Government of Newfoundland News

The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister Responsible for WorkplaceNL, will bring greetings to the WorkplaceNL Health and Safety Learning Symposium tomorrow (Wednesday, October 9) at 9:00 a.m.

The annual symposium will take place at the St. John’s Convention Centre, 50 New Gower Street, St. John’s.

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Three community housing providers have received funding through the recently established Newfoundland and Labrador Community Housing Growth Fund to assist in the development of affordable housing projects.

They include:

• Masonic Park has been awarded $50,000 for pre-development costs on a new housing project that will aim to create an additional 20 units for seniors in Mount Pearl.
• Connections for Seniors has been awarded $50,000 for pre-development costs on a 60-unit housing development in St. John’s, which will feature one-bedroom or studio apartments that focus specifically to the needs of seniors.
• Killick Ecovillage Cooperative has been awarded $50,000 to complete their pre-development activities on Killick Ecovillage in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s. This mixed-income, community-led cohousing project will feature 30 homes connected by walking paths, with parking outside the community core and a 3,000 square foot common house.

The Community Housing Growth Fund supports non-profit, co-operative and Indigenous organizations and registered charities with funding for planning and pre-development work for affordable housing projects, where the absence of this funding often serves as a barrier for these groups to advance their projects. This funding allows these groups to take advantage of further funding opportunities from all levels of government, helping to shape project development and improve the rate of project success.

The fund was created in partnership between the Provincial Government and the national Community Housing Transformation Centre (the Centre). The selection committee for submissions consists of two representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, one the Centre representative, and two representatives from the province’s community housing sector, or individuals with relevant knowledge, experience and expertise.

The $1.5 million invested in the fund includes $1.25 million from the Provincial Government and a $250,000 contribution from the Centre. Funding is still available, and groups interested in applying for support can visit the Centre’s website.

Quote
“Community sector partners have the passion and the drive to address housing challenges, but often lack funding for pre-development costs. This funding through the Community Housing Growth Fund will help remove this barrier, and our objective is to support these three projects to move forward and create affordable homes for families in the very near future.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

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Provincial Government Partnership to Support Growth of the Community Housing Sector

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A St. John’s-based tech company pioneering an advanced 3D holographic display will receive a significant investment from the Provincial Government for research and development costs associated with its flagship product.

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced an investment of $1,023,575 in Avalon Holographics towards the development of a transportable version of its 40-inch holographic display table, NOVAC.

Built using proprietary technologies, NOVAC allows for a group of people to view the same holographic display without the use of equipment such as 3D glasses or virtual reality headsets. The holographic images generated by NOVAC allow for depth perception without encountering headaches or other side-effects typically associated with other 3D visual displays.

Having secured over 50 patents for its technologies, the company is targeting early adopters in sectors such as medicine and defence, where improved visual perception for users is critical in saving lives. The current design of NOVAC is difficult to transport, making it challenging to deploy to trade shows or to ship to customers. This research and development project aims to optimize the current model and establish a more robust and transportable solution that allows the company to take NOVAC to the customer.

Leveraging the financial support provided by the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, the company will invest a further $1,753,065 for this project.

The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology offers programs to support research and development projects for both commercial and non-commercial applicants. These programs reduce the technical and financial risk of research and development projects where R&D is required to realize the commercial potential of innovative products, processes or services.

Quotes
“Avalon Holographics’ unique technology has a limitless range of potential commercial applications. It is a great example of a cutting-edge tech company working on world-class product here in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are pleased to provide support for this project.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“Avalon Holographics is deeply appreciative of the support from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. This funding is crucial for us to refine and enhance our NOVAC holographic display table, making it more accessible to our customers around the world. We are committed to delivering a high-quality outcome that not only benefits Avalon but also the province as a whole.”
Wally Haas
Founder and President, Avalon Holographics

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Research and Development

Avalon Holographics

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Today, the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, announced that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has placed a bond in the European capital market. This is the first transaction with the London Stock Exchange since the launch of the European borrowing program which provided an option to issue bonds beyond the existing domestic Canadian market.

The European borrowing program has diversified the province’s investor base, broadened the reach to international markets, and provided an opportunity to lower borrowing costs. In this case, the placement resulted in a cost savings of approximately $450,000 or five basis points versus what may have been achieved in the domestic market.

This first transaction was placed on October 4, 2024, at a size of 50 million euros (75 million Canadian dollars). The yield is 3.067 per cent and is due December 4, 2034. A sinking fund is attached for repayment to the investor when due.

The Provincial Government worked with RBC Capital Markets to swap the proceeds from euros to Canadian dollars. Doing so provided greater certainty from a cash flow and exchange rate perspective.

A dedicated capital markets team within the Department of Finance monitors markets daily for borrowing opportunities that provide the lowest cost to the province. The maximum amount of all notes outstanding through the European borrowing program is Euro 1 billion (or its equivalent in other currencies). More information about government’s borrowing program is available here.

Quotes
“We said we would only issue bonds in Europe if it was beneficial for the province to do so. We have met this objective. We have broadened our base of investors and consequently brought borrowing costs down by almost a half million dollars in this one placement. This work is all part of our financial management plan towards a stronger, smarter, self-sufficient, sustainable province.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance

“We are delighted to welcome the first EUR market transaction issued by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to the London Stock Exchange. This milestone transaction is not only a positive development for capital markets in the province, but also highlights our commitment to supporting governments across the world to raise capital from a diverse set of global investors and channel funding to economic, environmental, and social development.”
Dame Julia Hoggett
CEO, London Stock Exchange plc

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Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Launches European Borrowing Program at London Stock Exchange

Ministerial Statement – Minister Coady Highlights Responsible Management of the Province’s Finances

DBRS Morningstar Upgrades Province’s Credit Rating

Provincial Economy Performing Well Year-to-Date; Stable Outlook Affirmed by Credit Rating Agencies

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As a result of historic demand and limited spaces provided by the Federal Government, provincial immigration capacity is nearly full for 2024.

The Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills will be prioritizing the processing of applications in sectors facing labour shortages, such as health care, early learning and construction, for the remainder of the year, leading to slower processing times for other applications. Applications will continue to be processed for individuals with extenuating circumstances.

Applications continue to be accepted under both the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program. Applications not processed in 2024 will be processed in the next calendar year. Clients are advised that the 25-day processing standard for the Provincial Nominee Program will resume in January 2025.

This demand for immigration was forecasted and the Provincial Government requested a 15 per cent increase in its spaces for 2024 through the National Immigration Levels Planning consultation process in 2022 and in 2023. Unfortunately, the Government of Canada did not grant this allocation increase.

What This Means for Employers
Employers who have endorsed candidates through the Atlantic Immigration Program should expect those applications to be granted a final decision in 2025, once new federally issued immigration spaces become available. Immigration Program Development Officers will continue to process files and may reach out for further documentation as required.

Applications for Job Vacancy Assessments under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program, or Designations under the Atlantic Immigration Program, are unaffected by this decision and will be processed without undue delay.

Employers with any questions or concerns should contact attraction@gov.nl.ca to be connected directly with an Immigration Program Development Officer.

What This Means for Current and Prospective Newcomers
Atlantic Immigration Program applicants can expect to receive a decision on their file after January 1, 2025. While the process unfolds, applicants may continue to hear from their employer about additional documentation needed to complete the application.

Those applying through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program may hear from an assigned Immigration Program Development Officer about the file, including any missing or additional documentation.

Newcomers are responsible for informing the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills if they have an expiring work permit or other extenuating circumstance. Concerns and questions can be sent to pnp@gov.nl.ca.

Quick Facts

• In 2023, the Federal Government issued 3,050 immigration spaces for Newfoundland and Labrador. Of these, 2,100 are allocated to the Provincial Nominee Program and 950 to the Atlantic Immigration Program. For 2024, the Federal Government maintained the 3,050 immigration program spaces for Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Immigration to the province has grown substantially in recent years. We welcomed 1,855 new permanent residents to the province in 2019, 900 in 2020, 2,050 in 2021, 3,495 in 2022, and 5,485 in 2023.
• Each year since 2021 has represented a record number of new permanent residents in the province, primarily arriving with jobs already secured.
• According to Statistics Canada, immigration is the primary reason Newfoundland and Labrador has experienced 14-consecutive quarters of population growth.
• Efforts by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to welcome Ukrainians displaced by the illegal Russian invasion have led Ukrainians to permanently settle in the province. In 2022, the province nominated 35 Ukrainians under provincial immigrations programs, while 813 Ukrainians were nominated in 2023. Ukrainians must be nominated by the Provincial Government in order to remain here permanently as they arrived as temporary residents.

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The Provincial Government continues to invest in affordable housing to improve the well-being of families and communities throughout the province. Today, government announced that two contracts with a combined value of $1.8 million have been awarded to Capital Environmental to develop provincially-owned homes in Labrador West, which will assist six individuals or families to secure safe and affordable housing.

The first contract, valued at $1.3 million, will see the construction of four new one-bedroom homes first announced in Budget 2024. This fourplex will feature two fully accessible one-bedroom units on the main level, as well as two one-bedroom units on the second level. These four units are replacing two units that were destroyed by fire in 2022.

Universal Design features are incorporated throughout the building and include items such as widened exterior and interior doors and hallways, lever-type door handles and faucets. Energy efficiency is also a key element in the design and construction of the building.

The second contract, valued at $470,000, will cover extensive interior and exterior renovations to two three-bedroom homes that have been vacant since 2019. Work includes replacing siding, windows and doors, repairs to the roof and interior renovations including electrical and plumbing repairs in the kitchen and bathrooms.

It is anticipated that the renovations to existing homes will be complete by spring 2025, while the new builds are expected to be complete by fall 2025.

Last year, the Provincial Government completed renovations and refurbishments on 20 provincially owned homes on Cavendish Crescent in Labrador City. There are currently 88 provincially owned homes in Labrador West.

Quotes
“In Budget 2024, we committed to building new homes in Labrador West, and today we are moving forward with addressing housing needs in the area. Access to affordable housing strengthens communities, and our government will continue to prioritize initiatives that support Labrador West’s continued economic growth.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

“The contracts which have been awarded are another step towards meeting our commitment to contribute solutions to the housing situation in Labrador West. We look forward to the day when the new and renovated units open their doors to families.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister of Environment and Climate Change

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Learn more
Provincial Government Highlights Ongoing Initiatives to Improve Access to Affordable Housing in Labrador West

Provincial Government to Build 50 Homes in Corner Brook

Five-Point Plan Supporting Families in Securing First Home, Promoting Creation of Hundreds of Affordable Rental Housing Builds

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The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the following relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

UNDERTAKING REGISTERED:

Botwood and Area EVREC Green Energy Project                            (Reg. 2327)
Proponent: Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation (EVREC)

The Proponent is proposing to construct and operate a 3.5 gigawatt (GW) onshore wind energy project consisting of three wind farms with up to 530 turbines in the Central Newfoundland area, and a 150-megawatt solar farm and a 2.6 GW hydrogen/ammonia production facility in Botwood. A description of the Project can be found on the Department’s web page at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/ projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on October 7, 2024, the deadline for public comment is November 11, 2024; and the Minister’s decision is due by November 21, 2024.

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Learn more
Environmental Assessment Division
Department of Environment and Climate Change
West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6

Environmental assessment information is available at:

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/GUIDE-TO-THE-PROCESS_Jan-2024.pdf

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Project comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca

Anyone submitting comments on a Project under environmental assessment is asked to please advise the Department if they DO NOT wish to have their comments shared with the Project Proponent.

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The Honourable Scott Reid, Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, is bringing remarks tonight at the opening performance of Nsituninal: Our Voices at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre. The event, hosted by Indigenous Performing Arts NL, gets under way at 7:30 p.m.

Nsituninal is a Year of the Arts project and features stories, songs and drumming by Indigenous women. The project is supported by Celebrate NL and will tour Arts and Culture Centres across the province October 7-15, 2024.

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The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, has proclaimed October 6-12, 2024, Fire Prevention Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This year’s theme, Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You!, aims to educate residents about the importance of working smoke alarms in the home. The campaign involves three key calls to action:

• Install
  Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of your home.
• Test
  Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replace
  Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested.

On Friday, Minister Davis participated in an event at the Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s Fire Department to kick off the week. He was joined by Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s Fire Chief Fred Hollett as well as representatives from fire departments throughout the region.

The Provincial Government encourages residents, families and educators to practice whole home safety, and to learn more about fire prevention actions that can help keep people safe. Residents are reminded that smoke alarms in your home should meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities. Fire Prevention Week is a great opportunity to test carbon monoxide detectors. These alarms are designed to alert you of any build-up of carbon monoxide in your home or dwelling.

Last year, there were more than 740 reported fire-related incidents in the province, with five fire-related deaths.

To help educate children regarding the importance of a working smoke alarm, and other fire safety tips, visit Sparky the Fire Dog at www.sparky.org for videos, games and other fun activities.

Quotes
“I urge residents to complete the simple act of testing your smoke alarm, to ensure it is working. Having that confidence could mean so much to your family in the most urgent of times. Fire Prevention Week is a great time to thank our emergency responders for the work they do, I thank them for their bravery and for helping to keep our communities safe.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

“A fire prevented saves lives, saves property and keeps our families and firefighters safe. A fire detected early is a fire you can escape. Please help your firefighters by ‘making your smoke detectors work for you.’”
Duane Antle
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services

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Fire Prevention Week

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Newfoundland and Labrador is taking the lead to establish a world-class Atlantic Wildfire Centre in Central Newfoundland that will strengthen and enhance efforts to protect Atlantic Canada’s communities and forests. Related initiatives will be supported in part through a $32 million cost-shared, four-year investment in partnership with Natural Resources Canada under the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate: Equipment fund.

The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, and Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, were in Gander today to provide details on the Atlantic Wildfire Centre and related infrastructure investments. They were joined by the Honourable Fred Hutton, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister of Rural Economic Development, and the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and MHA for Gander.

Located at Gander International Airport, the Atlantic Wildfire Centre will provide leadership and expertise in wildfire fighting and prevention, focusing on:

Specialized Wildfire Management Expertise: Housing dedicated specialists whose primary role is wildfire management.

Applied Science and Data Localization: Adapting new innovations, such as drone technology, and national and international research to local conditions.

Training and Education Programs: Focusing on wildfire management and suppression, wildfire prevention and mitigation, and aerial operations.

Wildfire Response and Service Delivery: Increasing capacity to manage wildfire and respond to major incidents.

Wildfire Management and Training Facilities: Building and expanding infrastructure, including facilities for air crews, incident command operations, and equipment storage in Labrador.

The joint investment through the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate: Equipment fund includes:

• Repairing the damaged CL- 415 aircraft in the current fleet of five water bombers.
• Issuing a Request for Proposals to increase the province’s air services complement with two new “bird dog” (spotter) aircraft.
• Procuring firefighting equipment including fire trucks, command trailers, sprinklers, weather stations, and Nomex suits.
• Providing extensive training for department wildfire-fighting staff.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will also issue a Request for Proposals for the design concept for the Atlantic Wildlife Centre campus and related infrastructure at Gander International Airport.

Newfoundland and Labrador has the largest forest landscape in Atlantic Canada, with many communities located in the heart of fire-driven ecosystems where wildfires occur consistently, especially in Labrador and Central Newfoundland. The province has a culture of fire-prevention that has been established for generations and a wealth of experience fighting large wildfires.

The province maintains the most substantial aerial wildfire suppression resources in Atlantic Canada, with Central Newfoundland serving as an ideal location for the Atlantic Wildfire Centre. The region has an established combination of infrastructure, strategic location, professional staffing, private sector and community partners at Gander International Airport, and training supports are in place at the existing Forest Fire Protection Centre in Gander.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador’s wildland fire suppression crews work bravely, diligently, and relentlessly to protect the province’s forests, and communities. We must do everything in our power to support them, including providing the best training and equipment available. The Atlantic Wildfire Centre will support Canadians in delivering effective wildfire management and emergency responses to protect the region’s forests, communities, and people.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“The federal government is urgently working to respond to wildfires that are increasing in frequency and severity across Canada by providing provinces with the support they need. Today’s announcement with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador highlights our commitment to working together to mitigate and respond to wildfires through the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program. Through tangible and fast-flowing funding, the Government of Canada is helping to prepare urgently for future challenges and keep Canadians safe.”
Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Canadians from coast to coast to coast have felt the effects of a changing climate, and wildfires burning with greater intensity is one of them. The health and safety of Canadians is a top priority for the Government of Canada and that is why we will continue to provide the support needed to mitigate and respond to wildfires. I am pleased that today’s announced funding through the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program will support the efforts in the province in fire management for this wildfire season and seasons to come.”
Yvonne Jones
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and the Minister of National Defence
Member of Parliament for Labrador

“In the face of three recent major wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as deployments to aid other jurisdictions in need through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, our wildfire suppression crews and resources have done us proud. With strategic investment in wildland fire management and training, we will increase wildland firefighting capacity, enhance training, purchase vital equipment, and improve our understanding of fire science. The Atlantic Wildfire Centre will make Newfoundland and Labrador a world leader in forest protection.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

“We have a great team in place doing incredible work in our Air Services Division and in the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. Together, they provide an exceptionally valuable service to the people of our province. This centre is a means of honouring their service by providing them with the supports, training and equipment required for their continued fire suppression efforts.”
Honourable Fred Hutton
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister of Rural Economic Development

“I am happy to participate in the announcement today regarding the establishment of the Atlantic Wildfire Centre at the Gander International Airport. Employees working out of Gander have long supported our province, and other provinces, in answering the call for firefighting assistance. I thank the hardworking team in Gander and look forward to witnessing how this Centre will provide even greater support to the people of the province and Atlantic Canada through enhanced training and development opportunities.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and MHA for Gander

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Learn more
Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program: Equipment fund

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The Provincial Government is today announcing the fall vaccination plan for influenza and COVID-19, which will commence Monday, October 21, 2024.

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Newfoundland and Labrador will be available to media today, Monday, October 7, at 1:00 p.m. in Confederation Building, West Block lobby, to discuss the vaccination plan. 

The Provincial Government is stressing the importance of residents keeping their vaccinations up-to-date, and will be providing vaccines that target the latest strains of COVID-19 and influenza. It is expected that COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory viruses will be circulating in our communities this fall and winter. To minimize the impact of these viruses this season, public health encourages residents of the province to get the influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine this fall.

COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to all individuals six months of age and older this fall. The recommended interval between vaccines is six months.

Those at high risk for severe disease are strongly recommended to get the vaccine when eligible, including:

• Adults 65 years of age and older;
• Residents of long-term care and other senior congregate living facilities;
• Individuals with underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection;
• Individuals who are pregnant and
• Individuals who identify as First Nation, Inuit or Métis.

Influenza vaccine will be offered to all individuals six months of age and older this fall. It is strongly recommended that those who are higher risk for severe influenza get the vaccine this fall, including:

• Children aged six months to five years of age;
• Adults 65 years of age and older;
• Residents in seniors congregate living;
• Individuals with certain medical conditions that place them at higher risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalizations;
• Individuals who are pregnant; and
• Individuals who identify as First Nation, Inuit or Métis.

Vaccination clinics will begin Monday, October 21. Appointments can be booked online starting today, October 7, through regional health zone clinics by visiting the Time For the Shot website. Individuals may need to check periodically for availability at any of these vaccine sites, as appointments are continually being added as vaccine supply is received. Additionally, individuals can check with their physician and local pharmacy for more information on appointments through those locations.

Both vaccines are proven safe and effective in reducing the spread of influenza and COVID-19 and the incidence of severe disease from these viruses. It is safe for individuals to receive both the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.

Public Health would also like to remind all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to stay home when sick, and to practice good hygiene measures.

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The Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills is continuing its cross-provincial series of engagement sessions for employers and international students. Sessions begin in the Western Newfoundland region on Tuesday, October 8.

Employer engagement sessions will include representatives from the Provincial Government as well as staff from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. This is an opportunity for employers to ask questions to provincial and federal immigration officials. Employers looking to register for a session can use this link.

International student engagement sessions will include representatives from the Provincial Government. These sessions will provide an opportunity to learn about permanent immigration options such as the Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program. Sessions for international students do not require pre-registration.

See the backgrounder for a full list of the sessions occurring in Western Newfoundland this week.

More information about future engagement sessions in the Eastern region will be provided in the coming weeks.

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BACKGROUNDER

Western Immigration Engagement Sessions – October 8 to 11, 2024

For
Employers

  Port aux Basques
Bruce II Sports Centre – Joe Lane Room
200 Hardys Arterial Road  October 8 9:00 -11:00 a.m.

  Stephenville
W.E Cormack Development Center – Reg Diamond Boardroom
35 Carolina Avenue  October 8 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

  Corner Brook
Canada House – Corner Brook Civic Centre
1 Canada Games Drive  October 9 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

  St. Anthony
St. Anthony Polar Centre
35 Elementary School Road  October 10 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

  Deer Lake
Hodder Memorial Recreation Complex
8 Cresent St  October 11 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

  For
International Students Port aux Basques
CNA Port aux Basques
59 Grand Bay Road October 8 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Stephenville
CNA Stephenville
432 Massachusetts Drive October 8 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Corner Brook
Memorial University
Grenfell Campus
20 University Drive October 9 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, and Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, on behalf of Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, will be in Gander on Monday, October 7, to provide details on the Atlantic Wildfire Centre and related infrastructure investments.

They will be joined by the Honourable Fred Hutton, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister of Rural Economic Development, and the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and MHA for Gander.

The event will take place at 12:00 p.m. at Air Services Division, 300 Marix Boulevard, Hanger 22, Gander International Airport.

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Earlier this year, the Newfoundland and Labrador sport and well-being community lost one of its most passionate advocates with the passing of Michelle Healey.

To honour her legacy of athleticism and community dedication through coaching and volunteerism, the Provincial Government has created the Michelle Healey Memorial Award. The award will be presented annually at the Premier’s Athletic Awards to a female athlete, currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution, who has demonstrated both athletic success and a commitment to community.

The award, as well as a $5,000 bursary, will be presented at the 2024 Premier’s Athletic Awards.

Achievements from the 2023 calendar year will be considered for this year’s award. The submission deadline for the Michelle Healey Memorial Award is Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Applications and further information on the program can be found here.

Quote
“Michelle Healey was not only a celebrated athlete, she was also a valued public service employee and a member of the Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation team. Her basketball accomplishments were incredible – she was the greatest shooter in Atlantic University Sport history – and her commitment to volunteerism and advancing the involvement of girls in sport was remarkable. We are proud to honour her memory with the Michelle Healey Memorial Award.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

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Michelle Healey Memorial Award

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The following is being distributed at the request of the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission is hitting the road in honour of its 50th anniversary.

The Commission will be partnering with the Labrador Friendship Centre and the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PLIAN) to host a public presentation and a drop-in information clinic in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area.

The public presentation will take place on October 16 from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Labrador Friendship Centre in the multipurpose room. The centre is located on 49 Grenfell Street, Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The drop-in information clinic will take place on October 17 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. with appointments available in the evening from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. This will take place at the PLIAN Labrador Office, 45 Grenfell Street, Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

For more information about this initiative, or to make an appointment for the evening of October 17, please contact hrcinquiries@gov.nl.ca.

Thank you to our partners, the Labrador Friendship Centre and the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, for supporting this initiative.

To learn more about the Commission, visit www.thinkhumanrights.ca.

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The Honourable Scott Reid, Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, is participating in two events taking place on the west coast.

The Minister is joining a Sisters in Spirit Vigil event organized by the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network. Activities commence with a walk that starts at Blanche Brook Park this evening (Friday, October 4) at 6:30 p.m. and proceeds to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Healing Garden in Stephenville. Minister Reid will bring remarks at a vigil which is taking place at the local Lions Club at 7:00 p.m.

The Minister is also speaking at the Indigenous Women’s Empowerment Conference, which takes place October 4-6, 2024, at the Holiday Inn Express in Deer Lake. Minister Reid is scheduled to speak during the opening ceremony tomorrow (Saturday, October 5) at 9:00 a.m. The conference is hosted by the Assembly of First Nations, Newfoundland region.

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Today’s (Friday, October 4) health care announcements in Corner Brook and Deer Lake are postponed and will be re-scheduled.

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A contract valued at approximately $450,000 has been awarded to Locke Electrical Limited for a new program trailer that will be located at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary. This initiative is one of several interim measures the Provincial Government committed to implementing until a new adult corrections facility is constructed.

The contract includes the construction of a 20-foot by 40-foot double-wide trailer, preparation of a foundation for the structure, followed by assembly on the grounds of the penitentiary. The program trailer will be utilized for Adult Basic Education, literacy programs and pre-employment programming.

The new trailer will allow for many other programs to be offered simultaneously to multiple groups, including: the New Day program; Safety and Repair; Anger Solutions; Seeking Safety; and the First Light Program.

Budget 2024 includes $15 million over two years for enhancements such as open-air courts, video conferencing, new cameras and program trailers at the corrections facility.

Construction of the airing courts – an outside secure recreation area – at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed within the next several weeks.

Procurement is underway for a new admissions building, with construction to begin in 2025.

Information on tenders issued and awarded by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com/govnl.

Quotes
“The Provincial Government remains committed to providing an adult corrections facility that meets the needs of both staff and inmates. These interim measures will help address some of the infrastructure needs until a new facility is constructed.”
Honourable Fred Hutton
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
Minister of Rural Economic Development

“A correctional facility is a dynamic environment where there is a need to ensure the safety of inmates, staff and volunteers, while providing important programs and services. I look forward to the completion of the new program trailer at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary, which will allow for a wider range of programming available to inmates.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

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The Honourable Fred Hutton, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister of Rural Economic Development, will bring greetings at the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association’s (NLCA) Women in Construction forum tomorrow (Friday, October 4) at 9:00 a.m.

Minister Hutton will also speak at the NLCA’s Rock Awards gala on Saturday (October 5). The event begins at 7:00 p.m.

Both events take place at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland, 115 Cavendish Square, St. John’s.

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The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, along with Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s Fire Chief Fred Hollett, will launch Fire Prevention Week 2024 in Newfoundland and Labrador tomorrow (Friday, October 4).

The event is taking place at the fire station, 1119 Thorburn Road, in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, beginning at 11:15 a.m.

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