The House of Assembly wrapped up its Spring Sitting today with the Provincial Government showcasing a clear record of budgetary and legislative action on the priorities people voted for – lower taxes, better health care, and safer communities.
In its very first sitting, in addition to the delivery of its first budget, the new government brought forward key pieces of legislation directly tied to its mandate, all of which have been passed by the House of Assembly and received Royal Assent. This included legislation to establish a Disability Advocate, strengthen the powers of the Senior’s Advocate, implement income tax changes that increased the basic personal exemption, which will benefit all taxpayers, increased the volunteer firefighters’ tax credit and the search and rescue volunteer tax credit; and decreased the small business corporate income tax rate. Additional legislation passed will streamline student financial assistance appeals process, modernize family law, support public safety, strengthen court administration, and protect the province’s long-term financial interests.
The House of Assembly passed 21 pieces of legislation, the most since the Spring Sitting in 2018. Highlights include: Disability Advocate Act, Seniors’ Advocate Act, 2026, Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act, Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2000 s, Future Fund (Amendment) Act, Student Financial Assistance (Amendment) Act, Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, Pharmaceutical Services (Amendment) Act, Liquor Control (Amendment) Act, and Judicature (Amendment) Act.
Government also continued its work of standing up for Newfoundland and Labrador by tabling the formal report of the Independent Churchill River Review Committee titled “Creating Long-Term Value from the Churchill River for the People of Newfoundland and Labrador”. The report made it clear that the Liberal Memorandum of Understanding was not in the best interest of the province and noted that any final agreement must deliver more power, more transmission, and more value for the people of the province.
Throughout the sitting, the Provincial Government remained focused on delivering results rather than getting caught up in process, prioritizing action over delay, and following through on the commitments made to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
A summary of legislative highlights from the spring sitting is included in the backgrounder below.
Quote
“This sitting was about doing the legislative work people sent us here to do. We passed important bills to lower taxes, strengthen advocacy, improve public services, support families and protect taxpayers. That is what a results-focused government does. On issue after issue, we chose action over delay and substance over political theatre. We advanced our mandate, delivered on commitments, and kept our focus on the people, families, communities, seniors, workers and businesses who are counting on government to make life better.”
Honourable Tony Wakeham
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
-30-
BACKGROUNDER
Legislative Highlights from the Spring Sitting
Lower taxes, increasing affordability and reducing internal trade barriers
Government passed legislation to help put more money back in people’s pockets and provide certainty for families, workers and businesses.
Highlights include:
- Amendments to the Revenue Administration Act
- Amendments to the Income Tax Act, 2000 to:
- increase the basic personal amount;
- increase the volunteer firefighters’ tax credit;
- increase the search and rescue volunteer tax credit; and
- decrease the small business corporate income tax rate
- Amendments to the Liquor Control Act
Stronger advocacy and accountability
Government advanced legislation to strengthen independent advocacy and make government work better for people who need support.
Highlights include:
- Disability Advocate Act which establishes an independent Office of the Disability Advocate as a statutory office of the House of Assembly.
- Seniors’ Advocate Act, 2006 which strengthens the role of the Seniors’ Advocate to include investigatory powers.
Health, families and social supports
Government advanced legislation to support health care, families, students and residents who rely on public programs.
Highlights include:
- Amendments to the Pharmaceutical Services Act.
- Amendments to the Student Financial Assistance Act to streamline the appeal process
Justice, courts and public safety
Government advanced legislation to support the justice system, improve court operations, increase access to justice and strengthen public safety.
Highlights include:
- Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act, 2026
- Judicature (Amendment) Act.
- Children’s Law (Amendment) Act and Family Law (Amendment) Act.
Workers, workplaces and public programs
Government advanced legislation affecting workers, pensions, workplaces and public administration.
Highlights include:
- Amendments to the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act, 2022.
- Amendments to the Pensions Benefit Act, 1997.
Natural resources, environment and responsible management
Government advanced legislation connected to resource management, wildfire and fines, environmental stewardship and long-term public value.
Highlights include:
- Amendments to the Endangered Species Act.
- Amendments to the Wild Life Act.
- Amendments to the Forestry Act.
Responsible financial management
Government passed legislation required to keep public services operating and manage the province’s finances responsibly.
Highlights include:
- Interim Supply Act, 2026.
- Supply Act, 2026.
- Loan Act, 2026.
- Amendments to the Future Fund Act to protect the long-term interests of the province.
A comprehensive list of legislation from the session is available through the House of Assembly’s Progress of Bills for the 51st General Assembly, First Session, located at www.assembly.nl.ca/HouseBusiness/Bills/ga51session1/