Amid tariff threats and the premier's resignation, politicians prepare for reopening of House of Assembly

The dynamic of the House of Assembly will feel different this spring, but the debate will largely remain the same, according to some of Newfoundland and Labrador's opposition members. 

With a Liberal leadership race on the horizon following the resignation of Premier Andrew Furey, looming election deadlines, tariff threats from the United States, some legislation and a budget to pass — NDP MHA Jordan Brown says this session will feel different.

"It's going to be like a different dynamic in the house, and I think it's going to change a lot of how things are going to conduct over the spring sitting," Brown said.

The spring session starts on Monday.

Water bombers for Labrador

Despite the new political climate, Brown says the issues the NDP plans to raise are much of the same as previous sessions.

Housing, the cost of living, health care, and Labrador affairs are at the top of Brown's mind. The house is scheduled to open for thirteen weeks, with two constituency weeks. This will take elected officials to at least May 29 — encroaching on wildfire season in Labrador, he says.

"We're asking to return the water bomber base that was taken out of Labrador West," Brown said. "Our forces are bone dry, and we have little to no snow pack in western Labrador this year."

Last spring, Brown made the same request before the wildfire season, which later saw mass evacuations in Churchill Falls and Labrador West due to encroaching fires. 

Brown said the water bomber hasn't been returned because the province doesn't view his district as a community.

"Both parties seem to just look at us as a mining camp, and that's the really disturbing part about it. They don't actually see this place as a viable community," he said. 

No more 'Furey Liberals'

Issues that will be raised by the Opposition Conservatives are similar to the last session as well, says PC Leader Tony Wakeham.

"They are still the same issues that we hear about when it comes to the cost of living, when it comes to access to health care, and of course, safer communities," he said.

The PCs have previously criticized the provincial Liberals for the party's Furey-focused branding. Following Furey's resignation, the party's taunts of the 'Furey Liberals' will need a mix up, but Wakeham says that doesn't mean the criticism will stop.

"It's the same Liberal government that's been there for 10 years and under this premier for the last four and a half," he said. "Our health care has gotten worse, our cost of living has gone up, and our communities, a lot of people no longer feel safe. So those are the issues that we will continue to focus on, and it doesn't matter who's at the helm."

Bills and the budget

House leader and Health Minister John Hogan says the priority of the governing Liberals for the spring session is presenting the provincial budget, which requires 75 hours of debate.

"That takes up the majority of the House time this sitting, as opposed to the fall sitting where we do the heavy lifting with regards to the government's, I'll call it, legislative agenda," Hogan said. 

But some legislation will be passed.

Hogan says the province will look at Bill 102 on Monday — the Strengthening Safety and Modernizing Justice Act.

"I think [it] will be interesting for the minister of justice and public safety dealing with a new law enforcement oversight commission and complaints process," he said. 

Hogan is also looking forward to answering questions relating to his health-care portfolio.

"I understand people's frustration with the health-care system, and there was a reason to be frustrated, and there still is reason to be frustrated, of course, but things are moving in the right direction," he said. "I want to speak to how we're moving in the right direction."

The House of Assembly opens on Monday at 1:30 p.m. NT.

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