Government of Newfoundland News

Finance

The Provincial Government today announced it has reached a tentative collective agreement with the correctional officer bargaining unit, represented by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE). Subject to ratification, this agreement is for a term of four years, and will expire on October 31, 2019.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, will speak at a special event of the St. John’s Board of Trade, An Evening with Vikram Vij, tomorrow (Wednesday, October 10) at 6:30 p.m. at the Merchant Tavern, 291 Water Street.

Municipal Affairs and Environment
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, will give the keynote address at the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association’s (NEIA) Newleef conference tomorrow (Wednesday, October 10). The event takes place at 8:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, 180 Portugal Cove Road, St. John’s.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will launch a mental health and addictions services questionnaire for youth and young adults tomorrow (Wednesday, October 10) at 11:00 a.m.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation is now accepting submissions to the 67th annual Arts and Letters Awards Program.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Provincial Government is acknowledging Fire Prevention Week which runs October 7-13. This year’s theme is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.” The province is encouraging residents, families, educators, and fire departments to learn more about the three basic steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of having a fire, and how to escape safely in the event of one.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation is now accepting applications for the 2019 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards competition. Award recipients are given the opportunity to attend research-related enrichment programs in Canada and the United States.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, today announced appointments in the province’s post-secondary education system.

Fisheries and Land Resources

Forestry operations administered by the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources have achieved International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification for the department’s Environmental Management System, keeping Newfoundland and Labrador on the leading edge of environmentally responsible forest management.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment is monitoring Environment and Climate Change Canada weather forecast information on potential coastal impacts resulting from tropical storm Leslie. Higher than normal water levels and pounding surf is expected along the southeast and southwest coast of the island beginning tonight and will persist through Saturday. Forecast information indicates wave heights may reach between five and six metres. As a safety precaution, the public is advised to keep away from the shoreline due to the rapid approach of large waves.

Health and Community Services

Andrée Robichaud has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of the Central Regional Health Authority.

Executive Council
Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Provincial Government is adjusting the cost share ratios for new municipal infrastructure projects to make it easier for communities to construct roads and build community centres via the Investing in Canada Plan.

Executive Council
Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, hosted the third annual Premier’s Forum on Local Government this morning in Gander. Premier Ball was joined by delegates representing municipalities across the province to discuss ways of modernizing municipal legislation. The forum was held in conjunction with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, the Combined Councils of Labrador and Professional Municipal Administrators.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

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

Natural Resources

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, will bring greetings at 4:00 p.m. today (Thursday, October 4) at the Canada Games Flag Raising Ceremony at St. John’s City Hall.

Service NL

It is the time of year when people of the province are returning to ice rink activities. To help mitigate potential risks associated with refrigeration equipment, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has standards in place, including inspections, alarms, maintenance requirements and staff training.

Executive Council
Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will participate in the 68th annual Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador Convention and Trade Show, to be held tomorrow through Saturday, October 4-6, in Gander.

Executive Council

At an event today at Confederation Building, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador acknowledged and celebrated the 21 recipients of this year’s Public Service Award of Excellence. Premier Ball was joined at the celebration by Ann Marie Hann, Clerk of the Executive Council.

Transportation and Works

The Provincial Government is once again inviting the general public to provide input on provincial highways and bridges to be included in the update to the Department of Transportation and Works’ Five-Year Provincial Roads Plan in early 2019.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
Children, Seniors and Social Development

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, has declared October Disability Employment Awareness Month.