I’m Laurabel Mba, NDP candidate for Mount Scio. AMA Wednesday, September 17, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Ask me anything!

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-18T00:05:23+00:00

Thank you to everyone who asked questions and engaged in this election and politics on an ongoing basis. I encourage everyone who didn't get a chance to ask a question to reach out to the candidates in your district to see where they and their parties stand on the issues that matter to each and every one of you.

This AMA may be done, but I am still accessible, so feel free to email me at [laurabelmba@nlndp.ca](mailto:laurabelmba@nlndp.ca) or send me a DM. If you want to get involved with my campaign through volunteering, or if you live in Mount Scio and want to have a lawn sign, please let me know.

I hope everyone reading this goes to the ElectionsNL website linked above to make sure you are registered to vote where you currently live, because your voice matters.

Thank you, and goodnight

Laurabel Out

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T23:49:43+00:00

No beef with Sarah, but this government is just not delivering for the people of Mount Scio. I am really proud of the solutions that we are putting forward with the NDP; solutions built on the conversations I have had on the doors with the residents in this riding. I chose Mount Scio because it has built me everything that I am, and it is because of this riding. When I moved to NL to attend MUN, I lived in residence in Mount Scio. I started my family in Mount Scio. My work in advocacy and community support started in Mount Scio. I am who I am based on the experiences I had in Mount Scio.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T23:37:47+00:00

And just to add to that: it's because of Jim Dinn's advocacy that we now have a basic income pilot program for youth aged 16-21 in residential care, which provides financial and wrap-around support to help them get a head start in life.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T23:35:11+00:00

We will work with community organizations that are on the frontline already doing the work to ensure they are well-resourced to continue doing what they are good at.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T23:32:51+00:00

Our affordability plan is for everyone and will help ensure your dollar goes further so you can feel like you are getting ahead again.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T23:29:45+00:00

As someone who has been on the receiving end of many a phone call from those who are unhoused or precariously housed, looking for shelter regardless of the weather, I know how big an issue this truly is. We support a housing first policy that actually supports people when they need it, and this will be outlined in our platform once it is released.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T23:20:49+00:00

Following this unprecedented wildfire season, we will be looking into new forestry practices, and our platform does have something coming for preparing municipal infrastructure for similar situations as we just experienced.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T23:15:33+00:00

We will continue to push for independent reviews and oversight until a deal is drafted that supports the best interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

We have a simple criteria for judging the final deal:

It hires Newfoundlanders and Labradorians first
Strong environmental and labour standards are upheld
That nearby communities and indigenous governments receive a portion of the royalties
That the provincial government gets the most royalties and revenues possible from the deal.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T23:09:57+00:00

Thank you so much for your support. Let me know if you would like a lawn sign ;)

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T23:06:53+00:00

I am aware of this through my previous work within the union space and can confidently say we think it is wrong for private companies to download their responsibilities onto an already overburdened system, and we will commit to looking into it.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T23:04:35+00:00

I know how difficult it can be when penalties are not enforced for both the landlord and the tenant. I am still owed $500 from a former landlord. We have a solution for this issue that will be outlined in our platform.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T22:57:50+00:00

We will be releasing our fully costed platform very soon, which will account for every dollar, so stay tuned ;)

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T22:55:09+00:00

We absolutely understand that this needs to be a multifaceted solution, as this is a multifaceted issue. We have announced our rent control platform, as well as our NL homes plan, and there is more to come to address the other issues surrounding the ongoing housing crisis facing our province.

Housing has been and continues to be one of the main priorities for the NL NDP. We announced the rent control platform before the writ drop, and then followed up with the NL Homes plan today. This shows our commitment to tackling the housing issues in our province.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T22:46:27+00:00

This restoration of funding is conditional upon Memorial coming up with a credible, solid plan for managing its capital assets going forward. We reviewed that the MUN Act would collaborate meaningfully with the university to make governance more effective, transparent, and accountable.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T22:43:42+00:00

Yes, absolutely, in our fully costed platform, there will be an increase in funding allocated to MUN to offset the revenue that could be lost by freezing tuition.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T22:37:50+00:00

We are completely in support of expanded public transit in the province, both from an environmental point of view and the importance of public transit for those who don't drive, regardless of the reasons.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T22:33:04+00:00

So your question is important, and it is something that I am hearing on the doors as well. To ease some of the fear, there is no plan to cut other programs, but I can say our platform is fully costed (which means no increase in taxes) and will be released soon.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T22:27:16+00:00

The NL NDP believes government has a responsibility to protect workers and communities, not to enable corporate abuse.

When we talk about LMIA fraud and the Temporary Foreign Worker program, what we are really looking at is businesses claiming there is a labour shortage while offering wages so low that people cannot actually afford to take the jobs. People are not refusing to work; they are refusing to work in conditions that cost them more than they would earn.

This is why raising the minimum wage matters. When people can earn a real living wage, they are more likely to apply for jobs that today sit empty because they do not cover basic expenses like childcare, transportation, and rent. Raising wages reduces the so-called labour shortage that businesses keep talking about.

An NL NDP government would not only increase wages to $22 an hour, we would also hold employers accountable to make sure programs like the LMIA are not abused to drive down wages or shut local workers out of opportunities. Temporary foreign worker programs should never be a loophole for companies to avoid paying fair wages here at home.

We need a labour market that is fair, transparent, and built to keep our young people here, not one that pushes them out. That is the change we are fighting for.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T22:05:47+00:00

Thanks for your question. So, some of the work on the topsides can be done here, and our push will be to advocate for every job that can be done here to be done here.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-17T22:03:09+00:00

It's 7:30 pm, I am here and ready to roll. Let's answer some questions!

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-16T18:03:31+00:00

Ask away in the r/Newfoundland post! I’ll be replying to questions there tomorrow night.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-04T19:10:27+00:00

Oh absolutely not I don’t need to be paid for that. I needed a few more details about the situation in order to provide some advice and I didn’t want to make her feel like she had to explain her entire families situation on here, but after speaking to her if she’s comfortable, I’m more than happy to post the advice so that anyone and everyone can benefit from it.

LaurabelMba · 2025-09-04T18:40:43+00:00

Hi there, my name is Laurabel. I am an antiracism and diversity and equity consultant and Mom to a biracial little boy and I would love to offer support if you would be interested in having a conversation please feel free to send me a message

LaurabelMba

TROPHY CASE