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March 31, 2026 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Vol. LI No. 13

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

SPEAKER (Lane): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

In the public gallery today, I would like to welcome individuals from WorkplaceNL, which is the subject of a Ministerial Statement.

Welcome.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

Statements by Members

SPEAKER: Today we’ll hear statements from the hon. Members for the Districts of Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair, Corner Brook, Fogo Island - Cape Freels, Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune and Harbour Grace - Port de Grave.

The hon. the Member for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. DEMPSTER: Thank you, Speaker.

Speaker, from March 8 to 14, 321 athletes, including myself, from 21 communities gathered in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for the Labrador Winter Games. Since 1983, those Olympics in the North, affectionately known as the Friendship Games, have celebrated not only sport and sportsmanship but also the rich cultural traditions of Labrador. They continue to bring Labradorians together, fostering pride, connection and belonging.

This year’s energy was incredible with strong attendance and record-breaking sponsorship exceeding $250,000. The inaugural torch relay was also a great success, connecting hundreds across 23 communities in Labrador. Athletes performed at an exceptional level.

Christopher Penny of Charlottetown broke the one-foot high kick record kicking at nine feet three inches, while Claire Sainsbury of Cartwright set a new mark and went over the rope more than 60 times.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. DEMPSTER: A heartfelt thank you to Pauline Russell, the board, volunteers and sponsors, and I especially want to extend my thanks and appreciation to the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and 5 Wing who, without their support, the games would not be possible.

Congratulations to all participants. You’ve made your communities proud. Some went home with medals and we all went home with beautiful memories.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Corner Brook.

J. PARSONS: Thank you, Speaker.

I rise today to recognize and congratulate Branch 13 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Coner Brook on their recent bi-annual veterans’ dinner. It was a meaningful event that brought together veterans, families and community members in a spirit of gratitude and remembrance.

This gathering was more than a meal; it was a powerful tribute to the men and women who have served our country with courage and sacrifice. Events like this ensure that their contributions are never forgotten and that their stories continue to be shared in future generations.

Veterans are the ultimate public servants and this event was an important reminder to everyone of the privilege that we enjoy as Canadians. Our veterans have done so much, but they continue to do so much. Whether is it supporting veterans and their families, organizing commemorative events or contributing to our downtown Corner Brook tourism efforts, Branch 13 makes important impacts on our community. Their efforts embody the very best of community service and volunteerism.

To the members of Branch 13, thank you for your continued service and commitment to honouring our veterans and strengthening our community.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fogo Island - Cape Freels.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. MCKENNA: Thank you, Speaker.

I rise today to recognize Beothic Fish Processors Limited.

Beothic Fish Processors Limited, a Newfoundland company, operates in Bonavista Bay with their head office and processing facility in the community of Valleyfield. Beothic processes groundfish, shellfish and pelagic species into a variety of products and forms and utilizes a variety of marketing channels and techniques to market products internationally. They have personnel who are always monitoring issues to ensure customer satisfaction.

Beothic operates its Valleyfield facility under very stringent quality guidance and processes all raw material soon after it is landed. They strive to maintain the quality of the raw materials from the time it leaves the water to final product. Beothic sources raw material from approximately 900 independent fish harvesters from all over the province and employs 325 unionized workers and 75 non-unionized local workers. Beothic pays particular attention to customers’ needs, packaging products of the highest quality to precise market specifications. They are a growing company and are always looking at the improvements to processing methods, and are willing to try new species and products.

I ask all Members to join with me today in recognizing Beothic Fish Processors Limited’s contribution to the seafood industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.

E. LOVELESS: Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Max Taylor of Boxey for his unwavering dedication to volunteering in his community and beyond.

A volunteer is someone who chooses to serve, not for recognition, not for reward, but because they care. It’s about stepping forward when something needs to be done even when no one asks. Max Taylor served his community for many years on council as mayor, Lions Club member, managing and operating the ambulance service for many South Coast communities and president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Community Ambulance Operators Association.

Volunteering isn’t always easy. It requires time, sacrifice and a deep sense of care for others, and he has shown all of that time and time again. One example that comes to mind is making over 800 fish cakes as a fundraiser to support the annual South Coast Arts Festival in St. Jacques. His leadership has helped guide his community, his compassion has supported those in need and his generosity of spirit has inspired those around him. His love for this family is like no other.

Personally, I sincerely thank him for his leadership, his friendship, mentorship and guidance over the years. Please join me in thanking Max Taylor for his years of service to his community and province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave.

P. PARSONS: Thank you, Speaker.

I stand today to congratulate three outstanding young women from my district, Kelsey Fifield, Paige Morgan and Sierra Murphy of Ascencion Collegiate, on receiving the 100th Anniversary of Women Achieving the Right to Vote and Hold Public Office Scholarship.

This scholarship is an initiative that I had the privilege of introducing last May as the Minister of Women and Gender Equality. It is intended to be a reminder that democracy flourishes when all voices are included and when every individual has a seat at the table. Each of these young women have demonstrated leadership, dedication and a strong commitment to, not only their school, but their community. Through their involvement in academics, the arts, volunteerism and student leadership, they are already making meaningful contributions and setting an example for their peers.

Speaker, these young women represent the values that are at the heart of a strong and healthy democracy and are setting the stage for the next generation of leaders here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

I ask all Members to join me in congratulating Kelsey, Paige and Sierra, as well as all other recipients on this well deserved recognition and in wishing them continued success in the years ahead.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Labrador Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, as Minister of Labrador Affairs, I am honoured to stand here today to recognize March 31 as Labrador Flag Day.

As a Labradorian, I can tell you all how proud Labradorians are of our flag; we have been since it flew in March 1974. Labradorian Michael S. Martin designed this powerful symbol that represents Labrador’s geography, cultures and communities.

Our flag reflects the beauty of the Big Land with its colours representing the snow, the water and the land. The growing sprig of black spruce calls out the hope and tenacity of our people that call Labrador home. The Labrador flag is a proud reminder to us all that this majestic land is distinct and is a vital part of our Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Speaker, our new government recognizes that Labrador has unique challenges and tremendous opportunities. To all those who call Labrador home, know this: We are listening to you and will take action to make life more affordable, provide better health care and make communities safer for all Labradorians.

Today and every day we celebrate our beautiful flag, and we will continue to honour everything it stands for, the past, the present and future of our homeland, Labrador. To honour this occasion this evening, Confederation Building will be lit in the colours of the Labrador Flag and our flag will proudly fly in front of the Confederation Building.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair.

L. DEMPSTER: Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the minister for the advance copy of her statement.

I, too – and everyone on this side is wearing the beautiful Labrador Flag today – join the minister in recognizing Labrador Flag Day and this powerful symbol that unites Labradorians.

Our flag tells a story of resilience, pride and deep connection to the land, and that pride is as strong today as when it first flew in 1974. This past summer, I had the tremendous privilege of presenting Mr. Michael Martin, the designer of the Labrador Flag, with the Confederation 75th Anniversary Medal as a thank you for uniting Labradorians under the flag for the past 52 years.

While we celebrate our culture, heritage, strength and resilience, we also have to be honest about the reality many Labradorians are facing. Today, as the minister marks Labrador Flag Day, vital supports that benefit Labradorians, the Labrador Air Access Program and Hope Air, are set to expire with no clear plan to continue. For many in Labrador air travel isn’t a luxury, it is a lifeline. So while we join the minister in celebrating the flag, we also call for action to support the residents of the Big Land because Labradorians refuse to be forgotten.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. DINN: Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the minister for the advance copy of the statement.

We, too, would like to take this opportunity to celebrate Labrador and its wonderful flag, and call on meaningful action to support its proud and resilient people. That is why we remind this House today of MHA Brown’s PMR last spring which saw Members vote unanimously in support of an improved air access and affordable ticket prices.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Further statements by ministers?

The hon. the Minister Responsible for WorkplaceNL.

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Speaker.

I rise today to recognize a milestone in our province’s history for workers’ compensation and safe and healthy workplaces; 2026 is the 75th anniversary of WorkplaceNL.

On April 1, 1951, the Workmen’s Compensation Commission first opened its doors, laying the foundation for the workers’ compensation system we have today. Since then, WorkplaceNL has played a vital role in protecting workers, supporting recovery from injury or illness and promoting safer workplaces across Newfoundland and Labrador.

In 1951, the lost time injury rate in our province was three times higher than it is today; 3.82 injured per 100 workers compared to today at 1.2. That decrease reflects decades of prevention, education and collaboration. This did not happen by chance. This is the result of the dedication of WorkplaceNL staff, the cooperation of employers, the leadership of safety partners and the commitment of workers themselves.

When injury or illness strikes, WorkplaceNL steps up – let me say that again, WorkplaceNL steps up – to provide essential supports to help workers recover, return to work and to maintain financial security for themselves and their families.

On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I congratulate WorkplaceNL on 75 years of service and wish you continued success in the years ahead to protect our greatest resource, people.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

K. WHITE: Speaker, I’m happy to rise today to celebrate the 75th anniversary of WorkplaceNL.

For 75 years, WorkplaceNL has played a critical role in protecting workers, supporting recovery, and promoting safer workplaces across Newfoundland and Labrador. That is something all Members of this House can recognize and appreciate.

The progress we have seen, from significantly reduced injury rates to stronger workplace safety culture, did not happen by accident. It reflects decades of collaboration between workers, employers, safety partners and governments who understand that protecting workers must always be a priority.

Speaker, while we recognize this milestone, we must also know the work is not yet done. Workers continue to face challenges when it comes to safety, timely support and returning to work. So as we mark this milestone, we must remain focused on ensuring that WorkplaceNL is able to continue to modernize, remain responsive to workers needs, and uphold its core mission: protecting the people who built this province.

To the staff, partners and workers who have shaped WorkplaceNL over the past 75 years, thank you and congratulations.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

I thank the minister for an advance copy of the statement. Congratulations to the workers who have served WorkplaceNL for the past 75 years and worked to keep us all safe on the job.

But government can do more to support workplace safety and workers themselves when they are injured. In that spirit, we ask that government increase the income replacement rate to 90 per cent, and in the interest of transparency, publish all OHS inspection reports on its website.

Thank you.

SPEAKER: Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

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

J. HOGAN: Thank you, Speaker.

Just today, gas has gone up in this province at the pump by eight cents. Last night, this House had an opportunity to lower the cost of gas for people in our province, but the Conservatives chose not to do anything to help.

So I ask the Premier: Why won’t he do what he knows is right, and lower the gas tax while prices continue to skyrocket for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: Speaker, we all understand the situation that’s happening in the Middle East and the war that’s impacting not only the gas prices here in Newfoundland and Labrador, but all over the country and all over the world, for that matter.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, what we did yesterday was ensure that the gas tax would not go up, would stop immediately, it would not be increased and we put that in legislation. But what I can also tell you is that in Newfoundland and Labrador, we have the lowest gas tax of any province in the entire country, and the second lowest in diesel.

So what we ought to be at now and what I intend to do and we all should be taking

part in, is encouraging the federal government to do their part to lower gas prices across the country.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: Speaker, I’m glad I heard the Premier recognize and finally admit that the gas tax just stayed the same over the course of the next few days after passing the bill last night but, unfortunately, there was a motion on the table to make it lower, which is what Newfoundlanders and Labradorians want. Now we hear today that the PUB has started making decisions on prices five days a week, instead of the usual once a week.

As I said, it’s already gone up eight cents today. So can the Premier explain to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians why he failed to implement legislation to deal with rising prices and the extraordinary measures now being taken by the PUB?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: Speaker, as I alluded to in my first answer, this is not a made-in-Newfoundland-and-Labrador problem. We have addressed the issue with gas tax in Newfoundland and Labrador by ensuring that it remains the lowest provincial gas tax in the country.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: The second lowest gas tax on diesel in the entire country. What we need now is the federal government to do their part, because every single province in Canada is hurt and being impacted and every person in Canada and in Newfoundland and Labrador has been impacted by these high prices and the federal government needs to step up and do their part.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. HOGAN: Speaker, I know this House of Assembly is responsible for solutions that are made right here in Newfoundland and Labrador and there was a solution on the table last night that the Conservatives refused to acknowledge and to vote for.

So I ask the Premier: Why is he waiting for other provinces and the federal government to do what is his job? The same way Nova Scotia is getting ahead of us in defence spending; the same way Nova Scotia is getting ahead of us with deals with Quebec on energy.

Why won't the Premier focus on what’s right for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and deliver a solution in this House of Assembly for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: Speaker, I can assure the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re focused on doing the work before we make the announcements and what we’re focused on is what the people of Newfoundland and Labrador told us that they want to see the focus on: better health care, lower taxes and safer communities. We’re continuing to deliver them.

In our upcoming budget, Speaker, you will see the results of that and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador will see more money in their pockets.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island.

F. HUTTON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think we already know that one of those platforms was a fail because they had an opportunity to have a lower tax, yesterday, but they voted for the tax we implemented four years ago.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

F. HUTTON: We know how much the Premier and his Energy Minister admire and have been praising the federal Liberal government under Primer Minister Carney, yet the minister has not signed on to the federal government’s one project, one review agreement, which will cut red tape on major projects. All of the other Atlantic provinces have done it. They’ve signed on.

Why is our minister leaving Newfoundland and Labrador behind again?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Energy and Mines.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. PARROTT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This province has been left behind for 10 years. October the 14th, that changed. We are not going to be left behind ever again.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. PARROTT: This previous government had an opportunity to sign onto that, and we are signing onto it; but here’s what else we’re doing. We’re lobbying to make sure that our offshore is included in that, not just something that we can’t control, something that the feds deserve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador – they need to look after our offshore, the same as we do on our onshore.

So we are a part of that. We will continue to be a part of that. Projects are moving faster now than they’ve ever happened before, and they’ve failed in the past.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island.

F. HUTTON: Mr. Speaker, we certainly weren’t left behind when we signed a $5.2-billion rate mitigation plan to keep electricity rates down –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

F. HUTTON: – and we certainly weren’t left behind when we signed a $227-billion MOU, which they are about to leave behind.

Speaker, the Premier keeps saying he wants to wait for his biased review panel. One of the members of that panel has already come out publicly against the MOU, and the other is the lead architect of the Muskrat Falls boondoggle. The Minister of Energy admitted in the House recently that the election was actually a referendum on the MOU.

How can the government expect anyone to believe what this panel says when and if we finally see a report for them – if we ever see it?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Energy and Mines.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. PARROTT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’ll remind the Member about pharmacare, which they didn’t sign onto. I’ll also remind him that the one member that is not on that Committee anymore used to be the former premier’s boss and should never have been on that Committee. There has been – who made decisions prior to the debate in the House of Assembly, which, again, was not even a debate because they had already signed the document.

It was pushed because this Premier fought for it to come into the House. It was always a misled project from the beginning. It will be delivered by this Premier and this government for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. PARROTT: We will be the primary beneficiaries. We know that, and it will happen.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island.

F. HUTTON: Thank you, Speaker.

Speaking of misguided, let’s talk about Muskrat Falls. We can have that conversation any time you want.

As for the MOU, the day it was signed, it was posted online for everyone to see. We still haven’t seen the Bay du Nord deal, which was signed, let alone debate it, so we don’t know what’s in there.

Speaker, it’s alarming to hear that the Premier has stopped all negotiations and contact with Quebec while his biased review is ongoing and won’t say what he intends to do after the report, one way or another. Will there be a referendum? We don’t know. Will we see what’s in the deal? We don’t know.

What is the Premier’s plan or are we going to squander yet another deal on the Lower Churchill?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Energy and Mines.

L. PARROTT: Ten years, Mr. Speaker – 10 years – this government didn’t put one benefits agreement online – not one benefits agreement.

As a matter of fact, they did things like Snow’s Lane, sole-sourced a penitentiary. They did all kinds of underhanded stuff which they never made public and now they’re here talking about an agreement that has four proponents: BP, Equinor, OilCo, Newfoundland and Labrador government. We’re in a process of making sure that this agreement is made public. It has to go through the process to make sure that there are no commercial sensitives. It will be made public.

As for Muskrat Falls, these guys couldn’t deliver. They couldn’t build it. They didn’t know what they were doing.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

M. KING: Speaker, bridge work is a focus in the roads plan this year announced by the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. The Isle aux Morts brook bridge on Route 470 continues to see a drop in weight restrictions, which we can assume is due to safety concerns.

Can the minister assure the residents of my district that any concerns with this bridge are being addressed?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

The Member opposite – I want to inform the House actually – we have 1,184 bridges in the province. We have a very qualified staff over there to assess every bridge. There is no bridge in this province that people are using – if it’s unsafe, it’s closed. If there are restrictions on it, they’re posted.

Bridge replacements are happening year over year. There are a lot of bridges in the roads plan this year and the remaining in the coming years, but with 1,184 bridges, it’s an endless list. We are on top of it and our staff are doing a great job of it.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave.

P. PARSONS: Thank you, Speaker.

The Minister of TI said yesterday, “I can’t commit to what has been committed to in the previous administration… Is it on the list? Yes. Is there a decision made? No.”

Minister, are you saying that you don’t plan to complete the projects just because they’re in Liberal districts?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

I say to the Member opposite, I plan to complete the roads program and the roads that are required. The roads in need, we will fix them regardless of what district they’re in, but I’ll repeat, people need to realize for 10 years PC district roads were neglected beyond. I’ve got that message loud and clear from the industry, from officials and I have planned on bringing a balanced approached. Next year or the year after, when we get it balanced out, everyone will get it.

There are Liberal districts getting roadwork, believe it or not, but they’re just looking at their own. The Member opposite has had an atrocious amount of roadwork. One of the highest amounts in the province, I’ve been told. So I think she’s done quite well and, stay tuned, she may get some down the road, but right now we’ve got to spread it out across the province.

SPEAKER: The minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Placentia - St. Mary’s.

S. GAMBIN-WALSH: Speaker, we hear the government talking about spending smarter, yet the culverts are currently in the ground on Route 100 between Branch and St. Bride’s and the minister has decided to not complete the paving of the road.

The Minister of Transportation said yesterday it’s not about cancelling; if that’s true, can he explain how leaving this project incomplete is not cancelling?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Speaker, they are challenging. We have 10,000 kilometres of road in the province, and they’re picking out bits and pieces all over the place. I’m trying my best here.

If I’m not mistaken, the piece that she’s referring to, the contractor pulled out. They wouldn’t do that

section of road. They pulled out. Now, going back there is going to cost an excessive amount of money. I’m aware of that

section actually, and I’ve talked to people in that community. It’s a bit of a struggle right now, but it’s not about cancelling. That's not where we are. We have to spend wisely and spend smarter, and we will do our best.

Right now, that road is driveable. Will it be paved? If we can find a way to get it paved at a reasonable price, sure we’ll go ahead and do it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Placentia - St. Mary’s.

S. GAMBIN-WALSH: Speaker, when I asked the Minister of Transportation a question about his roads plan yesterday, he said their administration wanted safer communities. A previous roads plan identified resurfacing and rehab work on a key stretch of Route 90, but this has now been cancelled.

Minister, why are you compromising safety?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Speaker, we campaigned on a promise of safer communities, and we will deliver on safer communities.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: But I think, in fairness, the Member opposite and her other colleagues need to realize there are 40 districts in the province, not 15 and that has to be looked after in that light.

Right now we’re trying to find balance, and I’ll continue to say that because that’s exactly what I’m doing. It’s not picking one over another; it’s trying to find a balance. There are other areas in the province that need attention.

These Members opposite have done quite well – and I tell you quite well – over the years. People should go back and look at the roads program, because they’ve done really well. Their colleagues probably should look at the roads program and their roads and wonder why they got so much and they never got as much. That’s what I think they need to do.

Internally, we’re going to continue to keep our communities safe.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burin - Grand Bank.

P. PIKE: Speaker, to continue with this theme, the minister stood in this House yesterday and he did say that his government is not about cancelling.

Can he explain why he cancelled Winterland Road, Route 220 to St. Lawrence, Little Bay East to Harbour Mille, Point May to Fortune and Lord’s Cove to Lamaline, all located in the District of Burin - Grand Bank?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Speaker, it’s unfortunate when you get Members up listing off the roads that are not done, but they never list what they had done. There’s a problem down in some areas of the province – it’s not about the cancelling. If I’m not mistaken, some of the areas that the Member opposite is talking about, it was a tender that came in at a very high price and it was found that the department had to cancel it. Not me, the tender was flawed. The department actually cancelled the tender down in the Member’s district; it wasn’t me. And it wasn’t the department, it was done because the tender was inaccurate. They had no choice.

So, to the Member talking about that, maybe we need to go back and retender, but right now, again, we’re trying to do a balanced approach, and we will have safer communities for all of us.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burin - Grand Bank.

P. PIKE: I don’t think we should be blaming bureaucrats for these mistakes at all.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. PIKE: But, you know, when I look at these roads as well, children travel by school bus on these roads.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

P. PIKE: Speaker, the minister said his administration wanted safer communities.

Can the minister confirm today, here, on record, that cancelling these projects doesn’t affect the safety of drivers in my district?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

I got a question. We’ve been here for five months. They were there for 10 years. Were these roads not safe five months ago or last year? When did they become unsafe, last week? Give me a break. You’ve got a government that was in power for 10 years, and now they’re complaining five months later for what they forgot to do for 10 years.

That’s not my problem. I will make sure our roads are safe –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

B. PETTEN: – our roads are safe for all of us, Speaker, not just a select few – all of us.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the –

L. DEMPSTER: Here we go, not his problem, Speaker.

People are –

SPEAKER: I haven’t identified you yet.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair.

L. DEMPSTER: Not his problem, Speaker. I guess the people are expecting too much again, and –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. DEMPSTER: – I’m not choosing bits and pieces. The minister said there are 40 districts. I’m going to ask about four.

People are angry. This year, there are zero dollars going into Labrador in roadwork, and in the 10 years we were there, we had a lot of fixing up to do after 10 or 12 years of Tory government. Tory times are tough times.

Can the minister explain to the people of Labrador why we got goose egg this year in roadwork?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

The Trans-Labrador Highway cost in excess of $1 billion. We have a –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

B. PETTEN: – a north coast ferry service that costs hundreds of millions. Labrador is very important to the people of this province and this government. It’s very important. We have three Members on our side from the Big Land.

AN HON. MEMBER: There was no roadwork.

B. PETTEN: Listen here, the roadwork was an issue for everybody –

SPEAKER: Order, please!

Do you want me to start naming Members? Because I will.

Order!

The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

B. PETTEN: Thank you, Speaker.

I have a lot of expression from my colleagues. They needed brush cutting; it was more important than the pavement to a lot – not important, but right now the priority was brush cutting. The Member opposite has had more than her fair share of roadwork. She had 10 years to do what she accomplished and now she wants me to do it in five months.

SPEAKER: The minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Gander.

B. FORD: Thank you.

Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister of Tourism about the Johnson Geo Centre. First, she said it rested with the university; then, when pressed about its impact on tourism, she claimed, like I said, we are working with Memorial University, but she hadn’t actually said that.

Can the minister explain which version is true? Is she involved, or not?

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

A. BARBOUR: Speaker, the Geo Centre is owned by Memorial University; it is listed on the Tourism website, as everything else is. Many things are. Airbnb is on there. There are many, many things listed on our Tourism website.

If the Geo Centre goes up for sale, we will work with the new owners. If Memorial University decides to keep it, we will work with Memorial University. Let’s just wait and see what happens.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Gander.

B. FORD: Thank you, Speaker.

So I guess that’s no, they are not currently working with Memorial University.

Porter Airlines has introduced a fuel surcharge, due to rising oil prices, thereby making it more expensive for tourists to get to Newfoundland and Labrador.

What is the minister’s plan to deal with this risk to the tourism industry?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, we will look at anything that will provide an advantage for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. If it means to invest in something to make access to Newfoundland and Labrador much better, if it means investing in something to make the life more affordable for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, you can count on this side making sure that we make the right decisions for the people of the province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair.

L. DEMPSTER: Mr. Speaker, a return trip from Wabush to St. John’s this weekend cost $1,400; from Nain to St. John’s, $2,700. Our Liberal government introduced the Labrador Air Access Program to help make travel more affordable but it ends today.

I ask the Premier: Can you explain, Sir, to the residents of Labrador, why there will be no discounted airfare for Labradorians after today?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Labrador Affairs.

L. EVANS: Speaker, the way that Air Access subsidy was rolled out was misleading to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. People on the Island thought we were getting actually a discounted rate; we weren’t. We were getting access to two subsidized tickets a year, and it was very, very difficult to get those tickets when we needed them for travel.

In actual fact, we have to do things better. We have to bring down the cost of affordability for people who want to travel, and we are doing that. The Member knows that we are preparing a budget. We have things in the budget that are going to address the real problems regarding air access.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair.

L. DEMPSTER: Speaker, how long will people have to wait? There’s a gap right now. People flying out for Easter from Lab West, $4,500.

And ask the 1,000 people who used that program how useful that program was that we put in –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. DEMPSTER: – ask them, 1,000 people.

Speaker –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

L. DEMPSTER: – over 250 physicians have signed a petition warning that the simultaneous roll out of CorCare and CorCare link will reduce patient access to care.

Will the minister commit today to a staggered implementation starting with CorCare only, as is requested by the front-line physicians?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, we took government in October; we were sworn in. I was sworn in as Minister of Health, and one of the things that I’m doing different as Minister of Health is actually reaching out and working with the doctors to make sure that their concerns are addressed.

In actual fact, Speaker, the way it was intended to be rolled out, it was going to alienate family doctors. We were going to lose a lot of family doctors because of the way they were rolling it out.

We are working with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services and the physicians. We are actually going to save positions. We are going to do things different. What we’re going to see in terms of government is government working with doctors.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair.

L. DEMPSTER: Speaker, I don’t know who the minister is talking to but physicians are telling us that their feedback has not resulted in meaningful changes to this roll out and there is a risk to patient safety.

Why has the minister allowed this implementation to proceed without listening to front-line providers?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. EVANS: Speaker, what I hear from doctors, family doctors, physicians, it’s really disturbing the way they’ve been treated under the previous government and under the previous administration. I hear the word being bullied – and the journalists up there, they’ve heard it. I’ve heard it when I’m driving down the road, listening to the radio. Also is not being able to think outside the box, too rigid.

We’ve only been in government now for, what, six months. We’ve already turned the corner. We will work with physicians. We will work with nurses. We will work with the agencies. We will work with the unions. We’re going to do government differently. We’re going to deliver.

SPEAKER: The minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Waterford Valley.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. KORAB: Thank you, Speaker.

We haven’t had a very good response here of getting actual answers, but I have confidence in the Housing Minister here.

The government’s Conservative cousins in Ontario work with the federal Carney Liberals to remove HST on new homes, not just for first-time homebuyers, in order to encourage new home construction and make ownership more affordable.

Will the Minister of Housing commit to a similar program here in Newfoundland and Labrador to help residents?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being, and Housing.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Thank you, Speaker.

I thank the Member opposite for the question. I will make one correction. It’s a Progressive Conservative government (inaudible) –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Speaker, as the Minister of Housing, we are looking at every option that we can to work with the people of the province to make life better, to make housing better for people in our province.

I will take that away. We must have that conversation. My staff and I have discussed it already but I’ll certainly have that discussion and let the Member opposite know that we’ll have a plan for the people of the province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.

E. LOVELESS: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Labrador Affairs, when she was over here, lobbied hard to have the freight boat between the Island and the Coast of Labrador. She lobbied hard and asked me many times.

So I’ll ask the Minister of TI or her: When are you returning the freight boat between the Island and the Coast of Labrador, now that you’re around the Cabinet table?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

B. PETTEN: Speaker, we’ve had many conversations about that issue actually uprising. There’s a lot of a freight that has to get up the coast this year, we’ve already made it clear. My colleague has done a great job of that, my colleague from Torngat Mountains, and she has advocated.

We’re working actually, trying to get extra runs put on. The middle of June it usually starts, but the minute the ice can break, we’re going to try to get earlier. We’re going to put another boat there, hopefully another ferry vessel, to get the freight up there, because we know it’s very important to have it up the coast for this coming season and my colleague has done a great job advocating for the Big Land, Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

J. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

Speaker, last night the government invoked closure and passed legislation to make the gas tax reduction permanent. While many people drive, many do not, but everyone must heat their home. We also know from the story of the gentleman who walked into the ambulatory health hub, many cannot afford to do so.

I ask the Premier: Now that he has passed the gas tax, will he commit to removing the provincial portion of the HST on all forms of home heating, actually cut the tax and help people heat their homes?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, it’s an opportunity for me, when they talk about the permanent gas tax, that they said, well, they would have done it; but did they do it in 2022 – make it permanent?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: No.

C. PARDY: Did they do it in 2023?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: No.

C. PARDY: How about 2024?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: No.

SPEAKER: Order, please!

C. PARDY: 2025?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: No.

C. PARDY: I can tell you from the budget, there was no planning to have it permanently reduced this year.

The Leader of the Third Party, we will look at every affordability measure we possibly could. Every affordability measure to offer supports for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Wish I had a little more time but either way –

SPEAKER: The minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: O rder, please!

I only want to hear the hon. Leader of the Third Party.

J. DINN: I remind the Minister of Finance that we weren’t in power to make those decisions, but thank you for assuming we are a government.

However, if we were, not only would we put the measures in, but we would have also reduced the HST of home heating. That’s one thing we would have done.

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

J. DINN: No, not yet.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. DINN: Speaker, it mystifies me why the party that has lower taxes as the middle name of its slogan and promotes it as an affordability measure is so reluctant to help people heat their homes. While people may be able to park their cars and drive less, they do not have the same flexibility when it comes to heating their home.

So I ask the Premier –

SPEAKER: Question.

J. DINN: – why won’t he put the same effort into lowering people’s heating bills that he put into maintaining the gas tax?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

C. PARDY: When we debated yesterday on keeping the gas tax permanent, there wasn’t a qualification of what you were asking for in your amendment to make it pertinent and believable for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

C. PARDY: The Member for Ferryland filled up his vehicle, 50 litres –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

C. PARDY: – in his Chevy Equinox and, with your one cent further reduction, he would have saved 50 cents, and that has value. That has value.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

C. PARDY: The Member for Humber - Bay of Islands said yesterday that we were left with a huge deficit in this province and a debt, and I would say we’ve got to make sure we give –

SPEAKER: Order, please!

The minister’s time has expired.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John’s East - Quidi Vidi.

S. O’LEARY: I would just like to remind the minister that we’re over here. The NDP are over here.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

S. O’LEARY: Speaker, when asked about rent control, the minister responsible said they couldn’t make promises due to budgetary restraints.

I ask the minister: What costs more, people being priced out of their homes and ending up homeless, forced to go to for-profit shelters, hospital ERs or the justice system; or spending the money to hire staff to implement rent controls?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Government Services, and Labour.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

M. GOOSNEY: Thank you, Speaker.

I think I have to address the passion here, anybody in the gallery must hear it, but I’m also passionate about housing, passionate about people, passionate about solutions and how we find those solutions.

It’s evident, Speaker, there are a lot of housing issues, there are a lot of rental issues. When I was mayor I dealt with it quite often. I’m here to serve the people in their best interest. I’m going to continue to meet with stakeholders, as I have. I’m up for ideas. I’m not here to bash. I’m going to continue to serve people in the best interest, and I’m going to do it progressively and conservatively for all of us.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John’s East - Quidi Vidi for a quick question.

S. O’LEARY: Thank you, Speaker.

In 2024, the Premier said the social worker shortage reflects a struggling health care system. Now, with a 20 per cent cut in seats in Memorial University’s social work program, the situation is getting worse. With vacancies and overwhelming caseloads already impacting social workers and the care they deliver, I ask the Premier: What action will this government take to address the shortage of social workers?

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Member opposite for the question.

This is deeply important. We, as a Progressive Conservative government, deeply value our social workers here in the province. In my Department of Social Supports and Well-Being, we have over 300 social workers working day in and day out for the people of our province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: It is truly saddening that we have less seats at Memorial University now for social workers. My department and our government will continue to lobby to have more seats available because we know the importance. We fully know the importance of social workers in our province, and I’ll do whatever I can to make sure that we have enough to serve the people.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The time for Question Period has expired.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

Tabling of Documents.

Tabling of Documents

SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

L. PARROTT: Thank you, Speaker.

I’m pleased to stand in the House today and table the ’26-’28 strategic plan for the Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SPEAKER: Further tabling of documents.

L. PARROTT: I’m f urther pleased to stand here today and table the ’26-’28 strategic plan for Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

L. O’DRISCOLL: I rise in this hon. House today to table the ’26-’28 multi-year activity plans for the following entities: Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board and the Appeal Board of the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Further tabling of documents.

The hon. the Minister of Government Services.

M. GOOSNEY: Speaker, here today in this hon. House, I want to table one document.

In accordance with

section 5 of the Transparency and Accountability Act , I hereby table the 2026-2028 strategic plan for WorkplaceNL.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands

P. FORSEY: Thank you.

Speaker, I rise today in this hon. House to table the 2026-2028 multi-year activity plan for the Chicken Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Further tabling of documents.

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker –

SPEAKER: Order, please!

C. PARDY: – pursuant to

section 26(5)(

a) of the Financial Administration Act , I am tabling one Order-in-Council relating to funding pre-commitments for fiscal years 2026-27 to 2030-31.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: Further tabling of documents?

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, under the Transparency and Accountability Act , paragraph 7(7)(a), it is with pleasure that I table the Government Money Purchase Pension Plan Committee action plan for 2026-2028.

SPEAKER: Further tabling of documents?

C. PARDY: Mr. Speaker, it’s a pleasure to stand again.

Under the Transparency and Accountability Act , again, paragraph 7(7)(a), it is with pleasure that I table the Government Money Purchase Pension Plan Committee activity plan for 2026-2028.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The Table is starting to get full.

Are there any further documents?

AN HON. MEMBER: Table the Bay du Nord agreement.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

SPEAKER: Order, please!

Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.

Petitions.

Petitions

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave.

P. PARSONS: Thank you, Speaker.

Today, this petition is calling for well needed roadwork in Bishop’s Cove in Harbour Grace - Port de Grave.

WHEREAS the recently announced Roads Plan by the Conservative government features a decrease in funding by $66 million from last year’s Roads Plan; and

WHEREAS the community of Bishop’s Cove requires road maintenance throughout the entire community including culvert replacement – deteriorated culverts; ditching – overgrown ditches leading to flooding due to accumulation of debris; paving – deplorable road conditions are a safety issue – potholes, cracking and erosion; and cribbing replacement.

THEREFORE we petition the hon. House of Assembly as follows: We, the undersigned, call upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to address the road deficiencies throughout Bishop’s Cove to ensure safety is put first for the travellers, pedestrians and all residents of its roads.

As we know, and the Member did say earlier, I managed to get some good work, secure some good work in the District of Harbour Grace - Port de Grave. I make no apologies for that. I worked good and hard for that for 10 years to get the work and secure the funding that, of course, was awarded to my district. I’m going to keep doing that. As long as I’m elected and I’m standing here in this House of Assembly, I’m certainly going to do that.

That said, though, Bishop’s Cove in the community is in desperate need of new roadwork and paving. We saw, unfortunately, a decrease in over $60 million, and we ask why? It was brought up again in Question Period, what districts are getting it? The Member even makes no denial about it to say that the PC districts are going to now avail of some paving.

That said, it’s about safety and we do know that there is significant paving needed and road replacement and work needed in the town of Bishop’s Cove. That said, we are getting a guide rail replaced that was desperately needed for some long time. I took a lot of time to advocate and work with the community on this; that’s finally happening. It has gone to a public tendering as it is a bigger job that the local depot employees can’t handle. It went outside to an outside contract.

That’s happening now when weather permits, but again, I will ask the minister to reconsider for work for Bishop’s Cove. There are other areas in Harbour Grace - Port de Grave District, such as the Southside Road in Harbour Grace, as well as roads in Port de Grave – Blow Me Down Road is in need, as well as Dawe’s Road.

That said, yes, we got some good roadwork, but there’s always room for improvements, and again I’m calling on the minister to reconsider his roadworks plan and include all communities throughout the entire province for all districts, for all of us; in particular, in this particular petition, for Bishop’s Cove.

I look forward to standing again, Speaker, to petition this.

Thank you.

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burin - Grand Bank.

P. PIKE: Thank you, Speaker.

Increase for seniors, this petition deals with. These are the reasons and background for the petition:

WHEREAS seniors have built our communities and society during their working lives; and

WHEREAS many seniors, especially those living on fixed incomes, are disproportionately impacted by the increasing cost of living; and

WHEREAS many seniors have limited options to address the cost-of-living challenges such as housing, energy and medications; and

WHEREAS seniors should be supported and able to enjoy their senior years;

THEREFORE we petition the hon. House of Assembly as follows: We, the undersigned, call upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide the necessary funding to implement changes that specifically address seniors, including: increasing the Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors’ Benefit, doubling the Aging Well at Home Grant from $400 to $800 per month, double the Caregiver Benefit from $400 to $800 per month and increase all thresholds for senior programming.

Speaker, the reason for that petition is that when I go into the district, I meet with a lot of seniors’ groups, as you all do in this House of Assembly. Some of the biggest things that they want, some of the most important things in their lives, are home improvement and home modification thresholds. These thresholds have to be increased to allow our seniors to be able to make the necessary modifications to their homes that they require because of some health issue.

Their home improvement thresholds need to be looked at as well. I know seniors, for example, that used up their total amount of funding to put shingles on their roof. Now they need windows and doors; there’s no money there. They have to wait for seven more years. All this needs to be looked at. All of this needs to be on the table.

The threshold in order to get into seniors’ housing, that needs to be changed to allow seniors with a higher income to move into these houses because the houses that they’re in are too big for them. They’re too hard to heat. Seniors are afraid to get any extra money coming in because they’re afraid that they may lose their drug cards. We need to look at all of these thresholds and the quicker we do it, the better.

Thank you, Speaker.

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John’s East - Quidi Vidi.

S. O’LEARY: Thank you, Speaker.

This is a petition that I will table on rental increase limitations. These are the reasons for this petition:

A lack of supply of rental units, coupled with increased demand has resulted in profiteering by some landlords simply because the market allows it. The Residential Tenancies Act, 2018 , allows for annual rent increases of any amount for any reason. In doing so, the current legislation lends itself to predatory rental increases for the purpose of profit, and treats housing as a commodity rather than a fundamental human right. Significant rental increases are making life more unaffordable for many in our communities, especially seniors and those on income support. The private sector has failed to deliver on the promise of affordable homes.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, call upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to introduce legislation to limit the amount rent can be increased annually.

I so table this petition.

Speaker, if I could just say a few things. The minister, in response formerly, had referenced dialogue with stakeholders. I’m just wondering who are these stakeholders? Are the stakeholders the renters? Are they the private market?

I’m not quite sure who those individuals would be, but there’s obviously a great concern happening when we have constituents – and I have people contacting me right at this moment – eight to 10 people, who are going to be unhoused. They are kicked out because the house is going to be gentrified and, as a result of that, the rents are going to be jacked up to twice the rate.

We are seeing, in the market, when we hear the Real Estate Association discussing they can’t keep up with it. It’s just unbelievable. Real estate and rental leasing accounts for 13 per cent of the Canada’s GDP, the largest single industry in the country, but the average and median rents have increased 30 per cent since 2020. Mostly driven by large price surges in 2023 and 2024.

Rent control is something that people are calling for so that people can be assured that – not only those that are homeless. These are people who actually have a roof over their heads who are now at risk.

So I so table.

Thank you, Speaker.

SPEAKER: Orders of the Day.

Orders of the Day

L. PARROTT: Thank you, Speaker.

I call from the Order Paper, Motion 3.

I move, seconded by the Deputy House Leader, pursuant to Standing Order 11(1), that this House not adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31.

SPEAKER: It has been moved and seconded that this House do not adjourn today, March 31, at 5:30 p.m.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

All those in favour, ‘aye.’

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay.’

Motion is carried.

The hon. the Deputy Government House Leader.

J. WALL: Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: I move, seconded by the Member for St. John’s Centre, the following resolution:

WHEREAS a report by the Auditor General respecting Newfoundland and Labrador Housing has been tabled; and

WHEREAS the report identifies significant findings requiring –

SPEAKER: Order, please!

I think you had to select from the Order Paper.

J. WALL: Oh, my apologies.

Motion 1.

My apologies, Speaker.

SPEAKER: No worries.

We just want to get it right for Hansard .

J. WALL: We will get it right for Hansard ,that is very important. We thank the staff at Hansard for doing such a great job, day in and day out.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: There are days they have difficulty when the House is in, and I can tell you that, but we thank them for it.

SPEAKER: Go ahead.

J. WALL: Thank you, Speaker.

I move, seconded by the hon. Member for St. John’s Centre, the following resolution:

WHEREAS a report by the Auditor General respecting Newfoundland and Labrador Housing has been tabled; and

WHEREAS the report identifies significant findings requiring government action;

NOW THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED that this hon. House express its support for this government’s commitment to fixing long-standing systemic issues identified in the report, ensuring they are not repeated, and encourage the government to take immediate and decisive action to address its findings and strengthen accountability in housing services.

Speaker, this is the resolution that will be debated in this hon. House today.

SPEAKER: The hon. Deputy Government House Leader to start the debate.

J. WALL: Thank you, Speaker.

I appreciate that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Speaker, it is an honour to rise and move this resolution respecting the report of the Auditor General on Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

I want to begin by being very clear, we welcome this report. I’ve said that publicly. I’ve said that in the House and I want to say it again. We welcome this report. We accept its findings. We agree that action is required.

This is what the resolution is about: It is about acknowledging the findings of the Auditor General, supporting immediate and decisive action, and committing, as a government and as a House of Assembly, to ensuring these issues are not repeated, because, Speaker, it’s very important to say that it’s simply not a procedural exercise; this is about people. It is about the effectiveness of a system that thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians rely on every single day.

Speaker, I can assure you, as I said to the media outside, that I stand here, honoured to do so, but realize that governments do change. This is above politics. I want to ensure that we have this correct going forward for governments to come with respect to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General’s report is thorough, it’s detailed and it’s clear in its conclusions. It identifies significant issues in how housing services have been delivered, issues related to governance and oversight, procurement practices, maintenance and repairs and consistency in decision making. These are not isolated findings. These are in the AG’s report for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

They point to broader systemic challenges; challenges that affect how decisions were made, how resources were allocated and, ultimately, how services were delivered. While much of this report speaks in terms of process and policy, the impacts are not abstract. They are real. They are felt by people. They are tangible. They are felt by people waiting for housing. They are felt by people living in units requiring repair. They are felt by people navigating a system that has not always been as responsive or as predictable as it should have been.

This is why this matters, because housing is not just another government program. I’ve spoken to it many times about the personal aspect, the personal touch, the human touch that the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has when it does its work in fulfilling its mandate. It’s foundational. It’s about safety. It’s about stability. It’s about dignity.

Mr. Speaker, it’s important to realize and that we understand that the people of the province who are listening to this debate today understand how we arrived at this point; because we are serious about fixing this system, we must be honest about what contributed to the challenges identified in the report. They certainly developed over time. They reflect a system that became increasingly reactive rather than being proactive. It did not always operate with clear, consistent oversight and it lacked the level of structured accountability required for a program of such importance.

In some cases, processes were not even followed when they should have been. In others, decisions were made without clear frameworks or without a consistent application and, over time, those gaps compounded. The result was a system that was not performing as effectively as it should have been for the people of the province who depend on it most.

This report was from 2021 to 2025. Under the previous administration, there was a lack of a plan and I heard that from, I believe it was 68 stakeholders that I met with since I came into this office. They looked at me, and at one point was being patronized, when they smiled and said, Minister, you’re the seventh minister we’ve dealt with in the last two years. I understand the frustration that the people of the province are feeling when it comes to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing.

This is a report card, Mr. Speaker, and I want to be very clear, it’s not on the hard-working staff and public servants that we have.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: I’ve met with them. I’ve spoken with them. I’ve sat down and listened to them. This is not on their backs.

Mr. Speaker, today I look at it as a key turning point in our province, and I sincerely mean that. I’m honoured and privileged to serve at the discretion of the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: I’m honoured that I’m chosen to be in Social Supports and Well-Being, and Minister Responsible for Housing. It is a heavy load, I can assure the people of the province of that, but I’m excited at the same time to make sure that this work is done from the Auditor General’s report.

Speaker, this is where the focus of the debate must be today because, while the report identifies the many problems from 2021 to 2025, it is now our responsibility to deliver solutions. I’m happy to say that work is currently underway. We are taking immediate and decisive action to address the findings of the Auditor General’s report and to strengthen the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

We will be strengthening governance and oversight. We are establishing clear lines of responsibility, defining accountability at every level and improved monitoring of decisions and outcomes, because a system without clear accountability cannot deliver consistent results.

We are improving procurement and financial controls, and we are reinforcing procurement rules, ensuring processes are followed consistently, and increasing transparency in how contracts are awarded and managed. This is about ensuring the public funds are used effectively and, as the Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board says, spending smarter. Every dollar contributes to real outcomes for the corporation.

We are fixing maintenance and service delivery. It is important that when I sit and speak with the staff at Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation involved in maintenance, involved in repairs – they take pride in their work, they certainly do – there’s just simply not enough of them, Speaker. The positions that have been cut over the years at the housing corporation have had a drastic effect on what was reported in the Auditor General’s report – no doubt directly related.

We are implementing clear service standards for repairs with defined timelines and performance tracking systems because the people who we serve should not be left without the proper answers and the proper timelines. I’ve heard that from both sides of the House since I’ve become minister, from my colleagues on both sides of the House, who reach out and who know that they can reach out to me when it comes to any housing issue that we have in the 40 districts of this House of Assembly.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

L. DEMPSTER: Yes, that’s 100 per cent true.

J. WALL: I thank the Member for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair for that.

Speaker, yes, we are reacting to the Auditor General’s report. As I said, I welcome it. I had the privilege of serving on Public Accounts and working directly with the Auditor General, and I see the important work that she and her staff do. This will make Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation stronger.

We must build a system that anticipates the needs and delivers consistently, year after year. That’s why it’s important we’re having this debate today to ensure, whatever government sits on this side of the House, that the work is done properly, that the corporation is supported efficiently and given the proper guidance to do the work for people in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: We also recognize that improving internal systems is only one part of the solution. The housing challenges we face are broader, and we face housing challenges in every corner of this beautiful province. They include supply pressures, affordability concerns and change in demand across the regions. That is why our government is also focused on increasing the housing supply, working with municipalities and those in the private sector, removing barriers to development and ensuring long-term sustainability in housing policy.

Speaker, I’m also blessed to have a background in municipal politics. I carry that with me each and every day in decision-making, when we look at working with our municipal leaders. The municipal leaders want to step up and support the residents that live in their towns. I see that and I hear that, and I’m so pleased to work with municipal leaders to make sure that this is done; but, Mr. Speaker, what I won’t do is wait for 18 to 20 months for a rezoning of a particular piece of property that holds up a particular build for the Housing Corporation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Cutting through the red tape, working with municipalities to ensure that the builds happen much faster is what is important, because we have experienced, and we have four Members opposite who were in the department, who know the challenges within the Department of Housing and have worked over the years, but I can certainly tell you, going forward, under the guidance of our Premier, we are cutting through red tape and we are working with municipalities to make sure we have efficient time on builds so people can move into safe, affordable homes much faster.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: Mr. Speaker, our government is indeed focused on increasing our supply, and much work has been done in the short period of time that I’ve been in this department. I can assure the people of this province that work will continue because fixing the system and increasing supply must happen at the same time. It is crucial; one without the other will not deliver the results that the people of our province expect and deserve.

This resolution speaks directly to accountability. It calls on this House to accept the report, to support the action that’s needed and to ensure that these issues are never repeated again. I’m going to repeat the last one; ensure the issues are never repeated again, because that is critical.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: As I said earlier, this is tangible and many times it weighs heavy on the heart. I’ll speak openly to that. My caucus knows where I stand when it comes to that, but I can assure you that accountability is simply not acknowledging what went wrong, it’s putting systems in place to ensure it never happens again.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: That means I will operate with transparency, ongoing reporting, clear expectations and measurable outcomes within the Housing Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Speaker, I realize that there will be much debate today, and I certainly hope that we have Members on both sides of this House stand. I want to hear how they’re going to support this resolution because, as I said, this transcends partisan politics when it comes to the important work that’s needed for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

So I understand there will be much debate today. I do know that we have Members eager to stand, and we’ll certainly hear today how we got to where we are, and that’s going to be appropriate. The people of the province – and I’ve spoken to many across our beautiful province with respect to housing. I know how important it is, I do, and it certainly weighs heavy, but I can tell you the plan going forward with respect to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is that they’re going to be given the proper direction and support.

Mr. Speaker, we have dedicated people there, and I do know, because they reached out to me before I stood on my feet today, that we have staff from the Housing Corporation listening, but we also have board members from the Housing Corporation listening today. I want to say to them directly that as minister and as government we certainly value what they have offered, their contributions to the Housing Corporation over the years and –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. WALL: I can say without a doubt, and I said this to them last Friday and assured them I would say it publicly, that this report does not lay on the shoulders of the board of directors of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, because over the years, the decisions made – and facts matter, that’s said many times in this House. The decisions made by the previous administration certainly had an effect on the board of directors. They feel this report.

They told me they’re carrying this report where they shouldn’t have to; because, in 2024, when the previous administration said Newfoundland and Labrador Housing was coming into core government without a plan, without direction and we’re told to stand down, not to fulfill further board positions but to just remain status quo. That lack of direction certainly affected the board of directors.

I’m here today to say I support them, the work that they do and, of course, going forward, we will work to make sure that the board that’s going to be there will fulfill the mandate of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

Speaker, I want to say that, in closing, this resolution is very clear. It’s clear, it’s concise and it reflects the acceptance of the Auditor General’s findings. It’s a commitment to immediate and decisive action, and it’s a responsibility to ensure that these issues are never repeated.

That is what a responsible government looks like. That is what accountability requires. That is what the people of this province expect and deserve. So I ask all Members of this hon. House to support this resolution today. Let us move forward, not just by acknowledging the problem, but by fixing it. I can tell you, Speaker, by God, I’m going to do that.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Burin - Grand Bank.

P. PIKE: Thank you, Speaker.

Thank you to the hon. minister for his presentation and his opening remarks. It’s very encouraging to the people of the province.

I’m so pleased, as well, to stand here today to represent the wonderful District of Burin - Grand Bank. In that district we do have a number of housing units and anything that we can do to improve those or make the stock bigger is certainly beneficial to us.

For our listening audience and viewing audience today as well, I’d like to talk a little bit about Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. It’s a Crown corporation whose mandate is to develop and administer housing assistance policy and programs for the benefit of low- to moderate-income households throughout the province. It also has a wonderful board, a great board, an 11-person board of directors including the CEO. A good board, they do great work. I know a lot of them personally, and they certainly work really hard to ensure that people in this province have adequate housing.

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation owns and administers 5,560 social housing units throughout various parts of the province, with the greatest concentration of units located here with 3,192 in St. John's and 802 in Corner Brook. Now I’d like to see more housing units in rural parts of the province. The need there is great. There is always a wait-list in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, but we are hoping for more units, and that was our intent.

I spoke to the minister just yesterday about a lady that receives 24-hour home care, lives in a unit and the furnace was broken. The minister, being the great guy he is, got on it; that furnace is now being replaced.

We, as Members, face these types of situations every day, on a daily basis, people living in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing complaining about the state that the houses are in. We have a lot of roofing issues that are being addressed and are about to be addressed in my area, but let’s add to the stock if that’s at all possible. Speaker, let’s add to the stock. We need more.

Low-income earners are the beneficiaries of this program with rental rates based on 25 per cent of net monthly income. That’s great for those who are on low income. Approximately 55 per cent of the tenants pay their own rent and they’re working or on fixed incomes. There are an estimated 14,000 individuals housed in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing units under this program.

I remember when I was minister, thinking about these numbers, and thinking, my God, what an organization, how busy, and make no wonder it’s a Crown corporation because it involves so many individuals, so many people, so many social workers. It’s huge. It’s huge, but it’s something that’s really needed in our province and it’s something that really needs leadership.

The demand for housing has changed drastically in the last 20 years – drastically. We’ve had a change in population and provincial demographics that has had a significant impact on the many aspects of our society, including housing. Our population is becoming older, and I read a while ago that we have the distinguished opportunity to do a lot of things here but we also – I’m trying to search for words here – just reached 25 per cent of our population of seniors, the highest in Canada. It’s wonderful, but with that also comes needs.

Presently, the largest cohort of people in the province is age 60 to 64. One aspect of this population size is that houses serve larger families and now, of course we hear it all the time, it’s too much now for these couples, these individuals to maintain those homes. Add to that that they don’t even meet the needs of our modern families, which are much smaller now. We have had a change in the family social structure resulting in fewer people to be able to rely on family and community supports.

One time families lived together. They lived in meadows. They lived close in proximity to each other. Now that doesn’t happen anymore, so they don’t have the same amount of supports. Those of us who are lucky to still have parents and to reside in the same communities as our parents, we’re the lucky ones. We’re the lucky ones.

In response to the need for increased labour supply, we’ve seen an increase in immigration in our province, and all of Canada I should say. Immigrants have few supports and relationships in the community resulting in an increased demand for housing.

In the community I live in, for example, in St. Lawrence, you can’t buy a house and you can’t rent a house; the reason being, we have new industry in town. The mine is reopened. The fluorspar mine is reopened. Activity in the town is booming. Hopefully soon the fish plant will open. We have NordSpace in the area. They’re soon going to be launching rockets from St. Lawrence – amazing – but we don’t have enough housing.

Of course, with prosperity also comes the fact that housing gets used up, but the cost of rent goes up as well. It’s a natural phenomenon, and with that comes people not being able to afford to rent in the community. Compared with a few decades ago, we have seen very low interest rates as well that acted as a stimulant for buying. While this is positive, it also drives up demand, which has driven up prices as the supply impacted that demand.

In the past two decades, we’ve seen an ever-increasing demand on the supply of homes. There’s a supply shortage of homes. One factor that has added to the housing challenge has been a move by property owners from more traditional rental units to rentals for vacation homes, B & Bs. There have been a lot of units that have come off the housing market due to this, and this is impacting rural Newfoundland.

People see rural Newfoundland as a great place to go and relax, take in the scenery, fish, do whatever they want to do, just mingle among the people in these communities, but what that’s done is taken houses off the market because of the increased need for B & Bs. They’re quite profitable and a lot of people use them.

The increased demand for housing has driven up prices, which also resulted in a decline in affordability. In some areas, the ability of people to enter the housing market has seriously impacted the price. I’ve seen demands for rental units line up. There are lineups for rental units, basement apartments – basement apartments now, there are lineups of people that want to get in, but the prices are really high so a lot of them can’t afford to get in.

At the national and international level, the COVID-19 pandemic placed significant pressures on many aspects of our society and, of course, housing wasn’t exempt from that. For the last 30 years, Canadian housing policy has focused much on allowing the market to continue in as unfettered a fashion as possible. In the early ’90s, the federal government completely stopped – completely stopped – developing new affordable housing and passed this responsibility on to the provinces. Some provinces continued to develop housing, though at rates much lower. That’s what happened in a lot of cases.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the supply for new affordable housing has effectively flatlined, along with maintenance programs to protect the existing stock due to a lack of funds. I’m sure the minister knows this first-hand. A lot of our units are in states of disrepair. We’ve even had to tear down full blocks of housing units. We had to tear them down because they were unfixable and inhabited by animals and so on. This paired with a deepening trough between wages and the cost of living has brought us to what is widely recognized as a housing crisis that is affecting the well-being of the country.

Our Liberal government understands that buying a home in the province today has become increasingly difficult. This government recognizes that, not only our party. This is due to the rising real estate prices, high interest rates and limited housing supply. In our larger cities, average home prices are above what most households can afford, even as borrowing costs have surged following the multiple interest rate hikes. This has pushed the monthly mortgage to record highs, making home ownership unattainable for first-time buyers.

Housing inventory in the urban areas is certainly very, very limited, leading to intense competition and still higher costs. Every day we hear of houses on the market going well above the asking price – well above the asking price. I have friends that have sold houses recently that have gotten quite a significant amount of money over the asking price. As a result, too many people in this province are settling for smaller properties, or they have no choice but to remain in the rental market indefinitely.

We have tried and had a lot of success in the past to improve housing. We announced an $82-million affordable – this is what I’m talking about the last four years, what things that were done trying to address this. I know you’re going to do great things as well, and I know, as I mentioned before, you’re going to try and build on what was already started, which is so important. We teed it up.

Speaker, an $82-million Affordable Rental Housing Program to build 800 units –

AN HON. MEMBER: Twelve.

P. PIKE: No one misspeaks in this House, do they?

A $36-million four-year plan to build provincial housing in Western and Central Newfoundland, and Labrador West; a further $26 million for upgrades – and this is what we wanted to do – $4 million for the Secondary and Basement Suite Incentive Program; $3 million for repairs and upgrades to homes in Makkovik, Hopedale and Nain; $3 million for the HST rebate on rental properties; a further $225,000 to continue the First-Time Homebuyers Program, which has helped 240 families buy their first home. This was our 2025 platform.

We would have also looked at increasing the First-Time Homebuyers Program so that applicants with a combined income less than $95,000 are able to qualify for the amount of the loan, with families of $105,000 or more qualifying based on a sliding scale. We would have also, again, provided developers with low-interest financing programs. This is important. That provides capital to assist with the construction of purpose-built rental housing – I know that the minister is over there is nodding his head because he’s looking at the same thing, I know – including modular construction projects.

I see these projects cropping up all over the world, but mostly I focus on the ones being built in Canada. It’s a place where you have got to move, unquestioned, the conversions of existing non-residential structures into rental properties. I see this is my own community. A couple of stores in the community that I live in now, one of those was converted into an eight-unit seniors’ home and the other was converted into two rental properties, repurposing.

We also would have liked to implement the $125-million agreement signed with the federal government through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund aimed at existing municipal infrastructure needs and those associated with future housing developments. I’m noticing that in communities as well – although the towns themselves do not want to get involved in housing projects, I’ll tell you that upfront. They do not want to be involved in housing projects; however, they do want to provide land that’s available in their community. They do want to provide land.

If the town owns land in a lot of cases, and there’s a developer out there willing to build seniors’ units or affordable housing in their area, they will provide land. I met with a developer a while ago who is interested in putting units on the Burin Peninsula in one of the communities. He already has the land. He got the land very cheap from the town. He’s ready to go, just like the minister said to me earlier, shovel ready, and that’s the way we have to be.

The other issues that we have are Crown lands. We need to identify what Crown lands are out there for possible development and use the funds from the lease or sale of Crown lands and put that directly back into affordable housing. We know that finding affordable rental properties can be a challenge and we need to avail of quality rental properties.

We also know that renters, such as those with children, disabilities or even pets, often face discrimination from landlords. We need to work with municipalities and developers to review zoning requirements and existing regulations to encourage more multi-unit and mixed-use construction projects.

The $4-million Secondary and Basement Suite Incentive Program, that provides $40,000 to homeowners to create an affordable home with their existing property, will also include tax incentives for homeowners who already have unrented apartments to list them on the market. We need to follow that rental market. We need to pay close attention to the rental market. People have basement apartments in their homes that they’re not renting. We need to work with these people to rent these apartments.

We also need to look at multi-unit housing projects receiving government assistance to have a minimum number of accessible units for persons with disabilities.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

P. PIKE: Why thank you. I know you agree. Accessible units are so important.

We also need to require a number of units to be designated as pet friendly. A lot of seniors and a lot of couples have pets, and we need apartments, more apartments, that are pet friendly.

I’m just going to, while I got time – it’s great to have so much time, really. I don’t get this very often. I’m just going to take what we did when we were in, and this is just to help the other side and the minister to look at some of the things that were done to build. I’m all about helping here today. I’m all about trying to make sure that we all work together.

On April 10, 2024, the provincial government invested $20 million to construct 50 provincially owned units in Corner Brook. The project would include multi-unit buildings that feature a combination of one- and two-bedroom homes.

On April 15, 2024, the provincial government partnered with End Homelessness St. John’s to operate the transitional supportive living initiative located on 106 Airport Road in St. John’s.

On April 24, 2024, the provincial government announced a partnership with the Community Housing Transformation Centre to establish a $1.5-million Newfoundland and Labrador Community Housing Growth Fund. Government released standards for serving people experiencing homelessness in shelters throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. These will apply to all emergency shelters that receive provincial government funding and will ensure the delivery of consistent, evidence-based, compassionate service while enhancing accountability for shelter guests, operators and government.

In August of 2024, $1.3 million invested toward the creation of a new transitional housing initiative in Gander to provide 15 individuals with transitional housing, beds and supports, including mental health and addiction support, life skills development and assistance finding stable housing.

September of 2024, through a joint investment of $17.12 million over five years, the Canada Housing Benefit will be enhanced to help survivors, including women and children, find a safe, affordable place to call home.

In September of 2024, progress in the first 11 months of government’s five-point plan included 132 families purchasing homes under the First-Time Homebuyers Program. That’s very successful, by the way. We had 132 families able to start their homes – wonderful. That’s great.

Speaker, 11 projects which resulted in the creation of 450 new rental units; five projects conditionally accepted, resulting in the creation of an estimated 300 new rental units and 29 affordable secondary or basement suites. They’re not big things, but these things add up, and they’re certainly things that this government can build on.

Mr. Speaker, when I look at the AG report on housing, I noticed a couple of things here, but one of the things, it says, “Overall, without strengthening governance, data quality, planning and execution, the Corporation will remain limited in its ability to provide timely, appropriate social rental housing to the most vulnerable who rely on this essential public service.”

It says as well, in the final sentence, and it struck me that I think everybody is part of this, “It is concerning that many of the issues in this report were also found in our 2008 audit, and had not been corrected.” So most of the things that she found in this audit have been on the books since 2008. I think we all had a

part in it.

I guess I’ll end there, because I have a few other things but I guess I’ll end there. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Housing is certainly something that’s very near and dear to my heart, having served as minister. I have to agree with the current minister, the staff down there are unbelievable, very committed to their work. They work well together. They’re out in front of most everything that they need to be doing.

The repair piece of that is massive. The people that are in various areas of the province that work with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, they’re certainly – we need more of them. We need to attract more people working within housing, but they do great work. They do their best to get to people as quickly as they can.

I thank the minister for bringing this forward today, and I’d like to have more opportunity to talk about it at another point.

Thank you so much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER (Power): The hon. the Leader of the Third Party, Member for St. John's Centre.

J. DINN: Thank you, Speaker.

If only half what I heard was implemented in the last few years, we’d be further ahead.

Look, I’ve been passionate about housing long before I was in this role, and I can tell you that what I’ve spent – and let’s call a spade a spade here. This report rests entirely on the previous Liberal administration purely, pure and simple.

I felt, I guess, nothing but frustration over the last few years trying to deal with housing. I even lost my speaking privileges because I called out a discrepancy between 750 and 11 houses that were actually built. My colleague from Labrador was totally frustrated with the lack of affordable housing in Labrador West. This sense of futility; the resistance to any constructive solutions.

So let’s keep in mind that what we see here with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing is not a fault of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing. It didn’t happen by accident. It did not happen by accident. It was a failure – and maybe even deliberate, I don’t know. It was a failure on the part of the previous administration to support Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, to provide it the resources it needed, to encourage it to come up with deeply affordable housing.

It explains so many things that I’ve written many previous ministers about over and over again, and to get brushed off. It explains why there has been no increase in non-market housing. Under their watch, inventory decreased by 57 between 2021 and 2025. There was no planning. It was done on an ad hoc basis while there was an increasing demand.

It explains why we’ve seen an increase of emergency shelters in that time, and with that came an expensive price tag. I think in 2025 at one point, midway through, it was at $14 million a year. It had increased from 2019 for $4 million. Think about that. Three times the amount of money, money that could have been, if it had been put towards Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and had a plan. We could’ve had affordable supportive housing.

I think last year, between April 2024 and March 2025, $8.1 million was spent on emergency shelters. We’ve seen the loss of housing. We’ve seen, for the first time in our history, people sleeping in tents. When was the last time we had an encampment across from the Confederation Building?

So while 2008 might have been a problem, we didn’t have people sleeping in tents.

We’ve got seniors and those on fixed incomes for the first time in their lives sleeping in tents, in the rough and in fear of losing their housing. We’ve got an expensive lease agreement with a political supporter when we could’ve taken most of that money, bought the building on Airport Road and put that money into supports –

AN HON. MEMBER: Where? Airport Road?

J. DINN: On Airport Road.

I can see why there’s been no appetite for rent and vacancy control or why there doesn’t seem to be any interest in that deeply affordable housing. Now, mind you, we’ve always had the impression that the previous administration was on top of it. They were dealing with it.

This report shows otherwise. This report shows otherwise and is a condemnation of what went before. No two ways about it. We can talk all about the pressures on rent, but it was the responsibility of the previous government to deal with that and to find creative solutions.

Now, I can tell you, we’ve all brought forward solutions. They have been rejected, because I guess they knew better.

Page 21 – I’ll just take a few here. I won’t have time to go through it all, but I’m going to pick out a few highlights here that really – I will say this. When I read this report, I didn’t sleep that night. I was that angry. “We found that the Corporation often built social rental housing units slowly.”

Now I would say that comes down to – not in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing because I talked to most people. They don’t have the supports and the resources that they need. That seems to be deliberate.

Let’s move on to, again I’ll look at page 22, “no funding for reconfiguration.”

Where does that come from? Where does Newfoundland and Labrador Housing get its money? Where could Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation get its money if it were a true Crown corporation, if it could borrow money, if it could get the resources it needs?

Page 23 – man oh man. Okay, let’s think about this, and I’ll look at this because it talks here about the sale of properties, and again it mentions it on page 34, as well, about the sale of properties. “We found that the Corporation’s property sales did not comply with its own policy because it did not forecast future demand for units as required, and several sales occurred in areas with high demand.”

I’ve brought this up many times, about the need for more units. My God, if you were spending more on emergency shelters and you saw people sleeping in the rough, you didn’t need a plan; you just had to look out the window. There actually was an encampment set up on the grounds of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing. What was the response? Get the police and move them off.

Officials indicated that, in Marystown, a property had been permitted to fall into disrepair and that’s why they sold it, and that there was no demand in the area. Down on the bottom of this page, it talks about how units had been permitted to fall into disrepair. I wrote the minister at the time about the need for the repair, that basically Newfoundland and Labrador Housing was turning into a slumlord.

Page 15 – you’ve just got to look on page 15 and see one of the houses there that has been in disrepair for just about the entire time I’ve been in this position. It’s only after that letter that they decided to do something; but here’s the thing that really angers me. Management or the minister, I don’t know who, because I found out from workers that what they were saying is that I was blaming the workers for this – how neat.

AN HON. MEMBER: Who was the minister?

J. DINN: At the time – there were so many. They were changing ministers like underwear. I really don’t know but I have it here. I can find that letter easily enough.

But I will tell you that when I spoke to the workers I had to set them straight. I provided the letter to them and they said they understood, because it had to do with the fact that they’ve cut the people that they need. I’ve asked that of minister after minister: Do you have enough resources? Do you have enough people? Oh, no, we’ve got enough. I can tell you, talking to workers and talking to CUPE, they can tell you otherwise. The story is different.

Here’s one: Officials indicated that the properties had been – I can tell you from the description here, this is on Livingstone Street. Oh no, actually let’s go back, “…multi-unit buildings in downtown St. John’s were sold at a time when 941 applicants were waiting for housing in that area.” That’s 104-106 Livingstone Street. It was burnt in 2023, and at that time, “Officials indicated the properties had been damaged by fire and were sold for $214,900 in total, due in part to the high cost of demolition and renovation.”

Here’s the thing, I wrote the minister at that time, there was a gentleman next door where the fire started who was willing to sell the property to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing at a fair price. He wasn’t looking to get a major amount of money for it, but there was an opportunity to actually buy that up and expand the housing stock. We were told it was on a hill; it wasn’t accessible. It wasn’t needed.

Now I will tell you that I asked for the reports, because apparently they had reports. There were no reports. There was no documentation, yet I was told there were reports that they had, but they wouldn’t share them with me. Prove it to me, is what I wanted. I wanted the data to show that.

Here’s the other part of this – guess what they did? They sold it because they couldn’t be rebuilt, and what did the person who bought it do? He didn’t tear it down, which is what I figured the only thing you’re going to have to do based on what the minister said at the time, he renovated it. He repaired it. Now you have another four units or so there, six units or whatever it is – four to six units that are going to house people but, I can tell you this, it won’t be affordable housing. It will not be affordable housing. Speaker, $214,000 is a pretty good deal downtown.

Then, by 2023 we were trying to get a community centre on the go on Livingstone Street. I know that the group had approached the minister then to use that building as the community centre, which would have been a fantastic site. It would have allowed space, even maybe some affordable housing built into it but it was going to be a fantastic community centre. It could not be done.

Now I wrote the minister back in 2023-2024, and I can tell you that, again, I found out later on in 2024 that – guess what – after several attempts, they decided to sell those units. I had written on December 2023 about the Member at the time who was minister, the Member for Burin - Grand Bank, about that offer. I had written, in 2024, to the CEO of NLHC about the use of it. I had spoken to the minister following Minister Pike at that time, and then we find out it’s been sold – gone. It could have been a great community centre. Lack of vision.

I will tell you I think that’s been the most frustrating. Speaker, I’ve got file folders of letters I’ve written to the ministers in the previous administration, and it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. It is frustrating. I guess, though, in the last few minutes, I’m going to say this: The answers are in the report, and I’m going to go with this because I will take the – and I have to say this is not on this government at this point in time. It’s not. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of times when I will hold you to account, but right now, this is not on their shoulders. It’s on their shoulders to fix it; that’s for sure.

I look at the oversight and I think the problem here is, I really believe overall this came down to maybe the lack of guidance at the top or the lack of commitment or the lack of political will to stand out of the way and let Newfoundland and Labrador Housing do the work it needs to do, because it seems that you have a chief executive officer and a board of directors. So who’s making the decision?

I can't blame the board of directors, by the way, because if they’re making decisions – but it seems here the minister is making decisions without consulting with them, then you have a problem here. You have that lack of leadership. It says here: the board did not provide effective oversight. How could they if the minister is the one who seems to be making the decisions?

It is interesting because I look at the response to the homelessness piece, the encampment and the amount of pressure that happened and that it took, finally, to get them to act and to even come up with a very expensive response to it down on Airport Road. Now, mind you, if it was $23 million, $33 million or whatever it was to actually put into the services, I wouldn’t blink an eye, but to spend it on an expensive lease when we could have bought the building and staffed it properly and everything else, it would have been a better investment.

Here’s the political aspect of this that has sort of come into view for me since this time and since the election. At the time, I was advocating for a constituent to get into the hotel. He was in desperate need. What do I get back? What do I get back from the executive director of End Homelessness but a letter saying that, somehow, I was trying to create a side entrance or side access or a side deal. That angered me because the people I represent, the people I speak for, are the most vulnerable. They are voiceless. They are hungry. They are homeless. They are in the rough.

The current minister was there at the meeting when I laid this out, but here is what happens then after. In my own riding, who do I see offering himself up as a candidate for the Liberals but the director of End Homelessness, and now I’ve got to wonder if, all along, there’s been this lack of political will to address the issue. If, indeed, somehow I was being limited in my ability to advocate for the most vulnerable for that reason. If, indeed, we chose a more expensive lease operation instead of basically addressing the issues that necessitated them being in that transitional housing or homelessness.

I have raised in this House solution after solution. Whether it’s about models like Indwell supportive housing, whether it’s about land lease communities, land trust, investing in the Co-operative Housing Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, there are models out there. None of them are my ideas. They’ve been around for a while. I just find it difficult to understand why they haven’t been followed.

But if I were, in my last two minutes, speak to if we want to fix Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, then I think the answer lies here. Give them the autonomy, give them the funds, allow them to raise the necessary funds and let them do the work. It’s encouraging to hear the minister that he’s not going to wait 18 months to get the permits. He’s going to get it done and get it done.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

J. DINN: I’m assuming government still has land. Rather than sell it off, why not establish land lease communities, why not establish land trust, and to retain the land but make sure it goes towards that deeply affordable housing? We raised or promoted a similar idea in our platform with NL Homes, which was basically to give it that autonomy.

I think then there’s a working relationship that could happen between the minister and the CEO of the corporation, but give them the autonomy to do it. Do not let this become mired down in politics. The people I represent cannot afford it. Their health cannot afford it. They need to be housed. We need to have more supportive housing. There are models out there that work.

But I will tell you this: I have a lot of respect for those private developers; there’s a place for them, but I do not think in deeply affordable housing there is. That’s got to be the role of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, of government, and of community organizations, not-for-profits, to help them with that.

So this has been a long time coming. But I’ll tell you right now, it puts into context the frustration I’ve felt over the last number of years and, more importantly, what else we need to be doing.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: Thank you, Speaker.

I rise in this House today to address the report of the Auditor General on Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and the resolution before us. Before I begin, I, too, want to express my sincere gratitude to acting CEO Mike Tizzard and to the dedicated staff of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation across this province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: Let me be clear, this report is not a reflection of your commitment, your professionalism or the important work you do every day on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: Speaker, this report is a reflection of something much larger. It is a reflection of a system that has been allowed to become unclear and ineffective; a system shaped over years, by previous administrations that failed to provide the direction, accountability and leadership required for success.

It is a system where staff are too often left without the tools, the clarity or the authority needed to deliver the outcomes Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve. Today is not about placing blame on the people doing the work. It is about acknowledging that the system they were asked to operate within was not built to succeed, and that is where leadership must begin with clarity, with accountability and with a willingness to act.

So let me say this clearly, we welcome this report, we accept its findings and we agree that action is required.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: This is what this resolution reflects. It reflects a government that is prepared to acknowledge where the system has fallen short and, more importantly, a government that is prepared to fix it. Because, Speaker, this report is serious. It outlines systemic and governance issues in how housing has been delivered in this province.

Those issues have real consequences for real people – people who are waiting, people who are struggling, people who depend on a system that must work and has not always worked as it should.

Much of what is contained in this report is not new for us. In fact, it reflects concerns that we have been raising for some time. We have said that the housing system was under strain, that people were waiting too long for housing, that repairs were not happening quickly enough and that decisions were not always being made in a consistent or accountable way.

We said that the system had become too reactive. We said that oversight needed to be strengthened, government needed a plan and we said Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserved better – better service, better outcomes and a system they could rely on.

Speaker, the Auditor General has confirmed those concerns, not in general terms, but in detailed, independent findings that make clear the scope of the challenge, and that matters because it gives us a foundation to act.

Speaker, this report tells a story. The Auditor General’s report identifies serious issues across key areas of housing delivery. It speaks to weaknesses in governance and oversight, gaps in procurement and financial controls, delays and inconsistencies in maintenance and repairs and a lack of constituency in decision-making.

These are not minor administrative concerns. These are core elements of how a system functions and when those elements are not working as they should, the entire system is affected.

Speaker, let us be clear about the impact that had. It meant repairs took that too long; units that were not maintained as they should be; people waiting longer than they should for housing; units being sold when a demand existed; and decisions by the former Liberal government that were not always transparent or predictable. This is not just about process. It is about people’s daily lives. It is about whether the system delivers the stability and support that people need.

The previous administration made it about announcements and knee-jerk reactions. That’s not how our government will operate.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: Speaker, we have a responsibility in this House to be honest about how we arrived at this point because these issues did not happen overnight; they developed over years. They developed under the previous government, and they developed in a system that, over time, lacked consistent oversight, allowed processes to drift and did not maintain the level of accountability required.

This is not speculation. This is what the report reflects, a system where decisions were not always guided by clear frameworks or a plan, processes were not consistently followed and oversight was not as strong as it needed to be. When that happens, when oversight weakens and accountability slips, the result is exactly what we see in this report, a system that is not delivering as it should.

Again, I want to be clear. This is not about assigning blame for the sake of it, but it is about recognizing responsibility. If we are going to fix the system, we must understand what led to its current state, and the reality is this: the previous government allowed a system to develop that was too reactive, too inconsistent and not sufficiently accountable. The consequences of that are clearly outlined by the Auditor General.

That is exactly why, in our blue book, we made housing a priority, because we recognize that the challenges in housing were not isolated. They were systemic and we committed to addressing them. We committed to increasing the housing supply, improving accountability in housing delivery, ensuring access to safe, stable and affordable homes and taking a more structured and responsible approach to decision-making.

Those commitments were not made in a vacuum. They were made because we understood that the system needed change. The Auditor General’s report confirms that we were right to identify those challenges and right to make those commitments.

Speaker, now let me turn to what matters most, what we are doing, because this government is not waiting. We are acting. We are putting in place clear lines of responsibility, defined roles at every level and stronger oversight mechanisms because accountability must be clear and it must be enforced. We are enforcing the procurement processes, reinforcing procurement processes, ensuring compliance and increasing transparency because public confidence depends on knowing that the decisions are made properly and that public funds are used responsibly.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER WAKEHAM: We are implementing clear service standards, defined timelines and performance tracking, because people should not be left waiting without answers. We are moving towards better planning, better coordination and long-term thinking because reacting after problems arise is not good enough.

Speaker, we also recognize that fixing internal systems is only part of the solution. We must also increase housing supply, we must address affordability and we must ensure that our housing strategy reflects the needs of today, not the conditions of the past. That is why we are working with municipalities and community partners, engaging with the private sector, removing barriers to development and focusing on long-term growth.

This resolution commits us to ensuring that these issues are not repeated. That is critical because accountability is not just about acknowledging problems, it is about building systems that prevent them. That means transparency, reporting, measurable outcomes and clear expectations.

At the end of the day, this is about people; people who need housing, people who need repairs and people who need a system that works. They aren’t interested in excuses. They’re not interested in looking backwards. They’re interested in results. That is what this government is focused on delivering. We accept the findings. We are taking the action necessary. We are building a housing system that works for all of us.

Thank you, Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Humber - Bay of Islands.

E. JOYCE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for this opportunity to stand up.

I have to say to the Member, the Leader of the Third Party, I commend you for the work you’ve done over the last while, over the number of years, to bring this to a forefront. Then, with the Auditor General’s report, you are 100 per cent right of the issues you brought forward on behalf of your constituents; not only your constituents, but this was highlighted all across Newfoundland and Labrador. So I just want to recognize that.

I already had a meeting with the Minister of Housing. I had a very good meeting on this, and I explained some of the concerns that I had around the West Coast. I go back a bit further than most in this House dealing with housing. There’s always a struggle to get the proper housing for the number of people, because back years ago when housing was built, there was four houses for four bedrooms, sometimes five bedrooms, and families are smaller now. Two bedrooms or three bedrooms are usually what’s needed more, and it hasn’t followed through with the growth of the families themselves and how the families are living these days.

There are a few things over the years, and I’m going back the last six or seven years, that I sat down with the ministers, I sat down with people and I tried to explain the issues. I really tried to work with them. I even got to the point where I offered to ministers to come to Corner Brook: I will show you the 67 units that are not repaired. I offered that. That’s how confident I was that the Auditor General – what the Auditor General said, I knew for years. I offered: come out and I’ll show you. Don’t go listening to me. Don’t go thinking I’m just standing up here asking questions, and I was never taken up on it.

I know the current minister already had discussions. Like I said, I had a meeting. I already had a meeting with him and explained some concerns. It took me, as a lowly independent – I’m not going to form no government. I’m not joining no party in this House. As an independent, it took me one year – one full year – and it was only because of an NTV interview that I convinced government that there were 40 units up on Crestview that were dilapidated. It took me a year – didn’t believe it, not there.

That’s the kind of stuff that went on for years. It went on for years. Absolutely went on for years. Then, when they finally agreed – and this is something that’s really bothering me – they got an influx of federal government money. Big Crestview, 42 units I think, or 40 units, had to be torn down. No problem with the influx of money coming in. What do you see? Spent in St. John’s. Crestview now, I think the minister announced just a little while ago some apartments in that area, and there was a plan then to fill up the whole area. Not done – not done and I was shocked. I was shocked.

So what happened then? Then they came out with some units going to be built, six I think. The minister just came out and announced some more in Corner Brook, and there’s a lot more needed. I don’t expect everything is going to be done overnight, but if people see a plan going forth, we can all work with it.

I can tell you another thing, that Airport Heights one, this is something that really bothered me in Corner Brook. I won’t get into the Airport Road hotel. I won’t get into how much it cost and all that. I won’t get into what was untendered and all that. But here’s what got me and it bothered me.

I’ve been around so long, I see so much stuff and there are things that bother you. When you hear that minister at the time, and others, stand in the House and say let’s talk about wraparound services – we need the wraparound services. We have to have the wraparound services, that’s why we had to do it. Yet, there are 35 people out in a hotel in Corner Brook, stuffed in a Corner Brook hotel, do you know how much service they got? Zero.

They’re almost like, now, here’s your room. You take your brown paper bag that they’re going to give you for lunch and you stay quiet. I’ve been try