The House met at 1:30 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Wiseman): Order, please!

Admit strangers.

MR. SPEAKER: Today we will have members' statements by the Member for the District of Humber Valley; the Member for the District of Bay of Islands; the Member for the District of Bonavista North; the Member for the District of St. John's North; the Member for the District of Mount Pearl South; and the Member for the District of Mount Pearl North.

The Member for the District of Humber Valley.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this hon. House today to congratulate six members of the Deer Lake Dolphins Swim Team. They recently obtained a spot on the Western Swimming Team contingent for the 2012 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games being held in Carbonear and Harbour Grace in August.

Mr. Speaker, three of the team members earned a top spot in their age category at the qualifier. They included: Shelby Pike, fourteen years and over; Jenny Stark, fifteen years and over female; and Ryan George, fifteen and over male. Also added to the team were Brooke Warren, Kayla Crocker, and Hollie Young.

Throughout the season, the Deer Lake Dolphins Swim Team has been a force to reckon with on the Province's scene, and many have represented our Province in Eastern Canada competitions.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me in extending congratulations to these six members of the Deer Lake Dolphins Swim Team and to wish them all the best as they compete on the provincial scene and create lifelong memories and experiences.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Bay of Islands.

MR. JOYCE: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this hon. House today to recognize a recent recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Hilda Bellows of Summerside was presented with the Diamond Jubilee Medal at the 4-H Annual General Meeting held recently in St. John's. Ms Bellows has been a member of the 4-H Rockets for the past thirty-four years, having joined when she was ten years old. Over the years, she has been involved in every aspect of the club from a youth participant to various leadership roles, giving countless hours of her time to the 4-H Club. Ms Bellows is credited for revitalizing the club, which now hosts sixty youth participants and twenty adult leaders. She is past Co-ordinator and is currently Co-President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Council.

Mr. Speaker, in 2010 Ms Bellows won the 4-H Provincial Volunteer award, as well as the National Council's Volunteer Leader of the Year award. Her other community involvement has included volunteering with the HIS Fire Department, a past member of the Northshore Early Childhood Association's Board of Directors, and currently volunteers with her local church group.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join with me in extending congratulations to Ms Bellows for her many years of service to the 4-H Club in Summerside and indeed her contribution to her community.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Bonavista North.

MR. CROSS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as my grandfather would say, I come to my taps very proudly today to recognize career colleagues who have received honour from the Newfoundland and Labrador Volleyball Association.

On June 9, Barry Hall and Gerald Wheeler were among five inductees into the NLVA Provincial Hall of Fame. Both of these gentlemen from Bonavista North recently retired from teaching. Not only did they leave their mark on the lives of many students inside the classroom, but they enriched the athletic life of their students, their schools, and their communities for three decades. Both coaches advanced the volleyball experience for many students beyond that which anyone could comprehend or appreciate.

Hall and Wheeler coached in neighbouring small schools at Lumsden and Musgrave Harbour. Low enrolments made it difficult recruiting a team, but both coaches managed to complete their rosters and develop a dedication and work ethic that created winning teams. When the Eagles or the Vikings took the court, they served up a magnificent display of spirit and enthusiasm of which there was no rival.

I am confident all members here assembled will extend congratulations to Barry Hall and Gerald Wheeler on this remarkable achievement. On behalf of our players, a simple but very complete "thank you!"

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. KIRBY: Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to thank dedicated volunteers in my District of St. John's North for their hard work.

The W.A.T.C.H Tenant Association started in January 2011 and in just a year-and-a-half of existence has made a huge difference in the lives of people they serve. The W.A.T.C.H. Tenant Association holds events and provides support for tenants of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing in Wigmore Court, Austin Street, Thorburn Road, and Cumberland Crescent areas of St. John's.

The committee members organize events and celebrations for both children and adults. Their Back to School event saw twenty-five backpacks of school supplies from Vibrant Communities distributed to students living in the area.

W.A.T.C.H. has organized several special celebrations for Halloween, Christmas, Easter, and Mother's Day. The Easter party included an Easter egg hunt for children and Easter hampers for adults.

The dedicated members of the W.A.T.C.H. Tenant Association committee are Alicia Bates, Bonnie Legge, Laurie Ryan, Mellissa Miller, and Angela Pretty.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all hon. members to join me in congratulating them for everything they have accomplished so far, and to wish them all the very best in the future.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Mount Pearl South.

MR. LANE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand in this hon. House to acknowledge the efforts of a very special group of people within the District of Mount Pearl South who administer the Shepherd's Café program at the Parish of the Good Shepherd.

The Shepherd's Café began in June of 2010 and is run by nearly eighty volunteers from all walks of life and various faiths. This program offers fellowship and a hot meal to more than 100 persons per week, and provides a very beneficial social outlet to the many senior citizens in attendance. This café operates entirely on donations and all meals are free.

Mr. Speaker, this is a shining example of the great value that volunteers bring to our Province. I would therefore ask all members of this hon. House to join me in congratulating the Parish of the Good Shepherd, as well as the numerous community-minded individuals who make this program a success in the City of Mount Pearl.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for Mount Pearl North.

MR. KENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise in this hon. House today to congratulate a resident of Mount Pearl and a great friend of mine who was named the 2011 Mount Pearl Citizen of the Year, Ms Christine Hennebury.

Christine has been an avid volunteer in Mount Pearl for many years. She is the founding chairperson of the Association for the Arts in Mount Pearl and has been spearheading this community organization ever since. Christine also has a long-standing commitment to Girl Guides in Mount Pearl. Always ready to lend a hand, Christine is well known to residents of the city.

I have known Christine almost all of my life. I have witnessed her dedication to community and the arts first hand. Christine is a strong voice in Mount Pearl and someone I am proud to call my friend.

I would also like to extend a sincere thanks to the Mount Pearl Kinsmen for hosting the Mount Pearl Citizen of the Year Award again this year, and congratulate all of the nominees for 2011, including Sandra Hoysradt, Roy Locke, Gail Brittain, Eric Beckett, and Ladies of the Wednesday Café. Their volunteer efforts in Mount Pearl certainly do not go unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me in congratulating Mount Pearl's Citizen of the Year, Christine Hennebury, and wish her all the best as she continues to make our community a better place for others.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Statements by Ministers.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this opportunity to provide an update on my trip to Corner Brook this past weekend.

As I indicated in this House last week, Mr. Speaker, the purpose of my visit was to be in the community of Corner Brook, to be accessible as needed, with the people of the region during a time that can only be described as one of great anxiety. The vote that took place marked a pivotal point for the future of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper.

Mr. Speaker, much work remains to be done in the efforts towards a secure future for the mill, but an important step was taken with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union successfully reaching an agreement with Kruger. I want to acknowledge the employees' hard work, sacrifice, and commitment to the mill. The company has indicated this agreement will now allow a second vote on pension plan funding relief measures, and time to complete its assessment of the mill's viability.

I hope this time will also allow Kruger and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers to make another attempt to reach an agreement.

The mill is one of the largest private employers in Western Newfoundland and there is no doubt, Mr. Speaker, that the loss would have enormous impacts on Corner Brook and the Western region and as a result, our whole Province. We all share this concern.

During my two-day visit I discussed this and other matters with people in the community and in meetings held with representatives of most of the mill's union locals, the president of the Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade, the mayor of Corner Brook, and the city council.

Mr. Speaker, I reiterated our government's commitment to providing support for the mills within a defined framework once the labour and pension issues are resolved and a long-term sustainability plan for the future of the mill is in place. Our support, Mr. Speaker, has been demonstrated; our commitment is firm. As Premier, I have stayed very close to what has been happening with the mill, as have the Minister of Natural Resources, the Minister of Service Newfoundland and Labrador, and our Members for Humber West and Humber East. Mr. Speaker, I also wish to acknowledge the co-operation and support of the Leader of the Opposition and the Member for the Bay of Islands. We will continue to monitor closely what happens over the coming weeks.

Mr. Speaker, I now urge the company and its employees to continue working hard to resolve the issues that remain. The future of the mill is of paramount concern for all involved and we share the goal of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper remaining as a key employer and contributor to our economy for many years to come.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the Premier for taking the trip to the West Coast and to Corner Brook on the weekend. I think it really showed from her office the level of commitment that was there, that we all knew was there for the operation of the mill. No doubt, on Friday night there was a sense of great anxiety. I can remember sitting at home when I first heard the news of the results of the vote. I can honestly say there was a heavy burden lifted off my shoulders that night to realize the impact that this would have on the communities.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize the tremendous courage and sacrifice that was made by, not only the mill workers, but their families as well, and for the dedication they showed to the long-term viability of the mill to the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. Their commitment to the future was certainly demonstrated, I believe, on Friday. These personal commitments, as the Premier said, will now allow for the second vote in August. Hopefully, we will get past the pension issues and I really believe we will because of the commitments that we have seen to this mill; also, the opportunity to engage the groups that obviously did not support this vote, and the two other groups that right now will be included, I know, and these of course are the loggers who supply the source of wood, not only to our pulp and paper mill but also to the sawmills which have such a significant impact in many rural areas of the Province.

Indeed, like I said so many times, the mill itself is really the foundation for all of the forestry industry in our Province. I am looking forward to the positive outcome once we get past October. I do want to mention too, a group of employees I have in my own community with Deer Lake Power who provided unprecedented value into the operation of the mill in Corner Brook. We have all recognized this in the past and they too will be included.

I will finish up, Mr. Speaker, by saying one thing, that I really look forward to many years of explaining to the next generation that when the whistle blows in Corner Brook it is a sound that we will hear for many years to come.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I too thank the Premier for an advance copy of her statement.

My thoughts also are with the people and the workers of Corner Brook. It was indeed a time of great anxiety and sacrifices have been made, and will continue to be made. I hope, Mr. Speaker, these sacrifices do not fall too heavily on the shoulders of the workers and their families as we continue into the future.

It is obviously in everybody's best interest that the mill stay open, knowing that it will take hard work and co-operation to make that happen. We are all aware of that. I say to the Premier, and I am sure she does know it, whatever government plans to do for the mill and its owners these plans must be in the best, long-term benefits of the workers, their families, and the people of the region.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Further statements by ministers?

The hon. the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. FRENCH: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this hon. House to highlight an important ongoing conservation initiative in Newfoundland and Labrador. Since 2008, the provincial government has engaged in a five-year, $15.3 million woodland caribou strategy to help understand and mitigate the current population decline. Caribou populations on the Island peaked in the mid to late 1990s to more than 95,000 animals, and have since declined to the current population of approximately 32,000 animals.

Over the past several years, Mr. Speaker, we have been engaged in data collection, analysis, reporting, public education, and adaptive management. This has involved the radio-collaring and monitoring of hundreds of individual caribou across an area of more than 110,000 square kilometres.

An important component of our strategy is the research on caribou-predator interactions in three geographically and ecologically distinct regions of our Island. Thousands of samples have been collected to provide information on population density, genetics, diet, and food habits. We also completed a diversionary feeding experiment to determine whether we could effectively distract black bear from caribou calves while they are most vulnerable to predation. Although our efforts successfully modified bear behaviour, it did not result in an increase in calf survival. Our focus is now turned to other known predators such as coyotes.

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I had the opportunity to host representatives from local media outlets in the Middle Ridge area of our Province to help inform our residents of this significant piece of work. It was an opportunity for them to see the calving grounds firsthand, the role that predation plays during caribou calving season, and our efforts to enhance calf survival rates. We recently conducted an experimental lethal removal of coyote in this controlled area to determine if it was an effective means to reduce coyote predation during the critical first few weeks of caribou calf life. The analysis of this work is now underway to determine if this experimental program helped improve calf survival in the area. Our government is dedicated to the conservation and management of wildlife in our Province built on the common principle of sustainability. The continuing efforts of our caribou strategy will help ensure the effective and efficient management of this important species in 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.

I thank the minister for advance notice of his statement.

Mr. Speaker, caribou populations world wide are in decline. The majority of the herds in our Province of Newfoundland and Labrador are also in decline, with the exception, maybe, of the Mealy Mountains caribou herd.

High predation, natural decline, industry, and habitat reduction all play a role in impacts on caribou. Mr. Speaker, we are hopeful that continued analyses and feedback from caretakers and harvesters alike will eventually lead to an increase in our caribou herds.

We are also concerned, Mr. Speaker, about the increase in coyote populations on the Island portion of our Province, as well as problems with black bear predation as they impact the calving grounds. Further to that, Mr. Speaker, in Labrador, recommendations have been forwarded to the minister from organizations like the Torngat Wildlife and Plants Co-Management Board that are surely conservation based.

With the normal harvest season opening in less than two months, Mr. Speaker, I urge the minister to take the advice that has been forwarded and to make the necessary steps towards bringing back our caribou.

Thank you.

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 an advance copy of his statement.

Mr. Speaker, it is important to see the government step in at the caribou's most crucial time to try and understand the survival of that species, and also equally important to see that government takes the initiative by ensuring the protection of the habitat of the caribou within the Province.

There has been no greater pressure put any other species in this Province at this time than the caribou, with this species facing pressure from people, industry, and nature alike. Whether that pressure occurs by losing habitat areas or the introduction of an invasive species like the coyote, all have the right to survival. It is through research like this particular project that will lead us to a better understanding of how to ensure any species' survival.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Oral Questions.

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On July 2, 2012 this Province will mark the twentieth anniversary of the cod moratorium. This is a milestone that leaves many wondering why more has not been done to recover our cod stocks and questioning DFO's commitment to our resource.

I ask the Premier: When will you make a strong stand against Ottawa on the need to invest in an aggressive rebuilding strategy so that another twenty years will not pass before we see the cod rebound?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Indeed it is a very timely topic. Twenty years has been a long time, and we have gone through a lot of struggles in our Province to try and rebound from the moratorium and refocus the industry in this Province. We have had many discussions over the last twelve or thirteen weeks about the vision for the future of the fishery as it relates to Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker.

As the Premier has said, and I have said on many occasions, we do indeed have a strong vision of where the fishery needs to go, and we are working through that; we are working through a process of change. I want to be very clear with the member opposite that the Premier and I both have been extremely strong with the federal government as it relates to the management of the fish stocks, as it relates to investment in the fishery, and as it relates to investment in science that will give us the information needed to make the proper decisions so that we do guide the fishery in the direction that it needs to go. We will continue to take a strong stand for the Province, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: There is no question, I think, Mr. Speaker, that some of those plans and strategies seem to look good on paper. It is obvious right now that we have not seen the rebound of those cod stocks like we anticipated twenty years ago.

Mr. Speaker, in 2003, both the federal and provincial governments formed an action team for cod recovery. In 2005, the team put forth a strategy for the recovery and management of cod stocks in Newfoundland and Labrador.

I ask the Premier to explain why her government has not implemented this strategy. When will she get serious about a cod rebuilding plan that is currently in place and already existing in other countries?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Let us be clear, none of the strategies and directions that we are pursuing are just to be nice on paper. We have laid out a very clear vision and we are going to articulate that in much more detail in the coming months, I say to the member opposite.

We have been very clearly focused in this Province on working through a process of declining stocks in many areas, while at the same time, Mr. Speaker, we are seeing tremendous growth in new species: crab, shrimp, whelk, sea cucumber, and the list goes on. We continue to invest in product development, and we continue to invest in technology, in assisting processors in the Province to continue to improve their business so that they can stay competitive in the world market.

The reality is, Mr. Speaker, that without those kinds of strategic investments, Newfoundland and Labrador will not compete on the world stage. I say to the member opposite, if you read our strategies very clearly, you will see that they are focused on the future.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It appears that the disagreement between Exxon and government over the construction of the third Hebron module is headed to arbitration. Based on the Premier's comments in the media, the arbitrator will not have the authority to demand that the work is completed in the Province; they will only be able to set penalties.

I ask the Premier: What stage of the dispute resolution process are we in now? Is it negotiation, mediation, or arbitration?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Once ExxonMobil makes the determination that they are going to move the DES outside the Province, Mr. Speaker, they have to file what is called a Newfoundland and Labrador capacity report. The minister has thirty days then to respond to that report, and it is fairly clear what our response will be at this point. We feel strongly that we have the capacity, the physical infrastructure, and the ability to do that in this Province.

Then, Mr. Speaker, another sixty days elapses, in which there are negotiations and discussions. It is after that you move toward an arbitration, if no resolution is found. The reason it is set up like this, Mr. Speaker, is that we are always heading toward first oil in 2017; therefore, the arbitration process is not meant to slow the process down, tie it up in the courts, and essentially move along with the project while still dealing with the issue.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Putting this decision to the third-party arbitrator removes government from making the final decision on where this $100 million piece of business would be completed.

So I ask the Premier: During the negotiations on the Hebron Benefits Agreement, why did you allow for government to be removed from the final decision-making process in the beginning?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

The Hebron Benefits Agreement was negotiated over a period of time, with a view to maximizing the benefits for the people of our Province and to ensure that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are the principal beneficiaries of our natural resources.

Mr. Speaker, in terms of the DES and the DSM modules, the issue relates around physical infrastructure. One is being built by Kiewit in Marystown. At that point, the second one, there was a question: Could it be built at Bull Arm? We are told now, both by two local proponents and by an expert witness from the United Kingdom, Mr. Speaker, that they can both be built at Bull Arm sequentially, with a short overlap that would allow for enough resources, both in terms of physical infrastructure and labour.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL: Mr. Speaker, one of the key pieces of the Muskrat Falls Project is the power purchase agreement between an unregulated Nalcor and the regulated Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

So I ask the Premier: Will the finalized details of the PPA be available prior to the special debate on Muskrat Falls?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, this issue has been raised by the Opposition Leader on a number of occasions, and I have had the opportunity to discuss the matter with Mr. Ed Martin, the President of Nalcor.

The power purchase agreement, Mr. Speaker, the importance of it – it will determine what the rates are that will be paid by the people of our Province. Once we have the Decision Gate 3 numbers, Mr. Speaker, then we will have a better idea in terms of what it will cost our people for the power. The power purchase agreement is be worked on, and I can assure the member opposite, even if it is not finalized, we will know well in advance what those numbers will be and that they will be contained in the final power purchase agreement.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Several deadlines have already been missed on the Muskrat Falls development. These include, of course, the finalization of the term sheet with Emera and details on the federal government loan guarantee. The only deadline that was firm and one that was not missed was the PUB review, which was quickly dismissed.

I ask the Premier: When the power purchase agreement on Muskrat Falls is finalized, will you bring this back to the PUB for them to analyze it?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am pleased to announce there has been great progress on the Emera agreements. There is something like thirteen agreements in all, Mr. Speaker. They are very complicated and they cover all of the issues outlined in the term sheet.

The second issue, Mr. Speaker, in relation to the federal loan guarantee, there are weekly meetings going on with the federal government. Minister Oliver in a conversation with me last week confirmed the federal government's commitment to provide a loan guarantee.

As for the missed date, Mr. Speaker, let me correct the member opposite. The Public Utilities Board had an extra three months given. They were supposed to have the report by December 31. What we got at the end of day, Mr. Speaker, was nothing. Therefore, we have no intention of going back to the PUB. They had their opportunity to participate in this process and to offer and play a crucial role. They chose not to.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would argue we got a fair amount of information from the PUB. Simply, they did not have enough information, according to them. We understand they were not the only ones, of course. The Joint Review Panel felt the same way.

Mr. Speaker, according to the Workers' Compensation Act decisions on reviews is supposed to be made within sixty days. We are now hearing these reviews are taking up to six to eight months to be heard.

I ask the minister: Why is the review board not meeting these deadlines and when can we expect the review board to start doing so?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the hon. member opposite for the question and the opportunity to speak about this today because it is a very important matter to workers, especially workers who have had an injury in the workplace and who are looking for a resolution to this.

We have added new commissioners last year, Mr. Speaker, to deal with the increased demand. Through the adding of new commissioners, we also experienced a couple of resignations from existing commissioners. We are in the process of adding new commissioners once again to top up our allotments so we can meet the demands currently in place.

I would also like to point out to the House, Mr. Speaker, and also to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, that conducting these reviews are now more complex and more detailed than they ever have been before. They are taking more time to do that. We are working through our framework, we are reviewing what we are doing, and we are making improvements to speed up that process.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The number of decisions being made by the review board has been really on the decrease over the last number of years. For instance, in 2006 there were 322 decisions and in 2009 there were just 272. In 2011, it was at an all-time low of just 185.

I ask the Minister: If the number of new applicants is not changing, why are the number of decisions rendered by the review board continually decreasing every year?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think I just answered that question and provided that information to the hon. member opposite. As far as the operations of the Review Division, we have also carried out an organizational review over the last couple of years of the Review Division itself.

We have added three new key components to the Review Division. One of those components is an advocate's position to work with people who are filing reviews. Those positions have now been filled in recent months. They are now getting up to speed on the processes and the work that they are doing. They are beginning to work with those who are applying for reviews to ensure that they can be expedited in a fast and appropriate manner.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just one more question, because of course the timeline is critical here for the people who are waiting for the reviews.

Can the minister make a commitment to when we will get back to the sixty-day time commitment?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. DAVIS: Mr. Speaker, as I have outlined in my previous two answers, there are a number of steps that we have taken to address the needs of injured workers in Newfoundland and Labrador, and specifically injured workers who applied for a review of the work that has been done by the commission and how they have adjudicated their claims. Mr. Speaker, these are very complex matters. We have added new review commissioners; we have added new professional staff at the office. While doing that, we carried out an organizational review which led to the addition of those new positions. We will continue to make those improvements in the best 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: Mr. Speaker, this year's second round of JCP applications were submitted on May 4. Sponsor organizations were scheduled to be notified the week of June 11 to June 15.

My question for the minister: Can you please provide an update on when these JCPs will be announced everywhere?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS BURKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, the JCPs, which is the Job Creation Projects, is certainly part of what we offer for employment supports for people who find themselves unable for one reason or another to attach to the labour market. We have about a budget of $16 million to $17 million annually that goes into these Job Creation Projects.

Mr. Speaker, we receive applications three times a year, and once due diligence is done on the analysis we will get those decisions out. Mr. Speaker, based on the volume of the applications that come in, sometimes we do not necessarily meet the deadline that we have set as a department to get these projects out. Mr. Speaker, what I can say is the applications are in, they are being assessed and analyzed, and once decisions are made we will be notifying the proponents.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I appreciate the answer from the minister, but this is the second round of JCPs and both rounds have been late. There are a lot of groups, communities, organizations out there that are waiting and depending on these.

I would ask the Minister: Are you prepared to commit to a notification date for the sake of the organizations awaiting word?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS BURKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as I said, there will be an analysis done of each and every application as it comes in to ensure that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have every opportunity to attach to the labour market. Mr. Speaker, these Job Creation Projects are about enabling people to be able to develop their skills because we have a labour market in the Province that is certainly very promising. We want to make sure that we are able to provide the opportunity that leads people to employment in the long run, Mr. Speaker. Although organizations are depending on it, they have applied and we will be doing our application process and notification, but I can say, Mr. Speaker, these projects are not so much about maintaining organizations as they are about assisting people to make that permanent, long-term attachment to the labour force.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. EDMUNDS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Due to neglect and lack of maintenance, docking facilities in some Northern Labrador communities are in need of major repair and replacement. Storage facilities at deep docks are also inadequate and really no more than token shacks.

I ask the Minister: When will the much needed repairs on these facilities begin so the North Coast communities in Labrador are safely served?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We do an assessment of these facilities on a yearly basis, and of late we are having some difficulty, Mr. Speaker, in getting the work done. Over the last number of years we have put out a number of tenders or contracts for this work to be completed, and unfortunately no one has taken us up on it. We have managed to try and get it done locally but not to the extent that we would like. This year we have combined for larger contracts on work not completed, and hopefully we will get some successful bidders who will come forward and provide that much needed work to keep our facilities up to the standard we would expect.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. EDMUNDS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In a recent Telegram paper a notice from the Fish Processing License Board reveals that there is a request from OCI to transfer the sea cucumber licence from Cook's Harbour to St. Lawrence.

Can the minister confirm if the licence originally issued at Carroll's Store and Fisheries in Cook's Harbour is indeed a valid licence, and will any additional sea cucumber licences be issued in the near future?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

No, I cannot confirm what the member is asking at this point in time. We are currently doing an audit of that license for activity. As many members would be aware, we have a policy in government that if a processing license is inactive for a period of two years, the minister cancels the license. There are occasions where there is an appeal. Errors sometimes are made in calculations and so on. Anytime we cancel a license, as in this case, or there is a request to transfer, we do an audit. That is being done. I hope to have that done in the next few weeks. Otherwise, Mr. Speaker, what we are seeing today is the normal process. The two companies have a tentative transaction. The advertisement is all part of the process. The request will then go to the independent licensing processing board that will make some decisions and recommendations to me as minister.

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

MR. JOYCE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks to access to information, the people of the Province found out about the deteriorating state of the Province's bridges. In response, government has admitted that a proper bridge maintenance plan is still years away.

I ask the minister: What are the minister's plans for improving the state of this Province's bridges?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: I say to the hon. member opposite that the government is well into a plan to take care of some of our aging infrastructure and the infrastructure deficit that was presented to us in 2003. Basically, with infrastructure we are looking at $1 billion a year over the last six years. Looking at what we do with roads and bridges, one quarter of that is spent with regard to repairing. Again, Mr. Speaker, what we are saying is that we have a bridge management system that thoroughly informs us as to what priorities we should be dealing with, with any given year, and we are providing the resources to make sure that is done.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

The Premier has promised that we will be back in the House this fall to debate Muskrat Falls. In preparation for that debate, Nalcor has commissioned new reports on wind and natural gas as alternative energy projects. Government is also expecting new financial projections from Nalcor in advance of the decision whether or not to sanction the project. This will be one of the most important debates in the Province's history. It is vital it be an informed debate.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier: Will government commit to releasing all new information well in advance of the debate for people to have ample time to prepare?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, Muskrat Falls has come under more scrutiny in Newfoundland and Labrador than any other project in our history. We have made a commitment to a full debate here in the House of Assembly. The numbers will be available through the summer, Mr. Speaker. We know that we cannot get Decision Gate 3 numbers until mid-July at the very earliest – the very earliest. We have to provide them to MHI for analysis; expert analysis is required, given there is not a lot of expertise in this House, Mr. Speaker. As soon as that information is ready we will make it available. There are a number of reports not being done by Nalcor, but being done within government. We will make them available as well.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The government has refused to reveal what they promised Joe Kruger, the owner of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, when he met privately with them in early June to discuss the mill's future. Recently, workers chose to accept the regressive deal Kruger forced on them in order to keep the mill open.

So, Mr. Speaker, I ask the Premier: Will she now make public what she promised Joe Kruger?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Premier.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, an unbelievable position for the Leader of the Third Party to take here in this Province, at this particular time; given the state of the situation in Corner Brook, given what we have had to deal with in Grand Falls-Windsor and in Stephenville, and given the state of this industry worldwide, it is absolutely unbelievable that she would rise and make such an uninformed statement, Mr. Speaker.

That mill is critical to the economy of the Western region, critical to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, critical to the people who work in that mill, Mr. Speaker. She should learn something about pulp and paper before she gets up here to talk about it in the House of Assembly.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The hon. the Leader of the Third Party.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

If the Premier had listened, all I wanted to know is what she promised to keep the plant open. I want it open, but I want her to make public what she promised. That is all I asked.

Mr. Speaker, the Long-Term Care and Community Support Services Strategy announced last week includes a pilot project to place people who need high levels of care into personal care homes. Personal care homes do not normally have the formally trained staff, nurses, and high-level equipment that are needed to care for Level III patients.

So, Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Health and Community Services: Will the funding set aside for this project cover the cost of formally trained attendants, licensed practical nurses, and equipment that these Level III residents will need?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, once again, this is an unbelievable statement as well; for the member opposite to think that we would play with the health of our senior citizens in this Province and not provide them with the proper support, it is absolutely despicable.

We are intending this to be a pilot project from which we will learn and hopefully be able to expand this project. Mr. Speaker, our intent is to ensure that these residents get the best care that they can possibly get. That is something we committed to and we will see to it, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Third Party.

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

Mr. Speaker, government will continue to impose a means test on people looking to receive home care to determine whether or not they are eligible for it.

I ask the minister: Why should a person's bank balance determine whether or not the person gets the home support services they need in this Province?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it would be great if we had the money that the NDP would spend if they were taking over this government. God guard thee Newfoundland should they ever be elected.

Mr. Speaker, what we have done is we have made huge inroads into the eligibility that people have to meet in order to be able to receive home care in Newfoundland and Labrador. Mr. Speaker, that has resulted in unprecedented numbers of people who are now availing of home care in Newfoundland and Labrador. We will continue to see that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador who need home care, who deserve home care, get that home care.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MS ROGERS: Mr. Speaker, on June 20, the Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation said: I have a minister's committee, a deputy minister's committee, and an interdisciplinary committee within government that deal with the overall picture of housing in the Province and has government reacting to it. Social housing is full, housing costs have doubled since 2004 and rising, rental costs are rising, vacancy rates hover around 1 –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS ROGERS: – per cent Province-wide, large resource developments are on the horizon, and now mortgages are harder to get.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the minister: Aside from social housing, what exactly are his committees doing to address this overall growing housing crisis for the working families of Newfoundland and Labrador?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: Mr. Speaker, I feel like a broken record because every time I get on my feet – we have a strategy to move forward; we also have a commitment.

I would say to the hon. member over there, you stood on your feet in support of an amendment motion on housing the other day. You acknowledged that we have a strategy; you acknowledged that it works. As well, you acknowledged that this government made a commitment to move forward on housing affordability with regard to our Blue Book commitment. Guess what? We are going to follow it and we are going to do it.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The Member for St. John's Centre.

MS ROGERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, last week, yet another person asked for a longer sentence in order to go to federal prison because she cannot get proper psychiatric services in our penitentiary system. Complaints about these psychiatric services have come from all corners, including a scathing report from the Citizens' Representative. Appropriate medical treatment is a vital part of rehabilitation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Justice: What is he doing to fix this very serious problem with psychiatric services in our correctional system?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. F. COLLINS: Mr. Speaker, the hon. member premised her question on certain allegations and premises with respect of the practice of psychiatry. Mr. Speaker, I am not a psychiatrist. I would not suggest that the hon. member is a psychiatrist. I do not think the Citizens' Rep was a psychiatrist when he wrote the initial report, but, Mr. Speaker, it was for that reason that we requested the peer review. We are waiting on that review. We have been in communication with the reviewer as late as last week. He is diligently working on that report. We expect it very soon.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. MITCHELMORE: Mr. Speaker, it has been twenty years since the federal government called a moratorium on the Northern cod fishery. For two decades, the cod fishery has been plagued with the lack of leadership from both the federal and provincial governments. It has been a time of uncertainty and a lack of direction.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture: Will government commit to creating a Province-wide fact-finding committee who will meet with stakeholders and develop recommendations to how we can work towards a sustainable cod fishery in the future?

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

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The member opposite is probably about five years too late. We have been doing the fact-finding mission since 2003, I say to the member opposite, and it is actually a very broad group. It engages the Premier, members of Cabinet, members of caucus, and many members of the Opposition who engage with us on a regular basis to get us out in their districts – the Official Opposition I mean, to get us out in their districts to talk to people, from plant workers to plant owners, processors, harvesters. We are fact finding all of the time, Mr. Speaker, and that is why we are investing in marketing, it is why we are investing in technology, and it is why we are investing in research.

The Centre for Fisheries Innovation and Dr. George Rose at the Marine Institute, Mr. Speaker – millions and millions of dollars that we have invested to try to pick up the slack from the cuts by the federal government over the years.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We need to stop the blame game when it comes to bridges and road construction. Bridges have only gotten worse, now double since this government first took office in 2003. The government can no longer turn its back on motorists' safety.

Can the minister please tell this House –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. MURPHY: – what the strategic plan is for this Province, knowing that this government has collected $2.2 billion in gasoline tax and we have not seen the strategic investment?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: First of all, I would like to inform the member opposite, Mr. Speaker, that we are investing heavily in infrastructure, especially with regard to bridge repairs, $200 million over the last little while.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: If you want a comparison, back ten years when the Liberals were in, from 1993 to 2002, they looked at probably engaging in fifty-six projects. Since 2003, Mr. Speaker, we are looking at over 267 bridge repairs and rehabilitation.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. HEDDERSON: As well, I say to the hon. member, was it you not too long ago who was saying take the tax off gasoline? Now, you are asking us to use it to do something else. Which is it? What do you want?

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

Time for a quick question without preamble.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

A quick question, please.

MS MICHAEL: Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Health and Community Services: What is the plan for offering affordable training and better salaries to home support workers in this Province?

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Health and Community Services for a quick answer.

MS SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we always have a plan in place and that is why we addressed this in the last Budget. We increased it again. Mr. Speaker, we will continue to look at that.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

The time for Question Period has expired.

Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees

Tabling of Documents

Notices of Motion.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will ask leave to move the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Assembly as follows:

WHEREAS section 7 of the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act provides that the Clerk of the House of Assembly is to be appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, on nomination by the House of Assembly; and

WHEREAS the Speaker, in consultation with the Commission, the Clerk of the Executive Council, and the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, determined an appropriate process for recruitment of a suitable candidate for the appointment;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Sandra Barnes be nominated for appointment as Clerk of the House of Assembly beginning July 2, 2012.

MR. SPEAKER: Answers to Question for which Notice has been Given.

Petitions.

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

MR. JOYCE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I present this petition on family caregivers. I will read the petition, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS home care allows the elderly and people with disabilities to remain within the comfort and security of their own homes; home care also allows people to be discharged from the hospital earlier; and

WHEREAS many families find it very difficult to recruit and retain home care workers for their loved ones; and

WHEREAS the PC Blue Book 2011 as well as the 2012 Speech from the Throne committed that government would develop a new model of home care and give people the option of receiving that care from family members; and

WHEREAS government has given no time commitment for when government plans to implement paying family caregivers;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge the government to implement a new home care model to cover family caregivers in the 2012-2013 Budget.

Mr. Speaker, I was encouraged when I heard the minister just last week in an interview saying there is going to be some plan out in the next two to three weeks. I look forward to the plan, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to the commitment that was made in the Blue Book. There is absolutely no mistake in this Province of what was committed, Mr. Speaker.

There was a commitment that family members who want to stay home to take care of loved ones in their home will have that option. I look forward to that, because I know the minister has said within the next two to three weeks they are rolling out this plan. I look forward to it, Mr. Speaker, where family members who want to stay home and take care of their elderly parents, their sick or disabled siblings, brother, or sister, that this government will follow through on the commitment.

It is an issue all throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. I am willing to bet every member in this House of Assembly is dealing with it on a regular basis. I am sure every member in the House of Assembly is looking forward to bringing in this measure that family members can take care of their loved ones, Mr. Speaker.

I know a lot of cases personally, Mr. Speaker, where you cannot get people to give home care. You just cannot get it. People are just not in the communities to do it. It is very important and it is very vital to ensure that people stay at home and that people be able to have respite in their own home when they are doing it. It is a twenty-four-hours, seven-days-a-week, and 365-days-a-year commitment for a lot of people in Newfoundland and Labrador. Mr. Speaker, this is an act that when you love someone so much you want to ensure they have the best care possible.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the announcement in the next couple of weeks. I know the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are looking forward to the announcement. When the government comes through with the commitment that any family member in this Province who wants to stay home and take care of their loved one, they can stay home and be paid, I will be the first to applaud the government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

MR. EDMUNDS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The petition of the undersigned humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS the Premier has the authority under the Public Inquiries Act, 2006, to establish a public inquiry into matters of public concern; and

WHEREAS there have been several tragedies in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador; and

WHEREAS search and rescue responses have been called into question; and

WHEREAS the Burton Winters tragedy has increased awareness of search and rescue capacity in Newfoundland and Labrador; and

WHEREAS the Maritime Search and Rescue Sub-Centre St. John's is closed effective last May 8;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to establish a public inquiry into the search and rescue in Newfoundland and Labrador.

As in duty bound your petitioners will humbly pray.

Mr. Speaker, I think there are probably seventy signatures attached to this petition coming from several communities in Labrador; a majority from Lake Melville, Goose Bay and the communities of Sheshatshiu and North West River, several from Makkovik and Nain, and several from Natuashish, Mr. Speaker. As far reaching as the cutbacks of search and rescue go, Mr. Speaker, up in Labrador they are probably the most vulnerable, as we look forward to search and rescue to save lives up there when in fact the government has cut back on the search and rescue sub-centre.

The Northern Peninsula is closing down their Coast Guard radio station, something that is unbelievable, Mr. Speaker, and cutbacks in DFO. All of this, Mr. Speaker, while we outlined and proved the need for search and rescue services in Labrador, and certainly in the Province of Newfoundland on the whole. Mr. Speaker, this issue has by no means gone anywhere. It is still alive and they are still looking for action on it, Mr. Speaker. I submit this petition, I support this petition, and hopefully we will get results to increase the services in Newfoundland and Labrador when it does come to search and rescue.

Thank you.

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

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

I have a petition to the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS the Department of Health and Community Services of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is responsible for the funding and administration of the health care system in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador; and

WHEREAS the Western Health Care Corporation is responsible for the delivery of health care services in the Town of Ramea and surrounding communities upon the terms and conditions prescribed by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Health and Community Services; and

WHEREAS we have a medical clinic within the Town of Ramea which services the residents of Ramea, Grey River, and François; and

WHEREAS there is a constant shortage of nurse practitioners at the Ramea clinic in order to provide the necessary medical services to the residents of Ramea and the coastal clinics; and

WHEREAS the Ramea Health Services Committee, and the Town of Ramea, and concerned citizens have been repeatedly requesting of Western Health to provide the appropriate number of medical and nursing personnel at Ramea; and

WHEREAS Western Health and the Department of Health and Community Services have failed in their obligations to deliver stabilized medical nursing personnel to the Ramea and coastal clinics;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to support the residents of Ramea, Grey River, and François in their request to have adequate health care and nursing services available at all times and in appropriate numbers with appropriate skills at the Ramea and coastal clinics.

And as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, this is a serious issue that we are dealing with in Ramea. They have been short two nurse practitioners for some time now, and I will acknowledge the fact that the minister and the parliamentary secretary did take the time to meet with myself and members of the committee here in St. John's to discuss the issues, so certainly they are aware of it. However, these positions have not been filled. There were people lined up who were interested in taking the positions, but we have since lost those people. One person that we were hoping was going to come here ended up taking a job in PEI, and the other one has still not made their decision.

It is a tough spot that we are in. Certainly, the classification that we use is rural, in the medical system, really prejudices smaller places like Ramea that have to compete against much larger centres which are still considered rural. I believe it is anything under the population of 10,000. So, you can see how it is very tough if you are looking for these professionals and you have to fight against a bigger centre with more amenities.

We have to do something to encourage medical professionals to come to these towns. Again, these people are separated by ferry from the mainland. It is not like they can just hop in a car and drive, they have to rely on the weather. So, to not have these professionals on the Island of Ramea, and certainly at the other areas where there is service, like François, and like Grey River, is a huge disservice to these people.

So, I am calling upon the government to step into this, make sure we are not relying on patchwork health care for these individuals just because they live in a rural part of this Province, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much.

MR. SPEAKER: Orders of the Day.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Government House Leader.

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Assembly as follows:

WHEREAS section 7 of the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act provides the Clerk of the House of Assembly is to be appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council on nomination by the House of Assembly; and

WHEREAS the Speaker, in consultation with the Commission, the Clerk of the Executive Council, and the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission determine an appropriate process for a recruitment of a suitable candidate for the appointment;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Sandra Barnes be nominated for appointment as the Clerk of the House of Assembly beginning July 2, 2012.

Mr. Speaker, I was elected in 2007 and had the opportunity to sit in Cabinet at that point. Ms Barnes, at that point, was the Deputy Clerk to the Executive Council and Associate Secretary to Cabinet, so she certainly has a great familiarity with how the legislative process works, Mr. Speaker. She has great familiarity with how legislation is made and the interpretation of legislation. In fact, when I look at her resume, Mr. Speaker, it shows that she was seconded from Newfoundland and Labrador Computer Services in 1990 to 1994 and became a permanent employee of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as of 1994.

Mr. Speaker, she has acted in various capacities as an employee of the provincial government. In 1996, she was a Senior Planning and Policy Consultant with the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs; Cabinet Officer with Cabinet Secretariat with the Government Newfoundland and Labrador in 1999 to 2001; Director of Research, Policy Analysis and Planning from 2001 to 2002. She worked then with the Economic Policy and Program Renewal in Cabinet Secretariat from 2002 to 2005, and became the Deputy Clerk of the Executive Council in August 2005 and spent five years there to January 2010. She was then appointed the Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs, where she has served from January 2010 to the present.

Mr. Speaker, I am looking at a copy of Ms Barnes' resume and I like the first line because I think it describes, very accurately, Sandra Barnes as a person, as a professional: an energetic individual with diverse experience in issues management, policy analysis, strategic planning, project management and systems design development and implementation.

Mr. Speaker, I have also, over the last number of years, had the opportunity to sit on the House Management committee and I know that a lot of the skills that Ms Barnes would have learned, a lot of the knowledge she would have obtained in her various roles in government, in Cabinet Secretariat, and in her Municipal Affairs deputy minister's job will assist her as the Clerk of the House.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I do want to say a thank you and a goodbye to Bill MacKenzie for all the years of service. Bill has done a great job as the –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Bill has done a great job, Mr. Speaker, in everything from advising the Speaker as the Chair during the House Management committee to running the House of Assembly as we sit here. In fact, if we ever have a question, simply: Bill, what do I do next? I have had to ask that question more than once in the last year as the Government House Leader, Mr. Speaker. I am sure that Sandra will certainly get herself up to speed as quickly as that.

The Clerk plays such an important role, Mr. Speaker. If we go back to Chief Justice Derek Green's report when he talks about the branches of government, and he talks about the importance of maintaining the distinction between the legislative, the executive, and the judicial branches of government. I think that is very important in terms of the Clerk understanding his or her role, Mr. Speaker.

The Legislature is set up and the way we have it set up now, Mr. Speaker, under the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act is that there are various independent Officers of the House. The Clerk is oftentimes the conduit or the liaison between these Officers and the Speaker, and provides advice.

I can say that one of the crucial roles that I see played in government certainly in maintaining that independence but the provision of information is the role of the Clerk. I know it is a very historical role and even quite to the point where the Speaker, the Clerk, and the Table Officers are still dressed in the robes and the tabs that barristers wear in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.

There is a lot of history to the role of the Clerk; there is a lot of tradition, Mr. Speaker. While I may be kind of classic in certain areas I am certainly not when it comes to the importance of pomp, ceremony, and tradition in either our courts or in this House, quite to the point, Mr. Speaker, where the march – I am not quite certain what the term we would call it but every day when the Speaker comes into the House. I thought I heard the Speaker say today, march, and everyone move forward. Quite to the point where we have people play the roles that were played in a historical basis.

Our parliamentary system is based to a great extent on the Westminster system, Mr. Speaker. As I unfortunately became quite familiar with Bosc and O'Brien and Beauchesne this year, we see that time and time again referenced through the tradition.

It is important that the Clerk, Mr. Speaker, have a sense of that history, a sense of the importance of the role, but also realize we are in a practical world. One of the things all of us in this House will say is that when it comes to trying to ensure we all comply with the Green report, Mr. Speaker, the Clerk and other members of this House are very helpful in terms of the interpretation of those provisions.

Mr. Speaker, also, I wanted to point out when we look at the employment history of Ms Barnes that she has been involved in various aspects of government. That knowledge is certainly not going to hurt her but will assist her in many ways.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to talk for a second about the process. Any time there is an appointment in government, we have to ensure the process is followed. In this particular case with the Clerk, and we talk about the Legislative Branch of the government, obviously there has to be an interaction. There is an interaction with the House Management Committee and there is an interaction, Mr. Speaker, with the Executive. We cannot live in a world where there is no interaction. Understanding that role is important and that role is clearly set out in the Green report.

When I looked at the process, Mr. Speaker, in the notice of motion, it refers to the fact that the Speaker, in consultation with the Commission, the Clerk of the Executive Council, and the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, determined an appropriate process for recruitment of a suitable candidate for the appointment. Mr. Speaker, that should give everyone comfort and solace in that it was not simply: who would you like to have here or who would like this job? A process was followed, it was determined by yourself in your role, Mr. Speaker, and Ms Barnes was the successful candidate.

I certainly wish her well. She is more than qualified for this job. There are times, as Bill will probably say, where there is a bit of boredom and tediousness involved as hon. members do their job. Mr. Speaker, again, it is a crucial role and one that I think Sandra Barnes is amply qualified for.

As an aside, Mr. Speaker, I had thought that Ms Barnes would be the first female Clerk. I am told by one of the Table Officers that is not in fact the case and that there was a female Clerk prior to – was it Mr. Noel? Prior to Mr. Noel there was a female Clerk.

I wish Ms Barnes all success in her job, Mr. Speaker, and again, I thank Mr. MacKenzie for a performance that has been truly neutral, one that deserves credit. I wish him all the best of luck in his endeavours.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is certainly a privilege for me to stand here and to speak to the appointment of our new Clerk. That is, of course, Ms Sandra Barnes. I too was not sure if this would be our first female Clerk or not. I did look and actually inquire with Bill just to make sure that we had the history right. We find out today that she will not be the first one but indeed, she will join a very long, prestigious list of Clerks here at the House of Assembly.

One of the things about Ms Barnes – the first thing I did, of course, was get a copy of her resume; after reviewing the resume, one of the things that you will notice, as you go through the summary and then into the list of accomplishments, when you look at the strengths that she actually brings to this position around issues management, team building, project planning and management – all of these are experiences that she has been able to collect over years of experience of working within government and various organizations in her work life; these are things that I believe will be very important for us here as members of the House of Assembly, as we will utilize the services of the Clerk.

She brings, as I said, a wealth of experience in issues management and policy analysis. She is recognized as being a very highly motivated and team player and has taken, certainly, a leadership role into really bringing together what is seen to be, in her past experience, a constructive workplace relationship. Of course, all of this will be important as she continues her work here at the House of Assembly.

One of the things, certainly, in the role of the Clerk – all of us as MHAs, we often go to the Clerk to get quick answers to questions. Certainly, the knowledge that a Clerk brings to the day-to-day activity here at the House of Assembly should not be taken for granted. We look forward to what Ms Barnes will bring to the table as she actually develops her own skills in this.

Of course, it is not just what happens here at the House of Assembly; it is indeed what the Clerk brings to our House of Assembly Management Commission meetings that we have from time to time as it relates to the activities around the House of Assembly and the MHAs in general.

Ms Barnes also played an influential part in the analysis for the government-wide review and the prioritization of government programs and services. These are all things that she has added in her work life and things that she will now bring to this new role.

One of the things that I did notice, of course, when I did review her resume was she made note of her involvement in the implementation of the Green Report back in 2007. All of us as MHAs recognize how important it is for this House to be open, transparent, and accountable to the people that elect us. Her experience that she would bring from that level, of course, will be very important.

Ms Barnes has worked in a number of different departments throughout her years in government, as has been mentioned, and comes to this position qualified as she joins the Table Officers, and certainly very qualified for the work that is required of her when she takes up her role.

Mr. Speaker, I will just conclude by obviously recognizing and congratulating Sandra Barnes on accepting this position and being the successful candidate; respect of a process, as the House Leader mentioned, it is important for all of us that this process be – that we do this in a way that is something that obviously can be justified, and a process that we can actually depend on so that we get the correct person. I believe we do in this case, we certainly have, and we support this nomination of Ms Sandra Barnes as she sits in her new position.

Before I finish, I want to recognize Mr. MacKenzie. Bill is someone that we have come to know. I first met Bill back in 2007, in my brief term as an MHA then. I can tell you, he played such a diligent role in the work that he did. His impartiality was something that we all noticed as MHAs, and you could go to Bill at any time. When you look back at the filibuster just a couple of weeks ago, I looked at him at many times and just shook my head and said: Bill, how many times have you seen this? Is this really relevant, or how much duplication have you seen? So, we really appreciate the extreme patience that you have had with us as MHAs over the years. You have left an impression on all of us. I can assure you, the days that you sat there, I can understand why from time to time you would have had to shake your head.

I commend you for the level of professionalism you have always brought to your seat, the dedication and the hard work. It is something that all of us could use as an example in our own work lives. So, we commend you. We wish you all the best in your next endeavours, and we certainly appreciate what you brought to us as Members of the House of Assembly, and you have been very accessible, for that we appreciate.

We look forward to working with Ms Barnes, and to you, Bill, all the best in the future.

Thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

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

I am very pleased also to have the opportunity to recognize Ms Sandra Barnes in her appointment as the new Clerk of the House.

I do not know Ms Barnes, but I have to say that I am quite impressed by the resume that has been given to us to look at. We can see that she has had a wealth of experience, especially with the Cabinet and Executive Council, which is certainly going to stand her in good stead, there is no doubt about that. Working with Cabinet and Executive Council certainly gives one a good understanding of the underpinnings of government.

I know too that she worked with the Treasury Board, and in her position with the Treasury Board had to interface with quite a number of departments, and learn how to work co-operatively with departments and help them work together as well, which is also something that will be extremely important in the role that she is going to play as Clerk. Probably the difference in the role that she is going to play as Clerk is that the people she has to help work together are the three groups of us who sit in this Legislature. That in itself is quite a daunting task, I would say, Mr. Speaker. We are not always the easiest to help work together. I am sure that as she has helped departments work together she will help us work together, which is extremely important, and of course to help us too in working with the Table Officers and with the staff of the House of Assembly.

The role has many facets to it, and as I have already said, it would seem to me, looking at the roles that she has played, she certainly is going to be up for the task I would imagine. I do understand that working within the House of Assembly and within the dynamics of the House of Assembly is different than working in a department or even with the Executive Council. I would like to say that she has, I believe, a very able group of people in the Table Officers to help her with the task that is ahead.

That brings me, of course, to the current Clerk of the House who sits at the head of the table of the Table Officers –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS MICHAEL: – and who has done such a tremendous job. I do want to join the Official Opposition Leader and the Government House Leader in wishing very best wishes to Mr. Bill MacKenzie who has played such an important role in this House. I was in the House for one short session in the fall of 2006 – emphasis on short – before Mr. MacKenzie came in as Clerk in 2007. I was fairly new in the House myself when he came in and did not have many expectations of what the role of a Clerk was.

He certainly has shown himself to be exactly what was needed, especially in the time of change that was going on in 2007 with the Green report, with everything new that had to be put in place. I think we have now a very well-working machine here in the House of Assembly in terms of staff, Table Officers and elected representatives, that he had to give a lot of leadership in putting in place and putting the recommendations of the Green report in place, and leading that and getting us to where we are. I want to thank him for his co-operation, for his patience, for his agreeable nature – nothing was ever too much trouble for him. I really do wish him well, and we are going to miss Mr. MacKenzie here at the Table.

Before sitting down, just to say we do welcome Ms Barnes. As I have said already, I do know that just as Bill had to depend on others to learn how the House of Assembly worked – as he too came in from the public service sector to the House of Assembly and he received tremendous assistance and advice as he worked through – I know Ms Barnes is going to get the same co-operation from the team that he has helped put in place.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Is the House ready for the question?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay'.

Motion carried.

On motion, resolution carried.

MR. SPEAKER: The Deputy Government House Leader.

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources, that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider Bills 34 and 38.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that I do now leave the Chair for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider the said bills.

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

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay'.

Motion carried.

On motion, that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

CHAIR (Verge): The Opposition House Leader.

MR. KING: Deputy Government House Leader.

CHAIR: The Deputy Government House Leader. My apologies, Sir.

MR. KING: Thank you.

Mr. Chair, I call Bill 34, An Act To Amend The Assessment Act, 2006.

CHAIR: Order, please!

The Committee of the Whole this afternoon will begin debate by considering Bill 34.

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Assessment Act, 2006". (Bill 34)

CLERK: Clause 1.

CHAIR: Shall clause 1 carry?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

On motion, clause 1 carried.

CLERK: Clauses 2 to 4 inclusive.

CHAIR: Shall clauses 2 to 4 inclusive carry?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

On motion, clauses 2 through 4 carried.

CLERK: Be it enacted by the Lieutenant-Governor and House of Assembly in Legislative Session convened, as follows.

CHAIR: Shall the enacting clause carry?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

On motion, enacting clause carried.

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Assessment Act, 2006.

CHAIR: Shall the title carry?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

On motion, title carried.

CHAIR: Shall I report the bill without amendment?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

Motion, that the Committee report having passed the bill without amendment, carried.

CHAIR: The hon. the Deputy Government House Leader.

MR. KING: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I call Bill 38, An Act To Amend The Public Service Collective Bargaining Act No. 2.

CHAIR: We are now debating Bill 38, An Act To Amend The Public Service Collective Bargaining Act No. 2.

A bill, "An Act To Amend The Public Service Collective Bargaining Act No. 2". (Bill 38)

CHAIR: The last time we were in Committee of the Whole, we did carry clause 1 and we were debating clauses 2 to 4 inclusive.

Shall clauses 2 to 4 inclusive carry?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

The Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency.

MR. FRENCH: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mine is not as quick as the previous minister's. He is sharper today than I am.

I have to move an amendment, Mr. Chair, in Committee to clause 5 of the bill. I want to amend it by deleting the reference of paragraphs 43.1(a) and (b) in the proposed subsection 43.2(5) and substituting the reference paragraph 43.1(a) or (b).

CHAIR: Order, please!

Minister, if you could just have a quick look at the bill. You said you are amending clause 5, this bill only have four clauses. Is that an error?

MR. FRENCH: Clause 3.

CHAIR: Clause 3, okay, sorry.

Amending clause 3, Minister, you can continue, please.

MR. FRENCH: This is very simple and I have shared it with my colleagues opposite. Basically, what we are doing here is replacing an "or" for an "and". That is basically what we are doing. If I could just quickly reference it, it says here, "Where the board is satisfied after an inquiry that an employer, employee organization, employee or other person has failed to comply with paragraphs 43.1(a) and (b), the board". What I want to do here, Mr. Chair, is distinguish between, so it is not "and". You do not have to comply with both of these, but either one of them.

In section 5, I would explain where that is to just to give a quick overview. Basically, what it says here in section 5 is that an employer or person acting on behalf of an employer shall not participate in or interfere with the selection, formation or administration of an employee organization or contribute financially or other support to it. So it is that or this piece here, section 2, not and section 2. Either one of these can bring it to the Labour Relations Board.

The second section says: The employer or a person acting on behalf shall not refuse to employ or to continue to employ a person, or otherwise discriminate against them, and so on, Mr. Chair. That is what I am trying to do here. If I have not confused myself yet, I am sure that I have confused most of the people who are trying to understand this. It is a simple process, and I just wanted to point that out.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

CHAIR: Further speakers to the amendment?

The Leader of the Third Party.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Just to say to the minister, it is very clear to me. I read it carefully and what it does is it brings it into where it should be when you look at 43.1, which is the section of the act, which is being added to the act. It is referring back to 43.1, where 43.1(a) and 43.1(b) are an "or". It is one, or the next one, or the next one. It is just bringing it into compliance with the rest of the section 43.1.

I studied it to see why the amendment is there and support it, obviously.

CHAIR: Is it the pleasure of the Committee to adopt the amendment to clause 3, as put forward by the Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

The amendment is carried.

On motion, amendment carried.

CLERK: Clause 2.

CHAIR: Shall clause 2 carry?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

On motion, clause 2 carried.

CLERK: Amendment.

CHAIR: Is it the pleasure of the Committee to adopt clause 3 as amended?

CLERK: The amendment first.

CHAIR: Sorry, we have to vote on the amendment first.

Is it the pleasure of the Committee to adopt the amendment?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

On motion, amendment carried.

CHAIR: Is it the pleasure of the Committee to adopt clause 3 as amended?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

On motion, clause 3, as amended, carried.

CLERK: Clause 4.

CHAIR: Shall clause 4 carry?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

On motion, clause 4 carried.

CLERK: Be it enacted by the Lieutenant-Governor and House of Assembly in Legislative Session convened, as follows.

CHAIR: Shall the enacting clause carry?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

On motion, enacting clause carried.

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Public Service Collective Bargaining Act No. 2.

CHAIR: Shall the title carry?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

On motion, title carried.

CHAIR: Shall I report the bill with amendment?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

Motion, that the Committee report having passed the bill with amendment, carried.

CHAIR: The Deputy Government House Leader.

MR. KING: Mr. Chair, I move, seconded by the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, that the Committee rise and report progress.

CHAIR: The motion is that the Committee rise and report Bills 38 and 34.

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: All those against, ‘nay'.

Carried.

On motion, that the Committee rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again, Mr. Speaker returned to the Chair.

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

MR. VERGE: Mr. Speaker, the Committee of the Whole have considered the matters to them referred and have asked me to report Bill 34 carried without amendment, and Bill 38 carried with an amendment.

MR. SPEAKER: The Chair of Committee of Supply reports that the Committee of the Whole has considered the matters to them referred and have carried Bill 34 without amendment, and shall report Bill 38 with amendment.

When shall the report be received?

MR. KING: Now.

MR. SPEAKER: Now.

When shall the bills be read a third time?

AN HON. MEMBER: Now.

MR. SPEAKER: Now.

On motion, report received and adopted. Bills ordered read a third time presently, by leave.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Deputy Government House Leader.

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources, that the amendments be now read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the amendments be now read a first time.

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

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay'.

Motion carried.

CLERK: First reading of the amendments.

On motion, amendments read a first time.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Deputy Government House Leader.

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources, that the amendments be now read a second time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the amendments be now read a second time.

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

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay'.

Motion carried.

CLERK: Second reading of the amendments.

On motion, amendments read a second time.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Deputy Government House Leader.

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources, that Bill 34, An Act To Amend The Assessment Act, 2006, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the said bill be now read a third time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 34 be now read a third time?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay'.

Motion carried.

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Assessment Act, 2006. (Bill 34)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill has now been read a third time and it is ordered that the bill do pass and that the title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Assessment Act, 2006", read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 34)

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Deputy Government House Leader.

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, that bill 38, An Act To Amend The Public Service Collective Bargaining Act No. 2, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that the bill be now read a third time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 38 be now read a third time?

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay'.

Motion carried.

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Amend The Public Service Collective Bargaining Act No. 2. (Bill 38)

MR. SPEAKER: This bill is now read a third time and it is ordered that the bill do pass and its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Amend The Public Service Collective Bargaining Act No. 2", read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper.

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, that is all we have to call from the Order Paper at this time.

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

MS MICHAEL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am very pleased to stand this afternoon. It has been a long session here in the House of Assembly and I know we all are pleased with the work that we have done. It has been an intense time for all of us. We now close this House and we go out and continue doing our work, working with our constituents, working on the issues that are of concern to our constituents, learning more about the reality that is outside of this House, so that the next time we come back in we can bring that here into the House.

It has been a long session, as I have said. We have had night sessions. We have had some all-night sessions, as we all know, but we did it. We did it because we believe in what we are doing. Even in the week that we were here in the filibuster we were co-operating with each other in what is an accepted practice in our democratic Parliament, the ability to be able to stop and really look at an issue in-depth, and to take the time to look at it in-depth is allowed for in our Parliament and we recognize that as part of the democratic process. I think that during that week, we all recognized that it was an essential part of the democratic process. What was really important, I think, Mr. Speaker, during that time was not only our presence here in the House, but also the interest that people showed in the fact that we were here in the House and the fact that we had people sitting here with us in the public gallery watching and giving us feedback on what we were discussing here in the House. It was extremely important.

Before I go on, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the people who were behind us during the fifty-two days, including today, that we have been here working, the people who make sure that we have everything that we need to do the work that we do. First of all, of course, the Table Officers, headed up by the Clerk at the Table of the officers, keeping us on track, keeping us knowledgeable, helping us through the process – especially, I know, during the week of the filibuster was the first time I had ever been through that process, and there were many times I had to go to the Table and ask for help from the officers, and received it readily from them.

I also want to recognize the Sergeant-At-Arms, his first session in the House. I hope that he found it an interesting experience. Our Pages, of course, who take care of us, with every little need that we have – especially me, who drinks a lot of water; I appreciate how many times they come and make sure that glass of water is always there, along with everything else that they do. The commissionaires are also there to make sure that if we have needs, they are there to help us out. Then there are those behind the scenes who people do not see: the staff at Hansard and the staff in the Broadcast Centre, and of course our staff in our caucus offices. All of these people help keep us going.

I want to acknowledge something that I already said, but now to do it in a general way; I have not done this before, but when I was putting my thoughts down today I realized I want also to recognize the public and our constituents, because more and more I am becoming aware of how many people do sit and watch what we are doing here in the House of Assembly, how many listen to what we are doing. Now, with all the new forms of media, if they do not watch us live, they are watching us on podcast or they are going into the news stations where they keep videos of various things that go on here in the House. They are watching scrums live –

AN HON. MEMBER: (Inaudible).

MS MICHAEL: Yes, even Twitter. That Twitter that gets some of us in trouble sometimes, even that is something that is very useful. People can be notified on Twitter that something really interesting is happening in the House. They can respond immediately and get to see it.

I have to say that this past weekend some of us took part in the Atlantic Parliamentary Conference that was on here in town with parliamentarians in from the other Atlantic Provinces, from Quebec and from Nunavut. We had a workshop on Twitter, not on how to do it, but on policies around Twitter. It was actually a very interesting workshop. It is too bad we all could not have done the workshop. It was very good. That might be something we could take on, doing some workshops together.

I do want to thank the public and the constituents who take the time, not just to watch, but then to give us feedback. They give us positive feedback. They also give us feedback that sometimes we may not always agree with, but makes us think. The feedback that we get from the public and from the constituents really helps inform where we go in the issues, what we are looking at in the issues, and the information that we probably sometimes need to get.

Our job here is a very interesting one. We do not come to consensus; that is not the nature of a parliament, to come to consensus, but we do attempt to try to come to some agreements on where we stand on some issues. Sometimes we make it, sometimes we are successful in doing that, sometimes we are not. One of the reasons for that is that we do have varying visions sometimes of the common goal we are all trying to reach. We all say the common goal is the good of the people of the Province, the good of our constituents. I know that we all have that common goal, but we do have different ways of thinking how we get to that goal, of strategizing how we meet that goal. We even may have sometimes differing ways of interpreting what that goal actually means, what is good for the people. We are blessed, because we are here in a democratic society. One of the things in a democracy is the recognition of differing positions, the recognition that not everybody thinks the same, that not everybody has the same ideas.

One of the members pointed out one day in debate – and I am saying this very positively, actually – that we have differing philosophies. That is true; we might as well recognize it. We do have different philosophies and we do have differing ideologies, but that should not mean we cannot work together coming out of those different visions and those different ways of seeing reality.

In the democratic society, that is what the electoral process is all about. People get to choose who they want to have representing them in a Legislature. They get to make the choice. They have the right to exercise that choice. That means we then have a responsibility with each other as we try to work together. We are all here because people want us here. Not the same people, different people, but people want us here in this House. That gives us a responsibility as elected persons representing, that we are going to try to work together and we are going to try to make those differences work together. It is a challenge. It is not something that is easy. It is always a challenge, but then it is also rewarding. Sometimes it is frustrating and we would be crazy to say that it is not. We are here and we stay here because we believe in why we are here.

We all knew when we put ourselves forward that we wanted to do something for the people, the people of the Province and in particular the people in the constituency we ran in. We knew when putting ourselves forward that if people made the choice for us, then we were going to have to be responsible to them. That is who we are accountable to. We are accountable to the people who voted for us. We are accountable to them because they put their faith in us. When we are here together, we all recognize all of that. We also recognize our weaknesses. We all have weaknesses, we all have strengths. We are all here together, I would hope, in that spirit and wanting to work together.

It has been an interesting time, Mr. Speaker. I have to say, a very interesting time. We have struggled over some things. We have had things we have agreed upon. We have had pieces of legislation that we put forward and we all put it forward, other pieces of legislation where not everybody voted for the legislation. We certainly did not vote for every single piece, but that is our right. If a piece of legislation was not exactly what we thought it should be, we tried to get changes made that did not happen, we could either accept or reject. That is what the democratic process is about.

I know we are all ready for a busy summer. We all know what the summers are like. I look forward to them. I know we all do in the House. I have spoken to many other MHAs who feel the same way. It is wonderful to have time to be with people as they celebrate. In Newfoundland and Labrador, it seems to have increased actually from when I first got elected. More and more, people everywhere in their communities are celebrating in the summer. They find some kind of a way to have a festival. If they did not have a festival before, they are finding ways to come up with festivals, come home years, all kinds of ways to get together as community.

I would suspect the come home years are more important than ever because we do have a lot of people who have family members outside of the Province. The come home year is the time for people to come and remember the community that they are part of, remember the community where they were born in most cases, remember the community they grew up in. I find it very exciting to be in communities as they are celebrating their lives together, because that is what they are doing. It is going to be, as I said, a busy summer. From the way the weather is going, I think probably it is going to be a hot summer as we go around the Province as well.

I will not speak much longer, Mr. Speaker, just to thank everybody, to thank my colleagues, to thank the Premier, to thank the Leader of the Official Opposition, and to thank all the members of the three caucuses for the work that we have done together. I hope that we take the summer as a time to refresh ourselves as well. Very often the travelling and being with community groups is part of the refreshment for ourselves, to rejuvenate ourselves. We need to do that because we have hard work to do when we come back in the fall. I do look forward to coming back in the fall.

If it is appropriate for me to do so, Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the leadership that you have given us as the Speaker of the House, as you sit there and try to keep us civil with one another and make judgments et cetera. It has been your first session, and I thank you for the role that you have played. Thank you to everybody in the House.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

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

MR. BALL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

For me, I have to say, this has been a year of many firsts. I did not think I would be standing and saying well this is your first session as Leader of the Official Opposition or even, for that matter, Leader of the Liberal Party. There is no question; someone just made a comment to me outside that in this case you are going to be now the first male leader when we look at our Premier being female, the Leader of the Third Party being female, and our new Clerk being female. I stand here today to represent some of the male minority in this particular case. It is my privilege though, however.

I know going back I think – actually, coming in last night as I got back into St. John's, I realized and I guess reflecting on where we have been during this session, and not only this session but during the year in general. It was actually this very weekend last year that my nomination to run in the October election was finalized.

When I look back at that, but in particular, more about this session, in preparation for this, I look around to the small team that we had of our six MHAs, going into this session very energized, eager, and willing to get started. There is no question; it has been, I understand, over fifty days now. I just made a comment that for us it has been several hundred, about 700 questions that have been asked.

The preparation indeed brought us all together and certainly meant a lot for us in terms of the preparation for this. I will say, this being my first experience, I really have to thank all the staff, from the Clerk to the Table Officers, the Pages as they brought us our water. Sometimes people had their own unique way of how they wanted their glasses filled, some with warm water, without ice; I have noticed the Pages as they have done their work on a day-to-day basis, making sure that the unique needs of all the MHAs have been met. We thank you very much for that. Of course, we are one less Page than we started with and our thoughts go out to Andrew, in this case. We certainly wish him well in his recovery.

For me as the Opposition Leader, some of the key – when I look back at the highlights of the last fifty-odd days of this session, preparation, certainly for our day-to-day events, gave us an opportunity to really connect with many, many districts across the Province, not only our own district that we represent but many, on the issues that were relevant and the topics that we were discussing at the time.

That for me was certainly something that I am pleased to say that we were able to have many, many personal conversations over the last few weeks. I am sure that will continue over the summer; indeed, it is something that I really was not expecting – it being my first time in this role – that it would happen to the degree that it certainly has. There have been many things that have touched us. I have taken the opportunity when I can on weekends, and some nights throughout the week, when we have been in St. John's, taking in as many events as we can. I really do believe that people appreciate the work of the MHAs that we do here on a day-to-day basis.

One of things that did surprise me – because I know in my own work life, I was not someone that sat by and watched the webcast or the House of Assembly on a day-to-day basis; I can tell you now as I go through the airports going home on weekends, or wherever you go, there is always someone who will tell you something that has been said in the House of Assembly. People are watching the broadcast. We really appreciate that, because it is one of the very important things that we do, how we communicate with the people of the Province.

As I said, it has been over fifty days now. I think there have been a number of issues that have been very relevant to the people of the Province. I really do not want to touch on the individual issues today; this is not the time for that. We will reflect on those as we meet with people over the summer.

I do want to say that what I found is even though we may not necessarily agree on whatever the issue is, and sometimes the questions that we ask – obviously, being very important when you look at the source of the question and all that – I have always felt the respect of all the MHAs within the House of Assembly during this session. That I appreciate, because the questions and the comments that we made were meant to be respectful; really, in a sense, it would be meaningful, as we can hopefully make a difference to the people of the Province.

So, if it is on an issue like Muskrat Falls, or if it is on any other issues that we have had the opportunity to discuss over the last number of weeks, they have been very important. One of things I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed was the Budget debate and the commentary that was going back and forth. Given my background, I really enjoyed just crunching the numbers and seeing what it all meant. Everything that we do, and every decision that is made, either by government, or a statement that is made by an Opposition member on behalf of a constituent, has an impact on somebody's life. I see that; I see that every single day as we engage in the public and understand that this is indeed a very unique process that we actually participate in.

For that I am very thankful, actually, because in not too many environments can you actually step outside your office door or step outside the House of Assembly – we are not met with huge protests every day, and we do operate in a very safe environment, I would say. People are very willing and open to come up with suggestions, and very thankful for the work that is done. Even though we will have to agree to disagree on many of the issues that we debate and discuss on a day-to-day basis, whatever the issues are we realize that they do have a significant impact on people's lives.

For that I am very grateful, and I am actually looking forward to the break, as the Leader of the Third Party mentioned. It is a time for us to get back, to get recharged, to get refocused, not only in our districts, but in our critic roles as the Official Opposition, as we re-engage again with all the groups and individuals that we represent. I am looking forward to that.

This particular weekend coming up is one that will be extremely busy for all of us as we celebrate Canada Day throughout our districts and in our own communities. Even though we have debated on many occasions in the last few weeks the issues that we would have with our own federal government, these are individual; these are issues that are specific in nature. Indeed, we are quite proud of the country that we live in, being Canada. I can tell you, I can absolutely tell you that there is no one more proud to live in the Province that they do, and that is right here in Newfoundland and Labrador, of course.

So, I thank all the members for the respect and for their willingness to engage in debate, and I look forward to, as I said, a break over the summer, re-engaging, reconnecting within our districts and getting a chance to participate, as all of us will, in the many festivals and individual events that are happening throughout our districts, our come home years no matter where they are.

I will finish up by thanking the Speaker for his job that he has done and in the new role that he has taken on this year. I look forward to continuing to do so in our fall session as we get into the Muskrat Falls debate, and as we get a chance to get back in our districts and reconnect with the constituents, not only in our own districts but throughout the Province.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I will conclude my remarks. I thank you for this opportunity.

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 have said many, many times in the past and I will say again here today, it is a rare privilege for each and every one of us to serve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador as a member of this House of Assembly. I remind myself of that every day. Some days, like any other job that you do, some days are rough and some days are good. I often say some days are diamond and some days are stone, but there are more days that are diamond than anything else, Mr. Speaker.

To serve the people of the Province in this way, as I said, is a rare opportunity. It is very unique in that you are given the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to influence the direction of the people of this Province, influence the way that our economy is driven, enhance living conditions for the people of your Province, help build with others a bright and wonderful future for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: I am grateful every day for the confidence that has been shown to me by the people of Virginia Waters and by the people of the Province to the Progressive Conservative Party and their support for my colleagues in allowing us to form the government and to play a major role at this time in our history. To move us forward into what really will be some of the brightest, best times that we have ever known, Mr. Speaker.

I often say that we finally have the tools and the resources as a people in Newfoundland and Labrador to become all that we can be. It is only what the first people who landed here in the roughest conditions and circumstances could have dreamed about in their wildest dreams. They worked hard to carve out a place for themselves in what could have only been a hostile environment because they saw a future here for themselves and their families. They dreamed dreams. We are at a point in our history built on the solid foundation they left for us to finally actualize the best of Newfoundland and Labrador. I am so grateful and so thankful to the people of the Province to allow us to be part of that great adventure we find ourselves on today.

Mr. Speaker, beginning October 12 there was a great hue and cry about the House of Assembly and the fact there was going to be a delayed opening. There was a very good reason for a delayed opening, Mr. Speaker, because if anybody has paid attention to what has gone on in this House of Assembly over the last four months, it is important to be well prepared. When you come in with legislation that affects the lives of the people who you have pledged to serve, it is extremely important to know what you are about and to understand clearly what it is you are doing. Mr. Speaker, when we came to this House in early March, we were prepared.

The spring session by its very nature, Mr. Speaker, is a very busy time in the legislative calendar because we have the Speech from the Throne, we have the Budget, and we have two long debates associated with both of those activities. It provides a rare opportunity in the House of Assembly that you do not get in the fall session to talk about things that are important to the people of the Province and that do not necessarily come up in the legislative agenda, Mr. Speaker. The reason for that is when you are talking about the Speech from the Throne, you can talk about everything because the Speech from the Throne is so broad that there is hardly an issue in the Province you would not be able to address in that debate.

Mr. Speaker, the Budget is a money bill. When there is a money bill on the floor of the House of Assembly, you are not constricted in your comments to that bill. You can talk about anything. That is why I was so sad when the PUB failed to give a report and recommendations with regard to Muskrat Falls. We lost that great opportunity we had to have the kind of debate that, regardless of dedicated sessions, Mr. Speaker, we will not now have. That opportunity is lost to us. We will do our best to make sure we have a full and informed debate in the fall, Mr. Speaker, but this spring we saw an opportunity lost, and that is too bad.

Mr. Speaker, we came, not only did we have a number of hours that we had to engage in debate on the Speech from the Throne, over seventy-five hours had to be dedicated to the Budget debate. We said we needed time to be prepared and prepared we were, Mr. Speaker, with over thirty pieces of legislation brought before the House in this session. Robust debate, Mr. Speaker, on all sides, and that is a good thing to have that kind of debate. The onus is on all of us though, Mr. Speaker, to make sure that debate is responsible and informed.

We have opportunities to educate ourselves around the issues that are before us. It is extremely important that we take advantage of the resources available to us so that we can explain clearly to the people of the Province our position and our perspective on a particular piece of legislation. There is nothing wrong with putting a different lens on legislation that is on the House of Assembly. There is something wrong, Mr. Speaker, when you put spin on it. If your feedback to legislation here in the House of Assembly is going to be relevant, Mr. Speaker, then it needs to be informed. That is a responsibility that we all share in this House on both sides.

Mr. Speaker, it was my pleasure to bring down my first Budget as the first elected woman Premier of this Province.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: I just want to say to the Leader of the Opposition who finds himself in a bit of a lone position as a male here in the House, I point out, Mr. Speaker, that he has you as a colleague. So if it is getting a bit oppressive, just look to your left.

We have the Leader of the Third Party as a woman, I am a woman, and now our incoming Clerk is a woman. It will be good for you. There is much to be learned, and you will be a better man as a result of it. Fear not, I promise it will be a good education for you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, despite the fact there are some pressures we are feeling now in terms of the revenues that are coming into the Province because we are so reliant on oil revenue – and why it is so important we invest some of the revenue we got from oil into things like non-renewables so that we lessen our reliance. We are thinking about the future and we are thinking about 2041 and when oil – our reserves are starting to deplete, we need to think about the future. It is fine for politicians to think I am going to be here for a few years and then I am done and somebody else can go in and worry about these kinds of things. That is not the way the world works, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, when there are things looming you need sometimes to be able to look forward fifteen, twenty years and see what they are, because critical steps have to be taken now if we are going to weather that in a way that works for the people of the Province. That is what we are doing in terms of when we talk about the development of Muskrat Falls and other clean energy resources that we have in such abundance in this Province. One of those parts of that, Mr. Speaker, is coming away from being an isolated system where we only sell energy to one another. We have to be able to move that out of the Province into other markets, and that is some of the great challenges that lie before us.

Because of the revenue we have from oil, primarily, as well as other commodities, Mr. Speaker, such as minerals and the fishery, we have over a $7.5 billion Budget, a tremendous investment in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is hard to tell sometimes from the debate in this House of Assembly, Mr. Speaker, but this Province is the envy of the country. I have my colleagues, when I go to the Council of the Federation, who say to me: What I wouldn't do to have your challenges.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Newfoundland and Labrador is booming, Mr. Speaker, absolutely booming. Opportunity like we have never seen before, 70,000 new jobs becoming available over the next ten years, jobs for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, Mr. Speaker. It is absolutely wonderful, and our Budget speaks to it, because we need to do things in education, we need to do things in health care, we need to do things in infrastructure, Mr. Speaker, and we are doing that; over $1 billion this year again in infrastructure throughout the Province. That facilitates the economy and the investments that are required to drive it, Mr. Speaker. All of these things play a critical role, not only in the daily lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians but in attracting investment into this Province.

So, Mr. Speaker, no trouble to have Tories in the House of Assembly when there is work to be done, and we have shown it. It is the longest session in the House of Assembly in nearly twenty years, Mr. Speaker, one of the longest sessions. We have spent more time in the House of Assembly in this one session than most governments have spent in two, in one year, Mr. Speaker, and I am delighted. It is never tough to have people ask you questions, Mr. Speaker. In fact, it makes you a better government. The stronger your Opposition is, the better your work is.

I encourage them to come hard, Mr. Speaker, and there are lots of hard issues for us to discuss. We discussed one today: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper. I made a Ministerial Statement, as you know, earlier today on it. Mr. Speaker, that area of the Province is undergoing a tough time at the moment where they try to sort out their future. They are in a tough industry, an industry that is in trouble all over the world. Plants are closing down in Canada and elsewhere, Mr. Speaker. They are trying to keep their head above water in order to survive until they can get to a place where we can all see light at the end of the tunnel. We are all partners in that, Mr. Speaker.

Again, I want to congratulate the Leader of the Opposition and the Member for Bay of Islands. Easy to spin this one, Mr. Speaker, easy to play political games with this one, but we have only seen support and co-operation from the Official Opposition on this matter.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

PREMIER DUNDERDALE: They understand how critical, how important, and how sensitive this matter is, not only to the people in the Western Region but to all of the people here in the Province.

Mr. Speaker, it has been an interesting session. I thank you, Mr. Speaker, and congratulate you on the exercising of your duties as your first session in the Chair. It has been a pleasure to work with you. Our Clerk and Table Officers have done an outstanding job. We wish the Clerk well as he takes on new responsibilities. The Sergeant-at-Arms, it is nice to have you with us and wish you well. We are glad you did not have to turf any of us out by the back of the neck.

Our Pages, Mr. Speaker, are critical to the functioning of this House of Assembly, the Commissionaires, our staff at Hansard, and our staff the House of Assembly Broadcasting Centre. Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Third Party, and their colleagues, I thank them for their commitment to the people of the Province and their participation in the functions of this House.

To my own staff in the Premier's office who work very hard to keep me well prepared in my duties, Mr. Speaker, and to my colleagues in my caucus, I have the utmost respect for all of them. I congratulate you all on a job well done. You make me proud to be Leader of this Party and as Premier of the Progressive Conservative government in this House.

Home we go to our various districts to speak to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker, because that is what we will spend the next couple of months – being with people in their own communities. Mr. Speaker, they want to show you the pothole in the road. They want to talk to you about why they need water and sewer and why they need their roads refinished and so on. They expect you to come and to engage in dialogue with them, a respectful dialogue. It is always a great reminder to remember who you work for, who hired you and why, Mr. Speaker. I am looking forward to, with great delight, spending as much time as I can out and about in the towns and harbours and coves of Newfoundland and Labrador over the next couple of months.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, it is with great regret that I move, seconded by the –

MR. SPEAKER: Before you do that, I wonder if you could indulge me a little bit, I say to the Government House Leader. The Speaker normally has the last say, I say to the Government House Leader.

I do want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support in my role as Speaker in making this one of the – my first session of the House as Speaker but also a very interesting session. I did not really fully appreciate how interesting it was until this past weekend I was speaking to the Speaker for New Brunswick and he said about a long session they just had without any points of privilege and only one point of order. I thought to myself: what an interesting place you must work.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: It has been a really interesting session and I want to thank each and every one of you for the support and the respect you have shown the Chair and the other two presiding Officers as we carried out our duties on your behalf, and I thank you for that.

These sessions are a challenging one – sitting in this House makes huge demands on all of us and those demands are made a lot easier obviously by the tremendous people we have around us who support our efforts. I want to take this opportunity to thank those in Hansard who are listening to this debate, who are still trying to catch up with the night sessions as they provide copies of Hansard for us as we move forward, and the Broadcast Centre who sat, as all of us did, around the clock, but they had a much smaller crew to work with and they were there all that time providing the broadcast of those proceedings to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. We have the people in the Library who support the efforts of the House as well, and I really want to thank them, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Commissionaires.

We started out this year with four Pages. Jonathan and Andrew – this is their last session – are pursuing other interests in the fall. Thank you, Jonathan, for your work.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: Andrew thought he would get back to at least have one session before we closed. Unfortunately, that did not happen. To you, Andrew, I know you are listening: thank you for your contribution to the House.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The presiding officers have done a tremendous job in supporting all of our efforts.

I want to at this time take an opportunity to publicly thank our outgoing Clerk for his tremendous leadership he has provided to this House, and also to me as an incoming Speaker. Obviously, having the guidance and wisdom of his experience and insights was a tremendous help to myself and the other two presiding officers as we have carried out our duties here.

To you, Mr. MacKenzie, thank you very much.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: To our new Sergeant-at-Arms, we did not have anybody to evict this year, so you had a peaceful session and it was a good orientation for you.

To the House Leaders, despite not making my life as easy as the Speaker for New Brunswick, I do thank you, though, for your tremendous co-operation and support in moving the agenda along in this past session. I do want to thank all of you.

I want to thank as well a lady who does not sit in this Assembly but helps with my duties: my administrative assistant, who supports the work I do on your behalf and makes the agenda flow a lot easier throughout each day. I want to thank each and every one of you.

The Commissionaires, who are not only Commissionaires, but they are pinch-hitting now for the Pages as well. They have done a tremendous job. All of us have had this session supported by a network of very capable, confident, dedicated individuals who we are all very proud of and very pleased to have around us.

To each and every one of you as MHAs, I wish you an enjoyable summer. I look forward to coming back in the fall of the year to another spirited debate and much discussion on issues important to all Newfoundland and Labrador.

Enjoy your summer.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KENNEDY: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister for Municipal Affairs, that when this House adjourns today it stands adjourned to the call of the Chair, and that the Speaker, or in his absence from the Province, the Deputy Speaker, may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time and date stated by the notice of the proposed sitting, and that this House do now adjourn.

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

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, ‘nay'.

Motion carried.

This House now stands adjourned until the call of the Chair.

On motion, the House adjourned to the call of the Chair.