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Provincial

House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador

Governs Newfoundland and Labrador

Official website (assembly.nl.ca) Report a problem with this page

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What it's for

The provincial legislature makes laws for the province on subjects such as hospitals, education, municipal institutions, property and civil rights, the administration of justice and provincial courts, and natural resources, forestry and electricity generation.

Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 92, 92A and 93 · Applies to every provincial legislature

What it can't do

A provincial legislature cannot make laws on subjects reserved to Parliament, such as criminal law, banking, currency and national defence, and it can levy only direct taxes within the province. Its laws must respect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and a law inconsistent with the Constitution has no force or effect to that extent.

Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 91 and 92(2); Constitution Act, 1982, ss. 1 and 52 · Applies to every provincial legislature

Who it answers to

Voters elect the legislative assembly at least every five years. Bills become law with Royal Assent from the Lieutenant Governor, who is appointed by the Governor General in Council, and anyone whose Charter rights are infringed can ask a court for a remedy.

Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 58 and 90; Constitution Act, 1982, ss. 4 and 24 · Applies to every provincial legislature

Where its money comes from

The province raises money through direct taxes within the province, licences, its public lands and taxes on natural resources and electricity, and it can borrow on its own credit. Federal transfers add to this, including the Canada Health Transfer, the Canada Social Transfer and, for provinces that qualify, equalization payments.

Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 92(2), 92(3), 92(5), 92(9), 92A(4) and 126; Constitution Act, 1982, s. 36(2); Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, Parts I and V.1 · Applies to every provincial legislature

Shares responsibility with

The province shares agriculture and immigration with Parliament, whose laws prevail in a conflict, and old age pensions, where federal law does not override provincial law. Municipal councils and school boards in the province are created under provincial law.

Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 92(8), 93, 94A and 95 · Applies to every provincial legislature

Next vote

  • (estimated) General election · Member of the House of Assembly

Who sits on it

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Sources for who sits on it

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What it can do

  • Direct taxation

    Direct taxation within the province to raise revenue for provincial purposes, e.g. provincial income tax and the provincial part of the HST (Constitution Act, 1867, s. 92(2)).

  • Borrowing

    Borrowing money on the sole credit of the province (s. 92(3)).

  • Public service and public lands

    Provincial offices and officers, and the management and sale of provincial Crown lands and timber (s. 92(4), (5)).

  • Health care and hospitals

    Establishment, maintenance and management of hospitals, asylums and charities (s. 92(7)); the province runs the Medical Care Plan (MCP) and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services.

  • Municipal institutions

    Creates municipalities and sets what they may do (s. 92(8)); in Newfoundland and Labrador through the City of St. John's Act, the City of Mount Pearl Act, the City of Corner Brook Act and the general act for towns and local service districts.

  • Licences

    Shop, saloon, tavern, auctioneer and other licences to raise revenue (s. 92(9)).

  • Local works and undertakings

    Local works and undertakings, including provincial roads and the provincial ferry service (s. 92(10)).

  • Incorporation of companies

    Incorporation of companies with provincial objects (s. 92(11)).

  • Solemnization of marriage

    Solemnization of marriage in the province (s. 92(12)).

  • Property and civil rights

    Property and civil rights in the province: contracts, property, labour relations, consumer protection, insurance, landlord and tenant, and most private law (s. 92(13)).

  • Administration of justice

    Administration of justice in the province, including provincial courts, civil procedure and policing (s. 92(14)).

  • Provincial offences

    Fines, penalties and imprisonment to enforce provincial laws (s. 92(15)), e.g. highway traffic and liquor offences.

  • Matters of a local or private nature

    Generally all matters of a merely local or private nature in the province (s. 92(16)).

  • Natural resources

    Exploration, development, conservation and management of non-renewable natural resources, forestry and electrical energy, and their taxation (s. 92A). Offshore petroleum is managed jointly with Canada under the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord (1985) and its federal and provincial implementation acts.

  • Education

    Exclusive authority to make laws in relation to education, providing for courses in religion that are not specific to a religious denomination (Term 17 of the Terms of Union of Newfoundland with Canada, as replaced in 1998, which applies in place of s. 93).

  • Agriculture and immigration

    Laws on agriculture and immigration in the province, concurrent with Parliament; federal law prevails in a conflict (s. 95).

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Sources for what it can do

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Sources

  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: Official website. For: House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982 (Justice Laws consolidation): Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 92, 92A and 93. Statute text read 2026-10-12 (research:authority-explainers, ticket 405). For: What it's for
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982 (Justice Laws consolidation): Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 91 and 92(2); Constitution Act, 1982, ss. 1 and 52. Statute text read 2026-10-12 (research:authority-explainers, ticket 405). For: What it can't do
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982 (Justice Laws consolidation): Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 58 and 90; Constitution Act, 1982, ss. 4 and 24. Statute text read 2026-10-12 (research:authority-explainers, ticket 405). For: Who it answers to
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-8: Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 92(2), 92(3), 92(5), 92(9), 92A(4) and 126; Constitution Act, 1982, s. 36(2); Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, Parts I and V.1. Statute text read 2026-10-12 (research:authority-explainers, ticket 405). For: Where its money comes from
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982 (Justice Laws consolidation): Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 92(2), 92(3), 92(5), 92(9), 92A(4) and 126; Constitution Act, 1982, s. 36(2); Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, Parts I and V.1. Statute text read 2026-10-12 (research:authority-explainers, ticket 405). For: Where its money comes from
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982 (Justice Laws consolidation): Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 92(8), 93, 94A and 95. Statute text read 2026-10-12 (research:authority-explainers, ticket 405). For: Shares responsibility with
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked provincial: Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 92, 92A, 95; Terms of Union of Newfoundland with Canada, Term 17 (education, Constitution Amendment, 1998); Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act (offshore). For: Direct taxation, Borrowing, Public service and public lands, Health care and hospitals, Municipal institutions and 11 more
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly Act, RSNL 1990 c. H-10: s. 3 (fixed election dates), s. 4(1) (40 members), s. 5 (districts). The House of Assembly members page states there are 40 seats (checked 2026-10-11). For: Member of the House of Assembly
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: Role of the Speaker, House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador. For: Speaker
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Lin Paddock as MHA for Baie Verte - Green Bay (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Lin Paddock as MHA, Baie Verte - Green Bay
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Craig Pardy as MHA for Bonavista (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Craig Pardy as MHA, Bonavista
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Michael King as MHA for Burgeo - La Poile (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Michael King as MHA, Burgeo - La Poile
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Paul Pike as MHA for Burin - Grand Bank (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Paul Pike as MHA, Burin - Grand Bank
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Joedy Wall as MHA for Cape St. Francis (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Joedy Wall as MHA, Cape St. Francis
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Riley Balsom as MHA for Carbonear - Trinity - Bay de Verde (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Riley Balsom as MHA, Carbonear - Trinity - Bay de Verde
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Lisa Dempster as MHA for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Lisa Dempster as MHA, Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Fred Hutton as MHA for Conception Bay East - Bell Island (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Fred Hutton as MHA, Conception Bay East - Bell Island
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Barry Petten as MHA for Conception Bay South (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Barry Petten as MHA, Conception Bay South
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Jim Parsons as MHA for Corner Brook (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Jim Parsons as MHA, Corner Brook
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Pleaman Forsey as MHA for Exploits (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Pleaman Forsey as MHA, Exploits
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Loyola O'Driscoll as MHA for Ferryland (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Loyola O'Driscoll as MHA, Ferryland
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Jim McKenna as MHA for Fogo Island - Cape Freels (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Jim McKenna as MHA, Fogo Island - Cape Freels
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Elvis Loveless as MHA for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Elvis Loveless as MHA, Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Bettina Ford as MHA for Gander (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Bettina Ford as MHA, Gander
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Chris Tibbs as MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Chris Tibbs as MHA, Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Pam Parsons as MHA for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Pam Parsons as MHA, Harbour Grace - Port de Grave
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Helen Conway Ottenheimer as MHA for Harbour Main (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Helen Conway Ottenheimer as MHA, Harbour Main
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Eddie Joyce as MHA for Humber - Bay of Islands (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Eddie Joyce as MHA, Humber - Bay of Islands
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Mike Goosney as MHA for Humber - Gros Morne (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Mike Goosney as MHA, Humber - Gros Morne
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Joseph Power as MHA for Labrador West (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Joseph Power as MHA, Labrador West
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Keith Russell as MHA for Lake Melville (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). Party change per https://www.assembly.nl.ca/Members/HistoricalStandings.aspx: "On September 14, 2026, it was announced MHA Keith Russell would sit as an Independent/Non-Affiliated Member." For: Keith Russell as MHA, Lake Melville
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Mark Butt as MHA for Lewisporte - Twillingate (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Mark Butt as MHA, Lewisporte - Twillingate
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Lucy Stoyles as MHA for Mount Pearl North (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Lucy Stoyles as MHA, Mount Pearl North
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Paul Lane as MHA for Mount Pearl - Southlands (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Paul Lane as MHA, Mount Pearl - Southlands
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Sarah Stoodley as MHA for Mount Scio (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Sarah Stoodley as MHA, Mount Scio
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Sherry Gambin-Walsh as MHA for Placentia - St. Mary's (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Sherry Gambin-Walsh as MHA, Placentia - St. Mary's
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Jeff Dwyer as MHA for Placentia West - Bellevue (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Jeff Dwyer as MHA, Placentia West - Bellevue
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Andrea Barbour as MHA for St. Barbe - L'Anse aux Meadows (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Andrea Barbour as MHA, St. Barbe - L'Anse aux Meadows
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Tony Wakeham as MHA for Stephenville - Port au Port (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Tony Wakeham as MHA, Stephenville - Port au Port
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Hal Cormier as MHA for St. George's - Humber (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Hal Cormier as MHA, St. George's - Humber
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists James Dinn as MHA for St. John's Centre (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: James Dinn as MHA, St. John's Centre
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Sheilagh O'Leary as MHA for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Sheilagh O'Leary as MHA, St. John's East - Quidi Vidi
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Keith White as MHA for St. John's West (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Keith White as MHA, St. John's West
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Lloyd Parrott as MHA for Terra Nova (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Lloyd Parrott as MHA, Terra Nova
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Paul Dinn as MHA for Topsail - Paradise (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Paul Dinn as MHA, Topsail - Paradise
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Lela Evans as MHA for Torngat Mountains (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Lela Evans as MHA, Torngat Mountains
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Bernard Davis as MHA for Virginia Waters - Pleasantville (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Bernard Davis as MHA, Virginia Waters - Pleasantville
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists Jamie Korab as MHA for Waterford Valley (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: Jamie Korab as MHA, Waterford Valley
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly lists John Hogan as MHA for Windsor Lake (checked 2026-10-11); members page lists 40 members, no vacancies. Start date 14 Oct 2025 = general election (Elections NL, https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/; the member page shows the same start date). For: John Hogan as MHA, Windsor Lake
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked audit:nl: Speaker election Hansard 3 Nov 2025; start_date set For: Paul Lane as Speaker
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly member page lists Paul Lane as Speaker since November 2025, checked 2026-10-11. For: Paul Lane as Speaker
  • assembly.nl.ca · checked provincial: House of Assembly Act, s. 3(2) (second Tuesday in October, fourth calendar year after the last general election), s. 3(4)-(5) (alternative day if it overlaps a federal election). Federal fixed date: Canada Elections Act, s. 56.1(2) (third Monday in October of the fourth calendar year after the 28 Apr 2025 election = 15 Oct 2029). For: General election, October 9, 2029

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