Fall 2022 Sitting of House of Assembly Advances Priorities of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians

  • Executive Council

November 9, 2022

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

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

2022 11 09 1:45 pm