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November 18, 2013 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS

Vol. XLVII No. 30

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Wiseman): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

Before we start the proceedings today, I want to welcome a special guest to

our gallery, Mr. Wilson Belbin, who is the Mayor of Forteau.

Welcome, Sir.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

Statements by Members

MR. SPEAKER: Today we will have members' statements from the Member for

the District of Lewisporte; the Member for the District of Burgeo La Poile;

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

Kilbride; the Member for the District of Placentia St. Mary's; and the Member

for the District of Terra Nova.

The hon. the Member for the District of Lewisporte.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. VERGE: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and pay respect to our

Veterans of War. The freedoms that we enjoy, the peace that we have, and the

hope that lies within each of us is due in large measure to the sacrifices made

by the brave men and women in uniform.

Many have fought on foreign soil for our freedom, and many have not safely

returned to enjoy the benefits of their service. At this time of year, as

Members of the House of Assembly, as we participate in Memorial Day ceremonies

and we lay wreaths of remembrance, we are reminded to give thanks.

I also want to acknowledge the good people in my district who helped organize

and to also participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies both in Lewisporte, and in

Norris Arm.

On behalf of the constituents that I serve, I want to say once again: Thank

you to those who have lost their life fighting for my freedom, thank you to

those who have survived to become our modern-day Veterans of War, and also thank

you to all those who currently serve in our military. We owe all of you and your

families a great debt of gratitude.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I rise today to recognize and commend James Lane, Jr. and Yvonne Lane of

Channel-Port aux Basques, two grieving parents who have turned tragedy into a

way to help others.

One week before Christmas 2012, Jim and Yvonne lost their six-month old son,

Wyatt, to an extremely rare heart condition. Born in May, Wyatt spent his first

three weeks at the Janeway before returning to Port aux Basques with his family.

In November, Wyatt returned to the Janeway. Under the attentive care of the

Janeway team, he fought bravely for thirty-three days, never losing his

signature smile.

The Lanes wanted to keep Wyatt's memory alive and acknowledge the dedicated

care provided by the Janeway, so they created a Wyatt's Stars Project. The

project consists of a five-year Christmas pewter ornament series, with each

Initially the Lanes had 750 pewter ornaments produced but have already

increased its order by another 250. They have received orders and support from

all over the Province. Proceeds from the sale will be given to the Janeway

Foundation to be used wherever necessary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join with me in extending

congratulations to Jim and Yvonne Lane on their creation and to remember Wyatt,

their Star.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

Charlene Shears, a teacher at Gros Morne Academy, Rocky Harbour, on winning the

Canadian Teaching Excellence Award for Physical Education. Ms Shears was

nominated for this national award by three colleagues and flew to Winnipeg,

Manitoba in October 2013 to accept it.

Ms Shears engages her students in activity, both traditional and

non-traditional. The traditional school activities include volleyball,

basketball and hockey, but that does not satisfy the interests in physical needs

of everyone so she delivers the non-traditional and outdoor activities. These

include rhythmic dance, shelter building, snowshoeing, survival, and winter

camping. She also engages students in active living workshops such as karate,

cheerleading, just dance, and Zoomba.

Ms Shears creates and promotes many opportunities for children to be active,

and the goal is physical activity in their daily lives.

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

Charlene Shears on winning the Canadian Teaching Excellence Award for Physical

Education.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Kilbride.

MR. DINN: Mr. Speaker, I stand in this hon. House today to congratulate

Stephen Knight who has been awarded a Governor General's Medal of Bravery on two

occasions for acts of valour he performed within a three-month period.

In Canada, there are only two higher awards in the Canadian Honour System:

the Cross of Valour and the Star of Courage. Stephen's two medals of bravery put

him in a pretty elite club. Since the award was created in 1972, only eight

people have ever won it twice; only three did so in the same year.

On February 18, 2004, Steve of the RNC rescued a teenage girl who had jumped

from the railing of a pedestrian bridge in Bowring Park. Dispatched to the

scene, he jumped in the frigid water and reached the girl and pulled her to

safety with the help of his RNC colleagues.

In May, 2004, Steve bravely apprehended a knife-yielding man who was stabbing

a bouncer from a George Street bar. In this incident, Steve was also stabbed.

Recently, I had the privilege of presenting one of these Medals of Bravery to

Steve Knight at the RNC Headquarters in St. John's.

Honourable members, please join me in recognizing a truly brave man, Steve

Knight.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Placentia St.

Mary's.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. F. COLLINS: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this hon. House today to

congratulate Mr. Tony Reardon of St. Joseph's, St. Mary's Bay, on recently being

inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Hall of Fame.

During his reaching career in St. Joseph's, and in his years of retirement,

Tony was responsible for developing school and community athletic programs that

enabled school teams and local youth to participate at provincial, national and

international levels.

As well, he was, for several years, Mr. Speaker, the Commanding Officer of

2895 Enright Memorial Cadets Corps and developed that Corps into one of the best

in the Province. He has also served his community as a firefighter and served

his church community in a number of different roles.

He has received a number of awards, Mr. Speaker, from Newfoundland and

Labrador High School Athletic Federation, the Newfoundland and Labrador

Basketball Association, and the Department of National Defence.

Mr. Speaker, he is a true community builder. He has dedicated his life to the

youth of St. Mary's Bay and continues to do so.

It is my pleasure today to ask this hon. House to join me in thanking Tony

Reardon for the tremendous contribution he has made to his community, to his

Province and to congratulate him on his induction into the Newfoundland and

Labrador Volunteer Hall of Fame.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I rise today to recognize an individual from my district, Mr. George Beck of

Eastport. George was born and raised in Burin but would later move to Eastport

in 1998.

While in Burin, George was an active volunteer in the community, including

serving as Fire Chief for the local fire department for fifteen years. He would

also join the Orange Lodge and the SUF where he remained a member for twenty-six

years. George currently sits as the Vice-President of the Bonavista Bay Search

and Rescue where he has been a member for the past fourteen years.

When asked what his favourite hobby is, George is quick to simply respond by

stating volunteering is his hobby. Just recently, on September 29 of this year,

George was bestowed with the prestigious title of Grand Master of the SUF for

Newfoundland and Labrador. While he has achieved many things in his volunteer

life, he considers this to be amongst his biggest accomplishments to date.

I ask all hon. members to join me in recognizing my friend, George Beck, a

man who has given so much of his time to helping others and to working hard to

make his community and Province the best it can be.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Before we go to Ministerial Statements, I also want to

acknowledge the Mayor of Deer Lake, Mr. Dean Ball, who is in the gallery today.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: There must have been something going on here this weekend

that brought you into St. John's.

Ministerial Statements.

Statements by Ministers

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today in this hon. House to emphasize the important role that all

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians play in the lives of our children and youth.

All children and youth have the right to feel protected and secure each and

every day. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Children and Youth Care and

Protection Act is the law which gives the Department of Child, Youth and Family

Services the ability to intervene to protect children and youth when there is a

report of child or youth maltreatment.

In particular,

section 11 of this act outlines the public's legal

responsibility to report information that a child or youth is or may be in need

of protective intervention. We all have a duty to report, and this standard is

the same for both professionals and the general public. Under the duty to

report, individuals must immediately report any information they believe may

cause a child or youth to be in need of protection. It is the law that

information regarding child and youth maltreatment must be reported to the

Department of Child, Youth and Family Services or to the police.

When a referral is received by the Department of Child, Youth and Family

Services, a social worker will immediately assess the information to determine

if a protection intervention is required. If concerns require follow-up by the

department, then a social worker will conduct this investigation in order to

ensure the safety and well-being of the child or youth. All referral sources are

kept confidential, except when the source is ordered to be released by court.

Therefore, any person who makes a report of child or youth maltreatment is

legally protected, unless it is done without a reasonable cause or with malice

intent.

It is important for the public to know that it is an offence to withhold any

information regarding a child or youth who is or may be at risk of maltreatment.

I encourage all residents of our Province to uphold their duty to report child

or youth maltreatment, and call your local Child, Youth and Family Services

office or to contact your local police.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement. Clearly, as

residents of this Province, each and every one of us has a responsibility to

ensure the safety and protection of our most vulnerable, obviously our children

and our youth. We all have a responsibility to protect our children from harm,

and it is good that we are speaking about this and raising awareness. Awareness

is key to any issue of importance, especially such as this, and anything we can

do to engage and assist is crucial.

Where someone knows or believes a child is or may be in need of protective

intervention, it should immediately be reported to a manager, social worker, or

a peace officer. Our law states that a person who does not report may be guilty

of an offence and can be fined up to $10,000, or imprisonment for up to six

months or both, very tough penalties and as it should be.

We all share this responsibility. We must protect our children. I would like

to also commend the good work of the front line workers of CYFS. These are the

people who are handling the investigations and the calls. I commend them for the

work they do. Let's keep this up as we move forward in protecting our children

in this Province.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS ROGERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I too thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement. I commend the

staff of child protection who works so hard under some of the most difficult

circumstances to protect our children and youth.

Yes, it is absolutely crucial to educate the public about everyone's

responsibility to report suspected and actual cases of abuse of children and

youth. However, reporting is not enough. Hand in hand with that it is important

we have the support services in place to respond to every case of child abuse.

In her report of March of this year, the child advocate identified some very

serious departmental problems in dealing with cases of abuse. She cited that

children are at risk. We need an update, Mr. Speaker, on exactly what has been

done to address the problems she identified in her report.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

AN HON. MEMBER: By leave.

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

MR. KIRBY: Thanks to the minister for an advance copy of his statement.

All of us agree in this House that each child in Newfoundland and Labrador

deserves to be loved, cared for, and properly protected. I think we all need to

take some responsibility to see that that happens. Like the hon. Opposition

House Leader, I would also like to say thank you to our front line workers who

help protect our kids each and every day.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on protecting our

forests, our communities, our property, and the residents of Newfoundland and

Labrador through the provision of effective and efficient fire management

services.

Our fire and management staff responded to sixty-seven forest fires on the

Island and thirty-two fires in Labrador during the 2013 official forest fire

season. Overall, this was an average season in terms of the number of fires.

However, there were periods of heightened activity near the end of June and

early July when it was extremely busy, especially in Labrador.

During that period, fire management activities proved to be challenging with

high winds, warmer than average temperatures, and very little precipitation to

assist relief efforts. Two fires, one near the Town of Wabush and the other at

Gull Island in Labrador, proved especially challenging given the weather

conditions at the time.

Mr. Speaker, our Forestry Services Branch maintains approximately 100

seasonal firefighters deployed throughout the Province. Our firefighters work

with permanent staff at the district and regional levels and these staff also

have fire management responsibilities.

For the Wabush fire, our staff worked with the provincial Incident Management

Team, non-government and enforcement agencies, local residents, town councils,

and others to ensure the safe evacuation of residents. They also worked side by

side with other government departments, including Fire and Emergency Services

Newfoundland and Labrador. We commend the pilots and maintenance crews with the

Department of Transportation and Works Air Services Division who did an

incredible job this past summer and deserve special recognition.

While protection of the Province's resources is essential, safety of our

staff and the public is paramount. A strict safety culture is maintained while

fighting a fire and considerable effort goes into keeping everyone safe.

Firefighting is extremely dangerous, and that is why we utilize a team of

trained professionals on our fires.

Mr. Speaker, our government is dedicated to a continuous improvement approach

to forest fire management and recognizes training is a key component. We take

tremendous pride in our firefighting capabilities and we applaud the courageous

men and women who are willing to stand up and protect our forests and our

people.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the minister for the advance copy of his statement. He

mentioned sixty-seven fires on the Island and thirty-two in Labrador; two in

particular that he mentioned, one near the Town of Wabush and one near Gull

Island. I did fly over the one near Wabush over the summer and the amount of

damage that was done is indeed devastating. We remember the days when that

community and Lab West in particular, were on high alert because of smoke and

the close proximity of that fire.

He also mentioned the importance of training. We also know that in the 2013

Budget where we saw layoffs of 1,100 people, one of those was a flight crew in

Gander, but if not for the importance of training and if we remember, there

was a flight crew who successfully landed a piece of equipment in that fire. If

not for their experience, I guess the news could be much more tragic.

Mr. Speaker, I want to join the minister in recognizing the great work of all

our staff, recognizing the value of training, and all the volunteers and the

valuable roles they play in firefighting and protecting, not only our Province,

but most importantly our people.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would also like to thank the minister for the advance copy of his statement

here today. No doubt, there should be congratulations passed all around, from

municipal councils down to the air crews, and down to the ground crews who

successfully fought these fires.

I would also like to tell the minister, too, that we have some special

challenges in the future number one being, of course, global warming, and he

touched on that in his statement. Hopefully, government is going to be

responding to this in the future with more resources to address these fires, and

more training as well, like he says in his statement. Hopefully, they will

address all of these and put more resources as well into smaller communities,

more money, so that they can have the firefighting equipment and they will also

be providing the front-line services.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

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

leave?

AN HON. MEMBER: By leave.

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

MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I, too, thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement, and I

commend the professional staff that we have that fight forest fires.

One thing I will say is that we certainly need the resources, and maybe we

need to look at a contingency fund for emergency measures so that if it comes a

time that there is a high level of forest fires, that there are resources

available so that it does not impede other projects that the department may be

undertaking.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Last year, this government passed the most secretive bill that this House has

ever seen. Bill 29 has given this government and Cabinet sweeping powers to hide

information from the public.

So I ask the Premier: Will you repeal Bill 29, and initiate a process of

public consultation sessions on how our new protection of privacy laws should

look?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this government is highly committed to openness and

transparency. That is why one of the first things we did when we came to

government was proclaim the ATIPP Act. Mr. Speaker, it was a piece of

legislation introduced in the House by the Liberals, but never proclaimed. It is

not do as I do; it is do as I say.

Well, we do as we do and we do as we say, and we have proclaimed that

legislation, which makes us one of the most open and transparent governments not

only in Canada, but in North America.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Well, I can assure you one thing that the government has done a lot of

purchasing on, that is toner; because by the level of black ink that we are

seeing on the information that we are getting, their purchase of toner must be

extremely high.

The government talks about how many pages of information they release, but

what they do not hear is the amount of black ink on those pages. Bill 29 is

regressive, and should be repealed.

So I ask the Premier: Why do you continue to choose secrecy over being open

and accountable to the people of this Province?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, last year when we were debating Bill 29 and reaction to Bill 29

in this House, our friends opposite also referred to the Centre for Law and

Democracy for their information and the rating on our ATIPP legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with this House and with the people of the

Province that the Centre for Law and Democracy says we are third in the country,

better than Canada as a whole, better than North America, better than

Scandinavia, and on par with the United Kingdom.

Mr. Speaker, we are open and transparent, far ahead of other provinces in

this country, ahead of ten provinces in this country, and the federal

government. This is what we are committed to, this is what we do, and this is

what we will continue to do.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: The bill was so good that they actually forced closure on the

House of Assembly to actually bring it into legislation, Mr. Speaker.

Transport Canada announced this week in its plan for new offshore safety

regulations that prohibiting flights during unsafe weather or water conditions

is a good move, but there is still no action on the independent safety regulator

as recommended by Commissioner Wells.

I ask the Premier: It has been three years since you publicly supported the

recommendation of the commissioner, why have you not been able to secure an

independent safety offshore regulator?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker, I find myself time and time in this House having to correct

information that is being put forward, especially with regard to the area of

natural resources. Only last week in the House, the Leader of the Opposition was

up discussing the fact that the water management agreement we have on the

Churchill River was being disputed in the courts in Quebec, which is absolutely

untrue, Mr. Speaker. It is the 1969 contract that is in dispute.

Mr. Speaker, there is a shared responsibility between the federal government

and the provincial government with regard to the C-NLOPB, which is arm's length.

We support the stand alone; the federal government has not committed at this

point.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Well, I am sure the Premier is aware, if she saw the court challenge in

Quebec, that one the appendices is indeed the PUB water management agreement

from 2009. So, it is just not about 1969.

Mr. Speaker, safety advocates have said that these new regulations do not go

far enough, and we still have not heard from the Premier on night flights.

I ask the Premier: What is your position on night flights?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, our position on offshore safety has been clear.

We join with members opposite in this House to make offshore safety a priority.

It is important for the people who work in our offshore. I would contend, Mr.

Speaker, all of us have neighbours or know people who work in the offshore. It

is a great industry and it is great for the future of this Province.

The C-NLOPB, Mr. Speaker, the agency that governs offshore safety, they have

the experts there, they work with industry, and they work with Transport Canada.

We take the advice from the C-NLOPB because they have the experts there. Make no

question, Mr. Speaker, this government, the Premier, we have always said and we

will continue to say that offshore safety is absolutely essential in this

Province.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The position on night flights and we do have a great offshore industry, but

it can only be great if it is safe. Mr. Speaker, the Veterans Affairs office in

Corner Brook is set to close early in the new year. The DFO office in Grand Bank

has closed. We are still suffering from the ill effects of the closure of the

Marine Rescue Sub-Centre in St. John's and the marine communication traffic

centre in St. Anthony and St. John's.

I ask the Premier: What representation have you made to Stephen Harper about

these closures?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as a provincial government we take all issues in this Province

extremely seriously, and we raise them at every opportunity with the federal

government. I would like to ask the Leader of the Opposition what he does with

his Liberal MPs, who he told along with others in this Province, could represent

their interests better than a member of the government. What are they doing for

the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

They are working very hard and they would like to get the support of the

Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. BALL: Why did the Premier not answer the question? What is she doing

with her friend, Mr. Harper?

Mr. Speaker, this government talks about being a government of action, but

the people of the Province are tired of this rhetoric. With the constant closure

of federal offices that we are seeing and a continual decline in services, the

silence is deafening.

I ask the Premier: Will you finally start lobbying the federal government to

do whatever we can to save these vital services?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to be held responsible for what goes on in this

Province and to answer for what this government does. I do that on a daily

basis. I am very proud of the work we have been able to do over the last ten

years.

Mr. Speaker, I represent our interests at every opportunity, here at home and

abroad, and with the federal government, as I did in CETA, ensuring that our

interests were protected. As I did ensuring that we had a $400 million

transitional fund for the fishery in this Province, the most important thing to

happen in this fishery in my lifetime, probably more; the most important

positive move towards improving that important sector, important to all the

people of the Province. We will continue to represent the interests of

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians at every opportunity.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BENNETT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In August, government released a $75,000 report that criticizes government

for not keeping up with school bus issues. The report recommends short term,

medium term, and long-term solutions to improve busing for our students; yet,

this government is still sitting on the report doing nothing.

I ask the minister: When can our people expect these recommendations to be

put in place?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, daily, we bus some-46,000 students across this

Province. We take that issue very, very seriously. The member is right, we did

commission a report. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, there are a couple of

recommendations that came from that report that have already been implemented.

Our continued investment of $47 million in this sector points to us wanting to

ensure that we have the most reliable and safe bus service, Mr. Speaker, that we

have in this Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, if the recommendations have been implemented,

no one knows what they are.

The 2003 Tory election Blue Book states that school buses in this Province

carry a most precious cargo, our children. School transportation must be held to

the highest level of safety.

Given that the promise is ten years old and the $75,000 Deloitte report is

merely collecting dust: Has the minister considered adding the school bus

promise to the government's pile of broken promises, or will it make a solid

commitment to act now on these recommendations?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, there are a couple of recommendations that we

have acted on already. Let's not take the rhetoric of the member, that this is

something that has been ten years in the making. Mr. Speaker, this report was

just recently turned in this spring.

Already, Mr. Speaker, we have put cameras on the outside of buses. We have

looked at a new template for having contract services with our private

contractors, Mr. Speaker, and we are looking at official routing software that

can tell us the facts as we know it and to see where we can find efficiencies.

Mr. Speaker, the man will not draw me into doing anything other than to say

we are going to provide the best quality service for that precious cargo that he

mentioned.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.

MR. EDMUNDS: Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday in this hon. House the minister

committed to having an RFP for new ferries for Labrador issued by the end of

2013. On Thursday, he backtracked on the commitment by saying: I hope, I do not

commit, that the RFP would be ready.

I ask the minister: Which is it? Are you or are you not committing to the

people of Labrador that the RFP will be issued by the end of this year?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to point out that there has been a significant amount of work

done on the RFP for the ferry transportation network in Labrador. There has been

a great deal of work done on it during the past year or more. It is a complex

piece of work.

The goal is to reach a contract for a long-term service to ensure the

long-term stability, and a long-term safe and a long-term dependable service for

the people of Labrador. The Department of Transportation and Works continue to

work toward that goal, and they will keep working on it, Mr. Speaker, until it

is finalized.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.

MR. EDMUNDS: Mr. Speaker, the minister also stated in this House that we

will hopefully meet our 2016 deadline. Again, it is a step backwards.

I ask the minister: Does this mean your previous commitment to have two new

ferries for Labrador by 2016 is no longer realistic?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am not sure if the hon. member opposite missed the answer I have provided

to him because I have clearly said, and I will clearly say again now, that this

government remains committed to the people of Labrador. We remain committed to

them in many aspects of transportation.

We are working towards the finalization of an RFP, the same as we did, Mr.

Speaker, with the Trans-Labrador Highway, a commitment we made in 2003 and a

commitment we have upheld for hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars that

we have put into Labrador since that time. We are going to do the same thing

with ferry services, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. OSBORNE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this government promotes the use of public transit through its

Climate Change Action Plan and other initiatives, yet the City of St. John's

pays the Province $380,000 a year through road taxes, fees, and its public

transit vehicles.

I ask the Minister of Finance: Why doesn't government put words into actions

and eliminate taxes and fees on the operation of public transit systems?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. MARSHALL: Mr. Speaker, this government takes the handling of the

fiscal situation in this country extremely seriously. We have an economy that is

booming right now. We have business investment at a rate that is leading the

country and is creating jobs in the major projects.

The people working in those jobs are getting higher salaries than they have

ever received before. Average weekly earnings have exceeded the Canadian average

for the first time, and that is driving economic activity in Newfoundland and

Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, under this government, that economic growth and activity is

certainly going to continue.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. OSBORNE: Mr. Speaker, I asked about eliminating taxes on public

transit, not a fiscal update.

Mr. Speaker, today this government announced the winners of its municipal

carbon footprint challenge and congratulated them on their initiatives to reduce

the carbon footprint in municipalities. The public transit is one of the most

effective ways to reduce carbon footprints.

I will ask the minister again: Why are you taxing the very initiatives you

are promoting in the communities around this Province; will you eliminate the

taxes on the Metrobus system in the City of St. John's?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental

Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In the Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs we are very

cognizant of the needs and concerns of municipalities large and small, including

the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador. We are going through a fiscal

review process right now where we are looking at the entire relationship between

municipalities and the Province. We are establishing a new provincial-municipal

fiscal framework where we look at all aspects of the financial relationship

between our levels of government.

This process will unfold over the next eighteen months or so. The City of St.

John's will be an important stakeholder in the process. We have a good

relationship with the capital city, and I look forward to continuing that.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. OSBORNE: Mr. Speaker, it is a very simple question. You are charging

$380,000 in road taxes and other fees to Metrobus. They have been asking for

that to be eliminated for years. Are you going to do it or not?

MR. SPEAKER: Please direct your comments to the Chair, I ask all hon.

members.

The hon. the Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is a simple question and I will give him a very simple answer, as I just

did previously, if he was paying attention.

We are reviewing every aspect of the relationship between municipalities and

the provincial government. Everything is on the table. We are looking at how

services are delivered. We are looking at the structure of government, and there

is incredible opportunity over the next couple of years for all stakeholders,

all recipients of municipal services in this Province, to have input.

The relationship with the capital city is an important one and I look forward

to continued discussions with the City of St. John's.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. JOYCE: Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago in the House I asked the government

to reconsider the reneging of the $50,000 grant they had promised to the SPCA to

create a public awareness campaign on the new Animal Health and Protection Act.

My question was met with laughter and mockery from the members opposite.

I ask the Minister of Natural Resources: Do you find it amusing that dogs

will suffer through another winter outside because you will not enforce this

act?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, that is a ridiculous question. Members of this

side of the House, certainly me when I stood in this House two weeks ago,

clearly indicated our understanding, our support for animal welfare in this

Province. We were the ones to bring in a new act.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, the SPCA does great work, we acknowledge that.

In fact, we give them $110,000 a year to help them do their work.

Beyond that, Mr. Speaker, we have worked with the SPCA to try and come up

with a program and an opportunity to help educate people with the new act. We

put money on the table to find a way through that, Mr. Speaker. To date, we have

not found that. It was not satisfactory. As a result of that and through the

Budget exercise, now we have to wait to go through another Budget process.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. JOYCE: I would just let the minister know, if you are not aware of

it, Municipal Affairs carries money over from year to year. That is not a good

enough excuse to let these animals suffer, I say to the minister.

The regulations say a doghouse must be insulated, elevated, and weatherproof.

A dog tied up to a non-insulated wooden box, by your own definition, is in

distress. Constituents are telling police will only seize dogs if ribs are

showing.

I ask the Minister of Natural Resources: Why are you not enforcing your own

definition of distress?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, I think as a society, and the people of this

Province, would expect animals to be treated with dignity and respect. I would

suggest if he is referring to a specific situation that maybe somebody in the

community could work with these people who own animals to ensure that they are

looked after.

As a government, we provide funding, we provided the act. We are working with

the SPCA to help educate, Mr. Speaker. We work with communities in terms of the

enforcement of the regulations. Beyond all of that, Mr. Speaker, I would

certainly expect the people of the Province would understand if you have a pet,

you should take care of it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright L'Anse au Clair.

MS DEMPSTER: Mr. Speaker, the world-renowned Organisation for Economic

Co-operation and Development has revealed in their international study on

literacy that the proportion of people in our Province with low literacy levels

remains unchanged since 2003.

I ask the minister: How could you claim, as you did last week, that people

are getting the literacy skills they need when the OECD shows otherwise?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. O'BRIEN: Yes, Mr. Speaker, I certainly welcome that report. As a

matter of fact, when you look at the overall report you actually see how

Newfoundland is doing well very, very well. As a matter of fact, we have a 98

per cent success rate in high school education. We have more people in our

skilled trades in CNA than the private sector. These are people who are moving

through. Yes, we might have an issue in regard to medium age in Newfoundland and

Labrador, from forty-five upward, but as well, those people are working, Mr.

Speaker, because we have the lowest rate of need for Income Support in this

Province in its history right now.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Cartwright L'Anse

au Clair.

MS DEMPSTER: Mr. Speaker, after six years of stalling and $150,000 spent

on consultations, this government finally admitted in May that information

gathered for the long-promised Strategic Adult Literacy Plan is outdated.

I ask the minister: Knowing that literacy levels are directly related to

skill levels, will you acknowledge that your government has failed on a

commitment to enhance literacy levels with a desperately needed strategic

literacy plan?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. O'BRIEN: Mr. Speaker, this government has always wanted to prepare

people for work, meaningful work in this Province. As a matter of fact, that is

the reason why Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are seizing the opportunity that

was created by the megaprojects we have developed over the last number of year,

Mr. Speaker.

We will always continue in regard to the skilled labour review. Also, in

regard to people moving into CAN, I think it is up by 8 per cent in regard to

people attending CNA college right now, and that is not counting the people who

are in the private sector as well; all moving to great opportunity in

Newfoundland and Labrador, meaningful work, meaningful lives.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright L'Anse au Clair.

MS DEMPSTER: Mr. Speaker, the Labrador Tourism Development Officer

position has been vacant now for more than six months and is temporarily filled

by a development officer in Confederation Building.

I ask the minister: Why has the Labrador position not been filled on a

permanent basis?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have every interest in filling that position. It goes through

a process, as all of the public service would know, Mr. Speaker. We are very

interested in tourism in this Province, and particularly in the Labrador piece.

That is why we have invested over half a million dollars into the tourism

product in Labrador in recent years. That position, I can assure the hon.

member, will be filled, and will be filled very, very shortly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright L'Anse au Clair, for a

very quick question.

MS DEMPSTER: Mr. Speaker, why is there not a Tourism Development Officer

located in a region in Labrador where we have UNESCO at Red Bay, the Battle

Harbour Historic Site, the Mealy Mountains Park, the Torngat Park, all

world-class sites? Why is there no position there to better promote the tourism

opportunities that exist there?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation,

for a very quick response.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Mr. Speaker, I am very aware of the tourism product in

Labrador. As a matter of fact, I spent this summer and went down the South Coast

and admired the product there. I saw things that we could do when it comes to

product development and so on and ways to influence that.

Mr. Speaker, we do have a Product Development Officer, and it is staying

right where it is.

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

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

On Saturday, the Transportation Safety Board issued new safety regulations

for the offshore, which are already in place in our Province. They ignored the

Wells inquiry recommendations calling for a ban on night flights, which cause

great anxiety among offshore workers.

Mr. Speaker, I am asking the Premier: Will she formally demand that the TSB

pass regulations banning night flight in the offshore?

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

SOME HON. MEMBER: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, just to reiterate, our government's position, it

is widely known that we have accepted the recommendation from the Wells inquiry.

We are firmly supportive and have always advocated for offshore safety, and

again recognizing the importance of the industry to the Province and the number

of people from all communities in this Province who are able to engage in

meaningful work in offshore.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to safety, we have always said that we accept the

Wells recommendations, including Recommendation 29, and we continue to press the

federal government. I personally have already written the minister to again

reiterate our government's firm stance that we accept all recommendations,

including Recommendation 29.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS MICHAEL: Mr. Speaker, I suggest to the minister that there is a

consultation process with the TSB; he should be speaking to them.

Mr. Speaker, the TSB makes no regulations regarding the need for offshore

helicopters to have true thirty-minute run-dry capability; this deficiency was

cited as a key contributor in the crash of Cougar Flight 91 and the loss of

seventeen lives.

I ask the Premier: Will she formally demand, through the consultation

process, that the TSB pass regulations making thirty-minute run-dry capability

mandatory on all helicopters flying offshore?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, I think it would be fair to say that we could

probably never do enough for offshore safety and we will continue to press until

we get more and more special initiatives and safety initiatives put in place.

The recent formalization of these safety measures by the federal government,

we applaud that, but I want to particularly recognize and applaud our own

C-NLOPB, Mr. Speaker. They, well in advance of the federal government

formalizing this, have taken the initiative and enacted these safety measures

right after the Wells inquiry.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: I want to recognize the work of the C-NLOPB and the experts

that work there for offshore safety, but it is important to understand and I

do not disagree with what the member is saying, but it is important that we

continue to press for offshore safety and work with the industry and work with

the C-NLOPB.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The new TSB regulations come years after they have already been implemented,

as we are all recognizing, I think. An independent offshore safety board that is

recommended by the Wells inquiry would be better designed to ensure regulations

were made and enforced in a prompt manner.

I am asking the Premier: What is she doing, besides writing letters, to

ensure that this independent board is created to protect the safety of people

working in our growing offshore industry?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, for anyone who is following and probably heard

the Premier today say very clearly that we take our responsibility for the

issues in this Province, and the issues that we have responsibility for,

absolute, to be the most important thing that we do.

When we talk about offshore safety, what is in our control and realm, Mr.

Speaker, we have been very clear and very supportive of offshore safety. Any

measure that is a responsibility of the federal government, we have been very

clear in fact, firm that we support all twenty-nine recommendations of the

Wells inquiry.

It has been clear, it is on record, we have stood in the House, we have

written letters, we have raised it in meetings, Mr. Speaker, and I can tell you

we will continue to do so.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS MICHAEL: A very brief question, Mr. Speaker: Will the Premier tell us

whether or not this government is going to make representation during the

consultation period to the TSB?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, any where, any place, any time that we have the

opportunity to raise the issue that affects Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in

this Province, we are going to stand up and do it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: The member opposite is obviously extremely supportive, and we

support her in that, Mr. Speaker. We applaud all of the members opposite and the

people of Newfoundland and Labrador who have a genuine concern for the people

who work offshore. They are our friends and our neighbours, Mr. Speaker.

As a government and I am sure our Premier, as leader, we will do all we can

to ensure that we have the safest offshore in the world, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Transportation Safety Board recently released its report into the

accident in Portugal Cove involving the Beaumont Hamel . The report cites

issues with crew fatigue, such as long hours and little rest.

What has government done to alleviate this concern amongst the crews of the

Newfoundland and Labrador ferry fleet?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services.

MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am glad he asked the question at this time because I get to follow up from

what my colleagues answered a few moments ago. He talked about the importance of

safety. It is very true in the Department of Transportation and Works, and

especially with the operators and employees on the vessels throughout

Newfoundland and Labrador, the seventeen different vessels that provide

transportation services to the people of rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and

also very important to the people who travel and depend on those vessels for

transportation. There have been many things that have taken place, Mr. Speaker,

and I can tell you that we all must remember the final decision to operate a

vessel rests with the captain of the ship, and we give that captain full

authority to make those decisions in the best interests of the people aboard the

vessel at any time.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The report also says that operating an aging ferry fleet without a risk

mitigation strategy puts the vessel, the crews, passengers, and the environment

at risk.

I ask the minister: What has government done towards putting a risk

mitigation strategy in place?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The member raises a point about our aging fleet, and I would just like to

remind the member opposite, the people of the House of Assembly, and the people

of Newfoundland and Labrador of the great announcement made by this government

just last week to build a new ferry for the people of Fogo Island and Change

Islands

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: and also, Mr. Speaker, to negotiate for a new ferry for the

people of Bell Island

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: to operate between Portugal Cove and St. Philip's. These are

big investments. They are good investments for the people of Newfoundland and

Labrador and we will continue to make those.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The time for Question Period has expired.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

Tabling of Documents.

Tabling of Documents

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

MR. MARSHALL: Mr. Speaker, pursuant to 25.(5)(

a) of the Financial

Administration Act, I am tabling two Orders in Council relating to funding

pre-commitments for the years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.

Mr. Speaker, the commitments are to facilitate the extension of a contract to

the Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership for the

provisioning of government-wide area data network. It is $2 million a year in

each of those years with a total of $4 million.

Also, a second one, Mr. Speaker, is to facilitate the execution of a contract

with Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands for the provision of an eighty-metre

ferry vessel. That will be $48,728,400 over two years.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.

Notices of Motion.

Notices of Motion

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

MR. KING: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to introduce a bill

entitled,

An Act To Amend The Human Rights Act, 2010. (Bill 25)

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

MS ROGERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I give notice that on the NDP caucus's next Private Members' Day, seconded by

the Member for Signal Hill Quidi Vidi, I will present the following motion:

WHEREAS the Family Violence Intervention Court provided a comprehensive

approach to domestic violence in a court setting that fully understood and dealt

with the complex issues of domestic violence; and

WHEREAS domestic violence continues to be one of the most important serious

issues facing our Province today; and

WHEREAS the cost of the impact of domestic violence is great, both

economically and in human suffering; and

WHEREAS the Family Violence Intervention Court was welcomed and endorsed by

all aspects of the justice system including the police, the courts, prosecutors,

defence counsel, Child, Youth and Family Services, as well as victims,

offenders, community agencies, and women's groups; and

WHEREAS the recidivism rate for offenders going through the court was 10 per

cent compared to 40 per cent for those who did not;

THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Assembly urge government to

consider reinstating the Family Violence Intervention Court.

Seconded by the Member for Signal Hill Quidi Vidi.

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

MS MICHAEL: Yes, Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 63, the motion

just read into the House by the Member for St. John's Centre shall be the motion

debated on Wednesday.

MR. SPEAKER: Thank you.

Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.

Petitions.

Petitions

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

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

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

the undersigned humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS there is no cellphone service in the Town of Trout River, which is an

enclave community in Gros Morne National Park; and

WHEREAS visitors to Gros Morne National Park, more than 100,000 annually,

expect to communicate by cellphone when they visit the park; and

WHEREAS cellphone service has become a very important aspect of every day

living for residents; and

WHEREAS cellphone service is an essential safety tool for visitors and

residents; and

WHEREAS cellphone service is essential for business development;

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

House of Assembly to urge government to partner with the private sector to

extend cellphone coverage throughout Gros Morne National Park, and the enclave

community of Trout River.

As in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, this is a petition that the residents of the area keep coming

forward, keep coming forward, and keep coming forward. The request is relatively

simple. It is a request for government to partner with the private sector in

order to establish cellphone coverage in the Town of Trout River.

The Town of Trout River is at the end of Trout River Gulch. It is a beautiful

area, but it is very isolated even though it is close. This is not even a

request to spend money. This is not even a request for the government to extend

the service. This is a request for government to partner with the private sector

and try to find a way to implement and put into place cellphone coverage in this

town.

Mr. Speaker, this is one of the few things that a well run, well-managed

Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development could certainly look

at. Any interest in establishing business in rural areas of our Province, this

would be it is tailor made for government to participate in a meaningful

fashion in something that could even be a three-fee partnership in order to go

forward with this service. The people are requesting and requesting and

requesting.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

I have a petition; to the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of

Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the

undersigned humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS residents of the Southwest Coast must travel the TCH between

Channel-Port aux Basques and Corner Brook for work, medical, educational and

social reasons; and

WHEREAS Marine Atlantic Ferries dock at Channel-Port aux Basques at various

hours on a daily basis resulting in extremely high volume of commercial and

residential travellers using this

section of the Trans-Canada Highway; and

WHEREAS the world-renowned Wreckhouse area is situate along this

section of

the TCH; and

WHEREAS the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador initiated a twenty-four

hour snow clearing pilot project in 2008 that excluded the

section of the TCH

from Channel-Port aux Basques to Stephenville;

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

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

the

section of the Trans-Canada Highway from Channel-Port aux Basques to

Stephenville in the twenty-four hour snow clearing project.

As in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, this is a petition I entered last week, I am entering it this

week, and I am probably going to enter it again next week. The fact is that Port

aux Basques is the gateway to this Province when it comes to rubber tire

traffic. The vast majority of rubber tire traffic is obviously arriving on the

Marine Atlantic ferries.

These vehicles get off, a lot of which is commercial traffic, and they leave.

The fact is they are not getting the same coverage of twenty-four hour snow

clearing from Port aux Basques to Stephenville that they are getting in many

other sections of this Province, including trunk roads; roads that are not Route

1, they are on the side.

The fact is we have special circumstances. There is a high amount of traffic

arriving. You also have special weather phenomena, and the Wreckhouse is

world-renowned. We all know how dangerous it can be. The fact is we need to make

sure this pilot project encompasses this

section of the roadway.

We are here in the middle of November now; it is not going to be long before

the snow really starts. Again, we are going to see the danger that is out there.

We have a lot of people who have to travel for work, medical, educational. They

have to go to Corner Brook for just about anything. The fact is they are not

getting that coverage. We need to make it happen. I will continue putting these

petitions in until it gets done.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

MR. KIRBY: To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland

and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents

of Newfoundland and Labrador humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS current government regulations deny busing services to students who

live closer than 1.6 kilometres to school; and

WHEREAS parents have expressed concern that children living within 1.6

kilometres of school face dangers in walking to school, such as congested

streets and busy intersections, especially during winter weather conditions; and

WHEREAS the $75,000 review of the school transportation system completed by

Deloitte recommended that the Department of Education consider reducing the 1.6

kilometre eligibility zone for kindergarten and elementary students; and

WHEREAS the $75,000 Deloitte report also noted that only 10 per cent of those

surveyed for the school transportation system review agree that the current 1.6

kilometre policy is reasonable for students and families; and

WHEREAS parents are continuing to demand more flexible policies to meet the

current needs of school children;

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

House of Assembly to urge government to change the outdated 1.6 kilometre school

busing eligibility policy in order to ensure safe travel to school for primary

and elementary school children in the Province.

As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, I have certainly noticed that the hon. Member for the District

of St. Barbe asked about this in Question Period today, the issue of the school

transportation review, which cost $75,000 to carry out. I have been petitioning

government for closing in on two years now on this issue.

This is the second iteration of this petition. Initially, we were calling for

the review. We managed to accomplish that, the minister did that, and he has

received recommendations from Deloitte now on changing some of these policies. I

was pleased to hear that he has actually gone ahead and made some relatively

minor changes, I would suggest; but what we really need to do, before the winter

sets in, is to get this issue dealt with, especially when it comes to smaller

kids.

Smaller kids should not have to be out there in bad weather conditions. They

are in dangerous territory on some of our streets. Thorburn Road in my district

is certainly a street that is dangerous, is congested, and in the winter that

problem gets more austere, because of the weather and snow clearing.

I will leave it at that, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you.

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

MS ROGERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

WHEREAS with the passage of Bill 29, the Access to Information and Protection

of Privacy (Amendment) Act, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has

weakened citizens' access to information and has reduced government

transparency; and

WHEREAS the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has moved towards greater

secrecy and less openness; and

WHEREAS the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is breaking its own

commitment for greater transparency, accountability and freedom of information,

which it said at one time was the hallmark of its government.

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

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

the passage of Bill 29.

As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy once again to stand and present this petition, as I

have in the past, since Bill 29 was passed in this House, an unfortunate time in

the history of our Province. I found it very interesting today to hear the

Premier cite that we were ranked third in all of Canada in terms of our access

to information from the Centre for Law and Democracy; however, the Centre for

Law and Democracy has actually criticized the amendments to Bill 29 saying that,

in fact, what Bill 29 does is a backwards step in terms of transparency,

openness and accountability for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador,

particularly because of the exemptions that the bill covers and the issue of

Cabinet secrecy.

They said the main problem with the amendments is that they very

significantly expand the regime of exemptions, including the blanket exclusion

of a vast range of documents under the so-called Cabinet exemption. They say

that, "On exemptions, the amended law would earn just 14 of a possible 30

points, making this a clear Achilles heel of the new regime."

That is less than half, Mr. Speaker, so I am not quite sure how the Premier,

in fact, can tout that the Centre for Law and Democracy is saying that this was

a good thing. The Centre for Law and Democracy is saying it is a bad thing. He

said that, "These changes would drop the Newfoundland law behind countries like

Bulgaria, Peru and Moldova." We heard this in the House when this law was being

debated, Mr. Speaker.

The Centre for Law and Democracy also said that the people of Newfoundland

deserve better and to know what their elected government is up to. I say the

same thing, Mr. Speaker. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve better,

but Bill 29 must be repealed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents of Newfoundland

and Labrador humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS government has a responsibility to ensure that Internet access is

broadly available so people have the right to be able to access the Internet in

order to exercise and enjoy their rights to freedom of expression and opinion

and other fundamental human rights; and

WHEREAS St. Anthony Bight still remains without broadband services; and

WHEREAS residents rely on Internet services for education, business,

communication, and social activity; and

WHEREAS wireless and wired technologies exist to provide broadband service to

rural communities to replace slower dial-up services;

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

assist providers to ensure St. Anthony Bight is in receipt of broadband Internet

services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, it is certainly recognizable that there have been a number of

communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador that have received broadband

Internet, and we certainly have many more to go, upwards of 200 communities. In

my district, I have nine in particular that need to see an improvement in

broadband Internet and many more that have capacity issues.

What we really need to work toward is building a more ubiquitous network to

have that broader coverage. Whether it is using a mix of technologies, whether

it is wired or wireless, I really do think there is the will from the Minister

of IBRD to look at using the RBI, the Rural Broadband Initiative, to look at

capturing the gaps that are there and in finding ways to provide coverage to

residents who are without. These residents, particularly residents in St.

Anthony Bight, are at a disadvantage when it comes to looking at pursuing other

educational opportunities, developing business, and communication.

Just looking at things in rural areas, the number of people who are part of

the commuter economy, being able to just dial in and use Skype, voice-over

Internet protocol, how important that would be to be able to see your family and

something that when you have a dial-up service is not available, something that

you cannot stream and which is a free service, is to be able to connect and have

that conversation with family and friends is so important. It is so important

that we have a broader strategy so that we do provide Internet services for

people of St. Anthony Bight.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

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

Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents of

Newfoundland and Labrador humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS transgendered people face high risk of discrimination, violence,

underemployment, and lack of access to housing and other services; and

WHEREAS a recent Egale Canada survey found that 90 per cent of transgendered

youth hear transphobic comments regularly from other students and one quarter

hear such comments from teachers; and

WHEREAS the Public Health Agency of Canada reports that nearly half of trans

youth seriously considered suicide and one-fifth attempted it in the previous

year; and

WHEREAS all individuals should have equal opportunity to live their lives and

meet their needs without being hindered or prevented by discriminatory practices

based on gender identity or gender expression;

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

House of Assembly to urge government to amend the Human Rights Act to include

gender identity and gender expression in the list of prohibitive grounds of

discrimination.

As in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, I truly hope this is the last time that I stand in this House of

Assembly and present this petition. Today, I had the honour of attending a

flag-raising ceremony where transgendered youth and adults from all over the

Province raised the transgender flag in pride and in hope. There was an

excitement at the event that in fact our Human Rights Act was going to be

amended to include gender identity and gender expression.

This is such a positive thing, Mr. Speaker, and there are people ready to

celebrate province wide. We are not talking only about trans folks, we are

talking about their brothers, their sisters, their mothers, and their fathers.

This week is a whole week of remembrance activities for transgendered people

who have lost their lives. We know that the suicide rate has been so high, and

the bullying rate has been so high. Consequently, the death rate has been high

among our young people and adults who are transgendered.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud that our House of Assembly will pass a bill that

will amend that the minister is bringing this forward to amend the Human

Rights Act. I am proud. I think all people of the Province of Newfoundland and

Labrador can be proud of this. It will be a good day in our history. I do hope

this is the last time that I have to stand in this House and present this

petition.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Orders of the Day.

Orders of the Day

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

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I call Order 2, third reading of a bill,

An Act To Amend The

Revenue Administration Act No. 4. (Bill 12)

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded go ahead.

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board,

that Bill 12,

An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act No. 4 be now read

the third time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the said bill be now read a

third time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 12 be read a

third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

Motion carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act No.

4. (Bill 12)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill is now read a third time and it is ordered that

the bill do pass and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Revenue Administration Act No. 4",

read a third time, ordered passed and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

(Bill 12)

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

MR. KING: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I call Order 3, and I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance,

that Bill 19,

An Act To Amend The Proceedings Against The Crown Act, be now read

a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the said bill be now read a

third time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 19 be now read

a third time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

Motion carried.

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Proceedings Against The Crown Act.

(Bill 19)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill is now read a third time and it is ordered that

the bill do pass and its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Proceedings Against The Crown Act",

read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill

19)

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

MR. KING: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance, to ask leave to

introduce a bill entitled,

An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute

Law, Bill 11, and I further move that the said bill be now read the first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. minister shall have

leave to introduce a bill,

An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute

Law, Bill 11, and that the said bill be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the minister shall have leave to

introduce Bill 11 and that the said bill be read a first time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Justice to introduce a bill, "An Act To

Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law", carried. (Bill 11)

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law.

(Bill 11)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill is now read a first time.

When shall the bill be read a second time?

MR. KING: Tomorrow.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 11 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance, to ask leave to

introduce a bill entitled,

An Act To Amend The Judicature Act, Bill 14, and so

move that the bill be now read the first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister of

Justice shall have leave to introduce a bill,

An Act To Amend The Judicature

Act, Bill 14, and that the said bill be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the minister shall have leave to

introduce Bill 14 and that the said bill be now read a first time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

Motion carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Justice to introduce a bill, "An Act To

Amend The Judicature Act", carried. (Bill 14)

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Judicature Act. (Bill 14)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill is now read a first time.

When shall the bill be read a second time?

MR. KING: Tomorrow.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 14 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MR. KING: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for leave and I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance,

to introduce a bill entitled,

An Act To Amend The Commissioners For Oaths Act,

Bill 15, and I further move that it now be read the first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. Minister of Justice

shall have leave to introduce a bill,

An Act To Amend The Commissioners For

Oaths Act, Bill 15, and that the said bill be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the minister shall have leave to

introduce Bill 15 and that the said bill be now read a first time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

Motion carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Justice to introduce a bill, "An Act To

Amend The Commissioners For Oaths Act", carried. (Bill 15)

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Commissioners For Oaths Act. (Bill 15)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill is now read a first time.

When shall the bill be read a second time?

MR. KING: Tomorrow.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 15 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MR. KING: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance, to ask for leave to

introduce a bill entitled,

An Act To Amend The Provincial Court Act, 1991, Bill

16, and I further move that the said bill be now read the first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. Minister of Justice

shall have leave to introduce a bill,

An Act To Amend The Provincial Court Act,

1991, Bill 16, and that the said bill be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the minister shall have leave to

introduce Bill 16 and that the said bill be now read a first time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

Motion carried.

Motion, the hon. Minister of Justice to introduce a bill, "An Act to Amend

The Provincial Court Act, 1991", carried. (Bill 16)

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Provincial Court Act, 1991. (Bill 16)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill has now been read a first time.

When shall the bill be read a second time?

MR. KING: Tomorrow.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 16 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MR. KING: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance, to ask leave to

introduce a bill entitled,

An Act To Amend The Law Society Act, 1999, Bill 23,

and I further move that the said bill be now read the first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. Minister of Justice

shall have leave to introduce a bill,

An Act To Amend The Law Society Act, 1999,

Bill 23, and that the said bill be now read a first time.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the minister shall have leave to

introduce Bill 23 and that the said bill be now read a first time?

All those in favour, aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.

Motion carried.

Motion, the hon. the Minister of Justice to introduce a bill, "An Act To

Amend The Law Society Act, 1999", carried. (Bill 23).

CLERK: A bill,

An Act To Amend The Law Society Act, 1999. (Bill 23)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill has now been read a first time.

When shall the bill be read a second time?

MR. KING: Tomorrow.

MR. SPEAKER: Tomorrow.

On motion, Bill 23 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.

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

MR. KING: Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I call from the Order Paper, Order 4, second reading of a bill,

An Act To Amend The Highway Traffic Act. (Bill 6)

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Service NL.

MR. CRUMMELL: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Child,

Youth and Family Services, that Bill 6,

An Act To Amend The Highway Traffic Act,

now be given second reading.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that Bill 6 entitled,

An Act To

Amend The Highway Traffic Act, be now read a second time.

Motion, second reading of a bill, "An Act To Amend The Highway Traffic Act".

(Bill 6)

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Service NL.

MR. CRUMMELL: Mr. Speaker, the Government Services Branch of Service NL

is responsible for highway safety initiatives in the Province, under the

auspices of the Highway Traffic Act and its regulations. Mr. Speaker, the

Highway Traffic Act regulates drivers and the use of motor vehicles on highways.

The act is a very significant piece of legislation, with more than 215

provisions and a detailed schedule, as well as eighteen associated regulations.

The act has been amended on a regular basis since its enactment, to improve

highway safety and to adapt to changing conditions. Concerns have recently been

raised about the personal safety of emergency personnel and peace officers when

they are stopped at roadsides to perform their duties. Unfortunately, Mr.

Speaker, there are still drivers who continue to drive at or even above posted

speed limits, and who also neglect to give sufficient space to these personnel,

dramatically increasing the risk of a serious accident.

Mr. Speaker, this bill proposes to amend the Highway Traffic Act to create

new provisions for the protection of public safety or emergency personnel. A new

section, 121.1 of the act, will require drivers to take appropriate safety

precautions when approaching an emergency vehicle or other designated vehicle

that has stopped in the lane or on the edge or shoulder of a roadway.

Specifically, Mr. Speaker, drivers will be required to reduce speed, and if

necessary, stop. They will be required to pass emergency vehicles or other

designated vehicles only if it is safe to do so, and change lanes if there is

another lane for travelling in the same direction, or otherwise place as much

distance as possible in the same lane between his or her vehicle and the

emergency vehicle or designated vehicle, and only if it is safe to do so.

Mr. Speaker, the amendment defines an emergency or designated vehicle as one

that has flashing or rotational lights activated or other warning or safety

signs and equipment in use. Other than the usual emergency vehicles, such as

ambulances and police vehicles, a designated vehicle can include a tow truck or

other roadside assistance vehicles; a search and rescue vehicle; a public

utility vehicle; a municipal, provincial, or federal enforcement or service

vehicle; a vehicle used by a volunteer fire department or emergency medical

responder in the course of responding to an emergency; or finally, Mr. Speaker,

a vehicle operated under the authority of a government emergency organization in

the course of responding to an emergency.

Failure to apply the safe driving practices outlined under the new

legislation may result in fines ranging from $300 to $900 and having four

demerit points assessed against a driver's record in the event of a conviction.

Mr. Speaker, this amendment is consistent with the laws in most other

Canadian jurisdictions. Its enactment will greatly enhance road safety for

police, first responders, and other enforcement personnel.

Mr. Speaker, I asked my officials to look into what is going on in other

jurisdictions. Certainly, I have pointed out that reducing speed and, if

necessary, stopping is what we are doing in this bill and fines a minimum of

$300 and a maximum of $900 for four demerit points. When we compare it to other

jurisdictions, we can see when Nova Scotia has vehicles stopped at a roadside

they must slow down to sixty kilometres an hour. So they define a speed, but

this is not the norm. In most of the jurisdictions they are moving towards

slowing down at an arbitrary rate. More laws that have been enacted in other

jurisdictions are moving towards slowing down versus a posted or recognized

speed limit.

The fines in Nova Scotia range from $350 to $700 and demerit points range

from two to four. So we are consistent from that perspective, Mr. Speaker. PEI,

in their regulations, talk about no greater than half the posted speed limit,

minimum fines of $200 and a maximum of $1,000, and again three demerit points,

consistent pretty much with what we are trying to do in Newfoundland and

Labrador.

In New Brunswick, when an emergency vehicle is stopped at a roadside, the

drivers must slow down. New Brunswick is consistent with what we have here, but

their fines are only about $392.50 and three demerit points. So our fine regime

is a little bit stiffer, Mr. Speaker.

In Quebec, we are looking at a slowdown again, $200 to $300, and four demerit

points. Ontario is a slowdown, legislation as well consistent with our

legislation here, and they range from $400 to $1,000 and three demerit points.

In Manitoba, again, slowdown legislation enacted there with no specific speed

limits, $300, and two demerit points.

I can go on and on, Mr. Speaker, about what is happening in other

jurisdictions. Basically what we are saying here is that we are consistent with

what is happening right across the country. We think certainly it is a timely

opportunity to bring this to the floor of the House. I am sure that when members

get up to speak to this, this will be one of the bills that will have unanimous

consent. I have no doubt about that. So I look forward to hearing what the

members opposite have to say and certainly the members on this side of the House

as well.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

MR. OSBORNE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House we are in agreement with this

particular piece of legislation. It is good legislation.

I remember seeing a program on an American channel where they were doing a

documentary on people in New York City not pulling over for emergency vehicles

just a couple of years ago. The TV cameras would follow an ambulance or another

emergency vehicle. When the emergency vehicle was stuck in a traffic jam because

people refused to pull over, the camera crew got out and went up to people's

windows in vehicles, knocked on the window and asked people why they were not

moving over. Some people responded in quite a shocking way. The reality and the

purpose of that documentary was to show that people just were not paying

attention to emergency vehicles and pulling over to make way for emergency

vehicles.

I thought to myself when I saw that program, one of those days one of the

individuals who refuses to pull over is going to get home from work and realize

that it was one of their family members the emergency vehicle was responding to.

That will probably make a difference to that individual. The reality is we

probably need greater education and greater awareness.

In this Province luckily when most people see an emergency vehicle, people

still respect that and pull over. There are some who do not. There are some who

will actually try and keep pace or keep speed with the emergency vehicle, or in

fact on a highway, emergency vehicles that are pulled over, individuals will

pass those emergency vehicles, sometimes at greater than the speed limit.

We all recall just a few years ago on the Outer Ring Road there was a

government official and city officials, I think they were surveying the ruts in

the Outer Ring Road. I am not sure exactly what they were doing, but I believe

that is what they were doing. I am looking at the Minister of Transportation and

Works or his designate and I am wondering if that is in fact what they were

doing. I believe they were surveying the ruts on the highway on the Outer Ring

Road and looking at ways of correcting that problem.

The official from the Department of Transportation was hit by a passing

vehicle. That was quite tragic and something that I have never forgotten. When

you look at the fact that these individuals go to work in the morning and expect

to carry out their regular duties and come home at night to their families

sometimes because individuals, drivers, or motorists are not showing proper

courtesy in slowing down for emergency vehicles, or pulling aside to let

emergency vehicles pass, these individuals who are carrying out their daily work

activities are putting themselves at risk.

I agree with this legislation, I say to the minister. I think that it is a

good piece of legislation. I think that drivers should be required to reduce

their speed when passing an emergency vehicle, and they should be required to

pull aside. They are now required under law to do so, but we should impose

stiffer penalties for the drivers who do not.

Mr. Speaker, I will not tie up too much time on this particular piece of

legislation because I do believe it is a good piece of legislation. I will point

out for those who are listening or watching on television what parts of this act

entail.

Clause 1 of the Highway Traffic Act will be amended by adding immediately

after

section 121 the following and it is to ensure that stopped emergency or

designated vehicles are protected. "Upon approaching an emergency vehicle or a

designated vehicle that is stopped in a lane or on the edge or along the

shoulder of the roadway, the driver of a vehicle travelling in the same

direction shall take the safety precautions set out in subsection (2)."

Those precautions, Mr. Speaker, are, "The driver shall (

a) reduce speed and,

if necessary, stop; (

b) pass the emergency vehicle or designated vehicle only if

it is safe to do so; and (

c) change lanes if there is another lane for

travelling in the same direction, or otherwise place as much distance as

possible in the same lane between his or her vehicle and the emergency vehicle

or designated vehicle, only if it safe to do so."

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER (Verge): Order, please!

MR. OSBORNE: Furthermore, it says, "The reference in subsection (1) to an

emergency vehicle or designated vehicle is a reference to an emergency vehicle

or designated vehicle that has flashing or rotational lights activated or other

warning or safety signs or equipment in use."

Mr. Speaker, again, I think this legislation I do not think there will be a

lot of debate or should not be a lot of debate on this particular piece of

legislation. It is there for the proper reasons. Outlined in the legislation are

some of the vehicles that would be recognized as emergency vehicles or utility

vehicles.

Such as, "(

a) a tow truck or other roadside assistance vehicle; (

b) a search

and rescue vehicle; (

c) a public utility vehicle; (

d) a municipal, provincial or

federal enforcement or service vehicle; (

e) a vehicle used by a volunteer fire

fighter or emergency medical responder in the course of responding to an

emergency; or (

f) a vehicle operated under the authority of a government

emergency organization in the course of responding to an emergency."

Mr. Speaker, we are all in favour, I would suspect in this House. I would be

surprised if any individual in this House was not in favour of this piece of

legislation. I am delighted to speak to this legislation and I will be

supporting the legislation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: I recognize the Member for Mount Pearl South.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. LANE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is a pleasure to stand in this hon. House today and have a few words to

say about Bill 6, which is

An Act To Amend The Highway Traffic Act. As it has

already been said, this is what has been known as pull-over legislation.

Mr. Speaker, this is really about safety. This is what it is all about. In

particular, in this case it is about the safety of our first responders. When

you think about it, a lot of times if we have our first responders and they are

pulled over on the side of a roadway, the side of a highway and so on, in a lot

of cases they are there because they are responding to an actual emergency

itself. Their minds, quite frankly, are on saving somebody else.

It could be saving somebody's life that might have been in a car accident. It

could be a paramedic; it could be someone from the fire department operating the

Jaws of Life trying to extricate somebody from a vehicle. The police could be

there, they could be involved. They could be arresting somebody or it may simply

be hauling somebody over and having a chat with them because they were going a

little too fast. Whatever the case, if those people are there and pulled off to

the side of the road, they are there to do a job. They are responding to some

kind of a crisis, some kind of an emergency and so on. Their mind, quite

frankly, is on dealing with that situation, the situation at hand.

One thing they should not have to be worried about is the car that is coming

down the road passing them by. That is what this legislation is about. This

piece of legislation is about doing the best we can to protect them. As it has

been said, it is about saying to drivers if you are driving down a roadway and

you are approaching an emergency vehicle it could be pulled off on the

shoulder of the road, or it could actually be obstructing a full lane. It could

be a double lane highway, they could be obstructing it. It could be a single

lane highway and they could still be obstructing a lane for that matter.

The point is when they see this emergency vehicle and they see this flashing

light, drivers need to be aware of the fact they now have a responsibility to

(

a) slow down, and (

b) move to the outside lane. If it is a double lane go to

the outside lane. If it is a single lane, when safe to do so they would go in

the oncoming lane, obviously.

That is really what it is all about, to protect that emergency vehicle,

protect the people who are operating those vehicles, whether they be police

officers, firefighters, paramedics. Also the people they are there to protect

because they are there for a reason. Obviously, as I said, there are members of

the general public involved in this scene as well. That is why we are putting it

in place, for the sake of health and safety. All of those employees and the

health and safety of whoever they are involved with there as a member of the

general public.

There is also a piece in here that talks about the fact that there are also

designated vehicles. So, it not just a fire truck. It is not just a police car.

It is not just an ambulance. It could be things like a tow truck, which makes

sense. If there was an accident or something happened, well a tow truck would

have to be called to remove the vehicles and so on. Those vehicles would be

required to have a flashing light and motorists would have to respect those

people as well.

It could be a utility vehicle. There could be a line down on the side of the

road. It could be Newfoundland Power. It could be Newfoundland and Labrador

Hydro. It could be a cable company that are there trying to repair or replace a

line or a pole that is knocked down and so on. Those people are there, they are

responding to a scene on the side of a roadway. This is to, as best we can,

ensure that those people are also protected.

There is a fine schedule, obviously, as the minister has said; a maximum fine

of $800, a minimum of $300, four demerit points. It is not just putting a piece

of legislation in place for the sake of saying we have it. It is something that

is enforceable and it is something that could (

a) hurt somebody in the

pocketbook if they are not following it; and (

b) the demerit point, which is

another reason why you would want to be abiding by this legislation. Not to

mention the safety of the people and the whole intent of having the legislation

to begin with.

Mr. Speaker, another point I wanted to reference here, and when I did a

briefing in the department one of the questions I had coming from a background

in occupational health and safety prior to getting involved here as MHA. We

wanted to make sure, or certainly I wanted to make sure that this in no way

could trump occupational health and safety legislation.

This in no way could interfere with that, because you would not want a

situation because right now as it currently stands, if there is a work site on

the side of the road which could involve a utility company by way of example, it

could involve municipal vehicles or contractors or whatever, they have a

requirement under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations to have

proper signage in place, to have flag persons on site to let traffic go through

on either side of that construction site or work site, if you will, and all the

proper personal protective equipment and so on. Obviously, this act here

complements that, but it does not trump that.

We would not want companies thinking now that we have this pull-over

legislation that means I do not need flag persons any more, and I do not need to

have signage any more. It does not mean that at all. If you have any kind of a

work site, whether you be construction or whether you be a utility or whatever

the case might be, and if you are doing work on a roadway and you are

obstructing that roadway, there is still that same requirement under the

Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations to have your signage, have

your flag persons, have your barricading, and all that stuff. That still is

required.

This complements it in that it also puts some onus on the driver the member

of the public who is driving down the road and approaches that scene. It also

puts the onus on the driver if they are approaching a situation, as I said,

where the road actually is not obstructed, but there are emergency vehicles even

pulled over on the shoulder of the road where they now have to slow down and get

in that outside lane, when safe to do so, and take the time and go around it in

order to protect the first responder.

We all know people who work, I am sure we know them or we have family

members and so on in emergency services whether it be the police, fire

department, ambulance, whatever the case might be. We want to make sure they are

all protected when they are doing their job. They are there to save lives in

many cases. We have to make sure that while they are doing that they are not

going to be put at risk.

I can recall seeing, Mr. Speaker, in the media I think it was a year or two

ago and I think there have been a number of cases that have happened. I think

it was down in the States I was watching one night where there was an actual

sheriff who was on the highway and had somebody hauled over. He got out of his

vehicle, he was up against the side of the window to write a ticket or whatever

the case might be, doing the vehicle check, and the sheriff actually got clipped

by a passing car. Those things can happen.

There have been a number of times when you have seen that type of thing

occur. We do not want that to occur here. That is why we are putting this

legislation in place. As the minister said I think it is pretty consistent with

what other provinces are doing to protect emergency services and so on. The

fines are pretty much consistent; the demerit points are consistent.

At the end of the day, this is all about safety. This is all about the safety

of first responders. This is all about the safety of people who work in the

utility companies. It is all about the safety of people who operate tow trucks

and so on, and anybody who would have a need to be performing some sort of

service along the side of that highway.

As I said, there are requirements on them as well to have their flashing

lights and so on, so they do not get away with this scot-free. They have

requirements as well, but at the end of the day it is more so about public

awareness not just a public awareness piece. We are hoping to bring awareness

to it and I think there is some intent as time goes by now to do some public

awareness on this once this bill passes, and I am certain it will, so that the

public are more aware of it. For now, this is about putting this legislation in

place to protect these people.

Again, I think it is a great piece of legislation, Mr. Speaker. I certainly

support it 100 per cent. I will take my seat now and look forward to hearing

what others have to say.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I am very happy to rise in my place and speak to Bill 6,

An Act to Amend the

Highway Traffic Act. This is obviously a great piece of legislation. It is a

long time coming, in fact. I do remember, actually, we had an opportunity to do

the briefing back in the spring and it was very educational. There has obviously

been a need for this for some time, and I am glad this government has brought

this forward. I thought, actually, it would be on the Order Paper last year, but

it is better late than never.

The amendments to the Highway Traffic Act itself are very short. We are

adding after a

section the following, and it talks about when you approach an

emergency vehicle the actions a driver must take: reducing speed, if necessary

stopping, only passing if safe to do so, and changing lanes if possible.

Then it also talks about what a designated vehicle is. I am glad to see that

designated vehicles are not just emergency vehicles. We look at tow trucks,

roadside assistance, search and rescue, public utilities, municipal, provincial,

or federal enforcement or service vehicles, and volunteer firefighters. Again, I

am glad there is a large subsection covering a lot of different vehicles. People

who have to stop on the road in order perform a duty or perform a task need this

protection. It is essential.

I am pretty sure that subsection (

d) is actually pretty important to me

because I believe that includes our workers who work for Transportation and

Works. This was something we saw last summer when we had an employee of this

provincial government well, we had an accident in Flat Bay and we lost

someone. The Province lost a good worker and a lot of people in the Town of Cape

Ray lost a friend and family member. I lost a friend, somebody I used to play

hockey with. It was a terrible day, and I actually appreciate the former

minister for everything that he has done for the family and for the people in

Cape Ray, and his department has done a lot.

So again, this is important legislation. We can avoid these things in the

future. I do not mind saying that I have spoken to the family and they are happy

to see anything that is going to prevent these types of things in the future.

That is what we need to do. That is why we are happy to support this legislation

and again, the quicker we can get it in.

I do want to make a few other comments just about the act and the way this is

going to roll out. I am glad to hear that once this receives Royal Assent there

is actually going to be a three-month period where there is going to be an

awareness program done, an awareness part. We have seen this in other

jurisdictions in other provinces. We are one of the last provinces to put this

in. So we do have the benefit of looking elsewhere to see what they did to make

it well known. That will be the job I am sure there will be an ad awareness

program put out there. I am sure it is going to be on TV, Facebook, and the

other means of people seeing it. Again, anything we can do to proliferate that

information, to get it out there and let people see it, is absolutely wonderful.

Awareness is key. It does not matter what we are talking about. We had a

Ministerial Statement, and my response today to that, talking about a completely

different issue, but it is awareness. It is awareness. It does not matter if it

is CYFS, it does not matter if it is Transportation and Works, if people are not

aware they are not going to know. Again, a lack of knowledge can be fatal to

just about any cause, any means.

I do not need to belabour I will bring up one thing, and this is something

that relates to the justice side of it, and that is when it comes to the

penalties. The penalties are fine; I think they are consistent across the board

with other provinces. I am glad to see that there is a serious penalty here in

the sense that four demerit points is substantial and that is good. We have

the fine amounts, and we have the ability, in default, where there is

incarceration.

My problem comes down to it is one thing to do the fine; that is okay. The

problem we have in this Province now is our fines administration is falling

behind. We are about $30 million in receivables. We have people who are getting

pulled over and caught with tens of thousands of dollars in outstanding fines. I

think that is an action item that we need to take, that we need to address.

I have talked about it in the past, I have questioned it in Estimates, and I

am going to continue to question it, because we have to find the way and I do

not think this is something I have asked previous ministers, current ministers.

We are all aware that is an issue, but we cannot just put our head in the sand

and say we cannot do it. We have to look outside the box. Let's go to other

jurisdictions; what do they do?

So again, I say that we have talked about our Province and that we have had a

tough fiscal year. When we have allowed the fines outstanding in this Province

to reach just about $30 million, we have an issue we need to address. Anything

we can do to reduce that and when you see these people. There was a

twenty-three year old female pulled over in the last three weeks, $45,000

outstanding in fines. That is absolutely ridiculous. It is mind blowing, it is

shocking, and it is not acceptable.

The vast majority of people respect the rules. The vast majority of people

pay their dues. People get in trouble. That is the thing about a highway traffic

offence is that it is not a criminal offence. You do something; you go a little

fast, you do not follow a rule of the road. You get a fine and you pay it. The

vast majority do that, but you see these people who are not respecting the

rules. Tossing them in jail is not going to work. That is not going to help us.

We have to find a way to collect on those fines or do something. There is a need

to do that, and I am going to continue advocating for that part of this problem.

Going back to this, this is a great piece of legislation. It is long overdue.

I am happy to see it here. I am happy to stand and support it, and I will be

happy to vote for it when I get the opportunity as well, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. CROSS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is indeed an honour to stand up to support a piece of positive legislation

as it comes to the floor of the House of Assembly.

I would like to thank the good people at Service Newfoundland and Labrador

for the briefing because they are the people who have distinct knowledge I guess

and they pass it on to us. We are actually standing in the House of Assembly as

ordinary citizens in this nature and we present to this as an ordinary citizen

would approach it.

That is probably the tact I am going to take today as I proceed after my

first few comments. Just imagine how the ordinary citizen looks at this and

listens to this today, and how they will react to this. Really, the onus is on

that ordinary citizen, the driver to enforce most of this legislation we are

talking about today because most of it is actually going to be on an honour

system as people approach these situations.

Although these are minor changes, Mr. Speaker, they are still very, very

important. They are so important because safety and lives may be at risk if we

do not enforce this, or the driving population do not adhere to this. The driver

must assume the responsibility for this.

Through this legislation and through the first three months after it will be

enacted, there is going to be a very, very positive education piece. So the

public will be aware of this legislation. As the Member for Mount Pearl South

says, because his background was in occupational health and safety, this is not

going to negate any other important legislation that is already on the books. It

is not going to override or take away from the onus and the responsibility of

these companies or people who do construction sites on the side of the road.

Imagine now, Mr. Speaker, if you are John Q. Public, you are approaching an

area and ahead you see a tow truck. It is a little duckish in the afternoon, if

we use that term, and the lights are your first impression. You see the rotating

lights and you know something is amiss on the road ahead.

As you approach your first instinct should be to slow down. That would be a

normal instinct. As you approach you see it is not a construction zone. Now

right away then the driver has to take the responsibility to know that what is

happening on the side of the road, it may be in the ditch, it may be on the side

of the road, it may be in my lane, it may be in the second lane in a two-lane

highway, it may block actually part of a two-way highway.

In all of these situations things are a little different, but the driver has

to assume that I have to slow down. I have to take responsibility to know that

if something is blocking my lane, I approach with caution, I slow up. I sort of

sense the security that is there. The people who are operating on the side of

the road need to know that the driver who is coming is respecting the space that

they need to do to safely carry out their occupation, whether it be a tow truck,

someone from a telephone company, utility company, a light power line is down.

Any of these situations may come into place.

There is not going to be signage in this case because it is a first

responder, or it is a tow truck just pulling on a vehicle that has gone off the

road. The actual time it would take to put out all the signage and everything

like that, the job could be completed. Under these circumstances there are no

temporary traffic lights, there is no temporary anything. It is just the good

knowledge and the good intent of the driver who is approaching. We have to

educate our public that this is exactly what we expect.

We know in other jurisdictions a lot of these laws have been enacted. As the

member opposite said, we might be one of the latter provinces that are doing

this. Now we have the right and the ability to judge what is done in all these

other places and to enact what is most appropriate for us. We do not have to

reinvent the wheel; we do not have to do all of that.

That is where this stands, Mr. Speaker. That we look at this, that there are

emergency vehicles operating on the side of the road. They need to operate in

safety. We have to do our part to enable that to happen. Even if you are

approaching from the opposite direction, what is the onus there? If I am coming

from the opposite direction, it is not in my lane, it is not directly blocking

me, I have the right to proceed, but for goodness sakes, our general population

still will have the good strategy of slowing down, respecting the right of these

workers to work in safety on the side of our highway.

I want to take a tiny bit more time to review a couple of things. I said I

would take it from the idea of I am Joe Q. Public: What do I say to myself? How

do I ask? What about this law as applicable to me?

This new amendment is requiring the driver to take the onus to slow down as

you approach a safety zone. Another question, just to review again: What types

of vehicles do I have to look out for? Most people are looking at us on the

House of Assembly channel today or even some of us here, we still need to think:

What are these vehicles? What are the different types of work that they are

doing? What does it mean a designated vehicle?

The designated vehicle may be local community enforcement, local police;

campus enforcement when you are on the roads around the university or

post-secondary institutions. It may be utility crews for towns around our many

rural municipalities where they do work.

In some other places, if you are going to operate and you are going to do the

due diligence as a driver, when you approach even like a loading zone, because

in most of our smaller communities a lot of the freight that is delivered these

days come in these big, long, huge transport trucks that do not have the room to

back into a small private parking lot. They are actually blocking part of the

road when they are discharging their cargo.

Even in situations like that, the driver should still realize that if

something is partially blocking the lane I have the onus to take the appropriate

action. I do not have to worry if there is a police officer there looking at me

or not. It is what you do in a situation to keep yourself safe, to keep everyone

else safe, and it is very, very good education for our public.

What are the specific fines that I have to really pay attention to? Again, as

my legal colleague on the other side said, these are more highway enforcement

type activities. They are not criminal code violations. The onus is on the

driver, that these fines should never have to be even taken and put into place.

If someone is operating their vehicle safely and they are doing this properly

as a Joe Q. Public driver, I should not have to even think about what the fine

would be because I operate within the jurisdiction of what is expected of me as

a driver in today's world and I do that in safety for everyone concerned.

I think this is positive legislation, Mr. Speaker, and I am sure from all the

speakers we have had so far there seems to be a great deal of support for this.

I thank you for the time today.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is a great day in the House of Assembly, it is a great day to be a New

Democrat, and it is a great day to see government listen whenever you get in to

talk about a piece of legislation. I particularly want to thank government for

listening to the views we have had.

I guess it was probably about a year ago now that I met with the previous

minister on this issue. He listened quite intently. His staff were really intent

on coming out with a piece of legislation to protect highway workers as well. He

listened. He sat down and listened to the arguments we had as regards the

legislation and why it needed to be passed. I am glad to see this piece of

legislation come forth today, so it is a great day for everybody, particularly

if you are a highway worker.

I want to say that back in 1993 I do not think anybody in this world would

have imagined a piece of legislation would be necessary like this. Back in 1993,

just to inform the House and to inform the listeners of the House of Assembly

channel and the viewers out there, there was a gentleman by the name of James

Garcia. James Garcia is probably a name that every paramedic, every police

officer, and every highway worker would probably remember from this day forward.

James Garcia was a paramedic who was responding to an accident scene in South

Carolina in 1993 and actually became involved in a car accident. He was at the

scene. He was a first responder at the accident scene. He ended up getting hit

by a vehicle at the accident scene, yet he was charged with causing the accident

charged with causing the accident while being a first responder to the

accident scene. Now, that is how backwards driving laws were in South Carolina.

On that particular day, I guess after the accident, Mr. Garcia took the

charge upon himself to get hold of various government officials and get forth a

bill presented in the South Carolina Legislature to get highway workers

protected. That is where move-over legislation started. It was in South Carolina

in 1993.

So we have gone from a paramedic who was hit to today's House of Assembly

here, about twenty years later, and we have to see the handiwork of Mr. James

Garcia, who deserves all the credit in the world. We will wave the hand to Mr.

Garcia on that and let him know his legislation is coming through here.

Having said that I am glad to see that government has come out with

legislation today. We have asked for it for a long time. I want to thank the

staff at Service NL for the great meeting we had with them I guess it was about

a year or a year-and-a-half ago now with all the staff there. They asked us

about our concerns on it, asked us where they thought it should be enacted in

that particular part of the Highway Traffic Act, and they listened. So, again,

like I say, it is a great day.

When it comes to the actual piece of legislation itself, we are totally for

it. This side will be voting in favour of this particular piece of legislation.

It is a very important piece of legislation, and I think the hon. Member for

Mount Pearl South touched on it. It is an occupational health and safety issue

as well because it deals with the workplace of anybody who is responding to an

accident, for example. These are mobile work sites, if you will. Not only are

they in their police car and pulling in cars and everything, but their actual

work site deals with being on the highway.

So, these are, in essence, mobile workplaces. That is the other reason why

you have to have move-over legislation too, because it is not exactly a fixed

workplace either. This is a concern that we heard when I was dealing with the

police right across the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. I do not know how

many RCMP officers and RNC officers that I talked to about this piece of

legislation, how many paramedics I talked to about this particular piece of

legislation, too, in the full face of the government's ambulance review. It has

been an ongoing issue with me pretty much about three years ago when the

move-over law first came to the attention, and the need for it. Again, I am glad

to see that government is bringing forth this particular piece of legislation.

Wildlife officers, when they are out there doing work, when they are out

there in their vehicles, probably checking out other vehicles on the side of the

road, will have protection here. As long as their lights are on and that is

the key to it. The lights of the vehicles have to be on. Vehicles have to be

enacted, if you will they have to have their lights going. Police, ambulance,

you name it, if it is out there on the highway, it gets coverage. Highway

enforcement officers, as well, would also get coverage under this piece of

legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I also have to emphasize the need for a very good PR program to

make sure that everybody is going to understand this law, and just to give

everybody out there, too, a sense of what this law is all about.

We already know, as drivers out there, that anything in the rear-view mirror

pretty much is covered