NDP MHA Sheilagh O’Leary (St. John’s East–Quidi Vidi asked her first questions in the House of Assembly today. Her first opportunity since the PCs delayed opening the House after being elected in October. O’Leary focused on climate action and affordable childcare and on the absence of these key issues in the PC Speech from the Throne.
In November, the NDP sent a letter to the Minister responsible for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change asking when the public could expect to see a climate action plan from the Wakeham Conservative government. The Minister did not respond. O’Leary remains steadfast in emphasizing the need for a plan, especially following the Speech from the Throne, which highlighted how significantly our province has been impacted by climate change.
“Speaker, the Speech from the Throne rightly acknowledged the toll natural disasters and extreme weather have taken on people across our province. From wildfires to record snowfall to destructive winds, these impacts are real, immediate, and deeply felt.
Yet the speech was silent on meaningful climate action to confront the root cause: climate change. So, I ask the Minister: when will this government deliver a real climate action plan?”
O’Leary also noted the absence of any discussion of affordable childcare in the Throne Speech – an issue the PCs were passionate about while in opposition. Now that they are in government, O’Leary says the lack of any mention of affordable childcare is a red flag.
“Speaker, also absent from yesterday’s Throne Speech was a commitment to affordable childcare. While we support increasing the Child Benefit, families know that without real investment in expanding affordable childcare, parents will remain shut out of the workforce or forced to stretch their budgets beyond the breaking point just to return to work. So, I ask the Minister: will this provincial government commit to investing in and expanding the $10-a-day childcare program in our province?”