructure
projects that we have done in this Province, Mr. Speaker. If I can find them
here, I am going to read them out to him again.
Mr. Speaker, nine new schools built and open in Happy Valley-Goose Bay,
Torbay, Placentia, Port Saunders, L'Anse-au-Loup, Port Hope Simpson, and Baie
Verte. Those seven are in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and two in Paradise.
Ten more schools under construction and planning.
St. Anthony: Almost an $18 million school, in the Member for The Straits
White Bay North's district. The day that is finished, I am going to be there for
the opening. I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, I am going to be there for the
opening of that.
Carbonear, Gander, St. John's, St. Theresa's I went over the other day to
take a look at what is being built in St. Theresa's. It is going to be, Mr.
Speaker, a magnificent facility, state-of-the-art. West end high school the
folks who were taking me around over there told me that St. Theresa's, which is
a huge school, is going to be dwarfed by the one in the west end.
We are not talking, Mr. Speaker, minor facilities here, these are major;
Portugal Cove-St. Phillips, Torbay, Pouch Cove, Flatrock, Bauline, Conception
Bay South and in Paradise, and then twelve other major extensions. Canon
Richards Memorial Academy in Flowers Cove two in the Member for The Straits
White Bay North's district. He gets up and criticizes it day in and day out.
That man should sit down, Mr. Speaker, sit and listen to it more often.
Pearson Academy in Wesleyville; St. Bernard's Elementary, Witless Bay; St.
Peter's Junior High in Mount Pearl; Beachy Cove Elementary; Upper Gullies
Elementary; Roncalli Elementary, St. John's, and two phases completed to date.
St. Edward's Elementary in CBS; New World Island Academy in Summerford;
Riverside Elementary; St. Paul's Intermediate; and eight additional extension
and renovations, Mr. Speaker.
These are not minor investments. I will not take a lecture, Mr. Speaker, from
the Member for St. John's Centre. I will never sit and take a lecture from that
member about our lack of commitment to education. I can stand up here, Mr.
Speaker, for
AN HON. MEMBER: St. John's North.
MR. JACKMAN: St. John's North, sorry. I could have lectured the one from
St. John's Centre as well. Mr. Speaker, never question the commitment and
continued commitment of this government to education.
I have to speak to his commentary on the school boards, Mr. Speaker. One
point I hope that the member and the people of the Province will get is this.
Mr. Speaker, if I talk of education I am going to put it in two contexts. One I
will say is the corporate side of education and the second is the educational
component.
What is the most important part of that educational component? It is student
achievement. It is students in facilities. It is students knowing that when they
are in these facilities they have good teachers, they are in a safe environment,
that they are respected, that at the end of the day they are achieving and doing
well, Mr. Speaker.
Let me say to the Member for St. John's North, we are going to move to one
They are going to be responsible. There is going to be a person assigned to the
corporate and the operational. Now, here is the most important piece in
education, and that is student achievement and those types of things that I
spoke about.
At the offices that are in Gander, at the office in Corner Brook, at the
office in Happy Valley Goose Bay, and at the office that will operate in St.
John's are very much focus on education, exactly where the efforts in those
regions should be. Mr. Speaker, the other seven regional offices, even though
they will move out of the office and I have one in my district in Burin. Even
though they will move out of the office, they will be placed in schools where
space is available, Mr. Speaker. The supports and the provisions of services
will still be there.
Now, Mr. Speaker, my point is this. In those areas the people who are on the
ground are going to be working towards what they should be working towards, and
that is the betterment of students. That is the betterment of student
achievement. That is the provision of safe and caring schools. That is the
provision of the services that make life better for students.
Mr. Speaker, I have to point out to him, and I have to point out to anybody
opposite who tries to dispute. We have 14,000 students less in this Province
than we had in 2004, a 17 per cent reduction. We have thirty-seven fewer
schools, a 12 per cent reduction. Yet, the operational costs of boards have gone
up by 30 per cent.
Mr. Speaker, if they are saying that we keep those boards in place, what they
are saying is that we invest there. Are they suggesting that we take it from
some of the things that I have talked about? That being the focus on education,
class caps, and so on and so forth, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, our transition team some people have asked why we called it
committee or transition team. You can label it transition board. Mr. Speaker, we
have a very, respected educator