Government of Newfoundland News

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize today as Provincial Francophonie Day.

Education and Early Childhood Development

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May 27 to June 2 as Provincial Early Childhood Educators’ Week. It was a pleasure to join members of the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador earlier today to sign the official proclamation.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today released the Social Enterprise Action Plan to increase the number of social enterprises in Newfoundland and Labrador and enhance services for existing social enterprises in the province. Minister Mitchelmore was joined by Lisa Browne, CEO, Stella’s Circle; Sheldon Pollett, CEO, Choices for Youth; and Penny Rowe, CEO, Community Sector Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Mark Browne, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

Following the launch of InnovateNL in July 2017 and as part of its continued commitment to fostering innovation and investment in the province, the Provincial Government is proceeding with a new Innovation and Business Investment Corporation Act.

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government is ensuring more seniors with diabetes have access to specialized foot care with an investment of more than $400,000. Foot care for Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program clients living with diabetes who also receive home support services is being expanded to those who are over 65 years old. This will increase access to approximately 1,300 more Newfoundlanders and Labradorians by the end of May, who will now have access to foot care sessions up to eight times per year.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, will launch the Social Enterprise Action Plan tomorrow (Wednesday, May 30). The event will take place at Stella’s Circle, 114 Cabot Street, St. John’s; beginning at 1:00 p.m. Minister Mitchelmore will be joined by Mark Browne, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, and the Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, will attend a ceremony and flag raising in celebration of Francophonie Day tomorrow (Wednesday, May 30).

House of Assembly

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Honourable Perry Trimper, is pleased to announce the addition of French content on the House of Assembly website (www.assembly.nl.ca)

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment is monitoring Environment and Climate Change Canada weather forecast information on two approaching systems that will bring a mix of precipitation and strong winds to the province today and tomorrow.

Fisheries and Land Resources

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding achievements of two members of my department.

Justice and Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, this government is working hard to ensure that all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have access to justice. I’m happy to say we have made great progress through initiatives such as the Sexual Violence Legal Support Program, Drug Treatment Court, additional supports for victims of revenge pornography, and the study into bail supervision.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Donovan Molloy, Q.C., has released Report AH-2018-001 under authority of the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA).

House of Assembly

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Speaker of the House of Assembly, announced today the unveiling of the official portrait of former Speaker Tom Osborne, who served as Speaker from December, 2015 to July, 2017. A ceremony took place today in the House of Assembly Chamber to commemorate the unveiling attended by invited guests, including former Speakers.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today announced that the Provincial Government has finalized a four-year partnership with Bluedrop Performance Learning for a demonstration project of SkillsPass NL. Minister Mitchelmore was joined by Mark Browne, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation and Emad Rizkalla, Founder and CEO of Bluedrop Performance Learning for the announcement.

Finance

The Provincial Government will today introduce changes to compensation and benefits for most non-unionized employees in core government and in most agencies, boards and commissions. These changes, which are similar to those applied in the recently completed Collective Agreements with NAPE employees, will support government’s balanced approach to fiscal management, maintaining services and creating a more affordable public service.

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.

House of Assembly

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Speaker and Chair of the House of Assembly Management Commission, advises that the Commission will hold its next meeting at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

Pinware River Provincial Park will not open on June 1, 2018 as originally scheduled. This is due to late winter snowfalls and cool spring temperatures resulting in significant amounts of snow remaining in the park.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, will announce funding for Bluedrop Performance Learning tomorrow (Tuesday, May 29). The event is taking place at the Bluedrop office space, 18 Prescott Street, St. John’s, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Finance

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for the Human Resource Secretariat, will be available to media tomorrow (Tuesday, May 29), to discuss the Salary Restraint and Extinguishment of Severance Pay Act, in addition to proposed amendments to the Other Post-Employment Benefits Eligibility Modification Act.