December 16, 2010 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS

Vol. XLVI No. 51

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Fitzgerald): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

Today the Chair would like to welcome the Witless Bay Pathfinders and Rangers

groups from the District of Ferryland. The group is accompanied by their leaders

Kimberly Curtis, Patricia Dunn, and Kelly Swain.

Welcome to the House of Assembly.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

Statements by Members

MR. SPEAKER: Today the Chair welcomes the following members' statements:

the hon. the Member for the District of Kilbride, the hon. the Member for the

District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi, the hon. the Member for the District of

Bellevue, the hon. the Member for the District of Exploits, and the hon. the

Member for the District of St. John's East.

The hon. the Member for the District of Kilbride.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DINN: Mr. Speaker, I stand in this hon. House today to pay tribute to

John Murphy, former Mayor of the City of St. John's, who died December 15, 2010

at the age of eighty-eight.

John Murphy was first elected to St. John's City Council in 1973 and served

as deputy mayor until 1977. In 1981 he was elected mayor and held this position

until 1990. After a four-year absence from council, he was again elected mayor

in 1993.

As mayor of the city, John Murphy was instrumental in lobbying federal and

provincial governments for funding to restore residential properties in downtown

St. John's. Under his guidance, the city also began its own housing program,

which won several national housing awards. Today these St. John's housing units

make up a large portion of the social housing network in the city.

Mayor Murphy constantly pushed for capital works improvements, especially

sidewalk installations. Many of the walking trails that citizens enjoy in and

around the City today are a product of his desires.

Before entering politics, John Murphy made a name for himself as a very

successful business man with his chain of nine Arcade stores in St. John's and

CBS. He was also a radio announcer for many years.

In his lifetime, John Murphy was a great volunteer. He dedicated many hours

helping others. He was the President of St. John's Board of Trade and was a very

active member of the Stokers Group of the St. John's Rotary Club for fifty

years. He donated a lot of his own money for student scholarships and gave to

the poor he came across.

Several times in his life, John was recognized for his great dedication and

hard work. He received the Queen's Medal, The Order of Canada, and an Honourary

Doctorate from Memorial University, just to name a few; but his proudest moment

came this year when the Freedom of the City was conferred upon him at City Hall

in June.

Personally, I served on St. John's City Council under John Murphy's

leadership from 1993-1997. His dedication and commitment to the job, and his

absolute love for the City of St. John's were most obvious. The respect his

colleagues and staff had for him spoke volumes. Even after his years in politics

were over, I remember the times he came to the council meetings as a

spokesperson helping to kick-start different fundraising campaigns. When he

spoke, people sat up and paid attention.

On behalf of the residents of this great Province, and specifically those of

St. John's, I offer condolences to his wife, Sheilagh, his children,

grandchildren, relatives and friends. We have all lost a great man, a great

leader, and a great citizen.

I ask all Members of this House of Assembly to join me as we honour and

respect the memory of John Murphy.

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, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in this hon. House today to recognize and congratulate

the Virginia Park Tenants Association on their twenty-fifth anniversary.

The tenants association has been a very important organization to the

residents of Virginia Park and encourages the involvement of tenants in issues

that concern their community.

They help to deliver services for the tenants living in Newfoundland and

Labrador Housing units in the Virginia Park area. There are 202 units plus

another twelve on the Canadian Forces Base.

It also fosters community spirit and co-operation and helps develop a better

social environment by providing programs for recreation, health education, and

social well-being and especially holiday parties for kids at this time of year

and other times of year and especially the family fun days.

The tenants association has worked hand in hand with the Virginia Park

Community Centre since 1987. They are very proud that they have maintained a

strong sense of community in Virginia Park and of the work they have done to get

rid of the stigma of social housing. They are a volunteer board that has been

committed to helping others. The members of the board this year and some of

them have been long standing members are: Ed Dunne, Jackie Caines, Renee

Downey, Kim Kennedy, and Brenda Warren.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all hon. members to join me in congratulating the Virginia

Park Tenants Association on twenty-five successful years of community service

and wishing all of them the best for the next twenty-five years.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Bellevue.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise in this hon. House today to recognize the Children's Wish Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, December 13, I and the Minister Responsible for the

Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector had the privilege of attending the thirty-second

annual Lion's Club Carol Service at the Anglican Church in Arnold's Cove.

The carol service is an annual fundraiser that is sponsored by the Lion's

Club of Arnold's Cove and surrounding areas. The ecumenical service brought

people from all over the region and all denominations came together as one.

I would like to recognize the generosity of the people who support this

fundraiser each year and the organizations that stand behind each other to make

this a success; thank you very much.

I would like to recognize Mrs. Flo Peach and thank her for her long-term

service of thirty-two years in organizing this event for the Lion's Club. Also,

I would like to recognize Mrs. Lissie Peach at the age of ninety-three-years-old

who is in good health, and has sung in the choir for twenty-six years for the

Children's Wish Foundation.

The Lion's Club raised a phenomenal amount of over $25,000 with all proceeds

going to the Children's Wish Foundation. Their goal, Mr. Speaker, is to provide

a once in a lifetime experience for the children suffering from life threatening

illnesses. Fulfilling a child's wish, seeing them smile, embracing that moment;

that is what makes this so extraordinary.

I ask the hon. members of this House to join me in congratulating the Lion's

Club and organizations of Arnold's Cove and area and to the people of the

surrounding area for the kindness that they have shown to make a difference in a

child's life.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Exploits.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FORSEY: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today to congratulate

Darren Mercer of Bishop's Falls on receiving a $17,500 scholarship from the

Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Mr. Speaker, in May of this year, Darren graduated from Mount Allison

University with a Bachelor of Science Degree and an honours project in

Psychology. This scholarship will help support Darren in completing his Ph.D. in

Clinical Psychology at McGill University in Montreal. The purpose of this

scholarship is to provide funding to graduate students doing master's degrees

and Ph.D. degrees.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me in congratulating

Darren Mercer on receiving this Master's Award.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of St. John's East.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BUCKINGHAM: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the R.E.A.L. program, which provides

children, without adequate financial means in St. John's, a wide variety of

recreation and leisure choices. The program's mandate ensures that all children

and youth, particularly those from low income areas, new Canadians, and high

risk youth have equal opportunity to participate in these activities.

The program pays for fees, transportation, and any equipment which may be

needed for the activity chosen. In 2010 alone, there were over 2,100 placements

in the city under the R.E.A.L. program.

This program provides children, parents, and families with an opportunity to

connect with the community. It allows people to see beyond their own

neighbourhoods and to form relationships with others through sport and leisure.

It is more than just placing a child in a program, it is about children

developing self-esteem, meeting new friends, learning about commitment, and just

having fun.

The R.E.A.L. program is housed under the City of St. John's Recreation

Department, but its real strength comes from the partnerships it has developed

over the years. There are over seventy recreation partners, and thirty funding

partners with the program, and they have seen first-hand what this program can

do for children and their families.

Some of the recreation and leisure activities include judo, swimming,

gymnastics, baseball, rugby, Scouts and Guides, dance, and soccer.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this hon. House to join me in recognizing

the R.E.A.L. program in St. John's for its outstanding work in providing

recreational and leisurely opportunities for the youth of St. John's.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Acting Minister of Human Resources, Labour and

Employment.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this hon. House to provide an

update on the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

In keeping with the provincial government's commitment to consult the public

every two years about poverty, an extensive set of consultations was conducted

this past fall. In fact, Mr. Speaker, this is the third set of consultations we

have held since 2005, demonstrating the significance of public input in the

initial development and continuation of our anti-poverty efforts. These latest

consultations are especially significant as they will help inform the

development of the next four-year action plan to fight poverty in Newfoundland

and Labrador.

I am pleased to report that participation in the process was quite strong.

More than 350 people attended the public consultation sessions held in

communities throughout the Province. Three hundred more individuals participated

in round tables with focus groups. We also received numerous private

submissions. In total, more than 650 stakeholders provided input that will help

strengthen our strategy as we go forward.

Mr. Speaker, we can take pride in the fact that the next four-year action

plan will be built on the solid foundation that was created by our first four

years of work. Our Poverty Reduction Strategy has been praised by advocates

throughout the country because our long-term approach, our co-operation among

departments, our willingness to engage the public, and because of our

substantial investments.

For example, Mr. Speaker, our government made an additional commitment of

$2.5 million through Budget 2010 to support improvements to the Access Plan

under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program. The Access Plan

gives individuals and families with low incomes access to eligible prescription

medications. This enhancement to the plan gives even more residents throughout

the Province access to the prescriptions they need, and this initiative

represents just one of more than eighty ongoing initiatives under our strategy

that are having a positive impact throughout our Province.

Mr. Speaker, this government knows that there is still much work to be done

and many challenges to be faced with respect to fighting poverty; however, with

the continued support of advocates and the public, we will navigate those

challenges. I look forward to launching our next action plan, and continuing

this great work.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.

MR. BUTLER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the minister for an advance copy of her statement. While we

support the government's work on poverty reduction and look forward to receiving

the next action plan, I have to say, Mr. Speaker, much has to be done.

According to the PC Party plan in 2003, the primary objective of this

government was to transform Newfoundland and Labrador over a ten-year period

from a Province with the most poverty to one with the least. If you listen to

the 2010 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada released in Campaign

2000, Newfoundland child poverty is still the highest. As a matter of fact, Mr.

Speaker, it stood at 14.8 per cent next to Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Only

recently, when they had one of the forums here in St. John's, even though we are

booming with the offshore resources and revenues the gap between the rich and

poor is growing, Mr. Speaker.

Food banks are a true indicator of the economic struggles involved in this

Province, Mr. Speaker. According to the food bank usage report released in

November 2010, food bank usage in this Province is the highest it has ever been

in a decade. Food banks across the Province serve 6 per cent of our population,

the highest ratio anywhere in this country, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we also

know that food bank usage this year is up by 3 per cent.

So, I have to say we commend government on moving it forward, but as the

statement said and the only thing I really agree with: Much has to be done. Much

has to be done in the next three years to reach the accomplishment that they

promised in 2003.

Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi

Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

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

Obviously, I was glad that the government did hold the consultation sessions.

They are committed to holding them every two years; it is part of the strategy

process. I was glad to see that happened and that, once again, people did turn

out to express their concerns. The minister does not mention the fact that there

was concern expressed at the sessions. Although our economy is booming, we are

seeing a widening income gap between the rich and the poor in this Province.

Everything is pointing in that direction.

There were many things that people presented as one of the reasons for that,

Mr. Speaker, and one of them was the cost of housing to the point where people

cannot afford basic decent housing any more. Having a housing policy as part of

the Poverty Reduction Strategy is essential if we are really going to deal with

poverty reduction.

The minister mentions the improvement to the Newfoundland and Labrador

Prescription Drug Program. I am delighted with that, Mr. Speaker, but that is

not something that is poverty reduction. It is helping low-income people have

better health, there is no doubt about it, but it is not putting more money in

their pockets.

Mr. Speaker, I do look forward to the next strategy.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS MICHAEL: Mr. Speaker, it does not put money in their pockets because

they could not afford the drugs in the first place, so they are not saving any

money.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS MICHAEL: I do hope that the next strategy, Mr. Speaker, will look at

the issue of indexation of our minimum wage.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Further statements by ministers?

The hon. the Minister of Business.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, as 2010 draws to a close, the business climate

in Newfoundland and Labrador remains one of the strongest in the country. We are

becoming increasingly recognized as a desirable place to live, to work and to

invest, and our government is committed to continuing to support this growth

whenever possible.

Business confidence is extremely high, Mr. Speaker. The Canadian Federation

of Independent Business recently noted that 99 per cent of companies surveyed

rate the overall state of business as either good or satisfactory. Other

indicators have been very positive as well. Newfoundland and Labrador's

forecasted 5.4 per cent growth in GDP and 23 per cent increase in capital

spending for the year will lead the country. Consumer confidence remains the

strongest in Atlantic Canada and new car sales and housing starts for the first

three-quarters of the year have increased by some 9.4 per cent and 30.6 per cent

respectively.

Mr. Speaker, just yesterday, Craig Wright, the senior vice-president and

chief economist for RBC, when talking about Atlantic Canada noted that an

"economic bright spot for 2010 is an extra spring in Newfoundland and Labrador's

step as the province will yield the highest growth in the country."

The message that good news and good things are happening in Newfoundland and

Labrador is getting all the way through.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, we can tell the other Craig that same story.

We continue to see Newfoundland and Labrador companies being recognized with

national and international awards for their achievements. To point to just a few

examples: Browning Harvey was named by Pepsi and Coleman's being named the best

large surface retail supermarket in Canada by the Canadian Federation of

Independent Grocers.

As we head into 2011, this government realizes that we must continue to

foster a business environment that is conducive to growth so that there will be

more good news stories as we move forward. We will continue to work closely with

local businesses and industry groups to ensure that we are meeting their needs

and helping them to expand to the benefit of everyone in our Province.

Mr. Speaker, we continue to promote Newfoundland and Labrador as an

extraordinary place with a wealth of resources, and home to an energetic, clever

and creative people who thrive on challenge. We are letting the rest of Canada

and the world know that Newfoundland and Labrador is an economic and cultural

force to be reckoned with.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the minister for a copy of his statement in advance. He is

affectionately known as the minister of renouncement, of course, because we hear

very little out of the Department of Business. The reason it exists of course is

very suspect in and of itself, and anything to get a bit of profile. You talk

about regurgitation, the Minister of Business - which was created, by the way,

initially by the Premier to attract business to this Province - has absolutely

nothing to do and can take no credit whatsoever for what confidence exists in

this economy today. Not a bit! Not one iota can he take credit for what the

confidence is at the business level.

Congratulations to the Coleman's, congratulations to the Browning Harveys,

great businesses that have been here for years and years, long before the

minister and long before his department. He had absolutely nothing to do

whatsoever with their success, and to try to piggyback on their coattails,

absolutely shameful! This is the same department, Mr. Speaker, that last year

paid more money to keep itself alive and pay its staff than it put out through

the door to attract businesses into this Province, and he has the gall to stand

up here in the House of Assembly and try to take credit for the state that the

economy is in here in this Province. I say absolutely shameful! Some people, Mr.

Speaker, will do anything to try to give themselves some profile.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi

Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

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

Obviously, we know that the economic climate in the Province is good. It is

certainly good for some people. Some people are prospering -

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS MICHAEL: However, Mr. Speaker, I continue to be confused by the

statements from this minister because this minister - there is nothing in his

announcement today that tells me what his department has done with regard to

what is in his statement, nothing. I am still waiting to hear about businesses

that are being brought into this Province from this department and I will

continue waiting to hear that, Mr. Speaker, and I want to know what we are

spending our money on.

Mr. Speaker, it is fine to recognize the businesses in this Province that

have gotten to where they have gotten.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS MICHAEL: They have done it on their own without this government and

without this minister and without this department. I would like to know when the

day is going to come when this government is going to recognize that we do not

need this department.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Further statements by ministers?

The hon. the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. O'BRIEN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think I will put out the fire on the other side, because firefighters and

municipal officials came together recently on the Northeast Avalon to take

part

in the Fire and Emergency Services Training School. This is the sixth training

school offered since 2008. Having recently assumed responsibility for Municipal

Affairs, it was very beneficial to see first-hand the level of training our

government offers to volunteers and first responders, and to witness the

dedication and hard work it takes to serve one's community on the front lines.

This year's fall training school was hosted by the Conception Bay South Fire

Department, with courses held in a number of neighbouring communities. During

nine days of field work and intensive classroom training, over 350 individuals

benefitted from a dedicated team of trainers with knowledge and expertise in

emergency management and firefighting fundamentals. Courses such as Basic

Emergency Management, Emergency Operations Center and Hazardous Materials

Training, which I had the opportunity to view during the training school this

past month, helped to equip these individuals with the tools they need to do

their job. Our government continues to make great strides in bolstering and

strengthening fire and emergency services throughout the Province.

These courses provide those tasked with the public safety in our communities

with the correct information and techniques to hopefully ensure each and every

person returns home safely to their families each night. I am pleased to see

this event was so well attended, especially in light of the fact that just a few

weeks prior, many of these people were fully engaged in efforts to assist

communities to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Igor. As we can all

agree, events such as Igor are one of the many reasons why training and

preparedness are of such great importance.

In addition, the provincial government continues to help ensure as many

communities as possible take advantage of these training opportunities. Again,

$30,000 has been made available to assist municipalities with the cost of

sending the municipal representatives to the Fire and Emergency Services

Training School.

In our own communities, and all of us in this hon. House know the commitment

and, in some cases, the sacrifices made by individuals in the fire service and

throughout our municipalities, in the interest of public safety. I commend these

women and men for their tireless efforts and I encourage those involved in the

protection of our communities to attend the upcoming spring Fire and Emergency

Services Training School, to be held in Corner Brook.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White

Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Volunteer firefighters in our Province deserve every bit of support they

receive, and then some. They are the lifeblood of many of our rural communities.

Many of these firefighters not only volunteer as firefighters but they do many

other aspects of community volunteer service as well. As a matter of fact,

statistics show us that 91 per cent of the Canadian firefighting departments are

staffed by volunteers some 3,200 or so departments throughout the country

and they put in a great deal of time.

As the minister noted, they were especially helpful during the Hurricane Igor

time as it hit the Province on September 21 and as has been quoted they hit the

ground running and provided first response assistance. Training schools

certainly are commendable, it is a great initiative, especially for those who

live in rural communities that are further away from the training facilities and

the availability of funds to help cover the cost. It is very essential to them

being trained properly; it is good to see that there.

There are also other tools that firefighters need to do the jobs to the best

of their ability, including the need for protective clothing. It is interesting

the minister said in his statement that he was able to see first hand the

training and so on that took place, and that is good. I would suggest to him

that it might be nice to visit some of the firefighting departments in other

areas of the Province, and see just exactly how they are equipped, in terms of

equipment.

I know Main Brook, in particular, in my district, has been looking for

funding for a portable pump for the past four years, they do not have bunker

suits and so on

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. DEAN: and those are essential items to

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the hon. member to conclude his remarks.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

So, again, it is good to see the government supporting the volunteer

firefighters, and I would trust that support will continue.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi

Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

I too congratulate the firefighters and officials, and especially the

Conception Bay South Fire Department who hosted and also participated in the

Northeast Avalon's training school. It is extremely important that these

firefighters maintain good training and preparedness because, as the minister

pointed out, we have emergencies where they are crucial, and I would like to

recognize them for the tremendous work that they did during Igor, both on the

Burin and Bonavista Peninsulas; I know that firefighters played quite a role.

I have firefighters and other emergency personnel still calling me, coming to

me about their concerns that we still do not have a 911 service. Now, I know

that things are moving, but I just do not think they are moving quickly enough,

Mr. Speaker. One thing, we need to certainly have the municipalities moving more

quickly with setting up the civic numbering system to be ready for the service

when we have it in place. We also need a public safety answering point that

routes callers to the appropriate emergency responders. This is a big concern of

personnel working an emergency.

Without an Enhanced 911 service, people need to know or find the applicable

emergency number and dial up to eleven digits to access these services in an

emergency. Doing that in an emergency is really difficult, and a public safety

answering point would take care of that.

We are so far behind, Mr. Speaker, I really urge the minister to move more

quickly on these issues.

Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: Further statements by ministers?

Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

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

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, electricity rates for consumers in this Province will jump by at

least 114 per cent if the Muskrat Falls giveaway to Emera goes through. What we

do not know yet is how much more large industrial users and businesses will have

to pay. Some business owners are already calling our office expressing concern

about the deal. They are worried that such a huge jump in their energy bills

will have to be passed on to their customers, especially supermarkets that use a

lot of refrigeration. That means in turn higher food costs.

Premier: How much more are industrial users and businesses going to have to

pay for your Muskrat power and how much damage is this going to result in to our

economy?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, Muskrat Falls will not affect rate payers either domestic or

industrial rate payers in this Province until 2017. In 2017, when the project

comes online, rate payers in the Province will then start to pay down the

capital and operational costs of Muskrat Falls. What will happen, Mr. Speaker,

as a result of that investment, instead of electricity rates going up at a rate

of 5 per cent a year, they will go up at a half percent a year or less, Mr.

Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you.

That sounds like very firm information that the public of this Province can

rely upon to decide whether they like or do not like Muskrat Falls. Do not ask

us what it is going to cost, we will tell you that in 2017. We will talk about

it in terms of percentages. Well I think the people of the Province, Ms Premier,

are starting to get the answers when it comes to where this is going. Tell you

nothing you are saying.

Mr. Speaker, Muskrat power is going to be the most expensive energy in

Eastern Canada. Not only are consumers going to see their electricity bills

double, food costs and other staples are also going to increase as a result of

this. It means a double whammy for the people of this Province, and business

owners are asking and worried about the economic fallout. Nalcor is going around

the Province doing

briefings, people are asking these Nalcor officials what it is going to cost

but they are not getting the answers.

My question to the Premier, Mr. Speaker, is: On this last day of the House

will you finally tell the people and the business operators of this Province

just how much they are going to have to pay for your Muskrat Falls energy?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, they are going to have to pay a lot less for Muskrat Falls

power-

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: - than for any other alternative that is available to

the people in Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, demand is growing in this Province. We have to be able to meet

that demand. We have considered all of the options available to us. We are an

isolated system. So, if we do not do Muskrat Falls then we have to do Island

Pond, we have to do considerable investment in Seal Cove, in Holyrood.

Mr. Speaker, we will still be tied to the price of oil, which is going

through the roof according to forecasters, and we still have to deal with

greenhouse gases.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you.

It sounded like some pretty firm information again, Mr. Speaker, that the

people can rely upon; very firm information to help us decide if this is a good

deal or not. They cannot even tell us what we are going to end up paying for the

power; not even any reliable estimates or guesstimates do we have.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Finance said government is putting

$2.9 billion into Muskrat and Nalcor is putting in the rest. He did not say how

much of that would be equity and how much will be borrowed. It is an important

distinction because, of course, it will affect the interest rate that we pay on

the debt. As well, more money for debt servicing means less money for health,

education and roads.

So, I ask the minister: When are we going to see a detailed breakdown on the

financing arrangements, vis--vis, Muskrat Falls?

The people of this Province have to shoulder the financial burden so they

certainly should be told how heavy that load is going to be.

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

Board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. MARSHALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I said in answer to the hon. member yesterday, the final terms of the deal

will depend on the final debt equity ratio that we decide on. Nalcor announced a

model, or a project that would involve a $2.9 million equity by the government

into Nalcor. Of course, as I said yesterday, we are doing some sensitivity

analysis and looking at different options. We will choose the option in the end

that is in the best interest of the people of the Province.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That sounds pretty informative too. We know how much we are going to put in

but we have no idea how we are going to put it in, we do not know where we are

going to borrow it, we have no plan in place as to how we are going to finance

this thing. That sounds like a plan that is really well put together.

Mr. Speaker, the Lower Churchill project, not the Muskrat Falls project, used

to be about making money, making money for this Province, but what we are seeing

here is more about the debt we are going to incur, for what, the former

Premier's legacy? What is the purpose? Where is the real Lower Churchill

project, Premier? Where is Gull Island? Why are we not building lines now that

will even have the capacity to handle Gull Island? How can we possibly make

money on this project? Why are we proceeding with such a fragmented project?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the first thing we are doing is saving money for the ratepayers

in this Province. Our first responsibility, our first responsibility!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Mr. Speaker, we are making money to build

infrastructure to get to other markets by our deal with Emera. Mr. Speaker, we

have 1.9 terawatts of power then, that we can bring to the market.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I go over and over and over this information so the whole

Province has an appreciation of how difficult it is to get even the most basic

information right on the other side of the House. After the House yesterday, Mr.

Speaker, they did a news release criticizing myself and the government. Mr.

Speaker, in the news release they referred to Nalcor of Nova Scotia. Now, Mr.

Speaker, if they cannot even get that right, I really do not know how I am going

to manage (inaudible).

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, a workplace assessment report was conducted on the College of

the North Atlantic-Qatar, in the spring of 2010. This assessment included

interviews with twenty-five senior staff at the college as part of the

implementation of a respectful workplace policy. The results of this report

indicated that a change in the most senior level of management was required.

Related to this, Mr. Speaker, every participant in the process was promised an

unedited report of the findings of the assessment; however, they only received

the findings through an access to information request last month.

I ask the minister: Was this report the unedited version that was promised to

the college staff, and why did they have to resort to access of information for

a copy?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, it is always difficult to prepare for Question

Period. On one particular day they want me to stay out of the affairs of the

college; on another day they want me to run the college. It is really hard to

know what to say.

I will say to the member opposite, a number of things have happened at the

college level. First of all, we have a new acting president of the College of

the North Atlantic right here in Newfoundland and Labrador, who was not there at

the time that assessment was done. That is the first senior leadership position

that has been changed. Secondly, Mr. Speaker, we have a new president of the

College of the North Atlantic-Qatar, who came on after that workplace assessment

had been completed. There have been other senior management changes made as a

result of that as well, Mr. Speaker.

I am aware of the report. I cannot speak to the second part of the member's

question about whether there was any edits made or not. It is my understanding,

Mr. Speaker, that the report that was shared with the faculty of the College of

the North Atlantic-Qatar is the report that was completed in its entirety by the

consultant.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White

Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On pages 10 and 11 of the assessment report, it is recommended to government

that an independent investigation be conducted relating to complaints of

favouritism, micromanagement, lack of communication, disrespectful

communication, and threatening and intimidating behaviour, to name just a few.

My question to the minister is this: Since he has had a copy of this report

for some time, has he initiated the process for an independent investigation

into these matters?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, for the record, let me say to the member opposite,

he needs to be clear if he is going to state information here as a matter of a

fact. The matter of fact is I am not in possession of that report and I have not

been in possession of that report for some time. That report was commissioned by

the Board of Directors of the College of the North Atlantic who act to govern

the college system at arm's-length from government. So let's be clear here. This

is not a report commissioned by the Minister of Education or this government; it

is commissioned by the College of the North Atlantic.

As I said a few moments ago, Mr. Speaker, the college has taken actions of

the highest nature, including having a new president here in Newfoundland and

Labrador, including a new president at the College of the North Atlantic in

Qatar. A number of events, Mr. Speaker, have occurred since that report, actions

that are put in place to help rectify the problems that have been identified. It

is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that a lot of progress is being made. To be

very clear: That is not my report; the report does not belong to this

government.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White

Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My next question is to the Minister of Health and Community Services.

Mr. Speaker, on September 13, 2010, the minister announced that government

would fund an observational study to track the progress of MS patients who go

overseas to undergo the controversial liberation treatment.

My question to the minister is this: What is the status of this study, and

when does government intend to release the results to the public?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Let me preface my answer by saying, I am very pleased to say that our

agreement reached with the doctors today means that the doctor who will be

responsible in great part for this MS study will now be remaining in the

Province. He has rescinded his resignation, and we are very pleased to have Dr.

Mark Stefanelli remain with us.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, the observational study, the protocol and terms

of reference have been outlined. We currently have fifteen patients signed up,

patients who have had the liberation treatment performed in other provinces, and

we have twelve more who we know are going in January.

The goal, Mr. Speaker, is to have forty patients. There will be blind studies

conducted, there will be MRIs performed before they leave to go away, and at the

end of the day, Mr. Speaker, we will use this observational study to determine

the efficacy of this procedure and to determine whether or not clinical trials

should be engaged in.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White

Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Many Newfoundlander and Labradorian patients have travelled to Poland and

other countries to receive the liberation treatment, and there is a very real

possibility that serious medical issues could result following treatment.

Medical doctors in the Province fear they will be liable.

My question to the minister is this: What is government doing to address the

liability issue?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased on September 13, 2010, to

leave the room where all the Health Ministers were gathered in the country, to

go out in front of the mikes and announce that Newfoundland and Labrador would

be leading the way, in terms of the study into MS, as we are leading the way in

so many other things in this country, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, this study is being led by two very proficient,

experienced doctors, Dr. Stefanelli, as I indicated, and Dr. Pryse-Phillips.

These doctors have indicated they are certainly willing to lead this procedure,

in terms of the observational study, and we hope, Mr. Speaker, for the MS

patients of this Province, that this study will show that the liberation

procedure works.

Mr. Speaker, what we are doing, what we did then, and what we are doing today

with our announcement of a deal for the doctors, is reaching out to the patients

of our Province and saying we care about you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.

MR. BUTLER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hurricane Igor hit this Province on September 21, 2010, leaving behind a path

of destruction. One of the reasons that have been raised for the serious

destruction of roadways by Hurricane Igor was the lack of proper maintenance by

the Department of Transportation and Works. As we know, this government shut

down thirteen highway depots in 2005, and many roads have been since neglected.

I ask the minister: Is he prepared to acknowledge this was an issue in

Hurricane Igor's impact, and more importantly, is he prepared to reinstate these

depots on a full-time basis so that our roads can be properly managed?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I certainly appreciate the question from the member on the opposite side,

simply because I know I was out on the morning of Hurricane Igor and saw the

path of destruction on both peninsulas, and around Central in Clarenville and

that. Let me tell you, the systems, no matter what system was there, Mr.

Speaker, that damage would have occurred. It was damage that was beyond belief.

So, I say, in response, that I stand by the workers in Transportation and

Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: They responded then to an emergency and in ten days got

all of the communities back online. Not only in that time but throughout the

year, Mr. Speaker, they do everything within their power to make sure that

maintenance is done to prevent any such destruction.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.

MR. BUTLER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to say to the minister: I totally acknowledge what the workers are

doing in this Province but just listen -

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BUTLER: Mr. Speaker, the question that I just posed to the minister

came from his workers and officials in his own department, not from me.

Mr. Speaker, the long-awaited Torbay Bypass Road was announced by this

government in the spring of 2007 and was expected to be open this past fall.

Instead of a new highway, citizens in the area are facing numerous traffic

delays and are frustrated and angry about the project being behind

schedule and

poorly designed, to name a few of the concerns.

I ask the minister: What has caused this delay? What amount has been

completed thus far? When can area residents expect to see this vital bypass road

completed?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: I say to you, Mr. Speaker, he might be the critic of

destruction, but I am the minister of construction.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: I say to the hon. member again - and, I tell you, it is a

struggle to get across - that we are progressing in this Province in ways that

are just unbelievable. The infrastructure that we have in the queue totals

something like $5.7 billion.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: I think about $2 billon of that is already completed, and

part of it is the Torbay Bypass Road - a vital link and a big piece of the

puzzle for this particular area. It is contracted out to be finished. It will be

finished, and it will be finished to standards that are acceptable.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.

MR. BUTLER: Mr. Speaker, there are still no answers. I also say to the

minister: After this question, he will probably be known as the minister of

overruns.

Mr. Speaker, when this project was announced, it started out to be a $10

million project. Now it has bloomed to $20 million, and rumours are it is going

higher.

My question to the minister -

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. BUTLER: I say rumours from his own department.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask members for their co-operation. The Chair is having difficulty hearing

the question being posed by the hon. member.

The hon. Member for the District of Port de Grave.

MR. BUTLER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I say to the minister: Rumours from his own department again.

My question to the minister is: What are the new projected total costs of the

Torbay Bypass Road?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Mr. Speaker, just to go back to 101 construction again,

when we look at a project, we look at going in and doing the proper engineering,

consulting, and it is done. Then we get into the actual unfolding of that

particular project.

I, for one, will not take second-hand work at all. If the job is to be done,

it is to be done right. If it does cost overruns, or time, that will be done in

order to make sure that what we have in the end is an adequate project: a road

that is safe for the travelling public, which meets the needs. We will continue

to work on that principle, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for the District of The Straits & White Bay

North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As many people in this Province will be on our roads during the holiday

season, I would like to ask the minister about moose management, Mr. Speaker. In

June of this year, the Minister of Transportation and Works promised to keep in

constant touch with the Save Our People Action Committee, known as SOPAC. Months

ago, SOPAC asked the government for information regarding the locations of

accidents, the number of accidents and the locations of brush cutting

activities; however, they have not received any response. This is not constant

communication.

My question to the minister is this: Why are you ignoring this group? Aside

from brush cutting, what else are you doing about our moose problem?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Mr. Speaker, I receive correspondence on a daily basis in

the hundreds of e-mails. Each one of those, I make sure, are responded to; as I

do phone calls, and as I do any requests from the people outside. Again, I can

only respond that any requests that have come in, we, as a department, have

endeavoured to make sure.

As for the moose, again, we go back, Mr. Speaker, to trying to make our roads

as safe as we possibly can. The $2 million that we invested this year in brush

cutting is finishing up now in the fall of the year, and has made significant

differences to the travelling public. As well, our signs and our public

awareness announcements are trying to make drivers aware of the extreme danger

of travelling on our highways with regard to moose.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White

Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, last year the government stopped displaying the number of moose-vehicle accidents per year on their road signs. This information is not readily

available to the public, and the RCMP only keeps track of deaths or serious

injuries. This means that the public are left in the dark to the location of

specific areas in which there is a heightened risk of moose-vehicle collisions.

I ask the minister: Are they keeping track of all moose-vehicle accidents,

and, if so, why is that information not being given to the public?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: To continue on, Mr. Speaker, brush cutting, making sure

our roads are safer, signage, driver awareness, and, as well, trying to gather

the information that is required in order to make sure that we are placing our

signs in the right place, that the signs that are up are giving the right

information and also my department, for sure, are in the midst right now of

trying to make sure that we are upgrading all of our signage, that we are aware

of all of the information, and that we are incorporating that into what we do

with regard to providing for safe highways in Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr.

Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White

Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Roadside wildlife sensors are being used in Northern Ontario as well as

certain parts of the United States. These systems have been featured in the

Ontario government sustainability brochure as a model system for wildlife

detection and roadside safety, and have been priced at half of the cost of the

fencing that is taking place in New Brunswick. I understand the company which

installs these systems offered a free demonstration in this Province; however,

they were not taken up on their offer.

My question is: Why does there seem to be a lack of interest from this

government in these new technologies that could radically reduce the number of

moose-vehicle collisions in our Province?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Of course, we are in an age now where technology is advancing almost as

quickly as - well, from day-to-day. We are quite aware, in doing comparative

studies of other jurisdictions, not only in North America but in Europe as well,

trying to find solutions to the awareness that we need on our highways with

regard to moose movement, and we will continue to do so. As well, we do know

that there are a couple of jurisdictions - I believe Ontario for one - that have

a test currently ongoing. We are monitoring that closely and if it can apply to

this jurisdiction certainly we would be open to using that type of technology or

any technology that is out there in order to make, again, the highways of our

Province safe for our travelling public.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.

MR. BUTLER: Mr. Speaker, one of the major concerns to the residents of

Dunville with regard to the tire storage facility in their community is the

possibility of a large uncontrolled fire. On this topic we learned that there

was a tire fire on Guy Fawkes night at a waste transfer facility in Old

Perlican. Apparently the site manager had asked the MMSB to remove the tires

prior to that night in fears that the youth would set the tires on fire. We have

also heard that the fire burned for several days.

I ask the minister: Can you confirm that there was a tire fire at the Old

Perlican site and if so why did it take so long to get this under control?

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Acting Minister of Environment and Conservation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Mr. Speaker, I can say with all honesty that I have

absolutely no idea if there was a fire at the Dunville site.

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.

Mr. Speaker, reports in the media in the UK indicate that Sikorsky,

manufacturer of the helicopters used in our offshore oil industry, has failed to

solve the cracking gearbox problem that could have caused the terrible crash of

March 2009. Mr. Speaker, the US Federal Aviation Administration has amended its

ten hour requirement for inspection of the mounting feet to now also include the

new gearbox housing Sikorsky designed to eliminate the original problem.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier: Is this government as concerned about this

situation as I am and if so will the government relay their concerns to the

C-NLOPB about this problem without delay?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SKINNER: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we are certainly very concerned about the safety of all of our

workers in the offshore. Any issues that would arise that would affect their

safety are issues that would be of a concern to this government. We have seen

the government's response to the Wells report. We have a Turner report that we

will be responding to very soon as well. The Wells report has a number of

recommendations, all of which were accepted by government. The Turner report, we

commissioned ourselves; we have asked to have an outside, independent review

done and any issues of concern to the safety of workers working offshore or on

land in Newfoundland and Labrador are concerns of this government and will take

the appropriate response for that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi

Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Mr. Speaker, I would like the minister to let me know, isn't

he concerned about the fact that these helicopters have to be checked every ten

hours, and now there is an added dimension to what needs to be checked?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SKINNER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear, we are very concerned about all issues of

safety of the workers in Newfoundland and Labrador, be they onshore or offshore.

The fact that a particular manufacturer of a particular piece of equipment is

doing some safety checks is something that would be of concern to us. I am glad

if they deem it needed to be done every ten hours, I am glad that they are

taking that approach. If it is deemed to be needed to be done every hour, I

would encourage them to do that; it is something we will certainly take

seriously, we will investigate ourselves, and if we have any input or any impact

on what that manufacturer is doing we will certainly put forth our position on

it.

The point I am trying to make is that the safety of the workers is of utmost

concern. Our recent responses with the Wells inquiry I think would have shown

government's concern over that. The fact that we commissioned an independent

report with Captain Turner is further evidence of our concern.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi

Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I just encourage the minister to look further at that the fact that these

helicopters that resulted in the death of seventeen people in this Province,

have to be questioned.

Mr. Speaker, the federal environmental auditor recently admitted that this

country is not prepared to deal with a major oil spill. Mr. Speaker, our oil

industry will be relatively short-lived, but if protected, our healthy

environment and our fishery can, and should be forever. Mr. Speaker, we are

currently unprotected from a disaster.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier: what immediate measures is she taking to

ensure we are prepared to deal with a major oil spill?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SKINNER: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, so that the people of the Province do not get the wrong

impression, we are protected. I would not want to leave the impression that

there is no protection available should there be an offshore oil spill in

Newfoundland and Labrador. We have protection available through the Canadian

Coast Guard, we have protection available through Transport Canada, there is

equipment in Donovon's Industrial Park that would be available, the

Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, the companies

operating offshore all have protection plans and spill response plans that they

have in place. We have something called SmartBay in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland

and Labrador, where we monitor all of the conditions that occur out there.

So there is a wide variety of protection mechanisms out there. We cannot

absolutely say there will never be a spill, but I am comfortable in saying

should there be a spill, there would be an appropriate and adequate response

from a variety of agencies.

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 ask the minister: Is he so confident that he can say that what he is saying

is right and what the federal environmental auditor is saying is wrong?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SKINNER: Mr. Speaker, I am not trying to say that the auditor is

right or wrong. I am trying to present the information to the people of the

Province to give them some comfort that all of the appropriate agencies that

should be looking after the safety of our workers in Newfoundland and Labrador

are doing so.

Any spill that should occur from the offshore platforms, the companies have a

responsibility mandated through the C-NLOPB to make sure that they have a spill

response plan filed and they have the appropriate and necessary equipment in

place to be able to do that. Any spill that occurs outside of that, Transport

Canada deemed they would be involved in.

Again, to be clear, there are spill response plans in place, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The time allotted for questions and answers has expired.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

Tabling of Documents.

Tabling of Documents

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Government Services.

MR. HARDING: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand today to table the

2009-2010 Annual Report for the Certified Management Accountants of Newfoundland

and Labrador and the 2009-2010 Annual Report for the Certified General

Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Further tabling of documents?

Order, please!

In compliance with the Public Tender Act, I hereby table the Public Tender

Act Exceptions for the months of May, June, July, August, September, and October

Further tabling of documents?

Notices of Motion.

Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.

Petitions.

Petitions

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.

MR. BUTLER: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I stand today to present a petition on behalf of the residents of the Port de

Grave district in the vicinity of the Coley's Point Primary School. The petition

reads:

WHEREAS Coley's Point Primary is a wooden structure built in the early 1960s;

and

WHEREAS a consultant's report recommended that a new school be built to

replace Coley's Point Primary; and

WHEREAS the student population is increasing yearly and constitutes a K-3

system; and

WHEREAS this forty-nine-year-old wooden structure should be replaced for the

safety of both staff and students;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, call upon the Members of the

House of Assembly to urge government to take action and proceed with the

construction of a new primary school at Coley's Point.

Mr. Speaker, I am not going into all the comments that I made over the last

several petitions that I presented, because I know full well the Minister of

Education, the officials with the board, and all of those involved with the

various committees with that school know full well what happened a few years ago

with regard to the consultant's report which stated very clearly that was a

school that should be built for all the right reasons; not because they needed a

new school for the sake of just needing one. The concerns were there with regard

to the size of the school, the condition of the school, and so on.

Mr. Speaker, all I am doing today is urging this hon. House of Assembly to

call upon government, because it seems like in the last few days the money bag

has been opened. Like the hon. Member for Carbonear and the Minister of Finance

did a few years ago, when he announced the long-term care facility for that

area, hopefully when the Budget comes down this year, Mr. Speaker, we will see

some announcement, whether it is the full construction, the beginning of it,

funding for the planning and site preparation or what have you. All I am doing

is calling upon the Members of the House of Assembly to urge government to see

that an announcement will be made with regard to the Coley's Point Primary

school this year.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Further petitions?

Orders of the Day.

Orders of the Day

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

MS BURKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we will go through the third reading of the bills that are on

the Order Paper.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Government Services,

that Bill 32,

An Act To Amend The Real Estate Trading Act, be now read a third

time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that Bill 32,

An Act To Amend The

Real Estate Trading Act, be now read a third time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 32 be now read

a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Real Estate Trading Act. (Bill 32)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 32 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Real Estate Trading Act", read a

third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 32)

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

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

Government Services, that Bill 33,

An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And

Business Practices Act No. 2, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 33,

An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act No.

2, Bill 33, be now read a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business

Practices Act No. 2. (Bill 33)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 33 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business

Practices Act No. 2", read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on

the Order Paper. (Bill 33)

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

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

Government Services, that Bill 34,

An Act To Amend The Mortgage Brokers Act, be

now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 34,

An Act To Amend The Mortgage Brokers Act, be now read a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Mortgage Brokers Act. (Bill 34)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 34 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Mortgage Brokers Act", read and third

time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 34)

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

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

Government Services, that Bill 35,

An Act To Amend The Public Safety Act, be now

read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 35,

An Act To Amend The Public Safety Act, be now read a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Public Safety Act. (Bill 35)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 35 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Public Safety Act", read a third

time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 35)

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

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

and the Attorney General, that Bill 36,

An Act To Amend The Judicature Act, be

now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 36,

An Act To Amend The Judicature Act, be now read a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Judicature Act. (Bill 36)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 36 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Judicature Act", read a third time,

ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 36)

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

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

and Attorney General, that Bill 37,

An Act To Amend The Statutes Act, be now

read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt a motion that Bill

37,

An Act To Amend The Statutes Act, be now read a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Statutes Act. (Bill 37)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 37 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Statutes Act", read a third time,

ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 37)

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

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

and Attorney General, that Bill 38,

An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The

Statute Law, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt a motion that Bill

38,

An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law, be now read a

third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law.

(Bill 38)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 38 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute

Law", read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper.

(Bill 38)

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

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

and Attorney General, that Bill 39,

An Act To Amend The Justices And Public

Authorities Protection Act, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 39,

An Act To Amend The Justices And Public Authorities Protection Act, be

now read a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Justices And Public Authorities

Protection Act. (Bill 39)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 39 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Justices And Public Authorities

Protection Act", read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the

Order Paper. (Bill 39)

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

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

Government Services, that Bill 40,

An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And

Business Practices Act No.3, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 40,

An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act No.

3, be now read a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business

Practices Act No. 3. (Bill 40)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 40 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that Bill 40 do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business

Practices Act No.3", read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on

the Order Paper. (Bill 40)

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

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

and Community Services, that Bill 41,

An Act To Amend The Licensed Practical

Nurses Act, 2005, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 41,

An Act To Amend The Licensed Practical Nurses Act, 2005, be now read a

third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Licensed Practical Nurses Act, 2005.

(Bill 41)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 41 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that Bill 41 do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Licensed Practical Nurses Act, 2005",

read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill

41)

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

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

and Community Services, that Bill 42,

An Act To Amend The Regional Health

Authorities Act, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 42,

An Act To Amend The Regional Health Authorities Act, be now read a

third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Regional Health Authorities Act. (Bill

42)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 42 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Regional Health Authorities Act",

read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill

42)

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

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

Affairs, that Bill 43,

An Act To Amend The Municipalities Act, 1999, be now read

a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 43,

An Act To Amend The Municipalities Act, 1999, be now read a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Municipalities Act, 1999. (Bill 43)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 43 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Municipalities Act, 1999", read a

third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 43)

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

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

and President of Treasury Board, that Bill 44,

An Act To Amend The Income Tax

Act, 2000 No. 3, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 44,

An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000 No. 3, be now read a third

time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000 No. 3. (Bill 44)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 44 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000 No. 3", read a

third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 44)

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

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

Resources, that Bill 45,

An Act To Amend The Fishing Industry Collective

Bargaining Act, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that Bill 45 be now read a

third time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 45,

An Act To

Amend The Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act, be now read a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining

Act. (Bill 45)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 45 has now been read a third time and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Fishing Industry Collective

Bargaining Act", read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the

Order Paper. (Bill 45)

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

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

and President of Treasury Board, that Bill 46,

An Act To Implement The

Comprehensive Integrated Tax Coordination Agreement Between The Government Of

Canada And The Government Of Newfoundland and Labrador, be now read a third

time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 46,

An Act To Implement The Comprehensive Integrated Tax Coordination

And Labrador, be now read a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Implement The Comprehensive Integrated Tax

Newfoundland and Labrador. (Bill 46)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 46 has now been read a third time, and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Implement The Comprehensive Integrated Tax

Newfoundland and Labrador", read a third time, ordered passed and its title be

as on the Order Paper. (Bill 46)

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

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

Resources, that Bill 47,

An Act To Amend The Abitibi-Consolidated Rights and

Assets Act, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that

Bill 47,

An Act To Amend The Abitibi-Consolidated Rights and Assets Act, be now

read a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Abitibi-Consolidated Rights and Assets

Act. (Bill 47)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 47 has now been read a third time, and it is ordered

that the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Abitibi-Consolidated Rights and

Assets Act", read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order

Paper. (Bill 47)

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

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, we will now move into the Motions on the Order

Paper.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Natural

Resources, the following resolution:

"WHEREAS subsection 4(1) of the Child And Youth Advocate Act provides the

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate shall be filled by the

Lieutenant-Governor in Council on a resolution of the House of Assembly.

"NOW THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED that Ms. Carol Chafe be appointed as the Child

and Youth Advocate."

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Is there debate on the resolution as put forward by the hon. Government House

Leader?

The hon. the Government House Leader.

MS BURKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am quite pleased this afternoon, in my capacity as the

Government House Leader, to introduce the resolution to appoint Ms Carol Chafe

to serve as the new Child and Youth Advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Before highlighting the strong qualifications that Ms Chafe will bring to the

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, I would like to take this opportunity,

and particularly for the benefit of the people who follow the debate, or follow

the proceedings on the television or online, I would like to take some time to

explain how this office came to be, and why it is so important for the children

of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate was established through

legislation enacted in 2001, but in fact, the story begins some seven years

earlier than that in 1994. At that time, our predecessors in this Chamber

established a Select Committee on Children's Interests to recommend better ways

to address issues confronting children, youth, and their families in this

Province. In 1996, that select committee which was made up of Harvey Hodder,

Gerald Smith, Mary Hodder, and the late Patt Cowan recommended as one of its

chief proposals the establishment of the Office of Child and Youth Advocate. Our

party, in Opposition, immediately embraced the recommendation and five years

later in 2001 the government of the day also embraced the recommendation and

brought forward the Child and Youth Advocate Act.

Section 3 of the act lays out in broad terms the purposes and functions of

the Child and Youth Advocate. First, it must "ensure that the rights and

interests of children and youth are protected and advanced and their views are

heard and considered". Second, it must "ensure that children and youth have

access to services and that their complaints relating to the provision of those

services receive appropriate attention". Third, it must "provide information and

advice to the government, agencies of the government, and to communities about

the availability, effectiveness, responsiveness, and relevance of services to

children and youth". Fourth, it must "review and investigate matters affecting

the rights and interests of children and youth". Fifth, Mr. Speaker, it must

act, generally speaking, "as an advocate of the rights and interests of children

and youth."

At first glance there appears to be a large degree of overlap in the

responsibility between the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate and my role as

the Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services but, Mr. Speaker, there is an

important difference. The Child and Youth Advocate is not a minister or an

official of the government reporting to the Premier and Cabinet. As stated

clearly in

Section 5 of the act, the Child and Youth Advocate is an officer of

the House of Assembly and as such the Advocate reports to the Speaker and to all

of us as the elected representatives of the people.

There are several such officers of the House of Assembly in this Province:

the Auditor General, the Citizens' Representative, the Information and Privacy

Commissioner, the Commissioner for Legislative Standards, and the Chief

Electoral Officer. These offices are established, their powers are defined, and

their integrity is assured through legislation passed in this Chamber.

These offices operate independently of government and serve as important

checks and balances that help to ensure maximum accountability, openness and

transparency. The establishment and proper functioning of such offices is a sign

of a healthy democracy, and that is the reason we as members are so vigilant in

ensuring the integrity of these offices is preserved.

For the past several months, John Rorke has served as the Acting Child and

Youth Advocate, pending the appointment of a permanent Advocate. I would like to

commend him - on behalf of our caucus and the government - for serving in an

interim capacity to ensure the important work of this office was able to

proceed, uninterrupted, until a permanent Advocate could be appointed.

The procedure for appointing a permanent Advocate is laid out clearly in

subsection 4(1) of the Child and Youth Advocate Act. That provision states, "The

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate shall be filled by the

Lieutenant-Governor in Council" in other words, meaning Cabinet "on a

resolution of the House of Assembly." The direction must come by resolution of

the House, because it is to the House that the Advocate will report; and that is

what brings us to this point.

Mr. Speaker, some of the people following these proceedings today are young

people- the very people the Advocate's office has been established to help.

Young people need to know that information about who can seek the help of the

Child and Youth Advocate is provided on the office's Web site. As the Web site

makes clear, "Anyone can call. Children and youth may call themselves, or an

adult may call on their behalf or on behalf of a group of children."

The legislation defines child as someone under the age of sixteen. It defines

youth as someone who has passed their sixteenth birthday but is under the age of

nineteen. Youth also includes four categories of young people who have passed

their nineteenth birthday but are under the age of twenty-one. These four

categories are: 1) youth in care or custody under the Child, Youth and Family

Services Act; 2) youth on remand under the Criminal Code or the Youth Criminal

Justice Act; 3) youth subject to a sentence under the Criminal Code; and 4)

youth subject to a disposition under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The Advocate's Web site also describes the circumstances that might lead a

person to call the Advocate for help. As a child or youth, you would call the

Advocate: when you have a complaint regarding access or provision of services

that have been designed to support children and youth; when you believe your

viewpoint is not being heard or that your rights are being ignored; or when you

believe that all the information about your needs has not been gathered or given

the proper consideration.

As an adult, you would call the Advocate: when you believe a child's or

youth's viewpoint is not being heard; when you believe a child's or youth's

rights are being ignored; when you believe a child's or youth's interests are

not being considered; when you believe all the information about a child or

youth or his or her needs has not been gathered or duly considered; or when you

have a concern regarding the availability, effectiveness, responsiveness or

relevance of services designed to support youth and/or children.

The Web site also describes what you can expect the Advocate to do after

getting your call, and what information the Advocate will require. Children,

young people and families seeking the assistance of the Child and Youth Advocate

need not be intimidated. The system is designed to work with the best interests

of children and youth at heart. Of course, Mr. Speaker, the best insurance of

high-quality assistance is the calibre of the individual who occupies the

Advocate's office.

Carol Chafe is impressively qualified for this role. She holds a registered

nurse diploma from St. Clare's School of Nursing, a bachelor of nursing degree

from Memorial University, program certificates and health services management

credentials from the Canadian Healthcare Association, and a master of employment

relations from Memorial's School of Business. Until now, she has served since

2005 as the Director of the Children and Women's Health Program with Eastern

Health and, as such, has been a key member of the senior management team

responsible for personnel and the delivery of services that are truly provincial

in scope and impact.

The program she has been directing oversees the delivery of child health

services at the Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre, women's

health services including obstetrics and gynecology, and the provincial services

of the Provincial Perinatal Program, Newfoundland and Labrador Fertility

Services, the Provincial Insulin Pump program, the Neonatal Transport Team, the

Pediatric Advice Line, Provincial Poison Control Program, and the Provincial

Enteral Feed Pump Program.

As director, she has been overseeing the full scope of the children's acute

care services: emergency, critical care, medicine, surgery, newborn medicine,

and development and rehab services. She has been overseeing a $52 million

budget, twelve managers and 800 staff. The physicians under her program include

obstetricians, gynecologists, pediatricians, surgeons, family practice

physicians and house staff.

Prior to becoming director in 2005, she held other key positions of

responsibility. From 2002 to 2005, she was this program's Associate Director

with the Health Care Corporation of St. John's. Prior to that, from 1997 to

2002, she directed the Corporation's Women's Health Program. Prior to that, from

1996 to 1997, she directed endocrinology, neurology, and rheumatology divisions

and the Medicine Program with the Health Care Corporation of St. John's. Prior

to that, Mr. Speaker, from 1990 to 1996 she was a nurse manager at St. Clare's

Mercy Hospital; and prior to that, from 1978 to 1990, she was a staff nurse at

St. Clare's.

She has chaired several internal committees at Eastern Health and been a

member of many other committees and boards, both within and external to Eastern

Health, including the Janeway Foundation Board of Directors, the Provincial

Health Line Advisory Committee, and the Steering Committee for the Canadian

Association of Pediatric Health Centres - Canadian Pediatric Decision Support

Network. This, Mr. Speaker, is just a

summary of what she brings to the

important role of Child and Youth Advocate.

Clearly, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are getting an incredibly

experienced and gifted individual whose twenty years of progressive management

experience in the children's and women's health makes her eminently qualified to

take on the Advocate's responsibilities.

Advocacy, mediation, collaboration, teamwork and innovative approaches to

problem solving are skills she has perfected in the most demanding of

situations, and they will serve her very well indeed as she works to serve the

best interests of the children and youth of our Province in this new capacity.

We are exceptionally fortunate to have attracted an individual of Ms Chafe's

calibre to fill this vital role, and I encourage my colleagues to support the

resolution to appoint her as our Province's Child and Youth Advocate.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As Acting Leader of the Opposition and as Opposition House Leader, I would

like to have a few words on this issue and specifically say, right from the top,

that we will be supporting the appointment of Ms Chafe as the new Child and

Youth Advocate.

I have just a couple of comments. We think this is very good in the process

this time. We have had some cases in this House where appointments of people to

these so-called positions of independence, the process of selection and the

person selected have not always been greeted here in this House with approval by

the Opposition parties. I can say, from what I have read and heard about Ms

Chafe, that is certainly not the case here. She is a very well-qualified person

for the position. She is absolutely without bias of any kind one way or the

other and certainly experienced in fields that are going to be of great

assistance to her in fulfilling this role.

I wish her well - or better luck than her predecessors in that role. From the

time that we have had Child and Youth Advocates, at least in this decade, we

have seen a lot of changes there. There has been a lot of turmoil there. We have

seen the two prior directors depart, shall we say, under somewhat less than

ideal circumstances. I certainly wish that she does not encounter that, and I

wish her well in the position.

The only comment I would make - and I say this because I understand Ms Chafe

is in the gallery and I will be saying this publicly as well, so this is no

better forum than to say it now. The only true disappointment I have seen in the

office in the last year has been the position taken by Retired Judge Rorke who

was in an acting capacity there.

You will all recall that we had a report done by that office, while he was

there, concerning the Janeway. The report came out and he was adamant that he

was not going to talk to anybody. He would not talk to the media about it. He

said the report says everything that needs to be said in its entirety. He

refused to give any explanations of anything, or talk about it. The Leader of

the Opposition, Ms Jones, the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair,

specifically said: Can we sit down and discuss this report with you? We would

like to make sure that before we go criticizing anything about it we would like

to make sure that we understand fully.

For anybody to think that just because they wrote a report that it is the

final be-all and end-all and you might never, ever have to speak to it or

justify it, or talk about it even, to explain it to someone, to take that

approach, I think, was absolutely inappropriate, and we have made that known in

no uncertain terms.

Even Minister Kennedy said at the time, because he was the Minister of Health

and when he was asked by the media about what he thought about Judge Rorke's

refusal to talk he said: Look, nobody has him muzzled. Nobody has him muzzled;

if he wants to talk, he is free to talk. He was the Child and Youth Advocate,

albeit in an acting capacity, and refused to. He muzzled himself, and I think

that is absolutely inappropriate.

As Ms Chafe assumes her position, the only thing I would say from an

Opposition point of view, as a concerned citizen in this Province, I hope we do

not encounter that. I have no doubt that this woman has the best interests of

the children of this Province at heart, that she is more than capable of doing

the job; because, as the name of the office says, you have to be an advocate.

You can have all the managerial experience you want in the world, you can have

all the educational standing in the world, but in this particular role, it is

special. It is special, not only because of the people you are advocating on

behalf of, who are all special, the children, but it is special because you are

an advocate. You are not an administrator or you are not just a manager, you are

an advocate. Advocating means not only investigating and finding out what an

issue is all about, and understanding it totally and thoroughly, but being able

to advocate on their behalf, to make sure that if there are problems, there are

solutions found for those problems. Part of advocacy is being able to explain

what an issue is about. To explain to the public, because if the public sense

that there is a closed door to an issue, or curtains drawn, why would anybody

keep out the light?

That is why the questions arose in the case of the Janeway incident. What is

wrong with explaining to the people, if you have done a report, done an

investigation obviously, you do not breach anybody's privacy, obviously there

has to be certain circumstances where you cannot, because you do not want to

worsen a situation or do some harm to someone that you ought not to. Common

sense will prevail in those cases. In terms of addressing and letting the public

understand what it was all about that you were involved in, that is a part of

advocacy as well, explaining what you did, not just doing it.

So, I am not going to belabour the point. All of the Opposition members, of

course, as far as I know, are going to be supportive of this resolution; we wish

Ms Chafe well. I hope we have the opportunity early in the New Year to actually

meet her, so we get some idea of exactly what she is about. Obviously, it is

going to take some time for her to adjust to the office, but we look forward to

meeting with her, and to having an open and constructive dialogue. We are not

into this to be critical, we are into this for the benefit of the children, as

well as she and her office, no doubt, will be.

So, we wish her well, and we will certainly be supportive of this resolution.

Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi

Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I am very glad to have the opportunity today to speak to the bill that is

marking the appointment of the new Child and Youth Advocate, Ms Carol Chafe, and

it is good to have her here in the House with us as we recognize her

appointment.

I will be very happy to support the appointment by government, and I welcome

Ms Chafe into her new role. Obviously, she has been in the role now for a number

of months and has been spending her time, I believe, getting used the situation,

learning what she can about what has happened prior to her coming into the role,

and being open to learning from others about where she may go with her role.

I am happy to announce that we have already met with Ms Chafe and had a very

fruitful discussion with her in our caucus office. I was pleased to see her

openness to talking about the role of the office, to hear concerns that I have,

to hear concerns that constituents have, and, as I said, to have a very fruitful

discussion about where to go.

I do note that we certainly were in agreement on the fact that one of the

most important things about the Child and Youth Advocate is not just advocating

for individuals and dealing with individual cases but looking at systemic

advocacy and looking at changes that need to happen systemically. Sometimes it

takes an individual case to actually point up a systemic problem. I think it is

extremely important that the new advocate understands that systemic nature.

I think, unfortunately, we have had a lot of troubles in that office up to

now and a lot of the troubles kept, I think, people in that office, and the

Advocate herself, away from really dealing with some of the major systemic

issues that need to be dealt with. I look forward to seeing a new focus. I look

forward to seeing the office being able to work independently, will work freely

from government, and focus totally on the work that it wants to do and the work

that it needs to do.

It is extremely important to remember that the Advocate, just like the

Citizens' Representative, is accountable to this hon. House that appoints her.

The Advocate, just like the Citizens' Representative, is not responsible to a

minister. The Advocate has to be free to look at ministries that may not be

functioning for the good of children, ministries such as Child, Youth and Family

Services, and the Advocate has to be completely unbiased and completely free to

look at cases that come to her and to look at systemic problems that come to her

and be able to make unbiased, hard judgements sometimes that might in fact have

to say that what is happening in a ministry has been wrong; that something is

going very wrong.

So it is very important, I think, that we are starting fresh with a new

advocate at the same time that the new ministry has been set up. While the

advocate is totally separate from the ministry, I think the advocate is going to

be interested in watching how the new ministry unfolds. That will be part of the

systemic nature of the work that the advocate and her office have to do. Seeing

how the new Ministry for Child, Youth and Family Services unfolds is part of

seeing how their needs are going to be met. That is certainly something a

systemic issue I know the advocate certainly would be concerned about.

Some of the concerns that I discussed with the advocate when we met are

concerns that have been brought to me by members of my own constituency and also

by people from other parts of the Province. I put them out as issues I certainly

hope that the advocate is going to be watching and monitoring.

One, of course, has to do with the ALAs and children being in short-term

living arrangements; the alternative living arrangements. I do know that Child,

Youth and Family Services are working on trying to improve this, but we do have

a very serious situation. We have even had parents who have called because of

the experience of having their children being put in care, moved frequently, and

not getting the care that the parents think they need. Just because children

have had to leave parents does not mean that parents still do not care about

their children and that the parents do not have the right to look what is

happening to their children when they are in the system, as we say. So this is

one area I continue to get phone calls about. In some cases, the parents do not

have enough access to the children because the children are moved too far away.

Sometimes the parents are not getting enough support in order to keep the

children at home. I think we need to look at how we are dealing with that issue.

We have to question: Do we have too many children going into care? Are there too

many children in alternative living arrangements? Are we putting enough supports

in place, community supports, so that children can stay in their home under

supervision with parents being worked with by outside people from CYFS to allow

them to parent their children in the home and to learn what they need to learn

about their parenting? They will not be able to do it if children are not in the

home. I have had social workers come to me and talk to me about the fact that

they believe that we need to be much more focused on how to keep children in the

home, when possible; that sometimes we are moving too quickly to move children

out of the home.

I know that we have had instances here in the Province where people are being

extra cautious about how children are being taken care of, and it would be wrong

not to acknowledge that. Of course, what happened with regard to the Turner

murder-suicide was something that should not have happened. The case there was

not so much a fact of we were dealing with a criminal situation where somebody

who had committed a crime was charged of a crime at that point, and a very

vicious crime, was allowed to keep her child. At the time, the Child and Youth

Advocate, who at that time was Darlene Neville, referring to the Province's

Child, Youth and Family Services program said that the fact that a whole

organization could be so out of touch with the reality everyone else was

wondering about is baffling. It was actually the Child and Youth Advocate who

ordered the inquiry after the Manitoba Coroner's report came out in 2006, with

regard to the Turner death. The Child and Youth Advocate called for a public

inquiry and pointed to problems in the child protection system.

So, the Child and Youth Advocate holds a very, very important role in this

Province, because the inquiry that was done, and the Turner report that was

released by the author Dr. Markesteyn, was an extremely important document. We

also have to recognize that we have to be sure that, as a result of that report

that we are not overreacting in some cases and moving children out too quickly

from some situations. I am not saying that is happening all the time, but I am

saying there have been questionable times when that has happened.

So, there is a lot of work for the Child and Youth Advocate to be watching,

and to be monitoring. Another group who have come to me and I do not mean a

group together, but people who have come to me from a specific concern are

grandparents. Grandparents who feel that they have not been treated fairly, and

have not had access to their children. That is a systemic issue as well which I

know that the Child and Youth Advocate would be open to looking at.

We had something interesting happen in Ottawa yesterday; a bill was passed in

Ottawa, Bill C464,

An Act To Amend The Criminal Code and it will make it more

difficult for people charged with a violent crime to get bail and access to

their children. A judge is going to be able to deny bail to a person if the

judge establishes any substantial likelihood that the accused will, if released

from custody, commit a criminal offence or interfere with the administration of

justice. So, this bill is extremely important because if this bill had been in

place at the time of the Turner murder-suicide, most likely we would not have

had the death that we had of a young child. So, again the role of the Child and

Youth Advocate is to be watching our system and to be making sure that our

system is working for the good of children. I would suspect that also means

looking at legislation, such at the one that they had in Ottawa it was not a

provincial one it was a federal one but watching legislation and monitoring

that legislation is being prepared in a way that is for the good of children.

It is a big role that Ms Chafe has taken on. I feel after having met with her

that she certainly is aware of the role that she has taken on and is committed

to making life better for children in this Province, and to making sure that

children who are in the care of government are treated justly and with care. I

have absolutely no doubt of her intention to work hard in that direction and her

openness to hear, not just from people in this House, not just from members of

the House of Assembly, but from everybody in this Province whether they are

parents or grandparents or people who observe something happening to children.

She will be there to listen and to be open to act on the issues that are brought

to her.

Having said all that, it is a tremendous task that Ms Chafe has taken on her

shoulders and I do hope that we as a House will be there to support her in that

task and to not put any blocks in her way from doing the work that she has taken

on.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: If the hon. the Government House Leader speaks now she will

close the debate on the present resolution.

The hon. the Government House Leader.

MS BURKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleagues in the House of

Assembly this afternoon for their comments regarding the appointment of Ms Carol

Chafe as the Child and Youth Advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, I think that most people will agree, and certainly the members

in this hon. House, that it is very important we have this office and that this

office functions for the purpose that it was set up to perform. We need to make

sure that we have somebody who is arm's-length, who is able to advocate for the

children and youth of Newfoundland and Labrador when such advocacy is needed.

Mr. Speaker, I can speak for government and for the various ministers who

represent departments that deal with issues that affect children, that we

certainly see the benefit and the need of such an office. To have it

arm's-length and report to the House of Assembly, certainly, I think, places it

in a position where it needs that level of independence and oversight, and to be

able to be impartial and unbiased when they report.

We welcome any reports. We often realize that some departments or services

can be improved. Any time there is a report that provides any level of depth and

critical analysis that can help improve services - sometimes it is perceived

that we may be defensive or not willing to accept these reports, but Mr.

Speaker, they are the very reports that shape and change the way we deliver

services in this Province, and have the biggest impact on what we do. I am

somebody who never shies away from these types of reports and feel that they can

provide us with the information we need so much in order to improve the quality

of services that we provide.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I am quite confident that the process to select the

next Child and Youth Advocate was thorough. We have somebody who has stellar

qualifications to do this job. I am sure with the skills that Ms Chafe has

developed in her career, I feel that the children and youth of Newfoundland and

Labrador, and the Members of the House of Assembly who will receive reports from

Ms Chafe, will see that there is going to be a high quality of work, and we

welcome that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Is the House ready for the question?

The motion as put forward by the hon. the Government House Leader:

"NOW THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED that Ms. Carol Chafe be appointed as the Child

and Youth Advocate."

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is unanimously carried.

Motion carried unanimously.

MR. SPEAKER: Before I move on to further business, the Chair would like

to recognize today some visitors in the gallery.

Today I would like to welcome students Gregory and Helen Crane from St. James

All-Grade School from the District of Bay of Islands. The students are

accompanied today by their teacher, Shelley Swift, and student assistants: Jamie

Park, Hazel Sheppard, and Phyllis Mollon.

Welcome to the House of Assembly.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, the next order of business for today would be the

Royal Assent to bills.

I do not know if we will have a break before we start that procedure, or if

we are ready to begin at this time. Maybe we will take a five minute break?

MR. SPEAKER: The House will now take a brief recess. The bells will be

rung, and hopefully members will come back and we will welcome the

Lieutenant-Governor for Royal Assent of the legislation that is passed in this

present sitting.

This House is now recessed.

Recess

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

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

arrived.

MR. SPEAKER: Admit His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: All rise.

[His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor takes the Chair]

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

that all present please be seated.

MR. SPEAKER: May it please Your Honour, the General Assembly of the

Province has at its present session passed certain bills, to which, in the name

and on behalf of the General Assembly, I respectfully request Your Honour's

Assent.

CLERK: A bill, "An Act To Amend The Real Estate Trading Act". (Bill 32)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act

No. 2". (Bill 33)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Mortgage Brokers Act". (Bill 34)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Public Safety Act". (Bill 35)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Judicature Act". (Bill 36)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Statutes Act". (Bill 37)

A bill, "An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law". (Bill 38)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Justices And Public Authorities Protection Act".

(Bill 39)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act

No. 3". (Bill 40)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Licensed Practical Nurses Act, 2005". (Bill 41)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Regional Health Authorities Act." (Bill 42)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Municipalities Act, 1999". (Bill 43)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000 No. 3". (Bill 44)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act".

(Bill 45)

A bill, "An Act To Implement The Comprehensive Integrated Tax Coordination

and Labrador". (Bill 46)

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Abitibi-Consolidated Rights And Assets Act."

(Bill 47)

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

Her Majesty's name, I Assent to these bills.

I believe the time has come for me to leave; but first, before I leave, I

want to say a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Members of the House

of Assembly and hope that you all enjoy the occasion. I know you are all as

hard-working as I was when I was here, so I am sure you are exhausted.

[His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor, leaves the Chamber. Mr. Speaker returns

to the Chair.]

MR. SPEAKER: Please be seated.

The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and all

Members of the House of Assembly a very Merry Christmas. I know we all hold the

wish for a happy and prosperous New Year, and I know that everybody in this

House of Assembly will play their

part in making that a reality, to do whatever

we can to contribute to making our wonderful Province, Newfoundland and

Labrador, an even better place to live and grow and raise our families.

To all the people who support us in this work, Mr. Speaker, Seasons

Greetings, and to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, thank you so much for

your support for all of us. It is a rare privilege to be able to do this work on

your behalf. Thank you for allowing us to do it. Our New Year's resolution is to

re-commit to you to represent your interests and to do the very best we can on

your behalf.

To everyone, Mr. Speaker, Seasons Greetings, have a safe holiday, a wonderful

holiday, and we will all meet again in the New Year.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I just want an opportunity for a few comments at the closing of this session,

a very brief session - the briefest since 2003, actually. It is not quite the

level of preparation that we are used to here, but we look forward to the spring

session, of course, when there is more time to maybe be organized, to proceed

with matters, and we will have the Budget session which always makes that much

more exciting, shall we say, than sometimes the fall session is.

On behalf of the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair, the Leader of the

Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, of course, and the Leader of the

Official Opposition I am just in an acting capacity and my colleagues, the

Member for Port de Grave and The Straits & White Bay North, I would like to wish

Seasons Greetings to all members of the House, and the Speaker and your staff,

to the Table Officers, to the commissionaires who keep us in line here from time

to time, and the security guards, to the people in the Broadcast Centre, the

people in Hansard, for example, the Pages who look after our every need here day

in and day out.

Merry Christmas to you all; hopefully everybody will have a safe one. Enjoy

the holidays with your families, and we look forward to being back here in the

spring to do what we have to do.

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 am quite pleased to stand, as Leader of the Third Party, in the House and

bring Christmas greetings to everybody in the House and to all those whom we

represent, because as we sit here collectively, we represent the people of the

Province. I do hope that everybody has a family Christmas with those whom we

love. I hope all the MHAs who hit the road today do so safely, to be careful.

I look forward to coming back into this House in the new year, to work

together. The work we do here is extremely important and I know we all take it

seriously. I want to thank, as the other leaders have done, all those who are

visible, who help us, and all those who are behind the scenes. I always

particularly like to recognize my staff, because people sometimes say to me, do

you feel lonely down there all by yourself? I am not all by myself, number one,

there are forty-seven other people in the room, and I have a tremendous staff

who back me. So, I want to recognize that staff, as I know that everybody else

in the House recognizes too, that we would not do the job we do without that

staff behind us.

So, let us have a wonderful Christmas, let us determine that we are going to

have a good new year together.

It is not a negative note I am saying this, I am saying it very, very

sincerely; we are all very fortunate. I think we all do not have to worry about

the celebration for Christmas. We know we can celebrate with our families and do

it a way we do not have to worry, and I think we do need to think about the

people in the Province who are not as fortunate as everybody else. We do still

have in Labrador a group of strikers on a picket line facing a second Christmas,

and I just feel I want to recognize those workers here today, as we close the

House.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: As the Speaker of the House of Assembly, I would like to

join as well those that have brought greetings and best wishes and to say Merry

Christmas and Happy New Year to members on both sides of the House, and to the

people that make this House function on a daily basis.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and I thank the House for their co-operation

for this session. Things have been great, co-operation on both sides, and it is

obvious by the amount of work that was done here in a short period of time.

On behalf of myself and the Table Officers, thank you and Merry Christmas and

a Happy New Year to all Members of the House of Assembly and to all the

residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The hon. the Government House Leader.

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

Resources that when this House adjourns today it stands adjourned until the Call

of the Chair. That the Speaker or, in his absence from the House, the Deputy

Speaker, may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time and date

stated by the notice of the proposed sitting and that this House do now adjourn.

MR. SPEAKER: The motion is that this House do now adjourn until the Call

of the Chair.

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

This House now stands adjourned.

On motion, the House at its rising adjourned to the Call of the Chair.