Newfoundland and Labrador Hansard — Members' Statements; Statements by Ministers — 14 May 2018 (48th General Assembly, 3rd Session, Vol. XLVIII No. 18)
2018-05-14
Newfoundland and Labrador — Debates (Hansard)
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May 14, 2018
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS
Vol. XLVIII No. 18
The
House met at 1:30 p.m.
MR. SPEAKER (Trimper):
Order, please!
Admit
strangers.
I'd like
to welcome all the Members back to the House of Assembly.
I'd also
like to welcome in our various galleries today, starting with the Speaker's
gallery: Mr. Wayne Lucas, the past president of the Canadian Union of Public
Employees for Newfoundland and Labrador and his partner, Patricia Lucas; Ms.
Sherry Hillier, who's now the president of CUPE NL; Mr. Brian Farewell, national
rep and chief negotiator with CUPE; Ms. Dawn Lahey, secretary and treasurer of
CUPE NL; and Mr. Toby Sanger, senior economist with CUPE national. Mr. Lucas
will be mentioned in a Member's statement this afternoon.
A very
great welcome to you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
In the public gallery today,
I would like to recognize: Ms. Diana Gibbons, she's the assistant superintendent
of Her Majesty's Penitentiary; Captain Fred Cumby is the manager responsible for
Occupational Health and Safety; Mr. Steve Donahue, correctional officer and
president of NAPE Local 7701; and Mr. Ken Nagle, correctional officer and
vice-president of NAPE Local 7701. They are here today in association with a
Ministerial Statement.
Welcome
to you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
I see some of my neighbours
from Labrador at the other side of it. I would like to welcome Mr. Ron Thomas
with the United Steel Workers 5795 from Labrador City, and with him is Mr.
Fabian Benoit, Deputy Mayor of the Town of Labrador City.
Welcome.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
Statements by
Members
MR. SPEAKER:
For Members' statements
today, we will hear from the hon. Members for the Districts of St. George's -
Humber; St. John's Centre; Fogo Island - Cape Freels; Windsor Lake; and
Lewisporte - Twillingate.
The hon.
the Member for St. George's - Humber.
MR. REID:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise
today to help celebrate the recent 100th birthday of Lillian Butler who was born
in Sandy Point in Bay St. George on the provinces beautiful West Coast.
When she
was 20, Lillian visited New York City for six months and upon her return she was
engaged and later married on Sandy Point. Her husband, Bill Butler, served in
World War II and was overseas from July 1940 to July 1945.
After
the War, Lillian and Bill owned a sawmill at Barachois Brook and they built a
farmhouse at nearby Black Bank.
Sandy
Point, where Lillian was born, is now an abandoned community, but during her
early years it was a thriving port. She still tells many stories about
battleships which would stop at the harbour, and the dancing and brass bands on
the deck of the ship.
Lillian
is still active and engaged with her many friends and family. She wants everyone
to know how she made it to be 100. I know her advice will be welcomed by many;
she says her secret is eating desserts and sweets.
I ask
all Members of the House to rise with me in wishing Lillian Butler a very happy
100th birthday.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for the
District of St. John's Centre.
MS. ROGERS:
Mr. Speaker, what an honour
to celebrate Mr. Wayne Lucas here in the people's House. After 26 years serving
as President of CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador and Labrador, Wayne has retired.
Throughout his leadership, he worked for the rights of our working people – work
also benefiting the general population. He championed issues such as affordable
child care, a fair minimum wage, secure pensions, support for women victims of
violence, LGBTQ2-Spirited rights and so much more.
Wayne
was a CUPE member for 40 years, starting his career as a school board worker in
1978. He loves Newfoundland and Labrador and our people; he gave much and served
well. For that, people around the province are extremely grateful. As someone so
wonderfully stated, “Wayne Lucas is a once-in-a-generation, straight up working
class hero.”
I ask
all Members to join me in thanking Mr. Wayne Lucas for his years of excellent
service to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Bravo!
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for the
District of Fogo Island - Cape Freels.
MR. BRAGG:
Mr. Speaker, the 2018 grade
12 graduation season is upon us. I've had the opportunity to attend several
grads this far, but one sticks out.
A couple
of weeks ago, MP Scott Simms and I attended the graduation on Change Islands at
A.R. Scammell Academy. The lone graduate had the day and night of her life. The
gym was decorated lavishly and over 100 people were in attendance.
started with a church service then there was mid-afternoon tea, followed by a
hot meal, all clueing up with a dance. There was such an amazing feeling of
happiness and joy in the room.
The
amazing thing: The lone graduate fundraised and paid for the full event. She
made a calendar, using pictures of her hometown, and sold them. This effort
received outstanding support. Sales were well beyond all expectations.
I would
like to acknowledge Ms. Kimberley Reid for her determination and dedication in
making her dreams of having an elaborate graduation come true.
While I
wish all graduates the best of luck for their future, I throw a bouquet to Ms.
Reid and look forward to her future endeavours.
Well
done, Kimberley.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for the
District of Windsor Lake.
MS. C. BENNETT:
Mr. Speaker, it's with great
pride that I stand to recognize the efforts of parents, staff, students and
community who came out to support MacDonald Drive Elementary, in the District of
Windsor Lake, this past Friday evening.
The
school community is raising funds to add an outdoor classroom space for the
children at the school. Ongoing fundraising efforts have been underway for
several years. Lead by a passionate principal, Mr. Matthew Smith, and the school
council – of which I'm a proud member – this year's committee planned a
well-attended dinner and auction to raise money.
From the
donations of items for the live and silent auction to the enthusiastic ticket
sellers and the marvelous entertainment, the evening was a success. The pinnacle
for all was undoubtedly the artwork completed by each class pod which was
handmade, literally and figuratively, and demonstrated the talent of the
students and the guidance of the teachers.
Community members, neighbours and school alumni can still join the efforts to
build the outdoor classroom by contacting the school office and making a legacy
donation, small or large, to support this important project for the incredibly
innovative MacDonald Drive Elementary school.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for the
District of
Lewisporte - Twillingate.
MR.
D. BENNETT:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
On May 5, I had the opportunity to share in the
celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Twillingate Lions Club.
The 37-member club undertakes many projects within the
community, nationally and internationally. Over the past year, the club has been
active in collecting used eyeglasses to send to other countries, contributing to
the Dog Guide Program, helping with the local Kids Eat Smart
chapter and
organizing the annual Santa Claus Parade, in addition to numerous other
activities.
During the evening, I had the opportunity to recognize
Lion Mike Johnson for being appointed to the Leo Club Program Advisory Panel and
the great work he has done to develop the 21-member Leo Club in Twillingate.
Long-service awards were presented to Lion Howard Butt
for 50 years of service and the current longest-serving member, Ted Boyd, who is
into his 53rd year of dedicated service.
Mr.
Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in congratulating the Twillingate Lions
Club members as they celebrate their 65th anniversary and all the great work
they do to contribute to our communities.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Statements by Ministers.
Statements by
Ministers
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Justice and Public Safety.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am
fortunate today to work with amazing people in the Department of Justice and
Public Safety. Today I would like to recognize the important work of a key group
within our justice system – our correctional staff.
May 6 to
12 was recognized as Corrections Week. The theme of the week is 'Serving with
Excellence,' and it's meant to acknowledge the contribution of correctional
staff in promoting rehabilitation and making communities safe.
Mr.
Speaker, last year I had the privilege of getting just a glimpse of what the job
of correctional officer entails as I job shadowed at Her Majesty's Penitentiary.
This group has an incredibly difficult job and they do it with tremendous
integrity. They play a crucial role in the justice system and in their
communities.
March, I spoke to the newest group of graduates who were starting their careers
in corrections, seven women and six men. I emphasized the need for them to have
empathy and compassion as they do their jobs and work with those in our
facilities.
Mr. Speaker, I can
honestly say, we should all be very proud of the quality of people we have
working in our correctional facilities. They show their commitment not only on
the job, but in the many contributions they make to their communities through
various fundraising and community initiatives.
Mr. Speaker, I ask
all hon. Members to join me in thanking our correctional staff for their service
and contribution to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Thank you, Mr.
Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for Topsail -
Paradise.
MR.
P. DAVIS:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the minister, first of all, for an advance copy
of his statement today. We join with him in congratulating and acknowledging
last week being Corrections Week in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I can also speak, as the minister can, to
the significant contribution made by the people who work in our corrections.
Sometimes working in very, very difficult and challenging circumstances; yet, I
know first-hand of corrections officers who offer leadership and mentorship
within corrections and with the people who they work with and live with every
day. Not only inside facilities, Mr. Speaker, but corrections officers also
provide leadership and mentorship outside facilities in their own communities.
So we join with the government, we thank them for this
today, and wish all the very best to corrections officers throughout our
province.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Third Party.
MS.
ROGERS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the minister. I, too, have visited many of our
facilities and have seen first-hand the work they do with passion and
compassion. Their work is complex and difficult but also rewarding. It is my
hope that working together we can ensure they have all the resources and support
they need as they perform their duties.
To all our corrections workers, on behalf of those
people you have worked with directly and the people of the province, thank you
for your service. This week we shine a light on you and celebrate you. Bravo!
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Further statements by ministers?
The hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and
Innovation.
MR.
MITCHELMORE: Mr. Speaker,
today I was pleased to join the province's business, start-up and technology
communities as well as representatives from the federal government to launch the
fifth annual Innovation Week.
With more than 20
events, Innovation Week brings together businesses, communities, investors,
partners, students and others to help promote opportunities for innovation
across all sectors in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker,
through The Way Forward , our
government has made innovation a priority. Through our Business Innovation
Agenda we are helping local innovation and growth-focused firms accelerate
business growth. We are helping businesses identify and seize new opportunities,
to enable them to be more productive, competitive and international. The Business
Innovation Agenda is playing a major
part in our government's commitment to
create economic opportunities in all regions of our province.
The
agenda is also playing an important role in achieving the development targets
outlined in the Technology Sector Work Plan – one of which is to support the
scaling of 20 firms in the technology sector per year.
In an
effort to create a single window for a more efficient delivery of provincial
innovation programs and services, our government created InnovateNL. Members of
the Innovation Council continue to work with the provincial government and its
partners to continue to implement the Business Innovation Agenda as well as
advancing other priorities, such as coding in schools.
I ask
all hon. Members to join me in recognizing Innovation Week in our province by
celebrating the success of our partners, and continuing to work together to
foster continued growth.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. Member for the
District of Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.
MS. PERRY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank
the minister for an advance copy of his statement. On behalf of the Official
Opposition, I wish the business community, start-ups, innovators and all
entrepreneurs a successful fifth annual Innovation Week.
This
week is a time to look at the bright spots in our province and to inspire each
other to think big and act boldly. I am personally inspired by Bennett Newhook,
Justin Elliott, Sonya Killam and Draco Dunphy, four Memorial University students
who won the 2018 Social Innovation Challenge this past weekend. Their innovative
idea to use shipping containers as community-based farms is the solution to many
of the province's food supply concerns. I look forward to hearing more stories
of innovation throughout the week.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Leader of the
Third Party.
MS. ROGERS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I, too,
thank the minister. The minister can say his government is helping businesses to
seize new opportunities, yet he just gave away most of the opportunities in
cannabis production and sales in this province to a non-local corporate giant.
People here were getting ready to step up to these opportunities which would
have combined the government's target areas of agriculture and innovation, but
that window has been closed.
It's
time for this government to give priority and opportunities to our own people
instead of taking this easy way out. Congratulations to our innovators who are
going ahead regardless.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Further statements by
ministers?
Oral
Questions.
Oral Questions
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It's
been weeks since multiple harassment allegations have been raised against
ministers in this government.
I say to
the Premier, while separate investigations to particular issues are necessary,
it does not address the systemic issues. What are you doing to fix the system
rather than simply addressing the symptoms?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I think
as everyone in the province would have known that we've taken this issue very
seriously. We've been proactive and made decisions very quickly once the charges
– the allegations, I should say, came to my attention. We've addressed the
current situation, Mr. Speaker.
understand now there are certain reviews that will be done, with references to
the House Management Commission. Mr. Speaker, the Green report quite clearly
speaks to how you respond and the decisions that will be taken. We've made
harassment training within for all Members of the House of Assembly, Members on
this side of the House of Assembly.
understand some of the Opposition Members as well have partaken in those
training sessions. We encourage this. This is the system – this issue is the
House of Assembly issue. I have taken leadership within our own party. I've
asked, as I invite the leader of the Opposition to his new role today, what is
he doing –
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
investigation should be independent of the Premier's office.
Premier,
if you put yourself in the middle of the complaints process, how is that going
to address the systemic issue you have identified?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
This
independent process is outlined in the Green report, which was really one of the
critical and turning points, I would say, as the Member opposite and the leader
of the Opposition would know. Based on the review process that's been in place,
and one that a PMR was put forward to by the leader of the Opposition, by his
own party just a few weeks ago, referring to one in Nova Scotia – well, I would
assure the Member opposite that what your party asked for last week, what you
endorsed last week, what's happening in Newfoundland and Labrador is a much
better process from what we're currently seeing exercised in Nova Scotia.
As you
also know, and the review commissioner has spoken out publicly about this, he
has the resources, or his office has the resources to review and get outside
expertise as required.
Mr.
Speaker, any reviews that have went to the Commissioner has done so under
(inaudible).
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The leader of the Official
Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
Premier has inserted himself into this process. He is part of the very system
that appears broken.
Will you
now do the right and appropriate thing and remove yourself, giving the
complaints review the independence it rightfully deserves?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER BALL:
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Opposition is picking up right where the old
leader of the Opposition was on this. Number one, I did not – and I want to be
very clear in all of this – insert myself in this. The leader of the Opposition
is wrong and that isn't factual. I did not insert myself in this situation.
What
happened, Mr. Speaker, as I said quite clearly, when the allegations came to me
there were a number of options that anyone who had allegations, as they came
forward, there are a number of options that's outlined within the jurisdiction
of the commission. The Commissioner himself could come in, independently of
anyone asking. Any MHA who would have an allegation could go directly to the
review commissioner himself, go directly to that office, without going through
the Premier at all. That exists. The ones that came to me, Mr. Speaker, they
were given all those choices.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
But I
need to clarify for the Premier, too: He took the referral process and put it
through the system. You have now inserted yourself right in the middle of it.
Can you
come up with a different system that works more appropriately, as has been
outlined by a number of the people and Members of the House of Assembly? Please
outline how you're going to rectify that.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER BALL:
Once again, Mr. Speaker, I
want to clarify the comments of the leader of the Opposition. He's dead wrong –
dead wrong. I did not insert myself. What I said to all Members of this House of
Assembly, if you have an issue, come forward – come forward. The ones that came
forward to me, there was a discussion outlining the three options that exist in
the legislation.
It is
the leader of the Opposition and the party that he represents, as all Members of
this House of Assembly quite clearly endorse the Commissioner for Legislative
Standards – they said that he's qualified to do this, as a resolution of this
House of Assembly.
Mr.
Speaker, the proposal that was put forward by the Nova Scotia model goes to the
ombudsman, and then the information would come to their House of Assembly. It is
my desire to get as much information out there publicly as possible; it deserves
to be there. But I will guarantee you I did not insert myself or assert any
jurisdiction from the Premier's office into this situation.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr.
Speaker, media is reporting that Husky Energy has asked the federal court to
block the release of daily oil production reports from the SeaRose during the
period that the operations were suspended due to a near miss with an iceberg.
Is the
Premier concerned that Husky Energy has gone to the federal court to block
information related to the handling of this near miss with an iceberg in 2017?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Natural Resources.
MS. COADY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
This is
an important issue for the people of the province; it is an important issue for
this government and an important issue for C-NLOPB – Canada-Newfoundland and
Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.
Mr.
Speaker, I think what we have to understand here is that C-NLOPB wanted to be
transparent. The government wants to be transparent. It is now before the
courts. The matter is before the courts. That is Husky's right to do that. The
C-NLOPB is looking at its options. It's investigating what it can do around this
scenario.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I ask
the Premier: Are you concerned about the processes being used here to block
information that the general public should have access to?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Natural Resources.
MS. COADY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As I
said previously, we support transparency. C-NLOPB is looking at how it can
release the information that has been requested. However, C-NLOPB, as is its
right, has petitioned the federal court. It's under the federal ATIPP, access to
information system, Mr. Speaker, and it is before that court at this point in
time.
I have
indicated that Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board is
looking to what it can do, Mr. Speaker. If it has anything to do with safety or
any impact on the environment, it certainly would be bringing it forward.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
C-NLOPB does have the ability to release that information. Will you not lobby
them to have that information released so the general public can have an
understanding of exactly what happened on that near miss?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Natural Resources.
MS. COADY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
If he
wants to have more information on what happened in that near miss, there is
information available through C-NLOPB. This particular information is on
production, and that is before the federal court at the moment. C-NLOPB is
looking at what it can do to release further information but, as I said, it is
through the federal access to information legislation.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
information was asked for so that the public could be assured that Husky
followed the 10-day suspension order.
I ask
the Premier: What was the status of the production vessel for the 10 days of the
suspension?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Natural Resources.
MS. COADY:
Mr. Speaker,
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board have been clear to
Husky and clear to the people of the province with regard to its actions around
this issue. It did have a stop-production order put in place, and they would
have been monitoring that situation at that time. It did take some time to wind
down, but C-NLOPB is charged with that task under the accord act legislation,
Mr. Speaker.
Again,
this is around production levels during that time. C-NLOPB wished to release
that information but it is now before the federal court – I'll say that again –
for federal access to information legislation.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I ask
the minister: Can you confirm that the 10-day suspension rule was put in play
and no production took place during that period of time?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Natural Resources.
MS. COADY:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board is responsible for
ensuring the action that is required under their responsibility – they issued
that requirement to shut down production. They were the ones monitoring the
situation. They have indicated that they have been reviewing that situation.
They had Husky in to discuss the scenario around this whole investigation, Mr.
Speaker, and they would have ensured that Husky was compliant with their order.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Because
of the severity, and this was a life-threatening situation, I would have thought
the minister would have gone back and asked if the suspension had put in play to
send a valuable message to the oil industry that processes have to be followed
around safety.
I just
ask: Were you aware of it? Did they follow the 10-day suspension program?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Natural Resources.
MR. COADY:
Mr. Speaker, I can acknowledge on behalf of the Member – and I would have
thought he would have understood that the multiple times I've answered this
question.
Mr.
Speaker, of course, we are very much engaged in this process. Of course, we've
made every support to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum
Board in their actions, which are pretty severe actions. They've taken this
very, very seriously. The investigation is continuing. They did issue the
stop-work order. It was followed, Mr. Speaker. C-NLOPB would have ensured that
it was. They are back in production now, but C-NLOPB continues to investigate
the scenario because, of course, Mr. Speaker, it is so important to the people
of this Province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I ask
the Minister: Do you have any intentions of penalizing Husky for their inaction
on the ice management plan?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Natural Resources.
MS. COADY:
Mr. Speaker, the Member opposite must know the rules around the ice management
plan. He must understand the regulations, the Atlantic Accord act, who is
responsible for monitoring and who is responsible for investigating and that is
the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.
If he
wants a specific
section he can look it up,
section 13.8-5. He can look that up,
Mr. Speaker. It is the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum
Board. They've taken this very seriously. They continue to work on behalf of the
people of the province to ensure the safety is there, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
I want to make the minister aware that we're very confident over here in
understanding the C-NLOPB's responsibility. The government appoints people to
that board to ensure that the regulations are followed and that Newfoundlanders
and Labradorians working offshore work in a safe environment. That's what we're
asking the minister ensure happens here.
Has the
C-NLOPB concluded their investigation, and why is it taking so long?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Natural Resources.
MS. COADY:
Mr. Speaker, the Member opposite is exactly correct. This government does take
its roles and responsibility very seriously when it comes to the C-NLOPB and
ensuring the safety of our offshore workers. That is paramount to this
government. I'm sure it's paramount to everybody in this House, Mr. Speaker,
everyone in this province.
We do
appoint qualified board members. As a matter of fact, we are right now seeking
another board member for the board of C-NLOPB and it is through the independent
appointments process.
With
regard to C-NLOPB's investigation, there has been an interim report. It was put
in place in January where they released some details around this incident. They
did do a stop-work order. I understand they're near concluding the finalized
report. Then it will go to Husky first and then to the people of the province.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
While
speaking at an event at Memorial University about the legalization of marijuana,
NLC Vice-President Sean Ryan said they are still operating from a go date of
July, but he quickly added: I hope we're wrong.
I ask
the Premier: Do you share the NLC vice-president's concern that more time is
needed and government will, in fact, not be ready for July 1?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Justice and Public Safety.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm
certainly happy to stand here and respond to this question. Again, what I can
say from a government perspective is we're like any other provincial government
in that we have always been preparing for a July implementation of cannabis
legalization. However, we do know this bill currently is in the Senate and with
the impending vote that will happen, there will be some time where this may be
delayed.
I don't
think anybody has an issue with thinking that the more time for anything may
allow you to take your time, but the fact remains we will be ready for July. We
are preparing for July and we will be ready, as a province, with legislation and
policy, no matter when the legalization happens.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
general public and those involved in the industry would like to know: When do
you expect a definite date with regard to the legalization date for Newfoundland
and Labrador?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Justice and Public Safety.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm sure
we'd all like a definite date. In fact, there are probably a number of
Conservative senators that I could call and ask if they would give us that date.
Maybe we could talk to Senator Manning or Senator Wells.
Again, I
haven't spoken to these individuals. Maybe the folks on the other side could
give them a call and find some information. They talk about these relationships
with the federal government.
The fact
remains this is a federal decision. This will come down from the feds and we,
like every other province, are making legislation and policy that's best suited
for our citizens. Whenever the date comes, we will be ready.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
I'm glad the minister plans to be ready.
I ask
this question: When is the proposed legislation related to the marijuana coming
to the House of Assembly? Is it this spring?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Justice and Public Safety.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Yes, Mr. Speaker. I can
confirm that we will have legislation relating to the legalization of cannabis
here in this House during this session.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The leader of the Official
Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I ask
the Premier: How did the NLC choose the 24 successful licensed marijuana
retailers? Was proper due diligence done?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. Minister of Finance
and President of Treasury Board.
MR. OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, I
have confidence in the NLC and the process they followed. They put out a request
for proposals; they had some 86 respondents, Mr. Speaker. Of that, they chose 24
to proceed to the next level.
understand that one of those dropped out today, Mr. Speaker. So there are 23, in
addition to the four that will be going to Canopy. There are 27 stores
throughout the province as of today.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The leader of the Official
Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As the
Minister of Finance had noted, one had dropped out.
I ask
the question: Can you give us an outline as to why that particular business
dropped out of the marijuana licensing process?
MR. SPEAKER:
The Minister of Finance and
President of Treasury Board.
MR. OSBORNE:
I didn't speak to the
particular business owner, Mr. Speaker, so, no, I can't tell you why they
dropped out.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The leader of the Official
Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Many had hoped that local
businesses would benefit from such a selection process; however, we see this is
not indeed the case with 10 of the 24 – now, 10 out of 23 – going to one
national grocery chain.
Why was
the focus on this site rather than on local companies and entrepreneurs?
MR. SPEAKER:
The Minister of Finance and
President of Treasury Board.
MR. OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It was a
very comprehensive process. It was based on a point rating system. NLC chose the
people through a merit-based program, Mr. Speaker, that they believe would be
the most successful in providing retail cannabis to the people of Newfoundland
and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The leader of the Official
Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
provincial branch of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business criticized
government over their decisions regarding retailers in this province as a missed
opportunity for small business owners.
Minister, it's now evident the marijuana industry here will be run by the
provincial government and big business. Why wasn't growing and investing in our
local business community your focus?
MR. SPEAKER:
The Minister of Tourism,
Culture, Industry and Innovation.
MR. MITCHELMORE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Certainly, growing an industry here in Newfoundland and Labrador has been our
priority from the very beginning. That's why as the only province in Canada not
having a licensed producer, we were able to secure Canopy to set up a production
facility and create 145 jobs to be operating for 20 years. Then also there are
other people who are interested in production.
On the
retailing side, we are one of the only provinces – one of the very few provinces
in the country – that's actually opened up for a private model that allows for
small business and other businesses to be able to retail cannabis. We're also
investing in R & D.
We're
doing something that other provinces are not doing. When it comes to being able
to develop that industry, we're creating jobs and opportunities right here in
Newfoundland and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
So $40
million of taxpayers' money and a guaranteed four outlets to sell is not a bad
deal.
What
permitting is required by municipalities where a licensed cannabis retailer has
been approved?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Justice and Public Safety.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Certainly, this was a topic of a discussion at the MNL symposium that was held
in Gander a few weeks back. As the level of government that's closest to the
people in our communities they're acutely aware. In fact, I listened to a good
interview with Mr. Keats recently on CBC where he discussed it.
Right
now, we know there's federal legislation that we're waiting for. There's also
provincial legislation that's not even been entered into this House yet. We will
continue to work with municipalities and everybody else as we move forward with
this huge policy decision that's going to affect every province in this country.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Mr. Speaker, do
municipalities have any input into the process, and what consultation has
occurred?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Justice and Public Safety.
MR. A. PARSONS:
I apologize, Mr. Speaker.
I ask
the Member to repeat the question.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Do municipalities have any
input into the process, and what consultations have occurred to date?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Justice and Public Safety.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank
you for the question. This, actually, I'm very happy to say, had one of the
largest consultation projects in the history of this province when it came to
public engagement.
As the
Member is aware, in June of last year we put this out there to everybody in the
province. There was not a single individual in this province who did not have
the opportunity to contribute to this and provide us their thoughts on this
project whether it came to ages, regulations, rules, their opinions on this.
We took
the advice of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as we went forward, as we also
took the evidence of other jurisdictions, of experts, professionals, businesses.
I can guarantee you, we will also, as we've done, and it was repeated to me when
I was in Gander, they like the fact that this government works closely with
municipalities. We'll continue to do so.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That's
not what we're understanding or hearing from municipalities.
Was
there any consideration given to avoid locating these marijuana retailers near
schools and daycares? Was that part of the due diligence?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Finance and President of Treasury Board.
MR. OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It's not
too long ago we passed legislation in the House of Assembly and those parameters
are in the current legislation that the Members opposite actually voted on.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the leader of the
Official Opposition.
MR. BRAZIL:
The Premier met with the
Prime Minister on April 10.
I ask
the Premier: Did you make representation to the Prime Minister on the unfair
awarding of the bid for surf clam quota?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Well, as
you know, the surf clam quota and the allocation is something we took great
exception to. I've had many meetings with the Prime Minister on many issues. The
surf clam issue was certainly one of them.
As a
matter of fact, I remember a meeting I had with the Prime Minister just last
year, as the leader of the Opposition just talked about attracting business to
Newfoundland and Labrador, one of the meetings I had with him: Could you please
take care of the tariffs of the vessels and the ferries you had built in
Romania, Mr. Speaker. So we admit he did that.
With the
arctic surf clams, Mr. Speaker, that is something we did not agree with, how
that transaction happened, and we have made that quite clear. Just like we did
the ferries being built in Romania and the tariffs that we had to go after and
collect on your behalf because of your decision.
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for the
District of Cape St. Francis.
MR. K. PARSONS:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
Obviously, the Premier had no conversation about surf clams with the Prime
Minister.
The
Minister of Fisheries has made a mess of the surf clam quota. First he
expropriated it; then he gave it to a Liberal MP brother. A former Liberal MP
got included in the proposed fact, after the fact, and last week we learned the
cousin of the federal minister's wife has ties to the bid.
Minister: How many kinds of Liberal schemes have been benefiting from the
process? What action are you taking about this unfair awarding of the bid for
the surf clam quota?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Fisheries and Land Resources.
MR. BYRNE:
Mr. Speaker, I don't think
this side of the House has been shy at all about expressing our point of view,
our opinion not only about the surf clam decision but a number of other
decisions.
On the
surf clam decision itself, the Member for Grand Bank has stood and stood proud
and tall for her community. We have stood as a caucus to reinforce the issue of
adjacency, but, Mr. Speaker, engagement is important, and engagement is what we
do over on this side.
I'll ask
the hon. Member a question. The Fisheries
Act has recently come forward as a major issue, which this side has
expressed a point of view to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. I
have tabled a brief to the Standing Committee. Would the hon. Member like to
table his brief that he has filed to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and
Oceans and explain …?
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for Cape
St. Francis.
MR. K. PARSONS:
Mr. Speaker, the minister's
off on another tantrum. We're talking about the surf clams with people in Grand
Bank. Answer the question.
What
have you done with the allocation of surf clams, this unfair allocation that was
given to Nova Scotia and not Newfoundlanders and Labradorians benefit? What have
you done? Nothing.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Fisheries and Land Resources.
MR. BYRNE:
See, Mr. Speaker, this is
where the hon. Member gets his role a little confused and gets the issue
confused, because the Fisheries Act
does play a critical role in these kinds of decisions. The
Fisheries Act does guide the federal
minister on allocation decisions, or should, and that's why this side of the
House wanted the inclusion of adjacency.
The
Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans just concluded a major review of the
Fisheries Act as amended by the
federal government. This side of the House put forward a brief to the Standing
Committee on inclusion of adjacency so that issues like the surf clam allocation
can be decided from a rules-based approach.
What,
Mr. Speaker, did the other side include ….
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The Member for Cape St.
Francis, and I remind him to direct his remarks to the Speaker, please.
MR. K. PARSONS:
Okay, no sweat, Mr. Speaker.
Mr.
Speaker, this is the same minister that said adjacency when the
Fisheries Act came down, the same
minister said adjacency is there, it's always been there. Well, it's not there
now and it has never been there. That's what you're supposed to be fighting for,
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
I ask
you again: What have you done for the people on Grand Bank that have lost 25 per
cent of the quotas for surf clams? Nothing again.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
The hon.
the Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources for a quick response, please.
MR. BYRNE:
Mr. Speaker, in September the federal minister and I spoke about this when we
engaged the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to express our concern
about the process they had initiated. We spoke again in October. We spoke again
in November. We outlined all of those concerns in December. We met; Minister
LeBlanc and I met where I expressed the point of view of the people of
Newfoundland and Labrador through this Legislature. Then, again, we met as well
in January.
So, yes,
Mr. Speaker, not only did we engage the federal government directly – without
necessarily the right answer we did, but we engaged.
Now, Mr.
Speaker, I met with the federal minister on three separate occasions on surf
clam. How many times has he even reached out to the federal government
(inaudible)?
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Leader of the
Third Party.
MS. ROGERS:
Mr. Speaker, because Liberal
caucus Members publicly complained of intimidation and harassment by two of the
Premier's Cabinet ministers, he removed the Minister of Education, and Municipal
Affairs and Environment, and doubled up these crucial portfolios on ministers
with already complicated business. It will be months before this is sorted out.
Rising
unemployment, a bad cannabis deal, soaring electric bills, a crumbling Memorial
University and serious labour disputes, the people have lost confidence in the
Premier's ability to manage his own caucus, let alone govern the province.
I ask
the Premier: What is he going to do to ensure these critical ministerial
portfolios are covered and the crucial work of the people is properly
undertaken?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Justice and Public Safety.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I was
quite ready to get up and stand up.
Basically, I take the question as an insult from the Member opposite,
questioning my ability to do the role that the Premier has put on me. What I can
tell you is that in seven years in this job there is no phone call or email that
has gone unanswered from any constituent or person who wanted to talk about the
business of these departments. We have opened up the departments to talk about
any issue that they want to be briefed on, and I extend the same offer right
now.
The fact
remains that I've met with stakeholders already in Municipal Affairs and
Environment, and I continue to have the same meetings with individuals as it
relates to Justice and Public Safety – will continue to do that. But if she has
any specific issue, I look forward to briefing her or anybody else at any time.
Thank
you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Leader of the
Third Party.
MS. ROGERS:
Mr. Speaker, these are only
stop-gap measures.
Tensions
are rising on the Lab West picket line as IOC starts to use intimidation on
strikers; the DJ-Composites lockout in Gander drags on to 17 months.
I ask
the Premier: Will he order a review of our
Labour Relations Act and employment standards legislation to strengthen them
to ensure that all workers in our province can depend on those laws to protect
their rights?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Fisheries and Land Resources.
MR. BYRNE:
Mr. Speaker, we (inaudible).
When a labour dispute occurs it not only impacts the workers, but the community
at large, it affects the economy. But we encourage – we use the tools that are
available to both sides, both the employers, the members of the collective
bargaining units, as well, the employer, to settle the dispute. We use our
conciliation officers as well.
No one
has stood more firmly and more tall for those workers than the Member for
Gander, the Member for Labrador West on these two specific issues. We always
strive for a labour relations environment that respects both sides of the
bargaining table. That allows for rules to be able to create a successful
conclusion. Mr. Speaker, we're always open to improving that process.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for St.
John's East - Quidi Vidi.
MS. MICHAEL:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
Government's budget speech committed to a long overdue independent review of the
province's public post-secondary education system. The College of the North
Atlantic is halfway through its own review that won't be finished until 2019.
I ask
the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour: Why would 14 permanent
and six contract faculty positions be cut before these reviews are completed?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Fisheries and Land Resources.
MR. BYRNE:
Mr. Speaker, the College of
the North Atlantic has led internally with its own review of its own systems,
its own programs and has produced a report that was tabled last year that
really, really upped the game of the College of the North Atlantic. That process
is still underway; we are in phase two. This is the college's own plan.
We also
know that Memorial University of Newfoundland has recognized and applauded the
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for working with them in a review of our
university.
So, Mr.
Speaker, it is always timely, it's always relevant and it's always valuable to
ensure that our post-secondary institutions are meeting the needs of today and
tomorrow, and that's exactly what's happening right now.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. Member for St.
John's East - Quidi Vidi.
MS. MICHAEL:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
Yes,
Memorial has had a squeeze put on it by the cuts by this government, Mr.
Speaker. That's what's happened with Memorial.
I ask
the Premier: How can he expect MUN to continue to produce quality graduates
under the financial pressure his government is putting on it?
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. Minister of
Fisheries and Land Resources for a quick response, please.
MR. BYRNE:
Mr. Speaker, Memorial
University of Newfoundland is working very well with the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador because we are not only – when we look at
infrastructure, a $500 million investment. We have a new core science facility
that's being constructed. We have the facilities down at the Battery. We also
have the animal science centre. We're expanding the square footage of Memorial
University of Newfoundland now by over 500,000 square feet.
Memorial
University is a true gem within our overall economy and our social well-being.
We are supporting our university.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
Oral Questions has ended.
Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.
Tabling
of Documents.
Tabling of
Documents
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Finance and President of Treasury Board.
MR. OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Pursuant
section 26(5)(
a) of the Financial
Administration Act , I am tabling one order-in-council relating to a funding
pre-commitment for the fiscal years 2018-19, '19-'20 and '20-'21.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
Further
tabling of documents?
The hon.
the Minister of Service NL.
MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:
In accordance with
section 56
of the Automobile Insurance Act ,
I hereby table the annual report of the Board of Commissioners of Public
Utilities On Operations Carried Out Under The
Automobile Insurance Act
Chapter A-22, RSNL 1990, As Amended For The
Period April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
Further documents to be tabled?
Notices of Motion.
Notices of Motion
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for
Labrador West.
MR. LETTO:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move,
seconded by the Member for Stephenville - Port au Port:
Be it
resolved that the House of Assembly urge the Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador to begin consultations with unions and employers to identify measures
that would support the collective bargaining process thereby avoiding prolonged
work stoppages, while respecting the rights of both the unionized and
non-unionized employees, such that the long-term sustainability of various
industries is preserved to the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government House
Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The
private Member's resolution just read by the Member for Lab West is the private
Member's resolution that will be debated this Wednesday.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Further notices of motion: I
move, pursuant to Standing Order 11(1) that this House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m.
on Tuesday, May 15.
MR. SPEAKER:
Further notices of motion?
The hon.
the Minister of Service NL.
MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:
Mr. Speaker, I give notice
that I will ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act Respecting Tenancies
Of Residential Premises, Bill 15.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
Further
notices of motion?
Answers
to Questions for which Notice has been Given.
Petitions.
Petitions
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for Mount
Pearl North.
MR. LESTER:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Once
again, I rise to represent the individuals who have affected by the removal of
the Adult Dental Program.
The
Adult Dental Program coverage for clients of the Newfoundland and Labrador
Prescription Drug Program under the Access and 65Plus Plans were eliminated in
Budget 2016 .
Many
low-income individuals and families can no longer access basic dental care; and
those same individuals can no longer access dentures, leading to many other
digestive and medical issues.
Therefore, we, the undersigned, petition the hon. House of Assembly as follows:
We, the
undersigned, call on the House of Assembly to urge the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador to reinstate the Adult Dental Program to cover
low-income individuals and families to better ensure oral health and quality of
life and dignity.
Mr.
Speaker, this is my fifth time presenting this petition. The undersigned, which
happen to be different individuals every time, would really appreciate a
response from the minister. The minister is very familiar with his portfolio and
I'm sure he could attest to the benefits of good oral health, not only from a
medical perspective but also a psychological effect that this is just a primary
disrespect to the individuals' dignity who cannot afford dental care and
equipment. This would go far to being proactive when it comes to individuals'
quality of life and long-term medical health.
therefore, present this petition to the House.
MR. SPEAKER:
Further petitions?
The hon.
the Member for
Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.
MS.
PERRY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of
Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the
undersigned residents of Newfoundland and Labrador humbly sheweth:
WHEREAS a year has passed since the tragic event of
January 17, 2017 where our school was completely destroyed; and
WHEREAS we have 250 people in a building which is only
equipped to handle 150; and
WHEREAS
we do not have a science lab, library/resource room, cafeteria, computer room,
multi-purpose room; and
WHEREAS
we have classrooms which require co-programming but this cannot happen because
of space issues in the building; and
WHEREAS
government has a legal responsibility to ensure our students have access to the
best education;
WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House
of Assembly to urge government to commit to a new state-of-the-art K to 12
school for the students of Bay d'Espoir, announce funding in 2018-2019 to begin
the design and tender process and we would like the construction to be
expedited.
And as
in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.
Mr.
Speaker, I didn't present –
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
I'm
having trouble hearing the remarks from the Member identified.
Thank you.
MS. PERRY:
I didn't present the petition
in its entirety prior to the budget, in the event that we would still need to
raise concerns on behalf of the area. I'm almost finished now. We'll soon have
them all tabled.
Mr.
Speaker, we're certainly very, very pleased to be receiving a new school, which
we feel is crucial for the children of Bay d'Espoir. Right now, we're in a
situation where the inadequate lab facilities is posing a real problem with
having our children ready and prepared to go off to university, particularly for
those who are in grade nine, 10, 11 and 12 who may never see the inside of the
new school.
In that
regard, I certainly speak on behalf of my constituents to advocate for a
temporary, portable classroom that can be added to the school, a modular unit
that can at least be able to provide them with a proper science lab so that can
get the required curriculum and education they require so they can go on and
pursue studies at university.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
Further petitions?
The hon.
the Member for Ferryland.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm
pleased to rise today to present a petition on behalf of the people of my
district. It relates to an ambulance service application to the Public Utilities
Board.
The
Public Utilities Board has approved a licence of an ambulance owner to operate
in the area of Bay Bulls to Bauline. This area is one of the fastest growing
areas of the province. There have been many concerns from residents, even
firefighting brigades, regarding possible response times.
Therefore, we petition the hon. House of Assembly: We, the undersigned, call
upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
to support the position of this service provider and ensure the residents of Bay
Bulls to Bauline have access to the appropriate ambulance services.
The past
number of years in regard to response times because of residential growth and
other industrial activity in the region, there have been concerns in overall
response times and some exceeding an hour when calls go out, response times
handling those emergency calls and getting into acute care facilities in the
metro region. In some cases, there's response coming from father south on the
Southern Avalon, as well from the metro area it's coming in from the Health
Sciences Centre. There are concerns, as I say, in regard to servicing that
region.
We've
seen a lot of growth certainly in the past number of years in industrial and
commercial activity, as well as residential growth. As we know, Statistics
Canada has indicated just recently in some of the work they've done, it's one of
the fastest growing areas in the province. As well, when you look at things like
routine calls for ambulance services, it causes a strain then because if
emergencies do happen, it's a routine transfer or something like that, it does
affect response times.
The
region has certainly spoken to me on it. I've spoken, actually, to the minister.
We've discussed it with the proponent who has garnered the licence from the PUB.
I know the minister indicated they were doing some review in regard to the
actual allocations that currently exist. He has indicated that they're seeing
some areas where there are pockets where service may not be delivered. We think
this is one of them.
As I
said, I've talked to the minister with it. In the next number of weeks, he hopes
to decide on this particular issue in regard to a funding envelope for this
possible operator. So we advocate for him to look at this. We think it's very
much needed. The region needs it, the growing region, so we look forward to a
positive response to this petition.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
Further
petitions?
The hon.
the Member for St. John's Centre.
MS. ROGERS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
These
are the reasons for this petition: Our licensed child care system is a patchwork
of private for-profit centres – 70 per cent of all centres – non-profit
community-based centres and family daycare, plus a small number of education and
workplace-based centres.
It is
nowhere near meeting the child care needs in our province. Affordable licensed
child care is often in short supply in rural parts of the province. Even in St.
John's, there are long wait-lists for quality child care programs.
Child
care programs have both social and financial benefits for society. Studies show
that high-quality child care and early childhood education programs result in
better cognitive, language and numeracy skills. They help economically
disadvantaged children transition to school on the same level as other children.
For
every $1 spent on early childhood education, the benefits range from $1.50 to
$2.78 – many studies including the TD Economics.
Investing in child care creates jobs: $1 million invested in child care would
create 40 jobs, more than in any other centre.
gender-based analysis of provincial budget would have indicated the need for a
public child care program as a key way to close the wage gap between women and
men in this province.
Therefore, we, the undersigned, petition the House of Assembly as follows: We,
the undersigned, call upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador to take immediate steps to put in place a plan for a
gradual transition to a universal, regulated, publicly funded and fully
accessible child care and after-school care program.
Mr.
Speaker, I have no idea what it will take to do this. Governments throughout the
country, both on provincial and federal levels, talk about evidence-based
decision making. Yet still there is so much scientific evidence, there is so
much anecdotal evidence, there is so much experiential evidence that points to
the benefit and the need of universal child care and affordable child care, a
publicly administered, a publicly delivered, a publicly managed child care
program.
There is
no longer any viable reason not to do this. We know it's an investment that
reaps economic benefits, both for individual working families but also for
government.
Mr.
Speaker, I don't know what it will take. It is so reasonable and there's no
reason to proceed on this. Again, when we look at the benefits for everyone,
there is no reason not to move forward.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
Further petitions?
The hon.
the Government House Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We call
Orders of the Day.
MR. SPEAKER:
Orders of the day, Sir.
Orders of the Day
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government House
Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move,
seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources, for leave to introduce a bill
entitled,
An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act, Bill 7, and I further
move that the said bill be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded that
the hon. the Minister of Justice and Public Safety shall have leave to introduce
a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act, Bill 7, and
that the said bill be now read a first time.
Is it
the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
All
those in favour?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
All those against?
The
motion is carried.
Motion,
the hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board to introduce a
bill, “An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act,” carried. (Bill 7)
CLERK (Barnes):
A bill,
An Act To Amend The
Revenue Administration Act. (Bill 7)
MR. SPEAKER:
This bill has now been read a
first time.
When
shall the said bill be read a second time?
MR. A. PARSONS:
Tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
Tomorrow.
motion, Bill 7 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government House
Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded
by the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, for leave to
introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000, Bill 8, and
I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded the
hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board shall have leave to
introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000, Bill 8, and
that the said bill should now be read a first time.
Is it
the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
All those against, 'nay.'
This
motion is carried.
Motion,
the hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board to introduce a
bill, “An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, 2000,” carried. (Bill 8)
CLERK:
A bill,
An Act To Amend The
Income Tax Act, 2000. (Bill 8)
MR. SPEAKER:
This bill has now been read a
first time.
When
shall the said bill be read a second time?
MR. A. PARSONS:
Tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
Tomorrow.
motion, Bill 8 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government House
Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move,
seconded by the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, for leave
to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act No.
2, Bill 9, and I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded that
the hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board shall have
leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration
Act No. 2, Bill 9, and that the said bill shall now be read a first time.
Is it
the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
All those against, 'nay.'
This
motion is carried.
Motion,
the hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board to introduce a
bill, “An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act No. 2,” carried. (Bill 9)
CLERK:
A bill,
An Act To Amend The
Revenue Administration Act No. 2. (Bill 9)
MR. SPEAKER:
This bill has now been read a
first time.
When
shall the said bill be read a second time?
MR. A. PARSONS:
Tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
Tomorrow.
motion, Bill 9 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government House
Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded
by the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, for leave to
introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Schools Act, 1997, Bill 10, and I
further move that the said bill be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded that
the hon. the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development shall have
leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Schools Act, 1997, Bill
10, and that the said bill be now read a first time.
Is it
the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
All those against, 'nay.'
This
motion is carried.
Motion,
the hon. the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development to introduce
a bill, “An Act To Amend The Schools Act, 1997,” carried. (Bill 10)
CLERK:
A bill,
An Act To Amend The
Schools Act, 1997. (Bill 10)
MR. SPEAKER:
This bill has now been read a
first time.
When
shall the said bill be read a second time?
MR. A. PARSONS:
Tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
Tomorrow.
motion, Bill 10 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government House
Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded
by the Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, for leave to introduce a bill
entitled,
An Act To Amend The Jury Act, 1991, Bill 13, and I further move that
the said bill be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded that
the hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources shall have leave to
introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Amend The Jury Act, 1991, Bill 13, and that
the said bill be now read a first time.
Is it
the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
All those against, 'nay.'
This
motion is carried.
Motion,
the hon. the Minister of Justice and Public Safety to introduce a bill, “An Act
to Amend The Jury Act, 1991,” carried. (Bill 13)
CLERK:
A bill,
An Act To Amend The
Jury Act, 1991. (Bill 13)
MR. SPEAKER:
This bill has now been read a
first time.
When
shall the said bill be read a second time?
MR. A. PARSONS:
Tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
Tomorrow.
motion, Bill 13 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government House
Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded
by the Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, for leave to
introduce a bill entitled,
An Act Respecting Children, Youth And Families, Bill
14, and I further move that the said bill be now read a first time.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded that
the Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development shall have leave to
introduce a bill entitled,
An Act Respecting Children, Youth And Families, Bill
14, and that the said bill shall now be read a first time.
Is it
the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
All those against, 'nay.'
This
motion is carried.
Motion,
the hon. the Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development to introduce a
bill, “An Act Respecting Children, Youth And Families,” carried. (Bill 14)
CLERK:
A bill,
An Act Respecting
Children, Youth And Families. (Bill 14)
MR.
SPEAKER: This bill
has now been read a first time.
When
shall the said bill be read a second time?
MR.
A. PARSONS:
Tomorrow.
MR.
SPEAKER: Tomorrow.
motion, Bill 14 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government House
Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Mr. Speaker, I call from the
Order Paper, Order 4, second reading of Bill 11.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Finance and President of Treasury Board.
MR. OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice and Public
Safety, that Bill 11,
An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act, be now
read a second time.
MR. SPEAKER: It
is moved and seconded that Bill 11 be now read a second time.
Motion, second reading of a bill, “An Act To Amend The
Financial Administration Act.” (Bill 11)
MR. SPEAKER: The
hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.
MR. OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
This bill is primarily a housekeeping bill. The Explanatory
Notes says that the “Bill would amend the Financial Administration Act to
reflect changes made during pension plan reform which established joint
trusteeship for the Public Service Pension Plan and the Teachers' Pension Plan.”
Mr.
Speaker, the amendments being forwarded today are needed to reflect changes that
were made during pension reform in 2014 and 2015.
In 2014,
the provincial government of the day announced that it had reached an agreement
with five unions representing employees of the Public Service Pension Plan on
pension reform. In 2015, the government of the day announced an agreement with
the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association on teachers' pension reform.
Mr.
Speaker, these agreements established joint trusteeship for both groups and
joint sponsor bodies, whereby government and unions held equal representation
and made joint decisions on the sponsorship and administration of these pension
plans for their members and public service employees.
Mr.
Speaker, in implementing pension reform, government introduced bills to amend
the Pensions Funding Act and
An Act to
Modify Eligibility for Other Post-Employment Benefits.
The
Financial Administration Act gives
government the authority to issue payments to reduce unfunded liabilities in the
provincial pension plans through such means as borrowing or by issuing a
debenture, but the thing is that an unforeseen consequence –
(Sneeze.) Excuse me. That was unforeseen as well, Mr. Speaker.
That an
unforeseen consequence of the changes to the Public Service Pension Plan and the
Teachers' Pension Plan is that borrowing for pension plans under the authority
of the Financial Administration Act
excludes them as it is currently written. Pension reform changed the original
intention of the Financial Administration
Act as it relates to pension plan funding.
Mr.
Speaker, the changes proposed today are being made in the spirit and intent of
the Financial Administration Act and
will re-establish government's authority and ability to fund its pension plans
as the act was intended. Government has become aware of these issues with
authority under the Financial
Administration Act and today we're making the changes that are necessary to
re-establish the intent of the act as it relates to pension plan funding.
As I
said, these are primarily housekeeping changes that are nonetheless very
important, Mr. Speaker, if we're going to continue to provide funding for
teachers' pensions and the public service pension and give government the
flexibility that it once had and was always supposed to have to fund the
pensions.
So, Mr.
Speaker, essentially under subsection 2(1) of the act, it's being amended –
MR. SPEAKER:
Order, please!
I remind
the Member that during second reading you're not to address the content of the
clauses. We do that in Committee of the Whole. You should stick with the
principle of the bill.
MR. OSBORNE:
You got it, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. OSBORNE:
I was just making sure you
were paying attention, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
(Inaudible.)
MR. OSBORNE:
Mr. Speaker, again, these amendments are housekeeping. It's purely intended to
allow government and give government the flexibility to provide funding to these
pension plans which inadvertently was taken away when the changes were made in
2014 and again in 2015 with the Teachers' Pension Plan.
Mr.
Speaker, if we're going to continue as a government to provide the funding so
that the joint sponsorship of these plans by unions and government can continue
and these plans can be funded, these changes today are necessary.
Thank
you.
MR. SPEAKER:
Thank you.
The hon.
the Opposition House Leader.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm glad
to rise to speak to Bill 11, just outlined by the minister, in a general sense
what the bill is,
An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act. I spoke to
that particularly in regard to amending the act to reflect the changes made
during pension plan reform which established joint trusteeship for the Public
Service Pension Plan and the Teachers' Pension Plan.
That
dealt at the time – of my time in government under our administration – looking
at dealing with an unfunded pension plan and laying out the means, through a
joint trusteeship, of those involved, the government and the particular unions
in regard to managing that pension fund to make sure it was fully solvent. I
believe it was over a 30-year period. To address those shortfalls that had been
accumulating over decades and making a strategic partnership and the direction
to make sure that the fund would be solvent and those that have paid into the
fund, those that would pay in the future would have a return on that pension and
it would be guaranteed for them.
That's
what when the minister referenced prior pension reform for those two pension
plans, the Public Service and the Teachers' Pension Plan, that we look at
actually laying out a plan. Legislation was put in place and corporate entities
were put in place to deal with both of those pension plans. I understand this
particular bill, while the minister mentioned the little bit of housekeeping
with this, it looks at changing particular terms within the old pension plan and
within the two funds that it now serves particularly today, and looking at
modifying some of the language in that regard related to the previous pension
reform process.
That
process, as I said, looked at the Teachers' plan, the Public Service Pension
Plan. They were separated out what's called the Pooled Pension Fund which took
in all of those Public Service Pension Plans, either core or outside that people
would be paid from the public service. That Pooled Pension Fund had everybody in
it. The reforms took place I think it was in 2015, 2014 those were broken out,
two of them were broken out, the Teachers' Pension Plan and the Public Service
plan.
Others –
that's still the MHAs, judges and the Uniformed Services Pension Plan – are
still in that Pooled Pension Fund. What we're talking about, those two at the
time related to pension reforms that were taken out and some amendments need to
be made in that regard.
Particular points of the act reference Pooled Pension Funds. These sections have
not been changed since the two funds I talked about, the Teachers' Pension fund
and the Public Service Pension fund, have been separated out of that pooled plan
that I spoke of. So these two changes when applied to the Public Service Pension
Plan and to the Teachers' Pension Plan.
The
addition of the pension administrator definition, which is really the
significant change here, encompasses all the pension plans, and this terminology
replaces the Pooled Pension Plan in the other areas of the change.
It's
just recognizing, I guess, when the original bill was put together and reference
was made to the pension fund, that's changed now to pension administrator. That
will deal with the particulars of the funds and how they are broken out, and the
funds I've listed, and how they will be viewed in the bill, which is
An Act to
Amend the Financial Act, and how these particular funds are referenced.
Really
it is, as the minister says, housekeeping. It's good to see that reform was done
in 2014. There are three others that are left today. I'm sure government is
working diligently to deal with that to ensure we have stability in those
pension funds that we've moved forward for those who have paid in, much like was
done with the current two that have been taken out of the Pooled Pension Fund
and now has a clear strategy and direction of joint partnership to manage those
funds to see that they certainly are there and the funds are available within
that 30-year period that I talked about earlier.
That's
my comments for Bill 11, Mr. Speaker, and we certainly look forward to further
debate and supporting this bill.
Thank
you very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for St.
John's East - Quidi Vidi.
MS. MICHAEL:
Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
I'm glad
that this is a housekeeping bill because I don't want to inflict my voice too
long on Members of the House and the public. But I am happy to stand and support
this bill. It's a necessary housekeeping bill, as the Minister of Finance has
pointed out. I think the history that he has explained, the history of what
started in 2014 when the Public Service Pension Plan and the Teachers' Pension
Plan were put together under – they weren't put together, that they were now put
under joint trusteeships was a significant moment, I think, here in this House.
I was very proud of us that we did that, because it means that the unions get an
equal voice in administering their pensions, along with government. I think
that's extremely important.
As the
minister has pointed out, when the amendments were made to the
Financial Administration Act to do
that, there was one little thing that wasn't put in the
Financial Administration Act . I say it's little; in one way it's big
– and that is we didn't have added to the amendment the fact that government
also needs the power to borrow to maintain its responsibilities for maintaining
the pension plan, along with those individuals who pay into their plan.
wasn't drastic in the sense that the money to fund the plans could be borrowed
under the Loan Act , but it's
important, for clarity, that along with the amendments that created the two
joint trusteeships that the Financial
Administration Act does mention that government has the power under that act
to borrow for those two joint plans, as well as the plans that government still
has under what's called the Pooled plan, as the Member for Ferryland talked
about. The Pooled Pension Plan includes the MHA pension plan, the Judges'
Pension plan and the Uniformed Services Pension Plan. Government, while they
aren't part of a joint trusteeship like the other two, still has responsibility
for those pension plans.
This
bill makes sure that everything is neat and tidy. I think that we should be
proud of the fact that we have maintained a defined benefits pension plan for
all of these unions and the workers – that's the important thing: the members,
the workers, do have defined benefit pension plans. I think that we should be
proud of the fact that we have maintained that here in this province, and I'm
glad to support this bill to make sure that the
Financial Administration Act is clear
with regard to government's responsibility to maintain the funds that are
necessary for both the Public Service Pension Plan and the Teachers' Pension
Plan.
Thank
you very much, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Member for Mount
Pearl - Southlands.
MR. LANE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm not
going to take long either. As has been said, this is really a housekeeping bill,
Bill 11. I will be supporting the bill.
Without
being repetitive, obviously I think we've all heard stories from former
government employees and so on, a lot of our public sector pensioners, whether
they be teachers, police officers or someone who worked here at the
Confederation Building, whatever, health care and so on and the grievances
they've had over the years.
I know
I've had numerous people in my district who are public sector pensioners who
felt they had been done wrong by over the years in terms of their pensions and
the increases that they used to get at one point time that got cut out. They
always point to the fact that we had this pension liability and the fact that
successive governments over the years, of all – I was going to say all stripes
but of two stripes I guess. Various administrations spent their pension money on
roads and paving and stuff like that, or they added people to the pension plan
that never paid into the pension plan, various groups over the years.
That's
what created this unfunded liability. Had the money been invested the way it
should have been and not taken out and spent for, whether it be political
reasons or maybe necessity – because there was no money to spend on roads and
things like that that needed to be spent. But, if the ability hadn't been there
to take that money out and spend it and had it been invested, perhaps we would
have had a healthy pension plan today and we never would have had to go down
this road to begin with. I guess that's sort of ancient history now. We are
where we are.
I will
give credit to the former administration under – I believe it was Premier
Marshall at the time that did take on this task. As well as the other
stakeholders, the unions and so on who – Mr. Lucas who was recognized here today
was involved, I believe. They did sit down and they did iron out an agreement to
make the pension plan sustainable on an ongoing basis.
Yes, as
a result of that, there were people who were impacted, people who had to work
extra time. I know numerous people who had to work – I think it went from 55,
early retirement, up to 58. Now they have to work an extra three years to get
the pension they would have gotten when these changes were made. There were a
lot of people, a lot of current public servants who had to pay the price, I
suppose, for the pension liability. The government of the day did invest some
money, committed to invest money as well to make them solvent.
Really,
as has been said, what's happening here now is the legislation is just catching
up and recognizing the new pension regime if you will and the joint management
by not just the government but by employees as well. Now, thankfully, when money
goes in it will be invested; it will be invested properly. There will no longer
be the ability of any government to go in and raid the pension fund to spend on
other things other than pensions. That's the way it should be. This legislation
is just recognizing that change that was made.
I'm glad
to support the bill. Again, it's important to give credit where credit is due
and to recognize Premier Marshall at the time who did take on the task and did a
good job, I might add, certainly on this particular issue.
Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
If the hon. the Minister of
Finance and President of Treasury Board speaks now he will close debate.
The hon.
the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.
MR. OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Just to
thank everybody for their contribution to the debate on this particular bill. It
is housekeeping, Mr. Speaker. It's a necessary amendment to the bill in order
for government to continue to make payments into the pension plans.
Again,
just to thank Members for their contributions. I look forward to Committee.
MR. SPEAKER:
Is the House ready for the
question?
The
motion is that Bill 11 be now read a second time.
Is it
the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
All
those in favour?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
All those against?
The
motion is carried.
CLERK:
A bill,
An Act To Amend The
Financial Administration Act. (Bill 11)
MR. SPEAKER:
This bill has now been read a
second time.
When
shall this bill be referred to a Committee of the Whole House?
MR. A. PARSONS:
Now.
MR. SPEAKER:
Now.
motion, a bill, “An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act,” read a
second time, ordered referred to a Committee of the Whole House presently, by
leave. (Bill 11)
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government House
Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded
by the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, that the House
resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider Bill 11.
MR. SPEAKER:
It is moved and seconded that
I do now leave the Chair for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the
Whole to consider the said bill.
Is it
the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
All
those in favour?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
All those against?
The
motion is carried.
motion, that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, the Speaker
left the Chair.
Committee of the
Whole
CHAIR (Warr):
Order, please!
We are
now considering Bill 11,
An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act.
A bill,
“An Act To Amend The Financial Administration Act.” (Bill 11)
CLERK:
Clause 1.
CHAIR:
Shall clause 1 carry?
All
those in favour?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
Those against?
Carried.
motion, clause 1 carried.
CLERK:
Clauses 2, 3 and 4.
CHAIR:
Shall clauses 2, 3 and 4
carry?
All
those in favour?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
Those against?
Carried.
motion, clauses 2 through 4 carried.
CLERK:
Be it enacted by the
Lieutenant-Governor and House of Assembly in Legislative Session convened, as
follows.
CHAIR:
Shall the enacting clause
carry?
All
those in favour?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
Those against?
Carried.
motion, enacting clause carried.
CLERK:
An Act To Amend The Financial
Administration Act.
CHAIR:
Shall the title carry?
All
those in favour?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
Those against?
Carried.
motion, title carried.
CHAIR:
Shall I report Bill 11
without amendment?
All
those in favour?
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
Those against?
Carried.
Motion,
that the Committee report having passed the bill without amendment, carried.
CHAIR:
The hon. the Government House
Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
I move, Mr. Chair, that the
Committee rise and report Bill 11.
CHAIR:
The motion is that the
Committee rise and report Bill 11.
Shall
the motion carry?
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
CHAIR:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
motion, that the Committee rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again, the
Speaker returned to the Chair.
MR. SPEAKER (Trimper):
The hon. the Member for
Baie Verte - Green Bay and Chair of the Committee of the Whole.
MR. WARR:
Mr. Speaker, the Committee of
the Whole have considered the matters to them referred and have directed me to
report Bill 11 without amendment.
MR.
SPEAKER: The Chair
of the Committee of the Whole reports that the Committee have considered the
matters to them referred and have directed him to report Bill 11 without
amendment.
When
shall the report be received?
MR.
A. PARSONS: Now.
MR.
SPEAKER: Now.
When
shall the said bill be read a third time?
MR. A. PARSONS:
Tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
Tomorrow.
motion, report received and adopted. Bill ordered read a third time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Government House
Leader.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Mr. Speaker, I call from the
Order Paper, Motion 1, the Budget Speech.
MR. SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of
Natural Resources.
MS. COADY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It's my
honour to be able to stand in the House today to speak to the budget and to
thank the good people of St. John's West for allowing me the opportunity to
represent them here in this hon. House and to represent them in matters and
affairs that have great impact, I say, on how they live and how they are
educated here in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. So it is a distinct
honour, I think for all of us here in this House, to have that opportunity, and
I do want to thank the good people of St. John's West.
I will
say, Mr. Speaker, when we first were elected the end of November, early December
of 2015 and became government, it was certainly evident to us, who had the
opportunity to sit on the government side of the House, that there were really a
lot of large and complex issues facing the Province of Newfoundland and
Labrador. Not only were we in the midst of a downturn in oil and gas and a
downturn in commodifies, we were also having major problems with our fiscal
situation here in this province.
Mr.
Speaker, I'll start to talk about the fiscal situation here in this province a
little bit as I get into discussions around the budget, but I will say that we
shouldn't have been in the situation that we found ourselves in, in December of
2015. I said this last year in my budget speech, Mr. Speaker, so I won't repeat
myself. The Auditor General had been for the 10 years, 12 years previous
speaking regularly, year after year after year, advising government and the
people of this province how serious the fiscal situation and pleading with the
government of the day, the former Progressive Conservative government, to take
it seriously and put its fiscal house in order.
I will
say that this was during the heady times of high commodity prices, the heady
times of high oil and gas, the best production that we had seen in our offshore
oil and gas. Certainly there was additional money available for the provincial
government of the day, the Progressive Conservative government, to really
address the fiscal situation. I will say it was with a great deal of
disappointment that you saw year after year that, really, that focus was not
there. That focus of fiscal responsibility and that focus of discipline were not
there.
Mr.
Speaker, as we came into government in December of 2015, it became clear to our
Members of this House of Assembly just how serious the fiscal situation was. We
now know that the deficit at the time, not the debt – and I will say this to
people who may be tuning in, the difference between what a deficit and debt is.
The deficit is what is in addition to what you're spending year over year. If
you have a budget of $100 for the year and you spent $110, your deficit is $10.
Your debt, of course, is longer term.
When we
first came in to government we focused on this fiscal situation, and the people
of the province were made aware that our deficit was close on $2.7 billion for
one year. That means the former administration had been overspending in one year
by $2.7 billion. That's a horrific amount of money for, what, 520,000 of us to
make up. And that's just the deficit; that's not the debt.
Mr.
Speaker, that was the first thing that this government had to do was really
focus in on that fiscal situation. In the last couple of years, we have had to
make some very difficult decisions, no doubt. None that any of us would want to
make in normal circumstance, but I am pleased to say that we are on a path and a
plan now to reach back to balanced budgets by 2022-2023.
I think
that we need to continue with that fiscal discipline and we need to ensure that
as commodity prices, and as we really address some of the concerns in our
economy, and as more money flows into the coffers of the provincial government
that we have to really make sure that we don't reach into that money and
continue to overspend, which is easy to do, Mr. Speaker.
When
times are really, really good I know governments – past governments – really did
overspend. Mr. Speaker, while we all want to have many of the things that are
fun to have, good to have or a pleasure to have in our province, we also have to
have fiscal discipline. We have to make sure that we're leaving a legacy, a
solid legacy, for our children and our grandchildren.
Mr.
Speaker, when I speak about that, I do want to say I fully support the idea of a
legacy fund. I know this government has said repeatedly if we did reach an
opportunity where we were starting to collect more monies, we would do an
offshore oil and gas legacy fund and really focus in, I think, on ensuring that
we have the monies available to us to ride the ups – the highs and the lows.
Oftentimes, we know in our economy, in our commodity cycles and the global world
cycles, Mr. Speaker, there are highs and there are lows. When the time of the
highs comes, it's a heady experience, but we know that the lows come as well and
we have to expect that.
We have
to continue – and I like the theme of this year's budget, which is
Building on our Future , and that's
what we have to do. I said in this House the last time I spoke – I think it was
a week or so ago. I talked about our forefathers and do always reflect back on
my family. I know that many people in this hon. House and around the province do
reflect on their families, both in the past, in the present and into the future.
I know that I want to ensure my legacy as a human being living in Newfoundland
and Labrador – I want to make sure that my legacy is having that fiscal
discipline and leaving something for our future generations.
There is
an expression, of course – I think it's an indigenous expression. It was we only
borrow mother earth and we have to always remember our responsibility to our
future generations.
I'm
pleased to see, in this year's budget, that continued discipline. We continue to
make sure that while overspending may feel good, the effect of it certainly
isn't. We have to continue to focus in – and while we have a deficit this year,
again, I think the focus is on bringing us back to a balanced budget. I commend
this House, this government on making sure that we have that discipline to do
so.
Mr.
Speaker, I started today by talking about my district, and it is a wonderful
urban district: St. John's West. We're surrounded on one side, of course, by
Kenmount Road and we stretch all the way to Topsail Road. It certainly is a
great residential area and a wonderful community that's made up of several
communities within this residential area – great people who are engaged in a lot
of the activities of our city. They take
part in a lot of the activities of the
city, and it's wonderful to see. We have, of course, two schools in my district:
St. Matthew's and Cowan Heights Elementary. They do a great deal of work with
the youth of our city, and a great deal of work with youth of our community.
Mr. Speaker, one of the big things that are going impact my community in
this coming year, of course, is the continued development of the Team Gushue
Highway, and it really is a highway that surfaces through my district. It's been
underway and under development, causing a lot of people in my district dust and
noise problems over the many, many years. But this year we have committed $13.7
million to complete Team Gushue Highway – to complete Team Gushue Highway.
It will be a great effort. It will connect up a great many of districts,
right out to Mount Pearl and then onwards to Goulds, and then bringing you up to
the Outer Ring Road. I'm glad to see it. I think it'll be a great highway
throughout our city that will connect up our city.
But I had the opportunity, through Transportation and Works – and I thank
them for it – to take a truck and go over the highway – supervised, of course, I
don't recommend it to people without that supervision. It was really, really
interesting to see the geology. I'm looking forward – I'm hopeful that when the
highway is open that there will be some note of some of some of the geological
anomalies that are on this highway, because I didn't realize. I'll use one
example, because we're hearing of lots of volcanoes in Hawaii, of course. But
there is what they consider a volcanic ash along the highway. You can see it
when it's pointed out by geologists, of course. You can see the river, what they
call the river of ash.
I was
intrigued, Mr. Speaker, to hear that out near Bell Island and those areas – a
millennia ago, I guess – there was a volcano that did have that ash. You can see
the river along the way. It's not actually water; it is a river of ash and, of
course, lava.
There
are some really interesting geological aspects along the highway, but the key
thing is the people of my district have been – you know the development of a
highway is never easy. Of course, there's dust and noise and impacts on their
backyards and things of that nature. So we'll be very, very happy in my district
to have that completed.
Mr.
Speaker, I also note that in this year's budget there is some monies, $3,000
grants towards the purchase or building of a new home. There's a lot of home
construction going on in my community, in my district. I'm glad to see some
assistance, to ensure that people can build new homes, towards the purchase or
building of a new home. I'm glad to see that and I know that's helping to
generate some extra building in our city. I think that's good for our economy
but it's also good for young families. We welcome them to St. John's West and
are encouraged by that.
Mr.
Speaker, I often say in my district we have both the young – and I think that
$3,000 grant really does well for the people of my district – but also we have a
lot of seniors. I'm very pleased when I meet up with seniors who tell me not
just about the history of St. John's West, the history of the beautiful City of
St. John's, but also about our province. I'm very, very happy that we have $121
million allocated for the Senior's Benefit and Income Supplement benefiting
thousands of individuals and families. I think that's an important investment in
our seniors, some of whom are struggling.
We all
know the cost of living continues to rise and we all know how some people have
had difficulties. I'm always pleased to see there is focus on ensuring that
there is assistance for those that do need additional revenues to help them with
their living costs.
I'm also
really pleased – and my district is a fairly educated district. We have, as I
said earlier, two schools but we also are close to the university. So we have a
lot of university students. We are also close to St. Teresa's school when you
look at proximity, and Waterford Valley High; great schools all around, either
in or around the District of St. John's West.
I was
really pleased, very pleased to see the investments being made in the Premier's
Task Force on Improving Educational Outcomes, Mr. Speaker. I think that's
commendable. I personally think the future opportunity in any community, in any
province really lies with education. I am committed to ensuring that we continue
to invest in education, but even more important, we have to continue to realize
that education, innovation are the cornerstones of an evolved society.
So I was
really happy when I saw, first of all, that the Premier said we should have a
task force on education. Then with the $6.9 million in new funding, things like
$3.1 million for reading specialists and learning resource teachers. How
important is that? How important is literacy? How important is numeracy? Mr.
Speaker, as our society evolves, that continues to ensure our advancement and
development.
Mr.
Speaker, I'm very, very happy we have $1.9 million to support professional
learning for teachers and almost $2 million provided for each of the subsequent
three years. I think that is very, very important.
There
are a lot of very good initiatives in this budget. I know from my Department of
Natural Resources there investments in oil and gas. There are investments in
mining. For example, in oil and gas we directed Nalcor to make sure they
continue to make investments in seismic. All of this, of course, under
Advance 2030 and making sure that we
are maximizing our opportunity in the oil and gas industry.
For
mining; the backbone of mining for us here in this province is discovery. Just
as it is in oil and gas and making sure we're making the investments in the
geological survey. For example, we have approximately $5 million for the
geological survey, Mr. Speaker. So making sure we understand the prospectivity.
We have
about 11 commodities that are mined here in the Province of Newfoundland and
Labrador. I've said many times in this House that we have about 6,000 people
working in mining in this province. This year, shipments are going to total
about $3.4 billion.
So we
know there is great opportunity. The world is looking for our minerals. We want
to be able to supply them because it supplies the Province of Newfoundland and
Labrador, not only with great jobs but great opportunity as well.
Mr.
Speaker, there's also money allocated in my department – I spoke about it last
week – for the Mineral Incentive Program. That's, again, another foundational
program that helps to ensure we have major discoveries.
A few
weeks ago in this House I recognized Al Chislett and his work. Mr. Chislett
passed away recently, but I recognized he was the first person in this province
to receive a mineral incentive grant. Look at what happened, the discovery he
made in Voisey's Bay and all the benefits that have accrued to the great
Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr.
Speaker, I wanted to speak today very quickly, I guess, because 20 minutes does
go by rather fast. I wanted to say, again, focusing on the economy, focusing on
ensuring our fiscal discipline are two of the most important things I see in
this budget. Again, for the great District of St. John's West, I see some good
investments to ensure their continued growth and development, their continued
opportunities as well.
I thank
you for the opportunity to speak very highly on this budget today.
Thank
you very much, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER (Reid):
The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
PREMIER BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I take
great pleasure today in rising and standing and speaking to
Budget 2018 , the budget that was
announced by this government just a few weeks ago. As always, I've listened to
considerable amounts of debate from the Opposition and got some feedback,
obviously, from people outside.
Mr.
Speaker, I will say from a public's point of view, given where we are today,
where we were in 2016, I will say that most people are saying we have made
significant progress in getting this province back on track. Mr. Speaker, no
matter where we are today, I think we always need to remind ourselves where we
started from.
For a
few minutes I want to go back to 2016 and what that looked like coming into
office in December of 2015, I will say, right after the election and what it is
this government inherited, what it is this caucus inherited from the previous
administration, the PC administration, Mr. Speaker.
I want
to say this first-hand; to think this was actually news to everybody in our
province is simply not the fact. This was not news to everyone in the province
because the PC administration had known for quite some time the dire situation
this province was in. Except, Mr. Speaker, they made a very conscious decision
deliberately not to inform the stakeholders, not to inform Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians exactly what the financial situation was of their province.
Mr.
Speaker, I would say today as I stand here, in retrospect and reflecting on all
the information that was available to a former administration, to the PCs at the
time, not sharing that with the people of this province was a mistake. They had
no right to do that, Mr. Speaker, but doing it deliberately is exactly what
happened.
I know
this – I know this now because I've spoken to many people early on, early into
the administration, Mr. Speaker, and it was very clear to me that notes that we
had seen were notes that were shared with the previous administration. This
information was available. Some of it was available in the spring of 2015.
example of what I'm talking about would be at Muskrat Falls, what the Astaldi
situation was, what the risks were, what potential claims would be coming to the
people of this province. Yet, they did not disclose this to the people of this
province going into the election of 2015.
Mr.
Speaker, also what they did know, yet continued to say their plan for the
future, based on the election platform that they had put out, they were
projecting a $1.1 billion deficit going into 2016 – simply not true, and they
knew it. They knew that that wasn't right and they knew that they were not on
target, Mr. Speaker.
This
$1.1 billion deficit at that time, when you look at the preparation going into
Budget 2016 was $2.7 billion. Now,
let's put that into context of where other provinces would be in this
Confederation. You compare where we were as Newfoundland and Labrador to all
other provinces, no one was even close to that situation, given the population
that we had in our province at the time.
Mr.
Speaker, let me make it very clear, that administration had that information and
they knew it. They did not want to tell the people of the province of what the
situation was in the province.
Mr.
Speaker, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in all the communities, you have to
ask yourself: Why is it that someone had access to this information and just
deliberately refused not to let them know? Why would they not want to tell the
people of what the situation was of the finances in our province? Why would they
deliberately withhold that information? It could only be one reason. They were
ashamed of their record. That is the only reason why you would hold onto that
information and not tell the people what the situation was in our province.
That
gives everyone in this province the insight and little bit of visibility of what
that first month looked like. Added to that, Mr. Speaker, we knew very early
that there would be borrowing that needed to be done to continue to provide
service to the people of our province.
What
they ignored to do for many years, Mr. Speaker, was put in place a borrowing
plan. Going out and letting people, letting investors in the province, letting
the financial institutions in the province or outside the province, the people
who would supply the funds to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, loan the money
to the province, letting them know where we were and setting up a long-term
borrowing strategy.
replace that, Mr. Speaker, what they did is put in short-term policies to
borrow. All of us would know – not to suggest that it's like living on a credit
card but that's the idea – that you do not put in long-term financing options,
making those options available for our province, rather than just put it in 60-
and 90-day options.
We had
to take aggressive action. I think many people looked at the situation of the
province as we became aware of it and as we disclosed this information publicly
– and I'll get to the Muskrat Falls situation a little later on and the impact
that was having, even when all of this was ongoing.
Mr.
Speaker, here we were, a new government, and within days finally realizing what
the truth of the situation was about this province. It was discouraging, but
what was most discouraging was we would have leaders who were running an
election and they had refused to put this information out there publicly.
We took
exception to that, Mr. Speaker. We quickly gave updates to the people of the
province – where it is their province stood. We didn't like it, but you know
going into Budget 2016 there were a
number of decisions that we knew would be impactful on the people of our
province, but we needed to get a foundation.
I'll get
into, in a few minutes, the vision that we laid out, which came in November
2016, of what this province would look like in the long term. Mr. Speaker, 2016,
I will say, was a budget where some very tough decisions had to be made. We knew
that when those decisions were made. They were tough on people; we understand
that. But as we work our way through this, we put a seven-year forecast in
place. I can say that with our third budget now, we are on forecast to get to
surplus in 2022-2023.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
PREMIER BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Also,
Mr. Speaker, we took on a significant amount of public engagement, which was
important for us. What we clearly got from speaking to the people was that, over
time, people understood the situation that we were into. What was ironic about
that, in the 2016 budget, the very crowd, the PC administration in this
particular case, knowing exactly where we were, what they decided to do is still
not stand up and take responsibility for their decisions, still not stand up and
take responsibility for their actions, still not stand up and take the
responsibility for what they left this province in, Mr. Speaker.
I've
often told stories. It kind of reminded me of showing up at the scene of an
accident or a fire somewhere and the very people that lit the match were
throwing rocks at you because you were there trying to put the fire out. That's
exactly what was going on, Mr. Speaker. Instead of taking the responsibility for
their own actions, they stood there and criticized those that were trying to fix
the things that they had created. How ironic is that? Someone there trying to
save the future of this province and we have a crowd there that was criticizing
exactly what was going on.
They
were indeed tough times, Mr. Speaker, but we took those measures early on and
put in place borrowing programs establishing long-term debt. I will say that it
was as a result of the work of a lot of the great staff that we have that worked
within government at the time.
Once the
foundation was put in place and we were able to secure the situation of the
province, Mr. Speaker, in November of 2016 we put in place a vision for the
future of Newfoundland and Labrador, for sustainability and growth in
Newfoundland and Labrador. It was built really on four key focus areas. Four
areas that we really needed to focus on was the economy, efficiencies, services
and how we improve outcomes, given the resources that we had to deal with.
First of
all, that would have been Phase 01. We did that very quickly. That would have
been within the first six-month window. We put a report card out making sure
that from the beginning to the end people would understand that this is a
government that would be accountable and that we would share this information
with the people of our province.
Phase 02
was about how we realize the potential that we have here. When you look at the
significant amount of assets, the natural resources that we have within our
province, we always felt that we had a lot that we could build and rebuild this
province on.
Phase
03, still dealing with the economy, the efficiency, services and better outcomes
– Phase 03, which we just recently announced, was building for our future. This
is a big focus on services and outcomes I would say for people all across our
province.
Mr.
Speaker, that is The Way Forward .
Added to this is we needed to know that this would take time. When you listen to
the debate of those in this House of Assembly, the new leader and some other
leaders, there's always a bunch of information that comes forward.
We hear
Members of the PC Party saying: Why are you kicking this down the road? Let me
make this very clear: That is code for this. That means layoff the public
service. Kicking it down the road to restore or balance budgets. In their words,
when they say that, that means reduce the public sector. That is code for that.
It could
only be that, Mr. Speaker, because when you look at having over 10 years, $20
billion in oil royalties, another $4.6 billion in Atlantic Accord money, and
they had all kinds of options if they really, truly were interested in
diversifying the economy and really didn't do it.
Let's
face it, let's be very clear. They managed the government very clearly on the
price of oil. That's what happened. That's what gave them the surpluses. It
wasn't because they diversified the economy. It wasn't that at all, because that
did not happen. It was purely on the price of oil. So we made sure we put in
place a multi-year plan to restore fiscal balance and doing so, keeping in mind
that large reduction in the public service at the time would have meant that the
economy would have lost more jobs.
Why this
needs to be considered is there is no doubt we had three megaprojects that were
ongoing within the province. Muskrat Falls being one, where a few thousand
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and others were working on that project. We had
Vale, the work that was ongoing at Long Harbour, and we had Hebron. Three
megaprojects that were creating significant employment for people of the
province, but as with any megaproject they wind down, and people in primarily
trades are left out of work. The service sector is impacted by this as well.
taking thousands of people, as the PC administration would suggest when they say
kicking it down the road. That is exactly what they're suggesting because that
is the only option. That is the only option when they say this, Mr. Speaker. So
for us, we wanted to take an approach to make sure that we methodically do this
through attrition. I think both Finance Ministers that I've had the privilege of
working with have made this quite clear, that that would be the best option.
Of all
the debate we've listened to around budget time over the last few weeks, not
just this budget, but Budget 2016 ,
Budget 2017 and now Budget 2018 ,
there's one thing that has been glaringly missing. When I listen to the debate
of the Opposition Members, of all parties, I would say, Mr. Speaker, there's one
thing that is glaringly missing. Do you know what that is, Mr. Speaker? People
tell me this all the time. Not only did they nearly bankrupt the province but
they're bankrupt of ideas. They have come with nothing, no solutions that have
been offered. Nothing at all.
They
went out of their way to destroy their relationship with federal governments,
with other provinces. We know that as a small province of just over 500,000
people, relationship building, both inside the province and outside the
province, is critically important.
Mr.
Speaker, I want to remind people. Just listen to the comments and the words from
the Opposition. Tell me and remind them of the group that nearly bankrupt the
place: where are the ideas they're coming forward with? They have no ideas at
all.
Thankfully for us, we did not rely on them to come forward with ideas. We relied
on the people that live in this province, that live in all of our communities,
Mr. Speaker, to put in place a public engagement system where the ideas would
come from. That is what is so unique and so special about
The Way Forward which we launched in 2016. It is about the future of
our province.
Once we
got the foundation in place, the financial foundation in place for our province
in 2016, in 2017 things started to change a bit. The bond rating agencies looked
at our province – even, though, understanding where we were – they did
acknowledge the fact that some of the tough decisions we had to make, that we
did make them, Mr. Speaker.
We put
in place a way to get this province back to restoring fiscal balance within this
province. That is what The Way Forward
was all about. We put in place what I would consider to be some of the most
unprecedented consultations that we saw at any point in time in our history.
Mr.
Speaker, I get the privilege often to speak to premiers in other provinces,
former premiers in our province and to a person, everyone has often said this,
they have never seen a province that was in the type of financial situation that
this province was in, in 2016. It was unheard of for any province anywhere in
this confederation.
Mr.
Speaker, as we started to build on the relationships with people in Newfoundland
and Labrador, public engagement, as I said, was a big part of it. We knew the
problems could only be solved when people worked together in our province. When
we restored those relationships that were critically important, working together
we saw something that was very fundamental.
If I go
back to phase one and the decisions we had to make that we made, Mr. Speaker,
around improving efficiencies and so on, if you look at the value of that
exercise, that was about $105 million very early and very quickly in annualized
savings from that first budget that we were able to use for other services, or
to support and get that budget down.
That was
a remarkable piece of work. Keeping in mind, that going into the preparation of
Budget 2016 it was $2.7 billion in
deficit, Mr. Speaker. We were able to get that down and continue to take that
down to where we are today to between $600 million and $700 million in the
budget. Which is still a big number, but we must continue to do so and make the
progress that's required to restore the balance but do it methodically, Mr.
Speaker, without shocking the s