December

16, 2008

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS

Vol. XLVI No. 51

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Fitzgerald): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

The hon. the Premier.

Does the hon. Premier have leave?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Premier, by leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: By leave, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: By leave, the hon. the Premier.

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to inform my hon. colleagues, and the people of

the Province, of a very important piece of legislation our government will

introduce today in this Legislature. This piece of legislation is simply about

trees and water, the most basic of all of our natural resources - natural

resources that rightfully belong to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Indeed, Mr. Speaker, our Province is home to an abundance of natural

resources, some of which have not been properly managed or protected in the

past; however, this government stands for something different. We stand for the

protection, the preservation and fair and proper development of all of our

natural resources. This certainly includes those related to the forestry

industry.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that the pulp and paper industry has faced tremendous

challenges in the past few years. The people of Stephenville felt this

first-hand when AbitibiBowater closed their mill a couple of years ago. I am

proud to say that the people of that region were resilient, strong in the face

of adversity, survived, and have thrived. Today, our people in Grand

Falls-Windsor and surrounding region are facing the same fate. AbitibiBowater

has announced that, after a century of operations, they will be closing their

doors on March 28, 2009.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote from a letter dated March 24, 1903, from

Mayson Beeton, President of the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company Limited -

the predecessor to Abitibi - to the Right Honourable Sir Robert Bond. He said,

"I have come to this colony for the purpose of ascertaining whether there

are available any timber lands and water powers suitable for the creation of

pulp, paper and lumber mills of the capacity we want for the supply requirements

at home."

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker,

Section 3 of the 1905 Charter Lease states,

"The Lessee shall be entitled (so far as the government can, consistently

with any grants heretofore made and actually subsisting grant the same) to have,

use and enjoy for its milling and logging businesses all streams, lakes,

watercourses, springs or water in, upon, under, or intersecting the demised

premises, and all water power or powers in and upon Exploits River down to and

excluding Bishops Falls, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, the

entire water power of Grand Falls on said Exploits River."

These statements, Mr. Speaker, lay out the clear indication of the purpose

and being of this company in our Province. This company has been granted some

very generous terms in the past, in order to ensure they continue operations in

the Province. Now, through their decision to close their operations, they have

effectively told the Province that they are no longer willing to stand by their

historic commitments.

Abitibi has reneged on the bargain struck between it and the Province over

the industrial development of the Province's timber and water resources for

the benefit of the residents of the Province.

Mr. Speaker, having said that, we cannot as a government allow a company that

no longer operates in this Province to maintain ownership of our resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: We will not give away our valuable timber and water

resources to a company that does not honour its historic commitments on

industrial development of our timber resources.

For 100 years, Abitibi and its predecessors have enjoyed the privilege of

Newfoundland and Labrador's natural resources. It simply makes sense that if

Abitibi are not going to continue the operation of a pulp and paper mill, and

renege on their commitment to our Province, they will no longer have access to

our natural resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: We will, therefore, today introduce a bill to ensure

that these valuable natural resources are returned to their rightful owners, the

people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

There are numerous charters and licensing agreements which allow Abitibi to

operate in this Province, and those relevant to the natural resources of

Newfoundland and Labrador will be repatriated to the Province.

The provincial government will also be taking control of the power plants of

Abitibi, as without these power plants the hydro power would be wasted. Nalcor

Energy will now manage this asset.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Through the legislation, Abitibi may be compensated for

any power related infrastructure assets which the provincial government takes

control of.

It is not our intention to adversely affect the business interests of lenders

or independent business partners of Abitibi in Newfoundland and Labrador and we

will be discussing this matter with lenders and partners in the days ahead.

While the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will now own and control

these assets, we will allow Abitibi full use of them until March 31, 2009 so

that the mill can remain in operation as indicated by the company.

Once Abitibi ceases operations in Grand FallsWindsor our government task

force, which is already fully operational, will continue to work for the best

interests of the people of the region.

I have, and we have, complete confidence in the resilient people of Grand

FallsWindsor and the surrounding area.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: And we have complete confidence in the viability of the

communities, and our government is committed to stand by them through this

transitional period.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition, by leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: By leave.

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I certainly thank the Premier for a copy of his statement today and the

opportunity to be briefed by him prior to coming to the House of Assembly;

although it was limited time, and I am sure he understands that we are just

getting a copy of the legislation itself, so we will need to have some time this

afternoon to explore the more technical clauses of the bill. I guess through

Question Period and debate this afternoon we will have an opportunity to explore

some of the other clauses around it and what exactly this means.

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. We, on this side of the House, fully support

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians having access and control of their own

resources, and that is the way it should be.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JONES: We realize, Mr. Speaker, that the government is placed in a

very unusual situation with the closure of AbitibiBowater's mill in Grand

FallsWindsor, and we also realize that any moves that they make are being

done so for the protection of the people of the Province when it comes to the

resources, when it comes to other benefits that should accrue to workers who

have given time in that operation. We fully understand that and we fully support

that.

We just want it to be clear that we need the opportunity to explore the

information that is in the bill to ensure that the proper assurances have been

given to the greatest extent that they can be given so that years from now there

will be no question as to who owns the water resources, the timber resources,

the land resources that was rightfully and always was belonging to the people of

the Province and should always belong to the people of the Province in the

future.

Industries that come to this Province have full co-operation, and have always

had full co-operation of governments today and governments in the past. There

has been many occasions when governments have bent over backwards to ensure that

industrial and business developers in our Province have had full and free

access, but it was always with the intention that once those operations cease

that we, the people of the Province, still own the resource, still have control

of the resource and still make the decisions around it.

It does not mean, Mr. Speaker, that we are closing ourselves off to business

in any way. It just means that we are protecting the rights of people, and that

is the job of governments.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, I ask today that in light of the seriousness of

the bill that is on the table that as we proceed into Question Period maybe we

could be a little bit lenient with the rules so that we can ensure that we have

full, concise answers from the government and not have the time restrictions

that we are often very good at complying to, I say to you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

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

leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: By leave.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the member by leave.

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

I, too, join with the Leader of the Official Opposition in thanking the

Premier for giving us a briefing prior to our coming into the House today. I

think we understand why the briefing had to be at such a last minute moment, to

put it that way. However, it is important that we take time to read what has

been put in our hands this afternoon. Again, to say that every single one of us

in this House, I know, are here for one reason and one reason only and that is

to do what is best for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS MICHAEL: What we have before us today is an opportunity to do

something that is precedent setting because finally lands that had been ours and

had been given away are back the potential is to have them back in our hands

where they belong, in the hands of the people of this Province. It shows what

can happen when we have control over what we own. The offshore is such an enigma

to us because of the rules of this federation that gives anything that is in the

offshore, the authority goes to the federal government and there is always this

negotiation that has to go on and the fight that has to go on.

Here we have land and water resources that are on our land and this Province

has control over those. We own them. No matter what these agreements say, we do

own them. So it is absolutely essential I think, that we take the time today to

make sure that the decisions we make and the papers that we approve are to the

best possible benefit of the people in this Province and that we make sure there

are no loopholes that somebody can go through so that it will not work. This has

to work. So, while there is urgency about what we have to do today, we also have

to take those urgent steps with caution as well. We have had a discussion, all

three parties together, obviously the government with the members of the

Opposition parties and we will get time to step out of the Chamber and do some

thinking and do some consultations that we have to do so that we can, when we do

finally enter into full discussion on the floor, have as much information and

thinking that we can put in before we do that.

We all know why we are here. We all know that we want to do the right thing.

So I look forward to the rest of this day. I am sure it is going to be an

intense one, but I think we are all going to be working in co-operation.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: It is the Speaker's understanding that we will be forgoing

statements by ministers and members' statements and we will be now going into

Question Period. That is the procedure for today. If I understand correctly, we

will still be guided by the thirty minute Question Period but we will not go by

the forty-five minute question and answer. Is that correct, while we are on this

particular topic?

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MR. SPEAKER: Before I call Oral Questions, the Chair would like to

recognize a long time Member of the House of Assembly, former Leader of the New

Democratic Party, now a member in the House of Commons in Ottawa, sitting in the

Speaker's Gallery, Mr. Jack Harris.

Welcome.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My questions are for the Premier.

Today we are debating

an act to return to the Crown certain rights relating

to timber and water use vested in Abitibi Consolidated.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier today: What prompted government

to take this emergency action immediately, today?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, government has been reviewing this

situation over the past several weeks to make sure that we acted to protect the

interests of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and particularly our

natural resources.

We did not want to act too quickly, on the basis that we wanted to make sure

that we had done the proper research and the proper preparation and had brought

the best minds that were available that we could bring to the table to look at

this.

On Friday we actually, in fact, sent a letter, because I had indicated

publicly that one of the options was that Abitibi would transfer these assets

back to us. That would be the honourable thing to do, given the fact that the

bargain was broken which had been established over a century ago.

So, in fact, the minister wrote Abitibi last Friday with that very simple

request - and that correspondence can certainly be made available to the

Opposition; I apologize for not even having it in the package of materials

today, but that will be provided forthwith asking them to actually transfer

the assets over to us.

In fact, they came back on Monday and indicated that they would not be

prepared to do that, but would be prepared to sit down over a period of time and

discuss compensation.

At that point, of course, we felt that this was certainly an urgent matter

that should be dealt with forthwith. As the House is moving towards the

Christmas period, it is a closer time, a tighter time, and we felt the matter

was of such importance that we should deal with it as soon as possible.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to ask: Have there been any discussions with Abitibi with regard

to bringing this particular piece of legislation forward in the House today?

Also, were there any discussions with the union, business or other affected

interests that could be impacted by this legislation?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: As the Leader of the Opposition is aware, we are

dealing with a publicly-traded company and these discussions are delicate at the

best of times.

The correspondence was sent to Abitibi in confidence and was not discussed

publicly at the time; and, of course, then they obviously had time to react.

Since then, and recently, within the last hour-and-a-half, we have certainly

spoken with the minister has actually spoken with - Abitibi. The Minister of

Finance has spoken. The Minister of Justice has actually spoken with some of the

lending institutions that were involved, because they would be affected.

We have also spoken with Enel, who were a partner in the Star Lake

Partnership, and Fortis, who were a partner in the Exploits Partnership as well.

We have made them aware

MS DUNDERDALE: And the union.

PREMIER WILLIAMS: I am sorry - forgive me and the union, as well, has

been spoken with.

So we have basically tried to contact all the interested parties in the short

time frame. Of course, our apologies to you. As I explained to you when we all

met together, time restricts us here. Because the Legislature was due to convene

at 1:30, we felt that the appropriate time to launch this information, for want

of a better term, was just over an hour-and-a-half ago.

Time constraints prevent us, but certainly it was an attempt to give

disclosure to everybody at the appropriate time without affecting the markets.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Under this particular bill you would see the assets such as timber and hydro

being transferred, or being held by government through the Nalcor Energy Corp.

What does this mean for Nalcor Energy in terms of compensation? If there are to

be any payouts of compensation to any entities, whether it be Abitibi or to

someone else, will that revenue have to come from Nalcor Energy or will the

money be provided for it through the Province?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: A good question, Your Honour.

The way that this has been constructed, I indicated in my remarks that the

assets, particularly the water assets, would be managed by Nalcor Energy,

because obviously Nalcor Energy are now the parent company of Newfoundland and

Labrador Hydro, so our expertise lies at Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. They

would be, obviously, the appropriate ones to move in and to oversee the water

assets particularly and then also to work in partnership with Fortis and Enel on

the two partnerships that are on the river. The assets themselves actually

revert to the Crown, so the Crown, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador,

is actually standing behind this, so we would basically be repatriating our

water rights and also repatriating our land and timber rights back to the

Province.

If, at some point in time, on a go-forward basis, then for purposes of the

efficient operation and management of the hydro assets, for want of a better

term, then, in fact, an arrangement would be done with Nalcor, but the ultimate

liability and the ultimate responsibility very clearly rests with the Government

of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, we talked about timber rights and hydro rights. I

am just wondering if there are any mineral rights that are associated with this

legislation that would be recovered as well.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

All of the rights that are held by Abitibi with regard to the 1.6 million

hectares of land that is under consideration in this legislation, whatever their

rights and privileges are under those legislations, acts and charters, will

revert to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Last week in the House of Assembly we raised some issues around the potential

for bankruptcy of AbitibiBowater, and we were basing it more or less on where

the share prices were in the market and the volatility of the company in terms

of they are losing their customer base and so on.

I guess what I want to ask the government today is: The action that you are

currently taking, while it may be necessary, do you think it will potentially

force this company into a bankruptcy position?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak for the company but it is

my understanding that they are realigning their assets and conducting the proper

financing, obviously to keep that company a viable company. Its stock in recent

days has dropped somewhat, and has dropped over a period of time. They did

actually consolidate and are actually trying to improve their worldwide

operations. We have no information before us right now that indicates that this

company is going bankrupt under any circumstances.

Of course, the core reason for this particular action is because, in fact,

there was, as I said before, back in 1905, a Charter Lease which was executed

which very clearly tied the milling and logging operations to the waterways and

the water power and the hydro power. So, as a result of their announcement that

this particular mill in Newfoundland and Labrador is closing down, we feel,

obviously, we have the right then to repatriate those assets and, in fact,

expropriate the power assets, but we have no information before us right now

that indicates that this company is going bankrupt. If it did go bankrupt, then

there are other consequences.

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

If they happen to find themselves in a bankruptcy position, what will be the

impact for the unionized workers who are due to get pensions and severance

packages from the company? What protections would be there for them?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding from the pensions

that in fact the pensions are pooled funds. I think the majority of these

pension funds are actually registered in Quebec; that, in fact, because of the

downturn in the economy right now, all pension funds including, obviously,

our public pension funds - are down. So if, in fact, for example, the pension

fund for Abitibi was down by 25 per cent, it is my understanding that if, in

fact, a bankruptcy took place then that would be frozen at the 75 per cent. The

25 per cent would be left on the table and then that 25 per cent would be

something that would go into an unsecured creditors' pool.

Now, I am only speaking from second-hand information here. I do not have a

direct opinion on that myself, but my understanding is that it would be status

quo, so that the workers would have access to the pension fund, which was

separate and apart, but it would be at current values.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We looked at this particular bill, and I guess back a couple of weeks ago

when all this happened with Abitibi we had asked about expropriation of assets

there. This bill does not necessarily deal with expropriation of all of the

resources, but rather deals with repatriation of some.

I would like to ask the Premier: Why have you chosen that option as opposed

to just expropriating all the assets and the resources connected with it?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: This hon. House, Mr. Speaker, and this Legislature is

the paramount authority. It is the highest authority here in the land. So when

it comes to basically cancelling or revoking and-or repatriating these

particular licences and these particular rights - also, as well, overriding the

provisions of agreements that have been entered into in the past - than the very

best method of doing that is to bring this matter before the Legislature so that

it is presented in the bill; that it is, in fact, available for public

disclosure; that, in fact, it is available for debate if necessary, and it is

the best method to proceed.

We have taken advice, of course, obviously from our own, from the minister

and our own justice officials and also independent advice, and this is the best

route for us to go. But, we have also coupled it with an expropriation on the

basis that we want to send a clear signal of course to the company, that if

there were nuts and bolts, for want of a better term, machinery type assets that

were put on the ground with regard to power generation, than we are

acknowledging that there is some value in those particular assets.

With regard to the water and the timber and our lands, those are the natural

resources to the people that have been here for eons and eons, and as a result,

we felt the best place and the best vehicle to do that was expropriations of the

Legislature.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Actually, Mr. Speaker, my next question was with regard to

legal counsel that the government would have retained around this particular

bill, and the Premier just alluded to that.

So I would like to ask him: What legal counsel did the government solicit, I

guess, in terms of looking at this particular legislation?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: It is my understanding that the legal counsel that was

employed in this particular file was a corporate group called WeirFoulds. I do

not know if there is any other counsel, if the Minister of Justice - if there is

any other counsel that has in fact been retained and has given other opinions on

this particular issue in recent weeks. That is the information I, obviously, can

provide to the Leader of the Opposition. That is the dominant opinions that are

available right now, as far as I am concerned.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, we understood from the Premier in his answers

today and in the briefing that we had that there will be, I guess, a price tag

associated with the buyout of the power facility itself.

I do not know if government has the answer to this yet but we are just

wondering: What would be the ballpark in terms of a price tag that would be

attached to that?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: I would have to say it would be minimal. Now, what the

range for minimal could be when you are dealing with assets of this magnitude,

the number could be a number that some people would not consider it to be small.

However, having said that, the water assets and the timber assets and the land

assets have basically been repatriated, taken back. So we are dealing with power

facilities that have been put in place, presumably over the last ten years. I do

not know the exact time of construction, but I assume it was in the late 1990s.

They would obviously have a cost. They would obviously have a value. They would

also have a depreciated value.

Cabinet will determine a formula; part of that formula could be on

depreciated capital cost or something else. That is a formula that is within our

power to determine at the end of the day, of course bearing in mind that there

could be a considerable offset here. In fact, what we have done to the

legislation is basically protected any environmental liability.

So, if, in fact, there is contamination which is located with operations in

Botwood or around the mill in Grand Falls or the logging operations or any other

rivers or whatever happens to be where they have constructed bridges or have had

a presence in Newfoundland and Labrador, then there may be environmental fallout

from that and that has to be quantified. If that is quantified, then that would

be offset against any responsibility for compensation. If there is an excess of

value over liability, then that would be the amount that would be paid.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, I can only assume that it would be too early to

have an indication of what some of the environmental costs might be associated

with that.

Maybe I could ask if the Department of Environment or government will be

undertaking to do a complete assessment themselves to be able to determine what

those costs would be and what it would entail?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: That work has actually already been undertaken. It is

in progress right now. I certainly want to compliment all our officials in all

the departments who have really pulled together over the last week to try and

basically put all this information together.

It is certainly not a complete process. These assets are contained over a

very significant geographic area, but it is certainly a number that we want to

quantify and intend to quantify to the best of our ability as soon as possible.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The repatriation of water rights under this bill, does this include the

Exploits River and Star Lake?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: This includes the water rights of Abitibi in the

Province. So if there are any water holdings that they have on Exploits or Star

Lake or the Exploits partnership, any of those assets at all, this bill is

intended to encompass all of those water assets.

In fact, once this bill is passed, if it is passed with the wish of this

House, then Abitibi's rights to lands and water and timber will be revoked and

cancelled.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Under

section 7 of the bill we understand that all agreements from 1905,

except the Charter, will be revoked.

I would like to ask, Mr. Speaker, if this has ever been done and if there is

any precedent for it. Is there any impact on any other legislation by revoking

this? Have there been checks done in terms of how it cross-references in other

departments or other projects?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Without passing the buck, I have to rely on the benefit

of our legal advice on this. To the best of my knowledge, there hasn't been

any precedent. We have certainly looked at all the documentation, which is

considerable, which has been placed over the years relating to Abitibi and its

operations in the Province.

With regard to any legal precedent in the Province, I am not aware of one.

That it not to say that there isn't one. In fact, we will certainly make sure

that we confirm that for you, but my understanding is there was no precedent.

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

Vidi.

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

I will continue on with questions. I won't repeat any that have been asked.

To come back to the environmental issues, Mr. Speaker:

Section 13 of the bill

does say that nothing in the Act affects the liability of Abitibi Consolidated

related to undertakings made by it in relation to environmental remediation.

I would like to know from the Premier: If Abitibi Consolidated were to go

bankrupt, if the worst case scenario were to happen, would the undertakings in

relationship to environmental remediation have to be covered by those who would

then hold the assets, or the liability?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am giving legal opinions on the fly here now, so take it for what its

worth.

With regard to anything we do here under this legislation, it is my

understanding that if it occurs before a bankruptcy proceeding then obviously it

supersedes. If, in fact, a bankruptcy proceeding occurred before this

legislation was actually finalized, then the question would be where the

particular environmental legislation stands.

I would be inclined to thing that because that environmental legislation is

already in place, it would certainly supersede a bankruptcy and would carry over

to the trustee in bankruptcy.

With regard to this particular legislation, though, this particular

legislation has to be completed before a bankruptcy, because a bankruptcy then

would be a federal law that would be paramount to a provincial law and would

oversee it.

The simple answer to your question: existing legislation already in place,

already passed, dealing with environmental problems, I would suggest to you that

that probably would be the paramount legislation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In his statement, the Premier said that the Government of Newfoundland and

Labrador, once the legislation would be passed, would own and control the assets

and would allow Abitibi full use of them until March 31, 2009.

I am wondering, when this legislation gets put in place because I think

it is our intent to make sure it gets put in place if Abitibi wanted, if

they came back and said, well, you know, we would like to continue a bit longer

now, past March 31, 2009, what would be the response of the Premier to that?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: There would be no doubt, we would be in total

agreement. This is about the operation of the mill, and the continuance of the

milling and the logging operation.

If they, in fact, wanted more time or intended to continue on for a period of

time, we would only be too delighted to have them do that, and would make those

assets available for them.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

Vidi.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just to push that a little bit further with the Premier, and I know I may be

asking questions now that he may not have maybe he had - time even to put

thought into, but if that were to happen, what kinds of demands and restrictions

would the government put on Abitibi with regard to continuation after March 31,

2009?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Without discussing this particular issue with the union

and we have worked very, very closely, through the Minister of Natural

Resources, with the union to get their wishes, but - I would suggest to you that

it would be a continuum of exactly the way that the mill is being operated right

now.

Depending on the time, depending on how long, if this was an extension of a

month or two months then obviously it would be a continuum of what is happening

now. If it was intended to be a longer term arrangement then obviously we would

have to sit with the union and the minister and officials of Abitibi and work

something out.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I certainly want to thank the Premier for his co-operation in Question Period

on this bill. The rest of the questions that we have, we will reserve until we

have our briefing because they are more around the legislative clauses. Then,

after that, maybe we can discuss any further questions that we might have.

In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I am going to move on to some questions in

Health and Community Services.

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

Mr. Speaker, many provinces, including P.E.I. and New Brunswick, have made

legislative changes to allow pharmacists to manage medications without actually

writing prescriptions. This includes the ability to cover situations like

providing for pills to tie a patient over for a suspended period of time, I

suppose, or to allow a doctor to do a refill.

I ask the minister: Is his government prepared to update the Pharmacy Act in

this Province to permit medication management by the pharmacists?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The member opposite would know that this Legislature, I think it was about a

year-and-a-half ago, passed new legislation dealing with the regulations and

legislation around the practice of pharmacy in the Province. The member opposite

would also recognize, too, that act has not been proclaimed yet.

There are a number of reasons for that, I say, Mr. Speaker, and one of them

relates to some discussions that we are having with pharmacists in the Province

around their practice, auxiliary services they provide, and the kind of

compensation associated with that. As a part of that discussion there are a

number of things that have surfaced. One of the things has been what the member

opposite has raised. I say to her, it has been a topic of some discussion but it

will form a part of the discussions we are having with the pharmacy association

prior to the proclamation of the existing legislation that has already been

enacted in the House.

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Government announced changes to its provincial drug formula so that the

Province would only accept prices for generic drugs that do not exceed the

lowest price in any other province. There was concern raised - I know the

minister knows this because he has met with them - with the Pharmacists'

Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. There was a review that was completed

back in October of this year.

I ask the minister today: Can he update us on what generic drug formulary

government is considering and when will these changes come into effect?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: As I indicated in my earlier comment, the legislation that

the member is referring to is legislation that was passed in this House about a

year-and-a-half or so ago. In that legislation, the intent and thrust of that

legislation was to ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians had access to

generic drugs at a price equivalent to that of the lowest in the country, and

that is what the legislation actually spells out.

As we were about to implement that legislation, proclaim it, there was a

recognition by the pharmacy industry itself that it may have some negative

impacts on some pharmacy operations. We were sensitive to that particular

concern that was being raised, and since that time we have been trying to work

with the pharmacy association on how we might mitigate some of the impacts of

introducing that kind of legislation. As a part of that discussion, it brings me

to the answer to her first question which was around the role of pharmacists.

The formula that is currently in use today is the same as the one that has

always been in place, I say, Mr. Speaker. Until we have a better understanding

of how it really impacts pharmacists in the Province, we have held off on the

proclamation of that particular legislation.

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

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, we also know that the pending regulation changes

will mean significant savings to government.

I would like to ask the minister today: What is the projected savings for

government in the next fiscal year based on these new pharmacy policies?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the challenge we have at this particular juncture in trying to

forecast what might be the savings, there is a savings that will accrue as a

result of an

interpretation of the legislation once it is implemented, but, as I

said earlier, we are trying to better understand the real impact on pharmacy

operations, and what might we do to mitigate some of those financial impacts in

the interest of providing service to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. So, as we

create a net calculation of, on one hand, how much we might save with the

implementation of the legislation but how much will it cost us in terms of

service enhancements we might do to help mitigate the impact to pharmacists,

that net calculation has not yet been done. Until we understand the extent to

which we would want to implement any kind of mitigating measures, we will not be

able to complete that kind of a calculation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, I am sure the Minister of Finance will soon have

the numbers crunched now, as he is getting ready for his Budget, so maybe when

that piece is done the minister can tell us what the savings will be.

The report on the provincial drug formulary outlines a list of activities

that are performed by pharmacists in the Province. We all know, Mr. Speaker,

that pharmacists not only dispense drugs and collect their fees but they also do

many other things, such as medication adherence, reviewing patient files, drug

interactions, and dealing with side effects of medication.

I ask the minister: Is government prepared to provide reimbursements to

pharmacists for the value-added services that they provide, which is a program

that is not uncommon in other provinces of Canada?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: The member has framed the question, and actually within her

question there is the answer because it ties back to the earlier comment I

provided as well, which is: I indicated that we are working with the pharmacy

association to try to look at services that may be provided that they could be

compensated for, that might help mitigate against some of the financial losses

that might be incurred as a result of the proclamation of the legislation

itself.

Through that process there have been a number of things that have been

identified that pharmacists now do that add value to the customers that they

serve and add value to the health services they provide, and that is a part of

the consideration government is now looking at as we evaluate where we go

forward.

The report that the member opposite is referencing is a report that was

commissioned by the pharmacy association themselves. We, as a government, have

had an opportunity to look at that report and look at its implications, its

impact, to be able to validate some of the assumptions that are made in that

report, but it will help inform a process. It will not be a report that we will

implement because it is not our report. It will help inform a process, together

with representations that have been made by other individuals on that same

issue. We are working, also, with some of the other jurisdictions

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the hon. minister to conclude his answer.

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thought we had an unlimited time today. I will, with respect for the House,

conclude my comment. I also will tell the member opposite that I am working with

my other colleagues in Atlantic Canada looking at how we might benefit from

better generic pricing.

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I should have clarified at the beginning that the rules are now in play, I

say to the Minister of Health.

The report on the provincial drug formulary states that the average cost to

fill a prescription in Newfoundland and Labrador is $12; meanwhile the

government currently pays about $8.90 per prescription. Mr. Speaker, right now

the pharmacists are recouping these financial losses through the generic drug

rebates. Once the new regulations come into play in January they are not going

to be able to do that.

I ask the minister: Is government planning to fill this gap and increase the

amount that it pays to pharmacists across the Province to reflect the actual

cost of filling a prescription in Newfoundland and Labrador?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As the member opposite raises each question, obviously it substantiates the

reason why we would want to continue to do our review that is taking place. She

has identified a number of things that are contained in a report commissioned by

the pharmacists themselves where they assert what the cost might be to dispense

drugs.

One of the things we are very conscious of, Mr. Speaker, is that the

proclamation of the new legislation will have a financial impact on pharmacies

in the Province. To the extent to which that happens is something that we are

now in the process of trying to better understand. Whether or not the services,

that the member opposite has outlined, become the subject of some kind of

compensation, that is a piece of work yet to be done and that is tied to the

question around: How much will it cost government? We need to better understand

all of the questions raised by the member opposite.

One thing is important, Mr. Speaker, is that we are working with the pharmacy

industry in this Province to come up with the kind of solutions that will be

beneficial to both Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and to the providers in the

pharmacies.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The report, as the minister knows, also speculates that pharmacies across the

Province, especially in rural areas, will lose substantial revenue and as a

result of these regulation changes, some pharmacies will be forced to close

their doors. It is also anticipated that the changes will mean increased fees

being passed on to patients, and we all know that this will have an effect on

those that are most vulnerable in our society.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the minister: I know you are doing the review, I know that

you are meeting with the pharmacists, but when can we expect some answers and

when can we get some guarantees that these pending regulation changes will not

affect service availability or the quality of care that is being maintained in

our pharmacies around the Province right now?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, the mere fact that this government passed

legislation in this House about a year-and-half or so ago, two years ago I think

now actually, a little over two years ago, and the fact that we have not

proclaimed it yet speaks volumes I think to our sensitivity to the issue. We

understand the issues raised by the member opposite. If we did not understand

them we would have rushed out and proclaimed the legislation a year-and-a-half

ago but we did not do that, we did the responsible thing. When we recognized and

became aware of the financial implications of the proclamation of the

legislation we have held off on doing that until we better understand, and until

we fully understand and until we have an action plan for the implementation, we

will not be proclaiming the legislation.

So I say to the member opposite, she can be assured, and the people of

Newfoundland and Labrador can be assured and the pharmacists can be assured,

that until we are comfortable with the full implications of the proclamation it

will not occur.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The time allotted for Oral Questions has ended.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

Tabling of Documents.

Notices of Motions.

Notices of Motion

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

MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I give notice that I will ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,

An Act To

Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In

Abitibi Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The

Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights. (Bill 75)

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Further notices of motion?

Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.

Petitions.

Orders of the Day.

Orders of the Day

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

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, at this time, from the Order Paper we would like

to go to Address in Reply. I would just like to offer some explanation as we do

that, although it is not necessary to offer an explanation, it is on the Order

Paper. But, because we are debating some very serious legislation here today as

referenced in the Premier's statement, through Oral Questions and by the

notice and motion just given by the hon. Minister of Natural Resources, we are

going to take some time to ensure that members of the House of Assembly feel

comfortable before we proceed with any debate on that particular legislation.

So before we call that legislation today, Mr. Speaker, we will return to

Address in Reply, which is on our Order Paper.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KELLY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is my esteemed pleasure to rise in the House of Assembly today as the

Member for the District of Humber Valley and give my reaction to the Throne

Speech.

The Throne Speech was delivered on Monday, October 10, by His Honour, the

Lieutenant-Governor, the hon. John Crosbie. The purpose a Throne Speech is to

lay out the vision of government, and for me, it was truly a memorable occasion.

I would like to welcome my new colleagues to the House of Assembly, from the

District of Cape St. Francis and from the District of Baie Verte-Springdale.

Mentors, Mr. Speaker, are extremely important, and I would like to thank the

hon. Tom Marshall who has not only been an inspiration, but a role model and a

source of great advice for me. Thanks to others, the Premier, the ministers, and

other colleagues also, for their support in the last year.

On October 9, 2007, the current government received an outstanding vote of

confidence from the people of our great Province. I personally thank my

supporters for the faith they have entrusted in me, and I am working diligently

on their behalf to provide services to the District of Humber Valley. The

district boundaries include Pasadena, Pynn's Brook, St. Judes, Deer Lake,

Reidville, Cormack, Howley, Hampton, The Beaches, Pollards Point, Sop's Arm,

and Jackson's Arm.

Throne Speech 2008 stated that it was government's mandate to build upon

the initiatives of the previous four years. The overarching goal was to move

Newfoundland and Labrador to self-reliance.

As a people, we were always a Have province in so many ways, but recently, we

learned that economically, our Province has now been classified as a Have

Province, and one of only four in the Canadian federation.

The Speech from the Throne highlighted the vast economic potential of our

Province; the potential in energy, mining, fisheries, aquaculture, and forestry

sectors were highlighted.

Also, quite noteworthy, was its emphasis on growth sectors, including tourism

and culture, ocean technology, and engineering. Government's recognition of

these sectors has significant implications for my district.

The District of Humber Valley has immense economic potential. The region is

fortunate to have broad economic sectors that highlight the immense economic

potential of the Humber Valley District. These sectors include tourism,

agriculture, forestry, mining, transportation, and the provision of government

services.

The tourism sector is experiencing significant growth. Much of this growth is

being complemented by the expansion at the Deer Lake Regional Airport. The Deer

Lake Regional Airport Authority officially opened its expanded facility in 2007,

marking less than three years since the organization decided to self-finance -

that is right, self-finance - the $11.5 million project to double the terminal

size and to make other significant improvements to this facility that is so

valuable as an asset to the people in my district and in the region. The airport

terminal building is a state-of-the-art facility comparable in architectural

detail and amenities to some of the best regional airports in Canada. It is

truly an asset to Western Newfoundland and the region it serves.

Not only is the current airport a significant employer but the newly-expanded

facility is a significant engine for economic growth in the region, and the

Airport Authority is to be complimented for the outstanding work they have done

in ensuring not only the success today but the future success of this very

valuable asset.

Mr. Speaker, the tourism industry is very significant to the economy of

Newfoundland and Labrador. In fact, one job in ten globally is connected to

tourism. Approximately 10 percent of the gross world product is contributed to

tourism on a global scale. Our Province's unprecedented investment in tourism

marketing is bringing dividends to our provincial economy. Tourism marketing

investment has increased from $6 million to $12 million since 2003, resulting in

award-winning multimedia advertising campaign, a revamped Web site, and an

overall 15 per cent increase in non-resident visitations.

Our government has reduced ferry rates, which will stimulate our tourism

sector by encouraging tourists to see more of our beautiful Province. It is so

unfortunate that the federal government, through Marine Atlantic, has not had

the same foresight as our provincial government.

The tourism assets in or near my district are quite significant. The tourism

potential of the Humber Valley is huge, and work is being done to grow the

industry by many individuals involved in the tourism sector in Western

Newfoundland. I have had the pleasure of seeing some significant work being done

to improve the Sir Richard Squires Park. The brush cutting, roadside ditching,

campsite development and dumping station are important improvements that have

taken place since my election. Tourists and local residents alike are amazed

when they see the mighty Atlantic salmon jump the falls. Our tourism minister

recently visited our district several times this past summer and was impressed

with the vast tourism potential of my district and area.

Cultural industries, Mr. Speaker, are important in my district and throughout

our Province. This government has a long-term comprehensive cultural strategy,

with an investment of approximately $17.6 million in new funding over three

years for the further development of the arts and culture sectors and heritage

sectors in our Province.

Mr. Speaker, in the words of Winston Churchill: A love for tradition has

never weakened a nation. Indeed, it has strengthened a nation in their hour of

peril.

Our traditions and culture have certainly strengthened our Province, as this

current government has recognized, through the significant infusion of capital

to support and grow this vital industry to the future success of our great

Province.

Another sector with growing economic significance is the agriculture-agrifoods

sector. There are a number of strawberry farms, dairy farms and root crops in

the Humber Valley. The Humber Valley Fall Fair is held every September to

showcase the diversity of agriculture in my district. The government has

provided a $4 million fund for new agriculture and agrifoods development to

support this industry in our Province.

Forestry continues to be a significant economic sector in my district. Modern

logging has changed significantly, and technology has removed much of the human

resource from the industry; however, logging is still important in my district

and it is comforting to know that government is committed to supporting it,

which is so vital. The government has invested $15 million through the

provincial silviculture program to ensure responsible management of the resource

in the past two years, and millions of dollars spent on forest resource roads.

The mining sector, Mr. Speaker, is also significant. Exploration work has

taken place in oil, uranium and precious metals in my district.

The fishing sector also plays a vital role in the White Bay area. There are

two fish plants in Jackson's Arm. These plants are significant employers,

providing jobs to all the communities in the White Bay area, including Jackson's

Arm, Sop's Arm, Pollards Point and the Hampden area.

Mr. Speaker, the provision of government services brings significant economic

benefit to my district. People are employed in health care, education, tourism,

transportation, and other government services.

The provision of twenty-four-hour snow clearing as a pilot project that was

recently announced is important to my district, providing employment and

important snow clearing services in the winter months.

Mr. Speaker, one of my primary roles as MHA is to help individuals,

organizations and community councils with their issues. In my new role as MHA I

want to make sure that I am a strong voice for the people in my district.

Indeed, Mr. Speaker, the past year has been a busy one for me and significant

improvements have been made throughout my district. I will highlight some of

them.

The completion of the Nicholsville Bridge highlighted $2.5 million worth of

transportation improvements this past summer. I was at the official opening of

the bridge with the Minister of Transportation at that time and it was certainly

well received. It was part of the provincial government's $73 million

Provincial Roads Improvement Program. Government promised the people of

Nicholsville a new bridge. They have been patient, and I am proud government

delivered on that commitment.

The Howley Bridge was repaired, and I was impressed when additional funding

was found to repair the rutting problem between Deer Lake and Pasadena, which

was a safety concern that arose over the summer. Government and the department

found the $1.2 million necessary to correct that rutting problem on the highway

which, no doubt, will mean many less accidents next year.

Work started on upgrading and repaving Route 420, Sop's Arm to Jackson's

Arm, but this work will not be completed, of course, until spring 2009.

Additional ditching work on Sir Richard Squires Park was also completed this

fall.

Mr. Speaker, I am working closely with municipal councils and local service

districts in my area. My background in municipal government has been an asset in

working with these organizations. I spent three terms as a municipal councillor

and was elected Mayor of Deer Lake prior to entering provincial politics. My

municipal experience included Western Director of both the Municipal Assessment

Agency and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, both elected positions.

Budget 2008 contained two very significant announcements that were applauded

by municipalities right across our Province. One was the introduction of an

improved cost-sharing ratio for municipalities, and increased capital works

funding to allow municipalities to move forward with otherwise unaffordable

infrastructure initiatives. We know the split; 90-10, 80-20, 70-30, depending on

the size of the municipality. For the two largest municipalities in my district,

Deer Lake and Pasadena, the new funding formula is 80-20, and for all other

municipalities, including local service districts, the funding formula is 90-10;

quite significant. Already this year I have seen a significant increase in the

number of applications from these municipalities for valuable infrastructure

work to be done in their community which includes, of course, water and sewer

work and other important assets to those communities.

Safe drinking water: $6 million annually for upgrades to public water systems

and $4 million towards waste water disposals systems which was contained in the

last budget and, of course, which was also well received by municipalities

across this Province.

Mr. Speaker, this government has done much positive work to support health

care in our Province. Major enhancements have been made to the Newfoundland and

Labrador Prescription Drug Program, making prescription drugs more accessible

and affordable for the people of this Province. The annual investment in the

Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program has increased by almost 55

per cent with the current investment for Budget 2008 at nearly $151 million.

My office, Mr. Speaker, has provided support for the people seeking help to

acquire their drug cards.

Funding has also included new MRI machines, new long-term care facilities,

funding for mental health, addictions, new vaccines, insulin pumps and improved

dental care programs for children. The addition of new drugs for cancer patients

and Alzheimer patients, as well as $4 million to add services for families of

individuals with disabilities was indeed quite significant, and the minister is

to be complimented and congratulated for the job that he is doing.

Government has strengthened the Child, Youth and Family Services system with

an unprecedented annual investment of over $9 million, resulting in more social

work positions, enhanced professional development and training, and quality

assurance initiatives to ensure the safety, health and well being of children

and youth, while supporting your families, as mandated under the CYFS Act.

The announcement of new X-ray equipment for the clinic in Deer Lake is

welcome news.

Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to have been elected to a government with

such a strong record of achievement and success. Not only has the government

invested strategically to grow the provincial economy, but has developed and

implemented a comprehensive $11 million poverty reduction action plan.

Now, Mr. Speaker, some of those highlights are, indeed, quite significant to

those in need in our Province. One of those things that I heard from residents

in my area, when I went around, was the minimum wage. I was so pleased when

Budget 2008 announced that the minimum wage in our Province was going to be

increased to $10 by the year 2010.

Increased budget allocation for social housing to $25.5 million over the next

five years, will double the provincial funding being provided to modernize the

current social housing stock throughout the Province.

Government has doubled the current provincial contribution to the Provincial

Home Repair Program, and just recently, we saw that government will also extend

the home rebate program this year with improvements. Also, of course, the

insulation program is to come on stream in the new year. These, as well, are

very significant social programs for poverty reduction in our Province.

Government has doubled the current provincial contribution to the provincial

home repair to $24 million over the next six years, and has increased housing to

reduce the more than 4,000 applications that were on file down to approximately

2,600, as of September, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, significant improvements have also taken place in education. The

elimination of the school fees, at a cost of $6.3 million was quite significant.

Government also allocated $12.8 million to provide free textbooks. I have said

before in this hon. House, I spent thirty-one years as a school administrator

and the free textbook program was always K-8, and this was quite significant,

and of course, a very important part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. Too

often I saw students select a course because of the cost of a textbook.

Mr. Speaker, last budget spending in education hit $1 billion. A new teacher

allocation formula was a part of it, which was based on two key elements. A

focus on programming, teaching needs and, of course, maximum class size, two

significant issues in the educational system. A new student aid package, which

hails as one of the best in the country and the envy of students nationwide due

to one of the lowest tuitions in the country, upfront needs based grants and

debt reduction grants at a reduction of interest on the students.

Of course, now we are also in third reading of a new piece of legislation

that will see even further improvements to the student aid program for people

who serve in our Forces. Of course, the tuition freeze, we have one of the

lowest tuitions in the country. I am so pleased to see that government honoured

its commitment to continue with those tuition freezes.

Mr. Speaker, in this modern age of technology I am excited that the

government has made a significant investment to bring Broadband to more rural

communities and to increase the competitiveness of our Province. Two rural

schools in my district now have better services. This fall that is right,

Mr. Speaker thanks to improving technology, students at both Hampton Academy

and Main River Academy now have better access to on-line courses.

Mr. Speaker, volunteers play a significant role in the social, cultural and

economic development of the communities in my district. They are involved with

sporting groups, town councils, library boards, fire departments, festivals,

events, museums, zonal boards, church groups, service clubs, you name it. The

contribution they make is quite significant to the district and to the Province.

I would like to congratulate our government on having a minister responsible for

working with the not-for-profit sector.

In the words again, Mr. Speaker, of Winston Churchill: "We make a living

by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

Mr. Speaker, some other accomplishments we have seen include, of course, the

Hebron development. A multi-million dollar deal, billions in revenues and

royalties, and of course we have a seat at the table and at least 3,500 jobs;

quite significant.

MR. SPEAKER: Order please!

I remind the hon. Member for Humber Valley that his time for speaking has

expired.

MR. KELLY: By leave?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: By leave!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. member, by leave.

MR. KELLY: Agreement with the Innu means the Lower Churchill development

is in full steam ahead with lots of momentum, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KELLY: Mr. Speaker, $2 billion Atlantic Accord, equity ownership with

a 5 per cent stake in White Rose. Other further accomplishments include released

Focusing Our Energy, the first comprehensive long-term energy plan for

Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, also quite significant, which is a significant factor at this

moment or at this time in our history, is that this government turned the fiscal

situation around, from a potential billion-dollar deficit to massive surpluses.

Oil and gas had a lot to do with it, but it does sound fiscal management and

this government right now, because of what they have done in terms of fiscal

management, our Province is in a much better position to take on the current

situation.

Governments, I guess, Mr. Speaker, there are two avenues open. One is

monetary policy, and as we know, in this country monetary policy is controlled

by the Bank of Canada. Basically, monetary policy refers to interest rates. Of

course, we have seen that those have been coming down because of great concern

by the Bank of Canada about us heading into a recession.

The other policy is fiscal policy, and that is what control governments have

themselves. This government has made significant changes to fiscal policy in the

last five years, which has bettered our position right now. We are in a much

better position than many provinces in our federation of course, in many

countries around the globe.

Personal income tax reduction, elimination of the insurance tax; quite

significant. The Poverty Reduction Strategy, secured public sector and teacher

pension plans that were on the verge of collapse, infrastructure plan worth

about $3 million, quite significant, and when you think of it, only five years.

Award of a $50.5 million contract for the construction of two new ferries here

in this Province; $2.4 million recreation and sport strategy to strengthen

services and programs aimed at creating a healthy, more physically active

population. I hope to be involved, Mr. Speaker; $6 million comprehensive

provincial immigration strategy.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciated the opportunity to address this House today. It is

quite clear to me that this current government has done an outstanding job in

this Province. It is quite clear to me that this government has vision and the

determination to grow our Province both socially and economically.

I am confident that this team will further its economic and social agenda for

the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Mr. Speaker, I am excited about the opportunity to participate in the

management and growth of this Province. I am confident that the direction of our

leader, Premier Williams, and his team, will result in long-term sustainable

benefits for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

I fully recognize the challenges that currently exist, and more are on the

horizon, but I do solemnly believe that the current government will continue to

meet and exceed the expectations of the people of the Province.

It has been a pleasure to be in this House today and to speak on the Speech

from the Throne, and I look forward to getting things done in my district, and

for the people of this Province.

Mr. Speaker, this current government is doing an outstanding job, and in the

words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The reward of a thing well done, is to have

done it."

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to speak in this hon. House.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for Trinity North; the hon. the Minister of Health and

Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, as you stand in this House, and as I listened

attentively to my colleague from Humber Valley talk about the accomplishments of

government, we may be accused of being political in this House, and sometimes we

may be however, we are politicians but, at the same time, in all

honesty, you cannot help but sit in the House and listen to the member opposite

stand and talk about the accomplishments of our government over the last year or

two, some of the investments we have made, some of the things we have

established as a priority and we have moved forward and actioned, without having

some sense of pride and feeling some sense of accomplishment as a government.

Because we have, Mr. Speaker, we have made some significant investments in

Newfoundland and Labrador since 2003, since we have formed government, and we

have made some very strategic decisions - decisions that will hold the Province

in good stead for the long term and establish significant foundations, because

some of the foundational pieces of work that were done at the very beginning was

getting our fiscal house in order. That is why we were able to stand and sit in

this house the other day and hear our colleague, the Minister of Finance and

President of Treasury Board, stand and give a fiscal update that clearly

reflects a government that has made some prudent decisions. That is why he was

able to talk about the surplus that we are boasting this year, while at the same

time being able to talk about some of the challenges that we are facing as a

Province, as a nation, in making sure that we have programs and services that

are sustainable in the long term and position ourselves to be able to weather

the storm that is ahead economically that has been influenced by international

forces, not just what is happening in our backyards but throughout the world.

I say, Mr. Speaker, it is rewarding and refreshing as I hear the member

opposite stand and talk, recognizing that the achievements and the investments

that he references are a reflection of a government that has made some strategic

decisions in the last five years that have allowed us to be able to do some of

these things that he has referenced in his comments.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take some time this afternoon in my comments, as the

Minister of Health and Community Services, to talk about some of the things that

we have done in health and community services.

Frequently, we will pick up the paper or we will listen to the evening news

or turn on the radio in the midday and hear someone talking about a concern that

they had about our health system, talking about there is a crisis somewhere or

that there is a problem somewhere or that there is a lack of service somewhere

or there is a gap or someone is on a waiting list. Mr. Speaker, I am not here

this afternoon, I will not stand in this House this afternoon and try to suggest

to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that there are not, on some

occasions, and you might find yourself being able to go around this Province as

we speak and find out that there is someone on the West Coast, there is someone

in Northern Newfoundland or someone up in the Labrador portion of the Province

who is on a wait-list far too long. I will not stand here and try to defend some

new recent commentary with respect to individuals who have had surgery planned

and they have been bumped because of some problem with having an ICU bed or some

other issue that has created some pressures in the OR that day and resulted in a

cancelled surgery. I am acknowledging that those things have happened. I am not

suggesting that they are something that we want to see continued; nor would I

support having it being a permanent part of our health system. It is something

we are working towards but I think, in all fairness, frequently when we hear

criticisms of our health system we need to sit back sometimes and reflect on

some of the good things that are happening. I think there needs to be a balance

to some of these things.

I am not here to say that everything is rosy. I am not here to say that the

health system is functioning perfectly today. What I do want to do, though, Mr.

Speaker, what I do want to raise here in this House today, and use my

opportunity here in speaking to the Speech from the Throne, is to talk about

some of the things that we have actually done, and talk about them in the

context of being foundation pieces of work.

If you look at the Budget, for example, I say, Mr. Speaker, in the last five

years since we have been in government we have seen our health budget now

escalate up to $2.3 billion. I mean, 40 per cent of every single program dollar

spent in Newfoundland and Labrador by the provincial government is spent on

health and community services.

In last year's budget, we had a budget increase of about 10 per cent. In

the last three years, I say, Mr. Speaker, over the course of the last three

years, our annual increase in our budget has been in the order of 9.8 per cent,

10 per cent. That has been sustained for the last three years. This year, just

recently, about a month ago, we received an update. A national organization that

does some monitoring in health expenditures across the country produces a report

annually, I say, Mr. Speaker, on a variety of expenditure areas. This is a

report, though, Canadian Institute for Health Information; they provide an

analysis of health expenditures across the country.

This year, Mr. Speaker, for the first time we now spend more money per capita

than any other Province in Canada. Up until now we were the second. I think last

year and the year before that we were in second place. The year before that I

think we were in third place for a while. Now, in 2008, we are spending more per

capita than any other province in Canada, some three thousand nine hundred and

some odd dollars I think it is. It is more than any other province in Canada, I

say, Mr. Speaker.

When we start talking about health investments, when you look at our record

of the last three or four years, you will find a government that sees this as a

significant priority, an important issue for the people of Newfoundland and

Labrador; so much so that every single year when the Minister of Finance stands

in his place and reads into the record our annual budget, he is able to talk

about an increase in health expenditures in the magnitude of 10 per cent, around

that figure, for the last three years. Now we are spending more per capital than

anyone else in all of Canada. That speaks, I say, Mr. Speaker, to the high

priority that we give to the health system in this Province, and to the health

status of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

I just want to highlight a couple of those things, because over that period

of five years you can't infuse two hundred and forty-odd million dollars of

new money, over and above what we started out with in 2003, you can't take two

hundred and forty-odd million dollars and infuse it into a health system without

having some kind of an impact.

I want to talk about some of the things that money is being used for. To

start with, let's talk about health facilities. You know, I go home to

Clarenville on the weekends and I can't help but feel proud as I drive in

Manitoba Drive and I look at a brand new long-term health care facility that is

about to be opened; a some twenty-odd million dollar investment, Mr. Speaker,

that we have made in enhancing services to the people of that region of our

Province. It is not replacing an existing facility, because there is nothing

there now. This is brand new.

Just recently I happened to be in Corner Brook and had an opportunity to tour

the construction site of the new long-term care home in Corner Brook - a

facility now, the structure is standing, the outside of the building is pretty

well complete and they are working on the inside - another massive investment of

improving long-term care services.

I had an opportunity to join my colleagues from Labrador very recently in

opening a new dialysis unit in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, but while doing that I

had an opportunity as well to tour the construction site of another long-term

care home in the community of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Again, that building now

is closed in and they are working on the inside, a some fifty-odd bed long-term

care facility that, by the way they are progressing in the construction process,

I suspect will be open some time in the latter part of 2009 or early 2010. The

work is progressing well.

We have heard some of the critics talk about the new hospital in Labrador

City, and wondering is it going ahead, why the delay. I tell you, Mr. Speaker,

and I want to repeat here, the reason it was delayed was because IOC came

forward and said: Government, the site that you are planning to build that

hospital on is dangerously close to the expansion of our mine site, because we

proposed to expand the mine site out much closer to the new site you selected

than we initially thought. We need to better understand the implications of

that. So they gave us the heads-up. They, together with IOC as a company,

together with officials in government, needed some time to evaluate that site to

determine the true impact of having a hospital located here, and a mine site

here, and the implications for those blasts in a mine site and what impact it

might have on a new hospital that we are building. That is why, fundamentally,

we have seen a delay.

The upshot of it is we have lost the 2008 construction season and not being

able to do anything in Labrador City because of that. Unfortunately, Mr.

Speaker, until we had the land issue settled away and we knew exactly where we

were going to be building this new facility, we were not able to proceed with

plans. Obviously, as architects will tell you, we cannot design a building for

you for a particular site unless you tell us where the site is going to be, and

that is what we ran into, so the architects had to basically step down. They

were not in a position to continue with their planning efforts until we were

able to clearly tell them and confirm for them that the exact location will be

this particular site right here.

That is what we have now done and they are proceeding, as they were

originally engaged to do, which is to design and lay out for us a new building

to be constructed in Labrador City. We are hoping to be able to start the

construction of that as soon as we reasonably can, given the weather conditions

in that part of the Province.

My colleague from Grand Bank, I understand, just a few short weeks ago, moved

into a new community clinic in Grand Bank, a brand new facility that is being

constructed there, a state-of-the-art facility, Mr. Speaker. That, along with a

major redevelopment of Blue Crest long-term care home and a project that is also

nearing an end pretty soon. In the very near future, early in the new year, I

say, Mr. Speaker, I am going to be joining my colleague from Grand Bank and we

are going to open that new facility in Grand Bank, a facility that will replace

in fact, I believe, Mr. Speaker, the facility that currently houses the

clinic in Grand Bank is the last remaining structure that represents the cottage

hospital network that was established in Newfoundland and Labrador many years

ago. I think this is the last remaining building. It now has a practical use for

a health facility. I think there is one in the Bonne Bay area that has been

redeveloped as a museum, but practicing and functioning as a clinic and

providing medical services, I think the one in Grand Bank is the last one

remaining. That is going to be a very proud moment for my colleague from Grand

Bank and for the people of that area as it sees an enhancement of services in

that region.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, you cannot have buildings without equipment.

Last year, Mr. Speaker, the year that we are now rapping up, we have a few short

months left, we are going to spend some $52 million in new equipment in health

services this year. That is on top of the $48 million that we spent in the

previous year. I guess in the last sixteen months, Mr. Speaker, we have invested

close to $100 million in new equipment for health facilities throughout

Newfoundland and Labrador.

As we talk about some of that new equipment, we have put new CT scans in

Happy Valley-Goose Bay, new CT's in St. Anthony. We have twelve new digital

mammography machines purchased last year.

Mr. Speaker, just to speak to that point for a moment, last year we saw

twelve new digital mammography machines purchased for the Province and that

completes we have now replaced all of the old analog technology that existed

in the Province. All of the old analog mammography equipment has now been

replaced with new digital technology, Mr. Speaker. Every single piece of

mammography equipment in this Province has been purchased since we formed

government and it is all the latest technology. That is something, again, Mr.

Speaker, not only does it speak to the investment in technology but it speaks

to, I think, our commitment, our commitment to ensuring that the health

professionals who work in Newfoundland and Labrador have available to them the

latest technology to assist them with the work that they do.

On that note, Mr. Speaker, I want to I do not know if it is appropriate

or not to read into the record, but I want to bring attention to a document that

was produced by Canada Health Infoway. Now, Canada Health Infoway is an

organization that was established by the federal government to provide an

infusion of money for the provinces to assist them in bringing into play new

electronic health information systems.

I just want to read, Mr. Speaker, the highlights of their most recent

newsletter. It says: progress in Newfoundland and Labrador: Newfoundland and

Labrador diagnostic imaging gets an A grade. Here is a national organization

acknowledging the great work that we have done in this Province and the

leadership that we have shown in this Province. In the diagnostic imaging

service area, we now have every single X-ray, every single CT scan being

performed, MRI scans, mammography exams, are all being stored digitally in a

computer system.

If you are a patient in Western Memorial Hospital in Corner Brook today and

you have an X-ray taken and the physician who is treating you - it could be in

Bonne Bay, it could be in Western Memorial, it could be in Twillingate, and the

physician who is treating you pulls up the X-ray on the screen and says: I

believe this is such-and-such a diagnosis, but I would like to have a second

opinion. He calls up a radiologist who is sitting here in the Health Sciences

Centre, or he calls up a radiologist in Gander or Grand Falls and says: listen,

can you have a look at this image with me and tell me what you think? While the

two of them are looking at the same image on two different screens in two

different communities, they are providing a more accurate diagnosis which will

assist with the treatment of that patient who is being seen in that particular

facility.

Mr. Speaker, not only were we the leaders in the country, we were the first

Province in the country to achieve that penetration throughout our entire

Province. In fact, we received such recognition for it, not only did we get

published, acknowledging the great work we have done, the Newfoundland and

Labrador Centre for Health Information has been asked, because of their

expertise, because of their knowledge and because of the leadership shown by

that organization as national leaders on this front, they have been asked to

participate with Canada Health Infoway. In fact, they have been contracted.

Canada Health Infoway have given them a contract for $1.5 million dollars to

assist Canada Health Infoway evaluate this system in other jurisdictions.

In other words, we have Newfoundlanders and Labradorians now who have been

asked, because of their expertise and leadership, they have been asked to help

evaluate this system that is now being implemented in New Brunswick and in Nova

Scotia. So we have developed that kind of expertise and that leadership. I say,

Mr. Speaker, as a part of that piece of work, we are about to another

component of this electronic patient record that we are establishing, in March

of this year - March of 2009 rather, this year coming up - we are going to be

piloting in Grand Falls-Windsor, in Central Newfoundland, we are going to be

piloting a project that will see a pharmacy come online with an electronic

pharmacy network. That will be the first pharmacy to come online, as a pilot,

and they are a test site. They are testing a system that is already developed.

So by the time 2009 roles around, and fiscal 2009-2010 is over, we will have

successfully implemented another component of our electronic patient record

system. We are now that is the second component, the PACS and the imaging

system, as I just referenced a moment ago, was the first. We were the first in

the country to do that. We will be among the leaders in the country to have a

pharmacy network established. In this coming year, we will start with some

matching funds from Canada Health Infoway they are giving us about $18

million over five years, and we are going to match that money to have our

lab systems as a part of this electronic patient record system.

So just to place this in some context, Mr. Speaker, we will be one of the

leading provinces in the entire country in moving towards having an electronic

patient information system. As a Minister of Health and Community Services, I

frequently get various journals come across my desk, various publications

acknowledging what is happening in the rest of the country, and about maybe five

or six months ago I picked up an

article that talked about New Brunswick

announcing their plan to move towards an electronic patient information system.

They are announcing that in the last six or eight months.

We are standing here today I am standing here today, as the minister,

telling the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that we are the leaders in this

field. We already have one component implemented, one other component the

pharmacy system substantially implemented, and by the time this coming year

is over, we will have started on the third phase, which is having a new lab

information system. Leaders in the country, I say Mr. Speaker.

When people stand in this Province and criticize our health system and talk

about what we are not doing, what it is we are lacking in this Province, and why

don't we do things here like they do in other jurisdictions? I am here today,

Mr. Speaker, to tell the people of this Province that we are, in fact, in some

areas of our health system, well ahead of some others.

So when we start talking about how we improve access to health services, how

we improve diagnostic services, how we improve the working environment to allow

us to attract the kind of capable, competent people that we need around us,

these are just some of the tools that we are putting in place, Mr. Speaker, to

allow us to do that; investing in infrastructure, investing in technology. Being

the leaders in moving forward with developing the kind of electronic patient

information that provides improved access to health services, enhances the

physicians and nurses and other clinicians ability to provide quality health

services in a very speedy way and in a fashion that provides enhanced services

with a view of always improving the overall health status of our population.

I know, Mr. Speaker, my time is about up but there is one other point, with

leave from the House. With leave, I just want to highlight one other significant

thing-

MR. SPEAKER (Collins): Order, please!

Does the member have leave?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Leave.

MR. WISEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. member by leave.

MR. WISEMAN: I do not know how I can contain myself. I have been in this

House eight years and no one has ever given me leave before. So I thank you very

much, to my hon. colleagues for I think it is a recognition, Mr. Speaker, it

is a recognition that my colleagues now fully understand I believe and truly

appreciate the value of our health system and want to hear more about the

wonderful things that we are doing to improve our health services.

One organization I do want to acknowledge again, I want to read into the

record. This is a publication from Memorial's Medical School, and the

publication talks about medical education expansion and enhancements. I want to

read you a couple of key things. Today, there are 208 specialists in this

Province, or 56 per cent of the fully licensed specialists in this Province are

graduates of Memorial University's Residency Program.

AN HON. MEMBER: Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN: The other thing, Mr. Speaker, we have 237 family physicians

in this Province which represents - or graduates of Memorial University, which

represents 59 per cent of the family physicians in this Province. So when we

look at great institutions doing great work and providing capable, competent,

very well qualified health practitioners for Newfoundland, we just need to look

to MUN's Medical School.

I want to read a couple of other interesting facts, I say, Mr. Speaker,

because this I think speaks to the wisdom of our government's decision to

invest heavily in the expansion of Memorial University Medical School. We want

to be able to move from the current sixty students enrolled to a full eighty

students to be enrolled when the expansion is completed. Plans are progressing

as we speak, and we have invested or committed to invest some $15 million in the

capital construction of that school, that expansion, but also are committed to

the funding that will be required to operate it once it is expanded.

I want to just read into the record, Mr. Speaker, three significant points, I

think, that again endorses the wisdom of our decision. This document has

suggested that from 2002 to 2008, 144 MUN medical graduates established practice

in Newfoundland and Labrador, or represents forty medical students in total;

2008 alone saw seventeen family physicians graduating from MUN's medical

school and establishing practice in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Here is the other interesting point, Mr. Speaker: Over 80 per cent of MUN's

MD graduates who become licensed to practice medicine in Newfoundland and

Labrador remain here after five years. Statistically, Mr. Speaker, once

physicians have established their practice, established themselves in a

community for a period of longer than five years, statistically speaking they

are more apt to stay for the full duration of their career.

I say, Mr. Speaker, time goes pretty quickly. I have just spent twenty short

minutes talking about some of the things that we are doing in health services in

Newfoundland and Labrador, some of the investments we have made as a government,

some of the improvements we have made, and I have only just touched the service.

I have a binder here, Mr. Speaker, full of great achievements and great things

that we have done. I could spend hours standing in this House, but I don't

want to impose myself on my colleagues. I appreciate the fact that they have

given me leave to continue. I could go on and on forever because I have just

pages and pages, and lists and lists of accomplishments, but I do want to

conclude with this, Mr. Speaker, on a very serious note.

On a very serious note, I want to take this opportunity to commend the

thousands in our health system in Newfoundland and Labrador we have over

20,000 people employed with our four regional health authorities and within the

Department of Health and Community Services who, on each and every day of the

year, go to work wanting to do good, wanting to ensure that they have an

opportunity to improve the lots of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. I want to

take this opportunity as I stand in this House today, on the eve of Christmas,

to wish them and their families all the best for the Christmas season,

prosperity through the New Year, and thank them, on behalf of the Government of

this Province, for the great work that they do on behalf of Newfoundlanders and

Labradorians.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Before we proceed, the Chair would like to recognize in the gallery the

Bhuiyan family from Bangladesh, who are here. One of their daughters works with

Multiculturalism.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Welcome to the House of Assembly and the Province of

Newfoundland and Labrador.

The hon. the Member for Cape St. Francis.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

It is both an honour and a privilege to stand here today to represent the

constituents of the District of Cape St. Francis. I want to thank them once

again for their support, and assure them that I will represent our district to

the best of my ability and repay the confidence they have shown in me.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the individuals who helped me during

my by-election campaign. I had a wonderful group of volunteers who gave freely

of their time and energy, and I really appreciate the hard work that they have

done.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a bittersweet feeling that I am in this position

today. I am extremely proud to follow in the footsteps of the representatives of

our district, but it is with a heavy heart that I am in this position today. I

stand here following the loss of a great personal friend of mine, a great friend

of the people of the district. I am sure you all realize I am referring to the

late Jack Byrne and his dedication to his constituents of Cape St. Francis in

particular and to the people of the Province in general.

Mr. Speaker, during my campaign I had the pleasure of knocking on lots of

doors, and spoke to a countless number of people throughout the district, and

all voiced their admiration and respect for Jack and his constant determination

to help his region and its residents grow and prosper.

It is obvious that I have very large shoes to fill, and I want to assure the

people of the district that the projects that were a priority to Jack Byrne are

a priority to me as well.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, it is with great

pleasure that I stand here today and say that our new regional arena is now in

operation. It is a beautiful state-of-the-art building of which all people in

the district should be very proud. Without the hard work of Jack and the

co-operation of the communities involved - Flatrock, Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer

Cove, Pouch Cove and Torbay - this facility would not have become a reality.

Mr. Speaker, the Torbay Bypass Road has long been a dream of the residents of

Bauline, Flatrock, Pouch Cove and Torbay. Being one of the fastest growing

regions of the Province, the number of vehicles traveling Torbay Road has

steadily increased. Traffic congestion has become a real issue.

I am very pleased to inform the House and the residents affected that the

tenders have been called. Construction will commence soon. Hopefully, the Bypass

Road will alleviate the traffic problems we are having for many of our residents

now.

Mr. Speaker, with the growth in the region, the influx of new families in the

area, the increase of student population had to be accommodated. Due to the

aging infrastructure and the foresight of some of our community leaders, a new

elementary school was planned and necessary funds secured. There was a delay in

the project due to location decisions, but it is my pleasure to inform the House

again that the construction on the site work has begun for the new elementary

school in the Town of Torbay.

Mr. Speaker, I can go no further without congratulating and thanking not only

the late Jack Byrne but the federal, provincial and municipal governments for

their vision and considerable financial input on the completion of these

important projects.

Mr. Speaker, I represent five towns, a small part of St. John's, an area

where fast growing region and infrastructure needs are increasing. In

conjunction with the needs of the residents, as a former municipal leader I can

emphasize with the municipalities in regards to these needs. I want to work side

by side with the residents to solve any problems that may arise during my term

as MHA. Hopefully, we can continue the co-operation between the communities, as

we saw on the arena, and continue to work together to improve our area.

Also, I wish to work with the volunteer organizations. They put in countless

hours and work tirelessly to make our communities strong and vibrant, to make

them better places to live. Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of these groups

throughout my district, and being a volunteer for many years gives me great

insight into their needs and wishes. Let me assure all concerned, that I will be

available to help them in any way I can.

Mr. Speaker, the District of Cape St. Francis has been represented by

exceptional members since its inception in 1949 and I hope to continue with the

commitment of these great individuals. One of these members was Kevin Parsons

Senior, my father, who represented the district between 1986 and 1993.

Mr. Speaker, my mom and my dad are the ones who have had the most influence

in my life. They are the main reason I am in this position I am in today and I

would like to thank them for their commitment in raising their children to show

compassion to those in need, to show respect for those less fortunate than

ourselves and instilling the belief that community is family and families always

take care of each other. This certainly became apparent during my by-election as

well. When I needed help, my siblings and other relatives quickly offered

support and soon my community family stepped in and all help necessary was quick

at hand.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my two children, David and Nicole. I always had

their full support, and I am so glad of that. My children play a major role in

my life and they played a major role in my campaign. Along with their many

friends, they educated me on the power of the Internet and the ability to

contact so many people in such a short period of time. I was so impressed with

the enthusiasm of the youth in the district, I think like many, the future of

our Province is in our youth, and I also think our future is in good hands.

Mr. Speaker, the biggest concern with Newfoundland and Labradorians today is

the world-wide economic situation and the effects it may have upon us. Right

now, nobody knows how sure these effects are going to be, meaning we do not know

how bad the situation could become.

Mr. Speaker, I was at a seniors' function recently, and I spoke to a

senior. A gentleman eighty-two years old. We talked about the economy. He felt

Newfoundland and Labrador was in a fortunate position, for the simple fact that

we have such a great leader. What he said to me was, whenever the waters get

rough, you need a good Captain at the wheel, and he feels confident Newfoundland

and Labrador will weather any storm. Obviously, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians

feel the same way, with the recent showing of our Premier with 80 per cent

approval.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, as a new member, I have been listening to

the speeches for the last couple of weeks, and I found them very interesting.

Mr. Speaker, there is one that hit home the most, it was from the hon. Member

for Bonavista North, when he was speaking about the fishery. My family was

involved in the fishery for years. My father fished. My whole family was

involved in trucking fish. We trucked millions of pounds of cod and capelin from

the District of Cape St. Francis.

Mr. Speaker, when the moratorium came in 1992, the area that I represent, the

beautiful District of Cape St. Francis, was devastated by the loss of the cod

fishery. Myself, like most people, thought it was all over for our fishermen.

However, today, Mr. Speaker, I see a fishery more prosperous than ever, because

of the movement from cod to crab.

As the hon. Member from Bonavista North spoke, fishermen who started the crab

fishery people did not think it was such a great idea. Now look at a fishery

worth over $1 billion. Mr. Speaker, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have

bounced back so many times. When one door closes, another one opens.

Mr. Speaker, I feel bad about the situation in Lab West and Grand

Falls-Windsor area, and how the people find themselves due to the downturn of

the economy, but I am sure there will be doors open in these communities. I know

the Premier and the ministers and the government as a whole, will be working to

ensure all opportunities are seized in these areas to alleviate any

circumstances that these people find themselves in. I think all we have to do is

look at today, an important piece of legislation hopefully this government will

be passing here today.

Mr. Speaker, I have a friend of mine, who was one of my best buddies growing

up. I speak to him on a regular basis. For the past twenty-five years he has

been listening to the word Newf, and on a weekly basis, he has heard a Newfie

joke. In a recent conversation, he informs me that things are changing. He works

in Cambridge, Ontario, in a steel mill, and the talk around the water cooler and

in the lunchroom has changed dramatically. People see Newfoundland and Labrador

in a different light.

Mr. Speaker, since 2003, each year following, not only did Newfoundlanders

and Labradorians change here but Canadians have changed in how they see our

people. Mr. Speaker, this is a direct result of this government's policies and

planning. Finally, we have a Premier who is not afraid to stand up and ensure

that we get maximum benefits for our resources. The days of the giveaways are no

longer.

I feel very fortunate to be part of this government with such a great leader

and such a strong team. That is why Newfoundlanders and Labradorians here and

away have the pride that they do in our Province today.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the hon.

Member for Baie Verte-Springdale on his win as well. I wish him all the best,

and I know that his district will be well represented.

Mr. Speaker, to conclude, I am looking forward to the next few years. As a

former member of the Flatrock Flyers hockey team I was very fortunate in winning

four Herder championships. For those of you who don't know what a Herder

championship is, it is like the Stanley Cup for a Newfoundland hockey player.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KEVIN PARSONS: I know what is needed to have a successful team. You

need strong leadership, you need collective strength, and you need hard work and

determination. I have quickly learned that these are the characteristics of my

new team.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all my colleagues for their

courtesy and the support they have shown me in making my transition into public

life much easier than I thought it would be.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On March 10, 2008, this government outlined a clear and positive direction

for our Province, and now we enter into a new history-making time as a have

Province.

I now have the opportunity to participate in the Address in Reply to the

Speech from the Throne.

Mr. Speaker, as many of my colleagues alluded to, we are an action oriented

government and it has indeed been a busy time for all departments, including the

Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs.

I would like to acknowledge my colleague, the hon. John Hickey, Minister of

Labrador Affairs, who, together with myself, advocated for the people of

Labrador and indeed Aboriginal people throughout our Province.

During his response to the Throne Speech, Minister Hickey noted with some

pride the accomplishments of this government to improve the lives and well-being

of Labradorians under the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador, which will see

more than $300 million invested during the course of the five-year plan. Indeed,

from improvements to our transportation system to ongoing efforts to improve our

many programs and services delivered through the Northern Strategic Plan, we

have much to be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador is made up of rugged shorelines,

beautiful majestic mountains and dense forests. Many of our people live in rural

areas. I feel it is a priority for government to see first-hand how people live

in remote communities and the challenges they face. Of course, Newfoundlanders

and Labradorians throughout the Province can face challenges of food, clothing,

shelter, and access to programs and services, but meeting these challenges can

often be only the more difficult for people who live in our remote communities.

Mr. Speaker, recently I was very pleased to bring several of my hon. Cabinet

colleagues to my beautiful District of Torngat Mountains.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: During those visits, my colleagues had the opportunity to meet

and converse with residents and leaders of the Inuit community governments,

Nunatsiavut Government, the Mushuau Innu Band Council and the Innu Nation. I

believe it is important that our government not just govern from here in this

hon. House but it is imperative that we see the effects that our decisions and

our actions have on the people in this Province. This gives all of us a better

understanding of what must be done to improve the lives of all Newfoundlanders

and Labradorians.

In the case of my own district, I can say with some pride a number of things

we have introduced to assist people in their day-to-day lives. We have the $500

rebate for home heating, an increase of $100. There are reduced vehicle

registration fees to reflect the fact that roads are not accessible year-round.

I am also pleased to note that in the coming weeks residents of communities on

the North Coast will no longer have to travel to Happy Valley-Goose Bay to have

their photo identification necessary for air travel and will be able to have

their photos taken in their own communities.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: Mr. Speaker, this is a government that listens to the concerns

of people living in rural and isolated communities and works to address those

concerns. Our recent consultations on the Poverty Reduction Strategy are a great

example of this. I was pleased to join Minister Skinner when he visited the

North Coast to hear the concerns of the residents of Hopedale. We are listening,

Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, these are indeed historic times for Aboriginal people in

Newfoundland and Labrador. In the Speech from the Throne our government stated

that it would work constructively with the Innu Nation toward the achievement of

a comprehensive land claims agreement. On September 28 of this year this

government, under the leadership of Premier Williams, laid out the framework of

a wide-ranging agreement with the Innu of Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: The Tshash Petapen Agreement, which translates as the New Dawn

Agreement, resolves key issues relating to matters between the Province and the

Innu Nation surrounding the Innu Rights Agreement, the Lower Churchill Impacts

and Benefits Agreement, and Innu redress on the Upper Churchill hydroelectric

development.

My hon. colleague, the Minister of Labrador Affairs and MHA for the District

of Lake Melville, stood in this Chamber earlier in this session and spoke about

how the development of Upper Churchill took away the lands where generations of

Innu hunted and trapped. He spoke of how the flooded Smallwood Reservoir changed

the landscape of Labrador.

To speak personally, it was one of the most moving moments in my time as

Minister of Aboriginal Affairs to take

part in that announcement on a clear

Friday morning in late September when we informed the people of Newfoundland and

Labrador that we had reached this agreement - one achieved only hours earlier as

the rising autumn sun marked the dawn of a new day in Canada's most easterly

province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: As they spoke with great emotion and conviction, Innu leaders

described what it meant for them as a people to have achieved an agreement that

acknowledges wrongdoings for past actions along with financial compensation. Mr.

Speaker, what we have done cannot be undone, but, for the sake of a prosperous

future, wrongdoings can be acknowledged and compensation can be given for the

mistakes of the past. That powerful sentiment certainly permeates the New Dawn

Agreement.

Shortly after the agreement was signed, I had the pleasure of visiting the

community of Natuashish in my district. It was moving to me to sense how people

were excited and pleased with what the Innu leadership had achieved. Once the

New Dawn Agreement is ratified with the Innu of Labrador, we will be on the

right track for sanctioning of the Lower Churchill. This project will indeed

make us a major player in our energy-conscious world.

The settling and implementing of land claims is essential to the development

of new and respectful relationships between governments and Aboriginal peoples.

The resolution of land claims ensures that everyone knows what the rules are and

where they apply, providing a stable and predictable environment for investors.

Mr. Speaker, as an Aboriginal woman who grew up and went to school and raised

my own family in my Aboriginal community of Hopedale, I know first-hand the

struggles Aboriginal people have. This government has taken significant strides

to address the concerns of many Aboriginal people, and in particular the

terrible violence Aboriginal woman and children face.

This year's Speech from the Throne made it quite clear, this Administration

will not tolerate family violence.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: Through the guidance of my good colleague, the hon. Kathy

Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the

Status of Women, we are investing over $9 million over a six-year period in the

Violence Prevention Initiative.

I was pleased to recently join Minister Dunderdale to attend a provincial

conference held here in St. John's that addressed the issue of violence

against women. Some 150 community stakeholders discussed issues, including

domestic violence, the Justice system, healing strategies for victims, and why

some women stay in violent relationships.

This is the third year that partners of the Violence Prevention Initiative

have come together to discuss violence in Newfoundland and Labrador. The

conference featured a number of presentations on efforts to take on violence

against women. One of the key note speakers was Brian Valle, best-selling

author of The War On Women and Life with Billy.

Mr. Speaker, recently we made several new grant announcements to the Violence

Prevention Initiative that funds several sessions for Aboriginal people

throughout the Province. This will provide a means to raise awareness on

violence prevention and deliver culturally sensitive violence prevention

workshops in their own communities. These important sessions will be a conduit

where Aboriginal people will have the opportunity to share and learn from each

other.

Mr. Speaker, this government is taking a strong stand against violence. These

new grants for this year are another positive means by which we are continually

working in collaboration with Aboriginal people and communities throughout the

Province.

Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs I have had the privilege to

travel to many of the Aboriginal communities throughout our Province. This past

summer I participated in several cultural events and would like to take a moment

to highlight a few of my visits.

In July, I had the opportunity to travel with Premier Williams to Conne River

and partake in the 13 th annual Miawpukek First Nation Powwow. The

Miawpukek First Nation Powwow was recently recognized as one of twenty-nine

significant Aboriginal tourism events by Aboriginal Tourism Canada.

Mr. Speaker Mi'kmaq people enjoy a rich cultural heritage that is deeply

rooted in our Province. Sagamaw Mi'sel Joe and the entire Miawpukek First

Nation are to be commended for their preserving and passing along their cultural

heritage to younger generations.

Recently, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador had a request from the

Miawpukek First Nation to designate a protected burial ground so that all birds,

especially eagles, could have a final resting place. Mr. Speaker, the eagle

plays an important role in Mi'kmaq society. It is very sacred and is a source

of spiritual strength. In Mi'kmaq culture it is widely believed that the eagle

is the only bird to have touched the face of the Creator.

Through the Central Regional Crown Lands office, it was recommended that an

island be restricted from any development not associated with the burial of

eagles by the Miawpukek First Nation.

On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I was pleased to

present Chief Joe with a framed map of the new protected burial site.

Mr. Speaker, as many of my hon. colleagues know, the Aboriginal traditions

and way of life have become increasingly difficult to maintain in today's

modern pop culture era.

In October, I had the great fortune to visit the West Coast of the Island to

participate in celebrating the opening of the Bay St. George Cultural Circle. It

was with the thought of a beautiful culture being extinguished that this group

was formed. This cultural circle will teach our children that we can have a

strong personal relationship with our heritage while living in a modern world.

Mr. Speaker, the Bay St. George Cultural Circle is more than a centre of

learning. It is an opportunity for people to revitalize a way of life, for

people to learn and share their heritage.

Mr. Speaker, these are indeed exciting times for our Province, and in

particular, exciting times for our Aboriginal people throughout Newfoundland and

Labrador.

I alluded to the New Dawn Agreement earlier, and I would like to add to that

the achievements of other Aboriginal groups.

Here on the Island portion of the Province the Mi 'Kmaq have been very busy

making history. In November of 2007, the Federation of Newfoundland Indians

signed an Agreement in Principle with the federal government. This agreement

enables further negotiations between Ottawa and the FNI and allows for the

creation of what has been called a landless band. This will provide FNI members

with access to federal programs, including post-secondary education and

non-insured health benefits.

This historic agreement has since been ratified, and the FNI and its

membership are to be congratulated for this impressive achievement.

The Nunatsiavut Government has been in existence for three years and we are

continually working closely together to ensure the Labrador Inuit Land Claims

Agreement is fully implemented.

In February 2008, I had the pleasure to transfer lands to community

governments of Rigolet, Makkovik, Postville and Nain, the freehold title to all

of this Crown land in those Inuit communities. It was another historic day in

the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and especially for the Inuit people.

The land transfer represents the strong and mutually beneficial relationship our

governments enjoy.

For the Inuit of this Province, self-government has not been without its

challenges, but overall the experience has been positive and the Government of

Newfoundland and Labrador continues to enjoy a fruitful relationship with the

Nunatsiavut government as we move forward with the implementation of the Land

Claims Agreement.

As well, this government continues to prompt the federal government to make a

decision on the Labrador Mtis land claim. I recently wrote a letter to my

federal counterpart, the hon. Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and

Northern Development, to remind him that the LMN asserted land claim has been

outstanding for some time and requires a final decision by the federal

government. A timely resolution of the Labrador Mtis Nation land claim will

help clarify many of the issues that arise between governments and the LMN.

Mr. Speaker, it is the provincial government's desire to develop a good

relationship with the Labrador Mtis Nation. This government continues to

support their efforts to seek access to federal programs and services.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that we live in interesting times. Current

global events have created some uncertainty to be sure, but these are still

times of opportunity and the Aboriginal peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador are

eager to pursue responsible and sustainable economic opportunities. While they

look ahead to the future of opportunity, Aboriginal men and women remain

determined to maintain a strong connection to their past.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains deeply and

firmly committed to working with Aboriginal people to help improve the

well-being and circumstances. Many of the initiatives I have spoken of here

today serve to demonstrate the true strength of these convictions.

As Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, I am proud to serve in a government that

is showing tru