Government of Newfoundland News

Occupational Health and Safety standards for fall protection equipment will now be recognized by all jurisdictions throughout Canada.

Amendments have been made to Newfoundland and Labrador’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, to reflect these requirements, including replacement of the existing standards for fall arrestors and vertical lifelines. Amendments were also required to reflect self-retracting devices and connecting components for personal fall arrest systems.

The new standards are the result of the signing of a Pan-Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Reconciliation Agreement. The agreement builds on, and is in addition to the 2019 National Occupational Health and Safety Reconciliation Agreement, which set out common standards in the areas of First-Aid kit contents and personal protective equipment (PPE).

The amendments to this province’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations are now published in the Newfoundland and Labrador Gazette.

In addition to fall protection equipment, the agreement provides opportunity for future reconciliation work focusing on PPE, occupational exposure limits and safety training.

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“The primary goal of occupational health and safety legislation is to protect the health and safety of all workers. This agreement ensures that safety standards in Newfoundland and Labrador and other Canadian jurisdictions are aligned.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

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Learn more
The Newfoundland and Labrador Gazette

Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table

Occupational Health and Safety

News Release: New First Aid Kit Requirements Enhance Occupational Health and Safety

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @DGS_GovNL.

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Media contact
Krista Dalton
Digital Government and Service NL
729-4748, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca

The post Fall Protection Standards Regulated Throughout the Country appeared first on News Releases.

There will be no shortage of fun in Newfoundland and Labrador over the course of the next week with many Come Home 2022 events taking place.

St. John’s will be bustling with activity, beginning on Saturday, July 30, with the 20th annual Victoria Park Lantern Festival. Festivities begin at 2:00 p.m. with a barbeque and canteen, community booths, kids games, live music. The night will conclude with the famous Fire & Light show lighting up the night sky. For more information, visit www.lanternfest.ca or like the Victoria Park Lantern Festival’s Facebook page.

On Sunday morning, July 31, practitioners of all skill levels are invited to join LB Power for Yoga on George. Beginning at 11:00 a.m. and featuring DJ Krystle Hayden, hundreds of participants are expected to come together in the spirit of Come Home 2022 to practice some self-care. To register for this free event, visit www.lbyoga.ca or follow LB Yoga on Instagram (@lbyoga).

The 37th annual George Street Festival is ongoing with many incredible musicians. On Sunday night, July 31, enjoy the official Come Home 2022 concert event featuring the talents of Alan Doyle, Fortunate Ones and Kellie Loder. While this event is limited to 19+, it is sure to be a time. As well, the George Street Summer Concert series is ongoing until the end of August.

On Tuesday, August 2, a family-friendly concert at Quidi Vidi Lake will begin at 5:00 p.m. featuring School of Rock, Anchormen Chorus, Game of Stones and Other Side. At 7:30 p.m., a 19+ show in the Quidi Vidi Brewery beer tent will feature Rube & Rake and Old Contemporaries. To find out more, check out the Regatta Eve event on Facebook.

The 2022 Platinum Jubilee Royal St. John’s Regatta on Wednesday, August 3 (weather pending, of course). This year’s regatta is named in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. Whether you go for the races or go for the garden party, there will be many activities for all ages to enjoy.

There is so much more to enjoy in the province over the course of the next week including:

• Tombolo Multicultural Festival, St. John’s – August 5-7
• Shakespeare by the Sea Festival, St. John’s – ongoing until August 14
• Tunes & Tales of Pigeon Inlet with Kelly Russell, St. John’s– ongoing until the end of August
• The Church Street Festival, Bonavista – ongoing until the end of August
• The Stephenville Theatre Festival, ongoing until August 21
• Bernard’s-Jacques Fontaine Festival of Friends, August 3-7
• Lawrence Laurentian Days, July 31-August 6
• Sunset Street Dance: Trout River, August 6
• Years Gone By – A Newfoundland Workshop, Trout River – ongoing until the end of August
• Triton Caplin Cod Festival, August 1-7
• Voices of Placentia Bay Festival, August 5-7
• ‘Wicked on da Wharf’ Grand Bank Summer Festival, July 30-August 6
• Harbour Lights Festival, Rocky Harbour, ongoing until July 31
• Cultural Craft Lessons – Three Rivers Mi’kmaq Band, Robinsons – August 1-5
• Harbour Breton Come Home Year 2022, Tradition By The Sea Festival –  Aug 1- 8
• Mussel Bed Waterfront Festival Soiree, Lewisporte – August 3-8
• Norstead Village Viking Festival, L’Anse aux Meadows –  August 5–7
• Etheridge’s Point Seaside Festival, Joe Batt’s Arm, Fogo Island – August 6–7

For a full listing of Come Home 2022 festivals and events, visit ComeHome2022.ca.

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“The week ahead is full of great Come Home 2022 celebrations. It is fantastic to see so many fun and accessible activities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy and I look forward to taking in some of them myself. I wish all organizers the best of luck with their events.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

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Learn more
Come Home 2022

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Like Come Home 2022 on Facebook

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Media contact
Adrienne Luther
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-4819, 730-2953
adrienneluther@gov.nl.ca

The post Busy Week Ahead for Come Home 2022 Celebrations appeared first on News Releases.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2022-012 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. A summary of the Report is included below.

To view the Report in its entirety, please go to www.oipc.nl.ca/reports/commissioner

Report: A-2022-012 Report Date: July 28, 2022 Public Body: Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information Summary: The Complainant made an access request under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 to the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information for records relating to the Meditech system. The Centre provided records to the Complainant, but withheld some information claiming 27(1) (Cabinet confidences), 29(1)(a) (Policy advice or recommendations), 40(1) (Disclosure harmful to personal privacy), 31(1)(l) (Disclosure harmful to law enforcement), and 39(1) (Disclosure harmful to business interests of a third party). During the complaint investigation, the Centre agreed to release some additional information and the Complainant agreed to limit the scope of review to certain information withheld pursuant to section 29(1)(a) and section 31(1)(l). It was recommended that the Centre release some of the remaining information and continue to withhold other information.

Media contact
Sean Murray
Director of Research & Quality Assurance
709-729-6309

 

The post Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner – Report A-2022-012 Released appeared first on News Releases.

The Provincial Government is recognizing Food Day Canada, which takes place tomorrow, (Saturday, July 30). The theme of Food Day Canada this year is: Shop. Cook. Dine. Celebrate. Canadian! During Food Day Canada and onward, governments, organizations and individual residents encourage people to shop, cook and dine Canadian.

Newfoundland and Labrador will be joining in, marked by the Provincial Government lighting up the Confederation Building in red and white tonight (Friday, July 29). As the largest national food event, activities will be happening in-person and online across the country. Organizers have described it as a huge celebration that praises our farmers and fishers, our chefs and researchers, our home cooks, and so many more. Information can be found online here.

Budget 2022 provides over $10.9 million to support farmers and producers in this essential work. Last week, the federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers of Agriculture reached a new agreement in principle: the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. This agreement builds on the previous one, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which has seen $26.2 million invested in growing this province’s agriculture sector.

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“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians love good, local food. Our agriculture sector is 100 per cent self-sufficient in production of fluid milk, chicken and eggs; and self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetables has gone from 10 per cent to over 17 per cent. I encourage individuals and family alike to take part in the celebrations on Food Day Canada. Make a plan to try a new restaurant or a new food (perhaps seal?) thank a farmer or a fisherperson in your area, or make a plan to shop, cook and dine Canadian all year long.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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Learn more
Food Day Canada

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @FFA_GovNL

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Media contact
Erin Shea
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-729-3733
erinshea@gov.nl.ca

The post Shop. Cook. Dine. Celebrate: Food Day Canada! appeared first on News Releases.

An independent review of Sections 19.1 through 19.14 of the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act has been established by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister Responsible for Labour. The independent review will be conducted by Mr. David Conway.

The review will involve consultations with fish harvesters, processors, their respective organizations and any other interested parties. A written report of the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act Review will be submitted to the Minister Responsible for Labour outlining the results of the review and any recommendations. A final report will also be made publicly available.

Organizations and individuals are invited to make written submissions as part of the review:

• Submissions must be submitted to ficbareview@gov.nl.ca by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2022.
• In their written submissions, organizations or individuals may also may also request to present a verbal submission. Verbal submissions will be conducted on a discretionary basis. Any verbal submissions will be conducted virtually and will be scheduled for Monday, September 12, 2022.

The review may also include interviews with individuals who have knowledge of the collective bargaining model contained in Sections 19.1 through 19.14 of the Act.

Please note that the report will note the names of individuals who were made submissions or were interviewed as part of the review, including identifying information such as name and organization.

Questions or comments can be submitted to ficbareview@gov.nl.ca. The Terms of Reference are attached in the backgrounder below.

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Media contact
Debbie Marnell
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-2575, 699-9048
debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Terms of Reference for Review of the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Model

PURPOSE:
To review the fishing industry collective bargaining model contained in Sections 19.1-19.14 of the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act

BACKGROUND:
The Minister Responsible for Labour has initiated a review of the collective bargaining model contained in sections 19.1 to 19.14 of the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act.

The Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act (FICBA) regulates collective bargaining between fish harvesters and processors. In 2006, Government authorized the creation of a three-person Standing Fish Price-Setting Panel (Panel) for the purpose of:

1. facilitating access by parties to collective bargaining to market information relating to the sale of fish;
2. establishing criteria that are not inconsistent with this Act relating to collective bargaining under this Act;
3. providing assistance to parties engaged in collective bargaining under this Act;
4. setting prices and conditions of sale for a fish species where parties have engaged in collective bargaining and have been unable to agree or where parties have refused to engage in collective bargaining;
5. reviewing and report on  matters related to the price and conditions of sale of a fish species that may be referred to it by the minister responsible for fisheries and aquaculture; and
6. making recommendations on matters falling within its mandate to the minister responsible for fisheries and aquaculture and the minister responsible for fisheries in the Government of Canada.

FICBA prohibits the right to strike or lockout, and requires the Panel to use either final offer selection or conventional arbitration in making their decisions.

STATEMENT OF WORK:
In concluding the work, the Consultant will:

1. Review sections 19.1-19.14 of the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act to determine if the collective bargaining model is still effective and responsive to the needs of the industry;
2. Conduct consultations with fish harvesters and processors and their respective organizations and any other interested parties with regard to the current collective bargaining model;
3. Report back to the Minister Responsible for Labour outlining the results of the review and, if deemed necessary, recommendations for change; and
4. Include in the report a list of all persons and groups who made representation during the consultation process and a summary of the information provided.

The post Public Advisory: Notice of Review and Request for Submissions for the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act appeared first on News Releases.

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

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Crown Zone 8 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2023-2027)     (Reg. 2210)
Proponent: Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

The proponent has submitted a five-year operating plan for Crown Planning Zone 8 (Forest Management Districts 17 and 18). Planning Zone 8 encompasses the majority of the Great Northern Peninsula, commencing at the northern boundary of Gros Morne National Park on the west side of the Peninsula and at Great Cat Arm on the eastern side of the Peninsula. The plan includes a description of proposed commercial and domestic timber harvesting operations, the construction forest access roads and silviculture activities. The plan covers the period from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2027. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on July 27, 2022. The deadline for public comments is September 1, 2022 and the minister’s decision is due by September 10, 2022.

Crown District 23 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2023-2027)   (Reg. 2209)
Proponents: Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture and Nunatsiavut
Government

The proponent has submitted a five-year operating plan for Crown District 23. District 23 encompasses 2.2 million hectares of boreal forest in Northern Labrador. The District is generally bound by the Labrador Coast to the east, Groswater Bay and Lake Melville to the south, the Mulligan and Red Wine Rivers to the west, and the Kanainktok Bay River and Bay to the north.  The plan includes a description of proposed commercial and domestic timber harvesting, the construction of forest access roads, and silviculture activities. The plan covers the period from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2027. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on July 27, 2022. The deadline for public comments is September 1, 2022 and the minister’s decision is due by September 10, 2022.

Crown District 19 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2023-2027)     (Reg. 2208)
Proponent: Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture and Innu Nation

The proponent has submitted a five-year operating plan for Forest Management District 19. Planning District 19 encompasses central Labrador and is generally bounded to the by the Mulligan and Red Wine Rivers to the north, by the height of land that separates the Kenamu River watershed from those flowing into the Labrador Sea to the east, by the height of land that separates the Gulf Watershed from those flowing into the Labrador Sea to the south, and by a line at longitude 61º 45′ to the west. The plan includes a description of proposed commercial and domestic timber harvesting, the construction of forest access roads and silviculture activities.  The plan covers the period from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2027. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on July 27, 2022. The deadline for public comments is September 1, 2022 and the minister’s decision is due by September 10, 2022.

Crown Zone 4 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2023-2027)     (Reg. 2207)
Proponent: Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

The proponent has submitted a five-year operating plan for Crown Planning Zone 4 (Forest Management District 7). Planning Zone 4 is located on the south coast of Newfoundland in the area of Bay d’Espoir. The northern boundary extends to Berry Hill Pond on the Bay d’Espoir highway and to Great Burnt Lake and Meelpaeg Lake in the northwest. The plan describes proposed commercial and domestic timber harvesting operations, the construction forest access roads, and silviculture activities. The plan covers the period from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2027. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on July 27, 2022. The deadline for public comments is September 1, 2022 and the minister’s decision is due by September 10, 2022.

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

Public comments may be forwarded to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca

Environmental assessment information is available at:

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

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/GUIDE-TO-THE-PROCESS_May-2022.pdf

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @ECC_GovNL

If you submit comments on a project that is under environmental assessment, please advise the Department if you DO NOT wish to share your comments with the project proponent.

Media contact
Debbie Marnell
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-2575, 699-9048
debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca

The post Environmental Assessment Bulletin appeared first on News Releases.

Dr. Rosann Seviour, Chief Medical Officer of Health (Acting), will hold a media availability today (Thursday, July 28) to discuss COVID vaccinations for children under five years of age.

The availability will take place in Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, at 2:00 p.m.

The availability will also be live-streamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Facebook account.

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Media contact
Nancy Hollett
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 327-7878
nancyhollett@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Dr. Seviour Available to Media to Discuss COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children appeared first on News Releases.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is advising of paving operations on a two-lane section of the Trans-Canada Highway near Norris Arm today (Thursday, July 28) and tomorrow (Friday, July 29).

The closure will commence at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday and reopen to traffic 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening. The road will close again Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. reopening to traffic 8:00 p.m. Friday evening.

While work is ongoing, both eastbound and westbound traffic will detour through the Town of Norris Arm via Route 351. Motorists are asked to reduce their speed, pay attention to traffic control, and travel cautiously trough the community.

The detour is necessary for the safety of motorists and crews working in the area and to avoid lengthy traffic delays.

A contract valued at approximately $5.4 million was awarded to Municipal Construction Limited in May to replace culverts and repave approximately 11.6 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway between Road to the Isles (Route 340) and Norris Arm this construction season.

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

Information on active highway construction projects and repairs is also available by visiting nl511.ca and on the NL 511 mobile app.

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Media contact
Kathryn Summers
Transportation and Infrastructure
709-729-1758, 699-6147
kathrynsummers@gov.nl.ca

The post Public Advisory: Temporary Detour Thursday and Friday in Central Newfoundland appeared first on News Releases.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has reached a tentative agreement with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE) for 16 collective agreements. These agreements are subject to ratification by over 21,000 NAPE members across the province.

NAPE will be presenting these tentative agreements to membership in the coming weeks. In order to respect NAPE’s ratification process, details on the agreements will be released upon ratification.

Quotes
“Members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE) deliver important services in communities throughout the province. I am pleased that a tentative agreement has been reached. I thank Minister Coady, NAPE President Jerry Earle, and their respective teams for their commitment and dedication to this process.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“I extend my thanks to the negotiating teams from the Provincial Government and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees for completing a challenging but respectful series of negotiations. I look forward to working with the union as they begin the ratification process with our public service employees who are members of NAPE.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board

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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

Victoria Barbour
Treasury Board Secretariat
709-729-4087, 327-6152
victoriabarbour@gov.nl.ca

The post Provincial Government Reaches Tentative Agreements with NAPE appeared first on News Releases.

Newfoundland and Labrador has its first probable case of monkeypox. Following clinical guidelines and recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the Imvamune vaccine is being offered to asymptomatic individuals who are considered close contact exposures to this probable case.

Dr. Rosann Seviour, Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, will hold a media availability today (Thursday, July 28) at 10:00 a.m. in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building to discuss Monkeypox.

The availability will be live-streamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Facebook account and on YouTube.

Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or the mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, nose, or mouth). The virus can also be spread by sharing clothing, bedding or common items that have been contaminated with the infected person’s fluids or sores. In most cases, monkeypox is usually a mild illness and most people recover on their own after a few weeks.

More information on the virus can be found here.

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Media contact
Laura Thomas
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986
laurathomas@gov.nl.ca

The post Public Advisory: First Probable Case of Monkeypox Detected in Province; Dr. Seviour Available to Media appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will attend the Whiteway Fifty Plus Garden Party tomorrow (Thursday, July 28).

The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Whiteway Memorial Centre, Community Garden and Gazebo, 420 Main Road, Whiteway.

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Media contact
Khadija Rehma
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
khadijarehma@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Minister Abbott to Attend Whiteway Fifty Plus Garden Party  appeared first on News Releases.

Today, the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development; together with the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Yvonne Jones, MP for Labrador, announced funding for Bell Canada to bring high-speed internet access to 694 households in the communities of Charlottetown, Lodge Bay, Mary’s Harbour, Port Hope-Simpson and Red Bay.

These new projects are part of a historic agreement between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada. On February 21, 2022, the governments announced their collaboration to support high-speed internet projects that will connect all remaining rural households in the province, which is being made possible by a joint federal-provincial investment of up to $136 million.

The Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada recognize the important role that access to high-speed internet will have in the economic recovery from the pandemic. Collaborating to provide better internet services to residents of rural, remote and northern communities in Newfoundland and Labrador will help create jobs and contribute to the economic growth of the entire province.

Quotes
“Our governments are committed to the people of Labrador and supporting all rural areas of the province in securing reliable high speed internet access. This is a great day for these communities, and we look forward to continuing to work together for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“We need to close the connectivity gap and ensure that every nook and cranny of Newfoundland and Labrador has access to reliable high-speed internet. Today’s announcement to connect more than 690 rural households in five communities in the province is great news for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Investments like these help create jobs, improve access to health care and online learning services, enhance safety and keep us connected to our loved ones. The Government of Canada will continue to make investments like these to help achieve our national target of connecting 98 percent of Canadians by 2026 and 100 percent by 2030.”
Honourable Gudie Hutchings
Federal Minister of Rural Economic Development

“Providing Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with reliable high speed internet access is a priority. Our $136 million collaboration with the Federal Government demonstrates our commitment to making this a reality for areas throughout the province, including the Labrador communities announced today.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs

“This is excellent news for Labrador as a whole! The pandemic has shown us how essential high-speed internet access has become. The Government of Canada understands that it is urgent and vital to connect rural and remote regions throughout Canada, including in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador

“We are pleased to continue our investment partnership with the Government of Canada to expand Bell’s all-fibre network. As the country’s largest investor in network infrastructure, including here in Newfoundland and Labrador and across the Atlantic region, Bell continues to deliver on our goal of advancing how Canadians connect with each other and the world.”
Glen LeBlanc
Bell CFO and Vice Chair, Atlantic Canada

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Learn more
Connecting Rural Households in Newfoundland and Labrador to High-Speed Internet

Universal Broadband Fund

High-speed Internet for all of Canada

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @OLA_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

Jeremy Bellefeuille
Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development
343-551-0898
jeremy.bellefeuille@ised-isde.gc.ca

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
media@ised-isde.gc.ca

The post Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Government of Canada Invest to Bring High-Speed Internet to Five Communities in Labrador appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills will be attending meetings with his Federal, Provincial and Territorial immigration counterparts in Saint John, New Brunswick on July 27 and 28.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s focus on provincially-driven immigration is resulting in strong performance, with 2021 being the province’s best-year-ever for immigration, and has helped to fuel five consecutive quarters of population growth.

Minister Byrne looks forward to exploring avenues to ensure even stronger provincial-federal partnership in immigration, in order to find continued success and move toward the goal of welcoming 5,100 newcomers annually by 2026.

Points for discussion to include:

• A greater presence of federal immigration officials in Newfoundland and Labrador to respond to the service needs of newcomers and employers in this province;
• Faster processing times for immigration and work permit applications;
• A targeted program that will enable Ukrainians who wish to stay in Canada to apply for Permanent Residency;
• Increased immigration spaces reserved for Newfoundland and Labrador under both the Provincial Nominee Program and Atlantic Immigration Program; and
• Increased support for our federally designated settlement service provider, the Association for New Canadians.

Minister Byrne will be joining other Ministers at a press conference at 4:00 p.m. AST on July 28, 2022.

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Media contact
Jeremy Reynolds
Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
709-729-2377, 691-2298
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Minister Byrne to Attend Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meetings in Saint John, New Brunswick appeared first on News Releases.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has awarded a contract valued at approximately $550,000 to Bursey Excavating & Development Inc. to begin remediation at the proposed site of the new adult correctional facility.

Remediation of the 12-hectare site, located near the intersection of Harding Road and East White Hills Road in St. John’s, will include clearing of land, removal and disposal of soil at a licensed soil recycling facility, as well as the removal, transportation, and disposal of all other materials, such as concrete debris, encountered within the site boundary.

The department anticipates this work being completed later this year.

The proposal for a new correctional facility from Avalon Corrections Partners is also due later this year.

The new correctional facility is planned to accommodate 264 medium and high security incarcerated individuals, with 12 beds for community reintegration and will allow for more programming and better mental health services for inmates as well as an improved working environment for staff.

Quotes
“This remediation process is an important next step to replace Her Majesty’s Penitentiary with a modern, correctional facility. While there is still much work to be done, we are excited to take this important step in clearing the site for the new adult correctional facility.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“Our government remains committed to improving correctional facilities within the province and I am pleased to see the remediation process begin. This is an important step in creating a facility that will increase safety for inmates and staff, and will allow for increased programming and services.”
Honourable John Hogan
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

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Learn more

Update Provided on Correctional Facility Procurement

Government Improving Correctional Facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @TI_GovNL and @JPS_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

Media contacts
Kathryn Summers
Transportation and Infrastructure
709-729-1758, 699-6147
kathrynsummers@gov.nl.ca

Emily Jane-Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-2634, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca

The post Remediation to Begin at New Adult Correctional Facility Site appeared first on News Releases.

The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, through Salmonier Nature Park is now accepting applications for the fall workshop of the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program. The workshop is scheduled to take place September 9-11 at the Burry Heights Camp on Salmonier Line.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program in Newfoundland and Labrador. The program is an international program started to help women learn outdoor skills, increase confidence in outdoor pursuits and to help build better awareness of our natural environment through hands-on experience.

The Becoming an Outdoors Woman weekend is open to women 18 years of age and older. During a the weekend, participants have an opportunity to learn the basics in a variety of activities such as canoeing, fly casting, filleting fish and cooking in the outdoors, navigation in the outdoors, wildlife and plant identification, safe handling and use of firearms and archery equipment and many more activities.

The workshop fee is $275 and includes accommodations, meals and course materials. Registration packages are available by emailing salmoniernaturepark@gov.nl.ca.

In addition to the Provincial Government, major sponsors for these events include the non-profit organization Friends of Salmonier Nature Park and Wildlife Habitat Canada as well as other provincial organizations, volunteers and local businesses. For more information on these and other upcoming outdoor events and workshops, please contact salmoniernaturepark@gov.nl.ca or phone 709-229-7888.

Quotes
“We continue to support programs like this one, and the Becoming an Outdoors Family program, to help build awareness of outdoor pursuits. Whether it is fishing, identifying local plants and animals, archery, or navigating the outdoors, participants from past courses have praised the program, saying what a great experience is was and how much they learned over the course of the weekend. I encourage anyone with an interest to register.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

“For 25 years, women in our province have had the opportunity to learn and grow their outdoor skills through the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program. I encourage all women to take part in the program this fall to help increase their confidence in outdoor skills, and also as a way to enjoy the nature of our province.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

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Learn more
Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop

Friends of Salmonier Nature Park

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Media contacts
Erin Shea
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-729-3733
erinshea@gov.nl.ca

Angela Picco
Office of Women and Gender Equality
709-729-4934, 687-4753
angelapicco@gov.nl.ca

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The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, today announced $20,000 to support Clean Harbours Initiative, through ACAP Humber Arm, to complete the retrofitting of the organization’s boat to help with underwater marine debris clean-up throughout the province.

Established in 2018, Clean Harbours Initiative has been raising awareness and taking action to address the issue of ocean trash. In just four years, the initiative has resulted in the removal of approximately 200,000 pounds of ocean trash, including just over 3,000 car tires and over 35 ghost nets.

To expand this work, Clean Harbours Initiative is retrofitting and converting its boat to be able to increase the amount of trash collected per day by approximately 33 per cent. Through funding provided by the Provincial Government, this retrofit is now complete.

Quotes
“The work of Clean Harbours Initiative is incredibly important, not just from an environmental perspective, but to support efforts to build vibrant, sustainable communities throughout the province. The remarkable work and success to date in removing trash from harbours is helping to create communities where people want to live, work and raise a family.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs

“I commend Clean Harbours Initiative for their efforts to reduce plastic waste in the province and protect the environment for future generations. This funding will assist in the important work that the volunteer group is doing for our province to reduce waste in our harbours.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“On behalf of Clean Harbours Initiative we would like to thank the Provincial Government and ACAP Humber Arm for once again working together to help us to acquire another essential piece of equipment needed to increase the amount of ocean trash we are able to recover.”
Shawn Bath
Founder, Clean Harbours Initiative

“With potential leaching of chemicals and toxins, destruction of habitat, ingestion and entanglement, subsurface marine debris poses serious detrimental threats to our coastal environments and marine life. We are pleased to see the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognize that this is a not an out-of-sight, out-of-mind issue, and support the work of ACAP Humber Arm, Clean Harbour Initiative, and other like minded organizations as we attempt to restore our near shore coastal environments and educate to prevent re-accumulation of subsurface marine debris.”
Sheldon Peddle
Executive Director, ACAP – Humber Arm

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Learn more
Clean Harbours Initiative

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Media contacts
Lynn Robinson
Municipal and Provincial Affairs
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

Shawn Bath
Clean Harbours Initiative
709-683-7683
cleanharboursNL@hotmail.com

Sheldon Peddle
ACAP – Humber Arm
709-637-4222
speddle@acaphumberarm.com

The post Provincial Government Assistance Helps Clean Harbours Initiative Expand Capacity appeared first on News Releases.

The Provincial Government today provided an update on its multi-stage process to enable wind generation in Newfoundland and Labrador. This follows the announcement on April 5, 2022 of lifting the moratorium on wind development, creating an opportunity for industrial customers to generate wind energy for their own consumption and wind generation for export.

In order to ensure a fair and transparent process for all interested parties, the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology is launching a call for the submission of Nominations of Areas of Interest for wind energy projects in the province. The call is open for any available Crown lands within the province. Interested respondents are not limited to a geographic size for a given submission, or in the number of submissions. A guidelines document is available here. Nominations begin today, and close on October 1, 2022.

Following assessment of the land nominations received, a competitive land bid process will be launched later this year. While some companies may have already submitted a request for Crown lands for wind development, no Crown lands have been approved and will not be awarded until a competitive bid process occurs. More information will be available in the coming weeks.

In addition, companies are required to register wind development projects for environmental assessment; however, an environmental assessment approval does not mean that the project will proceed.

The Provincial Government launched the Province’s Renewable Energy Plan in December 2021. One of the short-term commitments in the plan was to review the wind moratorium policy on the Island Interconnected Electricity System. This was an initial step in a multi-stage process to enable wind generation in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador has some of the best wind resources in North America. My department has been engaged with a number of companies interested in exploring industrial development and we know they are anxious to get further information on the multi-stage process. As we work to develop the policies to allow wind development, we need to ensure a fair and transparent process while recognizing that this resource and these opportunities belong to the people of the province. We must ensure that any decisions we make are in the best interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, now and into the future.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“I am pleased to see the development of alternative energy sources in this province. The level of interest in our wind and hydrogen energy potential is indicative of the role we can play in the vital global transition to a green economy. Technologies such as these will be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable energy future. All proposed projects will undergo the province’s comprehensive and rigorous environmental assessment process, which includes an opportunity for the public and interested parties to provide feedback and comments before any decision is made.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

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Learn more
Guidelines: Nominating Crown Lands for Wind Energy Projects

Ministerial Statement – Minister Parsons Announces End of Moratorium on Wind Development

News Release: Minister Parsons Launches Renewable Energy Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador

Renewable Energy Plan: Maximizing Our Renewable Future

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Media contacts
Kelly-Anne Roberts
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-729-5248, 327-7005
kelly-anneroberts@gov.nl.ca

Lynn Robinson
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

The post Update Provided on Wind Development Process appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, will announce support for the Clean Harbours Initiative, tomorrow (Wednesday, July 27) at 11:00 a.m. at Atlantic Recreation, 17 Corey King Drive, Mount Pearl. Minister Howell will be joined by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Shawn Bath, founder of Clean Harbours Initiative.

Clean Harbours Initiative was established in 2018 to remove trash from harbours and educate the public about threats to the ocean environment posed by marine plastics and abandoned fishing gear.

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Media contacts
Lynn Robinson
Municipal and Provincial Affairs
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

 

The post Media Advisory: Support for Clean Harbours Initiative to be Announced appeared first on News Releases.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada have received approval from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in London on the National War Memorial Centennial Project. A special component of this project is the repatriation of an Unknown First World War Solider from Northern France. This soldier will be re-interred in a specifically designed tomb at the National War Memorial in St. John’s to represent Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served in all branches of the military.

The National War Memorial Centennial Project was initiated in 2019 as a partnership between the Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The repatriation of an Unknown Soldier component was spearheaded in 2020 by the Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command.

The National War Memorial Centennial Project will be unveiled on July 1, 2024. More information on the project can be found in the backgrounder below.

Quotes
“It is an honour for the Provincial Government to partner with the Federal Government and the Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command on the National War Memorial Centennial Project. Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in Canada to have a National War Memorial, and now, we will be the only one to have a dedicated tomb component. This is a reflection of our unique political history and a testament to the important role we had during the World Wars. Today’s announcement is an acknowledgement of Newfoundland and Labrador’s status during the First World War, and the efforts and sacrifices of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“This Unknown Soldier will represent all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who fought and died in the First World War. Whoever the Unknown Soldier was, and whatever the Unknown Soldier did, we know he was from Newfoundland and Labrador. Soon he will be back, to rest for all eternity in the place that he called home. I thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and The Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Command for their work and support on this remarkable project.”
Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

“The Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial commemorates all those from Newfoundland and Labrador who died in the First World War and who have no known grave. The repatriation of an Unknown Solider represents the service and sacrifice of all of those of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve, and the Newfoundland Mercantile Marine. We will always remember and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and did extraordinary things for our freedom.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“We remember the dead, so that the living may know upon whose shoulders we now stand. We honour the young men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who died on hallowed ground and know no marked resting place – whose families had no grave to visit, no body of their own to bury. The Unknown Soldier being laid to rest here at the National War Memorial in St. John’s will join the statues and stone as an eternal reminder of war’s cost; its casualties; and its heroes.”
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr.
Minister of Labour and MP for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl

“We are proud to have been able to facilitate this exceptional step for the repatriation of a Newfoundland soldier from the Western Front who, though unknown, represents the collective contribution and sacrifice of all those who lost their lives in conflict, from Newfoundland and Labrador, for the freedoms we all enjoy today.”
Claire Horton, CBE
Director General
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

“In 1919, Padre Thomas Nangle of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment had a vision, a dream of a National War Memorial in St. John’s to remember our fallen. Work commenced in 1919 and during this time, he requested the repatriation of an Unknown Soldier to be part of this memorial. The request was never actioned. With this approval to repatriate an Unknown Soldier by Sir Bill Rollo and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the Rededication in 2024, his vision, his dream will be complete.”
Frank Sullivan
Royal Canadian Legion
Newfoundland and Labrador Command

“The First and Second Battalions of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, and the wider Regimental Family are proud that the Unknown Soldier, who honours and represents the service and sacrifice of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, comes from our Regiment and the sacred battlefield of Beaumont Hamel. The Regiment’s sacrifice at Beaumont Hamel was one of the pivotal moments in our province’s long distinguished history of military service. Ours is a history that was born in battle and written in blood. As the current custodians of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, our soldiers today come from across the province and serve in honour of those brave soldiers who went before us. The repatriation of one of our own serves as a poignant reminder of the exceptional sacrifices of all those who serve our nation. Through our Unknown Soldier, we will remember them.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence Hatfield
Commanding Officer, First and Second Battalions
The Royal Newfoundland Regiment

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Learn more
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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468
media@veterans.gc.ca

Erika Lashbrook Knutson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
erika.lashbrookknutson@veterans.gc.ca

Tina Newhook
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-4570, 728-2837
tinanewhook@gov.nl.ca

Daniel Pollak
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Labour
343-551-7558
daniel.pollak@labour-travail.gc.ca

Lewis Brown
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
lewis.brown@cwgc.org

Paul Hillier
Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command
phillier@legionnl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

National War Memorial Centennial Project including Repatriation of an Unknown First World War Soldier from Beaumont-Hamel

Background
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has sought the Government of Canada’s support for the repatriation of an Unknown Newfoundland Soldier from a First World War cemetery in France to St. John’s.

This fallen soldier will symbolically honour Newfoundland and Labrador’s war dead from the years before the province became part of Canada in 1949. The process will be to select this Unknown Soldier, transport the remains home and re-inter him in St. John’s. This is similar to the process followed when Canada established the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa in 2000.

Achievements to Date

• In March 2022, the Honorable Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on behalf of the Government of Canada, officially requested permission from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to exhume a Newfoundland Unknown Soldier from the Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial site.
• On 23 June 2022, CWGC Commissioners approved the Government of Canada’s request.
• The CWGC has conducted initial research and analysis to establish a selection criteria to identify the appropriate grave site.
• Veterans Affairs Canada is working with the CWGC to determine the appropriate cemetery, and ultimately grave, to exhume from. Ground testing of various sites and locations is being undertaken to determine the viability of certain grave sites. This includes understanding whether the ground (graves) has shifted, and if there is indeed one set of remains attached to each headstone. The number of casualties buried more than a century ago is unknown. We need to ensure that exhumation involves a single soldier and that the ability to individually identify him is not present. CWGC will prepare a report related to this work.

Next Steps

• CWGC will determine and identify the chosen gravesite to be exhumed.
• Exhume and repatriate remains to Canada.
• Planning meetings are ongoing between various stakeholders and partners.
• Repatriation of remains from France to Canada.
• The National War Memorial Centennial Project will be unveiled on 1 July 2024. This coincides with the centennial of the Newfoundland National War Memorial, and the 108th anniversary of the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)

• The Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission was the very first war grave organization. It was created by Royal Charter in 1917 to mark and maintain the graves of members of Commonwealth forces killed in the First World War (and later the Second World War), build memorials to those who have no known grave, and keep records and registers of war dead.
• The Governments of Belgium and France recognize the CWGC as the sole authority charged on behalf of the Commonwealth countries with the permanent care of Commonwealth war cemeteries, graves and memorials.
• The CWGC cares for the graves and memorials of 1.7 million Commonwealth war dead in 150 countries and territories including the cemetery at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial in France. More than 110,000 of those war dead are Canadians, and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
• In addition to Canada, the other CWGC member governments are Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

The post Provincial and Federal Governments Receive Approval on National War Memorial Centennial Project Including Repatriation of an Unknown First World War Soldier from Northern France appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, along with the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make an announcement on wind development processes.

The event will take place today (Tuesday, July 26) in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

The announcement will be live-streamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Facebook account and on YouTube.

Technical Briefing

Prior to the announcement, a technical briefing for media will be provided at 1:30 p.m. in the media centre. An embargoed copy of the presentation will be provided to registered media at 1:15 p.m.

To participate, please RSVP to Jillian Hood (jillianhood@gov.nl.ca) who will provide the details and the required information.

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Media contact
Kelly-Anne Roberts
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-729-5248, 327-7005
kelly-anneroberts@gov.nl.ca

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