Government of Newfoundland News

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, wishes all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians celebrating Yalda a happy and blessed holiday.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

Applications are now being accepted online for the 2018 Athletic Excellence Fund. The fund combines all current provincial funding opportunities available to individual athletes, coaches and officials.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, will celebrate the past success and future plans of the Paradigm Hyperloop team tomorrow (Wednesday, December 20). The celebration will involve an unveiling and exhibition of the pod that earned the team a second place finish in the international SpaceX competition.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

During the holiday season, it is recommended that residents protect their homes from the effects of carbon monoxide.

Transportation and Works

Mariners are advised the Placentia Lift Bridge is currently closed to all marine traffic to facilitate repairs.

Service NL

The results of Service NL’s fall 2017 school bus inspections show a significant increase in the number of buses that passed their mandatory annual inspections by the department’s highway enforcement officers.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada are investing $67,500 to help the Downtown Stephenville Business Improvement Association Corporation create an updated vision for downtown development in Stephenville.

Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Justice Richard D. LeBlanc, Commissioner for the Inquiry Respecting the Muskrat Falls Project Order, has been actively laying the foundation for the operation of the Commission. He is working to establish a suitable organization and to hire staff and others to support the work of the inquiry. To date, a Chief Administrative Officer and other administrative staff have been appointed. By way of a news release dated November 24, 2017, it was announced that Kate O’Brien had been appointed co-counsel for the inquiry.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

Short days and long nights mark the arrival of the holiday season in Newfoundland and Labrador. Safely deal with the chilly winter weather by taking these precautions:

Executive Council

I, along with my colleagues in the House of Assembly, was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mayor John Hickey late on December 14.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works is monitoring Environment Canada forecasts indicating a potential for heavy snowfall and strong winds for some parts of the province over the weekend.

Transportation and Works

Today, the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works, unveiled a new snow plow tracking service that will help motorists plan for safer trips on highways throughout the province.

Fisheries and Land Resources

“Pat Quinlan’s extraordinary life is an outstanding example of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians time-tested ability to persevere, and prosper in the face of all obstacles and challenges. Quinlan Brothers Limited, which he co-founded and lead, demonstrated time and time again the indefatigable tenacity, grit, determination and innovation that are required for success in business, and the fishing business in particular. While we mourn his passing, and express condolences, so too should we recognize Mr. Quinlan’s outstanding example and high standard of accomplishment that he has left behind, and his contribution to the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Municipal Assessment Agency is pleased to announce the result of the recent election for six municipal representatives to its Board of Directors. The voting was conducted by a mail/fax ballot following the municipal elections.

Executive Council
Education and Early Childhood Development

The Government of Canada is making significant investments in early learning and child care systems which will improve the lives of Canadian children and their families.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

Cooking and baking brings people together and is an important part of the holiday season. It is important to follow safe practices when in the kitchen. Cooking is a leading cause of home fires year-round and particularly during the holidays.

Service NL

Individuals wishing to apply for a gender-neutral birth certificate can now access the required forms on the Service NL website at www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/birth/changing_your_sex_designation/.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; the Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development; and the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development; will announce the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Early Learning and Child Care Bilateral Agreement tomorrow (Friday, December 15).

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will address the grand unveiling of the Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Riding Centre tomorrow (Friday, December 15). The Premier will be joined by the Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and MHA for Mount Scio, as well as the Raise it Up Campaign Cabinet, donors, community leaders, and the riders themselves for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Fisheries and Land Resources

The Provincial Government continues to make additional Agriculture Areas of Interest available to commercial farmers, part-time commercial farmers or new farmers. Another 10 areas, totalling approximately 19,800 hectares and located in various areas of the province, are available for application for agriculture purposes.