November 21, 2012           HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS       Vol. XLVII No. 56

The House met at 2:00 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Wiseman): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

Statements by Members

MR. SPEAKER: Today we have members' statements from: the Member for the District of Lake Melville; the Member for the District of Lewisporte; the Member for the District of Burgeo – La Poile; the Member for the District of St. Barbe; the Member for the District of Conception Bay East – Bell Island; and the Member for the District of Terra Nova.

The hon. the Member for the District of Lake Melville.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. RUSSELL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise in this hon. House today to congratulate a resident of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Brandon Ramey, on his recent success on being awarded the National Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award.

The award is governed by the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples' National Youth Council out of Ottawa.

Brandon is very active with the Goose Bay chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. He is also a member of the NunatuKavut nation. He is presently attending St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Brandon was nominated by Corporal Rick Mills of the RCMP. Brandon is a role model of all Aboriginal youth across this great country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me in congratulating Brandon Ramey on his success.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. VERGE: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding volunteer from my district. Derek Bennett grew up in Lewisporte and has been known for his athletic involvement and also for his skill as a sport organizer. His love for recreation led him to pursue a program of studies in community recreation.

Derek has been the recreation and tourism director for the Town of Lewisporte for the past twenty-three years. During his tenure he has organized numerous festivals and trade shows; he also started the Youth Bowling Program, the Slow Pitch Softball League, and he has been a coach and an organizer with the Minor Hockey System.

Derek has been Chairperson of the Recreation Hockey League and now serves as Chairperson for the Central Icepak of the Newfoundland and Labrador Major Midget Hockey League.

Derek, who is a tireless worker and volunteer, was formally recognized for his valuable contributions on June 22 when Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador presented him with the Recreation Volunteer Recognition Award.

Members of this House, please join with me in recognizing Derek Bennett for his outstanding contributions to our community, to our district, and to the entire Province.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I rise today to recognize and congratulate three constituents from my District of Burgeo – La Poile, who were recently awarded Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals.

The first award went to Ms Elizabeth Bragg of Channel-Port aux Basques in recognition of her numerous years of volunteerism in various organizations and committees serving the Southwest Coast, including the Dr. Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre Foundation, Port aux Basques Employment Corporation and Port aux Basques and Area Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few.

Secondly, we have Ms Elizabeth Harvey of Isle aux Morts, who was instrumental in driving the income tax issue for fishers throughout this Province and the Province of Quebec.

The third award was presented to Mr. Lloyd Rossiter of Ramea for his countless years of volunteer service to the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, the Town of Ramea, Ramea Volunteer Fire Department and his church, just to name a few.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join with me in extending congratulations to Elizabeth Bragg, Elizabeth Harvey, and Lloyd Rossiter upon receipt of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals. The medals could not have gone to more deserving individuals.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BRAZIL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I stand in this House to congratulate a group of volunteers for undertaking a very valuable project. I speak of Radio Bell Island which will operate from St. Michael's High School on a permanent basis beginning early in the New Year.

They have received their official CRTC Radio operations license, and with financial support from Innovation, Business and Rural Development, numerous businesses, individual citizens and a partnership with the Eastern School District, they have begun the construction of a state of the art studio.

With local leadership, Radio Bell Island will serve not only the residents of Bell Island but will have a potential listening audience of over 60,000 in the greater Conception Bay area. Programming includes news, interviews, music, talk shows, sports, history segments and everything else to catch the ear of the preschooler to the senior.

While the whole of the community will benefit from this operation, the students of St. Michael's High will benefit immensely by being trained in every aspect of operating a professional radio station.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in congratulating all involved with Radio Bell Island on becoming a permanent asset to the region.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BENNETT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this hon. House today to acknowledge and commend the volunteer firefighters of Newfoundland and Labrador, and especially those in the District of St. Barbe.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services is over 6,000 members strong, and has been representing the men and women of the volunteer and career fire services of this Province since 1964.

Fire Canada has 451 fire departments registered for Newfoundland and Labrador, of which only twenty-three have paid members. The District of St. Barbe alone has fourteen volunteer fire departments, constituting approximately 225 persons. If they volunteer only two hours per week, the total volunteer hours in this district per year is 23,400 with a dollar value of over a half million dollars, an intangible benefit that is immeasurable.

These volunteers give time for meetings, training, and firefighting duties. They give unselfishly so all members of the communities can live with the comfort of knowing that if something terrible is to happen at any given time, help is on the way.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me in recognizing the unprecedented service of these volunteers, as volunteerism is what makes rural communities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

I rise today to recognize a special individual from my district, Mr. Nelson Granter of Gambo – a recent recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal.

In 1959, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the Canadian Army. As a radio and telegraph operator he had various postings and completed actually three tours of duty, including one with the UN's peacekeeping force in Central Africa. In 1981, he joined the Canadian Forces Reserve as an officer, and would later serve as Commanding Officer of 780 Freshwater Air Cadet Squadron in Gambo.

Mr. Granter continued to volunteer his services with various cadet units until his retirement in 2006. Mr. Granter's volunteer experience has been extensive and varied. He has served two terms on the Gambo Town Council, including a term as deputy mayor, has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for thirty-one years, currently serving as president and district commander. He has also become a dedicated member of the Prostate Cancer Canada Network, and recently been appointed to the Newfoundland Advisory Board.

I ask all hon. members of this House to join me in recognizing the efforts of Mr. Granter, a model citizen to whom I wish to thank and congratulate.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.

Statements by Ministers

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Service Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. MCGRATH: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in this hon. House to pay tribute and commemorate the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims.

The National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims is an annual event which remembers those killed or seriously injured on Canadian roads. This is the fifth year for the event, which places a focus on key areas, such as increased enforcement, the building of safer vehicles, and a general change in road user behaviours.

Mr. Speaker, my department is responsible for the Highway Traffic Act, and we are constantly reviewing the act to determine how we can make adjustments to ensure that we are making roadways safer and protecting the public. This is done through education and awareness, as well as ensuring our law enforcement officials have the best tools possible to assist them in their daily work.

In recent years the provincial government has made amendments to the Highway Traffic Act designed to strengthen the act and turn the tide of senseless tragedies caused by reckless and impaired driving. The act was also amended to authorize police to use traffic safety stops as a means of determining whether drivers are driving while suspended, driving without insurance, or driving while impaired.

Mr. Speaker, our efforts do seem to be making a difference. Here in this Province in 2010, we saw an 11.4 per cent decrease in fatalities and a 1 per cent decrease in injuries. Through strengthening our enforcement activities and an increase in awareness, we are beginning to see a shift in behaviour behind the wheel, but we must remain vigilant in our efforts and continue this positive trend in road safety, especially as we approach the holiday season. This is the time of year when family and friends get together to share a toast and celebrate the season of giving. We must maintain a heightened sense of awareness of moose on your highways, dangerous and slippery road conditions, and avoid driving when we are impaired or fatigued.

Mr. Speaker, working together, as government, law enforcement agencies and the community, we can continue to bring the importance of road safety to the forefront and do our part to bring an end to senseless tragedies on our roads and highways.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Opposition House Leader.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am pleased today to rise to honour the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims in our Province and all across Canada. I really believe, Mr. Speaker, that we all have to do whatever we can to ensure that there is safety on our highways. I, this morning, participated with the minister in a wreath laying ceremony at Foxtrap in memory of many of the victims of car crashes in our own Province. I was accompanied by my friend, a young mother, who lost her daughter only eleven months ago to a highway accident in this Province.

To see how devastating it is for these families, to see the pain in their faces this morning as they went there to remember their loved ones certainly gives us all the inspiration we will ever need to work harder to ensure that we have safe highways.

I want to commend, one, the government for what changes they brought about with regard to impaired drivers in the Province because it makes a huge difference. I also want to say we need to continue to do more. There are many lives that are still lost to moose collisions. There are many lives that are still lost to the weather conditions on our highway, the road conditions at particular times, along with other unsafe practices that happen on our highways. So we have to be cognizant of all these things and make improvements in all these things and better efforts to protect the safety of people in this Province.

Mr. Speaker, as well, we need to support the families of these victims in any way we can. The greatest way we can do that is support them in their lobby efforts. When I meet with groups like SOPAC, I am always reminded of the wonderful public relations they do in the Province that helps people slow down and be more careful of moose on our highways just because of their public relations. Things like the people who call into the media in this Province and report that there is a moose or that there is a driver that has gone askew on a highway, all of that helps us all be safer as we travel.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to join with the government, as do our caucus, but also to wish everyone in this Province safe travels now, throughout Christmas, and throughout the year.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would also like to thank the minister for the advance copy of his statement. Today we are all remembering those who were lost on our highways. I am glad to see these events place focus on road safety today.

We are living in an age where we have increased road traffic and hazards that would include anything from cellphone abuse, to driver inattention, to moose. We need to place more safety measures as well for our workers on our highways that would include emergency and police officers who work every day on our highways. I am also glad the government and I will be meeting later this week to place more focus on highway safety in the form of move-over laws to ensure there is safety while in the execution of their duties.

As well, I would also like to thank those groups who place safety on our highways, like MADD for example, and also to government for making the appropriate changes to the Highway Traffic Act to catch more offenders.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. OSBORNE: By leave, Mr. Speaker.

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

No leave.

The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it is a priority of our government to ensure the sustainable management of our moose populations, along with other wildlife species. Of course, this ongoing responsibility must be balanced with the interests and safety of the residents of our Province.

Moose have become firmly established in the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our Province, particularly in rural areas. Mr. Speaker, under a model first adopted in the 1970s, moose are managed to maximize their value and benefits, while mitigating against negative aspects, particularly moose-vehicle collisions, which can have significant consequences for the people of our Province.

With this in mind, we recently conducted a series of public consultations throughout the Province to gather input from stakeholders and the general public for the development of a new five-year moose management plan for the Island portion of the Province. These sessions provided a forum to discuss how moose are currently managed, solicited feedback to be considered in future management decisions, and provided an overall understanding of how the public views this resource. Through the public sessions, on-line survey, and written comments, we received more than 2,000 submissions. I would like to thank all those who provided us with such valuable feedback during this process.

Mr. Speaker, it is our goal to continue to manage moose populations in the Province to provide maximum benefits to all residents and maintain healthy and sustainable wildlife habitats. We must also continue to recognize their importance from a cultural, social, recreational, and economic standpoint. Through the consultations process, we wanted to hear first hand the various perceptions and opinions on moose management in the Province and capture any factors that differentiate one region of the Province from another, if indeed they do exist.

Mr. Speaker, our new five-year moose management plan will provide direction that will guide the annual planning process that considers moose management areas, licensing regime, establishment of optimal populations by management area, and the development of appropriate strategies to meet the commitments of the new plan.

Mr. Speaker, our five-year plan will encompass many factors and be a balanced and informed approach to moose management in the Province, based on both public input and science.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. EDMUNDS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the minister for advance notice of his statement.

Mr. Speaker, if I could, I would like to make a comparison. In my district and in Labrador we are dealing with a major shortage in caribou: roughly 22,000 now from 780,000. We would not like to wish this to happen to any population or species of the harvest, especially for subsistence.

Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the government has finally committed to these consultations on this five-year plan. This was a commitment that was made several years ago. I actually attended a moose consultation session in Clarenville, Mr. Speaker. I must say that after the session, being brought to a new awareness on moose safety, I drove back from Clarenville in a wind and rain storm. Needless to say, my driving speed added an hour onto my normal time, so certainly safety is a big issue. I would like to support the government on recognizing the dedication today to crash victims.

Throughout the sessions, the one thing that stuck out to me was the emphasis on hunting, predominately on hunting, Mr. Speaker. I was a little disappointed to see that there was not much time to do with actual moose management strategies and public awareness in terms of moose fencing and identifying hot spots. With a new minister in the department now, I hope that this plan is proactive and fully inclusive of all alternative solutions in managing our moose populations.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

I want to thank the government for the initiative to undertake the study on moose in the Province. It is good to see that government attempts to reach out, knowing the cultural attachment that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have to the animal, and also recognize the changing conditions even that moose face.

I did have the opportunity to participate in the study, having dropped in on the session down at the Newfoundland Hotel. We have to recognize that the moose has a heavy economic impact. In some areas they are in decline while in others there is an abundance of population. The government has to recognize the importance as well, for example, not only for moose safety and highway reasons, but also the importance of moose to the outfitting industries in the Province. That cannot be ignored.

We also have to remember that they come with a social cost in the form of motor vehicle accidents that cause so much grief. We have to strive to find that balance and I encourage government to look at all solutions that would be satisfactory to all.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

The hon. the Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Culture.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I thought I would read this one today and put everyone in the festive mood. Today I would like to highlight the upcoming celebrations of Christmas at the Commissariat, being held November 24 and November 25.

During the two-day period, the Commissariat will be alive with the sounds, tastes, and traditions of Christmas in St. John's in the 1830s. From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., visitors to the Commissariat can take in some holiday music, taste traditional Christmas pudding – from the historic kitchen, I might add – create some holiday crafts, and participate in a variety of hands-on family activities.

On Saturday evening, November 24, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., visitors are invited to the Commissariat by Candlelight celebrations for the lighting of the Yule Log while they enjoy a cup of hot cider over the sounds of festive carols. Visitors can take a tour of the house by candlelight to meet some interesting period characters and learn about the traditions of Christmas in the nineteenth century.

Mr. Speaker, Christmas at the Commissariat is an event in which all residents can participate. It also supports a great cause, since admission is a non-perishable food item in support of the Community Food Sharing Association. The event commemorates the historic holiday season and highlights our Provincial Historic Sites.

The Commissariat and all Provincial Historic Sites have something for everyone to discover. They reveal significant stories and insights into the historical development of the Province. Since 2003, the provincial government has invested approximately $2.5 million for upgrades to Provincial Historic Sites.

I invite everyone to attend this weekend's festivities and to explore some of our incredible history.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. JOYCE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the minister for the advance copy and just let him know that I am always in the Christmas spirit, as the people in this House would know.

Mr. Speaker, this is the start of Christmas and the Commissariat House is a start for all of us at Christmas. It is a great time for everybody to go down and look at the old traditions of the old Christmases in St. John's and Newfoundland traditions from the 1830s. It is a great time to see what type of food we were eating, what type of music we were playing, what type of cider – I know some of us are people who would like to have a drop of cider at times, so we can drop down and have a bit of cider.

It is always great to see our traditions alive in Newfoundland and Labrador and it is great to see that this house is open to the public that we can all drop down and see, and it is great for the government to be able to have access to the public.

Also, the minister mentioned about the Community Food Sharing Association, we as parliamentarians and we as a group and I know everyone in this House agrees that we have to try to remember the less fortunate in the Province during this time. During this time now, with the start of Christmas, let us all be on our forefront of the people who are less fortune at Christmas and let us all reach out just that little extra so we can all make a better Christmas for everybody. When we do that, we will have a better Christmas ourselves.

Thank you again, Minister, great job.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for The Straits – White Bay North.

MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I, too, thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement. I encourage people to visit our Provincial Historic Sites and the Commissariat holds a very important piece of our history because we demanded the rights to manage our own affairs, to have our own government. I am looking forward to participating in the event this weekend, to take in the traditional foods, sights, and sounds. I am very pleased to see that admission is a non-perishable food item. It is very good to see that we are looking at partnering with non-profit entities and helping others.

I encourage government to provide new supports for programming to help advance new visitation to these vital pieces of heritage.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.

Tabling of Documents.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: The Speaker was conscious of the time and we start Question Period at 2:30 p.m. I was just dispensing a couple of routine issues before we went to Question Period at 2:30 p.m.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Question Period is a half an hour.

Oral Questions.

Oral Questions

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yesterday, government was forced to come clean and admit that they broke the commitment to the people of this Province not to spend taxpayers' money on Muskrat Falls without sanction. The minister admitted that $45 million was transferred to Nalcor on October 1.

I ask the Premier: How can you break your commitment and transfer millions of dollars to Nalcor behind closed doors prior to sanctioning this project?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we do not do anything in secret. There have been millions and millions and millions of dollars invested in the development of the Churchill River for the last thirty years, Mr. Speaker, significant amounts of money invested in the development of the Lower Churchill by leaders of the Liberal Party when they were Premiers of this Province.

Mr. Speaker, there was an allocation of money in last year's Budget for Nalcor, for oil and gas projects, and for development of the Lower Churchill. When we made the commitment to say that we did not intend to spend the money until sanction, we certainly expected that we would have been at sanction mid-summer. That did not happen, Mr. Speaker. When we were at risk of losing a year in our construction schedule, which would have cost upward of over $300 million, a decision was made to spend some of that money now.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Of course, the question was about the commitment, why you decided to do it. We understand that obviously you wanted to do the road, but at least what we felt is that the public should know about it.

While answering questions on this broken commitment, the Minister of Natural Resources stated that Nalcor ran out of money and that government had to step in.

I ask the Premier: The project is not even sanctioned. What does it say about the billions more that you plan to spend and the long-lasting financial burden on the Province, and the other commitments that Nalcor has if Nalcor is already out of money?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, tens upon tens upon tens of millions of dollars has been spent on the development of the Lower Churchill River over the last thirty years. Significant amounts of that money were spent by Liberal Administrations, two attempts to develop without a by-your-leave to anybody, I say to the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Speaker, when we were asked about the Budget allocation, it certainly was our intention not to spend significant amounts of money until sanction was complete, of the money allocated in the Budget. We fully expected that we would be at sanction mid-summer.

When it became clear, Mr. Speaker, that sanction was not going to happen until later and the project was at risk of being delayed a year if we did not make an investment, and at a cost to the people of this Province, whose interests are always at our forefront, of $300 million, it was decided it was prudent to use some of that money to do the work to prevent that delay.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL: Mr. Speaker, it sounds a lot to me that this project is already sanctioned. The Premier is the one who said that she would not spend the money prior to sanctioning. Without a loan guarantee too, I would remind the Premier.

Now I am hearing here that we decided to spend the money prior to sanctioning. It is troubling that the Premier is intent on plowing through with the $9 billion Muskrat Falls Project without any regulatory oversight, even with further indication that there is strong public support for the PUB review.

I ask the Premier: Why are you ignoring the people of the Province and refusing regulatory oversight on this project? What is it you are afraid of?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it is not me or the government who is afraid. The people who absolutely refuse to come to this House of Assembly for the debate are the Opposition. The Liberals have shut down a full and open debate of this project, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we did refer the question to the Public Utilities Board. The questions we asked: Do we need the power; is Muskrat Falls the least-cost alternative? Mr. Speaker, when the PUB produced its report it concurred with Nalcor – and it is in the executive summary right in the front so you might want to read it. It concurred with Nalcor and MHI that based on Decision Gate 2 numbers that we did need the power and indeed it was the least-cost alternative.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: So again, I ask the Premier: if you have your answer, why not go back there? They did not give you the confidence in the project that you went looking for. That is the reason why you decided to go to MHI yourselves.

Mr. Speaker, as the Premier barrels through sanctioning Muskrat Falls, there is still the issue of the untested water management agreement with CF(L)Co. The Premier has relied on the expertise at the PUB for this water management agreement. There is no confidence that they can accurately – but she has confidence that she can use this water management agreement, but no confidence that the PUB can do the review on the $9 billion Muskrat Falls project.

So I ask the Premier: How can the PUB be good enough for one job, but not good enough for the other?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think it is rather unfortunate that the Leader of the Opposition keeps referring to a $9 billion project. He knows that is not correct, Mr. Speaker. It is like they said, power rates will double; what did that show to be? It showed, Mr. Speaker, to be absolutely and totally false, and that is what I am saying to the Leader of the Opposition: your comments are false, Sir.

Mr. Speaker, in relation to the water rights management, there is a difference between the original contract and the renewal contract. I would suggest that if the Leader of the Opposition looks at that he will see it. We have had this reviewed by lawyers, both in St. John's and in other parts of the country, Mr. Speaker. They have all expressed the confidence that it can be done. Hydro-Quιbec has sent a letter saying their contract has not been interfered with. Well, Hydro-Quιbec, Mr. Speaker, has never been slow to take us to court when their contract rights have been interfered with.

Finally, the PUB, for what it is worth, did consider the matter, and did indicate that there was no breach of the contract in any way.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

When I referred to the $9 billion project, what I am talking about is there is a billion dollars in interest during construction that we know of, and we also know that the Maritime Link will come in more than the $1.2 billion that we know; that, of course, is excluding overruns, which we all anticipate will happen, I am sure.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier and the Minister of Natural Resources have both indicated that they do not have confidence in the PUB, even though these are your appointments.

So, I ask the Premier: If you do not have confidence in your own appointments, how can the people of this Province have confidence in this government?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this is the second day in a row that the Leader of the Opposition has encouraged the government to get rid of the PUB, to fire the PUB. It certainly does not sound like he has much confidence in them himself.

Mr. Speaker, what we did with the PUB, we put forward the questions that I spoke about in my earlier response. We referred Muskrat Falls and we said: do we need the power? Is this the least-cost option? They hired an expert, Mr. Speaker, who concluded yes to both those questions. In their executive summary, the PUB says that they concur with Nalcor and MHI that Muskrat Falls is the least-cost alternative, Mr. Speaker. They wanted more information, we got more information, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier has made it clear to the unions that she intends to strip benefits that they now receive; however, she is not practicing the same restraint in her own office and the department.

Since September there have been over twenty new appointments in her office and government departments.

I ask the Premier: Why are you demanding cuts from others while padding your office and the department with new appointments?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Mr. Speaker, that accusation is not only incorrect, it is insulting. We have been looking this past year to find efficiencies, to streamline services, to make sure that we are delivering government programs in the most efficient, effective way for the people of the Province.

There has been no increase in my staffing budget, Mr. Speaker, on the eighth floor. We have approached our staffing in a very slow and particular way, doing an analysis of what it was we required on the eighth floor, how it needed to be organized, and only filling the positions when we were sure that they were required.

No new positions have been added, Mr. Speaker, and we are still within our budget.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like for the Premier to actually table those and we would like to see it without the Bill 29 component to it.

Mr. Speaker, a few days ago government provided us with the contract details of the new staff hired in her office in September. There were positions in the Premier's office that received as much as a 40 per cent increase in pay. The Premier is really talking from the other side of her mouth when she demands 3 per cent cuts from other government departments.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on brochures supporting Muskrat Falls, so I ask the Premier: Can you please explain to the people of this Province the hypocrisy in demanding austerity from everyone else, when it comes to your own office and communications?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have held positions vacant in my office for well over a year to make sure that we were doing the right thing and only hiring the people necessary to do the work. Day after day after day in this House we hear members of the Opposition parties talk about that we are not providing enough information on Muskrat Falls, Mr. Speaker. When we provide that information to every person in this Province, every household in this Province at a cost of less than $1 per household, Mr. Speaker, they have the nerve to stand up and criticize it. Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely unbelievable.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. A. PARSONS: Mr. Speaker, a CBC access to information request on the remuneration paid to Len Simms, the CEO of Housing, yielded his base salary only at a whopping $160,000. This individual left this job twice to run Tory election campaigns and was reappointed both times.

I ask the Premier: Don't you think the people are entitled to know what bonuses the CEO of Housing is receiving after running your election campaigns?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HUTCHINGS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We take the access to information and privacy act very seriously, Mr. Speaker. We strike a balance between access to information and protecting the private interests of individuals or commercial information which is very sensitive in the public domain, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 29 looked at various aspects of that. Prior to Bill 29 and what we have today is very similar in terms of what that access can be. Mr. Cummings made a recommendation. He talked about a harm test and how important it is to identify personal information and what is released to the public and what is not.

We made the recommendations, we took the recommendation of Mr. Cummings, made it a part of Bill 29. We make no apology, Mr. Speaker, for protecting the private interests of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. A. PARSONS: I appreciate the non-answer, Mr. Speaker, from the minister of public engagement. There was absolutely no answer to the question, or as the Wikipedia says, "The Minister of Twitter".

Mr. Speaker, one of the most fundamental rights of this House is to approve expenditures and provide oversight that money is well spent. Yet, now government intends to hide quantities and evidence of non-salary payments to political appointees of government, a long way from openness and accountability. Thank you, Bill 29.

I ask the minister: Will government commit to revealing upon request all non-salary payments and any other benefits provided to political appointees of this government?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HUTCHINGS: Mr. Speaker, I remind the hon. member it was this government that proclaimed the legislation. It was sitting idle before we came to power and we proclaimed the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, prior to Bill 29, an application for a compensation package for someone in government basically gave that figure, what it was. There was no bonus and no information provided. Post Bill 29, based on the Cummings recommendation we adopted, right now you will receive a range of salary for someone in the public service. In addition, you will receive the calculation to calculate any bonus attached to that position, Mr. Speaker.

In terms of protecting individual privacy, we would not release the actual figure because that would breach maybe the employer-employee, a certain relationship in regard to bonuses. That relates to an individual's employment history. Mr. Speaker, I do not think that should be in the public domain. We support that, and we certainly support that piece of legislation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. JOYCE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance, the Member for Humber East stated that the Corner Brook hospital is so huge it could cost up to $750 million. Premier, in a recent private meeting with the City Council of Corner Brook you stated: As long as the new hospital numbers were coming in at $600 million to $700 million we would not build it.

I ask the Premier: Who is correct in their statements, you or the Minister of Finance?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this government is fully committed to a new hospital in Corner Brook, and that is what I told the city council, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Mr. Speaker, we are charged as stewards of the Province's fiscal situation. We are called on to manage the money of the Province. We have to ensure that it is done appropriately, Mr. Speaker. We are going to do that with every project we do, including the hospital in Corner Brook. It is a big project. It is going to require hundreds of millions of dollars. We need to spend it properly to ensure that the needs of the people of that region are properly met, Mr. Speaker. That is what we are doing, and that is what we are going to continue to do.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. JOYCE: Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier once again: Is the Minister of Finance correct when he is saying it is going to be so huge and have all of the facilities that we need for $750 million, or are you holding the threats to the City of Corner Brook in a public-private meeting saying that if it is up to $600 million it will not be spent? What will you cut to keep it under the $750 million that the Minister of Finance says we need in Corner Brook?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the member opposite had some difficulty getting a meeting with the City of Corner Brook himself, and I am not a bit surprised because if he misreports his own meetings with the City of Corner Brook in the way that he is misreporting mine, I can understand why they would not want to meet with him, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have a solid commitment to the people of Corner Brook that we are going to build a new hospital. Planning for that hospital goes on, on a daily basis and there is interaction between us and all of the entities that are involved in the design and planning for that hospital. That commitment has not faltered, not one bit, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, today is World Fisheries Day, and today the minister stated in the media that he has no intention to change the course of aquaculture development in this Province.

Why do the minister and this government insist on following the failures of Norway, the failures of Scotland, and the failures of British Columbia in open-net aquaculture when vision, courage, and action in closed-containment aquaculture could make us a success and at the same time protect our environment and our investments?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, I say to the member opposite: it was vision, courage, and action that got us the success in aquaculture to start with.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DALLEY: We have a thousand people attached to the workforce on the South Coast of this Province, Mr. Speaker, because of investments made by this government, because of a working relationship with industry to build aquaculture to where it is today. It is a tremendous industry; communities are thriving, people are working, Mr. Speaker, and we are having tremendous success. We continue to make the right investments in aquaculture.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yesterday, the Premier trumpeted a poll showing 59 per cent of people support the Muskrat Falls project.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier today: Will she also trumpet the poll that shows that 69 per cent of the people believe the project should be sent back to the Public Utilities Board for review?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We do not govern by polls, but it is always nice when you hear that people are endorsing the work that is being done by the government on their behalf. It is certainly interesting to hear the Leader of the Third Party refer to the poll, and refer she is accepting the view that is expressed on returning the project to the PUB. I can only assume from that statement, Mr. Speaker, that she also concurs with the majority of people in this Province that the Muskrat Falls project is the best project for the people of the Province, now, and into the future.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

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

I said nothing about concurrence with anything. I am asking the Premier if the Premier will listen to the voice of the people in this Province, 69 per cent of whom say –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Order, please!

MS MICHAEL: – send the project back to the PUB for review. Do the democratic thing.

Yes or no, to the Premier: Will she listen to the voice of the people in the Province?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, of course we listen to the voice of the people in this Province. We went to an election just last year on Muskrat Falls, on new energy. It was the central part of our platform, Mr. Speaker, and what did the people of the Province do? They gave us a resounding endorsement of that policy.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

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


I point out to the Premier that very few of us heard the word Muskrat Falls mentioned during that general election and number two, Mr. Speaker –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS MICHAEL: – she cannot listen, she cannot say she agrees with one poll and not with another.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS MICHAEL: Mr. Speaker, both the joint panel's environmental assessment and the Public Utilities Board expressed serious concerns about the financing of the Muskrat Falls project, including the project's ability to deliver the long-term financial benefits projected by Nalcor and about how rates will be calculated and charged to the ratepayers of the Province, on whose back the cost will always be.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier's reply to these concerns is to ignore them and continue her silence and secrecy. I ask the Premier: If the financing is so sound, why is she hiding the details?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I indicated yesterday, the revenues have obviously been looked at with the bond rating agencies, as Nalcor is going to borrow money from the markets. Also, Mr. Speaker, the provincial government has engaged in the rigorous review of the economics of this project, but just to put it in perspective, the revenues that we show right now, there will be approximately $130 million available to the Province in 2020 that will be over and above the payment of all expenses. That is based on 40 per cent of the power. It does not include the export or the other 40 per cent.

Mr. Speaker, Muskrat Falls is a project that will pay for itself. It will ensure a future for our children and our grandchildren and that is not a future that we are willing to put in the hands of a PUB who would not do their job.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

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

Over here we are interested in the present, not just the future. Again, he has insulted the PUB.

Mr. Speaker, in jurisdictions where electricity –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS MICHAEL: – and utilities hold a virtual monopoly like here, public utilities boards take on the important role of protecting the interests of electricity consumers. That is their role, yet our government has silenced the PUB – we have just heard them insult it – allowing our monopoly utility Nalcor to undertake the largest project in our history without independent review. There is no agency looking out for the average ratepayers.

I ask the Premier, who says she is interested in them: Who is looking after the interests of the people of the Province?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We were elected as a government to make decisions. Mr. Speaker, we as a government, unlike obviously the NDP, we look to the future because that is what it is about.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Muskrat Falls is the Premier's vision for this future and for our children. Mr. Speaker, it is not unusual to have the PUB exempted in this Province. For example, in 1996, Granite Canal was exempted from PUB examination. The Lower Churchill Project, in 2000, was exempted from PUB scrutiny, Mr. Speaker. What we did, Mr. Speaker, as a government, we went to the PUB. They did not do their job.

Let's look at what else has happened, Mr. Speaker. Abitibi in 2002, the former Liberal government also exempted from PUB scrutiny.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, ACOA announced funding upcoming cuts to the RED Boards. The Minister of IBRD and his department followed suit and cut their funding in July. ACOA now ties its Business Development Program funding for non-profits to match the provincial contribution to 25 per cent. Government's Regional Sector Diversification Fund, used by non-profits, will leave non-profits facing funding the projects 50 per cent themselves.

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of IBRD step up support for non-profits, or is he determined to follow Harper's lead and slash the non-profit sector?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HUTCHINGS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government in the last budget process decided the $4.4 million contribution overall in the package, that they were taking out their $3.2 million. We were in for $1.2 million with the economic RED Boards.

Mr. Speaker, we have encompassed a range of programs of $135 million in IBRD. We have staff throughout the Province, we have a regional office, and we work closely with non-profit groups. In regard to the cuts that were made, we are confident with the capacity we have on the ground that we are able to fill any vacancies that are left.

Just recently, in July, we asked all Regional Economic Development Boards to identify for us projects that they had. We have stepped up and identified over eighty that we will now identify and have identified new proponents for those projects. We will move forward with them and work in partnership with them, with Chambers of Commerce, municipalities, with all those local governments and volunteers on the ground to continue the good work we have done in economic development in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It certainly seems there is going to be a void to fill, and government is quick to give volunteers a pat on the back and laud their contributions to the community. Yet, a growing number of our non-profits in this Province are undercapitalized and they are chasing government programs to help pay for operations. We see IBRD giving grants to Fortune 500 companies but reigning in investments to local non-profits.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of IBRD, will he develop a special, social enterprise fund with flexible lending terms for non-profits?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HUTCHINGS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we are all fully engaged – the hon. member does not know – in social enterprise. We are very into the Federation of Co-operatives Newfoundland and Labrador. We have an MOU. It is recognized nationally for what we are doing and the support we are giving to MOUs and co-ops, and new co-ops. There were seven established last year in the Province.

I was at their AGM just recently and spoke to someone who talked about, on a national basis, the things we are doing with co-ops here in this Province that are second to none. That is social enterprise, Mr. Speaker.

Again, on Fogo Island with Zita Cobb, the investment we have there, that is social enterprise. We believe in it. The hon. member is missing it. I do not know where he is, but we are heavily engaged. The programs we are engaged in too, he mentioned the Rural Secretariat and Diversification Fund. Since 2005, $42 million we have invested, in partnership and other leverages. We are up to $205 million invested in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

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

MR. KIRBY: Mr. Speaker, Autism Spectrum Disorder is the most common neurological disability affecting children today, but parents cannot get the supports they need for their children. Eastern Health says children with autism wait an average of two years to see an occupational therapist. There are close to 120 schools in the Eastern School District and there are only three itinerant teachers with autism specific responsibilities.

How much longer will families have to wait before this government gets its act together and gives more support to students with autism?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, in the Province we have six itinerant specialists who work with autistic children, teachers and everything else.

Mr. Speaker, since 2009, we have provided $1 million to support professional development for teachers with more engagement within the school system. We have brought in professionals. We work with the parents, with the schools, the entire system to improve the services of autism, Mr. Speaker.

This is a very broad spectrum. The more we get into it, the more we are learning about it, Mr. Speaker. It is all about providing the best service we can for the parents and, in particular, the students with autism disorders, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KIRBY: Mr. Speaker, many families in this Province cannot wait for this government to get its act together. Some parents are paying thousands of dollars out of their own pockets to take their children out of the Province to get assessments and services they need. Why are these parents being forced to find solutions themselves without leadership from this government?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have spent in excess now of $10.5 million annually in autism programs that the member across the way does not seem to know anything about – just last year, $2.9 million to bring the ABA program up to the Grade 3 level.

Apart from that, there are about sixty additional FTEs provided to the RHAs throughout this Province, Mr. Speaker, to continue to provide services to children with autism. Mr. Speaker, we understand the seriousness of autism in this Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and we are working diligently at trying to assess those and address those needs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John's North. Time for a quick question, please.

MR. KIRBY: Will the Minister of Education assure students, parents, teachers, and bus operators in this Province that his review of student transportation policies will include public consultations?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Education, and a quick response.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. JACKMAN: Mr. Speaker, we had a contact this morning by the hon. member, provided him information, even pointed out to him section three and section four, where he can find out the terms of reference and the scope of the project. We are asking for an independent analysis, Mr. Speaker, and I am not going to judge and dictate what independent means. If the hon. member is considering dictating something, maybe he should tell us, but I am not there, Mr. Speaker. This is going to be an independent analysis of our bussing system.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The time for Question Period has expired.

We have less than a minute remaining before 3:00 o'clock and Private Members' Day. I am going to suggest to the House, we do not have that much time for a petition, so unless someone can deliver a petition in less than a minute, we can proceed directly to Private Members' Day.

Petitions

 

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

MR. BENNETT: To the hon. House of Assembly in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS with declining enrolment, distance education by Internet is now an accepted way to deliver educational services to students living in small communities; and

WHEREAS students have little to no say in where they or their families reside; and

WHEREAS many families do not have the ability to relocate so that their children can access educational opportunities in larger centres; and

WHEREAS many small businesses rely on the Internet to conduct business; and

WHEREAS high-speed Internet permits a business to be more competitive than the slower dial-up service; and

WHEREAS high-speed Internet service exists –

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

According to Standing Order 63, the Speaker has no flexibility on Private Members' Day but to adjourn the routine matters and go directly to private members' business.

Orders of the Day

Private Members' Day

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Order, please!

There is a motion on the Order Paper in the name of the Member for Lake Melville, and it being 3 o'clock on Wednesday, Private Members' Day, I will now ask the member to introduce his motion.

MR. RUSSELL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I move the following private member's motion, seconded by the Member for Baie Verte – Springdale:

WHEREAS the Arctic presents significant opportunities for future economic growth and development, and Newfoundland and Labrador is well-positioned to play a central role because of the Province's geographic location, industrial infrastructure, knowledge and experience in operating in cold and harsh environments, research and development capacity and facilities, and favourable reputation; and

WHEREAS our government launched the cross-departmental Arctic Opportunities Initiative in April 2010 to identify opportunities, build knowledge and capacity, promote awareness of our Province's strengths, and find ways the government can help advance and support local successes in Arctic development; and our Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development is also leading a Federal-Provincial Arctic Committee focused on promoting collaboration between the provincial and federal governments to advance opportunities in the North; and

WHEREAS in September and October of 2012, the Province conducted a series of stakeholder engagement sessions in St. John's, Lewisporte, Corner Brook, St. Anthony, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Wabush, bringing together a broad base of stakeholders from government, academia, communities, community organizations, and industry to discuss opportunities, challenges, and the role the Province can play in advancing and supporting work in the Arctic for companies and organizations in the Province;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this hon. House encourages the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to continue – through its Arctic Opportunities Initiative – to identify and advance opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take the lead in Arctic development initiatives, specifically by producing an Arctic "plan forward" that will promote Newfoundland and Labrador as the ideal staging ground for Arctic-related activities, given our many capabilities and competitive advantages, and work with local companies, institutions, and organizations to identify and prepare to capture Arctic opportunities as they emerge.

Mr. Speaker, it is truly an honour to rise in this hon. House today to speak about the opportunities that are emerging for Newfoundland and Labrador and our residents in regard to developments in the Arctic. As interest in the Arctic intensifies, as a Province we must be prepared to harness and capitalize on these emerging economic and business opportunities, Mr. Speaker.

When you think about it, Newfoundland and Labrador certainly has had a considerable amount of experience working in harsh and cold environments. This collective experience has shaped who we are as a people, both socially and economically, and it has also facilitated the growth and development of new industries and new business opportunities. As a government, our focus is on sustaining and building on this activity.

Over the past fifty years, Newfoundland and Labrador has become synonymous with offshore oil and gas, and we are an established marine and offshore supply and service centre. Today, our supply and service sector is over 500 companies strong, Mr. Speaker. It can meet all of the project development and operational requirements, and is well-versed in accessing remote and isolated communities in Arctic-like conditions.

World-class education and research institutions are anchored right here, Mr. Speaker, ready to respond to industry demand and provide high-skilled graduates to resource companies and service providers alike. Our level of expertise in areas such as ocean observation, ice surveillance, telecommunications, autonomous underwater vehicles, and marine simulation is making waves, Mr. Speaker, globally, and has elevated our position as a leader in ocean technology. All of this is exciting and incredibly rewarding, and it is creating new opportunities, Mr. Speaker, for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In partnership with industry and academia, we have increased our capacity to conduct world-class research in cold, harsh environments, Mr. Speaker. Geographically, Newfoundland and Labrador is definitely strategically positioned, and is definitely directly in the path of critical international shipping lanes. Each year, thousands of ships, Mr. Speaker, criss-cross the Atlantic Ocean for destinations around the world; many of them making stops here.

As more shipping routes emerge in the North, Newfoundland and Labrador will be an important supply and service stop along the way for people, products, and services alike. Our deepwater and ice-free ports in towns such as Lewisporte and St. Anthony offer year-round accessibility for marine traffic.

In Labrador, I am happy to say, Mr. Speaker, in my District of Lake Melville, the Port of Happy Valley-Goose Bay provides direct access to the Port of Lewisporte. This corridor truly acts as a true gateway to the North. Factor in our close proximity to the Arctic and Arctic sea routes, it is clear to see that this Province will have a key role to play in any Arctic exploration.

As a government, we have made significant investments in critical transportation infrastructure, including over $5.3 million for the St. Anthony Port Authority to facilitate expansion and modernization of its wharf. We see this investment as a pivotal step in positioning St. Anthony as a key port of call in the transportation of products throughout the Arctic. It will help stimulate new commercial and trade opportunities for the Province and contribute directly to the growth of the economy of St. Anthony and the surrounding communities.

The Town of Lewisporte's slogan, Gateway to the North, speaks to the important role that they already play in shipping people, products, and services to the Coast of Labrador. Lewisporte is also a major marine supply distribution terminal for a variety of fuel products such as gasoline, diesel, and home heating fuel, and is also the offloading centre for aviation fuel for the Gander International Airport.

We have also made investments, Mr. Speaker, in infrastructure projects that will ultimately increase the efficiency of the transportation system in our Province. In 2011, we invested close to $14.5 million to support the installation of a Category III Instrument Landing System at St. John's International Airport, and for rehabilitation work to the runway at Gander International Airport.

Part of this investment was also earmarked for the expansion of the SmartBay project of the Marine Institute by installing additional buoys and sensors to enhance marine traffic management in Placentia Bay. For those unfamiliar, Mr. Speaker, with SmartBay, it is a valuable partnership between the Marine Institute and three local businesses. It has also emerged as a crucial, ocean observation system in Placentia Bay, which is one of Canada's busiest marine waterways.

Through SmartBay's implementation, the bottom of the bay has been mapped and buoys strategically placed to provide oil tankers, fishermen, and other users with detailed information to monitor ocean conditions, and most importantly, avoid catastrophes. In the period since that announcement, the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development has worked closely with the Marine Institute and Transport Canada to finalize the details of SmartBay's expansion to other regions of the Province, Mr. Speaker. Based on their strategic importance in regard to marine trade logistics, four new buoys will be placed near St. John's, Corner Brook, Lewisporte, and Port aux Basques. Once installed, they will provide real-time oceanographic conditions to marine users of those regions, Mr. Speaker.

This Administration is working hard to increasingly diversify our economy which will result in greater employment opportunities and greater wealth for the people of our great Province. As a government, we are committed to working with industry and businesses to help them achieve even greater successes. We want companies to be able to pursue opportunities at home and abroad, Mr. Speaker. We want to support workforce development initiatives. We want to attract greater volumes of investment in business developments in all regions of our Province.

That is why we have our eyes keenly focused on new markets and new opportunities, Mr. Speaker, including those in the Arctic, and we are taking steps to maximize the benefits for Newfoundland and Labrador-based businesses. As Premier Dunderdale has said, the edge of the new frontier starts right here on our shores.

When you combine, Mr. Speaker, our geographic location, industrial infrastructure, knowledge and experience, our academic research and development capacity, and world-class business community it is clear that Newfoundland and Labrador is well positioned to be an active player and participate in any future developments that may occur in the Arctic.

Let us continue to build on our collective strengths and capacity to capitalize on all emerging opportunities in the Arctic for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Through this resolution, Mr. Speaker, I am encouraging the development of an Arctic action plan that will promote Newfoundland and Labrador as the ideal staging ground for Arctic-related activities, given our many strengths and significant expertise.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is certainly my privilege today to stand and speak to the private member's resolution that was put forth by the Member for Lake Melville. Of course, as the Opposition and as a Member of this House of Assembly we, too, do support the initiatives and see the opportunities, really, with the positioning – not only in Labrador but of course the Island of Newfoundland, as a Province in general, how we have positioned ourselves for the opportunities that exist within the Northern Gateway and as the gateway to the Arctic.

I agree with the Member for Lake Melville. There are significant opportunities as we actually put the infrastructure in place. There is no question about that, but I do add the caution. I will say that it will require a significant amount of work. No doubt, this will be work that will have to be completed over a long period of time, but it will take a commitment and a resolve because it is just not simply about getting a group together or getting people in a room, or going across the Province or the Island, or going across Labrador to actually have meetings and to gather information. It will take a significant investment, a significant commitment, not only to the infrastructure but of course the will and the courage to make sure that we explore all of these opportunities so that we can actually foster the economic growth.

As the member said, this was launched by government through the Arctic Opportunities Initiative in April, 2010, but what we do know, of course, the idea here was in the making sometime before that. What we have now seen is really almost three years have passed since we have taken it to where we are today. This is the first that we have brought it to the floor of the House of Assembly.

As a member, as I said, we do see that there are significant opportunities with the Arctic Gateway and positioning Labrador and the Island to take advantage of those opportunities, and we do support that.

I do notice, however, that when you look at the series of meetings in St. John's, Lewisporte, Corner Brook, St. Anthony, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and Wabush that actually took place from September to October in 2012, that there are significant portions of Labrador that was left out of that. The member opposite did mention that there were some meetings in St. Anthony and did mention about the investment of about $5.3 million in infrastructure investment in St. Anthony that would go to support such economic opportunities through the gateway.

I will say, though, that there are other things that we have all noticed and we have significant discussion in this House, things that would now be lacking and I refer to, for instance, the Coast Guard centres and the closures that we now know are currently underway in St. Anthony.

It is important that if we do make investments in infrastructure that we also be cognizant of what we are losing and the potential opportunities and the impact that those losses would have as we try to develop economic benefits through other infrastructure investments, and as we too try and open the Arctic and open the North for the economic benefits that would actually exist.

Mr. Speaker, it is no question that as a Province we have one thing on our side that is very obvious. All you need to do is look at the map and you will see that no matter what you do, if you look at economic investment, one thing that you will always look at is where you are located. You look for the opportunities that that location could actually bring to you. There is an old saying, I guess, as you develop business that there is one thing for sure: It is always about location, location, and location. You do a lot to make sure that when you make economic investments, you do position yourself so that you can take advantage of the location. In this case it is natural for us; it is a natural gateway for us through the Arctic.

We do have the transportation and the logistical experience that exists within the Province. We know already, just through our shipping experience, that we are very familiar – we are probably more familiar than anyone else is, I would suggest, in the world in navigating those waters. That is important. That is expertise, and these are things that you just cannot buy. We are fortunate as a Province that we have those and that exists within our Province.

We do have established marine and offshore supply centres, and we do have supply and service industries available within the Province of some 500 companies. These are important things that you can build the economy and build this gateway to the Arctic. We can actually build on all of this.

Mr. Speaker, even though this is natural in some aspects of how we develop these opportunities, it cannot be a given. We cannot take for granted that because we are located here that it will just happen. That is not the case. We have to make sure that we take advantage of this location, we take advantage of the expertise we have available to us and that we use it, but we must not forget we do risk competition in this.

We already know there are other places within Canada that are positioning themselves to take advantage of this same opportunity that we are discussing here today. We know it from the Port of Belledune in New Brunswick, for instance, that they too would like to be considered to be a natural gateway to the North. We know that Sept-Ξsles in Quebec, they feel the same way. They want to take advantage of those similar economic opportunities.

We know that Churchill, in Manitoba, they see themselves as the same thing. We have to do something so we can take advantage of the location that we have, so that we can position ourselves to be the gateway that we want to be to the North. It is important for us, and it is a great opportunity, I believe.

Now, you have heard us and members in our Party express lots of things. We said a lot of things about the economic opportunity in Labrador. We have talked about the mining, we have talked about tourism, and we have talked about the cultural activities that are very important to us. As we develop the economy and as we open up the North, which in some ways is naturally happening because of environmental issues, we must make sure that we do protect the culture, we do protect the ecology, and we make sure that we do take care of our environment in doing so.

The Northwest Passage, as we know, is becoming more and more accessible. The number of vessels that are going through the Northwest Passage right now is growing on a yearly basis, and that is important because the marine activity is now coming by our shores. As we open up the Northwest Passage, I believe we will see more and more of that, and there is significant opportunity that will go with it.

Mr. Speaker, the issue is not that we should do it. The real issue is how do we do it? The fact is there is no question, we have to do this. The real question is how will we do it? What are the factors that will stand in our way? What are the changes we will need to consider in order to do this?

We already know we have the position, and more specifically, it is Labrador that we can count on to be the focal point of this gateway. To become that staging ground, to be formally recognized by everyone in the world, that if you want to use the Northwest Passage, the opportunity that will pass by our shores, especially through Labrador, that will be ours. We will have to do something a little different from time to time to set us aside from the competitors that we have. We have to do something different.

It is important that we continue to invest in the infrastructure. Things that are in some parts of this Province, and really across the country – some things that we just take for granted. I refer to things like cellphone coverage; I refer to things like broadband coverage. Communication is important as we build on those communities.

Access to food; right now we know that since September we have had reduced capacity on the North Coast. How we even get food there, how do we get people there? It is important that we make that commitment so that we can put a dependable service in place, a service that people can depend on. No longer should the people who live on the North Coast of Labrador have to live with very high food prices.

How do you build a community when you have compromised communications, when you have compromised things like cellphone coverage, when you have food costs that are the highest in the Province? That is not the way it should be if you really want to develop communities. We must know that we have a dependable health care system in place. We have to know there is an education system in place that you can depend on.

Just today, we heard comments that were coming from the North Coast about how it was difficult even to get an electricity hook up there, that people were waiting over a month to get houses hooked up to electricity. This is not the way you build that economy, this is not the way. We need to make that investment in infrastructure so that the people in Labrador, in this particular case, can depend on similar or the same services that we would see within the Province.

We know right now there is a shortage of vessels. This is something that we have to address because you will not be able to build – and the economic opportunities on the North Coast of Labrador in particular – without those very basic type services in place.

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity this year in June, and in February, to go to the North Coast of Labrador. One of the things that surprised me was the fact that in Nain, for instance, they could not depend on the lights. There were no lights at the airport in Nain. In 2012 we had an airport without lighting. These are things that are important when you want to build the infrastructure in places like Labrador, of course. These are things that we take for granted, but things that we must make sure that those types of services are supplied to the people.

As I mentioned, Mr. Speaker, health care, education – these are all important things to community development. I did mention the cost of food, but it is not only the cost; it is actually the variety of food, the dating on the food. These are all issues that they have to deal with on a day-to-day basis on the North Coast.

Mr. Speaker, there is one thing; there is another issue that created a lot of discussion in this House just a few months ago. Of course, that was search and rescue. Search and rescue – we just cannot settle for anything less when it comes to search and rescue in Labrador versus any other parts of this country. We have to make sure that we have a dependable search and rescue service that is available. If we are to bring more people, if we are indeed to encourage people to explore those waters, to open up this new frontier, well, then, we must put services like search and rescue in place, something that the people that are using the waters can depend on.

Mr. Speaker, one thing that the member mentioned was the whole idea of putting an action plan in place. That is something that I actually agree with, but what I would want to see in that action plan is not just a plan, just not to go around the Province, go around Labrador, and create and gather information. What are needed are milestones to this action plan. We must make the commitment so that we can focus on actually getting this infrastructure investment in place. This is important.

We must work within the timelines. We have to make sure, because the competition, they are doing their part. We have already seen this in Sept-Ξles; we have seen it within the Province of Quebec. There is a railway that has been discussed in this Province since the 1970s. Right now, the new railway that we are seeing that would support the mining industry in Lab West will actually be done in Quebec, not in Labrador. I see this as a missed opportunity for us.

Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of opportunities, I believe, as we open up the North, but we must prepare for it. There are a lot of opportunities that we must be willing to take advantage of, but it will take courage, it will take investment, and it will take an action plan. We have to make sure that we put those strategies in place and we have timelines attached to them so it is not just another document that sits on the shelf, it is a document that will have opportunity, but it is a document that we can focus on. It is a document that we can actually tie strategic-type investments to.

We have to understand that we do have the location, we do have the expertise within the Province right now, and we do have the people that are available, I believe, to take advantage of those economic opportunities when they come our way. We must make sure that we have the support in place. It is just not a given. We have to prepare ourselves for that competition, Mr. Speaker.

I do agree that the action plan is important. I do support this motion. I do believe that the strategic plan is something that needs to be further developed. It is early, but I must say, and I cannot say enough, that we really, really must attach the timelines with specific dates so that we can actually focus on where the infrastructure is needed.

We just cannot settle for something. We cannot settle for less. We have to make sure that we develop, that we continue to develop, Labrador and the ports within the Island part of Newfoundland that are ready to serve this economic opportunity that is presenting itself.

Mr. Speaker, I see my time is out now so I thank you for this opportunity.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER (Verge): The hon. the Member for Baie Verte – Springdale.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. POLLARD: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

First of all I would like to thank the minister for giving me an opportunity to second the motion put forward by my colleague, the Member for Lake Melville. In addition I would like to thank the minister and the department officials for giving us a very, very good briefing yesterday.

Mr. Speaker, the Arctic is indeed an area of intense international focus as the region undergoes significant change. One change is the Arctic sea ice is thinning and melting at a very, very faster rate than expected. Environmentalists say at the current pace the Arctic could be ice free within five to ten years due to climate change. This will open up new shipping lanes, which will become the arteries of global commerce.

Based on that phenomenon, we as a Province are looking to the far North for new opportunities. The Arctic as we all know is rich with natural resources, with much attention focused on oil and gas, mining, and emerging fisheries.

Development of natural resources in the Arctic was often considered in the past too difficult and not economically feasible due to the harsh, cold environment; however, due to technological changes, natural resources and the new shipping lanes are becoming more accessible today.

We know how to endure and do business in demanding ocean conditions. We have the experience. Experience speaks for itself, Mr. Speaker; we excel in safe, responsible, cost-effective and sustainable hydro-carbon development in ice and iceberg-prone regions.

Our knowledge and expertise of extracting natural resources from the land and sea has shaped our unique capacity in resource development, especially in cold and harsh conditions. It also led to the creation of new businesses, industries, and locally developed technologies.

By developing natural resources in a safe and responsible fashion, we are contributing to sustainable economic and business growth. Over the past number of decades, Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador has become a very significant force on the international energy stage and also in established marine and offshore supply and service centre.

About one-third of Canada's conventional light crude oil is produced in Newfoundland and Labrador through the fields of Hibernia, Terra Nova, and White Rose. To date, the local oil and gas industry has discovered over 3 billion barrels of oil and 11 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, with an estimated 6 billion barrels of oil and 60 trillion cubic feet of natural gas left to discover. From 1997 to 2010, almost 1.4 billion barrels of oil has been produced, worth approximately $82 billion.

Mr. Speaker, why is the Arctic so important? It is estimated that the Arctic contains over 20 per cent of the world's undiscovered oil and gas resources, and may contain up to 90 billion barrels of undiscovered oil and over close to 1.7 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas. No wonder, Mr. Speaker, each of the eight Arctic states wants a piece of the pie.

As the demand for these resources increases and with further exploration underway, there is a possibility of more discoveries and more opportunities yet to be realized in the North Atlantic and the Arctic region, giving rise to a very keen interest from jurisdictions all over the world.

Newfoundland and Labrador's oil and gas innovators have experienced some of the most adverse conditions in the North Atlantic. They have experienced the impenetrable sea ice, the powering icebergs, and the colossal North American waves. They have the know-how, Mr. Speaker, to address the challenges of resource development in such a cold, harsh environment. They continually developed next generation technologies that are well positioned in a global marketplace. With ingenuity, experience and steadfast determination, we have transformed the cold ocean challenges into competitive advantages.

Mr. Speaker, while we cannot control the weather, how high the ocean swells, or iceberg flow, we can better equip mariners with information, skills, and technology that support better decision making. For example, through marine simulation we can replicate harsh marine conditions and provide specialized training in a controlled and safe environment.

We believe that if a product, service, or technology has demonstrated capabilities and success in such environments as the North Atlantic, it can provide significant economic value to local companies and global industries. No doubt, Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador is an innovative community. We are motivated by staying at the forefront of evolving industry requirements. We are always ready to tackle new maritime frontiers.

To help harness emerging opportunities in the Arctic and to ensure that we as a Province are ready for the big push North, I am pleased to rise and speak to the value of the Arctic Opportunities Initiative whose purpose is to identify possible opportunities, to build knowledge and capacity, to create greater awareness about Newfoundland and Labrador's capabilities and competitive advantages.

Through this initiative and productive dialogue with stakeholders, the development of the North must balance our economic and environmental obligations. Here in Newfoundland and Labrador we can make oil and gas development in the Arctic safe, economical, and sustainable. We have developed the technologies. We have the know-how. We can do it. We are now leaders, Mr. Speaker.

Newfoundland and Labrador is also rich with an abundance of minerals. It is a multi-billion dollar mining industry that is driving economic development in the North, while being developed in an environmental sustainable manner. With nearly thirteen active mines, major industrial investment, and more exploration underway approximately eleven minerals and metals are produced in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In fact, half of Canada's iron ore production comes from Western Labrador.

In the Province, mineral shipments for 2012 are valued at $4.1 million, Mr. Speaker. The industry provides employment for approximately 8,000 women and men across the Province and is well positioned for future development and major expansion.

Potential opportunities in this sector will help ensure long-term industry sustainability while maintaining employment for many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Our knowledge, our expertise, our skilled labour, and our supply and service capacity to remote locations make us the ideal partner for successful mining exploration and development in the Arctic.

As fish stocks become from accessible in the Arctic, so too are the opportunities for Newfoundland and Labrador. This Province is home to one of the world's leading centres for fisheries and marine education, training and research: the Marine Institute. For over twenty years, the Marine Institute has been providing specialized fisheries and marine training to residents in Northern communities. It also houses the largest flume tank of its type in the world, which provides the physical environment required to evaluate fishing gear, provide technical services to the industry, and host demonstrations for the industry and for the public at large.

Mr. Speaker, our long and rich history of harvesting fish from the frigid North Atlantic makes us an ideal partner in the development of commercial fisheries in the Arctic.

Another example of how our expertise in developing natural resources in the harsh environment is the November, 2011 $2 million investment by Statoil Canada and the Research and Development Corporation that will boost Memorial University's research expertise in reservoir engineering. This partnership will result in positive outcomes as it will further develop Newfoundland and Labrador's research expertise in reservoir and Arctic operations.

It also represents some of the innovative work of the RDC and its contribution to enhancing exploration and development opportunities for this Province. Investments such as this further bolster our R&D facilities and further develop these important industries for the economic prosperity of Newfoundland and Labrador. They also exemplify the vigorous efforts of this government that it has made to strengthen the focus, the quantity, the quality, and the relevance of research and development undertaken in our Province and elsewhere for our long-term economic benefit.

Technologies to harness some of the opportunities in the Arctic are developed right here and now in Newfoundland and Labrador. By continuing to advance the Arctic Opportunities Initiative, we are one huge step closer to ensuring that this Province maximizes the opportunities in the Arctic.

Mr. Speaker, this activity will further strengthen an already strong and increasingly diversified economy.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to resource development, whether it is oil, gas, mining, or fishery, Newfoundland and Labrador has what it takes to make any potential Arctic opportunity into an ocean of reality. The edge of a new frontier starts on our shores. As the natural gateway to the Arctic, we are ready, Mr. Speaker. We thrive on exploring new frontiers. Over the course of our 500-year history we have peered under the ocean floor, we have tunnelled below the surface of the earth, we have blazed new trails in aerospace, and we are pushing the boundaries of communication technologies.

You might ask, Mr. Speaker, what is the advantage that Newfoundland and Labrador has? What do we have to offer? Number one, we are strategically located; number two, we have the industrial infrastructure right at our fingertips; number three, we have the vast amount of knowledge and experience in operating in cold, harsh, unwelcoming environments; number four, we have the R&D capability and facilities that are world-class and are the envy of many jurisdictions; and last but not least, we have a very, very favourable, internationally known reputation as a Province that is open for business. We are looking forward to the far North for more new opportunities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am pleased to stand today and to speak to the motion that has been put forward. Mr. Speaker, the motion is actually asking the House of Assembly to encourage the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to continue – through its Arctic Opportunities Initiative – to identify and advance opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take the lead in Arctic development, specifically by producing an Arctic "plan forward" that will promote Newfoundland and Labrador as the ideal staging ground for Arctic-related activities, given our many capabilities and competitive advantages, and work with local companies, institutions, and organizations to identify and prepare to capture Arctic opportunities as they emerge.

That is what the motion today is asking us. Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that this has been an ongoing piece for the government for the past three years. There are press releases going back to 2009 when the former Member for Lake Melville, Mr. Speaker, was advocating in the same capacity.

While I am all there to support the government in their Arctic initiatives, what I would really like is to see something happening. I would really like to see something happening.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS JONES: For the past ten, twelve years in Labrador we have been advocating that we are the Gateway to the North, that there were opportunities in the Arctic for us. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I have even travelled to Nunavut on two or three occasions, myself, in terms of meeting with people and with local companies that are bridging partnerships.

What I want to say, Mr. Speaker, is that the government are the ones that have fallen behind in developing and promoting the Province as a gateway. Because Labrador companies have far exceeded where the government is today in their own partnerships and in doing business in the Arctic. For example, in Labrador, we have a joint partnership with the Baffin area already. In that whole area across the Arctic we do partnerships with community development groups, we do partnerships with educational groups, and we do partnerships with many businesses.

We have a Labrador-based company today that is supplying fuel and fuel supplies to every community right across the Arctic, and have been doing it for quite some time – employing people in our Province, along with Northerners. I have a company in my own district that are doing partnerships in fisheries in the Arctic, that are employing people from the Arctic regions, as well as people from Labrador. We are partnering with the large Baffin Fisheries Coalition to be able to harvest products for them for market and process those products.

So, we are working with them on all kinds of different initiatives and opportunities. So, I would say, Mr. Speaker, to the government opposite, by all means, step up your Arctic plan. Present it and start working towards it. You have been three years now talking about it. It is time to get started and get something moving.

Mr. Speaker, I really agree with what people are saying that we are naturally positioned. There is no one in this country that could look at us and say that we are not naturally positioned to be the gateway to the Arctic, because we are. Not only are we a Province of 181,000 square kilometres, but we are 145 kilometres off the East Coast of Canada. Our geography positions us here in Newfoundland and Labrador as a natural gateway between America, between Europe, and between the Arctic. There is no other place in this country that is better position strategically to do what needs to be done to service the Arctic.

So, there is no question about that. I think the question becomes the infrastructure and the investments that will be required to take on that responsibility and that staging for the Arctic. That is what we are missing. The will is there. The private sector enthusiasm is there; it is happening. Geographically we are there; we can talk about it all day. We are already there. Mr. Speaker, it is the infrastructure piece that needs to be looked at.

In fact, I attended the energy forum that was in St. John's, and it was probably about three years ago now. At the energy forum in St. John's, there were companies in this Province getting up then and making presentations about how we were to be staged as the gateway to the Arctic. Now, three years later, we are talking about it in the House of Assembly. That will give you just one indication.

Mr. Speaker, people talked about oil and gas today. The development of energy resources in the Arctic is becoming more and more important. Every year we host, together with the Arctic regions, what we call, a gateway conference. It is called Northern Exposure. Last year, we did it in Ottawa. Two years before, we did it in Montreal. We come together with the Arctic regions and we talk about what we have to offer as Northerners and how we can work together to build stronger economies in all of our regions.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask members for their co-operation.

The Member for Cartwright – L'Anse au Clair.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

One of those areas is definitely in oil and gas. While the Arctic is emerging as a newer player in the oil and gas industry, since 1997 we as a Province have produced more than 1 billion barrels of oil. We have the expertise to be able to offer these skills. We can become a natural centre of excellence for research and development in oil and gas, for oil and gas exploration, and for the development of oil and gas in Northern and difficult climates; because we have been doing it and we have been doing it very well. We have a good track record when it comes to that.

Mr. Speaker, let us talk about some of the other pieces. One of the critical pieces I see for us right now is in transportation in particular, and in search and rescue, notwithstanding the expertise we have to be a knowledge-based partner with the Arctic, because we have tremendous knowledge. We have a culture that is similar. When you compare Labrador and you compare the regions of Nunavut, Mr. Speaker, and the Baffin areas, what you will find is a very similar culture, a very similar way of life, a tremendous respect and understanding for each other and for the environments in which we live. All of those things bode well when it comes to this kind of a partnership.

So let us look at the things we need to do some work on. Transportation is a key piece. If the government is serious about this plan, they have to look at transportation. We are competing today with the Territories. We are competing with Manitoba. We are competing with Quebec who is putting a major infrastructure development of $55 million into the Port of Sept-Ξles.

All of these people are competing with us. We are competing with New Brunswick. They are competing with us to beat a gateway to the Arctic as well. So, we need to show them that we are committed, and we are committed to invest. We have what it takes. We have the resources. We have the expertise in oil and gas, in mining, in knowledge-based economies, in education. We have the business community that is willing to invest, that have the vision and the foresight, and are actually out there doing it today and making money, and have been doing it for years, Mr. Speaker.

Mel Woodward was like fifty years before his time in terms of his vision on where Labrador could be positioned in the Arctic. For the last ten years he has been one of the main companies as a supplier to the Arctic region. We have that kind of mindset already, but we need to have the transportation, and that is a key piece. We need the proper port facilities.

We have three ports in Labrador that would really be good to service in the Arctic: Rigolet, Goose Bay, and Cartwright. Mr. Speaker, either one of those ports could be a tremendous asset in supplying the Arctic region. They just need to have the appropriate infrastructure and the appropriate investments.

Let's talk about mining alone. I talked about bringing a railway across Labrador. I have yet to hear anything about it. As we know, Caisse and CN are already developing a proposal to build a railway across Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, we know today we are producing 29 million metric tons of iron ore in Labrador but we also know into the future that we are going to be producing 88 million metric tons of iron oil in Labrador. We know that even with the development of the new port in Sept-Ξles and what is happening with the railway we are only going to have a capacity to be able to transport about 35 million to 40 million metric tons. What happens to the rest of that ore, and how does it get shipped?

That is why I am talking about building a railway. That is why I am talking about the need to be able to do this and to benefit all the people in the Province. If you were to look at a railway now from Ross Bay Junction to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, you would be looking at a 590 kilometre highway, which is only comparable to what would have to be built to Sept-Ξles to be able to take the rest of that ore out.

Why are we letting CN and Caisse in Quebec overtake this industry in Labrador, building a second railway, putting in additional port facilities when we should be doing it ourselves, when that should be our vision as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to the future generations of this Province? That is what we should be doing. We should be developing the infrastructure to give us that 150 years of industry and royalty right here in our own Province.

That is the same with the Arctic, Mr. Speaker, exactly the same thing with the Arctic. In order for us to do this there has to be a commitment to infrastructure, that port facilities have to be put in Labrador. The Government of Canada has to invest more. They have invested in Pangnirtung, they have invested in some of the other communities across the Arctic but they have to do more.

I will tell you why, Mr. Speaker, because the shipping routes in the world are changing –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Again, I would ask all members for their co-operation.

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

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am actually shouting at the top of my lungs as well, so it would be nice if I could relax them a little bit, save my voice for tomorrow.

Anyway, Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, the shipping routes really are changing in the world. If you were talking about fifty years ago when you were shipping out of this Province, you were talking about most of our markets for a lot of things that we are producing. Especially like iron ore, would have been in the United States and in Europe, and today that has all changed. Our markets today are in India, they are in China. We are seeing a different transportation route all together.

Right now we are seeing more and more vessels going through the Northwest Passage. In fact, Mr. Speaker, in 2010 there were 150 vessels that made 270 voyages in the Canadian Arctic waters, which was up from 108 ships in 2009 and 158 transits. The number of ships transiting in the Northwest Passage also increased from seven in 2009 to eighteen in 2010, and twenty-seven in 2011. I do not have the number for this year, but apparently it is up again.

We are seeing a different transportation route emerging to some of the global markets which we are using, which are going to benefit the Arctic and benefit Labrador and Newfoundland. Because when you start going through the Northwest Passage, you are reaching directly into the markets through the North. That will provide tremendous benefit to all the regions of this Province because any time one region does well, we all do well. I think that is the critical piece we have to remember.

Mr. Speaker, I have been on the record, no doubt, talking about development in the Arctic now for nearly ten years, and going back and digging out some of my old clips and information. I think it is time for everybody to stop talking and start investing. I have no problem with doing a plan or a framework, but it has taken us three years to get here. I can only hope that it is not going to take us that long to do what really needs to be done, and that is the concrete partnerships and developments between governments and departments in the Arctic.

If the Government of Canada is smart – and I hope, Mr. Speaker, they have some smarts up there – they will see that Newfoundland and Labrador is well positioned to be a Gateway to the Arctic. There should be no debate on this in the country. There should not be. If they reflect upon what we offer as a Province in every single aspect, from our expertise and knowledge in industries, to oil and gas and mining; the ability that we have to service and supply all regions across the Arctic; the similarities of our culture, and our respect for each other; and the partnerships that we already have; they would do the right thing, and there would be no debate. Newfoundland and Labrador would indeed, Mr. Speaker, be officially the Gateway to the Arctic in this country.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HUTCHINGS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

A pleasure as Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development to speak to the private member's motion on the provincial government's Arctic Opportunities Initiative.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this fall I had an opportunity to travel to St. Anthony and to launch a series of stakeholder engagement sessions. I later had an opportunity to attend this session in St. John's. The sessions on this topic were well received. We had about 150 stakeholders attend the various sessions –different levels of government, industry sector, academia – had a great group out to have a very important discussion on the Arctic Opportunities Initiative and how we move forward.

At that time I spoke of the eyes of the world looking northwards, and Newfoundland and Labrador has to be on the leading edge to lead the way as we move forward. As we know – it has been mentioned by previous speakers – the Arctic is undergoing significant change, and with that comes new opportunities; as we move forward with the initiative, that is what we are looking at accomplishing: making sure we are there to take advantage of those opportunities. In Newfoundland and Labrador we certainly want to make those opportunities accessible – in Labrador and on the Island as well, in terms of meeting those opportunities.

We understand there are challenges of working in a very harsh environment, but we call that home. For 500 years we have been in this Province quite familiar with harsh environments, working offshore, from the fishery, from the oil and gas sector; we know and we see Mother Nature's strength. Sometimes it is not so good, but other times it brings us our livelihood. It has been very important to us, who we are as a people for the past 500 years, and will always be, as we move this Province forward and work in the bounties of the sea.

Leveraging those strengths and identifying opportunities in the Arctic are, as I said, priorities and at the heart of the Arctic Opportunities Initiative.

Under the leadership of Premier Dunderdale, we place considerable emphasis on leveraging areas where we show strong leadership and where there is potential for new opportunities. With our location, strategic as it is, with our experience and knowledge in harsh environments, we are key in terms of providing those services to the Arctic as we move forward. We are leading this exciting business and economic opportunity in growth, not just in a few particular areas, but volume in a number of areas throughout the Province, throughout the Island and in Labrador.

If we just look at economic growth and what is happening in the Province, Statistics Canada reported in November that the Province's employment had increased by 3,800 people. It reflected the highest growth in Canada of 3.6 per cent from this time last year. Memorial University's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences looks to double its size by 2020. Mr. Speaker, again this year, related to the Budget, we committed to increasing the engineering skills, an indication of what is happening in terms of economic development and growth, the expertise, the labour, and the types of professionals who are needed to drive our economy.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business recently announced that the Newfoundland and Labrador business community has the highest level of business optimism in Canada, again an indication of what is happening here in this Province and how we move forward in economic growth and development. To sustain that volume of activity and its positive impact on our communities in all regions, we have to work collaboratively with all our partners, all of the stakeholders, which we do.

This initiative and the recent stakeholder engagements I mentioned were an excellent example of that approach to how we work together to move this initiative forward. By listening to our partners in the business community in terms of what they see as key components as we move forward, we get greater insights into their perception of the Arctic, and acquire input that will help shape our approach as we move forward, which is so important, Mr. Speaker. It is an exercise that holds the potential to identify new economic and business opportunity.

As the minister, I want to thank those who were involved in the stakeholder discussions, and thank them for their time to meet with us. We will continue that dialogue as we move forward with our initiative.

Through our history, Newfoundland and Labrador has built this economy, as I said, on the ocean, and will continue to be a huge part of who we are as a people and develop in economic growth in our Province. By supporting the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador oceans technology sector, Mr. Speaker, it is a sector that is on its way to becoming a billion-dollar-a-year industry. Through our Oceans of Opportunity, we are further assisting local companies to capture opportunities in the North as they emerge.

So, that is a new industry. It is about diversifying our economy. It is a half a billion-dollar industry right now, which has approximately fifty companies in Newfoundland and Labrador that are driving that industry. That R&D has been done here. The commercialization of those ideas and technology is done here. It has been used here but it has also been exported around the world. That gives you an indication of the expertise we have here, the new businesses that are being created, and how that can support Arctic opportunities in our initiative as we move forward.

Premier Dunderdale, in her view: Newfoundland and Labrador is no longer following; we have turned the corner. We are innovative, and we can drive this new initiative in the Arctic. There is no better sector that captures that spirit than the internationally recognized, as I said, Ocean Technology Sector that is strategically positioned for the Arctic initiative, positioned right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

As I said, the success of that sector is up to $500 million now and almost fifty companies. The inroads that many companies are making are exciting and give good indication of what is happening here in this Province and how we can diversify and drive leading sectors.

Through other strategic investments in companies and research institutions, we are looking to harnessing the richness that exists in the waters and building Newfoundland and Labrador world-class capacity and performance in ocean-related research, Mr. Speaker.

Again, in partnership with industry and academia, we have increased our capacity to conduct world-class research in harsh and cold environment. It certainly makes the world aware that we can do it here, we have the expertise to do it here, we have developed to do it here, and we will move this initiative forward for the better and continued growth of Newfoundland and Labrador.

For example, the development of the Holyrood Marine Base is strategically positioning the Marine Institute in a similar role as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution so prominently in United States, one of those leading institutions. We see the Marine Institute, Memorial University, and its partners being able to utilize the community's harbours as an excellent place to do ocean technology research over the long term. I visited there and certainly saw first-hand the great works being done.

The sum of all these activities is creating spinoff opportunities for other businesses in the region and creating new employment opportunities for residents as well.

Some of the other examples, a couple of these have been mentioned already but are certainly worth repeating: a $2 million investment from Statoil and Research and Development Corporation to further develop the Province's research expertise in reservoir and Arctic opportunities; and SubC Control, a company I visited personally in Clarenville, a manufacturer of high-end underwater imaging solutions, received $120,000 from the provincial government to strengthen its operation. A young man, twenty-seven years old, built this company, the idea, brought it to commercialization and now is selling that technology around the world and can use it here as well as we move forward with the Arctic initiative.

Atlantic Coastal Action Program, ACAP in Humber Arm, I also met with those folks a while back. We contributed $250,000 to advance the Smart Basin initiative which also is in Placentia Bay. That extends it out to the Bay of Islands and that area, a surveillance system that is used by mariners and has been quite successful. We will move that out with that expertise and continue to grow it.

More than $1.6 million for the Ocean Industry Student Research Awards, including today, Mr. Speaker, I will be at Memorial University to announce another $865,000 for that initiative. That looks at investment in university-aged students who are actively engaged in research and development activities, and mark the importance of recruiting, fostering, and retaining that research talent that we have acquired from the R&D perspective and to move this industry forward. It means sustaining an incredible progress that has been experienced in recent years.

When I was there last year – just to give you an idea of what we are doing here in this Province and it is recognized worldwide – I had the opportunity to speak to the award winners. There was a young man actually from Pakistan who had done an undergraduate degree there. He had looked at the type of work he was to be doing here at Memorial in regard to research. He came here and now he is doing his Ph.D. We had sponsored him in one of these awards.

So, it is an indication of how far-reaching locally, nationally, and internationally our Memorial University is and all our post-secondary institutions and how we are being recognized around the world for what we are doing. People are coming and want to be part of that.

Mr. Speaker, there was reference earlier in regard to transportation. That is a priority for the provincial government, as seen by our multi-year infrastructure investments now valued at almost $5 billion. Mr. Speaker, we could go on and on but some I will mention: the completion of Phase I of the Trans-Labrador Highway, made possible by a $65.8 million allocation through Budget 2012. As well, we talk about port development, a $5.3 million partnership with the St. Anthony Port Authority to facilitate expansion and modernization of its wharf. More than $11 million in funding for enhancements to infrastructure at Gander and St. John's International Airport. Development to the North is all about you have to have transportation infrastructure in all areas.

A strengthened communication network led to TELE Greenland as a key network accessing a broadband network to the Province from Greenland to Milton, based on the fact that we invested with our private partners $15 million in a $52 million Trans-Gulf Cable, which allows Greenland now to link to Newfoundland, and subsequently link to North America. It is very important in terms of the communication aspect.

While all of these investments may not have direct investments in private sector enterprises, they do speak to the necessity of using the assets of today for tomorrow and looking to the future, Mr. Speaker.

As interest in the world's ocean and northern areas intensifies at neck-breaking speed, these investments will help increase the value of the work being completed locally, and is being heightened as well.

Again, in terms of consultations and what we have heard from local businesses, they look for solutions as we move forward. Some of the things we have identified is to continue to: improve shipping lanes for cargo vessels; practices to enhance the fishing and aquaculture sectors; monitor and observe the impacts of climate change; better research for oil and gas, which we do through the Research and Development Corporation and working with industry leaders; look in other areas like the mining industry and in oceans across the globe; better implement search and rescue activities, as well as patrolling and monitoring our coastlines.

I want to just give you an idea of some of the companies already doing work in the Arctic and northern jurisdictions – because we are doing that already. We are in the North. We have companies and businesses there doing work, and we will use that and their expertise as we move forward and develop a more defined plan for the initiative:

Provincial Airlines has been utilized in the Arctic, in such places as Greenland and Iceland, by the oil and gas industry. They are also known for their surveillance and ice monitoring capabilities, not only in the Labrador region; Woodwards Shipping is involved with the transportation of products between Lewisporte and Labrador; Terp-Star is supporting mining activities in Greenland; Eimskip is using St. Anthony as a key port of call; and Virtual Marine Technology is simulating real-life experiences in the Arctic.

As you can see, we have a huge presence there from our business community, and capacity for Arctic-related activities can grow. That is why we have our eyes keenly focused northward and are taking the steps that we speak of to maximize developing opportunities in the Arctic and the North for Newfoundland and Labrador's benefit.

When you combine Newfoundland and Labrador's wealth of knowledge, our expertise and success of natural resource development; our innovative ocean technology cluster, which I spoke of; and, our educational, research and development capabilities, it is clear to see Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to be well positioned for growth.

As a government, we are big on developing opportunities that celebrate our expertise and our strategic advantages. We see the ocean technology sector and development of technologies that can be used in the Arctic as shining examples of the leadership position this Newfoundland and Labrador government is taking on nationally and internationally. That is why we placed such emphasis on this sector and initiatives that create new opportunities for the expertise that now exists.

As we move forward, our staff at IBRD from the ocean technology branch will work closely with the RDC, the Research and Development Corporation, to make sure we are armed with the resources to meet the target of the new business opportunities that exist. The RDC is a key partner supporting research that drives greater activity in the Arctic. In just three years, we have invested more than $64 million in over 320 projects. These supports will be sponsored by 300 highly-qualified personnel in the Province, and levered another $164 million.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for bringing forward this private member's resolution. I think it is timely. We have done a lot to date in terms of the Arctic initiative. Business is fully engaged, and as we move forward we will build it out for the best interest of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for The Straits – White Bay North.

MR. MITCHELMORE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to speak to the private member's resolution that urges the House to encourage government to continue the Arctic Opportunities Initiative by developing a plan.

It seems like there has been quite a bit of investment made without a dedicated plan for the Arctic. There has been a lot of talk about Arctic opportunities, especially with the Prime Minister of Canada talking about Arctic sovereignty. We are working on committees and moving forward with those opportunities, so we must consider diligently the changes to the environment, all the developments that are taking place, and the partnerships that we can encourage, we can foster, and do it in a very sustainable manner. We have to understand culture, and we have to be very cognizant and recognize the work that needs to be done.

I am very happy to see that the Minister of IBRD has taken the initiative to start consultations. The MHA for St. John's East had attended, as well as a representative from my office, where he launched the consultations in St. Anthony. It is very important to engage public, get their opinions, the people who are impacted, but it cannot just be a one on one, one-time consultation with six communities across Newfoundland and Labrador, and it has been mentioned by others.

We must find a way to really reach out, to create that forum where we can bridge the people who want to be involved, the businesses, the communities, and the municipalities. Maybe somewhere through the Office of Public Engagement there will be an on-line component where there can be dialogue back and forth. That may be a positive step to take, because there are many more stakeholders we need to reach.

Our economic future depends on local investment. That is going to be driven, driven primarily by business and what is really happening in the global market place. There is much discussion around the potential for oil and gas. We certainly have been excelling in that sector, and we have been doing it in the offshore. There may be opportunities to share that expertise and for us to be suppliers if that development takes place.

Around mining, we see tremendous amounts of mining happening in Labrador and we have shipping opportunities. Those are some of the things that the Arctic can provide.

There is also a role for fisheries. With changes in climate that are happening, we are seeing a warming, and we have heard talk of additional fisheries that would be able to take place in the Arctic. We may be able to use some of our local expertise here on how we fish in the Arctic, or looking at with that change, what that means to our local fishery, that some of the fish that need colder temperatures are going to be from the south coming more north. We may see a resurgence of codfish and other groundfish or pelagics moving to our waters – that research we have seen this summer, some of it, where we have seen more cod in our waters, which can be supported by the research of Dr. George Rose.

Maybe there is a role for aquaculture in these bays, and doing it in a very sustainable manner when we look at the Arctic. That is something that we have been growing in Newfoundland and Labrador, looking at the potential for sharing that expertise around the companies that are here to expand and grow in the Arctic.

For tourism, one of the things that we have to look at is the eco-tourism that can take place on shared expeditions, but also the cruise ship industry. Whether we look at where the destination management organizations sit and what that means for cruise ports of call like St. John's and the West Coast, but also looking at others like St. Anthony, or ports in Labrador like Red Bay, to be established to really look at exploring and what that means. There are some things that need to be developed, and that may be a thing like customs officers and making sure that we have those capacities in place. All of that may need to be a part of the plan.

We need to look at research, and that has been talked about quite a lot. We have a lot to be proud of when we look at our research capabilities in the Province. Those certainly can be expanded upon, because we can really, truly develop a centre for Arctic research and excellence. There could be a role for us to contribute to the long-term economic sustainability of Arctic communities and their role with us to work in partnership and to truly collaborate. Given the high-risk and potentially high-reward nature of Arctic investment that could result in tens of billions of dollars or even $100 billion dollars in economic development, there are certainly going to be a lot of competitors.

We do have tremendous assets in Newfoundland and Labrador to build upon, from our research institutions like the Marine Institute, as the minister had stated, as well as Research & Development Corporation, to look at Memorial University and what we are doing with investing in our post-secondary institutions and our research capabilities. These are all positive things.

We have a strong business community in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the communities – the smaller communities in rural regions – want to be a part of this. They see opportunities. We have a skilled labour force and there may be needs to look at providing that training. I am sure the government, through the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, will look towards that while they are developing that plan. We all have a role to play – municipalities – to build that plan.

The Arctic "plan forward" is something we must do very seriously because there has not been a plan to date. We really have to do our homework. We cannot repeat mistakes of the past, Mr. Speaker, and we have had many. If we look at the Atlantic Gateway, in 2007, this government, the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, signed an agreement with three other Atlantic Provinces and federal government to develop the roads, railways, and ports necessary to make the region a hub for international trade. These were initiatives to look at things like railways.

What have we done in terms of expanding our railways? We have not really moved forward on that initiative. I echo the sentiment of the Member for Cartwright – L'Anse au Clair. We need to be looking at high-speed trains. We need to be looking at rail. We need to be looking at things that are going to position us to open up from North America and to advance into the Arctic.

We have not even considered things from the pre-feasibility study of the fixed link. We have not looked at developing appropriate ports in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, deep water ports, and taking an inventory of our assets, like advancing ports in St. Anthony and looking at Botwood as an area for a deep-water port and expanding the facilities there, looking at warehouse facilities they have, looking at where our assets truly lie, and how we are going to expand upon them.

When we signed onto the Atlantic Gateway, we could all argue that we have a brilliant geographic position, but what have we benefited from? There were seventeen projects in 2011 underway totalling $229.2 million, and our Province's share: none. We did not get any of that when it came from the federal government.

These are things. We need to look at the assurances that we are not just going down a road saying we are going to do something and not get a benefit to the Province.

We have missed significant opportunities when it comes to shipbuilding in the Province under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, of multi-billion dollars, because we did not have the infrastructure in place and the government was not committed to put the infrastructure in place so that we could bid, so that we could ensure that we could do the work here. This all went to Nova Scotia and to British Columbia.

We are certainly going to benefit on a smaller scale from this. If we are going to be the leader in the Arctic, we have to really have a commitment from government that the dollars are going to be there.

Government speaks boldly of the cross-departmental opportunities it is going to focus on, but we have seen a lot of things; if we are going to move in to look at doing business in the Arctic, we have to make reinvestments in areas where we have had losses.

There have been significant job cuts in the Coast Guard in the Province by the federal government. The federal government cut the marine search and rescue sub-station. My own district was very severely hit. Government states that we are well positioned to play that critical role, but if we are going to be doing business in the Arctic Gateway, it is going to be a very dangerous one. If we see Coast Guard radio shut down in St. Anthony as well in St. John's, that is going to expose the whole North and Eastern part of our coastline. When it comes to fishers, when it comes to people shipping, we really do need to look at what we are going to do to ensure that we have the safety of our people up front, because these are very dangerous waters.

Our Coast Guard radio service in St. Anthony, more calls were routed through there than anywhere else in Canada. This is quite significant. We have seen all of these brutal cuts, brutal cuts to Coast Guard, and lack of investment or re-investment when it comes to search and rescue initiatives that we need to expand in areas like Labrador. Are we truly powerless when it comes to stopping any more of these future cuts and expanding?

What is the provincial government going to be able to do to influence the same federal government, to win the Province benefits under this new initiative? We have not benefited in the past from several initiatives like shipbuilding, or when it comes to the Atlantic Gateway.

When it comes to rural Broadband Canada program, under the Economic Stimulus Fund there was $225 million to provide broadband when it comes to under-serviced and non-serviced parts of Canada. The provincial government really did not step up on the bandwagon on this, because 218,000 rural Canadian households got access to broadband under that. It went to five other provinces. Not one household in Newfoundland and Labrador benefited under this federal initiative. That is quite significant.

We have to be really serious about what we are going to be doing when it comes to our investment in the Gateway. We have people's lives that are at risk here when we look at the type of work that is going to be done. We must put safety at a high priority. Look at the infrastructure, the real tangible initiatives that government is going to do.

That is something government can do and do well: make investments, make investments in infrastructure, the need to advance and accelerate our ports. We have seen in St. Anthony where Eimskip is doing international shipping. It is a port of call that does biweekly shipping off to Iceland and then into Norway. It is a gateway to Europe.

We need to look at putting that infrastructure in place after we listen to the business community to see what they cannot provide, like we are doing in aquaculture, in biosecurity and putting these biosecure wharves into play. What type of infrastructure do we need when it comes to advancing the Arctic so that we can invite the business community then to come forward with its proposals?

These are the types of things we want to look at, look at the barriers that are currently in place and really make that strong connection, the connection with the business community in the North, in the Arctic, and how we can work together. We cannot just do the stakeholder consultations in our own Province.

Is there a role for the Department of Finance in the plan? When we look at the financial aspects, doing business in the North can be quite costly. What incentives can be there to pursue those opportunities? When we look at flights, when we look at getting to the North, we need to look at: can we do something to help offset costs of flights or incentives to get there. We have a provincial Air Access Strategy right now through the Department of IBRD. Maybe that is something we can do, we can pursue. That might be a barrier for some of the companies to get there.

I know we do trade missions; maybe these can be expanded. Maybe there are other tax incentives that we can provide our business community to do business in the Arctic and vice versa when it comes to that type of fund. Maybe we need to look at the Immigrant Investor Fund and maybe do something like British Columbia is doing. They have earmarked $90 million of that fund – which we have over $200 million – to look at setting up a joint venture capital fund for initiatives such as investment in the Arctic and keeping some of the investment where it is risk free and it is invested in those bonds.

Those are types of things we can do. I believe we can excel in the Arctic, but we need to see the real, hard commitment from this government. We need to see the kind of energy that is put into this plan, that is tangible, that has measured initiatives that can be based on the real world and really put the Province forward, mitigating all risk. There are challenges to the Arctic and development, its co-ordinated responses, where we have viable, common standards, where possible, transparency and best practices to develop and expand all opportunities in the North.

I have no problem in supporting the initiative to support a plan to really get this in place, but it has to be backed up with the resources that we have in play. There is already a lot of good work done, but we need to look at things like the Immigrant Investor Fund and putting it to real use so that we have money that can generate real returns, significant returns, when it comes to the sectors and the business community and what they can do for us.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I will take my chair.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The Member for Fortune Bay – Cape la Hune.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS PERRY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am certainly delighted to stand here today and speak to this private member's motion, which continues to build on the wonderful opportunities for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, as activity in the Arctic increases and new opportunities emerge, Newfoundland and Labrador's world-class academic institutions are poised to respond to the rising demand for innovative technology solutions, information, and highly skilled workers.

From essential skills to post-secondary education and customized industrial and commercial training, students and industry from all over the world have benefited from the innovative programs provided by our Province's public and private sector institutions.

Newfoundland and Labrador is also an international leader in providing education and training programs to residents in Northern jurisdictions and Aboriginal communities. Memorial University, which is the largest university in Atlantic Canada, is well placed to have a greater presence in the Arctic. The university's new research strategy framework has identified ten strategic research themes, in which Memorial has valuable expertise. Expertise in which the university intends to fully maximize.

One of the ten themes is Arctic and Northern regions. This research relates to people and communities, environment and resources, approaches and technologies for sustainable resource development, and land ocean, and coastal zones in Arctic and Northern regions.

Mr. Speaker, Memorial University already offers a variety of programs and course material in Inuktitut and is also keen on strengthening connections with established partners in other Northern jurisdictions such as Nunavut. Memorial has a number of Canadian research Chairs engaged in research that focuses on Arctic-related subject areas, such as Chairs in Boreal and Cold Ocean Systems, Petroleum Geoscience/Geotechnology, Aboriginal Studies, and Ocean Technologies.

One area of research for focus is on the development of an active propulsion module for a hybrid underwater ocean glider that can be added to the existing gliders to allow more continuous measurement of ice thickness. As part of this project, Memorial University has partnered with the National Research Council.

In 2009, Memorial's autonomous underwater vehicle, the MUN Explorer, and a team travelled to the Arctic to work with Natural Resources Canada on mapping Canada's Continental Self. The team from Memorial tested a system for deploying and retrieving the AUV under ice, a system which was tested in the Marine Institute's flume tank.

Natural Resources Canada later purchased two AUVs similar to the MUN Explorer and used the vehicles to undertake seabed mapping in the Arctic as part of Canada's claim for territory under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Memorial's AUV expertise has also been used to participate in projects in other places such as Australia, Tasmania, and France.

With the Marine Institute's new marine base in Holyrood, partners from the academic community, the National Research Council, and private firms are developing and field testing a variety of underwater vehicles in the waters of Conception Bay. This facility is helping to establish Newfoundland and Labrador as a world leader in underwater vehicle research and development. We are poised to become even stronger and even better.

Memorial University also has deep roots in Labrador through the establishment of the Labrador Institute, which recently received over $500,000 in funding from the provincial government. This funding will enhance research and development capacity in Labrador, and in particular in the resource sector, Mr. Speaker.

Memorial's Marine Institute is also known worldwide for its development and provision of specialized training focused on fisheries and marine training in areas of navigation, coastal planning, and safety. The Marine Institute has been active in Northern Labrador and the Arctic for over twenty-five years and is a leading education partner in Canada's Arctic and other circumpolar countries such as Iceland, Norway, and Greenland. Training centres such as the Marine Institute's Offshore Safety and Survival Centre, Safety and Emergency Response Training Centre, and the Centre for Marine Simulation also provide state-of-the-art learning and training opportunities. Marine Institute has a long-standing relationship with Arctic College of Nunavut to provide fisheries training. It is our expertise, Mr. Speaker, that is leading the way in developing Arctic opportunities.

The College of the North Atlantic is one of the largest post-secondary educational and skills training institutions in Atlantic Canada, with campuses Province-wide and one in the Middle East. It is the lead college in the Province for providing training and essential skills to Aboriginal communities and customized training to industry and international clients. The College of the North Atlantic offers an Aboriginal bridging program to prepare mature students for post-secondary environments. Recognizing the importance of culture, the program offers curriculum specially designed for Aboriginal and Inuit students with input from community elders. The College also specializes in developing and providing customized training courses that allow companies to pursue projects in the Arctic while enabling residents of Northern communities to benefit from increased job opportunities.

So, as you can see, Mr. Speaker, from these examples that I have just illustrated, education and training in Newfoundland and Labrador is strong. We are leaders, we have the expertise and the knowledge in the Arctic, and we are going to continue building that expertise. We can share our expertise with the world and continue to develop new and innovative opportunities in the Arctic.

So, in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, it is clear that we have made great inroads, and in the Northern jurisdiction in particular, we have specialized skills unlike anywhere else in the world. The stage is set, Mr. Speaker, for greater things to come as opportunities continue to emerge in the Arctic for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. EDMUNDS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is certainly a privilege to rise and speak to the motion put forward by the Member for Lake Melville.

Mr. Speaker, I have heard this motion put forward for several years now, and it is certainly one that I support. We are strategically placed; we are the doorstep to the Arctic, and there are many regions in Canada that claim the same thing. So, the reality is we are competing with ports in Quebec and Manitoba for the very same things that are outlined in the motion, Mr. Speaker.

I am sad to say that we are falling behind on pushing this issue. You can only talk about something for so long, Mr. Speaker, before it comes to nothing, but action is something that we would definitely like to see.

I did bring this forward at a conference early last fall in November about the need for infrastructure, Mr. Speaker. I have travelled up to Cape Chidley, Mr. Speaker, on the tip of Labrador. After I left Nain, I was out of VHF communications; I could not call Coast Guard. With the number of sailboats that have tripled and quadrupled over the last five years that go up and down the North Coast of Labrador, Mr. Speaker, when we are looking at opening up our Gateway, this is one of the routes, and it certainly leaves us at a disadvantage when something does go wrong. We have all seen that, Mr. Speaker.

Simple things like all members have been asking for, cell coverage in our areas. Mr. Speaker, it is a safety issue, especially in my district. I know the range of cellphone service can extend outwards sixty, seventy miles and that would interlock all of the communities in Northern Labrador and Southern Labrador. It certainly is an issue that I would like to see movement on.

As I have said, Mr. Speaker, once you leave Nain and you get up out of range of the Coast Guard station in Goose Bay and not within range yet of Baffin Coast Guard, you would not believe – I probably cannot explain it to you, Mr. Speaker, the distance between Nain and Baffin Island. It is a tremendous distance, the same as circumnavigating Newfoundland, I think.

You have to have service that is safety related. If you do not have that service, Mr. Speaker, this goes against our Gateway plans that we would certainly like to see put forward as put forward in the motion.

Mr. Speaker, in my district now we are operating on one vessel where we would normally be operating on three, getting supplies in – supplies not only for the people in Labrador, but for the people that will be coming through next summer as part of this Gateway.

I have outlined the need for infrastructure. I have maintained that request to this government, Mr. Speaker.

In support of this motion, we have to come forward with a commitment to open up this Gateway and have things in place that would invite people to use our Province as a Gateway, Mr. Speaker, as opposed to ports like Sept-Ξles or Manitoba. I have seen the minister for Labrador, our MP, Mr. Speaker, announce a $55,000 upgrade to the port in Sept-Ξles when that money could have easily come to this Province and open up our gateway, made our case stronger.

I do support this motion, Mr. Speaker, but I would like to see this government come forward with something a little bit more than words in pushing this issue – actions, and to see infrastructure developed, Mr. Speaker, then this motion will have some weight.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, again, I support it. I would like to see some action on it. By all means, we are all willing to work together on promoting this Province of Newfoundland and Labrador as the Gateway to the Arctic.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for Mount Pearl North.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise in this hon. House today to speak in support of this private member's bill. I certainly want to commend my colleague, the Member for Lake Melville, for bringing this forward to the House today and I want to thank members who participated in the debate so far.

The Arctic Opportunities Initiative, which was launched in 2010, is doing some great work on behalf of the people of this Province. We have heard today, from a number of speakers, a little bit about the initiative and about some of the good opportunities that exist for our Province.

It is clear that the Arctic is undergoing significant change, and there are some incredible opportunities right now for future economic growth and for development. Given our position in the world, we are in a unique place to be able to become more active in the Arctic. When you think about our geographic location, when you think about the industrial infrastructure that exists, the knowledge and experience that our people have in operating in cold and harsh environments, we have incredible research and development capacity and facilities, and we already have a great reputation in this area.

The Arctic Opportunities Initiative that was launched by Innovation, Business and Rural Development aims to do a number of things, Mr. Speaker. Of course, we are identifying opportunities in the Arctic for Newfoundland and Labrador as a whole. We are working to build knowledge and capacity about ongoing activities in the Arctic, and issues in the North overall. We are working to create a greater awareness about Newfoundland and Labrador's capabilities and competitive advantages related to the Arctic region. We are working as well to focus Newfoundland and Labrador's role in supporting and advancing opportunities in the Arctic.

I would like to speak a little bit about education and specifically R&D activities in relation to the Arctic Opportunities Initiative as well. I will start by saying that there are many contributing factors to the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador's ocean technology sector and the growing opportunities for this Province in the Arctic. There has certainly been rapid development, as we all know, in the Province's offshore industries. That creates lots of knowledge and lots of expertise here as well.

Newfoundland and Labrador has a leadership position in the global ocean technology sector. That can be attributed partly to the R&D activities at Memorial University and Marine Institute, and the partners that we have at the National Research Council as well. Mr. Speaker, these are world-class education and research institutions, and they are doing a great deal to contribute to the growth of the ocean technology sector. They are going to play pivotal roles in seizing future opportunities in the Arctic. As well, Mr. Speaker, they are helping this growing sector contribute to the economic vitality of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The fact that Newfoundland and Labrador offers an ideal environment for world-class institutions and companies is really bolstered by the expertise that exists within these institutions that I just mentioned. They are really strengthening our Province's position as being a landmark location for research and development in cold ocean technologies and in harsh environment operations.

Mr. Speaker, a core principle of Oceans of Opportunity and the Arctic Opportunities Initiative that we initiated is to strengthen ties between the academic community and industry. This approach has been highlighted by what can best be described as extremely positive investments that build capacity and positions the Province as at the forefront of the global sector.

I think that many investments, both by the provincial government and our Research and Development Corporation in these institutions, has really increased the ability of these institutions to satisfy the need of businesses. With all of this expanded capacity, Mr. Speaker, local businesses are going to be able to access technologies and services that really equip them to test products in environments that simulate real world environments.

Mr. Speaker, working in the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development in recent weeks, I have learned more about C-CORE, which is a not-for-profit research and development corporation of Memorial University. I also learned that it was named a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research by the federal government for its LOOKNorth initiative. To support the work of this initiative, the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and our Research & Development Corporation committed $2 million to the LOOKNorth initiative. A key component to the success of this new sector is having specialized staff in place to identify R&D needs, to pursue research opportunities, and to commercialize new technologies and services, working closely with local companies and with Northern communities as well, Mr. Speaker.

Through LOOKNorth, researchers are able to identify potential transportation corridors and offshore development opportunities as well. It is important to note as well that Northern residents are also going to derive economic benefits from the sustainable and the environmentally-responsible development of Northern resources, as well as new employment opportunities.

C-CORE will also house the new Centre for Arctic Resource Development, which was supported by investments totalling more than $16 million from the Hibernia and Terra Nova projects, as well as by our own Research & Development Corporation. This centre, Mr. Speaker, is going to bring together industry, academic, and technology partners to conduct medium- to long-term research and development focused on improving Canada's capacity and capability to support safe, responsible, cost-effective, and sustainable hydrocarbon development in the Arctic and in other ice-prone regions as well.

So, Mr. Speaker, there is also great work happening at Marine Institute's Centre for Marine Simulation, which plays an important role in this industry. I know that our Research & Development Corporation just recently announced a new $5 million three-year program called ArcticTECH. That is focusing on strengthening Arctic-related research and development capacity. There are lots of great things happening in this sector.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENT: Newfoundland and Labrador is brimming with potential. We are certainly committed to sustaining this kind of economic activity. Given our proven capabilities, our eyes are keenly focused North.

I thank my hon. colleagues for giving me an opportunity to speak to this important motion this afternoon.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the opportunity to get up and speak for at least a few minutes. I see the clock is winding down. I just had a couple of quick points. I just wanted to get out some of these things that have been on my mind after hearing some of the hon. members speak to this issue. This is a great issue to be talking about, and one that hopefully our federal representative, Mr. Penashue, will be able to bring and represent on our behalf to the federal government and bring up a lot of these important points that a lot of these hon. ladies and gentlemen have brought forth today.

The one thing I noticed we have to do in all this – and I have to thank the Minister for IBRD for even holding the forum, because I attended the forum out in Mount Pearl, talking about this issue, about the Arctic Opportunities Initiative; the one thing that I think we all learned from all these symposiums that happened right across the Province was something very simple and that is that we have to claim ownership of this. We have to claim ownership of Newfoundland and Labrador as being the true Gateway to the North. I think that was a pretty important point to make and hopefully government will take the lead on that.

I also wanted to talk about the investment that government can be making now to start leading in this initiative. One of the things that I thought of, listening to the hon. members speaking today, was in some terms practicing what they are preaching.

I look towards, for example, the Ferry Replacement Strategy as being an integral part of the initiative, not only in helping out in starting off the shipbuilding industry in this Province by providing it as possibly a training ground, and the importance of having those ferries built here in the Province, but also in the system of roads. We are hoping that government is going to continue the initiative of road construction in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly in Labrador, where the infrastructure is needed.

As regards to the City of St. John's – I think that I have to speak to my city as well, how important the City of St. John's is with regard to being the cornerstone to the Gateway to the North. We are well positioned with a great harbour front here ourselves. We have a great shipyard down there at the same time. We have a lot of great welding facilities in this city as well, and we look at it as being a chief cornerstone to being part of this initiative up North. We have a lot of benefits here.

The one thing that I did want to bring up – and I will touch on it again; I cannot reiterate the importance of this – is the importance of having our federal representative speak out on our Province's behalf here at the federal table. I will leave it at that, because I see the time is up and it is probably time to go towards the last speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Member for Lake Melville to close the debate.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. RUSSELL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It has truly been an honour to bring my first private member's motion to the floor here in our hon. House.

I would like to thank the Members from Humber Valley, from Baie Verte – Springdale – who I can honestly say is probably one of my favourite speakers in here; it makes me want to get up and sing along when he gets up there to speak, Mr. Speaker – the Member for Cartwright – L'Anse au Clair, the Member for Fortune Bay – Cape la Hune, the Member for Torngat Mountains, the Member for Mount Pearl North, the Member for St. John's East, the Member for The Straits – White Bay North, and, of course, our Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

I would just like to say that we have heard a lot of commentary from all members of this House and we have heard that, yes, it certainly is going to take a significant investment in order to accomplish where we want to be with this. It certainly will. We have great investment in this type of initiative up to this point, Mr. Speaker. It is going to be a challenge to get where we want to be in order to maximize the benefits to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in terms of the opportunities that are going to be coming available to us in the Arctic.

We have heard terms such as staging ground and landmark location. That is certainly the case, Mr. Speaker, in terms of where we are geographically positioned here in order to maximize again the opportunity that is going to be available to our Province and to the people who live in our great Province. Opportunities that involve the fishery, that involve resource development, all of these things that will be new to us that become available because of the reality that exists in the North in terms of new shipping lanes being open, Mr. Speaker.

One thing is for certain that we as a government are committed to employment and employment of people here at home and employment abroad, whether that being the Arctic or elsewhere. Mr. Speaker, we are experienced in terms of what our workforce offers. We have heard specifically from my colleague for Fortune Bay – Cape La Hune in terms of MUN, College of the North Atlantic, the Marine Institute. We are one of the leaders in educational initiatives in terms of the research, in terms of ocean work, cold water, harsh environment work; we are up there, Mr. Speaker.

In closing, I will say it has been a great honour here today, Mr. Speaker, to bring this to the floor. I think our Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development summed it up when it comes to harsh environments, cold water and ocean research, the opportunities that are going to be available to us and that we already have in terms of the industries that we drive, Mr. Speaker. It is home to us. This is home and we will excel. It is the people who are going to allow us to succeed and thrive in terms of any opportunities that become available to us in the North, Mr. Speaker.

I would just like to say it has been a pleasure bringing this to the floor today. I hope that I will have the unanimous support of this hon. House. I would like to thank the minister for the opportunity to allow this to hit the floor here today.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER (Wiseman): Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: Contra-minded?

Motion carried.

This being Wednesday, a few minutes before 5:00 p.m. –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

This being Wednesday, and the private member's motion having now been debated, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, at 1:30 p.m.