Government of Newfoundland News

Executive Council

The 31st annual Christmas Lights Across Canada celebration will take place tomorrow (Thursday, December 7), beginning at 6:00 p.m. in St. John’s in the lobby of the Confederation Building, East Block.

Fisheries and Land Resources

Derrick Bragg, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Land Resources, will announce the winner and finalists of a provincial poster contest tomorrow (Thursday, December 7) at 9:30 a.m. at Riverside Elementary School in Clarenville.

Justice and Public Safety

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission will present the annual Human Rights Award at a ceremony being held tomorrow (Thursday, December 7). The event begins at 3:15 p.m. with the award being presented at 3:30 p.m. at Government House in St. John's.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to highlight the innovative movement known as Hacking Health.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize two teams from this province who have won the opportunity to play hockey on Parliament Hill.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. On December 6, 1989, a gunman shot and killed 14 young women at Ecole Polytechnique. This tragic incident remains one of the worst incidents of mass murder in Canadian history. To honour and remember those who lost their lives that day, flags are being flown at half-mast at Confederation Building until sunset this evening.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Provincial Government is launching consultations to modernize the Municipalities Act, 1999, the City of St. John’s Act, the City of Mount Pearl Act and the City of Corner Brook Act. The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, made the announcement today and was joined by Brian Peckford, President of the Professional Municipal Administrators; Tony Keats, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador; and Danny Breen, Mayor of St. John’s.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) has awarded its 2017 Scholarships to tenants currently pursuing post-secondary studies. Each scholarship is valued at $1,000.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Donovan Molloy, has released his Report A-2017-026 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. A summary of the Report is included below.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, is congratulating four people from this province who are among 150 Difference Makers named by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. The Difference Makers campaign is a national movement to nominate and celebrate 150 Canadians making a difference and inspiring hope in the areas of mental health and addictions.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, will make an announcement regarding municipal legislation tomorrow (Wednesday, December 6). Minister Joyce will be joined for the announcement by Tony Keats, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador; Brian Peckford, President of the Professional Municipal Administrators; and Danny Breen, Mayor of St. John’s.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, will open a symposium on the impacts of population aging and immigration on the province’s labour market, economy, and service delivery tomorrow (Wednesday, December 6) at 9:00 a.m. at Memorial University’s R. Gushue Hall in St. John’s.

Transportation and Works

MrMr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House today to highlight the significant strides our government has made toward enhancing the quality and capacity of our snow clearing services for the 2018 winter season.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to acknowledge Labrador being chosen by National Geographic Traveler magazine as a Best of the World destination.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

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

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

The tabling of legislative amendments providing for mandatory reporting of deaths and critical injuries marks a significant development for advocacy services for children and youth in Newfoundland and Labrador. Proposed amendments to the Child and Youth Advocate Act will require the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development, and the Department of Justice and Public Safety to report all child and youth deaths and critical injuries to the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate. This will apply to children and youth in care, protective intervention, kinship, youth services, and youth corrections programs, as well as children and youth at the Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Centre, or temporarily housed in correctional holding facilities.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

Legislation to amend the Child and Youth Advocate Act will receive second reading in the House of Assembly today. The amendments will allow for the mandatory reporting of child deaths and critical injuries to the advocate by the departments of Children, Seniors and Social Development, and Justice and Public Safety.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, today announced more than $392,000 in funding through the Labour Market Partnerships Program to support two pilot employment programs for international students and graduates.

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government today announced its plan to conduct a province-wide audit of all private and community ambulance operators. The audit follows recent concerns related to availability and staffing across the province.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will celebrate Computer Science Education Week tomorrow (Tuesday, December 5) at Elizabeth Park Elementary, 80 Ellesmere Ave, Paradise. Minister Kirby will participate in Hour of Code activities involving K-6 students. The event begins at 10:30 a.m.