Government of Newfoundland News

The House of Assembly advises that media requiring access to Colonial Building for House proceedings on Wednesday, October 5 and Thursday, October 6 will be required to pre-register. Some media capacity will be available in the gallery of the Assembly Chamber, with remaining capacity allocated in the Legislative Council Chamber, where a live video feed of proceedings will be available.

Media must pre-register with Mark Jerrett (markjerrett@gov.nl.ca or 729-6943) by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5.  

Media are also advised that access to the Chamber floor for the purposes of videography/photography during the Speech from the Throne will not be permitted due to space constraints, but media may take video/photos from the gallery. A video feed will also be available in the Legislative Council Chamber and on the House of Assembly website, and photos of the Thorne Speech will be available to media upon request. The Legislative Council Chamber will also serve as the designated area for media interviews.

Media can access Colonial Building via the east ground floor entrance (off Bannerman Road). Limited parking will be available at Commissariat House.

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Media contact
Bobbi Russell
Policy and Communications Officer
House of Assembly
709-729-1178
bobbirussell@gov.nl.ca

 

 

The post Media Advisory: Media Access to Colonial Building for House of Assembly Proceedings appeared first on News Releases.

The Protected Road Zoning Plan for Phase III of the Trans-Labrador Highway (Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Cartwright Junction) is now in legal effect. Protected Road Zoning Plans are developed under the authority of the Urban and Rural Planning Act and the Protected Road Zoning Regulations to ensure control of development along provincial highways. Protected Road Zoning Plans are now in place on the Trans-Labrador Highway from Labrador City to Red Bay.

Most major and secondary highways within the province are designated as protected roads. Any proposed development adjacent to those highways must conform to zoning and regulations established for that area.

Public consultations were conducted on the development of the plan as well as consultations with Indigenous Governments and Organizations and municipalities in the development planning area. The final stage of consultation was held in June 2022 with a public hearing by an independent commissioner to consider objections and representation on the plan.

Registered documents and maps related to the Trans-Labrador Highway Phase III Protected Road Zoning Plan can be found here.

Quotes
“This is the third phase of the Protected Road Zoning Plans for the Trans-Labrador Highway, and will be used to manage land use within the protected road building control line of the highway. This will help ensure public safety, traffic efficiency, and provide for consistent development across the full extent of the Trans-Labrador Highway.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs

“The Protected Road Zoning Plans for the Trans-Labrador Highway will help guide potential development opportunities arising from the completion of the highway and the growing tourism industry of the region for the benefit of highway users.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

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Media contacts
Jacquelyn Howard
Municipal and Provincial Affairs
709-729-5539, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs Secretariat
709-896-7935, 899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca

The post Protected Road Zoning Plan in Place for Phase III Trans-Labrador Highway appeared first on News Releases.

As a result of ratification votes held on Saturday, October 1, 2022, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to announce that collective agreements have been reached with 13 bargaining units represented by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE). With this result, collective agreements for 97 per cent of the nearly 20,000 public service employees represented by NAPE have been ratified and will proceed to signing.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and NAPE worked together to reach a fair and responsible agreement that is intended to strengthen our public service. Highlights of the agreements include:

• A two per cent wage increase each year for four years;
• A one-time employee recognition bonus payment of $2,000;
• Increases to travel on employer’s business provisions, including meal allowances and various reimbursements for vehicle usage;
• Increases to protective clothing and uniform allowances;
• The formation of a joint committee to identify issues with recruitment and retention in all NAPE bargaining units;
• A review of the current policies and practices regarding e-work arrangements within government and its entities, including the regional health authorities;
• Flexibility for employees to substitute a statutory holiday such that they may observe a non-Christian faith based holiday;
• An increase in maternity, adoption and parental leave without pay to seventy-eight weeks; and
• The addition of paid family violence leave, providing the ability for employees to take time away from the workplace.

These agreements are for a term of four years.

Three collective bargaining groups did not ratify the tentative agreement. The Air Services, Correctional Officers, and Marine Services groups represent a total of approximately 650 public service employees.

Since the beginning of 2022, agreements have been ratified or signed with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association, the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association Labrador West Collective Agreement, the Professional Association of Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees. Negotiations are commencing with other public sector unions in the province in the coming weeks.

Quote
“I extend my thanks to the negotiating teams from government and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees for collectively accomplishing a fair and responsible agreement that recognizes the important work of our employees in the public service. These agreements provide new terms and conditions of employment that will benefit our public service. I am pleased that 13 agreements will proceed to signing, representing approximately 97 per cent of our public service employees represented by the union. We will engage with NAPE concerning the three agreements that were not ratified.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board

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Learn more
Provincial Government and Professional Association of Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador Sign Collective Agreement

Provincial Government Reaches Tentative Agreements with NAPE

Provincial Government and Labrador West Teachers Ratify Tentative Agreement 

Provincial Government and Dentists Sign Agreements

Provincial Government and Physicians Sign Memorandum of Agreement

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

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

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador joins with the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador to recognize October as Islamic History Month.

Islamic History Month recognizes the expanding role that Muslim communities play in Newfoundland and Labrador. Muslim Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are making indelible contributions to many fields that further the public good, such as healthcare, engineering, science, research, education and the public service.

Muslim communities here are also diverse, with ties to a vast number of countries from around the world, and represent one of the fastest-growing populations in the province. The Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador estimates that from just two dozen families when the association was first incorporated in the early 1980s, there are now more than 7,500 Muslims residing in communities throughout the province.

While the St. John’s metro region has traditionally been where Muslims have settled, Muslim communities are growing in other areas, such as Gander where efforts continue towards building the province’s second mosque. The first mosque in the province, the Masjid Al-Noor mosque on Logy Bay Road in St. John’s, became fully operational as a place of worship and a cultural centre in October, 1990.

To learn more about Islamic history in Newfoundland and Labrador, please visit the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador website or email manal@manal.ca.

Quotes
“It has been an honour to have celebrated important events, such as Eid al-Fitr, with Muslim neighbours, colleagues and friends, and to witness the tremendous growth of Muslim communities in every corner of our province. We remain steadfast in our commitment to support Muslims in Newfoundland and Labrador as they continue to make important contributions to our province.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

“I thank Minister Byrne and the Provincial Government for continuing to be a friend and engaging with us to advance the interests of Muslims in Newfoundland and Labrador, including taking action to combat Islamophobia. Anyone who wishes to learn more about our community, any time of year but especially during Islamic History Month, is welcome to connect with the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Dr. Syed Pirzada
President, Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn more
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @IPGS_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

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

The post Newfoundland and Labrador Recognizes October as Islamic History Month appeared first on News Releases.

The following is being distributed at the request of Her Honour, the Honourable Judy M. Foote P.C., O.N.L, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador:

The Honourable Judy M. Foote, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Chancellor of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be joined by the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, at the investiture ceremony for recipients of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m., at Colonial Building, 90 Military Road, St. John’s.

The ceremony will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.

Media representatives planning to cover the ceremony are asked to RSVP with Samantha Harding (samanthaharding@gov.nl.ca) before Monday, October 3 at 12:00 p.m.

Media are asked to be in place by 1:15 p.m. Due to building capacity limits, no cameras or reporters will be permitted in the ceremony room. Media will be situated in an adjacent room and an audio and video feed will be provided.

1:15 p.m.       Media representatives in place to cover investiture; enter through the side entrance

1:30 p.m. –     Recipients and guests arrive at Colonial Building

1:45 p.m.

2:00 p.m.        Investiture Ceremony

The eight inductees for this year are Robert W. Cormier, C.M., Dr. Catherine Donovan, Alan Thomas Doyle, C.M., Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Carla Emerson Furlong, Joseph D. Goudie, Dr. Proton Rahman and Maxwell (Max) Short.

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Avis aux médias : Cérémonie d’investiture de l’Ordre de Terre‑Neuve‑et‑Labrador

Media contacts
Samantha Harding
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
709-729-4494
samanthaharding@gov.nl.ca

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

The post Media Advisory: Order of Newfoundland and Labrador Investiture Ceremony appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, will be participating in events in observance of the Day for Truth and Reconciliation tomorrow (Friday, September 30).

Events honouring survivors and raising awareness about the legacy of residential schools are taking place at 1:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building, located at 212 Hamilton River Road in Happy Valley-Goose Bay; from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Kinsmen Park in Happy Valley-Goose Bay; and from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Labrador Interpretation Centre, located at 2 Portage Road in North West River.

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Media contact
Allan Bock
Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
709-899-6446
AllanBock@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Minister Dempster Participating in Events Marking the Day for Truth and Reconciliation 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.

UNDERTAKING REGISTERED:

Conception Bay South Pyrophyllite Processing Facility                (Reg. 2219)
And Mine Development
Proponent: Trinity Resources Limited

The proponent is proposing to install a processing facility at its existing mine site that would separate mined and stockpiled ore into various products. The processing facility would allow a complete reclamation of existing stockpiles and would eliminate future stockpiles from being created during mine development. Active mining operations in the Oval Pit and Mine Hill deposits would be re-established and a 1.3 kilometre by-pass road would be constructed. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at:  www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on September 28, 2022; the deadline for public comment is November 3, 2022; and the minister’s decision is due November 12, 2022.

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC REVIEW:
Port au Port-Stephenville Wind Power and Hydrogen Generation Project (Project Nujio’qonik GH2)
Proponent: World Energy GH2 Inc.                                                      (Reg. 2202) 

The proposed Port au Port-Stephenville Wind Power and Hydrogen Generation Project (Project Nujio’qonik GH2) Project is undergoing a provincial environmental assessment, and an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required. The environmental assessment committee has prepared draft EIS guidelines that identify the information that must be included in the EIS. The public is invited to review these guidelines and provide written comments by November 8, 2022. Comments received will be reviewed and considered before the EIS guidelines are finalized and issued to the proponent.

More information on the project is available on the department’s website at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/2202-2/

Written comments must be submitted by November 8, 2022, to:

Eric Watton, M.Sc.
Project EA Committee Chair
Environmental Assessment Division
Department of Environment and Climate Change
West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s NL  A1B 4J6
Email: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca

Environmental Preview Report Submitted:
Rennies River Flood Mitigation                                                             (Reg. 2115)
Portugal Cove Road to Kings Bridge Road
Proponent: City of St. John’s

The proponent has submitted an environmental preview report (EPR) for the above undertaking as required by the minister. The EPR document is available on the department’s webpage at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2115/ . Public comments regarding the EPR are welcome and may be emailed to the Chair of the environmental assessment committee, Vicki Ficzere, at EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca or they may be mailed to the address below;

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 must be received by November 3, 2022. The minister’s decision on the EPR is due November 12, 2022.

UNDERTAKING RELEASED:

Cavendish Beef Farm                                                                               (Reg. 2002)
Proponent: Viking Fur Inc.

On September 29, 2022, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change informed Viking Fur Inc. that under the authority of Section 67(3) (a) of the Environmental Protection Act, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council has released the Cavendish Beef Farm Project from further environmental assessment, subject to the following terms and conditions:

2022. The proponent shall adhere to all mitigation, monitoring and commitments stated in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submitted on March 25, 2022.

 

1. The proponent shall submit an Odour Control Management Plan (OCMP) for all applicable farming construction and operations activities, for the Minister’s approval, prior to the start of forage and pasture land construction. The OCMP shall describe odour sources, mitigations, public consultation and methods for compliant reporting and resolution. The proponent must consult with the Departments of Environment and Climate Change and Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture and Digital Government and Service NL for further details in the development of this OCMP.
2. The proponent shall submit an Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) for all applicable farming construction and operations activities, for the Minister’s approval, prior to the start of forage and pasture land construction. The EPP shall describe the environmental protection and mitigation measures that will be applied throughout the life of the Project to avoid or minimize potential negative effects on the environment associated with the Project, and shall be updated by the Proponent as needed.
3. The proponent shall submit an Environmental Effects Monitoring Plan (EEMP) with a Follow-up Plan for the monitoring of effects from the farm for the Minister’s approval, prior to the start of operations. Viking Fur Inc. must consult with the Departments of Environment and Climate Change and Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture and Digital Government and Service NL for further details in the development of this EEMP.
4. The proponent is required to advise the Environmental Assessment Division when the conditions of release have been met, by emailing a written description, documents, and images (where applicable) to demonstrate that the conditions have been fulfilled to EAProjectComments@qov.nl.ca.
5. The proponent is required to update the Environmental Assessment Division on the status of the project, including a copy of all permits, licenses, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the project, one year from the date of this release letter and to provide additional updates if requested.

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.

The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation and Minister of Labrador Affairs, and Scott Reid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Education with the NunatuKavut Community Council tomorrow (Friday, September 30).

Minister Dempster and Parliamentary Secretary Reid will be joined by Todd Russell, President, NunatuKavut Community Council and Christina White, Director of Schools, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District at this signing.

The event will take place at Queen Peace Middle School, Happy Valley – Goose Bay beginning at 7:00 p.m.

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Media contacts
Nancy Hollett
Education
709-729-1906, 327-7878
nancyhollett@gov.nl.ca

Allan Bock
Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
709-896-7935, 899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Memorandum of Understanding on Education to be Signed in Happy Valley-Goose Bay appeared first on News Releases.

Individual homeowners, tenants, small business owners, not for profit organizations and local service districts are advised that applications for the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements Program are now being accepted.

The Provincial Government has applied to the Federal Government to recover eligible expenses associated with damages and will work to maximize benefits that are applicable for coverage under the federal disaster funding assistance program. Compensation for damages caused by Hurricane Fiona will be based on criteria established by the federal disaster financial assistance programs.

Individual homeowners, tenants, small business owners, not for profit organizations and local service districts are advised that applications and information sheets for the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements Program are available online. This information can also be obtained by calling 1-888-395-5611.

The deadline to submit a claim is January 31, 2023.

The program is not an insurance program and only allows for compensation for items that are deemed essential. Residents are encouraged to contact their insurance companies first as compensation is not normally paid on items that are insurable.

Once it is safe, as you assess property for damage, communities, small business owners, non-for-profit organizations and home owners are encouraged to:

1. Contact their insurance provider to inquire on any coverage that may be available.
2. Record details of damage using photos and video if possible.
3. Restore your property or municipal infrastructure to good order as soon as possible and when it is safe to do so.
4. Be sure to keep invoices and payment receipts for any work completed.

For impacted individuals that are in need of financial, housing and other immediate supports, it is critical that they register with the Canadian Red Cross by calling toll-free at 1-800-863-6582 or visiting the emergency shelter at St. James Regional High School located at 200 Hardys Arterial Road, Channel-Port aux Basques.

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

The post Public Advisory: Financial Assistance for Residents and Communities Affected by Hurricane Fiona appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, will speak at the 18th Annual Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA) Conference in St. John’s on Saturday, October 1.

The event will take place at the Delta Hotel, 120 New Gower Street, Salon A, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

CADDRA is an independent, not-for-profit resource organization for medical, healthcare and research professionals with an interest in the field of ADHD.

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Media contact
Tina Coffey
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Minister Osborne to Speak at Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance Conference in St. John’s appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will join representatives of the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association to proclaim National Foster Families Month on Monday, October 3.

The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Association’s office, located at 90 O’Leary Avenue, Suite 211, St. John’s.

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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 Proclaim National Foster Families Month appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, in partnership with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC), will move forward with plans to address the recommendations made by Ms. Harriet Lewis through her independent workplace review of the RNC. The report includes nine recommendations, which have all been accepted in principle and which will help improve community safety and security by contributing to a positive work environment for civilian and uniform RNC employees.

Following receipt of the report, work began to review the recommendations and determine next steps. A working group was formed consisting of leadership from the Department of Justice and Public Safety and the RNC, which meets regularly. This group will oversee work that needs to be completed.  They will determine the feasibility of each recommendation and develop a work plan for implementation.

It is anticipated the recommendations will need to be addressed in the short, medium and long term, with some work already underway by the RNC.

The objective of the independent workplace review was to assess and make recommendations to maintain and improve a healthy workplace at the RNC, as well as provide police officers and staff with a supportive environment. Specifically, the review considered workplace culture, internal communications, internal conflict management and adequacy of wellness supports for both police officers and civilian employees.

Quote
“We recognize the importance of having effective and efficient policing in this province. The work the department is doing with the RNC to review these recommendations is part of ensuring that the RNC can focus on the safety and security of our communities by providing both civilian and uniform employees with a positive work environment. The department will work closely with the RNC and other stakeholders as we move forward to address the findings in the report.”
Honourable John Hogan
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

“The focus here is providing a safe, supportive and professional workplace for all civilians and officers of the RNC, promoting their ability to provide the highest standard of police service to our communities. The RNC is dedicated to working with the Department of Justice and Public Safety to develop a framework in order to implement the recommendations put forward by the Workplace Review Report. The RNC executive team extends sincere gratitude to our employees for participating in this important process.”
Deputy Chief Stephanie Lagace
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary

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Learn more
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Workplace Review

Workplace Review of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Complete

Minister Hogan Announces Workplace Review of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @JPS_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

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

Cst. James Cadigan #775
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
709-729-8658
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca

The post Work Underway to Advance Recommendations from Independent Review of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary appeared first on News Releases.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2022-020 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-2022-020 Report Date: September 23, 2022 Public Body: Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Summary: The Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health information received an access to information request for emails related to the 2021 cyber attack. The Centre released three pages of records and withheld 208 pages, claiming sections 29 (policy advice and recommendations), and 30 (legal advice). The Complainant argued that there was sufficient public interest to engage section 9 (public interest override). The Commissioner considered the application of section 30 and determined that the Centre had met the burden of establishing that the exception applied. However, the Commissioner was unable to determine whether the public interest override in section 9 applies to the records. Nonetheless, the Commissioner recommended continued withholding.

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

The post Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner – Report A-2022-020 Released appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, along with Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, today announced cost-shared funding of over $133,000 for an efficiency and fuel switching project for the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s. The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 tonnes annually.

The funding will be used to replace the oil heating system in the town’s municipal public works depot with electric heat pumps. This is the town’s last municipal building to be electrified.

The Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s is receiving $53,336 from the Federal Government and $44,442 from the Provincial Government, with the town contributing $35,561 in support of the energy efficiency project.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Climate Change Challenge Fund is a competitive grant-based program to fund greenhouse gas reduction projects. The fund supports projects that lower greenhouse gas emissions and is available to organizations across commercial, municipal, not-for-profit sectors and Indigenous governments and organizations. The Department of Environment and Climate Change is responsible for programs totaling approximately $44 million of the $89.4 million Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund agreement.

Quotes
“Every action we take today to reduce greenhouse gas emissions helps us build a stronger tomorrow. The Provincial Government is pleased to support the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s as they work to become more energy efficient and to reduce their carbon footprint.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“By working with the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, we can help the community save money on monthly operating costs and grow the economy, all while fighting climate change. Through the Low Carbon Economy Fund, our government partners with climate leaders nationwide to cut emissions and will continue to do so through a renewed commitment of an additional $2.2 billion, an important part of Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. Bravo to the leadership shown by the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s for helping to keep our air clean and build resilient communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Joanne Thompson
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“The Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s is delighted to take this positive step forward as part of our commitment to climate change mitigation and the reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions.”
Carol McDonald
Mayor, Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s

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Learn more
Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund

Low Carbon Economy Fund

Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy

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

Kaitlin Power
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-230-1557
kaitlin.power@ec.gc.ca

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
media@ec.gc.ca

Stephanie Tucker
Director of Economic Development, Marketing and Communications
Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s
709-895-8000 ext. 271
www.pcsp.ca

The post Provincial and Federal Governments Support Energy Efficiency Project for the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s appeared first on News Releases.

The House of Assembly advises that the Fall sitting will begin on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., at which time Her Honour, the Honourable Judy M. Foote, P.C., O.N.L, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, will prorogue the First Session of the 50th General Assembly. The ceremony will take place at Confederation Building and the visitor gallery will be open to the public.

On Wednesday, October 5 at 2:00 p.m., Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor will deliver the Speech from the Throne to officially open the Second Session of the 50th General Assembly at Colonial Building. Access to the visitor gallery for the Throne Speech will be by invitation only.

The House will also sit at Colonial Building on Thursday, October 6 at 1:30 p.m. for routine proceedings and Government business. There will be limited visitor gallery capacity, available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors wishing to access the gallery can enter Colonial Building via the ground floor entrance on the west side (facing Bannerman Park), starting at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Bags/backpacks will not be permitted, except for small bags of a personal or medical nature. Limited public parking will be available at Commissariat House.

The House will not sit on Monday, October 10 in observance of the Thanksgiving Day provincial government holiday, and will resume its normal sitting schedule at Confederation Building on Tuesday, October 11 at 1:30 p.m.

All proceedings at both Confederation Building and Colonial Building will be streamed live on the House of Assembly broadcast channel and the House of Assembly website.

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Media contact
Bobbi Russell
Policy and Communications Officer
House of Assembly
709-689-1288
bobbirussell@gov.nl.ca

The post House of Assembly – Resumption of the House of Assembly for the Fall 2022 Sitting appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services will provide an update on various provincial health care initiatives, including access to primary care and recruitment and retention efforts tomorrow (Thursday, September 29).

The availability will take place in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, at 1:00 p.m. The availability will also be live-streamed on Facebook.

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Media contact
Laura Thomas
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 709-727-0341
laurathomas@gov.nl.ca

 

The post Media Advisory: Minister Osborne to Provide Update on the Province’s Health Care System appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will bring greetings at the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador 50th anniversary event tomorrow (Thursday, September 29).

The event will take place at the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, 155 Water Street, St. John’s, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador is a member-based organization that works to maximize the artistic and economic potential of the craft community of the province.

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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 Bring Greetings at Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador 50th Anniversary Event appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, is pleased to announce the appointment of Judge Robin Fowler as Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Chief Judge Fowler replaces former Chief Judge Pamela J. Goulding, whose seven year term has concluded.

Chief Judge Robin Fowler received a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1999 and a Bachelor of Arts from Acadia University in 1994. He was called to the bar in 2000 and worked with the provincial Crown Attorney’s Office, including the Special Prosecutions Office, for approximately 13 years. He has demonstrated an understanding and awareness of Indigenous issues during his time as a judge. He has also participated in justice related activities in Miawpukek First Nation, and was a speaker at the Two-Eared Listening for Deeper Understanding: Restorative Justice in NL Gathering/Conference. Chief Judge Fowler has extensive experience prosecuting complex files at all levels of court across Newfoundland and Labrador.

A full biography of Chief Judge Fowler can be found in the backgrounder below.

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“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Judge Robin Fowler as Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Chief Judge Fowler brings decades of experience working in the justice system and demonstrates a high level of professionalism, compassion and decisiveness.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

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Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @JPS_GovNL.

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

BACKGROUNDER

Biography of Robin Fowler

Chief Judge Robin Fowler was first appointed as Judge to the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in Grand Falls-Windsor on August 8, 2017. Prior to this, Chief Judge Fowler served as the Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for Courts and Corporate Services with the Department of Justice and Public Safety. Chief Judge Fowler received a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1999 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Acadia University in 1994. Chief Judge Fowler was called to the bar in 2000 and worked with the provincial Crown Attorney’s Office, including the Special Prosecutions Office, for approximately 13 years. In 2013 he joined the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

Chief Judge Fowler has extensive experience prosecuting complex files at all levels of court across Newfoundland and Labrador, including acting as lead counsel in numerous jury trials. Chief Judge Fowler served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, is a trained mediator and member of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) who served as the CBA Criminal Section Chair for Newfoundland and Labrador. In September 2016, Judge Fowler trained prosecutors in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of the CBA’s Supporting Access to Justice for Children in East Africa project.

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The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, today (September 28) hosted a Youth Leadership Event at Ascension Collegiate in Bay Roberts to showcase non-traditional career options available to young people who are approaching graduation.

The panel discussion featured input from the community sector, oceans industry, and the skilled trades. Panelists included Stacy Harris, Executive Director of Communities Against Violence; David Tipton, Program Manager of the Ocean Careers Immersion Project with OceansAdvance; and Mary Ford, Outreach Manager with the Office to Advance Women Apprentices.

Panelists were able to share personal experiences from their sector, and spoke to the challenges and many opportunities that young people face as they begin to explore post-secondary career paths.

The Office of Women and Gender Equality undertakes initiatives to encourage, promote, support and retain women and gender-diverse people in leadership roles. These initiatives also connect closely to the economic participation of women and gender-diverse people throughout the province.

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“In the past, women and gender-diverse people have faced barriers entering into and advancing within some career paths. It is vital that we connect young people to jobs and industries that they may not have considered before. Youth are the future of our province, and it is important that we support them in exploring every career that they may choose as a viable path in the future.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

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Office of Women and Gender Equality

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

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The Provincial Government and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador continue to work collaboratively to find new and creative ways to help address the long-term stability of the health care system.

The College continues to assess standards and streamline the process for Canadian and internationally-trained physicians to become licensed in the province. The following is an update on the most recent changes made by the College:

• The number of clinical practice hours required to obtain or maintain a licence has been further defined. The new requirement is 450 hours in the three years before application;
• There are changes to the application requirements for applicants seeking a licence in Specialty Practice. A policy has been implemented allowing previously licensed specialists who are impacted by new licensing standards to be granted a licence in certain situations;
• Where an applicant meets the requirements set out in the College’s policy, provisional licences can now be issued for General Practice Locums to learners enrolled in a postgraduate specialty training program at the Faculty of Medicine of Memorial University; and
• For new applicants, three courses that were formerly mandatory – “Writing Prescriptions”, “Safe Prescribing”, and “Personal Health Information Act” – are now recommended. The course “Providing Safe Healthcare for Indigenous Patients in Newfoundland and Labrador” remains mandatory.

Health Accord NL was created in November 2020 to reimagine the health care system to best deliver services to people in communities across the province. It was mandated to deliver a 10-year Health Accord with short, medium, and long-term goals for a health care system that better meets the current needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. A number of the initiatives are already underway, with additional recommendations announced as part of Budget 2022.

Details on these initiatives can be found in the backgrounder below.

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“While recruitment and retention challenges are not unique to Newfoundland and Labrador, our government continues to find innovative means to help increase our health care workforce. Continued collaboration with stakeholders like the College of Physicians and Surgeons is integral, as together we continue to work towards better health outcomes for the residents of our province.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the Minister and the Department of Health and Community Services. The College continues to review all licensing standards and processes to optimize efficiency and advance standards for the current landscape, while ensuring that physicians who are licensed have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to provide safe and quality medical care to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Dr. Tanis Adey, CEO & Registrar
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @HCS_GovNL

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Media contacts
Tina Coffey
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-726-8546
cpsnl@cpsnl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Recent Measures to Address the Shortage of Health Care Professionals

• A one-year pilot program to help entice retired family physicians to come back to the workforce.
• Committed to a suite of measures to expand the supply of health care professionals:
• Creation of new collaborative community team clinics;
• Increase in virtual care services to assist with the provision of urgent care; and
• Commitment to further increase the number of graduates from Licensed Practical Nursing Programs by 40 per cent and Personal Care Attendant Programs by 20 per cent.
• Two new programs launched to support family doctors in the province and help improve access to primary health care:
• The New Family Physician Income Guarantee initiative guarantees a minimum income equivalent to that of a salaried family physician to new family doctors who bill on a fee for service basis and open a family practice clinic – or join an established clinic – for the first two years of their practice. This will ease some of the uncertainty associated with the business aspects of opening a clinic by increasing financial certainty. Funding recipients will be required to enter into a two-year return-in-service agreement with government.
• The Family Practice Start-Up Program will provide $150,000 to new family practice physicians who open a family practice clinic, or join an existing family practice in the community, and stay in the practice for five years. Recipients who are approved for both programs must sign a five-year return-in-service agreement with government. Additionally, both programs will be linked to establishing a patient roster in the community, as well as the provision of after-hours care.  This is the highest incentive offered to family physicians at this time in Atlantic Canada.
• Initiatives announced in March 2022 to address the challenges facing nurses in the province, including the nursing think tank; Requests for proposals for core staffing review, health human resource plan and workforce research; and an Internationally Educated Nurses Bursary.
• A new Assistant Deputy Minister for the recruitment and retention office has been hired and the office has been established within the Department of Health and Community Services.
• An additional five undergraduate seats have been added to the Memorial University’s medical School for Newfoundland and Labrador students.
• Launched Extraordinary Every Day, a health care campaign aimed at recruiting and retaining health care professionals.
• Staffing in the regional health authorities has been enhanced to further support recruitment and retention efforts.
• A number of financial incentives and employee supports have been implemented to help address the immediate nursing workforce challenges and help stabilize the workforce.
• Compensation rates for covering emergency rooms in smaller rural health centres (category B facilities) have been increased as a temporary measure until October 31, 2022 to help retain existing physicians at these sites, as well as to attract other locum physicians during periods of vacancy. As well, in Labrador, Category A rates were increased in the last MOA.
• $30,000 provided to Eastern Health to support students in the Radiation Therapy Program for each of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. This will double Eastern Health’s capacity to support students in the program.

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