Newfoundland and Labrador Hansard — Members' Statements; Statements by Ministers — 7 December 2010 (46th General Assembly, 3rd Session)
2010-12-07
Newfoundland and Labrador — Debates (Hansard)
December 7, 2010 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
PROCEEDINGS XLVI No. 45
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
MR. SPEAKER (Fitzgerald): Order, please!
Admit strangers.
Today the Chair would like to welcome the Newfoundland and Labrador
Association of the Deaf and the Newfoundland and Labrador Deaf Sports
Association to the House of Assembly. The Newfoundland and Labrador Association
of the Deaf is accompanied by their president, Jodie Burke, and the Newfoundland
and Labrador Deaf Sports Association is accompanied by their secretary, Bryan
Johnson.
Welcome to the House of Assembly.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
Statements by Members
MR. SPEAKER: The following members' statements will be heard: the hon.
the Member for the District of Exploits; the hon. the Member for the District of
Port de Grave; the hon. the Member for the District of Fortune Bay-Cape la Hune;
the hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi; and the hon. the
Member for the District of Port au Port.
The hon. the Member for the District of Exploits.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. FORSEY: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today to commend Joyce Hart
of Botwood for her dedication in volunteerism and more so to the St. John
Ambulance.
Mr. Speaker, Joyce began volunteering with the St. John Ambulance in 1982.
She began as an ambulance driver and was later promoted to superintendent of the
brigade. Joyce is well-known throughout the region for her volunteer work and
was a familiar face last year at many of the H1N1 mass clinics.
Mr. Speaker, Joyce was recently promoted to the grade of "Dame of Grace"
along with the Order of St. John and was presented the award by
Lieutenant-Governor John Crosbie. Joyce has become the first in the Province to
achieve this status.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me in congratulating
Joyce Hart on receiving this prestigious award.
Thank 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.
On Saturday, November 20, 2010, I had the pleasure of attending the banquet
honouring the 125th anniversary of Bartholomew Loyal Orange Lodge #40 at
Clarke's Beach. This lodge was constituted on February 27, 1885.
This lodge is very active under the leadership of Mr. Gade Mugford Sr. The
history of Bartholomew has flourished in membership from more than 230 members
in the last century. Communities supporting this lodge are Clarke's Beach, North
River, South River, Makinsons, Salmon Cove and Otterbury. Today, they have one
of the highest memberships in this Province consisting of forty members.
This facility serves as a community centre for many of the groups and
organizations within the community. On this particular occasion they presented a
cheque in the amount of $500 to Ms Eileen McCann, Canadian Red Cross, to assist
those affected by tropical storm Igor, just another indication of the tremendous
community service provided by Bartholomew for over 125 years.
I ask all hon. members to join me in extending best wishes to all members as
they serve the principles of their order and the needs of the people they
represent.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Fortune Bay-Cape la
Hune.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS PERRY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise in this hon. House today to recognize Mr. John Nick Jeddore of Conne
River, who received the Seniors of Distinction Award in 2010. Now in his
eighties, Mr. Jeddore is a remarkable man with incredible energy, wisdom and
insight.
Mr. Jeddore was born in 1922, and spent his younger years as a traditional
trapper with his father. At the age of nineteen he enlisted with the Overseas
Forestry Unit, serving time in Scotland to support the war effort. When he
returned home in 1945, he married his loving wife Pauline Collier, and together
they raised nine children. When he was struck by tuberculosis, it did not set
him back, but rather, he converted his shed into a store which he operated until
he retired at the age of eighty-five in 2008, and his family continues to
operate the store today. However, he still has not slowed down any.
He loves to travel and has been known to water ski. He is an expert in the
old ways, yet embraces the new as well, and is an avid user of Facebook. He also
spends time hunting, fishing, trapping, cooking, and gathering wood for himself
and others. He is passing on many traditional skills, such as making snowshoes
and eel spears. He contributes to various Web sites and has a blog, through
which he shares the culture of the Mi'kmaq people.
In addition to the Seniors of Distinction Award, Mr. Jeddore has received the
Grand Chief Marshall Senior Elder Award in 2005, and the Aboriginal Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2007.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all members of this hon. House join me in extending
our sincerest congratulations to Mr. John Nick Jeddore, and we look forward to
his teachings for years to come.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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 the invaluable
contribution of playwright and actor David French, who died in Toronto on
Saturday night after a long battle with brain cancer. David was only
seventy-one.
French was born in Coley's Point on January 18, 1939. His family moved to
Toronto to join his father. He said, "When I was growing up, it was like Grand
Central Station in my house Newfoundlanders coming through all the time,
sitting around, smoking cigarettes and telling stories. And, of course, my
father and mother were great storytellers, and I picked it up from them, too."
He is best remembered for his tales about the several generations of the
Newfoundland Mercer family, a fictitious family transplanted to Toronto.
Leaving Home was successful right from the beginning, and went on to be
produced by nearly every regional theatre company in Canada, and studied in high
schools. It was named one of the 100 Most Influential Canadian Books by the
Literary Review of Canada, and one of the 1,000 Most Essential Plays by the
Oxford Dictionary of Theatre.
Of the Fields, Lately became a CBC Television special, and Salt-Water
Moon , my own personal favourite, and of others I am sure, was translated
into French and played throughout the US. His translation of Chekhov's The
Seagull was performed on Broadway.
He has been influential as a mentor to other Canadian playwrights and took
time to speak to amateur theatre groups and high schools where his work was
studied.
David won many awards. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2001.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all hon. Members in this House of Assembly to join me
sending condolences to his partner, Glenda MacFarlane, his son Gareth and
daughter Mary, and the playwright community in this Province and Canada.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Port au Port.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. CORNECT: Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this hon. House to congratulate
the business and individual recipients in the Stephenville-Port au Port-Bay St.
George area who were recognized for their business and entrepreneurial efforts
at the recently held Heart of the Community Gala in Stephenville during Business
Week 2010.
Mr. Speaker, Danny's Bake Shop, well known for its hospitality, excellent
service, and especially delicious baked goods, received the Leo Bruce Award for
Entrepreneurial Excellence. Danny's Bake Shop opened in 1979 and has since then
become a very successful family business.
Ten additional businesses were also recognized with the Heart of the
Community awards: Callahan's Contracting for construction and contracting;
Holiday Inn Stephenville for hospitality and tourism; Romain's Farm for natural
resource; Stephenville Cinema for new and emerging business; Stephenville Relay
for Life for non-profit; Western College for professionalism; Silver Dollar
Lounge for restaurant and Bar; Debbie's Video for retail and wholesale;
Chantilly Beauty Salon for service; and the Youth Award was given to Taylor
Garnier.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this hon. House to join with me in
congratulating the businesses and individuals that received these awards and to
wish them very well in the future.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.
Statements by Ministers
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The principles of business expansion and export development and their link to
profitability are leading to an increasing number of companies looking to
broaden their export capacity.
The commitment of this Administration to help open doors to national and
international markets for local companies has been expressed many times by
members of this hon. House. We see greater export activity as an extremely
important factor in helping to strengthen long-term growth of Newfoundland and
Labrador's business community and our provincial economy.
In 2009, for example, exports represented close to 40 per cent of the
Province's Gross Domestic Product and created one in every five jobs.
To help support existing and emerging exporters, the provincial government is
home to a series of business development programs and services such as the
ExportAdvantage Internship Program. Launched in June, the internship program is
providing GFT Aerospace Technologies in Gander, Green Seafoods in Winterton,
along with Newfoundland and Labrador Chocolate Company, Orphan Industries, and
Tiller Engineering from St. John's, with valuable, dedicated resources that are
focused on increasing export activity. The program is also providing meaningful
employment opportunities in the area of international trade for five recent
graduates.
Over a twelve-month period, individuals will perform work directly related to
the company's export activities, such as identifying new market opportunities,
conducting research related to market entry, developing export strategies,
participating in trade missions, and representing their employer at
international trade shows.
Alicia Anderson, an intern at GFT Aerospace Technologies, has stated, "the
ExportAdvantage Internship Program allows me to work in international business
while remaining in Newfoundland and Labrador. As an employee of GFT Aerospace
Technologies, I am able to work in international marketing and help identify
international expansion opportunities for the company. It is a great
experience."
As highlighted by Ms Anderson, there is much to be gained through engaging
youth. They have the ability to introduce fresh perspectives, new ideas, and
drive growth.
We, as a government, are very excited that this marriage between export
development and youth employment can be encouraged and supported through the
internship program.
Businesses, whether they are small, medium or large should make contact with
staff from the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development to learn
how our programs, such as the ExportAdvantage Internship Program, can help them
achieve their goals and objectives.
Thank you, 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.
First of all, I would like to thank the minister for an advance copy of her
statement. Any program that we see in the Province that helps to identify export
markets, and in particular bring youth together with it and so on, is a good
program. We would encourage people in the Province, entrepreneurs, to take
advantage of such things.
Identifying export markets and engaging youth are both key for business
development and youth retention in the Province, particularly the five recent
graduates who have gained employment through this program; it is good to see.
In terms of identifying export markets, we realize that reliable Internet
connections are required in rural communities. We know recently through media,
for example, that Happy Valley-Goose Bay seems to have run out of room for an
Internet connection. That would be a concern for us. Hopefully we can expand
those services and see that it is done. A teacher in McCallum said that he could
not do his on-line courses provided to him because he did not have high-speed
Internet and so on.
I would encourage the minister, and challenge her at the same time, to
continue to develop these programs. I wish her well with that, in particular in
rural communities, that the local companies can be a part of the program such as
stated here today.
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, too, thank the minister for the advance copy of her statement, her first
one in the portfolio that she is now in. I am very interested in the subsidy to
enhance export activity; the more that we can increase export activity, the
better. As well, the more that we can employ more people in export activities,
the better.
Right now, the internship program that the minister speaks to is involving
five companies. I do look forward to hearing about plans that the department has
for expanding that subsidy to other companies. It seems similar to the Graduate
Employment Program which also benefits a small number of students.
We do need a comprehensive intensive program for post-secondary graduates
that will continue to keep our students here, our young people here. We need
hundreds of these programs, Mr. Speaker, and I look forward to the day when the
government will be able to tell us all of the departments, the social
enterprises, a great number of non-profits, and more businesses where we have
interns that are staying in the Province during internship and then choose to
continue living here.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Further statements by ministers?
The hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. FRENCH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I proudly rise in this House today to report that 2010 is shaping up to be
the best tourism year ever in Newfoundland and Labrador -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. FRENCH: - with statistics to the end of October indicating a 7.2 per
cent increase in non-resident visitation over the same period last year. We are
projected to see over half a million visitors this year, the year 2010, Mr.
Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. FRENCH: This is the first time we will ever have surpassed that
figure in our Province's history.
Mr. Speaker, what it boils down to is we have all had someone come to visit
this year here in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Our $850 million tourism industry continues to grow and this year's success
can be attributed, in part, to our efforts to highlight our natural and cultural
assets during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games; the 2010
JUNO Awards, hosted here in St. John's; and, of course, the Cupids400
celebrations. It is also a testament to our continuing focus on strategically
marketing this Province as a global destination of choice.
Our Find Yourself Here tourism marketing campaign, first launched in 2006,
continues to evolve and to receive national and international accolades. With
more than thirty awards received this year alone, the campaign has now garnered
no less than 100 regional, national and international awards.
The world is taking notice, Mr. Speaker. Last month, National Geographic
Traveler magazine named the Avalon Peninsula at the top of ninety-nine
coastal destinations throughout the world - a designation that provided
incredible international media exposure.
None of this is by accident, Mr. Speaker. Our government has more than
doubled the tourism marketing budget in the past seven years from $6 million to
$13 million. In 2009, we took it to the next step when we entered into a unique
public-private partnership with the tourism industry; launched Uncommon
Potential A Vision for Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism; established a
Tourism Board, and began the process of implementing the vision with a view to
seeing tourism revenues reach $1.6 billion by 2020.
This has been a remarkable year, Mr. Speaker. In fact, it has been a
remarkable seven years, with visitor traffic increasing by 22 per cent since
2003. Next year also looks good, with the cruise industry, in particular,
expected to see substantial returns.
I am sure my colleagues in this House share my excitement at the realization
of this milestone in our industry the record tourism year and look forward
to what the future should hold.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement. We
all know he did it all by himself.
In all seriousness, some people on the government side would think that we do
not compliment government, and the public might think that our job is only to
criticize, but in all seriousness it has been a fantastic year in this Province
and I commend the government for what they have done in the past number of years
in regard to promoting our Province as a tourist destination.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: In fact, some of the ad campaigns that we have seen,
the clothesline pieces and so on, hats off. I hope they are done in
Newfoundland, but whoever did them, it is a fantastically creative job to show
people on the mainland and elsewhere in North America and the world exactly what
we have to offer here, and that is why they should visit here.
Of course, from an economic point of view, in my district alone, every one of
us here is probably impacted by tourists who come to this Province. Marine
Atlantic, for example, is in Port aux Basques, which is in part of my district.
Hundreds of people are employed in the terminal there, on the ferry service
there. They have certainly had their challenges in the last year or so, Marine
Atlantic; some because of capacity; some because of mechanical issues; and some,
like every year, because of weather conditions.
I look forward to the two new boats we are going to get with Marine Atlantic
this year. One is going to be named, of course, the Blue Puttees , in
honour of our Newfoundland Regiment, and the other is going to be named after
the Nova Scotia Highlanders brigade. It is great to see that. Hopefully, those
issues, in terms of getting people into and out of the Province from that end,
and in particular when it comes to the freight service, that it is going to be
improved and we will see that as well.
So again, there are some issues. We had people who thought that sometimes you
cannot rent a car in St. John's during the tourist season and whatever, but
those problems, I am sure, are minor in terms of the big picture. We will see
the cruise ship industry increasing here. Whatever the minister can do, and the
government can do, to continue promoting that industry in our Province, is a
great thing to actually see.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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, too, thank the minister for the advance copy of his statement. His report
is an excellent report. I, too, congratulate the ministry on the work that they
have done, both in marketing the industry and marketing the Province - they have
taken on that marketing in a very serious way but also thank them for the
support that they give to the people who work in the industry, both those who
own companies as well as the workers in those companies. There is no doubt that
we have made great strides in this Province with regard to tourism.
I look for the day when - and I know the minister does, too, because he has
mentioned it in the past - we increase tourism during the winter months, with
industry growing during the winter months so that it is not as seasonal an
industry as it is right now. Hopefully, we can have people increasing their
presence here throughout the year.
In the past, I have said that I really compliment the ministry on the great
marketing that it does, and I hope they are sharing their techniques with other
departments. I want to repeat that again, Mr. Speaker, that I look forward to
when the MOU is released with regard to the fisheries, and I hope that we will
see real efforts in the industry with the Department of Fisheries involved in
marketing this wonderful resource that we have in this Province, which is linked
to the tourism, Mr. Speaker. People do not come here to see empty villages
around our bays in Newfoundland and Labrador; they come to see active
communities, and that is where our fishery comes in, so let's link those two
things together.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
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.
My question is for the Minister of Health.
The fallout from the doctors' situation is continuing to cause problems in
our health care system, as everyone who lives in this Province is aware. A
letter dated November 22 sent by Dr. Lydia Hatcher, Chair of the Community
Medical Advisory Committee, to Ms Vicki Kaminski, CEO of Eastern Health, about
the discipline Ms Kaminski took against thirteen specialists has been brought to
our attention. According to the CMAC, proper medical bylaws were not followed by
Ms Kaminski in imposing this discipline, and the CMAC considers the actions to
be punitive.
I ask the minister: Are you aware of the existence of this letter and the
response which the CMAC sent back to Ms Kaminski, and, in particular, did you or
your department have any involvement as well in the discipline which Ms Kaminski
dealt out to those specialists?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I think the member opposite referred to Dr. Hatcher. I am aware of one letter
that came to the Premier's office from Dr. Hatcher that had a couple of hundred
signatures from family doctors protesting the issue in relation to the resigning
of salaried specialists. The second letter he refers to, no, I am not familiar
with that. I am aware that the issue has been raised.
In relation to the issue of what Ms Kaminski did, Ms Kaminski is the CEO of
Eastern Health; she has the confidence of myself, as the Minister of Health, and
from this government. Mr. Speaker, she is doing a great job over there in
difficult circumstances.
I can assure the member opposite that I did not tell, nor do I need to tell,
Ms Kaminski how to do her job. As the CEO, she is responsible for the
operational aspects of the regional health authority, Mr. Speaker. I do not get
involved in that, other than when it comes to a policy issue.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Minister, this is not about a policy issue; this is about whether Ms
Kaminski properly complied with the bylaws of Eastern Health when it came to a
process involving discipline. It is quite clear from the correspondence to which
I refer, and I am quite prepared to table here in this House, that the doctors
involved feel adamantly that the process has not been complied with. They have
called upon Ms Kaminski to make apologies to the physicians involved, because
they are saying that she did breach, in fact, the bylaws.
It is not just a case of policy, Mr. Minister. The medical bylaws of Eastern
Health were just revamped in this last year. It is quite clear that Ms Kaminski
has not complied with the medical bylaws when it comes to due process in what
she did to these specialists.
I ask the minister: Do you agree with the punitive action that Ms Kaminski
took against these specialists? If not, what actions are you prepared to take
with regard to her about this issue?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
One of the issues that myself and my colleague, the Minister of Finance,
spoke to the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association about the other day,
was the resigning specialists. Obviously, that is an issue that is out on the
table and one that we are discussing fully, Mr. Speaker. We had a very cordial
discussion as outlined by the Premier yesterday. We hope to have further
discussions in the not too distant future.
Mr. Speaker, we hope that this issue of the resigning salaried specialists
can be resolved. If I remember correctly, at one of the information sessions
last week one of the doctors indicated that even though she had submitted her
resignation, that if a fair and competitive wage package was provided, she
wanted to stay in this Province. It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that is
the general feeling among these specialists.
So at this point the issue of the salaried specialists is front and centre in
terms of what we are talking with the medical association about, Mr. Speaker. We
will hopefully be able to work that out in the near future.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am glad to see that the minister referred, in particular, to the salaried
specialists because that leads into my next question. We are seeing
pronouncements about change of attitude on the part of government and so on, and
the minister taking a softer role than he did before. Which brings to mind and
that was my next question the issue, Mr. Minister, of Dr. Julia Trahey, whom
you disclosed private information about some weeks ago in the halls here of
Confederation Building.
I ask you, Minister, in order to fix that mess which you created, would it
not be a good gesture on your part, as an exercise in good faith, and since this
thing is supposed to be on the rails, I ask you: Are you prepared to apologize
for what you said about Ms Trahey's private information at that time?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, myself and the Minister of Finance sat with Dr.
O'Shea and with Mr. Ritter last week. There was some toing and froing as to what
has taken place in the past, but what we indicated, Mr. Speaker, is that we have
to deal with the present. What the public of this Province is saying to us as a
government is that they want to, as best we can within the fiscal framework
within which we work, reach a deal with the doctors.
So, Mr. Speaker, we agreed last week that it is no good to go back and to
regurgitate everything that has happened in the past; we have to deal with the
present and the future. So, Mr. Speaker, last week we looked at the situation
and we found that by discussing the present that it is much more productive,
much more positive and perhaps more amenable to resolution.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: As for myself, Mr. Speaker, I spent twenty years in a
courtroom and oftentimes I had to admit I was wrong. If in fact I am wrong, that
is something I can admit and accept again, but at this point in time, Mr.
Speaker, we are concentrating on trying to get a deal with the doctors, which is
what the public wants.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you.
It is very saddening, Mr. Speaker, to see that the minister only goes so far
in his pronouncements of good faith and keeping things on track.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the House I asked the
Premier to tell the people of this Province how much money Emera Energy of Nova
Scotia will make transmitting power from Muskrat Falls to Soldier's Pond outside
Holyrood. We know Emera will own 29 per cent of the transmission line coming
across this Province. We also know that Emera will hold that interest for at
least fifty years.
Why has government decided to privatize the transmission of power, when the
people of Newfoundland spoke quite loudly and clearly some years ago on
privatization of Hydro?
My question to the Premier is: How much money, including profit, will Emera
Energy make on the backs of energy consumers here as a result of holding that 29
per cent sweetener which you gave them on the transmission cost; and why the
extra sweetener for a company that is already getting thirty-five years of free
energy?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, Emera Energy is buying $1.2 billion of energy from Newfoundland
and Labrador over the next thirty-five years. They are getting 20 per cent
they are buying 20 per cent of the power from Muskrat Falls, so they will pay 20
per cent of the capital expenses, which is $1.2 billion; they will pay 20 per
cent of the maintenance and operational costs of the whole generation and
transmission of electricity, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, they will pay that $1.2 billion translates into $95 megawatt
hour escalating to $125 over the life of the contract. Mr. Speaker, let me point
out that in -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
Does the hon. Premier have leave to continue her answer?
AN HON. MEMBER: No, Mr. Speaker.
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: That is fine, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate if the Premier does
not know the rules of the House in terms of timelines in Question Period and
cannot get her question. If she wants to give a speech she should do it
elsewhere; this is Question Period.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier, we know that the deal
for Muskrat Falls is built on a number of premises; one of those is that energy
demand here on the Island is increasing. Another is that the cost of energy at
the thermal plant in Holyrood will far exceed that of energy at Muskrat Falls
over the long-term. When we asked Nalcor officials for the figures and studies
justifying those two assumptions we were told they could be found in the Nalcor
filing made with the Public Utilities Board back in July. Well, Mr. Speaker, we
have gone through the filings of Nalcor at the Public Utilities Board
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. member to pose his question now.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I ask the Premier: Given that information is not where Nalcor said it was,
what information do you have or can you provide to the public to justify your
assumption about the future energy needs of this Province?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the Public Utilities Board requires Nalcor to be able to
forecast as accurately as they can the demand that the people of the Province
will have for electricity not only today but into the future. They are required
by law, by legislation Nalcor is required by legislation, by law not only to
provide that information to the Public Utilities Board but to also provide the
Public Utilities Board with the information that will show the Public Utilities
Board how they are going to meet that demand.
Mr. Speaker, that information was provided to the Public Utility Board in
July. What is unfortunate, Mr. Speaker, is despite the amount of information
made available to the Opposition, they still do not seem to be any further
enlightened.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Well, I have to ask the Premier for another little piece of information now;
because, as I say, the second assumption is about replacing Holyrood. We all
know that we are giving Emera the sweet deal; we know there are no outside
buyers for this energy yet. Now the taxpayers of Newfoundland are going to bear
the sole burden as financers of the deal, it is going to increase our public
debt by 50 per cent, and we are going to subsidize the cost of power to Nova
Scotia. We know all of those things.
I ask the Premier: Where are the studies and the estimates which justify your
claim that the Holyrood power is more expensive than the high-cost energy you
want to produce at Muskrat Falls?
Nobody has produced that information, Ms Premier, and I ask you: Where can we
get it? Who can provide us with it? Because Nalcor certainly has not provided it
to us - or the government.
AN HON. MEMBER: You are not getting your money's worth out of
(inaudible).
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, let me say, first of all, that it is absolutely scandalous that
a former Cabinet minister under the Grimes Administration, who should be more
than familiar with Holyrood, with the generation deficits that are forecast
there, Mr. Speaker, who should be fully aware of the environmental impact of
thermal generation, would not have any more information than he is demonstrating
here today about the need for replacement of Holyrood, or how we are going to do
that, and what kinds of costs are going to be involved in that, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we understand the cost of trying to fix Holyrood into the
future, which means we have to have significant pieces of work
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. Premier to answer her question now.
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We would have to spend well over - almost $1 billion to fix Holyrood to a
degree that it had at least a minimal effect on the environment, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It was not a tough question. All we are saying is give us the information. Do
not get up in the House of Assembly and spout off that you ought to know where
to find it; you are aware of this. This is your project, I say to the
government. Where is the information to justify the simple question? We do not
want any rhetoric. The people here would like to see your facts and your
figures.
Mr. Speaker, within days of the Muskrat Falls announcement the former
Premier, CEO of Nalcor, and members of the Innu Nation, were in Ottawa for
meetings with the federal government. I understand these meetings were to
discuss the unresolved issues which the Innu have with the federal government -
they have been ongoing for some years - as well as the possibility of securing
some financing, possibly loan guarantees for the Muskrat Falls deal. That was
some two weeks ago. We have not heard anything back.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. member to phrase his question now.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Yes, Mr. Speaker.
My question for the Premier is: What happened at those meetings? Were they
successful or not? What is the outcome? Is there any kind of update you can give
to the people as to where that is going?
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, that question is more appropriately asked to the Innu and to the
federal government. I am happy to stand in this House and say today that we have
successfully concluded our negotiations with the Innu and we look forward to
ratification of what we have negotiated with them.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: What the Innu came to us to say, Mr. Speaker, is: We
are very satisfied with our negotiations with the provincial government. We have
such a level of trust, because of those negotiations over two years, that we are
asking you to come with us, to support us, as we go to the federal government to
ask that our land claims be settled.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am absolutely shocked! It was only up to yesterday that the Premier was the
Minister of Natural Resources - and she does not know what was going on at the
Ottawa meetings? My God, does she expect the people of this Province to believe
that? In twenty-four hours they forgot what happened on a file.
Anyway, Mr. Speaker, I have one more question for the Premier here. Mr. Chris
Montague, the President of the excuse me, the Minister of Labrador Affairs
might like to help me with the pronunciation.
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you.
NunatuKavut; I stand to be corrected. It is not my native tongue, and I will
practice on it the best I can, but the bottom line is Mr. Chris Montague asked
the government, and made it quite clear at the announcement downtown of the
Muskrat Falls, why there was no consultation. The Premier is on the record as
saying there was consultation.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. member to pose his question.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: I wonder if the Premier could clarify: Was there or
was there not any consultation with Mr. Montague and his group; and, if not, do
you intend to engage them in proper consultations?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, what I said was that consultation takes place during the
environmental assessment, which has been registered - the panel is in place, it
is taking place and, Mr. Speaker, during that process all people who have a
view, have a stake, have something to say, have an opportunity to be engaged.
Mr. Montague will be engaged and NunatuKavut will be engaged; and, Mr. Speaker,
we have provided, through Nalcor, substantial funding to them so that they can
get the proper research done and have a comprehensive response to the
development of Muskrat Falls.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White
Bay North.
MR. DEAN: Mr. Speaker, we all remember last year during the crab fishery
dispute, when some harvesters called for the right to land their catches in this
Province to sell to outside processors. As we all know, such a practice is
contrary to our processing regulations. In light of that, Mr. Speaker, I was
surprised to hear reports just yesterday from the Bay of Islands about herring
being landed and then trucked out of this Province for processing. I am given to
understand the situation is affecting employment at two processing plants in
that region.
My question for the minister is this: Minister, have you give permission for
herring to be shipped out of this Province for processing in this one particular
case and, if so, why? If you have not given permission, are you aware of this
situation and what can we expect you to do about it?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, at this time of the year it is not the first
time that this has been done. At the request of the industry, that exemption has
been granted in the past and it is continued this year up until I believe it is
probably to the end of this month, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White
Bay North.
MR. DEAN: Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Igor hit our Province on September 21,
2010, and devastated many homes and communities. Since then, people have been
trying to get their lives back on track. I understand some 1,500 claims have
been sent in to this government and approximately 200 people affected have
received cheques. It is now two weeks before Christmas, and many people are
still not back in their homes after waiting close to three months.
I ask the minister to explain to the people of the Province the reason for
this inordinate delay to process and update on these claims, including how much
longer these people will have to wait to get a cheque in their hands.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. O'BRIEN: Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to get the question because it
gives me an opportunity to thank all the people in regard to FES-NL,
Transportation and Works, and Human Resources, Labour and Employment with regard
to how they have reacted to an unprecedented
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. O'BRIEN: - event in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are moving through
the claims process as fast and as quickly as we can, unprecedented in regard to
other events that happened in our past, one being Badger. We are still trying to
work out the details, Mr. Speaker, because of poor accounting, poor processing
in regard to the claims themselves.
The people really who should be commended here in this event are the people
who were affected. As Randy Simms said to me on Open Line one morning, the
people of FES-NL must be doing a great job in regard to reacting to the people's
needs in the various areas across the Province because I am not getting any
calls. I rest my case on that, Mr. Speaker. We are moving as quickly as we
possibly can, and continue to do so.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White
Bay North.
MR. DEAN: Mr. Speaker, I always knew the Open Line had a great impact in
this Province, but I did not realize it was to that extent. Mr. Speaker, just
this morning we heard the Reverend Eric Squires expressing frustration in the
media about families in the Catalina area who are falling between the cracks, as
he phrased it. These families do not qualify for government or non-profit
assistance to provide repairs to their homes.
I ask the minister again: Is he aware of this? Has he been in touch with
those people or the Reverend to hear first-hand about this hurt, devastation,
and loss of hope, and, more importantly, to find ways to provide much needed
assistance to these people?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. O'BRIEN: Mr. Speaker, in regard to the FES-NL, I gave direction to
FES-NL some time ago to make sure that we are in constant contact with the
affected people in regard to their homes, their lives, and everything else that
they are dealing with in regard to this unprecedented event. We are making 135
calls a day in regard to the claims that we have received. We have actually made
over 2,000 calls in November alone. We keep in constant contact with them.
As for Reverend Squires, Reverend Squires is certainly right in what he is
saying in regard to there has not been a lot of response in regard to the
not-for-profit organizations; the uptake is not as great as we expected. We have
been working with them as well, to identify areas that they can actually help
those homeowners that are not covered under the federal program in the
guidelines that we have to follow in regard to reacting to this event.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.
MR. BUTLER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The need for long-term care is a concern for all areas of the Province, as
there is a serious lack of chronic care beds. In June of this year, government
built and opened a new long-term care facility in Corner Brook, but recent
reports stated it is woefully understaffed. Family members from the area are
telling horror stories about the care their parents are receiving. Patients have
been found on the floor, Mr. Speaker; others have been sitting in their own
feces for hours. This is from a government that has constantly touted its
strategic planning.
I ask the minister: What is your government doing to fix this mess, and make
sure it does not happen again?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Corner Brook long-term care facility, which is a 236 bed facility, opened
June 21, 2010. In fact, Mr. Speaker, the permanent staff at the home has
increased by thirty-eight members. I am aware, as the member opposite points
out, that between July 15 and September 23 there were a number of open forums in
which people outlined their concerns. I know that there was another meeting
recently, Mr. Speaker, on November 16 or 20.
I met with the CEO of Western Health last week, Susan Gillam. I discussed
with Ms Gillam what steps were being taken out there to improve the operational
aspects of the home, to address the issues raised by the residents. Mr. Speaker,
Ms Gillam is in constant contact with the staff members. What I indicated that
day, Mr. Speaker, is that the government is here, the department is here, to
fully support Ms Gillam as she tries to fix up whatever problems are there, and
if there are staffing issues required we will certainly provide them in this
year's budget.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.
MR. BUTLER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
This facility is not the only facility with staffing issues. Just last week
we received a call from a member of the staff at Hoyles-Escasoni telling us
about the poor treatment their patients are receiving. There are not enough
staff, there are not enough lifts, seniors are spending their days in bed
because they do not have enough staff and resources to get them out, and the
list goes on.
I ask the minister: Why are our most vulnerable beings treated this way by
this government?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
One of the reasons this year that we embarked upon the long-term care
strategy consultation sessions was to find out exactly what is going on out
there from families who have members in these facilities, and also to hear from
staff members.
Mr. Speaker, we held approximately twenty sessions in nineteen communities
throughout the Province; I had six roundtable consultations with various groups.
Mr. Speaker, we have taken all the information we heard, we are correlating it
now, and we are trying to determine how it will fit into development of the
strategy.
To give you an example, Mr. Speaker, of how we are responding, Debbie
Forward, the president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses' Union, met with
me, and indicated that she felt that the skill mix was not appropriate. What we
did, Mr. Speaker, as a government, is indicate to Ms Forward that we are
interested in working with the nurses, and I have actually ordered a skill mix
review to address some of the issues raised by them.
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, on August 2, I was shocked to hear the Minister of Education
announce he was closing the School for the Deaf, especially since he said in the
House on May 27 he had no plans to do so. Mr. Speaker, this terrible decision
has devastated the deaf community of this Province.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Education: Will he stand in this House, in
the presence of representatives of that community, acknowledge his mistake,
reverse his decision, and make a firm commitment to honour the rights of deaf
children in this Province?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the member opposite for her question and I welcome people in the
gallery who are here today and have a vested interest in this topic.
The fact of the matter is, first of all, government did not make a policy
decision to close the School for the Deaf. The School for the Deaf was closed
because of a number of factors. Predominantly, Mr. Speaker, it was because of
parental choice and student choice: that they wanted to be integrated into other
school systems where they could be with their peers and they could access more
opportunity for socialization, better co-curricular and extracurricular
activities, and perhaps most importantly, Mr. Speaker, better educational
programs that will better prepare them for the future.
Mr. Speaker, if there is any acknowledgement here of where my position is, it
is that I made a decision with government to support the students who are
currently in the system based on what they felt were the needs and interests
that they wanted to pursue.
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 will just point out to the minister that I, too, have read the many letters
that he has received with information showing that it was government policy that
led to the closure of the school.
Mr. Speaker, the right of deaf children to be educated in their own language
American Sign Language and culture is protected by Canada's Constitution and
United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the
Rights of the Child, to both of which Canada is a signatory.
Mr. Speaker, government provides for the francophone children of the Province
to be educated in their own language as it should; yet, the minister has chosen
to take this right from deaf children.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the minister why he has walked all over the rights of the
deaf children of this Province, and what is he going to do to undo this
injustice?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, on many occasions in the last four months I have
heard the member opposite be very nasty and very personal towards me on Open
Line stations and otherwise, even in this House today where she is heckling me
now when I am trying to answer the question.
Mr. Speaker, I am going to speak directly to you, and I am going to ignore
the perspective being proposed opposite. What I will say to you, Mr. Speaker, is
that everybody in society has rights, not just one particular community.
With the greatest respect to the letters and the positions articulated by the
member opposite, let me tell you that I could hold up lots and lots of letters,
and they are from students currently in the system, who say to me: I do not want
my right to go to school with my friends taken away because somebody who
attended that school twenty years ago feels I ought not to do so. So, Mr.
Speaker, I stand here today defending the rights of the students who are
currently - currently - being educated in the system.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The time allotted for questions and answers has expired.
Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.
Tabling of Documents.
Tabling of Documents
MR. SPEAKER: In accordance with subsection 43(4) of the House of Assembly
Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act, I am informing the House today
that the Audit Committee did not recommend an auditor to be appointed by the
Management Commission to audit the 2009-2010 accounts of the Legislature before
the March 31 end of that fiscal year. Therefore, the Auditor General has audited
the accounts of the Legislature for that particular year.
Further tabling of documents?
Notices of Motion.
Notices of Motion
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
MR. O'BRIEN: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to
introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Municipalities Act, 1999. (Bill
43)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Further notices of motion?
The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to
introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Licensed Practical Nurses Act,
2005. (Bill 41)
Mr. Speaker, I also give notice that I will ask leave to introduce a bill
entitled,
An Act To Amend The Regional Health Authorities Act. (Bill 42)
MR. SPEAKER: Further 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 will read the prayer of the petition. I think that is the practice that we
have to do here.
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 system
of K-3; 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 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, having said that on behalf of those residents, I want to say
that, no doubt about it, this forty-nine-year-old structure has served the
residents of that area over that period to the fullest degree. We hear
announcements on new schools being built in different areas, and rightly so. We
hear of major changes coming to the school systems here in the greater St.
John's area.
Mr. Speaker, in that particular area those people are asking that government
would consider the construction of this new school based on a consultant's
report. I know full well that the board itself supported the recommendations
from the consultant's report, and we had hoped that something would have gone
forward to see this take place.
Mr. Speaker, also in the particular area, I guess why they are asking for it
is not only because of the age of the building. We know the space is not
available for the amount of children that attend that school, which is
increasing on a yearly basis. Only a couple of years ago students had to be
moved; the Grade 4 students had to be moved into the Amalgamated Academy, which
takes in Grade 5 to Grade 9. That is all fine, but still, this facility cannot
carry out the numbers that are attending there from the K-4 system.
Mr. Speaker, I know just a couple of years ago there was an issue that had to
be dealt with, with air quality. We are glad that was dealt with. I guess it was
in the basement area of the building. That has been resolved, but this facility
is an old facility. Hopefully, Mr. Speaker, government can see, in their wisdom,
this year when the new Budget comes down, that this will be one that will be
placed high on their priority list. I know it is high on their priority list,
but we just want to hear that announcement that something will be done, Mr.
Speaker.
On behalf of those residents, I say it is an honour and a pleasure to present
this, yet another petition with regard to the construction of a new primary
school for Coley's Point.
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, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Government Services, to
ask leave to introduce a bill,
An Act To Amend The Real Estate Trading Act, Bill
32, and I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister
of Government Services shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To
Amend The Real Estate Trading Act, Bill 32, and that Bill 32 be now read a first
time.
Is it the pleasure of the House that the hon. minister shall leave to
introduce Bill 32, and that this bill be now read a first time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
Motion, the hon. the Minister of Government Services to introduce a bill, "An
Act To Amend The Real Estate Trading Act", carried. (Bill 32)
CLERK: A bill,
An Act To Amend The Real Estate Trading Act. (Bill 32)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 32 has now been read a first time.
When shall Bill 32 be read a second time?
MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.
On motion, Bill 32 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of
Government Services, to ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend
The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act No. 2, Bill 33, and I further
move that the said bill be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister of
Government Services shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To
Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act No. 2, Bill 33, and
that Bill 33 be now read a first time.
Is it the pleasure of the House that the hon. minister shall have leave to
introduce Bill 33 and that this bill be now read a first time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
Motion, the hon. the Minister of Government Services to introduce a bill, "An
Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act No. 2", carried.
(Bill 33)
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 first time.
When shall Bill 33 be read a second time?
MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.
On motion, Bill 33 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of
Government Services, to ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend
The Mortgage Brokers Act, Bill 34, and I further move that the said bill be now
read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister
of Government Services shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To
Amend The Mortgage Brokers Act, Bill 34, and that Bill 34 be now read a first
time.
Is it the pleasure of the House that the hon. minister shall have leave to
introduce Bill 34 and that this bill be now read a first time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
Motion, the hon. the Minister of Government Services to introduce a bill, "An
Act To Amend The Mortgage Brokers Act", carried. (Bill 34)
CLERK: A bill,
An Act To Amend The Mortgage Brokers Act. (Bill 34)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 34 has now been read a first time.
When shall the said bill be read a second time?
MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.
On motion, Bill 34 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of
Government Services, to ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend
The Public Safety Act, Bill 35, and I further move that the said act be now read
a first time.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister of
Government Services shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To
Amend The Public Safety Act, Bill 35, and that Bill 35 be now read a first time.
Is it the pleasure of the House that Bill 35 be now read a first time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
Motion, the hon. the Minister of Government Services to introduce a bill, "An
Act To Amend The Public Safety Act", carried. (Bill 35)
CLERK: A bill,
An Act To Amend The Public Safety Act. (Bill 35)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 35 has now been read a first time.
When shall Bill 35 be read a second time?
MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.
On motion, Bill 35 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Justice
and Attorney General, to ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend
The Judicature Act, Bill 36, and I further move that the said bill be now read a
first time.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister of
Justice and the Attorney General shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Judicature Act, Bill 36, and that this bill be now read a
first time.
Shall the hon. minister have leave to introduce the said bill and it be now
read a first time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
Motion, the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to introduce a
bill, "An Act To Amend The Judicature Act", carried. (Bill 36)
CLERK: A bill,
An Act To Amend The Judicature Act. (Bill 36)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 36 has now been read a first time.
When shall Bill 36 be read a second time?
MS BURKE: On tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.
On motion, Bill 36 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Justice
and Attorney General, to ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend
The Statutes Act, Bill 37, and I further move that the said bill be now read a
first time.
MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister
of Justice and the Attorney General shall have leave to introduce a bill
entitled,
An Act To Amend The Statutes Act, Bill 37, and that Bill 37 be now
read a first time.
Is it the pleasure of the House that the said minister shall have leave to
introduce Bill 37 and that this bill be now read a first time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
Motion, the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to introduce a
bill, "An Act To Amend The Statutes Act", carried. (Bill 37)
CLERK A bill,
An Act To Amend The Statutes Act. (Bill 37)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 37 has now been read a first time.
When shall Bill 37 be read a second time?
MS BURKE: On tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.
On motion, Bill 37 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition on a point of order.
MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Just for the record, Mr. Speaker, we do not have a
copy of Bill 37. It is not a big issue. We are not going to get into any of this
until Thursday anyway, but I just wanted to let the Government House Leader know
that we do not have Bill 37, which is the normal procedure when you call it for
first reading, I understand.
MR. SPEAKER: Just for information, our bills are usually distributed
prior to second reading, I say to the hon. member. Normally, the House provides
the bill prior to second reading. I think our Standing Orders state clearly that
the bills are to be distributed prior to second reading. While members may have
gotten the first reading of bills, that is fine, but the bills have to be
distributed prior to second reading, according to the Standing Orders of the
House.
The hon. the Government House Leader.
MS BURKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney
General, to ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Remove Anomalies
And Errors In The Statute Law, Bill 38, and I further move that the said bill be
now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister of
Justice and Attorney General shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled, An
Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law, Bill 38, and that Bill 38
be now read a first time.
Is it the pleasure of the House that Bill 38 be now read a first time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
Motion, the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to introduce a
bill, "An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law", carried. (Bill
38)
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 first time.
When shall Bill 38 be read a second time?
MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.
On motion, Bill 38 read a first time, ordered read a
second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Justice
and Attorney General, to ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend
The Justices And Public Authorities Protection Act, Bill 39, and I further move
that the said bill be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister
of Justice and Attorney General shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Justices And Public Authorities Protection Act, Bill 39, and
that Bill 39 be now read a first time.
Is it the pleasure of the House that the said minister shall have leave to
introduce Bill 39, and that this bill be now read a first time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
Motion, the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to introduce a
bill, "An Act To Amend The Justices And Public Authorities Protection Act",
carried. (Bill 39)
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 first time.
When shall Bill 39 be read a second time?
MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.
On motion, Bill 39 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of
Government Services, to ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend
The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act No. 3, Bill 40, and I further
move that the said bill be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER: It is properly moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister
of Government Services shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To
Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act No. 3, Bill 40, and
that the said bill be now read a first time.
Is it the pleasure of the House that the minister shall have leave to
introduce Bill 40 and that this bill be now read a first time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
Motion, the hon. the Minister of Government Services to introduce a bill, "An
Act To Amend The Consumer Protection And Business Practices Act No. 3", carried.
(Bill 40)
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 first time.
When shall Bill 40 be read a second time?
MS BURKE: Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.
On motion, Bill 40 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I call from the Order Paper, under Orders of the
Day, No. 2, Address in Reply.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
MR. FRENCH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, first, before I get into Address in Reply, it certainly would be
remiss of me if I did not compliment our current Premier. I was delighted to see
her take on the role. It had the endorsement of all our caucus, Mr. Speaker, and
I guess it -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. FRENCH: It certainly speaks to the team on this side, Mr. Speaker.
She was our obvious choice and has acted as Deputy Premier for the last number
of years, and is certainly very fitting in the role. I can say with some
assurance - obviously, it was highlighted about the fact that she is the first
woman to ever take on that role. It is amazing here now in the House, actually,
as we look around; the Leader of the Opposition is a woman, and the Leader of
the NDP is a woman. I just think, as a Province, Mr. Speaker, we are at the
leading edge in the country and it is a remarkable feat at last, for all these
years - and I am sure the Premier could tell you a lot more stories about some
of the barriers that have been placed in front of women.
I can speak for my own house, Mr. Speaker. I can certainly say that it was a
fairly proud house where I am from, living with my mother, my wife and my
eleven-year-old daughter; I can tell you, they were more than proud the day she
was sworn in as Premier, and certainly delighted. I was reminded of it when I
got home as well, how much it meant to them to see the first woman appointed as
Premier of our Province.
I also want to congratulate Mr. David Brazil, and welcome him to the team. I
know Dave is going to play an active role. Dave is replacing a very good
colleague of ours, the late Dianne Whalen who, unfortunately, passed away. I
know Dave has big shoes to fill, but I know he is up to the task. We are more
than happy to have him on the team. He will get to have his say and argue and
grumble and complain like all the rest of us and we will welcome it with open
arms, Mr. Speaker, and think nothing of it. Again, I certainly want to welcome
Dave to the team and to congratulate our current Premier.
Mr. Speaker, just speaking to the piece on teams, I guess it is something
that we have been doing and concentrating hard on since we first got elected as
a government, and that is engaging people. We spent quite a bit of time doing
consultations at all different levels, right across the Province sometimes
unfairly criticized, I might add. Looking at it now, it is probably a little bit
of our own fault why we do get some criticism sometimes because maybe we do not
promote the fact that we do as much consultation as we do in the various
industries throughout the Province.
Of course, I am very much involved with the tourism industry, and I can just
tell you a little bit about the tourism industry and how that works, and how
this is an industry-driven plan that we have. It is not a government-driven
plan; it is very much an industry-driven plan. It has been created to be
industry-driven. It is working very, very successfully. Sure, we have doubled
the investment in tourism over the last number of years, but really the plan,
Mr. Speaker, comes from the ground up.
I can tell you that when we did the Tourism Vision, one of the things that
came out of the Tourism Vision was the fact that we should have a tourism board,
and this board should be made up of a number of different representatives. It
should be made up of government representatives, of course. People who are
experts in marketing and have been around the tourism industry for a long, long
time understand the barriers, understand the way we can have success in the
industry. That is one point, Mr. Speaker.
Then we created these Destination Marketing Organizations, Mr. Speaker. The
rationale behind Destination Marketing Organizations which we are now going to
move to destination management organizations, as I will explain very, very
shortly is that at one point in this Province we had twenty-eight regional
marketing organizations. We had spoken to federal counterparts who thought that
was just too many to fund; and to be totally frank with you, Mr. Speaker, some
of these groups were doing better jobs than others. Many of them were run by
volunteers; some of them had some paid staff on and managed to scrape and scrimp
to get people there. So, Mr. Speaker, we realize the importance of building the
team out in the regions that can market the region and now can get involved in
the product development of that region and the co-ordination of tourism in the
various areas.
As a matter of fact, one of the things that we have done already when it
comes to a quality control piece and an information piece is that we are now
tying the regional Destination Marketing Organizations' home pages, computers
and so on, into the provincial one. Eventually, Mr. Speaker, you will come to
Newfoundland and Labrador on the Web and you will be able to explore every
region of the Province. We are certainly delighted about that.
We have all kinds of information and records to talk about, but really, Mr.
Speaker, I just wanted to point out that this is very much an industry-driven
success that we have been having. I have to take my hat off to the many
ambassadors we have out there. Right now I am a believer that the people of
Newfoundland and Labrador all are ambassadors for our Province, because I always
point out that no matter where you go in Newfoundland and Labrador now and you
run into a tourist, you like to take the time to have a chat with them, to
inform them of nice places to go, to be part of their experience. It does not
matter which wharf you walk on in Newfoundland and Labrador right now, Mr.
Speaker, you will find someone who will give you a helping hand.
It brings me to this, too, one of my favourite stories of the summer. I ran
into two women who had come from Ontario. I found out they were tourists, in the
Deer Lake airport, and decided that I just had to ask them how they ended up
here. Of course, their first comment was: well, the reason I ended up here was
because of the ads, I had to come see it. They had been here for, I think it was
seven or nine days, I cannot quite remember what it was. They started to laugh,
telling me about some of the experiences they had; which were very serious in
the first case, however, it turned into a great story.
They had been driving up the Northern Peninsula and had run out of gas after
a couple of days there. They were two women, they were sitting in their car, and
it was late in the evening. They were not really sure what they were going to
do, until a truck pulls in behind them and someone taps on their window. She
said I dropped the window about an inch; I was not quite sure what to expect. A
gentleman's nose sticks in and he said: Are you out of gas? She said, I believe
so; I am not sure, but I think so. He said I will look after it for you. He goes
back to his truck, he had a gas can, he put whatever he had into the car and she
drove away. Her comment to me, Mr. Speaker, was that does not happen on the 401.
I said, no, I believe that. I have not spent a lot of time on the 401 but I have
driven on it. I can assure you, she was telling me no lie when she told me that
did not happen on the 401.
She continued her story, and the two ladies were actually bubbling with the
week they had, or the nine days they had had. The night before they had been
coming back down the Peninsula and decided to stop at a restaurant. They were
discussing, having a great chat about what was on the menu. They were not quite
sure what to have. One of the appetizers they had talked about ordering, the
lady next door to them ordered. They were very curious to see how this was
prepared and how it came out. Throughout the meal and waiting for their
appetizer they kept talking about it. The lady a couple of tables over must have
heard them. When she received her appetizer, of course, they were watching to
see how it looked and how it was prepared. She took the plate, after eating off
it for five minutes, and came over to their table and sat down and insisted that
they try the appetizer that the lady next door had ordered. Of course, they
quickly said no, no, God no, I cannot; but the lady insisted and stayed at their
table and told them she was not going to leave until they sampled her appetizer.
Mr. Speaker, again, she responded to me: that does not happen in Toronto. I
said, no, that probably does not happen in Toronto.
Mr. Speaker, that is the kind of people we have in this Province. That is the
kind of thing that is happening out there. That was just two experiences that
these two, now ambassadors for Newfoundland and Labrador, are telling to
hundreds of people in Ontario. So, you have to thank the people of this Province
for taking up the tourism call, for ringing the tourism bell and being part of
this industry, and it is going a long, long way.
Mr. Speaker, we have had some great news in the tourism industry. Our air
passenger traffic this year is up 6.5 per cent over previous years. Phenomenal,
phenomenal, Mr. Speaker. Our cruise ship industry, the number of ports of call
is up 24 per cent, and our cruise ship visitors are up 37 per cent. Now, Mr.
Speaker, if you recall the year previous to 2009, the world economy took a
significant downturn, and we felt it here in Newfoundland but we felt it from
the cruise ship industry. Even though we increased our tourism numbers, the only
area that we went down in was in the cruise ship industry. Mr. Speaker, as I
spoke about earlier in my member's statement, that is one area now that is on
the rebound significantly, and I certainly believe we are headed in the right
direction. Our tourism board, again, has done what they can to make sure that
this does not go south on us, and of course it is increasing rapidly.
Our occupancy rates, again, are up 2 per cent, Mr. Speaker, over previous
years. I could go on forever. I always love to tell the stories about the people
I run into and people you talk to. Just recently - I could speak for twenty
minutes on conventions alone here in this Province and what it has done, and the
way things are unfolding in conventions here in the Province.
I would like to talk to you a little bit about this Canadian Press article,
Mr. Speaker, that I have here. It was written because I know the people in
Hansard will torment me at some point looking for it. It was actually a piece
that was in The Telegram from the Canadian Press, on Monday, November 29,
Mr. Speaker. It says this was written about the record number of conventions
in St. John's "The chance to blend business with a bit of adventure is drawing
record numbers of convention goers to St. John's, NL, where even the most
buttoned-down crowd can have some fun.
"It doesn't hurt that this colourful seaside city on the eastern edge of
Canada welcomes conference delegates with warmth and cosmopolitan flair."
Whoever thought they would consider Newfoundland and Labrador with cosmopolitan
flair. We have come a long way, Mr. Speaker, and it is looking better all the
time.
"It boasts an array of top-notch restaurants, a rocking nightlife and
features some of the friendliest cabbies on the planet. Shop owners frequently
display City of St. John's window posters announcing the latest big meeting in
town.
"So it's perhaps little wonder that the capital of The Rock, population
100,000, is bucking national tourism trends."
Mr. Speaker, they are interviewing here a gentleman from the Canadian Bar
Association, which held its national legal conference in St. John's twice since
1998, and plan again to have it here in 2014. This is Chief Executive Officer
John Hoyles, and I will just quote what he has to say, Mr. Speaker. "There was
just a very special atmosphere that you don't get anywhere else. I guess the one
word I would use is warmth." Mr. Speaker, again that is what our people offer to
our visitors here in this Province. Just to give you a few little statistics on
conventions here in the last little while. The capital region attracted an
average of eighty-four conventions those accounting for fifty or more guest
rooms per night with the number of delegates and room nights averaging 18,800
and 41,300 respectively, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, just to go down through some of the statistics that we have, in
2006, seventy-seven meetings and conventions booked at least fifty delegates
with 19,000 delegates and 40,400 room nights. In 2008, we had seventy-eight
meetings and conventions with 16,000 delegates and 42,000 room nights. In 2009,
eighty-one meetings and conventions with 17,500 delegates and 36,800 room
nights. Mr. Speaker, room nights are expected to increase by 14 per cent this
year over the 2009 level. Mr. Speaker, that is the kind of thing that is
happening in our tourism industry, taking off in leaps and bounds to say the
least.
I could go on; there are a couple of more pieces that I would like to speak
to, Mr. Speaker, one of which was written by I have a quote here from Jeff
Anderson from Parks Canada talking a little bit about Rocky Harbour and, of
course, Gros Morne National Park.
I would like to read a little bit of the Western Star , Mr. Speaker,
published on October 29, 2010. "Rocky Harbour Its stunning beauty and hundreds
of kilometres of hiking trails and welcoming towns bring people from all over
the world to Gros Morne National Park. It tops many people's lists as a
favourite vacation destination and now the park is the Province's top spot and
one of the country's top 11 places to go in a recreation vehicle The results
came from the top 100 spots to RV in Canada contest put out by Go RVing Canada,
the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada and the Canadian Tourism
Commission." Mr. Speaker, the contest focused on RV enthusiasts across the
country and allowed Canadians to submit their favourite spot to RV camp in
Canada.
I will just leave you with a quote from Jeff Anderson he is a
superintendent; actually, I believe I have met Jeff in my travels this past
summer. "Here in Gros Morne Parks Canada prides itself on facilitating amazing
experiences for our guests from around the world."
Mr. Speaker, we are not talking about our neighbours any more and tending to
our neighbours which we have done down through the years, down through
centuries. What we now are doing, Mr. Speaker, is giving that same warmth and
that same feeling to people, not only within our country, but indeed throughout
the world, Mr. Speaker. That is something we should all be very proud of in this
House, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, it would be remiss of me, I guess, if I did not talk about
probably the biggest award we have received here in this Province in quite some
time. It is one that has gained I cannot remember the value but I did see it
one time, it should be several million of dollars worth of ad value when it
comes to the recognition we have gotten from this one particular award. Mr.
Speaker, that award is it was the Avalon Peninsula that won the award for
the top coastal destination by National Geographic Traveler. Mr. Speaker,
that was in the November issue of the National Geographic Traveler
magazine and they rated ninety-nine coastal tourism destinations in the world.
Mr. Speaker, it is pretty phenomenal some of the places that we beat out.
In the competition were places like Wales, New Zealand, Hawaii, Italy,
Australia, and even other provinces within our own country, Mr. Speaker, but
they thought that Newfoundland and Labrador is certainly the place to be.
Mr. Speaker, this international publication recognizes scenic beauty and
authentic experiences that make Newfoundland and Labrador a highly desirable
travel destination. That is something we are very, very proud of. Like I said,
although we have our offshore oil and so on, Mr. Speaker, and we are making
great strides in that area, we have also maintained our cultural and our
heritage lifestyles, and our facilities.
Again, it is something that I am very, very proud of. There are many, many
not-for-profit groups, and there are many, many for-profit businesses out there
that have taken the industry to the next level. You are now being offered a
top-notch meal; you are offered a top-notch service, and an authentic
experience, Mr. Speaker, that you do not find everywhere. That is why people are
taking the time to come here.
Of course, Mr. Speaker, we have won a hundred awards in our advertising
campaign now, national, international, and local awards through Atlantic Canada.
One recently was a gold CASSIES, which is the Canadian Advertising Success
Stories; we have won nine Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association
International awards, the HSMAI; we have won seventeen Atlantic Regional
Innovation Creativity and Enterprise awards, the ICE Awards; a Cannes
International Advertising award for Ancient Land, which was the tenth
chapter in
our ten chapters right now of highlighting our tourism across the globe.
Let me just say, Mr. Speaker, we have some more interesting ones in the can;
there are some great ideas building. Look forward in the coming months to some
new ads, some great ads that are going to highlight our people and our place of
being right here in the Province, and promote us as a destination that people
anywhere in the world would like to come.
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, one of the things that is talked about a
lot when we talk about our tourism and how well we have promoted tourism and how
our tourism numbers are doing; it is not to be lost where a lot of that comes
from. A lot of that comes from our culture and from our heritage, Mr. Speaker.
I guess to summarize: What we have done as a government, the leadership that
this government has had over the last eight, nine years, Mr. Speaker, is that
previous ministers and previous Cabinets had the foresight to see where this was
going and quickly realized and quickly supported it, our cultural and our
heritage industries to enhance our tourism. Cultural tourism, Mr. Speaker, is
probably one of the places that this Province is going, and going in a hurry.
That is why we have taken programming money from $3 million, what it was when we
took over government in 2003, to today, Mr. Speaker, it is a $9 million
annualized investment into the cultural heritage industries in this Province.
That continues to enhance it, continues to promote our tourism. I believe, Mr.
Speaker, that we are certainly headed on the right track.
I cannot forget the promotions that we did during the Winter Olympics and
Paralympics in Vancouver. We were there with ninety of our artists performing on
an international stage, night after night. Some performed every single night; we
had others perform intervals throughout the show. Atlantic Canada House, we
partnered with our other cousins from Atlantic Canada. Mr. Speaker, I think
today the announcement that we had in the private member's statement is because
of the promotion that we did during the Olympic and Paralympic winter games.
As well, of course, we followed up from that. We had the JUNOS here in our
Province. I think, Mr. Speaker, we invested $1.1 million into the JUNOS. Our
return on investment, Mr. Speaker, is believed to be $12.8 million.
Mr. Speaker, these are the kinds of strategic investments as a Province that
we have made over the last several years, when it comes to our tourism product.
The bang we have received for our buck is unbelievable, Mr. Speaker.
I could go on. The Cupids 400 celebration cost this Province - $5.3 million
was our total investment. We are being told that the project revenue from that
is $15 million -
MR. SPEAKER (T. Osborne): Order, please!
I remind the hon. member that his time for speaking has expired.
MR. FRENCH: Just to clue up, Mr. Speaker, if I could.
MR. SPEAKER: Does the hon. member have leave?
AN HON. MEMBER: By leave.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Tourism, by leave.
MR. FRENCH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I certainly will clue up because I realize others have some issues they want
to speak about as well.
I just want to say that, as a government, we have consulted with the people
over the last seven or eight years. We have spent quite a bit of time doing it.
We believe in building our different industries, as the tourism industry, from
the ground up. We are now doing other work, Mr. Speaker, with groups like
outfitters and so on, and we will continue to work with the residents of this
Province.
I am a believer - as I know our government believes - that it is the way
governments operate and should run: building industries from the ground up and
getting advice from the people who mark their X's. Mr. Speaker, we believe in
that, and we are going to continue to do that.
Thank you very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS POTTLE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It gives me great pleasure to stand here with my colleagues today in this
hon. House and offer my Address in Reply to the 2010 Speech from the Throne.
Before I begin my address, I would like to take a few moments to offer my
sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Dianne Whalen, a
remarkable woman who added a wealth of knowledge and experience to this
government. Dianne was dedicated, hard-working and had a great sense of humour,
Mr. Speaker. Many times she had us laughing, in tears, telling her funny
personal moments. Even as she battled her own fight with cancer, Dianne
continued to work very hard in Cabinet and for her constituents. She is very
much missed. We were blessed to have known her and have worked alongside her.
Mr. Speaker, we know that cancer has affected so many people and so many
families across our Province. I would like to also offer my thoughts and prayers
to the Leader of the Official Opposition as she wages her own personal war
against the dreaded disease. She, too, is a very strong woman who dearly loves
Labrador and her District of Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair.
Mr. Speaker, in the 2010 Speech from the Throne government stated, "our
province is moving forward with incredible momentum and unshakeable optimism
into a new era of self-reliance full of the kinds of opportunities for which
generations of our people have long strived."
I believe much of our progress can be attributed to this government under the
great leadership and legacy of former Premier Danny Williams. As we continue to
move forward under our new Premier, the first female Premier of our Province, a
very proud moment for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and especially for
the women of our Province, I am confident that we will continue to make the
right investments for today, the right investments for our children, and the
right investments for our future.
Danny Williams was indeed a great Premier. His legacy included so much. We
could be here all evening talking about what this government did during his
term; however, I would like to take a moment to mention a number of items that
meant a lot to me as an Aboriginal woman and a person of Labrador. Premier
Williams was captivated by the Big Land, he showed his commitment time and time
again. He did not wait for the Lower Churchill to be announced, he knew Labrador
had serious infrastructure issues, and even more serious social issues. Through
such initiatives like the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Northern Strategic
Plan for Labrador, we have seen transportation, education, and health care
infrastructure improved to unprecedented levels.
Closer to myself, personally, I was very impressed with Premier Williams
approach and policies toward Aboriginal people throughout this Province. I was
there in August 2009 when this government addressed a wrongdoing from
governments past. In a very emotional ceremony, then Premier Danny Williams,
along with the Minister of Labrador Affairs, the Minister of Tourism, Culture
and Recreation, President Lyall, and with close to fifty former residents, we
unveiled a plaque in the former community of Hebron commemorating the forced
relocation of the people of that region - a very moving and memorable moment for
me indeed.
Prior to the ceremony in January 2005 - and I recall it was a very cold, cold
Labrador day - Premier Williams offered an official and very moving apology to
the residents of Nutak and Hebron for closing their communities in 1956 and
1959. I remember being in that school gymnasium in Nain, that was packed, and
Premier Williams delivered his apology. His apology was accepted by the
relocatees. It was very emotional, very empowering, and it will be with me
forever, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, there is much more that can be referenced, including this
Province that hosted the first ever National Aboriginal Women's Summit in Corner
Brook in 2007. We continue to host annual Aboriginal women's gatherings and
conferences in this Province for our own Aboriginal people here in Newfoundland
and Labrador.
The signing of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, which saw the
formation of Nunatsiavut in December of 2005, was also another historic moment
for Premier Williams. I would also like to add that on December 1, just last
week, the five Inuit communities on the North Coast of Labrador celebrated their
fifth anniversary. They held celebrations and had community events such as a
community feast, drum dancing, and Inuit games. They had parades and they
celebrated with much pride for their fifth anniversary. As well, I would like to
add that government hosted the first ever joint Cabinet meetings with
Nunatsiavut this past October here in St. John's. Meetings that we all hope will
become an annual event.
The signing of the New Dawn Agreement with the Innu of Labrador was
particularly gratifying as it had allowed the Lower Churchill project to gain
momentum with the historic signing of the Lower Churchill project this past
November. It clearly demonstrated this government's commitment to the Aboriginal
people of Labrador.
The Innu Nation has indicated that they would like to settle the land claims
issues in principle with the federal government before proceeding with
ratification of the New Dawn, and our government respects this perspective. The
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has offered assistance to the Innu
Nation to help them through the process of ratification. We have recently met
with the new leadership of the Innu Nation. We feel we have positive discussions
on these matters, and we look forward to continuing this dialogue with the Innu
Nation and their people.
Mr. Speaker, when I first entered Cabinet, I felt a great need, not only to
tell my fellow members of Cabinet of the challenges faced by the people of the
Torngat Mountain district but I felt it necessary that they come and see it
first-hand, meet the people, talk to the people on the ground. I am pleased to
say that I have arranged for several visits by Cabinet colleagues who will tell
you that after spending the best part of their day travelling in multiple
aircraft, stepping foot into a remote Northern Labrador community can be a
life-changing experience - and one I truly highly recommend.
I firmly believe that thanks to my efforts, we have a Cabinet that is better
informed of the many concerns of Aboriginal people, including those who live in
rural and remote communities, than any other Cabinet before.
Today, if I have a conversation with the Minister of Justice about the
policing levels in the community of Postville, I know that he can better
understand my views because he has been to Postville, he sat there and listened
to the residents of the community, he understands the challenges of policing
there and why they were desperately calling for it. I can say that for the
majority of my Cabinet colleagues now on the various issues that face my region.
I think it is important to point out that the social and economic challenges
faced by many people in Newfoundland and Labrador can often seem all that more
profound in our Aboriginal communities. There are addiction issues, violence,
emotional, physical and verbal abuse, and our women and children are usually the
recipients of much of this abuse. In terms of violence, we know that in Canada
Aboriginal women are three-and-a-half times more likely than non-Aboriginal
women to be victims of violence, and some 75 per cent of sexual assault
survivors in Aboriginal communities are young women under the age of eighteen.
These are horrific standards by any measure. That is why the government I belong
to is investing heavily in efforts to support and to end violence in Aboriginal
communities, along with initiatives throughout the Province through our Violence
Prevention Initiative. We are in year five of a six-year action plan, with an
annual budget of some $2 million. Our community partners include Aboriginal
women's organizations and governments, some ten regional co-ordinating
committees against violence, and our many community organizations and service
and community groups.
Sometimes when we are faced with a lot of the negative it can be difficult to
focus on the positive, but there is much to be positive about in our Aboriginal
communities. In my role as minister, I have had the privilege to see it first
hand; for example, the ongoing implementation of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims
Agreement and the signing of the Tshash Petapen, or New Dawn Agreement. An
eventual completion of a land claims and self-government agreement with the Innu
will provide Inuit and Innu with access to resource royalties and impact and
benefits agreements. This will allow them to participate and benefit from
economic development in their regions, improve social outcomes, and promote
healthy Aboriginal communities.
Labrador is a region with nearly boundless potential for economic
development, and my government is doing everything it can to make certain that
development happens in a sustainable and responsible manner in consultation with
the people of Labrador, including Aboriginal people and groups. We are a
government that is making every effort to do open and effective consultations,
which is why we are currently working to establish a consultation policy with
Aboriginal peoples and groups.
There is much that is positive happening on the Island of Newfoundland as
well. The provincial government enjoys a co-operative working relationship with
the Federation of Newfoundland Indians and the Miawpukek First Nation of Conne
River.
This past summer, Chief Sagamaw Joe of Conne River and the self-government
negotiating team, met with the provincial Cabinet, including Premier Williams,
to outline their aspirations toward self-government. This was an historic event,
the first time the full Newfoundland and Labrador Cabinet had met with an
Aboriginal organization in the Province; a truly proud moment for me, indeed,
Mr. Speaker. This meeting was a testament to Sagamaw Joe's leadership and
determination; a great man indeed.
The Mi'kmaq of Conne River has been recognized as a model Aboriginal
community, and their annual powwow has received national acclaim as a first-rate
attraction for travellers. They did again this past summer, host another great,
very moving, amazing powwow in their community.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Newfoundland Indians continues to implement a
landless band agreement with the federal government, which members voted to
ratify in March of 2008. The establishment of the band is being delayed by the
registration process, as the number of applications received greatly exceeded
what was expected. However, the federal government and the FNI anticipate this
process will be completed and the band formally established by the end of 2010.
Sometimes, Mr. Speaker, when I need inspiration as an Aboriginal woman, or as
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, or just as me, I think about my sisters in the
Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network who are based in Central and Western
Newfoundland, who are working very hard to rediscover and restore the culture
and traditions of the Mi'kmaq. At a special ceremony, the women of NAWN honoured
me with my very own spirit name, which I accepted with great pride. They are at
the forefront of a great resurgence of Aboriginal culture in the Province. A
visit to the summer powwows in Conne River and Flat Bay will certainly attest to
the groundswell of interest and celebration of Aboriginal people in their unique
cultures and traditions.
We have made tremendous progress in addressing Aboriginal issues in
Newfoundland and Labrador, and the rest of Canada is noticing. This past
September I had the great pleasure of attending a Women's Leadership Summit in
Iqaluit, Nunavut. For me, personally, I was extremely honoured to represent the
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Aboriginal women of this
Province at such a prestigious gathering.
I was provided the chance to participate in a panel discussion of women and
political leadership with an impressive lineup that included Eva Aariak, Premier
of Nunavut, the hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Federal Minister of Health, and Mary Simon,
President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. I also got to visit, Mr. Speaker, when I
was up there, what is known as Angel Street. It was founded in Iqaluit to
remember women of violence. So I was very pleased to have the opportunity to
visit the original Angel Street here in our great Country of Canada. By any
measure, that was an outstanding gathering of leaders that I sat with at the
panel and I felt tremendous pride in the opportunity to speak about what was
accomplished here in Newfoundland and Labrador under this Administration.
As minister, my role within government is to bring the Aboriginal lens to all
activities of government that concern Aboriginal people. I believe it is an
essential perspective, one that has proven results throughout Newfoundland and
Labrador. For example, this government continues to support substantial efforts
to stop violence against Aboriginal women and children. Some recent initiatives
include: new funding for shelters in Hopedale, Rigolet and Nain; the expansion
of the Family Justice Services in Labrador to serve Aboriginal coastal
communities; and an increase of regular police presence in the community of
Postville.
There was $125,000 in the current Budget to Aboriginal women in Labrador to
help develop and deliver a series of capacity building workshops in the five
Inuit communities on the North Coast of Labrador. These workshops will assist
Aboriginal women to access programs and services that will result in real
differences in their lives and allow them to share in available social and
economic benefits.
The Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network was provided $100,000 in funding
through Budget 2010 to address issues in their communities, such as poverty and
violence, in ways that are culturally sensitive.
Aboriginal youth continue to benefit from the Suicide and Detrimental
Lifestyles Grant Program, which is administered through Aboriginal Affairs. This
program provides $100,000 in funding to Aboriginal organizations to develop
innovative programs that are targeted at improving the well-being of Aboriginal
youth throughout the Province.
In justice matters, Aboriginal leaders have clearly stated that they want a
justice system that understands the unique circumstances of their people. Some
initiatives that respond to that need include an Aboriginal
interpretation
project for Innu and Inuit communities, and the publication of Innu-aimun and
Inuktitut glossaries in criminal law and family law. As well, the Innu Healing
Path Program, in partnership with the Innu Nation, allows for the delivery of a
more holistic and culturally responsive service to Innu involved in the criminal
justice system by addressing underlying causes of criminal behaviour.
This government also recognizes that addressing the health needs of
Aboriginal people can require a response that is sensitive to their unique
circumstances and challenges. We have responded through the recent establishment
of mental health case management services for individuals with serious mental
illnesses, the hiring of an Aboriginal consultant for the Department of Health
and Community Services, and improvement to dental services.
As one can see, the influence of the Aboriginal Affairs Branch is influencing
policy and directives throughout government. For the fiscal year 2010-2011,
notable Aboriginal Affairs initiatives identified in the Aboriginal Affairs
grants
section include $484,000 for implementation of the Labrador Inuit Land
Claims Agreement, and the previously mentioned $100,000 to address suicide and
detrimental lifestyles issues amongst Aboriginal youth through the Suicide and
Detrimental Lifestyles Grant Program.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to state that as a member of this
government, and as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, I am very proud of what has
been accomplished throughout Newfoundland and Labrador for all of our citizens,
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike. We are not a government to rest easily, and
we will continue to work very hard in our efforts to be a leader in social and
economic development.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is my pleasure to stand in the House today. In the last couple of weeks,
there have been a lot of events in our Province, a lot of changes with our
Party, but what you will see, Mr. Speaker, and what we will show the people of
this Province over the next upcoming weeks and months is that we are steady, we
are a team, and we will continue to do the work that we have been doing for the
last seven years.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, one of the areas that we will continue to do
that work is in the health care system. Mr. Speaker, the health care system is
always subject to criticism. We heard the Leader of the Third Party engage in
criticism yesterday, and so be it. As I explained, Mr. Speaker, in this House
and in public on many occasions, as the Minister of Health, I am acutely aware
of the impact of the health care system on people's lives. I am aware, Mr.
Speaker, that when someone is waiting to have a procedure done, or someone has a
bad experience in the hospital, then it is no good for me, as the Minister of
Health, to argue: Well, look at what we are doing with all of the money we are
putting into the health care system.
Mr. Speaker, there are two ways that the health care system functions - at
least two ways, I suppose I could put it that way. One is on the very individual
level. I know, Mr. Speaker, as a parent, as a child, as a husband myself that
when I look at my own family's involvement in the health care system, as all of
our families are, then it is much harder to be objective. What we have to try to
do, Mr. Speaker, is to acknowledge the shortfalls in the system, recognize that
there are areas that we can improve, and, very importantly, emphasize the good
things that we are doing in this Province.
One of the difficulties, Mr. Speaker, and I will allude to this shortly, is
when we talk billions of dollars, it is not something the average person relates
to. So, when we say we are putting $2.7 billion into the health care system,
people do not really have an idea what that means. Mr. Speaker, when we give
$1,000 to a seniors' group and that seniors' group can take that $1,000, they
can go on a field trip, or they can have a function, or they can engage in a
wellness project, Mr. Speaker, that is a tangible example of how that $1,000 has
an impact. So, to them, that $1,000 means more than the $2.7 billion simply as a
result of the sheer, incomprehensible number that $2.7 billion is.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday we heard in the House of Assembly the Leader of the
NDP talk about our health care system. Mr. Speaker, an interesting poll came out
yesterday, and it is very interesting actually. It would be surprising to many.
Angus Reid did a public opinion poll of people across this country as to the
health care system. They published the report. It was done between February 2009
to November 2010, and it involved 55,501 randomly selected Canadian adults.
Anyone who knows anything about polling - and I certainly do not profess, Mr.
Speaker, to know anything about polling that is a huge number of people.
Guess what, Mr. Speaker - and I have not even had a chance to inform my
fellow members of the House yet with this. Just listen to the results for
Newfoundland and Labrador and then compare that to what has been said by the
Opposition and by the Third Party. Overall, Newfoundland and Labrador ranked
third in the country for the delivery and maintenance of health care service
just behind Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: When asked about the overall experience patients had when
visiting a family doctor or general practitioner, Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and
Labrador tied for first in the country with Nova Scotia and Quebec.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: When people were asked about their experience in visiting
specialists, Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador was second in the country.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, when we got to people receiving advanced
diagnostic tests such as MRIs or CAT scans, Newfoundland and Labrador, in terms
of our people ranking the experience, ranked it at 92 per cent positive - tied
for second in the country.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, when we got then to the overall positive
experiences held by patients spending one or more nights at a hospital over the
past two years, we were third in the country. Mr. Speaker, what I have done, I
have outlined five categories where Newfoundland and Labrador ranked first in
one, second or tied for second in two, or third and tied for third in two more.
That is not a bad picture of what is going on with health care in this Province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: Now, do we have problems? Certainly, Mr. Speaker. Trying to
fix up a health care system where you have I think Eastern Health alone has
12,000 employees. Mr. Speaker, one area we did not rank too well in was in the
emergency room satisfaction. I acknowledged that in the House of Assembly
yesterday when the Leader of the Third Party asked me that question. We have to
fix up the emergency rooms.
Where is the part of our system, Mr. Speaker, that the average person has the
first contract? It is either the general practitioner's office - the family
practitioner's office - or the emergency. Mr. Speaker, we have heard the
dissatisfaction. On Friday of this week I will be having meetings in relation
to, what can we do about fixing up emergency services?
I recently read an
article in the paper, Mr. Speaker, something that they
have done out west. What we are going to do - we are not going to reinvent the
wheel here, Mr. Speaker - we are going to see what they have done in Ontario. We
are going to see what they have done in BC. We are going to identify those best
practices and we are going to avail of them, but we are not only going to do
that in St. John's. We know there are pressures on the St. John's hospitals by
the shear number of people. We are going to do it throughout the Province.
Because that is what we do as a government, Mr. Speaker, we take a truly
provincial approach. We listen to what the people of this Province have to say
and then we try to incorporate into our governance what we hear.
Two examples I want to give you today, Mr. Speaker, are the long-term care
and community support services strategy. Now my colleague, the Member for
Ferryland and Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Health, conducted a
lot of these consultations, and I would like to recognize him here today, Mr.
Speaker, for the great job that he did and say thank you to him.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: I know the member has a young family, and he got up, Mr.
Speaker, and went throughout this Province and did a great job in listening and
hearing what people had to say.
Now I had the opportunity myself, Mr. Speaker, to attend at least six or
seven of these consultation sessions. The first one I did was with the House
Leader, and also the MHA for Port au Port, out in Stephenville; a very
informative session. I can remember clearly one of the family members coming
forward and saying: we need some entertainment for our people in the home there
in Bay St. George - which we toured that day.
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).
MR. KENNEDY: Yes. Again, the great culture of the West Coast of
Newfoundland, Mr. Speaker, and the Port au Port Peninsula, and we said: yes,
that sounds like a good idea. They were saying, can you just have someone come
in and tell a story every now and then, sing a song, do something to liven up
their lives? I said that is a great idea, and we have identified a master
storyteller and entertainer who we hope to be able to do that in the not too
distant future.
Mr. Speaker, the next one I did was in Springdale. The MHA for Springdale was
with me, but I will not get into that tour today, Mr. Speaker, because that was
something else. The first day I had a Big Turk bar for supper; the member kept
us going so much, but it was great to get out there and listen and talk to the
people.
Mr. Speaker, there is this great program out there in Springdale, a senior's
program, I think it is living for older adults or - I am looking at my colleague
to try to get the actual name. Life for older adults or
AN HON. MEMBER: Life Unlimited For Older Adults.
MR. KENNEDY: I do not know if I am supposed to do that, but anyway, Mr.
Speaker, Life Unlimited For Older Adults. The shear enthusiasm and passion that
this volunteer group brought to the table, Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely amazing
the ideas coming from these people. Last year they were one out there - again,
if I remember correctly, they got one of the age-friendly Newfoundland and
Labrador either town or grants. I remember that, and secondly, there was a
wellness grant. This is a group, Mr. Speaker - just think about how we do this
as a government. Say if one of those grants are $30,000 - I am trying to
remember exactly what this group is doing, but from a lot of these seniors'
groups I heard, Mr. Speaker, were singing and dancing and bus tours and visiting
and socializing.
When we look at the long-term care strategy, Mr. Speaker, and community
support services strategy, one of the issues we have to look at is: how do we
take our older people, how do we help them out of isolation? How do we help them
meet and engage with people? That is what we are seeing, Mr. Speaker, and that
is what groups like the Springdale group and I remember clearly at that
session.
I also, Mr. Speaker, had the opportunity to do a session in my hometown of
Carbonear, my district, and again, a very informative session, some great ideas;
a great interaction with the people, quite to the point where people who had no
intention to say anything came forward and offered their opinion.
I am looking for my colleague, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Tourism and
Culture, we went to Conception Bay South and we had an interesting session out
there. Again, people were very frank. People came forward and expressed their
opinions. This is what we need in our personal care homes. This is what we need
in our long-term care facilities. This is what we need in our community care
homes.
Then I went to Bonavista, Mr. Speaker, did a session up in Bonavista. Again,
a great session where we met with the town council first; then I went and
visited the hospital there, and then did the long-term care session. Then the
Speaker of the House, we went and visited a personal care home, and I have to
tell you, when I sat there, and talking to the people who were in that personal
care home, they were very comfortable, but what I saw, Mr. Speaker, was the fact
that they were with each other, the fact that they were in a clean, safe
environment where their needs were being looked after. So, we are aware, Mr.
Speaker, that we have to look at the personal care homes. We are aware of the
financial viability issues that some of these homes face, and we will address
that as we move along.
Mr. Speaker, we are currently trying to put all of this together in terms of
developing our long-term care strategy because we recognize the importance of
hearing what people say to us; working with other departments, my department,
Mr. Speaker, and the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment,
because we had the crossover in the disabilities issues. The Department of
Education has certain involvement. So what we have are these horizontal
initiatives that cross over departments and we work together.
Mr. Speaker, my favourite part of the summer it was great, actually, from
my perspective - was I managed to get out, as Minister of Health, and visit so
many facilities in our Province, to see for myself: what are the needs out
there? How are people doing? How can we improve the system?
Mr. Speaker, what we did this year, we put out, overall - I think it was in
the period of the spring and months - over $25 million in capital equipment and
renovations monies into these facilities.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: One of my favourite trips, although I had quite a number - I
do not see my friend, the MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame. I missed my flight
out of St. John's, so then we had to get in the car, we drove out to catch the
ferry to Change Islands that night. I arrived in Change Islands at about 10:00
o'clock that night, and half the town were there to meet us. They heard we were
coming, and we had a great discussion. They said: look, this is what we need.
What we want, what we would like to see - I forget what they called me, if it
was minister, or Jerome, or whatever, or something else. Anyway, Mr. Speaker,
they said we would like to see a