June 13, 2007 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

PROCEEDINGS Vol. XLV No. 29

The House met at 2:00 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Hodder): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

Statements by Members

MR. SPEAKER: This afternoon we have members' statements as follows: the

hon. the Member for Grand Fall-Buchans, the hon. the Member for Port au Port,

the hon. the Member for Port de Grave, the hon. the Member for Bonavista North,

the hon. the Member for Bellevue and the hon. the Member for Kilbride.

The Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for Grand Falls-Buchans.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS THISTLE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I rise in this House today to acknowledge and congratulate Mr.

Ray Goodyear, a young ninety-two-year-old resident of Grand Falls-Windsor who

has been playing baseball since the early 1930s and plans to stop no time soon.

Mr. Speaker, like its owner, the old baseball mitt may have a few signs of

wear and tear, but it has aged well and still works fine. Baseball was extremely

popular in the first half of the last century in Grand Falls-Windsor, with a

league comprised of teams from the Church Lads' Brigade, Scouts, Guards and

Cadets playing at least twice a week. On game day their baseball diamond located

at what is now Church Road Park, was a hotbed of activity.

Ray originally played third base, but his team's manager, Ken Goodyear,

suggested he move to the pitcher's mound after noticing his strong arm. Not

wanting to pitch, he agreed to it and pitched for three or four years and then

played outfield.

Mr. Speaker, Ray gave up playing competitively in 1949, when his job as a

papermaker at the Grand Falls mill and family commitments took up his time. He

came out of retirement thirty years later. In 1979, at the age of sixty-four, he

began playing with an old timers league and he has not stopped since. He was

recognized for his contribution to the sport in 1985 when he was inducted into

the Newfoundland Baseball Hall of Fame in the player category.

Ray says the game has changed considerably and has become twice as fast as it

was eighty years ago. While the game has changed since he took up the diamond,

Ray's left hand has not. He still uses the huge, overstuffed mitt with an

extremely small pocket he has used since day one. It was his first and only

baseball mitt.

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

acknowledging and congratulating Mr. Ray Goodyear, a young ninety-two-year-old

Grand Falls-Windsor old-timer baseball player and wish him all the best in the

upcoming baseball season.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Port au Port.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. CORNECT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this hon. House today to congratulate the students who

participated at the Newfoundland and Labrador Historica Heritage Fair in schools

throughout the Province. I want to especially congratulate the over 200 students

who attended the Western Newfoundland Historica Heritage Fair held at Sir

Wilfred Grenfell College in May, in Corner Brook. Schools from Corner Brook to

Humber Valley to Port aux Basques, Stephenville and Port au Port areas had

representatives there.

Mr. Speaker, it is worth noting that cole

Sainte-Anne from La Grand'Terre, a school within the Francophone School Board

was also represented. F licitations!

I am quite sure that students were quite fascinated with the information they

sought while researching Canadian-Newfoundland and Labrador culture and history.

It was also an opportunity for the public to become aware of the history and

culture around them. It was an excellent opportunity to get a better

understanding of what makes our people and our Province proud and great.

Mr. Speaker, from these regional fairs, fifteen students from across the

Province were selected to participate in a week long National Historica Camp

that will be held this year in Lethbridge, Alberta from July 9 to 16. I am

proud, Mr. Speaker, to congratulate Aaron Sampson, a Grade 7 student from

Stephenville Middle School in Stephenville, on being selected to represent our

Province at the national fair. Aaron won a silver medal at his school fair and

placed first at the regionals. Aaron researched and displayed the curriculum

vitae of each of the Prime Minister's of Canada from MacDonald to Harper. It

was well researched, and he certainly knew the historical facts on each and he

wore the traditional attire of the late Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau -

with a red rose to add colour and culture to display.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all hon. members to join me as I send congratulations to

Aaron, and all others who will represent our Province. I also want to

congratulate and thank the students who attended their regional fairs and

certainly, Mr. Speaker, to thank all students, teachers and volunteers who

participated at the school level right across the great Province of Newfoundland

and Labrador.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BUTLER: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today to pay tribute to the

captain, crew and coast guard officials involved in the rescue of the crew of

the Nautical Legacy , which was engulfed by flames off our coast on

Wednesday, May 30.

The Skipper of the Nautical Legacy , Mr. Harold Stokes, likely saved

the crew's lives by calling for help instead of donning his own survival suit,

according to the Coast Guard officials. Chris Fitzgerald, Marine Search and

Rescue Coordinator with the Canadian Coast Guard, took the mayday call. He says

the electronic positioning device burned with the boat and without the mayday

call, the Coast Guard never would have found the Nautical Legacy .

The sixty-five foot longliner was fishing for crab when it caught on fire 130

kilometres northeast of St. John's. Five of the six men on board managed to

get into survival suits. The sixth member of the crew, Michael Petten, who had

just come off watch, was not so fortunate. The fire was so intense he had to

leave the cabin area through a skylight to reach the rest of the crew on deck.

Once there, it was impossible for him to get to his survival suit because of the

extent of the fire.

With no time to spare, Michael tied a buoy around his waist and was the first

to jump into the frigid waters. His fellow crew members followed suit. Tied to a

buoy, the crew circled Michael and collectively helped him keep afloat and

conscious during this harrowing experience.

Mr. Speaker, the Coast Guard must be commended for the momentous rescue they

performed at sea. All six crew members were rescued, thanks to the

professionalism of the Coast Guard.

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, June 3, I had the pleasure of attending a church

service at the Pentecostal Church in Port de Grave to celebrate the survival of

the crew of the Nautical Legacy and today I ask all members of this House

of Assembly to join with me in celebrating their safe return.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Bonavista North.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HARDING: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the athletic

achievements of the Senior Boys Volley team from Phoenix Academy Raiders. The

Raiders, hailing from Carmanville, where recently named senior high team of the

year by the Newfoundland and Labrador Volleyball Association.

The season accomplishments included a bronze medal, a silver medal and six

gold medals. One of the gold medal wins came at the 4A Provincial Championships

and this title cemented their position as the most dominant volleyball team in

Newfoundland and Labrador

In addition to the team success, the captain of the squad, Paul Easton, was

awarded the Robbie West Memorial Award. This award is presented to the male

volleyball player of the year in the midget to eighteen and under age group.

Paul is the quintessential team player. He is a mentor and a leader. This young

man runs practices, initiates fundraising activities, transports teammates to

games and is responsible for registering the Raiders for all the events they

attended this year. In addition to capturing several MVP titles, Paul is also

considered Newfoundland's top recruit for the Memorial University Seahawks

Volleyball Team. He has already committed to attending the school and will be

playing at the university during the 2007-2008 season.

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

congratulating Paul Easton and the Phoenix Academy Raiders on their tremendous

accomplishments and wishing them continued success in the future.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BARRETT: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today to extend

congratulations to Distinctive Mouldings of Blaketown, Trinity Bay. The company

earned the Best Sales Team Award during the Canadian Home Builders Association's

2007 Home Show at Mile One Centre May 4 to May 6.

Mr. Speaker, the determination and innovative marketing skills of the sales

team at Distinctive Mouldings has made the company deserving of this distinctive

award.

Distinctive Mouldings is a family business, owned and operated by Sterling

Russell, that began in 1994 and specializes in the production of Newfoundland

manufactured finger-jointed pine mouldings as well as solid birch hardwood

flooring from material harvested in this Province.

Mr. Speaker, for the past fourteen years the company's product line, which

includes over sixty types of wood mouldings, was marketed and sold primarily to

Chester Dawe. When the contract between the two was terminated a few months ago,

it meant a devastating loss in sales of 50 per cent for Distinctive Mouldings;

however, the sales team was determined not only to recapture but to increase

productivity and marketing operations. They managed to take their services and

move from wholesale to retail and ended up with twice the profit margin and

better than ever sales.

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

congratulations to Distinctive Mouldings who has earned the Best Sales Team

Award during the Canadian Home Builders Association's 2007 Home Show.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DINN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

luck to the Goulds Hoopsters Under 13 Girls Basketball Team that will travel to

Montreal, Quebec, from June 27 to July 2, 2007, to represent Newfoundland and

Labrador at the 2007 Eastern Canadian Basketball Championship.

Goulds Hoopsters Basketball Association has been producing exceptional

basketball teams for the past ten years, and this Under 13 Girls Team is one of

our recent successes.

The cost to send this team to the 2007 Eastern Canadian Basketball tournament

is approximately $17,000. With support from the provincial government, the City

of St. John's, as well as local businesses, organizations and residents, this

team has raised most of the money it needs.

Members of the team are: Cassandra Kieley; Alicia Miller; Alex

Vaughn-Jackson; Jessica Powell; Rebecca Ryan; Taylor Hayes; Lindsay Gulliver;

Sami Sellars; Kirsten Swantee; Emily Crocker; Erica Yetman; Stacy Collins;

Gerard Collins, Coach; and, Sheena Fleming, Assistant Coach.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today to recognize Friday,

June 15, as the second annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This important

day serves to increase the awareness of elder abuse on a global scale so that

all can play a role in its prevention.

Elder abuse is a serious and disturbing issue in our society. It involves any

physical or emotional abuse, as well as financial abuse and neglect of older

adults. All individuals deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and we

must take extra special care with those who are most vulnerable.

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to the prevention of elder abuse in

our Province. Together with my colleague, the Minister of Education and the

Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, we are working to eliminate elder

abuse through the Violence Prevention Initiative. Currently, both the Department

of Health and Community Services and the Women's Policy Office are developing

a campaign to raise awareness of violence against older persons in our Province

and provide direct access to resources for individuals witnessing or

experiencing this type of abuse.

We are also conducting a review of legislation which impacts on vulnerable

persons to ensure that we have the legislative authority to adequately protect

vulnerable adults in our Province.

Additionally, through the development of a Healthy Aging Policy Framework, we

are increasing awareness of seniors issues. Through this, we will create an

age-friendly Province that values our seniors, the contribution that they have

made to our Province, and the attributes they have to offer.

My colleagues, the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for

Seniors, developed a poster and resource kit to raise awareness of the issue of

violence against older adults. This year, our government partnered with the

Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association to distribute these materials to

physicians across our Province to raise the awareness of the issue of violence

among older adults and provide their patients with information on accessing

community resources.

Mr. Speaker, it is the collective responsibility of society to send the

message that elder abuse in any form is wrong, and we are committed to

supporting this collective voice in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Humber Valley.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BALL: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the minister for the advance copy.

It is really unfortunate that we actually stand here today and even have to

recognize such a day, June 15, as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. There is no

question this is a serious and disturbing issue that we face in society. The

physical, emotional and financial abuse concerns certainly all of us. We look

for ways that we can influence and prevent this from happening. These are the

individuals in our society who have played such a huge role certainly in most of

the freedoms that we enjoy today.

What is alarming, Mr. Speaker, is that much of this abuse even occurs in the

residents own homes, it occurs in hospitals and seniors homes, no doubt, so we

would encourage the government to expedite the review of the legislation and be

quick to develop the appropriate legislation that is required here.

In a more immediate role, I would encourage you again to reconsider, at

least, the development of a 911 program which would be certainly helpful here, I

believe, easy access to home care programs, educating our society, in particular

our youth, grandchildren and those.

All of us, I think, can play a huge role in just keeping a watchful eye on

those elders in our society, some of whom are the most vulnerable.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

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

This is a very serious issue, and that is why we do have an awareness day set

up, because it is a widespread issue and a serious one.

I totally agree with the educational work and the awareness work that is

being done, and that is essential, but elders in their homes in particular,

people who are dependent totally on others, either paid workers or even their

own family members, are really the ones who are at danger of experiencing

violence.

I think there are two things that we need to think about. One, we need to

have a structure or mechanism in place to protect, because we have people,

elderly people, in their homes with no immediate family depending sometimes on

workers from whom they are experiencing abuse. We also have them experiencing

that from their own family members. Besides a mechanism, or a structure to try

to protect them, and that would be something that would have to be developed, I

also think we should have an increase in the number of social workers available

through community services to go into the homes of the elderly who are there

without anybody else to advocate for them, and that these social workers should

be trained to recognize the signs of abuse, whether that abuse is mental,

whether that abuse is physiological, or whether it is physical.

At the moment, we do not have adequate services through social workers. They

do not have the time to make regular visits. That could be one way of cutting

down on the abuse that is happening to elders in their own home.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Further Statements by Ministers?

Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

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

MR. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

A few questions today to follow up on some issues that have been left

outstanding throughout this session. My first question is for the Premier.

Mr. Speaker, last week the Premier confirmed that he had been in contact with

a potential commissioner concerning the judicial inquiry into the hormone

receptor tests issue.

I ask the Premier: Have you now had an opportunity to confirm the name of the

commissioner and when we might see the Terms of Reference for this inquiry? We

are going onto three weeks now since the inquiry was announced. I am just

wondering when we are going to get about seeing this information?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We were actually hoping to announce today, but there has been a technicality.

So I would say definitely by the end of the week, and maybe as early as

tomorrow.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. PARSONS: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, my next question is for the Minister of Innovation, Trade and

Rural Development.

The minister stated in this House that there were several terms and

conditions that would have to be met before the $15 million of taxpayers'

money would flow into the fibre optic deal. This past weekend I noticed, it

appears that there is a new pole line actually being constructed near the

highway or adjacent to the highway on the Avalon Peninsula here, which is in

regards to this fibre optic project as well.

met at this point? Has any money flowed yet to the proponents in the fibre optic

deal, and when and if the people of the Province might expect to see the final

government on this fibre optic deal?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural

Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. TAYLOR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I say to the Opposition House Leader, we have not finalized the

final binding contract with the consortium on the build of the fibre optic line.

I can confirm that no money has flown, nor will any monies flow until the final

contract has been signed by all parties. The work that is being done right now

is being financed entirely by the consortium. They know, in this year, if the

binding contract subject to is arrived at along the lines of the direction that

we were given by Cabinet back late last fall, if and when that contract is

arrived at, there will be $10 million flown later in this fiscal year and the

remainder will be flown in the next fiscal year, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. PARSONS: Just a final question of the minister, as a follow up

supplementary to that.

Again, I did not hear your answer with respect to: Will the public see the

final deal, the contract that is inked between government and the proponents?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural

Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. TAYLOR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I do not believe there would be any problem, that I am aware of, in providing

at least most of the contract, certainly the parts that are pertinent to the

direction that we were given and the parts that would be pertinent to the public

interest.

If there is information in it that is sensitive from a proprietary

perspective, Mr. Speaker, obviously, that would not be released, but I would

expect that the vast majority of it, certainly, would be able to be released and

maybe even all of it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My next question is for the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

I asked, last week, a question concerning salmon licences sold in the

Province through the minister's department and the need for a government

issued photo ID. The minister indicated, at that time, that the problem would be

resolved. However, I can advise the minister that the problem still does exist

and I will give you an example.

Anyone who is disabled in this Province, for example, maybe a disabled person

who cannot get a driver's licence, which is the normally accepted government

photo ID, but yet they are still very functional in a lot of other aspects of

their lives. A disabled person, or, for example, someone who lives in Grand

Bruit where there are no cars, or lives in Grey River where there are no cars

and they are not likely to have a photo ID, they cannot get a salmon licence in

this Province right now without a government photo ID. That problem still exists

today as we speak.

So I ask you again: Do you think it is fair that anyone, in order to get a

salmon licence, must go through the expense of paying $25 to get a government

issued photo ID licence in order to get a salmon licence? I mean, isn't this a

bit ridiculous?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In particular, the issue that was raised last week around the age

requirement, that is something that we have indicated to vendors that these

children can come under a family plan so that if an adult goes into the vendor,

then they can vouch for their chid and they will get a licence in that regard.

Secondly, around the issue of somebody with a disability, we are not about

impeding people to get on the rivers. If there is anything that we can do to

accommodate these individuals, we will. I will certainly take that back to my

officials and we will address that. I can assure him that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I say to the minister, so there is absolutely no confusion here, the

gentleman I am referring to is thirty-three years of age. His name is Joe Elms.

The matter has been brought to the attention of your officials. He is disabled.

He does not have a driver's licence and Canadian Tire in Port aux Basques,

Newfoundland and Labrador, will not issue a licence to him unless he goes and

pays $25 for a photo ID. That is the example. Your department officials are

aware of it. I mentioned it last week here in the House when I gave you the

example.

I say, again, to the minister: How many times do we have to ask under these

circumstances, are you prepared for this year - until your department irons out

what the rules are going to be and considers these examples - are you prepared,

if only for this year, to suspend the photo ID requirement?

We have a similar incident in my colleague's District in L'Anse au Clair,

where people who come into this Province for tourist reasons, for example,

non-residents, they might not have a photo ID. Either make something reasonable

or will you suspend it? We have newly issued MCP cards this year.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the member now to finish his question.

MR. PARSONS: Can't we have some reasonable system, or else suspend?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, one of the things that we are attempting to do

with this entire process is to attempt to find out how many people are availing

of hunting, how many people are availing of fishing, so on and so forth. As I

have said to the member, we will not do anything that will impede someone with a

disability. We are attempting to encourage our youth to take part more in these

types of outdoor activities.

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the minister that we have looked at this and we are

making final determinations that this situation will be taken care of. I can

assure him that, with the utmost certainty, it will be dealt with and it will

meet the needs of this particular individual.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Humber Valley.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BALL: Mr. Speaker, we, on this side of the House, have had numerous

complaints about long waiting times at emergency rooms in hospitals throughout

the Province. Recently, we have heard reports of wait times of up to ten hours

to see a physician. Seven to eight hours is not unusual.

So, I ask the minister: Is he and his department concerned about these long

wait times and in his view, what are the contributing factors to these

unacceptable wait times?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, wait times in emergency departments is not an unusual event. One

of the unfortunate things about emergency department visits is that if you look

at data from across this country, you will find in any jurisdiction that a very

small percentage of the visits to emergency departments are actually true

emergencies that require the attention of an emergency room physician, and the

back up and support positions that support that department.

So, what this jurisdiction, together with many across the country are

finding, is that many individuals are going to emergency departments for what is

non-emergent and non-urgent cases. You will find in most cases, if you walk into

most emergency rooms in this Province, you will find somewhere posted in that

emergency department a mechanism that identifies how -

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the minister to complete his answer.

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

- identifies a mechanism of how the emergency department prioritizes the

people that they see. The very emergent and the very urgent cases get in right

away, obviously, but those that are less severe can afford to wait. They may be

there for quite some time, I say, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Chair recognizes the Member for Humber Valley.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BALL: Mr. Speaker, the minister referred to some federal initiatives

about wait times, and we have heard much about the wait time reductions by the

federal and provincial government in our health care system. These wait times

are usually measured after people enter the system, sometimes it is about the

time they have to wait to see a specialist.

In light of the fact that these emergency rooms - the situation currently

exists, as you said. Some of them are not always emergencies, they can be

urgent, but what does the he and his department feel is the acceptable time for

these people to be serviced?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, emergency departments throughout Newfoundland

and Labrador - I would expect that anyone who comes through a door who is a true

emergency, someone who has just been involved in a major motor vehicle accident,

someone experiencing severe chest pain, maybe in cardiac arrest, those

individuals will be seen immediately. I suspect, Mr. Speaker, if you surveyed

any emergency department in this Province, you will find that those types of

individuals are seen immediately because they are, in fact, the true

emergencies.

Someone who may have had a high fever, been running a high fewer for several

day, it may not be that critical, serious for the person involved, no question,

but that individual may not get in quite as fast as someone who is experiencing

chest pains. So, those individuals who are true emergencies, I say, Mr. Speaker,

are in fact getting into emergency rooms -

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the minister to complete his answer.

MR. WISEMAN: - immediately upon entering the emergency department.

So, I suspect, Mr. Speaker, in the true definition of emergency response, our

emergency departments are responding to the true emergencies immediately.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Humber Valley.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BALL: Mr. Speaker, part of that question was about the urgent

requirement, I did not hear the answer for that.

The health boards in this Province have an accumulated debt of around $119

million. The government seems to be content to allow these health boards in the

Province to deal with this accumulated debt on their own.

In light of the serious health care professional shortage, I ask the

minister: Does he feel the money currently used for debt servicing could be

better used spent on front line health care professionals?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, it is a similar question that the member

opposite asked during the Estimates debate, and at that time I had the benefit

of having the data in front of me, but I recall just vaguely the answer I gave

him at that time was that most of the health authorities - I think Eastern

Health was the one that had the largest accumulated debt, and if you look at

their debt servicing charges last year they were very minimal, I say, Mr.

Speaker. They are able to manage their debt without a significant cost to them.

If you look at the overall debt load carried by health authorities in this

Province, I think, other than the northern region, all of the other regions are

managing within their current budgets. They have the ability to continue to

provide a quality program, quality service, to their residents while at the same

time reducing the accumulated debt that they have -

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the minister now to complete his answer.

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

- while operating within a balanced budget situation.

I suspect, Mr Speaker, that kind of information, that kind of profile, would

suggest that they are able to manage the budget that they have, service their

debt, and provide quality patient care at the same time.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Chair recognizes the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au

Clair.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My questions are for the Minister of Health and Community Services.

The changes to the medical travel program recently announced by government is

definitely a step closer to having a very effective program, but my concern is

still for those who have to drive hundreds of kilometres to access medical

services simply because they are not provided for in their own regions.

People from my district are having to drive over 1,000 kilometres each way

for important medical procedures, with no compensation under the program. This

option would be cheaper to government instead of flying.

I ask the minister: Will government consider a rebate program for those who

have to drive at least over 500 kilometres to and from a hospital for treatments

that are not provided in their area?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, this past week government announced some major

enhancements in our Medical Transportation Assistance Program. It is the second

year in a row, I say, Mr. Speaker, that we have announced enhancements to that

program. We have seen that program grow, since we formed government, to some

$1.7 million. We have made enhancements, as I said, each of the last two years,

this year being the second.

I say to the member opposite that we will continue to evaluate the program,

as we do other programs, and where there is an opportunity and where we have the

fiscal capacity then we will continue to enhance the program on a go-forward

basis.

I thank the member for her suggestion and recommendation, and we look forward

to future evaluations of the programs, and we commit to that continued

evaluation.

That is the commitment we will make, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, many patients who are hospitalized have escorts to

attend with them and to be by their side through surgical procedures, tests and

treatments. In the past, these patients and escorts could choose the comfort of

staying with a friend or relative and claim personal accommodations, meals and

taxis under that program. Now they cannot.

I have to ask the minister: Is the department considering reinstating the

private accommodation allowances that were originally afforded to individuals?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We, too, appreciate the real value of having escorts with patients. Many

times they need the support of family and friends, not only just for the moral

support but to help with the care. We recognize that. That is the reason, I say,

Mr. Speaker, that this year we have increased the allowances made for those

escorts for their meal allowance, both on a daily and a weekly basis, as well as

the accommodation rates have gone up on a daily and weekly basis, to provide for

financial support for those very valuable escorts who accompany, sometimes,

family and friends for medical appointments.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair.

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, those allowances and reimbursements are only

available if the escort or the patient is staying in a hostel or a hotel

accommodation. For those people who cannot afford that type of accommodation but

would prefer to stay with a private individual if they could compensate them in

some way, I think the program should apply.

I will give the minister one example, and I have many that I can give him.

Just this past year I had an individual call me. Her husband was critically ill

in the hospital. She slept for six weeks on the floor of his hospital room

because she could not afford to have a hostel, nor could she afford the taxis

back and forth from someone she knew to the hospital. I went to the Department

of Health to try and get the meal allowance for this individual, because at

least she would have something, and it was rejected based on the fact that she

was not staying in a hostel.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the hon. member now to finish her question.

MS JONES: Minister, my question to you today is to take this under

consideration, to look at reinstating allowances to these escorts and patients

who find themselves in this difficult situation.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I just want to remind the member opposite - she makes a valid point, but I

want to remind the member opposite - that we are the only jurisdiction in the

country who provide a medical transportation system that is not means tested, it

is open to anybody; but, at the same time, for those individuals who find

themselves in a very difficult financial circumstance, the Department of Human

Resources, Labour and Employment has a program where they can, on an individual

basis, do a financial assessment where it can be determined on a needs basis

that special consideration could be provided to those individuals through the

Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, which is an augmentation,

a separate program all together but an augmentation, to what it is we are doing

under our medical transportation system, which is a non-means tested process, so

those individuals in the Province who are in dire financial straits will not be

disadvantaged as a result of the -

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the minister now to complete his answer.

MR. WISEMAN: - circumstance they may find themselves in, I say, Mr.

Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair.

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, if these individuals are old-age pensioners they

would not be eligible for that.

My next question is for the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural

Development.

In the last few weeks I presented a number of petitions to the House of

Assembly from residents in my district, asking government to provide for

cellphone services in the southern Labrador region, especially on the

section of

highway from L'Anse-au-Loup to Cartwright. There is no cellphone access, and

private communications companies are not prepared to provide the service, saying

the investments would not be profitable for them.

Mr. Speaker, the minister knows that there are hundreds of kilometres of

gravel road. They, in winter, have severe snow and storm conditions, and really

we are putting people's safety at risk. I ask him if his government is

prepared to look at a program whereby they can partner with private companies to

provide for cellular services in rural remote areas like this?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural

Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member opposite that the

provision for cell coverage in Labrador is a significant issue and one that

needs to be evaluated and, if possible, addressed.

Subsequent to our Cabinet meeting in Churchill Falls and Goose Bay, I guess

it was last fall, between myself and the Minister Responsible for Labrador

Affairs, Transportation and Works, we directed our officials to begin the

process of evaluating the cost, essentially, of doing this, to try to identify

options for government.

Mr. Speaker, I can say that review is ongoing and we look forward to a

satisfactory report in the future.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair.

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, my final question is for the Minister of

Government Services and Lands, and it is again dealing with the photo ID to

obtain a salmon fishing licence.

I do not know if your colleague is aware of it, but in districts like mine

people can only get a photo ID when driver examiners visit the area to take the

picture on behalf of your department. The next scheduled visits are not until

late July or August, which means that the prime salmon fishing time will have

passed and those people will not be able to get a licence.

I have to ask: Are you prepared to send your officials into districts like

mine immediately to provide this service if the minister chooses not to scrap

the program?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That is a situation that has been identified. Mr. Speaker, I will tell the

member that as early as by the end of next week we will have that situation

resolved for them.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

My questions today are for the Minister of Health and Community Services.

This week, the Minister Responsible for Labrador stated publicly that before

construction begins on the new hospital in Labrador West there will be

consultations with the hospital board, town councils, medical staff, the Chamber

of Commerce and "other stakeholders" about what should be in the

hospital plan.

Mr. Speaker, numerous community groups that lobbied for the new hospital say

they have had no response to their previous request to be consulted, and they

are wondering if they will be consulted now.

My question for the minister is: Will the minister provide a list of

stakeholders that are to be consulted about the hospital plan, and ensure that

all concerned groups in Labrador West are consulted?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, the design consultants have been appointed for

that new facility. Work is underway as we speak. There have been a couple of

meetings already with the consulting group to talk about the design concept.

The functional program for the hospital has already been developed as an

earlier piece of work, and that piece of information will be incorporated in,

together with discussions with the community in terms of the future of that

health facility in Labrador West.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS MICHAEL: Mr. Speaker, then the minister is not willing to tell me what

stakeholders are going to be consulted from the community. This is the point of

my question, and there are community groups who are concerned that their

requests in the past to be consulted are being ignored. I wanted to know: Are

they going to be consulted?

I will push a little bit further, Mr. Speaker. Plans for the new health

facility will be shaped by the services that the hospital will require, both in

terms of size and design.

My question for the minister is: Will the consultation that the Minister

Responsible for Labrador spoke about take place prior to any further

architectural plans being put in place?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, what I can assure the member opposite, and I

can assure more particularly the individuals living in Labrador West, is that

this new health facility that is being built in Labrador West will reflect the

ongoing health needs of the people in that region. They will reflect, they will

respond, an appropriate response, to the population that lives in those

communities and the health needs that are there now, with a view that obviously

we need to provide for the flexibility and the design consideration to reflect

that kind of flexibility that will allow us to respond to future and changing

needs of changing community populations, I say, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: A final supplementary, the hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi

Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Well, some of the needs that are being identified by people in the community

are things that are not in the current hospital, such as CAT scan equipment,

more advanced testing equipment for high-risk diseases such as diabetes and

cancer, facilities for high-risk pregnancies, better treatment for back

injuries, among other things, and people must travel to Happy Valley-Goose Bay,

Quebec and Newfoundland to get those services.

My question for the minister is: Since these have been identified by the

community, what assurances can he give that the new facility will have

additional needed services, including CAT scans, high-risk pregnancy facilities,

and more diagnostic services, so that people do not have to travel so far and so

often out of their region?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, just let me repeat what I said a moment ago.

The new health facility in Labrador West will reflect the needs of the

community, will reflect the demand for services in that region, will reflect the

ability to be able to provide those services with the human resources that will

be available to us in that region, and will reflect the flexibility that will be

required in the design to respond to future needs of that region, I say, Mr.

Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Grand Bank.

MS FOOTE: Mr. Speaker, the negotiations surrounding the sale of FPI

included the government's right of first refusal should Ocean Choice

International decide to sell the plant in Marystown.

I ask the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture: Why didn't the government

insist on the same condition for the secondary processing plant in Burin?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural

Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. TAYLOR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have every confidence that the deal that we have reached with

OCI and with High Liner on the sale of the FPI assets will result in long-term

stability for the communities that currently have FPI operations in them.

We are very confident, Mr. Speaker, with the commitments that have been made

by High Liner on the movement of more product through the facility at Burin,

that the facility will have a great future.

Mr. Speaker, I have to say this: In the situation with Marystown, if OCI

defaults on their obligations under processing in Newfoundland and Labrador and

we end up in a situation where we have access to the quotas, Mr. Speaker, there

is not much point of having quotas if you do not have a fish plant to put them

through, which is why we insisted on the right of first refusal on the operation

in Marystown.

MR. SPEAKER: I ask the hon. minister to complete his answer.

MR. TAYLOR: If, Mr. Speaker, something should, unfortunately - after five

years time - happen with the operation at Burin, we do not have that raw

material source, obviously, to go through the plant and we do not have their

marketing expertise to be able to market it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for Grand Bank.

MS FOOTE: Mr. Speaker, people who are connected with the Burin plant feel

that this is an oversight by the government. In fact, if you were looking out

for their best interests, you would have done the same with respect to the

secondary processing plant in Burin as you have done with the plant in Marystown.

I ask the minister: Given the concerns being expressed by those individuals,

will you go back to FPI and High Liner and see if it isn't possible for you to

include the government's right of first refusal, should High Liner go down

that path?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural

Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. TAYLOR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as we have said on a number of occasions here, it is not the

intention of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to get ourselves back

into the fish business.

Our reason for wanting the Marystown operation or the right of first refusal

on the Marystown operation, was if we found ourselves in a situation where OCI

defaulted on their obligations for processing fish in Newfoundland and Labrador,

then we would have access to the quotas, potentially. If we had access to the

quotas, we would have a plant to process it in.

Similarly, Mr. Speaker, I understand the concern of the member and the

people, but governments have not done a very good job of running fishing

enterprises in Newfoundland and Labrador and I suspect that any future

government would probably have the same level of success as the previous

governments.

So, Mr. Speaker, it is not a business that we want to get into. We believe

that if the unfortunate were to happen, Mr. Speaker, if there is an opportunity

in the market place and there is a raw material supply available, that there is

probably somebody else who would take it over, but, Mr. Speaker, the Government

of Newfoundland and Labrador are not in the business of competing -

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the minister to compete his answer.

MR. TAYLOR: - with the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Grand Bank.

MS FOOTE: Mr. Speaker, people throughout the Province cannot understand

why they have to make reservations for a site at a provincial park through a

call centre in Quebec.

I ask the Minister of Environment and Conservation: Why did the government

choose to go this route instead of hiring students in our Province to do the

job, and will you tell us how long this contact is for?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, this was a system that was put out for a

Request for Proposals. We had one interested party, they were awarded the

contract.

Mr. Speaker, the parks have been open for three weeks. To date, we have 3,400

bookings. I went on the West Coast this weekend. I visited two parks just to

check out the system. The system is being received extremely well, being

received positively.

Secondly, Mr. Speaker, what we have encouraged people of the Province to do,

if they have concerns, that they would submit them because this is the first

year of this new system and if, at the end of the year, we need to make some

revisions, we certainly will, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Grand Bank.

MS FOOTE: Mr. Speaker, the question for the minister was: Why did you

choose to go this route instead of hiring students who are needing these jobs

out there, especially our post-secondary students? Not the fact that you have

done it, it was why you chose to go this route and how long the contract is for?

When people make a reservation they have to pay $10.60 and can only make a

reservation for one week. If for some reason they have to cancel that

reservation, it will cost them another $9.

I ask the minister: Why is it that people cannot book for more than one week,

and who decided on the various fees?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, as I have said, this is the first year of the

system. The fee simply pays for the service that is provided.

Mr. Speaker, if someone goes into a park - I will use this as an example.

They go into a park and they have booked for a week. If they want to book for

another night, they can march up to the gatehouse and they can book that site,

but if they are looking to go for an extended period, if they want to stay for

another week, well, then they will have to go back on-line to book. This is

about equal access to all peoples of the Province, to all of our provincial

parks, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The time for Question Period has expired.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

MR. PARSONS: A point of order, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

A point of order has been called by the Opposition House Leader.

MR. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just a point of order before we get into the business of the day. I would not

raise it earlier during members' statements or ministerial statements or

Question Period.

Yesterday afternoon when we were in committee, and the committee was being

Chaired by the Member for Placentia & St. Mary's, there was an issue arose

when the Member for Bay of Islands was speaking and there were comments coming

from the Minister of Health and Community Services. It was brought to the

attention, verbally, of the Chair, that the minister had used unparliamentary

language and there was nothing done about it. It was not raised officially. I

understand, in fact - and I do not wish to single out the Chair of the Committee

because I understand he probably did not legitimately hear it because of a

hearing disability. That is my understanding, I have been told.

In any case, it was raised with him verbally over here. Anyway, I noticed

today from Hansard that it is actually recorded on page 1589, the minister's

comments. He used the word liar, which is definitely unparliamentary in any

system that I am aware of, and it is recorded in Hansard. I think, for the

record, we would ask that the minister do the honourable thing and withdraw

those remarks.

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

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, I withdraw the comment.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Tabling of Documents.

Tabling of Documents

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS WHALEN: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand today and table the 2006

Activity Report for the Embalmers and Funeral Directors Board of Newfoundland

and Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Further tabling of documents?

Notices of Motions.

Answers to Questions for Which Notice has been Given.

Petitions.

Petitions

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

MR. BUTLER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to rise today and present a petition. No need of reading the prayer of

the petition, it is similar to what I have done over the last couple of weeks

with regards to the shortage of doctors to service the medical needs of the

people in many areas of this Province.

Mr. Speaker, I guess since the first time I raised this particular petition

on behalf of the residents, we have seen many things come to light. We have seen

articles in the various papers where the doctors are even coming out and saying

there is a concern about waiting too long to see a doctor. I guess the issue

that I am speaking on goes beyond waiting to see a doctor, even when you have

one, you have a general practitioner, but in the area where I come from today -

and I know we are blessed to have so many doctors there - but many, many people

do not have a general practitioner to call, regardless of how serious the need

might be. This coming summer, two more general practitioners will be leaving

that particular area and just increase the numbers of people who do not have a

general practitioner.

Mr. Speaker, we hear the Member for Humber Valley day in and day out asking

questions and it seems there are no answers that come from the Minister of

Health on those particular issues. Here we have residents who are willing to

sign petitions and complain about this. We have specialists and doctors

throughout this Province who are willing to put their pictures and their names

in the various papers referencing the wait list, but the minister does not seem

to think there is much of a problem with all those issues. When it comes to

health care, there are several things that really stand out; and the doctors are

so overworked in those areas, they cannot take any more patients.

A couple of other issues, Mr. Speaker, with regard to health care in the

areas. I mentioned last week, and I spoke since that time to a resident in my

area; a lady who depends on oxygen, day in and day out, who walks around her

house with a lifeline to the oxygen tank over forty feet long. It is the cost of

the oxygen, and this was brought to the attention of those here during Question

Period from time to time. The cost of the oxygen - she has to stay in her own

home. It costs so much to get the smaller tanks that she just cannot afford to

go out to the malls and even to visit a doctor from time to time.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the general practitioners, the burden, what

happens when people get sick, regardless of how serious it is? They call the

clinic and they are passed from one clinic to the other because there is nobody

on duty or they do not have a doctor. Where do they go? Everybody calls the

emergency unit. Many people do not even call; they just get in their car or have

their family or friends take them to the emergency unit. That is why there is a

backlog.

The hon. Member for Humber Valley today talked about the wait lists in the

emergency units, and much of it is caused for this reason, Mr. Speaker. People

go there regardless of what the complaint is. It is serious to them.

The people at the Carbonear Hospital, in the emergency unit, are overburdened

with the work that is there, Mr. Speaker. It is caused through a lack of general

practitioners which would look after many of their needs.

I just call upon government again, and the minister, to look into the

situation -

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The time allotted to the hon. member has expired.

MR. BUTLER: - to see that general practitioners are trained and stay in

our Province.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Further petitions?

Orders of the Day.

Orders of the Day

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

MR. OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have a matter, Mr. Speaker, of two first readings, and I have advised my

colleagues on the opposite side that we would be doing this, this afternoon.

We seek leave, Mr. Speaker, to introduce a bill entitled,

An Act To Amend The

Electrical Power Control Act, 1994. (Bill 32)

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister of

Natural Resources shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled,

An Act To Amend

The Electrical Power Control Act, 1994. (Bill 32)

Is it the pleasure of the House that the hon. the Minister of Natural

Resources shall have leave to introduce Bill 32?

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 Natural Resources to introduce a bill,

"An Act To Amend The Electrical Power Control Act, 1994," carried.

(Bill 32)

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that Bill 32 be now read a first

time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 32 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.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Electrical Power Control Act, 1994.

(Bill 32)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 32,

An Act To Amend The Electrical Power Control Act,

1994, has now been read a first time.

When shall this bill be read a second time?

MR. OTTENHEIMER: Today, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Later today.

On motion, Bill 32 read a first time, ordered read a second time presently,

by leave.

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

MR. OTTENHEIMER: The second bill for first reading, Mr. Speaker, to ask

leave to introduce a bill entitled,

An Act Respecting The Effective

Administration Of The House Of Assembly, The Standards Of Conduct Of Elected

Members, And Their Ethical And Accountable Behaviour. (Bill 33)

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. the Government House

Leader shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled,

An Act Respecting The

Effective Administration Of The House Of Assembly, The Standards Of Conduct Of

Elected Members, And Their Ethical And Accountable Behaviour. (Bill 33)

Is it the pleasure of the House that the hon. the Government House Leader

shall have leave to introduce Bill 33?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

Motion, the hon. the Government House Leader to introduce a bill, "An

Act Respecting The Effective Administration Of The House Of Assembly, The

Standards Of Conduct Of Elected Members, And Their Ethical And Accountable

Behaviour," carried. (Bill 33)

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that Bill 33 be now read a first

time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 33 be read a

first time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act Respecting The Effective Administration Of The

House Of Assembly, The Standards Of Conduct Of Elected Members, And Their

Ethical And Accountable Behaviour. (Bill 33)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 33,

An Act Respecting The Effective Administration Of

The House Of Assembly, The Standards Of Conduct Of Elected Members, And Their

Ethical And Accountable Behaviour, has now been read a first time.

When shall this bill be read a second time?

MR. OTTENHEIMER: On tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: On tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 33 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MR. OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I now call second reading of a bill - and again this is with the

understanding and concurrence of my colleagues opposite - to be introduced by my

colleague, the Minister of Natural Resources,

An Act To Amend The Electrical

Power Control Act, 1994. (Bill 32)

MR. SPEAKER: I do understand that there have been arrangements made

between the House leadership that we proceed to this stage on today.

The Chair has received acknowledgment from the Opposition House Leader.

The motion is that Bill 32,

An Act To Amend The Electrical Power Control Act,

1994, be now read a second time.

Motion, second reading of a bill, "An Act To Amend The Electrical Power

Control Act, 1994." (Bill 32)

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am pleased to stand in the House today to speak to this bill,

An Act To

Amend The Electrical Power Control Act, 1994.

The Electrical Power Control Act, Mr. Speaker, sets out provincial policy

with regard to the setting of electric power rates, the management and operation

of facilities for the production and distribution of power, and for the general

management of the electricity sector. It also outlines the role of the Public

Utilities Board in regulating the electricity industry.

With this amendment to the Electrical Power Control Act we are moving to

regulate the co-ordination of water management on provincial rivers. We believe

the PUB is the appropriate body to do this, given its mandate under the act

already under regulation in regulating the electricity industry.

We are bringing in this amendment to ensure that hydroelectric facilities

operating on the same river work together to optimize the value of this resource

and therefore the benefit to the Province and to the power generators. We want

to optimize production on a river to ensure maximum benefits to all parties. We

do this, for example, by avoiding spills of water and enabling production

sharing between facilities.

The amendment provides a framework for the PUB to regulate the co-ordination

of water management agreements between two or more parties on the same river.

Under this amendment, the parties must enter into an agreement for the water

management of the river, which will be referred to the PUB. The PUB will be able

to approve the agreement, approve it with changes, or reject it. If the parties

cannot reach an agreement in a reasonable time, one can apply to the PUB to

establish an agreement that is binding on both of them. The PUB will also have

the authority to monitor and enforce agreements.

Mr. Speaker, this is about moving forward with the legislative framework that

is appropriate to provide hydroelectric operators sharing a river system, as

will be the case on the Churchill River with the Lower Churchill project, with

certainty over the co-ordination of water flow.

The amendment applies to any provincial river where more than one

hydroelectric development could occur. Other rivers where the amendment could

apply include the Exploits River and Hinds Lake and Deer Lake.

The amendment will ensure the delivery commitments under existing contracts

are honoured, including the 1969 power contract for the Upper Churchill. This

protection is explicitly written into the amendment.

Water management agreements are a standard on rivers with more than one

operator. This is good business, to ensure any development maximizes the value

of the resource for the people of the Province and for the power generators.

Through this amendment, the needs of both the Churchill Falls facility and

the Lower Churchill project will be accommodated, as will the needs of any other

hydroelectric developments in the Province.

The provincial government is ensuring that operators on the same water course

work together to reach an agreement that is in the best interests of both

facilities and the Province.

We believe that a legislative framework is appropriate to provide a process

for all hydroelectric operators and developers in this Province as it relates to

water management.

This amendment is about moving forward in the development of our resources

for the benefit of the people of the Province, which is consistent with this

government's approach since taking office. This is about ensuring we have the

appropriate tools to get the most out of our energy developments.

These rivers belong to the people of the Province. As government, we are

stewards of these resources and it is our responsibility to ensure we maintain

control of these valuable resources.

The changes we are making today, Mr. Speaker, will provide certainty of power

production to hydro-electric operators that share a water course in this

Province. We are moving to optimize production and benefits for all parties and

mitigate negative impacts through co-operation by the parties on the same water

course.

Although we are giving the PUB the authority to regulate the coordination of

water management agreements, the parties will have an opportunity to reach an

agreement on their own. This type of legislation gives the financiers and

potential customers of hydro-electric developments that share a river system,

the certainty they need to finance projects and enter into power purchase

agreements.

We believe the amendment is good provincial policy that ensures fairness for

all operators. It will provide optimum production on our water courses and will

result in the most efficient production, transmission and distribution of power.

We need to get the most from our resources, Mr. Speaker, for the long-term

benefit of all sectors of our economy, for all people of the Province, and for

the continued sustainable development of our industry.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am just going to have a few brief words on Bill 32.

Now, Mr. Speaker, we did have an opportunity to have a briefing this morning

as it relates to this bill, because as you know, the legislation was only tabled

in the House of Assembly very late yesterday afternoon. So that was our only

opportunity to be able to be briefed and to gain some insight into what this

bill is actually doing. The amendments to the Electrical Power Control Act are,

no doubt, coming about at this particular time as a result of the developments

that are happening on the Lower Churchill file.

Mr. Speaker, what this particular bill, as the minister has just outlined, is

to do, is to have agreements between those users of hydroelectric power that is

on one particular river or waterway. In this case, that would have been the

situation, definitely, with the development of the Lower Churchill because, as

you know, the Upper Churchill project is also on the Churchill River and

operated under CF(L)Co. So, any new developments, which I am assuming would be

part of the Lower Churchill development or power corporation, whatever

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro identifies that corporation as these days. So,

you would have to have some agreement in terms of the use of the river, and that

is to allow for certain things. One is to maximize the opportunity and the

potential of the river to be able to develop power, but also, Mr. Speaker, as

the minister outlined, to ensure that you do not have things like spillages on

that river, where you have excess water overflowing and running out and not

being used. In order to get those agreements, it is not always going to be as

simple as having two Crown corporations that are going to negotiate. So to

alleviate any concerns that might be there, I can understand why this is being

referred to the Public Utilities Board.

I understand, Mr. Speaker, from the briefing we had this morning, that in

other provinces in Canada they do have water management boards that actually

looks at and negotiates between the parties - I should not say negotiates, but

works with the parties to achieve an agreement. It was felt, I think, by

government that this was not necessary in Newfoundland and Labrador. Being

somewhat familiar with how the Public Utilities Board works, having gone before

them on several occasions regarding petroleum pricing and hydro rates and all

the rest of it, I do have some knowledge of how they work, and they are there to

give a very balanced perspective in terms of how things should be regulated in

the Province. So I have no problem with the Public Utilities Board being the

actual management body that will be intervening with the parties to negotiate or

work out agreements that are acceptable to both.

Mr. Speaker, I think that government, in bringing forward this legislation,

is no doubt preparing themselves for new developments on the Churchill River,

although this would apply to other rivers in the Province that might already

have existing hydro power development projects or have potential for hydro

development projects in the future.

Mr. Speaker, we also have to look at - and this is something that government

will want to give consideration to. That is when you look at developing hydro

projects on any rivers - and I speak, in particular, now for the Churchill River

- that there are also going to be other users of that river who will need to

have agreements as well. I refer to the Aboriginal peoples of Labrador who have

been traditional users of that river, both the Innu and the Metis and the

settlers.

Actually, it was only recently that I had a call from an individual in Happy

Valley-Goose Bay who runs his trap grounds up on that side of the river and was

not able to access his trapping tilt or his hunting grounds for the last little

while because government had blocked the bridge going across the Churchill River

where they are building the road there. I tried to work out the problem through

the Department of Transportation and Works but we were unsuccessful and, as a

result, those six trappers still are not permitted to be able to cross over into

that particular area, which is unfortunate.

People see development sometimes as an impediment to the lifestyles that they

have, and it is an impediment; not that they see it, it is an impediment. So, I

would have to encourage government to look very carefully to see if there are

processes and procedures in place within government to also negotiate agreements

with other users on the river, not just users of hydro electric facilities.

I know, for example, that the Labrador Metis Nation have not been engaged in

any productive way in negotiations or discussions with the government around the

Lower Churchill Development Project. That is not acceptable, because whether

they have a land claim or whether they do not, they are traditional users of

that river. They have legitimate concerns that need to be addressed. Government

also needs to look at their other legislative pieces, whether it is under their

water rights management act or under another act to ensure that processes are

there and are in place to allow for them to have meaningful agreements with

other users as well. So, I would encourage them to look at that.

In particular, Mr. Speaker, getting back to the act that we are debating here

today under Bill 32, these are necessary changes and amendments that will have

to be done in order to allow projects like this to continue to move forward. I

certainly have no problem with the legislation which has been presented. As I

said, it was only this morning that I had an opportunity to be briefed on the

legislation. So the research that I have been able to do into it has been

minimal, I would say, at best. At this particular time, looking at the

amendments that are being brought forward, looking at the reasons that this

needs to done and looking at what the result is going to be in terms of

mitigating any improper use of the river between hydro development projects in

the future, I certainly do not have any problems at this time in supporting that

legislation.

So, Mr. Speaker, I do not really have any other comments that I would like to

make, other than to say to government that they also need to look at their water

management act to ensure that there are going to be agreements and allow for

agreements with other users of those rivers as well.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

I do not have a lot of comments to make, but I do have a couple and one point

that I would like to ask the minister to think about.

I do thank the minister for arranging for the briefing by her officials this

morning. It was helpful, having them walk through the amendments with us.

I think it is important that the government is asking us to agree to this act

today. It shows foresight on their part, obviously. They recognize the gap in

the current act, and a gap that would be really pretty important once the time

comes to look at the possibilities around the Lower Churchill. If we are to have

the Lower Churchill developed in any way at all, co-operation between the Lower

Churchill and the Upper Churchill will be absolutely essential.

It was confirmed, of course, this morning by the officials and by the

minister as well, I think, that this is sort of the driver for this act right

now, the discussion that is going on with regard to the Lower Churchill, but it

is something that I think should definitely be in the act: the recognition that,

if one waterway is being shared by more than one operation, one company, then

you do have a problem if you want to assure that you have, I would say,

responsible use of the resources on that waterway.

Of course, this particular act is only dealing with the use of the water for

the production of power, which is, of course, one of the things that makes it

logical that it is the PUB that would be the overseeing body with regard to this

act.

I would like to speak a little bit to the fact that when the Upper Churchill

was developed we were not at a moment in time in this Province where we were

recognizing the rights of Aboriginal peoples in Labrador. There were assumptions

at that time - it happened all over the place in our Province at that time and

at earlier times - that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador just had the

right to make decisions around the lands in Newfoundland and Labrador without

recognition of the fact that there were Aboriginal rights to those lands.

Consequently, we have the Upper Churchill and we have other major developments

as well, in Labrador and elsewhere, where the rights, for example, the water

rights, are just assumed. It will be, undoubtedly, a different issue when we

talk about the Lower Churchill, and the water rights that will want to be

assumed with regard to the Lower Churchill will obviously have to be negotiated

also with Aboriginal peoples who have land claim, in particular the Innu Nation.

I know that the government is aware of that and the minister is aware of

that, so it could be that even language might change once we get into those

negotiations with regard to water rights. Use of the water, right to use the

water, does not imply ownership of the water, and I know the government does not

mean that. The right to the use of the water is not the same as owning the

water, but there may be language, subtleties, that may have to be looked at once

we get into that stage, which I am sure is down the road. That is just one point

I wanted to make.

Another is that the officials this morning also indicated that this gap

became identified as the government is working on the Energy Plan. I mean, one

of the positives is, that is an indication to me of the detail that is being

looked at in respect to the Energy Plan, which says that plan must be pretty far

into discussion.

I just want to use this opportunity to say that I do regret that plan has not

been put before us in this sitting of the House. I have been looking forward to

it for a long time, and really would have wished that we could have had that to

discuss. It looks like - well, we know that we are not going to get it in this

sitting of the House, and I doubt that we are going to get it before there is a

new government in order for that to be put before us. I do regret that.

On the one hand, I am glad to see government is really dealing with some very

interesting issues in putting that plan together, but I am sorry that it is not

going to be a plan of this House of Assembly when it gets presented to the

people in this Province. I do need to make that point.

The one thing I would ask the minister to consider, and I know she will speak

to this when she stands, is in

section 5.6 (2) and 5.6 (3). I am uncomfortable

with the fact that the word "may" is used instead of the word

"shall". "The public utilities board may require reporting

commitments, and impose monitoring requirements, as it considers appropriate, to

ensure that the persons to an agreement approved by the public utilities

board..." - or established under the relative

section - "...comply

I really wonder why it does not say, "shall". It would seem to me

that it would be the role of the board to definitely require reports.

AN HON. MEMBER: In what section?

MS MICHAEL: The

section is 5.6 (2) on page 4. "The public utilities

board may require...." - is what is there, and I am questioning why it

would not say "shall". It seems to me that it should be a requirement

that the board monitor; because, if the board does not monitor, who would

monitor?

Then, in the next section, Minister, the very next subsection, it says,

"

(3) Where the public utilities board believes that one or more of the

persons to an agreement approved by the board under subsection 5.4(3) or

established under subsection 5.5(2) has failed to comply with the terms and

conditions of the agreement, the public utilities board may...."

To me, it shall; it shall look for retribution. So, I would like the minister

to consider changing the "may" language in both of those subsections

to requirement language.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I think these were the main points that I wanted to

make.

Thank you very much.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Humber Valley.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker,

I will be brief. I just want to repeat, I guess, what I have heard already

from the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair and the Member for Signal

Hill-Quidi Vidi. I certainly did attend the briefing meeting this morning. I did

find it very informative, I must say, so thank you, Minister, for that.

As it was explained to us in the briefing this morning, it was explained as

this being on a go-forward basis, and I completely understand that, and

understand the impetus for this happening. In actual fact, we have Hinds Lake

developed (inaudible) the one in Deer Lake, in my own district, so I appreciate

the fact that this is on a go-forward basis, but there was one thing, I guess,

that I noticed when I was reading through the amendments, and that was the fact

that when we get to the Public Utilities Board, when they get involved, we find

ourselves in the situation where the companies, let's just say company one or

company two, are given a reasonable period of time to actually come to an

agreement. I understand that some negotiations would be more complex than

others, so it would be very tough to put a time frame on how these parties could

come to an agreement.

I do understand that the Public Utilities Board do have a right to, I guess,

intervene, but there was one thing that I thought might need to be considered,

since this is on a go-forward basis and given that at some point the Public

Utilities Board may be getting involved to actually impose a particular

agreement on the two parties, or it could be even three parties. Who knows what

could be here? Because this is a management of water flow, I guess, so that

people could actually have the opportunity to satisfy their customers and so on.

One thing that I would like to see considered here is actually some type of

time frame that the Public Utilities Board would have to put the agreement in

place. Given the fact that we could have - for instance, they may not be Crown

corporations. They could be investors of some sort that may have finances

arranged. They could have periods of time, or limitations on it. I would like to

see that the Public Utilities Board would have a time frame on which they would

have to respond to actually put this agreement in place.

That is just one consideration I would like for the minister to take into

review. Mr. Speaker, with that said, that is probably the only point I would

like to make, but I would like to thank the minister for the opportunity this

morning to attend the briefing session.

Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER (Fitzgerald): Order, please!

If the hon. the Minister of Natural Resources speaks now she will close the

debate on Bill 32,

An Act To Amend The Electrical Power Control Act, 1994.

The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank my colleagues for their comments and the suggestions that

they have put forward. I certainly will take them under full consideration.

As I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, we believe this to be a matter of good public

policy, of good management of our resources, and legislation and a policy that

ensures that those resources are maximized to the benefit of the people here in

the Province and to the people who are operating on these rivers. It is a very

open process, a very transparent and accountable process, and we are pleased to

put this legislation in place that allows for orderly and comprehensive

development.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I close debate.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Is it the pleasure of the House that Bill 32 be now read a second time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

Carried

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Electrical Power Control Act, 1994.

(Bill 32)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 32 has now been read a second time.

When shall this bill be referred to a Committee of the Whole House? Now?

Tomorrow?

MR. OTTENHEIMER: On tomorrow, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: On tomorrow.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Electrical Power Control Act,

1994," read a second time, ordered referred to a Committee of the Whole

House on tomorrow. (Bill 32)

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

MR. OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, we are going to depart from our routine

proceedings for the remainder of the day.

It being Wednesday, of course, we will be adjourning the House on or before

5:00 o'clock, but it is certainly the understanding of members on both sides,

and by agreement of members on both sides of this House, Mr. Speaker, that a

number of hon. members wish to make some particular statements by members.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, as I say, we will be departing from usual

proceedings, and with the understanding of members of both sides, the members

may begin to give their addresses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BARRETT: Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise with mixed emotions as the MHA

for Bellevue District.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share a story with you and Members of the House

of Assembly that touched me deeply some time ago. A story that impacted me then

and continues to influence me today in everything I do.

Mr. Speaker, the story goes: He almost did not see the old lady stranded on

the side of the road, but even in the dim light of the day he could see that she

needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac

was still sputtering when he approached her. Even with the smile on his face,

she was worried. No one had stopped to help her for the last hour or so. Was he

going to hurt her? He did not look safe. He looked poor and hungry. He could see

that she was frightened standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It

was then that the chill - which only fear could put in you.

I said: I am here to help you Ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where

it is warm? By the way, my name is Brian Andersen. All she had was a flat tire,

but for an old lady that was bad enough. Brian crawled under the car, looked for

a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able

to change that tire, but he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was

tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him.

She told him she was from St. Louis, and was only just passing through, and she

could not thank him enough for coming to her aid. Brian just smiled as he closed

her trunk.

The lady asked how much she owned him. Any amount would have been all right

with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened,

had he not stopped. Brian never through twice about being paid. This was not a

job to him, this was helping someone in need and God knew there was plenty who

had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way and it

never occurred to him to act in any other way. He told her that if she really

wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she would

give that person the assistance they needed. Brian added, and think of me. He

waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and

depressing day but he felt good as he headed for home disappearing into the

twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small caf .

She went in to grab a bite to eat and take the chill off before she made the

last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two

old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came and

brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even

being on her feet for the whole day could not erase. The lady noticed the

waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and

aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little

could be so giving to a stranger, and then she remembered Brian.

After the lady finished her meal she paid with $100 bill. The waitress

quickly went to get change for her $100 bill, but the old lady had slipped right

out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress

wondered where the lady could be and then she noticed something written on the

napkin. There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote. You do

not owe me anything. I have been there, too. Somebody once helped me out the way

I am helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do, don't

let this chain of love end with you. Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.

Well, there are tables to clear and sugar bowls to fill and people to serve

but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from

work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady

had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed

it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried

her husband was. As he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and

whispered soft and low: Everything is going to be all right. I love you, Brian

Andersen.

There is an old saying: What goes around, comes around. Today, I share you

this story. Good friends are like stars, you do not always see them, but you

know they are always there.

Mr. Speaker, following my recent setback, my recent health setback and

numerous discussions with family and doctors, today I stand here to say farewell

to my hon. colleagues and to the constituents of Bellevue District.

April 20 marked my eighteenth year serving my constituents with conviction

and dedication.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BARRETT: As in the story I just related, Brian Andersen did his job

everyday helping others in need. This year, Mr. Speaker, also marks forty years,

for me, of public service.

Today, as I announce that I will not be seeking reelection as an MHA in this

hon. House, I remember back to 1989 and my first election button. That button

read: B for Bellevue, B for Barrett, he will be for you.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the people of the great District of

Bellevue for their support for the past eighteen years. It has been an honour to

serve these people and to act on their behalf in his hon. House. As the MHA for

Bellevue for the past eighteen years, that time, without a doubt, has given me

lots of memories to last a lifetime.

As I close this

chapter in my public life and start a new

chapter in my

personal life, as some of you are aware, I will be getting married on July 5.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BARRETT: With the recent arrival of my first grandchild, I feel that

after forty years of public service it is now time for me to give more time to

my family. To my grandson who is four months old today, who is sitting in front

of a television watching his pop, in his rocker: Hi, Adrian. Pop loves you.

In closing, I would again like to thank the great people of the Bellevue

District for their support over the past eighteen years.

I would like also to take this time to thank my political assistant, Nancy

Loveless, for the past eighteen years. I couldn't have done it without you,

Nancy. You have been a very dedicated and loyal individual. You have been a

Brian Andersen too.

I wish my successor years serving the great District of Bellevue, whoever you

may be.

To each member in this House of Assembly, I wish you great success in your

future endeavours, and I hope that you will all be Brian Andersens.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. and long-time friend of mine, the Member for

Fortune Bay-Cape la Hune.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. LANGDON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is like Percy said today, there are many mixed emotions for me.

First of all, I would like to thank my wife, Margaret, and family, for the

support over the years. I couldn't have done it without it. Margaret has been

my biggest supporter, but also my biggest critic. She told me the way it is and

I really appreciated that.

My mom and my dad, both in their eighties, are watching on t.v. today. I owe

a lot to them. Without them, I would not have been where I am because they

sacrificed so that I might go to university first and then political life

afterwards.

I want to thank, as Percy has already done for his, the residents of the

district for their support in the last eighteen years. It has been an incredible

experience, going to an area where you are a total stranger and now having

tremendous friendships made.

For the first two terms I represented the district as it was known,

Fortune-Hermitage. It took in communities from Gaultois to St. Bernard's and

everywhere in between. The last three times the district's name had been

changed to Fortune Bay-Cape la Hune and it has gone from Ramea to Rencontre

East.

As I look back, Mr. Speaker, in those eighteen years, an incredible journey,

gone very fast, I want to look back and see some of the accomplishments that

have been happening in the district. Because I sit in the House, and I am sure

that all forty-eight of us here would think the same way, we are here for one

purpose and that is to improve the quality of life for the people we represent.

There are some major things. I think about the old cottage hospital in

Harbour Breton. I sit here in the House, and I remember one time being there and

a young child, about eight years of age, next to a person who was having his

last breath, so to speak, and just a curtain dividing them. That is not the way

it should be, and we were lucky to get some dollars to build a new centre, a new

health care centre, on the Connaigre Peninsula.

I saw the extension of the clinic in Harbour Breton; two new arenas, one in

Harbour Breton and one in St. Alban's; paved roads to every community, through

federal and provincial dollars; a new water treatment plant for Ramea. I

remember the first time going there and drinking the water. It was salt, because

the salt water used to come in over the pond. People needed that, so we finally

got it. Water and sewer in so many communities, from Harbour Breton, Seal Cove,

Hermitage, Sandyville, Rencontre, Gaultois, Pool's Cove, Milltown, Head of the

Bay, Bay L'Argent, Jacques Fontaine, Terrenceville; fire trucks in many

communities; fire equipment in probably every one; new schools; a youth centre

in Harbour Breton; millions of dollars in job creation; millions for

aquaculture; money for seniors and student groups.

They were not all pleasant. There were difficult times. I think probably the

most difficult time for me as a politician being here a number of years, and for

people that you represent, was the closing of the Harbour Breton fish plant. I

remember when we had the march that day in Harbour Breton. We started from the

school and went to the fish plant, and speeches were made. It was a death that

everybody experienced in that makeshift casket that was there. Since that

particular time, it has been very, very difficult for the community. Hopefully,

things will improve. The closure of the Ramea fish plant, and trying to get it

reopened with the groundfish licence, trying to get improvement for the

operating of the Gaultois plant. Hermitage is a bright spot, no doubt about

that, and hopefully will continue.

Mr. Speaker, as important as all of these things are to the region, there are

the thousands of little things that you do, whether it is student aid, social

services, EI, workers' comp, housing needs, they are so important to the

people that you represent. It could never, in my case, have been done without an

effective staff.

When I was Minister of Municipal Affairs we had a young lady from our

district who worked with us, Deanne Jensen Piercey, a great person. Then there

are the two other people that I had, Ken Carter and Elvis Loveless.

Ken has been with me for years. As an assistant, his demeanor, his work ethic

and his dedication has made my work so much easier. A thank you would never

suffice but, Ken, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know your

success will be there after you leave in October and do other future things. You

will be successful because of the kind of person that you are. You have touched

the lives of people in my area who have worked with me, and they are better and

I am better and you are better for the dedication.

Then there is Elvis, who worked for me and then went to work in the Premier's

office with Roger and in the Opposition with Gerry. Elvis is an incredible

person, no doubt about it, with a tremendous personality and dedication to his

work. Elvis, there is no doubt about it, over the last year, had a tremendous

battle to overcome with Hodgkin's lymphoma, but fight it he did.

I remember one time seeing him, and he said to me: I am not sure if I can

take the next treatment. With encouragement, he did, and he has overcome that

battle and is a survivor like so many others. Elvis, I thank you, too, for all

of the things that you have done for me and for others and for people in the

district.

Then, as all of us realize, when you go into politics, there are people who

really are there for you as a part of the organization, and encouragement. You

know, when I came here in 1989, I came here in Opposition. I stemmed the Clyde

Wells tide. My last term here, as I stem the blue tide, I am part of Opposition

here again; but, do you know what? All of these years and everything in between

has been a tremendous experience.

The thing about it, the thing that I like, is the camaraderie of the people

who are here. Sometimes, you know, we rancor and do the things that we do, but

that is part of the political system.

Getting back to my first time into politics, and going to Harbour Breton, I

remember, I knew very little of the people who were there, even though I was

from Seal Cove, but I had taught for twenty years in Point Leamington, and being

involved with municipal life there.

I cannot help but mention Churence Rogers. When I ran for the nomination in

the first instance he did not support me. He was supporting another guy, Joe

Price, who was a Member of Parliament at the time. I ran for the nomination and,

looking back at it now, I probably should have had my head examined because I

probably should never had won but I did. It was people like Churence, when I

did, who came to my aid. John Herritt, Everett Allen, John Vallis, Ernie Drake,

Delia Parrott, Eric Day, Fanny Kealey, Max Taylor, Gord Kearly, Stewart May, Joe

Strowbridge, Berkley Loveless, Howard Loveless, Ward Hollett, Doug Rose, Carrie

Crewe, Jack Sheppard, Tom Caines, Gary Wells, Simeon Savory of Simani, Stewart

May, Melvin and Alice Parrott, Leonard and Juainta Hynes, Alice and Walter

Simpson, the late Freeman Smith and Vivian Smith, Roy Thornhill, Charlie Hackett

Jr., and the late Charlie Hackett Sr., George Fizzard and Willoughby Bolt, and

the list goes on, these are people who put faith in you as an individual. They

looked at you and saw in you, in me, like in all of you, a situation where they

knew your word was your bond, that they trusted you.

I guess in the House here I have not been so verbose as some of the people

who are here but that is just the way, I guess, of doing it, but do you know

what? I have had about forty years of service, like Percy said, from municipal

council. We got elected the first time in a by-election in Point Leamington, him

and me. Two people resigned in the community, they had a by-election, there were

four or five people who ran, and Percy and I ended up in the two seats; but, do

you know what? There is a lot of vigour in this person yet, a lot of

determination and a lot of energy. Even though Percy says that his political

life is probably at an end, I am not sure about mine. I will probably make an

announcement about that tomorrow.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. LANGDON: The thing about it is, it does not matter who you are or

what your age is, it depends on a number of things. It depends on your ability

and your willingness to help and to succeed and have the courage and the

audacity to do it on their behalf.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of my constituents in my former District of

Fortune-Hermitage and the current constituents in the District of Fortune

Bay-Cape la Hune. Who knows, if all goes well, they might see this particular

person again to continue to work on their behalf, but that will be up to them.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member of Grand Bank, whom I have known as a

parent and as a colleague for a long time. The opportunity to speak is now

yours.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS FOOTE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I listen to my two colleagues, a lot of memories keep flooding back, just

in terms of what it means to be a MHA for any district in this Province. The

memories are tremendous, but more than anything else, it has been the privilege,

the incredible privilege, to serve in this capacity. I think all of us in this

House of Assembly would recognize that we are really part of a very small group

of people and it is a tremendous opportunity that we are given by people who put

their faith and trust in us.

It is to the people in the District of Grand Bank that I want to say a

sincere thank you today, a sincere thank you for giving me that honour to be in

this House of Assembly to act on your behalf and to represent your interests.

I guess, we can all think about the differences we have made in the lives of

those we represent and the differences they have made in our lives, because if

it was not for them we would not be here.

We can talk about our accomplishments, and I know in my case probably

accomplishments to numerous to mention, but they are accomplishments I have been

able to make because of others, because of my colleagues in this House of

Assembly who I have worked with day in and day out, whether it has been as a

member of the government or whether it has been as a member of the Opposition.

Any accomplishments that I have been able to make have been as a result of a lot

of other people, and to them I say a sincere thank you.

I guess, too, I could mention numerous people who have played a major role in

my life in terms of helping me get elected, but again they are too numerous to

mention. In fear of missing someone's name I choose not to do that, but they

know who they are.

Of course, I served as a Minister of the Crown when, in fact, we were the

government. In addition to being an MHA for the District of Grand Bank, and as a

Minister of the Crown, when you are the only minister on the Burin Peninsula

then you serve as a regional minister. Not only do you have a lot to do with the

people in your own district, but certainly in the entire region, and the entire

region of the Burin Peninsula in particular.

It has been quite an enjoyable task for me, and for anyone, I think, who has

this opportunity to serve as an MHA, we would all have to say that it is a

privilege and that it is an opportunity that we would not have missed for

anything in the world.

In terms of who we have to say a special thank you to, certainly to my

family. They have been there through thick and thin.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS FOOTE: I think all of us know what I refer to when I talk about the

thick part of this. It was a difficult time and, yes, my family got me through

it, my husband Howard and my three children, Carla, Jason and Heidi, but more

than that, those of you in this House got me through it. You would not believe

the flowers, the messages, the cards, the well wishes, the novenas. It is

absolutely incredible how people in this Province come to your assistance when

they think you need it.

Yes, that was a difficult period in my life, but I got through it and it is

all about a positive attitude. Now, when people who are experiencing the same

difficult time and they call, it is my pleasure to work with them, to talk to

them and to explain to them how I got through the serious episode in my life.

There are others in this House who have gone through a difficult time,

whether it is with cancer or no matter what it is. You know, we have all been

there for each other which is really an important part of this family that we

have in the House of Assembly, but certainly, in terms of my district, wonderful

individuals who were there when I needed them, just as I have been there when

they needed me.

I guess, when you are in the Opposition you are very much a family, a bit

apart from when you are in government, because when you are in government, of

course, government is a very large machine and there are so many departments

involved. I guess you become families in your own departments, but when you

serve in the Opposition you are very much a family. While I can single out some

individuals - and I will mention one - all of Opposition, all of us, our

colleagues, our staff, we all work very much as a team. To them, I say a very

sincere thank you; to each and every one of you for understanding what it means

to be in Opposition and for still being positive and for still being there to

know that, hey, one day we can take this government again. They hang in there

with us, and I think that is really important.

My assistant has been with me for years and years and years. I have had

several assistants, but the one constant in the help that I have had is Joan

King. I can tell you, everybody in my district knows who Joan King is, just as

everybody in Opposition knows who Joan King is. Joan is a tremendous individual

and she is the person at the other end of the phone when someone calls. No

matter what the issue, she tackles it with fervor and she will do her utmost to

make sure that whatever the issue is it gets dealt with in a responsible and

timely manner. Yes, she will make sure that I am kept aware of whatever the

solution is that we have decided, or whatever path we go down. Ultimately, Joan

picks up that phone when it rings and makes sure that people know that whatever

the issue is it is an important one.

I listened to my colleague from Fortune Bay-Cape la Hune, and while he doesn't

yet know what he is going to be doing, I think all of you know that I am sure of

what I am doing. I am going to be seeking the Liberal nomination in

Random-Burin-St. George's. I have made the announcement and I am looking

forward to carrying on this opportunity, and I am looking forward to being able

to do even more for the people, not only in my district this time but throughout

Random-Burin-St. George's. I have a lot to offer. I enjoy what I do, and it is

a privilege to be able to serve people and to make a difference in their lives.

That is what this is all about, it is about making a difference in the lives of

people who need you when they sometimes don't know where to go.

In rural Newfoundland and Labrador, of course, that is very much the case and

it is different than when you live in St. John's. In rural Newfoundland and

Labrador, people need their MHA and their MP much more than people who live in

the larger urban centres. I want to continue in that role. I want to continue to

be able to make a difference in the lives of people in Newfoundland and

Labrador, but particularly in Random-Burin-St. George's. That is why I am

offering myself for the Liberal nomination. It is an honour and it is a

privilege. I think all of you would agree, that to have this opportunity is one

that none of us would have missed.

I am not ready to hang up my skates or to go off into the sunset. I want to

continue in a role. I have been active in political life for seventeen years. I

started out with Clyde Wells in 1989. Active in elected politics for eleven

years. Some of you will remember that I ran in 1993 against then Bill Matthews,

who was a Conservative at the time. I lost the election to Bill. He was a

Minister of the Crown when I ran against him, but we could not have Bill running

and no one taking him on. So I said to Premier Wells at the time: Well, I will

go down and do it - one week into the election. I guess it is called taking one

for the party because I did that then, and I would do it again, but that is not

what I intend to do this time. This time I intend to be there to take on whoever

runs for the Conservative government in Random-Burin-St. George's.

I thank the House of Assembly for this opportunity to say farewell, on a

district level, to the residents of the District of Grand Bank and to my

colleagues here in the House of Assembly. It has been a pleasure to serve with

all of you, certainly with my family on this side. I thank you for the times we

have shared, the many memories we have made and I look forward to having contact

with all of you as the years progress, no matter what capacity I serve in.

There are good times and there are bad times, but through it all we

persevere, and we do so for those who mean a lot to us and for those who really

depend on us and rely on us. I remember one of my colleagues, when I was going

through my personal crisis back seven years ago, giving me a saying, and it

said: Mind over body. You can make the body do anything that the mind tells you

to do. So, even though you may be tired, if you have convinced yourself that you

are not tired, you can keep going, and that is what I do everyday now. My mind

controls my body. I have a lot of energy and I have a lot to offer and I look

forward to doing that on behalf of the people of Random-Burin-St. George's.

Thank you again, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Grand Falls-Buchans, and the member

who holds the record and will continue to hold the record probably forever for

the longest speech in the House, thirteen hours and sixteen minutes.

The hon. the Member.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS THISTLE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is almost as hard to make your exit from politics as make your entrance.

Did you ever think about it? It is a big decision to enter politics and it is

also a big decision to leave. How do you condense twelve years into ten minutes?

But, I will do my best.

Today, I was looking at a few scrapbooks and I came across the very first

Christmas card that I send out. It said: As the last days of 1996 unfold - well,

as the last few days in our House of Assembly unfold - I would like to take this

opportunity to express my gratitude to the people of Grand Falls-Buchans

District for granting me the privilege of being their representative in the

House of Assembly. Now, that is true today. That is very true today.

Oh, yes. I also gave a newspaper clipping today, when I came into the House,

to the Member for Mount Pearl. He and I were at an event in Mount Pearl several

years ago. Even though we spar across the House from time to time, we are really

all the same here. We all came here for the same reason, to do the best we could

for the people that we represent.

When I look back, I was the most unlikely person to end up in this place.

When I look back, Gerry Reid, our Leader - I hope you do not mind me saying that

today. I think the Speaker might allow it. Gerry Reid, our Leader, said he grew

up on the back road of Carbonear. Well, actually, I grew up on the Valley Road,

very near to the back road of Carbonear. I came from a family of twelve

children. I was number eleven of twelve. I think the life skills that you

acquire growing up in big family really serve you well, no matter what you

decide to do with the rest of your life. Of course, we were always in the

survival mode, and when you are in this House of Assembly you are definitely in

the survival mode all the time.

My father, although he did not have much education, he only had Grade 4 in

school, he was a brilliant man. He could work out any mathematical question or

problem that anybody could bring home from school. Later, as the boys got into

business, he could answer any engineering problem.

When I decided to be the Member for Grand Falls-Buchans, I was up in Buchans

one time in the union hall and the men came along to me, and they said: I know

who your father is. He operated a small garage in Carbonear. I remember during

the war times when you could not get a part to put on a car he would actually

make the part on a steel lade. So, he was really one of those people who could

improvise. My mother is the same way. She made bread every second day, fourteen

pounds of flour.

You raise twelve children and you never think when you are raising twelve

children how they will end up. I never, for once in my entire lifetime when I

was growing up, ever talked about politics. In fact, even though we were a big

family, my father always bought The Evening Telegram for the weekend. He

absorbed that telegram paper. I do not know if anybody here in the House is old

enough to remember the Family Herald. The Speaker remembers the Family Herald.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS THISTLE: My father used to always have the Family Herald and the

weekend edition of The Evening Telegram and always listened to the

news. He used to drive us up the wall because we always wanted to have Elvis

Presley on and listen to all the songs and everything, and all he wanted to do

was listen to the news. He was a big Joey fan, of course, and so was my mother.

He never lived to see me get into politics, unfortunately, but my mother was

around for a couple of those first years that I was in politics. She was so

proud to have her picture taken with me and Brian Tobin when he was the Premier.

Yes, it has been a long road, I suppose. It has been hard, the past twelve

years. Nobody can tell me, who are sitting here in this House, that politics is

easy. It is not easy. You are constantly on the move and you are trying to do

the best you can for everybody concerned. There is no such thing as a job

description when you come here; no such thing as a job description.

I remember one of my colleagues, in fact, who was in Cabinet, immediately

when they came to the House of Assembly in 1996, saying, where is the job

description, and there was no such thing. Politics is the school of hard knocks,

no matter how you cut it. The worse thing you can do is get on the wrong side of

an issue. Sometimes that is difficult when you are in the government and you are

trying to be part of a balancing act, trying to satisfy your party and trying to

satisfy your constituents. I have learned over the years that it is always wise

to stay on the side of your constituents.

I remember the very first thing I did was offside from government when I got

elected. I was offside on an issue about the headquarters moving to

Stephenville, that was the College of the North Atlantic in Grand Falls-Windsor.

I came out against my government at that time. That was my first little issue I

had to deal with, but I wasn't thrown out at that time. A few times after that

I did have to stand out on issues that were for my constituents and be offside

with the government. Thank goodness, I was part of a government that didn't

throw me out.

You know, it has always been the constituency issues that I remember. It is

not the big infrastructure things that we do in a district. A lot of us have had

success bringing different things to our districts, and I am no different than

anybody else. I don't want to stand up here today and toot my horn about those

things, because we all know what they are. It was the personal things, from a

personal point of view, from a constituent who needed something special done.

Through myself and many who helped me, we were able to make it happen. A few of

those stand out in my lifetime in politics.

It was only this weekend that I ran into Russell Rogers. He came up to me and

said: Anna, I got my moose license again this year. I said: Russell, that is

grand. Russell, of course, was legally blind. While I was on the backbenches I

worked with a lot of people in getting legislation brought in, so Russell and

many like him could actually apply for a big game hunting license and they could

experience that sport. That made a huge difference in his life.

I also remember autism. Autism was kind of an unknown disease in this

Province and it was never funded by any former government. A girl came along to

me by the name of Carolyn Forsey from Grand Falls-Windsor. She had an autistic

son and she was a speech language pathologist herself. She impressed upon myself

and everybody in Cabinet at the time - she actually brought a whole case of

files of children with autism. She wept in front of Brian Tobin around his

office table on the eight floor, and anyone who in Cabinet knows where this is.

She put a human face to the fact that there was never any funding for autistic

children. Her request was so compelling that nobody could deny her request, and

for the first time ever in this Province we were able to provide funding for

autistic children and that has become a regular program now. That was something

that I was really glad to be a part of.

Of course, a young man came to me by the name of Brian Quigley who needed

kidney dialysis. He sat in my office and made us realize how important it was to

have kidney dialysis outside of St. John's. He was going back and forth from

Grand Falls-Windsor to St. John's three times a week. It was such an

inconvenience and the loss of his family support and everything. Through all of

that, we managed to come up with kidney dialysis for Grand Falls-Windsor. Now

kidney dialysis is pretty much all around the bigger centres in the Province,

and it is making such a wonderful change to people's lives. I was glad to be

part of that.

There were times when I didn't know if I was in the right job or the wrong

job. Remember when we were going through school reform. Well, I remember one

night in Badger when I almost got killed. I called Eileen Hurley and I said,

arrange a meeting because of this back and forth with the school reform. I said:

I do not now how many you can round up in a half an hour, Eileen, but I will be

there in about a half an hour. When I got there, the hall was jam-packed full. I

never expected it. Everybody lined up to the microphone and they were ready to

lynch me. I did not know if I was going to get out of the hall alive, but I

stood my ground and I came back two or three times after and we held more

meetings.

After that, Roger Grimes and myself said, we have to do something, so we

brought in this small schools, necessary schools act, so that they could not

close a small school like Badger. This is what they were afraid of because the

heartbeat of every community is a small school, or their school. When they came

out with that legislation, we brought it in here in this House, they were

relieved, and the woman who was leading the charge to chain me to the school bus

in Badger so I could not get away, ended up to work on my campaign. That is how

things can turn around.

Of course, I had an awful fight on my hands with the cancer clinic. I think

that was probably one of the most disturbing things in my career. You know, it

is very hard to get your Cabinet colleagues to see your plight, whatever you are

doing, because when you sitting around the Cabinet table everyone wants

something for their particular district. Those in Cabinet are over there nodd