Government of Newfoundland News

Fisheries and Land Resources

Mr. Speaker, the 2018 forest fire season will be in effect from May 1 to September 30 on the island of Newfoundland, and from May 15 to September 30 in Labrador.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

House of Assembly

The following remarks were given in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Perry Trimper, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The portion of the T'Railway Provincial Park from Logger School Road to Gallants is closed until further notice as a result of prior snow covered damage now exposed and new washouts from spring runoff developing in this area.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

In an effort to support cellular communications as an economic development enabler and contributor to improving the viability of communities, the Provincial Government today issued a call for proposals for a cellular service pilot project. The objective of the pilot is to obtain proposals primarily for communities that do not have or have limited access to cellular service.

Natural Resources

Today, the Provincial Government released Newfoundland and Labrador Competitiveness in Oil & Gas Investment – a jurisdictional review by Wood Mackenzie to assess the international competitiveness of the province’s offshore oil and gas industry.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, will attend the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas beginning today (Monday, April 30), as highlighted in the following video: youtu.be/hqQYa_JJ7NQ

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

Pursuant to section 112 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015, the OIPC offered comment to Service NL on the new Public Procurement Act and the Public Procurement Regulations. We regard the new legislation as a positive step towards proactive transparency in procurement.

Executive Council

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for the Human Resource Secretariat, will attend the National Day of Mourning ceremony tomorrow (Saturday, April 28) in St. John’s. Minister Osborne will lay a wreath on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

Graham Letto, Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources, will bring greetings to the 33rd ArtsNL Awards Gala tomorrow (Saturday, April 28). The gala takes place at the Labrador West Arts and Culture, 300 Hudson Drive, Labrador City, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Service NL

Bernard Davis, Parliamentary Secretary for Service NL, will attend the National Day of Mourning ceremony tomorrow (Saturday, April 28) in St. John’s.

Service NL

The Provincial Government is exploring potential changes to the Radiation Health and Safety Act and Regulations and is seeking input from owners, users, sellers and maintainers of equipment that produces ionizing radiation. The legislation governs the inspection, installation, use, maintenance and registration of equipment that is capable of producing ionizing radiation such as x-ray machines and CT scanners.

Executive Council

On Wednesday morning I received a complaint from an MHA in my caucus about alleged undue behaviour exhibited by a member of my caucus. I commend the complainant for coming forward.

Service NL

The last day to have studded tires removed from vehicles is Monday, April 30. Under the Highway Traffic Act, studded tire use is only permitted between November 1 and April 30 each year.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

To further build on the Provincial Government’s commitment to fostering conditions that enable innovation-driven business to develop, scale-up, grow and diversify, the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today announced a Business Investment Loan of $499,000 to Empowered Homes Incorporated, to support the development of programmable thermostats for lowering residential energy consumption. Minister Mitchelmore was joined by Mark Browne, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, will announce funding for Empowered Homes tomorrow (Friday, April 27). The event takes place at 34 Harvey Road, St. John’s, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Finance

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will bring greetings at the opening of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Newfoundland and Labrador Home Show tomorrow (Friday, April 27). The event takes place at the Glacier, 45 Olympic Drive, Mount Pearl, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will speak at the Lewisporte Chamber of Commerce Luncheon tomorrow (Friday, April 27). The event will take place at the Brittany Inns, 373 Main Street, Lewisporte, beginning at 12:00 p.m.

Health and Community Services

I rise today to remind residents throughout Newfoundland and Labrador that Dial-a-Dietitian is a new service now available through the provincial HealthLine.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, announced today that the application process for the new Student Mentorship Program is now open. The employer-driven program will support summer career development opportunities in the agriculture, aquaculture, technology, and oil and gas sectors. The Provincial Government made these sectors a focus for development as part of The Way Forward, which included commitments to help residents explore careers in these fields.