Government of Newfoundland News

Fisheries and Aquaculture

With financing from the Provincial Government, a booklet will be developed by the Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide the lobster industry with the most up-to-date information to help maintain quality, as well as to help harvesters receive the best price for their catch. The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced $24,550 today through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program for the initiative.

Environment and Conservation

The Provincial Government’s latest survey of the George River caribou herd, conducted in July 2014, has resulted in confirmation that the herd continues to decline significantly.

Innovation, Business and Rural Development

The Colony of Avalon Foundation is implementing key goals of its three-year strategic plan with the help of $94,891 from the Provincial Government. Funding will aid the Colony of Avalon with their marketing and development efforts, strategic fundraising plans, as well as with the growth of the organization’s online presence.

Education

An eight-classroom extension will soon be constructed at Elizabeth Park Elementary in Paradise, following the recent award of a tender, valued at almost $2.3 million, to Redwood Construction Ltd. of Mount Pearl. The extension will increase capacity of the school to accommodate population growth in the area.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following event relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

Innovation, Business and Rual Development

The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, will address the 17th Annual Youth Ventures Awards tomorrow (Thursday, August 14) at 3:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Sheraton Hotel, St. John's, in the Court Garden.

Health and Community Services

The residents of Botwood and surrounding communities will benefit from more than $745,000 in funding for new equipment and infrastructure upgrades to the Dr. H. Twomey Health Centre. The announcement was made by Kevin Pollard, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Health and Community Services, at the centre today. Mr. Pollard was joined by Clayton Forsey, MHA for Exploits, and Heather Brown, Vice-President of Long-Term Care, Community Supports and Rural Health at Central Health.

Health and Community Services

Kevin Pollard, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Health and Community Services, will make a health care funding announcement in Botwood tomorrow (Wednesday, August 13).

Environment and Conservation: Multi-Materials Stewardship Board

The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is providing $100,000 to nine innovators in Newfoundland and Labrador through the Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund. The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, made the announcement today at the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Ed Ring, has released his Report AH-2014-001 under authority of the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA). A summary of the Report is included below.

Advanced Education and Skills: Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

The Provincial Government, through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, is investing $825,000 to purchase a six-unit apartment building in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, joined officials from the community today to make the announcement. The property will be developed into long-term accommodations to help address housing issues in the region.

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, today announced that Newfoundland and Labrador is now accepting employer applications for the Canada Job Grant and are encouraging employers to apply.

Natural Resources

Growing Forward 2 continues to deliver solid results for Newfoundland and Labrador’s agriculture industry through joint investments in projects that support innovation, sustainability and competitiveness.

Education

Site work has begun in preparation for the construction of a new school to replace Virginia Park Elementary following the recent award of a tender, valued at over $3.3 million, to Marco Services Ltd. of St. John’s. This is the first of two tenders expected to be issued within the year, with the second to include the construction of the building itself.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that the Provincial Government will establish a panel to undertake an independent review of hydraulic fracturing in western Newfoundland. The panel will be provided with a terms of reference to share information and receive input from the public on hydraulic fracturing.

Justice

Over the past several weeks, officers with the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division have charged 17 people with offences related to the alleged illegal fishing of Atlantic salmon and trout in various regions of the province.

Environment and Conservation: Multi-Materials Stewardship Board

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), will announce recipients of the 2014-15 Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund tomorrow (Tuesday, August 12).

Service NL

Media Advisory: Minister to Attend CEO Safety Charter Induction Ceremony

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will announce an investment in supportive housing for persons with complex needs tomorrow (Tuesday, August 12). The event will take place at The Salvation Army, 37 Churchill Street, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay at 11:00 a.m.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, will be joined by the Honourable Gerry Ritz, federal Agriculture Minister, to provide an update on funding investments under Growing Forward 2, tomorrow (Tuesday, August 12). Robert Walsh, owner/operator of Glenview Dairy Farms, and Eugene Legge, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture, will also be in attendance. The event will take place at Glenview Dairy Farms in Kilbride at 10:00 a.m.