Newfoundland and Labrador Hansard — Members' Statements; Statements by Ministers — 11 May 2015 (47th General Assembly, 4th Session, Vol. XLVII No. 12)

2015-05-11

Newfoundland and Labrador — Debates (Hansard)

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May

11, 2015

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS

Vol. XLVII No. 12

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Verge):

Order, please!

Admit strangers.

Statements by Members

MR. SPEAKER:

Today we will hear members' statements from the Members for the Districts of

Mount Pearl South, St. John's East, Baie Verte Springdale, St. John's

South, Carbonear Harbour Grace, and Exploits.

The hon. the Member for the District of St. John's

East.

MR. MURPHY:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I rise to congratulate a remarkable woman on her most

recent birthday.

Marjorie Redmond turned 102 years old on February 19.

It has been a century of joy and music-making, if we judge by the

reports of her birthday party.

She was born Marjorie Grouchy on February 19, 1913.

Her parents were Alex and Isabelle Grouchy of St. John's.

Marjorie grew up on Allan Square and Queen's Road here in the city.

She was gifted with a natural musical ear, which was nurtured by the

expert teaching of the nuns at Our Lady of Mercy.

She completed her post-secondary commercial program,

and moved to Corner Brook to work for Bowater's.

She met and married Michael Redmond and the couple returned to Tunis

Court here in St. John's to raise seven children.

She remained in her own home until she was ninety-seven years old,

Mr. Speaker, when she moved to St. Patrick's Mercy Home.

Marjorie's love of music followed her through life.

In the 1930s and 1940s, she played piano trios on radio.

She played the organ at St. Pius X until she was eighty-eight years

of age and continues to play, accompanying her granddaughters, Jacquelyn and

Susan on a few tunes at her 102 birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all hon. members to salute Marjorie

Redmond and wish her 102 years.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

In keeping with our tradition of standing and celebrating anybody who

reaches the great milestone of 100 plus, let's give the number (inaudible).

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for Baie Verte Springdale.

MR. POLLARD:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am delighted to rise in this hon. House today to

recognize a very special hockey team that made their parents, coaches and

the entire community very proud.

During minor hockey week, the La Scie Jets peewee team

travelled to Conception Bay South to compete in the 2014/15 all Newfoundland

and Labrador Provincial Championships Mega Tournament, in which over 340

enthusiastic athletes competed.

After two days of thrilling action and excitement to

players and fans alike, Day 3, which was banner day, saw La Scie and

Glovertown square off for the prized gold medal.

Demonstrating sheer grit, determination, and teamwork, the La Scie

Jets captured the championship title with a 6-3 score over the Glovertown

squad. Don't practice until you

get it right, practice until you can't get it wrong, was their motto.

Members of the team include: Josh Matthews, Rachel

Drover, Tamara Drover, Josh Critch, Julian Ryan, Ben Thomas, Martin Andrews,

Aaron Gillingham, Morgan Andrews, Tommy Ryan, Jordan King, and Shawn

Matthews. Coaches Sheldon King

and Phil Drover, along with volunteer parents are to be applauded for their

outstanding efforts in guiding and supporting the team to victory.

Honourable colleagues, please join me in congratulating

the La Scie Jets peewee hockey team upon winning goal.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for the District of Mount Pearl South.

MR. LANE:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is my privilege to stand in this hon. House to

recognize an event which has become a showcase for some of the best young

talent this Province has to offer.

Etcetera 29 entitled,

Just Think , took place at the

Mount Pearl Glacier last week from May 5-9, where all in attendance were

treated to amazing instrumental, vocal, and dance performances from numerous

musical genres.

From the Broadway Musical,

Cats , to Bruno Mars' Uptown

Funk , from selections from Dr. Seuss to Elton John, from Doctors without

Borders Aid for Africa to a Whiter Shade of Pale,

Etcetera 29 had it all.

I ask all members of this hon. House to join me in

congratulating Musical and Choir Director Carl Goulding, Production Manager

Jackie Goulding, Artistic Director Justin Goulding, Stage Manager Rebecca

Goulding, corporate sponsors, the parent committee, coaches, choreographers,

set and costume designers, volunteers, and most importantly the members of

the Mount Pearl Show Choir and the many other performers from Mount Pearl

Senior High, Mount Pearl Intermediate, Morris Academy, Paradise Elementary,

and Elizabeth Park Elementary on yet another tremendous

Etcetera Show.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for the District of St. John's South.

MR. OSBORNE:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER:

Order, please!

MR. OSBORNE:

Last week I had the honour of attending the St. Mary's Church CLB Annual

Cadet Inspection. The event was

attended by young cadets, their parents, as well as a number of senior

members of the Church Lads Brigade.

For over 100 years the CLB has been providing young

people with an opportunity to learn respect, confidence, and leadership in a

disciplined atmosphere. The

organization is to be commended for their years of community service.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of

awards where several young people were recognized and bestowed awards for

their accomplishments and commitment to the organization.

I would like to recognize those who received awards,

the parents who support and volunteer, along with the many members who

continue to ensure that the CLB provides the valuable services that it does.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for the District of Carbonear Harbour Grace.

MR. SLADE:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

congratulate Amy Gillingham of Carbonear who won the Senior Rose Bowl at the

2015 Kiwanis Music Festival held in Carbonear on March 26, the very same day

she was accepted to the MUN School of Music.

Amy has been participating in the festival for many

years, and was the recipient of the coveted Junior Rose Bowl in 2013.

This year she grabbed the attention of adjudicators with her soprano

opera-trained voice.

She also appeared to be the crowd favourite, after

closing the show with an animated and dramatic version of a German ballad.

making the audience laugh through her acting skills.

Amy follows in the footsteps of her older sister,

Alicia, who also won the Senior Rose Bowl in 2010 and the Junior Rose Bowl

in 2008. Alicia graduates from

MUN School of Music this month and will continue her master's studies at the

University of Montreal in September.

I ask all hon. members to join me in congratulating Amy

on winning the Senior Rose Bowl and wish her success in her music studies at

Memorial.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for the District of Exploits.

MR. FORSEY:

Mr. Speaker, gardening is a hobby that has many benefits for young and old

alike. Mr. Chad Langdon of

Exploits Community Health Centre and a member of the Exploits Community

Garden Steering Committee said this is the fourth year for the project

which gives people, especially seniors, the opportunity to grow their own

vegetables.

This project would not be possible without the support

of its partners, including the Botwood Boys and Girls Club, the Legion

Action Committee, Central Regional Wellness Coalition, and Central Health.

It promotes exercise, healthy food, and

intergenerational relationships, connecting the elderly with our youth; it's

a win-win process, said Mr. Langdon.

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

in congratulating the Exploits Community Garden Committee on their fo u rth

successful year.

Let's keep it growing forward.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this hon. House to highlight the Energy Plan Progress

Report, which I will table in the House of Assembly and make public on our

website today.

This report provides an update on the most

comprehensive energy plan in our Province's history and highlights the

progress in matching our plan with the development of our energy resources.

By leading the way in oil and gas exploration and

development, we are ensuring Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are getting

jobs and contracts, so they can give back to the communities in which they

live. We have secured equity

stakes in offshore projects, invested in geoscience, and developed a new

land tenure regime to facilitate exploration and increase the Province's

competitiveness.

Mandated by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, we

created Nalcor Energy to manage energy projects on our behalf, to position

the Province as a global player in the resource sector, and to bring

long-term revenue to the Province.

Over a total investment period of ten years, the provincial

government will have invested $3.1 billion in Nalcor.

Every penny of that money will be returned to the Province by

2025-2026.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY:

From that time on, the dividends continue to increase for Newfoundlanders

and Labradorians.

Through legislation, we enabled the issuance of water

rights to Nalcor on the Lower Churchill River, starting at Muskrat Falls

which is now in its third year of construction.

We are also building a long overdue link to North America's grid that

will give us the ability to export power to markets and will greatly enhance

our grid reliability.

We are investing capital in the Upper Churchill

facility now to ensure it is in good condition when the Province is in the

position to receive the full benefit of power in 2041.

We have invested in energy efficiency and taken steps

to tackle climate change. And,

we are shaping a culture that understands how to embrace an opportunity,

negotiate globally, and achieve prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the efforts of

many departments and agencies which have been involved in the implementation

of the Energy Plan, including the Departments of Natural Resources, Advanced

Education and Skills, Environment and Conservation, and the Office of

Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.

Our government has built a solid foundation for the

development of our energy resources.

Because of this foundation, the potential has never been better to

partner on many promising energy projects, including the development of Bay

du Nord; hydro sites such as Round Pond, Island Pond and Portland Creek;

unlimited onshore and offshore wind resources; and energy conservation

initiatives. Our Energy Plan was

designed to give Newfoundlanders and Labradorians a real opportunity to be

masters of their own destiny.

Mr. Speaker, we are well on our way and we know the future holds great

promise.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the minister for the advance copy of

his statement and the Progress Report which is not yet public.

I look forward to seeing that and getting a copy of it.

We have said so many times now that the 2007 Energy Plan is badly

outdated and certainly needs updating now that it is 2015.

It is interesting that the minister talks about

ensuring jobs for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians where currently in our

Province we are in the eighteenth consecutive month year over year of job

losses that is eighteen consecutive months.

He must remember the module that is now currently built over in Asia,

Mr. Speaker. That is not what is

creating the jobs here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The minister also claims to have enabled water rights

on the Lower Churchill, but I do remind the minister and this government

that Nalcor will be in a Quebec court later in 2015, so it remains how that

will all play out. This is a

legal challenge as we know.

The minister also talks about energy resources.

Through Bill 61, that squashes really the energy innovation that our

Province badly needs. It really

creates a monopoly on energy production.

The people of our Province have heard this talk many, many times, Mr.

Speaker, but actions are louder than words.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for Signal Hill Quidi Vidi.

MS MICHAEL:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the minister for the advance copy of his

statement. I am really glad I

had it ahead of time because I was breathless when I first read it.

This statement is no more valuable than the paper it is

printed on, Mr. Speaker. The

minister has showed himself a master at telling half the story.

We talk about the $3.1 billion in Nalcor that is going to be paid

back, what about the ongoing expenses and the over billion dollars that will

still have to be spent?

He talks about through legislation we have water

rights. That is seriously going

to be fought in the courts, Mr. Speaker.

We do not have water rights just because they wrote it on paper.

Talking about energy efficiency, we have enabling

legislation for Muskrat Falls that took away the ability of anybody else in

this Province to worry about energy.

This is not worth the paper it is written on, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

Order, please!

The hon. the Minister Responsible for the Forestry and

Agrifoods Agency.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. GRANTER:

Mr. Speaker, with the Victoria Day long weekend fast approaching, I rise to

remind residents around the Province about the risks associated with burning

grass, brush and debris around their properties.

Forest fire season officially became on May 1 and will

end on October 15 for the Island of Newfoundland.

In Labrador, the season begins on May 15 and ends on September 30.

Already this season, eighteen fires have been reported to fire

suppression staff at the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency.

Mr. Speaker, we understand that at this time of the

year people are eager to clean up their property and one way they do that is

to burn grass and brush.

The burning of grass, in particular, is a very

dangerous practice and we ask that people not burn grass on their

properties. Fine fuels such as

dead vegetation in fields and other open areas that may appear to be wet can

dry and burn in a matter of hours when conditions change.

The smallest fires have the potential to quickly get out of control

and cause serious damage to property and sometimes lead to forest fires.

Reducing the number of human-caused fires is an

integral component of our fire prevention program; it can be achieved if

residents adhere to safe burning practices.

A permit to burn is required under the Forestry Act for anyone

wishing to burn brush and debris as part of clean-up activities around

properties on or within 300 metres of forest land during the forest fire

season. The lighting of fires

for cooking and camping does not require a permit but certain forest fire

regulations must be followed.

Permits to burn and copies of the forest fire regulations can be obtained at

the regional or district forest management offices throughout the Province.

Mr. Speaker, forest fires are a serious matter and

Budget 2015 provides $3.9 million for forest fire control measures.

The provincial government's fire suppression staff, Incident

Management Team, Air Services pilots, maintenance crews and other employees

do tremendous work to protect our forests, our property, and our people.

We can assist them by being careful and helping to stop preventable

fires from ever starting.

As residents tackle spring cleaning and head out to

their cabins, parks, and campgrounds this weekend, and all throughout the

year, I encourage them all to keep fire safety foremost in their minds.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for Bay of Islands.

MR. JOYCE:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the minister for an advance copy of his

statement. Mr. Speaker, before

we get into it, we have to thank our staff.

The staff who work and puts their lives on the lines are to be

commended.

I had an unfortunate incident back in York Harbour a

few years back when the staff went to a forest fire.

You could see how much they put their lives at risk to protect

people's property, people's homes, and the individuals.

So it is incumbent on all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to

ensure that if we have a fire, if we start a fire, that we do it in a safe

and a very reliable manner.

As the minister mentioned in some cases the burning of

grass, I have seen that go out of control many times.

Permits are very important to notify the fire departments and town

councils.

I ask all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr.

Speaker, that they be vigilant and they take their own responsibility to

ensure that we do not have any fires this year, not only putting properties

at risk and people at risk, but also putting the workers at risk.

I commend the minister and the government also to do whatever they

can to help with the fire prevention in the Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for St. John's East.

MR. MURPHY:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also thank the minister for the advance copy of his

statement here today. Mr.

Speaker, here is hoping that the $3.9 million that they have allocated in

the Budget this year for fire control and suppression does not get spent,

that we see that $3.9 million stay as it is.

Mr. Speaker, we would also like to encourage fire

safety over on this side. I also

have to admit that the forest being a very important natural resource of

ours; it is bad enough right now that we put up with the human condition,

the human cause of fires sometimes, but with climate change, especially in

the future, we know that spontaneous combustion can indeed cause fires.

So we thank the minister for the advance copy of his statement here

today.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

Further statements by ministers?

Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Nalcor Energy spent $1.4 million on a marketing and

advertising campaign last year.

That is an increase of $200,000 from the previous year.

I ask the Premier: While the Province runs a deficit,

you freeze discretionary spending, transfers of hundreds of millions of

dollars to Nalcor, why is it that Nalcor is allowed to spend $1.4 million on

marketing last year?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY:

Mr. Speaker, Nalcor operates as a separate entity, a Crown corporation, and

they are doing business both domestically, nationally, and internationally.

They have six lines of business which include Churchill Falls,

Muskrat Falls, Hydro, energy marketing, Bull Arm, and oil and gas.

They are all over the world.

They are making significant investments on behalf of the people of

the Province.

It is important that they are out there and they are

engaged and they are selling and promoting Newfoundland and Labrador and the

resources that we have so we can get a return on investment, as well as

laying out a bright future for Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I remind the minister that while Nalcor is

independently spending this money, this government is actually writing

cheques to Nalcor to pay those bills.

We also asked each government department how much they

spent on marketing and advertising last year.

Twelve of the fourteen departments have responded.

The twelve departments spent $1.4 million combined.

I ask the Premier: Why are you satisfied to let Nalcor

spend the equivalent of twelve government departments on advertising?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY:

Mr. Speaker, again the position the Leader of the Opposition is taking is

that Nalcor should not be out there promoting Newfoundland and Labrador.

They should not be out there seeking and attracting new companies,

such as Statoil.

When we go to these tradeshows, Mr. Speaker, when we

travel around the world, we are in competition globally; but I can tell you,

because of the people at Nalcor, because of the decisions of this

government, we can compete anywhere in the world.

We have the resources to back it up, and we expect Nalcor to ensure

that we are competitive around this world.

Mr. Speaker, they have to spend money to market.

At the same time, if there are issues in this Province that the

people of the Province need to know, I fully expect Nalcor to be able to

make sure that people are aware of what is happening within their business

lines.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Clearly, the minister does not understanding the

marketing and advertising campaign at Nalcor because $446,000 was spent to

tell the people of Newfoundland and Labrador they are ready.

That is not promoting Newfoundland and Labrador to other countries.

We all know that Hydro was not winter ready and the power did go out.

I ask the Premier: Since Hydro was not winter ready,

who is accountable for the $446,000 that was spent on that campaign?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY:

Mr. Speaker, the actual amount was a little less than $446,000.

The process that was followed we all recall what the Province went

through in January 2014. It was

a very difficult time in the Province.

It was acknowledged and, at the time, as minister, we committed to

get the answers. At the same

time the Opposition had a lot of questions, and there were a lot of fears

and doubts put in the people of the Province around the reliability of our

power system. Part of the reason

why we are building Muskrat Falls, Mr. Speaker, is to improve that

reliability.

Beyond that, Mr. Speaker, people had concerns.

It was important that a certain amount of work get done and that it

be conveyed to the people of the Province that this work is done and we are

in a much better place with our power supply.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Clearly, a marketing and advertising campaign to the

people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Glossy mail outs did nothing to make sure that the lights were on in

Newfoundland and Labrador this winter.

The minister also mentioned reliability, and this is an

issue. Reliability of power is

an issue, but Nalcor is refusing to release information to Newfoundland

Power on the reliability of the system post Muskrat Falls.

Government's own documents say it would take two weeks to restore

power if the transmission lines go down.

I ask the Premier: Since you say that Holyrood will

come offline after Muskrat Falls, why don't you release the backup plan that

Newfoundland Power and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are looking for?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY:

Mr. Speaker, the investments in Muskrat Falls, there are a multitude of

benefits from that. One of them

is around reliability, because we are going to move from an isolated system

to an interconnected system so power can run both ways.

That is one important point of Muskrat Falls, Mr. Speaker.

With respect to post Muskrat Falls and the devolution

of Holyrood and so on, Mr. Speaker, it has been clearly articulated, there

is a process with the Public Utilities Board.

As I outlined last week here in this House, there has been a

fifty-seven page document filed with the Public Utilities Board.

Liberty, an outside independent firm, is doing assessments.

If there is more information needed, I can assure you that Hydro will

provide it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We will take the minister up on that certainty for

sure. So we will expect to see

Hydro release that information publicly very soon, I would guess.

That seems to be the way things work, soon or very soon.

Mr. Speaker, emergency responders in the Western region

are reporting extended delays in receiving calls for assistance through the

new 911 system. These instances

are resulting in unnecessary extended response time.

So, I ask the Premier: Why is the so-called new 911

system causing delayed response times?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. KING:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the question.

It is my understanding, in this particular case on the West Coast,

the initial 911 call that was made had requested the services of an

ambulance and not the fire department.

In turn, subsequent to that, the call was forwarded to the fire

department, but I think what is important to understand is that when 911

dispatches the call, the first responder for emergency services would be

with the police, who then would enlist other services as required.

What I would say to the member opposite, it is very

important here in all instances in the Province, this is a new system for

most of the Province, it is very important that the fire chief raise his

concerns with the 911 board so that we can make sure in instances like this

where we need to fix or change how we do things, that we do that so the

service is consistent and good.

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 incident in Cox's Cove, I think the minister was

referring to, resulted in an ambulance response time of forty-five minutes.

The fire department was not notified of the emergency because it was

a call-forwarding system not a dispatch system.

I ask the Premier: Do you agree with such a delay in

response time? It is totally

unacceptable. You must agree

that this is totally unacceptable and must be corrected before people's

lives are negatively impacted.

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. KING:

Mr. Speaker, I absolutely agree with the member opposite, that any delay of

emergency response in the case of an accident or such an incident where

emergency services are required is absolutely unacceptable, and all of us, I

am sure all members in this House would agree with that.

We all have to strive to have the best system possible.

As I said a few moments ago, I would encourage in this

instance the fire chief to meet with the 911 bureau and other emergency

providers because we have to ensure we learn from this incident and we

improve things on a go-forward basis.

The only way we can do that is if the emergency responders on the

ground are working directly with the 911 board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Well, there was not just one incident, there was a

second one as well. Fire chiefs

throughout Western Newfoundland are questioning the new 911 system and are

requesting a dispatch system for the region.

At a recent highway accident near Pasadena the police and the

ambulance responded but there was also a request for the fire department to

respond, but guess what? The

message was not relayed to them right away.

I ask the Premier: Following these incidents that we

have just mentioned, will you commit to revisiting the 911 system and

consider the implementation of a dispatch system rather than this

call-forwarding system that you have put in place?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. KING:

Mr. Speaker, to repeat myself, I said a few moments ago I share the concerns

with the Leader of the Opposition.

As minister, I will certainly take an opportunity on any individual

circumstance to have a look at the situation and what has happened and what

can be done to improve the situation.

I have asked my staff in this particular case to reach out to the 911

board.

What is critically important here, Mr. Speaker, is that

the focus be on the service delivery and ensuring the 911 system is

operating in a manner that we get timely responses.

That requires communication and coordination amongst all emergency

providers. That is where my

focus is. We have to move from

where we are today, improve the system, and change the things that need to

be changed.

I thank the member for the question.

It is an important issue and we certainly agree with him on that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.

MR. EDMUNDS:

Mr. Speaker, last week in this House, the Minister of Transportation and

Works stated that Labrador airstrips were the only airstrips in the Province

not having landing fees. Well,

the reality is that of the six airstrips operated by the government on the

Island portion of the Province, airstrips such as Clarenville and Fogo

Island, none of them have landing fees.

I ask the minister: Why would you allow outrageous fees

for some parts of the Province while others have no landing fees at all?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. BRAZIL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The hon. member is correct, I did say there were no

they were the only ones where there were fees that they were not paying that

we would now impose. The other

strips that he refers to, there are no additional costs related to it.

There are no staffing there.

There are no terminals there.

There are no lighting systems.

There are no navigation systems there, Mr. Speaker.

So the taxpayers do not incur a cost there that has to be paid out or

distributed around the taxpayers of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In Labrador, we do our best to ensure there are

terminals there, that people have the amenities they need when they land on

these strips, and that we have the staff in place to make sure those strips

are cleared and that navigation systems are in place to ensure safety for

the people travelling to the Coast of Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for Torngat

Mountains.

MR. EDMUNDS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I wonder who does the maintenance on them, snow

clearing, et cetera.

Mr. Speaker, the minister said in Estimates that the

Province expects to generate $300,000 in revenue from the landing fees

imposed on Labrador airstrips.

Both airlines servicing Labrador, Air Labrador and Innu Mikun, say without

exaggeration that it would be more like $800,000.

That is $500,000 more on the backs of those who already pay the

highest fares in the Province.

I ask the minister: How can you make such a drastic

mistake on the backs of people in Northern, Southern, and Central Labrador,

the people you claim you are committed to?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. BRAZIL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The fees that we impose here, Mr. Speaker, are based on

the principle of improving the service for the people of Labrador.

We have heard complaints last year, and rightfully so, that the

terminals were not up to par because of the freeze ups there.

We have opportunities there now to improve that, to make sure that

washroom facilities are operational year-round.

So we invested substantial amounts of money.

One toilet alone could cost us up to $5,000.

We wanted to make sure all these terminals were operational for

people. We also are working with

our staff up there to ensure, because there are scheduled flights going up

there, that we always have the airstrips maintained and we always have

people ready to meet those planes as they land.

That is the difference between what we are investing in Labrador and

those strips that now have no services.

MR. SPEAKER:

Order, please!

MR. BRAZIL:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for Bay of Islands.

MR. JOYCE:

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs have

initiated a review of Crown lands in our Province.

The Humber Valley regional planning authority has wasted almost

$700,000 to date, and still no report.

With the Crown lands review, is the planning authority

still functional; and if so, when can the public expect that report?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. HUTCHINGS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

There has been significant work done by the Humber

planning authority over the past year.

There have been several dialogues back and forth with the department

The hon. the Member for Virginia Waters.

MS C. BENNETT:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In a four-year period from 2009 to 2012, the Auditor

General made 133 recommendations to improve operational efficiencies, reduce

waste, and the risk of fraud recommendations that remain not fully

implemented for years.

I ask the minister: Don't you think the Auditor General

is important; why are you not listening to him?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have said in this House many times, and I will

repeat it again today, we respect the work that the Auditor General does as

a very important function on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and

Labrador. That is why, Mr.

Speaker, all of the recommendations that he ever makes, that office ever

makes to government, we review them and initiate some form of action.

One of the things we have done in the last four years

and the most recent report talked about two aspects.

A group of those recommendations have been fully implemented and a

group has been actioned. We have

actioned over 90 per cent. In

fact, I think it is close to 93 per cent of all the recommendations have

been actioned, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for Virginia Waters.

MS C. BENNETT:

Mr. Speaker, I hope his definition of action is a lot different than the

money they spent on the core mandate review that has not been implemented

over there.

In the last two years, 2013 and 2014, the Auditor

General made another 176 recommendations.

We do not know the status of their implementation, but if history is

any indication, there are many still outstanding there as well.

I ask the minister: If you were are so concerned about

finding efficiencies and creating a culture of cost management, why haven't

you concentrated your efforts to act quickly on the AG's recommendations?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. WISEMAN:

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure how the member would reference action or

reference effort, but if you look at 588 recommendations over a four-year

period and 93 per cent of them actioned and work in progress on some others,

that is a significant piece of work.

So when you talk about why haven't you taken some

action and why wouldn't you respond to the recommendations, that is a pretty

good average: 93 per cent of them actioned.

So, Mr. Speaker, one of the things about improving

operations, as I have said in this House many times, it is not an event

where it is once done and over.

As a government, we will always be looking at ways to improve how we do

things and we will always take actions on serious recommendations.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for St. Barbe.

MR. J. BENNETT:

Mr. Speaker, this past Friday, government released the recommendations of a

report of the Child Death Review Committee.

The Minister of Justice received the report on March 11.

The Child and Youth Advocate received the report on May 6, just two

days prior to its release.

I ask the Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services:

When did he receive the report?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

PREMIER DAVIS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As we have said in this House many times, there can be

nothing more important, more concerning, more of a critical matter to

families than the loss of a child, the loss of a loved one.

I can tell you that we have committed to the Child and Youth Advocate

that upon the loss of life, the death of a child or youth who is in the care

or receiving services from the government, that we would notify the Advocate

as soon as possible.

We had the Advocate in.

She has met with me and met with Cabinet to discuss the terminology

and what we consider to be critical incidents.

We have agreed to have a working group work together, Mr. Speaker.

We are doing that as well.

We take the Advocate's role very seriously.

We take the death of children and youth very seriously, Mr. Speaker,

and we are working very closely with the Advocate to make sure we have the

best policies for the Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for St. Barbe.

MR. J. BENNETT:

Mr. Speaker, that question had nothing to do with the Advocate; it was a

question to the Minister of CYFS of when he received the report.

This question has to do with the Advocate.

In her report,

SIXTEEN , the Advocate said, we as a society are failing our most

vulnerable children who require our assistance and guidance into adulthood.

One of the cases reviewed was the death of a youth receiving services from

CYFS the cause of death being Asthma.

The Committee recommended that youth be assessed in their ability to

care for themselves as they transition to independent living.

The Child and Youth Advocate made the same recommendation in her

October 2013 investigative report,

SIXTEEN .

I ask the Minister of CYFS: Why are youth still falling

through the cracks as they transition to independent living?

MR. SPEAKER:

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. S. COLLINS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have said on a number of occasions when I rise on my

feet in this House the progress that we have made, particularly with the

youth. When a youth transitions

out of the care or out of the services when they turn sixteen, it is a

Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN:

Mr. Speaker, I do not know where from he got his call just before he came to

the House. All I can tell you is

that the fees we have brought in are comparable to those and, in many cases,

still below what they are across the Province.

Mr. Speaker, I would say to him that the fees that are

being charged in these are comparable to the ones that residents are paying

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for Signal Hill Quidi Vidi.

MS MICHAEL:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I ask the Premier: Is he planning on passing over the

key functions that are outlined in the Budget, key functions of the four

authorities and the centre, to a private company to run our health care

system?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN:

Mr. Speaker, I believe the Minister of Health has said here in the House

Hear, hear!

MR. KING:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As the member would know, we had a great discussion

about the Honour 100 this morning in Estimates.

The member took the opportunity to share his personal views on the

importance of the initiative and what it means for Newfoundland and Labrador

to recognize those events, and it is why our government established the

Honour 100, because we recognize the importance of that

part in our history.

We are committed to recognizing it with a plaque, among a number of

other things, Mr. Speaker, but it is correct that there will not be a

caribou.

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for St. John's East.

MR. MURPHY:

Mr. Speaker, we lost thirty Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in direct

battle, and ten by disease.

I ask the minister again, this seemed to be an

insignificant amount when it comes to Newfoundland and Labrador revenue,

when it comes to the sacrifice that our soldiers made.

So I will ask the minister again: Will he institute the

money back into the budget again and put a caribou up where it belongs as a

memorial?

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. KING:

Mr. Speaker, as I said a few moments ago, we share the view of the member in

terms of the importance of Honour 100 and recognizing that part of the

history of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

That is why we have invested more than $3 million in activities and

events to commemorate the Honour 100, including a delegation that will be

going to Beaumont Hamel this year in late June.

It includes taking veterans, legionnaires, members of the community,

Order, please!

With leave, tabling of documents.

Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.

Petitions.

Petitions

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for Carbonear Harbour Grace.

MR. SLADE:

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 humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS the speed limit is 100 kilometres an hour on

Veterans Memorial Highway; and

WHEREAS traffic entering and exiting Veterans Memorial

Highway is often heavy at Jamie's Way intersection; and

WHEREAS because of the heavy traffic turning left onto

Jamie's Way, having to cross traffic that is travelling at 100 kilometres an

hour and higher, creating potential for a serious accident;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly

pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of

Newfoundland and Labrador to reduce the speed limit on Veterans Memorial

Highway in the area of Jamie's Way to seventy kilometres an hour.

As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, this is a petition I am after bringing

here quite often. Of course, I

spoke to the Minister of Transportation on it.

He was going to get it checked into.

I do appreciate the minister saying that, but I have to continue to

bring the petition here to make sure that it is looked at.

We certainly do not want to see anybody getting killed in that area,

or anywhere on our highways in Newfoundland and Labrador, if we can do

something to avoid that situation.

Once again, Mr. Speaker, I thank you for your time.

I will sit down now and we will see.

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for Signal Hill Quidi Vidi.

MS MICHAEL:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

A petition to the House of Assembly of the Province of

Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the

undersigned residents humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS privatized nursing homes lower operating costs

by paying lower wages, de-unionizing, laying people off, and cutting staff

in these facilities; and

WHEREAS studies have established that for-profit

nursing homes are associated with lower quality of services and poorer

resident health outcomes, including an increased risk of hospitalization;

and

WHEREAS Auditors General of the provinces of Nova

Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario have reported that P3s cost taxpayers

more;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly

pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge government to immediately

stop the privatization of long-term care.

As in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, I am quite pleased to stand here today to

present this petition on behalf of those who have signed it, people from St.

John's, Paradise, Corner Brook, Mount Pearl, Portugal Cove, Burin Bay Arm,

Twillingate, from various parts of the Province who are quite concerned by

the announcement made by this government in its Budget with regard to

privatization of long-term care.

Privatizing long-term care has been shown to have

negative impacts throughout this country.

Other provinces who turn to privatizing long-term care long before we

have are now showing that reducing cost is not what happens with long-term

care. What happens is a

reduction of services for the people.

When it comes to capital costs, and the government here

thinks it is going to save money on capital costs but the Auditors General

of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario have reported that P3s are

actually costing taxpayers more because of the high cost of borrowing for

the private sector and the need to build in profits.

It seems this government does not read what is happening in other

parts of the Province, Mr. Speaker.

It is true that private for profit companies operating

long-term care homes can reduce operating costs but they do it by lowering

the cost of labour, as the petition says by de-unionizing, lowering wages

and benefits, cutting staff, and multi-tasking staff which increases

workloads.

Mr. Speaker this government has maintained

responsibility for our long-term care which has always been part of our

health care system. It is the

expectation of the people in our Province, as is evidenced by this petition

that long-term care remain under our government as part of our long-term

health care.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

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

MS DEMPSTER:

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 humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS Route 510 from L'Anse au Clair to Red Bay is in

deplorable condition and requires immediate upgrading; and

WHEREAS the condition of the highway is causing undue

damage to vehicles using the highway and is a safety hazard for the

travelling public; and

WHEREAS both residential and commercial traffic has

increased dramatically with the opening of the Trans-Labrador Highway and

increased development in Labrador; and

WHEREAS cold patching is no longer adequate as a means

of repair;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly

pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of

Newfoundland and Labrador to immediately allocate resources to Route 510

from L'Anse au Clair to Red Bay that allows for permanent resurfacing of the

highway.

As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, this is the spring of 2015, I have been

standing and bringing this petition forward since the fall of 2013.

The road continues to worsen in condition.

Last week, I heard there were seven tractor-trailer loads of cold

patch that was used on this stretch of road last year.

Mr. Speaker, pavement almost forty years old is a

safety hazard to the travelling public.

It is a death trap, huge holes, and sharp jagged ends.

Vehicles continue to be damaged on a daily basis.

Mr. Speaker, I think about the children who are bused.

I think about the people who are transported by ambulance that have

to pull in on private property of businesses.

Just this weekend again, Mr. Speaker, I drove down over

it. I am very surprised there

has not been an accident, that there is not someone killed, especially

driving it after dark because during the day you are constantly manoeuvering

around this.

I will continue to call on government to have a look at

this, to address this very, very serious, badly damaged, old, dilapidated,

long expired stretch of pavement in the Labrador Straits, L'Anse au Clair to

Red Bay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for St. Barbe.

MR. J. BENNETT:

Thank you, 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 everyday 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 the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 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, you will recall, I presented this petition

on a number of occasions, probably a few dozen occasions.

One thing which is really interesting about this petition is who

signed it.

Well, Mr. Speaker, in the Town of Trout River there are

three or four places, public businesses, where a petition is displayed and

people who visit, if they can read the petition and they can sign the

petition

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER:

Order, please!

MR. J. BENNETT:

Mr. Speaker, nobody from the Town of Trout River signed this petition.

That is not to say it was not signed in Trout River.

It was signed by people from Pasadena.

It was signed by people from Corner Brook.

It was signed by people from Woody Point.

It was signed by people from Summerford.

It was signed by people from Twillingate.

Mr. Speaker, there are people from five separate

communities throughout the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador who, within

the past year, have been in the Town of Trout River unable to use cellphones

who signed this petition. This

is not asking the government to spend public dollars even to install

cellphone service. This simply

asks that the government partner with the private sector to see if there is

a possibility to work out some type of an arrangement, to collaborate with

or to partner with the private sector in order to extend cellphone coverage,

which is badly needed in this important park enclave community.

Mr. Speaker, the tourist season is upon us again and

people will continually flock to Gros Morne National Park and to the Town of

Trout River. They will

continually be presented with an opportunity to sign this petition.

They will marvel that in a national park such as Gros Morne National

Park and in such a picturesque community as Trout River that there is no

cellphone service.

Mr. Speaker, once again, this is a petition requesting

that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador partner with the private

sector to extend cellphone service through Gros Morne National Park and the

Town of Trout River.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. CROSS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I guess when we all stand we pretty well refer to our

districts as the place that gives us some inspiration and support to talk

about the different topics we come to our feet to talk about in this House.

Every time I speak, I hope that at some point I do have one unique

piece of information to offer.

In doing so, then we make the best possible debate for the entire Province

that we can.

In speaking to the Budget today, before I get started I

just need to recognize a few days ago on a member's statement I recognized

a lady from Trinity who had contributed thirty years to the cadet movement

in her town. This past weekend,

we had the annual ceremonial review on Saturday.

There is another one coming up in a couple of days.

I just want to recognize the whole movement of the cadets and the

contribution they make to the youth in our communities, and how some of

these youth become leaders. One

person who joined the cadet movement as a twelve-year old in Trinity, in

Indian Bay Air Cadets is now the leader of that cadet movement.

The same thing is happening in New-Wes-Valley, Mr.

Speaker, with the Lions army cadets that are sponsored there.

We are home-growing some of our talent.

The commanding officer there now is a graduate of that program from

many years ago. They started off

as twelve-year olds in a very strong movement.

I would just like to make an offer to commend that movement and the

people involved in it today.

With that said, Mr. Speaker, I will draw my comments

back towards the events that have happened recently.

A couple of short weeks ago we had a Budget presentation presented in

the House, but this Budget that was presented by the minister here that took

about an hour and forty-five minutes to deliver by means previous to that is

probably leading back to many, many months of activity.

Even some of the concepts or some of the ideas in this Budget go back

years because it is how we react from one year to the next, to circumstances

we are placed in, that we actually make a plan when we plan for our future.

We do not look just to one year in a Budget.

That is the change of what we see in many of the recent Budgets that

have been addressing the needs of the citizens in our Province.

We cannot, we must not, look at a single year in isolation as to how

we speak to the future of our Province.

We cannot just say what is going to happen in the next year and put

everything into the basket of the next year, because it is the reaction to

this and the other things that happen over the next year or two that will

lead into a further refining of that plan.

So the plan gets refined every single year, Mr. Speaker.

If we are not open to that point of making changes and

adjustments and in some cases doing do overs, periodically sometimes, then

you have to be human in this.

You have to accept your mistakes if you make them and you have to move

forward. We are all here for the

best interest of the people and the citizens of this great Province of

Newfoundland and Labrador. If we

do not stand united in some ways to say that is what we are here for, we may

disagree on how to get there on both sides of this House, but again, we have

to respect each other in the comments that we offer to each other.

Along that line we develop the best possible plan, and it is through

this process.

I referred to the minister laying out a plan three

weeks ago, and the many, many hours of preparation that goes into this.

Now, the Opposition might say the public consultations are for show,

but there are some people who attend these sessions, Mr. Speaker, in all

parts of the Province where they are invited.

This year, they went to some new locations because people requested:

Well, why don't you come to my town?

I understand this year they were in Bay Roberts for the first time.

There was request put in for them to visit New-Wes-Valley; maybe next

year New-Wes-Valley may be a location that this consultation process may

arrive.

The people who make these comments, they come with

legitimate concerns and we address these and bring back a response to these.

The Budget is a reaction to the economic conditions.

If times are great, it is easy to produce a Budget that has a lot of

expenditure in it because there is a lot of natural income there; but if you

move to a challenged time, then in that time you have to react differently.

You cannot continue to spend, spend, spend, or it will catch up with

you. You cannot continue every

year to borrow, borrow, borrow.

If you look at the number of years that before I take

that thought further, the previous Minister of Finance, former Premier, who

sat in this chair that is just ahead of me here, Mr. Speaker, he would stand

up and say you cut your garment to the cloth you have.

Well, some years, you have plenty of cloth and you can cut your

garment to that cloth and you can have many, many more expenditures.

Some years, like this year, in order to have a cloth big enough to

fit the garment, we have to go borrow.

That has not been done on a repetitive basis, Mr.

Speaker; in fact, over the last ten years there were seven years where we

did not need to borrow. We did

not need to borrow to meet our investments into the future, or to meet the

needs that we have from one year to the next.

This current year and for the plan for the next two to three to four

years, we need to have a plan of borrowing in order to do the work or to

make the balanced choices that this Province needs.

That is the theme of this year's Budget; Balancing

Choices for a Promising Future seems to fit.

The theme of this gets us to the point that we understand that

certain choices have to be made.

If we go all in one direction, then that leads us down a different path.

If we go off in another direction, we are led down a different path.

If we pick what we consider the most strategic routes to go, then our

path changes and it becomes a little more prosperous towards the future.

Through that, Mr. Speaker, we know that we are facing

this unpredictable decline everybody has referred to it.

Lots of people have referred to the unpredictable decline in our oil.

Now, we have used our oil in the last ten to twelve to fourteen years

to strengthen our economy, to bolster our infrastructure, $6 billion wide

across our Province in the last decade or so to the point that we have a

Province that has a fairly strong basis right now.

We did that without the borrowing, Mr. Speaker.

So to continue some projects in the next two to three years, if we

have to borrow to keep our activities going because you cannot just shut

everything down and say no, four rough years ahead, shut her down, bar up

the doors, stay away from borrowing, do not go to the banks, do not go to

any of these locations, Mr. Speaker, then the bottom will fall out of her

altogether. We have to have some

strategic responses to this volatile commodity that we deal with.

We have always been a commodity-driven environment, Mr.

Speaker. When John Cabot came

here and we got the fish that is a commodity.

How many years did our forefathers depend on that commodity to

strengthen it, the strength of it.

When there are all kinds of stocks out there, it is easy to get fish

and it is easy to make a living.

When the stocks dwindle, it is like our economy or the financial abilities

we have right now, if our financial ability dwindles a little bit we have to

investigate and gather other ways to go look for the choices or the things

that we need to make for a better future.

When our cod collapsed, we went to the crab.

Right now, we are looking at some sort of cyclical decline in the

crab, or the cod is returning because we have not been fishing it, then we

change our direction based on what is around us and what area we can steer

forward through. So, we adjust

our course and we stay steady for the future.

This volatility is not unique, Mr. Speaker, to

Newfoundland and Labrador.

Economies worldwide three or four of the other economies in our country

that we are in competition with as one of the leaders in our country all

face the same problems at this time.

The drop is something that just could not be predicted.

In reaction to it, we have to change our course; we have to adjust.

Don't throw it all down and get so depressed by the situation you

find yourself in that you break down or you say she is gone boy, she is

gone. This is not the time to be

there. This is a time to take a

measured approach, Mr. Speaker, to take a balanced approach, to make these

choices that we talk about and move forward.

You think about a family and the Member for Cape St.

Francis alluded to this a couple of days ago when he did his Budget Speech.

He said when you take this analogy, if you look at the situation we

are in and you think about your family, at times you have choices to make.

Well, at times we think we all need to save money for the future.

There are times when you just do not have that money to put into a

future savings, or a pension plan, or whatever, so you have to look at the

income you have and make choices.

If you cannot do with what you have, then you may have to look for

other sources to bolster that income.

Sometimes in a family that might mean taking on an extra job that

gives you the extra income.

The Member for Virginia Waters alluded to the other

day, increasing your market share.

Well I do not know what that would do, but if someone had the ability

to create an extra job, you might be able to.

As a Province, we probably do not have that luxury, so the analogy is

not totally intact.

The other thing you do is when you run into a place

that your car is broken down or you have troubles with your house, you need

your shelter or you need your transportation abilities, then even as a

family you go outside of that to other institutions and you borrow to

increase what you have to be able to make it through to the future.

There are times that you do that.

There are also times that you are paying down these

loans. There are times when

prosperity turns around and your income sources increase in your family, and

you pay down your loans or your mortgages faster than you can in the

challenged times. There are

other times, Mr. Speaker, that you put a little bit aside for the future.

You get that little bit extra.

If you are into a forced pension plan where you make

payments because of the career choice you have made, then you have your

pension plan for the future. If

you are not lucky enough to be in these types of situations and you have to

plan for your own future that is pretty much how our Province is going

then what you have to do is when the times are right, you can put things

aside.

Really if you look at all of that, Mr. Speaker, you can

almost take that little analogy and you could combine it and connect it with

the eight long-term principles.

Now we can debate whether they are a principle or not, but we can look at it

that there are tenets, or they are guiding stars, or they are something that

you watch as you go through.

Pretty much how this Budget is based on that gives us a similar type of plan

as you would find in your own home.

In the next few minutes I want to sort of look at that

issue and look at these eight principles.

This is not the direction I had planned to go when I stood up.

So in my next turn, I might talk a little bit more about how it

compares to the district. Right

now I have sort of gone this way so I will continue on with it.

These eight long-term principles, we are going to

cultivate the culture of cost management.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Oh, oh!

MR. CROSS:

It is all a joke. It is all a

big joke.

We are going to look at that over the next few years.

We are not going to be unleashing a series of all kinds of radical

cost-reduction measures. We are

not going to look at a panic attack and address this.

We have to look at overhauling the whole program that we have.

I am choosing some of the phrases that the minister

used in his Budget to sort of address this.

We are going to look at this and how we can contain this and keep

fiscal management a high priority over the next few years.

It is pretty much the same as you would do in your

house. Every member here has a

household budget and when we look at what we are doing, we have to, in our

own homes, cultivate that culture of cost management.

If it works in our homes and we can take that attitude, then it

should work for us on a much larger basis.

Another thing that most of us, if we look at our homes,

are really happy with or we really want to promote and sustain as we go

forward is we want to sustain our health or our vitality as we go forward.

In doing so, we need to look at a way

that we can address this issue that, again, balances the choices we have to

make and takes us off in that different direction towards the future.

Currently, the way this approach is taking for health

sustainability one aspect of it is we are going to combine some of the

similar activities that are happening in the four health care boards and the

back office operations that are happening there, that happens in all four,

to reduce duplication, or quadruplicating in this case.

Then we are going to put some of these measures together and operate

them out of the same function.

In doing so, it enables a savings in administration and administrative-type

resources.

The other thing, Mr. Speaker, if we are in our families

and we look towards the future, we think about how if you offer your

children or your child is here and they are trying to decide which way to go

for the future, they have to match their education with the reality of what

is out there. It is useless to

go train to be a moon lander if there are no moon landings happening; but if

you do need oil drillers, then you access what is there.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER:

Order, please!

MR. CROSS:

In our approach as a government, Mr. Speaker, individuals in their household

cannot control that, but the government of the Province can to the point

that they can institute plans that the education system fits the needs of

the community. We have been

talking about that for years, we can talk about it forever, because it has

always got to be that way.

Currently, we need it to be more of an acute need for

us over the next few years. We

have to adjust our education system to match the needs of our communities.

AN HON. MEMBER:

(Inaudible) moon landing.

MR. CROSS:

I f we ever do need that moon

landing, we have someone prepared for it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. CROSS:

At this point I suggest there would be many of us here that could jump

to go in orbit at any time.

Another one of

these principles and I am half way through them, but my time is going to

expire probably before I get all the way through is the development of the

attrition plan. Again, as an

approach to

AN HON. MEMBER:

(Inaudible).

MR. CROSS: I see must have tickled the fancy of someone across there.

AN HON. MEMBER:

(Inaudible).

MR. CROSS:

Oh, absolutely absolutely.

Through the attrition plan what do we plan to do to

address the rightsizing or the changing of our civil service to make it fit

for the future? Do we have a

panic attack and say we have a lot of individuals who have to go and then,

when we do, all of our younger employees with student loans and all kinds of

other issues on the go are very nervous then about their employment?

You take that vein, like we have sometimes before, and what happens

is we lose a lot of the bright training that we have created.

In this case, as a way of rightsizing our civil

service, our Premier and our Minister of Finance has sort of devised a plan

for us whereby we will remove people when they retire.

So, people make the personal choice, I am going to leave the civil

service, I am going to retire, I have served my time; and for every ten of

these retirements if you are only going to hire back eight but strategically

look at how this impacts on your whole organization, then what happens is

everyone has felt useful, they have had an entire career to contribute to

our Province, and then the younger ones who are getting into the system are

being able to be stabilized and say I have my job, I have not got the risk I

am going to lose it this year or next year, and I can look ahead.

So, these young people can make plans for their future

and not be worried about do I have a job, don't I have a job, and that is a

very stressful situation to be in.

We have all been there because all of us have had our time in the

labour force or in the workforce throughout our Province.

We have all gone through times when who gets laid off when times are

bad? The person with the lowest

amount of experience, the person who has the hardest chance to succeed in

the future if they lose what basis of income they have.

Mr. Speaker, the attrition plan we look at is a way of

saying to these younger people hold in there, things are leveling off,

things are going to be better for the future and you will have a better

life.

I see I only have ten seconds left.

I have another two hours of material, so I will be back again.

I thank you for your time today, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.

MR. EDMUNDS:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I guess like everybody in this hon. House I will stand

up and say that I am glad to stand on my feet and represent the great

District of Torngat Mountains.

Let me tell you about Torngat Mountains, Mr. Speaker.

I am sure everybody knows it is by far the largest district in the

Province. You can actually take

the whole Island of Newfoundland and fit it into my district and you would

have some space left over.

I think when I drive around the Avalon Peninsula I go

through fourteen districts in about twenty minutes.

Back home, it takes me two hours to drive to the closest community.

MS DEMPSTER:

On your Ski-Doo.

MR. EDMUNDS:

By snowmobile, yes.

Mr. Speaker, having said that, I listened to the Member

for Bonavista North; the member came into this House of Assembly I think the

same time I did in October, 2011.

When I hear him talk about not having to borrow for seven years and

it is time to get away from that, to borrow, because of hard times and the

cloth is not big enough. I know

he is relatively new, the same as I am, but the party that he represents has

been there for twelve years.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. EDMUNDS:

Not only that, Mr. Speaker, I think there was $20 billion in oil revenue, $5

billion from the Atlantic Accord; $25 billion from those two alone $25

billion. Now, what are we doing?

We are looking at borrowing $4 billion over the next four years.

Sometimes a little bit of homework can go a long way.

The common terminology back then was spend like drunken sailors.

Now we are seeing the proof.

The people of the Province are the ones who are going to have to pay

for this, Mr. Speaker, everyone.

I heard the member talk about your priorities, shelter

and transportation. If you look

at all the districts in the Province, that is true, shelter and

transportation. I just asked the

Minister of Transportation and Works about airport landing fees, Mr. Speaker

transportation. That cost just

went up. We love to take care of

transportation too, but the minister has made it all of a sudden very much

more difficult. With the outside

world now, the only connection in my district is by airplane.

We talk about summer transportation.

I look at the ferries that are coming into play, and the ones that

are already here, Hazel McIssac

and Grace Sparkes .

I look at the ones that are coming; I think it is the

MV Veteran and the

MV Legionnaire , and all deserved

and all needed. You can look at

transportation in Labrador. We

can look at the RFPs, and guess what?

They are not even on the table anymore.

They have been pulled off the table.

The whole reason for the new ferry system was because

the ferry system that is in existence now is outdated, it is obsolete, and

it is costing the taxpayers more and more money to run.

When you have machinery for X number of years, it tends to wear out

and it has to be replaced, otherwise the breakdowns will continue and

continue and continue. Certainly

we have seen this with the Apollo ,

with the Astron , and with the

Northern Ranger .

It is the reason why the fleet is being replaced in some parts of the

Province. I have to say that,

Mr. Speaker, in some parts of the Province.

Just a few comments there, and certainly I would like

to talk about some items in this year's Budget, Mr. Speaker.

You are going to a lock down or Budget lock down, and when you do get

a chance to review the Budget your first order of business I guess is to

look at your critic areas. As

the critic for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, you look at what the Budget

impacts will be for Labrador and for the Aboriginal communities in our

Province. There is always a look

at how your own district would benefit.

I would like to go back to last year just for a second,

Mr. Speaker, in relevance to how this government operates.

I want to look at firefighting and emergency equipment that the

government announced last year, starting in June, 2014, right up until, I

think it was November 2014. I

counted fifteen vehicles, pump rescue trucks, fire trucks if it could be

very general. You look at where

those trucks were awarded it almost made you think that last year was going

to be an election year.

I remember a letter, Mr. Speaker, I think it was in

July or maybe early August, that was sent from the Minister of Municipal

Affairs at the time to the community of Nain saying your request for a fire

emergency vehicle has not been accepted at this time because of the fact

that the funding has already been disbursed in this category.

The funding had already been disbursed and there was no funding left.

Well, guess what, Mr. Speaker?

They announced seven fire trucks after that.

They announced seven more after that.

After one community was told there is no money left, they announced

six more.

This is how this government operates, Mr. Speaker.

Certainly, you can understand why we are probably in the predicament

we are now when you look at mismanagement and having spent like drunken

sailors, I think was the term I used earlier, and it is one that has been

used over and over. Now that

they have pretty much blown the $25 billion, they are looking to the

taxpayers, the hard working people of this Province to cover their mistakes,

increasing the tax.

I would like to go back to some of the programs, some

of the announcements in the Budget.

I would like to talk a little bit about the social programs that have

come forward. I will give credit

where credit is due, when you look at the issues that surround communities

like Natuashish and some of the communities in my district where there is a

need to address the social issues.

The creation of six additional front line Child, Youth and Family

Services positions, Mr. Speaker, I think it is a good move, and the

continued support of the social worker rotation program in Natuashish.

I remember when the Premier was the Minister of Child,

Youth and Family Services, we talked about introducing this program where

there would be mentorship from experienced social workers to some of the new

social workers who would be coming online and how people had high hopes for

this program. It is by far one

of the most successful programs.

Is it the end solution? No, it

is probably not, but it is certainly one that gives you forward movement and

one we would like to see continued.

The announcement of funds towards a domestic violence

court in Labrador is something I have advocated for since I became elected

in this hon. House, is the need for justice in Labrador because when you

look at the number of cases, some of them were violent crimes where

acquittal was probably a common term.

It was causing everyone to believe the justice system, whether it be

in Labrador or anywhere else, was failing.

It was failing the people.

It was failing the victims.

I just saw recently the minister had announced, I think

three new positions in the Crown Attorney's office in Goose Bay.

The court circuit in Goose Bay does not just serve the community of

Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Court

circuits go up the North Coast.

They take in the Northwest River and Sheshatshiu, and they go down to the

South Coast. It is actually the

second busiest court in the Province, Mr. Speaker, second only to the City

of St. John's and surrounding areas.

So there was a need to bring justice back effective

justice, if I could be so bold as to say that, Mr. Speaker.

I think we have to wait and see how effective these programs will be.

I think if you deal with the social issues, it will certainly have an

impact in the justice system.

Hopefully we can get a lot of our people into social programming that would

help them stay off the court docket and things like that.

Mr. Speaker, I saw that there was a half million dollar

announcement to establish a new oncology suite at the Lab West Health Centre

to provide a better setting for those families who have to undertake

chemotherapy treatment.

Certainly, we welcome that.

I would like to talk about Labrador West, Mr. Speaker,

just for a few minutes. When I

looked at the Budget and I looked at the situation in Labrador West,

needless to say I was a bit disappointed in what was being offered to offset

some of the issues and some of the major concerns they have in Lab West.

The iron ore mines in Labrador West and the people who work in the

Towns of Lab City and Wabush, no doubt, have been made contributors to the

provincial economy since the mines started up in 1964 I think it was.

So they have been contributing to our economy ever

since the 1960s. The communities

in Labrador West are totally dependent on the iron ore industry.

In any mining industry in the long term, you will see a series of

booms and busts, and the certainly the people of Lab City and the people of

Wabush have been no exception. A

couple of years ago we saw probably one of the biggest booms that Labrador

West ever experienced. It caused

the inflation rate to go way up in that area of our Province, and then it

all changed overnight. We have

gone into a bust situation now, Mr. Speaker, but the difference is, this

time, it has been a bust like the region has never, ever seen before.

Right now you are seeing initially 450 people out of

work. You are seeing the Wabush

Mines shut down. I think last

report there were five people working there.

They have gone into permanent shutdown.

The Town of Wabush is feeling the loss of this main player, Mr.

Speaker, because they have gone into EI contributions, but now that is

starting to run out. There is

only a caretaking capacity going on there and a lot of these people are left

without employment.

It has received three-year funding to compensate the

loss to their grant in lieu, but in just a matter of time this is going to

run out and this is going to mean a loss of $2 million to their annual

budget, and that is certainly going to be devastating.

Iron ore mines continue to employ people but they have

had cutbacks. All indicators are

that although we hope for the industry to pick up and more than likely it

will pick up. When you are

coming off of a boom such as Lab West had two years ago, you have people

buying into mortgages at high rates, very high rates, and once you get into

layoffs and the industry crashes if you look at the budget for a region that

has carried the Province, no doubt, at different times over the last fifty

or sixty years, there has been very little put in place in this year's

Budget to help offset some of the major issues that Lab West has been

experiencing.

Certainly we would look for at least some statement by

this government or some means of contributing to that economy to carry them

past this recent bust situation until the market takes an upturn.

We certainly look forward to that and certainly hope that there is

some initiative taken to help those people out.

I would like to talk about the PCB situation in

Hopedale, Mr. Speaker. I know

this has been an ongoing commitment by the government, whether it is through

provincial coffers or through the compensation that was put in trust by the

American air force who were the cause of a lot of these problems.

I think there has been $1.1 million to continue with the second phase

of remediation.

Having grown up in Hopedale, Mr. Speaker, and going

back and monitoring in person on site the PCB cleanup over the last three or

four years, the concern that I have even though it has never been proven

and from knowing pretty much everyone in the District of Torngat Mountains

is the alarming cancer rate in Hopedale, when you compare it to other

communities in Nunatsiavut. It

seems to be marginally higher.

As you follow the cleanup and you look at the contamination in the

community, it is hard to pinpoint the different areas.

There are actually houses that have been built on contaminated sites.

It is good to see a commitment to help clean up those sites.

The biggest concern that I have and this is from,

like I said, monitoring the site on the ground is that the more they look,

the more they find. If you look

at the contaminants that came out just last summer alone, Mr. Speaker, that

tested positive for PCBs, this was smack in the middle of a community,

through leakage, and through contaminated waste sites that the American air

force used in Hopedale. It is

certainly good to see that there is a continued commitment.

I would like to talk a little bit about the housing

program very quickly, Mr. Speaker.

I know that I have more issues to bring up and I will go into more

detail on some of the other issues.

I would like to talk about $250,000 to the Provincial Home Repair

Program. It is a wonderful

program. I did speak to the

former minister responsible for Housing, the Member for Harbour Main two

years ago.

The problem is with the guidelines where there is a

cap. As you go north, the cost

of materials increases. If you

have a $7,000 cap on an application and your material costs $5,000, then you

get roughly one-quarter of what you would get anywhere else in the Province.

It just does not give you any excess funds to get the job done, in

terms of carpentry work, Mr. Speaker, if you are not going to be able to do

that yourself.

Those are just a few issues that I would like to bring

forward, and certainly I will have time over the next debate slots to have a

more issues to bring forward.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER (Littlejohn):

The hon. the Member for Bonavista South.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. LITTLE:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am delighted to be able to speak on Budget 2015.

Budget 2015 is all about Balancing Choices for a Promising Future for

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

I will talk about some of the positive announcements

that were made in Budget 2015.

There were a fair number of positive announcements over the last ten years

that led up to Budget 2015. As a

matter of fact, there was actually a $6 billion investment over the last ten

years in infrastructure alone; infrastructure that included renovations to

schools, to health care facilities, to upgrades to roads, and enhanced

municipal infrastructure.

I would like to talk about how some of the

infrastructure programs tied into my district, the District of Bonavista

South. In health care alone, in

the last number of years this government, that I am part of, actually

invested major funding into health care, into a new bungalow style community

residence that is up and running for the people on the Bonavista Peninsula.

A project that cost $2.6 million, a project that is valued by our

seniors, by employees who work in that particular facility, and by all

people in the region of the Bonavista Peninsula.

This government committed to putting that particular building in

place. It is open, and it is

open to the people on the Bonavista Peninsula which was a great investment.

Also, in addition to that particular announcement is

dialysis. This government has

shown time after time, in all regions of Newfoundland and Labrador, how we

continually invested in dialysis services throughout Newfoundland and

Labrador, a service that could be brought closer to the homes of dialysis

patients. An investment that was

very important to all people on dialysis throughout Newfoundland and

Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER:

Order, please!

MR. LITTLE:

Dialysis services are actually up and running in the Bonavista Health Care

Community Centre in Bonavista and serves the region of the Bonavista

Peninsula. That was another

announcement that was made in the last ten years by the Government of

Newfoundland and Labrador.

I often wonder when I listen to the Opposition and I

hear some comments in relation to we mismanaged, we overspent and so forth,

but health care is a number one priority to all of the people in

Newfoundland and Labrador. I

have heard that over and over and over, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to know what the Opposition would have done differently

in the Budget we actually outlined this year, a Budget that is a very

promising Budget for the future of Newfoundland and Labrador.

I would like to have known what decisions the Opposition would have

made.

If you look at the track record of this government and

look how we used a balanced approach in relation to negotiating collective

agreements for public sector employees.

You look at the pension reform and how our government took a

leadership role in finding a solution to the liability associated with the

pension benefits that would have severely impacted the Province's net debt.

Over the last few years government has worked with the

public sector unions to formalize agreements that protected the Defined

Benefit Plan for approximately 97 per cent of the plan members, including

retirees. We work well as a

government to address the remaining unfunded pension liability.

We will continue to work on that particular issue.

I would like to go back, because I used to be a public

sector employee back in the 1990s.

I remember at that time there was a 20 per cent decrease.

Now, that is not compounded because if you compound that, that would

be upwards towards 22 per cent, 23 per cent.

It was taken away with one stroke of the pen by a Liberal government.

That is a fact, Mr. Speaker.

People in the public service are still impacted by that

one decision which was made by the Liberal government of that day.

Our government continually works in a balanced approach with the

unions.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER:

Order, please!

MR. LITTLE:

We have a proven track record, Mr. Speaker.

We will continue to work in the future and find balanced agreements.

That is where we are as a government.

In this Budget, we do have a five-year plan.

We outlined the five- year plan, Mr. Speaker, and that plan will

certainly help us through a difficult time.

We realize that not only our Province, other provinces around the

country and other countries are faced in relation to a decline in oil prices

that drives the economy and the economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.

We had to face reality and make some decisions, but

they were balanced decisions, Mr. Speaker, that will allow us as a

government, and allow our people and future generations to prosper as a

Province. We did not panic as a

government. We actually came up

with a balanced approach to the economic realities of today.

We outlined a strategic plan leading into the next five years, rather

than come out with a one-year Budget that could have really been sort of

disastrous to a degree.

We did not panic.

We outlined a Budget that will take us into five years with a

balanced approach. That is what

this government is all about, showing strong leadership to take us into the

future, Mr. Speaker.

There were some concerns.

There were concerns coming from municipalities, Mr. Speaker.

I used to be a councillor in the Town of Bonavista.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. LITTLE:

I know how challenging they can be, but under the leadership of Municipal

Affairs and the great department look at what they outlined in this

Budget, Mr. Speaker, a Community Sustainability Partnership plan.

A plan where I actually attended a media release, and at that media

release the President of MNL attended that press release and was certainly

delighted in hearing the news with regard to that announcement that day.

Four out of five requests coming from Municipalities Newfoundland and

Labrador were announced that day; a very positive announcement.

This government is working in partnership with

different levels of government and different organizations throughout

Newfoundland and Labrador. To be

able to come out with an announcement of $46 million over three years and to

actually agree to four out of five recommendations coming from

Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, what an accomplishment, Mr.

Speaker. What a balanced

approach.

This government is all about leadership.

This government is all about listening to communities all around

Newfoundland and Labrador.

In my particular District of Bonavista South, when you

look at some of the MCWs that were proposed in the last number of years and

on a continued basis with regard to improvements to infrastructure, water

and sewer infrastructure, improvements to all types of infrastructure, road

improvements, this government on this side of the House continually works

with municipalities all over Newfoundland and Labrador.

In my district, Mr. Speaker, the mayors of the towns in

Bonavista South are certainly grateful and commend the work that this

government does on a regular basis.

As a matter of fact, just last week the Minister of Business,

Tourism, Culture and Rural Development came to the Town of Bonavista.

Sometimes it is a tongue 'tangler,' and I said that at the meeting as

a matter of fact.

We had a great meeting with the public.

People from all different organizations came out and commended our

government in relation to reaching partnerships with different organizations

and reaching partnerships with the federal government.

The business community came out to that big announcement, that big

event. This government will

continue to work in partnerships with communities, community organizations,

and community councils in the future.

This government is all about actually balancing our approach.

We do promise a bright future for our people, for our children, and

their children, Mr. Speaker.

We decided not to go and borrow, borrow, borrow.

We decided to have a balanced approach, Mr. Speaker, leading into the

future to give people the opportunity in our Province to be able to continue

to work in some of the major projects that are around our Province right

now.

From the District of Bonavista South there are people

working at Long Harbour, Bull Arm, offshore oil, and the Muskrat Falls

Project. This government made it

clear the Muskrat Falls Project will continue.

It will continue, and that is in the best interests of

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, Mr. Speaker.

In the future, I am hopeful and I believe that we will see another

major development in Labrador a development, the Gull Island Project.

That is what this government believes in, Mr. Speaker, a government

that has vision, that has a plan, that will speak on behalf of the people of

Newfoundland and Labrador. We

will make a difference leading into the future.

When you look at agriculture and agrifoods, 6,500

people employed in Newfoundland and Labrador at $500 million annual sales

half a billion dollars in annual sales coming from that one particular

sector, Mr. Speaker. This

government invested $12 million in Budget 2015.

What an accomplishment.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. LITTLE:

When you look at the business sector, $200 million for business to diversify

and to be globally competitive.

What an investment, $200 million; $102 million in business tax credits; $44

million business and regional development; and $1 million in a new digital

media tax credit. That is in

business alone, Mr. Speaker, but what an accomplishment.

Our government has invested heavily in infrastructure

investments; Transportation and Works, $317.9 million; a K-12 system, $95

million; in health care, $133.7 million; and in Municipal Affairs, $118.9

million.

Mr. Speaker, when you look at the total of those

investments you are talking billions and billions and billions of dollars.

This government is committed to the families and communities in this

Province. We, as a government,

do have a plan to have a heritage fund in 2019.

Our economy will rebound; we are going to be okay, Mr. Speaker.

Under the leadership of our new Premier, we will be

okay. We have a great leader.

We are very optimistic.

There will be tremendous opportunities in this Province under the leadership

of our new Premier and we will be all right.

We will have a bright future, and we will continue to act on behalf

of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The people of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve a clear

plan, a plan that this government has outlined over and over and over.

We do know, as a government, where we are headed.

We are headed for prosperity, optimism, on this side of the House.

We will lead the economy into the future.

We will be one of the greatest provinces in this country of Canada

because we believe by being optimistic and being positive, we can make a

difference for our people leading into the future.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. LITTLE:

We are not talking about borrowing, borrowing, and borrowing.

We do have a balanced approach, and we are letting the people of

Newfoundland and Labrador know exactly what our plan is.

The people are starting to realize and believe that we are honest,

upfront, and we do have a vision and a plan leading into the future, Mr.

Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. LITTLE:

It is important to all the people to have a choice.

They are going to make a choice, Mr. Speaker.

Most people will realize that that choice is very important leading

into the future. A choice of

optimism, a choice for a government that will lead us into the next number

of years who will definitely promote this Province through other countries

all around the world.

Looking at our growing tourism industry, over $1

billion industry, Mr. Speaker

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. LITTLE:

an industry that continues to grow, to grow because this government has

invested millions of dollars into the tourism industry.

Everywhere I go, listening to people all over the world who come to

the District of Bonavista South to visit and they leave with an appreciation

and they always say we are coming back again.

We are coming back to this beautiful Province.

Why? Because this

government invested in tourism ads, invested in infrastructure related to

tourism, and this government will continue to invest in that particular part

of our economy an economy that is a growing economy

The tourism industry is very vibrant.

We have other provinces around our country who are looking at what we

are doing as a Province, how great our Province is, Mr. Speaker; they

believe in our Province. They

are looking at our ads. They are

actually using our ads in other provinces.

Why? Because our ads are

positive, our advertising is positive, and they can see.

They have vision and they understand where our Province is.

I tell you what; we are going to stay optimistic on this side of the

House. We are going to stay

optimistic. We do have a plan,

we do have a vision, and we will continue on, on behalf of the people of

Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. LITTLE:

I feel very optimistic here today being able to speak in this House of

Assembly on behalf of the people of Bonavista South, and the people of

Newfoundland and Labrador. We do

have a vision that will lead us into the future, Mr. Speaker, a vision that

will bring wealth to this Province.

This government is a good government.

I am delighted to be part of this government.

This government has great leaders on this side of the House and a

great leader in our Premier.

We have a vision for tomorrow, for the future, and

beyond the future. We will

continue to work hard on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

We will definitely continue to work hard.

We will listen to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

We will collaborate with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador as

we have done in the past, and we will continue to make sure our economy

grows and grows and grows, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER:

The hon. the Member for St. John's East.

It is disturbing to me that

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER:

Order, please!

Thank you.

The hon. the Member for St. John's East.

MR. MURPHY:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I wanted to bring this up as a prelude to the chat that

we will have about the Budget.

There was a very important component to the Budget that I think this House

should reconsider, that the government should reconsider.

The simple matter dealt with this morning in the House in Business,

Tourism, Culture and Rural Development had to do with the special

celebrations and events in your Budget book.

In the Budget book they talked about a line item that

showed a pretty heavy cut to the World War I celebrations; in particular, a

cut to the installation of, in my mind, a very important monument, that of

another caribou to be installed in the area of Gallipoli.

We have other monuments around.

We have, of course, the caribou monument in Bowring Park here in the

city, which is a centre of pride and a centre of remembrance for this

Province. We also have memorials

in Courtrai in Belgium and another four in France.

I feel that it does not matter the reason, this Budget

allotment should have been left as is, supposing it takes forever to get

this memorial in place. To see

the money was actually taken away by government we know the boys who made

the ultimate sacrifice are still going to be remembered there in the form of

a plaque. As far as I am

concerned a plaque is not going all the way like we should be, like they did

for us all those years ago in 1915.

Mr. Speaker, I wanted to make note of that first.

I am hoping government is going to reverse this decision that is made

in this Budget when it comes to this particularly sensitive at least for

me, very sensitive item that is in the Budget document itself.

I will leave that with you.

We have other items that would immortalize our people

in our minds and ingrain them in our history.

I know that they are now, but the installation of a memorial in

another place where such fine Newfoundlanders and Labradorians not only

did they help build this Province, it is one of the reasons why we are here

in this House, Mr. Speaker. They

were fighting an enemy and they did it for us.

Mr. Speaker, I take pride today in standing up in this

House and addressing this Budget.

I wanted to leave that thought with the government that I think they

should reverse the decision on the allotments of money, and put the money

back into the Budget to get this caribou installed as a living testament to

the sacrifice of those who have fallen before us.

Courtrai, Beaumont Hamel, Monchy-le-Preux, Gueudecourt,

and Masnires are all in France, except for Courtrai in Belgium.

Of course, Bowering Park is where these memorials have been placed.

Hopefully, one of these days we are going to see that same likeness

put up in Gallipoli, just up the shore from Kangaroo Beach and Suvla Bay,

and we will have Newfoundlanders and Labradorians immortalized again.

Mr. Speaker, I wanted to address the Budget here too

because I feel this Budget is one of lost opportunity.

In the dying days of any Administration, I think we all have time to

reflect. Hopefully, government

will reflect on things that it did not do.

At the same time, realizing the things that it has done and how it

got here in the first place.

The first thing I will address is a couple of things I

noticed in the Budget as well the other day, just to come to light on one

particular item that was brought up.

In the House on Thursday, I also talked about the cuts to Fire and

Emergency Services, and the Member for Exploits did not know where they were

coming from. Well, if he had

read his Budget document, I will refer him to 18.20 of the Budget document

that shows under Emergency Services, the Emergency Services Division

including the development and maintenance of effective provincial emergency

preparedness planning, response and recovery measures as well as planning

and coordinating Federal, Provincial and Municipal resources to respond to

large scale civil emergencies and disasters occurring in the Province.

The allotment for this particular department under Fire

and Emergency Services, to let the Member for Exploits know, went from $2.7

million down to $646,000. So I just

wanted to let him know on what page of the Budget document, because I guess

he never read it, that this

section came from, because he told me that I was

misinformed.

Well, Mr. Speaker, I do not know unless the numbers are

wrong unless the Finance Minister has it wrong.

MR. FORSEY:

A point of order.

MR. SPEAKER:

A point of order, the hon. the Member for Exploits.

MR. FORSEY:

A point of order, Mr. Speaker.

I was referring to the funding for fire trucks and

equipment. The member for the

fire and emergency services association of Newfoundland and Labrador stated

that it stayed at the record high level of $5 million.

MR. SPEAKER:

There is no point of order.

The hon. the Member for St. John's East.

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Hear, hear!

MR. MURPHY:

Just to let the Member for Exploits know, I guess it shows that sometimes

government does not listen because he was not listening on that day either.

I had referred to the Emergency Services

section of the Budget,

section 6.1.03 of the Budget documentation that the cut was from $2.7

million down to $646,000. That

came as a direct response to the minister at the time when he made a

minister's statement saying how the provincial government is going to be

there. I merely asked a

question, I tell the Member for Exploits, that if

the funding was there it would

certainly show that if government was going to be responsive, the money

would have been there in the Budget, but it was not.

Anyway, I wanted to correct that record; that is number one.

Mr. Speaker, we

are here in a situation and government tells us in the Budget documents that

nobody can predict where the price of oil was going.

I can think of a couple of places, a couple of different groups,

besides myself, outside of myself, that made the prediction that there was a

going to be a collapse in oil prices.

I can go back

to April 2010 in The Telegram

story where I made one prediction as regards to a price collapse in the

price of oil. I can think of

going back to 2012 when the Muskrat Falls debate came out, the PIRA

estimates themselves talked about a low end point of oil where the

possibility was there albeit low, but still there.

The possibility was there, I tell the government, that oil could be

reaching $50 a barrel.

Again, in the

Muskrat Falls debate, and also in the Budget debate of 2012, we brought up

the point by a gentleman by the name of Leonardo Maugeri who was head of an

Italian oil corporation. There

is no better man, I do not think, that would be in an oil company that would

know about his own operations and about predicting the way that the price of

oil is going to be. (Inaudible)

said it himself. He is teaching

down at the Harvard School of Economics, the Kennedy school, where he talked

about a very good possibility of a collapse of the price of oil, down below

$75 a barrel; Leonardo Maugeri was his name.

Anybody can google that report out there and find it online.

It is very interesting reading because he comes out with some future

possibilities.

Now, I am going

to tell government what my synopsis is as regards to where the price of oil

is going to be, Mr. Speaker. I

see trouble again in the future.

I do; I see trouble again in the future.

For the first two years, your guesses for oil are probably okay but,

after that, the next three years that they are predicting where the price of

oil is going to be going, anywhere past $71 is going to be a mistake.

I think it is going to be a mistake because the first thing that they

have forgotten about is US domestic production.

Some of these

members in our little hallway chats and everything have asked me themselves

where I thought the price of oil was going to be going.

That is all I can do, I tell you.

That is all I can do is put out the sounding bells as regards to

where the possibility of the price of a barrel of oil is going.

I will tell you this; again, with the increase with the price of a

barrel of oil over the last couple of days, what we have been noticing, the

decline in the number of drilling rigs that have been parked is slowing .

I think everybody here would admit that.

If the Minister of Natural Resources is watching that number and I

told him, keep an eye on that rig count number.

In Canada, last week, zero zero.

Oil companies right now, especially the small producers, are looking

at getting back into the business.

If they are getting back into the business

AN HON. MEMBER:

(Inaudible).

MR. MURPHY:

Again, I tell the Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, the Member

for Terra Nova, there was a zero decline in the drop of rigs last week.

They did not climb, they did not fall, but the number is zero.

It is the first week of stability in this country in the drilling

industry that they have seen in a long time.

So I warn government when it comes to your predictions

in the future on oil, do not depend on them to be the exact ones.

I know you have to do some budget figuring and you have to have some

balance here, but it is a mistake it is a mistake.

The reason why is because as the price of a barrel of oil rises to

the present level where it is to now, people are thinking on getting back

in.

They are going to get back into the industry.

They are going to start producing again.

Mr. Speaker, right now down in the States I will ask government

this one. Maybe I should ask it

during Question Period, but I will tell government exactly what is happening

down in the States right now. Right

now there are 4,700 oil wells that are capped.

All you have to do is turn on the spigot and out comes the oil.

They are already done.

They have already drilled. They

are just waiting for the price to go up.

As soon as they turn it up

AN HON. MEMBER:

The price goes down.

MR. MURPHY:

Exactly; the price is going to go down.

The more supply is going to end up out on the market

when that price of oil goes up.

It is already ready to go. There

is 158 million barrels alone in floating storage right now just off the

coast of some of the OPEC nations.

That is the latest inventory that they have, 159 million barrels,

enough to pick it up and add more glut out there onto the market.

I really caution government that they had better watch

it, watch out for these numbers.

Because if these numbers are going to fall off again, if the

Document details

Collection	Newfoundland and Labrador — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	2015-05-11
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	2015-05-11
Language	en
Format	htm
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	f05fa545667c13497b974ec708f8dba43390524b

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (htm).