As the fall sitting of the House of Assembly concludes, the Furey Government is noting important progress on priority issues for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Guided by the Speech from the Throne, legislation was highlighted by the continued focus on the reimagining of the provincial health care system, including the recruitment and retention of health care professionals; helping ease some of the pressures that families are facing due to global increases to the cost-of-living; supporting fair and equitable pay practices; and continuing to practice responsible fiscal management.
Important legislation advanced in this sitting will support:
Health Care
- Making it easier for out-of-province doctors to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Reducing and eliminating barriers to qualification recognition for international and Canadian-educated professionals to support recruitment and retention.
- Integrating four health authorities and the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information into one entity, as well as creating Regional Health Councils that will be responsible for advising on the regional health care needs of the province.
Cost of Living
- Providing a one-time cheque of up to $500 to residents of the province who have reached the age of 18 years old as of December 31, 2022 and who filed a 2021 tax return with an adjusted income of $125,000 or less.
- Extending the 8.05 cents per litre (including HST) tax reduction on gasoline and diesel until March 31, 2023.
Improving Fiscal Situation and Transforming Government
- Allowing government to improve the long-term financial position of the province, pay down expensive debt and lower the cost of borrowing.
- Facilitating the ongoing transition of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District into government and creating a new Provincial Advisory Council on Education.
Pay Equity
- Supporting fair and equitable pay practices in Newfoundland and Labrador, which builds on the Provincial Government’s ongoing efforts to support women and gender diverse people.
Safety, Security and Consumer Protection
- Improving road safety, with higher penalties for excessive speeding, racing and stunting.
- Expanding presumptive cancer and cardiac coverage for career and volunteer fire fighters.
- Regulating high-cost credit lending and significantly increasing consumer protection for high cost credit consumers in the province.
A full list of legislation debated in this session of the House of Assembly can be found in the backgrounder below.
Quote
“The Speech from the Throne set the stage for a full legislative agenda that will have a meaningful impact on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians today, tomorrow and well into the future. The agenda put particular emphasis on improving access to health care, making important progress towards achieving gender equality, putting money in the pockets of residents who have been adversely impacted by global increases to the cost-of-living, and being responsible managers of the province’s finances.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Government House Leader
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Media contact
Marc Budgell
Executive Council
709-729-0084
marcbudgell@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Legislation Introduced and Debated in the Fall 2022 Session of the House of Assembly
- Bill 1: Medical Act
- Bill 2: Supplementary Supply Act
- Bill 3: Pay Equity and Pay Transparency Act
- Bill 5: Future Fund Act
- Bill 6: Revenue Administration Act
- Bill 7: Schools Act
- Bill 8: Credit Union Act
- Bill 9: Highway Traffic Act
- Bill 10: Wild Life Act
- Bill 11: Winding Up of Judgment Recovery (NFLD) Ltd. Act
- Bill 12: Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act
- Bill 13: Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act
- Bill 14: Real Estate Trading Act
- Bill 15: Fair Registration Practices Act
- Bill 16: Revenue Administration Act
- Bill 18: Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act
- Bill 19: Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act
- Bill 20: Provincial Health Authority Act