Newfoundland and Labrador Hansard — Members' Statements — 23 November 2006 (45th General Assembly, 3rd Session, Vol. XLV No. 29)
2006-11-23
Newfoundland and Labrador — Debates (Hansard)
November 23, 2006 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
PROCEEDINGS Vol. XLV No. 29
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
MR. SPEAKER (Hodder): Order, please!
Admit strangers.
This afternoon we would like to welcome to the Speaker's gallery, Mr. Alain
Frecker, the grandson of Dr. Alain Frecker and Mrs. Helena Frecker. Dr. Frecker
was the Minister of Education for many years, as well as Minister of
Intergovernmental Affairs, in addition to his role as Chancellor of the
University. We welcome to our House today his grandson and namesake, Alain
Frecker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
Statements by Members
MR. SPEAKER: We have members' statements today as follows: The hon. the
Member for Lake Melville, with leave; the hon. the Member for the District of
Bay of Islands; the hon. the Member for the District of Placentia & St. Mary's;
the hon. the Member for the District of Grand Falls-Buchans; the hon. the Member
for the District of Mount Pearl; and the hon. the Member for the District of
Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair.
The hon. the Member for the District of Lake Melville, with leave.
MR. HICKEY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to congratulate the thirty-first
Labrador Creative Arts Festival, which took place in Happy Valley-Goose Bay from
November 15 to November 21. The Labrador Creative Arts Festival has given
children from across Labrador an opportunity to come together, to interact, and
to express themselves in art, music and theatre.
This year's theme of the festival was: Putting the pieces together. It
showcased sixteen different performances dealing with issues like resettlement,
conserving heritage, and the challenges of growing up in rural Labrador. Each
play is written and performed by students, including the stage, lighting and
sound crews.
The Labrador Creative Arts Festival was an idea that has grown into a
tradition, and for thirty-one years the Labrador Creative Arts Festival has
fostered creative thinking, an appreciation of the arts, and helped reinforce a
sense of Labrador identity.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, the Labrador Creative Arts Festival deserves to be
showcased in a proper venue. Our government committed $1.9 million in this year's
budget for the creation of the Mealy Mountain Auditorium performance centre, and
I am pleased to report that we have recently awarded a contract to prepare the
site for construction.
This government supports the arts in Labrador. We see the great work the
committee has done with the festival, and we want to make sure the Labrador
Creative Arts Festival continues for years to come.
I would like to ask all hon. members of the House to join me in
congratulating the committee of the Labrador Creative Arts Festival on a
successful celebration of arts, and congratulations to all of the students from
across Labrador who participated in this year's event.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Bay of Islands.
MR. JOYCE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to send a sincere note of thanks and appreciation for the MHAs
dinner that was held last evening by the Canadian Diabetes Association.
I would like to acknowledge that this dinner was attended by members on both
sides of the House, and I know I can speak for all, that we all enjoyed the
dinner, the camaraderie, and the opportunity to become even more aware of
diabetes and how it can affect the quality of life, and the support that is
needed to fight it.
This event was made possible by the support of the pharmaceutical industry,
which is also a partner in the fight against the dreaded disease. We appreciate
hearing the excellent speech given by Dr. Carol Joyce, an oncologist at the
Health Sciences Centre, who provided medical information and statistics
surrounding this disease.
As well, the personal account by Jim Macdonald of the RNC, of the trials and
tribulations of living with this, was very much interesting and informative.
We would like to acknowledge the message shared by Melita Paul, a diabetic
field worker in Labrador who works with the Aboriginal people who suffer from
this disease. As we know, the incidents of diabetes is also on the rise in the
Aboriginal community, which makes Melita's work very important.
A thank you should also be sent to local chapters and organizers Jerry Young,
Carol Ann Smith, and to the Atlantic Chair, Jim Carey, for all of their input
and effort.
Two important points were taken from this dinner. The first is the fact that
there are a number of diabetic therapies that are not yet available in
Newfoundland and Labrador. Also, the event drew attention to the fact that a
diabetic pump is a valuable medical necessity for people who suffer from
diabetes but, unfortunately, it is one that is often too expensive to afford by
many.
Mr. Speaker, I will conclude by saying that it was tremendous to see the
partnerships that are involved in overcoming diabetes and in the way that we, as
MHAs, are being asked to become more educated and aware of all aspects
surrounding the disease itself, the treatments available, and the amount of
funding and support needed to support the diabetes community and their struggle.
Again, I am certain I speak for all members of the House when I say that we
are now in a better position to advance the concerns and issues of this disease
which affect constituents in our districts. Hopefully, we can better help in the
process of ensuring that, as a government, we do everything we can towards the
journey of a bright light overcoming this dreaded disease.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Placentia & St. Mary's.
MR. F. COLLINS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to rise in this hon. House to
congratulate the school community of Placentia, including the teachers, students
and parents.
On October 19-21, Laval High School and St. Anne's Academy hosted the
seventeenth annual Provincial Student Leadership Conference, the theme of which
was: Blazing the Trail. It provided an opportunity for 400 students and their
leaders from sixty-seven schools across this Province to come together, share
ideas, develop leadership skills, and make lasting friendships.
I was pleased and privileged to attend the opening ceremonies while my
colleague, the hon. Member for St. John's North, along with the MP for the
Avalon riding, attended the closing ceremonies.
Ordinarily, Mr. Speaker, the logistics of holding such a large conference,
including meals, banquets, entertainment, transportation, billeting and so on,
in such a small community would be ominous. The tremendous success of this
conference is a tribute to the great leadership abilities of those two high
school committees, along with the support of community groups, organizations and
businesses. I might point out, Mr. Speaker, this is the second time in ten years
that this school community has hosted this conference.
Mr. Speaker, this conference was a display of youth leadership and it was a
weekend filled with unmitigated energy - inspired by a host of motivational
speakers. It was a true reflection and reinforcement of the message in this
government's Throne Speech, that our future is our youth. It was evident from
the conference that our future is in good hands.
I ask this hon. House to join with me in congratulating all those involved in
the conference.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Grand Falls-Buchans.
MS THISTLE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Doug Butt of Grand
Falls-Windsor, who recently received The Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal.
The Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal is given to women and men who have
served as peace officers for at least twenty years, with at least nineteen years
on the front lines exposed to risk.
Peace Officers are employed by recognized organizations including: the Canada
Border Services Agency, Parks Canada, the departments of Citizenship and
Immigration, Environment, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal was created June 22, 2004, and
since that time Mr. Butt has been the first and only person from Newfoundland
and Labrador to receive this award, and it is also the first time being awarded
to a person with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Butt began his career with the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans in Grand Falls-Windsor, where he spent his first four years. He then
transferred to Port aux Basques where he was a fishery officer for more than
twenty years. In 1993, he returned to Grand Falls-Windsor and was appointed to
the position of Field Supervisor and he is currently the acting Detachment
Supervisor in Springdale.
At the Ottawa ceremony in May, 2006, Governor General Micha lle
Jean stated that the medals served two purposes: the first to recognize
achievements and the second to inspire others to reach and surpass themselves.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this hon. House to join with me in
congratulating Doug Butt, recipient for the Award of The Peace Officer Exemplary
Service Medal.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for the District of Mount Pearl.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. DENINE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Warrant Officer Richard
Francis Nolan. Ricky, as he was known to his peers, a former resident of Mount
Pearl.
He was a member of the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, based in
Petawawa, Ontario. He was one of four Canadian soldiers killed during an assault
on Taliban fighters in Panjwaii district, sixteen miles west of Kandahar,
Afghanistan on September 3, 2006.
Mr. Speaker, as a student, Ricky enjoyed school and participated in many
extracurricular activities. He was also a member of the 807 Kinsmen Air Cadet
Squadron. While in Cadets, he won many awards and his dedication and commitment
to the Cadet movement paved the way for his military career.
Mr. Speaker, recently I attended the Remembrance Day ceremony, along with
you, in Mount Pearl. Ricky's mother, Maureen, attended the ceremony as well.
She laid a wreath in remembrance of her son. The Mount Pearl - his former
squadron - 807 Kinsmen Air Cadet Squadron also participated in this ceremony.
Mr. Speaker, to say the least, it was a very emotional ceremony. You and I
attended that ceremony and we viewed the parade as it left the parade area and
Ricky's mom was in front of us. We can only imagine what was going through her
mind when the 807 Kinsmen Air Cadet Squadron in Mount Pearl passed by. Memories,
I am sure, reflected back in her mind at that time and it was very moving.
Mr. Speaker, Ricky will be remembered by his family, friends and his military
comrades for his strong work ethic, exceptional leadership, devotion to his
family and platoon, and his unmatched zest for life.
Mr. Speaker, Richard Francis Nolan paid the ultimate sacrifice for his
country. I consider him a true hero. I ask all members of this House to join
with me in extending our deepest condolences to his family.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair.
MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am pleased to rise today to congratulate Dr. Brendan Lewis, Chief
Orthopaedics at Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook, who was
elected President of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association at the association's
annual general meeting held in Toronto this past summer.
Since 1991, Dr. Lewis has practiced orthopaedic, trauma and spinal surgery at
Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook, including arthroplasty and
sports medicine. He is Chief of Orthopaedics at the hospital and is the Clinical
Assistant Professor of Surgery with Memorial University's Medical School.
Mr. Speaker, in the organization sixty-one years, Dr. Lewis is only the
second Newfoundlander and Labradorian to achieve this position. He is past
President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Orthopaedic Association and served on
the board of the Canadian association. He is a member of the Atlantic Provinces
Orthopaedic Society and the American Academy of Sports Medicine. Dr. Lewis has
just concluded his final term on the Board of Regents at Memorial University,
which he held since 1997.
Some of his accomplishments include receiving the first Dr. Craig Lovey's
Teaching Award for excellence in teaching of Family Medicine Residents. He has
developed a teaching CD on whiplash and back injuries which was distributed to
1,600 family physicians in Atlantic Canada.
Born in Colliers, he completed his MD at Memorial University with speciality
training at both Memorial and Dalhousie Universities followed by sub-speciality
in spine and trauma at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Lewis now lives in Corner Brook with his wife Dolores. They have two
children, Danielle and Brendan.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all member of this House to join with me in congratulating
Dr. Brendan Lewis on becoming President of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.
MR. SULLIVAN: A point of order, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: A point of order has been raised by the hon. the Government
House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
In the House today, the Member for the Bay of Islands did not adhere to
Standing Order 25 in statements. We followed member statements in the House, and
we have followed a non-political rule and it has been respected very much so
here in the House, Mr. Speaker.
It does state in our Standing Orders that: Statements by members shall not be
used to comment on aspects of provincial government policy or to reflect on a
decision or direction of the House. The subject matter of a member's statement
may be an anniversary, historic event, some particular accomplishment, the death
of a notable person, matters of local, provincial, national or international
significance of a non-contentious nature.
Mr. Speaker, today the Member for Bay of Islands spoke about numerous
aspects. He said there were a number of diabetic -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we have procedures that we have agreed to, by both sides of the
House, and I sat on a committee that brought this in.
When you indicate that there are a number of diabetic therapies that are not
yet available in Newfoundland and Labrador, that contravenes the intent of this
and the explicit nature of what a statement is all about.
He said: We draw attention to the fact that a diabetic pump is a valuable
medical necessity for people who suffer from diabetes but, unfortunately, it is
one that is often too expensive to be afforded by many.
Further he said, Mr. Speaker, they should be more educated and aware of all
aspects of the disease, the treatments available, the amount of funding and
support. He went on to say that we are now in a better position to advance the
concerns and issues of this disease which affects our constituents. He said:
Hopefully, we can better help in the process of ensuring that, as a government,
we do everything we can to journey towards the bright light of overcoming the
disease.
Mr. Speaker, I agree with all the things he said, but it is abusing the
principles of the House and the purpose on which a statement is given. There is
a time for that, but this is not the time. We should adhere, Mr. Speaker, to the
rules that were agreed by all members of this House when this statement was
first adopted.
MR. JOYCE: Sit down, you fool!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The Chair just heard the Member for Bay of Islands issue an unparliamentary
word, and I ask him to stand and withdraw the word immediately.
MR. JOYCE: I withdraw it, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The Chair recognizes the hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate an opportunity to respond to the outrageous comments of the
Government House Leader here. We have not even gotten into Question Period and,
lo and behold, he is blowing a fuse already. God forbid if it was over a serious
matter.
The Member for the Bay of Islands gave a member's statement here today
about the Canadian Diabetes Association. He prefaced his comments by saying he
was so pleased to see that in a totally non-political atmosphere all the MHAs
were invited to go to a dinner that was intended to be absolutely non-political,
and indeed was absolutely non-political, held at the Holiday Inn last evening.
Every person in this House of Assembly was invited to attend, as I understand
it, if you are one of forty-eight MHAs in this Province. In fact, the Member for
Humber Valley attended; the Member for Windsor-Springdale attended; the Member
for Conception Bay South attended; the Member for Topsail attended; the Member
for Terra Nova attended; the Member for Trinity North attended; the Minister of
Business and Member for Gander attended; the Member for Lake Melville, the
Minister of Transportation and Works, attended; the Minister of Health and
Community Services, the Member for St. John's South - the Minister of Health,
of all persons, absolutely, in attendance - should have been and was; the Member
for Bonavista North, who I understand himself has some diabetic issues, he was
sat at my table with me and we discussed them, about how all of us have been
impacted in our lives, either personally or with family and friends who have
diabetes; the Member for - who else? Well, that is ten persons, Mr. Speaker.
Over here there were: the Leader of the NDP, the Leader of the NDP was in
attendance; the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair; the Member for Labrador
West was there; the Member for Bellevue; the Leader of the Opposition was there;
the Member for Grand Falls-Buchans was there; the Member for Torngat Mountains
was there; the Member for Grand Bank was there; and the Member for Bay of
Islands.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I would ask the hon. member if he could conclude his comments on the point of
order that has been raised.
MR. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Now that we have identified exactly who was at this meeting, there were ten
Tory members, eight Liberal members and two NDP members at this Canadian
Diabetic Association meeting - which, by the way, and the Member for the Bay of
Islands said, was done to educate, and it was very informative.
Now, if we want to get technical - I refer the hon. Government House Leader -
I do believe that the Minister of Works, Services and Transportation just rose
in his capacity as the Member for Lake Melville and again announced about the
good the government just did by putting money in an auditorium in Labrador.
I do not know how we are going to run the rules here, but if we are going to
take a totally non-political, unbiased situation, such as the Canadian Diabetic
Association, and try to make some waves about it and get upset, maybe you should
look at your own crowd first.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The Chair is aware of the matters that have been raised. The Chair will take
them under advisement.
The Chair also notes that there were two incidences this afternoon when there
might have been some variance, and the Chair takes note of that. The Chair also
acknowledges that members' statements are presented to the Speaker in advance
and that the Chair takes some responsibility for these matters.
The Chair will take guidance from the House and will assure that in the
future there is some stricter adherence to the rules. The Chair apologizes if
there are any members who feel offended by these particular matters. The Chair
accepts some responsibility for the members' statements that went by my desk
today without, perhaps, adequate scrutiny.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
Statements by Ministers.
Statements by Ministers
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update the House on the work that has been
completed so far on our review of the forest industry on the Island. We have
just concluded a series of important public consultations on how best to grow
and diversify the forest industry on the Island.
These consultations are part of our larger review and will feed into the
Forest Industry Competitiveness and Strategy Study that a consultant will
complete for us. The contract for that study will be awarded shortly.
The study will assess the current state and structure of the industry and
provide a path forward on the demands and opportunities of, and is responsive
to, the global economy.
Mr. Speaker, this study will assist in the formulation of policy that will
guide the future development of the forest industry. A similar study has been
completed for Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS DUNDERDALE: The Strategic Plan to Develop Labrador's Secondary
Manufacturing and Valued-Added Wood Products Industry was released earlier this
month.
A key component of the Island study is the public consultation process that
my parliamentary assistant, the Member for Trinity-Bay de Verde, led on my
behalf. Six consultations were held across the Island, with opportunity as well
for individuals to make written submissions.
Mr. Speaker, the forest industry is particularly important to rural parts of
the Province, where this industry is based. This process enabled individuals and
groups with an interest in the forest industry to express their views and
opinions as we move forward with a plan for growing this industry.
We received presentations from individuals as well as representations from
integrated sawmillers, the pulp and paper industry, the Newfoundland and
Labrador Lumber Producers' Association, the Canadian Institute of Forestry,
economic development associations, logging contractors, forest sector unions,
environmental and wildlife organizations and outfitting camp operators.
Mr. Speaker, these presentations have provided us with a great deal of
information from a great number of knowledgeable sources. Issues raised include
the need to review current royalty rates, access to timber, wood scaling
methods, value-added potential, and an early retirement program for older
loggers. The key theme, however, was on the value of the industry to rural
Newfoundland and Labrador and the need for those closest to the resource to work
together to overcome the challenges facing the sector.
All verbal and written submissions will be compiled into a report that will
be provided to the consulting firm undertaking the Forest Industry
Competitiveness and Strategy Study.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to sharing the results of this study with my
colleagues and the people of the Province once the work is completed.
Thank you very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Bay of Islands.
MR. JOYCE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the minister for an advance copy of the ministerial statement. I just
noticed one thing there, the contract for the study will be awarded shortly. I
hope it goes through public tender like it is supposed to and most contracts in
the Province should do.
Mr. Speaker, the forest industry is very important in Newfoundland and
Labrador. I know out my way, in Corner Brook, it is very important to the whole
region. To rural Newfoundland it is very important, and for all different parts
of the Province in rural Newfoundland it is very important.
Mr. Speaker, it is no more evident how important it is than in Stephenville.
Here we had a commitment from the Premier that the mill would not close. Here we
had a commitment from the Premier to the union. When he met with the union he
said that he would expropriate the mill. Here is the mill union, on their own
time and energy, went out and found a consultant, now trying to get $30,000 to
bring down to do the study for the consultant -
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).
MR. JOYCE: Thirty thousand dollars, I say to the minister, he should have
met with them. Here it is, the government will not even go out and meet with
them and give them $30,000, pretending to offer them $150,0000. You want to talk
about helping out rural Newfoundland, a sawmill for all of Central Newfoundland
for logging, it all affected Stephenville.
Here now, the Premier will not meet with them and here we have somebody
coming out and saying how interested we are in the forestry program when the
union out in Stephenville are still fighting - they sent us information this
week - still fighting this week to try to get a meeting with the Premier and the
minister, to try to get $30,000 to bring down a consultant to possibly open up
the mill.
Once again, Mr. Speaker, here we see a government, during a polling period,
sending out -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. member's time has expired.
MR. JOYCE: By leave, Mr. Speaker?
MR. SPEAKER: Does the member have leave?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: No.
MR. SPEAKER: Leave has been denied.
The hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.
MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the minister for the advance copy of her statement.
I am very pleased to see these plans that are being put in place. I am
particularly pleased to see some thought being put into value-added
manufacturing in Labrador. It is certainly better than taking lumber out of
Labrador to go to a liner mill in Stephenville.
I would also like to say that I like the fact of the breadths of the people
who made representation at the hearings, and I would encourage the minister to
work with other ministers in related departments for an interdepartmental
approach with regard to how the forestry industry interfaces with the
environmental and wildlife industry as well as the outfitting camp operators. I
think that we need a comprehensive approach to bring all of these industries -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. member's time has expired.
Further statements by ministers?
The hon. the Minister of Business.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. O'BRIEN: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on the red
tape reduction initiative. In August 2005, we announced a plan to reduce red
tape throughout government, setting a goal of reducing regulatory burden by 25
per cent over a three year period. This initiative is an effort to provide
businesses and citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador more efficient access to
government services and programs.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MR. O'BRIEN: The red tape reduction initiative reflects our focus on
implementing smart initiatives to foster a business-friendly climate and to
increase efficiency for all residents of this Province, as promised in our
Blueprint for the Future.
On October 2 of this year, I provided an update on the success of the red
tape initiative. The activity up to June 30, 2006, showed that 16,910 regulatory
requirements were removed from the system. That is 5.41 per cent of our
objective to reduce regulatory burden by 25 per cent in the next three years.
Mr. Speaker, the results of the red tape initiative are already getting
noticed by the business community. In August, the Canadian Federation of
Independent Business presented an award to the Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador, in recognition of our commitment to increased efficiency through the
red tape reduction initiative. This tremendous achievement is the result of our
commitment to enhance ease-of-use for our clients, individuals and businesses of
this Province, and it reaffirms that we are headed in the right direction.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Grand Bank.
MS FOOTE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement today.
It is interesting to see that he is providing an update on the red tape
reduction initiative. He might want to talk to his colleague about the duct tape
initiative.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MS FOOTE: Mr. Speaker, any time we can do something to ensure there is a
reduction of rules and regulations to try and help business in this Province,
particularly small business, then we should do that. What this government is
doing is continuing a trend that governments before have done, and I recall that
previous governments have taken on the same initiative.
I applaud the Member for Terra Nova, who I understand actually chaired the
committee, for the work that he has done in the past on this particular
initiative. What this government has to ensure does not happen again, of course,
is that we see some of these rules and regulations that we make sure that are
taken out of the system do not creep back in.
I applaud the government on this initiative which is keeping in line with
what governments before have done. Again, I applaud the Member for Terra Nova
for his hard work.
Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.
MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I, too, again thank the minister for the advance copy of his statement.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The Chair is having difficulty hearing the hon. member. The hon. member has a
limited amount of time, and I ask members for their co-operation.
The Chair recognizes the hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi, who will
begin her statement now.
MS MICHAEL: Thank you again, Mr. Speaker.
I am very happy to see this kind of initiative. I am sure it is needed, and
it is good to see it moving forward, but I would encourage the government to
also look at red tape that ordinary citizens have to deal with as well, not just
that business has to deal with.
I would hope that the same effort would go into seeing that the availability
of services, especially under Human Resources, Labour and Employment, move as
smoothly as things are wanted to move for the business sector.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Further statements by ministers?
Oral Questions.
Oral Questions
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. REID: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My questions are for the Premier, and again they concern giving gifts to his
friends.
Mr. Speaker, in the late 1980s, the Mayor of Calgary at the time indicated
that he did not care if Eastern Canadians froze to death in the dark. That mayor
later went on to become Premier and, as we all know, Ralph Klein is about to
retire later this year. This summer, at a Premiers' Conference held here in
this Province, our Premier gave Ralph Klein and his wife sealskin fur coats
valued at $8,000 as a retirement gift, I might add, Mr. Speaker.
Can the Premier tell us today what Ralph Klein or his wife did for this
Province that would allow us or make us believe that we had to give $8,000 of
taxpayers' money as a retirement gift?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, I cannot do enough or spend enough money
here to help the sealing industry in this Province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: What this is, it is an opportunity to have the senior
statesman in this country, a man who has been Premier of the wealthiest province
in the country for thirteen years, whose wife was a champion against addictions
in crystal meth and brought in the initiative, the crystal meth initiative that
has gone right across the country, has also been part of the OxyContin
initiatives, these two people are leaders in the country, and for us, as
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, to give them an opportunity to proudly wear
seal coats from the sealing industry in this Province is money well spent, and I
would spend it again.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. REID: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I have heard a lot of answers and non-answers in this House, but those are
the lamest ones I have ever heard in sitting here in eleven years.
Mr. Speaker, we have hospital pharmacists looking for wage increases, we have
out-migration at an alarming rate, we have schools that are full of mould, yet
the Premier can spend our precious tax dollars so freely.
Can the Premier justify why he believed it to be acceptable to give $105,000
worth of gifts to the Premiers and their guests during this conference,
including $35,000 worth of sweaters?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, if I may just expound, first of all, on
the last question.
We have a sealing industry that is under siege and we have to do absolutely
everything we can, nationally and internationally, to help that industry. It is
an important industry to rural Newfoundland and Labrador and that is why I
championed it on Larry King Live and took on the McCartneys on live
international television, and we made a lot of ground there.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, in answer to the question as to why we
gave these gifts to heads of provinces, heads of states in this country, whose
support we need and we have for the Atlantic Accord, whose support we needed and
we have for fallow field legislation, we were giving them rural Newfoundland and
Labrador arts and crafts, sweaters knitted by Newfoundlanders for
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Those gifts all came from various members of the arts
council. We spent a significant amount of money in the arts council. We had a
fundraiser the other night, we brought in the cultural and the arts community.
We have invested heavily in the arts community and this is about promoting rural
Newfoundland and Labrador. If you do not like that, I make no apologies.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. REID: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Let me get it straight, you gave Ralph the fur coats to support the sealing
industry, you gave the sweaters to support the agriculture industry. Let's
talk about some of the other ones, the entertainment - how about the
entertainment expenses? During this three day conference the taxpayers of this
Province spent $132,000 keeping thirteen Premiers entertained with music and
comedy.
I ask the Premier: Do you consider this a priority in the Province, a
priority that includes a $75,000 fee for a one-hour musical performance by one
band?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, I find it very acceptable. I find it to be
money well spent. I take my greatest pride, as Premier of our Province, in
showcasing every single bit of talent and music and culture that we have in this
Province. If I have an opportunity to showcase that culture and that music, not
only to the Premiers and their spouses and their staffs, but to international
media, national and international media, and we take a group like Great Big Sea,
recognized internationally all over the world, and this government has invested
in them, we take someone like Rick Mercer, who is a tremendous talent, who has a
national audience, one of the biggest national audiences on television, and we
invest in him, then we take a whole showcase of our talent at The Rooms and we
pay for them to preform, by God, that is money well spent.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. SULLIVAN: Sit down, boy.
MR. REID: I am not going to sit down, I say to the Minister of Finance.
He talks about how proud he is to spend this kind of money, when we have
youth in this Province who cannot afford diabetic pumps because this government
will not compensate them for it.
Mr. Speaker, it appears that the Premiers also had a very good time being
wined and dined by the taxpayers of this Province. We have the agriculture and
the sealing industry covered. Maybe we are going to cover off the wine industry
and the alcohol industry next, are we?
Mr. Speaker, does the Premier believe that $100,000 is an acceptable
expenditure on sightseeing tours that provided beverages of various sorts to the
Premiers and their guests?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, there was a budget of about $1.25 million,
basically, for this entire conference. You can rest assured that the cost to
Alberta had to be significantly more than that. Albertans told us after it was
over that we beat them to the punch. We basically put on a better performance
for our Province than they did.
We took them - I am sorry, the Member for the Bay of Island obviously has a
problem with the fact that we took the Premiers and their staff to the West
Coast, so that we could showcase the Bay of Islands and Humber Valley and Corner
Brook and Gros Morne and show off our tourism establishments. That is what we
did. We took them there and then we took them back to the East Coast and we
showcased the East Coast.
We showcased our talent, our music, we showcased our crafts and our
manufacturing ability in rural Newfoundland, we showcased our land and we
showcased our people because we gave them a good time and they talked about it
all over this country.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The Chair recognizes the hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. REID: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Just imagine, what the Premier just said. He said: We beat Alberta in the
show that we put off. The richest province in the country being out done by
spending money by the poorest one in the country. You should be ashamed of
yourself, Premier, to make a comment like that; totally ashamed of yourself.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MR. REID: Now, Mr. Speaker -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The Chair recognizes the Leader of the Opposition and asks him to put his
question.
MR. REID: Mr. Speaker, continuing on with gifts that are costing
taxpayers money, significant amounts of money, let's talk about the fibre
optic deal again today. Yesterday, in a briefing with officials from the
Department of Innovation and Trade, I asked how it was determined that this deal
required $15 million of taxpayers' money. The only answer that I got was that
the companies required that amount from government. That was the only answer I
got from officials from the minister's department.
Mr. Speaker, will someone over on that side of the House tell me, and tell
the general public, why we are investing or why these rich multi-national
companies need $15 million of the taxpayers' money from this Province?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: First of all, Mr. Speaker, one of the first people out
of the gate on this particular issue, before he realized he could make partisan,
opportune, political hay on it, was the hon. Leader of the Opposition, went on
Open Line he said, after the Aliant mishap and the fire, I understand that the
911 service went down as well. You know, it is almost like we were hit with a
nuclear bomb. That is what he compared the incident to. I think that, obviously
in this day and age, especially in the capital city region, we should have a
backup in place for emergencies alone, if nothing else. That is what he said.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: We agree with what he said, but, Mr. Speaker, if I
could just elaborate. The reason that $15 million is going in there is because
this government, over the life of it, will save $400 million. It will create
1,650 person years of employment. It will immediately give us back $20 million
in taxes. It will create $120 million in income. That does not count what it is
going to do for health care, for education, for competitiveness, for business
attraction and for cutting costs. That is why the $15 million was invested.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR. REID: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I, like 99.999 per cent of the people in this Province listening
to the Premier and his cronies, thought that there was only one fibre optic link
in this Province, and so did the Premier if you read his words in one of the
newspapers at the time.
Mr. Speaker, it is obvious that the officials do not know why we are spending
this money. The Minister of Innovation does not know, because I have asked him.
The Minister of Business does not know, because I have asked him why we need to
contribute $15 million to these rich multi-national companies. But, Mr. Speaker,
there is one individual in this House of Assembly who knows all about this deal
and why we put in the $15 million. That is the previous Minister of Business,
the Premier of the Province today.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier to rise and tell us what reason Dean MacDonald
and Paul Hatcher, both members of your Business Advisory Board, gave you, when
you were the Minister of Business, to convince you to spend $15 million of
taxpayers' money.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Those gentlemen that he just named and, once again,
tries to malign, as well as other people he has tried to malign, gave me no
reasons because I knew the reasons. I have been in this business for twenty-five
years. I know the value of it, and I have just told you the value.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: We have a situation where the College of the North
Atlantic, Mr. Speaker, one of our learning institutions, is paying $4,000 a
month for something for which they could be paying $25 a month. Canarie is using
one-third of its cost, one-third of its entire national cost.
We have already talked about a piece of equipment that you could pay $6 for,
they are paying $4,000 for it. The company Persona is paying $400,000 for
something they should be paying $25,000 for.
The benefits are there. I can keep repeating them - they obviously do not
want to listen - but he did not explain why he said we needed it. How can he
stand up in this House now and say we do not need this system when he was on
Open Line to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador saying we do? It makes no
sense.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The Chair recognizes the Member for Grand Bank.
MS FOOTE: Mr. Speaker, if it is such a good deal, why is the Premier so
adverse to opening it up to a public inquiry?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS FOOTE: Mr. Speaker, this cable deal is like a piece of rotting meat;
the longer it is out in the open, the more it smells.
The minister, or anyone else in government, has not provided believable
answers to the questions we and the public have been asking.
I ask the Premier: To whom was this unsolicited proposal delivered when it
came to government, and when did you personally become aware of it?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, the first time I became aware of this
proposal was when a conversation occurred between myself and Dean MacDonald and
he indicated to me that he was going to make an application to government for
this proposal. He indicated at that time that he was making the application to
the federal government for funding for this proposal. Subsequently to that, he
asked for government support to get this money from the federal government. That
was the contact.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Grand Bank.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS FOOTE: The second part of that, Premier, was: When did you become
aware of it? Can you give us a date?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Absolutely not. I do not know the date. I have no idea
of the date. I had a conversation with the gentleman. He indicated it was going
to happen. I mean, I don't write down every single time someone has a
conversation with me, but I do acknowledge a conversation. What is wrong with
that?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Grand Bank.
MS FOOTE: Mr. Speaker, according to a government source, this proposal
came to government while the Premier was Minister of Business. When he made
himself Minister of Business, he did so because he wanted to be hands-on. Now he
expects us to believe that a proposal of this magnitude would be brought to
government and not to his attention by the source.
Premier, what was the involvement of you and your department with this
proposal when you were the Minister of Business?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, whatever the hon. member is trying to
imply, there is nothing untoward or anything improper about this process. This
proposal was submitted to INTRD. It was not submitted to the Department of
Business. It did not go through the Department of Business; it went through
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. That is exactly where it went, and that
is the normal process.
Of course, the hon. member opposite is a former minister and she knows that,
but she is still trying to imply impropriety and something wrong with this, and
still trying to put a slur on this and talk about a public inquiry. I mean,
where does that go? Do we now go back and start to review every single business
transaction that has ever happened with this government?
The Member for Grand Falls-Buchans, her brother does business with this
government all the time, a very reputable business person, and when he and his
companies come with a proposal we take them in good faith and we deal with them
in the normal course. If we have to bring him in to a public inquiry or an
independent inquiry, or anybody else, any other people who do business with
government - what does she say about when she was in government and the
Apollogate or Country Ribbongate? You are so cute to use the term cablegate, let's
talk about some of the other transactions that (inaudible).
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The Chair asks members putting the questions and members giving answers to
keep your answers to approximately a minute.
The Chair recognizes the Member for Grand Bank.
MS FOOTE: Mr. Speaker, the reality of it is that there is a perception of
conflict and, if the Premier is so adamant that there is no conflict, why not
open this up to public scrutiny?
Mr. Speaker, it is a fact that the Premier was also Minister of Business when
this deal was considered by government. As Minister of Business, he must have
known that such approval of funds would break the department's policy of not
putting government money into companies that compete and take business away from
existing companies.
Why, Premier, did you and your government ignore policy and agree to put $15
million of taxpayers' money into this consortium made up of friends, board
appointees and former business associates?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, with respect to an inquiry, the public need to
understand very clearly here that this government has openly and accountably and
transparently said that the Auditor General can look at this, and should look at
this, and will look at this. We have placed the faith of this House of Assembly
in his activities, his scrutiny, his job, and what he does.
There is also obviously no objection whatsoever to the Registrar of Lobbyists
also looking at the propriety of this transaction, because there is nothing
wrong and nothing negative has been done.
With regard to why this particular money has been spent: $15 million has been
spent because it will save the people of Newfoundland and Labrador $400 million.
It has been spent because this is a truly rural company. It will bring
opportunity into rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
I just want to read you an e-mail that was sent to me from a gentleman in
rural Newfoundland today. This is very important, because this is the impact it
has on rural communities. I have -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Could I just finish up, then, Mr. Speaker? I won't
read (inaudible).
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The Chair acknowledges that the hon. the Premier has already spent about a
minute and ten seconds, and under our routine I would prefer if we could now go
to the Member for Grand Bank again.
MS FOOTE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I, too, could bring in e-mails from rural Newfoundland questioning this
expenditure of money when their needs are so great out in our Province today.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of ITRD claims that there were only eight meetings
over eighteen months, the length of time the proposal was in the system. Are we
really expected to believe that a company comes forward with a notional
unsolicited proposal, has eight meetings, and comes out the other end with $15
million?
On Monday, this same minister could not tell me who he had met with, but the
following day he gave me a list of meetings he had - including himself - which
he did not know, obviously, on Monday he had a meeting.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MS FOOTE: I ask the minister: When did you become aware that this project
was approved?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, what I would like to know is whether the
Member for Fortune Bay-Cape la Hune or the Member for Burgeo & LaPoile has
had any interest in this particular project. Do you see the benefits of the fact
that we are going to bring fibre optic into your community? We are going to
bring it into Ramea, which is part of your district, down in the Burgeo, Ramea
area. It is going to go across into Harbour Breton. It is going to go into
Marystown. It is part of a dedicated revival that we are trying to do for the
South Coast of this Province, for rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: If you had to ask two years ago what the future of
Belleoram was people might have been concerned, but now we have a thriving
aquaculture industry started in Belleoram. Hopefully, the brother of the Member
for Grand Falls-Buchans will have a great project in Belleoram and we will
support that.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
PREMIER WILLIAMS: We are trying to revive Newfoundland and Labrador and
you are getting up on the one side and speaking out of one side of your mouth
and saying we are doing nothing, and when we try to do something, you criticize
it. Get your act together!
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
What a sham! What a sham! I have been up in this House with petitions for two
days, asking for a washroom for the ferry service between Burgeo and Ramea, and
this Premier gets up and talks about $15 million and what it is going to do for
Burgeo. Look after some of the basic needs first.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MR. PARSONS: My question is for the ever public minister, a very
straightforward question to the Minister of Industry -
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).
MR. PARSONS: Innovation, whatever you want to call him.
AN HON. MEMBER: Duct tape.
MR. PARSONS: Duct tape, whatever.
Minister, a very straightforward question, nothing political about it: You
mentioned on an Open Line show a couple of weeks ago, within the past two weeks,
you, in fact, read on the Randy Simms Open Line show, VOCM, in the morning, the
detailed MC from Cabinet where this decision was made. I assume, the fact that
you read it over the public airwaves, you should have no objection to actually
tabling it in this House today, what you read.
Would you now agree to table what you read, that MC, in the House today?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. TAYLOR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, let me say this, I did read the MC over the airwaves. I did find
out, subsequently, that I was not allowed to do that, but in the interest of
trying to be as open and accountable as possible and to lay out to people what
we had committed to do and what we will do when the legal text is finalized, I
did that, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, as I understand it, the rules stipulate that MCs are not allowed
to be released. OCs are allowed to be released. So, Mr. Speaker, no, I am not
prepared to table it because I am not allowed to do it.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Now, there is a minister who did not know on Monday who he met with and when
he met with them. He comes back Tuesday and tells us: Oh, yes, I recall now who
I met with. Oh, yes, I met with them. I actually forgot that.
Here is a minister who gets up today and says, I never checked to see if I
was allowed to do that, but he bragged on the Open Line show that here we are
the most open and accountable government, reading an MC.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
MR. PARSONS: If you are so flashy, Mr. Minister, and so open and
accountable -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
I do not believe that the House was able to hear the member put his question.
Could he put the question again, please?
MR. PARSONS: A very simple question, Mr. Speaker, a very simple question.
This open and accountable government - and I am pleased that this is open and
televised and we have media here because we see the farcical attitude here - get
on the open airways -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The member is given extra time to put the question. I ask him to do it
immediately.
MR. PARSONS: They will not show it. They have not showed it. He said he
will not. That is the reason, Mr. Speaker, they also want the Auditor General
involved, because they know the Auditor General will not get it either. I
challenge them to be forthright and have the guts to do it.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I can only assume that we are in debate because
he did not ask a question yet.
The fact of the matter is, Mr. Speaker, speaking of open and accountable, if
he wants the MC, go get the transcript from the radio station.
Mr. Speaker, he can sit down and wait. He had his chance. He can sit down and
wait until I am finished. If he wants to find out what people think of this,
listen to what Harry Tucker had to say, the Senior Enterprise Strategy Advisor
for Microsoft Consulting Services, New York. There are many knowledge or data
services, oriented companies and sectors -
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).
MR. TAYLOR: Yes. Why don't you pay attention? Maybe when you get your
next briefing, Mr. Speaker, we will bring the debate down low enough so that you
can -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The hon. the Opposition House Leader, time for a brief question.
MR. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, maybe we will simplify things because it is
quite obvious that we are not going to get anything out of the minister over
there on a forthright basis. Maybe he could at least tell us verbally then - can
he tell us verbally the date when the decision was made by Cabinet? Now, that is
pretty simple. That is not revealing any paperwork. Can you tell us the date
that Cabinet made its decision, please, Minister?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, as my memory serves me, it was October 26. That
was the date. October 26, 2006, Mr. Speaker, when it took place.
Now, to go back to revisit a little bit of the ground that is here because
the people on the opposite side -
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
Under our rules, we now are at twenty-six minutes, and I would have to draw
the House's attention to the fact that our rules say that at this stage I must
go the Member of the New Democratic Party.
The hon. the Member for Labrador West.
MR. R. COLLINS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources.
Yesterday, Consolidated Thompson, owner of the Bloom Lake iron ore deposit
near Labrador West, announced they entered into an exclusivity agreement with
the owners of Wabush Mines until January 12 to complete a due diligence review
of Wabush Mines's assets. Obviously, while this announcement has the potential
to be very positive for the area, many questions need to be asked.
Could the minister inform us if she has had any discussions with either
Wabush Mines or Consolidated, and, if so, what the results of these discussions
may have been?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we are very pleased to see here a potential development that can
hold great benefit for Western Labrador, and particularly Wabush. However, we
need to have a lot more information, at this point in time, as to what the
development plans are. We have already had a discussion with Wabush Mines and I
am meeting tomorrow morning with Consolidated Thompson to find out what their
development plans are in this area.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Labrador West.
MR. R. COLLINS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I ask the minister if she would ensure that if this proposed deal goes
through, that the operating company, Consolidated, would have to continue to
mine the current deposits at Wabush, in addition to the 5 million to 7 million
tons per year from Bloom Lake, and that the pension plan and other benefits for
workers will be protected. In addition to that, will the minister make a
commitment to keep up to date and share any information with the local union
involved and the community as a whole?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Our government will be very involved in monitoring this situation. We will
ensure that whatever happens here happens for the best interests of the people
of Newfoundland and Labrador. I have already been in contact with Mr. Skinner. I
will keep in close contact with Mr. Skinner. I will keep in close contact with
all of the interested parties in the Wabush area and we will continue our
discussions with Consolidated Thompson and with Wabush Mines.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Labrador West.
MR. R. COLLINS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Given the past history of development in Labrador, some of which we have not
been too pleased with over the years, will the minister also make a commitment,
along with the Minister of Employment and Labour, that the job opportunities
that will be created as a result of this development will first and foremost
flow to residents of Labrador?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MS DUNDERDALE: Mr. Speaker, we are very aware of all of these issues, and
again I will reiterate that we will be very, very vigilant and ensure that the
best interests of the people of this Province are protected when we are talking
about resource development.
Thank you very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!
The time for Question Period has expired.
Colleagues, before we proceed further, the Chair would like to acknowledge a
former member, Mayor Bill Hogan, from the Town of Placentia, and the Town
Manager, Mr. Ed O'Keefe, who are in the Speaker's gallery. I welcome them to
our House.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SPEAKER: Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.
Tabling of Documents.
Tabling of Documents
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Pursuant to
section 5 of the Local Authority Guarantee Act, 2005, I wish to
table the attached list of guarantees provided to local governments to enable
them to arrange interim financing for capital projects. This annual report
includes those loan guarantees that were issued between November 22, 2005 and
November 17, 2006.
Further, Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following: the Newfoundland and
Labrador Municipal Financing Corporation statement; the Newfoundland and
Labrador Industrial Development Corporation; and the Newfoundland and Labrador
Government Sinking Fund.
Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER: Further tabling of documents?
Notices of Motion.
Notices of Motion
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
MR. T. MARSHALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I give notice that I will ask leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To
Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law. (Bill 49)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I give notice, as per Standing Order 11, that the House not adjourn at 5:30
p.m. on Monday, and further that it not adjourn at 10:00 p.m. on Monday.
MR. SPEAKER: Further notices of motion?
Answers to Question for which Notice has been Given.
Petitions.
Petitions
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Opposition House Leader.
MR. PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate an opportunity to present this petition on behalf of the people
of Ramea and Burgeo who use the ferry service and who need a washroom.
We have had mention here about fibre optics and everything else going into
the South Coast, and if that all happens that is fine stuff. Anything that is
going to help rural Newfoundland, God knows we need it employment-wise and
anything else - money expended, restaurants and hotels. Whatever we can get to
go down on the South Coast we should have, but what we need before we can even
expect to properly utilize all of that is a washroom.
I am pleased to see that I spoke about this here Monday and Tuesday, and I am
pleased to say - and I thank the Minister of Transportation and Works, and I say
this publicly now because I realize it is being televised and the people in
Ramea and Burgeo will hear it - that the Minister of Transportation and Works
indicated to me yesterday, after the petition, that he will indeed instruct his
officials to immediately investigate this matter, and hopefully we can have
something done. Even in the short-term, I say to the minister, if it is a porta-potty
or two - even if we can get a porta-potty or two for now - so that we can get
rid of this health debacle that we have, when you have people who have to get
out of the their vehicles and crawl amongst the rocks and behind sheds in order
to use the washroom. It is just totally unacceptable.
I appreciate the minister approaching me. I just let the people know, via the
public airwaves, that the minister has given those instruction to his persons,
and hopefully we will see porta-potties - and, by the way, it not only on the
Burgeo side; because, given our big tourist industry, of course, we have people
over in Ramea who are waiting for the ferry to come back and it is nice if they
had a place to go as well. So it is, I think, a decency issue here we are
dealing with, and I appreciate the fact that the minister is going to do that.
I would hope, even before the House resumes sitting again on Monday, we could
have a couple of porta-potties. This is something on which we don't need a big
consulting study done. We don't need any big investigation done. I am sure we
don't have to go - I will even agree in this case that this would be an
acceptable case where you would not go to public tendering and don't call for
a Request for Proposals. We just need a couple of porta-potties and everybody
will be okay.
I pray, along with the people of Burgeo and Ramea, we will indeed get
something done in the immediate future.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Orders of the Day.
Orders of the Day
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
If I could, with leave of the House, move first reading on a bill on which
notice was given today so we can move to get it printed and circulated. It is
Bill 49,
An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law, for first
reading.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister of
Justice and Attorney General shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled, An
Act To Amend The -
The Chair did not get the full title. I am wondering if the Table could bring
me the script.
It is moved and seconded that the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney
General shall have leave to introduce a bill entitled,
An Act To Remove
Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law. (Bill 49)
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that the minister shall
have leave to introduce said bill?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
Motion carried.
On motion, the hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to introduce
a bill entitled, "An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute
Law," carried. (Bill 49)
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the bill be now read a first
time.
Is it the pleasure of the House that Bill 49,
An Act To Remove Anomalies And
Errors In The Statute Law, shall now be read a first time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
Motion carried.
CLERK: A bill,
An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The Statute Law.
(Bill 49)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 49,
An Act To Remove Anomalies And Errors In The
Statute Law, has now been read a first time.
When shall the said bill be read a second time?
MR. SULLIVAN: On tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: On tomorrow.
On motion, Bill 49 read a first time, ordered read a second time on tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to
consider Bill 23 and Bill 43.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the House resolve itself into
a Committee of the Whole to consider Bill 23 and Bill 43, and that I do now
leave the Chair.
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
Motion carried.
On motion, that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, Mr.
Speaker left the Chair.
Committee of the Whole
CHAIR (Fitzgerald): Order, please!
The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Bill 23, Order 2.
CHAIR: Order, please!
The Committee is ready to hear debate on Bill 23 -
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
CHAIR: Order, please!
I ask hon. members for their co-operation. The Committee is about ready to
hear debate and the Chair cannot hear what members are about to say, or even
what members are saying right now. If you would be kind enough to kindly refrain
from shouting across the House and take your conversations outside, the
Committee would appreciate it.
Bill 23,
An Act To Establish A Health Research Ethics Authority For The
Province.
CLERK: Clauses 1 to 4.
CHAIR: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR. T. OSBORNE: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I just wanted to say a couple of words very quickly on this particular bill,
and more to read into the record. I do have a couple of amendments here that
were proposed by the Leader of the NDP, and they are in the official form, so I
will read those into the record when we get to those, I say to the Chair.
I also want to read into the record again a suggestion by the Leader of the
NDP. We understand that we cannot change the explanatory note of a bill, but
just to have this read into the record. Again, I thank the Leader of the NDP for
her valuable input and the co-operation that we have received from her on this
particular bill.
Mr. Chair, just to have read into the record: The Health Research Ethics
Authority will be charged with the general supervision of all health research
involving human subjects conducted in the Province, assuring that all research
is carried out with respect for individuals and communities and carried out for
their good, both in the present and in the future, and free and informed consent
lies at the heart of ethical research involving human subjects in the project.
As used in this policy, the process of free and informed consent refers to the
dialogue, information sharing and general process through which perspective
subjects choose to participate in research involving themselves.
Having said that, Mr. Chair, I thank all members for their involvement in
this bill, and in particular the Leader of the NDP.
CHAIR: The hon. the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi and the Leader of
the New Democratic Party.
MS MICHAEL: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairperson.
I really thank the minister for what he has just done, and I am very pleased
with the wording that he has read into the record. I have to say, though, I am
disappointed that we were not able to have that wording and that important
meaning put into the body of the bill.
I understand the legality of it. If we were to put it into the explanatory
note - one does not vote on the explanatory note when voting on the bill,
therefore there is no way to make changes to the explanatory note once the bill
has come to us. I had hoped that there would be a way to put some kind of a
statement of principles into the bill.
I was told by officials from the ministry that they spoke to the legal people
and, in actual fact, one does not put principle statements into bills. I have to
say, I was disappointed with that answer because I am aware of bills - for
example, bills on sustainable development, bills on environmental assessment.
There are bills that I am aware of where you do have statements of principle.
While it has been read publicly, and I know the minister agrees with the
intent that he has read and agrees with the values that I was concerned about, I
still am disappointed that there was not a way in which we could have had those
principles and those sentiments entered into the bill. I would like to put on
the record my concern, that as a House we look at that whole issue of whether or
not bills can have statements of principle or values in the body of a bill.
Thank you.
CHAIR: The hon. the Member for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair.
MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I am just going to have a few words with regard to this bill, and certainly
the amendments that the minister put forward on the last sitting of the House I
think, or on Tuesday I believe it was - some amendments to this bill. Those
amendments, of course, came about because the Member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi
felt that a bill of this nature should have a public information component to it
to ensure that the people out there in the Province know what their rights are
and their privileges are.
What Bill 23 does, it is an ethical bill, Mr. Chair, that looks at any - or I
guess the terms of ethics that will be around any kind of research that is done
with regard to humans and genetics in the Province. Certainly, that is necessary
because while we have a great deal of that work occurring right now within our
health care system and within the university, looking at various diseases and so
on, we also have a great deal of it being done by private companies out there in
the Province. Some very good pieces of research, I might add, and some very good
work that is being carried out throughout various communities on various
diseases.
It is important that they have a proper code of ethics and legislation to
guide them in that work but it is also equally important to ensure that people
know what their rights are, that they have a choice and that they know the
information they are providing to these companies or to these researchers is
going to be guarded, it is going to be in privacy, and that there is not a
violation of that, and if there is a violation, what their rights are under the
particular act for any kind of recourse that they may want. Mr. Chair, ethics in
anything is very important and I understand that one of the pieces to this
motion that the member wanted to put forward and add to the Explanatory Note of
the bill could not be done and the minister did read it into the record, but we
all know that words are just that, if they are not part of legislation or
enacted in law. You can get up and read whatever words you want into Hansard,
make all the speeches that you want in the Legislature, but if it does not
become law, it does not have any real practice out there in terms of addressing
what the problem or the need is. I think it is important to point that out
because quite often we have heard many members in this Legislature at one point
stand and take a view on a particular issue, but in subsequent years change that
particular view.
I am going to quote something from the Minister of Finance and the current
Government House Leader, because it was only back in 1999 where he made comments
and I think this demonstrates the point I am trying to make very effectively.
That is: Just because it is spoken, just because it is added, does not mean it
is law and it does not mean it is enacted. Back in 1999, when there were some
issues around pharmacists in the Province and a lot of the pharmacists were
resigning from various positions within the hospital and so on, the Minister of
Finance currently was very distressed over this, Mr. Speaker, and, in fact, rose
in his seat many times in this House of Assembly in December of that year to
question the current Minister of Health.
I want to read to you what he said. He said: For the past several years in
St. John's alone there has never been a time when there has been a fully
trained complement of pharmacists in our hospitals. There have been numerous
pharmacist vacancies all over the Province. Many have been advertised, and for
some not even one applicant has applied. I ask the minister: What is being done
to address the serious shortage of hospital pharmacists?
It was a big concern to him, Mr. Chair. In fact, he was so concerned that he
could not believe that there were pharmacists working in this Province making
anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000 less than what they would receive in one of our
neighboring provinces in Atlantic Canada.
Mr. Chair, he claimed, and I quote this: I want to ask the minister - this is
what he said - will she ensure that this growing and very serious problem we are
having with hospital pharmacists is resolved by paying a competitive salary like
is being done in some other medical specialist areas?
Now, Mr. Chair, what he was asking in 1999 - and it is all recorded in
Hansard, it is all out there - was that pharmacists be given a one-off
agreement, that they be looked at separately, that this is a serious issue that
needs to be addressed in the Province. The same member, the same minister, two
weeks ago was out there in the media saying: We don't do one-off deals. We are
not going to do a one-off deal with the pharmacists.
Mr. Chair, by getting up and reading something in the Hansard or standing up
and asking a question in the Legislature, it does not mean that it would be
enacted up on, followed through on, fulfilled in anyway, and lest of all,
legislated, Mr. Chair. I want to make that point because we have seen it, not
only on this occasion from the current Minister of Finance and Government House
Leader regarding pharmacists, but we have seen it on other issues as well. More
recently we have seen it on pharmacists, whereby in 1999 he had a view and a
perspective that because of the shortage they need to be paid more money, they
need to be on an even keel with our neighboring provinces such as New Brunswick
and PEI and Nova Scotia, and also making the point, Mr. Chair, that if a one-off
deal is required to do that then it should be done. Well, today he is the
Minister of Finance, controls the books of the Province, knows that they can
afford to deal with the desperate situation that is out there, but chooses not
to for other reasons.
I say to the minister: I am sure you are reading that into the Hansard in
good faith and I am sure that you are adding it to the discussion in good faith,
but the reality is that it does not have any impact upon this law once it
becomes enacted.
Now, Mr. Chair, the Code of Ethics, I think, as I was saying earlier, is
important and it needs to be done. I know of several cases I talked about the
other day in debate of research that is being carried out around the Province. I
know, just in my own district alone, which we deal through the hospital in St.
Anthony, most of the patients, there is a program going on there and I think it
is probably even overseen by Pat Parfrey here in St. Johns's. This piece of
work being done through the Grenfell Labrador health board out of St. Anthony is
looking at a number of bowel related diseases in families. It is all about
genetics, of course. We have, I think, anywhere from sixty to 100 people, maybe
more, who are enroled as part of that program and have been for the last couple
of years. All the information, all the data that is collected on them on a
regular basis, Mr. Chair, is being used in this particular research.
I certainly would hope, and I know that they would hope and have a lot of
comfort in knowing, that the information they are providing for this valuable
research is going to be protected, kept in the uttermost confidence, Mr.
Chairman, and that there will be no violation of their human rights or
violations of their privacy. That is very important.
Mr. Chairman, I do not have any problems with this bill. I think that medical
research these days is taken very seriously, and I certainly see the benefits of
doing any kind of medical research or genetic research if one, of course, is to
stay on top of any kind of cures, remedies and treatments that can be used in
all of these diseases, and it is always beneficial to challenge the past
effectiveness of research. I think everybody would agree with that, basically to
ensure that it is still effective, that it is still accurate, and that it is
still efficient in the kind of treatments that are being used.
I think, in this Province, what we have seen is some very good quality
research from a lot of physicians. Right now, there is a fair amount of work
being done around arthritis. I know that has been a very significant piece of
work that has been undertaken by some prominent physicians in our Province. I
also know that there has been a lot of research around Parkinson's disease. I
actually know individuals who participated in that research and feel that,
because of their participation, they have been able to slow down, I guess would
be a word I could use, the progression of their disease. They feel that they
have been given a better quality of life for a longer period of time because of
that.
Mr. Chairman, I think it is all of our responsibility to ensure that we have
ethical standards that promote, respect and protect the health of all
individuals and their rights in our society. I certainly hope that this bill
goes far enough in terms of endeavoring to do that.
I think that the addition of the public relations piece, in terms of the
public knowing what their rights are under this particular law, is very
important, and know that if they do participate that they will be doing so
knowing that their privacy is protected and, if not, that there is a recourse
for them to have that dealt with.
That will conclude my comments.
Thank you.
CHAIR: Order, please!
Bill 23 consists of thirty clauses. If it is okay with the Committee, what we
will do - the Table has two amendments: one for clause 5 and one for clause 9 -
we will call the clauses inclusive and receive debate and the amendments on the
two clauses that the Chair has identified.
A bill, "An Act To Establish A Health Research Ethics Authority For The
Province." (Bill 23)
CLERK: Clauses 1 to 4.
CHAIR: Shall clauses 1 to 4 carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Clauses 1 to 4 inclusive are carried.
On motion, clauses 1 through 4 carried.
CLERK: Clause 5.
CHAIR: Shall clause 5 carry?
The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR. T. OSBORNE: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
On clause 5, we are looking to renumber clause 5 as subclause 5(1) and the
following subclause be added immediately after it as clause 5(2), "The
authority shall have responsibility to enhance public awareness of the ethical
dimension of health research involving human subjects."
CHAIR: It is moved by the hon. the Minister of Health and Community
Services that clause 5 be amended.
The Chair rules that the amendment is in order, and he will read the
amendment again into the record.
"Clause 5 of the Bill is renumbered as subclause 5(1) and the following
subclause is added immediately after it:
(2) The authority shall have
responsibility to enhance public awareness of the ethical dimension of health
research involving human subjects."
Is it the pleasure of the Committee to adopt the said amendment to clause 5?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Amendment carried.
On motion, amendment carried.
CHAIR: Is it the pleasure of the Committee to adopt clause 5 as amended?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Clause 5, as amended, carried.
On motion, clause 5, as amended, carried.
CLERK: Clauses 6 to 8.
CHAIR: Shall clauses 6 to 8 inclusive carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Carried.
On motion, clauses 6 through 8 carried.
CLERK: Clause 9.
CHAIR: Shall clause 9 carry?
The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services.
MR. T. OSBORNE: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
On clause 9, subclause 9(3) of the bill is deleted and the following
substituted as clause 9(3), "The authority shall, within 2 business days of
its receipt, refer an application made to it under subsection (2) to the
research ethics board or a research ethics body approved by the authority under
section 8."
CHAIR: It is moved by the Minister of Health and Community Services that
clause 9 be amended.
The amendment would read, "Subclause 9(3) of the Bill is deleted and the
following substituted:
(3) The authority shall, within 2 business days of its
receipt, refer an application made to it under subsection (2) to the research
ethics board or a research ethics body approved by the authority under
section
8."
The Chair rules that this amendment is in order.
Is it the pleasure of the Committee to adopt the said amendment to clause 9?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Carried.
On motion, amendment carried.
CHAIR: Is it the pleasure of the Committee to adopt clause 9 as amended?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Clause 9 is carried with amendment.
On motion, clause 9, as amended, carried.
CLERK: Clauses 10 to 30.
CHAIR: Shall clauses 10 to 30 carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Clauses 10 to 30 are carried.
On motion, clauses 10 through 30 carried.
CLERK:
Be it enacted by the Lieutenant-Governor and House of Assembly in
Legislative Session convened as follows.
CHAIR: Shall the enacting clause carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
The enacting clause is carried.
On motion, enacting clause carried.
CLERK:
An Act To Establish A Health Research Ethics Authority For The
Province.
CHAIR: Shall the title carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
The title is carried.
On motion, title carried.
CHAIR: Shall I report Bill 23,
An Act To Establish A Health Research
Ethics Authority For The Province, carried with amendment?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Bill 23, with amendment, is carried.
Motion, that the Committee report having passed the bill with amendment,
carried.
CHAIR: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I now call Bill 43, the Vital Statistics Act.
CHAIR: The Committee is ready to receive debate on Bill 43,
An Act To
Amend The Vital Statistics Act.
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act." (Bill 43)
CLERK: Clause 1.
CHAIR: Clause 1.
Shall clause 1 carry?
The hon. the Member for Carbonear-Harbour Grace.
MR. SWEENEY: Mr. Chairman, I would just like to say a few words.
I asked the minister, the day the bill was introduced, I think it was on
Tuesday, a couple of questions. I have not received an answer and I was hoping
that I would receive those answers.
I know we spoke about fees, and I referred to this government as the
government that taxed people from the cradle to the grave. I am just concerned
whether or not the additional fees that would be paid to the officers who are
issuing these certificates in the various localities, where that extra revenue
would come from. I am just wondering, would that be passed on to the consumer,
as was apt to happen in the past, any changes in the fee structure and
everything. Because the minister in her comments, before she sat down, I thought
I heard her say that the fee was going to change, or the rate of fee was going
to change from $20 to $50. I am just curious as to where that extra $30 is
coming from.
I do know the difference, by the way, that this a fee that is being issued to
a person in the local community who issues a record to the provincial government
of a birth or a death. After so many are issued, then there is a very small
percentage of that money sent out to that officer who is out there in the
community. The correct title is the Registering Officer, which, in all
likelihood, I think would be a member of the clergy, of whichever denomination.
I am just wondering, if there is going to be an increase in fees to the
ordinary consumer when they present themselves at the Department of Vital
Statistics or at Government Services where you go now to get you birth
certificate or you have to go and get your death certificate. Well obviously the
person who has died is not going to get their own death certificate, but their
spouse or their loved one would be able to purchase their death certificate.
Would they expect now an increase in cost in that particular field?
I have to say, I was really surprised when this government raised or put a
fee on the death certificate, because the death certificate, I guess since
Confederation, was free. When this government, a few years ago in its attempt to
find extra revenue, decided to charge an extra $25 - now over the past three
years I have asked that these fees be reduced from time to time, and the only
fee, I think, that is being reduced - and that was in the last year's Budget -
was the polar bear licence. That was dropped, I think, from $133 or $135 down to
$105. I can safely say, Mr. Chair, that did not have any impact on anybody in my
district, I can tell you that. As a matter of fact, if I had known that the
Premier was in the hunt, I should say, for sealskin jackets, I probably would
have advised some of my constituents out there who need a few dollars - and I
know many of them who would not mind having an extra dollar - to tell them to
get some polar bear licences and see if they could avail of the Premier, and see
if he would buy a couple of jackets off them made out of our great polar bear
hide. It would be a wonderful fur coat.
As a matter of fact, I think Premier Klein would look wonderful with a big
white fur coat, floor length. As a matter of fact, he could even leave the head
attached for a hood. I think that would be very fitting for a man who said that,
when he was Mayor of Calgary: Let the crowd down East freeze to death. I would
certainly like to -
AN HON. MEMBER: Freeze to death in the dark.
MR. SWEENEY: Freeze to death in the dark, yes. Thank you, colleague.
Mr. Chairman, this bill, as I see it, could end up being another increase in
fees to the consumer. I think, if we are going to try to outdo Alberta by an
extra $700,000, we should try to outdo Alberta in its fees. The cost of
licencing a vehicle in Alberta is certainly not $180 a year. The cost of getting
a death certificate in Alberta is not $25. If we are going to outdo our
wealthier brothers on the mainland, let's do it in a way that is going to
benefit our people.
I think, since we are talking about this and looking at all the fees that are
here, there are some-160 fees, in excess of 160 fees, which hit an increase. I
do not want to see a fee like the death certificate increased and putting an
additional cost onto the people of our fair Province here. I do not think we
want to outdo Alberta in that category. As a matter of fact, I do not think they
wanted to outdo Alberta in giving out fur coats either. Whatever the case might
be, I am glad the Premiers and everyone else who came to the Province, had a
great time, and I hope it was not at the expense of increased fees.
Mr. Chair, I would like to get an answer to that question, whether or not the
extra costs of the fees going to the registering officer in a particular
locality, would that be passed on to the consumer?
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
CHAIR: The hon. the Minister of Business.
MR. O'BRIEN: I just want to respond to the hon. member's remarks in
regards to fees. He, I think, referred to the only fee that was reduced or
eliminated in last year's 2006 Budget was the polar bear fee. Well,
thirty-four fees were reduced or eliminated in Budget 2006 and put $1.5 million
back into the hands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and businesses. I would
not be able to name them but I certainly can. I will get the information for you
in regards to those thirty-four fees, I say to the hon. member. The significant
piece is, that thirty-four fees were reduced or eliminated. Also the amount of
money - I think the payments will be, in regards to this piece, made at a rate
of $50 per 100 units or fifty cents each, which is up from $20 per 100 units or
twenty cents each.
Certainly, this is a good bill. It is consistent with normal government
practices for many other fees. I see it as a necessary piece, to have
consistency within government and consistency within legislation. I just wanted
to clarify, in regards to fees in general, that the 2006 Budget saw fit to put
$1.5 million back into the hands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and I
think that is a significant number, Mr. Chair.
Thank you.
CHAIR: The hon. the Member for Carbonear-Harbour Grace.
MR. SWEENEY: I thank the Minister of Business. It is nice to see him on
his feet responding to my question. I still do not think that he answered my
question: Would that fee be increased to reflect the cost of the extra $50, or
the extra $30 of the payment to the returning officers?
Anyway, it is interesting to note that the $1.5 million was just enough to
cover the cost of the little party that the premiers had when they were here
visiting in the Province. It is very interesting to know. I do not think they
were charged any fees to participate in any of the proceedings.
MR. HEDDERSON: (Inaudible).
MR. SWEENEY: It brought a lot of money here that was already here, I say
to the Minister of Tourism. I know one thing it brought, it made a lot of sheep
cold for this winter with the number of sweaters that were handed out here, I
tell you that.
I say to the Minister of Tourism, it is good to see the arts community
getting something from this government because I can certainly tell you, they
had to wait long enough until they put the pressure on this government to get
anything from them; I can tell you that.
Mr. Chair, with the cackle that is happening from the other side -
AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).
MR. SWEENEY: Oh, that is the minister of rural development over there,
the former Mayor of Mount Pearl, the fellow who knows all about rural
development.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
CHAIR: Order, please!
The Chair has recognized the Member for Carbonear-Harbour Grace.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!
CHAIR: Order, please!
I ask members to restrain themselves. If they want conversations, take them
to the outside.
The hon. the Member for Carbonear-Harbour Grace.
MR. SWEENEY: Mr. Chair, I recognize your struggle to get respect for your
position here in this hon. House.
Mr. Chair, I still have not received an answer, and I know full well that the
Minister of Business says that the money goes into general revenue. I know all
about that. I know how all that stuff works. What I am wondering is, if it is
the intent of this government now that if there is money going into general
revenue that the extra $30 per 100 licences or per 100 documents is also going
to be charged to general revenue, it is going to be paid out from there. What I
am asking is: Do we anticipate a fee, an increase in fees at Vital Statistics,
to cover that extra cost? I am sure that if a government is going to bring
itself in line with other departments, or a department is going to bring itself
in line with other departments, they should have a plan in place. The minister
said on Tuesday that she was going to increase the fees to $50 per 100
documents, which again is a pittance for all of the work that has to go into
that and the amount of people coming and going to the various clergies' houses
and offices trying to get that information.
That is the question I am trying to ask, Mr. Chair: Will there be an increase
in that fee at the department of Vital Statistics? Will those fees increase?
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
CHAIR: Shall clause 1 carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Clause 1 is carried.
On motion, clause 1 carried.
CLERK:
Be it enacted by the Lieutenant Governor and House of Assembly in
legislative session convened as follows.
CHAIR: Shall the enacting clause carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
The enacting clause is carried.
On motion, enacting clause carried.
CLERK:
An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act.
CHAIR: Shall the title carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
The title is carried.
On motion, title carried.
CHAIR: Shall I report Bill 43,
An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act,
carried without amendment?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Bill 43 is carried without amendment.
Motion, that the committee report having passed the bill without amendment,
carried.
CHAIR: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I move that the committee rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again.
CHAIR: The motion is that the committee rise, report progress and ask
leave to sit again.
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Carried.
On motion, that the Committee rise, report progress and ask leave to sit
again, Mr. Speaker returned to the Chair.
MR. SPEAKER (H. Hodder): The hon. the Member for Bonavista South and
Deputy Speaker.
MR. FITZGERALD: Mr. Speaker, the Committee of the Whole have considered
the matters to them referred and have directed me to report Bill 23 carried with
amendments, and Bill 43 carried without amendments, and ask leave to sit again.
MR. SPEAKER: The Chair will first deal with Bill 43.
The Chairperson of Committee of the Whole reports that the Committee have
considered the matters to them referred and have directed him to report that
Bill 43,
An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act, has been passed without
amendment.
When shall this report be received?
MR. SULLIVAN: Presently.
MR. SPEAKER: Presently.
When shall bill 43 be read a third time?
MR. SULLIVAN: Presently.
MR. SPEAKER: Presently.
On motion, report received and adopted, bill ordered read a third time
presently, by leave.
MR. SPEAKER: The Chair will now call the motion relative to bill 23.
The Chairperson of Committee of the Whole reports that the Committee have
considered the matters to them referred and have directed him to report that
Bill 23,
An Act To Establish A Health Research Ethics Authority For The
Province, has been passed with amendments.
When shall this report be received?
MR. SULLIVAN: Presently.
MR. SPEAKER: Presently.
It is moved and seconded that the said amendments be now read a first time.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
Carried.
CLERK: First reading of amendments.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the said amendments be now
read a second time?
Is it the pleasure of the House that the said amendments to Bill 23 be read a
second time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
Carried.
CLERK: Second reading of amendments.
MR. SPEAKER: When shall Bill 23,
An Act To Establish A Health Research
Ethics Authority For The Province, be read a third time?
MR. SULLIVAN: Presently.
MR. SPEAKER: Presently.
On motion, amendments read a first and second time, bill ordered read a third
time presently, by leave.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I now move third reading of Bill 43,
An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics
Act.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that Bill 43,
An Act To Amend The
Vital Statistics Act, be now read a third time.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt a motion that Bill 43 be read a
third time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
CLERK:
An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act. (Bill 43)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 43,
An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act, has now
been read a third time and it is ordered that the bill do pass and its title be
as on the Order Paper.
On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Vital Statistics Act," read
a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 43)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move third reading of Bill 23,
An Act To Establish A Health Research Ethics
Authority For The Province.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that Bill 23,
An Act To Establish A
Health Research Ethics Authority For The Province, be now read a third time.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 23 be read a
third time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
CLERK: A bill,
An Act To Establish A Health Research Ethics Authority For
The Province. (Bill 23)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 23,
An Act To Establish A Health Research Ethics
Authority For The Province has now been read a third time, and it is ordered
that the bill do pass and its title be as on the Order Paper.
On motion, a bill, "An Act To Establish A Health Research Ethics
Authority For The Province," read a third time, ordered passed and its
title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill23)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I now move for second reading of Bill 41,
An Act To Amend The City Of Corner
Brook Act And The City Of Mount Pearl Act.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded the Bill 41,
An Act To Amend The
City Of Corner Brook Act And The City Of Mount Pearl Act, be now read a second
time.
The hon. the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
MR. OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am pleased today, again on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of
Municipal Affairs, to speak at second reading to Bill 41 entitled,
An Act To
Amend The City Of Corner Brook Act And The City Of Mount Pearl Act.
I have had some discussions with my colleague opposite, the critic in this
area, the Member for Fortune Bay-Cape la Hune, and he, I would imagine, will be
speaking to this in response.
Mr. Speaker, this is essentially a housekeeping bill. It is nothing more than
that. The bill will repeal
Schedule B of both acts, that is the City of Corner
Brook Act and the City of Mount Pearl Act. These schedules outline statutory
duties for senior administrative positions in both cities.
While it was traditional to include such provisions in municipal legislation,
Mr. Speaker, it is no longer considered necessary or appropriate. The current
Municipalities Act which was enacted some seven years ago, in 1999, was the
first municipal statute in this Province that did not contain such provisions.
The Municipalities Act gives each of the 280 municipalities governed by it
the authority to establish whatever positions they deem necessary for the
effective administration of their respective municipalities and the authority to
determine the appropriate duties and responsibilities of each position.
The statutory duties outlined in these schedules no longer reflect the
effective operation of a modern municipality, and the statutory positions to
which these duties are assigned are not reflected in the current administrative
structure of either of the two cities.
Mr. Speaker, the repealing of these provisions will afford both cities,
Corner Brook and Mount Pearl, the same authority and flexibility for the
creation of administrative positions and the determination of duties and
responsibilities for these positions that is afforded to all 280 municipalities
that operate under the Municipalities Act of 1999.
Furthermore, and in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, the bill repeals a number of
other provisions of both acts that make reference to
Schedule B. It further
repeals
Schedule C of both acts, which outlines statutory election forms that
became redundant with the enactment of the Municipal Elections Act in 2001.
Mr. Speaker, as can be seen, these are essentially housekeeping matters. I
now move second reading of Bill 41,
An Act To Amend The City of Corner Brook Act
and The City of Mount Pearl Act.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay-Cape la Hune.
MR. LANGDON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Just a few words on this particular piece of legislation. In fact, I think I
might have been the minister in 1999 who brought forth the piece of legislation
that deemed that all of the towns and communities outside of the cities here did
not have to follow the position of outlining to senior staff in their councils,
in the municipalities, duties which they should or should not do.
At this particular time it was realized, I guess - and the minister said that
it is housekeeping, and to some extent it is - that at the time the legislation
was introduced, the City of Corner Brook Act and the City of St. John's Act
did not allow for this particular change to occur. We recognized that in the
modern municipalities, especially like in the City of St. John's and in Corner
Brook, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to outline the statutory duties
for senior administrative positions in their municipalities. In fact, with so
much of multi-tasking going on within these offices, then there is no need for
the act to outline what these duties should be. That should be left up to - and
in this particular case it is going to be left up to the City of St. John's
and the City of Corner Brook to do just as the other 280 municipalities in the
Province deem necessary to do.
With that, Mr. Speaker, as I said, it is housekeeping and there is no need
for further explanation on that.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, if he
speaks now he closes debate at second reading.
MR. OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the hon. member for his supportive comments and his concurrence that
this particular act is simply one of a housekeeping nature.
With those few comments, Mr. Speaker, I move second reading of Bill 41.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt a motion relative
to Bill 41,
An Act To Amend The City Of Corner Brook Act And The City Of Mount
Pearl Act, and that this bill be now read a second time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
CLERK: A bill,
An Act To Amend The City Of Corner Brook Act And The City
Of Mount Pearl Act. (Bill 41)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 41,
An Act To Amend The City Of Corner Brook Act And
The City Of Mount Pearl Act, has now been read a second time. When shall this
bill be referred to the Committee of the Whole?
MR. SULLIVAN: Presently.
MR. SPEAKER: Presently.
On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The City Of Corner Brook Act And The
City Of Mount Pearl Act, read a second time, ordered referred to a Committee of
the Whole House presently, by leave. (Bill 41)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I now call second reading of Bill 42,
An Act To Amend The Taxation Of
Utilities And Cable Television Companies Act.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that Bill 42,
An Act To Amend The
Taxation Of Utilities And Cable Television Companies Act, be now read a second
time.
Motion, second reading of a bill, "An Act To Amend The Taxation Of
Utilities And Cable Television Companies Act." (Bill 42)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
MR. OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Like Bill 41, this too is of a housekeeping nature. It is entitled,
An Act To
Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable Television Companies Act.
The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable Television Companies Act, which governs
the municipal taxation of utility and cable TV companies, was enacted, Mr.
Speaker, in 1993. At that time, in light of the significant impact that this new
legislation had for both municipalities and the companies being taxed under its
provisions, the act contained a number of transitional provisions that provided
for a two-year phase-in period for the new tax structure. These provisions have
been redundant since 1994 and, consequently, Mr. Speaker, are being repealed.
Obviously, the transitional period expired in 1994.
Mr. Speaker, the amendments proposed under this proposed legislation, under
Bill 42, reflect government's commitment to simply make government more
efficient and effective. The repeal of the provisions outlined in this bill, and
others before the House under the Department of Municipal Affairs, will mean a
significant contribution to the department's attempt and required reduction
under the red tape regulatory requirements.
In conclusion, it is simply a housekeeping matter. It helps reduce the red
tape that we often find in many of our pieces of legislation and the repealing
of this provision, again, as a consequence of that effort.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Fortune Bay-Cape la Hune.
MR. LANGDON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I was just looking across the floor at some of the members there and I would
think that people like the Member for Bonavista North, the Member for Mount
Pearl, the Minister of Natural Resources, the Minister of Transportation and
Works, people who were involved in municipal government, would realize why this
particular piece of legislation was brought in, in the first place, in 1993. It
was because of the number of municipalities across the Province that were really
charging large taxation numbers to cable companies and to Newfoundland Hydro and
to Newfoundland Light and Power. In many instances, large tax rates, large mil
rates were being ascribed to these particular companies to balance a budget.
Through the federation at the particular time, and government, they realized
that there had to be some uniformity in place. As a result of that, there was
legislation brought to the House to make it uniform but it was for a two-year
period transitional, I guess, if you want to call it that, phase in. That
particular phase in part of the legislation is still being written in it. What
we are doing here now is taking out the two-year pilot project. It has become
really standard policy for government to regulate the cable companies, utility
companies, phone companies and whatever so that the municipalities across the
Province can be uniform in the amount of money that they can tax these utility
companies for. That is what this is about, just repealing, as I said, the pilot
project and making it permanent.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I conclude my remarks.
MR. SPEAKER: If the hon. the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs speaks
now he will conclude debate at second reading on Bill 42.
The hon. the minister.
MR. OTTENHEIMER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Again, I thank my colleague opposite. His experience is shining through. His
experience during his tenure as Minister of Municipal Affairs affords the hon.
member the knowledge and the experience to show good legislation. I do
appreciate, on behalf of the Minister of Municipal Affairs today, the hon.
member's support and concurrence.
Mr. Speaker, again it is a housekeeping issue. The hon. member opposite
referred to that as well. I now move second reading of Bill 42,
An Act To Amend
The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable Television Companies Act.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt a motion that Bill
42,
An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable Television Companies
Act, be now read a second time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
CLERK: A bill,
An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable
Television Companies Act. (Bill 42)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 42,
An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable
Television Companies Act, has now been read a second time.
When shall this bill be referred to a Committee of the Whole House?
MR. SULLIVAN: Presently, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Presently.
On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable
Television Companies Act," read a second time, ordered referred to a
Committee of the Whole House presently, by leave. (Bill 42)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I now move that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to
consider Bill 41 and Bill 42.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the House resolve itself into
a Committee of the Whole to consider Bill 41 and Bill 42, and that I do now
leave the Chair.
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
On motion, that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, Mr.
Speaker left the Chair.
Committee of the Whole
CHAIR (Fitzgerald): Order, please!
The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I now call, in Committee, Bill 41.
CHAIR: The Committee is ready to hear debate on Bill 41,
An Act To Amend
The City Of Corner Brook Act And The City Of Mount Pearl Act.
A bill, "An Act To Amend The City Of Corner Brook Act And The City Of
Mount Pearl Act." (Bill 41)
CLERK: Clauses 1 to 4.
CHAIR: Shall clauses 1 to 4 carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Clauses 1 to 4 inclusive are carried.
On motion, clauses 1 through 4 carried.
CLERK:
Be it enacted by the Lieutenant-Governor and House of Assembly in
Legislative Session convened, as follows.
CHAIR: Shall the enacting clause carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
The enacting clause is carried.
On motion, enacting clause carried.
CLERK:
An Act To Amend The City Of Corner Brook Act And The City Of Mount
Pearl Act.
CHAIR: Shall the title carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
The title is carried.
On motion, title carried.
CHAIR: Shall I report Bill 41,
An Act To Amend The City Of Corner Brook
Act And The City Of Mount Pearl Act, carried without amendment?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Bill 41 is carried.
Motion, that the Committee report having passed the bill without amendment,
carried.
CHAIR: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I now call Bill 42.
CHAIR: Bill 42,
An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable
Television Companies Act.
A bill, "An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable Television
Companies Act." (Bill 42)
CLERK: Clause 1.
CHAIR: Clause 1.
Shall clause 1 carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Clause 1 is carried.
On motion, clause 1 carried.
CLERK:
Be it enacted by the Lieutenant-Governor and House of Assembly in
Legislative Session convened, as follows.
CHAIR: Shall the enacting clause carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
The enacting clause is carried.
On motion, enacting clause carried.
CLERK:
An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable Television
Companies Act.
CHAIR: Shall the title carry?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
The title is carried.
On motion, title carried.
CHAIR: Shall I report Bill 42,
An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities
And Cable Television Companies Act, carried without amendment?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Bill 42 is carried.
Motion, that the Committee report having passed the bill without amendment,
carried.
CHAIR: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I move that the Committee rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again.
CHAIR: The motion is that the Committee rise, report progress and ask
leave to sit again.
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIR: All those against, nay'.
Carried.
On motion, that the Committee rise, report progress and ask leave to sit
again, Mr. Speaker returned to the Chair.
MR. SPEAKER (Hodder): The hon. the Member for Bonavista South and Deputy
Speaker.
MR. FITZGERALD: Mr. Speaker, the Committee of the Whole have considered
the matters to them referred and have directed me to report Bill 42 and Bill 41
carried without amendment, and ask leave to sit again.
MR. SPEAKER: The Chairperson of Committee of the Whole reports the
Committee have considered the matters to them referred and have directed him to
report that Bill 41,
An Act To Amend The City of Corner Brook Act And The City
of Mount Pearl Act, be adopted without amendment, and Bill 42,
An Act To Amend
The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable Television Companies Act, be adopted without
amendment.
When shall this report be received?
MR. SULLIVAN: Presently.
MR. SPEAKER: Presently.
When shall the said bills be read a third time?
MR. SULLIVAN: Presently, with leave, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: Presently, with leave.
On motion, report received and adopted, bills ordered read a third time
presently, by leave.
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move third reading of Bill 41.
MR. SPEAKER: The Chair acknowledges that leave has been granted to
proceed to third readings.
It is moved and seconded that Bill 41,
An Act To Amend The City Of Corner
Brook Act And The City Of Mount Pearl Act, be now read a third time.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 41 be now read
a third time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
Motion carried.
CLERK: A bill,
An Act To Amend The City Of Corner Brook Act And The City
Of Mount Pearl Act. (Bill 41)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 41,
An Act To Amend The City Of Corner Brook Act And
The City Of Mount Pearl Act, has now been read a third time and it is ordered
that the bill do pass and its title be as on the Order Paper.
On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The City Of Corner Brook Act And The
City Of Mount Pearl Act," read a third time, ordered passed and its title
be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 41)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I move third reading of Bill 42.
MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that bill 42,
An Act To Amend The
Taxation Of Utilities And Cable Television Companies Act, be now read a third
time.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 42 be now read
a third time?
All those in favour, aye'.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. SPEAKER: All those against, nay'.
The motion is carried.
CLERK: A bill,
An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable
Television Companies Act. (Bill 42)
MR. SPEAKER: Bill 42,
An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable
Television Companies Act, has now been read a third time and it is ordered that
the bill do pass and its title be as on the Order Paper.
On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Taxation Of Utilities And Cable
Television Companies Act," read a third time, ordered passed and its title
be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 42)
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I now call Motion 1.
MR. SPEAKER: Motion 1 has been called, which is a Supply bill.
The hon. the Government House Leader.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I have received a message from His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor.
MR. SPEAKER: All rise.
The message from His Honour is dated 20 November 2006. It reads as follows:
As Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, I transmit
Estimates of sums required for the Public Service of the Province for the year
ending 31 March 2007, by way of Supplementary Supply, and in accordance with the
provisions of sections 54 and 90 of the Constitution Act, 1867, I recommend
these estimates to the House of Assembly.
Sgd.: ____________________________
Edward Roberts, ONL, Q.C.