Debate heated up in the House of Assembly as the winter chill started to thaw in April.
While many issues dominated debate, it would be Independent MHA Paul Lane who would launch a cascade of questions and reviews after accusing the Speaker of withholding an otherwise unknown Citizen’s Representative report into alleged bullying and harassment at Elections NL.
Speaker Derek Bennett refused to address whether the investigation even occurred. The PC, NDP, and Independent MHAs continued their calls for government to address the secrecy-shrouded Citizens’ Representative report, however they were rebuffed and would have to wait until June to receive any official confirmation from the Liberals.
That would not be the only hot-button issue on the table.
The Opposition continued to press government to provide aid to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians being beaten down by sky-rocketing fuel prices, and the subsequent impact on inflation, at one point vowing to filibuster to keep the debate going.
Government maintained that the provincial gas tax only made up a small portion of overall gas prices, under pressure from the Tories to cut gas taxes.
On May 26 however, Premier Andrew Furey announced significant measures to address the cost-of-living: a 50 per cent cut on provincial gas and diesel taxes for the remainder of 2022, a plan to increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour, and a break for families heating their homes with oil making under $100,000. The measures cost government around $75 million.
Fishing for a Licence
Government came under fire from those in the fishing industry in a fight over the issuing of crab licences.
Early in the month, the Town of St. Mary’s highlighted the issues they had in securing a fish plant licence, saying they had a fish plant, new owners who have access to raw material, workers who want a job, but no license.
Local residents rallied—demanding a license to operate, while municipal leaders filled the airwaves with repeated calls on VOCM Openline for government to step up.
Not all supported another crab licence. There were counter-protests in Brigus and Port de Grave, where workers argued that it would be taking work away from plants already in operation.
Fisheries Minister Derek Bragg’s decision came down May 24, with the approval of a new primary processing license for groundfish (all species), whelk and snow crab for the St. Mary’s plant, going against the recommendations of the Fish Processing Licencing Board.
"We need a license!" Chants the crowd @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/Q3VZUhradB
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) May 12, 2022
Prophetic Pomp and Pageantry
In what some may see as a premonition of what was to come, Newfoundland and Labrador welcomed the arrival of then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, Charles and Camilla on May 17.
Kicking off a Canada-wide tour to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, the figureheads would weave reconciliation with Indigenous peoples throughout their itinerary.
From Warsaw to YYT
The red carpet was rolled out for a different type of foreign visitor in May, as the province welcomed the first of four charter flights carrying Ukrainians fleeing war at home. The newcomers came to the province through Newfoundland and Labrador’s Ukrainian help desk set up in Warsaw, Poland.
As the Premier, government officials, and volunteers greeted the refugees at St.John’s International airport, it was the tearful reunion of loved ones that would pull on the heartstrings.
Nine-year-old Natalie saw her big sister waiting in the crowd, rushing to her and jumping into her arms for a long hug.
Wait for it. pic.twitter.com/qToMl6lwKo
— Brian Callahan (@briancallahan67) May 9, 2022
