First Question Period busy for Premier Paul Davis

Paul Davis spent most of his first Question Period as premier on his feet, answering a barrage of queries from Opposition MHAsas proceedings in the House of Assembly resumed Monday following a break of more than five months.

The 30-minute session featured a broad range of issues, including the status of the province's power grid, the deaths of children in government care, province-wide911 services, the status of the family violence intervention court, and the quality of health-care in the province.

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Davis appeared comfortable and prepared as he fended off questions from the Liberals and the New Democrats.

"I expect nothing less from Nalcorthan to be prepared for this coming winter," Davis said in response to a question from Liberal Leader Dwight Ball.

Davis was unable to say with certainty when a new backup combustion turbine will be ready for use, but emphasized "we expect a reliable service, and they assure me they can provide that service."

Nalcor, the Crown corporationthat oversees Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, is investing some $260 million this year to ready the power grid for winter's higher demands, mindful of the rolling blackouts that hit last January during a severe stretch of cold weather.

Questions directed at unelected minister

It's obvious the governing Progressive Conservatives are happy to put Davis front-and-centre during Question Period.

As expected, more than a few questions were directed at Justice and Public Safety Minister Judy Manningwho was appointed to cabinet on Sept. 30despite not having a seat in the legislature.

With Manning seated in the public gallery, those questions were answered by either Davis or Darin King, the MHA for Grand Bank andMinister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development.

Liberal MHA Paul Lane (Mount Pearl South) raised the issue of Manning's record during her tenure as areview commissioner with the Workplace, Health, Safety and Compensation Review Division (WHSCRD).

She was named a commissionerin April, and resigned in September.According to the provincial government, Manning was assigned 19 cases and held hearings for all of them, but did not file any decisions before her resignation.

Lane asked if these cases have been dealt with.

Davis said work is underway to complete them, and acknowledged more has to be done to address the backlog of cases in the division.

He said there have been improvements, but added, "we have to do a better job to shorten this wait list even further and that work is underway."

Davis said he has instructed the minister of Service NL, Tony Cornect, to "bring forwardrecommendations...so we can review options available and take steps to correct those backlogs."

Davis also fielded questions about health-care wait times and rental supplements for seniors, and defended the government's record on poverty reduction.

"There are fewer relying on social programs than ever before," he said.