Government of Newfoundland News
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to Launch Challenge of Federal Equalization Program
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced today that it is launching a constitutional challenge regarding the Government of Canada’s federal equalization program.
As outlined in the Constitution Act of 1982, equalization is intended to ensure provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide comparable levels of public services at comparable levels of taxation. Essentially, fairness for all citizens. Currently, this fairness is not achieved for Newfoundland and Labrador.
The equalization formula does not consider:
- The cost of delivering services. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador services more than 500 communities across a large, geographically dispersed, and aging population connected by almost 10,000 kilometres of roads. To meet the objectives of the equalization program, it is only just and fair to consider the cost of providing services.
- Total resource revenue is included in the calculation used to determine the fiscal capacity cap on equalization payments. The current equalization formula penalizes Newfoundland and Labrador for developing its natural resources, including renewables like wind energy which is used to produce green hydrogen. The province must pay the costs for development, regulation and management of resource sectors and these costs are not considered in the formula. Resources sectors are also subject to commodity price fluctuations, which impacts revenue certainty.
- Once entitlements have been determined, any excess funding not required to equalize the fiscal capacity of provinces is only distributed to receiving provinces. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador sides with other provinces (i.e., Alberta) that this excess funding should be distributed to all provinces, rather than only to the provinces receiving equalization.
The constitutional challenge announced today is currently being prepared and will be filed in a Newfoundland and Labrador court in the coming weeks. At that time, details of this court action will be available and appropriate notices will be delivered to relevant parties.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has written to the Government of Canada and discussed its concerns which have not been addressed to date. Correspondence is available here.
Quotes
“This challenge is all about ensuring that equalization achieves what is intended in the Constitution – to ensure fairness among all provinces within Canada relating to the cost of delivering public services. From our perspective, the Government of Canada’s equalization program is insufficient in that it does not consider the cost of delivering services in a province such as ours with a geographically dispersed population; nor does it consider the inequity caused by including 100 per cent of our natural resource revenue in the formula. We want the equalization program to treat provinces equitably.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is challenging the current equalization formula as being unconstitutional. When the Government of Canada dismissed our concerns and extended the equalization formula until 2029, we were left with no other alternative except to launch a court challenge.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
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BACKGROUNDER
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Position
Federal Equalization Program
- The federal equalization program was established in 1957-58 to ensure that provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation.
- The Constitution Act of 1982 states, “Parliament and the Government of Canada are committed to the principle of making equalization payments to ensure that provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services and reasonably comparable levels of taxation.”
- The total equalization federal support to provinces in 2024-25 was $25.3 billion.
- The program is renewed every five years.
- The last three renewal cycles for equalization have offered no substantive methodological changes and only minor technical amendments. For example, technical amendments made to the formula starting in 2024-25 have provided Newfoundland and Labrador with a small equalization payment of $218 million for 2024-25. This is the first time since 2007-08 that Newfoundland and Labrador has qualified to receive an equalization payment.
- The Federal Government extended the current federal equalization formula for another five years, to March 31, 2029, through Bill C-47, a piece of omnibus legislation that received royal assent on June 22, 2023.
- Newfoundland and Labrador’s primary concerns with the equalization program are not incorporating costs to deliver services to residents, and including 100 per cent of resource revenue in the fiscal capacity cap.
- Based on a pre-2006 federal election commitment, the equalization formula was changed in 2008 to include 50 per cent or 0 per cent of resource revenue, whichever provides the most benefit to the province.
- At the same time of the change to 50 per cent or 0 per cent resource revenue inclusion in 2008, a cap on payments was introduced at a resource revenue inclusion rate of 100 per cent.
- As a result, the effective resource revenue inclusion rate used in the formula varies between provinces.
- The cap systematically disadvantages Newfoundland and Labrador.
- In each of the last five years, Newfoundland and Labrador would have received between $450 million and $1.2 billion in equalization entitlements if the fiscal capacity cap was removed. This would have totaled approximately $3.2 billion over the five years.
- The cap has been referred to as the “resource fiscal capacity cap” since it only hinders provinces that have resource revenues.
- Equalization addresses variations in provincial revenue-raising capacity but does not account for expenditure need differences, or variations in costs of providing services across provinces.
- Provinces differ in their ability “to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services” because they must spend different amounts to offer similar services due to diseconomies of scale; differences in demographics such as age, health and income; and environmental factors such as a geographically dispersed population.
- Considering expenditure need in the equalization formula would allow for a better comparison of provincial capacity to provide services at comparable tax rates and is pivotal in improving the equity of this program.
- The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador also has concerns regarding the redistribution of any excess equalization funds once entitlements have been determined. This extra money should be distributed to all provinces, rather than only to the provinces receiving equalization.
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Media Advisory: Minister Coady to Bring Greetings at Junior Achievement Gala
The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, will bring greetings at the Junior Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador Business Hall of Fame Gala this evening (Thursday, May 30). The event will take place at the Delta St. John’s Hotel, 120 New Gower Street beginning at 7:00 p.m.
This event recognizes business excellence in Newfoundland and Labrador while promoting the development of youth entrepreneurship.
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Environmental Assessment Bulletin
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:
Grand Falls-Windsor Riverfront Cottages (Reg. 2312)
Proponent: Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
The Proponent is proposing to develop eight to 10 cottages and a main operations building on the southeast side of the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor. The total size of the land is 2.5 hectares. The site is located 75 metres from the Exploits River, between the Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Ski Chalet. 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 May 29, 2024; the deadline for public comments is July 04, 2024; and the minister’s decision is due by July 13, 2024.
Comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca.
ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT GUIDELINES ISSUED:
Botwood Flower’s Hill Quarry (Reg. 2287)
Proponent: C&H Construction
The Minister has approved the guidelines for the preparation of the Environmental Preview Report (EPR) for the Botwood Flower’s Hill Quarry. The EPR guidelines identify the information that the Proponent is required to include in the EPR. The EPR guidelines are available on the department’s project web page at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2287/.
UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:
Rocky River Recreational Cottage and Access Trail (Reg. 2299)
Proponent: Steven Reddick
The Project is released from environmental assessment subject to the conditions as outlined in the Minister’s decision letter available on the department’s project web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2299/.
New Harbour Agricultural Development (Reg. 2298)
Proponent: Melissa Williams
The project is released from environmental assessment subject to the conditions as outlined in the Minister’s decision letter available on the department’s project web page at /www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2298/.
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
Environmental assessment information is available at:
www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/
www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/GUIDE-TO-THE-PROCESS_Jan-2024.pdf
Follow us on X @GovNL and @ECC_GovNL
Project comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca
Anyone submitting comments on a project under environmental assessment is asked to please advise the department if they DO NOT wish to have their comments shared with the project proponent.
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Public Consultations Beginning on Legislative Amendments on Tobacco and Other Related Products
The Provincial Government is launching consultations to seek input and recommendations from the public as it considers legislative amendments related to the purchasing of tobacco and related products.
An online questionnaire will be available on engageNL.ca early June for the general public, industry representatives, and health care organizations. Participants will be asked for feedback on a variety of topics, such as:
- Prohibiting the sale of tobacco to persons born after a certain date;
- Increasing the legal age to purchase tobacco products to 21; and
- Prohibiting sales of tobacco through vending machines.
There will also be an opportunity to provide feedback on vaping products. The peak age of smoking initiation is between 15 and 17, and the likelihood of smoking initiation decreases quickly after age 16. Tobacco remains one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s leading cause of disease, disability and death and remains a burden on the health care system.
The Department of Health and Community Services anticipates that making commercial and vaping products less accessible will further reduce the number of people who use the products.
The department will be hosting separate virtual sessions by invite only for certain stakeholder groups, such as industry and business owners and related health care associations and organizations. A virtual session for the public will also be hosted.
Residents who require an alternate format or prefer to provide a written submission are encouraged to contact tobaccoengagement@gov.nl.ca. All feedback received will be evaluated and considered by the department during the review.
Quote
“We all know that tobacco and nicotine use has widely been connected to cancer, respiratory illness, and other adverse health impacts. Our government has set a goal of making Newfoundland and Labrador one of the healthiest provinces in Canada by 2031. As we consider amending legislation regarding smoking and vaping products, we encourage people and stakeholders to provide us with feedback.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services
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Media Advisory: Change in Time for Technical Briefing and Auditor General Media Availability
Please note the time for the following technical briefing has been changed to 1:00 p.m.
Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador, Denise Hanrahan, will deliver a performance audit monitoring report to the House of Assembly today, Thursday, May 30, 2024.
A technical briefing for media will take place today, Thursday, May 30, 2024, beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the Office of the Auditor General’s boardroom, 7 Pippy Place, St. John’s.
Media representatives planning to participate are asked to RSVP to Chrysta Collins (chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca).
The Auditor General will be available to the media beginning at 1:30 p.m.
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Media contact
Chrysta Collins
Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
709-730-1568
chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca
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Media Advisory: Minister Stoodley to Participate in Provincial Francophonie Day Flag-Raising
The Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, will participate in a flag-raising ceremony in recognition of Provincial Francophonie Day today (Thursday, May 30) at 11:00 a.m.
Her Honour, The Honourable Joan Marie J. Aylward, O.N.L., Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and His Honour, The Honourable Carl R. Thompson, K.C., will also be in attendance.
Hosted by the Francophone Federation of Newfoundland and Labrador, the flag-raising ceremony will take place in the East Block lobby of Confederation Building.
In the evening, the exterior of the building will also be lit in blue, white, and red in recognition of Provincial Francophonie Day.
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Provincial Road Ambulance Services Transitions to Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services
The Provincial Government has reached the next phase of its provincial ambulance integration as Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services begins operations of all ambulance services provincewide. The move is based on a key recommendation of Health Accord NL to modernize the province’s health care system.
The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, will be available to media via Zoom today beginning at 11:30 a.m. to provide an update on the integrated ambulance service. Minister Osborne will be joined by Cassie Chisholm, Vice President, Transformation (Health Systems) with NL Health Services.
To participate, media are asked to RSVP Tina Coffey (tcoffey@gov.nl.ca) who will provide the required information.
As of June 1, 2024:
- Close to 500 private sector employees, including primary care paramedics, advanced care paramedics, and emergency medical responders will become employees of NL Health Services, creating a provincial workforce of about 850 paramedicine professionals.
- Local phone numbers will no longer provide access to emergency ambulance services. Individuals who have previously called local ambulance/hospital phone numbers for an ambulance in a medical emergency are directed to instead call 911;
- All provincial road ambulances will be dispatched and coordinated by NL Health Services.
- There will be no disruptions of service.
All staff becoming employees of NL Health Services will now receive public sector salary, benefits, and pensions.
The Department of Health and Community Services received two qualified responses to its Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a proponent to design, manage, and operate a single, integrated road and air ambulance service in the province. Submissions are currently being evaluated.
NL Health Services and the Department of Health and Community Services anticipate announcing the successful proponent later this year. The successful proponent will be responsible for managing the program, staff, and budget on behalf of the provincial health authority, and planning to ensure efficient operations as part of the contract.
An integrated ambulance service was a key recommendation of Health Accord NL and will further modernize the province’s health care system.
More details on the RFP, tenders, and other requests for proposals issued and awarded by the department and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com/govnl.
Quotes
“This is a significant step in integration of the ambulance program to create a more modern and responsive service for all regions of our province. I recognize the valuable work of paramedics and all those who support the delivery of emergency medical services. Creating a public sector workforce for the ambulance program will yield numerous benefits for staff hired by NL Health Services so that they are supported to deliver quality care to patients.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services
“NL Health Services is pleased to move forward with this phase of the provincial ambulance integration. We welcome all new paramedicine professionals to the health authority and we thank our current paramedic and medical communications staff and management. We appreciate the skill and professionalism of our provincial paramedicine workforce and we commend their dedication during the transition, and all they do to provide quality and compassionate care to those who need it. We look forward to continuing the work towards a modernized, integrated provincial ambulance program in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Cassie Chisholm, Vice President – Transformation, Health Systems
NL Health Services
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Investments in Health, Seniors, Housing, Infrastructure and Business Highlight Spring Sitting of the House of Assembly
The spring sitting of the House of Assembly is concluding with significant and notable support for health, seniors, housing, infrastructure and business through the provincial budget.
Budget 2024 – Transforming: Our Health. Our Economy. Our Province builds on the progress that has been made over the last four years in transforming health care while investing in an economy that is creating new opportunities and making its mark on the global stage.
Highlights of Budget 2024 include:
- No new taxes, tax increases, or fee increases.
- Record high investments in health care, seniors, housing, and poverty reduction.
- Funding to hire health care providers for the existing 19 family care teams, and to create new teams in Lewisporte, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, and downtown St. John’s.
- Close to $300 million for improvements to provincial roads and highways.
- More than $36 million over four years to build over 100 new public housing homes in Corner Brook, Central Newfoundland and Labrador West.
- $10 million for a new Seniors’ Well-Being Plan.
- Increasing the base funding for Municipal Operating Grants to $28 million. This represents a two-year increase of nearly 30 per cent.
- A reduction in the Small Business Tax rate from three per cent to 2.5 per cent, saving money for about 6,200 small businesses.
- Over $16 million to increase the number of child care spaces.
- Close to $20 million for the elimination of the 1.6-kilometre policy to access school bus services.
In addition to the provincial budget, the spring legislative agenda also focused on such things as enhancing the visitor experience in the province, improving road safety, supporting the agriculture sector, and celebrating 75 years of confederation.
A full list of legislation debated in this session of the House of Assembly can be found on the House of Assembly website.
Quote
“The provincial budget highlighted the spring legislative agenda. However, this session also included notable legislation that continues our government’s track record of advancing legislation that supports the health and well-being of communities, families, and businesses throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Government House Leader
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
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Media Advisory: Ministers Coady and Hogan to Discuss Equalization
The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, and the Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, will discuss the province’s position regarding the federal equalization program tomorrow (Thursday, May 30).
The event will take place in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, beginning at 12:00 p.m.
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Minister Byrne Calling on Federal Government to Reverse Employment Funding Cuts
The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills:
Speaker, it is my duty to report to the House the current status of the Government of Canada’s decision to cut $625 million per year from Labour Market Transfer Agreements.
Newfoundland and Labrador has led the formation of a country-wide coalition of provinces and territories of all political stripes to reverse these federal cuts.
Thirteen provincial and territorial Premiers, rallied by our Premier, have persistently informed the Prime Minister that these cuts are ill-advised and must be reversed.
Newfoundland and Labrador has led a united effort of every labour market minister in the country to fight back. Collectively, we have demanded an urgent, emergency, in-person meeting with the federal minister but the federal minister has yet to acquiesce. Federal employment Minister Randy Boissonnault has, however, acknowledged to the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration that the federal budget was flawed and should not have included the cuts.
Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador has lost $16.8 million annually to support our people. We stand by those whom these funds supported. I should note, the bulk of these funds are not derived from federal revenues. They are deployed from the Employment Insurance account. They come from Newfoundland and Labrador workers and should be given back to Newfoundland and Labrador workers. It is our money. It is the workers’ money. We have already taken action to stabilize services to the vulnerable and will work within our means to ensure continuity of services.
While I fault the federal government directly, I take with concern the knowledge that not one question has been asked of the federal government about its impact or its wisdom by either federal political opposition party. Neither the federal NDP nor the Conservative party have drawn any attention to this on the floor of the House of Commons.
Provinces and territories have taken the united position that backfilling federal cuts by raising provincial taxes is not the best answer. The money is already being collected from us but is being denied to us. The right solution is for Ottawa to give the workers’ money back to the workers.
I ask all members of this House to stand in unison with the same position taken by every Liberal, Progressive Conservative, and NDP provincial government in this country. I ask for the ability to communicate to our provincial and territorial colleagues and, most importantly to Ottawa, that we as a legislature demand these national cuts to worker supports be reversed.
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Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission
The follow statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General:
Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission.
Everyone has the right to a life of equality, dignity, and respect.
In the late 1960s, our province passed its first human rights code, joining a generational movement as Canada led the world in the advancement of human rights. This code made us the first Canadian jurisdiction to prohibit discrimination based on political opinion, and the second to ban sex discrimination in the workplace. Then, in 1974, legislation was passed to create a permanent provincial human rights commission to administer this code.
Since then, the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador has championed an impactful mandate that includes resolving complaints, educating the public, raising issues of public importance, and working closely with community partners.
The work of the commission benefits all of us, and I urge anyone who feels discriminated against to reach out for guidance and support. For information and updates on events marking its anniversary, visit thinkhumanrights.ca. The staff are truly a great resource and strive to make our province a more inclusive place to live.
I ask all Honourable members to join me in congratulating the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission on its 50th anniversary and thank its staff, past and present, for their contributions to our province.
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Provincial Government Highlights Ratified Collective Agreement with Canadian Merchant Service Guild
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced today that a tentative agreement with the Canadian Merchant Service Guild (CMSG) has been ratified. The guild represents about 30 ferry captains in this province.
The Provincial Government and the CMSG worked together to negotiate an agreement that reflects the value of the important transportation services provided by ferry captains along the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador.
This five-year agreement is in line with other bargaining units providing wage increases, a one-time employee recognition bonus payment of $2,000 and salary adjustments to ensure competitiveness. It also offers changes to employee allowances and leave provisions, similar to other collective agreements.
The Provincial Government has successfully negotiated 30 collective agreements with public sector unions, representing more than 35,000 public sector workers.
Quotes
“Ferry captains provide an essential service by ensuring transportation is available for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians across the island. I thank the negotiating teams of the Provincial Government and the Canadian Merchant Service Guild for working together to reach the thirtieth collective agreement we have negotiated with our public sector unions in less than two years.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board
“We have a talented and dedicated team that operates the provincial ferry service, delivering transportation to the tens of thousands of people who use it annually. We thank them for their ongoing work, which serves and connects communities across our province.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
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Provincial Government and Association of Allied Health Professionals Sign Collective Agreement
Provincial Government and Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association Sign Collective Agreement
Provincial Government Highlights Ratified Collective Agreements with CUPE
Provincial Government and NAPE Sign Collective Agreements
Provincial Government and Labrador West Teachers Ratify Tentative Agreement
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Premier Commemorates Newfoundland and Labrador’s First World War Sacrifices with Expanded Trail of the Caribou Pilgrimage Student Ambassador Program
The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:
Speaker, I rise today to share my commitment to preserving the history and contributions of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in the First World War.
On Monday, I addressed this Honourable House, sharing the emotional journey to France to bring Newfoundland and Labrador’s son home.
Speaker, while overseas, I found myself reflecting on the sheer magnitude of the experience. I found myself wishing that we could do more to ensure that the sacrifices made on the battlefields of Northern France and Belgium over 100 years ago are never forgotten.
Each year, more than 30 students participate in the Trail of the Caribou Pilgrimage, a partnership between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command and the Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. This includes remembrance ceremonies at the five caribou monuments in Northern France and Belgium, including the July 1 ceremony at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial.
Speaker, I am proud to say that, beginning in 2025, we intend to expand the program to allow 100 Newfoundland and Labrador students to travel overseas for this life-changing experience.
And so, Speaker, we will, indeed, do more. We will do our best to ensure they are not forgotten. That their names continue to be spoken and their memories honoured.
Lest we forget.
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Media Advisory: Auditor General to Deliver Performance Audit Monitoring Report
Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador, Denise Hanrahan, will deliver a performance audit monitoring report to the House of Assembly tomorrow (Thursday, May 30, 2024).
A technical briefing for media will take place on Thursday, May 30, 2024, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Office of the Auditor General’s boardroom, 7 Pippy Place, St. John’s.
Media representatives planning to participate are asked to RSVP to Chrysta Collins (chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca).
The Auditor General will be available to the media beginning at 3:00 p.m.
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Media contact
Chrysta Collins
Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
709-730-1568
chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca
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Media Advisory: Minister Crocker to Bring Greetings at SportNL Scholarship Awards
The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, will bring greetings at SportNL’s 2024 Scholarship Awards Ceremony today (Wednesday, May 29).
The event will take place at the Emera Innovation Exchange, at Memorial University’s Signal Hill Campus in St. John’s, beginning at 12:00 p.m.
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Early Learning Gateway Launched to Help Improve Access to Early Learning and Child Care
Today, the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, announced the launch of the Provincial Government’s Early Learning Gateway. The Early Learning Gateway is an online platform to help improve access to early learning and child care in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Early Learning Gateway will connect regulated child care service providers with parents and guardians who need child care through a digital waitlist. This will decrease some of the administrative burden of managing a waitlist, streamline processes, and improve efficiencies, all through a secure information collection platform. Parents and guardians will have quick access to waitlist their child or children for any regulated child care service in the province.
The Early Learning Gateway parent portal allows parents and guardians seeking child care the ability to:
- Add their child or children to their profile.
- Search for regulated child care services.
- Add their child or children to a regulated child care service waitlist(s).
- Edit or remove their child or children from waitlists.
The Early Learning Gateway service portal provides regulated child care service providers the ability to:
- View and manage the list of parents/guardians who added their child or children to the service waitlist in Early Learning Gateway.
- View parent/guardian contact information to follow up when a space becomes available.
- Create and manage Early Learning Gateway account access for their administrative staff.
New features will be added in the near future to further support access to high-quality, affordable, and inclusive early learning and child care in the province.
The Early Learning Gateway can be accessed by visiting www.gov.nl.ca/EarlyLearningGateway. Users will be prompted to log in through MyGovNL. If users are not registered, they can easily register with a valid MCP card, driver’s licence, or photo ID issued by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Launch of the Early Learning Gateway is aligned with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible child care that meets the needs of families and service providers. There are close to 9,400 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10-a-day or less in the province, with a further 2,000 spaces in development.
Quotes
“As of today, parents can waitlist their child for care with just the click of a button, and service providers will all have access to the same waitlist capabilities. The Early Learning Gateway is a positive step forward for our continued efforts to improve access to early learning and child care throughout the province.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education
“The team at OCIO are pleased to have worked with the Department of Education to deliver this important tool for early learning and childcare providers and families looking to avail of $10/day regulated early childhood spaces.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL and Minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer
“The Early Learning Gateway will streamline the waitlist process and alleviate some of the challenges experienced by parents and guardians as they seek care for their children. It will also support licensees and administrators to provide quality care in a more efficient manner. As a daycare operator, the Early Learning Gateway will decrease some of the administrative tasks so that we can focus on the most important work – caring for and educating children.”
Jennifer Quilty
Apples to Zebras Daycare Inc.
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Early Learning Gateway
Provincial Government Unveils Child Care Demand Portal
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Media Advisory: Minister Howell to Launch Early Learning Gateway
The Honourable, Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, will make an announcement tomorrow (Wednesday, May 29) to launch the Early Learning Gateway to help improve access to early learning and child care in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Minister Howell will be joined by Jennifer Quilty of Apples to Zebras Daycare, Inc.
The announcement will take place in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building at 9:30 a.m.
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Minister Loveless Representing Province at National Seal Products Day
The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, is in Ottawa today (Tuesday, May 28) representing the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador at a reception on Parliament Hill recognizing National Seal Products Day.
National Seal Products Day is celebrated annually during the month of May to promote Canadian seal products and highlight the importance of the Canadian seal fishery, particularly for coastal communities and Indigenous people.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has provided the Fur Council of Canada with a $10,000 grant to assist with this important event which is attended by Members of Parliament, Senators, and seal industry advocates and stakeholders from across Canada.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains a key supporter of the seal industry and continues to work with stakeholders on industry development initiatives including efforts to increase marketing of Canadian seal products.
The Provincial Government has supported the Canadian Seal Products marketing campaign that began in 2019 with a total investment of over $3.1 million from the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund. Approximately $1.3 million of this contribution is being used to further develop markets for Canadian seal products.
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“I am pleased to take part in the National Seal Products Day to highlight the benefits and opportunities stemming from our seal products industry. Seal products provide many benefits including nutritious food, quality apparel and health products. I look forward to continue working with our federal partners to promote our sealing industry and identifying new markets for this abundant resource.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
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Media Advisory: Minister Loveless Attending National Seal Products Day in OttawaMedia Advisory: Minister Loveless Attending National Seal Products Day in Ottawa
The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, will be attending and delivering remarks at a reception today (Tuesday, May 28) on Parliament Hill recognizing National Seal Products Day.
The event will take place 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. in room 215-A, West Block, Parliament Hill, 111 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario.
National Seal Products Day is celebrated annually during the month of May to promote the seal products industry and highlight the importance of the seal fishery for Canada’s Indigenous people, coastal communities and entire population.
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The post Media Advisory: Minister Loveless Attending National Seal Products Day in OttawaMedia Advisory: Minister Loveless Attending National Seal Products Day in Ottawa appeared first on News Releases.
Public Advisory: Construction Accident Leads to Occupational Health and Safety Charges
A Mount Pearl company has been charged with violations under Newfoundland and Labrador’s Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.
Charges against Granite Management Limited are the result of an investigation by the department’s Occupational Health and Safety Division following an accident in June 2022 in Gooseberry Cove, Trinity Bay. One worker was injured when he was struck by a piece of lumber being moved by a crane at a wharf construction job.
Granite Management Limited has been charged with three violations including:
- Failing to notify the Occupational Health and Safety Division about the accident
- Failure to ensure workers were given the necessary training, supervision, and facilities to ensure their safety; and
- Failure to ensure the crane operator had the necessary training.
A company supervisor has been charged with a single count for failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all workers under their supervision.
The first appearance at Provincial Court in Clarenville for the company and supervisor is scheduled for June 27, 2024.
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