May 4,

2010 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS

Vol. XLVI No. 15

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Fitzgerald): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

Statements by Members

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Today the Chair welcomes the following members' statements: the hon. the

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

District of Bonavista North; the hon. the Member for the District of Mount Pearl

North; and the hon. the Member for the District of Bay of Islands.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I stand in this hon. House today to recognize the invaluable

contribution that Susan Knight, one of my constituents, has made to our

Province's youth, cultural and choral community in her seventeen years as

artistic director for the Shallaway Youth Choir.

This past Sunday I had the pleasure of attending an Evening of Celebration to

establish a Legacy Fund recognizing Ms Knight's establishment of the choir and

her seventeen years of direction. Susan Knight will retire from the choir this

year.

Ms Knight founded Shallaway - formerly the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir

- in 1992. Shallaway is a cultural agency that expresses itself through choral

music. It has more than 200 choristers, age seven to eighteen, who come from the

City of St. John's and its surrounding areas.

Susan Knight's vision is expressed in Shallaway's mandate to: develop

independent choral musicianship and cultural awareness in its membership;

connect the Province with a wider artistic world through choral excellence;

promote, preserve and transmit the rich folk culture of Newfoundland and

Labrador; celebrate cultural diversity and connection in this nation and around

the globe; and develop its young choristers as leaders who are the future.

Mr. Speaker, Susan Knight has done an excellent job in achieving Shallaway's

mandate. Their incredible success in competitions and performances has brought

pride to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and, indeed, all Canadians. Susan

Knight and Shallaway have certainly proven to be incredible ambassadors for the

Province.

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

wishing Susan Knight the best of luck in her retirement and to show our

appreciation for all her seventeen years of work with Shallaway, a youth choir

that is well on its way to becoming a cultural cornerstone in Newfoundland and

Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HARDING: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a very special

anniversary for the Lions Club of Indian Bay which includes the communities of

Centreville, Wareham, Trinity and Indian Bay.

On April 23, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the organization's

thirty-fifth annual Charter Night. Robert Norris is the current president of the

club. The celebration of this special event once again provided proof that the

ideals of serving ones community and supporting ones neighbours are still

incredibly important components of life in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

The work done by these clubs and service organizations in the rural regions

of our Province often go unnoticed. The men and women involved in these

organizations contribute time, energy and money so that they, in some way, may

help make the lives of others better. During the past thirty-five years the club

in Indian Bay has raised more than $2 million through their charitable work. The

majority of these funds are used directly in the area to assist youth groups,

seniors, individuals with special needs and to help strengthen the

infrastructure of the community. Additional funds recently were used for

worthwhile causes such as the construction of Daffodil Place and the Haiti

Relief Fund.

The contribution this group makes to their community in financial terms is,

without question, significant. The contribution they make to the spirit and

heart of the community is immeasurable. Their efforts cast a light on the

qualities and ideals that help make Newfoundland and Labrador such a remarkable

place, and they remind us that, by working together, the simplest gestures can

result in monumental, positive and lasting change.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would ask all members of this hon. House to join

me to thank and show appreciation for the continued service provided by the

Lions of the Indian Bay area and to congratulate the club on thirty-five years

of dedicated service.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Mount Pearl North.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise in this hon. House today to recognize the students and faculty at

Mount Pearl Intermediate for their recent participation in the Shave for the

Brave campaign. I am pleased to congratulate them on raising more than $28,000

for Young Adult Cancer Canada, in collaboration with a school in Calgary. This

friendly challenge took place on March 5 of this year via Internet video

conferencing.

Mr. Speaker, I am always amazed and impressed by the selflessness of our

youth in our communities. This is just another example of the generous nature

that seems to be contagious when youth take on a project and combine their

efforts to achieve something as fantastic as this.

As you may already know, Young Adult Cancer Canada assists young people in

coping with cancer and helps see them through a very hard time in their lives.

With fundraisers such as Shave for the Brave, Young Adult Cancer Canada is given

the opportunity and much needed funding to offer continued support to youth

across Canada who are directly affected by cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me once again in

congratulating Mount Pearl Intermediate, its students and faculty, for achieving

this magnificent goal in aid of Young Adult Cancer Canada.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Bay of Islands.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. LODER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this hon. House today to recognize a gentleman, Mr.

Bram Russell of Corner Brook.

Mr. Speaker, in 1990, Mr. Russell's wife, Ada, was diagnosed with multiple

sclerosis, and as Ada's health deteriorated, Mr. Russell gave up his career as a

carpenter and took the responsibility of a full-time caregiver. Twelve years has

passed and Mr. Russell continues to care for the love of his life.

The story of how Bram spent months using bee sting therapy to try to help his

wife shows the level of dedication and commitment he has for her. Mr. Speaker,

one year, Mr. Russell placed a beehive in the backyard, and over a period of six

months, he would catch bees, hold them in tweezers, and administer up to sixty

stings some days. Bram reported that the therapy worked well, but the disease

then progressed beyond its effectiveness.

Recently, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada presented Mr. Russell with

the Opal Award, recognizing caregivers to people with the disease who have

demonstrated outstanding commitment and caring.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask all members in this hon. House today to recognize

Mr. Russell for the love and attention provided to his loving wife and an

inspiration to all of us.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS POTTLE: Mr. Speaker, I rise to inform hon. members of the Aboriginal

Affairs Working Group meeting that took place in Toronto last week. Ministers

responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and leaders of national Aboriginal

organizations gathered to see how governments and Aboriginal leaders can work

more effectively to improve the circumstances of First Nation, Inuit and Metis

peoples. I am pleased to acknowledge the participation of President Jim Lyall

and Senior Negotiator Isabella Pain from the Nunatsiavut Government, and

NunatuKavut President Chris

Montague.

Three distinct goals emerged from this meeting: closing the education gap;

closing the income gap; and ending violence against Aboriginal women and girls.

I was indeed pleased to share our Province's successes in addressing Aboriginal

health and wellness through initiatives such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke about the establishment of mental health case management

services for individuals with serious mental illnesses, and the hiring of an

Aboriginal consultant for the Department of Health and Community Services, and

other items such as new funding for shelters in Hopedale, Rigolet and Nain,

expansion of family justice services in Labrador to serve Aboriginal coastal

communities, and an increased and regular police presence in the community of

Postville.

I noted that in Budget 2010 we are providing the Newfoundland Aboriginal

Women's Network with $100,000 in funding to address issues in their communities

such as poverty and violence in ways that are culturally sensitive, and $125,000

to Aboriginal women to develop and deliver a series of capacity-building

workshops in the five Inuit communities on the North Coast of Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, I also informed my colleagues about recent events in the

community of Natuashish. During the community meeting to discuss whether or not

to lift the alcohol ban, I told how I witnessed a demonstration by dozens of

Innu women. They entered the room bearing placards that told stories of

violence, suffering, and loss of life due to alcohol. These brave women

collectively demonstrated their firm belief that the alcohol ban should stay in

place. This demonstration was deeply moving and inspiring to me. Later that week

the community voted to keep the ban in place.

What happened in Natuashish certainly shows that, with the combined efforts

of governments, communities, and everyday people, through effective partnership

and through inclusion, we are seeing positive social and economic change in

Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the minister for a copy of her statement.

Mr. Speaker, governments and Aboriginal leaders should work together and can

work together to improve the circumstances in Aboriginal communities all across

our country. I am glad that they have had a meeting to look at some strategies,

especially in key areas as the minister indicates; especially around education,

income, and violence against women and girls.

Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the leadership of many of the Aboriginal

groups in this Province because I know that their jobs are not easy and they

deal with challenges every day of trying to grow economies, deal with poverty

and social issues within their communities, while still battling things like

education, health care and so on. So, Mr. Speaker, I understand and certainly

commend them for the job that they do.

Mr. Speaker, while we in this Province know all too well the gaps that do

exist you only have to look at the report that was done on the Jens Haven

Memorial School a few years ago, a report, Mr. Speaker, that indicated that 72

per cent of the children at that time were impacted by some form of trauma in

their lives, such as the suicide of a family member or a friend. Also, Mr.

Speaker, it indicated to us that the majority of students in Grades 4 through 7

were performing at a basic or below basic performance level. These are alarming

statistics.

Mr. Speaker, you only have to look at a study that was prepared actually by

the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives which indicated that the incomes of

Aboriginal people in this country is far lower than anyone else. Mr. Speaker,

they indicate in the study that they are so low that it is significant and it is

troubling and that it will continue for decades unless governments themselves

step in to help Aboriginal communities. So, Mr. Speaker -

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I remind the hon. member that her time for speaking has lapsed.

MS JONES: A moment to clue up, Mr. Speaker?

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

AN HON. MEMBER: By leave.

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

These particular statistics are quite alarming and I think there is a need

for government to be more aggressive and more co-operative with Aboriginal

groups to address these particular issues. Especially issues, Mr. Speaker, with

regard to the detention centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay which was a project

that was initiated because of violence against a woman who was held in custody

in that cell and a project that this government has now cancelled.

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

Vidi.

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

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

I am very glad to know that she did take

part in the meeting in Toronto of

the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group. I think it is extremely important that she

would be at a gathering of that nature. I am glad to hear a description of the

topics that were covered at that time. Although I could not attend the

Aboriginal Women's Conference here in our Province this year, I was very sorry I

could not; I note that the theme Evolving Opportunities for Aboriginal Women

focused on opportunities in the natural resources sector. I think the minister

and I would both agree that we have a long ways to go before we see women being

treated as equitably in that sector as men are. So I encourage her to keep

working on that issue. I am pleased that the government has also announced

continuing funding for the annual conference and I hope that will mean that a

broader group of Aboriginal women will be able to be represented at that

conference every year.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot sit though without recognizing the fact - even though

the Leader of the Official Opposition has done so, I too have to do so - that

after the revelation in the Estimates meeting on April 27, that there has been a

shelving of the pre-trial centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. I really have to

question government's commitment. I find this decision very disturbing. We all

know the reason why that recommendation was made by the Citizens'

Representative, the experience that an Aboriginal woman went through in the

prison there in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. I beg this government to, and I beg the

minister who represents the Aboriginal people in that Cabinet, to change that

decision and to get action taken on the pre-trail centre in Labrador.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Further statements by ministers?

Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Back in 2008 we advocated for better mental health programs and services in

the Province. At that time, Mr. Speaker, in questioning in the House of Assembly

I received a lecture from the minister of the day as he told the people of the

Province that we had a range of mental health services and this Province was

second to none. Today, we look at the report from the Child Advocate and we see

a very different picture. It is typical of this government to say one thing, Mr.

Speaker, while the facts show something very different.

I ask the minister today: Will he commit to finally make child and adolescent

mental health a budget priority for his government and to ensure a consistent

and therapeutic approach to patient care as was recommended by the advocate?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I can only indicate that as a government we are certainly committed to the

youth of our Province, as indicated by the theme in this year's Budget. As a

minister, Mr. Speaker, I have stated on numerous occasions that mental health

and addictions is a priority area for me to deal with as Minister of Health.

As for the comments made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Speaker, she

seems to forget that in last year's Budget, we announced that there would be a

youth addictions centre in Grand Falls-Windsor and that there would be a centre

for youth with complex mental health issues in St. John's. In this year's

Budget, we announced $4.4 million toward the continued planning and construction

of these two centres for youth. In this year's Budget, we announced $2 million

for the construction of an adult residential addictions treatment centre.

So, Mr. Speaker, we certainly take this issue of mental health very

seriously. Not only will we implement and study the recommendations by the Child

and Youth Advocate, we are a long way towards that already, and Eastern Health

has started that process.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We remember the announcement on the pre-detention centre, too, for Goose Bay,

I say to the minister. So two years of announcements and no delivery on services

or infrastructure is hardly fixing a problem at this stage.

The report clearly outlines, Mr. Speaker, the necessity to address program

gaps and acknowledge that more psychologists were needed to expand and improve

these services. It has come to our attention that the only psychologist that was

providing therapy to children in the Province, both on psychiatry at the Janeway

and through the Janeway outpatient services, has been suspended from their

duties with no plan to ensure that mental health services will continue for

those children that need it.

I ask the minister today if he can confirm for me that this is true, and tell

us why the mental health needs of the children in the Province are once again

being ignored and this position has not been filled.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure in March of announcing project funding of

approximately $432,000 for various groups involved in mental health and

addictions. For example, one of the projects was for the Eating Disorder

Foundation to get into rural Newfoundland and Labrador and to educate people in

those areas of our Province. Secondly, Mr. Speaker, there was an $80,000 project

to the Canadian Mental Health Association to put forward an anti-stigma project

in schools to educate our children and our youth as to the issues of mental

health.

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to announce that in June of this year, Senator

Michael Kirby, the author of Out of the Shadows at Last, will be attending this

Province. We will have a full day seminar, and Senator Kirby will be speaking

the night before to the people of our Province.

Mr. Speaker, mental health is not simply about seeing a psychiatrist or

taking a pill. There has to be an approach, we have to look at issues such as

poverty, homelessness, lack of education, peer support. So these are the issues,

Mr. Speaker, we are exploring, and our children do come first.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I ask the minister again, the only psychologist who was providing therapy to

children in our Province, both at psychiatry in the Janeway and in outpatients,

have they been removed from their job, I ask you, Minister.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, in this year's Budget as we have indicated, our

theme was our children, our youth. In this Budget, in terms of the enhancement

of the Janeway psychiatry services we announced, over a two-year period, an

infusion of $1.1 million. In 2009-2010 there was $620,000 toward enhancing child

psychiatry services and another $482,900 approved in this Budget.

Mr. Speaker, I can also state that I met with officials in my department

today and we will have a mental health consultant who will be assigned

specifically to dealing with youth and children issues, just as we will have a

consultant who will deal with seniors' issues.

What we are doing, as a government, we are looking at the issues that we have

out there; we are very cognizant of expanding our programs into rural

Newfoundland and Labrador. We will continue, Mr. Speaker, to provide

counselling, to provide monies for psychologists and psychiatrists and to

address the problems that are out there.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The minister stands up, he tells us that their focus is children and their

Budget is all about children.

The only psychologist in the Province providing those services to children

has been removed from their job, Minister. Can you confirm that and can you tell

us who is providing that service today?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, if you read the report prepared by the Child

and Youth Advocate in terms of what happened in the Janeway, you will see that

the Advocate points out that there is a contextual analysis that has to be

engaged in. You have to look at the full picture of the provision of services to

our children and youth.

Mr. Speaker, what we are going to do, we will continue to improve the

provision of these services, but when we are dealing with our children and youth

we also have to educate them. We have to get out into the schools with our drug

awareness programs, with our programs such as the anti-stigma program provided

by the Canadian Mental Health Association. We have the support groups such as

CHANNAL who offer peer support. We have to offer peer support.

We have to help people, Mr. Speaker, help themselves. That is what, as a

government, we are trying to do. We are investing enormous sums of money in

mental health services, but we operate on the basic premise that people will

help themselves and they will help each other. That is what makes Newfoundland

and Labrador a unique and wonderful place.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I ask the minister: Yes or no, has this individual been removed from their

job?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Yes, Mr. Speaker, I can remember when I met with the Eating

Disorder Foundation and I heard the wonderful work that was being done by Vince

Withers and his foundation and their plans to get out into the Province.

Mr. Speaker, a psychologist we provided this year was for the Eating Disorder

Foundation to help them. What we have are groups of people like the Eating

Disorder Foundation, we have groups of people like the Consumers' Health

Awareness group, we have people like the Canadian Mental Health Association, and

we have Stella Burry. These people are all working with us to provide the

services that are needed.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, what I say to the Leader of the Opposition: You

ask those groups what they think of how our government is approaching things,

and the story you will hear will be nothing but positive reinforcement that we

are doing the right thing and we are looking after the people of our Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

While the minister stands up here today and makes speeches, the system is

crumbling right under him and he does not even know what is going on in his own

department. When you have gaps like this in the system, Mr. Speaker, you can all

of the groups you want but these kids need speciality services as well.

Mr. Speaker, the report states that there were more mental health programming

ten years ago in this Province than there is today. It also states that in the

last three years much of the money that went into mental health went into adult

services. While urban areas suffer from a lack of programming and services,

rural areas suffer even more and are at a greater disadvantage.

I ask the minister: Will his government, today, commit to developing a

strategy to addressing the gaps in community wraparound services so that all of

our children can receive the proper mental services regardless of where they

live in Newfoundland and Labrador?

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Yes, Mr. Speaker, over the period of time I have been

Minister of Health I have had the opportunity to meet with a lot of the groups

who provide mental health services on the ground, to meet with councillors, to

meet with groups who provide peer support to each other.

What these groups tell me, Mr. Speaker, is that what our government is doing

is the right thing. We are helping people help themselves. We are helping the

groups out there in the community to address the issues of homelessness, of lack

of education, of lack of self-esteem, of loneliness, of isolation and fear. That

is how we are approaching the mental health issues.

Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the issues in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

If I remember correctly and I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will

correct me if I am wrong - last year we announced that there would be a youth

residential addiction treatment centre in Grand Falls-Windsor and the Leader of

the Opposition stood up and questioned: What we were doing putting something in

rural Newfoundland and Labrador? Now, that is my recollection of that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would not eat the cake on any of those announcements yet. I would wait and

see what is going to happen, Mr. Speaker.

In December of 2008, the Psychiatry Unit at the Janeway closed due to a human

resource issue, meanwhile these issues had been brought to the administration of

Eastern Health five months prior.

I ask the minister: Why didn't Eastern Health or the Department of Health

intervene to correct the staffing conflicts as opposed to shutting down the

Janeway unit and transporting these children in handcuffs to the Waterford

Hospital where some of them still are today without services?

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: There seems to be about six questions in one, but again, Mr.

Speaker, if I could start with the report itself. The Child and Youth Advocate,

Mr. Speaker, has reviewed the situation. He has looked at it, he has made

recommendations. We will look at the recommendations, Mr. Speaker. We will

implement and make changes, but I really do not think it is fair for the Leader

of the Opposition to criticize these professionals who were working in a very

stressful and tough environment at the time, Mr. Speaker. If you read the

report, you get the flavour for what was going on at that time and what leads to

the unfortunate incident that took place in December.

Mr. Speaker, what we are doing are providing the services to Eastern Health

to provide the services to the public. Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition

talks about, what are we doing? Well, what are we doing; $2.7 billion we are

investing in health this year, Mr. Speaker, more than a billion dollars since

ten years ago.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: What I would like to say to the Leader of the Opposition is:

What did you do when you were there?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to ask the minister - because I just cannot believe the fact that he

is sidestepping this issue. This is a situation, Mr. Speaker, in which children

were taken out of the Janeway mental health facility and placed in the Waterford

Hospital because of a staffing conflict in that facility that Eastern Health

knew about for five months. Now, minister, do you think it is acceptable in this

Province to close down units for children, hospitalize them in adult facilities

because staff has a conflict?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, when I look at pages 36 and 37 of the report

that is not what the Acting Child and Youth Advocate found. There were certainly

issues with the staffing but it is very unfair and it is inaccurate to state

that these individuals were transported because of staff problems.

Mr. Speaker, what happened was the Mental Health Act required for the

transfer of patients into the secure centre. Unfortunately, the police at that

time felt the only way it could be done was by transporting in handcuffs. The

Child and Youth Advocate has made suggestions as to how that can be avoided in

the future and we will certainly look at that.

Mr. Speaker, also the Leader of the Opposition should know that we have taken

all necessary steps to provide the services required for the two young people

involved in this situation. Mr. Speaker, money, I can assure you, has not been

an impediment in providing the services required.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Unfortunately, as we wait for the construction of our new

centre for youth with complex needs, sometimes we will have to send people out

of the Province and other times, Mr. Speaker, we will have to take them to the

Waterford Hospital, unfortunately.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The minister also knows that these children were certified in order to be

taken out in handcuffs. So there were other options, I say to you minister. In

addition to that, I ask you to look at the rest of the report and if your

interpretation of it is different than mine, maybe it is time that we got Judge

Rorke out and started to explain his findings.

I ask the minister today: Is he prepared to do that?

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. COLLINS: Mr. Speaker, the Child and Youth Advocate Act clearly sets

out the role and duties of the Child and Youth Advocate. He is an Officer of the

House of Assembly. He reports directly to the House of Assembly, to the Speaker.

He has no authority or no jurisdiction to report to any individual members of

this House, whether it is the Premier, the Opposition, the Minister of Justice,

or anybody else. His duties, Mr. Speaker, were to do an investigation in this

case and make the recommendations. He has done his job, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Justice has just indicated that Justice Rorke is an Officer

of the House of Assembly. The Minister of Health indicated it yesterday. Mr.

Speaker, I will submit a letter to the Management Commission of the House

requesting that Judge Rorke come before a public session of the Management

Commission to explain the findings of his report.

I ask the Minister of Health today: As a member of that committee, will you

support that?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Before I recognize the hon. minister, I say to the hon. Leader of the

Opposition, it is certainly unparliamentary to ask a member who is occupying a

seat here as a minister, to ask him direct questions as it relates to the

committee that he sits on in the House of Assembly committee. Those questions

should be brought forward to the House of Assembly Commission, discussed and

debated at that time.

The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I will have to look up that

section of the act, because I was not aware of

it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MS JONES: Mr. Speaker, last week we questioned the government on recent

court decisions with regard to Abitibi and their ability to pay the

environmental liabilities.

In the Environmental Protection Act case, in

section 191, the judge states

that, "Interestingly, in this case, the third party consultants (CRA) who issued

the reports that formed the basis of the EPA Orders were retained not by the

Minister in the exercise of her statutory duties, but by the Toronto litigation

Counselin the NAFTA proceedings."

I ask the minister today: Can you explain to the House of Assembly why you

did not initiate these orders yourself as part of the due diligence process and

why it came under criticism by the judge in this case?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JOHNSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we take the issues of the environment seriously. That is why we,

as a government, asked that this piece of work be done. Now, Mr. Speaker, the

member opposite asked for the reports, I have provided a copy of the reports for

her, for her review. I do not know if she wants them or if she does not want

them, but they are certainly there for you to read. You can see why we

commissioned those, because we have a concern. We wanted to know the issues that

are out there in the environment.

That is also why we took it a step further, Mr. Speaker. When we saw that

there were health and safety issues in the area of Buchans that is why this

government stepped up to the plate and put $9 million into Buchans, to take care

of the health and safety issues there.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Although the minister committed in this House of Assembly to do a thorough

inventory of all the environmental issues, Mr. Speaker, we understand that there

has been no costing done around those particular issues.

I ask the minister today: Why would you complete an inventory on

environmental liabilities but not cost that inventory, instead be waiting for

Abitibi to provide those figures to you?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JOHNSON: Mr. Speaker, by virtue of her very question, it goes to show

she does not understand environmental site assessments, Mr. Speaker. I provided

her with the opportunity, or her staff, to come over and look at the work that

is being done. Those were Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments,

Mr. Speaker. That is why we issued the orders to Abitibi to do the next phase

which involves risk assessment. When you do risk assessment that is when you

know what the cost will be. We asked Abitibi to do that. In the absence of that,

the consultants did tell us that there was a health and safety concern in

Buchans. That is why we went ahead and did the work in Buchans to the tune of $9

million, Mr. Speaker. I would suggest to the member that the people of Buchans

are very happy with this government, that we did that today.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The minister says she provided us with a copy. She invited us to come and

view documents in her office which we have started to do this morning, I would

say to the minister. She knows we are going to continue to do that until Friday.

My question to the minister is this, Mr. Speaker: Why are they not costing

the inventory? They say they do not trust Abitibi, yet they are putting all of

their trust in Abitibi in providing them with the cost of remediation on this

project. Minister, why are you not providing those numbers yourself?

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JOHNSON: Mr. Speaker, I have explained this several times over and

over, and somebody said to me on the weekend, they wonder who the Leader of the

Opposition works for: Is it the Quebec government or is it Abitibi? They could

not figure it out.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MS JOHNSON: Her question certainly speaks to why that person asked me

that.

I have explained time and time again, that is why we issued the orders, to

get the next phase of the environmental site assessment done, which is a Phase

III. It looks at risk assessment. It is up to Abitibi to submit a remediation

plan to us. We sign off on that remediation plan and only then will the cost be

known because the cost is the responsibility of Abitibi. That is why we are

taking it through the court process, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is typical of the government opposite, questioning your patriotism in this

Province, Mr. Speaker. How dare you speak against us? How dare you challenge us?

Well, Mr. Speaker, if the Minister of Environment was doing her job no one in

this Province would have to ask her a question.

I ask her again, Mr. Speaker: Why did she not provide the information for the

courts? Why did she not do her statutory duty as a minister and why did they

have to get that information from a legal firm in Toronto?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JOHNSON: Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition just does not get

it. The reason why we hired somebody to get this work is because we are

concerned about the environment. Abitibi had started a piece of work, we asked

for this to get a full scope of the environmental issues. There were issues in

Botwood, Stephenville, Grand Falls-Windsor, Buchans and some logging camps, Mr.

Speaker, and as a result of that piece of work that was being done, we

discovered that there was an immediate potential health and safety concern in

Buchans. What did we do, Mr. Speaker? We acted immediately. We went out there -

twice we went out, the Minister of Health and myself, and spoke to the residents

of Buchans. There were exposed tailings; we dealt with that head on. In fact,

tenders will go out very soon and work is going to start there in the spring of

this year, Mr. Speaker. That is what we did, we take it very seriously.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, residents of St. Anthony have invited our Premier to meetings on

the Northern Peninsula and they have travelled to St. John's, and travelled to

Corner Brook yesterday in an attempt to meet with him face to face, and sent

dozens of letters and e-mails and phone calls, yet he has refused every

opportunity to discuss the issue of the air ambulance with them.

I ask the Premier today: Why has he refused to talk to the people of St.

Anthony, and what does it take to get a meeting on such an important issue?

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, the representatives in St. Anthony,

including yourself, after you were basically shamed into going to visit the

Minister of Health because you had not bothered to find out before, decided to

go in and see the minister and talk about the air ambulance. The Town of St.

Anthony was invited in, and they came in and they talked to the minister about

the air ambulance. The minister is handling that particular matter, that

particular file. The decision has been made. The decision is final. The decision

stands. That air ambulance has to move, thanks to the Leader of the Opposition

who raised this in the first place and brought it up and wanted to have this air

ambulance moved to Labrador.

As a result of that exercise we undertook a study, and that study has not

only proven that St. John's is the primary site, that Happy Valley-Goose Bay is

the secondary site, but in fact now Deer Lake is the third site. So even if, in

fact, somewhere down the road there was in fact even a third plane, it would

have to go to Deer Lake. So she has basically, completely, ostracized the people

on the Northern Peninsula and the people in St. Anthony, but when it comes to

meeting, I am not afraid to meet with anybody. I am prepared to meet with

anybody, but there is no point in me sitting down with a group of residents from

St. Anthony and telling them exactly what the minister has told them and exactly

what they have said publicly, and exactly what I said publicly today, that the

decision stands.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of The Straits & White

Bay North.

MR. DEAN: Mr. Speaker, there has been so much information put forth that

discredits the process in the report of Drodge since the decision was handed

down by the minister that if this Premier and this government was willing to,

and really wanted to do what was in the best interests of the people of the

Province, he would have met, he would have reconsidered, and by this time we

would have a decision changed.

Mr. Speaker, we know there is a CF(L)Co plane stationed in Churchill Falls

that has been used as a medevac over the past couple of years. We have officials

of Nalcor who have provided the dates the plane was used in 2008 and 2009 for

medical emergencies.

I ask the minister: If the consultant's report was so thorough, why didn't

the consultant know of the existence of the plane and why could it not have been

used in Labrador?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

If I remember correctly, the CF(L)Co plane was used on three occasions in

2008 and 2009, twice to transport residents of Churchill Falls in medical

emergencies, and a third time in relation to another resident.

One interesting thing that has come out of this exercise, Mr. Speaker, is we

have looked at the staffing at the St. Anthony hospital and it is interesting to

note that medical emergency services are meant for emergencies for the airplane

to transport people. We have a hospital staff in St. Anthony, as pointed out by

the member opposite on numerous occasions, it is very well staffed.

I will say that there are four anaesthetists in St. Anthony for 14,665 people

and only five in Corner Brook for 56,000 people. There are more general

surgeons, Mr. Speaker, in St. Anthony for 14,665 people than there are in either

Grand Falls-Windsor or Gander. The statistics, Mr. Speaker, we have two

obstetrics and gynaecology physicians in St. Anthony, none in Labrador

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The time for answering the question has expired.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, across the country municipalities and governments are making

moves to ban bottled water, based on studies that suggest the use of bottled

water has negative social and environmental impacts. The City of St. John's has

banned bottled water and so has Memorial University on its campuses across the

Province. They are taking a leadership role in sustainable practices. The

Minister of Environment and Conservation said this week in Estimates meetings

that she is unable to look at a similar policy across government departments in

our Province.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the minister: Why can't the department take a leadership

role in relationship to other departments?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JOHNSON: Mr. Speaker, I would like for her to table the information

where I said that. What I said was, in fact it is not something that I have

considered to this point. The question was asked me and it is seriously not

something that we have considered at this point.

In the Department of Environment and Conservation, Mr. Speaker, we do not buy

bottled water. We use our own plates, our own mugs. We use reusable cloths

rather than paper towels, Mr. Speaker. I never said I would not go out to the

other departments. I said it was not something that I was considering at this

point.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

Vidi.

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

I will be very happy when we have the copy of Hansard -

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS MICHAEL: - to get the copy of Hansard for the minister, Mr. Speaker,

so she can see what she said in the meeting.

Mr. Speaker, we were informed yesterday in the meeting that the Department of

Environment and Conservation has banned the use of small water bottles and is

encouraging the use of the larger water coolers and also encouraging staff to

use mugs, but only in one department, Mr. Speaker, and only small water bottles.

That is not enough. There are many reasons to reduce the use of bottled water.

Bottled water generates tonnes of plastic that goes into the landfill. There are

also questions of sustainability of some water sources.

Mr. Speaker, government should be supporting the well run municipal water

systems in the Province and inform the public that you can get

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The Chair is having difficulty hearing the hon. member, but I ask the hon.

member to pose their question now.

MS MICHAEL: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Knowing that turning on the tap gives people cheap, excellent water in this

Province, I ask the minister: Why is banning bottled water not on government's

agenda?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS JOHNSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have to say I am absolutely shocked. We are dealing with an

oil spill in Louisiana. We have all kinds of fishery issues that have been

before the House. There are health issues, there are other issues in environment

and I am getting asked questions about banning bottled water in government -

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS JOHNSON: Mr. Speaker, not to say we do not take

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

MS JOHNSON: It is not to say that we do not take the issue seriously, Mr.

Speaker, but I would certainly suggest that there are a lot of other issues,

particularly in the environment that we can address.

Mr. Speaker, I just had a scan around government the other day. There are

offices where meetings are held

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS JOHNSON: - in government that there are no sinks. So, what is she

proposing that we do not have anything to drink?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The time allotted for questions and answers has expired.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

Tabling of Documents.

Notices of Motion.

Notices of Motion

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General.

MR. F. COLLINS: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to

introduce a bill entitled,

An Act To Amend The Fatal Accidents Act. (Bill 15)

MR. SPEAKER: Further notices of motion?

The hon. the Minister of Government Services.

MR. O'BRIEN: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to

introduce a bill entitled,

An Act To Amend The Insurance Companies Act. (Bill

16)

MR. SPEAKER: Further notices of motion?

The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to

introduce a bill entitled,

An Act Respecting The Regulation Of Certain Health

Professions. (Bill 17)

MR. SPEAKER: Further notices of motion?

Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.

Petitions.

Petitions

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BUTLER: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I stand today and I say to my hon. colleague from Lake Melville: He has no

worries; this is original. It contains names from just about every district in

this Province.

Mr. Speaker, I want to read the prayer of the petition again:

WHEREAS we the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have always built cabins

or tilts away from our homes for hunting, fishing, berry picking or just

spending time up in the country, or places around our shores, sometimes just to

get away from the stress of everyday living; and

WHEREAS your government has come down hard on the thousands of cabin and

trailer owners that are out on our land with eviction notices and forcing them

to move without providing them with an alternative; and

WHEREAS Kruger has timber rights to approximately one-third of all forested

land on the Island and is refusing the vast majority of applications for cabin

development;

WHEREUPON your petitioners call upon all Members of the House of Assembly to

urge government to have compassion on the citizens of this fair Province and

allow them the right to enjoy what is rightfully ours. We were born on this land

and should have the right to enjoy it. As in duty bound your petitioners will

ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, I have here today some 300 names of constituents from the Towns

of Glenwood, Appleton, Bunyan's Cove, Port Blandford, Charlottetown, Canning's

Cove, Lethbridge and Bloomfield. Mr. Speaker, all those people are asking is

that government will reconsider their decision that they have taken this past

year.

Government, originally, has not typically targeted gravel pit campers for

contravening the Province's Lands Act due to the cultural uniqueness and

historical meaning of the practice for the people of this Island. All they are

asking, Mr. Speaker, they are asking not only me by presenting this petition,

they are asking each and every member in this hon. House, through you, Mr.

Speaker, that government will reconsider their decision, sit down with them and

consult with them. What they are saying is this has been a right that they have

enjoyed for forty or fifty years, and I relayed many stories last week that are

coming in each and every day.

What these people are asking government is to have another look at this

decision. Do not just come and put a notice on our cabins or our trailers and

say: Look, if you do not move them within sixty days they are going to be

destroyed or burned or towed away. What they are asking: Sit down with us prior

to that. We know what happened in some areas of the Province. We know that there

are issues that have been resolved to the satisfaction of all.

So, Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Assembly, through you, that government

will reconsider this and listen to the plight of all those people throughout the

Province when it comes to what they believe is their rightful decision to be

able to enjoy the great outdoors.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Further petitions?

Orders of the Day.

Orders of the Day

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

MS BURKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We call from the Order Paper, Motion 1.

MR. SPEAKER: Motion 1 is the Budget Speech, and I recognize the hon. the

Member for Topsail.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Mr. Speaker, it is with great honour and a distinct privilege

for me to rise today as the newest member of this hon. House, representing the

beautiful District of Topsail.

Mr. Speaker, the desire to offer myself for provincial public office has been

burning for quite some time. On January 29 of this year, when the seat was

vacated, that smouldering desire began to burn very brightly. Soon after that,

very soon after that, I made some important decisions, decisions that have

changed my life, the lives of my family and the lives of my friends forever.

Those decisions that my wife and I made came as no surprise to my family, my

mother, my brothers and sisters, my wife's family, as well as our closest

friends, and those who have supported me throughout my life. The reason for that

is the decision to embark on this journey, Mr. Speaker, actually began long

before January.

Like all hon. members, we each bring a lifetime of learning and a lifetime of

experience, different and distinct backgrounds. Members here come from numerous

towns, regions, bays and locations throughout this great Province of

Newfoundland and Labrador, and they bring a variety of skills. Some have been

educators; have been business entrepreneurs and operators, social workers. We

have members who have experience in the fishing industry. We have members with

experience in mining and natural resources, experience in the not-for-profit

sector, experience in law. We have numerous members, and quite likely, all

members, that have a vast background in community service. All of us have

experience working as a team.

Mr. Speaker, all of this experience is what makes each of us unique and has

led each of us to run for public office. It has provided us with the skills to

assist us in our efforts to be elected representatives and to be effective as

elected representatives.

Mr. Speaker, being successful in an election campaign relies on the efforts

of a team, a group of dedicated volunteers. I would be remiss today if I did not

take a few moments to acknowledge those who played a role in my successful

election.

First and foremost, Mr. Speaker, is the support of my wife, Cheryl, our son,

Andrew, and our families. Throughout my twenty-five-year policing career, there

were countless times that my career caused my family responsibilities to be

temporarily put aside. Working shift work, as many know, is very demanding.

Being called to work during the middle of the night, working long hours and late

days, and sometimes gone for several days at a time, is not uncommon in a

policing career.

While a policing career places demands on the officer's family, policing

requires a support network at the workplace as well, and I would like to

acknowledge, if I may, my former colleagues at the RNC. I have enjoyed working

with them and have been the beneficiary of that experience. These fine men and

women have established a long tradition of outstanding service to the people of

Newfoundland and Labrador. The RNC has become a first-class organization of

which I am very proud to have been a member.

Deserving of recognition as well, Mr. Speaker, is retired Chief Joe Browne,

for the strong leadership he has provided. He is an exemplary individual who

commanded much respect from his team, and he will truly be missed. I offer my

congratulations and best wishes as well to the new Chief, Chief Robert Johnston,

as he assumes the position of Chief of Police; another fine individual who will

provide superior leadership to this great organization as they continue to

build, learn, and serve the public.

Mr. Speaker, a policing career is demanding on the family unit. Not only has

my family supported me through my career with the RNC but they have also stood

by me through three elections and over eight years as a councillor in the Town

of Conception Bay South, and also through a lifetime of community service. I

would never have been able to participate in these ventures without their

support, and today I thank them for being there for me and throughout my life,

and by my side.

To the voters of Topsail district, I sincerely thank you for placing your

trust in me, in electing me as your voice in this hon. House. I assure them, it

is a responsibility that I take very seriously and I am committed to

representing them and advancing on behalf of them, advocating on their behalf,

to the best of my abilities.

As well, Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my campaign manager, specifically Mr.

Grant Barnes, a gentleman who has a vast background and experience with

campaigning; a gentleman who, in his own right, has contributed greatly to the

democratic process in Newfoundland and Labrador and has given to his community

throughout his life. Mr. Barnes, along with our team, the many volunteers who

came forward to give so willingly of their time, ensured that we were victorious

on March 16.

Mr. Speaker, upon reflection - and I am sure my colleagues, all colleagues in

the House, understand this - it is very humbling, to say the least, to receive

such tremendous support from such fine people from Mount Pearl, from Paradise,

from Conception Bay South, and people from outside the District of Topsail,

people I have known for a long time, and people I have met for the very first

time. Today I thank each and every one of them for their support campaigning and

their support on Election Day.

Mr. Speaker, there are other significant factors that played important roles

and helped in no small way to ensure the results desired. One of those factors

was the tremendous support and the unexpected support, I can tell you, from the

numerous ministers, government members, MHAs, who joined me and visited me

throughout the campaign. On the days that it rained, and there were several, and

on the days that it poured, and there were several of those as well

AN HON. MEMBER: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: I see the Minister of Justice agreeing with me and at times

when it snowed, day after day my colleagues still came out in strong numbers and

supported our efforts. This support remains strong today in helping me learn the

ropes, find my way, and today I thank each and every one of them.

Mr. Speaker, there was one special story that I would like to share; it is a

campaign story. That story goes back to Friday, March 12, which was the Friday

prior to Election Day. While my colleagues and I had worked very hard and

completed our efforts to visit every home on every street in the district -

every street except for one. That street was where a colleague actually resided:

my colleague who had expressed a desire to support my campaign but had not been

able to get out with us.

Mr. Speaker, I was personally moved when, on the following day, the Saturday

prior to the election, that member joined me and together we went door to door,

not only completing her street but completing our door-to-door campaign. Today,

I wish to extend my personal appreciation to that member, the hon. the Minister

of Municipal Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Mr. Speaker, campaign candidates are afforded the opportunity

not only to meet but also to listen to what is on the minds of residents. It is

a very important aspect of election campaigns. There was one message that was

heard so frequently that it was a level all to itself. That message is what I

refer to as the respect factor, the support factor, and the absolute

unprecedented backing that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador had for our

leader, the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Mr. Speaker, as a candidate, what more could any person, an

aspiring politician, what more could I ever ask for, what more could I ever hope

to experience, than an opportunity to work alongside with, and learn from, a

leader with such vision, such drive, such determination, such ability, such

passion and such dedication?

Mr. Speaker, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is truly blessed to

have a Premier of the calibre of Premier Williams.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: As well, Mr. Speaker, the strong results of this by-election

speak volumes to the great job this government is doing in leading and governing

Newfoundland and Labrador, and to the confidence that residents have in the

leadership of Premier Williams.

This confidence has also been evident in in-depth research polls, such as

those conducted by Corporate Research Associates, and we heard these during the

campaign. Their latest poll suggested that 93 per cent of Newfoundlanders and

Labradorians are satisfied with the job this government is doing today.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: The polling firm said satisfaction with the government is the

highest recorded in Atlantic Canada in more than twenty years. Mr. Speaker,

these results are remarkable. Our Premier and this government have made and

continue to make a significant impact on the Province and its future.

Since 2003, Newfoundland and Labrador has undergone a drastic transformation.

The Williams government took over this Province's Administration with an

ambitious but achievable vision: one of self-reliance, one to provide a vibrant

future for the Province and the generations to come. However, given the economic

conditions of this Province seven years ago, it was obvious to most that there

was not going to be a quick and simple fix to turn things around.

This government's eight-year Blueprint for Prosperity - a plan for social and

economic development - outlined realistic goals that would lay a solid

foundation on which to build a bright and secure future. It laid out a map that

would chart a bold course towards opportunity and control of our destiny. This

daring new attitude and confidence has reaped us great rewards that were once

unimaginable.

It was just over a year ago when Minister Tom Marshall proudly announced that

Newfoundland and Labrador achieved have status. This marked an historic

milestone in this Province's history, confirming us as a powerful contributor to

the federation.

In 1982, as we all remember, former Premier Brian Peckford made the fiery

prediction - and we all know what it was that, "Some day the sun will shine

and have-not will be no more."

Well, Mr. Peckford himself admitted that he did not think that this statement

would come to fruition so soon. In commenting further on the announcement of the

Province's have status, former Premier Peckford also said, "It's one thing to

get the Christmas present. It's another thing to look after it." That is exactly

what this government is doing today.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Mr. Speaker, sound governance and responsible management has

been the cornerstone of how this government runs the affairs of the Province and

administers programs and services to meet the needs of its residents.

Even when the recession arrived, unlike most, our government was ready for

it. It had laid the groundwork to not only survive, but to succeed. This has

been achieved by diversifying the economy through unprecedented levels of

infrastructure spending, bringing more projects to fruition, expanding

industries, and attracting new investments from outside the Province, while

maintaining a commitment to debt reduction. Responsible management, coupled with

strategic investments in infrastructure spending, have helped to keep this

Province on a successful path, maintaining momentum, like no other has done.

Mr. Speaker, as I prepared for this speech, I was researching some of the

significant investments that have been made on behalf of and in the best

interest of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. I was intrigued by the

significant improvements that have been made in our health care system. This

year, a record investment of $2.7 billion will be invested in our health care

system; and funding for health operations is more than 10 per cent greater than

just last year. These investments are making a real difference in the lives of

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, Mr. Speaker.

I was personally touched, though, by the investments that have been made for

a certain segment of our population. Mr. Speaker, for some time my late father

had dealt with some health issues; and in 2003, his kidneys were in a state of

failure to a point that required him to begin regular in-hospital dialysis

treatments. For those who are not aware, kidney dialysis is a difficult and

tiring process for the patient and the patient's family. I spend many days

visiting with him while he was connected to this life sustaining technology,

either at the Health Sciences Centre or at the Waterford Hospital.

Unfortunately for many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, they quite often

have to travel long distances to receive treatment several times per week, every

week, and in some cases patients and family members are forced to relocate

closer to treatment facilities. However, in 2004, this government established

the Provincial Kidney Program, a program that is expanding dialysis options for

patients.

As a result, Mr. Speaker, in 2005, this government established dialysis

services for the people of Carbonear, where treatment is now being provided for

twenty-eight patients; in Gander, where thirty-two patients are now receiving

treatment; in Burin, where twelve patients are now receiving treatment; and in

St. Anthony, in the District of The Straits & White Bay North, where ten

patients are now receiving life sustaining regular, dialysis treatment.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Mr. Speaker, in 2008, most recently, the dialysis services

commenced in Happy Valley-Goose Bay that is now providing treatment for five

patients in that region.

There are now twelve dialysis units established across this Province, in

locations such as Clarenville, Burin, St. Anthony, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Grand

Falls-Windsor, in Corner Brook and Stephenville, just to name a few. I look

forward to new sites being established in the future in other locations in this

Province. These units are now providing treatment to nearly 400 patients

throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, U.S. President Barack Obama said, and I quote, "If you're

walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually

you'll make progress." Budget 2010, making The Right Investments - For Our

Children and Our Future is geared to do exactly that. It outlines a responsible,

but progressive agenda of investments for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and

Labradorians for today, tomorrow and well into the future.

This was quite an impressive Budget, one that could be envied by many other

Provinces. Government took its already aggressive infrastructure strategy and

continued to build upon it, helping to create jobs and boost consumer

confidence, while rebuilding and strengthening communities.

Some of the more noteworthy highlights from the 2010 Budget include: the

economic stimulus investments, including an aggressive $1 billion infrastructure

program, with the provincial government's infrastructure strategy expected to be

valued at more than $5 billion over the next several years. Various taxation

initiatives, such as the increase to the Low Income Seniors' Benefit, reductions

in personal income tax and small business corporate income tax rates, as well as

an increase in the age amount non-refundable tax credit, all combine to help put

approximately $49 million back in the pockets of residents; $1.3 billion in

education spending to further ensure quality programming and learning

environments for students throughout Newfoundland and Labrador; an overall

Budget of $167 million for the further development of the new Department of

Child, Youth and Family Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: An unprecedented investment of more than $158 million in

Labrador, through the Northern Strategic Plan, building on the Williams

government's commitment and record investments to foster a bright and prosperous

future for Labrador.

Finally, $134 million for the fight against poverty through the Poverty

Reduction Strategy, continuing progress towards the goal of becoming the

Province with the lowest poverty rates in Canada. The results of this

considerable investment speak for themselves, Mr. Speaker. In Newfoundland and

Labrador today there are, I believe, 30,000 fewer people with incomes below the

poverty line than existed in 2005.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Again, Mr. Speaker, these are but a few of the highlights of

Budget 2010. In the Topsail district alone, government has invested in excess of

$100 million since 2003. Of this amount, more than $70 million has been invested

by the Department of Municipal Affairs into Municipal Capital Works projects,

Special Assistance and Municipal Operating Grants. As a result, residents of

that district, my district, have benefited from the improvements to water and

sewer services, enhancements in water flow and pressure, and will benefit from a

new sewage treatment facility being built in the Topsail area.

Since 2003, children and families of the Topsail district are benefiting from

investments in our education system exceeding $21 million. Significant

improvements and renovations were made to Topsail Elementary School and Mount

Pearl Senior High. As well, a new state-of-the-art elementary school on Karwood

Drive in Paradise is scheduled to open early this fall at a cost of more than

$16 million. In addition, a second brand new elementary school is being

constructed on Ellesmere Avenue, which will house a great many students from

Topsail district.

With respect to our recreational infrastructure, residents are benefiting

from the upgrades to the Topsail soccer field - a facility that will receive

artificial turf this year - and the Paradise Wellness Centre, improvements that

are being made there, at a combined cost of over $1 million that was awarded

from the provincial government.

Since 2003, the Department of Transportation and Works has allocated in

excess of $3.3 million to the District of Topsail. This has included road

upgrading, paving, and maintenance. As a result, residents are enjoying a much

improved driving surface and will see further upgrades and improvements in 2010.

These upgrades will be to the benefit of all residents, including new home

owners.

We saw housing starts at near record numbers in this Province; and in my

district, as you all know, growth is second to none. So far this year, in 2010,

all three Topsail district communities are reporting that new housing starts are

at a record pace.

Mr. Speaker, this year we will see the famous or infamous symbolic urban

rural divide, the overpass, the overpass will come down this year but to make

way for a new structure that will allow for improved traffic flow with five

lanes of traffic, another investment to benefit the residents of Newfoundland

and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: As well, this government is providing funding to complete work

that has been committed to the 2008-2011 Multi-Year Capital Works funding

program.

Mr. Speaker, the challenge for the Topsail district will no doubt be keeping

up with the demands on infrastructure resulting from the strong growth being

experienced; demands on education, municipal services, on water and sewer, roads

and transportation, and for recreational facilities that are so important to our

communities, our families, and our children. As I have outlined, this government

continues to invest in the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, making the right

investments for our children and for the future.

Mr. Speaker, the people of the District of Topsail have placed their faith in

me, and I am committed to working hard, working as part of this government, the

best government

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: - and working with this Premier, the best Premier

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: - to make Newfoundland and Labrador better than it ever has

been before.

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for the District of Baie Verte-Springdale.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. POLLARD: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Before I begin, I would like to congratulate the Member for Topsail for an

outstanding job in his maiden speech.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. POLLARD: It was well delivered, well prepared, and well written. It

is indicative of the kind of team we have on this side of the House, Mr.

Speaker. We have finesse players, we have goal scorers, we have checkers, we

have grinders, we have spark plugs, and the depth - we have an awful lot of

depth, Mr. Speaker. In fact, our seventh line is just as good as our first line.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. POLLARD: Mr. Speaker, we have a captain who can do it all: skate,

shoot, score, anything.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure just to have a few moments to talk about the

Budget, and it is my pleasure again, an honour, to represent the Baie

Verte-Springdale district in this hon. House.

Mr. Speaker, on February 3, 2010, it was a dark night for the Baie Verte

Volunteer Fire Department. It will be forever etched in their memory, for sure.

As you know, Mr. Speaker, an electrical fire totally obliterated, totally

decimated, the fire hall, all of their fire equipment, reducing the fire

department to zero. Their 2008 pumper truck, bunker suits, breathing apparatus,

hats, gloves, boots, pager system, cold water rescue suits, all of the

paraphernalia, the pictures that hung up on the wall, that reminded us of the

tremendous contribution that the former fire chiefs and former firefighters have

made to their community, was totally destroyed, Mr. Speaker.

It was a major setback indeed. It was a devastating blow to the town and to

the entire region. It was not a very nice feeling to see all of the hard work of

the town, all of the fire department effort, reduced to ashes all gone up in

smoke, so to speak, Mr. Speaker. They worked so hard over the years to upgrade

and modernize their equipment. They took a lot of pride and had made significant

strides in incrementally building their fire department.

Today I stand in this hon. House, Mr. Speaker, very proud. Just over

two-and-a-half or three months, the Baie Verte Volunteer Fire Department is back

up on its feet.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. POLLARD: It has rebounded, Mr. Speaker; I am very proud to say that.

In fact, I had the distinct pleasure, on behalf of government, not this Saturday

past but the Saturday before, to present the keys to a brand new pumper truck to

Mayor Gerald Acreman -

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. POLLARD: - a delighted mayor, Mr. Speaker, and that was on a

ninety-ten cost-share basis.

Mr. Speaker, one could ask: Why, in such a short amount of time, did the Baie

Verte Fire Department get up on its feet so quickly? I have three reasons, but

there could be more. One reason is because Mayor Acreman, his council and fire

chief, provide strong leadership to the community. The following morning, I

visited the town hall. I witnessed team work, courage, passion and pride. I

witnessed everybody taking the bulls by the horn, so to speak, Mr. Speaker. They

all could have folded their arms, had a pity party and gotten discouraged, but

that is not their makeup, Mr. Speaker. I saw the mayor fielding questions from

the media. I saw the deputy mayor talking to his councillors, and the fire chief

coming in and talking to the office staff. Everybody was going about, banding

together and helping one another. I saw determination, true grit and pride. I

applaud that leadership by the fire chief and by the town and Mayor Gerald

Acreman, Mr. Speaker.

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, why the Baie Verte Volunteer Fire Department got up

on its feet so quickly was the fast action taken by the Fire and Emergency

Services and Municipal Affairs Minister, and the department officials. They took

quick action to respond, and they took the necessary steps to expedite the

process. Nobody dragged their feet in this government, whatsoever, because this

government recognized the importance of getting any town that was decimated by

such a great loss to try to be up on its feet as quickly as possible.

I was talking to the mayor, fire chief, councillors and the citizens of that

area, and they were very, very pleased with the quick action taken by Fire and

Emergency Services Fred Hollett, Mike Sampson, Sonya Drodge and others, and the

minister, his department and officials. They were delighted, indeed, and I was

too, Mr. Speaker, as their MHA.

The third reason why the Baie Verte Volunteer Fire Department got back on its

feet so quickly is because of their strong, resilient spirit. As you know,

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are used to adversity. When the chips are down,

they band together; people rally around one another, Mr. Speaker, and this is no

exception in this case.

On the night of the fire, I was told that volunteer fire departments came

from different regions, different towns, to help Baie Verte out. They came from

La Scie, which is over an hour's drive away; they came from Fleur de Lys; they

came from Seal Cove; they came from Ming's Bight; they came from Burlington; and

they even came from Springdale, which is over an hour's drive away. In fact,

Springdale loaned them one of their fire trucks for that night, Mr. Speaker, so

there was not an hour when that town was not protected.

Upon reflection, Mr. Speaker, I look upon this incident as an outstanding,

concrete, tangible example of how volunteers connect communities. Remember, the

theme a couple of weeks ago of National Volunteer Week was just that: Volunteers

Connect Communities. What an excellent example of volunteers making the town

feel a part of each other, people connecting.

Another prime example, Mr. Speaker, is how volunteers, along with our

government, can turn a negative picture or something negative into a positive

thing in such a short amount of time. Upon reflection, that is totally amazing,

Mr. Speaker, and that is what volunteers can do in our community. When they

collaborate with our government, when they work together, when we all work

together, we get fast results. I am certainly proud of that as the MHA for the

Baie Verte-Springdale district.

Upon saying that, I would also like to congratulate and recognize the 197,000

volunteers that we have in this great Province of ours for making our

communities so vibrant, and they add to our communities. In fact, they are the

heart and soul of our communities. So I would just like to say that, Mr.

Speaker.

In addition to that, not this Saturday past but the Saturday before, I

believe it was April 24, when I witnessed the same spirit of volunteerism and

the same spirit of co-operation when I went down to Baie Verte and attended the

breakfast that they had for the Baie Verte Volunteer Fire Department it was a

fundraiser. Guess what? There were over 300 people there Saturday morning. They

were streaming in and out from 9:00 o'clock in the morning until about 12:30

that day. In fact, that is when I had the tremendous privilege and it was a

great honour for me to present the key to Mayor Gerald Acreman, and to the fire

chief, the brand new pumper truck. It was a delight, and he was certainly

delighted as well. Everybody was delighted, Mr. Speaker, I have to say.

MR. O'BRIEN: Did he let you drive it?

MR. POLLARD: Guess what? Yes, I even had a ride in the brand new fire

truck as well. I felt like a twelve-year-old boy.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. O'BRIEN: And you look as young (inaudible).

MR. POLLARD: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Member from Gander says I look just as young as twelve years old; that is

a great compliment.

Mr. Speaker, in my district there are over thirty-three different

communities, and I had the honour and the privilege to be invited to seven of

these communities through their volunteer fire department functions. I went to

La Scie. I went to Baie Verte. I went to Ming's Bight. I went to Burlington. I

went to Springdale, Woodstock and King's Point, from what I recall.

It was there I had a chance to talk to mayors, fire chiefs, firefighters. I

saw the courage, the pride and the determination that they had for their

volunteer fire department. It was there that the service awards were given out,

and the firefighters of the year were recognized. I was proud to witness such an

occasion. I have to say, they were all saying positive things about the

performance of our government, Mr. Speaker, to which I am grateful as well.

So, I would like to congratulate all fire departments right across this great

Province of ours and all volunteers across this great Province of ours for their

tremendous contribution that they make, day in and day out, to this great

Province of ours.

Now, Mr. Speaker, just more specifically to the 2010 Budget, I am proud to

say that Budget 2010 offers continued support to firefighters. There is $2.5

million earmarked to acquire new fire trucks, and there is a commitment of $7.6

million over the next four years. In addition to that, there is $1 million

earmarked to purchase critical protective personal fire equipment and with $2.5

million over the next four years. Now that, to me, speaks volumes. It speaks to

me that it is a government that has listened to the mayors. It is a government

that listened to fire chiefs. It is a government that heard the people. It is a

testament to the fact that it is a government that recognized the important

contribution that firefighters across this great Province of ours make to our

communities, and because of that, Mr. Speaker, I see tremendous increased

morale, increased morale, wherever I go among the fire departments. They

appreciate the resources that our government is putting into these departments.

Furthermore, Mr Speaker, in Budget 2010 we have $135.5 million for municipal

infrastructure projects. That will leverage $53.4 million from the federal

government which raises the cost shared value to $188.9 million. That is nearly,

not 10 percent, not 15 per cent but 22 per cent increase from over last year.

Now, combine that with contributions from our towns and from our communities, we

have a total combined investment of $225 million. What does that mean? It means

that more communities in this great Province will be approved and more jobs will

be created. I applaud our government for putting more resources, more funding

into this pot to meet the increased demands of our communities. Again, our

government is stepping up to the plate and meeting the demands of communities as

best as we can. Year after year, we are meeting these demands and we will get

over time.

In my district, again, I say over thirty-three different communities; they

are all below a population of 3,000. This means that they are eligible for the

90-10 cost-share ratio. I applaud our government. I think it was over two or

three years ago when they implemented this program, a cost-share ratio. I

applaud them today for maintaining that cost-share ratio. I have talked to many

mayors and they are delighted. I talked to different councillors and they are

delighted that we have that 90-10 cost-share ratio.

As a result, Mr. Speaker - because in my district there are small, rural

coastal communities, they could not afford projects in the years past.

Consequently, they were lagging behind in infrastructure. They were sort of

discouraged and thought they were forgotten. Now, with this 90-10 cost-share

ratio, never before in my district have small communities been able to access

funding for their projects because they have an opportunity to raise 10 per cent

now.

Yes, I agree, there is still a struggle for some small communities to get

their 10 per cent, but overall, most communities, these days, are able to come

up with their 10 per cent. As a result, they hopefully would be approved for

their project. There are a lot of communities in my district reaping the

benefits of that cost-share ratio, Mr. Speaker.

Getting back to infrastructure spending - which is very important to do in a

depressed economy. As the Member for Topsail just mentioned, we have over $1

billion earmarked in this Budget for infrastructure spending. That is right

across all departments. If I recall last year, it was an unprecedented level of

$800 million, which was 50 per cent higher from the year before. This year, $1

billion earmarked for public housing, for hospitals, for schools, for long-term

care facilities, for water bombers, for ferries, roads, bridges; you name it and

it is in there.

That is very significant. You might ask why that is so significant. First of

all, in a depressed economy, the experts say that it is important to stimulate

the economy. So, with this infrastructure spending, our economy is stimulated.

Number two, not only stimulate the economy but jobs are created; it puts bread

and butter on people's tables. Furthermore, it upgrades the dilapidated, aging

infrastructure that we had experienced over the years.

Consequently, because of this unprecedented level of infrastructure spending,

this government will leave a legacy which is very, very important to our

children, to our grandchildren. We will have modern infrastructure, modern

roads, modern buildings, modern equipment that everybody, our children, our

seniors, our middle-aged people, everybody in this Province can access and use,

Mr. Speaker.

So, yes, when this government assumed office in 2003, Mr. Speaker, we did

face a dismal situation, a dismal picture. We knew we had to grow the economy.

We knew we had to diversify the economy, and we are doing that, Mr. Speaker, by

strategic investments. We are making strategic investments in our children, in

our seniors, in health and wellness. We are making strategic investments in

fishing, in mining, in forestry, in technology, in aquaculture, in tourism, in

poverty reduction. Mr. Speaker, that is the legacy that we are leaving behind.

We are indeed proud of the performance of this government.

I commend the Minister of Finance and his officials for doing such a sound,

solid, outstanding Budget after criss-crossing the entire Island and Labrador,

of course, and in my district as well. He put together a Budget, a very, very

sound document, a road map that will lead us in the next year, Mr. Speaker

AN HON. MEMBER: Self-reliance.

MR. POLLARD: Yes, someone said it will lead us to self-reliance, Mr.

Speaker, of which I am very proud.

With that, I will conclude my remarks. Hopefully, there is another time I can

get up and speak more directly to the things happening in my district.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS BURKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to call from the Order Paper Order 9, second

reading of Bill 12,

An Act To Amend The Grand Concourse Authority Act, and that

this act be now read a second time.

MR. SPEAKER: Before we move to second reading, is the hon. Government

House Leader adjourning debate on the Budget Speech?

MS BURKE: For now we are, Mr. Speaker. We will move along the Order Paper

to number 9 on the Order Paper, second reading of bills.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that Bill 12,

An Act Amend The

Grand Concourse Authority Act be now read a second time.

Motion, second reading of a bill, "An Act To Amend The Grand Concourse

Authority Act". (Bill 12)

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I, too, want to echo what the previous member said about our colleague from

Topsail. I am looking forward to working with him in the House of Assembly;

obviously, both of us represent the Community of Conception Bay South. Unlike

most that come into politics, he certainly is a senior political figure in our

area, having been on municipal council for quite some time. I enjoyed working

with him then, Mr. Speaker, and I know it will be seamless to work with him now

as an MHA. So I want to congratulate him on his opening speech and find out who

his speech writer is too, I might add, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the reason I am standing today is to speak to Bill 12,

An Act To

Amend The Grand Concourse Authority Act. Mr. Speaker, a significant piece of

legislation that was introduced a number of years ago. Before I go into it, I

always like to read the explanatory note in the legislation. It says, "This Bill

would amend the Grand Concourse Authority Act to provide the Grand Concourse

Authority with power to provide advice related to the design, construction and

maintenance of pedestrian trails, bicycle paths and related amenities to persons

and organizations who are not members of the authority."

So, Mr. Speaker, it is certainly not a major change to the previous piece of

legislation. If I could, Mr. Speaker, it is only really two minor changes. The

first one is adding the word bicycle to one of the sections, bicycle paths

actually, to one of the sections that currently exist in the bill. As the bill

currently stands, it just has to do with walkways and pedestrian trails. The

Grand Concourse Authority actually has a significant amount of trails throughout

the region and there are situations whereby they could use the trail ways that

they currently have, they are either wide enough or they have the ability to

make them wider to allow bicycles as well on some of their trail systems - so a

very minor change.

The other piece, Mr. Speaker, which they hope to change as well - and I am

going to read this into the record - is "to provide advice to persons and

associations who are not members of the authority respecting the design,

construction and maintenance of pedestrian trails, bicycle paths and related

amenities." So, it is a significant piece of legislation but certainly a very

minor change.

Mr. Speaker, if could, just for a second, I would like to comment a little

bit on the Grand Concourse Authority. I am certainly not going to go on too

long. I do not plan to use up my hour here today with such a minor change to

such a great bill, actually.

The Grand Course Authority is a not-for-profit group and I guess it is made

up of federal, provincial, and municipal representatives. It can also include

corporations, groups and organizations which support the concept of the Grand

Concourse.

Mr. Speaker, it is known throughout the Province, and indeed throughout the

country, that this group is recognized as a leading authority on trail

development, in particular in our Province. They are recognized nationally and

internationally, especially when it comes to the planning and design and

construction and maintenance of the trail systems. Maintenance of trail systems,

as most of us know in this room is significant. If we are going out and

promoting trail systems - which we do actually, and I will speak to that in a

minute it is important that we have maintenance programs in place. That is

where the Grand Concourse Authority takes it to the next level, Mr. Speaker.

The Grand Concourse is often approached to provide advice on trail

development by outside entities, such as non-members, municipalities who are

looking to replicate the successes of the Grand Concourse trail system.

Currently, the Grand Concourse Act does not provide the Grand Concourse the

authority to provide advice for non-members. So, what this bill is doing today

is seeking an amendment to rectify that very issue.

Mr. Speaker, the Grand Concourse Board of Directors provide advice on the

planning and construction of all trail systems to non-members is where they want

to go with this piece of legislation. This is a way for municipalities

throughout the Province, for various organizations throughout Newfoundland and

Labrador to benefit from the Grand Concourse Authority's expertise. This is

something that they have developed over years and years dealing with design,

construction and maintenance of their current trail system.

The Grand Concourse Authority board has a variety of members. The Province is

represented, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation being the lead

department from government. It is also represented by Transportation and Works,

Environment and Conservation, and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing as well. The

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation actually owns most of the land

that the Grand Concourse ran through originally. Municipal representatives: the

City of St. John's, the City of Mount Pearl, and the Town of Paradise, as well

as Parks Canada, Memorial University and the C.A. Pippy Park. The Grand

Concourse Authority can also take on new members but a majority vote is required

to confirm membership.

Mr. Speaker, just a little bit about the Grand Concourse; in the 1980s and

early 1990s the St. John's metro area was recognized for its unique rivers and

water bodies all under public ownership. Based on that observation, the Johnson

Family Foundation established and funded a series of studies.

Before I go any further on that, just let me speak to the Johnson Family, in

particular Paul Johnson. Mr. Speaker, what Paul Johnson has done in this area of

the Province is nothing short of remarkable. We talk about philanthropists and

people who are involved in their community and put their money where their mouth

is, well, nothing is more evident than when we talk of the Johnson Family

Foundation and Paul Johnson. I certainly take my hat off to him. He has been

recognized for his efforts and continues, I might add, to not only become in the

trails system, which he is probably most known for, but also being a

contributing citizen to the St. John's and surrounding area. I could not speak

about the Grand Concourse without acknowledging and thanking Paul Johnson and

the Johnson Family Foundation for what they have contributed to this Province.

Mr. Speaker, not only has the Grand Concourse included the City of St.

John's, it is also gone west to other municipalities, into Mount Pearl and,

indeed, Paradise. A master plan for the Grand Concourse network guided that

development and it was something again that the Johnson Family Foundation came

up with. Now, that trail system goes as far west as Octagon Pond in Paradise.

The amazing feat, I guess, of the entire Grand Concourse network has been worked

on, I think - some people say it was completed in 2005, but I like to believe

that it continues on to this day. I know for a fact they are constantly doing

renovations and extensions on trail systems. The information I had was that it

is 125 kilometres of walking trails in this Province, linkages and connections

to sidewalks and so on. Mr. Speaker, that is a remarkable feat.

Mr. Speaker, walking and hiking trails, as we know, have been promoted as

part of our provincial tourism marketing efforts. The walking and hiking trail

pages actually on our tourism Web site are the most visited on the whole Web

page, Mr. Speaker, which speaks to the significance of groups like the Grand

Concourse. The Grand Concourse also includes interpretive panels along its route

which is also very valuable when it comes to a tourism asset.

Mr. Speaker, we could also talk, I guess, a little bit about the value of the

Grand Concourse. Certainly, walking and hiking are promoted as safe and healthy

physical activities for citizens of all ages, through our Recreation and Sport

Strategy; Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador; as well as through active

health and wellness, a Provincial Wellness Plan here in Newfoundland and

Labrador; and, of course, our Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework.

So, Mr. Speaker, having an asset like the Grand Concourse certainly

encourages people in the metro area to get out, to be physically active, walk,

jog, and hopefully now bike on some of these beautiful trail systems.

Mr. Speaker, it was mentioned yesterday in a piece of legislation that I

brought forward, the Pedestrian Trails Liability Protection Act, and it was

mentioned at the time by the critic that he was wondering how that would be

different from the Grand Concourse Authority. So, Mr. Speaker, I would just like

to speak to that for a second before I sit down. I have another couple of

minutes, but there are just a couple of points I would like to make during

second reading and during debate.

Mr. Speaker, the Grand Concourse Authority is governed certainly by its own

legislation, so that would include the Grand Concourse only, this particular

bill, and the bill we talked about yesterday, the Pedestrian Trails Liability

Protection Act, is certainly for everybody else, would be the best way to put

it. As I said earlier in my few words, it is composed of members of the City of

St. John's, Mount Pearl, the Town of Paradise, the Bowring Park Foundation,

Departments of Tourism, Environment and Conservation, Transportation and Works,

Newfoundland Housing, and the St. John's development association. They all pay

dues to be members of the Grand Concourse Authority. Each one of these members,

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the insurance piece, certainly the city and the

various towns would all carry their own liability insurance.

So, Mr. Speaker, the difference is, I guess, that the liability protection

act will now extend to private and non-profit organizations that operate a

pedestrian trail separate from the Grand Concourse.

In saying that, I know that this is certainly just a few minor amendments to

this bill, Bill 12, and I certainly look forward to comments from across the

floor.

Mr. Speaker, just to add to it, I realize the significance of this piece of

legislation to all members in the St. John's area that this trail system would

pass through their districts. I know that many of them use it. As a matter of

fact, Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity to use it myself. I leave work

some evenings and walk around the pond and certainly enjoy it, and you do see,

especially in the summertime and fall, you do see quite a number of people using

that trail system.

So again, Mr. Speaker, without any further ado, I will take my seat and look

forward to some points made by members across the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER (Kelly): The Chair recognizes the hon. Member for Signal

Hill-Quidi Vidi.

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

I will try to get my thoughts together. I did not expect to speak so soon. We

are dealing with Bill 12, if I am not mistaken, on the Grand Concourse Authority

Act. I thank the minister for opening up the discussion on this bill. As the

minister pointed out, this is not an extensive bill but it is an important bill,

and I am glad to speak to it.

The first part of the bill - there are just two sections to the bill, "The

purpose of the authority is to foster, promote and enable the design,

development and operation, by or for the members, of an integrated network of

walkways, bicycle paths and amenities on land owned or occupied by the members,

to be known as the Grand Concourse." Now, what has been added in this clause, in

the original act that is being amended, is adding the words: bicycle paths. That

is extremely important.

The Concourse, as the minister has pointed out, has become known for the

tremendous work it has done in developing pathways, a network of walkways, in

particular, throughout this part of the Province, and it is quite a gift to the

Province and to this area of the Province that has been given to the people by

the Concourse and by those who have made tremendous donations to the Grand

Concourse. I think that we have such a system of walkways now in the general

area in St. John's and the general area around St. John's, it is something to be

extremely proud of, and it really gives me pride when I have visitors come, to

be able to point out to them the many, many walks that exist.

What I really like about this act is that the Grand Concourse is recognizing

the need for bicycle paths as well. One of the things that has happened is on

the walkways you do get competition between pedestrians and people on bikes. It

is necessary to be able to accommodate everybody. So I am delighted - I know

that the Grand Concourse has been concerned about that issue of being able to

accommodate both pedestrians and people using bicycles, and the fact that the

act now recognizes that is extremely important.

The Grand Concourse, of course, is a group that is made up of a tremendous

amount of volunteer work. The volunteers who had a vision to put this network in

place are to be commended and to be thanked for what they have done for the

people in this part of the Province by putting so much energy into the network

of walkways and bicycle paths and other amenities that are part of their system.

The other part of this bill, which is so important, is that this bill is

recognizing that the Grand Concourse has become a group of people who are looked

to by other people in the Province because of their experience, because of the

work that they have done, because of the extent of the work that they have done.

The second part of the bill recognizes that, because the bill is amending

section 5 of the Grand Concourse Authority Act by adding immediately after

paragraph one of

section 5 the following, "(i.1) to provide advice to persons

and associations who are not members of the authority respecting the design,

construction and maintenance of pedestrian trails, bicycle paths and related

amenities."

I think there has been some concern that a lot of people have been turning to

the authority looking for assistance, looking for advice, looking for a way in

which to share in their experience, and the authority really has not had the

authority to act in that kind of a role. Because it is really Tourism, Culture

and Recreation as a department, that would be the body that people would go to

for advice, but I think that the ministry has recognized the tremendous

expertise that exists in the Grand Concourse and is now saying - and I really

commend the minister for this - that because of the expertise that they have,

because of the knowledge that they have, that now they are being given the

authority to act on their own with other trail groups. I think this is a

tremendous move by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation because it

really is the essence of what community building is all about and it is the

essence of actually community economic development, where groups in a community

and communities themselves communicate with one another and learn from one

another.

It reminds me of when I worked in community economic development and I was

working with people on Bell Island, they had a notion of setting up a community

co-operative. One of the ways in which they really learned how to do what they

wanted to do was to link with other groups who had done similar work to what

they wanted to do. One of the groups they went to, for example, was the Fogo

Co-operative to learn from them what their process had been when they had set up

the Fogo Co-operative. Another group they went to was a group in Cape Breton,

Nova Scotia, called New Dawn Enterprises which was a community economic-based

group of people, done in a co-operative model, to set up community businesses.

This thing of learning from one another, communities learning from one

another, organizations learning from one another is an extremely good way in

which to go. The thing that the authority has to offer to other groups is: What

is the best way to actually put a trail together, the actual trail building?

They advise the groups about how much a trail will cost; about how to find

money; about how to get them started; how to communicate with municipalities,

for example; how to reach out to the public and get the public involved in what

they want to do. I am sure they give advice on how to communicate with the

Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. This thing of maintaining the

expertise and really helping that expertise grow, the expertise that is there in

the authority, is extremely important.

One of the things I know that the authority tries to do; if a group comes to

them the authority will first try to figure out if a project is viable. They

will make sure that they can get money to work on the project and that money is

in place before they will even take it on. The important thing about the

authority is that they are a not-for-profit organization. If they go looking for

money to work on a project with another group, they are not looking for money

that will help them as a group. They only look for the amount of money that will

cover the work that they have to do because they are not-for-profit. From that

perspective, it makes it very good for the community groups who are going to

reach out to them.

This is obviously going to help government, it is going to help the tourism

branch and it is going to help those who are involved in giving money to

organizations who are going to want to get involved in trail building. I know

that the funders, especially ACOA, if they are going to give money they want to

make sure that a trail is going to be maintained, that it is not enough for a

trail to get started. A trail has to be maintained so that you do not get a

maintenance issue down the road. By having a group like the authority being able

to work with groups as they get into trail building, the funders know that there

is going to be less chance of trails becoming a liability down the road, that

they will continue to be an asset.

I am very pleased, Mr. Speaker, to stand and support this bill today. I think

it is a move in a right direction and I just encourage government to make sure

that as they make these changes that they continue to support generously the

work of the community groups who are involved in this wonderful work of building

trails, something which, as I said yesterday in a related bill when we talked

about Bill 5, something that opens up our environment to us as we get out

walking and bicycling on our trails and going through the different parts of our

town and our cities and out in the woods. That is one part of it, and the other

is that it certainly is part of helping develop a very healthy community as we

get more and more into being outside in the fresh air and getting exercise.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The Chair recognizes the hon. Deputy Speaker, the Member for

St. John's South.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. T. OSBORNE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is certainly a pleasure for me to stand here today and speak to this

particular bill. I am well aware of the work that the Grand Concourse does

throughout the city. I have had many involvements with the Grand Concourse over

the years and they are well recognized on the Avalon region for their quality

work and their expertise in designing and building high quality walking and

hiking trails throughout the metro region.

In fact, their work has been recognized on both the national and

international basis as well. It is this recognition that makes the Grand

Concourse Authority highly sought after by other entities, including

municipalities, to seek their advice in building and designing hiking trails and

walking trails in their areas as well. These other entities are hoping to

capitalize on the success of the work that has been seen and done by the Grand

Concourse Authority throughout the metro region. This particular piece of

legislation will allow the Grand Concourse the ability to provide that advice to

other entities in helping them to build their trail ways and hiking trails as

well. This act, Mr. Speaker, will rescind one part of the existing act and

replace it with wording to allow the Grand Concourse Authority the ability to

provide them that advice.

The Grand Concourse Authority is partially funded by the Province. There are

a number of boards and entities which make up the Grand Concourse Authority.

Those were brought up by the Minister of Tourism. They include entities such as:

Memorial University, C.A. Pippy Park, as well as a number of agencies throughout

the provincial government.

We also have to recognize Paul Johnson and the Johnson Family Foundation for

creating the Grand Concourse Authority and bringing a dream to reality because

the walking trails and hiking trails that we see throughout the city that have,

in part, been brought about as a result of the Grand Concourse Authority are

considered to be high-quality walking trails and a high-quality network.

Tourists from all over the world, whether they are from other regions of the

Province or from other parts of Canada or, in fact, other parts of the world

and I have spoken to tourists on the East Coast Trail from Germany, as an

example. They cannot believe the overwhelming beauty of the East Coast Trail and

what that brings, the tourism potential that these hiking trails bring. Some

tourists, in fact, actually come here specifically for the purpose of visiting

our hiking and our walking trails. They have a very high tourism potential.

Some of the work, in fact, that the Grand Concourse Authority has either done

or been involved with in my district, in particular, include Long's Bridge from

Southside Road to Water Street. It runs through the old CN property. That is a

magnificent connection from Water Street to the Southside Road. It is intended

to connect to the T'Railway, which the Grand Concourse Authority has also been

very involved with - the T'Railway that runs along the Waterford River. There

are a number of

interpretation boards and a number of rest areas - very, very

high-quality work.

The park area, as well, in Fort Amherst near the old schoolhouse was designed

and built by the Grand Concourse Authority. In that area, I have spoken to

people since that area has been started and, in particular, over the past

several months since the work has progressed down at the old schoolhouse site in

Fort Amherst. It is absolutely beautiful; they have done a phenomenal job and

taken an area that was previously unfinished and turned it into, really, a

magnificent area, a work of art almost.

There is various other T'Railways in the downtown area, and throughout the

city, that the Grand Concourse Authority has been involved with and has made

their mark on. Again, it is these T'Railways, it is this work that the Grand

Concourse Authority has done and been involved with that has attracted the

attention of other entities who seek the advice of the Grand Concourse

Authority.

Under

section 3 of the Grand Concourse Authority Act they would repeal

Section 3 and replace it with the following wording, "The purpose of the

authority is to foster, promote and enable the design, development and

operation, by or for the members, of an integrated network of walkways, bicycle

paths and amenities on land owned or occupied by the members, to be known as the

Grand Concourse."

As well, under

section 5,

section 5 is now amended to allow the Grand

Concourse Authority to provide advice to persons and associations who are not

members of the authority respecting the design, construction and maintenance of

pedestrian trails, bicycle paths and related amenities. Essentially, what this

act is about, the act would allow the Grand Concourse Authority the power and

ability to provide this advice.

Again, I am pleased and delighted to speak to this particular piece of

legislation for those two reasons: first of all, because I am very familiar with

the work of the Grand Concourse Authority, and I know their work to be quality

work that is recognized internationally. The fact that they are well sought

after in providing design work, in providing advice to other entities, and

previously, were unable to do that according to the legislation and will now

have the ability to do that.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to support this piece of legislation and the

Minister of Tourism in bringing the piece of legislation forward.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I appreciate an opportunity to have a few words on Bill 12. I do not intend

to take too long; there is twenty minutes allotted.

It is fairly straightforward, just a few comments on the Grand Concourse

first, of course. A lot of partners involved in that, particularly Mr. Johnson,

Paul Johnson as I indicated, who was the brain thrust behind the concept back

some years ago. A beautiful system here in the Northeast Avalon region of St.

John's, Mount Pearl, and I believe in the Paradise area as well, all of which

municipalities are represented on the Concourse Authority.

It seems to be pretty straightforward here. The minister alluded to what the

act was about, but it just seems like they are giving expanded powers to the

authority to do certain things that they did not have before. I just looked at a

chart, for example, and it seems like two sections are being amended here. One

section 3 and all we are adding in

section 3 is bicycle paths from what I can

see here. I do not see any other change.

The only question we would have in that regard, just as a user of the trails:

Do you mean you are going to expand the Concourse Authority? Is there an

intention to expand the existing trails such that bicycle trails will be added

to the footpaths that already exist or is it a case of allowing the trails that

already exist to be used as bike paths at the same time? I am wondering where

this would have come about, and that is why I asked that question because I have

been on the trails and I have met people on bicycles. Now, some people I

understand have a problem with that, that they are using the foot trail with

their bicycles.

So I guess the question I would have for the minister: Could he explain maybe

I know we have added in bicycle paths, but is it the intention to add bicycle

paths or to allow what is already there to be used by people who operate

bicycles? So that is pretty straightforward.

The other one is expanding their powers because, of course, the Grand

Concourse had its creation, the intention and the design with respect to the

Northeast Avalon area, but all this is adding here, from what I can see, is that

it says: It allows the authority now in the future to provide advice to persons

and associations who are not members of the authority respecting the design,

construction and maintenance of pedestrian trails, bicycle paths and related

amenities.

So we know who the members are already of the Grand Concourse Authority; it

is the municipalities of St. John's, Paradise and Mount Pearl. We know there are

some local organizations there: Memorial University; C.A. Pippy Park Commission;

the Quidi Vidi/Rennie's River Development Foundation; the Bowring Park

Foundation; the Johnson Family Foundation; St. John's Downtown Development

Commission; and the St. John's Port Authority; as well as the Government of

Newfoundland and Labrador through the Environment and Conservation department;

Tourism, Culture and Recreation; Transportation and Works; and Newfoundland and

Labrador Housing Corp.

So, we know who the existing members of the Grand Concourse Authority are and

what we are doing in this one, we are changing clause 5 by adding and saying

that we are now allowing the Grand Concourse Authority to provide advice to

persons who are not members. So I am wondering exactly how did this came about,

because the Grand Concourse Authority, now that they have built the Concourse

and they maintain the Concourse, I am assuming it is just a case where most of

their functions have been filled. Yet, we still have this board. They have a lot

of knowledge. They are in a capacity, probably, to advise other groups. So, they

are actually building in here now the authority for the Grand Concourse

Authority to give this advice to other people who might want to design or

construct or to maintain a pedestrian trail, a bicycle path, or any related

amenities.

So, I am just wondering and curious as to how that came about. Why did they

feel the need to specifically have an amendment to allow them to give that

advice? Because if they exist, I am assuming that they have been doing it. Did

somebody raise an issue of the Concourse Authority advising other people? What

is the requirement to have a legislative amendment to allow the Grand Concourse

Authority, the GCA, to actually be able to advise people?

Now of course, it is a two-way street. Because when you advise people

sometimes, if you give improper advice, you can be sued for it. So, it is not

just a case of giving the power here for the GCA to provide this advice. I am

just wondering, has anybody pondered what if the advice proves to be poor

advice, and what if it is relied upon by that third party? Where do we sit then?

Where does the GCA sit then? If we, as a Legislature, are giving them the

authority to advise - they go out and advise, for example, the Lewisporte Trail

Association as to how to construct and build something. What if the advice

proves to be faulty? Can you sue the GCA then? I think that is a legitimate

question.

If we are going to go to the extent of allowing them to give the advice, are

we going to do anything to protect them should the advice be faulty, like we did

yesterday in Bill 5 when we talked about liability issues? My purpose of raising

these questions is: How and why is it necessary to have this legislative

amendment, and was this issue of potential liability contemplated if we expand

that authority?

That is all the questions I have at this point, Mr. Speaker. I am sure the

minister will have an opportunity before we address this in Committee stage, to

find answers to those questions. Certainly, if the answers, of course, are

reasonable and sensible we would have no problems. Everybody, I believe, is

supportive of the Grand Concourse Authority. It is not a case of not being

supportive of, it is a case of understanding what the purpose of this

legislation is and why we need to be debating this here today.

Thank you.

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

East.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BUCKINGHAM: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is certainly a pleasure as a St. John's MHA to rise here in the House to

have a few words to say about the Grand Concourse Authority and also with regard

to this amendment that has been put before the House today.

Certainly, anyone who has been involved in St. John's over the last number of

years has come to recognize the Grand Concourse Authority as a vital part of

what makes St. John's St. John's. The early days of the Grand Concourse

Authority saw recognition that the St. John's area and th