March

19, 2013 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Vol.

XLVII No. 78

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Wiseman): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

Statements by Members

MR. SPEAKER: Today, we are going to have members' statements from the

Member for the District of Mount Pearl North; the Member for the District of

Humber Valley; the Member for the District of St. Barbe; the Member for the

District of Terra Nova; and the Member for the District of Bonavista North.

When they are finished, the hon. the Minister of Finance wants to gloat a

little bit and we will give him, with leave, some time, if the House wants to

give him leave but only if the House wants to give him leave, and that is 100

per cent. We will probably take a vote on that with Division.

The hon. the Member for Mount Pearl North.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise in this hon. House today to recognize two residents of Mount Pearl,

Gary Michael Byrne and Denise Hayes, recent recipients of the Queen's Diamond

Jubilee Medal.

For other thirty years, Mr. Byrne has been running a swimming program for

children, youth, and adults with disabilities out of the Mount Pearl Swimming

Pool. He does this at little to no cost to the club's members. The amazing

part

is the results that he gets from his participants who thought they could never

swim.

Denise has volunteered at the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis

Centre for over sixteen years. Along with her commitment to the local centre,

she has spoken at numerous national and international conferences, delivered

empowerment workshops to schools, community groups and women's penitentiaries,

as well as developed victim training which is used by various police agencies.

I would like to once again congratulate and thank these individuals for their

contributions, and ask that all members of this House join me in congratulating

them as well.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for the District of Humber Valley.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise in this hon. House today to congratulate the organizers of the ninth

annual Log-a-Load for Kids charity hockey tournament, which was recently held in

my district. Over $36,000 was raised by participants at the Log-a-Load for Kids

and donated to the Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre.

Mr. Speaker, this tournament was created by the forestry personnel to

organize fundraising efforts for Children's Miracle Network Hospital

Foundations. The winning team is determined by the amount of money raised for

the foundation, not by the number of goals. I am honoured to announce that

Northwest Forest Products, from my district, was the winning team with a

contribution of over $10,000.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the Log-a-Load for Kids organizing committee for

hosting the tournament in various areas across the Province, and to highlight

the far-reaching benefits that both the Janeway Children's Hospital and the

Janeway Hospital Foundation have to offer.

I congratulate the organizers of the tournament who have raised over $245,000

since inception nine years ago for the Janeway Children's Hospital and the

Janeway Hospital Foundation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for St. Barbe.

MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this hon. House today to commend

Marylou Brown on thirty-one years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces, from

February 28, 1980 to April 6, 2011. Ms Brown is originally a resident of

Daniel's Harbour, St. Barbe district. Ms Brown's thirty-one years of service is

among the longest serving of any member from the District of St. Barbe.

Ms Brown served her country at CFB Trenton; CFB Lahr in Germany; CFB Gagetown

for two tours. She also attended CFB Armoured School and 4 Air Defense Regiment;

and CFB Petawawa for two tours, 2 Service Battalion and 2 RCHA.

Ms Brown received the following commendations: Land Force Central Area

Commander's Commendation; Special Service Medal, Germany Tour; Canadian Forces

Decoration with Class.

The bravery and commitment of the service personnel in the Canadian Armed

Forces is unprecedented. They give unconditionally so that all people can live

in peace and freedom. Marylou Brown formerly Joy is the essence of our

freedom as a nation, and in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of the House to join me in a commendation of

this service.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Terra Nova.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. S. COLLINS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to recognize Les Chaulk of Charlottetown, Bonavista Bay, a

gentleman who has dedicated much of his life to the well-being of his community

and the Province.

Mr. Chaulk has always been a strong volunteer in his community. He played a

key role in forming a Recreation Committee in Charlottetown and served as a

member for twenty-six years while also coaching local hockey and softball

leagues.

Mr. Speaker, Les is a member of both the Loyal Orange Lodge in Charlottetown

and the Royal Black Lodge in Bunyan's Cove.

In 1972, he helped to form a volunteer fire department within his hometown.

He has held the position of truck captain, secretary-treasurer, and assistant

fire chief, and from 1985 to present he has given exemplary service as fire

chief, giving a total of forty-one years of service to his fire department.

Les has also committed twenty years of service to the LSD of Charlottetown in

a variety of roles, Mr. Speaker. Furthermore, in 1989 he joined the Canadian

Rangers and is currently serving as Sergeant.

Les is married to Mamie Chaulk sorry, of course, Mamie Chaulk, now; Les is

married to Mamie Tucker, formerly of Bunyan's Cove, and they reside in

Charlottetown.

I ask all hon. members to join me in recognizing a lifetime volunteer, Mr.

Les Chaulk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. CROSS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I proudly rise to my feet today to recognize the hard work and creative

efforts of the Beothic Curling Club and wish to further commend the planning and

host committee for their Funspiel held on the first weekend of March, 2013.

I was excited to participate as a curler in this, my twelfth year at the

event. Of the twenty teams competing, there were several visiting teams from

CBS, Gambo, Gander, and Twillingate. The A Division Champions, a hometown team

comprised of Brent Abbott, Jim Hounsell, Gertie Fifield, and Maxine Stagg, went

undefeated through the tournament.

League President Craig Loder in his presentation of awards recognized the

contribution of local and regional businesses that have contributed to this

event on a yearly basis for more than a decade. The economic benefit of this

event may not be monumental, but the hospitality and good cheer is unrivalled.

All curlers experienced a fun-filled competition, and I am sure my wish for

the continuation of this very positive annual event is echoed by all members of

this Legislature. Congratulations to the champs, and appreciation to the

organizers and sponsors.

There was some mighty great curling, but Gushue is safe for a few years yet,

I believe.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Does the hon. the Member for Carbonear-Harbour Grace

have leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. SPEAKER: Can I hear that again, please?

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. SPEAKER: By leave.

MR. KENNEDY: It is with great pride, Mr. Speaker, that I rise in this

hon. House to pay tribute to one of the greatest sports franchises in the

history of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

On Saturday night, March 16, the Eastlink CeeBee Stars captured the Herder

Memorial Trophy for the eighth time in franchise history

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: and their fourth in the last eight years, pulling off what

has been called one of the greatest upsets in the history of senior hockey in

this Province.

This year's CeeBees team is a shining example of how hard work, heart, and

determination in the face of adversity can pay off. After having won only seven

games, Mr. Speaker, in the regular season, facing financial difficulties, and

amidst rumours that the team may fold, the CeeBees made the playoffs on the last

day of the regular season, defeating the Gander Flyers at home. They went on to

eliminate the first place Grand Falls-Windsor team and then completed a sweep,

Mr. Speaker, of your team, the Clarenville Caribous, before almost 2,000 fans at

SW Moores Memorial Stadium.

Playing and winning in the face of adversity was personified by players like

Terry Ryan, who returned to the lineup in game three just two weeks after he had

been hospitalized with two broken ribs. Terry raised the Herder for the first

time Saturday night. Ryan Delaney, named Herder MVP, was rewarded for his hard

work and gritty play game after game. His line mate for game four, fourth liner

Daniel Sparkes, played the game of his life and had a goal and two assists in

ten minutes, including setting up the game winner. Players like Chris Sparkes

defined the CeeBees spirit, after coming back in game six with staples in his

lips because he did not want to miss the rest of the games. The CeeBees rode

stellar goaltending by Mark Yetman and were led on and off the ice by their

captain, veteran Keith Delaney, and assistant captains, Mike Dyke, Donnie Gosse,

and Robert Slaney.

Special congratulations to Ian Moores, coach, for his fifth Herder, Mr.

Speaker, and Peter George, who captured his fourth. I would also like to

congratulate former coach Corey Crocker who, together with Ian and Peter, put

together the team.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I also want to recognize two Members of the House

of Assembly who are former Herder Champions, the hon. Member for Cape St.

Francis and the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Member for The Isles of Notre

Dame. I ask all hon. members including yourself, Mr. Speaker, and the Leader

of the Opposition to join with me and congratulate the 2013 Herder Memorial

Champions: CeeBee Stars.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, I say to the member.

Should the member's team eventually repeat what Clarenville did and win the

Allan Cup, he would want a full-length sermon.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: We will now have Ministers' Statements.

Statements by Ministers

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this hon. House to acknowledge a

significant accomplishment in the aquaculture industry. Last month, mussel

producers in this Province became the first and only to receive organic

aquaculture certification in North America. To achieve such a designation is an

outstanding accomplishment. I offer congratulations to the Newfoundland

Aquaculture Industry Association and all mussel growers throughout the Province.

This certification entailed a rigorous process. The hard work and dedication

of growers and industry representatives exhibited that mussels grown here are

produced and processed in a sustainable, environmentally sound manner. There are

no synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms used in

the cultivation of blue mussels.

Mr. Speaker, organic certification has widespread global recognition, which

will undoubtedly assist in developing opportunities for new markets for this

product, both domestically and internationally. This sector is quickly becoming

a true success story, providing economic growth and long-term employment in many

rural communities.

The Province's production of cultured blue mussels reached approximately

4,397 metric tons in 2012. The market value increased exponentially last year,

reaching $14 million.

These newly certified organic blue mussels were introduced to the world

market at the recent International Boston Seafood Show. The reception was

extremely positive. The provincial government has provided significant financial

support to mussel growers in the past.

Through the highly successful Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities

Program, and the Aquaculture Strategic Development Program, our government has

helped growers promote and develop new markets, diversify product lines, and to

upgrade and install state-of-the-art production and processing equipment.

Approximately $40,000 was specifically provided to the Newfoundland Aquaculture

Industry Association in support of this organic certification.

Investment from the provincial government, along with hard work, dedication

and private investment by industry participants, has resulted in positive growth

within this sector in recent years. Because of the collaboration and strong

working relationships that have been built, blue mussels are now positioned to

become a leading product on the global seafood market. Newfoundland mussel

producers are now in a class of their own.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the provincial government, I ask all hon. members

to join me in congratulating all those who have added to this tremendous

success.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. Barbe.

MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, the mussel growers of Newfoundland and Labrador

are indeed to be congratulated. The effort, hard work and patience they have

produced a sustainable product.

It is really unfortunate that the minister did not bother to go to the Boston

Seafood Show this year so he could showcase some of that wonderful product for

the rest of the world. To have this early sustain organic mussels is something

we could be proud of and the minister was not there.

Mr. Speaker, the minister has been distracted by the quick buck and the quick

political fix of finfish aquaculture and finfish aquaculture is not

environmentally sustainable. Based on the review by the Department of Fisheries

and Aquaculture within the last week, the Government of Nova Scotia refused to

issue a permit for open net finfish aquaculture in Nova Scotia, something that

we have been asking for since last July. Hopefully, Mr. Speaker, the minister in

this Province will see the light and follow the lead of Nova Scotia.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for The Straits White Bay North.

MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I, too, would like to thank the minister for an advance copy of his

statement. I have met with the aquaculture association and commend them on this

initiative to be the first to certify mussels as organic to give us a global

competitive edge.

I would advise the minister that under his government seafood exports have

dropped more than $250 million, and lobster has become Canada's most valuable

export. Maine has certified lobster to gain market share in Europe. Government

should fund a similar initiative before we lose more market share as this

government still fails to certify our forest for a viable bio-mass industry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SHEA: Mr. Speaker, I rise today inform this hon. House that March 18

to 24 is Multiculturalism Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Across the Province, communities are joining in celebrations and activities

to promote multiculturalism and cross-cultural understanding where the cultural

diversity of all people is valued, supported and enhanced to collectively build

a prosperous Province.

When we launched our immigration strategy in 2007, the provincial government

had a goal to promote the Province internationally and help immigrants with

settlement and integration.

Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador is facing very real challenges related

to our population and demographics in the coming years. In fact, by 2020 we will

need 70,000 skilled people to ensure we can take maximum advantage of the

economic opportunities before us. Through our recently announced Population

Growth Strategy, we will build on the work of the Office of Immigration and

Multiculturalism and keep attracting newcomers as part of our plan to address

these challenges.

Mr. Speaker, later this evening, multi-coloured lights surrounding

Confederation Building will be turned on in recognition of Multiculturalism Week

across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Cultural diversity is a strength, and by displaying lights, we show how

diversity makes our communities more dynamic places to live. I invite all

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to join in the celebration and display

multi-coloured lights outside their homes as symbols of diversity and

multiculturalism.

Mr. Speaker, this tradition was inspired by the residents of Labrador City,

who light a green light on their porches each year to symbolize their towns and

homes welcoming newcomers. Today, it celebrates the promise of a bright,

prosperous, and vibrant future for all Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo La Poile.

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

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

We, too, would like to celebrate Multiculturalism Week and celebrate the

cultural mosaic that our Province is forming.

The 2011 Census showed that Newfoundland and Labrador experienced population

growth since the last census and one of the contributing factors was

immigration. The birth rate in this Province is below what it needs to be to

maintain the population, so promoting multiculturalism and facilitating

immigration is key.

We look forward to the population growth strategy promised in January with

the hiring of Ross Reid. We are indeed curious to see how Mr. Reid will grow the

population, exactly.

I would be remiss if I did not point out two interesting points. First is the

$350,000 cut from grants and subsidies last year, from the Office of Immigration

and Multiculturalism. These grants help front-line agencies help new Canadians

adjust to life here in the Province.

I also have to point out that the Association for New Canadians is one of the

EAS agencies that are being cut. While we pay a minister's salary to Mr. Reid,

we are cutting front-line programming that is actually helping new Canadians

assimilate.

As this Budget is about to come down, time will truly tell on this

government's commitment to immigration and multiculturalism.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's North.

MR. KIRBY: Thank you.

Thanks to the minister for the advance copy of her statement.

Mr. Speaker, I was with my family at the Avalon Mall on the weekend in my

district, and when we left the mall, I turned to my wife and I said: this is not

your granddaddy's St. John's anymore; we are changing and we are becoming a more

multi-ethnic society, Mr. Speaker.

Many positions in our workforce that would otherwise go unfilled are being

filled by skilled immigrants in Newfoundland and Labrador. We also know that

their contributions to this Province go far beyond the economic ones. We are

changing for the better and this is a reason for all of us to celebrate, Mr.

Speaker.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Does the Member for St. John's South have leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: No.

MR. SPEAKER: Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Eastern School Board has recommended a cut of $7.5 million from their

operating budget this year, as demanded by government. Meanwhile, the Premier

has said that front-line education services would be exempt from cuts.

I ask the Premier: Why have you broken your commitment to the people of

Newfoundland and Labrador?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: It seems, Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are taking a scene from

the playbook of the NDP about saying things privately and then speaking

differently publicly.

Mr. Speaker, we have consulted with school boards just as other departments

are to see if we can find deficiencies. The member will have to wait until the

Budget comes down, but, Mr. Speaker, I can tell you one thing: the front-line

services in education have been protected.

It was so good this morning, Mr. Speaker, to hear our new Lieutenant-Governor

talk about education. He can be assured that his minister and his government

will make sure there is integrity in the education system.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Government claims that the school boards are independent and they are

represented by elected trustees, yet the proposed cuts submitted to government

have not even been voted on by the elected trustees themselves.

I ask the Premier: Will you now admit that you are indeed meddling into

school boards, the very boards that you said and you claim are independent?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, to hear a trustee, Mr. Joyce, come out and make

statements that create an anxiety when there are no final decisions made truly

is disappointing, that we have a trustee who would do these types of things.

My understanding is that Mr. Joyce knew about what was being talked about and

was in on the discussions in February

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, in on the discussions on February 1,

and now creates this anxiety; it is simply I do not know what the word is to

put to it. It is rather

AN HON. MEMBER: Fear mongering.

MR. JACKMAN: Fear mongering is the word, exactly, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Mr. Speaker, what is interesting is to see the minister try and

distance himself from the comments that were made less than a year ago, the

comments that we would not see front-line education workers or services cut.

Mr. Speaker, government has told all school boards to find efficiencies and

to streamline operations. We have heard that there is going to be about $14

million in cuts from the Province's education system.

I ask the Premier: Can you confirm that you are indeed looking at $14 million

in cuts from the Province's schools?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, education is something that is highly valued, not only by the

people of Newfoundland and Labrador but by the government that represents them,

Mr. Speaker.

We have made tremendous investments since 2003, Mr. Speaker, in education.

AN HON. MEMBER: We are going backwards.

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: We are not going backwards, I say to members of the

Opposition Party.

As the minister just referenced, anybody who stood in this House this morning

and heard the remarks of our new Lieutenant-Governor can speak to the quality of

education that is available to young people here in this Province. Our

commitment remains strong to that, Mr. Speaker. Our commitment remains strong to

young people in this Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Premier's comments about the

great job their new LG did this morning. What she did not address we will

assume that what we have heard, and we will wait for the Budget, but indeed,

there is $14 million on the line here.

Mr. Speaker, the resignation of Reg Bowers from the C-NLOPB last week rids

the board of one political appointment, and leaves an opportunity for a new

appointment with emphasis on offshore safety and environmental protection.

I ask the Premier: Will you now begin work with the federal government to

finally start filling the board with technical expertise instead of political

appointments?

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

Board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The C-NLOPB plays a crucial role in the offshore oil industry from a safety

perspective, monitoring, environmental issues, Mr. Speaker, and providing us

with independent numbers on production. It is a joint board run by the federal

and the provincial governments.

The appointment that the member opposite talks about will be a federal

appointment, Mr. Speaker. I am sure that the federal government will fill that

position with an individual who is more than qualified to do the job.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

What I was asking for was to work with the federal government, because these

appointments are indeed very critical to the Province and they actually mean a

lot to the success of our offshore. What we were asking for was to put some

people there with the technical expertise.

Mr. Speaker, the latest provincial appointment of Mr. Ed Williams to the

C-NLOPB continues a series of appointments that seem to be based on who you

know, not what you know. By contrast, in Alberta, they have expertise on their

board like engineers, people in the geology background, law and environmental

science.

I ask the Premier: When will skill and expertise trump patronage on the

C-NLOPB? When will offshore safety and environmental protection finally take

priority for this government?

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

Board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Williams has been involved in the offshore industry for more than thirty

years now, Mr. Speaker. He was involved in the Hibernia development; he worked

out there. He has worked in various aspects of the oil industry.

He is more than qualified to sit on this board. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker,

that I have no doubt in my mind that Mr. Ed Williams will do a wonderful job in

representing our Province and our Province's interests on the C-NLOPB.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Burgeo La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, an increase in C. difficile infections at

the Health Sciences Centre is compromising patient health. Meanwhile, fewer

staff members were properly washing their hands in 2012 compared to 2011.

Handwashing stations are not fully functional.

I ask the Minister of Health: One year after the 550 job cuts at Eastern

Health, can you say for certain that increased workload is not linked to

decreased hand hygiene.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Opposition is showing that it did not understand

what it was that was communicated to them last year in terms of what happened

through a benchmarking exercise that happened. There were not 550 job cuts at

Eastern Health, Mr. Speaker. That we laid out for people last year is not

what happened. There was attrition that occurred for some of those positions,

but, Mr. Speaker, most of what happened there had to do with overtime, sick

time, and call back. It had absolutely nothing to do with job loss at Eastern

Health.

Mr. Speaker, to further degrade the professionals who work over there and

indicate that they are not doing their jobs, when saying that this is a result

of what had happened through cuts, is really irresponsible.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Burgeo La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, one of the positions eliminated in last

year's cuts at Eastern Health was the person responsible for food intake, tasked

with ensuring food and milk is fresh and refrigerated immediately. Now, whoever

happens to be there when the food arrives is responsible.

So, I ask the minister: What kind of quality control model is this?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, once again, the member opposite is trying to indicate that we

have people working in the health care system who are not doing their jobs. I

have an abundance of confidence in the people who are working in our health care

system. Mr. Speaker, they are dedicated professional people who are working hard

for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Burgeo La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: This government, Mr. Speaker, ran on the election promise

that they would pay family caregivers. On June 20, 2012, in this House, the

Minister of Health stated she would make an announcement on paying family

caregivers very, very soon. That was nine months ago.

So I ask the minister: Will you pay family caregivers in 2013?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Mr. Speaker, I just returned from a meeting in Toronto where

I met with my counterparts from across the country. We talked about a number of

options and a number of really important challenges that face the health care

system. Among them are long-term care services, Mr. Speaker. Whenever I talk to

them around our initiatives around paid family care, they are absolutely amazed,

because this system does not exist anywhere else, Mr. Speaker not anywhere in

North America, in fact.

So, Mr. Speaker, what we are doing is we are doing our due diligence, and we

will certainly have a paid family care system in place, as we committed to. Mr.

Speaker, we are in no way backing away from our commitment.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Burgeo La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, I am asking about the promise that this

government ran on in 2011, but still has not fulfilled and said very, very soon.

So I will ask it again: Will it be here in 2013 or not?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, but I do not mind saying it again, the PC

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has made a commitment to provide paid

family care. Mr. Speaker, we have not backed away from that. What I can tell you

is that when we do roll that out, it will be a system that will be worthy of the

commitment we have made. Paid family care is a very, very difficult proposition

to get organized.

I would ask the members opposite how they would go about rolling out this

particular service, Mr. Speaker. If they think it is such an easy thing to do,

then I would really welcome their advice on how to put paid family care in place

because they seem to think it is a very easy proposition. Mr. Speaker, we are

committed to it. We will see it happen.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Opposition House Leader.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

One company is out in the media today saying they did not receive the

contract for the Strait of Belle Isle ferry service.

I ask the minister: Is this to mean that government has made a decision on

this contract, and will there be a vessel in service for the start of the Strait

of Belle Isle run on April 1?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Due process has been carried out or is being carried out. Obviously, there

was a tender put out. There were two proponents that put forth. Right now, no

decision has been made, except that in cases where one is out of the running,

naturally they would go to the second. I would assume that is what is happening

right now. A decision is pending, Mr. Speaker, and we can only await that due

diligence on the part of officials as they work through that particular

document.

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

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, a recent ad in Happy Valley-Goose Bay has been

advertising a two-bedroom apartment available for rent to contractors for $3,000

per month, and $1,000 extra for cleaning services. We are seeing similar things

happening in Labrador West.

I ask the government today: What are you doing as a government to ensure

low-income earners who are being affected by increased construction projects in

these communities have a roof over their heads and are not forced into the

street?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Labrador Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. MCGRATH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This government is very aware of the fact that there are low-income needs and

residences for low-income people. We recently did a review and consultations on

the act itself. That is something we are looking at. In Labrador West, as was

alluded to by the member opposite, there are issues there with finding

low-income housing.

I think it needs to be made very clear that this government does not have an

act in place that has rent control. It is something we are looking at but we do

not want to take a two-sided sword and make a problem worse than what it is. It

is something we are watching very carefully. We are very aware of the need for

low-income housing. It is something this government does keep close control on

and we do our best to ensure that people do have a roof over their head in the

whole Province, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker

I am sure the minister does understand. Everyday I guess we are waiting for

some action with regard to this issue and everyday that we wait there are other

people who are being evicted or they are seeing their rent increase

tremendously. We know the Residential Tenancies Act and regulations concluded in

November.

I would ask the minister today: When will these findings be presented to the

public and when can we see some action on them?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Service Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. MCGRATH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have concluded the review and the consultations publicly. It

is something the department is looking at now and we are trying to put

everything together. We will be coming forth with resolutions and hopefully ways

to improve the system and the low-income housing for the residents of

Newfoundland and Labrador in the near future.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. Barbe.

MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, after a twenty-two month review, DFO found that

fish farms presented a risk to wild salmon in the rivers of Nova Scotia. Last

week, the Government of Nova Scotia refused those two fish farm applications.

I ask the Minister of Fisheries: What is the status of the two fish farm

applications on the South Coast of this Province, in Allan Cove and Wallace

Cove?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, it is astounding that the member opposite

representing the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to stand

in this House to find ways to shut down the aquaculture industry in Newfoundland

and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, we have a highly successful aquaculture

industry, significant investments, 1,000 jobs, and supporting rural economies.

We have a very cautious best practice approach, Mr. Speaker, to aquaculture. We

are recognized for our surveillance and diagnostics. We are recognized for fish

health and biosecurity, Mr. Speaker. A rigorous process is in place for

applications that involves a number of departments, including a federal

environmental assessment, and we go through that process. I will gladly make the

member opposite aware of the outcome.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for St. Barbe.

MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, instead of trying to shut down the industry, we

are trying to make the industry survive, because surely it will fail at the rate

the minister is going.

In November, 2011, this government announced an investment of $496,000 for a

wave power device to pump high volumes of seawater. At that time, the government

touted one of the benefits as: the "outcomes of the project could allow a

shore-based aquaculture industry to develop in areas where traditional

aquaculture is not possible, profitable, or environmentally sustainable."

I ask the minister: What is the status of this project, and can you tell us

how close we are to applying these results to our aquaculture industry?

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

Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HUTCHINGS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, that project is a great project. We partnered through the

Research and Development Corporation to bring innovation and new technology to

rural Newfoundland and Labrador. To the members on the other side who say we are

doing nothing for rural Newfoundland and Labrador, this is a classic example.

Rural Newfoundland and Labrador, small communities we are looking at it in

terms of innovation, rural development, and driving the economy. Whether it is

through research and development, whether it is through economic programs, we

are leading the way.

Since we have come to power, there have been millions and millions of dollars

historic amounts spent on rural Newfoundland infrastructure, economic

programs, working with the people on the ground to drive rural Newfoundland and

Labrador wherever it is going. We are going to continue to do it, because

(inaudible).

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health has stated the budget

for the adult dental plan this year is $6.7 million, with a $150 per-person cap,

plus a $750 per-person cap for dentures. To cover 98,000 adults at $150 per year

would cost $14.7 million, which does not even factor in denture coverage.

I ask the minister: How can you deliver on this promise when the numbers do

not add up?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, our dental program is one of the best in Canada.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Mr. Speaker, we invest more than $15.6 million. Last year,

the adult dental ballooned to $21 million. Now, if we are going to be prudent

and responsible on this side of the House, we have to see to it that what we are

doing is sustainable.

Mr. Speaker, they talk about sustainability over there on that side of the

House from time to time, but then they stand up and in almost the same question

ask for more spending, more spending, and more spending.

Mr. Speaker, it is very difficult to figure out what it is that they want.

What we are doing is we are committing to the $6.7 million that we invested in

the first place; that was our original commitment and it still is our

commitment, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I got distracted.

Mr. Speaker, with the resignation of Mr. Reg Bowers, there is a seat vacant

on the C-NLOPB. This board is tasked with managing our offshore oil resources

and it is essential that the best-qualified people are chosen to serve.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier: Will she commit to working with the federal

government to put in place an open and transparent process for naming board

members?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

Board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We certainly work closely with the C-NLOPB. In fact, last week I met with the

new chair and vice chair to discuss how we could improve the process of getting

production numbers to us in a way that we can use them in our Budget process,

Mr. Speaker. We are working with them.

We are all aware of the importance of safety, which is the primary and

paramount concern in the offshore. It is a joint board that is made up of

provincial and federal representatives, Mr. Speaker. While I was Minister of

Natural Resources we had a good relationship with the board and that

relationship will only get better.

As for the appointments, the federal government will make those appointments,

Mr. Speaker. What we have on that board are proud and true Newfoundlanders and

Labradorians who will look after the best interests of our Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Third Party.

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

As the minister has pointed out, and I am glad he realizes it, the C-NLOPB

board members are responsible for the safety of offshore workers. It is

essential to the workers aboard, but there is nothing political about the safety

of workers on our rigs. The political colours of an individual should not colour

decision making regarding appointments.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier: Will she promise this House that she will use

her influence to ensure the next person appointed to the board is a safety

expert?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague has just said, there is nothing more important

to this government and to the people of the Province than the safety of people,

our people, who earn their living upon the water. We do not play politics with

it. We have not played politics with it, and we will not. I will certainly do my

best to influence the Prime Minister to make sure he takes all of that into

account in terms of his next appointment.

We try to work with the federal government. It is important. I would ask the

Leader of the NDP to do the same, to try to work with her leader, and maybe then

we could have some support for Muskrat Falls.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Third Party.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

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

I point out to the Premier, Mr. Speaker, that we have been through four

appointments of the C-NLOPB without a safety expert.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Leader of the Third Party.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier can now read Hansard to see what I just said.

Mr. Speaker, this government's track record on development is nothing to brag

about. Marystown Shipyard workers know this all too well, having been the

victims of government's walking away from a possible contract that could have

won them thirty years of work. Even Conservative Senator Dave Wells understands

the benefits of developing a long-term strategy in industries like shipbuilding,

touting last week the benefits of a long-term strategy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier: What long-term development strategy does her

government have for workers in this Province in the shipbuilding industry?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, shipbuilding on the Eastern Seaboard of this continent

experiences challenges in the face of competition, particularly from the Far

East. We, in terms of the work that we have done in our offshore, have required

that our benefits agreements include opportunities for industries in this

Province to participate, if they so choose. They are the critical words, Mr.

Speaker.

Nobody was more disappointed than this government when Kiewit walked away

from the Hebron project. Mr. Speaker, thank goodness, because of the agreement

we had negotiated, we were able to secure those benefits, $150 million, to

remain here in the Province, despite Kiewit walking away from Hebron.

Mr. Speaker, we will continue to create opportunities for businesses in

Newfoundland and Labrador every chance we get.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

MS MICHAEL: Rural Newfoundland and Labrador is suffering from

government's lack of any development strategy for the fishing industry. Fish

plant after fish plant closes throwing hundreds of people out of work.

Government turned its back on a report it commissioned on a plan to restructure

the fishing industry and the Minister of Fisheries did not even bother to go to

the recent Boston Seafood Show.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier: What long-term development strategy has

government for the ailing fishing industry?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, there are quite a few questions there I guess I

would like to address. First off, as I would suggest to the hon. member, perhaps

if she read the MOU, and just like the other documents that you come in here and

talk about day after day, read the MOU, three of the four recommendations of the

MOU are in place inventory financing, support for marketing.

Mr. Speaker, our government has a strong record of supporting the fishing

industry in this Province, all aspects, and we have a good working relationship

with the industry in this Province.

Plant closures, Mr. Speaker, are very unfortunate. They are a part of what is

happening in the market. I can assure you, while we do not operate plants, this

government will not close down plants. We are there to work with communities and

do all we can to support them.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for St. John's North.

MR. KIRBY: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education likes to try and hide

behind the autonomy of elected schools trustees when he is closing schools, but

the minister tramples on that same autonomy when it suits his purposes.

Last fall, the minister met with the school district CEOs and he gave them

his marching orders on the cuts he wants to see to schools.

Can the minister tell us exactly how much he told those CEOs to cut?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, as I said before, it is very unfortunate when

you get a trustee, a former Liberal candidate, I certainly hope not playing

politics with education in this Province. Mr. Speaker, there were no marching

orders given to the school boards. What we asked the school boards to do is to

review to see if there are efficiencies that can be found, Mr. Speaker.

Anyone can look at our commitment to education, look at I was just told a

couple of days ago fees in this Province, the investment to do away with fees

in this Province. Government has invested $50 million so that parents and

students do not have to pay fees. Mr. Speaker, do not question our commitment to

education.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for St. John's North.

MR. KIRBY: Mr. Speaker, there is plenty of evidence to suggest

interference in school district affairs at the highest levels. This latest round

of handiwork will include job losses at the school district offices in

Marystown, Bay Roberts, and Clarenville. We do not know what the minister's

plans for the other districts are yet.

Will the minister finally come clean on this government's agenda to close

down schools and rationalize school district services?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, they seem, in the NDP, to have a habit with

pointing.

Mr. Speaker, the education system in this Province is better than it has ever

been.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Better than it has ever, ever been. Mr. Speaker, the role of

government is to work with school boards so that we offer the best quality

education that we can.

One fact, Mr. Speaker, that we should realize I believe it is since 2004

we have seen a 17 per cent reduction in students. There are about 14,000

students who have gone out of the system. Mr. Speaker, I think it would be

irresponsible if we did not periodically look at it and review to see how we can

find efficiencies so that our investment in education continues and gets even

more improved.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for St. John's North.

MR. KIRBY: Mr. Speaker, this government's school consolidations and

closures are cutting at the very heart of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. As we

have seen, parents are left with no alternatives but long bus trips for

students, protests at schools, and challenges in the courts. The Finance

Minister has seen fit to take on responsibility for cuts to public service

positions.

Will the Minister of Education do likewise and take some responsibility to

his cuts to our schools?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, our responsibility, my responsibility as a

minister, our responsibility as a government, is reflected in what we have

invested; free textbooks, no fees, the best per capita investment, I would say,

Mr. Speaker, in education.

Mr. Speaker, unprecedented investments in education in Newfoundland and

Labrador. As we have said, we are going to ensure that the front-line services

are protected.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's North.

MR. KIRBY: Mr. Speaker, the plan to send students on an hour-long bus

ride to Clarenville was the primary reason why the Minister of Education failed

to close down Swift Current Academy this year. Since last week, parents on the

Northern Peninsula have been blocking access to Bayview Regional Collegiate to

protest the one-and-a-half hour bus ride the minister wants to create for

children there.

Will the Minister of Education tell us how long he thinks students should

have to travel by bus to school?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, I need to be clear on one thing: the decision

to close the school that is being referenced here is made, Mr. Speaker. Now the

role and we have been in discussions with the school district. I believe the

CEO is doing some interviews, and the principal has been put in place in that

school. Now, Mr. Speaker, it is the transition plan that needs to happen.

Mr. Speaker, we know, and it is not the right thing to do to pull students

from school. Mr. Speaker, the quality of education and ensuring that they get

their education is of critical importance. I would ask the people in the area

now to work with the school board to figure out what length the bus runs will

be, because the number the member is referencing is not the number that it is

going to end up, I can assure you that, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Without

preamble, a quick question.

MR. KIRBY: Sure, Mr. Speaker.

The minister has been in the media talking about creating even larger school

districts through consolidation. How long will it be before he eliminates

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The time for Question Period has expired.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

Tabling of Documents.

Tabling of Documents

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

Board.

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, thank you.

Pursuant to

section 26(5)(

a) of the Financial Administration Act, I am

tabling eight Orders in Council relating to funding pre-commitments for the

2013-2014 to 2015-2016 fiscal years.

MR. SPEAKER: As required under

section 51 of the House of Assembly

Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act, I am pleased to table the

2011-2012 annual report for the House of Assembly Management Commission. The

report includes audited financial information for the House of Assembly Services

and Statutory Offices, as well as a report for the activities of the Commission

during the reporting period.

When members get a chance to get a copy of it, I will just bring their

attention to the cover. The cover depicts a picture of the Colonial Building.

The picture you see on this report is how the Colonial Building will be

restored, and this is the image that is being used for the restoration project.

In future, House reports will reflect both the Colonial Building, together with

the current Confederation Building that houses the current House of Assembly.

Notices of Motion.

Notices of Motion

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for The Straits White Bay North.

MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I give notice that I, as the Member for The Straits White Bay North, will

be moving the following private member's motion, seconded by the Member for St.

John's East.

The motion reads as:

WHEREAS Newfoundland and Labrador has more than 160 communities affected by

boil water advisories BWAs; and

WHEREAS more than 150 communities are currently dealing with potentially

harmful levels of trihalomethanes THMs a possible human carcinogen; and

WHEREAS covering the costs of supplying basic services, like safe drinking

water, is challenging for most municipalities due to limited resources from

taxpayers and the provincial government; and

WHEREAS municipalities are forced to make unreasonable choices such as

turning off chlorination systems because they do not have the revenue to

maintain trained staff to properly run their drinking water systems; and

WHEREAS reduced confidence in public drinking water can lead to people

choosing alternative water supplies, like untreated ponds and roadside springs;

THEREFORE

be it resolved that the House of Assembly urge the government to

address the issue of safe drinking water in the Province by developing a new

Newfoundland and Labrador Safe Drinking Water Strategy that will include, but

not limited to: a comprehensive ongoing public education program in plain

language to inform the public about the risk of using roadside springs and

ponds; and the need for regular testing of private wells; the distinctions

between safety and aesthetics of drinking water; and how to reduce exposures to

THMs; detailed information to accompany each BWA, including reasons for the

advisory, safe uses of water, and proper boiling procedures; a review of capital

and operating grants to enable communities to obtain the trained staff and

equipment to build, operate, and maintain drinking water facilities; research

and development of water treatment systems, appropriate to Newfoundland and

Labrador.

That was seconded by the Member for St. John's East. I do have copies

available, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Third Party.

MS MICHAEL: Mr. Speaker, the motion just read is the motion, with leave,

that the House will debate on Wednesday. I could not move that yesterday.

MR. SPEAKER: Petitions.

Petitions

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. Barbe.

MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, to the hon. House of Assembly of the Province

of Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the

undersigned residents humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS there has been an agreement between the Federation of Newfoundland

Nation Band; and

WHEREAS persons submitted applications with the required documents for

registration in the Band up to the application deadline of November 30, 2012;

and

WHEREAS the reported number of applications received by the Qalipu Mi'kmaq

First Nation Band are in excess of 100,000; and

WHEREAS the reported number of applicants now registered as members is

approximately 22,000; and

WHEREAS the agreement between the Federation of Newfoundland Indians and the

scheduled to end on March 31, 2013; and

WHEREAS the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band Chief has requested, but has not

received, an extension to the agreement to process the remaining applications;

and

WHEREAS to date there is no decision on how to deal with remaining

applications;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the

House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to work

provide fair and equal review of all our applications.

As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, these petitions have been circulated by the applicants. There

are some 70,000 or so of them, of individuals. The petitions keep rolling in and

rolling in. Whenever I am in the district on the weekend, I am given large

numbers and they just keep coming forward.

The date that needs to be extended, Mr. Speaker, is March 31. We are less

than two weeks away from that date. If government intends to be of any help,

then the House of Assembly needs to adopt this petition and impress upon the

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador the importance that these people at

least have their applications properly reviewed.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. BENNETT: This is not to decide who should have status and who should

not have status; however, there are 100,000 or so people who are all similarly

situated.

The situation we have is one member of a family, a brother or a sister, might

be recognized and the other brother or sister may not be recognized. There is

potentially a significant financial benefit to the Province of Newfoundland and

are recognized as members of this band. This means that they will have equal

opportunity and equal access to federal government benefits and services, which

clearly, being residents of this Province, if anything, the government should be

pressing this.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burgeo La Poile.

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

To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in

Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS Newfoundland and Labrador currently has the highest unemployment rate

in Canada; and

WHEREAS the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador anticipate a labour

shortage of 70,000 people by 2020; and

WHEREAS eliminating the career practitioner knowledge base is contrary to

attaching people to the labour market; and

WHEREAS Employment Assistance Services agencies are grassroots hubs in

communities providing services like skills development, resume development, and

interview skills, facilitating attachment to the labour market and the

community; and

WHEREAS EAS agencies help individuals with complex needs find and maintain

employment in communities throughout the Province; and

WHEREAS EAS agencies have been serving thousands of people for years,

building expertise and rapport; and

WHEREAS loading the workload of 226 employees onto 139 Advanced Education and

Skills employees would be an overwhelming expectation, increasing staff turnover

and thus decreasing rapport with clients; and

WHEREAS EAS funding comes from the EI fund, built by workers to help them

when and where they need it most; and

WHEREAS moving services away from people who lack the means to travel long

distances is not in line with the Labour Market Development Agreement's

principle of citizen-centred service;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the

House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to reverse

the decision to cut funding to EAS agencies in the Province.

As in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, this is the second opportunity that I have had to enter one of

these petitions that really affects the citizens all over this Province. We are

not just stuck to one area. It is not just a rural cut, it is not an urban cut;

the cuts have affected everywhere in this Province. In fact, this petition

happens to be signed by people from the Mount Pearl area. The fact is that these

agencies some of which have been around for many, many years have built up a

skill set to help attach people to the labour market.

We hear a couple of messages that come from this government on a somewhat

daily basis. One of them is that we have potential for these megaprojects, but

we need to make sure that the labour shortage is fixed. To cut people who are

helping attach people to that seems to be contradictory to that message in my

mind.

Just today in the Ministerial Statement, when we talk about the benefits of

multiculturalism and how this is Multiculturalism Week, the centre for new

Canadians is just one of these groups that are cut. We are trying to encourage

people to come to this country, to come to this Province, to help make a new

life and in many cases contribute to this labour shortage that we have. They can

bring their skills from all over the world, yet we are cutting funding to one of

the groups that helps assimilate these people to this Province and helps them

with that situation.

This is just another one; there are going to be plenty more coming. I am sure

if we look at the media and the letters that have been going out, I know there

are letters to plenty of the MHAs for all sides, the ministers, just advising

them what it is that they do.

Thank you for the opportunity, and I will be taking the opportunity to do it

again tomorrow.

Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for The Straits White Bay North.

MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in

Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents of Newfoundland

and Labrador, humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS the Western School District is considering a multi-year plan to close

Bayview Regional Collegiate at St. Lunaire Griquet in June 2013; and

WHEREAS it has been proven from students that have graduated from Bayview

Regional Collegiate, they have excelled in their studies to prepare them to move

ahead and achieve their career choices; and

WHEREAS teachers and staff at Bayview Regional Collegiate are qualified and

continue to provide a strong academic program with a full curriculum to all

students attending; and

WHEREAS Bayview Regional Collegiate has developed a playground, library,

drama club, Kids Eat Smart Lunch Program, school council, and other activities

with exceptional community support; and

WHEREAS Bayview Regional Collegiate housed a K to 12 school in the past with

200-plus students who have had access to science lab, cafeteria , art room,

computer lab, gymnasium and extracurricular activities; and

WHEREAS the parents, business operators, social groups, concerned citizens,

and students of the municipality of St. Lunaire Griquet request to rescind the

proposal;

Since Bayview Regional Collegiate has met and exceeded all aspects set forth

for a viable school, we the undersigned, petition the House of Assembly to urge

government to ensure that the Western School District is provided with

sufficient funding to keep Bayview Regional Collegiate at St. Lunaire Griquet

open.

And as in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, since the House has been open I have been presenting this

petition on a daily basis because it is of great concern for the region. There

are eight communities there. They are a vibrant town, a vibrant region of about

1,000 people in that region.

The community of St. Lunaire Griquet; Gunners Cove itself has over 700

people. This is a vibrant town that has, up until this point, two schools, a K

to 6 and a 7 to 12. It would make much sense to house a K to 12 or a K to 9

school there of about 100 students. This has been the case across the Province

in many other areas, but the closure of Bayview of 7 to 12 sets forward an awful

precedent when it comes to education in the Province. Because Grades 7, 8 and 9

receive a very standard education, and that should be provided since there is

another facility in that community.

When you look at St. Lunaire Griquet and area, they are the only region in

my district that has experienced a population growth when we look at the last

census of the last five years. All other areas have seen a decline. Closing down

a school and busing students out of it are going to put in jeopardy the

municipality's plans for a subdivision and for other things. When we look

receiving a better education, not necessarily will we receive it by being on a

bus.

Mr. Speaker, I move forward with this petition urging the House of Assembly.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.

MS ROGERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in

Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents of Newfoundland

and Labrador humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS as a result of a recommendation in the Green Report about wrongdoing

in the House of Assembly, there is now legislation that protects anyone who

speaks up with evidence of financial abuse or other impropriety in the

legislative branch; and

WHEREAS it is unfair for one group of civil servants to be protected by

whistle-blower legislation when another group is not; and

WHEREAS Justice Green stated that the financial wrongdoing in the House of

Assembly might have been discovered sooner if whistle-blower legislation had

been in place; and

WHEREAS the Cameron Inquiry into ER-PR testing found that problems with tests

would have come to light sooner, therefore lessening the impacts on patients, if

whistle-blower legislation had been in place; and

WHEREAS the Task Force on Adverse Events recommended an amendment to the

Regional Health Authorities Act to provide legal protection for employees

reporting occurrences or adverse events; and

WHEREAS whistle-blower legislation is in place elsewhere in Canada and the

provincial government promised similar legislation in the 2007 election but has

not kept that promise;

We, the undersigned, petition the House of Assembly to urge government to

enact whistle-blower legislation to protect public sector employees in

provincial departments and agencies, including public corporations, regional

health authorities and school boards.

Mr. Speaker, once again, to stress the fact that this government promised -

during the 2007 election campaign they promised; they made a clear promise; they

did not just allude to the fact that maybe this might be good, but they made a

clear promise - to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that this legislation

would be passed in the first session of the House. It was a long time ago. That

was six years ago, Mr. Speaker.

Then in 2008, in the Throne Speech, the government promised yet again a

clear, clear promise to introduce whistle-blower legislation.

Whistle-blower legislation exists in other jurisdictions and it is

administered by Treasury boards, human resource departments, municipalities,

regional health authorities. It is simply time now in the Province for the

people of Newfoundland and Labrador to have whistle-blower protection. It makes

it safe for everybody, not just for the workers but for the people who are

served by the workers.

We know right now in this time of cutbacks, and potentially even more

cutbacks, in the shadow of Bill 29, it is time now even more than ever in the

history of the Province, Mr. Speaker, that we have whistle-blower protection

that not only protects workers about specific irregularities but workers talking

about whether or not they have the resources they need to do the work they have

to do for the people of the Province. It is time now, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Orders of the Day.

Orders of the Day

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

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I call from the Order Paper, Order 2, Committee of Supply, the

resolution and Bill 62, respecting the granting of Interim Supply to Her

Majesty.

MR. SPEAKER: It has been moved and seconded that the House resolve itself

into a Committee of the Whole and that I do now leave the Chair.

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

Motion carried.

On motion, that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, Mr.

Speaker left the Chair.

Committee of the Whole

CHAIR (Verge): Order, please!

The Committee will resume business: debate on Interim Supply.

The hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It is certainly an honour to stand today and speak to Interim Supply. For

those who are out there in TV land, Interim Supply, just to give a quick point

on Interim Supply, is what we do before the Budget is passed in the House of

Assembly. Obviously it is pre the next Budget, but there are expenses that have

to be incurred right after the end of the March, Mr. Chair, so we pass what is

called Interim Supply. What that allows us to do, of course, is allow government

to operate, write cheques to all the people who are owed money, and provide a

service to the people of the Province.

Mr. Chair, as part of Interim Supply, of course, Tourism, Culture and

Recreation would certainly be part of the government. In this case, I think it

is a little over $2 million $2.8 million that is being preapproved in the

anticipation that we are going to continue doing what we have been doing

throughout the last twelve months.

Mr. Chair, that is what Interim Supply is. We go through it and we have so

many hours to debate the Budget, which we will do. I am sure we will agree and

disagree many times between now and the end of this session on the Budget. On

Interim Supply, like I said, it is just that. It gives us a chance to operate

and continue going while we have that hopefully educated debate, I will say,

here in the House over the next few weeks.

Mr. Chair, certainly, because I am Minister of Tourism, Culture and

Recreation, it would be remiss of me if I did not stand and speak today on

tourism in particular, of course, and culture and rec and sport. I would like to

hit all three. I only have ten minutes so I do not know if I will get to all

three, but I certainly want to speak at first to tourism in the Province. If

there is something that as a government we have certainly believed in over the

last number of years, it is tourism. We have taken an industry, Mr. Chair, since

the Find Yourself campaign in 2006 and we have invested over $94 million into

promoting this Province, and it is paying off in dividends.

I had the privilege of attending the Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador

conference very recently, and at that time we announced a billion-dollar

industry. Mr. Chair, I say this to many people over the years, that I remember a

few years ago when the fishery of this Province became a billion-dollar

industry. It was significant, and any industry in a place of 500,000 when you

have a billion-dollar industry it is significant.

Of course, now I am proud to say that in 2012 in the Province of Newfoundland

and Labrador, our tourism industry became a billion-dollar industry.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Now, Mr. Chair, that is for a number of reasons. Yes,

obviously, like I said, since the Find Yourself campaign, government has

invested $94 million in the industry, but, Mr. Chair, this could not have

happened without the people out there on the ground. We have some of the most

creative, innovative, smart businesspeople that you could ever ask for in this

Province.

The ironic thing about this is we heard some questions earlier about rural

Newfoundland and Labrador and what we are not doing in rural Newfoundland and

Labrador. I say to you, Mr. Chair, that most of the money that is invested in

this Province in tourism, quite a bit of it goes to rural Newfoundland and

Labrador. This is an industry now that employs up to 15,000 people throughout

rural Newfoundland and Labrador. I think it is just over, topping around 300

businesses now, many of them in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Chair.

So it is not lost on this government how committed the people are in every

community. I have said many times, by our nature, as a people, we like to be

hosts, and we have certainly done a great job of that. I take my hat off to the

people in the industry who have spent so much time put their money where their

mouth is, in many cases and have lived up to what we have been offering. That

is significant.

Mr. Chair, the whole ad campaign that we started - it is not trying to be

something that we are not. We are not trying to be Disney World. We tell it like

it is. It is based on three core values: our people, our culture, and our

natural environment. Those are the three pillars we have built our campaign on.

It has won, so far, over 180 national and international awards, Mr. Chair. It

is our brand and is stronger than it has ever been worldwide. It goes to show

our ads and our advertising is recognized now, throughout the world. Our awards

go on to show it, and so has our investment. Our investment has backed up what

the industry was asking for, and now we have delivered, Mr. Chair, on a

billion-dollar industry.

That is something I am very, very proud of, Mr. Chair, and glad that this

government saw fit to invest money into the tourism industry; look what has come

to be today. We talk about diversifying our economy; well, Mr. Chair, there is

no greater example, in my opinion, than what we have done in the tourism

industry.

Mr. Chair, some interesting statistics I say that we have become a

billion-dollar industry, but in 2012 alone, our visitation went up 10 per cent,

and our non-resident spending, which is very important to people out there in

the business world, went up 8 per cent. So in 2012 alone, we had a 10 per cent

increase in people coming to see us and an 8 per cent increase in spending, Mr.

Chair.

Mr. Chair, that is driven, of course, by: we have had about a 7 per cent

increase in air, and plus our cruise ships; we had a significant and I read

somewhere recently, Mr. Chair, a few short years ago there was a couple of

thousand people who came here in the cruise ship industry. It is ten times that

today. I think last year we had over 20,000 people visit our shores in the

tourism industry.

Mr. Chair, this is a Province-wide investment. As I said earlier, we have now

created a number of destination management organizations. Obviously, we have one

in Eastern and St. John's has theirs, but we also have one in Central, we have

one in Western, and we have the Labrador destination management organization,

which I believe we have committed in our tourism vision that we would actually

double tourism revenue by 2020 to $1.6 billion.

Mr. Chair, we are very much on our way to that, to hitting that plateau, and

we are going to continue. As a government we are going to continue to invest in

the industry so that we do reach that goal, Mr. Chair.

It is very important that all these different places of the Province benefit.

That is why we have created these destination management organizations. That is

why they are working so well, Mr. Chair. We have come together; we have a

tourism board now which will soon have a new Chair, unfortunately. The gentleman

who was Chair, Mr. Stan Cook who is very knowledgeable and a very experienced

gentleman and who won an award actually at the HNL convention, Mr. Chair; I want

to acknowledge that here now.

I take my hat off to Mr. Cook. He has contributed and volunteered for several

years on our tourism board. His time was up and he took on an extra year for us,

Mr. Chair. We are in the process now; I say to people out there in the industry:

we will be appointing a new Chair in the coming days, hopefully.

This is industry driven, Mr. Chair. This is not a government coming with the

laying down of hands and saying: this is how it has to be done. Quite the

contrary, Mr. Chair; the tourism board is made up of a number of stakeholders

throughout the whole industry, people from all our destination management

organizations representing all of our regions of the Province. Of course, there

are people from government on it and people from Hospitality Newfoundland and

Labrador on it as well, Mr. Chair.

It is an industry-driven dynamic that we have going. We have a number of

things being planned that we have talked about at the HNL convention, Mr. Chair.

It is an upbeat industry. It is an industry that has prospered and continues to

grow. As a government, Mr. Chair, we are going to continue to invest in that

great industry.

Mr. Chair, I think I will close by sending you some captions, by giving you a

few captions of some of the things that have been sent to us by some very

high-profile people throughout the world. I guess the one that stood out to me

was when you get a comment from @VisitCalifornia, which is the equivalent of the

tourism people in California, when they send us a note and say: You guys have

raised the bar; congratulations.

When you have people like people in California who are involved in the

tourism industry, and the multitude of money that they spend and invest in

advertising, and you have them congratulating you on your investment, then I say

that is significant.

As well, Mr. Chair, I can go on I have pages and pages of comments from

places all over the world. Things that say: These commercials keep getting

better and better. Government really outdid themselves again this year. I am

sure these ads will attract a lot of tourism, Mr. Chair. You make a person

homesick for a place you have never been, Mr. Chair. Pure beauty, totally

charming, makes me want to run there right now.

Mr. Chair, then we have a list of people who have been here, plan to come

back here, comments from people from Texas who are now on their third visit and

coming back again, Mr. Chair. Another comment: the most breathtaking place I

have ever been.

Mr. Chair, we know this to be true. We are an industry that is growing, Mr.

Chair, and now the rest of the country in particular, our friends in Atlantic

Canada, and indeed the people from all over North America are starting to take

notice and we certainly welcome them to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

CHAIR: Order, please!

I recognize the Member for St. Barbe.

MR. BENNETT: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, in this Interim Supply debate I would like to speak about the

government's commitment or lack of commitment to rural development in this

Province. As we know, for the last twenty years or so rural development has

generally fallen under the umbrella of the Regional Economic Development Boards,

the RED Boards. Most recently, the RED Boards were funded three-quarters by ACOA

and one-quarter by the provincial government, roughly in the order of $3.6

million and $1.2 million for just under $5 million.

We had approximately nineteen boards spread all over the Province of

Newfoundland and Labrador. These boards were responsible to oversee, assist, and

identify rural economic development opportunities. These boards were supported

by up to 200 volunteers. As a benefit to this Province we had the boards, who

have volunteers we have the benefit of 200 people, in addition to the paid

staff, identifying and helping develop rural economic development opportunities.

Back in May of last year the federal government, under ACOA, the Harper

government decided they would slash funding to the Rural Economic Development

Boards. When this happened, this was all over Atlantic Canada. The Government of

Nova Scotia, the very next day, went to work immediately to try to determine

what we could salvage in rural economic development of these boards with the

budget that we have, because the feds had just withdrawn three-quarters of the

funds.

The Government of Nova Scotia went to work to try to determine how many

boards they could save, how many they could salvage, because the Government of

Nova Scotia appears to be committed to rural economic development. Why not be

committed to rural economic development? Because if we have rural economies and

this generates employment and cash flow that comes back to the cities, this is

not in total for the benefit of the rural areas, it is for the benefit of a

vibrant economy over the entire Province.

Our government completely withdrew from the field and saved the $1.2 million

and they have no commitment that seems to be apparent whatsoever to rural

economic development. Mr. Chair, imagine my surprise and delight when I saw a

press release last week that the IBRD Minister would be addressing a group at

the Capital Hotel in this city and the group was a group of municipal leaders

from all over the Avalon Peninsula.

Obviously, being the critic for the department, I thought: Well, this will be

useful to be able to attend this meeting. It is in a nature of a two-day seminar

and a group of municipal leaders got together to discuss municipal issues. The

IBRD Minister was the opening speaker. I listened with interest to what he was

saying. I was trying to make the connection as to where do IBRD factor in for

doing rural economic development.

The minister gave a speech of probably fifteen minutes or so, and I was

sitting at a table with people from other small municipalities from the Avalon

area. There were some larger ones, but generally, they were very small. There

were approximately fifty people in attendance. I did the obligatory head count

that you do with the nine tables and multiply it by the number of people. After

the six people who worked for the department stood up, there were forty-five

participants, plus the minister.

In looking at what is the government's commitment to rural economic

development, I spoke with the individuals at my table and said to the one on the

right: How big is your town? He said: Well, 300 people. I spoke to the one on

the left and said: How big is your town? He said: 600 people. This is relatively

close to the size of the towns in my district.

After the minister spoke, members of the department put on a presentation,

and the presentation was to go through these small communities to work with them

to identify rural economic development opportunities.

Mr. Chair, we have a situation where we have small communities, as few as a

few hundred people who are now tasked with, or at least being presented with,

identifying rural economic opportunities in the Avalon Region. In speaking with

them, I said: It seems that your communities must be much more advanced than our

communities on the Great Northern Peninsula.

The Great Northern Peninsula, with these smaller communities we do not have a

proper municipal funding formula. The Municipal Operating Grants have not

changed in decades. There is some real angst in all of Municipalities

Newfoundland and Labrador as to how we are going to be adequately funded to be

able to maintain our towns. We have all sorts of pressures coming with waste

management that seems to have been ill-advised. We have all sorts of issues

coming with the federal government imposing laws that say you must comply in

looking after waste water.

In speaking with the people at the table, I said, well, you are so much more

progressive than we are, because in the small communities that I am familiar

with, our towns are lucky if we can collect the taxes that we are owed and pay

the bills and keep the lights on in the town, maintain services, and keep the

town clerk hired. Well, they were of the same accord. That is exactly the

situation they found themselves in. So, it seems it is universal.

In these small communities they are absolutely struggling, yet the department

of rural development, having abandoned the RED Boards, having put nothing in

place, having withdrawn the little bit of cash funding they were putting in in a

$1.2 million or $1.25 million budget. Now, they still have the Rural

Secretariat, but the Rural Secretariat does not really seem to do anything. It

seems people get together and have a discussion every so often, and it has the

appearance of doing something, but in fact it does nothing.

Lo and behold, we go through this exercise, and a person from the department

takes the stage and we start going and I am sure many members in this hon.

House, and certainly anybody watching, have attended feedback sessions where we

answer certain questions and everybody presses the clicker. You press the

clicker, one, two, three, four, five, depending on which one you are responding

to. Mr. Chair, this starts to get pretty comical, because you have absolute

clicker madness.

People from very small communities are struggling to stay alive financially,

struggling to provide services, and the government absolutely turning their

backs on them with no proper fiscal framework in place for these small

communities. They are just teetering on the edge; yet, the Minister of

Innovation, Business and Rural Development puts on a presentation, his staff

puts on a presentation so that these people who are just barely making it with

the aid of some clickers and a PowerPoint presentation are going to take over

rural development in the Province.

This clicker madness that beset the crowd, the individuals at the table where

I was sitting and the few that I managed to speak to, they were just absolutely

rolling their eyes. Here is this government that has not done anything for a new

fiscal framework for municipalities. It has withdrawn from economic development

in the Province across the board, folded up all of these boards and put nothing

else in place for rural economic development.

All sorts of funding is cut, jobs are cut practically across the board,

department by department by department. Closing up schools, denying services,

shrinking the size of government, yet they want these volunteer municipal

councillors who have regular day jobs, who are just barely struggling to keep

their towns afloat, these are the ones now that the Department of IBRD expects

to shoulder the minister's job in rural economic development in this Province.

It is absolute madness, Mr. Chair.

We are coming into a Budget time right now and we will be into the pre-Budget

consultations. I call on the minister and the Government of Newfoundland and

Labrador to go back to the drawing board with rural economic development and put

it in a place of reasonable framework. At the same time, put it in the place of

proper fiscal framework so that small municipalities do not have to struggle so

hard.

Mr. Chair, these are volunteer councillors. They are no different than their

neighbours. They happen to be the ones who put their names on the ballot. They

do not get paid for the work. They are absolutely completely stressed. Just

because they become a town councillor does not mean that all of a sudden they

have some sort of an extra pot of gold or they can wave a magic wand and fix all

the problems.

They are the ones who then for the next three or four years are looked at by

their neighbours, and they are the ones who have to worry about the clearing of

snow, collecting the garbage, keeping the street lights on, maintaining

municipal government. It is completely misguided, unreasonable and unfair for

this government to look to these municipal councillors as the people who are

going to carry the load in rural economic development that the government has

abandoned without a second thought.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

CHAIR: Order, please!

I recognize the hon. the Member for Bellevue.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It is certainly a pleasure for me to stand in this hon. House today and take

my place as a representative for the Bellevue district and talk about some

things that have happened in my district.

First, I want to address the Member for St. Barbe, when he stood up he

started off to say that this government has a lack of respect I think that is

what he said for rural development in the Province. I just want to take him

back in time. I want to take him back a little while, because I used to be on

the rural development associations back in the early 1990s. I had seven years as

the vice president of the development association in the isthmus development

area.

I want to take him back to when I was also appointed to the committee of the

Newfoundland Rural Development Council. Go back in the mid-1990s, or I think it

is somewhere probably between 1995 and 1998, somewhere around that area, when

Chuck Furey, a minister of the government at the time for the Liberal

government, came into Gander and had a meeting with the Rural Development

Council, and at that time announced that fifty-two rural development

associations across the Province would close and no longer given funding. It

took the heart out of Newfoundland, really.

Then he gets up on the other side in the Opposition and says that this

government has no respect for the rural development in Newfoundland. It all

started back when the Liberals were in power in the 1990s. Ask Mr. Boyd Noel,

who was also on the Rural Development Council and one of your buddies, probably,

on the Northern Peninsula. Ask Mr. Boyd Noel what happened back in the 1990s. It

certainly was a heart-wrenching situation for everybody who was involved at that

time.

I want to say, too, that the rural development associations back then were

generating about $1 million into the different small communities around the

Province. They had representatives from every town in the areas. No one could

understand what the government back then was really thinking when they took the

funding away from rural development. So when you talk about rural development in

rural Newfoundland, you just think about that, what you had done back then.

I want to talk to him about what is happening in my district with regard to

our government, with the project that we have there in Long Harbour, with Inco.

Just come out into the district and see the economic boom that is going on out

there now within our area with regard to housing and jobs. There are people out

there who cannot find any houses right now because everything is pretty much

rented. Some people have even gone and renovated their sheds and turned them

into apartments so people could have places to rent. That is fact, and that is

in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

Bull Arm another project in Bull Arm that is happening today. Right now, it

is about probably 600 people in Bull Arm working today, but I am being told that

by June or July they should have around 1,500 there. Come mid-fall, there should

be closer to probably 3,000 people working in Bull Arm. That is in rural

Newfoundland, as well.

They are all coming from everywhere around Newfoundland and Labrador. They

are coming in from all communities around Newfoundland and Labrador. There is

work available for almost everybody who is into the skilled trades in

Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

AN HON. MEMBER: Ninety per cent are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

MR. PEACH: Ninety per cent, ninety per cent of the people who are working

in Bull Arm and Inco, I am being told, are from Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: That is really a good outlook for the future, now.

I might say that there are some local people from our area that all the time

are calling my office saying that they cannot get in there, but the time is

coming to have it pick up. Over the last two years, the industry has grown; in

the last six months, we can see the local jobs, local employment going into Inco

and into Bull Arm; and it is going to get better.

Mr. Chair, the fishery is pretty stable in my district: Woodman Sea Products,

with the crab fishery and with the pelagic species.

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. PEACH: Dorset Fisheries: capelin, herring and mackerel; I am being

told that the plant at Dorset Fisheries is opening today with herring in Long

Cove, a good sign of the fishery again this year. Wadman's does a little bit of

salt fish, does some cod, and does some pelagic species from the Fortune Bay

area.

Icewater Seafoods Inc. is a plant that has been modernized over the years and

handles the cod fishery. I am going to tell you that Icewater Seafoods is still

strong and we are looking at, hopefully, that they are going to have a good year

again this year. Right now, they are closed down for some minor things that

happened and were unforeseeable by the company, but they will be back in

operation again in just a short time.

Tourism in the Dildo area we have a great tourism industry in the Dildo

area that has been ongoing for the last two years that very few people know

about. There are a lot of tourists in that area. Now, it has been filtered out

into Sunnyside and also into the Arnold's Cove area. Our district is starting to

get into the tourism industry as well. We are seeing a lot of things happening

there.

I want to talk a bit about infrastructure. I do not have much time. I know I

have ten minutes, but I want to talk about the infrastructure, the water and

sewer upgrades to Sunnyside, Arnold's Cove, Norman's Cove-Long Cove, Thornlea,

Come by Chance water treatment plant, Bellevue, Dildo, New Harbour industrial

water supply, South Dildo, North Harbour, St. Bernard's-Jacques Fontaine, and

Grand Le Pierre. You did not see that with the past Administration, I will tell

you that.

That is why I got involved in politics, because I felt good about what this

government was doing. I felt good about what the government was doing for the

people, so I got involved in politics in 2007. I like the way that this

government operates, and I am very proud to be a member on this side of the

House with this government.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. PEACH: I also want to talk about our fire departments. Since I have

been a member, in 2007, we have had a new fire truck, or a new fire van, for

Arnold's Cove, Southern Harbour, Norman's Cove-Long Cove, and just recently had

an announcement for a new fire truck in St. Bernard's-Jacques Fontaine.

The housing program that we have has been really good to the seniors in my

district. I am not ashamed to stand up and say that because I tell you if it

were not for the housing program, a lot of the houses in my district, a lot of

the seniors in my district, would be in very bad shape. The housing program has

done a lot for the district. The home modification program for disabilities has

really done good for the district as well.

Some of the other programs that we have as well that people today are

misinterpreting is the dental program. Some of the Opposition have said: Oh,

the government have taken away the dental program. We have not taken away the

dental program. We have fulfilled our commitment with a dental program.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Plan, the Medical

Transportation Assistance Program and the list goes on, Mr. Chair. I want to

talk a little bit about schools.

In my district, since 2007 we have had to do a lot of repairs on schools;

schools that, under the past Administration, were neglected. I would say

neglected is the word for it. I want to say that we had to do upgrades in Swift

Current on the mould that was in schools, which, over the years, had no work

done on it. The school in Terrenceville, the same situation; it had no work done

on it by the past Administration, but this Administration did work on it. The

schools in St. Bernard's the same thing, Mr. Chair.

I just want to say, too, when I was mayor in 2000, the Liberal Administration

came in and they closed down two schools in Norman's Cove: a high school and an

elementary school. They closed down a school in Chance Cove, in my district.

This all started back then. What were your reasons for closing them? I wonder,

what was the Opposition's reason for closing down the schools back then?

Mr. Chair, my time has pretty much run out. I also want to talk about the

transportation upgrades to roads, but time will not permit me. I am sure I will

get a chance to stand up in this House again and talk about some more things

that have happened in my district and to (inaudible).

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

CHAIR: Order, please!

I recognize the hon. the Member for Burgeo La Poile.

MR. A. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It is a pleasure to stand up here today and speak on Interim Supply. I have

listened I was very riveted actually by the Member for Bellevue. I listened to

everything that he had to say, and appreciate everybody getting the chance to

stand up and speak about all the good things that are happening. It was all good

news coming out of Bellevue, so you must be some member.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. A. PARSONS: He must be some member, yes. I know that is what the

crowd from EAS was saying because he has an office that is shutting down in his

district. I do not know if you have talked to them to advise them of your

concerns about these people being cut.

I wanted to just check into that and see if it was great things and rainbows

for these people losing their job because their funding is being cut. I just

wanted to check that out and see if that is still happening in your district or

not.

I have a number of things I wanted to talk to, and we get a chance to speak

to all manner of things here in Interim Supply. The Member for Bellevue, he

raised a lot of very important issues. One of them, which I have had an

opportunity to

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. A. PARSONS: They are getting so short of good news there that they

will cheer for anything at this point, Mr. Chair. I am going to talk about the

dental plan.

The Member for Bellevue spoke about the dental plan and how good it was. I

say he is right; it was so good that they could not even keep it going after one

year. They brought it in and one year in, they had to cut it back. To me, that

goes to show, Mr. Chair, the lack of planning that went into it.

I will give you one example from my district of somebody who was affected by

this. I have said many times that when government does something good, it is to

be commended. I commended the dental plan when it was first announced because I

heard from a large number of constituents who said: This is great; I am getting

work that I have not been able to afford in a number of years. I talked to

dentists and they said: This is getting huge uptake.

I had one constituent who had an appointment on Wednesday. Now, you have to

remember, most of my constituents have to travel to get this service, and many

have to travel a long ways. In fact, one got a call on Tuesday morning from

their dentist confirming that yes, you are still coming in for your appointment

tomorrow. Then, later that afternoon they received a call that said: Oh, sorry,

the appointment is cancelled, the plan is over, and you have to bring cash.

Less than twenty-four hours before their appointment that had been planned

for a month-and-a-half, they get that call to say: You can come in and get the

work done if you have cash.

I am not criticizing the investment; I am criticizing the lack of planning

that went into that investment. Obviously, there was not enough research done if

we are talking about the significant uptake that was going to happen, 98,000

people served.

We have to know that when you bring in a plan like this you are going to get

that action upfront. Many people have not had work done for a long time, so you

are going to get a lot of people coming right away. At this point, when you look

at the numbers we are back down to $6.7 million. If you look at the numbers of

people who are going to get served, they are not going to get anything for that.

One of the big issues I have is that there has been a lack of consultation

with the people actually doing the work. That is the Dental Association. I am

taking this from what the Dental Association is saying out in the media. They

are saying: We were not consulted first or last.

Let's work together to make sure that investment is there. Let's try to

sustain the program for a long period of time, as opposed to the one year where

we came in and announced this plan, and then one year later we cannot sustain

it. It just goes to show the lack of long-term planning there. That is just one

thing I wanted to bring up in response to one of the conversations that the

Member for Bellevue was having.

There are a whole bunch of things I could talk about here, and one of them I

mentioned earlier today in Question Period. That was about the very troubling

concerns that are coming out of Eastern Health. I listened to Ms Kaminski this

morning on the radio. She was talking about, she is not very happy herself with

what is going on at Eastern Health in terms of the C-difficile, which is causing

deaths over at the hospital.

What she talked about was the standard that is applied there when we talk

about little things, like hand washing. I think they were going for an 80 per

cent rate. They actually went down this year, back down to 50 per cent.

One of the things she talked about is the rigorous program. I think there are

four checkpoints you have to go through. You wash your hands when you walk in,

when you touch something, and when you walk out. A lot of that is happening

because they are leaving one room and going to the next. They might have just

washed their hands less than two minutes ago, but you are supposed to wash them

again. I would say one of the reasons behind that is they are overloaded.

I only have to look at some of the commentary that comes from people within

that union and people who are doing this work. They talked about these cuts last

year and how they would not hurt patient care. What they were saying is that

they are at a bare minimum and they did not understand how we were going to

maintain that. When you are losing jobs, then the work has to be loaded onto

somebody else. The work has to get done. The work is going elsewhere.

When we talk about a health care system that is being talked about in the

country as getting the worst bang for the buck, and that is troubling. If we are

getting the worst bang for the buck now with the significant investment that has

been made, if we cut that investment what are we going to get then?

What we need to do, Mr. Chair, I would say is, look, we can talk about the

investment that has been made. No doubt, there has been significant investment

in any number of things over the last little while. Certainly the chequebook was

there for whenever there was a problem that came up, but the problem is the

chequebook is not there right now. We have to cut back. We have to make sure the

outcomes that we are getting for the money invested are there. We cannot just

talk about the investment and we are going to throw this money at this problem.

What are the outcomes coming out of it? I have a concern when we talk about

that.

The minister, when she answered the questions, likes to say that I am blaming

workers. That is not it. These are the workers themselves who are saying they

are overloaded. With all these cuts around them they have to pick up this extra

work.

It is no different from the people in the EAS system. If you talk to some of

these workers in Advanced Education and Skills they are hesitant to speak, but

the fact is they know they have a lot of extra work coming on them. You do not

just cut over 200 jobs and say, well, the work is going to get done by

everybody. There is not going to be any change in how the work is done. That is

impossible, I would say, Mr. Chair. That is simply not going to happen.

This work is now on AES workers, many of whom do not have the same training.

I guess if you deal with a certain group of people for a long period of time you

learn those skills and that subset. It comes through experience, and we are

losing all that experience now. We are cutting the program.

I would say that comes back to if we look at that department, back when it

was created, we cobbled this department together. After it is created, then we

bring in Mr. Noseworthy to look at the department to figure out: How do we best

streamline it? We use a lot of different words, words that sound really nice.

Streamline, and right-size, and find efficiencies, but usually what they mean is

cut and pare down, and reduce service, is what the actual effect of that is.

The problem I have is that we go out let's get past the fact that Mr.

Noseworthy received his minister's pay for doing this report. The report was

submitted, but I do not know if we are actually using that report to make these

changes now. I do not understand the rationale behind it. I am hoping it is

going to make sense when it all comes down on Budget Day. We will see what it is

that we have gotten with this report and how we are going to change these

services.

MR. KENT: (Inaudible).

MR. A. PARSONS: Again, I ask the Member for

AN HON. MEMBER: Minister.

MR. A. PARSONS: I am sorry, that was obviously a mistake. I would say to

the Member for Mount Pearl North, if he has some comments, you are going to get

a chance to stand up again. Sorry about that slip of the tongue there. Again,

that was just a Freudian slip there.

Mr. Chair, I will just continue on here. Obviously, some of the members have

some interest in what I am saying here, because I am hitting on a lot of very

important issues. They are issues that, when we talked about last year, when we

talked about how we are flush with cash and we were not going to make cuts to

some of these, we were not going to make cuts to education and health care, to

the front-line services, but that is obviously not the case right now, so we

have to be concerned.

I know the Minister of Education is dealing with it now. There are a lot of

unhappy parents all across the Province when it comes to talking about school

busing and school closures. That is something that is going to continue on as we

go forward. This Budget day, when it comes down and I guess we are all waiting

anxiously to see what happens in the federal Budget when it comes down this

Thursday, because that could significantly affect us and how we do our job.

Again, this was floated in a media story a couple of weeks ago when we talk

about this possible cut in the funding for EI training. I am wondering if that

actually is going to become a reality, because if that is the case then that is

going to be an issue.

I noticed the Premier of Alberta actually spoke out about this just recently

and talked about how she feels that the provinces are the best people to

administer this training for this labour shortage. She feels that the funding

should continue and that the provinces can do the best job in training people,

and I would say I would have assumed that we would be the best to do that as

well.

I am hoping that conversations have happened; I believe they have and I guess

we are just going to have to wait and see what comes out on Thursday. That is

going to have a significant effect on how we continue, especially in this very

important issue in Advanced Education and Skills.

That is just a couple of the things I am going to get an opportunity to speak

to now, Mr. Chair. There is a lot more to come, so I will take my seat at this

point and I will hopefully speak again later on.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

CHAIR: Order, please!

I recognize the Member for Conception Bay East Bell Island.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BRAZIL: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It is a privilege to be able to speak to the Interim Supply. As my learned

colleague from Burgeo La Poile mentioned, we are very interested in what you

have to say here because you are bringing up a lot of very important points,

particularly around the fact that we have been offering a lot of great programs

in this Province. We have been offering them to the people, but the way we have

gotten to that point is through one of the things that I am very proud of, to be

part of this Administration: our engagement, our engagement with the people and

the programs and service delivery individuals in this Province to make sure that

what we put out there is in the best interests of the people of this Province

and is fiscally responsible.

We will have to make some decisions in the near future around our Budget

process, but that is because at the end of the day we want to make sure the

money that we spend does meet the needs of the people in this Province. We have

been very frugal with that very beneficial to the people who need the services

and we will continue to do that.

I am proud of many of the accomplishments that we have done and we will

continue to do those. We will still spend billions of dollars in services to the

people of this Province and the people of the Province will reap those benefits.

Just to talk about some of the things we have done in the past but the

interim funding is not about what we have done in the past. It is go-forward

basis; it is what we will continue to do in the next number of months, in the

next number of years.

For example, our infrastructure; you talk to the Minister of Municipal

Affairs we will still be investing in water and sewer. We will still be

investing in roadwork. We are still investing in ferries. We are still investing

in fire equipment. We are investing in housing repairs.

We are investing in education: new schools going to be built; repairs to

existing schools; tuition rollbacks and tuition freezes; support to

post-secondary institutions and infrastructure; and new buildings being built,

which obviously adds to the benefits to those institutions being able to offer

the programs and services to the thousands of educated young people who want to

further their education, and those international students who we are drawing

here because of the quality of education that we offer, and because of how we

have been able to draw very talented professors and instructors.

Also, we are adding to the apprenticeship program, second to none in this

Province. We realize we are going to run into a real need for skilled trades. We

have addressed that by putting an apprenticeship program in place that addresses

the needs, works with the stakeholders, works with the industry, and gives a

benefit to everybody involved, so that the young people in this Province who

have their trades will be able to take advantage of the programs, and be able to

stay in this Province and continue to move our economy forward.

We also invest in Adult Basic Education. As some may know, I have a bit of a

background there. We want to make sure that every citizen in this Province has

the ability to further themselves and be productive citizens. We do that on a

daily basis.

We do it in our health care. Just look at what we have done in our health

care facilities over the last number of years. Billions of dollars have been put

into making sure our health facilities are second to none. We have done

community clinics so that we make sure people in rural Newfoundland have access

to adequate health care. We have looked at better regional supports and managed

to make sure that there are supports and services there that benefit everybody

in that region. No longer do people have to travel exorbitant distances to be

able to get basic services. We are the ones who took the lead on that.

We have looked at what we have done. We have talked about our dental program,

a great program, still exists and still will exist in the future, and has been a

real benefit to the people who have used that. We have looked at our

Prescription Drug Program. We have added more entities to that than any other

Administration in the past. On a daily basis we look at what is needed for the

clientele out there.

We engage with the medical professionals. We engage with pharmacists. We want

to make sure that the services we put out there and the money we are spending

goes to the people who need it the most and that we can get the best return on

the investment that we put out there.

Programs for seniors; thousands of groups across this Province have been able

to avail of the services that we put out there to make it better for seniors to

be engaged, to give them a better opportunity to take control and stake in their

own health development, and being able to assess what they need and put them in

the best opportune time to be connected to the health professionals so that the

services can be offered to those people, Mr. Chair.

We have also looked at nutrition programs. How do we engage that? We worked

in the school system so that young people are aware of healthy eating, healthy

living, and healthy lifestyles. That has been a positive there, to make sure

that our society is not only ready for job markets but has a healthy lifestyle

and is better engaged to be able to do those types of things.

Child care; we are the Administration that created the department to solely

look at the needs and how do we improve the lives here, how do we work with

families, how do we work with the organizations and stakeholders that are out

there to make sure that any cracks in the system are filled in, any gaps in

services are identified, and find programs and services that best fit the needs

of those individuals. We do that by engaging the people out there.

Yes, there are always some struggles out there. This is a new entity. We have

inherited a lot of crucial situations that we have to deal with and we doing it

very competent social workers, very competent managers, very competent people

at the ground level identifying those needs. We will be addressing those on an

ongoing basis. The minister has that first and foremost in her process, as we

move things forward in the next Budget.

Increasing the number of social workers to be able to identify what we do

we have done that over the last number of years to make sure that there are

enough people there to be able to service the individuals who need it;

additional programs and services to make sure everybody, from school officials,

can do some intervention, to community leaders who can help in that whole

process.

Under education and the student aid process let's go back a few years. I

know I talked about going on a go-forward basis, which is what our interim

funding is about, but to get to that point you have to know how we got to where

we are and the benefits that we have put out there for the people of the this

Province.

We have gone back and there was some dispute the other day I think with the

Minister of Education back and forth, or the Minister of Advanced Education and

Skills about the student aid process. The only thing the former Administration

did in the student aid process is when there was a crisis coming. When the

student debt was getting so crazy and that the student unions and youth advisory

committees out there were saying that something needs to be done, the former

Premier at the time and I give credit, a very valued educator decided we

would put a freeze on tuition. All a freeze did on tuition, for that interim

time, was make it look like there was something being done a band-aid

situation.

This Administration went five steps further. It did tuition rollbacks. It

continues to freeze now and into the future. It did debt reduction, interest

relief, a whole process of changing around the grant system. It gave more

opportunity for people on work terms and scholarship programs. It put back in

tuition programs; it looked at SWASP, giving students every opportunity to be

able to earn, to keep their debt load down.

This is the Administration that did that, because we know we want to have

vibrant students who do not have to worry about their debt load when they

graduate. We want them to be able to move into the job market. We want them to

be the same people who get mortgages going out there, buy cars, and contribute

back to the economy. We do not want them for the next ten years having to engage

on getting second jobs just to cover their debt from education. We want to show

this Administration cares about how we educate our future leaders here, and how

we prepare them for moving forward.

Mr. Chair, let's talk about the ferry services. There was some debate back

and forth with the Minister of Transportation with some of the colleagues from

the Opposition about how we got to this situation where we have to deal with

certain challenges right now in the ferry services.

Mr. Chair, in 1990, when the Liberal Administration took power, there was one

vessel just ready to come off the docks at Marystown. That was the Flanders ,

the pride of the fleet for the Bell Island Portugal Cove ferry service and the

pride of the fleet for the whole of the ferry service in this Province at the

time. There was a sister ship ready to be built. As far as I know, $3 million

worth of steel was in Marystown ready for it to be done, because they knew there

would be a crisis in the ferry services for this Province down the road if we

did not deal with it then.

The Liberal Administration cancelled it. They took a loss on it and cancelled

it then. As a result, many years went by as we ran into crisis. Then they

decided we see light at the end of the tunnel: the Nonia . Let us go pick

up that great vessel and bring it here. They brought that vessel here and served

no purpose. It has been a money pit ever since.

This Administration, when it got to a point and said we cannot throw good

money after bad, decided we are going to move forward. We have moved forward on

our strategy, Mr. Chair. We have moved forward with two vessels in the water now

servicing the communities. Two more is on RFPs out there, with contracts being

let out there now for services in the private sector. Other movements putting

forward there to address the other needs where we have been having gaps in

services as we replace the ferry service.

That is what we are doing in this Province, Mr. Chair. That is vision. That

is on a go-forward basis. We know we have to invest money and we do that. We do

that for the benefit of everybody here.

Mr. Chair, as I have a minute left, I will just talk about a couple of quick

things in my two years with this Administration, just in my own district: three

schools, two have been built and opened, and another one has just been

identified will be open in Portugal Cove St. Phillips, a junior high; two fire

trucks and support for one of the fire departmen