Government of Newfoundland News

Natural Resources

The Department of Natural Resources is undertaking a consultation process regarding a review of the legislation that regulates quarry activity in the province. Consultations will help to develop modern and comprehensive legislation that is stronger and also adopts best practices from other jurisdictions to support the development of the province’s quarry resources.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will bring greetings at the Mount Pearl Frosty Festival launch and luncheon tomorrow (Thursday, January 9).

Finance

The Provincial Government today launched its pre-budget consultations for Budget 2020. This year’s consultation theme is “A Balanced Approach,” and includes an overview of government’s fiscal approach, which is characterized by a focus on cost control, efficiencies and savings that grow over time. Residents can provide feedback on ways to reduce spending and/or increase revenues, and on priority areas for Budget 2020 decisions.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism continues to collect tourism marketing recognition regionally, nationally and internationally, receiving 28 prominent awards in 2019, including such prestigious honours as:

Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, today announced that Christopher Pike has been appointed to the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities (PUB).

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and Chair of the Council of Atlantic Premiers will host a meeting of the Council in St. John’s on Monday, January 13. He will be joined by Premier Stephen McNeil of Nova Scotia, Premier Blaine Higgs of New Brunswick, and Premier Dennis King of Prince Edward Island. Premier François Legault of Québec will also meet with the Atlantic Premiers to discuss clean energy collaboration in Eastern Canada.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Public Post-Secondary Education Review Committee is holding a public consultation session in St. John’s for all residents who have an interest in public post-secondary education.

Health and Community Services

A public consultation session to help inform the development of a Dementia Care Action Plan will take place on Monday, January 13.

Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of the Support Enforcement Division of the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate is committed to supporting young people to learn about their rights. On National Child Day (November 20, 2019), the Office launched its first ever video contest. The contest invites young people in the province to get creative and develop a video on young people’s right to be free from discrimination. This right is contained in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Videos can address discrimination overall, or identify specific forms of discrimination.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will officially launch the start of midwifery services in the province on Monday, January 6 at 9:30 a.m.

Fisheries and Land Resources

Reports of a polar bear have been confirmed on the Northern Peninsula near the community of Green Island Cove.

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador is the province’s highest honour and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour benefiting in an exemplary manner the province and its residents.

Health and Community Services

While recreational cannabis is legal in Canada, the Department of Health and Community Services is reminding people to be responsible and safe if they choose to use.

Natural Resources

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB), are working together to increase competitiveness and provide regulatory certainty with respect to research and development expenditures by producing operators in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Fisheries and Land Resources

The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources continues to support economic development, growth and sustainability of the province's fisheries, forestry, agriculture, wildlife and lands resources. In 2019, the department also opened its new headquarters in Corner Brook, uniting more than 250 staff representing 17 of the department’s divisions under one roof, resulting in more effective and efficient operations, and reducing the Provincial Government’s overall footprint by more than 30,000 square feet.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2019-032 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. A summary of the Report is included below.

Transportation and Works

Department of Transportation and Works plow operators and winter maintenance crews will be working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Fisheries and Land Resources

Recent amendments to provincial forestry regulations making it easier for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to access timber for personal consumption are now in effect.