Newfoundland and Labrador Hansard — Members' Statements; Statements by Ministers — 1 October 2020 (49th General Assembly, 1st Session, Vol. XLIX No. 48)
2020-10-01
Newfoundland and Labrador — Debates (Hansard)
PDF Version
October 1, 2020
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS
Vol. XLIX No. 48
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
MR.
SPEAKER (Reid):
Admit strangers.
Order, please!
Statements by Members
MR.
SPEAKER:
Today, we have Members' statements by the hon. Members for the Districts of
Harbour Main, Windsor Lake, St. John's Centre, Topsail
Paradise and Placentia
West - Bellevue.
The hon. the Member for Harbour Main.
MS.
CONWAY OTTENHEIMER:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is an honour to be in this House and share with all
hon. Members the remarkable accomplishments of a sea cadet in my District of
Harbour Main. Chief Petty Officer First Class James Howse, who resides in
Harbour Main, is a cadet with 251 Southern Cross Sea Cadets.
Mr. Speaker, the cadet program aims to develop youth,
ages 12 to 18, in the attributes of good citizenship, leadership, physical
fitness and stimulate an interest of youth in the sea, army and air activities
of the Canadian Armed Forces. The program is funded by the Department of
National Defence in partnership with the Navy League of Canada and the Army and
Air Cadet Leagues of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, there are approximately 53,000 cadets
right across this country. Chief Petty Officer First Class James Howse has
recently been awarded the Navy League division Cadet of the Year for the
Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the national Royal Canadian Legion Cadet
of the Year and the Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence.
I ask all Members to join me in congratulating James
Howse, who is also in his first year at Memorial University pursuing an
engineering degree.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Windsor Lake.
MR.
CROSBIE:
Mr.
Speaker, I want to acknowledge the Tim Hortons at 10 Tailwind Drive, Airport
Heights, in my District of Windsor Lake, who raised a record-breaking $12,972 in
Smile Cookie sales for our province. A portion of the proceeds went to the
Rainbow Riders, an organization which provides an inclusive environment that
allows children and adults with varying physical, emotional, cognitive or social
disabilities or diagnoses in a learn-to-ride program.
The Gathering Place – a community health centre
committed to building community by promoting equality and providing food,
clothing, shelter, medical and dental assistance and counselling services to
vulnerable individuals within our city and province – was the other beneficiary
of these sales.
Thank you to those that purchased cookies – I was one
of them – for your generosity and support in making the 2020 Tim Hortons Smile
Cookie campaign a huge success throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MR.
J. DINN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Muhammad Ali said: “Even the greatest was once a
beginner. Don't be afraid to take that first step.”
This summer, with bank financing and the support of the
City of St. John's, the Avalon Minor Hockey Association, or AMHA, took a first
step in making hockey more affordable and accessible for families when it
proudly completed the purchase of Feildian Gardens in my district.
Historically, the AMHA was the province's only
association renting ice from a for-profit company and paid the highest ice time
rates in minor hockey, resulting in the highest youth hockey registration fees
in the province.
The purchase of Feildian Gardens allows them to:
control its destiny and promote the growth of hockey; access prime ice times at
favourable rates; access government funding and support programs. Most of all,
long-term debt-free ownership will allow the AMHA to lower operating costs and
ice time rates and significantly reduce registration fees, something the
association hopes to achieve in five to seven years.
I ask that Members join me in congratulating Mark
Sexton, the executive and the staff of AMHA on their purchase of Feildian
Gardens, and in wishing them well as they prepare to welcome the first kids to
their new rink this Monday, October 5.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Topsail - Paradise.
MR.
P. DINN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, while there have been negative stories
during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are also some positive things that have
happened in response in the District of Topsail - Paradise.
Mr. Speaker, the District of Topsail - Paradise has its
own Amazing Spider-Man.
Mr. Robbie Griffiths of Paradise had been getting
plenty of attention for his efforts to put a smile on people's faces during the
pandemic, in an effort to change the conversation. Robbie, in his off time, had
been donning a Spider-Man suit and prowling the streets of Paradise where kids
were on the lookout. From a safe distance, he greeted the children and sometimes
posed with them for photos.
One of the people that Spider-Man met was Toby, son of
Paradise resident Stephanie Wood. Ms. Wood describes her son as mildly obsessed
with Spider-Man and as a result of that meeting she has a video of Toby and
Spider-Man dancing the floss. Stephanie said Robbie did this simply because he
wanted to make people smile and create some light in a very dark time.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in thanking
Mr. Griffiths, also known as the Amazing Spider-Man, for putting smiles on
everyone's faces.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Placentia West - Bellevue.
MR.
DWYER:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I speak today of a courageous man, a man with great
determination and community spirit, to tell you of an accomplishment of Mr.
Kevin Parsons of Black River-Swift Current.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MR.
DWYER:
From the beautiful District of Placentia West - Bellevue, not Cape St. Francis.
Kevin is the chairperson of the Discovery Health Care
Foundation and was disappointed that COVID had cancelled all of their
fundraising efforts for 2020. But this was not going to stop Kevin. He presented
his idea to the board on August 27. The idea was for him to walk from his home
in Black River - Swift Current, on the Burin Peninsula, to the hospital in
Clarenville, a distance of 52 kilometres.
The financial goal was set $1,000 for each kilometre
bringing the goal total to $52,000. The fundraising campaign was dubbed: Walk 4
Health Care 2020.
The date was special to Kevin; it coincided with the
birthday of his late brother Terry.
On September 26, Kevin set off to meet his goals. He
was joined by his brother Michael and his nephew Mitchel, the first 23
kilometres; Jim Wall walked 20 kilometres; and his beautiful wife Grace Parsons
walked 30 kilometres as well.
I am pleased to say that the goal was surpassed and
continues to grow past $60,000.
I ask this hon. House to join me to show appreciation
to Mr. Kevin Parsons, his walking team and the Discovery Health Care Foundation
on their successful fundraiser.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Statements by Ministers.
Statements by Ministers
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation.
MS.
DEMPSTER:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker,
It is my privilege to speak in this hon. House to bring
attention to Orange Shirt Day.
Yesterday, we proudly wore orange shirts to humbly pay
our respects to the survivors of residential schools and to educate others on
the history of residential schools in our province and in Canada.
The origins of this day are attributed to Phyllis
Webstad. As a young child in 1973, and attending her first day at residential
school, Phyllis' new orange shirt was taken away from her. Orange became a
constant reminder of the hurt and loneliness she felt as a residential school
student.
The Premier and I shared the honour yesterday to meet
virtually with the Grade 7 class in your district, I believe, Mr. Speaker, at
Bayview Academy in St. George's to talk about Orange Shirt Day and to learn what
this day means to them. I was also honoured last evening to be at The Rooms for
the opening of the new collection, Healing and Commemoration, that tells the
story of those former students through their own eyes and in their own words. It
was a very powerful evening, I might add.
Our government remains committed to delivering
apologies to former students of residential schools in this province when it is
safe to do so.
By acknowledging the trauma felt by students and their
painful memories, we make a commitment not to repeat the mistakes past, but to
learn from them. Affirming our commitment that every child matters brings us one
step closer to reconciliation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.
MS.
EVANS:
I thank the minister for an advance copy of her statement.
Yesterday, September 30, was Orange Shirt Day and it
was a day we honour the many generations of Indigenous children who were sent
away to residential schools.
The orange shirt is a symbol reminding everyone of all
the wrongs trespassed against Indigenous children and their parents. The orange
shirt is worn to remind us that residential schools isolated Indigenous children
from their families and forcibly prevented children from speaking their
ancestral language, disconnected them from their culture and traditions and
forced them to adopt Christianity in order to assimilate them into Canadian
society. It's a harsh reality and must not be forgotten.
The orange shirt is a reminder to all of the many
generations who, to this day, still suffer the wrongs of intergenerational
trauma.
I, myself, grew up with the ghost of residential school
trauma in my community and within my own home.
I speak today in this hon. House: the wrongs done to
Indigenous people through residential schools were not honourable. An orange
shirt worn on September 30 is a reminder to us all.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Labrador West.
MR.
BROWN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the minister for an advance copy of her
statement.
My wife and daughter home in Labrador wore orange
shirts yesterday to honour their ancestors who attended residential schools in
Muddy Bay and Cartwright, Labrador. This painful history transcends generations.
We feel the pain still today as we educate our youth and others in this
province.
I'm pleased The Rooms have taken the important role of
being keepers of this Indigenous story so future generations can learn as we
continue down the path of truth and reconciliation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Further statements by ministers?
The hon. the Minister of Environment, Climate Change
and Municipalities.
MR.
BENNETT:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise to mark today, October 1, as the first official
day of the provincial ban on retail plastic bags in Newfoundland and Labrador.
In April 2019, the provincial government amended the
Environmental Protection Act and began
drafting regulations to ban the distribution of retail plastic bags. Today, I am
proud to say that those regulations are now in effect, and we are the second
province in this country to implement such a ban.
Mr. Speaker, over the last year, residents, businesses,
governments and organizations have been actively decreasing the amount of
plastic waste created by single-use plastic bags and working to put alternatives
in place. It has been encouraging to see many communities, businesses and
residents being proactive ahead of the official ban coming into effect today.
This provincial ban builds on the province's ongoing
work with the council on the Zero Plastic Waste Strategy as part of the Ocean
Plastics Charter.
Our government continues to implement and build on its
five-year Climate Change Action Plan. The Action Plan supports the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions; helps stimulate clean innovation and growth; and build
resilience to climate change impacts.
I was happy to be invited to participate in the recent
Fridays for Future rally and walk with young people who are speaking out about
how climate change will affect their lives.
Mr. Speaker, protecting the environment for future
generations is imperative as we all do our part to reduce plastic waste. Banning
the distribution and use of retail plastic bags protects the environment and
improves the waste management system in our province.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Mount Pearl North.
MR. LESTER:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the hon. minister for an advance copy of
his statement. We are pleased to see the ban on retail plastic bags finally take
effect in our province. This is something that we, the Official Opposition, have
advocated and petitioned for, for quite some time.
Mr. Speaker, the implementation of this ban was
delayed due to COVID-19, but many businesses, municipalities and individuals
have already made the move and, hopefully, are getting used to finding
alternatives. Mr. Speaker, this is a positive step.
We should also be looking for more ways to reuse
our recyclable materials in our own province. We look forward to additional
initiatives that reduce waste and encourage putting waste in its place.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MR. J. DINN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I, too, thank the minister for a copy of his
statement and congratulate him on banning the distribution of single-use retail
plastic bags, a significant contributor to the death of marine life.
It's a small but significant step, similar to
Take 3 For The Sea, an idea where a simple action can produce profound
consequences. Maybe there is an opportunity for our province to fill the void of
plastic retail bags with bags made from paper and help our forestry industry or
work with the local innovators to development something new and cutting edge
that can be used the world over.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Further statements by ministers?
Oral Questions.
Oral Questions
MR. SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR. CROSBIE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The budget mentioned jobs eight times; yet,
The Economy document projects the
province to lose 13,000 jobs this year and lose population.
Why wasn't a federal-provincial job strategy part of
the budget?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Deputy Premier.
MS.
COADY:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I can share with the Member opposite that we are very
focused on jobs. That's why we've put so much emphasis towards job creation in
this budget, Mr. Speaker. That's why we've put so much emphasis towards small
business. We've allocated over $25 million, Mr. Speaker, to helping small
business through the pandemic.
I will say to the Member opposite, that four years ago
in the 2016 budget it forecasted employment this year to be 201,000. In reality,
during the pandemic in the actuals that we've seen now coming out of
The Economy as part of this budget,
we're at 213,400, Mr. Speaker. So better than we thought they were going to be.
I wish the Member opposite was more supportive of
continuing to grow jobs in this economy.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR.
CROSBIE:
Mr.
Speaker, the minister's figures collide with the reality of the last several
years. Our labour market has shrunk dramatically.
The budget talked about the premise of the Atlantic
Loop, a strategy unveiled for the first time in the federal Throne Speech.
When did the Premier and the Energy Minister become
aware of the Atlantic Loop strategy?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Deputy Premier.
MS.
COADY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm sure the Member opposite has heard me in this House
of Assembly talk about the opportunities in Atlantic Canada. In fact, we've been
talking about a version of the Atlantic Loop for the last couple of years. Maybe
not using the word, loop, but certainly using that concept, Mr. Speaker, of
talking about how Newfoundland and Labrador could supply its neighbours to the
west with clean, green electricity. We're going to continue to work that
opportunity, because it is indeed an important one for Newfoundland and Labrador
and for out Atlantic neighbours.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR.
CROSBIE:
very curious answer, Mr. Speaker, because CBC reported a week ago that it
appears Newfoundland and Labrador's Premier and Energy Minister have not yet
been brought into the loop.
The Premier said: “We … heard the mention of it … in
the speech from the throne.” And the Energy Minister said: “This is very new.”
If the Premier talks to Ottawa everyday, how could he
have been left out of the loop on something his own budget now describes as a
major strategy?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.
MR.
A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm very happy to answer this question on what is
certainly an important topic and one that I think is exciting for this province,
for Atlantic Canada and for the entire country, really.
What I can say, just so the Member opposite knows
completely, as I drove across this province and listened to the Throne Speech,
as previously referenced by the Deputy Premier, is that the term Atlantic Loop
itself is new, but when we talk about a clean energy road map, that's something
this government has been working on for some time now; having energy meetings
between the different ministers, having meetings between the premiers on the
concept of exporting energy to our neighbours.
The fact is that we are well positioned when it comes
to our assets that we have in our province to be able to contribute to this to
help our provinces get off things like coal and to move forward. There has been
lots of work done by my predecessor, and I look forward to continuing that work.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Cape St. Francis.
MR.
K. PARSONS:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
The new Minister of Fisheries recently signed off on a
deal that sees Quinlan Brothers being purchased by Royal Greenland.
Minister, what assurance can you give that the
competitiveness of our fishing industry, Newfoundland and Labrador quotas,
Newfoundland and Labrador processing, Newfoundland and Labrador jobs and the
Newfoundland and Labrador economy will be protected?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.
MR.
LOVELESS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I certainly welcome the question from the hon. Member
opposite because it does reference jobs. The deal involves St. Anthony and other
communities in this province, it involves Royal Greenland going into those
communities and look forward to going into those communities. So I look forward
to what those results are and I believe it will be jobs, jobs, jobs.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Cape St. Francis.
MR.
K. PARSONS:
Minister, what assurance can you give that Royal Greenland will make decisions
in the best interest of the people and the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador
when their shareholders are the people of Greenland?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.
MR.
LOVELESS:
Well, I'd like to remind the hon. Member that Royal Greenland has been in this
province since 2016. They've invested over $21 million and they've employed
anywhere from 600 to 690 jobs in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Again, I say
it's about jobs, jobs, jobs.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Cape St. Francis.
MR.
K. PARSONS:
I'd
like to remind the minister: It's about our fishery, it's about our resources
and it's about the future of Newfoundland and Labrador. It's more about making
sure that people are taken care of. Yes, we wanted jobs but we want to make sure
that our fishery is protected and you haven't done it.
Minister, you approved this deal. The level of foreign
investment, does that cause you any concern?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.
MR.
LOVELESS:
does cause concern, and it was brought to my attention. When I introduced myself
to the Fish Processing Licensing Board, we had a conversation. I don't know if
you heard Reg Anstey – who, by the way, is leader of the union. He's been around
the fishery for a long, long time.
I know the hon. Member's interest in the security of
jobs in these communities is at his heart. I know that, but in terms of this
overall deal, Mr. Speaker, the foreign investment piece went through the federal
lens of the investment act that said there was no concern with regard to this
deal. So I believe this is a good deal moving forward because it does mean
security for the communities of rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Cape St. Francis.
MR.
K. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I did listen to Mr. Anstey this morning and what I got
from Mr. Anstey was that this deal needed to be examined.
What did you do to examine this deal?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.
MR.
LOVELESS:
With all d ue
respect, the Member opposit e
knows the mandate of the board, and
the Dunne report back in 2004 gave that mandate to the board and that was to
take the politics out of it, which is a good thing. It has been taken out.
The board has the mandate; they did the due diligence
because it was their responsibility. They recommended that the sale go through –
the transfer, if we wish to use those words, Mr. Speaker – and I signed off on
that recommendation because I believe it's a good deal for rural Newfoundland
and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.
MS.
EVANS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to ask the minister: How can a health care
worker get off a plane from a COVID hot spot and go directly into an acute care
hospital?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Labrador-Grenfell in particular, but, in actual fact, a
lot of elements of the health care system in this province does have a place for
essential workers from outside the facility. Well over two-thirds of these
individuals are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, but, occasionally, there is a
need to bring in skill sets from outside to maintain services, otherwise these
services would simply cease.
There are strict requirements for essential workers in
health care layered onto those in other occupations and those are expected to be
followed. We are investigating the circumstances around this case to see if
those were followed. I would be happy to update the House once those
investigations are completed.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.
MS.
EVANS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
This is not about just about Labrador. This is about
all of Newfoundland and Labrador, the protection of our people.
What specific provisions are you taking to protect our
most vulnerable people and the health care workers who take care of them from
exposure to an out-of-province essential worker who may arrive with COVID?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
It's a very good question. The safety of
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is paramount, particularly those of our
vulnerable populations. I would refer back to the measures that we've taken over
the course of the pandemic and I would also refer back to the number of cases
that we have had in those facilities, which is essentially one over a period of
six months. That is not a cause for complacency. We have to balance the needs
for service delivery with the requirements of bringing in personnel with
specific skills to maintain those.
We have protocols in place, both at the
essential-worker level, generically, and within regional health authorities.
Part of that investigation is to determine whether these were followed and
whether these should be beefed up in any way. As I say, I would be happy to
report back.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.
MS.
EVANS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Until yesterday, Labrador was COVID free. I was going
to ask the minister about assurances he could give to us, the people of
Labrador, about preventing the spread of COVID, but, in actual fact, listening
to his interview this morning, I have another concern about problems of testing
in remote communities and problems in getting those samples back.
How can we assure our people that when they are tested,
the test will be analyzed and they will get answers back?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Unfortunately, Labrador has not been COVID free. I
would draw the Member's attention to the fact it was actually the first site in
the province to get a case of COVID-19.
With regard to testing, that is a particular concern,
and we addressed that through the federal government with co-operation from our
Indigenous partners. There are three GeneXpert machines stationed in Labrador
and available to be deployed to any site of a hot spot should that be needed.
There are sufficient kits to provide those tests, rapid turnaround, and there
are sufficient laboratory staff and skilled people to take those samples, Mr.
Speaker.
Labrador is very well supplied in that regard.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR.
BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister, we have essential workers coming from Quebec
and Ontario who are averaging almost 1,000 new cases per day. They are supposed
to self-isolate when not working.
Who is monitoring this as this is happening?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
There is an expectation that the employer (
a) will
justify the fact that these people are essential – we do not make that decision
I would draw the Member opposite's attention to the
fact that Service NL has a role in this and, in actual fact, under a previous
minister, issued five stop-work orders early on in COVID because of breaches.
There is a system in place, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR.
BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We understand that the essential health care worker
with COVID in Labrador did not self-isolate when not working.
What action will be taken against this individual and
what actions will you take, as minister, to ensure that it doesn't happen again?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
We are in the process of investigating the
circumstances around these comments and allegations and once that is complete, I
will have some options. We cannot simply jump to conclusions. However, those
conditions and restrictions on essential workers are placed there for a reason,
nor can we have them disregarded. If that is the case, there will have to be
consequences. The investigation will yield some options for that, if
appropriate, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR.
BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It's important that we send the proper message to
anybody coming in here that safety is paramount. If you're coming in with a
responsibility to do something and provide a service, you must do it in a safe
manner so the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are protected.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
BRAZIL:
Individuals who were on the same plane or in the same hotel with the essential
health care worker with COVID are not required to self-isolate, only
self-monitor for symptoms. Is this a new policy, and when did it change?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
This is an additional layer that we introduced to
acknowledge the fact that there are levels of contact and to reassure people who
may have had a passing acquaintance with the plane or the facility or the stores
that they have options other than simply self-monitoring. We have layered in the
option, if they wish, to take a COVID test.
I would encourage everybody to consider that, if
appropriate, but this will help when the COVID Alert app takes on a greater
penetration in the province. It lines up very well with other jurisdictional
practices across the country.
Put the COVID Alert app on your phone and remember that
there are public health measures there for a reason.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR.
BRAZIL:
Minister, yesterday, you said the news release was issued in the interest of
exercising an abundance of caution.
Why then, out of an abundance of caution, aren't you
requiring people to self-isolate until their test results are back?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
We are trying not to paralyze the entire province,
whilst, at the same time, maintaining the safety of the people concerned.
Prior to COVID Alert and these recent changes, these
people would not have been required to self-isolate or get tested. We have now
introduced another level of surveillance to help keep the people of this
province safe, Mr. Speaker.
Get the COVID Alert app, take advantage of it, and if
you are in the category of a casual potential contact, call 811 and get the
advice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR.
BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would think the people of Newfoundland and Labrador
would expect us to do due diligence and take every precaution possibly that
could be taken to ensure that people are safe until the tests themselves come
back to be negative.
Rotational workers are required to self-isolate from
their families and to be tested when they return home.
Why are these rotational workers held to a different
standard than someone who has come into contact with a known COVID case? How is
this fair?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
Rotational workers are essential in other provinces. They have a great place in
this province because they choose to continue to live here and work elsewhere.
We have relaxed the circumstances for them on the basis of public health
evidence as a pilot scheme. They are tested between day five and day seven and
if they're clear, only seven days of isolation is required; recognizing the
special circumstances and geography where they work on the sites or their camps
because of the way they are cloistered there as well.
We cannot do that for international workers. We cannot
do that for occasional workers. This was an attempt to help them deal with what
will become a way of life for the next little while.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR.
BRAZIL:
Mr. Speaker, that appears to me that there are less restrictions and less
responsibilities for out-of-province individuals who come to Newfoundland than
there are for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who live here and pay their taxes
and provide services to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
One hundred thousand Newfoundlanders and Labradorians
are without a family doctor. We have seen these disturbing numbers for a while
now. The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association is describing that the
doctor shortage has reached catastrophic shortages.
I ask the minister: How come
Budget 2020 did not have any concrete actions to finally address
this problem?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
Those are two good points, but one is totally inaccurate. The
preamble to that
question is utterly inaccurate. People who are rotational workers who live here,
who are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, are getting an easement on their
requirements because it is safe to do so.
Essential workers, rotational workers from outside have
much more stringent requirements and they are held to a standard determined by
public health.
It is the Member opposite misleading people by
suggesting that we are somehow discriminating against Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR.
BRAZIL:
I have to clarify for the minister that most rotational workers were held
hostage up until a few weeks ago when not being able to come home and there were
a number of them who were not even able to come home to their families. Because
of the restrictions on the turnaround, it wasn't viable for them to do it.
Mr. Speaker, the fact that they had to lobby, and I
know people on this side of the House lobbied dramatically to ensure that there
was some leeway for them to do it, but now there's a double standard. People
outside who are essential workers, who have no connection to this province,
other than they are brought in here to take money out of the province, get more
flexibility than our own Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, Mr. Speaker, and
that's not acceptable in this province.
Mr. Speaker, I'll go back to my question again that I
had asked: 100,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are without a family doctor.
We have seen these disturbing numbers for a while now. The Newfoundland and
Labrador Medical Association is describing that the doctor shortage has reached
catastrophic shortages.
I ask the minister: How come
Budget 2020 did not have any concrete actions to finally address
this problem?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Given enough time I will answer the second question,
but I will not let the first
preamble lie. It is totally inaccurate. Rotational
workers are required to self-isolate for no more than seven days if they pass a
COVID test. Essential workers and rotational workers or visitors to the province
from outside are required to self-isolate for 14 days. I can't see how seven is
bigger than 14, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR.
BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I will clarify again for the minister that we will
share hundreds, if not thousands, of emails from rotational workers who have
outlined the reality they face in not having freedoms to be able to do things
while at the same time protecting their families and the people who are
surrounded by them.
I do ask the minister: Will you please answer the
question related to the number of doctors in Newfoundland and Labrador and the
shortage it is with 100,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians not having access
to a physician?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I had a very good meeting with the new president of the
Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association and we've agreed an approach to
recruitment and retention of new physicians. We are blessed with more family
physicians in this province than we have ever had before. The challenge is in
distribution.
We are focusing on access and we are focusing on
recruitment and we are focusing on retention. There is a strategy there, and
this is part of ongoing discussions, Mr. Speaker. You need to have the plan in
place with them, because they are partners, before you can put a price tag to
it.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR.
BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Again, I'll just note one of the announcements here:
catastrophic shortages. That's coming from the same president that the minister
had spoken to. This is coming from the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical
Association. I tend to believe there is a crisis here and it is catastrophic by
not having access to a family physician. I do look forward to the solutions that
we didn't see any indication in this past budget.
Budget 2020
announced that the minister will strike a Task Force on Health Care focused on
delivering a 10-Year Health Accord. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador need
these health care improvements today.
Will they have to wait 10 years for any action?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR.
HAGGIE:
No,
Mr. Speaker, we are taking immediate steps. I would refer the Member opposite to
the bits of the budget around Health that he doesn't want to talk about. For
example, the universality of the Insulin Pump Program, the expansion of all the
drugs that we have here and the issue around –
HON. MEMBER:
(Inaudible.)
MR.
HAGGIE:
Yes.
They are productive discussions with the NLMA. The task
force is to look at what to do after the short and medium term, Mr. Speaker.
It's how we move from a disease-based system to a wellness-based system and
address the social determinants of health, Mr. Speaker. That's what it's there
for.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Bonavista.
MR.
PARDY:
Mr. Speaker, I entered provincial politics last year in the District of
Bonavista and ran on the party platform of $25-a-day child care. Quite pleased
to see it now in this budget and I would say you're very welcome.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MR.
PARDY:
The question I would ask would be: Can the minister inform –?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MR.
PARDY:
Can the minister inform that if, indeed, $25 a day will be the maximum that a
parent will have to pay for child care? Which was in our platform.
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Education.
MR.
OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I know that Premier Furey ran on a platform of $25 a
day and he became leader and Premier of this province and I commend him for that
platform.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
OSBORNE:
I can say that in his platform of $25 a day, Mr. Speaker, that it is a maximum
of $25 a day for child care operations that are registered under the Operating
Grant Program. Where children currently are up to $44 a day, it will be a
maximum of $25 a day.
There are people that get child care for free. Those
will not be impacted and have to pay $25, Mr. Speaker. The people that also
receive the subsidy will continue to receive that.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Bonavista.
MR.
PARDY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I think the new Premier should have asked first for the
$25-a-day child care.
Will the new child care program be means tested or
universal?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Education.
MR.
OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
There is no means test. It is open to anybody, Mr.
Speaker, who chooses a child care operation that takes advantage of the
Operating Grant Program. About 70 per cent of our regulated child care
operations take advantage of the Operating Grant Program. We encourage the other
30 per cent to look at that.
The home based will also be eligible where they hadn't
previously. We encourage non-regulated child care operations to look at becoming
regulated and taking advantage of the Operating Grant Program.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Third Party.
MS.
COFFIN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the as-yet-unelected Premier has assigned
a former appointee of the Paul Martin administration to lead our economic
recovery. He has also appointed a close friend and business partner to negotiate
our rate mitigation. This is in spite of our robust and very capable public
service and full complement of very competent elected officials.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the Deputy Premier: Is the Premier
recruiting the – I quote – brightest minds or is he simply appointing Liberal
elite to run our province?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Deputy Premier.
MS.
COADY:
Well, it's hard to even answer that question, Mr. Speaker, because I think that
we are –
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MS.
COADY:
I'm sorry; I'm getting a lot of heckling here today.
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MS.
COADY:
will say this: These are two very honourable, very bright Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians who have served with distinction in business careers and in the
civil service, who have contributed greatly to society and they have volunteered
their time to come forward to work with the province and the people of the
province to help address concerns that we have. This is with the bright civil
service. This is with the competent leadership that we have in the Liberal
Party. I welcome their support. I hope all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians
recognize their value.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Third Party.
MS.
COFFIN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the Premier has said “there was
misalignment and friction between Nalcor and the province's negotiating team ….”
So he appointed the chair of the board for Nalcor to lead the new rate
mitigation team.
Mr. Speaker, given the Public Utilities Board's rate
mitigation options includes using Nalcor profits for rate mitigation, I ask the
minister of Industry, Energy and Technology: Does he see this as a conflict of
interest?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.
MR.
A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm very happy to answer what is an important question
when we talk about the topic of rate mitigation – absolutely.
The fact is that we have seen, through the
establishment of the inquiry into Muskrat Falls, that there have been issues in
the past with Nalcor. What I will say – and, again, I'm speaking from the
perspective of someone who has only been in the position since August 19 – I
think everybody is pulling in the same direction right now as we all drive
towards what we need – everybody, as a province – is a strategy and a plan to
deal with rate mitigation, which is something that is absolutely going to be
needed.
We all know the status of Muskrat Falls. Mr. Marshall
gave the most recent update very recently. What I will say is that we will take
the best and the brightest, we'll take everybody working together to make sure
that we address this issue, which will affect, literally, every single
Newfoundlander and Labradorian.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Third Party.
MS.
COFFIN:
thank the minister being able to answer that without making reference to
conflict of interest.
Mr. Speaker, people are anxious about the ending of the
CERB program. A recent study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
estimates about 34,000 people in this province will be worse off when it ends.
Many will have no alternative but to apply for Income Support. If they received
the CERB, they will be penalized.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Immigration, Skills
and Labour to commit to following the recommendation of the federal government
and not count CERB benefits as income for those individuals who have no choice
but to apply for Income Support.
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Immigration, Skills and Labour.
MR.
BYRNE:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
The federal government has acted very proactively and
very effectively on a number of measures to provide support to Canadians,
including Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, in a very, very difficult period of
time.
Yes, the CERB, the income support benefits that were
supplied by the federal government, are now transitioning. They have introduced
new measures to make Employment Insurance more accessible with a reduced number
of hours and with increased benefits.
We're following these measures very, very carefully. We
want to work with the federal government in a co-operative way, but, as well, we
will act within the province and within our own programming to make sure that
those transitions are very effective and keeping in mind a very empathetic view
to those who have suffered economic and financial loss.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of St. John's Centre.
MR.
J. DINN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, despite their best efforts, a team of
cleaning staff was unable to complete the sanitization of this Chamber,
resulting in the cancellation of a Committee meeting.
I ask the Minister of Education, then: Is it fair or is
it even safe to expect one school janitor to properly clean a school with
several floors and several wings and over 700 students in the run of a day?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Education.
MR.
OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I find it rather amusing that the Member would draw a
comparison between the tight timelines of moving from a Committee to another in
this Legislature and a school.
Mr. Speaker, as the Member knows, we've hired
additional custodial staff. We've increased the hours of all custodial staff in
with others, and from the best of my knowledge, the addition of custodial staff
and the additional custodians are doing their job in our schools and keeping our
children safe.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
time for Question Period has expired.
Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.
Tabling of Documents.
Tabling of Documents
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.
MR.
LOVELESS:
Mr.
Speaker, I rise in this hon. House today to table the 2019 Annual Reports and
2020-2022 Activity Plans for the following entities: Fish Processing Licensing
Board, Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board, Appeal Board of
Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board and the Chicken Farmers of
Newfoundland and Labrador.
MR.
SPEAKER:
Further tabling of documents?
I have a document to table.
In accordance with subsection 38(1) of the
House of Assembly Accountability,
Integrity and Administration Act , I am tabling the report of the
Commissioner for Legislative Standards, The Lester Report - September 24, 2020.
Further tabling of documents?
Notices of Motion.
Notices of Motion
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Digital Government Service and Service NL.
MS.
STOODLEY:
Mr.
Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to introduce a bill entitled, An
Act To Amend The Credit Union Act, 2009, Bill 46.
MR.
SPEAKER:
Further notices of motion?
The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR.
CROCKER:
Mr.
Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow move that the following changes
be made to the composition of the Select Committee on Democratic Reform. That
the MHA for Carbonear - Trinity - Bay de Verde be replaced by the Member for
Virginia Waters - Pleasantville.
MR.
SPEAKER:
Further notices of motion?
Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.
Petitions.
Petitions
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Bonavista.
MR.
PARDY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Several abandoned buildings in unincorporated areas or
LSDs pose a significant health and safety hazard to local residents and
tourists, including collapsed or collapsing structures or dwelling. Others are
dens for rodents. These abandon buildings also undermine the tourism and
development potential of many picturesque communities within the District of
Bonavista, which is heavily reliant on the industry for its economic growth.
We, the undersigned, call upon the House of Assembly to
urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to bring forward legislation
that acts on the removal of these collapsed or dilapidated structures.
Quite pleased that we are one of the preferred
locations in the District of Bonavista for tourists. I think our numbers reflect
that. In communities that would be unincorporated areas, we have some buildings
that are causing great concern. For example, a few months back we had a
two-storey dwelling on the main road in Knights Cove, which is along 235 that
people drive, tourists drive. This building, with all the insulation and
contents, is just there within the yard and out close to a community mailbox. We
have other buildings in Trinity East, in Newmans Cove that would fit the same
criteria.
I know that when we bring in legislation, we always do
jurisdictional scans. I would say to you that in Prince Edward Island they have
an act which is called the Unsightly –
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MR.
PARDY:
Which is called the Unsightly Property Act .
It gives the minister responsible the ability to appoint inspectors and issue
orders requiring a property to be repaired, updated or even demolished.
I would say to you these buildings have been reported
and I think their response has been great, but I'm only left to assume that
legislation of our province has handicapped those environmentally conscious and
those who are conscious on growing the economy from being able to take action.
In Ontario, their Building Code Act states that the
province is responsible for enforcing the “Act in a territory without municipal
organization.”
In New Brunswick, there is an
Unclaimed Property Act with the distinction between urban and rural
unincorporated areas. Again, for action to be taken on these dilapidated and
unsafe buildings that occur or structures that occur in our catchment area.
Finally, British Columbia, in their unincorporated
communities and within the electoral areas, they have regional district powers
that come primarily from the Local
Government Act and community charter. They can establish bylaws such as
those pertaining to unsightly premises.
I would like for the minister to give consideration to
bringing this legislation forward because there is much to be gained from it.
Thank you.
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities, with a
response.
MR.
BENNETT:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, I'd like to thank the Member opposite for
bringing forward his comments on that. As he may be aware, we are currently
going through a review of our legislation of the
Municipalities Act and there are some things that we definitely will
take into consideration.
Regionalization has also been a key item for this
government, and being able to provide regional services and give municipalities
a little more authority to do some of this work will definitely enhance the
ability of municipalities to put in stronger regulations and also enforcement.
I'd be more than happy to sit down with the Member to
further discuss any particulars within his community that he's discussing.
Coming from a tourism community myself, I know how valuable tourism is and
seeing dilapidated properties definitely does not leave a lasting impression for
our tourists. I welcome a further conversation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR.
SPEAKER:
Further petitions?
Orders of the Day.
Orders of the Day
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Government House Leader.
MR.
CROCKER:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I call from the Order Paper, Motion 1, the
Budget Speech.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
Budget Speech.
The hon. the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port.
MR.
WAKEHAM:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm glad to be here again today to represent the people
of the District of Stephenville - Port au Port. Firstly, I want to thank the
people of the District of Stephenville - Port au Port for giving me the honour
and privilege of serving them in the House of Assembly.
Last year, about two weeks after getting elected, I
stood here and said my focus would be on the district and working hard for the
people that I serve in the district. I said what's good for Stephenville - Port
au Port is good for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and that
continues to be the way it is and the way it should be.
I have to say, I get the greatest satisfaction as a
Member of the House of Assembly from actually helping people in my district.
That pleasure alone, to be able to do that, to be able to serve and actually see
someone benefit from something you've been able to help with is a tremendous
satisfaction and I think all of us in the House find that to be the case.
There are lots of challenges and obstacles that people
in our province face, including my own District of Stephenville - Port au Port.
Today, for example, we heard questions being raised about the shortage of
physicians. According to what the NLMA have said, Stephenville in my district is
one of those areas that has a catastrophic shortage of physicians. There are
hundreds of people in my district without a family physician, and according to
Dr. Powell, it's not going to get any better until attention is paid to it. So I
would hope that we don't have to wait years for attention to be paid to it. I
think it needs to happen now and needs to happen soon.
I'd like to also thank my caucus Members, who I serve
with here in the House, for their support and encouragement, and our leader,
Ches Crosbie.
Mr. Speaker, COVID, and 2020, obviously, has been quite
the year for us and that's why we're here now today talking about a budget and
passing a budget.
I do want to take the time to congratulate the Minister
of Finance on the tabling of her first budget. Glad to see so much of the PC
Blue Book incorporated into the budget.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
WAKEHAM:
also want to acknowledge all the staff within the Department of Finance, as well
as all the other departments across government, and agencies.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
WAKEHAM:
all know the hard work and diligence that it requires to do this. Minister,
don't take this the wrong way, but we know without the hard work of all these
officials, this budget wouldn't get done.
So on behalf of all of us in the PC Official
Opposition, I would like to thank all the officials who worked on getting this
budget done.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
WAKEHAM:
Mr.
Speaker, I'd like to tell a little story now, if you'll bear with me. There was
a politician who went out to a district and he met with a couple of local people
in the district. The politician said to the gentleman, what can we do for you?
And the gentleman said, well, we have two problems, two major issues. What's
that, said the politician. Oh, the first one, he said, is we have a real problem
with getting a road fixed and we've been waiting for a long time.
Anyway, the politician immediately took his cellphone
out of his pocket, dialed a number, proceeded to talk for a few minutes, hung
up, put the phone back, and he said, consider it done. What's your next problem?
He said, no cell service.
I say that, Mr. Speaker, because of the problems
sometimes and the bad reputation that politicians often have. We've all heard it
that politicians have a reputation of saying one thing and doing something else.
As we sit here today, we need to hold ourselves accountable to the people who
have elected us. They want to know that what is committed will be delivered.
They want to know what is promised will come true and they want their
politicians to be honest with them.
Let us not forget that we are all here, Mr. Speaker, to
represent our districts and do everything we can to make the lives of the people
of our province better.
Now, Mr. Speaker, let's talk about the budget, in
particular. Mr. Speaker, I will be supporting
Budget 2020 and there are several reasons for this. The main reason,
of course, is the people of the province. The people of the province are more
concerned right now about their health, their safety, as well as their economic
stability. They don't want an election.
We're already six months into the fiscal year, so why
would we vote against expenditures that have already happened? It's like closing
a barn door after the horses left. We will be asking questions on where they
have spent the money to date, but we will not vote against expenditures that
have already happened.
The people of this province want their political
leadership managing COVID, not going to the polls. We cannot afford it. We need
our government working for the people of the province. People want and need
stability. It's not the time for an election. Our caucus is more concerned about
health care, about education, about jobs and about the safety of our people.
An election is the people's chance to cast their
verdict. It's their right to have their say within 12 months, just not this
fall. Not before the Premier has been grilled on his plans. Not before the 2021
budget when we see what he's planning, then let the people decide their future.
An election is indeed coming within the next 12 months,
but people have clearly said they don't want it this fall, as has our party and
so has the Premier. Let's first bring the new Premier into the House – if he's
elected, or with special permission if he's not – to answer on the public record
about his plans; something we have not heard from him. Let him be held to
account, then we will go to the polls in 2021.
Mr. Speaker, I want to make reference to Interim
Supply, because we have had three of them, and I want to assure the people of
the province that the province is not going to run out of money. The bills are
going to be paid. The employees will be paid. Services will be delivered.
Although, I understand there was a little hiccup with payroll for some teachers
today and some AES clients, but, hopefully, that will all be straightened out by
tomorrow. We will not allow COVID to disrupt government operations, and I think
we've proven that. So despite the objections of the government, I think a 60-day
Interim Supply is more than enough.
Once again for the record, just for the record, I want
to talk about the last four budgets in terms of Interim Supply and the time it
took to pass the budgets.
Budget 2016 ,
the budget was presented on April 14, 2016 and it was finished in the House on
May 31, 2016. Now, that's 47 calendar days, not 60, but it only took 24 sitting
days of this House. Budget 2017 was
presented on April 6, 2017, finished in the House on May 16, 2017. Again, a
total of 40 calendar days and only took 15 sitting days of the House.
Budget 2018 , which the minister
previously referred to, actually was presented on March 27 and finished in the
House on May 22, a total of 56 calendar days and that included a two-week break
for Easter, but, again, took only 17 sitting days.
Budget 2019 , which was originally presented on April 16 but then an
election was called, it was re-tabled on June 11, passed on June 26, with only
15 calendar days and nine sitting days. Again, we don't need to worry that the
60 days will run out.
Again, as I said, this has been an unusual year. By the
time this budget is passed, the province will have run for seven or eight months
on Interim Supply. This is not a fiscal and economic plan for the 2021 fiscal
year; it's a plan for what's left of the current fiscal year, which will
approximately be about one-third of the fiscal year's budget. This budget is
basically a bridge to get us to the 2021 budget next spring. People will expect
that budget to present a comprehensive plan of action for the province, the
government and the economy.
Despite our intention to let this budget pass, we are
not confident at all in this government's ability to drive economic growth and
jobs. Let's consider all the money, the billions this government has already
spent this year over the past six or seven months. Let's consider what they've
spent in the last five years. That money should have been generating growth
while sustaining services our people need. There's plenty of money to get the
job done and get our economy growing in the process, and that, despite the
wealth of opportunities and resources that could have been driving growth here
just as other provinces were growing, but that's not what happened. The Liberals
have not delivered.
The new Premier inherits the failed legacy of his
predecessor over the past five years. That legacy, which is on the shoulders,
not just of the former premier, but of the entire Cabinet and caucus opposite,
is a legacy of failure to lead our economy to growth. It's a legacy of decline,
missed opportunities, diminishing jobs and, not surprisingly, a declining
population. People cannot stay if they cannot work. They cannot work if there
are no jobs. And there are fewer jobs because the government that was elected
five years ago to nurture a climate of job growth has dismally failed.
This is not just about the past. The new Premier
inherits this legacy, not with a plan to do things differently but with a
pocketful of little more than feel-good rhetoric. Frankly, that's not going to
get this province out of the fiscal and economic mess it's in. Feel-good mantras
like The Way Forward never led us to
growth since 2015 and they aren't going to be enough to produce growth in the
months to come, but that's all this new Premier brings to the table. He's a
fresh coat of paint on a vehicle that does not drive and does not deliver.
People expected very much from someone who said he was
coming to the table with a determination to lead, with fresh ideas, with an
economic plan, with a vision for growth, but people are sorely disappointed. One
misstep after another is leaving people feeling wary about what's to come.
Instead of hitting the ground running on day one with a
plan of action, the new Premier is tripping over his feet. There is no plan of
action and no vision for the future. There are only buzzwords like hope. As the
Health Minister has aptly put it, Hope is a girl's name, not a policy. That's
all the new guy is offering, words of hope, calls to trust me, please, to be
patient. We've heard it all before.
Newfoundland and Labrador does not have the luxury of
being patient. Every lost year, every lost month represents another slide down
the spiral of decline. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are not willing to give
a blank cheque of trust to any Liberal after what they've seen this province
suffer these past five years.
If the new Premier had a viable plan to back up his
decision to run for office, people might be more forgiving. Not only does he
lack such a plan, but the absence of such a plan means the province is
essentially in the hands of the exact same people who have spent the past five
years failing. It's the same caucus, essentially, the same Cabinet that has
overseen the colossal decline in our province's fortunes and standing.
In his first few weeks of office, the new Premier has
shocked the province by giving a plum appointment to someone who the Muskrat
Falls inquiry found guilty of withholding key information about the project from
those who needed that information to make clear, informed decisions. Why? Why
reward someone and give a position of trust to someone who has betrayed the
public trust?
The new Premier did not have to do this. He could've
cited the inquiry report as evidence that it was time to do things differently,
to appoint someone who earned the public trust by functioning responsibly when
he held the public trust. The new Premier could've upheld that standard but he
failed, and people are wondering why.
The new Premier's colleagues who wear the failures of
the past five years are offering nothing but what we've seen already throughout
the past five years. We heard it just days ago in Question Period when we asked
what the government is planning to do to get us out of this mess. What we did
hear was more excuses, ministers wringing their hands. The spectacle of the
Natural Resources Minister asking the Opposition for just one concrete idea that
they could run with because they have none of their own.
Your government was elected to lead. You cannot lead.
If you have no concrete ideas of your own and if you're not willing to listen to
the concrete suggestions of the Opposition and the business community that spoke
through Paul Mills and the McKinsey advisors who gave plenty of concrete ideas
that we were advocating for years, then how can you call yourself the government
our province needs? Then comes the blame.
The new Premier said there would be no blaming on his
watch but he failed to tell his other colleagues, so here we go again. Ministers
blaming their own failure to act on factors beyond their control. As they watch
one problem give birth to several more, they start searching for someone to
blame. Pointing fingers becomes the most popular form of exercise. Mr. Speaker,
we need fixers rather than blamers.
Mr. Speaker, you can put your boots in the oven but
that don't make them biscuits. I think it's time, Mr. Speaker, blaming others
when they are the ones who've been in the office for the past half decade,
making excuses for the inaction of their federal Liberal cousins, pretending
everything is better than it is.
Let's talk about COVID. We acknowledge that COVID has
turned the world upside down this year, but our fiscal and economic crisis
predates COVID. COVID simply made clear just how vulnerable we are, after five
years of Liberal failure to grow.
Other provinces went into the pandemic period in strong
fiscal shape, not ours. Other provinces had thriving economies leading into the
pandemic period, not ours. We are not dismissing the impact of the pandemic, far
from it. We want to applaud all those who are helping us weather this
unprecedented crisis.
Imagine, Mr. Speaker, being a front-line health care
worker having to deal with the pandemic while hearing stories from other parts
of the world about front-line workers succumbing to the illnesses that they were
working hard to treat. Imagine those front-line health care workers having to
decide whether it was safe for them to return to their families at the end of
their shift.
Imagine the front-line cleaners who have been
disinfecting our workplaces and places of business. Imagine the front-line
retail workers, including some who are now walking the picket lines because
their bosses decided the pandemic is essentially over and their extra benefits
are no longer warranted. Imagine the workers at our airports and ferry terminals
where every new arrival is potentially carrying the virus that has sickened and
killed so many.
These are people whose courage has enabled our province
to whether the storm. They are doing their jobs. The chief medical officer of
Health and her staff are doing their jobs.
To all of those involved in keeping us safe, I say
thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
WAKEHAM:
Mr.
Speaker, the provincial government hired Paul Mills to provide advice on
handling COVID-19 and kick-starting our economy. The advice on COVID-19 is good,
including many of the things the Official Opposition and the all-party pandemic
committee recommended; however, the advice on kick-starting our economy is quite
a shock. It recommends so many of the things that the Liberal government should
have done but failed to do over the past five years. If the Liberals had been
driving the economy with sensible policies for the past five years, this advice
would not have been needed.
The Mills's report is another indictment of the Liberal
government's failure to put sound economic growth policies in place over the
past five years. The million-dollar McKinsey report made similar recommendations
a year ago in another indictment of the Liberal failure to take the lead in
driving our economy to produce the jobs our people need. Mills said the oil and
gas industry is facing significant challenges and support is required from the
federal government; yet, the Liberals have made apologies for federal inaction
and failed to deliver the support this core growth industry needs to generate
billions in investment and thousands of jobs.
Instead of telling Ottawa they're such good friends,
this government needs to wake up to Ottawa and to what's going on down here, and
Ottawa needs to wake up. That, Mr. Speaker, is why things are as bad as they
are, and Ottawa's inaction is making it worse by ignoring us.
Mills said, “The adequacy of Newfoundland and
Labrador's broadband and cellular network was the most often cited issue for
firms, organizations and individuals,” yet the Liberals failed to take the lead
to provide this key infrastructure at the expense of growth and jobs. Quote from
Mills: “High speed connectivity for all citizens is essential for many reasons
such as business activity, ensuring safety, delivering health services,
participating in online learning and training, etc; …
“Although there has been ongoing funding for broadband
infrastructure, in order to fully realize opportunities and in some cases,
necessities, it is clear that investment in broadband and digital infrastructure
is one of the most critical issues the province should address while recognizing
it is not a quick fix and requires significant investment. The message was clear
though that opportunities for economic growth and development require the basic
foundation of connectivity requirements for all citizens. There was a clear
theme that digital infrastructure is vital, will modernize the economy and fix
some historical problems.”
Mills said, “Air access is considered to be a
long-standing issue that constrains economic development across sectors,” yet
the Liberals failed to produce an air access strategy and watched while key
routes left our province for Halifax. Again, quoting from Mills: “Air access is
already a significant challenge for Newfoundland and Labrador and serious
concern was expressed about how that will look in the months and years ahead
with the impacts being experienced in the aviation industry due to the
pandemic….
“Air access is considered to be a long-standing issue
that constrains economic development across sectors. COVID-19 has depressed
demand and airlines such as Air Canada and other carriers have dropped many
routes. This will be a particular challenge for rural Newfoundland and
Labrador.”
Mills went on to say that a competitive regulatory
regime was raised in almost every interview because of the
complexity/uncertainty and bureaucratic burden, yet the Liberal government
failed to drive regulatory red-tape reform.
Again, a full quote from Mills: “Competitive regulatory
regime. A review of this issue was not part of the mandate for the present
exercise. It was, however, raised in almost every interview. It is not expressed
as a cost issue primarily, but instead as a complexity/uncertainty and
bureaucratic overburden ….”
Mills went on to say that: “Some of the existing tax
credits are too complicated and processes needed to be simplified.” The Liberals
plummeted our economy with higher taxes and tax policies that strangled growth.
The Liberals imposed more than 300 tax and fee increases in the 2016 budget and
only later did they commission a tax policy analysis of the potential impacts of
the tax policy changes. It was that independent analysis that echoed our own
criticism that the levy was regressive, actually doing more harm than good. Even
then, they failed to take the advice of their own independent tax policy
advisors and eliminate the levy. Well, I'm glad to say now that finally in 2019,
when you fill your income tax this year, you won't have to pay a levy.
What about the other regressive tax measures? This is a
government that, by acting without a plan, or prior consultation, actually
worsened the dire situation. Mr. Speaker, they made things worse than they were
and worse than they needed to be and now Mills is echoing those findings.
These are all policies that the government controls, no
one else, and yet the government has failed to bring about progressive tax
policies that would lead to growth rather than decline. Mills confirms it. Mills
was reporting what business leaders throughout the province were saying. They're
not happy and why would they be happy when their own government is making their
challenges worse, actually impeding the growth and investment and jobs that our
economy sorely needed. Is it any wonder our province has been performing so
badly and so many jobs have been lost?
Again, quoting directly from Mills: “There were many
references that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador should consider
using procurement and tax incentives to stimulate business activity. For
example, there was a clear position that tax incentives to buy Newfoundland and
Labrador or Canadian technology and technical services is a way to stimulate
activity. There was a common theme expressed that government needs to be a
leader in purchasing local product, with all trade agreements in mind.”
Mills said many small and medium businesses were too
indebted to deal with the COVID-19 downturn; yet, the Liberals have throttled
these very businesses with taxes that raised indebtedness and cost jobs. Think
about that. These employers and economic drivers in our communities were at the
brink of collapse before COVID even hit. COVID pushed them over the edge. What
if this government had heard their pleas five years ago or four, or three or
two? You want to blame COVID, but COVID only made the inevitable happen sooner.
The list goes on.
Let's just highlight a couple more. Mills said we are
vulnerable on food security, yet the Liberals have set the bar low. People on
the North Coast of Labrador know better than anyone what it's like to be
vulnerable because of food security issues. Where was the leadership from this
government? Where is that leadership now?
Canada was growing by leaps and bounds before COVID,
but not Newfoundland and Labrador. Our period of growth ended long ago. We're
spending five years in terrible decline. Where was the leadership? Where was the
strategy to bring Ottawa to the table to create a growth strategy targeted to
this province to correct the widening disparity that has pushed our province
farther down while Canada was growing? This is the government that should've
been making that case and invoking our constitutional right for targeted
measures to lift us up and let us share in national growth, but the party
opposite failed. We spell this out in great details in our 2019 Blue Book.
Still, the party opposite failed to listen and failed to act, and when COVID
hit, other provinces were better able to absorb the blow while this province
suffered.
We may not have endured huge numbers of COVID cases,
but the economic impact here has been devastating, and COVID was not the only
cause. It was only the stiff wind that pushed our struggling companies and
families over the edge. I can't emphasize this strongly enough. The government
opposite is pretending everything was fine until COVID hit, but COVID-19 didn't
cause all these troubles, it only brought them into clear focus. The Liberal
government cannot make excuses. They cannot blame COVID. They have failed to
lead on the economic and governance fronts for five years and they still have no
plan. All they have is another plan to bring another team together to give them
advice on what they should be doing.
They've had McKinsey to give them this advice. They've
had Mills to give them this advice. They've had the Official Opposition and the
business community and many others shouting this advice from the rooftops for
years but still they are bankrupt of ideas and searching for answers that
they've been ignoring all along. Again, what do these people do around the
Cabinet table except throw up their hands? We have already given them many
policies that they could have been implementing.
Mr. Speaker, back in 2015, the government tried to
close libraries throughout the province but because of the outcry of the people
of the province they wound up having to reverse that decision. Now it appears
they're building their own library of reports that they haven't acted upon: the
McKinsey report, the Mills's report, the report on waste management, and the
report on road and air ambulance services. All these reports, and where are the
recommendations? Have they been implemented or are we still waiting? Now it
appears we have to wait even longer.
The Mills and the McKinsey reports prove we were right
to be advocating for these policies all along. Those business and community
leaders throughout the province who were consulted by Mills said precisely the
same thing. The level of frustration is palpable, and why wouldn't people be
frustrated? With every passing day, week, month, year, time and opportunities
are lost and jobs and businesses are disappearing. What this province has needed
for the past five years is a solid plan to create jobs, jobs, jobs.
The McKinsey and Mills's reports clearly highlight
exactly why we have been losing jobs, jobs, jobs. Even after five years and even
with a new Premier at the helm, there is still no plan, just more evidence of
the pain this province is suffering from the lack of planning and leadership.
Newfoundland and Labrador deserves better. Newfoundland and Labrador demands
better. They are not buying the rhetoric and the spin; they've heard it all
before.
From The Way
Forward to all of the latest rhetoric about optimism and hope and a new day
for Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker, it's just hot air. People want to
know when the government will start doing something instead of simply telling
people it's going to be okay if they'll only be a little more patient. Patience,
Mr. Speaker, is a luxury people no longer have.
Quite some time ago, Mr. Speaker, the Department of
Finance was warning that the province was set to lose 11,400 jobs. This is
hardly a province that can absorb job losses of that magnitude. We were already
seeing sustained out-migration because of job shortages. Now we find that the
most important number in this budget is the number of jobs that will be lost
this year, which has been put in their Estimates as over 13,000 jobs and no
evidence of a plan for how those jobs will be recreated. Thirteen thousand jobs
lost is huge.
Mr. Speaker, that's only a number, but for those people
that have been laid off or lost their job, it's more than a number; it's a
reality. For the people who are worried about losing their jobs, it's a reality;
it's not a number. For all of the other people out there that, from day to day,
are wondering if they go to work today will they be able to go back tomorrow,
that's a reality; that's not a number. That's what we need to focus on is jobs,
jobs, jobs.
The Ball administration came into office in 2015
promising a plan that people would like. We were told the captains of industry
had designed it, but, again, that plan never materialized. Then, we were offered
The Way Forward . For all the rhetoric,
it did not lead the province to growth. It was a feel-good document, designed to
camouflage the downward spiral of decline. It would have been more honestly
labelled the way downward.
It was very late in the Ball mandate that the Liberals
finally threw up their hands, admitted they had no plan and spent a million
dollars – a million dollars – to hire McKinsey & Company to produce the economic
plan, again, that they themselves have failed to deliver. McKinsey produced a
document full of ideas. Ironically, the opportunities that McKinsey said offered
the most promise were the very ones that the Liberal government have spent their
entire mandate undermining: oil industry opportunities squandered; aquaculture
opportunities ruined by a Liberal failure to shore up the industry's reputation;
ocean technology opportunities squandered when the Liberals let our lead in that
area slip away to Halifax; aviation opportunities squandered when the Liberals
failed to lead an air access strategy and watched our key air routes disappear
while Halifax benefited from our government being asleep at the wheel.
The McKinsey report turned out to be an indictment of
the Liberal record. More than any other document, it highlights the golden
opportunities that the Liberals have let slip through their fingers,
opportunities that could have been bringing long-term, stable, sustainable,
well-paying jobs to our province, but opportunities that have never been seized.
The new Premier is not even pretending to sell
The Way Forward as an economic plan.
That, in itself, should be a sign that not even the Liberals believe in it.
Now, they have finally tabled the Mills's report, which
tells us that the McKinsey report was right and the Official Opposition was
right and the policies of this Liberal government for the past five years have
actually been doing more harm than good. So where does that leave us at the end
of 2020? It's back to square one.
The new Premier is now seeking to hire yet another
group of captains of industry to develop yet another economic plan, some time
down the road. Who knows how long it's going to take to deliver such a plan.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking away, more months get ripped off the calendar,
more jobs disappear and more families pack up if they're lucky to find work
elsewhere, or else their homes and property get repossessed because there is no
employment to pay the bills. More bankruptcies, more shattered dreams, more
ruined lives, more communities with businesses boarded up like we see even on
the main street of our capital city.
I recently spent time in Rocky Harbour, on the Northern
Peninsula, where businesses did not even open for this tourist season. It wasn't
viable for them to open their doors. They did not have the supports that they
thought they would get. Hopefully, the new announcement in the budget will do
something for them, but here they are paying taxes, business tax on a business
that generated no revenue. They need help; businesses in our region need lots of
help. All the while McKinsey says there were opportunities galore that the
government could have been seizing or helping our private sector seize.
We could have been thriving on the strength of the
resources and the opportunity we have in spades. Instead, we've missed the boat
and are struggling to keep our heads above water. Unfortunately, many have
already gone under. What a colossal waste of opportunity this Liberal
administration has overseen.
When historians assess the past five years, they will
ask themselves why a province so rich in opportunity was instead drowning in
decline. The ones they will fault are the ones at the helm, that's the key. Why
sit there? Why even seek the lead in the government if you have no idea what to
do?
Madam Speaker, one of the biggest failures of this
Liberal government is their insistence on putting party loyalty ahead of our
province's best interest. If a federal government is failing this province, we
have an obligation to our people to take them on. No matter what their political
stripe, the province has to come first.
The Trudeau Liberals are taking this province for
granted. Six safe Liberal seats in a province with just seven seats to offer and
a provincial administration that was so compliant that it failed to raise a
whimper no matter how badly we were being treated, no matter how much we were
being taken for granted, no matter how bad things got here, while Canada grew by
leaps and bounds.
This cozy relationship may have been defensible had it
delivered for our people and our province but it failed to deliver. The
disparity has only gotten worse and our standing on the national stage weaken as
our voice became silent.
Alberta and Saskatchewan, our natural allies in this
fight, were left to wage the fight on their own, and they did. They made western
alienation a national theme and a priority for federal action. But we here in
this province, through partisan silence that is now continuing under the new
Premier's cozy relationship with his federal peers, we are left behind. Who will
speak for us if our own government won't? Who will make the case in the national
arena if our own provincial government is standing behind the federal government
cheerleading their every move? No wonder we are not getting attention or action.
No one even knows we are suffering.
McKinsey gave clear advice to this government that we
need more from Ottawa than we're getting. McKinsey pointed out that our future
success depends on federal-provincial co-operation. In 2019, we were saying the
same thing. No one opposite was listening. Maybe they should start listening
now. Maybe somebody should pull out the sections of our 2019 Blue Book where we
demanded an urgent federal-provincial initiative to get our economy and
population growing.
The Constitution of Canada obligates Ottawa to
participate in targeted economic development initiatives to help lift any
province at the losing end of a widening economic disparity gap. It's right
there in the federation's basic law. Let me read into the record
section 36 of
the Constitution of Canada. Let's see what it guarantees a desperate province
like Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Commitment to promote equal opportunities 36.
(1) Without altering the legislative authority of Parliament or of the provincial
legislatures, or the rights of any of them with respect to the exercise of their
legislative authority, Parliament and the legislatures, together with the
promoting equal opportunities for the well-being of Canadians;” – all Canadians,
including Newfoundlanders and Labradorians – “(
b) furthering economic
development to reduce disparity in opportunities;” – including Newfoundland and
Labrador – “and (
c) providing essential public services of reasonable quality to
all Canadians” – including Newfoundland and Labrador.
Look very closely at the line that says: “furthering
economic development to reduce disparity in opportunities.” The disparity gap
between our province and other provinces was glaring before COVID and widening.
We had the right to call for a special federal-provincial growth plan to address
that, but no such plan was advocated by this government and no such plan was
delivered. The disparity only widened: higher unemployment, higher
out-migration, less investment, less growth.
Why did the new era of cozy federal-provincial Liberal
relations not lead to an initiative to reduce that disparity? What a wasted
opportunity. Five long years with only a widening gap to show for it. As the gap
grows wider, this federal inaction grows all the more shameful. Are we really
members of a federation that treat provinces as equals or are we a limb to be
amputated or strangled by a tightening tourniquet of inaction?
Think back to 2015. When the Ball and Trudeau
administrations came to office in 2015, it was heralded as a brand new era of
federal-provincial co-operation to lift our province to new heights of growth.
Instead, we've been taken for granted. Instead of standing up and fighting for
justice, the provincial Liberals have cozied up on the couch with their new
cousins, refusing to make waves while our province's fortunes have been swirling
down the drain.
Now we have a new Premier singing the praises of the
very federal Cabinet minister who has let us down all these years. Why does a
personal friendship trump Ottawa's responsibility to treat this province fairly
under the Constitution? At what point do the Liberals say enough is enough? How
bad does it have to get before our provincial Liberals put province before party
and start voicing our concerns loudly enough that they can be heard? The
country's West has finally started screaming for justice and Ottawa is
listening. The country's easternmost province continues making excuses for
federal cousins who just don't care what's happening here.
When our federal Cabinet representative, a close
personal friend and life-long confidant of the prime minister, is not able or
willing to deliver, why is our Premier applauding him as if he is the great
deliverer coming to our rescue? When will this government start holding the
Trudeau Liberals and Minister O'Regan's feet to the fire and stop playing so
nice when we're being treated so dismally?
The Natural Resources Minister asked for one good idea.
The easiest, simplest way to deliver this past summer would have been through
offshore oil exploration incentives to give our industry an edge in competing
for scarce, global exploration dollars.
Norway, a progressive, environmentally-friendly
jurisdiction decided to do what the Trudeau Liberals would not. Their plan has
succeeded. Their industry is buoyant despite the tough times for world oil.
Meanwhile, over here, the federal government wasted the entire summer
exploration season doing nothing but ignoring Noia, ignoring Trades NL, ignoring
the people and political leaders demanding action.
What have we heard from our own Newfoundland and
Labrador Liberals both provincial and federally? One day we hear phrases like:
be patient, something is coming down the pipe; it won't be long now. The next
day we hear phrases like: it's a global problem, it's beyond anyone's control;
we just have to accept that this is the new reality.
Excuses, excuses, excuses. Meanwhile, thousands of
people are worrying themselves sick as they see jobs and job prospects evaporate
before their eyes. They are crying out for action; crying out for a government
to listen, hoping someone will care. Rallying at government offices, telling
their sad stories on the news.
The new Premier presents himself as being full of
compassion and empathy for the plight of people in this province but when it
comes to action, when it comes to actually lighting a fire under federal
politicians and bringing home results, the new Premier is delivering the same
plate load of nothing that his predecessor delivered. Compassion without action
is not compassion at all. People expect more than crocodile tears from those
they elected to put our province's best interests first and fight and deliver.
There is nothing to celebrate in our relationship with
the Trudeau Liberal government. It has done our province more harm than good by
essentially ignoring our plight and supressing our greatest opportunities for
growth and sustainable self-reliance. Do not hand a medal of honour to those who
ignore us and harm us. Save those medals of honour for those who actually do
some good.
The budget touts the $320 million the federal
government has given to our oil industry; $320 million taken from the dividends
that Ottawa is receiving from their share in Hibernia. How ironic is that? A
share the province has for years been asking Ottawa to transfer to our province
now that their initial investment in Hibernia has been paid off and then some.
They are giving us our own money. Thank you very much, Ottawa, for your
generosity. That amount of money is far less than the industry says we need to
keep our oil sector afloat and thriving and hiring in extraordinary tough times.
Let's hear what Noia had to say in response, and I
quote from The Telegram : “Noia CEO
Charlene Johnson told reporters the money is welcome, but it's not enough to
solve the industry's problem. Even with the province's fiscal situation, and
O'Regan's statement that the federal Liberals will not directly subsidize oil
and gas companies, and the length of time it took to see Friday's announcement,
Johnson says Noia will continue asking for more money.” In other words,
something is better than nothing, but this is only a fraction of what is needed.
Let's hear what Husky had to say, again, from
The Telegram reporting: “Husky's West
White Rose project has been put on hold due to financial difficulties for the
company sparked by the oil price downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic. The company
says it's still open to discussing options with the province and federal
government to find a way to continue work.
“‘The funding announced today will not assist in moving
West White Rose forward for the 2021 construction season,' reads a statement
from the company.
“However, we welcome further engagement with both
levels of government, at the earliest opportunity, to find a creative pathway to
restarting a project that is an opportunity to develop a net zero emissions
facility and employ Newfoundland and Labrador workers.”
Let's hear what the Premier had to say, again, quoted
from The Telegram : “Furey says the
initial request from Husky – of an equity stake similar to what was seen given
by the federal government to the Hibernia project – just isn't possible for the
province.
“‘I've been honest with Husky: we don't have the amount
of money they need in Newfoundland and Labrador to support that project,' ….
“‘If there's a way, using creatively that $320 million,
to help them, I'm all for it.'”
In other words, the kind of help the federal
Progressive Conservatives gave to kick-start the Hibernia project in the 1990s
is not going to be coming from the federal Liberals this time around. It just
isn't possible, says the Premier. He doesn't say, quote: He will leave no stone
unturned in pressing Ottawa to do for the West White Rose what the federal PCs
did for Hibernia. Instead, he says Seamus O'Regan is a great friend of the
province and of the government and of him, personally, despite his unwillingness
and inability to deliver for Newfoundland and Labrador in our time of need.
When the federal PCs took an equity position in
Hibernia, the Mainland media went ballistic. What a stupid idea, they said. How
wrong they were. Here's what former Liberal Mines and Energy minister Dr. Rex
Gibbons said about John Crosbie's role in securing that Hibernia investment:
“Without him, we would not have an oil industry. That's my view.” Here's what
long-time senior bureaucrat Peter Kennedy said: “They would not have been
secured without a very skilled political leader at the helm, and that in fact
was Mr. Crosbie.” Here's what business leader Fraser Edison said: “If you didn't
have somebody like John Crosbie, we would have had a big challenge to get that
project off the road.”
There was harsh criticism from all over the country: an
equity stake, a subsidy, how shocking. But John Crosbie persevered, and we would
not have an oil industry today without him. If only our current federal Cabinet
minister was cut from the same cloth as John Crosbie. If only our current
Premier was cut from the same cloth as Brian Peckford and, yes, even Clyde
Wells. These were fighters, striving to get our offshore sector off the ground.
Now that circumstances are threatening the investment and jobs and enormous
revenues this industry is capable of sustaining, where are the leaders like
those of the past?
Instead of John Crosbie fighting tooth and nail for
Newfoundland and Labrador, we have Seamus O'Regan telling us: tax incentives and
investment rebates are off the table. They're a subsidy and we ran on a mandate
of no subsidies. He is not the minister of should and can and will. He's the
minister of shouldn't and can't and won't. He's not fighting for us; he's
fighting against us.
What about this new Premier? Is he a Brian Peckford or
a Clyde Wells fighting to give the oil sector a life? No. He's telling us it
just isn't possible. He's telling us that his good friend Seamus O'Regan is
doing enough by doing next to nothing. Doing enough by giving us our own money
and telling us the things the industry really needs are – quote – off the table.
Between O'Regan's – quote – off the table and Furey's –
quote – it just isn't possible, where are the fighters that Newfoundland and
Labrador needs to keep our oil industry and it's billions in investment and it's
thousands of jobs alive and thriving? Where are those fighters? They are not on
the other side of the House. They are on this side of the House. We are the
party fighting for the people saying what needs to be on the table, saying what
must be possible and must be delivered. We are the people's party fighting for
jobs and prosperity while those opposite wash their hands of responsibility and
give up the fight. If we had those people at the table here and in Ottawa in the
1990s, we would never have had a Hibernia, never have a Terra Nova, never have
had a White Rose and never have had an oil industry at all.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are, frankly, sick of
being told we have to keep quiet and put up with whatever kind of rollover and
play-dead politics. They see the opportunities here in Newfoundland and
Labrador. They believe this province is worth fighting for, and quite honestly
so do we.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
WAKEHAM:
was absolutely shocking that Noia had been pushed aside for the past six months,
the entire summer exploration season, when their suggestions for government
intervention were so clear and sensible and reasonable and worthy of immediate
action. Liberals here and federally have ignored Noia, treated them like some
sort of lobby group, when they are, in fact, the voice of an entire industry
that is capable of sustaining this province and the thousands of jobs and
securing our finances and driving our economy for decades to come. They have
been treated with distain by political leaders, all of them Liberals, for the
last year.
Madam Speaker, I would like to put on record what Noia
had to say from the outset when requesting federal and provincial help back in
June 23, 2020: “Canadians have sent more than 2,000 letters of support asking
the federal government to invest in Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil and
natural gas industry. The letters from supporters of the offshore were directed
to Members of Parliament as well as Minister of Natural Resources Seamus
O'Regan, Minister of Finance” – at the time – “Bill Morneau, Minister of
Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson and Minister of Infrastructure
and Communities Catherine McKenna. Supporters are calling on government to
implement changes to the tax regime to support offshore oil development and
exploration so that the industry can be globally competitive and people can get
back to work.
“The letters are from individuals who know how
important the offshore oil and natural gas industry is to the economic success
of the region. More than 6,500 people directly rely on the offshore to support
their families and pay their bills. That number is thousands more when you
include those employed by more than 500 supply and service companies which
provide goods and services to the sector. Without an immediate federal
investment to support the offshore oil and natural gas industry, all of this is
at risk.
“The industry is up against tremendous challenges due
to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting drop in demand for oil and natural gas.
This is occurring at a time when the offshore has a critical role to play in the
global and domestic market. As markets begin to recover and life returns to
normal the world will require more energy and demand will rebound. Global demand
for oil and natural gas is expected to grow for decades and as other offshore
jurisdictions, including Norway, move to change their tax regimes to attract
investment, Newfoundland and Labrador must keep pace or investment will flow to
other jurisdictions.
“Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore industry, with
its continued commitment to safety and environmental performance, can supply
responsibly produced energy to the world while continuing to bring significant
benefits to Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador's
light sweet crude oil is considerably below the global oil production average
for GHG emissions at extraction.
“Support for exploration and new developments will help
Atlantic Canada continue to grow as a leader in ocean innovation and lead to the
development and adoption of new technologies that will benefit all ocean
industries. The federal government's actions now can help ensure the offshore
industry is in a strong position to compete for investment dollars, enable new
projects and jobs in the region, help to restart deferred projects, and continue
to contribute to global emissions reduction efforts.”
That was from Noia. Another quote directly from
Charlene Johnson, the Noia CEO: “The Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil and
gas industry is facing an unprecedented crisis and its future is in jeopardy. I
cannot emphasize just how dire the situation has become and I fear for its
2,000 letters written by concerned citizens, our collective voice is calling
upon Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government to support our people,
industry and province, by providing incentives for both offshore exploration and
development projects to make the industry globally competitive and help
thousands of people get back to work.”
She continued to go on. I want to read another quote
from another gentleman in the industry. This is from a gentleman you all would
know, Paul Barnes, the director of the Atlantic Canada and Arctic, Canadian
Association of Petroleum Producers.
Mr. Barnes said this: “The offshore industry touches
every Newfoundlander and Labradorian, either directly through employment or
business revenue or indirectly through government revenue which helps pay for
hospitals, roads and schools. We urge government to listen to the Canadians who
took the time to submit letters, by investing in this industry and helping
secure a prosperous future for the province and country.”
Again, for months Noia, the Canadian Association of
Petroleum Producers, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and many others
oil and gas industry. There were numerous meetings, discussions, exchanges of
information, and while Noia believed the industry clearly had the support of
Minister O'Regan and the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Members of
Parliament, the federal government at the end of the day has not provided any
consequential assistance to the industry. Giving us back our own money is not
the support that this province needs.
Karen Winsor, Noia board Chair and COO: “Minister
O'Regan has advocated for and spoken favorably of our industry, its role in the
global energy market, and how oil produced offshore Newfoundland and Labrador
can help provide a lower carbon product to that market. We ask Minister
O'Regan's cabinet colleagues to support him and our offshore and help the
thousands of people who have been impacted by this crisis. We need immediate
action to get people back to work, to remain globally competitive, and to retain
the investment we have previously attracted to our industry. We need a show of
faith in our future and we need it immediately.”
“In
numerous interviews and forums held in recent weeks, Minister O'Regan has
championed the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil and gas industry, the
people who work in it, and the product it produces. The commitment of the
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to achieve net zero by 2050 and the
willingness of the offshore oil and gas industry to help achieve that goal have
to foster these attributes and support our offshore …” oil.
Many community and business leaders have called for federal investment in the
offshore. “Over the next 10 years, the estimated loss to the province due to
deferment and loss of oil and gas exploration and development projects could be
substantial.” We stand to lose: “$11 billion in provincial revenues impacting
programs, infrastructure, education and health care throughout communities in
Newfoundland and Labrador; $59 billion of total provincial GDP; 90,000
person-years of employment, resulting in significantly lower consumer spending
in retail, restaurants, real estate, and other services; and The province's best
opportunity to be an international clean growth leader and oceans technology
hub.
“The world is moving towards a low carbon economy.
Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil and gas industry represents one of the
lowest carbon per barrel footprints in the world. Greenhouse gas emissions can
be further reduced by making immediate investments in the development of lower
carbon fossil fuels. Reducing global emissions by providing the world with
Newfoundland and Labrador oil to help supply increasing global … demand is a
valuable contribution to the fight against climate change.
“Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil and gas
industry fully supports protecting the environment, reducing carbon emissions
and working with governments to meet provincial, national, and international
emissions reduction targets. Through its commitment to lower carbon and clean
technology, the offshore oil and gas industry will be a catalyst for clean
growth innovation. The technologies developed will also accelerate the
diversification of the province's economy. The Newfoundland and Labrador
approach mirrors that of Norway, a global environmental leader, which has
steadily increased oil and gas production since 2012 due to its government's
policy of stimulating exploration and development while simultaneously taking
significant actions to move to a low carbon economy and developing new clean
technologies that are being exported worldwide. Newfoundland and Labrador can
lead Canada's energy future and make Canada a global clean growth leader like
Norway.
“The importance of the oil industry to the economy of
Newfoundland and Labrador cannot be overstated with an estimated 30 per cent of
GDP, 13 per cent of labour compensation and 10 per cent of employment (over the
2010 to 2017 period). As of March 31, 2020 there were 6,390 people directly
employed on NL offshore oil and gas development projects while thousands more
were employed in supporting industries.
“All Canadians are encouraged to join with the over 80
leaders who are today calling for support for the offshore.” That came from
wearenloffshore.ca.
Many community and business leaders have spoken up
about the importance of our offshore oil and gas. “The importance of the
offshore industry to Newfoundland and Labrador cannot be overstated. It
represents one of the lowest carbon per barrel footprints in the world,
contributes an estimated 30 per cent of GDP, and directly employs 6,390 people
with thousands more in supporting industries.” Hon. Siobhan Coady, Minister of
Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
MR.
TRIMPER:
Point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER (P. Parsons): Order, please!
The Member for Lake Melville.
MR.
TRIMPER:
Just a reminder that we're not able address each other by their personal names.
MR.
WAKEHAM:
was a quote from the (inaudible).
MR.
TRIMPER:
Regardless, you're not able to do that.
MADAM SPEAKER:
I ask the hon. Member to retract.
MR.
TRIMPER:
It's the second time in the speech. Thank you.
MR.
WAKEHAM:
won't name anybody else.
MADAM SPEAKER:
Thank you.
MR.
WAKEHAM:
Here's another quote: “‘$4 billion of exploration investment activity, in
addition to billions of associated development activity, is at risk of
indefinite delay or outright cancellation,' said Jim Keating, Executive
Vice-President, Offshore Development, Nalcor Energy. ‘This current situation
presents serious consequences for a provincial economy that is already being
battered by a public health crisis. Our offshore industry can contribute to
Canada's economic recovery and environmental commitments, and ensure stability
for our communities now and into the future.'”
Another quote: “The offshore oil and gas industry is
help us through this period by ensuring we are globally competitive and putting
thousands of people back to work. Without assistance from the federal government
we will fall behind other leading jurisdictions who are providing incentives for
exploration and development, we will lose our pre-pandemic momentum and likely
miss our opportunity to lead the transition to renewable energies.” Charlene
Johnson, chief executive officer of Noia.
“Investing in our offshore industry is an investment in
Canada's economic recovery, helping to unlock significant growth potential while
encouraging job creation and sustained revenues for Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Paul Barnes, director, Atlantic Canada and Arctic, Canadian Association of
Petroleum Producers.
“Over the past 30 years, Canada's offshore oil and gas
industry has developed a world-class construction workforce. Our skilled trade
workers continue to be leaders in productivity, quality, safety and diversity,
as our province quadrupled the national average in workplace diversity with 14%
female skilled trade workers. Without immediate support from the Federal
Government for the offshore oil and gas industry to stimulate local
construction, all of our advances over the past 30 years will quickly
disappear.” Darin King, executive director, Trades NL.
“Noia's over 500 members of the supply and service
sector are seriously hurting because of the current crisis. They need leadership
and immediate action to help weather this storm and continue the significant
contribution they make to the Canadian economy.” Karen Winsor, chief operating
officer, Atlantic XL and Noia board chair.
“The oil and gas industry has an immense impact on all
Newfoundland and Labrador families and businesses. Our province and country
would look very different without the contribution of this industry.” Richard
Alexander, executive director, Newfoundland and Labrador Employers' Council.
“Our province, region and country depend on the oil and
gas industry. Newfoundland and Labrador has proven we are a place rich in
resource, expertise and ability to deliver. It only makes sense for our federal
government to support our industry and ensure we are positioned to provide safe
and reliable products now and into the future.” Andrew Wadden, chair, St. John's
Board of Trade.
“I see significant opportunities for Kraken Robotics to
not only support the NL oil and gas industry but to also help it grow and build
upon its long-storied history.” Karl Kenny, president and CEO, Kraken Robotic
Systems Inc.
“With origins in the Newfoundland & Labrador offshore,
today Rutter exports to many industry sectors in over 40 countries. This
industry is vital to the incubation and development of local technology
companies.” Fraser Edison, president, Rutter Inc.
“The Newfoundland Offshore oil industry directly impact
consumer confidence and buying decisions for residential construction and
renovations. An investment in the offshore oil industry is key to stabilizing
residential construction.” Curtis Mercer, interim CEO, Canadian Home Builders
Association, Newfoundland and Labrador.
“For years, it was a fact of life that if you wanted a
good job you had to leave Newfoundland and Labrador to find it. But the offshore
industry really turned that around and people came home with their families,
young folks were able to stay and have good jobs right here. Entire families are
very stressed right now with all this uncertainty. We're doing everything we can
to get government and operators to act now so offshore workers and everyone in
the province can have a more stable future.” David Mercer, president, Unifor
Local 2121.
“Newfoundland and Labrador's low carbon oil is a green
baseline to our shoreline to secure a sustainable, just transition for Canada's
energy future.” Chris Gosse, president, Longshoreman's Protective Union Local
“The offshore oil and gas industry is vital to
Newfoundland. It affects not only me, but my family, co-workers and our business
that supplies rigging to the offshore platforms.” Eddy McDonald, operations
manager, North Atlantic Offshore Inc.
“Ocean Supercluster, local digital transformation,
Newfoundland and Labrador technology and innovation all require a robust
offshore oil and gas industry. To not provide immediate support will put the
success of these efforts at risk.” Mark Cumby, regional director, energy, Hatch
Ltd.
“Spending on new sewers, roads, bridges and other civil
infrastructure is vital for sustainable economic growth, along with producing
jobs and considerable positive spinoff activity. Provincial oil and gas revenue
is a major (required) funding component, which enables Newfoundland and Labrador
to invest in Infrastructure for future sustainability.” Jim Organ, executive
director, Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Despite criticism, early investments made to our oil
and gas industry provided monumental benefits to this province and our country.
With oil and gas still providing over 80 per cent of the world's energy – now is
the time for our federal government to invest in our low carbon product and
promote this industry with pride.” Gene Mercer, owner, manager, Compass Limited,
Machine & Fabrication.
“The offshore industry benefits many small companies
and sole-proprietors. Given the current economic crisis, it is critical that the
offshore receives adequate supports to ensure these local businesses survive.”
Gary Kennedy, vice-chair, AvaLantic Alliance.
“Newfoundland and Labrador's oil and gas industry is at
a critical cross-road. Joint management can propel this province into leading
the energy transition generating economic and social well-being for all
Canadians. We have to act now.” Bill Fanning, president and country manager,
Kvaerner Canada Limited.
“Thirty years ago, Crosbie Group forged a future in the
offshore oil and gas industry. Today, with so much untapped opportunity here at
home, we are disheartened that we have to turn our attention to investment
outside Canada to pursue growth.” Rob Crosbie, chairman, Crosbie Group Limited.
“The support we have received from the oil and gas
industry in Newfoundland and Labrador over the last 28 years has been paramount
in helping us … fight against hunger.” Eg Walters, general manager, Community
Food Sharing Association.
“Newfoundland and Labrador technology companies
leverage opportunities in the oil and gas sector that support digital
transformation and carbon-reducing projects, helping the tech sector to grow and
expand to other sectors of the ocean economy and beyond.” Paul Preston, CEO,
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology and Innovation.
“The oil and gas industry has been a key driver of
economic prosperity in Newfoundland and Labrador, making federal government
support for the industry so important to the province's future.” Vaughn Hammond,
director of provincial affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
“As an airport, we've seen and experienced the social
and economic growth that the oil and gas sector has brought to our province. The
St. John's International Airport will continue to support the offshore oil and
gas industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.” Peter Avery, chief executive office,
St. John's International Airport Authority.
“Since the start of Hibernia, I've seen how important
the revenue and jobs created by the oil sector are for our economy. I urge the
Federal Government to increase our competitive advantage in this global
industry.” Hubert Hutton, publisher,
Natural Resources Magazine .
“The Port of Argentia applauds the advocacy efforts of
NOIA and its member companies in highlighting the importance and impacts the
offshore oil and gas industry has on our economy and our valued lifestyle. The
future viability of the Port is greatly aligned with this sector and we
encourage all levels of government to deliver its support to the industry in a
timely and comprehensive process.” Ray Greene, CEO (Acting), Port of Argentia.
“Oil and gas is critical to C-CORE's success.
Technologies developed over 45 years for the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore
have been adapted, enabling us to export internationally to other sectors and
markets.” Paul Griffin, president and CEO, C-CORE.
“Canada's offshore industry produces some of the least
carbon-intensive petroleum in the world. Our economic recovery hinges on Canada
remaining a leader in the global energy transition.” Dr. Aaron Henry, senior
director, natural resources and sustainable growth, Canadian Chamber of
Commerce.
“Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil and gas
industry is leading advancement of skills, competencies and critical
infrastructure that underpin rapid growth in our ocean technology sector toward
long-term economic diversification and resilience.” Catherine Hogan, executive
director, OceansAdvance Inc.
“Investing in our province's offshore is investing in
the communities, organizations and the very people they serve. YACC has the
backs of young adults dealing with cancer because oil and gas industry companies
and their employees have our back.” Geoff Eaton, executive director, Young Adult
Cancer Canada.
“The offshore oil and gas sector is a vital contributor
to the Newfoundland and Labrador construction industry. The future of the
construction industry in our province is intricately tied to its
sustainability.” Craig Drover, chair, Newfoundland and Labrador Construction
Association.
“Atlantic Towing, Canada's leading Offshore Supply
Vessel company, employs hundreds of people from Atlantic Canada in the Offshore
Oil and Gas industry and supports numerous suppliers, education institutions and
other partners as part of our ongoing activity. We know that oil will be
required globally for decades to come and our Atlantic Canadian sweet crude is
one of the lowest emitting products anywhere in the world. We also know that
becoming carbon neutral and supporting oil and gas production are not
alternative choices. Let's leverage the incredible resources, companies,
practices and stability we offer the world to grow our economy, create jobs and
help transition to carbon neutral.” Wayne Power, group vice president,
transportation and logistics, J.D. Irving, Limited.
“The oil and gas industry is essential to the viability
of the Killick I