For the NL NDP, the Spring session of the House of Assembly was focused on the issues that matter most to people across the province: the rising cost of living, the housing crisis, and the need for greater transparency and accountability from government.
Throughout the session, NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) and MHA Sheilagh O’Leary (St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) pressed government for action to make life more affordable, expand access to no-market, community-based housing, and ensure public decisions are made openly and in the best interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
“Affordability remained at the centre of our work this session because too many people are struggling to keep up with rising cost of everything. We continued to push for practical measures that would put money back in people’s pockets, including removing the HST from home heating and children’s goods, raising the minimum wage to reflect the real cost of living, and exploring a guaranteed basic income to help lift people out of poverty,” said Dinn. “Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve a government that is focused on making life more affordable, and we will continue advocating for policies that help families, workers, seniors, and young people get ahead.”
“We also brought forward a Private Member’s Motion calling on government to explore capping executive compensation at Newfoundland Power. At a time when many families are struggling with the rising cost of electricity and home heating, ratepayers should not be footing the bill for excessive executive salaries and bonuses,” said Dinn. “While the motion was voted down by both the Liberals and Conservatives, it sparked an important conversation about fairness, accountability, and transparency in our utility system.”
“Another key moment this session was the Auditor General’s report on the NL Housing Corporation, which confirmed what our caucus has been raising for years: the former Liberal government failed to adequately invest in public housing during a growing housing crisis and instead prioritized private market solutions. The report lays out clear evidence of the need for change, and it reinforces the solutions we continue to advocate for in our housing plan.”
Alongside advocating for increased funding for artists and the tourism sector, affordability for seniors, strengthened support for labour, and a strong plan on the environment and climate change, MHA Sheilagh O’Leary’s first session in the House of Assembly also saw government finally declare gender-based violence and intimate partner violence an epidemic – something the NDP has been calling for over many years, and an issue O’Leary has consistently championed since her election.
“To see gender-based violence and intimate partner violence declared an epidemic in this province is a significant step forward and a win for the organizations, unions, and non-profits who have been calling for this action for years. This is an important first step toward ensuring our province is doing everything it can to support survivors and put stronger measures in place to actively address and reduce these harmful and growing trends.”
While this session of the House of Assembly was marked by issues of decorum and disruptions from both the Liberals and Conservatives, the NDP Caucus remained focused on the priorities of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who are looking to us to fight for a better deal on their behalf.