June 4,
2014
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS
Vol. XLVII No. 38
The House met at 2:00 p.m.
MR.
SPEAKER (Wiseman):
Order, please!
Admit strangers.
Statements by Members
MR.
SPEAKER:
Today we will have members' statements from the Member for the District of Bay
of Islands; the Member for the District of St. John's North; the Member for the
District of Burgeo La Poile; the Member for the District of Bonavista South;
the Member for the District of Exploits; and the Member for the District of
Signal Hill Quidi Vidi.
The hon. the Member for the District of St. John's
North.
MR.
KIRBY:
Mr.
Speaker, I stand today to recognize the dedicated volunteers who deliver the
Leary's Brook Junior High Breakfast Club.
In collaboration with the Kids Eat Smart Foundation of
Newfoundland and Labrador, the Breakfast Club is up and running early Tuesday
and Thursday mornings during the school year.
On an average day, the program provides breakfast to as many as 300
students. On the menu, you will find
a wide array of nutritious choices including freshly baked muffins, yogurt and
fruit smoothies, and egg and cheese breakfast wraps.
In addition to ensuring a healthy start to the day, the
breakfast program at Leary's Brook provides an opportunity for students to
socialize with friends, teachers, and school staff.
The breakfast program is the very essence of building a vibrant and
healthy school community.
For the past two years, I have pitched in a couple of
times each month to help, along with teachers and students.
However, the core group of volunteers is made up of program co-ordinator
Wayne Rogers, Janet Martin, Barbra Pratt, Frances Boland, school council chair
Derek Layman, Nyab Alaghehbandan, retired principal Byron Head, and Gerard White
who joined us this year.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating this
dedicated group of community-minded volunteers.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for the District of Burgeo La Poile.
MR.
A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to recognize and congratulate residents
from my district who took part in Shave for the Brave to raise money for Young
Adult Cancer Canada. This is a
foundation that specializes in helping cancer patients in their teens, twenties,
and thirties.
On April 9, Chris O'Brien and Craig Skeard of Port aux
Basques shaved their heads for this worthy event.
They have been doing this for the past three years, in conjunction with
the staff of the local Newfoundland Liquor Corporation and together they raised
approximately $1,300 this year.
On May 16, fourteen students from Grandy's River
Collegiate in Burnt Islands also participated in this fundraiser, along with
their principal Justin Blackler.
Twelve of the students were young men who shaved their heads completely; while
the other two young ladies had their hair cropped very short and donated what
they cut off to make wigs for chemotherapy patients.
The students were given a goal to raise $1,000, altogether they raised
$2,710.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join
with me in extending congratulations to the students of Grandy's River
Collegiate, Justin Blackler, Craig Skeard, and Chris O'Brien, who all bravely
participated in this event for such an important cause and raised much-needed
funds to continue the fight against cancer.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for the District of Bay of Islands.
MR.
JOYCE:
Mr.
Speaker, the greatest honour is being recognized by your peers.
I rise in this hon. House today to recognize Mr. Graham
Letto, who recently received a Federation of Canadian Municipalities Roll of
Honour Award. This award pays
tribute to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the
Federation of Municipal Councils and to municipal government in Canada.
Graham served with the council in Labrador City for
over twenty years as mayor and councillor.
He has been a tireless leader in engaging stakeholders toward developing
transportation infrastructure, including Route 500, the Trans-Labrador Highway,
as well as Route 389 in Quebec. He
was instrumental in bringing 911 emergency services to Labrador West.
Graham served as a long-standing board member of the
Combined Councils of Labrador, and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador.
He was an active member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Board of Directors from 2002 to 2009, and he served on a number of committees
including the Rural and Northern and Remote Forums.
He was also an active participant in the Atlantic Mayors Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in
congratulating Graham on receiving this award and for his tremendous
contribution to municipal governments in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Bonavista South.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
LITTLE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to recognize Rexford Lodge for the
countless hours of dedication he has given to the Municipality of Trinity Bay
North. He has contributed numerous
hours to committees and organizations over the years.
Rex has worked with Fishery Products International, and
as manager of the Irving Oil service station in Trinity Bay North.
He completed an auto mechanic and millwright program.
Rex has been a volunteer with various groups and organizations for over
thirty years.
He was president of the Port Union Lions Club for ten
years, and a member for thirty years.
He received the Lions International Melvin Jones Fellowship Award and
Lion of the Year Award.
Mr. Lodge was a member of the Canadian Rangers for
nineteen years and participated in several ground search and rescue exercises.
He has served on many regional fundraising committees.
Rex assisted to fundraise for a new bus and garage for senior citizens at
the Bonavista Peninsula Health Care Centre.
Rex is Chairperson of the Bonavista Peninsula Branch
Line Association Incorporated, a committee that is working to create a
multi-purpose recreational T'Railway for local residents and tourists.
Mr. Speaker, hon. colleagues, please join me in
honouring Rex Lodge for his dedication and contributions to his community and
Province.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for the District of Exploits.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
FORSEY:
Mr.
Speaker, the Frank and Flossie Antle Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $500
is an award that recognizes the graduate of the year and is the most prestigious
honour that is bestowed at Botwood Collegiate.
The nominees for 2014: Chantel Boone, Lily Earle,
Rachel Mills, Braidy Peckford, Kennedy Samson, and Keela Stuckless distinguished
themselves in various ways throughout their senior high school years.
The recipient for 2014, Ms Rachel Mills, has been a
consistently high achieving academic student who ranked in the top of her class,
earned a MUN entrance scholarship, and received the first place Merit
Scholarship in Grade 11 with a 95 per cent average.
Rachel has been involved in the district Math League
competitions, tutoring for tuition, and a member of the Botwood Seaport Skaters.
She participated in divisional, provincial, and Atlantic figure skating
competitions.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all member of this House to join me
in congratulating Rachel Mills on receiving this prestigious award.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for the District of Signal Hill Quidi Vidi.
MS
MICHAEL:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
On May 27, Memorial University recognized a remarkable
record of public service and leadership, and awarded an honorary doctor of laws
degree to an extraordinary resident of Signal Hill Quidi Vidi, the City of St.
John's, and this Province: Suzanne Duff known, of course, as Shannie.
Shannie trained as a nurse in Montreal and earned a BA
from Memorial. She helped found
Avalon Cable, and was its president from 1975 to 1982; but, she is best known as
a community volunteer and social activist.
Her passion has shone brightly for decades.
Shannie's voice informed and enlightened debates on heritage
conservation, housing, the arts, and urban planning.
Shannie chose the route of elected politics to make her
voice heard. While her life in
politics included a stint in this very House, she spent much more time as a
municipal politician. She
successfully contested eight municipal elections, including being elected as
Mayor of St. John's in 1990 and as Deputy Mayor in 2009.
She is a member of the Order of Canada and an honorary
life member of the Newfoundland Historic Trust, among many other awards and
honours, and now she is a doctor.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating Dr.
Shannie Duff.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Statements by
Ministers.
Statements by Ministers
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
DALLEY:
Mr.
Speaker, I rise in this hon. House today to celebrate the 150th
anniversary of the Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Geological Survey, a division of the Department of
Natural Resources, has made a mark on history by mapping the Province's diverse
geology, explaining its geological evolution, and interpreting the origin and
nature of its mineral resources.
Under the leadership of Alexander Murray, the
Geological Survey was inaugurated in 1864.
Murray and his assistant, James Howley, were truly remarkable pioneering
geologists and their impressive collection of work formed the basis for the
first geological map of this Province published in 1907.
After Howley's death in 1909, the Geological Survey was
temporarily disbanded, but was revived in 1926 under Herbert Baker.
In the early 1930s, led by geologist Alfred Snelgrove, the work of the
Geological Survey was incorporated within the government.
In the 1970s, increased funding for mineral development
activities resulted in the growth of a modern Geological Survey.
With a current research and support staff of fifty-five individuals, the
Geological Survey provides a sophisticated geoscience database that the Province
needs to drive resource industries for the next decade and beyond.
Work conducted by the Geological Survey has a long
record of encouraging resource exploration and discovery.
The Geological Survey delivers a variety of Web-based research tools,
provides a wealth of information on its Web site, including the recently updated
online Geoscience Atlas, conducts research in the field through programs such as
the annual geological mapping program, and also assists in land use planning and
hazards assessment.
Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the importance
of furthering Newfoundland and Labrador's resource potential.
The team at the Geological Survey is to be commended for its tremendous
efforts to support our resource industries.
The provincial government significantly added to the
budget of the Geological Survey through a permanent increase of $1 million in
2007, and maintained funding of $5.4 million in 2014.
We will continue to support long-term responsible resource development
for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
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 minister for the advance copy of
his statement today.
Certainly, when you think about technology, it has
advanced over the last 150 years, and geologists today have much more
sophisticated and advanced tools than did Alexander Murray back in 1864.
Of course, just in the recent debate in the last days in the House of
Assembly we can actually see that mining is such a valuable part of our economy
and it is very important to the Province.
The geoscientific data to stimulate and manage the mining industry is
critical to continue to advance that.
Mining last year was $3.7 billion in 2013.
We have new mines, of course, on the horizon.
It is a part of our economy that will continue to contribute as it has in
the past. It is very important that
prospectors and developers have the best possible database that is available to
them and have that at their fingertips, and this particular initiative will go a
long way in doing that.
So we encourage the Province to continue to invest.
It is important as we diversify the economy, especially in some of the
smaller and rural areas of the Province.
We have seen this in the past in other successful countries, like in
Norway, Australia, Sweden, and others have well-established geosciences
services for their clients.
We thank the staff for the great work they are doing
and we are encouraged to see this investment.
This resource is an important part to continue to grow the Province.
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 minister for the advance copy of his
statement.
I am delighted to join in congratulating the geological
survey on their 150th Anniversary.
The survey has provided vital work for generations in this Province.
Today's staff do outstanding work, providing a knowledge platform that
supports, among other things, a burgeoning mining industry very important
work.
It is also important that we understand our lands and
the resources they may contain. I
note that the two stalled land use plans have been stalled for a number of
years, but the minister responsible has assured us they are back on track.
I am really looking forward to when they reach the station, Mr. Speaker,
because when that process is completed, I am looking forward to government
having a much-needed provincial land use plan that we need desperately in this
Province.
Thank you very much.
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Justice.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
FRENCH:
Mr.
Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to advise this hon. House that the
provincial government has permanently appointed four new assistant
superintendents at provincial correctional facilities over the past several
months.
These are as follows: James Hickman at the Labrador
Correctional Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Blair Fradsham at the West Coast
Correctional Centre in Stephenville; Shelley Rae-Michelin at the Newfoundland
and Labrador Correctional Centre for Women in Clarenville; and Kelly Rowsell at
the Bishop's Falls Correctional Centre.
All four bring significant experience to the positions and retain the
greatest respect of their peers.
In accepting the role of assistant superintendent,
these individuals will be responsible for the overall administration and
operation of their respective facilities.
They will ensure the effective use of human resources, the safe and
secure custody of prisoners, the continual reassessment of offender risks and
needs, the delivery of programming to reduce risk of reoffending, and the
development of community partnerships to promote successful reintegration.
Mr. Speaker, with a combined ninety-four years of
experience working in the field of adult corrections, these four assistant
superintendents bring an in-depth understanding of the operational challenges
unique to each facility and its surrounding region.
These facilities have become an important part of the communities in
which they are located and I am confident that each new leader will continue to
ensure that established relationships with community stakeholders will be valued
and strengthened.
These assistant superintendents have all worked their
way through the ranks to these senior positions and they are positive role
models for employees and recruits.
Ms Rowsell and Ms Michelin are currently the highest ranking female correctional
officers in adult corrections and with these appointments, 40 per cent of
assistant superintendents are now women, demonstrating the important role that
women hold in Newfoundland and Labrador's corrections system.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the provincial government and
the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, I welcome assistant superintendents
Fradsham, Hickman, Michelin, and Rowsell as they continue to work to maintain
safe and secure correctional institutions for officers, staff, inmates, and the
community.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for the District of St. Barbe.
MR.
J. BENNETT:
Mr.
Speaker, I thank the minister for providing an advance copy of his statement.
I join him in congratulating the four new assistant superintendents.
They are clearly skilled, committed, and the right people in the right
places. However, to perform a
demanding job for the people of our Province, they require the best tools,
contemporary training, modern user-friendly facilities, and clear objectives
with realistic timelines for their accomplishments.
Corrections staff are public employees, our employees.
We owe them a safe and agreeable workplace while they oversee people who
have committed serious crime that warrant them being sentenced to prison.
Hopefully the minister will move quickly to begin
construction of a new penitentiary, but not so quickly as to miss engaging in
extensive consultations with necessary stakeholders.
That means consulting corrections staff including the four assistant
superintendents, mental health, medical, and even dental professionals, lawyers,
community stakeholders such as the John Howard Society, and leaders of our
growing multicultural community.
Inmates are also citizens and all of them will be
rejoining us sooner or later. The
better job we do in addictions treatment, basic education and employment skills,
the greater the likelihood that inmates will be productive, law-abiding citizens
when they rejoin our communities.
I am encouraged with the calibre and commitment of the
four assistant superintendents and other correctional officers that I have met,
and I am certain that with proper government support they will greatly
contribute to the positive outcomes that we expect to see in corrections.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MS
ROGERS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I also thank the minister for the advance copy of his
statement. Congratulations to Jim
Hickman, Blair Fradsham, Shelly Rae-Michelin, and Kelly Rowsell.
I thank them for their years of dedicated service.
Corrections work is hard work and each of these people have seen many
changes over the span of their careers, and each now deals with some very real
challenges facing their respective institutions.
Incarceration of citizens is not to be warehousing but,
rather, rehabilitation and accountability so that they may rejoin our community.
Our legal obligations are to ensure the safety of inmates and correction
staff, while also offering programming that helps to reduce recidivism.
Without this, we are failing.
I encourage them to trust their experience and
expertise and advocate on behalf of their staff and inmates for the resources
and supports needed to ensure the system does not fail its obligations and its
goals.
Again, I thank them for their dedication, their
commitment, their passion and compassion, and bravo on their new appointments.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR.
SPEAKER:
Oral Questions.
Oral Questions
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR.
BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Impact Benefits Agreement that was signed with Kami
Mine Limited says that prior to the construction phase the parties need to
conclude an agreement satisfactory to the Minister of Finance with respect to
the project revenue for the Province, so the revenue agreement will become part
of the IBA.
I ask the Premier: Why are we waiting until the
construction phase of the project to sign this agreement on revenue? Shouldn't
the Province already know that before signing the IBA last week?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
DALLEY:
Mr.
Speaker, obviously, the IBA, there is quite a bit of detail.
It has been worked on for some time.
It is certainly one that we are proud of, with tremendous strides and
accomplishments for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and, as we would all
agree, I think tremendous benefits, particularly for the people of the Labrador
region.
Built within that, Mr. Speaker, obviously there are
some moving targets, as the member opposite has referenced as well, particularly
around iron ore prices. That is one
key element of this, but, as well, in terms of production when it enters the
commercial stage. All of these
factors have to be included in how we reach those targets and numbers.
So, Mr. Speaker, I think that is an issue; but, without a doubt, there is
a firm commitment from the company and a firm expectation from the Province that
they will meet those obligations.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR.
BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is really a little early to tell when you look at
the detail.
Another example is that the IBA that was signed on May
27 says that the company will provide government with a human resources plan by
May 31. The plan would include more
details on apprentices, funding opportunities, and accommodations for the
construction operations workforce.
We know that the government is not expecting this to be completed now or to
receive this plan before not May 31 but June 30 now.
I ask the Premier: Why wasn't the human resources plan
part of the IBA that was signed last week?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
DALLEY:
Mr.
Speaker, I thank the member opposite for the question.
It is a fair question.
Obviously when we do a benefits agreement, there are multiple factors that go
into this around what we can achieve for benefits for the Province, whether it
is in apprenticeship, whether it is an educational training fund, whether it is
child care spaces. All of that is
important in terms of how we progress with these benefits agreements.
Built into this as well is an expectation that the
company will provide us with an HR plan.
Through the discussions with the company, and particularly the
unfortunate idling of the Scully Mine in Wabush, that became a factor both for
the company and obviously a keen interest for the government and all members
that we do all we can to support Wabush and that region.
The company asked for an extension to be able to work through to ensure
that we can benefit the Wabush area as well, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR.
BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It has been a few months since obviously we heard the
news with Wabush. We have been
looking forward to that, so I guess that agreement in June of this year now.
In the mid-1980s, thirty years ago, the price of iron ore was $11 a ton.
Thirty years later, it is averaging around $100 a ton.
I ask the Premier: Have you made provisions in this
agreement so that there will be potential for the people of Newfoundland and
Labrador to have increased benefits if we continue to see a rise in iron ore
pricing?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
DALLEY:
Mr.
Speaker, I think everybody involved would recognize the mining industry would
acknowledge the cyclical nature of the industry, the ups and downs, the
commodity prices and so on. What we
have been able to establish here is a strong benefits agreement for the people
of Newfoundland and Labrador for the benefits, particularly in the Labrador
region as well.
Tied into that, Mr. Speaker, we have an aggressive tax
regime here, royalties that are dependent on the companies in terms of
production, sales and so on. We have
also agreed within this year a very significant tax program, Mr. Speaker, where
90 per cent of the corporate taxes will be paid right here in Newfoundland and
Labrador, and that is a significant increase in any other agreements that we
have had.
It is a strong plan, Mr. Speaker, and as well, as the
member alluded to, as the mine ramps up and we go to Phase 2 there will be even
more benefits for the people of the Province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.
MR.
BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Well, the benefits that the minister talked about are
really benefits that a mining company would enter into an agreement with.
We have already heard the company is on record as saying there is a five
year return on investment for a thirty year mine.
That is a short period to get such a significant return.
I ask the minister, just to clarify: There is no
escalated provision here for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to get
increased benefits along the way on the upside?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
DALLEY:
Mr.
Speaker, our increased production and increased sales are tied to royalties and
tied to corporate income tax. That
is the increased benefits and the opportunities that will accrue to the
Province, Mr. Speaker.
As well, built into all of this, Mr. Speaker, the
benefit here is new opportunities.
Some 800 jobs are in construction, 400 jobs are in operation, with the
potential, if commodity prices change and there is more demand and prices
increase, we will see Phase 2 develop, Mr. Speaker.
As a result of that, there will be even more opportunities, particularly
for the Labrador region.
So, Mr. Speaker, built into this, as the project
becomes more and more successful there will be more and more benefits for the
people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR.
BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
What the minister is talking about is volume.
Once you take the volume out you cannot mine it the second time.
We know that. We have learned
lessons from the past of not putting Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in a
position to create more wealth for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador when
we have not put those escalator clauses in place.
I ask the minister again: Why did you exclude an
escalator clause in this agreement so that the people of Newfoundland and
Labrador would get increased financial benefit if indeed prices of iron ore
continue to go up?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
DALLEY:
Mr.
Speaker, recognizing that there is a tremendous opportunity here again to
develop a new mine in Labrador. Mr.
Speaker, we have not seen a mine of this significance in over twenty years.
We enter into an agreement where we can advance the progress we have made
in other benefits agreements.
What we have been able to do in this agreement, the
benefits for apprentices in the Province, a significant accomplishment.
It is being applauded around the Province, Mr. Speaker.
That is significant; significant advancements for gender issues, and
particularly the opportunity for women in this project.
Built into that as well is a firm commitment around corporate tax, which
is extremely significant in that it is so much more than what we have seen in
other mining developments. Strong
royalty agreements, Mr. Speaker, it is certainly going to be a great project for
the Province.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Official Opposition.
MR.
BALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
They are significant investments, and when a company
gets a five-year rate of return when you get your five year investment back
over a thirty-year period, that is a significant return as well.
All we are asking for is an escalator clause on the way up so that
everyone will share the benefit on the way up, if indeed we see over the next
thirty years a tenfold increase in the price of iron ore.
Why was that left out of this agreement?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
DALLEY:
Mr.
Speaker, tied into this is the long-term benefits for the Province; a thirty
year mine, opportunity to build capacity and education.
The benefits are very broad, Mr. Speaker, but I guess fundamentally in
terms of an actual dollar resource to the Province, we are creating jobs.
We are providing families an opportunity to live in Labrador.
We are building capacity in the industry, but added to that, Mr. Speaker,
we have an aggressive royalty regime in this Province that will allow us to
benefit financially from the development of the mines as well.
Mr. Speaker, you talk about escalator and where this
may go; this may go the other way as well.
I think we need to be cognizant of that.
As the member alluded to, not only are prices $100 today, they have been
as low as $11. We have worked with
the companies to make sure we are
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.
We understand about the floor, that is the entry level
of this agreement. We already know
that. I was at the press conference
and we understand that. So indeed
there is risk. We do not mind
sharing that risk but what we are missing in this particular agreement is the
opportunity to share the benefits on the way up like we have seen over the last
thirty years.
I say to the minister: Why was this left out?
Why is it different language today than we were hearing from this
government in 2003?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
DALLEY:
It
is no different language, Mr. Speaker.
When this government took over the mess in 2003 we committed on principle
that we would do all we can to develop the resources for the benefit of
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Mr. Speaker, that message has not changed in 2014.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MR.
DALLEY:
I
can go down through the list, Mr. Speaker, of accomplishments of this government
where we built on that principle.
The language has not changed.
The reality is, Mr. Speaker, we are developing
resources. We are getting benefits
for the people of the Province.
Everything we do, Mr. Speaker, we build on it.
We progress, whether it is for apprentices, whether it is for women,
whether it is for people in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
We are making the commitments we need to make.
As the projects advance, as the projects improve, as prices improve, as
these companies do better, Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador will do better
as well.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Cartwright L'Anse au Clair.
MS
DEMPSTER:
Mr.
Speaker, government finally released its poverty reduction progress report, two
and a half years late. They
illustrated their progress with Elizabeth, a woman on Income Support who found
employment in 2009. They speculated,
based on today's programs and services, she would be doing quite well, though
admitted they have not spoken to her in the past five years.
I ask the minister: How do you know where Elizabeth is
today, or how Elizabeth is doing?
Why are you not case managing and following up with people who transition from
Income Support?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
O'BRIEN:
Mr.
Speaker, I certainly was very proud today to table our progress report in regard
to poverty reduction.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
O'BRIEN:
All
the national measures indicate that we are doing quite well in regard to
reducing poverty in this Province.
We used yes, absolutely people in the report in regard to how they have
benefited from the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
As well, Mr. Speaker, I want to impress on all the
people who were in that room most of them partners to our government in regard
to reducing poverty that it is important that we keep moving forward.
We have not addressed poverty totally in this Province, but I tell you
right now this is the foundation of this government and we will continue to work
towards that.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for the District of Cartwright L'Anse au Clair.
MS
DEMPSTER:
Mr.
Speaker, we were shown charts and graphs and statistics about this government's
success in poverty reduction. Then
Heather spoke, a single mother on Income Support for ten years who said she
cannot get out of poverty.
I ask the minister: How can you claim that your Poverty
Reduction Strategy is a rousing success when your own success story today cannot
escape poverty?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
O'BRIEN:
Mr.
Speaker, I am very reluctant to get into individual cases in this House, but
Heather was a success.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MR.
O'BRIEN:
You listen up here now.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MR.
O'BRIEN:
Heather was a success. As a matter
of fact
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MR.
O'BRIEN:
she availed of our system and she came off Income Support.
She became a welder and she was quite successful.
As a matter of fact, she raised two kids and they have gone on to
post-secondary education. I was not
afraid to bring Heather to the mike today, because I wanted to impress on the
people in that room that there is more work to be done.
I say to the hon. member, she would not have the
fortitude, she would not have the foresight, and she would not have the guts to
do so, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Cartwright L'Anse au Clair.
MS
DEMPSTER:
Mr.
Speaker, it is their success story.
I hear, as the provincial critic, from people like Heather every single day.
Christmas Eve, people from Burin; a few days ago, people from on the West
Coast every day.
Not only is the progress report, Mr. Speaker,
two-and-a-half years late, the second action plan is now two years late.
This government committed to implementing a new plan in 2012 and we have
yet to see a thing.
I ask the minister, today is a good time to ask: When
will you release the second poverty reduction action plan?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
O'BRIEN:
Mr.
Speaker, the Poverty Reduction Strategy was released in 2006.
Since then, we have made considerable progress in this Province in regard
to reducing poverty. As a matter of
fact, if you were to participate in the event today and ask the partners that
were there, they were so proud of that progress report today because they had
participated in it. They have shared
in that.
The Opposition likes to go into individual cases.
Yes, absolutely, you can find individual cases across this Province any
day, anywhere, Mr. Speaker. We have
made considerable progress. I
pointed out that there is more work to be done and this government is going to
do it.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.
MR.
EDMUNDS:
Mr.
Speaker, food supplies are running out in Northern Labrador stores.
Given the ice conditions, shipping will not begin any time soon.
I ask the minister: Will he intervene in this impending
crisis and provide increased air freight service to the people of Nunatsiavut
and Natuashish?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
MCGRATH:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, there are two programs in place: one is
called the Nutrition North food program; the other is called the Air Foodlift
Subsidy, which is a provincial Air Foodlift Subsidy program that retailers can
avail of when they cannot get their freight to the North Coast by either
shipping or other means.
What both of those programs do the Nutrition North
Canada program offers 100 per cent rebate on freight charges.
Then anything that would not be covered through that, you can tap into
the Air Foodlift Subsidy and that will make the difference that your air freight
gets up the one thing we do not have control of, as government, is to make
sure that the retailer passes it on the consumer.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Torngat Mountains.
MR.
EDMUNDS:
Mr.
Speaker, the price of food in Northern Labrador continues to soar, even with the
subsidies the minister just mentioned.
It is ironic that this government permits beer to be the same price in
Northern Labrador as it is in St. John's, yet milk is double the price when
compared to Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
I ask the minister: Will you investigate the Nutrition
North and Air Foodlift Subsidy that are designed to provide fair and affordable
prices to residents of the North Coast and to put an end to price gouging?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
MCGRATH:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I acknowledge to the member across the way that I had a
conversation with him yesterday and told him that I would certainly investigate
into both the Nutrition North Canada as well as the Air Foodlift subsidy.
I have to say that we have very little uptake on the
programs. We have no control over
private enterprise, so we do not control the price of beer in the North Coast;
nor do we control the price of milk or any other dairy product.
Once a private enterprise decides they are going to make their
investments to put the service in the North Coast, whether it is in St. John's
or on the North Coast, they have the control as to what they are going to charge
for it. That is private enterprise.
What we do provide is the subsidy to help with the
freight charges that go up there.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for The Straits White Bay North.
MR.
MITCHELMORE:
Mr.
Speaker, the Provincial Sustainable Forestry Management Strategy, which was
released in 2003, is another example of words waiting to be put into action.
The plan says there will be opportunities to develop the economy of rural
areas of the Province, and there will be public participation in forest
management planning; however, it is no surprise that the last consultation
happened over two years ago.
I ask the minister: When will he get serious with the
forest industry?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
DALLEY:
Mr.
Speaker, I guess as Minister Responsible for Natural Resources in the Province,
but I think it is incumbent on all members that we have to be serious about the
opportunities that exist in Newfoundland and Labrador.
I can tell the member opposite I have been serious about forestry and
serious about my department ever since I have been there.
If he wants to challenge that, go right ahead, Mr. Speaker.
The reality is there are 5,500 people working in the
forest industry, Mr. Speaker, and we all know certainly anybody attached to
the forest industry would know there have been significant challenges in the
forest industry. We continue to work
with them to find some resolutions and there are some good things on the
horizon, Mr. Speaker, I believe, where we could create more opportunities.
As for the sustainability plan, we committed in 2014 to
provide a new plan and the draft is on my desk, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for The Straits
White Bay North.
MR.
MITCHELMORE:
I
look forward to seeing a copy of that, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the failure of government to address fibre
resources in Central Newfoundland and the Great Northern Peninsula is a
frustration to many residents who would be benefiting from jobs in the forestry
sector.
I ask the minister: When is he going to address the timber resources in Central Newfoundland and on the Great Northern Peninsula?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
DALLEY:
Mr.
Speaker, I certainly acknowledge the challenges around that, and I will say what
is driving us is the concern for many families throughout Central Newfoundland
and Labrador and certainly on the Northern Peninsula who depend on this very
valuable resource. Mr. Speaker, as a
government and certainly I, as the minister, we are not about to give it away.
I cannot assure you of that.
Mr. Speaker, we are going to work with the industry to
find new ways to develop that fibre so that we can strengthen the existing
industry, so that we can ensure long-term sustainability for industry, for
people who want to make investments, for people who want to build harvesting
capacity and, mostly, for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who want to work in
that industry. I hope to have some
resolution to that real soon.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for the District of St. Barbe.
MR.
J. BENNETT:
Mr.
Speaker, another violent incident at Her Majesty's Penitentiary the third in a
year highlights the need for a new prison for the safety and well-being of
staff and inmates alike. Modern
prisons often include a mental health wing and an infirmary for sick inmates,
and are planned to permit direct supervision of inmates.
I ask the minister: When can we expect to receive
proposals in response to the government's announced RFP for a new prison; and
will proposals include a modern design that can accommodate a mental health
wing, an infirmary, and direct supervision of inmates?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Justice.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
FRENCH:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, let me say, yes, unfortunately we did
have an incident last night at HMP.
Before I get into the hon. member's question, I certainly want to acknowledge
the work of our correctional officers, in particular the emergency response team
who took it upon themselves last night it is certainly always a difficult
situation to be placed in as a correctional officer, but the professionalism
last night that saw no injuries to inmates or correctional officers is certainly
noteworthy.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
FRENCH:
I
also want to acknowledge the RNC as well who supported our correctional officers
last night.
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, there is an RFP
out for a new prison facility. It is
something that we took on ourselves and insisted be done, even though we did not
have the support of the federal government.
I just want to let the members know I am expecting a presentation in the
next couple of weeks, and I am looking forward to it at that time, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for the District of St. Barbe.
MR.
J. BENNETT:
Mr.
Speaker, the minister says they are taking on the prison; but, in fact, the
federal government pays us quite handsomely for federal prisoners that we
accommodate.
Mr. Speaker, a new prison is many years into the future
for us, so I ask the minister: Given that there has been three violent incidents
at Her Majesty's Penitentiary in the past year, what specifically is this
government doing to reduce violence at her Majesty's Penitentiary until a new
prison is built?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Justice.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
FRENCH:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
To continue with my answer, yes, we are certainly
processing in the next couple of weeks, I hope to see a proposal.
I also plan on visiting some of the latest facilities in the country that
have been built, to get a good idea around the services that we can offer.
The hon. member opposite continues to refer sometimes
in this House to a report that was done in 2008, but I want to assure the hon.
member that the correctional facilities of today and the people who work in them
and the training that is provided and the services that are provided are a lot
different than in 2008.
Right now, Mr. Speaker, for example, we do offer
psychology services at our prison system.
We also have another system in place whereas when people receive support
for mental illness in our prison system, they are followed up after and they go
on out into the world. They follow
up with other
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
The hon. the Leader of the Third Party.
MS
MICHAEL:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
In June 2012, the Minister Responsible for Labour
Relations told us the introduction of card-based certification reflects a more
democratic approach to certification.
Government arrived at this conclusion after four long years of
consultation with all stakeholders.
Two years later, they propose removing the same provision based on the same
reasoning.
I ask the Premier: Who has pushed government to take a
step back from a more democratic approach to how employees join a union?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Service NL.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
CRUMMELL:
Mr.
Speaker, at the time when we brought in the amendments in 2012, we thought we
were bringing in fair and balanced legislation.
Shortly afterwards, we did hear from the people of the Province, we did
hear from employers, and we heard from workers as well.
When we looked into it we decided to have a review of
the decision that we made at that time.
We did a bit of research around that, Mr. Speaker.
We did actually quite an amount of research around that.
What we found in that research is overwhelmingly it shows that workers
want to have that secret ballot vote when they are making important decisions in
their workplace.
Mr. Speaker, that reflects democracy throughout every
western nation and within every emerging nation.
We have listened to what the workers had to say, and we listened to what
we think is best to do from the people we have been talking to.
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Third Party.
MS
MICHAEL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
In the media the minister said he did not consult with
unions about changes to the Labour Relations Act as he already knew their
stance. He has acknowledged he met
with employers when clearly he already knew their stance as well.
I ask the Premier: What bias is at work that pushes
government to meet only with the employers?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Premier.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
PREMIER MARSHALL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, in issues like this, the government's role
is that of regulating. We are not
representing the employees, we are not representing the employer, we have to
represent the public interest and we have to ensure the public interest is
paramount here.
When we choose our representatives, Mr. Speaker, in
this country, whether it is in the House of Commons, whether it is in this
House, whether it is in a municipality, whether it is in a school board, people
expect to have in this country an election where people can vote in an election,
and a secret ballot where they can vote without coercion, where they can vote in
accordance with their conscience, and they can vote without reprisals.
Democracy this is the way we do things in this Province.
This is the way we have always done things in this Province, in a
democratic manner with a secret ballot and without fear of coercion and without
reprisal.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Leader of the Third Party.
MS
MICHAEL:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
There is a lot of research showing that many employers
intimidate their employees when they are trying to unionize during the period
before the so-called secret ballot.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MS
MICHAEL:
I
ask the Premier: Why is government abolishing card-based certification which
actually protects employees from unfair practices?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Service NL.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
CRUMMELL:
Mr.
Speaker, the Labour Relations Act protects workers from employers and unions in
terms of intimidation and coercion.
It goes both ways. The legislation
is in place for unfair labour practices.
Mr. Speaker, there is teeth to that legislation.
The Labour Relations Board can get involved. They can issue orders to make sure that this kind of activity ceases and desists. Mr. Speaker, there are mechanisms in place within our legislation to deal with that both ways.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MS
ROGERS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
A number of seniors in my district live in apartment
buildings where heat is included in their rent.
Government policy dictates that they are not eligible for the Home
Heating Rebate. This makes no sense.
They pay for their heat like everyone else and most of them are on very
low incomes. This is not fair.
I ask the Minister of Finance: Will she fix this unfair
policy so people like the seniors in my district get the rebate that they are
entitled to?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
O'BRIEN:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, there is no government in the past that
has supported seniors like this government.
We have brought in many programs across many departments, including my
own, Mr. Speaker, in Advanced Education and Skills, and Newfoundland and
Labrador Housing. One of those
programs is the heat rebate system, and we evaluate that each and every year as
we go forward. We try to make it as
fair as we possibly can but in some cases and we want to stretch it out to as
many seniors as we possibly can who require it.
When your heat is included in your rent and possibly
they are getting a rent supplement as well, Mr. Speaker.
Well, I would like to touch seniors who certainly cannot afford it and
find themselves in a worse place than other seniors in the Province.
Overall, this government has supported seniors like no other.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for St. John's Centre.
MS
ROGERS:
Well, Mr. Speaker, I have a solution for the minister.
In some provinces with similar heating rebate programs, renters simply
require a letter from their landlord indicating the payment for heat is included
in the rent, making the renter eligible for the rebate.
I ask the minister: Will she change her unfair
eligibility policy so people who really need this rebate can get it?
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
O'BRIEN:
Mr.
Speaker, what the hon. member has not pointed out is that all the programs in
this Province, as compared to the provinces she has referenced, support seniors
here. They do not have the programs.
We are the envy of the country when it comes down to our programs in
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, our programs across all government
departments, Mr. Speaker.
You cannot pick and choose.
You have to be truthful in regard to when you frame up your question and
give the right facts to the people of the Province.
She is not comparing apples to apples, Mr. Speaker, because this Province
surpasses all others when it comes to our investment in seniors.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for St. John's Centre for a quick question, please.
MS
ROGERS:
Mr.
Speaker, I ask the minister: Does she have any idea how many people struggling
on low incomes are being unfairly denied their rightful rebate?
This is comparing heat to heat.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills for a quick response.
MR.
O'BRIEN:
Mr.
Speaker, again, she is not comparing apples to apples because she already said
in her first question that the person's heat is included.
Certainly, we try to support our seniors' right across all government
departments and we will continue to do so, Mr. Speaker.
We will be looking at the heat rebate system going
forward, as we do in every budget process, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
time for Question Period has expired.
Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees.
Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for the District of St. Barbe, and Chair of Public Accounts, I
think.
MR.
J. BENNETT:
Yes, Mr. Speaker, that is correct.
I rise today to table the second report of the Standing
Committee of Public Accounts of the forty-seventh General Assembly.
I would like to particularly note, even though I am tabling the report, I
would like to note the members of the Public Accounts Committee who have
contributed throughout the year.
My Vice-Chair is the Member for Cape St. Francis.
The current members are we have had some turnover but we are very
fortunate to have a very cohesive group the Member for Bonavista North, the
Member for St. John's East, the Member for St. John's South, the Member for
Bellevue, and the Member for Lake Melville.
Mr. Speaker, the absolute stellar person, who I must
admit does most of the work for Public Accounts by volume, for sure, and by
insight and experience is the Clerk of the House, who is also the Clerk of the
Public Accounts Committee, Ms Murphy.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
J. BENNETT:
Mr.
Speaker, she schedules all of the interviews with people.
She contacts all of the groups.
She does all of the correspondence and she certainly oversees the
production of the reports. So we are
absolutely indebted to her, as I am indebted to other committee members.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Tabling of Documents.
Pursuant to section 8 and section 10 of the Public
Tender Act, I hereby table the report of the Public Tender Act exceptions for
the month of April 2014, as presented by the Chief Operating Officer of the
Government Purchasing Agency.
Further tabling of documents?
Notices of Motion.
Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given.
Answers to Questions for which Notice has been Given
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Attorney General.
MR.
F. COLLINS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday in Question Period, the Member
for St. Barbe asked me a couple of questions with respect to a class action case
by Inuit plaintiffs of the Coast of Labrador against the federal government on
allegations of abuse while attending residential schools on the Coast and in St.
Anthony from 1949 to 1979.
Mr. Speaker, in the question, he implied that this
Province had incurred a loss at the Court of Appeal and that the Province was
being sued or the action was against the Province by the plaintiffs.
Mr. Speaker, he went to ask about if I had been briefed by the lawyer
with respect to our possibilities or chances of winning that case; and given, in
his opinion, that the possibility of winning that case was slim, that we might
have to pay out considerable damages at the end and enter into a settlement
process with the plaintiffs.
Mr. Speaker, the question sort of threw me for a loop,
because while I had not been briefed on that file in recent weeks, I did
remember it from my previous tenure as Attorney General, and I knew that we were
not a party at that time to that action.
It was strictly an action against the federal government.
MR.
SPEAKER:
I
would ask the minister to quickly get to his final answer.
Please get to your final answer.
MR.
F. COLLINS:
The
final answer, Mr. Speaker, is that we are not a party to that action, never have
been. So the trial will go ahead
(inaudible)
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
Petitions.
Petitions
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for The Straits White Bay North.
MR.
MITCHELMORE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of
Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the
undersigned residents of Newfoundland and Labrador humbly sheweth:
WHEREAS Labrador-Grenfell Health employs a nurse
practitioner at St. Anthony able to take appointments and operate a full scope
of practice for which nurse practitioners are licensed to operate; and
WHEREAS Western Health at Port Saunders and Norris
Point on the Great Northern Peninsula has similar nurse practitioner practices;
and
WHEREAS nurse practitioners have advanced education and
training beyond the registered nurse level and provide comprehensive care
ranging from health promotion and prevention to diagnostic and treatment,
including ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing pharmaceuticals, and performing
procedures with a legislated scope of practice; and
WHEREAS nurse practitioners are alleviating physician
shortages in rural areas across Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador by
operating clinical practices in collaboration with physicians and other health
professionals, leading to better access to services and shorter wait times; and
WHEREAS residents from Eddies Cove East to Reef's
Harbour deserve to have regular nurse practitioner clinics that are available to
other residents on the Great Northern Peninsula;
WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly
pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge government to ensure that a
nurse practitioner clinical practice be established at the Strait of Belle Isle
Health Centre to be fully integrated with the clinical practices of physicians.
As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.
Mr. Speaker, I have presented this petition before.
This is something that residents of the Great Northern Peninsula see as
ways the Minister of Health and Community Services can save money and improve
health outcomes for people of the district.
As in the case with reintroducing and reinstating the echocardiogram
service which was announced today, which I am very pleased to see.
That has been a hard-fought battle for many residents of the area.
Maybe next time a health care announcement is done an
invitation would be extended to my office.
That is multiple times now that my office has been denied invitations,
the sheer courtesy of being invited for the hard work and dedication on behalf
of the people who I represent. It is
certainly not an oversight because this is something that has been raised with
the former minister and other staff, the CEO, and others.
I will be raising that and making that an issue.
This is another way where you have the full complement
of staff already on site. They need
to be better utilized so that we can get better outcomes and save our health
care dollars. Introducing a nurse
practitioner clinic regularly would do that for the people of the Strait of
Belle Isle Health Centre. I look
forward to the invitation when the new Strait of Belle Health Centre opens in
Flower's Cove very, very soon.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Carbonear Harbour Grace.
MR.
SLADE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
To the hon. House of Assembly of the Province of
Newfoundland and Labrador in Parliament assembled, the petition of the
undersigned humbly sheweth:
WHEREAS the local service district of
Freshwater-Carbonear is expressing ongoing concerns with regard to the need to
make repairs to the beach breakwater which has been severely damaged by storm
waves, and this causes major concerns to the local service district of
Freshwater as it pertains to fire protection and safety; and
WHEREAS the lack of repairs by government constitutes a
fire and safety hazard to the community since the residents will be trapped if a
fire ever took place; and
WHEREAS the damaged breakwater-roadway is also creating
an environmental concern as the Atlantic Ocean has washed over the roadway and
out into a freshwater pond where fish in that pond are; and
WHEREAS this area serves as a capelin run each year
which attracts great many local residents and tourists to that site; and
WHEREAS the federal government refuses to assist with
this repair as they deem there is no associated fishing activity to justify
investment;
WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly
pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge government to respond to pleas
from the communities' residents to have this breakwater structure repaired so it
can once again properly protect the road infrastructure from being more severely
damaged and once done, to call upon the government to repair the road.
As in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.
Mr. Speaker, I am after bringing this issue up in the
House on several occasions now, up to this point in time to no resolve.
I would just like to say that I am also after writing a letter to the
minister with some pictures to show exactly what is after taking place there.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great concern as the MHA for
Carbonear Harbour Grace to see that down there like that.
I am concerned, first and foremost, for the safety of the people in that
area if a fire should take place and somebody happens to get trapped in there.
That is probably the most important, but also I would like to emphasize
that the environment there at this particular time is getting some damage, too,
Mr. Speaker.
I look forward to hearing the minister's reply when he
has a look at it.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for St. John's South.
MR.
OSBORNE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition again for Saint Luke's
cottages.
WHEREAS Saint Luke's cottages has been using the
continuum of care model since it opened.
It entails priority access to long-term care beds, as clearly stated in
the Saint Luke's handbook which is given to all tenants.
Further commitment was confirmed in 1995 under the Single Entry System
established by Eastern Health. This
allowed cottage tenants to join Saint Luke's if they were no longer able to
function independently regardless of their level of care; and
WHEREAS Eastern Health has arbitrarily changed this
practice in recent months; level 2 cottage tenants are now forced to leave and
live in personal care homes when the placement is needed.
This breaks the commitment to the continuum of care model; and
WHEREAS we became aware of this change in practice when
a ninety-three-year-old tenant who lived at Saint Luke's cottages for thirteen
years was forced to find their own living arrangements after returning from the
hospital. This incident has caused
other tenants to worry about their future.
Saint Luke's Homes is committed to the continuum of care model; however,
it is being abolished by the decisions made by Placement Services;
WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly
pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge government to request that
Eastern Health and the provincial government direct the staff of Placement
Services
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
This being Wednesday, according to our Standing Orders,
at 3:00 o'clock we have to go to the private member's resolution that is on the
Table.
Orders of the Day
Private Members' Day
MR.
SPEAKER:
I
call upon the Member for Lewisporte to introduce the motion that stands on the
Order Paper in his name.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
VERGE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for
Conception Bay East Bell Island, the following private member's resolution:
WHEREAS our Province is unique in Canada in having its
principal population base connected to its neighbours, not by land links, but by
marine services; and
WHEREAS the federal government is constitutionally
obligated under the Terms of Union to maintain the Gulf ferry service; and
WHEREAS following our Province's entry into
Confederation in 1949, the federal government enacted the Trans-Canada Highway
Act to spearhead the completion of the TCH to give all members of the federation
the benefit of a truly national highway to facilitate the flow of people and
goods freely and fairly throughout the federation; and
WHEREAS it is unacceptable to view the Gulf ferry
service as anything less than an essential and integral component of the
Trans-Canada Highway and the National Highway System; and
WHEREAS the cost-recovery and scheduling policies of
the federal Crown corporation Marine Atlantic have served to impede the flow of
people and to undermine the free trade of goods to and from our Province; and
WHEREAS the federal government should be sensitive to
the impacts of higher Marine Atlantic prices and fewer crossings on our
Province's tourism industry and on the costs of living and doing business in our
Province relative to the costs in other provinces;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this hon. House calls on
the federal government to direct and enable Marine Atlantic to reduce user
prices and to restore transit frequency on the Gulf ferry service.
Mr. Speaker, access to the rest of Canada for
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is very important to all of us in this
Province. Marine Atlantic is a Crown
corporation that is mandated to provide a ferry service between Nova Scotia and
Newfoundland and Labrador. The
federal government is obligated to ensure that this service is reliable and also
available to meet the needs of residents and of businesses in our Province.
When Newfoundland and Labrador joined Canada, the Terms
of Union addressed the transportation section in this Province.
Terms 31 and 32 spoke to the federal government's responsibility which
stated, section 31 said, At the date of Union, or as soon thereafter as
practicable, Canada will take over the following services and will as from the
date of Union relieve the Province of Newfoundland of the public costs incurred
in respect of each service taken over, namely, (a) the Newfoundland Railway,
including steamship and other marine services
.
Section 32.(1) says, Canada will maintain in
accordance with the traffic offering a freight and passenger steamship service
between North Sydney and Port aux Basques, which, on completion of a motor
highway between Corner Brook and Port aux Basques, will include suitable
provision for the carriage of motor vehicles.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, the federal government needs to
ensure that there is a quality level of service.
Over the past number of years, and again recently, we have heard of
Marine Atlantic increasing fees and also reducing summer schedules.
Mr. Speaker, I checked the current rates from Port aux
Basques to North Sydney, as if I were going to travel this coming Friday.
What I checked was just to see what would be the cost right now for a
family of four in a normal automobile to leave Port aux Basques, travel to North
Sydney, and to return. I saw the
following rates, Mr. Speaker.
For one automobile it is $93.55.
For a cabin it is $145.48.
There is a fuel charge per passenger of $20.85.
There is a fuel surcharge for a vehicle of $19.65.
There is a four passenger cost of $99.30.
There is a security fee of $7.
The total ticket price, Mr. Speaker, for a family of four to travel
one-way from Port aux Basques to North Sydney, as of this coming Friday, is
$385.83. Then to return, you are
going to double that. It is up close
to $800 right now for just a family of four.
Of course, if somebody is visiting the Province and they are towing a
trailer the cost is escalated. If
you are moving commercial traffic, the cost is escalated again.
It is far too expensive, Mr. Speaker, for us to travel
to the rest of the country. It is
far too expensive for people to visit, and it is far too expensive for
commercial traffic carrying goods into and out of this Province to conduct
business. It is because of the
unreasonable burden placed by Marine Atlantic.
By way of example, Mr. Speaker, I have business people
in my district who are in the mussel farming business.
It is a business with tremendous growth potential, as there is a heavy
demand in the marketplace. Nothing
can hurt a business more than not being able to supply the market with a secure
and a constant supply. Businesses
depend on it.
If a producer has markets, for example, in the US and
they have committed to supply these markets with live, quality product, if there
are delays on the Gulf ferry then that means the product is not getting to the
market on time. The buyer on the
other end who has probably made commitments to their customer's maybe
restaurants, for example, may have advertised they have certain product that is
available, in this case it could be the Newfoundland mussels, and if they are
not reaching the end point on time, then of course it is a detriment to the
business that is advertising, it is a detriment to Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians who are supplying this to the market.
Mr. Speaker, it is unacceptable for the people of
Newfoundland and Labrador to have to continue to put up with this inconvenience.
Marine Atlantic is a vital connection between the Island portion of this
Province and mainland Canada. While
the federal government have invested in upgrading their fleets with the charter
of Atlantic Vision and the
Leif Ericson, the quality of service
does not appear to have improved. We
have higher rates and we have fewer crossings.
Our government has heard the concerns from the
residents of the Province, from organizations and from businesses alike, and the
people of Newfoundland and Labrador are telling us that increased rates and
reduced summer schedules are going to hurt businesses.
It is also going hurt our tourism industry across the Province, but in
particular, Mr. Speaker, it is going to hurt rural Newfoundland and Labrador
potentially harder.
We have also heard from tourists, such as a gentleman
who wrote a recent letter to the editor in a mainland paper, which I read a
couple of days ago, Mr. Speaker, in doing some preparation to speak to this bill
today. There was a visitor to the
Island, to Newfoundland, and upon return to his home, he wrote a letter to the
editor in the paper. I will not go
through the full letter, Mr. Speaker, but one of the things that he said was
this, Our visit to the island was truly spectacular, great scenery, great
weather and the people we met were really terrific.
He went on to say, The only cloud was Marine Atlantic..
He shared his experience and the troubles that he encountered in dealing
with Marine Atlantic. This causes us
grave concern. We like for people to
visit, we like for people to have a good time, and, Mr. Speaker, we would like
for them to return.
Being an Island poses challenges; we know that.
It is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that we have
a reliable and an affordable ferry service to and from this Province, a service
that will enhance and not diminish the appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, our government believes in rural Newfoundland and Labrador
and in creating opportunities which will see our communities thrive.
The federal government needs to work with us to ensure
that this happens and that Marine Atlantic provides a service that is acceptable
to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
A rate increase of about 3 per cent for the 2014-2015 season in addition
to a 4 per cent increase that we saw last year, is not the way to ensure that
the flow of people and products on and off this Island move quickly, easily,
efficiently, and affordably. In
fact, Mr. Speaker, this will impede the flow of products.
It has the potential to raise the cost of living for people in
Newfoundland and in Labrador. The
people of this Province should not be expected to pay increased costs on their
products because the federal government has not lived up to its commitment.
Mr. Speaker, our government has created a booming
economy in this Province. We are one
of the leading provinces in Canada due to the contribution our Province and the
people make to our country. We
expect the federal government to work with us to ensure a united and a
prosperous country. This in our view
includes Newfoundland and Labrador.
The service provided by Marine Atlantic has a huge impact on our businesses and
on the tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.
We also agree with Hospitality Newfoundland and
Labrador's position, that scheduled changes this late in the season do
negatively impact tourism businesses and tour operators.
We have made great strides in recent years to create opportunities, and
we want to see that continue. The
Island portion of the Province is limited in how it can import and also export
goods. There are two options, either
by flight or by vessel; 90 per cent of all produce is brought into this Province
via these methods, and Marine Atlantic also provides a link for companies from
other provinces doing business with Newfoundland and Labrador companies.
Mr. Speaker, it is an issue that has been with us for
quite some time. We have often heard
from constituents, we have heard from residents, we have heard from people
throughout the Province, we have heard from trucking companies, and we have
heard from people who are carrying goods and services that need to be here or
there in a timely manner. Goods and
services that are perishable in some cases when we are talking about seafood, in
particular the shell fish industry and moving products that need to get to the
destination while it still has life, while it is still a quality product.
We have heard from the people of the Province about
these issues for quite some time, for years; and I guess as long as we are
dependent on a ferry service, we will have issues.
We recognize that, but I want to assure the people of the Province that
as the provincial government it is our duty to hold the federal government up to
their commitment. That is our
commitment, Mr. Speaker. We want to
hold the federal government we want to hold their feet to the fire and we want
to make sure that they live up to their constitutional commitment to the people
of this Province.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to hearing other speakers
throughout the afternoon speak to this very important motion.
It is a timely issue, and I will be back to close debate when everybody
else has concluded.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
The
hon. the Member for the District of Bay of Islands.
MR.
JOYCE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I just stand here first of all, thanks for giving me
the opportunity to wait to present the private members' motion.
There was supposed to be someone in the gallery, so thank you for helping
to delay that, Mr. Speaker, and have the person present.
Mr. Speaker, the private member's motion here today
and I thank the Member for Lewisporte for bringing it forward because it
concerns all of us in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
As you go through the motion, this is a motherhood issue for all of us in
Newfoundland and Labrador. This has
been around a long while, this fight with Marine Atlantic, Mr. Speaker.
One of the easiest things for us to do is beat up on Marine Atlantic, but
what we need to do is be proactive instead of reactive.
I know tourism is a big part of Marine Atlantic, and I
know the new Tourism Minister is going to get into this file, dig into this file
and do what he can, but what we need to do as parliamentarians is we need to
come up with some strategy to go after Ottawa.
It is not Marine Atlantic.
The people who make the decisions are in Ottawa.
This is not a knock on this government because when the
Liberals were in power, it was always a struggle with Marine Atlantic, for the
rates and for the fighting.
This is just a suggestion from me.
We just came up with an all-party committee on fishery to go to Ottawa.
What better way can we have if we all work together to go to Ottawa on
Marine Atlantic, Mr. Speaker? What
way can we serve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador any better than coming
together as a group to say let's develop a strategy, let's develop a plan that
we are going after Ottawa, after the politicians in Ottawa who make the
decisions, that we do it in one voice, we do it in unity, and we do it on behalf
of all the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?
That would be the biggest and the greatest service that we can do for the
people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The easiest thing to do is for this side to get up and
pick on the government saying you are not doing enough.
The government comes back and says well, when you were in power we can
do that, but if we are going to look for solutions to benefit the people of
Newfoundland and Labrador, we need to be a unified group.
We need a unified voice.
Whatever you say, Mr. Speaker, when the Premier of the
Province whoever it may be the Leader of the Opposition or the Leader of the
Third Party comes together, it adds extra power to the people of Newfoundland
and Labrador.
I am very confident that the Minister of Tourism will
be speaking to his counterparts on a regular basis and raising this issue.
I am confident the Minister of Transportation and Works has been doing it
also, but we have to remember, Mr. Speaker, the ones who will make the decisions
are the politicians. They are the
ones that we, as a group, have to go after as a unified voice here in
Newfoundland and Labrador. When we
heard this year that there were two crossings a week cancelled, it took us all
for a shock; it took us all for a loop.
Last year, we had all the increases in Marine Atlantic; this year, we
have the two crossings per week.
I do not think there is any person in this Legislature
I know the Member for Lewisporte who presented this was more shocked to hear
that than any of us, that the services for Newfoundland and Labrador once again
is being decreased. Bringing private
members' motions in this House of Assembly is a great idea; but what we need to
do and as the presenter of the motion, the Member for Lewisporte, I think we
need to try to get all groups together here in this Legislature to go as a
unified voice.
I think it is great that you brought it forward.
It is a motherhood issue for all the people.
It is a motherhood issue for tourism.
It is very essential, and it is an integral part of Newfoundland and
Labrador, Marine Atlantic. As the
Member for Lewisporte mentioned, it is in our Constitution that we have a
reliable service to the mainland.
Affordable is another word that we need to ensure that the federal government is
well aware of.
I will just give you a few figures.
The new minister is aware of this, also, the Minister of Tourism.
The auto in 2012 was 106,200 visitors, and brought in an estimated $96.4
million. Auto in 2013 was 99,900
visitors, brought in $92.2 million a decrease of 5.9 per cent in visitors, a
decrease of $4.2 million, Mr. Speaker.
I heard the minister yesterday and this is true; the air travel has
gone up. Air travel has gone up by
about 2 per cent in the seven major airports.
So, Mr. Speaker, we know people want to come to
Newfoundland and Labrador. We know
it. I stood in this House and said
those tourism ads are dynamic they are dynamic.
They reach people; they make people want to come here to Newfoundland and
Labrador. Mr. Speaker, once we get
people here with the hospitality in Newfoundland and Labrador, with the people
we have, with the service industry which we have around tourism, they want to
come back. When they come back, they
are going to bring back a lot of their friends, a lot of their family on the
word of mouth. So, the ads are
excellent. With the increase in the
air travel, we know that tourism is a big spot for people on the mainland, Mr.
Speaker, around Canada and North America for this.
Mr. Speaker, in 2013, this is the fourth year in a row
we had declining non-resident visitors fourth year in a row.
There is a problem with Marine Atlantic.
That is the fourth year in a row that we had a decline.
Last year is the first time since 1986 that we hit below 100,000 visitors
coming across on Marine Atlantic below 100,000.
Then again, this is not a criticism of anybody in this House of Assembly.
It is definitely not, but I am just bringing out the facts and hopefully
I am trying to unify everybody here that we as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,
we as people who are representing tourism stakeholders, we as people who are
representing businesses here in Newfoundland and Labrador, have to find a way to
work together to put an end to this, to get a better service, get a cheaper
service and get a reliable service.
That should be the intent of this whole resolution that
was brought forward. We could stand
up here, every one of us, there is not a member in this House who is not capable
enough to stand up here and pound the desk, pound their chest and say: Look how
bad Ottawa is. What are we going to
do about it? That is the key: What
are we going to do? That is what I
ask everybody to think about in this House of Assembly today.
Come 5:00 o'clock, Mr. Speaker, after we all vote and we have a unanimous
vote, yes we all agree and we all support the private member's resolution, what
is the next step? That is what I
ask. That is what I ask the Member
for Lewisporte. Take the leadership
role on this, get us all involved to help out with this, because it is such an
important issue, Mr. Speaker, for people in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, there is a decrease in Marine Atlantic
crossings: 130 crossings in 2013 from 2012.
Now, a lot of that was when the
Blue Puttees had the accident and there was some mechanical problems; but,
with that, it shows how we need to have a backup here.
During that time and I am sure it was not just Corner Brook, but I will
use Corner Brook for an example. If
you go in the grocery stores and you see how bare the shelves were, that traffic
could not get over with fresh fruit, vegetables, products, you would be amazed.
You would actually be amazed, Mr. Speaker, to see shelves empty
actually empty. You go into other
parts of the store and you could see parts of the shelves completely bare.
That just shows you how essential Marine Atlantic is to Newfoundlanders
and Labradorians.
In 2013, Mr. Speaker, there were ten fewer crossings
down in Argentia. Argentia is a
seasonal run. We all know that, but
it is still vital to our tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.
People look to Argentia look for that trip to Argentia.
It is seasonal; it is mainly based with tourism and we all understand
that. I think we have to find some
way to if they are going to have these services to Argentia, we need enhanced
services. We need to find a way to
enhance the services to Argentia.
We cannot forget the number of businesses in Argentia
that built industry around tourism.
You cannot forget a number of taxpayers who are contributing to the
municipalities in that area and all around that area.
When they leave Argentia and that area, they come all across the Province
of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Speaker.
In Argentia alone in 2013, 27 per cent in passenger
movement as a decrease; 25 per cent in passenger-vehicle crossings, Mr. Speaker.
Like I said some of it is because of damage; they had to take a boat off
from Argentia at the time. It shows
why we need backup. It shows why we
need other services in place to ensure that we are not held hostage by damage
and mechanical problems. It would
not happen anywhere else. Why should
it happen in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Mr. Speaker, we need this service to be reliable and we
need it to be affordable. Every year
we hear of the increase in the prices going across the Marine Atlantic.
On the West Coast, and I am sure there are some people I think the
Member for Lewisporte brought up about mussels.
I commend the member for that.
If he knew how much product at many times of the year are stuck at the
port at Marine Atlantic, cannot get across, I am talking for days and days and
days. When you are shipping live
mussels to the market, you have to have a reliable service.
You cannot have shipments waiting at the port four, five, and six days.
You lose your market, you lose a lot of product, and in the end you lose
a lot of jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador over that.
Mr. Speaker, once we get an increase in Marine
Atlantic, a commercial increase for trucking, who is going to pay for that
increase? It is going to be the
people of Newfoundland and Labrador. When
we hear an increased cost for commercial traffic, guess what?
You will know that your product will increase.
They have to pass on the cost of that.
It is going to be passed on to the consumers in Newfoundland and
Labrador. That is who is going to
end up paying for this.
Once again, I say to all hon. members here, Mr.
Speaker, Marine Atlantic I know the Member for Burgeo La Poile is so
passionate about Marine Atlantic and the services.
Marine Atlantic is essential to all of us in Newfoundland and Labrador.
We cannot grow a tourism industry to its potential without a reliable and
dependable service. We cannot be
shipping products to and fro without a reliable and essential service, Mr.
Speaker.
I say again, on many occasions I know of businesses
that have product left at the Marine Atlantic terminal in Port aux Basques for
days upon days upon days, because when we get a flood of tourists coming in, the
commercial part gets a bit behind because they only take so many.
They tried the reservation system.
It worked to some degree but then the truckers truckers are saying now,
yes, it is working pretty good. I
heard the trucking association say, well, it is a bit better.
Then, what did they do? They
dropped two crossings a week, Mr. Speaker.
Every time we try to take a step forward, we end up
moving backwards, Mr. Speaker. It is
very hard to diversify your economy if we are promoting tourism in this Province
and we cannot get people here at an affordable rate.
That every time they are coming over they are stuck at the terminal in
North Sydney for three, four or five days.
They have eight, ten, twelve days planned to come over, stuck three or
four days, unsure if they are going to get back once they come here.
It is a deterrent for people to travel to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, this is very essential to us all.
Once again, I say to all members in this House of Assembly, we need to
come together. We need to come
together as a group. We need to go
after the politicians in Ottawa.
Marine Atlantic is a Crown corporation.
We all know how Crown corporations work.
If the federal government comes down to them and says: You have to cut.
Who is going to lose on that?
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all parliamentarians in this House
today, let's not forget this after this day is over at 5:00 o'clock when we all
vote for it. Let's come together.
Let's not fight on this.
Let's work together as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
I thank the Member for Lewisporte for bringing it in
because it is such a vital issue to all of us in tourism, in the trucking
industry, and for every Newfoundlander.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for the District of Port au Port.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
CORNECT:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is indeed a great privilege to stand in my place
this afternoon representing the District of Port au Port on the West Coast of
the Province, to speak to this private member's resolution on the importance of
the Marine Atlantic ferry.
We know that the Marine Atlantic ferry, Mr. Speaker, is
mandated to provide a ferry service between mainland Canada, notably Nova Scotia
and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take a look at it from a trade
and commerce perspective this afternoon when we are talking about Marine
Atlantic. Marine Atlantic is vital
in order for the Province to export and import goods and services to the people
of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, it is incumbent upon the federal
government to ensure that our Province's population is connected to mainland
Canada and that our goods and services, as well as our tourists, can flow freely
and that pricing for this service is fair and equitable.
Mr. Speaker, the cost of living and doing business in
Newfoundland and Labrador will increase if the federal government does not
ensure that our link to the mainland is as effective as possible.
To illustrate this, Mr. Speaker, we must consider primarily local
industry as it relates to perishables.
Newfoundland and Labrador is self-sufficient in milk,
37 million litres per year, and also exports about 8 to 9 million litres of
industrial milk annually. Industrial
milk is used to process cheese in Nova Scotia.
So Marine Atlantic is very important.
Newfoundland and Labrador's chicken quota is about 18.5
million kilograms per year. We are
very close to self-sufficiency but we still have to import about 2 million
kilograms per year. Currently, the
only chicken that is sold in Newfoundland and Labrador that cannot be produced
here is the rotisserie prepared chicken that is sold in the delis in
supermarkets. It has to be produced
using air chilling technology which is not part of the processing line at
Country Ribbon. So, Mr. Speaker,
Marine Atlantic services is vital.
Newfoundland and Labrador has a 365,000 bird quota for
egg production. This makes us
self-sufficient in eggs and allows us to export about half to Nova Scotia for
industrial processing. So, Mr.
Speaker, the Marine Atlantic ferry is essential.
In vegetables, we are currently about 10 per cent
self-sufficient. The rest has to be
imported from other provinces and countries.
Mr. Speaker, Marine Atlantic is needed.
In fruit, we are currently less than 1 per cent
self-sufficient. The rest has to be
imported from other provinces and countries.
With Newfoundland and Labrador's climate, we will never be able to
produce many of these commodities.
Mr. Speaker, a Marine Atlantic reliable schedule is required.
In beef, Mr. Speaker, we are currently about 2 per cent
self-sufficient. The rest has to be
imported from other provinces.
Marine Atlantic is wanted.
In sheep, we are currently 10 per cent self-sufficient.
The rest has to be imported from other provinces.
Mr. Speaker, Marine Atlantic is mandatory.
Mr. Speaker, we are taking many steps to increase the
amount of land we have in production and to develop these commodities further.
In the short term, we are heavily dependent on marine transport to feed
our people. We are also heavily
dependent on marine transportation to market our excess supply-managed
commodities outside the Province. It
is key to ensuring that these commodities are fresh when they arrive for
processing.
Mr. Speaker, we believe that the federal government has
failed to live up to its commitment of ensuring the smooth transition of
products to Newfoundland and Labrador due to their lack of action to stabilize
rates, improve service offerings, and offer the best service possible through
Marine Atlantic. This not only hurts
Newfoundland and Labrador's economy, but it also inhibits regional, national,
and international partnerships as it reduces the number of suppliers and
businesses which want to work with Newfoundland and Labrador companies.
In the midst of a booming economy, Mr. Speaker, where
megaprojects and construction are contributing to Newfoundland and Labrador
being one of the leading provinces in Canada, there needs to be assurances that
the products and services being delivered by Marine Atlantic will be on time and
on schedule at a fair rate. The
Marine Atlantic ferry service is not just a regional transportation issue, but a
national economic issue.
Marine Atlantic is key to the economic growth of
Newfoundland and Labrador as well as Canadian businesses, as it provides a vital
connection between the Island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador and the rest
of Canada. Marine Atlantic is a
vital link, as 90 per cent of all produce is imported into our Province.
Marine Atlantic is also a link for companies from other provinces which
are doing business in Newfoundland and Labrador, and delivers one-half of goods
into our market.
Mr. Speaker, while the Terms of Union, Term 32.1 state,
Canada will maintain in accordance with the traffic offering a freight and
passenger steamship service between North Sydney and Port aux Basques, which, on
completion of a motor highway between Corner Brook and Port aux Basques, will
include suitable provision for the carriage of motor vehicles.'
Mr. Speaker, Marine Atlantic's mission is to provide a safe,
environmentally responsible, and quality ferry service between the Island of
Newfoundland and the Province of Nova Scotia in a reliable, courteous and
cost-effective manner'. That is
their mission, Mr. Speaker.
As the board of trade pointed out in recent years, this
mission should include as a means of supporting economic success in all
provinces.' Mr. Speaker, as a
government, we too feel very strongly and passionately about this.
Not only do increased rates and a reduced schedule
impact our local businesses, but it also raises the cost of living for the
people of our Province. The capacity
has to be adequate for our businesses and Marine Atlantic needs to be able to
accommodate demand for the movement of goods.
Our businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador are affected by pricing,
reliability, scheduling and service level, or lack thereof, when trying to
import or export products.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador
and the entrepreneurs in Newfoundland and Labrador deserve better.
Just recently, an article out of New Brunswick noted that Atlantic
Canada's truckers will pay more for ferry service to Newfoundland and Labrador
as of April 1. Marine Atlantic
Incorporated has hiked its rates by 3 per cent for the 2014-2015 season.
The Crown corporation's fees have increased 11 per cent since 2012, two
short years ago.
Mr. Speaker, time and time again we have met and
written letters to the federal government on this issue.
It is important that the federal government recognize that we are serious
and we want to reach a solution which benefits the residents of this Province
and the businesses throughout the country of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, summarizing, in a sense, our Province is
unique in Canada in that our principal population base is connected to the rest
of the country through a marine service.
The federal government in constitutionally obligated under the Terms of
Union to maintain the Gulf ferry service.
Mr. Speaker, the Gulf ferry service is a vital link and
integral component of the Trans-Canada Highway and the national highway system.
Increased rates and reduced scheduled will impede the flow of people and
will undermine the free trade of goods to and from our Province.
To the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, as a
government we will continue to advocate on behalf of the people of Newfoundland
and Labrador. In fact, Mr. Speaker,
when we heard of the recent ferry increase and scheduling changes, our
provincial government immediately wrote the federal Minister of Transport, Lisa
Raitt, expressing our dissatisfaction with recent changes to Marine Atlantic,
our ferry system.
Mr. Speaker, as a government, we will continue to
advocate to enhance the services on Marine Atlantic.
We hope that the members on the opposite side will join with us in
raising this issue with their federal counterparts as well.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to support the
private member's resolution as put forth by my colleague, the Member for
Lewisporte. I will read for the
record:
WHEREAS our Province is unique in Canada in having its
principal population base connected to its neighbours, not by land links, but by
marine services; and
WHEREAS the federal government is constitutionally
obligated under the Terms of Union to maintain the Gulf ferry service; and
WHEREAS following our Province's entry into
Confederation in 1949, the federal government enacted the Trans-Canada Highway
Act to spearhead the completion of the Trans-Canada Highway to give all members
of the federation the benefit of a truly national highway to facilitate the flow
of people and goods freely and fairly throughout the federation; and
WHEREAS it is unacceptable to view the Gulf ferry
service as anything less than an essential and integral component of the
Trans-Canada Highway and the National Highway System; and
WHEREAS the cost-recovery and scheduling policies of
the federal Crown corporation, Marine Atlantic have served to impede the flow of
people and to undermine the free trade of goods to and from our Province; and
WHEREAS the federal government should be sensitive to
the impacts of higher Marine Atlantic prices and fewer crossing in our
Province's tourism industry and on the cost of living and doing business in our
Province relative to the cost in other Provinces;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this hon. House calls on
the federal government to direct and enable Marine Atlantic to reduce user
prices and restore transit frequency on the Gulf ferry service.
Mr. Speaker, thank you very much.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER (Littlejohn):
The hon. the Member for Burgeo La Poile.
MR.
A. PARSONS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am very happy to be able to stand here today and
speak to this very important private members' resolution on the Marine Atlantic
Gulf ferry service. Let me first
say, right off the top so there is no confusion, I will be whole-heartedly
supporting this resolution today, and I do not think there is anybody who would
doubt otherwise. I want to get that
out there first; I think that is important.
My problem here today is I only have fifteen minutes to
speak. That is really the problem.
I have so many things to say to this very important issue that it is hard
to get them all in, and sometimes I get a little jumbled because I was very
happy to see the government put this resolution in Monday, and it is something,
again, I have dealt with all my life, like everybody in my area.
Over the last few days, to put some of these thoughts on paper and to
look at some of the solutions, some of the issues, so I am going to try my best
to get them out there.
I do not think there is any need for me to reread the
resolution, the members have put that out there, but I do think it is important
to look at the resolution clause.
What is this government asking? This
government is asking the federal government to direct and enable Marine Atlantic
to reduce user prices and restore transit frequency on the Gulf ferry service;
one part difficult, one part easy.
It is hard for the government to direct Marine Atlantic
to do the reduction in cost unless they enable them, and you can only enable
them by providing them the funding they need.
I have listened to the members opposite and I have appreciated their
comments. I listened to my colleague
as he spoke. This is not a blame
game, but it is something I think we have to look at the issues and what needs
to be done here.
The first thing I am going to do and I do not think
there is any need to reiterate Term 32, the member opposite referred to it, but
I did do some interesting reading on The Terms of Union: An Analysis Of Their
Current Relevance. This is over ten
years old. The member stated the
purpose of it here. Sometimes we use
that phrase constitutional right, a constitutional service, and it is, but the
problem is that it is vague.
What we have: Canada will maintain in accordance a
steamship service between North Sydney and Port aux Basques, which, upon the
completion of the highway will include suitable provision for the carriage of
motor vehicles. That is all it says.
We have a constitutional steamship service, a ferry service between Port
aux Basques and North Sydney.
It says nothing about the number of crossings.
It says nothing about the cost.
It says nothing about the frequency.
This is where they are getting us.
The fact is these Terms of Union, in many ways the relevance has
diminished over time.
One thing the author of this report noted was: Except
for the fact that the Terms of Union provide that there be a ferry service, the
Government of Canada's ability to make operational decisions remains relatively
unfettered. That is out there.
Besides the obligation to maintain the ferry service, there is a
qualification that the level of service is to be based on demand.
There is arguably an obligation, therefore, that the service must address
demand for its use.
Basically, we are constitutionally obligated we are
supposed to be provided a service based on demand.
My argument is that the federal government's actions have reduced the
demand for our service. If they do
not put enough money in, Marine Atlantic has to raise the rates.
If they raise the rates there is less traffic.
If there is less traffic, there are fewer crossings needed, and therefore
we are in a downward spiral. This is
the federal government's responsibility.
They are the ones that should be doing something.
There is no doubt about it.
Some people might say it is easy to beat up on the
federal government and we like to do it.
Do you know what? I do not
care. I am going to; this is an
obligation they have to us. It is a
right. Here they are, they control
the purse strings, but they are not providing the funding that is necessary to
have the necessary service. No doubt
about it, they provide a subsidy, the rest has to be provided on revenue.
The costs continue to go up.
The cost of inflation, labour goes up, fuel goes up, but the funding stays the
same.
I am going to stop at that point because everybody
knows my feelings on the federal government and what they have been doing for
this. Do you know what?
I am not the first politician to stand up in this House, nor will I be
the last, to talk about how the federal government is not doing what they should
be doing when it comes to this.
Technically they are under the Terms of Union, but I think I have explained how
that works and how they are getting around that.
One problem I do have, though, in the next level we
have to deal with the provincial government.
This is something that has been here for previous Administrations, PC,
Liberal, or whatever. I am sure if I
go back it is no different than reading a newspaper from thirty years ago.
Sometimes you look back and see these issues there and you read them and
you are like, my God, it is the same issue we have today.
I am not here to beat up on this current provincial
government because that is not the purpose.
What I am hoping to do today, and I think people can see my passion for
this because this is personal for me, this is my community, this is my area, and
this is my family. My grandfather
was a skipper on these boats. Most
of my family has worked there. A lot
of my friends work there, and right now because of what is going on, I have
friends, neighbours, constituents who are not going to get work and may have to
leave this Province. That to me is
unacceptable. When we talk about a
boom time we have to look at the reality that is going on right now, and it
upsets me.
I look at the provincial government, I know this is not
in their purview, this is a federal responsibility, but as I stated the other
day, there are many things that are a federal responsibility that we advocate
for. The primary one that we all
hear about is the fishery. What did
we just do? We just sent an
all-party committee to Ottawa to lobby.
Do you know what? We might
not get anything out of it, we may not, but this government, the Official
Opposition, the NDP, joined forces to go to Ottawa to fight and that is
sometimes what you need. Sometimes
you have to make them aware of the issue.
My problem here right now is I asked the Premier the
other day to send a delegation and he said no.
He said I am going to have a meeting with the Prime Minister at some
point. Then we further pressed and
said what are you going to talk about?
He said shrimp allocation, ice compensation, and on a commission for
missing and murdered Aboriginal women and children.
As I have said before, three important issues.
I am not taking away from that, but Marine Atlantic was not mentioned;
silence.
Right now, how does this federal government interpret
silence? They interpret it as not
being an issue and this is my problem.
This government, over the last ten years there have been a number of
press releases out on Marine Atlantic but the vast majority have been
reactionary to a rate increase, and they are all along the same lines.
We are very concerned. We do
not like this.
We are going to monitor the situation and we are going
to do something about it, but that is the problem, we do not see what is going
on in between. I have no doubt the
letters have been written but we need to work together here.
We need to work together to make sure this constitutionally provided
service is doing all that it should.
Right now, there is no doubt there is a reduction in traffic, and that is
commercial and personal.
Commercial traffic, and we hear about the booming
economy but if you actually talk to people in the construction association, if
you talk to people retailing several goods, that right now it is a soft time.
It is a soft time and that is why commercial traffic is down.
No doubt there is some competition, but I am willing to bet here today
their numbers are not what they thought they would be either.
There is not as much coming in.
The previous member mentioned goods.
Do you know what? He is
exactly right. We are not
self-sufficient in many areas. In
fact, there are certain producers who will not ship their goods over here
because by the time they get over here the quality of the good is so poor that
it diminishes their brand, and I will give you one example.
Strawberry producers will not ship them here in many cases because by the
time they get here they are spoiled and all that is doing is reducing the value
of the brand.
I am saying to the provincial government here today, I
applaud you for the motion. It is a
great thing but let's work together.
This is just a private member's resolution here today.
I do not know if Ottawa is even going to see it but we can work together
and send a delegation. Will we
succeed? Maybe not, but I can
guarantee you we will not succeed if we do not try, and we have to try.
There are going to be tens and tens of jobs lost this summer, people not
working because of the reduction in service, and that is unacceptable.
I am going to move on to the Crown corporation itself,
Marine Atlantic. Again, I am not
here to beat up on Marine Atlantic.
God knows, they take enough abuse from a number of different people, a number of
different groups. I treat Marine
Atlantic sometimes like family. I
can say what I want about them but I get sensitive when other people talk about
them.
I mentioned this the other day.
I heard one former Minister of Transportation say the best thing we
should do is move the service, which is about the most foolish and ridiculous
thing I have ever heard. It is not
based on fact. It is not based on
reality, and he has no clue about the economics of actually doing that.
He has no clue. Now that does
not reflect on the current members.
It does not reflect on the current minister.
I am sure that is not department policy.
That is just a person giving a column that does not know what he is
talking about. He has no clue.
I go back to Marine Atlantic.
Can they do better? You had
better believe they can. My feeling
about Marine Atlantic is this: but for this Island, this Province I say Island
because it is the Island of Newfoundland; Marine Atlantic is not servicing
Labrador, but it is a Newfoundland and Labrador service but for this Island,
the service is not there. If we were
not here, there would be no need for the service; however, did you know Nova
Scotia has more employees in North Sydney than Port aux Basques has?
Did you know that? Did you
know that Nova Scotia has roughly almost 100 more employees than Port aux
Basques has? That is absolutely,
patently ridiculous, unfair, and unnecessary.
I will say this now, and I will say it again, and I
will stand by it until I die; there should be enough over there in North Sydney
to tie the boat on, and that is it.
There should be enough over there to tie the boat on.
This is not a Nova Scotia service, this is a Newfoundland and Labrador
service and I will stand by that.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
A. PARSONS:
If
there is an MLA over there, or if there is an MP, or if there is a Senator, or
if there is a councilman, I will tell them that, too, as I have done before.
I actually told the president of the company in the past, you should have
enough over there to tie the boat on.
You should not have more jobs in North Sydney than there are in Port aux
Basques.
I can just say that from the passionate side, but there
is a logical, economic side to it, too.
The job is not getting done any cheaper over there.
You could do the job as efficiently in Port aux Basques as you could in
North Sydney. Actually I think you
could do it cheaper because of the cost of housing those workers.
I think you could do it cheaper.
I have put that point across and I think this is something we should
lobby for as well. It is a
Newfoundland service; it is not a Nova Scotia service.
At the same time and I have made this concern known
to Marine Atlantic the employees in North Sydney actually are going down.
The employees in Port aux Basques are going down.
The amount of management in St. John's is going up.
At a time when you are cutting the rank and file worker the worker
actually tying the boat on you are increasing the size of management.
I have told the president this.
I do not see how you can do it.
How does that make the service more efficient?
Would you be interested to know when they started out in St. John's
because it used to be in Moncton there were less than eight workers in St.
John's. Two years ago, they went up
to sixteen. Last year they went up
to twenty. This year they are up to
twenty-four.
Would you know that for twenty-four workers in St.
John's they are paying out just about $2.3 million in salary.
For 292 workers in Port aux Basques, they are paying out $13.4 million in
salary. Twenty-four workers hauling
in $2.3 million, 292 pulling in $13 million, can anybody see what is going on
here? That is absolutely ridiculous;
there is no need of it.
If they can show to me how it is going to increase the
efficiency, well I say go for it, but do you know what?
The tourism numbers keep coming down. The
biggest reason the tourism numbers keep going down is because the cost keeps
going up. Why is the cost going up?
Again, two-fold: we need to find more efficiencies within Marine
Atlantic, and we need to get the federal government to get on board to get the
actual funding that we need.
What I am going to say to the Province right now is
that the funding agreement ends on March 31, 2015.
The funding agreement is done.
It is a five-year agreement.
They are in negotiations right now.
I am calling on the government; let's send a delegation to Ottawa in September
of this year. It is no different
than your budgetary process, all of the departments are getting together and
they are working on this.
Let's send a delegation.
That is the time to do it.
This is the time. The next funding
agreement is going to be five years.
It is time for us to go up now and press our case.
If not, we are going to see a decline in tourism.
We are going to see a decline in goods and services.
We are going to see a decline in jobs for Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians and it is unacceptable.
I say to you, it might not work, but there is no harm in trying.
There is absolutely no harm in trying.
I only have twenty seconds left here today and that is
not enough time. I have a lot more
to say and I will continue saying it.
I say to the government, I support you, but I hope you heed some of what
I am saying here. I hope we can work
together to work on behalf of all the people, especially those out here now who
are going to lose their job because this federal government is not doing what
they should. The Province has a
role. Step up, speak up and I can
guarantee you one thing, I will be on your side if you do it.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
KENT:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I want to rise today to speak in support of this
private member's resolution. I hear
a distinct buzzing. It is not being
caused by my phone, I assure you. It
is not plugged in, so hopefully that will go away, Mr. Speaker.
We cannot solve the mystery so I shall continue.
I assure you I am not breaking any rules in terms of our technology and
communications here in the House.
AN
HON. MEMBER:
(Inaudible).
MR.
KENT:
No,
it is not that.
AN
HON. MEMBER:
Your mike?
MR.
KENT:
It
is a loose mike, perhaps. I will ask
my hon. colleague to hold my microphone for the next fifteen minutes.
I am rising today to speak in support of this motion,
also as the Minister currently Responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs.
This is an issue that definitely affects and relates to our relationship
with the federal government as other speakers have highlighted today, so I want
to provide a bit of historical context.
Now my microphone has gone off.
MS
SULLIVAN:
Do
you want mine? Do you want to stand
here? Here, my light is on.
MR.
SPEAKER:
The hon. the Minister of Municipal and
Intergovernmental Affairs can just slide down one because the minister's light
is there.
MR.
KENT:
Gladly.
MR.
SPEAKER:
There you go.
MR.
KENT:
Well, that is a first for me, Mr. Speaker.
AN
HON. MEMBER:
It
is called teamwork.
AN
HON. MEMBER:
A
quick shuffle.
MR.
KENT:
A
quick shuffle in the middle of debate.
That is the fastest shuffle ever.
Somebody should probably call upstairs and alert them.
Let me provide some context.
I want to talk about federal support for Marine Atlantic and the service.
I want to talk about funding.
I want to talk about the responsibility that the federal government has.
Let me provide a bit of history first.
Historically, CN Marine, a division of CN Rail, operated a marine ferry
line which serviced the Island portion of the Province.
This service was assumed by the Canadian National Railway in 1949 from
the Newfoundland Railway when Newfoundland entered into Confederation.
There are two routes that have been offered over the years, as people
know, the Port aux Basques route and the Argentia route.
Marine Atlantic today is a parent Crown corporation.
It was created through an act of Parliament in 1986 and replaced the
Canadian national marine in providing a year-round constitutionally mandated
ferry service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and Port aux Basques,
Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Newfoundland Terms of Union addressed the
transportation sector in a manner which is unique to the Province.
Let me just quote Term 32 which clearly states the federal government's
obligation to provide a Gulf ferry service.
It says, Canada will maintain in accordance with the traffic offering a
freight and passenger steamship service between North Sydney and Port aux
Basques, which, on completion of a motor highway between Corner Brook and Port
aux Basques, will include suitable provision for the carriage of motor
vehicles.
That is pretty clear.
The constitutional requirement contained in the Terms of Union that the
federal government provide this service in accordance with the traffic offering
means a standard which provides an appropriate level of quality of service
in-line with the growing and changing transportation needs of the Province.
We have continued to place pressure on the federal
government to provide this service.
The federal government has also placed pressure on Marine Atlantic.
They have pressured Marine Atlantic to maintain the 60 per cent to 65 per
cent cost recovery. With rising
fuel, maintenance, human resource and other costs, Marine Atlantic has been
forced to continually increase fares for all users.
That is not really in-line with a federally mandated service.
It does not provide an appropriate level and quality of service, and it
hinders the ability of users to choose Marine Atlantic.
It is simple economics that increases in price
generally result in decreases in consumption, and decreases in price generally
result in increases in consumption.
Is the decline in traffic offering because people do not want to use the ferry,
or because fare increases are discouraging travellers?
I really believe that fare increases are discouraging
travellers. When you compare the
cost of using the ferry service to the cost of airline travel, for instance,
some would argue that there is not a whole lot of difference these days.
It has become a very expensive service.
That poses a challenge for visitors; it poses a challenge for
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as well.
It is the federal government, not Marine Atlantic, who
is responsible for ensuring that the constitutional obligation stated in Term 32
is fulfilled, and it is the federal government that is liable for any breach of
the obligation. The federal
government's obligation under the Terms of Union is an enduring one.
The federal government needs to fulfill this obligation.
It needs to provide the ferry service, either directly or by providing
its service provider, Marine Atlantic, with the resources it needs to provide
the service.
In the 1990s, we saw extensive budget cuts by the
federal government and a drastic downsizing of Marine Atlantic's operations.
Much of the change came following the opening of the Confederation Bridge
in 1997; it replaced Marine Atlantic's most heavily used ferry service, which
served Prince Edward Island, and it is actually the only other
constitutionally-mandated ferry service.
Ten years ago, late in 2004, a three-member committee
was given the task of examining the future operations of Marine Atlantic.
While it was reported that privatization was an option being considered,
the final report pointed to improved service through a number of things: through
fleet renewal, through lower fares, increased frequency of crossings, and the
moving of the headquarters to Port aux Basques.
Why there are more employees in North Sydney than in
Port aux Basques is a really, really good question that one of the members
opposite raises. It just does not
make a whole lot of sense, given the location of the headquarters.
Since 2009 we have made numerous representations to the
federal government regarding Marine Atlantic.
The Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation has written a number of
letters raising issues of concern to the people of the Province regarding Marine
Atlantic issues, but we have not stopped there.
The Department of Transportation and Works has been active on this issue.
My Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs has been active
on this issue as well. We have had
discussions with federal officials, we have sent letters, we have issued news
releases, and our effort will continue, Mr. Speaker.
We have discussed this issue with various federal
officials on numerous occasions and we will continue to do what we can to ensure
that the federal government maintains its obligations to Newfoundland and
Labrador. We are really concerned
about recent fee increases and we are really concerned about recent reduction in
service.
Now, there have been some improvements, and I think it
is important to acknowledge that as well because it has not been all bad.
Through the advocacy work that we have been doing, in 2010 the federal
government announced a $521 million investment in Marine Atlantic over five
years, comprising of $308 million for fleet upgrades, $145 million for general
operating expenses, and $68 million for shore facility improvements in both Nova
Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The federal government budget in 2010 also provided $175 million to lease
the Blue Puttees and
Highlanders vessels for two years.
These commitments represent the most substantial recent
federal efforts to address the long-term capital neglect at the Crown
corporation, but it really does fall short.
It falls short of the $1.4 billion in capital funding that Marine
Atlantic estimated in 2009 would be required to overcome its strategic
challenges. In 2009, the Auditor
General of Canada noted that $150 million was needed for remedial funding for
shore-based infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador alone.
Through Transport Canada, the federal government also
provides an operating subsidy to Marine Atlantic as the service provider.
Transport Canada has directed Marine Atlantic recover 60 per cent to 65
per cent of all operating costs on an annual basis.
Since 2006, Marine Atlantic has met this challenge through increasing
passenger fares and applying mandatory fuel charges, which consumers also pay
for.
Since 2010, the cost recovery rate has increased by 9
per cent, which now increased to pass the target of 65 per cent.
The cost recovery rate now sits at 67.4 per cent, a rate that exceeds
Transport Canada's guidance to Marine Atlantic, and places undue cost on
individual users and on commercial users as well.
We have seen some infrastructure investment which is
good, but rates have continued to increase while service levels have either
remained stagnant or they have decreased.
Recently, Marine Atlantic announced another rate increase of about 3 per
cent which is planned for the 2014-2015 season, in addition to the 4 per cent
increase that we saw in the 2013-2014 season.
The three-year cumulative increase for vehicles was
approximately 12.5 per cent between 2011 and 2013.
Passenger fares increases ranged from 12.5 per cent for children aged
five to twelve, to 23 per cent for seniors on the North Sydney-Port aux Basques
route. Cabins and reserved seating
prices increased from 7 per cent for a four berth night cabin for the North
Sydney-Port aux Basques route to 19 per cent for a deluxe cabin on the North
Sydney to Argentia route. Some very
significant increases and that absolutely impacts the number of people using the
service, the demand for the service, and the availability of the service to
consumers and commercial users as well.
When you look at the per-fare increase, the adult rate
in 2011-2012 was $34.35, which includes a 21 per cent fuel surcharge; by
comparison, the adult rate in 2014-2015 is $43.50, including the surcharge.
This represents a 27 per cent increase over this time period.
What we need to keep in mind, Mr. Speaker, is that
Marine Atlantic represents a link and lifeline to the Island portion of this
Province. As Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians, and as Canadians, we have a right to movement across this country,
and Marine Atlantic is one of the primary providers for this link for the people
of Newfoundland and Labrador. Our
ferry service is constitutionally mandated, as I have highlighted the only
remaining service of its kind in Canada.
This mandate does speak of a service in accordance with the traffic.
You have to have a look at what is happening here.
Look at our growing economy; look at our increase in tourism traffic.
That speaks to the need for the federal government, through Marine
Atlantic, to deliver a top-quality service to the people of this Province and to
Canadians.
I assure you, Mr. Speaker, that the Premier in a future
meeting with the Prime Minister, which we hope will happen soon, will raise this
issue. His comments in Question
Period did not preclude raising this issue.
He did not say there were only one or two or three items that he was
going to raise with the Prime Minister.
He highlighted the issue related to shrimp quotas and we all agree how
important that issue is but he did not say that this issue would not be on the
agenda as well. This is an important
one for the people of the Province, and I can assure you, as the Minister
Responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs, that at every opportunity I will
raise this issue as well.
To pick up on a suggestion that was made, if it makes
sense to head to Ottawa and meet with the Transport Canada minister, who I have
recently written on this issue, I would be happy to meet her.
I would be happy to have a meeting with Minister Raitt any time,
anywhere, to address this important issue.
I know the Premier will raise this issue with the Prime Minister as well,
and we do need to work together.
I will call on all members to reach out to our federal
counterparts, to reach out to federal ministers, to reach out to Members of
Parliament. You want to talk about a
delegation in Ottawa on behalf of the Province, we have a permanent one.
In addition to the folks sitting in the Senate, which is a different
story, and they certainly have a role to play as well, we have seven Members of
Parliament who are elected, paid for by taxpayers of this Province and this
country, who are in Ottawa, who should be representing our interests.
I do not recall a lot of recent discussion about Marine Atlantic by our
Members of Parliament, so I think we need to call on them to do their part as
well. I think as Members of this
House of Assembly we should absolutely work together to advance this issue and
raise these concerns. I will work
with my colleagues, I will work with fellow members of Cabinet as well to make
sure we are co-ordinated in bringing a strong voice to this issue and making
sure that the federal government does pay attention and does meet its
obligations to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and to Canadians.
As this Province continues to prosper through increased
offshore development, expansion of our high-tech sector and a revitalized
fishing industry, we have an increased need for a high quality, reliable,
available, and fairly priced ferry service.
It has to be high quality. It
has to be reliable. It has to be
available at a reasonable price with a reasonable schedule, and it has to be
fairly priced to meet the needs of consumers, to meet the needs of commercial
users that have a real impact on our economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.
We demand this as a partner in the Canadian Union, and
as a Province which is a leader in this country in economic growth, as well as
an emerging player in the energy industry led through offshore oil and gas, as
well as the Muskrat Falls development.
We deserve better. We need
better. We need a service that meets
the needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians now and well into the future.
I know we are having a heated agreement here in the
House of Assembly today, Mr. Speaker, but it is an important issue, and it is
good that we are all lending our voices to this important issue.
I would encourage all members of the House of Assembly to support this
motion today, as I intend to do as well.
Thank you.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for St. John's East.
MR.
MURPHY:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I take pleasure in rising in my place today and
addressing this private member's motion.
We will be supporting this piece of legislation, of that there is no
doubt.
I heard some great comments here today from the various
speakers around, but I could not resist, when I looked at the motion when it
first came to light on Monday, in taking a trip down memory lane; because, you
know, elections are a funny thing.
They really are. Sometimes you get
to hear what the other federal parties are going to promise.
One of the things after the election of Mr. Harper
and I think a lot of our listeners would probably be able to remember, a lot of
our viewers would probably be able to remember the whole talk, for example, in
the past history of issues dealing with Marine Atlantic.
The talk about the constitutional cattle car, as one former minister here
in government referred to it. We
heard that, and we have heard all kinds of other comments about it.
One of the more recent comments about the policy
direction of Marine Atlantic that still sticks in my jaw even today was hearing
a conversation it was not directly out of Prime Minister Harper's office, but
it was from the management of Marine Atlantic at the time.
The policy direction may have even been the Minister of Transport because
that is whose guise Marine Atlantic falls under.
Does anybody else in this House remember the time when we were asking
about recouping some of the costs of Marine Atlantic and keeping some of the
costs down, that the policy direction from now on when it came to Marine
Atlantic was that it would become self-supporting in nature and any prices
they would be applying to consumers would be based on cost recovery?
There was a distinct shift in Marine Atlantic from that
particular time. I am trying to
remember how far back that went, Mr. Speaker, but it occurs to me it was
somewhere, in recent memory anyway.
About eight years ago I think it was that I can remember hearing that.
Ever since then, it became apparent to me anyway, and others I have
consulted, that Marine Atlantic had a dynamic shift at that particular time.
It was shortly afterwards, a couple of years later at
least, when the price of oil started to skyrocket.
It may even be older than that.
To note, for example, the price of oil went over $100 a barrel.
I think it was probably within those eight years anyway, at least.
It was all bent around the fuel consumption model they were using at the
same time in which they were going to be recouping costs and passing it on.
Having to do with that, Mr. Speaker, I got to thinking,
and in my conversations, of course, certain things become apparent.
I can remember, for example, when I compare the price consumers are
paying now and the reason why we should have lower prices, are little comments
like this. The two new boats, for
example, they went shopping after, the two new boats they ended up with.
One of the things they pressed upon people was the simple fact, of
course, that they were using 25 per cent less fuel than the older boats.
So I asked myself, well, if the cost of fuel to Marine
Atlantic actually went down 25 per cent, because you can pretty much account for
the same number of crossings from year to year, except for this year they are
going to be declining in number. I
said to myself, well, if their cost of fuel has gone down, why weren't these
savings passed on to the consumer?
They were not. As a matter of fact,
Marine Atlantic still puts on a fuel surcharge on top of the consumer rates they
are charging, so the consumer gets dinged twice.
When I say about the change in policy at Marine
Atlantic, here is the reason why I think there has been an abject shift in their
policy; we are also dealing with the law of diminishing returns too.
I note some of the members of the House stood up earlier too and talked
about the increase in airline traffic that is happening in the Province.
Over the last four years too, there has been a decline in traffic from
Marine Atlantic.
We know that because Marine Atlantic's traffic is
declining, what are they going to do to recoup costs if they are suffering some
losses? The next thing you know they
are going to be turning around and doing is increasing rates to consumers out
there. Then you get to a point where
people just get fed up with it, they stay away from it.
Then you face a decline in service, so then the next thing you know what
happens, they start reducing service to the consumers out there and the
businesses that are out there using the service.
The next thing you know we have nothing.
It is a way out.
You see when your constitutional obligation moves from
one where you are going to provide a service because people have the right to
that service, and then when you go to one that actually has a business basis on
it it is not that Marine Atlantic, I do not think, was used to initially make
a profit at the same time, it was meant to be part of inclusion and that this
Province would be included and connected directly with this country.
An actual reduction in services here on the part of the federal
government and on the part of Marine Atlantic, its stand alone and self-serving
service gets minimalized, Mr. Speaker, and we end up suffering as a result of
that.
We suffer that with rising fuel surcharges.
We see truck and trailer traffic, consumer goods, end up seeing fuel
surcharges put on and we end up seeing extra costs because the ferries are not
running on schedule. We end up
seeing extra costs tagged on to trucking rates at the same time because rates
are going up. Where does it stop?
It is probably one of the reasons why there is
increased container traffic coming into Newfoundland and Labrador, too.
There is a little bit more competition that Marine Atlantic is facing out
there too as a result of that, and people start turning away from Marine
Atlantic and going everywhere else.
Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not also sit
down the other day and talk about the irony of this motion, too.
It was interesting at the same time, that while you are going to get our
support from us for this motion, sometimes it helps to look within.
It was interesting to note that while they were berating the federal
government it was a little bit ironic that when I looked at the clauses of the
bill, for example, I had to really sit back and think about the provincial
policy as regards to our own ferries.
You can replace some of the words in some of these clauses with some
areas of the Province, and you can see where other areas of our Province that
depend on the ferry service do not get listened to, but we expect the federal
government to listen.
Here are a few good examples.
If you look at the first clause, WHEREAS our Province is unique in
Canada in having its principal population base connected to its neighbours, not
by land links, but by marine services, if you change our Province say, for
example, Mr. Speaker, to Bell Island or Ramea, and you change the word Canada to
Newfoundland, you will see where the irony comes in.
You have an interesting situation.
Then it comes out worded: WHEREAS Bell Island is unique in Newfoundland
in having its principle population base connected to its neighbours, not by land
links, but by marine services.
Isn't the sauce for the goose good for the gander, so
to speak, on this? We were asking
the federal government to change its policy as regards to Marine Atlantic.
We know there are some good things that Marine Atlantic does as regards
to the replacement of boats, for example.
The provincial government here does not see fit to be doing the same
thing.
Sometimes leadership is shown by good example too.
People are very dependent on our provincial ferries for basic needs:
food, medical transportation, commuting to work, just to name a few of them.
Many of the boats we have in our fleet right now are well past their age,
well past their usefulness, and ready to be sold for scrap.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MR.
MURPHY:
It
is only lately, Mr. Speaker, that we have seen government actually start to go
out and buy two or three new boats, and we have yet to see government go any
further than that. We are talking
about the South Coast, isolated communities, Coastal Labrador, that need good,
dependable service here, but we are not seeing our own provincial government
invest in the same type of service we want from the federal government.
You have to reciprocate; you have to lead by example when it comes to
this.
Mr. Speaker, I could go on about the provincial
ferries, but that is not the intent of the private member's motion.
I can totally understand where they are coming from when it comes to the
federal government, because we have seen that reduction in services.
We have seen that now for a long time.
Again, like I said, it seems like it was a change on the part of the
Harper government. They tend to look
at everything as having to be self-supporting and have a financial pay off as a
result, rather than a cultural pay off, if you will when it comes to keeping
this country together how important Marine Atlantic is as regards to a link to
Newfoundland and Labrador.
It used to be cost-effective to take that boat more so
than it was taking, for example, an airplane as regards to a connection into
this Province. We cannot forget the
fact of how important it is in keeping the costs of a ferry service down, when
we are talking about the price of consumer goods and everything, how dependent
we are, this part of the Province is as an Island as well as coastal Labrador.
A lot of freight comes in through Marine Atlantic through Port aux
Basques. It will travel up the
Northern Peninsula and take the ferry across to get to the South Coast regions
of Labrador and Quebec too.
We know how important the ferry service is.
We know how much we depend on Marine Atlantic.
Until we can come up with other options and people can talk about the
other options, but sometimes we need the spark to change things.
People have talked about, for example, a tunnel through The Straits now
for a long time.
If they are talking about the opening up of the coastal
road, the 138 from Quebec, would a tunnel, for example, opening up across The
Straits to the Northern Peninsula have a direct effect on consumer prices?
There is a lot of speculation out there that it would.
There is a lot of speculation out there too about having the tunnel
there. There are some members in the
House here who have talked about that before.
Is that the way we are headed?
Is that the way we want to head?
A discussion has to happen.
That potential discussion may happen down the road.
It is in the future that the tunnel option would probably have to be
talked about. We know the people of
Labrador want it. We know the people
of the Northern Peninsula want it, but does the rest of the Province want it
too?
When it comes to Marine Atlantic, yes, we totally
support the government on this one.
We believe that the Marine Atlantic service is essential.
It is absolutely important.
It is an economic driver. We depend
on it; the fishery depends on it for exports.
We depend on it for fresh produce.
We do not get apples and oranges, I do not think, by
container. It comes in by truck
fresh right from the markets. We
have to pressure the federal government when it comes to setting up the
possibility of setting up a committee on this and making a presentation to those
people in Ottawa. We totally support
that idea as well. We think we have
a good valid argument when it comes to having the proper economics run around
Marine Atlantic to not only sustain us economically, but sustain us as well
culturally.
That link by land and water, to water and back to land
again, is essential for our own well-being.
To keep those costs down, the essence of affordability, if you will, is
one of the things we hope to achieve.
Keeping costs down, keeps people here too.
It keeps them working. It is
also part about keeping your economy going.
That is one of the most important parts, is the affordability nature of
it.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to support this motion,
but like I said, there are some issues with the provincial ferry program too.
We hope the government would lead by example here.
I believe, through my research and through my consultation, that there
was a change in the way the federal government was looking at the system.
We need to get that back.
We need to get back how the federal government looks at
Marine Atlantic. Like I said, for
some, they might see it as a burden.
For some others they might see it as a crutch.
For us here in Newfoundland and Labrador, for our people, it is a
necessity and it is a must.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
S. COLLINS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Today has been a very good discussion I think thus far.
There have been some good ideas shared on both sides.
It is a little bit concerning when the Member for St.
John's East brings in provincial ferry fleets.
I can assure him that I can stand proud by this government's record with
regard to what we have invested into the ferry fleet.
I could only ask my buddy, the Member for Conception
Bay East Bell Island to talk about the investment in the Bell Island ferry;
$60 million between ferry and wharf infrastructure.
Looking back in my district, in St. Brendan's, $30 million in a new ferry
system, and the Member for Baie Verte Springdale, the same thing his sister
ship. It would be foolhardy to try
to compare the two.
Mr. Speaker, I want to talk a little bit in my preamble
with regard to tourism, its importance, and its impact in the Province which we
are all very familiar with. I just
want to touch on a few before I lead into my comments with regard to Marine
Atlantic.
Newfoundland and Labrador, as many of us know, has
become a leader in tourism destination in Canada.
We now attract people right throughout, not only Canada and North
America, but right across the world.
We have had fantastic success with our ads program.
The marketing that has gone on over the last number of
years has just been absolutely fantastic; you hear it everywhere you go.
We have been the recipient of over 200 awards internationally for those
ads. Obviously the results of those
ads are paying off as we see our numbers grow.
It is a sustainable industry.
That is something else that is very important.
It delivers maximum economic, social, and cultural value to the
communities in our Province. You
cannot understate the importance of that.
We are delivering in terms of numbers of tourists and
visitor spending. In fact, we are
attracting, as I said, people from all over Canada and the world.
We are also becoming increasingly aware of how important it is that we
deliver on the promises we make and that we meet and exceed our visitor's
expectations.
So, it is one thing to sell our product and put it up
on the screen; it is another thing to make sure that they receive that said
product once they arrive on our shores and even before they arrive on our
shores. Certainly, that is what we
are talking about here today.
With the guidance of our ten-year strategy, Uncommon
Potential: A Vision for Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism, government and
industry are together taking provincial tourism to unprecedented levels of
success. By aligning our efforts we
have created greater marketing efficiencies, built our leadership capacity, and
made strategic tourist investments in our Province.
We have made great strides in entrenching the values of partnership and
leadership between private, not-for-profit, and government stakeholders along
the way to achieving $1.6 billion by 2020.
Our approach to research, marketing, and diversifying our products has
become far more sophisticated over time and we are certainly seeing the benefits
of that.
Between 2009 and 2013, non-resident visitation
increased 19 per cent, surpassing a milestone of half a million visitors during
that period. Non-resident tourism
spending increased 30 per cent between 2009 and 2013, reaching $476 million in
2013; the highest level of non-resident spending ever in our Province.
It is imperative that we continue to concentrate on the development and
enhancement of products and experiences that visitors are seeking.
Mr. Speaker, with
that in mind, our government has been working closely with HNL and Destination
Management Organizations to create new destination development plans for this
Province. It is a relationship that
I have grown into, I guess, since arriving in the Department of Tourism, Culture
and Recreation. I have already met
with key stakeholders, a number of them, one being HNL, Hospitality Newfoundland
and Labrador, with the Chair and CEO, which was just last week.
Certainly, we had a fruitful discussion.
That is a partnership that I, not only want to continue, but also to grow
because they are a key stakeholder.
They are so important to the tourism industry in this Province.
Our tourism
strategy which we launched in 2009 represents the result of an extensive
consultation process among tourism stakeholders in the Province and provides a
road map to drive tourism development in this Province.
One of the seven
strategic issues identified through Vision 2020, as I had said earlier, is the
challenge of transportation to our Province.
We understand the product we have here is great; it is unparalleled.
I think if you look right across North America or even the world, what we
have here is so unique, so diverse, so exciting, and exotic to many people.
Coming from outside of the Province, what we have here in exotic.
It is so very different. So
what we have here is a tremendous product, but getting people here seems to
always be a challenge.
Marine Atlantic is
an essential transportation link to our Province and, as such, is an integral
component of our tourism industry.
It is important that the federal government continues to provide adequate
funding for Marine Atlantic so the increase in cost of operation is not
continually passed to the travelling public, as we have been seeing.
This past February
the ferry service provider announced a 3 per cent rate increase and while on the
surface, Mr. Speaker, it could be argued that in itself may not appear to have a
significant adverse impact on visitors to the Province; however, when you look
at the cumulative effect, that this is actually the third year of rate
increases from Marine Atlantic, it paints more of troubling picture because
again it is not a one-time thing but is something that continues.
What is next year? We can
only guess what next year holds.
As an example and this is a pretty good one actually
the passenger fares for seniors increased by 23 per cent over the period from
2011 to 2013 23 per cent. We all
know, of course, when you get into your golden years and you are a senior and
you are retired, you like to travel.
When you tack on a 23 per cent increase to ferry travel, that is huge deterrent.
I can only imagine how huge that is.
It is very concerning.
Marine Atlantic rate increases also impact commercial
users who bring goods and services to the Province, not only food, groceries and
such but they impact tourism operators that rely on those goods being brought
into the Province. So, there is a
wide variety of goods that they would depend on.
Again, not only is it impacting perhaps the number of people entering the
Province, but also the goods and services that the tourism operators of our
Province demand and certainly deserve to have access to.
Mr. Speaker, there has not been all bad news, I guess,
coming out Marine Atlantic and there are some positive things I want to
recognize because any time you present a picture, you want to present both good
and bad. Certainly, we support
Marine Atlantic in the actions that have been taken in recent times to improve
service, not only improve services, I guess, but also their public relations
surrounding their services. I think
we can probably all agree I cannot speak for everyone, but I know I can speak
on behalf of myself that we have seen improvement with regard to public
relations.
Actually, if you look at the investment, $500 million
has resulted in new ferries and enhanced customer service.
So, they are taking steps granted, that is fine; but to look at that
and just take it as one piece would not be completely accurate because there is
a much larger picture going on here at play.
Fares on Marine Atlantic services between Nova Scotia
and Newfoundland and Labrador must be kept at reasonable levels and there must
be uninterrupted services, particularly during the peak season.
That is what we are coming into now.
Of course, the cuts in services that were just recently announced are
coming right at the beginning of peak summer season and it amplifies the problem
even greater. The recently announced
planned cuts to this season's Marine Atlantic ferry crossing will have major
impact, I believe, on local businesses, particularly those on the Southwest
Coast of Newfoundland.
I think we heard from the Member for Burgeo La Poile
I can get up here and speak as a minister and certainly a resident of
Newfoundland and Labrador, but the member brings a different side to it as well.
He gives a unique stance on it, being the fact that Marine Atlantic
operates in his backyard. Perhaps,
he sees it even greater than any of us see, on a local level certainly.
It was good that he had an opportunity to stand today and discuss some of
his thoughts.
In fact, some tourists, Mr. Speaker, have already
cancelled reservations; furthermore, fewer crossing will also mean a dip in
employment for people in the area.
Again, going right back to what I said, the Member for Burgeo La Poile touched
on that. He knows people who are
affected; their employment is affected.
So, while it may not have a direct impact on tourism, as such, employment
is obviously something we are all very concerned with.
The bottom line is, Mr. Speaker, the federal government must provide
sufficient resources to cover the costs of operating the Marine Atlantic ferry
service and not pass these costs on to the travelling public, to whom the
service is provided.
As I stated earlier, tourism is a significant economic
driver in our Province. In fact, in
terms of contribution to the provincial economy, the industry produces 8 per
cent of provincial jobs which 8 per cent does not sound that great, but when
you break that down into numbers, in 2011, it translated to 17,581 jobs.
So, it is very significant.
There are over 2,500 tourism and travel businesses in
our Province, of which 83 per cent are small businesses, and 87 per cent are
outside the metro area. So if you
look at that, we all know the importance of small business and what role they
play in our industry. Not only that,
if you look even further, the fact that there is a rural lens put on this.
So while this is a provincial issue
absolutely, it is a provincial issue, but I think the negative impacts,
or the positive impacts, whichever way it goes, are most greatly felt in rural
areas, particularly again on the Southwest Coast and right throughout the
Province, certainly.
The industry relies on an affordable and reliable ferry
service, particularly given that auto travellers represent 20 per cent of
non-resident visitors to Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 2013, these auto travellers accounted for $92 million of the $467
million non-resident expenditures in our Province.
We know people want to come here, Mr. Speaker; it is not a question of
whether they want to come. So any
time there is an increased cost or change in schedule that affects access to our
Province through our constitutional grant that guarantees a
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Oh,
oh!
MR.
SPEAKER:
Order, please!
MR.
S. COLLINS:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
federally-operated ferry service, it runs counter to
everything that we are doing to grow this thriving industry.
Our government echoes Hospitality Newfoundland and
Labrador's position that schedule changes this late in the season will
significantly impact tourism businesses and tourist operators throughout
Newfoundland and Labrador. As I had
said, this is particularly true in rural regions of our Province.
Good transportation infrastructure is vital to Canada
and binds us together. It is an
economic enabler and an integral part of nation-building.
The Marine Atlantic ferry service is our connection to Canada and North
America, and that is why I join with my colleague to bring forward this motion
on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Access to our Province, Mr. Speaker, whether by land, air, or water, is a
major factor in the continued success of the tourism industry.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and
any impacts on tourists travelling to and from our Province.
We will be monitoring the number of actual crossings and passenger
traffic to determine the overall impacts of the reduced peak season schedule.
Again, we understand what these scheduling changes are right now, but how
will that impact us? I know we have
already been hearing from tourist operators that have had cancelled
reservations, as I have said. I know
initially when the news came out from Marine Atlantic, they put it to us as if
it was going to make the schedule more user friendly because the time of
departures and arrivals would be changed.
On paper it certainly does because you are not arriving late hours or
leaving early hours, whatever the case is.
It is arrivals and departures but when you look at another level, it
interrupts the travel. Certainly, we
have heard from tourist operators that it has interrupted theirs already.
I understand this transition is going to be rough and we will continue to
monitor that.
It is our role as a government, Mr. Speaker, to ensure
we continue to market Newfoundland and Labrador as a unique, exciting travel
destination. That we carve out our
share of an increasingly competitive global tourism industry.
It is also our role to continue to lobby for affordable, reliable ferry
access to our Province, and we will certainly continue to take this role very
seriously. We will continue to
monitor rates, as I had said, fuel surcharges, security fees, reservations and
passenger traffic to determine the overall impacts of increased fares and
schedule changes that may result in making the ferry service a less attractive
and unaffordable option for travellers.
Our single most important challenge, Mr. Speaker, is to
work together as a government and as an industry on issues such as improving
access that will make our tourism industry more competitive.
While we as a provincial government do not make direct decisions in
Marine Atlantic, understanding they are a Crown corporation under federal
jurisdiction, I can assure the public, I can assure the tourism industry, that
we will be a strong voice in lobbying the federal government to make sure Marine
Atlantic is given the resources to enable them to provide a service that is not
only adequate but is also affordable.
That is a job we take very seriously.
I look forward to working with my colleague in the
Department of Intergovernmental Affairs who has taken the lead on this.
Certainly, I will support him in any way I can.
It is very important to understand our goals but also about what we are
prepared to do to get there.
I only have a couple of moments left but I want to
recognize it is something I do not think has been recognized yet.
I want to recognize the hard work of, not of our employees but if I speak
on a provincial basis I will say our employees who work at Marine Atlantic.
While there may be somewhat of an argument whether more should work here
in Newfoundland, which I think I agree with as well, I want to recognize them
and thank them for their hard work, understanding they have to work within the
pressures and the limitations that are provided them.
So this is not us versus them as such.
We understand they are trying to do the best with what they are given.
I hope to continue a relationship with them.
I understand they have had a great relationship with the department, so I
look to continue that. I look
forward to future meetings with them.
In the last minute, I just want to say the Member for
Burgeo La Poile made a good point.
He said: How about sending a delegation to Ottawa to lobby them?
What I would say to that, to the Member for Burgeo La Poile, every four
years we send a delegation of seven Newfoundlanders to Ottawa.
Seven from Newfoundland and Labrador, seven delegates, and we call them
our MPs or Members of Parliament.
Mr. Speaker, I urge those members I know there is one
member in particular, Humber St. Barbe Baie Verte who has an interest in
this being over from the West Coast.
I urge him and I urge all of his colleagues in Ottawa to bring this forward, to
fight on our behalf. While we are a
provincial government we will do what we can, but there are limitations and
there is only so far our voice can go.
We have to rely on our federal counterparts as well.
I would urge them to take this and make sure they
champion it as well. It all comes down to
service to the Province, not only to the people, but those who want to visit our
Province and make businesses and tourism operations prosperous in our Province.
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to support this.
I think we will get unanimous support from across the House.
It is a really good example today of a private member's resolution that
can be supported by all three parties.
I think we all recognize the importance of Marine Atlantic and the
service they provide. With that
being said, I will take my seat.
Thank you for the opportunity.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Lewisporte to close debate.
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear!
MR.
VERGE:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, there are times in this House when we have
debate on issues, there is a lot of toing and froing going back and forth and
there are emotions rising. Lots of
times that comes out of disagreements that different sides have regarding the
issue that is being debated.
This afternoon's debate was very civil, to use that
word, and very cordial, as all speakers who got up spoke in favour of the
motion. I want to thank the members
who spoke.
I want to thank the Member for the Bay of Islands.
He is advising us that we need to continue to put pressure on the federal
government. We do need to do that.
This motion of course calls on us to do that.
I thank the Member for Port au Port for giving his trade and commerce
perspective and reminding us that Newfoundland and Labrador is not
self-sufficient in a lot of different foods, and the heavy reliance that we have
on the services provided by Marine Atlantic.
I thank the Member for Burgeo La Poile who has said
that he lives it and he has dealt with it for many, many years.
He indicated that no, this is not a blame game.
It is not a provincial government issue, but it is something that all of
us as politicians, all of us as Members of this House of Assembly believes to be
very, very important. In his legal
background he pointed out that the constitutional obligation is there, but it is
very vaguely stated. That is one of
the challenges, I guess, that we have in trying to keep the feet of the federal
government to the fire.
I thank the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs for
his discussion of the impact of rates on the users, and, of course, reminding us
again of the federal responsibility.
I thank the Member for St. John's East for saying he would support the motion.
While his debate sort of frayed a little bit and talked about the
provincial issue. The Minister of
Tourism did address that a little bit.
In discussion a couple of minutes ago with the Member
for Conception Bay East Bell Island, who seconded this motion, he reminded me
and said to me: You know in recent years, in the last number of years, we have
actually reduced the rates of the cost of the ferry from the mainland of
Newfoundland to Bell Island by 76 per cent.
The provincial government has addressed some of the issues that he is
talking about. In that sense, I do
not think it is a fair comment to compare the investment we have made in
provincial ferries to what is happening with Marine Atlantic.
Finally, I thank the Minister of Tourism for discussing
the impact of Marine Atlantic on tourism and the tourism industry, and also for
recognizing the employees of Marine Atlantic.
Because, Mr. Speaker, while we sit here or we stand here in our place and
we discuss issues around Marine Atlantic and the delivery of that service, we
are not in any way pointing at any individual employees or the people who do the
great work in delivering the service.
We are talking in general terms about the whole service.
Mr. Speaker, I do not want to repeat a lot of what was
said in earlier forms of debate. I
do want to relay a couple of messages that I did get.
I alluded to some mussel farmers in my district and the importance to
them of a reliable service.
I will just read you a specific e-mail I received from
Dave, Peter and Lucas. I will not
use their last names, but they are people who are involved in that business.
I received an e-mail this week from Dave who said: I heard tonight on CBC
news that Marine Atlantic is reducing their crossings from Newfoundland to Nova
Scotia for the remainder of 2014 for commercial traffic.
He says: We are shellfish processors in this Province and the news shocks
me. We ship between two and three
trucks of processed live shellfish off the Island every week, fifty-two weeks a
year to US markets. We also ship a
load or so a week of frozen products.
He says: The biggest drawback, bar none, to our
business is Marine Atlantic. This
past winter, some 25 per cent of their crossings were either cancelled or
delayed due to weather and or mismanagement.
He goes on to say: Marine Atlantic is a logistic nightmare for us; less
crossings is not the solution. He
urges us as a government to continue and to put pressure on the federal
government. That is one example of
the impact of one business person.
Mr. Speaker, the changes that are proposed in raising
rates and cutting back on the number of crossings are only going to add to that
problem. The problems are real.
I do appreciate the fact that, in particular the Member for Burgeo La
Poile in his debate and so did the Member for Bay of Islands by the way did
say that this is an issue that other governments before us have wrestled with.
In doing some research it is interesting, I came across
a letter that was written in 2001 by the then Member for Burgeo La Poile who
was the Minister of Justice, I think, at the time, Mr. Kelvin Parsons.
He was writing a letter to his federal government counterparts at the
time. I will just quote from it, he
said, I have discussed this matter with my colleagues in the Departments of
Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Works, Services, and Transportation and
Intergovernmental Affairs and we all agree that the federal government must
honour its responsibilities under the Terms of Union with Newfoundland and
Canada.'
Mr. Speaker, I just point that out to say, yes,
governments before our government have wrestled with trying to hold the feet of
the federal government to the fire to make them live up to their
responsibilities. It is an ongoing
issue. It is not one that is going
to die tomorrow and it is not one that is going to go away.
It is incumbent upon us and we take that
responsibility very seriously that we do whatever is in our power as a
government, along with the support of other members in this House to ensure that
the federal government continues to pay attention and do due diligence to that
vital link.
Mr. Speaker, Marine Atlantic is a vital service to the
Province and we do need to all work together to make sure that the service is
reliable, affordable, and dependable.
The people of Newfoundland and Labrador are depending on all of us to
apply the pressure that is needed to get the job done.
With that, Mr. Speaker, again I would thank all people
for participating in this debate. I
do recognize that it is an issue that we all support, and I thank everybody for
their attention today.
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Burgeo La Poile.
MR.
A. PARSONS:
Just on a point of order, I would ask the member to table the letter because it
would be interesting to review.
MR.
SPEAKER:
The
hon. the Member for Lewisporte.
MR.
VERGE:
I
am not allowed to table it. I cannot
table it.
MR.
SPEAKER:
He
is not allowed.
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.
MR.
SPEAKER:
It
being Wednesday, in accordance with Standing Order 9, this
House stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, at 1:30 p.m.