Newfoundland and Labrador Hansard — Bills 45, 44, 34, 29 — 19 November 2001 (44th General Assembly, 3rd Session, Vol. XLIV No. 32)
2001-11-19
Newfoundland and Labrador — Debates (Hansard)
November 19, 2001 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
PROCEEDINGS Vol. XLIV No. 32
The House met at 10:00 a.m.
MR. SPEAKER (Snow): Order, please!
Just to advise hon. members so that everybody will be informed as to why we
are meeting in this special session this morning: as you know, when we meet at
1:30 this afternoon we will, for the first time, be televising the proceedings
of the Legislature and we need authorization from the House to do that, so we
have a resolution that will be presented to the House now to deal with that.
The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. LUSH: Mr. Speaker, the resolution is as follows:
Resolution
"Be it Resolved that this House of Assembly do authorize the recording
on film and the televising of its proceedings in accordance with guidelines made
by the Honourable the Speaker in consultation with the Commission of Internal
Economy."
MR. SPEAKER: Are the members ready for the question?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
Motion carried.
Notices of Motion
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave to introduce a
bill entitled, "An Act Respecting The Name Of The Province."
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Environment.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. RALPH WISEMAN: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave of the House to introduce the
following bills:
A bill, "An Act Respecting The Environmental Protection Act." (Bill
45)
A bill, "An Act Respecting The Control And Management Of Water Resources
In The Province." (Bill 44)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Government Services and Lands.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. NOEL: I thought I was just popular at the convention!
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave to introduce a
bill entitled, "An Act To Facilitate Electronic Commerce By Removing
Barriers To The Use Of Electronic Communication."
AN HON. MEMBER: See if you can handle that one, Loyola. (Inaudible).
MR. NOEL: There is lots in it for Loyola to deal with, let me tell you.
Mr. Speaker, I further give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave to
introduce a bill entitled, "An Act To Amend The Lands Act."
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS BETTNEY: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave
to introduce the following bills:
A bill, "An Act Respecting The Practice Of Massage Therapy."
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Dental Act."
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave
to introduce a bill entitled, "An Act To Permit An Action By One Person On
Behalf Of A Class Of Persons." (Bill 34)
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Works, Services and Transportation.
MR. BARRETT: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave
to introduce a bill entitled, "An Act To Amend The Motor Carrier Act."
(Bill 29)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. LUSH: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all hon. members for their
tremendous cooperation. This session was called to accommodate this afternoon,
to make proceedings a little more smooth and a little more expeditious. What we
want to do again is to agree that we call this a sitting day, so that the
Notices of Motion just given will appear this afternoon as first readings. In
order to do that, we do have to call this a sitting day.
If hon. members agree to that, we can adjourn debate until this afternoon.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Opposition House Leader.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. E. BYRNE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Just to concur with the Government House Leader, both sides, certainly and
obviously, in an attempt to ensure that the first televised proceedings of the
House proceed in an expeditious manner, I suppose, and in as civilized a manner
as possible, I want to say to the Government House Leader that we concur that
this be a sitting day, obviously, from the Official Opposition point of view.
There has been some agreement on legislation and I want to just take the
opportunity, in the Chamber, to say a special thank you to the Government House
Leader for providing some legislation up front - not all of it, but some of it -
to the extent that he could. Hopefully it is a sign of things to come. Maybe in
the spring Legislature we will have it all a month before, possibly. You never
know. In the meantime, I want to say that we concur with the request made by the
Government House Leader and it is by agreement, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.
MR. HARRIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Just to concur and make it unanimous, as is required for this type of
activity, I would like to say that we agree also that this will be a sitting day
and forego the other routine proceedings that are on the Order Paper for this
morning's session.
I also thank the Government House Leader for making available the
legislation. In conversation with the Government House Leader over the last few
days, it certainly seems that the government is more interested in seeing an
orderly passage of legislation instead of piling it all up until the end of the
session. Maybe we will even get to the stage where we will use our Legislation
Review Committees again and have legislation discussed and debated in advance.
Perhaps TV is going to be a civilizing influence on the House proceedings, Mr.
Speaker, but that remains to be seen. In any event, the cooperation that is here
this morning will allow us to move into this afternoon with a proper session
available for the public of the Province.
On motion, the House at its rising adjourned until 1:30 p.m.
November 19, 2001 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Vol.
XLIV No. 33
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
MR. SPEAKER (Snow): Order, please!
Before we begin our routine proceedings today I would like to observe an old
parliamentary tradition, I have the distinct pleasure today of introducing two
new members who were elected on June 19, to the House of Assembly. They are: Mr.
Roland Butler, the Member for Port de Grave, and Mr. Danny Williams, the Member
for Humber West.
I have been informed by the Clerk that both of these members have taken the
Oath of Allegiance to the Crown as required by the Constitution and have signed
the Roll of the Members.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LUSH: Mr. Speaker, I present before you, Mr. Roland Butler, the
Member for Port de Grave, who claims the right to take his seat.
MR. SPEAKER: Let the member take his seat.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. E. BYRNE: Mr. Speaker, I present to you Mr. Danny Williams, the
Member for Humber West and Leader of the Opposition, who claims the right to
take his seat.
MR. SPEAKER: Let the member take his seat.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER GRIMES: Mr. Speaker, if I could, by leave of the House, to just
briefly do two things: one is to say thank you to everybody in the Legislature
for the unanimous consent that was given so that we could televise the
proceedings of the House of Assembly beginning with this session this afternoon,
and a heartfelt thank you to all members who believe in this particular concept
and idea, and who did give unanimous consent so that we could proceed today.
Also, Mr. Speaker, to welcome the two new members; welcome to the new Member
for Port de Grave. We are delighted to have Mr. Butler with us as a member of
our particular caucus, and delighted to welcome the Leader of the Opposition,
the Member for Humber West, to the Legislature. I wish good fortune and good
luck to my colleague in our caucus for a long time in the future. I know that
will be the case. I do wish every success to the Leader of the Opposition taking
upon a very serious role, Mr. Speaker, in terms of governance in Newfoundland
and Labrador, and he joins a list of people who have performed the task very
well, extremely well in the past, and I know he will bring his own style and his
own approach to making sure that the position of Leader of the Opposition is
filled with the kind of dignity that the office needs and is really respected in
this particular Legislature in the job that he is about to undertake.
Congratulations. Thank you to everybody. Congratulations and welcome to the
two new members.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, I would like to thank the Premier for his remarks. Certainly it
is a great honour for me to be here today in these hallowed halls. It is a great
privilege to stand here as the Member for Humber West and Leader of the
Opposition.
I have my family here with me today, Mr. Speaker, in the gallery: my wife,
Maureen; my mother; my daughters; my son, Daniel; my brothers; and my
son-in-law, Trevor Morris.
It is a very proud day for all our family. I want to thank my wife, Maureen,
and our children for the support and the courage that they have had on enabling
us to reach our decision. This was a tough decision for us as a family.
I commend all hon. Members in this House of Assembly for the tough job that
they perform here. It is a great sacrifice, and I do truly commend you for the
work that you do on behalf of your constituents.
I thank my wife and my children for their support. I also want to thank my
mother for her inspiration throughout my life and for having the opportunity to
have observed her passion and her conviction at a time in the 1950s and 1960s
when us Tories were really considered an endangered species.
I have one regret, I guess, that my father, Tommy, is not here today. Dad was
a person who loved people, and he loved politics. I think if he had been here
today it would have been an absolutely wonderful 80 th birthday
present and a great Christmas present because he celebrated his birthday in
December. The only regret is that he is not here today to join us, but I am sure
he is looking down on us.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues, members of
my caucus, who have helped me get through this transition into public life;
which has not been easy. It has been a difficult one, and I acknowledge that I
am a new member here in this Chamber. I guess I feel a little bit like Daniel in
the lion's den here as I look at the coliseum around me. It has been a tough
transition and they have been very supportive. Even though I will make a few
mistakes on the way through I fully expect to have their support and their
guidance, and I thank them. I thank them one and all.
As well, I would like to extend congratulations to my counterpart, Roland
Butler, the Member for Port de Grave. I wish you every success, Roland. I hope
you enjoy your stay in the Legislature. We are all eligible of course as
candidates for rookie of the year, together with the hon. Member for St. Barbe
and the hon. Member for The Straits & White Bay North. I will not be
disappointed if I do not get it because these two fellows have actually had a
chance to strut their stuff a little longer than we have.
Finally and equally important, I want to thank my constituents, the people of
Humber West, the people who placed their trust and confidence in me and have
placed me in this Chamber on their behalf. As the Premier has indicated, I take
my responsibilities very seriously and I truly respect the proceedings in this
Legislature. As well, I hope I will not betray their confidence. In fact, I hope
I can live up to the responsibility and the trust that they have placed in me.
They were there for me when I needed them and I will be there for them when they
need me.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very proud. My family is very proud. I thank you
and your staff for the cooperation that you have given me throughout to help me
get here today, and I look forward to it. Thank you one and all.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.
MR. HARRIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As Leader of the New Democratic Party I would like to join with the Premier
in, first of all, acknowledging what an important step into a new era it is.
That we are now able to be seen across the great Province of Newfoundland and
Labrador live for the first time. This is a new era in politics for this
Province and a new era for this House. I think it is an important step that we
all supported, as the Premier has acknowledged. We are very happy to see this
happen.
Secondly, I really want to welcome both our new colleagues here today. Roland
Butler is no stranger to politics, having worked with a former member and former
minister for many years. Welcome, Mr. Butler, to the floor of the House of
Assembly. We look forward to the debates, as time goes on, and wish you well in
that.
To my former law partner, as many members will know - Mr. Williams - and, I
should say, a long-standing friend as well, welcome to the House of Assembly. We
have had many discussions and debates over the years about politics, in our
business dealings and otherwise. I want to say how pleased I am to see you here
in the House of Assembly, as a member of this debating body, and not just a
debating body but a body in which we discuss and present our various visions of
the future of this Province. I know this is a proud day for you, as it is for
Mr. Butler, and your families who are here. I do not know the Butler family but
I know your family very well. I know how interested they have all been in
politics over the years, and I am sure they will be paying a lot more attention
to what goes on in the House of Assembly now that you are here. Welcome to you
both, and congratulations on your election victory.
I guess my only regret today is that there were not three people being
introduced to the House of Assembly, a third one for our caucus, but we will be
working hard on that and our day will come soon, I hope.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Before I call members' statements, I notice that the hon.
the Member for Port de Grave is standing.
The hon. the Member for Port de Grave.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. BUTLER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I just want to say, in a few short words, thank you to the Leader of the
Opposition, Mr. Harris from the NDP Party, and our Premier, Mr. Grimes, for
their kind words of welcome here this afternoon. I can assure you, Sir, it is an
honor to be here on behalf of the people of the great District of Port de Grave,
and the people in this Province, to sit as their servant in their House.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
Statements by Members
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Conception Bay East & Bell
Island.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. WALSH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
On October 22 of this year, the Canadian Blood Services group held its second
annual evening to honor donors, volunteers and community partners and sponsors
in Ottawa. The ceremony, "Honouring our Lifeblood" celebrates and
recognizes the contributions of Canadians who work with Canadian Blood Services
to provide a better blood system for all Canadians.
Each of the donors, volunteers, partners and sponsors were nominated by
employees of Canadian Blood Services locations across the country to represent
the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who set the example of generosity and who
take the time to give. Being a donor, volunteer, community partner or sponsor in
Canada's blood system is a rewarding experience that helps save lives every
minute of every day. I should say that Canadians who are interested in becoming
donors or volunteers, or who wish to participate, should contact Canadian Blood
Services at 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
My purpose for standing today, Mr. Speaker, is to recognize two
Newfoundlanders who had the honor and privilege of being recognized by the
Canadian Blood Services. I would like to point out to the House of Assembly the
names of those two individuals: Amy Barker of Portugal Cove; and also, on behalf
of my colleague from Lewisporte, Gertrude Barrett of Lewisporte, who was honored
at the ceremonies on October 22.
I ask the hon. House to join with me in congratulating those individuals.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's East.
MR. OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I stand today to recognize a constituent of mine in St. John's East, and it
is with respect to an award that was won. The organization honoring this
individual was the Hadassah - WIZO Organization of Canada, and it was
celebrating the International Year of Volunteers by honoring outstanding
volunteers across Canada. The recipient in Newfoundland this year was Mrs. Ruth
Noel, who in fact is the wife of the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mr. John
Noel.
This organization, Mr. Speaker, was founded in 1917 as a non-political women's
volunteer organization. It is dedicated to the support of education, health care
and social welfare programs for women and children in Israel.
Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Noel is well known for her volunteer activities in this
jurisdiction; for example, with the school board, with home and school
associations, with the Girl Guide movement, and was instrumental in leading to a
bill last year that was passed unanimously, namely the Holocaust Memorial Day
Act. She worked very hard towards this and, as members will recall in this
Chamber, this particular piece of legislation was passed unanimously in this
House.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, a few days ago there was a function at the
Beth-El Synagogue here in St. Johns's, and my colleague and friend opposite,
the Minister of Human Resources and Employment, was present, and he joined with
me and many others in honoring Mrs. Noel for this great cause and her
contribution to many worthwhile volunteer organizations in the community.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Humber East.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. MERCER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to pay tribute to the late Mr. Al Pittman, who passed away on
August 26 of this year at the age of sixty-one. Mr. Pittman was an inspiring
educator, a tremendously gifted writer and a man whose works truly captured the
spirit of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Pittman was born in the community of St. Leonard's, Placentia Bay, but
spent most of his life in the City of Corner Brook where he developed his
distinctive style as a writer while also inspiring young people through his
teaching at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College.
His first book of poems, The Elusive Resurrection , was published in
1966, and from that time onward he would capture the imagination of writers from
across Canada and be a source of support and inspiration for artists of all
genres. Other great works followed, such as A Rope Against The Sun and West
Moon . He has also shared his gifts with the children of our Province with
books such as Down By Jim Long's Stage .
Mr. Pittman was a co-founder of Breakwater Books and was the recipient of a
litany of literary awards, such as the Canada Council Award, the Bore Stone
Mountain Poetry Award and the Stephen Leacock Centennial Award. He was an
educator who was greatly loved by students and colleagues alike and helped bring
his strong interest in creative writing that he helped foster.
Mr. Speaker, Al Pittman was one of our Province's great treasurers because
of his writings, his contributions in the field of education, his contributions
to the arts of Newfoundland and Labrador, and because his life and his work
enriches us as a society.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this hon. House to join with me in paying
tribute to the late Mr. Al Pittman.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's South.
MR. T. OSBORNE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to recognize, through the House of Assembly today, the passing
of the oldest resident of the community of Shea Heights, Lucy Vinnicomb, who was
ninety-seven when she passed away. Lucy had a large circle of family and
friends. I had the opportunity to get to know Lucy, and she will be missed by
all residents of the community of Shea Heights. She was a very, well respected
individual.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Port de Grave.
MR. BUTLER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to offer congratulations and best wishes to the Ascension Astro
Jazz Band of Bay Roberts who will be attending the Canada-Cuba Jazz Festival in
Havana between February 14 and 22, 2002.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. BUTLER: The Ascension Astro Jazz Band was founded five years ago and
has been garnering recognition for their performances since then. They will be
the only Newfoundland group performing at this festival and the members of the
band look forward to learning about the music of Cuba with its fusion of North
American, African and Spanish styles.
The eleven member group are currently in the process of fund-raising for
their trip and have decided that rather than merely seeking donations, they will
be making themselves available for parties and functions over the Christmas
holidays. I urge all members of the House of Assembly to join me in
congratulating them and wishing them good luck in their endeavors to represent
the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Labrador West.
MR. COLLINS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
On November 11 weekend I attended the Annual Armistice dinner hosted by the
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 47, Labrador City.
The guest speaker for the evening was Ruby Schofield, a member of Branch 57
in Wabush and an executive member of the Royal Canadian Legion Provincial
Command.
Mr. Speaker, Ms Schofield travelled to France and Belgium with a Youth
Pilgrimage, a group comprised of eight students who were winners of essay, poem
and poster contests sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legions throughout our
schools. One of those students, I am proud to say, was Christa Adams of Wabush.
The students were accompanied by four veterans and four representatives of the
Legion Provincial Command Executive.
Mr. Speaker, Ruby gave a very inspiring and emotional speech on their visit
to France and Belgium from June 29 to July 5 where they participated in the July
1 service at Beaumont Hamel. They also visited and held their own Legion service
at all four Newfoundland and Labrador Memorials in France, and one in Belgium.
Their visit also included Vimy, other gravesites in the area, and churches where
Newfoundlanders, Labradorians, and Canadians are commemorated.
The Youth Pilgrimage was sponsored by the Department of Municipal and
Provincial Affairs and was represented by the hon. minister, Oliver Langdon.
Mr. Speaker, initiatives like this are very important to our youth, our
Veterans, our Legionnaires, and society in general, to ensure that our youth get
every opportunity to learn and be educated on the sacrifices that were made so
we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
Statements by Ministers
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER GRIMES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: Mr. Speaker, two brief things before I make the first
statement; one is to advise the House that today we do intend, I think, and have
given notice to members opposite, that there might be five or six ministerial
statements, which is not the norm, but where we have not been in session for
some time there are five or six matters that deserve attention from ministers.
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).
PREMIER GRIMES: It would not be the norm, Mr. Speaker. It would not be
expected from us. I say that in all seriousness.
As well, the other thing is that members of the media and members of the
Legislature have the advantage of having an Order Paper and the sequence of
events, the proceedings that we are now going through. Since it is our first day
of televised Legislature, if we had concurrence, maybe the Speaker might take
just a minute to remind or advise people who are looking in for the first time,
what the order and sequence is, and what is expected to be accomplished in each
of the headings that are going to be proceeded through in the next three and a
half hours, if it is okay with everyone, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: What I had hoped to have done today was have the Routine
Proceedings and the Orders of the Day posted on the television screen so that
the viewing audience could see it.
Our day is divided into two parts, actually. Routine Proceedings, which
involves Members' Statements, Statements by Ministers, and then the Oral
Question period. Following the Oral Question Period, which lasts thirty minutes,
we have Presenting Reports by Standing and Special Committees, Notices of
Motion, Answers to questions for which notice has been given, and then there is
a period for Petitions to be presented by members, and Petitions are to last for
a maximum of three minutes. Then we get into the Orders of the Day, which is the
government business of the day. On the Order Paper today we have the Address in
Reply, Committee of Supply, and a number of motions that are there for first
reading. So the proceedings are divided into two parts: Routine Proceedings and
Orders of the Day. The Routine Proceedings are as I have outlined to you. The
Orders of the Day is when the government orders and business is done.
The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER GRIMES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to inform the House of Assembly that today
marks the beginning of a series of presentation ceremonies for the Newfoundland
and Labrador Volunteer Medal.
The Volunteer Medal was launched in this year, 2001, to recognize the very
important work done by volunteers throughout the Province and to celebrate this
International Year of Volunteers.
The people of our Province are known throughout Canada and, indeed,
throughout the world, for their incredible generosity and caring spirit.
Volunteers make an incredible difference to and in our communities. Through
coaching, teaching, caring for people and the environment and any number of
other activities, they help to build the strong, vibrant communities envisioned
in government's Strategic Social Plan.
Mr. Speaker, the spirit of generosity that runs so deep in the people of this
Province showed itself to the world in the wake of the September 11 th
tragedy. Individuals, organizations and whole communities worked together to
give shelter, aid and comfort to our unexpected guests. We hear again and again
from stranded passengers who have made their way home, that the people of this
Province treated them like family. What better expression of the volunteer
spirit could there be, than what was exhibited in that circumstance?
Hundreds of nominations were received for the Volunteer Medal from every area
of the Province, from individuals and groups, and even from international
organizations. An independent selection committee was convened to set the award
and nomination criteria, review the submissions and select the ninety-six
recipients from among the nominees; two from each electoral district. We have
forty-eight electoral districts. Their task was difficult, and I sincerely thank
them for their time and the careful consideration they gave to each and every
nomination.
Mr. Speaker, the process has been completed and selections have been made.
The Lieutenant-Governor, His Honour, the Honourable A. M. House, will present
the Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Medal to these ninety-six individuals,
in special ceremonies to be held at various locations across the Province
throughout the coming two weeks.
Today in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the first group of men and women were
honoured. They are residents of Labrador who have each, over the long term, had
profound and wide-reaching impacts on the lives of others, on their communities
and on us all.
Mr. Speaker, these people demonstrate, in the most remarkable way, the very
practical foundation of volunteerism, and the theme of this year's
International Year of the Volunteer: the value of one and the power of many.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR. E. BYRNE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Obviously, we want to be associated with the remarks made by the Premier in
commending and congratulating, acknowledging and highlighting, the volunteers of
Newfoundland and Labrador through a program initiated by government in the last
spring Legislature dealing with, specifically, the Volunteer Medal.
The Premier has made reference to the September 11 tragedy and the impact on
Newfoundland and Labrador in terms of how volunteers, in the spirit of
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, opened our arms up to the world, demonstrating
something that we have always known: our tremendous generosity and our
tremendous hospitality. In fact, in listening to news broadcasts recently, both
provincially and nationally, and internationally, many of the residents who were
here - who, through no fault of their own, were stranded here - who received the
generosity of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, are actually talking about
reunions to occur in the Province. We say to any and all potential visitors:
Please, at any time, come back and join in our hospitality. Continue to enjoy
it. Our Province is open to them.
Mr. Speaker, the Premier also noted about the unusual amount of - I will just
take a moment and I will take my seat - Ministerial Statements. This is more for
the Government House Leader. Certainly, Ministerial Statements are a part of the
Order Paper. We accept them. We have a responsibility, as the Official
Opposition, to respond to them; but in due course, I suppose, and in future
references, in a timely manner, I wonder if it is possible to receive
Ministerial or government Statements more than three to five minutes in advance
of coming to the Legislature. Obviously they contain matters of public
importance, and obviously, as the Official Opposition, we have a role and a
responsibility to play in being informed in a timely manner.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.
MR. HARRIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We certainly support the initiative of the Newfoundland and Labrador
Volunteer Medal in recognizing tremendous service given to our Province and our
people by people in a volunteer capacity.
I think it is worth remembering that when we are honoring volunteers, and the
volunteers who play an important role in the fabric of our society, we are not
just talking about people who provide services, although that is very important,
and throughout all of Newfoundland and Labrador people volunteer their services
to assist. We are also talking about people who provide leadership as
volunteers, people who are advocates in our communities for better health care,
advocates for women's rights, advocates for social justice, people playing
leadership roles in providing new services to the public, such as people who
have been honored in my constituency, for example. I will not name them because
everyone else will not have a chance to talk about it. These are important
people who play an important role in our society and I think it is good that we
honor them. We support this effort by government to recognize the contribution
that people make in their personal lives to our society, outside of their jobs.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Labour.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS THISTLE: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to inform my hon.
colleagues and the people of this Province that the current minimum wage of
$5.50 per hour will be increased in 2002.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS THISTLE: Mr. Speaker, the minimum wage will increase in two
increments, with a 25 cent increase to $5.75 per hour effective May 1, 2002,
followed by a further 25 cent increase to $6.00 on November 1, 2001.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS THISTLE: Mr. Speaker, hon. members may be aware that in February,
2000, my colleague, the former Minister of Environment and Labour, announced the
appointment of a Labour Standards Board with representation from business and
labour for the purpose of reviewing the Province's Labour Standards Act and
Regulations. The Board examined a number of matters, including the minimum wage.
Today's announcement reflects government approval of several key
recommendations from the Board.
The increase will be implemented in two increments. This is consistent with
the Board's recommendation for a six-month notice period for minimum wage
increases, and will provide affected employers with sufficient time to adjust to
the new minimum wage. This also reflects the outcome of recent consultations
with business leaders on a minimum wage increase.
Mr. Speaker,
section 30 of the Labour Standards Act requires government to
review the minimum wage every two years. However today, Mr. Speaker, government
is committing to establishing an advisory committee to consult annually with
business and labour representatives on labour standards issues, including the
minimum wage.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS THISTLE: Mr. Speaker, this too was a recommendation of the Labour
Standards Review Board and is consistent with government's commitment to work
with business and labour to develop a positive labour climate throughout our
Province.
Mr. Speaker, this change represents the first increase to the minimum wage
since 1999, and it brings Newfoundland and Labrador's rate in line with that
of the other Atlantic Provinces. Government has considered the implications of
raising the minimum wage and believes that this increase strikes a fair and
reasonable balance for both the employee and the employer.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Conception Bay South.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. FRENCH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, I want to thank the minister, of course, for a copy of her
statement, although again it is four or five minutes before we get into the
House, as the House Leader has said.
Minister, I just want to congratulate the government on the fact that they
are in the process of raising the minimum wage for the people who are
underprivileged in our Province.
Mr. Speaker, more important than all of this put together, I want to
congratulate our new leader, Mr. Danny Williams. This is Danny's first day in
the House of Assembly and it must be really heartwarming for him to sit there
today and see that this government has implemented one of the first policies
that Mr. Williams ever announced.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. FRENCH: Mr. Speaker, it is a great policy and we have to give full
credit to our new leader on this side of the House.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Labrador West.
MR. COLLINS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I say to the minister, this is certainly a step in the right direction, but
what we need in this Province is a living wage not a minimum wage. That is what
the people in this Province need, Mr. Speaker. Six dollars an hour still doesn't
cut it. It is still well below the poverty level.
Mr. Speaker, public polls show that Canadians would favor a system where
minimum wages are founded on 50 per cent of the average unionized wage in the
province. That would bring it, in this Province, much higher than $6.00 an hour.
It would put it more in line with what is needed for families to be able to take
care of themselves and their children.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to
provide the Legislature with an update on measures government is taking with
regard to security.
It has been said that since September 11 we live in a changed world, and
indeed in many ways we do. It is important, however, that we in this country and
in this Province feel confident to carry on our daily lives as normal.
Therefore, government must take steps to ensure the safety and security of our
Province and its people.
Mr. Speaker, based on the advice of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, we believe that the threat of terrorism -
mechanical or biological - is low for Newfoundland and Labrador compared to
other jurisdictions. However, we must continue to review our civil security
measures diligently, and proceed with caution in enhancing them.
Government has established a Ministers Committee on Security Matters, chaired
by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, the Honourable Kelvin Parsons,
addressing government-wide security and coordinating other agencies which deal
with civil security matters.
Key focus areas for civil security include bio-hazard response protocols, the
security of vital statistics and infrastructure protection.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
have developed a bio-hazard response protocol in line with national practice,
which will ensure early engagement of appropriate departments and agencies for
situation control.
The Department of Government Services and Lands is reviewing management of
vital statistics data and identification documents. The department is also
participating in national discussions on document security issues.
The Emergency Measures Office has structured a Committee of Provincial
Emergency Planners to undertake a critical infrastructure assessment that will
feed into a National Critical Infrastructure Group. This process will, over the
coming weeks and months, identify key assets and strategic sites, and develop
appropriate security around them.
Mr. Speaker, government's top priority is the safety of Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians and the full protection of key assets and sites. While the tragedy
of September 11 th has focused public attention more sharply on
security issues than before, many of the enhancements we will see implemented
over the coming months are the result of an ongoing, long-term approach to civil
and government security in this Province.
Government is taking immediate action to improve security in government
buildings. New procedures similar to those implemented by Canada Post have been
put in place to protect the health and safety of public officials handling mail.
The use of photo ID cards for staff will be an important component of a more
secure environment. Other important security measures are currently under
review, including the use of passes and accreditations for visitors. These new
protocols will assist with visitor identification and management of any
emergency situation that may arise.
Mr. Speaker, one major consideration is the security of the House of Assembly
and Confederation Complex that we work in every day. This site is unique in
Canada: it is the only location in the country housing both the Legislature and
extensive government offices in the same building.
I emphasize, however, that this House and the Confederation Complex
surrounding it will be, and must continue, to welcome visitors. But it will
welcome them into a safer and more secure environment.
To address the unique security challenges of this site, last year the House
of Assembly, this Legislature, commissioned an independent study of safety and
security practices for the House of Assembly and Confederation Complex.
This report, developed by Mr. Dennis Clark, Sergeant-at-Arms and Executive
Director of Building Management and Conservation for the Legislative Assembly of
Ontario, is now being considered by our Commission of Internal Economy, which
has representatives from all parties in this Legislature.
Mr. Speaker, on completion of that review, government is prepared to act on
the report recommendations, and to act quickly. We will provide appropriate
information on any new practices, without compromising security.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this update.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR. E. BYRNE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Obviously, as the Official Opposition, we support, in the strongest possible
way, any measures that government is going to take - or agencies of government,
or arms of government, the RCMP, the RNC - that will further protect the people
of the Province, our assets, et cetera.
Mr. Speaker, the Premier has alluded in his statement that the assessment of
those agencies is that the risk of terrorism to the Province is low. I can only
take the Premier at face value. However, as we have witnessed on September 11 th ,
the fallout of any potential terrorist attack is great for us. I believe it was
Churchill, during the Second World War, who described Newfoundland and Labrador
as the fist in the middle of the North West Atlantic for the allies. I say that
because our location within the Western world is critical. It is extremely
important, and we have just witnessed how important it is with the landing of so
many aircraft after the fallout of September 11 th .
As well, I can only urge the Premier and the government, as he has indicated,
that any plan that would come forward to include as many groups, individuals,
community leaders, people within the Province, to the extent that government
can, obviously without compromising security, to ensure that any government plan
that serves to protect Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and the people in the
Province generally, is bought into by people within the Province so that in the
event of any emergency or in the event of fallout stemming from an emergency,
that people are prepared, are ready, are well-informed, and that we can respond
in a manner in which we should respond.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Labrador West.
MR. COLLINS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We, too, support any changes that will increase security activities within
our Province. I would like to say to the members opposite, particularly with the
airline industry which was the focal point of the September 11 disaster, that
they should be pressing on their federal counterparts to increase airline
security. I think there is a lot of work that has to be done on that issue
because if you look at that industry and the screeners who provide security at
airports, and look at the level of wages that they are receiving, and the level
of training - training should be an ongoing thing for security guards in our
Province, particularly at our airports.
If we look back and read the statistics at Logan Airport, prior to this
disaster, the turnover in staff was in excess of 200 per cent. That is true in
this country as well. I would like to point out that in the airline industry we
think that hijackings are things that happen in other places. I would remind the
House that the only hijacking that ever occurred in this Province, and I think
maybe in this country, took place at Wabush Airport in 1976. So it can happen
anywhere. It is not just the major airports that are at risk. Security for the
travelling public - in this Province a lot of us depend on the airlines as the
only practical mode of travel. It is very important that it be impressed upon
them -
MR. SPEAKER: Order please!
The hon. member's time is up.
MR. COLLINS: - to increase security procedures within the airline
industry, in particular.
Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Mines and Energy.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. MATTHEWS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform my hon. colleagues that Phase Two of the
Newfoundland and Labrador/Nova Scotia offshore boundary dispute arbitration
began today. The hearing is being held at the Wu Conference Centre, located on
the Fredericton campus of the University of New Brunswick.
In this second and final phase of the arbitration both sides are entitled to
expect one outcome: a boundary line established in accordance with international
maritime boundary law. This result is demanded by the governing legislation and
the arbitration Tribunal's Terms of Reference.
The hearing will take less than two weeks to complete. The arbitration
Tribunal will provide a final decision within four months of the conclusion of
the hearings. The decision will be binding on both parties and will be
implemented by the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, this Province has worked hard in preparing for this arbitration.
Our team is comprised of some of the most respected authorities in the area of
international maritime boundary law, technical experts and officials with the
departments of Mines and Energy, Justice, and the Intergovernmental Affairs
Secretariat. I want to acknowledge the great work being done by our team on
behalf of Newfoundland and Labrador, and its people.
Our case is being led by Professor Donald McRae of the University of Ottawa.
Our Deputy Agent is Deborah Paquette of the Department of Justice. I wish to
highlight a new member, however, of our team for this round of hearings, Mr.
David Colson. Mr. Colson served as the United States of America's Deputy Agent
in the Gulf of Maine delimitation between Canada and the United States.
Mr. Speaker, the line we have put forward before the Tribunal reflects, in
our opinion, a proper application of international maritime boundary law. I am
confident in the strength of our arguments and the ability of our team to
effectively present those arguments to the Tribunal.
This government is looking forward to a resolution of this long-standing
dispute. The establishment of a boundary line will allow us to get on with
exploration and, if there are discoveries, development. It will also allow two
good friends - Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia - to focus exclusively
on areas of mutual interest and benefit.
Mr. Speaker, by way of example, I was pleased, last week, to represent our
government as we jointly participated in last week's Canada Atlantic Trade
Mission in Atlanta, Georgia, where all of the Atlantic Provinces worked together
to continue to create business partnerships, increase trade and investment, and
build on the development of strategic alliances between Atlantic Canada and
companies based in the southeastern United States.
I trust I can speak for all members of this House in wishing our team well
during these hearings.
Mr. Speaker, this arbitration is first and foremost a legal proceeding. We
will not be arguing our case outside the hearing room. We have, however, taken
steps to ensure complete openness. The Province's written pleadings are
available to the public through the Department of Mines and Energy's Web site
or by contacting my office. I am also today, by leave, Mr. Speaker, tabling
Newfoundland and Labrador's Memorial submitted to the Tribunal for member's
information and for consideration of that Tribunal. The hearings, of course,
which I referred to earlier, started this morning.
So with your concurrence and by leave of the House I would like to present
not only my Ministerial Statement, but also the Memorial of Newfoundland and
Labrador on this very important and significant issue to the Table of the House
for all of our information for further dissemination to the people of the
Province as they may have interest to take advantage of looking through it.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's East.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to refer, before I make a brief comment on this very important
statement, the point that was raised by my colleague, the Opposition House
Leader, with respect to Ministerial Statements. Of course our rules have long
recognized that Ministerial Statements are a part of the day-to-day proceedings
in this Chamber. The rules also recognize that they are intended to demonstrate
important matters of public policy, but the rules also indicate, Mr. Speaker,
that as a matter of courtesy they are to be given to Opposition members in
advance so that Opposition members will have an opportunity to respond. Of
course, what has happened today - and I think it is important to reference this
point, Mr. Speaker - is that by way of fax, just moments before, we received at
least one, and I am sure it is fair to say several Ministerial Statements by
fax. I say to the hon. minister and members opposite that in order for this
place to conduct its business in the appropriate way, as a matter of courtesy
and fairness, there should be adequate and timely sharing of these Ministerial
Statements so that all members -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. OTTENHEIMER: - can participate, and all Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians can participate both in advance and during the issue that is being
discussed.
With respect to this particular statement, I join with you, that this is an
important statement. It is an important issue and I think the Premier, in the
past, has indicated publicly that phase two or round two of these discussions is
really where it counts because that is when the panel will decide where the
boundary, as the minister indicated, should be. This dispute involves a vast
geological region known as the Laurentian Sub-Basin, some 60,000 square
kilometers of the Atlantic Ocean between the South Coast of Newfoundland and the
North Shore of Cape Breton.
I will indicate briefly why this issue is so fundamentally important to the
people of the Province.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. member's time has elapsed.
MR. OTTENHEIMER: With leave, if I may, in conclusion?
MR. SPEAKER: Does the hon. member have leave?
AN HON. MEMBER: By leave.
MR. SPEAKER: By leave.
MR. OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
This basin is thought to contain large pools of oil and natural gas which
means either province could earn billions of dollars from energy royalties,
depending on where the line is drawn.
I share with the minister in his comment in wishing our negotiating team
well. Our first negotiating team must be congratulated for the job that it
performed and we hope that this present negotiating team has equal success.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.
MR. HARRIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I want to say I believe this is a very important arbitration. My colleague
from St. John's East, I have to correct him, it is not a negotiation, or no
negotiations. This is an arbitration before a tribunal which will decide the
issue. I would agree with the minister that Newfoundland and Labrador is well
prepared in this case. We have already been successful in round one which was
very important for us to overcome. We have a history in this Province of being
very well prepared for boundary disputes. The Labrador boundary dispute that
went to the Privy Council in 1927, I think we spent many years preparing for it
and the result was very successful for the Province of Newfoundland and
Labrador. So this is a very enormous issue representing the boundary that this
Province will have with Nova Scotia, albeit at sea, but what is under the sea
and the importance of these resources to Newfoundland and Labrador, we do not
know its value at this point but obviously we expect that it will contribute
significantly to this Province's wealth for the future.
I, too, join with the minister, and with all members I am sure, in hoping
that we are as successful -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. member's time has elapsed.
MR. HARRIS: By leave, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Does the member have leave?
AN HON. MEMBER: By leave.
MR. SPEAKER: By leave.
MR. HARRIS: - in this phase of the arbitration as we have been in phase
one where we were successful in getting rid of a suggested agreement that did
not, in fact, take place in the past, and now I have an opportunity to present
what we believe to be the true boundary to an arbitration panel.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. REID: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to update my hon. colleagues on the recent sale of the fish
plant in Twillingate to Notre Dame Seafoods Limited, and the re-activation of
the shrimp processing license for that plant.
Mr. Speaker, Twillingate is one of the oldest and most historic fishing
communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. The existing plant opened in 1975, and
for many years was the economic engine for employing approximately 400 people.
When the plant closed in 1998, the economy of Twillingate was devastated and
the people demoralized. Through no fault of their own, the people of Twillingate
were forced to watch millions of pounds of fish trucked out of their community,
despite having had all the processing licenses.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to give a brief history of this situation, and let
me begin by saying, that this license to process shrimp is not a new license.
Late in 1997, the owners of the plant at that time, Conpak Seafoods, were issued
a license to process crab and shrimp. However, due to the lateness of 1997
season when it was announced, no product was processed until 1998, when the
plant produced crab and a small quantity of shrimp on a pilot basis.
Later that year, due to an unsuccessful merger of Conpak Seafoods by Daley
Brothers Ltd., the plant went into bankruptcy. Subsequently, the receiver sold
the plant to a group of seven independent fish processors, who have not operated
the plant since the time of purchase.
In January of 2001, the group of seven owners notified government that it had
no intentions of operating the plant, and that it would be offered for sale. As
a result, the Twillingate Plant Action Committee issued a Request for Proposals
for new operators. Notre Dame Seafoods was the successful proponent and were
issued a conditional license. I am pleased to say that they were able to
finalize the sale of the plant on Friday past.
Mr. Speaker, there are those who have voiced their opposition to reactivating
the shrimp license for the people of Twillingate on the basis that it is
politically motivated, and that there is over-capacity in the industry.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. REID: The reality is that the northern shrimp resource is the
strongest fishery resource in our waters and is likely to remain that way for
the next several years, or more. The problems experienced this summer with the
shrimp fishery, related mainly to depressed market prices, which are always
fluctuating, and are not necessarily indicative of the long term outlook for the
shrimp processing sector.
Given the current health of the stock, and the potential for further
increases in the Total Allowable Catch, I am confident that there is a place for
Twillingate in the fish processing industry.
Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by saying that just as I would not abuse my
position as Minister of Fisheries by showing favoritism to the people of
Twillingate, nor can I neglect or disregard this community for the fear of being
accused of political motivations.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for The Straits & White Bay North.
MR. TAYLOR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It may come as a surprise to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture that I
am certainly pleased for the people of Twillingate with the reactivation of
their fish plant.
Mr. Speaker, with the collapse of the groundfish industry many communities
with long (inaudible) in the industry have found themselves in a similar
predicament and face questionable futures. The question that must be asked is:
Why does the Minister of Fisheries not have a plan for this industry? That is
the reason why Twillingate has found itself in this position, Mr. Speaker. The
reason they are in this position is because there has been no strategy by the
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. If there had been, maybe Twillingate
would have been in this industry before and plants would have been strategically
located.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. TAYLOR: Now, Mr. Speaker, with eleven plants in operation as of this
date, and a 110 million pound quota, the question again that must be asked:
Where is the product going to come from to run these plants to keep the people
employed and to give the people who are operating the fish plants a decent wage
and a decent living year round?
While politicians like Mr. Reid might talk about the ability to increase
quotas, people who go out and fish the St. Anthony Basin, the Hawke Channel, the
Northern Edge and Tobin's Point - people like me, Mr. Speaker, who have been
there - know that when politicians are eager to increase quotas they need to be
reminded of Northern Cod, and that fishermen are not always eager to see those
quotas go up!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.
MR. HARRIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I have to say I am surprised by the fisheries critic response. I thought he
was going to say what he said the other day about favoritism, and I wanted to
raise my concern about pitting one community against another in this Province
when it comes to the fishery resource. What I wanted to ask the minister today
and his government today is: Where is the fair, open, and transparent process to
allocate the resource that we have so that it is seen to be fair and is not open
to these kinds of accusations? If there was a process, if there was a plan, if
people had a right to participate in it, then these allocations would not be
made, Mr. Speaker, and there would not be people accusing the minister, or
fighting with each other over the allocation of this important resource of rural
Newfoundland and Labrador.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Mines and Energy.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. MATTHEWS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity today to update hon.
members on the status of negotiations with Inco to arrive at a possible
commercial arrangement on the Voisey's Bay Project.
Mr. Speaker, I will begin by stating that this government will only agree to
a commercial agreement that encompasses the principles the people of this
Province endorsed when they gave this government a mandate to negotiate a deal
during the last provincial election.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. MATTHEWS: I can assure the hon. members that any deal that we
negotiate will be true to these principles and will be in the best interest of
the people of this Province.
The fundamental position of government, which is to ensure full processing of
the Voisey's Bay ore to a final nickel product, has not and will not change.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. MATTHEWS: Mr. Speaker, government returned to the negotiating table
following a determination that Inco understood our fundamental positions and
that they too were interested in arriving at a commercial arrangement at the
earliest possible opportunity.
Mr. Speaker, overall the negotiations have been going very well since
government and Inco returned to the table on June 18. There has been frank and
open discussions on all relevant issues. As part of the process, Mr. Scott Hand,
Deputy Chairman and CEO of Inco, and I have met regularly to discuss issues that
have arisen at the negotiating table and to provide leadership and direction to
our respective teams.
The process has been intense as we moved from outlining the key issues
required for an agreement to negotiating specific components.
I am pleased to report that we have been able to resolve most of the issues.
There are essentially two major issues outstanding. These issues are also, of
course, of fundamental and principle importance to the people of this Province.
The first issue is around the possible movement of concentrate. That is to
say, if some concentrate needs to be shipped from the Province while the
processing facility is being developed -
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).
MR. MATTHEWS: - we are seeking to ensure that over the life of the
processing facility an equivalent amount of the concentrate will be returned to
this Province for processing.
The second issue concerns the possible terms of the shipment period. This
means the time period in which the government might allow Inco to ship
concentrate from Voisey's Bay while the processing facility is being
developed.
Mr. Speaker, until an agreement is reached on these and other outstanding
issues, we do not have a final commercial agreement.
The September 11 terrorist attack on the United States is having an adverse
effect on the global business and investment community. Low metal prices were
already hurting Canadian and international base metal companies prior to the
terrorist attack. Since September 11, various mining companies have been
deferring capital projects. The attack has also had an impact on the willingness
of businesses to take on additional risk. This event has added to the challenge
of negotiating an acceptable agreement between us.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Hand has reaffirmed his company's commitment to the early
development of Voisey's Bay and our negotiating teams are continuing to work
towards a deal that is acceptable to both parties.
This government is only prepared to negotiate a deal that is in the best
interest of the people of this Province. We believe that we will know whether an
agreement is possible by year-end. However, we will take as long as necessary to
ensure that we get the right agreement - one that protects the principle
interests of the people of this Province, the shareholders that we represent as
government, and that is the 542,000-plus people who reside in Newfoundland and
Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, it is also important for hon. members to understand that other
agreements are necessary for the project to proceed.
Aside from negotiating a commercial agreement, there must be agreement on
three other project components. These are equally critical to the overall
success of the project. They include, first of all: Impact and Benefits
Agreements. These agreements will establish benefit regimes for Aboriginal
groups. They will address issues such as business opportunities, employment,
training and financial compensation. These agreements are being negotiated
separately by the Innu and Inuit nations with Inco.
Secondly, the Environment Management Agreement. This agreement will establish
an environmental management regime for the project and address the role the
Aboriginal groups will play in that regime. This agreement involves negotiations
between the provincial and federal governments, and the Innu and Inuit nations.
Finally, the third agreement, the Voisey's Bay
Chapter of the Land Claims.
This Voisey's Bay
chapter is between the Innu and the Inuit nations and deals
specifically with Aboriginal rights in the project area. These agreements
involve separate negotiations by the provincial and federal governments with the
Innu and Inuit nations.
I am pleased to report that the respective parties, on all of these
agreements, have made substantial progress.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, the development of the Voisey's Bay Project
will provide many benefits to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Therefore, we intend to give these negotiations every opportunity for success.
If we are able to conclude an agreement, I can assure this House that it will be
a good deal for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Thank you very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's East.
MR. OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is important, I think, that we repeat and reread one paragraph found on
page 2 of the Ministerial Statement. I will read it:
"The first issue is around the possible movement of concentrate. That is
to say if some concentrate needs to be shipped from the Province while the
processing facility is being developed, we are seeking to ensure that over the
life of the processing facility an equivalent amount of concentrate will be
returned to the Province for processing."
Mr. Speaker, I am reminded of a word when I read that. The one word that
comes to my mind is spoonful. We also remind the people of this Province about a
mandate, a mandate that this government has to ensure -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. OTTENHEIMER: - that an agreement between the Province and the company
is in keeping with the mandate that this government received almost three years
ago.
Mr. Speaker, there are several questions that may be asked on this very
important debate. If Inco believes hydromet processing will work on Voisey's
Bay ore, why is it demanding that Ottawa take the risk by financing the pilot
plant with public funds? If we trust Inco to export ore elsewhere, while testing
a pilot plant here, what happens if the pilot plant fails as many do? Mr.
Speaker, if Inco won't build a traditional smelter refinery here now, why
would they agree to build one here later when the richest ore from Voisey's
Bay has already been sent away?
Another question, Mr. Speaker: If we settle for royalties in place of
processing facilities and jobs, how will be benefit while Ottawa claws back
ninety-three cents of every royalty dollar we get?
These are questions that have to be asked, these are questions, Mr. Speaker,
that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador want answered, and these are
questions that we, as an Opposition, will continue to challenge members opposite
with as this very important debate continues.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.
MR. HARRIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The minister mentions three barriers or agreements needed with respect to the
development of the Voisey's Bay project, but there is a fourth that he didn't
mention. That is the fact that under the current economic regime and royalty
compared to this Province's benefit of $400 million. Mr. Speaker, that is an
unacceptable relationship. If this development is going to take place it ought
to take place for the benefit of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. HARRIS: And not ten to one the people of Ottawa or the government of
Ottawa.
The second thing that has to be said, Mr. Speaker, in respect to the comments
of the minister on their seeking to ensure equivalent concentrate be returned to
the Province for processing - which reminds me, and maybe I am aging myself, Mr.
Speaker. A Popeye character called Wimpy who liked hamburgers used to say,
"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today". That is what we
are dealing with here, Mr. Speaker. What kind of a deal will this government
negotiate?
We have to remind ourselves that it is this government that presided over the
decision to allow a pellet plant to be built in Sept-Iles using Iron Ore Company
of Canada pellets. It was this government that presided over that decision, Mr.
Speaker. I don't know how far we can trust them to preserve any economic
benefit for Newfoundland and Labrador with this kind of a deal.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Conception Bay East & Bell
Island.
MR. WALSH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to stand on a point of order.
MR. SPEAKER: A point of order.
MR. WALSH: I just want to mention, I had a quick moment to check to find
out one of the reasons why some of the statements had not reached our colleagues
on the other side, and I think that answer might be very simple. A number of
departments were trying to send the statements. In actual fact, around quarter
after one one of the ministerial departments phoned the Opposition offices
because some of the pages weren't getting through.
I would suggest that in the future, what might make the problem easier for
all of us here in the hon. House, perhaps the Official Opposition and the third
party of the House could have a dedicated line so that our staff who are trying
to send information to you could get it to you in the appropriate time.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Opposition House Leader, to that point of order.
MR. E. BYRNE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
To the point of order, while I appreciate the concern and explanation of the
Member for Conception Bay East & Bell Island, in fact it bears no truth
whatsoever. The standard practice has been, in my time, for nine years here,
that some ministers have been much better than others. The standard practice has
been that half an hour is normally the time in which a statement would be
delivered.
What needs to be done, Mr. Speaker -
AN HON. MEMBER: Hand delivered.
MR. E. BYRNE: Hand delivered, yes.
What needs to be done if there is an issue, and there is - this is legitimate
- is for ministers to direct their staff to deliver the statements; not a
dedicated line but a dedicated, I guess, point of view and principle to have
those statements delivered to the Opposition in a timely manner.
This is a very, very simple issue to resolve. Some ministers are better than
others. For example, the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board always delivers
her statements half an hour before. I suspect that tomorrow, when she gives her
Ministerial Statement on the outlook of the economy, that she will deliver her
statement to her critic at least forty-five minutes before. That has been her
practice and tradition, so we will see tomorrow.
The point is this, Mr. Speaker, and more importantly to the Government House
Leader: ministers must, in all good conscience, in delivering a statement, if it
is prepared, deliver it to the Opposition in good time. It makes for easier
Parliament, it makes for more informed debate, and it makes for much better
commentary on important public policy for all of the people of the Province to
see.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader, to the point of order.
MR. LUSH: To the point of order, Mr. Speaker.
I listened with great concern to the Opposition concerning the fact that they
did not receive the Ministerial Statements on a timely basis. I can assure this
House, this is one House Leader who is concerned with the Opposition receiving
information on a timely basis, because I sat over there too long suffering and
not receiving information.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. LUSH: I never want to be inflicted with that again.
Mr. Speaker, I think I can tell the hon. House that never before in the
history of parliamentary democracy in Newfoundland have they received so much
information beforehand from a House Leader. I can tell the hon. Opposition House
Leader that all ministers will be as good as the best minister in terms of
getting Ministerial Statements to the Opposition. That we can assure you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.
MR. HARRIS: To that point of order, Mr. Speaker.
I also would like to say to members opposite that it is very important from a
perspective of fairness that people on this side of the House be given the
Ministerial Statement. After all, it is a written, well thought out, presumably,
statement that the minister has mulled over for days and days. If the Minister
of Finance is giving a financial statement tomorrow, there will be lots of
figures in there and people on this side of the House cannot be expected to
respond spontaneously to something that is well prepared long in advance.
The interest of fairness in this House demands that we have plenty of
opportunity to review these statements so that we will not be seen to be trying
to respond to something off the cuff, that has been many hours in preparation by
the minister and his or her staff.
MR. SPEAKER: To that point of order, it is really not a point of order.
There is nothing in our Standing Orders which dictates that Ministerial
Statements have to be delivered to the critic and the Opposition at a particular
time; but, as the hon. Opposition House Leader has pointed out, it has been a
standard practice. If there is a problem, then I suggest that the House Leaders
should deal with that so that this does not keep occurring on the floor of the
Assembly as a point of order.
As well, I want to remind our visitors to the gallery that while we welcome
everybody here, and we are pleased to see so many visitors here today, I just
want to remind them that they are not to participate in the debate in any way,
shape or form by applauding or by giving approval or disapproval. I guess we
have visitors to the gallery who are here maybe for the first time and do not
understand that parliamentary tradition.
I just wanted to remind all visitors of that long-standing parliamentary
tradition.
Oral Questions
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I find it somewhat sad, as a new person in the Legislature, just to hear this
debate. The Premier was good enough to indicate that this was not the norm, and
I would not know because I have not been here before, but I was quite surprised
by the fact that we got this barrage of statements minutes before we came to
this House of Assembly. I would think, just in the interest of fairness and good
conduct, that we would have it sometime before. If this is a strategy or a
tactic that is being used by the government to gain an unfair advantage, that is
sad, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. member now to get to his question.
MR. WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, the Voisey's Bay issue is one that is of
grave concern to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, because they are
worried about the possible sellout of another major resource in this Province.
Now, my first question to the Premier was to have been: Give us an update.
Tell us what is going on. We are all in the dark over here. We do not get an
opportunity to find out about the negotiations, because it is in the dark. This
open, accountable government is negotiating in the dark. I was going to ask the
hon. the Premier for an update, but on my way to the elevator I received an
update so I will change that question.
I will ask the Premier: Could the Premier please tell us, what is the status
of negotiations with the federal government with regard to clawback, the
dropping of clawback on non-renewable resources which results in the loss of
royalty revenues to the people of this Province? Could the Premier please advise
what the status of those negotiations is?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I do appreciate the question, because it is the issue that I understand there
is no difference in opinion. There is no political difference in this
Legislature with respect to that issue. I have heard - maybe I should check
again - I have heard the Leader of the NDP state again clearly today that he
believes it is an issue that we should continue to address and fight for
changes. I have been doing that, Mr. Speaker, at every opportunity anywhere and
everywhere in Canada: at the Premiers Conference, before a Senate committee, in
private meetings with officials, senior officials and members of the government
in Ottawa, up to and including the Prime Minister.
change. We have been trying to make sure that the Liberal politicians in the
caucus for all of Atlantic Canada, not only in Newfoundland and Labrador but in
Nova Scotia, where Premier Hamm is also dealing with this issue... He was a
great friend of the Leader of the Opposition a year ago and not such a friend
now, I understand, from recent comments, but I guess it just reflects the change
of view from one day to the next.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: We are trying to reinforce, Mr. Speaker, the argument
that we know that some -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. the Premier now to conclude his answer.
PREMIER GRIMES: - nineteen or twenty Liberal caucus members are making
equalization under the clawback because it is not working the way it was
intended and it is not working to the full advantage of Newfoundland and
Labrador today.
I might take this opportunity, actually, to invite the Leader of the
Opposition and the Leader of the NDP to join me in one of my next visits to
Ottawa so that we could go together and show that there is no difference of
opinion in Newfoundland and Labrador with respect to this issue.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
A supplementary, the hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Premier.
I certainly accept your invitation. I would only be too delighted to join you
and help you out in any way possible.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. WILLIAMS: I did not get an answer to my question. I would ask the
Premier: Is he having any success with his Liberal counterparts in the federal
government with respect to having them change their position on clawback on
non-renewable resources? Yes or no.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER GRIMES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Maybe I might ask this question, because the Leader of the Opposition has
made it clear that he has visited with colleagues of his of the same political
stripe across the country: Premier Harris, Premier Klein, Premier Hamm, who was
a real good friend, because, as I say - I will say it again, Mr. Speaker,
because it bears repeating - a year ago in Nova Scotia, the Leader of the
Opposition stood up and said: Thank God for Premier Hamm, because he is leading
the charge on this issue.
On our own Open Line, right here in Newfoundland, a week or so ago, he said:
Mr. Hamm is not necessarily our friend and I am not tied to his campaign for
fairness.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
PREMIER GRIMES: He has to make up his mind, Mr. Speaker. He has to make
up his mind where he stands on the issue, because in fact he might suggest to us
what progress he is making -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. Premier now to conclude his answer.
PREMIER GRIMES: - with Premier Harris, who calls us a bunch of welfare
bums, or with Premier Klein or others, because he has visited them.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: He has gone to see where they are consistent in their
views and where they are different. I am quoting him, Mr. Speaker, in terms of
saying that this is a political scam - has suggested -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
Again, I remind the hon. Premier to conclude his answer quickly.
PREMIER GRIMES: Yes, Mr. Speaker.
time, has been perpetrating a political scam in the country with respect to
these issues by suggesting that they cannot make the changes that we are
requesting because other Premiers do not agree.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
PREMIER GRIMES: Guess which Premiers do not agree? His buddy in Ontario
does not agree, so why doesn't he go up and ask Mr. Harris why he does not
agree, Mr. Speaker?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: A supplementary, the hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I assume the answer is no, so that is one unanswered question. I did not hear
no, but I assume the answer is no, Mr. Premier.
I will ask another question. I am really just asking these questions to get
some facts on the record because, like the people of Newfoundland and Labrador,
there is some confusion out there as to what the position of the Premier is.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MR. WILLIAMS: In the last election the Liberal Party prepared a policy
document, which we all know as the Red Book, which stated that Inco's proposal
to take ore from Voisey's Bay and ship it elsewhere to be processed was
unacceptable. On that basis, the people of this Province elected that
government. As well, Mr. Tobin, in May, 1999, indicated that not a pound of ore
will be processed elsewhere.
My question for the Premier - a simple yes or no - is: Will you be taking ore
from this Province for processing and shipping it elsewhere?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER GRIMES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is true, there is some confusion in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the
confusion relates to the Opposition and their position on any issue.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: Let me again give this reminder before I ask for
clarification of the position of the Official Opposition with respect to Voisey's
Bay. Why there is confusion is because of these kinds of quotes that I reference
again with respect to equalization and the clawback.
In Nova Scotia, the Leader of the Opposition said: I am proud to support the
one Premier from this region, Premier Hamm, who has been tirelessly making the
case for fairness for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Our Province owes
Premier Hamm a debt of gratitude,
Then, on VOCM in October of this year, just a month ago, the same leader
says: I am not a big backer of Premier Hamm and his campaign for fairness.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, there is some confusion about a whole range of issues
because that is the kind of talk you get one day from the Leader of the
Opposition in one location, and another day by the Leader of the Opposition in
another location.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. Premier to conclude his answer quickly.
PREMIER GRIMES: We believe in this, Mr. Speaker: The mandate that we have
been given with respect to Voisey's Bay in 1996, and again in 1999, is that
there will not be a project unless the nickel ore that is in the ground in
Labrador is turned into a finished nickel project for the maximum benefit of
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. Premier to conclude his answer.
PREMIER GRIMES: That is our position, Mr. Speaker. (Inaudible) what it
is, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
A supplementary, the hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, I have asked one question and I have not
gotten an answer. I have asked a second question, and I will ask the Premier one
more time: Yes or no, Premier, will you take our ore from this Province, ship it
elsewhere to have it processed? It is a simple question, yes or no, a
straightforward answer for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: Mr. Speaker, again it is an attitude issue that we are
dealing with, primarily, about an Opposition that is frightened to death,
frightened absolutely to death, that something very, very good might happen for
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians very soon -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: - absolutely frightened to death that it might occur;
because what they really want is for us to wallow, for us to be downtrodden, for
us to do nothing, for us to not move ahead, so they can suggest that the only
thing they are interested in, which is claiming political power - it is not
about the well-being of Newfoundland and Labrador - that might come to pass.
That is not our interest.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: Our interest, Mr. Speaker, is doing something that is in
the benefit of the people of the Province. We want to talk about what we will
do, not what we will not do.
What we will do is this: We will sign a deal if it meets the mandate and
meets the standard of seeing nickel ore, which is of value but useless and
worthless while it is in the ground, and very valuable if it is changed into
finished nickel, particularly very valuable if it is changed into finished
nickel right here in Newfoundland and Labrador by Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians, for the benefit of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. Premier now to conclude his answer quickly.
PREMIER GRIMES: When we get that deal, Mr. Speaker, when the Minister of
Mines and Energy reports to us that he has that deal, we will gladly sign on and
go out and explain it to every single soul in the Province, with pride, as we
move forward on their behalf.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: A supplementary, the hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, I have asked one question and I have gotten no
answer; I have asked a second question and I have gotten no answer. It was a
nice speech, Mr. Premier, but no answer. Again, the people of Newfoundland and
Labrador are asking straightforward questions and require straightforward
answers. I will ask another one.
With respect to the unproven hydromet processing which is being recommended
for Voisey's Bay, I would ask the Premier: Will the Premier, in any agreement
which he signs with Inco, give the people of Newfoundland and Labrador a 100 per
cent unconditional, absolute, guarantee that hydromet processing will work?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER GRIMES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am not in a position to suggest whether hydromet technology will work 100
per cent certain or not. What I will be in a position to do is this: suggest
that if we have a deal with Inco with respect to the development of Voisey's
Bay, that whatever system turns the nickel ore into finished nickel will work,
whether it is hydromet or something else.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: We are not interested, Mr. Speaker; they are interested
in exploring hydromet.
The issue of hydromet gives us an opportunity again to show why there is some
confusion about the Opposition. On July 23, the Leader of the Opposition said
the federal government should invest its money into the finishing of the
Trans-Labrador Highway and help us build the link to Labrador. On June 7, he
said it is okay to give $1.5 billion to Bombardier, because it is research and
development, because that might help; and why don't they also give money for
the Lower Churchill. Then, Mr. Speaker, he said on Open Line just a week or so
ago, it is always good to get federal money at any point in time.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. the Premier to conclude his answer quickly.
PREMIER GRIMES: Then, when asked if it is okay for the federal government
to invest $100 million to see if hydromet works or not, he said: Don't dare
spend $100 million in Newfoundland and Labrador - because it might work!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
PREMIER GRIMES: It might actually work! Don't dare spend the money here
and find out -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. the Premier to take his seat.
A supplementary, the hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. WILLIAMS: Three unanswered questions; nothing on clawback and nothing
on whether the ore will leave the Province.
I will ask you one more time, Mr. Premier: Will you give the people of this
Province a 100 per cent iron clad, absolute, unconditional guarantee that
hydromet processing will work, before you finalize a deal with Inco? Yes or no?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER GRIMES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Everyone who has been addressing this issue with respect to the new
technology, which is working in some parts of the world and is working on some
nickle concentrates - the testing that is to be done here in Newfoundland and
Labrador, the testing that is to be done here because it needs some further
testing, is to see whether a process that does work elsewhere in the world for
nickle, for different kinds of ores, will work in Newfoundland and Labrador with
the ore in Labrador.
The position of the Leader of the Opposition is that he - here we are today
again - wants a 100 per cent guarantee from me as to the fact that it will work,
research fund that they are going to spend somewhere in Canada to develop
something that is not yet 100 per cent proven, and he is saying: Do not dare
spend that $100 million to prove whether or not what is working in Caledonia,
what is working in Australia with different kinds of ores, would work in
Newfoundland and Labrador.
give a 100 per cent guarantee. In the meantime, out of the other side of his
face, he is asking me to give him a 100 per cent guarantee.
Our 100 per cent guarantee, and I will restate it again, is this: Whatever
process works is the one that will be signed on by the minister and by this
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, because it is going to be nickle that
will leave Newfoundland and Labrador, and the type of process matters not to us.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. Premier now to take his seat.
A supplementary, the hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I have a simple question for the Premier, something he might understand.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. WILLIAMS: What happens if, in fact, $10 billion worth of our ore
leaves this Province and it does not work? What then, Mr. Premier?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Allow me to apologize. People do know, in the twelve-and-a-half years that I
have been here, that I have apologized for many things in the Legislature. I
will apologize for not being as bright as the Leader of the Opposition would
like me to be. I will do that. I understand that I may not be your intellectual
equivalent, and I apologize for that
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
PREMIER GRIMES: Please accept my apology.
Mr. Speaker, let me try to say it again in very simple terms, because simple
terms work for me: I do not know if hydromet will work or not. The Minister of
Mines and Energy does not know, and what we have said to Inco is this: We do not
care. You can try hydromet if you like, but the only way you are having a deal
in Newfoundland and Labrador is if you use some kind of a process that makes
sure the ore gets turned into nickle.
That is all we want. If they want to try hydromet, and if the Government of
Canada wants to put $100 million into that kind of research to prove that it
works in Newfoundland and Labrador, we are all for it. Let's find out what you
guys are for at some point in time.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: A supplementary, the hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, I sat up in the gallery during the spring and
I heard the hon. Leader of the Opposition ask the Minister of Industry, the
former Deputy Premier, if in fact the people of this Province were going to have
an opportunity to have full and open debate in this Legislature before a binding
agreement was signed with Inco, before a final binding agreement was signed with
Inco. His answer was, yes, there would be full and open debate.
I sat up in that gallery. Within forty-eight hours the hon. the Premier
returned from abroad, was asked the same question by the hon. Leader of the
Opposition, and he gave the opposite answer. He said there would be no full and
open debate in this Legislature.
Given the complexity of the issues, I would ask the Premier: Will there be
full and open debate in this Legislature on this issue before a final and
binding agreement is signed with Inco, that gives away the rights of this
Province?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition need not be so
adamant in his fear that something good might happen. Just try to relax a little
bit. We are going to make sure that we sign onto a deal that is fully and
completed debated everywhere in Newfoundland and Labrador, in every community
that has an interest in it, in every place where someone wants to talk about it,
everywhere in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, let's not confuse the role of this Legislature. This
Legislature absolutely requires a full debate and then a vote on issues that
require the approval of the Legislature. If there is any component of this
particular arrangement that needs the full approbation of this Legislature, then
those components, obviously, will have to be done here, whether it is taxation,
whether it is some kind of change, whether it is other issues with environment
and other things. The general issues have already been fully debated everywhere
in Newfoundland and Labrador, and will be again, because we are convinced that
the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, except for those who have a very
negative political objective to try to resist positive, good things happening
for the Province for their own political purposes, will see the value of a deal
that we will do and will actually come forward and -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I ask the hon. the Premier now to conclude his answer.
PREMIER GRIMES: - praise the government for going ahead and seeing the
development happen in a manner that benefits us now to the maximum extent that
it possibly can.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. WILLIAMS: Three questions and they were unanswered. That was my
fourth question. I will ask you one more time: Will the people of this Province,
will the members of this Legislature, have an opportunity for full and open
debate before a final and binding agreement is signed with Inco? Yes or no?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER GRIMES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate being put on the stand and asked these questions and so on in
this matter, but in fact, Mr. Speaker -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: - for some twelve-and-a-half years and probably for
another ten or twelve before I decide to leave, Mr. Speaker -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER GRIMES: - I will gladly, along with the team and the group here
that supports this government and supports me, answer every single question in
the court that counts, which is the court of public opinion and public appeal;
because every single Newfoundlander, not ten or twelve over here who are shaking
in their boots because something good might happen and they would have to admit
that something good is happening, but every single Newfoundlander and
Labradorian who wants to have a say on this issue has been having a say for some
five years and will continue to know in full detail what it is that we are
trying to accomplish on their behalf as soon as we can do it and maximize
benefits for the people of the Province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Member for Trinity North.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. ROSS WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, my question today -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Member for Trinity North.
MR. ROSS WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the hon. the
Minister of Health and Community Services. She has already acknowledged that the
institutional health boards in this Province are going to have a deficit of
about $7 million. She has not yet acknowledged, but we all know the community
health boards will have deficits somewhere in the range of $8 million; but then,
Mr .Speaker, that is only half the picture. When we look at the annual reports
of health boards, ending last year, we see massive deficits accumulated. The
question to the minister today is: Can she tell this House what is the total
accumulative deficits of all health boards in this Province as of March 31,
2001?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS BETTNEY: Mr. Speaker, during the past couple of months we have been
dealing with the operational deficits of the Health and Community Services
Boards for this current year. As the member opposite knows, the operational
deficits that were accumulated in previous years have all been accumulated and
rolled into long-term debt. The reason for doing this was to enable the boards
to start, as of April 1, and to try and live within this current year budget. We
have asked the boards to balance their budgets this year and to include in their
plans a process for addressing their long-term debt, which is now rolled into a
long-term approach.
Mr. Speaker, the emphasis, at this current time, is on having the boards
attempt to balance their budgets. We have just gone through a process where they
have tried to bring them back into line with their budget estimates and we will
continue to monitor that closely.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: A final supplementary, the hon. the Member for Trinity
North.
MR. ROSS WISEMAN: Mr. Speaker, let me rephrase the question. Will the
minister tell this House how much the total debt is that she is allowed to
convert to long-term debt? I will rephrase the question: What is the total
long-term debt that those boards have rolled forward? What is that figure?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS BETTNEY: Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, the boards are in the
process of developing plans to address their specific long-term debt for each
individual board. Those plans are not yet developed. They are not received by
me. We are concentrating on the current year budget and we are asking the boards
to give us their plans - which of course they have submitted now in the last
couple of weeks - for this current year. We have attempted in this budget year
to stabilize the positions of the institutional boards by giving them the
opportunity to deal with the increases in their expenses and balance their
budgets this year. That is our emphasis.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.
MR. HARRIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My question is for the Minister of Health and Community Services. What I
would like to know is why the minister is putting the financial squeeze on
health care boards, causing a reduction in services and a loss of health care
professionals when there is information available both on health care
professionals and researchers showing how health care administration can be
improved and better utilizing existing resources, for example, by more timely
discharges from hospitals, thereby freeing up acute care beds for services?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MS BETTNEY: Mr. Speaker, I am not sure what the member opposite calls a
financial squeeze, when in this fiscal year we have, as a government, put $50
million into the institutional boards of this Province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS BETTNEY: We have asked the boards to live within that budget figure
because we cannot be in a position where the cost of health care are open-ended
and there is absolutely no control on the cost. Yes, we are asking the boards to
be fiscally responsible. We know it is a difficult job to contain expanding
health care costs to the point that we even went to the boards earlier this fall
and requested that they engage the unions and the stakeholders in their
operations in trying to find all of those efficiencies which could allow them to
really make the best possible use of the resources that they have. The
individual boards have engaged the unions in that process. I understand, from
many of the boards, that it was a very productive process and one which they
wish to continue. Their efforts will be exerted, I am sure, in continuing to
find all of the existing ways to accrue efficiencies to make best use of health
dollars.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: A supplementary, the hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi
Vidi.
MR. HARRIS: Mr. Speaker, we all know that health care professionals are
being laid off. Why isn't the minister implementing these changes that would
improve services? Instead she is sending out a special project team conducting,
what I call, house-to-house searches on people receiving home care, and seeking
to reduce their hours of home care? Why isn't she making the system more
efficient and improving services instead of cutting them back, such as in home
care hours for people who need help?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS BETTNEY: Mr. Speaker, home care is one of the most rapidly expanding
cost drivers in our system today. We continue to experience considerable
difficulty in meeting the demand for home care hours. Even in this given budget
year, when we have increased our contribution to home care by over $3 million,
we find that all of our health care boards are in a position where they have
exhausted the resources that they have available and they have had to institute
wait lists in order to be able to contain the cost that are exploding in this
area.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, in this context we do ask, and the boards have taken very
seriously their responsibility, to examine every way that they deliver home care
services so that they can ensure consistency and fairness, and that they use the
dollars they have to the best possible use.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Question Period has ended.
I noticed that during Question Period and earlier today that members were
referring to other members of this House by their given names. I just want to
remind hon. members that this is not an acceptable practice here. We always
refer to hon. members by the constituency that they represent.
MR. E. BYRNE: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: On a point of order, the hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR. E. BYRNE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It may do well to remind all members, I suppose. The Government House Leader
and I have had some opportunity over the past week or so in looking at the
legislative agenda to have a talk about that, but also about Question Period.
I refer you to Beauchesne in dealing with Question Period, and, in
particular, to how it should operate. Questions in Question Period should be as
brief as possible, to the point, seek information, seek clarification, but
answers - I believe that was the case today from the Opposition's point of
view. Beauchesne is also very clear on answers to questions given.
On page 120, 408.(2), it says: "Answers to questions should be brief
as possible, should deal with the matter raised, and should not provoke
debate."
On page 123, under 417 -
PREMIER GRIMES: (Inaudible).
MR. E. BYRNE: Now if the Premier would like to continue to hang himself,
I am trying to do him a favour. I am trying to do the Premier of the Province a
little favour here.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MR. E. BYRNE: Mr. Speaker, on page 123, under 417, it is very clear as
well. It says: "Answers to questions should be brief as possible..." -
I say to the hon. Premier and the Government House Leader - "...deal with
the matter raised and should not provoke debate."
Mr. Speaker, I just raised this as a point of order. Obviously, that did not
happen today in responses to questions. I wonder if in the future you could
remind all members - if you see it not happening - of the orders of this House
and how it is suppose to operate.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. LUSH: To the point of order, Mr. Speaker.
There is no question about the matter raised by the Opposition House Leader.
Just about everything you say about a question, there is always a balancing act
with the answer. Questions should be brief, answers should be brief, questions
should not be provocative and answers ought not be provocative. The enforcer of
all of this of course, I remind the hon. House Leader, is the Speaker, and we
ought to try and make the Speaker's job as easy as possible in that regard so
that we are not challenging him day in and day out. Hon. members know the rules,
and I trust that on both sides we will respect the rules with respect to
questions and with respect to answers.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: To the point of order that the hon. member raised, and it is
one that has been raised on a number of occasions. The Chair has continuously
reminded members that the responsibility lies on both sides of the House.
Questions ought to be brief, that is clear, but answers ought to be likewise
brief.
Preambles, of course, often lend themselves to comment by the member
answering the question and therefore we have asked members as well to keep their
preambles very brief. In supplementary questions there should not be any
preambles. Brevity should be the order of the day when it comes to questions and
answers.
Presenting Reports by Standing and Special Committees
MR. SPEAKER: In accordance with
section 32 of the Auditor General's Act
I hereby table the Auditor's Report of the Office of the Auditor General for
the fiscal year ending March 31, 2001.
Notices of Motion
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Carbonear-Harbour Grace.
MR. SWEENEY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I give notice that I will on tomorrow present the following private members'
motion:
WHEREAS research and development is an important factor in the economic
development of this Province; and
WHEREAS there is funding available through various federal programs to
promote research and development;
THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that this House of Assembly support efforts to
access research and development funding for the advancement of economic
development in this Province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education.
MS FOOTE: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave to
introduce a bill entitled, "An Act To Amend The Teacher Training Act."
(Bill 21)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Finance.
MS J.M. AYLWARD: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask
leave to introduce the following bills:
A bill, "An Act To Revise The Law About Pensions For Members Of The
House Of Assembly." (Bill 51)
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable Television
Companies Act." (Bill 52)
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Public Service Pensions Act, 1991 And The
Uniformed Services Pensions Act, 1991." (Bill 59)
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Health And Post-Secondary Education Tax
Act, The Retail Sales Tax Act And The School Tax Authorities Winding Up
Act." (Bill 62)
Mr. Speaker, I further give notice that I will on tomorrow move that the
House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to Consider Certain
Resolutions Relating to the Granting of Supplementary Supply to Her Majesty.
(Bill 27)
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave to introduce the
following bills:
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Health And Post-Secondary Education Tax
Act." (Bill 28)
A bill, "An Act To Repeal The Economic Advisory Council Act." (Bill
31)
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow move that this House
resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to Consider Certain Resolutions
Relating to the Guaranteeing of Certain Loans Under the Local Authority
Guarantee Act, 1957. (Bill 37)
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave to introduce a
bill entitled, "An Act
To Amend Uniformed Services Pension Act, 1991." (Bill 40)
Mr. Speaker, I further notice that I will on tomorrow move that the House
resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole To Consider Certain Resolutions
Relating To The Advancing Or Guaranteeing of Certain Loans Made Under The Loan
And Guarantee Act, 1957. (Bill 47)
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave to introduce a
bill entitled, "An Act
To Amend The Financial Administration Act No. 2." (Bill 50)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Human Resources and Employment.
MR. SMITH: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave
to introduce the following bills:
A bill, "An Act Respecting The Protection Of Farm Practices In The
Province." (Bill 41)
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Forestry Act." (Bill 22)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Government Services and Lands.
MR. NOEL: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave to
introduce a bill entitled, "An Act To Amend The Securities Act". (Bill
42)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MS BETTNEY: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave
to introduce the following bills:
A bill, "An Act Respecting The Child And Youth Advocate". (Bill 46)
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Registered Nurses Act". (Bill 26)
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Health Care Association Act, Hospitals Act
and Licensed Practical Nurses Act". (Bill 23)
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Child Care Services Act". (Bill 53)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural
Development.
MR. TULK: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave to
introduce a bill entitled, "An Act To Amend The Economic Diversification
And Growth Enterprises Act". (Bill 60) Otherwise known as EDGE.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
MR. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave
to introduce the following bills:
A bill, "An Act To Provide The Public With Access To Information And
Protection Of Privacy". (Bill 49)
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Law To Consider Same Sex Cohabiting
Partners In The Same Manner As Opposite Sex Cohabiting Partners". (Bill 36)
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Judgment Enforcement Act". (Bill 39)
A bill, "An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law".
(Bill 48)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Labour.
MS THISTLE: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave
to introduce a bill entitled, "An Act To Amend The Labour Standards
Act". (Bill 54)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Mines and Energy.
MR. MATTHEWS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave to introduce a
bill entitled, "An Act To Amend The Petroleum And Natural Gas Act".
(Bill 55)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs.
MR. LANGDON: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask leave
to introduce a bill entitled, "An Act To Amend The Assessment Act".
(Bill 24)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
MR. K. AYLWARD: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask
leave to introduce the following bills:
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Historic Resources Act". (Bill 57)
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Provincial Parks Act". (Bill 56)
A bill, "An Act Respecting The Protection of Endangered Species".
(Bill 33)
A bill, "An Act To Establish The Boxing Authority of Newfoundland and
Labrador". (Bill 58)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Works, Services and Transportation.
MR. WOODFORD: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will on tomorrow ask
leave to introduce a bill, "An Act To Amend The Public Tender Act".
(Bill 25)
Petitions
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Ferryland.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to present a petition on behalf of between 300 and 400 people
with particular reference to a road at Fairy Pond, Cape Broyle. This road, that
is really an extension from the Harbour Road in Cape Boyle, is in deplorable
condition. As the petitioners have indicated here in their comments on the
condition of that road, it leaves a lot to be desired.
I know the minister was in the area over the past month, and I hope he took
the time to drive down over that road, because anybody who has driven on that
road can see that a road that is paved and is full of potholes is even more
dangerous than a dirt road. You drive through it and there are huge potholes,
the pavement has partially disappeared in that area, and it is in dire need.
There are numerous roads. I know of one in that immediate area that was paved
this year, as the minister is well aware, and I think he had an opportunity to
drive over the good road, I might add. I sure hope you get an opportunity to
drive over the bad road. I do hear that the minister is out and about checking
out the roads in the Province. I give him credit for that. I certainly hope that
this particular road - and there are a limited number of roads in the district
that come under provincial responsibility. I know municipalities have been
endeavouring to improve the condition of the roads in their particular areas.
This particular road in Cape Broyle, Harbour Road-Fairy Pond, there is a road
partially finished in Port Kirwan, there is a Kingman's Cove Road, Petty
Harbour-Maddox Cove - the minister, I know, last month drove down over that to
take a look at it - and in Tors Cove are the five basic roads that are now under
provincial jurisdiction and work is urgently needed in these areas.
So I ask the minister, when he is doing his capital roads projects for this
year, that he take into consideration this road that is in dire need of repair.
I know one of the basic reasons is that we have been neglecting infrastructure
in our Province in terms of roads, and the Province is now only spending about
one-third the dollars that they used to spend on roads in our Province
historically. When you leave things, you don't keep things up to par, we get
serious problems that incur much higher costs to correct the problem in the long
term.
So, Mr. Speaker, I certainly hope the minister will keep in mind that money
invested in infrastructure is important for the economy, it is important in the
transportation sector, and it is also important in stimulating the economy for
jobs, because spending infrastructure money drives the economy, boosts it, in
particular in times of downturn. As we are seeing the economy has a slowing
down, and an extra incentive in infrastructure expenditure will be vital to
getting our economy moving again.
I certainly hope, when we hear the announcement on roads next year, that we
will see some positive announcements to correct this problem that the people
have been living with now for a very long period of time.
Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Bonavista South.
MR. FITZGERALD: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to present a petition, and the petition reads:
To the hon. House of Assembly in legislative session convened, the petition
of the undersigned residents of Newfoundland;
WHEREAS the road on the Bonavista Peninsula from Route 235 through the
communities of Open Hall, Red Cliff and Tickle Cove is in such a deplorable
condition that it damages vehicles and creates great comfort and safety concerns
for children on school buses; and
WHEREAS this road has not been upgraded since it was first paved more than
twenty-five years ago despite serious deterioration;
WHEREFORE your petitioners urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
to upgrade where necessary and re-pave the seven kilometers of road leading from
Route 235 to Open Hall, Red Cliff and Tickle Cove.
Mr. Speaker, I have stood here in this House several times presenting a
similar petition with a plea from the people from Open Hall, Red Cliff and
Tickle Cove to have the seven kilometers - the road is presently paved but it is
in a very deteriorated condition. I took the minister down over the road last
spring, and the minister saw for himself the condition of the road. He heard the
plea from store owners and from residents down there, the plea, Mr. Speaker, to
have something done with this
section of road that is traveled over by seniors
and by school children and the residents of those three particular communities.
At that particular time, the minister made a commitment. The minister made a
promise that he was going to look after two kilometers of road. The people there
were satisfied with that for one construction season. Their comment was that, if
we never make a beginning, we will never get the whole thing paved. The
minister, in his wisdom, cut back the two kilometers of paving to 400 meters,
Mr. Speaker, 400 meters versus 2 kilometers. Now the people in the area there
are asking the minister if he would look at putting forward money in this year's
capital roads budget to look after the seven kilometers of deteriorated road
going from Route 235 down to Red Cliff, down to Tickle Cove.
Mr. Speaker, the people in those three communities are not asking for water
and sewer. They are not asking for paved driveways or walkways or sidewalks. All
they are asking for is a decent road to allow them to get to and from their
place of business. The people in Red Cliff, the people in Tickle Cove, the
people in Open Hall, Mr. Speaker, pay the same price for insurance as the people
living anywhere else in this Province. The people pay the same taxes on
gasoline, the people pay the same price to license their cars, and all they are
asking is to be treated with the same respect as other people who live in other
areas of this Province.
That is the plea that is being brought forward, Mr. Speaker, and I fully
support the residents of those three communities and ask the minister, now that
he is fully aware of the condition of this particular seven kilometres of road,
if he would live up to his promise of last year and come forward and pave that
section of road, so that those people might be able to enjoy a decent road in
order to get to and from.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. member's time is up.
MR. FITZGERALD: Mr. Speaker, I fully support the residents of this
particular area and I ask the minister to pay particular attention to this
petition.
Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's South.
MR. T. OSBORNE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I have a petition that I have presented on a number of occasions in this
House of Assembly. The petition reads: We the residents o