Government of Newfoundland News

 The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, is today announcing a call for applications for the 2024-25 Grants to Youth Organizations.

Through Budget 2024, the Provincial Government allocated $276,500 for Grants to Youth Organizations which support youth-serving organizations to create opportunities and promote mentorship, inclusion and well-being of youth in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This program supports projects that:

• Encourage skills, knowledge and/or leadership development.
• Support youth in contributing to their community, region and/or province.
• Promote or support partnerships, collaboration, and inclusion.
• Fill a gap in services.
• Provide opportunities for innovative intergenerational activities that help build relationships between generations.

More information on the Grants to Youth Organizations, including the application form, can be found here or by emailing CSSDGrantPrograms@gov.nl.ca. The deadline for applications is June 21, 2024.

In 2023-24, a total of 31 youth-serving organizations operating in Newfoundland and Labrador received project funding. A list of these recipients can be found in the backgrounder below.

Quotes
“The Grants to Youth Organizations open up great opportunities for youth to build leadership, community engagement and contribute to a vibrant and inclusive province. I am thankful for the work of youth-serving community partners and encourage organizations to learn more about this grant program and to apply by the deadline.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

“Grants to Youth Organizations allowed our community centre to offer a youth leadership program this year, with 45 teens participating. They had a chance to learn valuable leadership skills, work as a team, and volunteer in the community. Thanks to Grants to Youth Organizations, and our community partners, these young people were able to experience opportunities that are already opening doors for them.”
Darrell Jackman
Smallwood Crescent Community Centre

– 30 –

Learn More
Grants to Youth Organizations

Follow us on X @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

Backgrounder

Grants To Youth Organizations in 2023-24

Organization Amount Thrive $ 35,000.00 Town of Port Saunders $30,000.00 Flat Bay Band Inc. $30,000.00 The Adventure Biking Project $30,000.00 YWCA St. John’s Inc $25,000.00 Mushuau Innu First Nation $20,000.00 BGC St. John’s $20,000.00 The Get Real Movement Inc. $20,000.00 Women in Resource Development Corporation  – Educational Resource Centre $20,000.00 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland  $20,000.00 Harbour Grace Community Youth Network Hub  $18,000.00 BGC Bell Island $15,000.00 Smallwood Crescent Community Centre $14,300.00 Girls Rock NL $14,000.00 Community Association of Virginia Park $12,850.00 Planned Parenthood NL Sexual Health Centre $12,350.00 BGC Gander $12,000.00 YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc. (Ches Penney Family YMCA) $11,000.00 Youth 2000 Centre (Y2C) $10,000.00 BGC Norris Arm $10,000.00 The Quidi Vidi/Rennie’s River Development Foundation $10,000.00 The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award $10,000.00 BGC James Hornell  $10,000.00 Canadian National Institute for the Blind $8,500.00 The Open Door Community Youth Network $8,000.00 YMCA of Northeast Avalon (Central Labrador) $5,000.00 YMCA of Northeast Avalon (Marystown YMCA) $5,000.00 Gander Bay Fire Department (LSD of Gander Bay North) $5,000.00 Association for New Canadians $5,000.00 St. Lawrence Community Youth Network $3,000.00 Clarenville and Area Community Youth Network $2,500.00

The post Applications Open for Grants to Youth Organizations appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will make a highway naming announcement today (Tuesday, May 21).

The event will take place in East Block Lobby, Confederation Building, at 12:00 p.m.

-30-

 

The post Media Advisory: Premier Furey to Make Highway Naming Announcement appeared first on News Releases.

Under section 13.5 of the Fatalities Investigations Act, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety is required, within 60 days after receiving a report from the Child Death Review Committee (CDRC), to make public those recommendations relating to:

• Relevant protocols, policies and procedures;
• Standards and legislation;
• Linkages and coordination of services; and
• Improvements to services affecting children and pregnant women.

The CDRC forwarded a report to the Minister of Justice and Public Safety on March 22, 2024.

This report resulted in the following recommendation:

• The Child Death Review Committee (CDRC) acknowledges improvements to off-road vehicle safety made with the enactment of the Off-Road Safety Act (Act) and Regulations. The Act was proclaimed in 2022 with the exception of subsections 5(3), 7(3), 22(4) and paragraphs 5(4) (b), 12(2) (a), 22(1) (b), 23(b), and 24(a). These sections relate to safety training requirements for users as approved by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. The CDRC recommends that the Departments of Digital Government and Service NL and Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture implement these training requirements as soon as possible in order to facilitate the proclamation of the training requirements of the Act.

This report has been forwarded to the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate.

-30-

The post Public Advisory: Child Death Review Committee Case Review appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, along with the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Labour and Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health, will make make an important health care announcement on Tuesday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m.

The announcement will take place at the Bishops Gardens Seniors Living, 190 Pennywell Road, St. John’s.

-30-

The post Media Advisory: Funding Announcement for Health Care appeared first on News Releases.

Elections Newfoundland and Labrador advises electors that Advance Polls will be open for the By-Election in the District of Baie Verte-Green Bay on Tuesday, May 21.

Advance voting will take place from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:

• College Building – Room #3 (Springdale), 83 Little Bay Road
• Community Centre (Robert’s Arm), 14 School Road
• Kin Centre (La Scie), 28-30 Church Lane
• Royal Canadian Legion (Baie Verte), 17 Diagonal Street

For more information, contact the Baie Verte-Green Bay Returning Office at 709- 566-2015, or Elections Newfoundland and Labrador toll-free at 1-877-729-7987 or visit www.elections.gov.nl.ca

-30-

The post Advance Poll Voting is Tuesday, May 21 Baie Verte-Green Bay appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Member of the House of Assembly for the district of St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi, will bring greetings at the opening reception for Contact 2024, a tour operator retreat dedicated to networking, education and product development.

The event will take place on Monday, May 20, at 6:00 p.m. at The Room, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s.

-30-

The post Media Advisory: Minister Abbott to Bring Greetings at Contact 2024 Opening appeared first on News Releases.

The small business corporate income tax rate in Newfoundland and Labrador has been reduced from 3 per cent to 2.5 per cent effective January 1, 2024.

This tax reduction was announced in Budget 2024. It has now been approved by the House of Assembly through amendments to the Income Tax Act, 2000.

The budget initiative will result in lower taxes for approximately 6,200 small businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Other measures in Budget 2024 to support business and economic development include:

1. $500,000 for business navigators to work with businesses to help make it easier to navigate government policies and improve business processes by addressing red tape.
2. Approximately $35 million to support economic development initiatives including research and development, commercialization, investment attraction, regional development, and business growth activities.
3. $7 million for connectivity initiatives, including broadband and cellular, as part of the Provincial Government’s overall $25 million commitment.
4. No new taxes, tax increases or fee increases.

More information on the small business corporate income tax is available here.

Quote
“In Budget 2024, we are delivering a reduction in the tax rate for small businesses which are essential to our communities. We are also expecting one of the highest rates of economic growth forecast for 2024 among provinces. All our efforts in this year’s budget are towards a stronger, smarter, self-sufficient, sustainable province.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Minister of Finance

-30-

Learn more
Supporting Business and Economic Development – Budget 2024

Budget 2024

Small Business Corporate Income Tax

Follow us on X @GovNL

Like us on Facebook

BACKGROUNDER

Tax Measures to Support Business Since 2020

1. Reduction in the small business corporate income tax rate from 3 per cent to 2.5 per cent, effective January 1, 2024. The small business rate applies to the first $500,000 of active business income.
2. Increasing the maximum annual cap for the Film and Video Industry Tax Credit from $4 million to $5 million, effective July 1, 2021.
3. Extending the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit to December 31, 2024.
4. A new 20 per cent green technology tax credit for companies that invest in equipment for energy conservation and clean energy generation, use fuels from waste, or make efficient use of fossil fuels, effective April 7, 2022.
5. A new 10 per cent manufacturing and processing investment tax credit, effective April 7, 2022.
6. A new 40 per cent All Spend Film and Video Production Tax Credit with a maximum credit of $10 million annually per project, effective April 7, 2022.
7. Increased exemption threshold for HAPSET, the Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax, from $1.3 million to $2 million, effective January 1, 2023.
8. Temporary gasoline tax rate decrease for gasoline and diesel of 7 cents per litre (8.05 cents including HST), effective June 1, 2022, and has been extended to March 31, 2025 (announced March 5, 2024).

The post Reduction in the Small Business Tax Rate Passes in the House of Assembly appeared first on News Releases.

The Provincial Government announcement regarding actions to improve access to health care in Baie Verte, Springdale, Triton and La Scie is being rescheduled for a later time today (Friday, May 17) due to travel issues.

Media planning to attend are asked to RSVP Jennifer Konieczny at jenniferkonieczny@gov.nl.ca. 

-30-

Learn more
Follow us on X @GovNL and @HCS_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

The post Update: Provincial Government Continuing to Improve Access to Health Care appeared first on News Releases.

The following statement was issued by the Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, regarding Police Week in Newfoundland and Labrador:

“Every day, the dedicated members of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and Royal Canadian Mounted Police show their professionalism and commitment as they work to ensure the safety and security of the people of our province.

As a government, we put an emphasis on working with police and community partners to ensure we are living and raising our families in one of the safest provinces in Canada. That security and peace of mind is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of both uniformed and civilian members of our police agencies.

While we all know the job can be rewarding, we also know it comes with significant risks. This week, I represented the Provincial Government at a moving ceremony that remembered and honoured officers who have died in the line of duty. The International Police and Peace Officer Memorial service recognizes the role peace officers have in keeping all of us safe and acknowledges that they often work in dangerous situations. Many of us, myself included, hold in reverence the sacrifices of police and peace officers and are reminded of this every time we pass by the memorial on the grounds of Confederation Building.

The sense of security and quality of life we enjoy is because of the risks they take every day and their devotion to helping others.

On behalf of all residents, during Police Week we say a special thank you to the members of the RNC and the RCMP for the important work they do to protect the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

-30-

Learn more
Follow us on X @GovNL and @JPS_GovNL

The post Minister Hogan Recognizes Police Week in the Province appeared first on News Releases.

The House of Assembly advises that a meeting of the Management Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting will be available live on the House of Assembly broadcast channel, website and social media channels (Facebook and YouTube).

Briefing materials for the meeting will be available on the House of Assembly website at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The agenda for the meeting follows.

-30-

House of Assembly Management Commission
Agenda

Date:            May 21, 2024
Time:           9:30 a.m.

Televised Meeting

1. Approval of Minutes
2. 1. February 21, 2024
   2. April 11, 2024
   3. May 1, 2024

1. Speaker’s Report – Rulings on Allowance Use
2. Financial Reports – 31 December 2023
3. Ratification of Urgent Budget Transfer
4. Members’ Compensation Review Committee Report

The post House of Assembly Management Commission Meeting appeared first on News Releases.

The Provincial Government is taking action to improve access to health care in Baie Verte, Springdale, Triton and La Scie based on recommendations from Health Accord NL. The actions include advancing some of Canada’s most generous incentives to help attract physicians to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador and creation of a Family Care Team for Baie Verte/Springdale.

The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be available to media today (Friday, May 17) at 12 noon at the Green Bay Health Centre in Springdale to discuss the initiatives. Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, and Dr. Todd Young, owner and medical director of Medicuro Online Clinic.

Details of the expansion include:

• The opening of the Triton Medical Clinic one day a week.
• Virtual care offered by Medicuro to the La Scie Medical Centre.
• Enhanced recruitment incentives to help attract physicians to work in the region.

Budget 2024 includes $30 million to hire additional health care providers for existing family care teams and new teams including a new Family Care Team for Baie Verte/Springdale.

The Provincial Government is also noting that work is ongoing to expand virtual care services, including offering virtual drivers medicals to seniors.

More information on recruitment and retention incentives for health care professionals interested in learning about the opportunities to work in Newfoundland and Labrador can find more information at WorkInHealthNL.ca.

Quotes
“We’re excited about these next steps to increase access to health care in this area. The new services, new family care team, and expansion of virtual care will provide more access to health care, which are also creating opportunities for graduates and other health care professionals to fill positions.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Our recruitment and retention incentives are working. Financial incentives have led to more than 100 physicians and 500 nurses agreeing to work in Newfoundland and Labrador. We’re excited about the future of health care for Baie Verte, Springdale, Triton and La Scie and the province.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

-30-

Learn more
Follow us on X @GovNL and @HCS_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

The post Provincial Government Continuing to Improve Access to Health Care appeared first on News Releases.

Drivers are advised to exercise caution and watch for roaming moose when travelling on provincial roadways, particularly between dusk and dawn.

There is an increased risk for moose-vehicle collisions at this time of year as many yearlings leave their mothers resulting in more moose near roadways.

Motorists are encouraged to adhere to the following guidelines to avoid a moose-vehicle collision:

• Slow down when driving at night to allow more time to respond to a moose on or near a roadway.
• Pay attention to posted warning signs which mark high-risk areas.
• Scan both sides of the road ahead as far as possible, especially when travelling in posted high-risk areas.
• Use extreme caution whenever encountering wildlife, regardless of the animal’s behavior or how far it is from the roadway.
• Focus on the road. Don’t become distracted.
• Maintain a clean windshield and headlights.
• Drive with your headlights on high beam unless approaching, or overtaking, other traffic.
• Wear seatbelts because they save lives.

The public can report moose sightings along or near roadways by calling 1-855-89MOOSE (66673).

Additional moose-vehicle collision awareness information is available on the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture website.

-30-

The post Public Advisory: Drivers Encouraged to be Aware of Moose When Travelling Provincial Roadways appeared first on News Releases.

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services:

 Speaker, Sunday, May 19, is World Family Doctor Day, and I rise in this Honourable House to celebrate family doctors for the care they provide to our communities.

This year’s theme is Healthy Planet, Healthy People, which highlights the connection between the planet’s health, our well-being, and the role of family doctors.

Speaker, we are committed to supporting our family doctors and value the leadership and broad scope of skill family physicians bring.

The Shared Agenda for Family Medicine with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association and our support for the Family Practice Renewal Program demonstrate our commitment to improve family medicine.

Over 100 physicians have been recruited in the past year due to our competitive recruitment incentives, including over 50 family physicians who work throughout the province in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and communities.

We are expanding the number of Faculty of Medicine seats for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, boosting recruitment and retention initiatives, and developing family care teams to increase access to health care and create collaborative environments for family physicians. We are working together to fulfill the promise of the Health Accord’s transformation.

Speaker, I ask the members to join me in applauding family doctors for their invaluable contributions to Newfoundland and Labrador.

The post Ministerial Statement – Provincial Government Celebrates Family Doctors appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced the finalization of the rate mitigation plan with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (NL Hydro). This plan applies only to island customers paying for the project. The plan will come into effect on July 1, 2024, and will ensure domestic residential rate increases are capped at 2.25 per cent annually for cost recovery associated with the Muskrat Falls project.

As publicly communicated in July 2021 when the Provincial Government announced its $5.2 billion rate mitigation deal with the Federal Government, without rate mitigation NL Hydro’s rates would have almost doubled (to 23.6 cents per kWh) as a result of the Muskrat Falls project.

Finalizing rate mitigation provides clarity of NL Hydro’s annual electricity rate increases associated with Muskrat Falls up to and including 2030. As a result of the implementation of the Provincial Government’s rate mitigation plan, on an average monthly bill of $300, customers will pay $307 a month in July 2024 compared to $500 a month without the rate mitigation plan; $193 less per month or $2,300 during the period of July 2024 to June 2025.

The total projected investment required from NL Hydro to fund this stage of the rate mitigation plan is over $2 billion including the financial projections up to and including 2030. This includes retirement of the 2023 deferral account balance of $271 million.

As noted, rate mitigation provides certainty on NL Hydro’s annual electricity rate increases associated with the cost of Muskrat Falls up to and including 2030. Through normal regulatory process, the PUB may approve additional rate changes resulting from Newfoundland Power general rate applications, rate stabilization, or municipal tax account or other adjustments.

NL Hydro produces the electricity needed to serve all customers in the province. NL Hydro distributes power directly to 24,000 customers on the island, one of which is Newfoundland Power. Newfoundland Power, in turn, distributes the power it receives from NL Hydro to an additional 275,000 customers on the island.

The Muskrat Falls plant was commissioned in November 2021 and the Labrador-Island Link was commissioned in April 2023. Since then, NL Hydro has been paying the Muskrat Falls project costs.

As part of the commitment to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy costs for residents, the Provincial Government, in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, provides financial support for residents for fuel switching and energy efficiency incentive programs. More information can be found at https://takechargenl.ca.

Quotes
“Our government recognizes that many people are facing challenges and electricity customers continue to be concerned about electricity rates. The rate mitigation plan mitigates costs associated with the Muskrat Falls project and provides certainty around rates related to the project for ratepayers from now up to and including 2030.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“Hydro has worked hard to cut costs and do our part to support government’s rate mitigation efforts. We know our customers expect that of us. Under this plan, Hydro will fund rate mitigation through its own revenue and are pleased to be in position to do our part to support customers.”
Jennifer Williams, President and CEO
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

-30-

Learn more
Follow us on X @IET_GovNL

Like Industry, Energy and Technology NL on Facebook

The post Provincial Government Announces Finalization of Rate Mitigation Plan appeared first on News Releases.

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.

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Crown Zone 2 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan Amendment (2022-2026)
Proponent: Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture   (Reg. 2310)

The Proponent is proposing an amendment to the Crown Zone 2 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2022-2026). The Project is proposed in Forest Management District 2, approximately seven kilometres north of the town of Winterbrook. The amendment would create a new harvest block covering 161 hectares of land and the Forest Management District’s harvest level would be balanced by reducing harvesting elsewhere in the District. 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 15, 2024; the deadline for public comment is June 19, 2024, and the Minister’s decision is due by June 29, 2024.

Comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca.

Watson’s Pond Quarry     (Reg. 2309)
Proponent: Marine Contractors Inc.

The Proponent is proposing a 49-hectare quarry area that would include its existing operations and an expanded area between Lewin Parkway and Corner Brook Stream in the city of Corner Brook. Rock aggregate and overlying till would be used for long-term aggregate supply and asphalt production. 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 15, 2024; the deadline for public comment is June 19, 2024, and the Minister’s decision is due by June 29, 2024.

Comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca.

Steady Brook Residential Property      (Reg. 2308)
Proponent: Susan Kim Dawson

The Proponent is proposing to construct a two-story dwelling on a residential lot located at 129 Marble Drive in the town of Steady Brook.  Construction would also include excavation of backfilled material, installation of a septic system and landscaping. The development is proposed adjacent to the Humber River, a scheduled salmon river. 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 15, 2024; the deadline for public comment is June 19, 2024, and the Minister’s decision is due by June 29, 2024.

Comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca .

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 Twitter: @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.

The post Environmental Assessment Bulletin appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, will bring greetings at the Atlantic Economic Council’s Building Atlantic Canada conference tomorrow (Thursday, May 16).

The event takes place at the Emera Innovation Exchange, 100 Signal Hill Road, St. John’s. Minister Coady will deliver remarks at 11:15 a.m.

The Atlantic Economic Council’s Building Atlantic Canada conference explores key takeaways related to large capital investment projects in the region.

-30-

The post Media Advisory: Minister Coady to Bring Greetings at Atlantic Economic Council Conference appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, will provide an update on the Provincial Government’s rate mitigation plan. Minister Parsons will be joined by Jennifer Williams, President of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

The event will take place tomorrow (Thursday, May 16) in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, beginning at 11:30 a.m. A technical briefing for media will take place at 10:30 a.m.

-30-

 

The post Media Advisory: Minister Parsons to Provide Update on Rate Mitigation Plan appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, will address the annual Mari-Tech Conference and Exhibition tomorrow (Thursday, May 16).

The event takes place the St. John’s Convention Centre, 50 New Gower Street, St. John’s, beginning at 12:45 p.m.

The Mari-Tech Conference is the premier event for the marine engineering community in Canada, engaging the private sector, government and academia. This year’s theme is Navigating Sustainable Marine Transportation.

-30-

 

The post Media Advisory: Minister Parsons to Speak at Mari-Tech Conference and Exhibition appeared first on News Releases.

The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL:

Speaker, today I have exciting news about the work our government is doing to modernize online service delivery.

Recently MyGovNL reached a significant milestone, surpassing one million online motor vehicle registration renewals since launching in 2019.

During that time, more than 195,000 driver’s licence renewals and 84,000 drivers’ exams have been completed through MyGovNL, and nearly 45,000 driving records have been issued through this convenient online service.

In addition to Motor Registration Division services, residents have also renewed more than 209,000 MCP cards and received more than 61,000 domestic wood cutting permits.

As of this week, there are some 350,000 registered users of MyGovNL, showing that people have embraced our modern and efficient approach to providing government services.

And while recognizing this is the way of the future, those who prefer in-person services can still visit Government Service Centres throughout the province.

Speaker, this is possible because we have talented and dedicated staff at the Office of the Chief Information Officer leading this important work with those in my department and throughout government.

I want to thank them all for their service to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and I look forward to sharing their next great achievement.

Thank you.

The post Ministerial Statement: Minister Highlights Progress on Online Service Delivery appeared first on News Releases.

The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture is calling for Requests for Proposal (RFPs) to pursue commercial timber development opportunities in Forest Management District (FMD) 8 located in the central region on the island and FMD 19 in Labrador. A map of all FMDs in the province can be viewed online here.

Each RFP is open to local individuals, forest harvesting and processing companies, Indigenous Governments and organizations with an interest in the commercial development of Crown timber resources. The RFP application and guidelines are available on the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture website.

The successful applicant for FMD 8 will be provided a five-year timber allocation to access 40,000 cubic metres of timber (8,000 cubic metres annually), located on designated cutting blocks in an area north of Botwood. Email RFP to MarkLawlor@gov.nl.ca on or before June 12, 2024, 4:30 p.m. NDT.

The successful applicant for FMD 19 will be provided a five-year timber allocation to access 250,000 cubic metres of timber (50,000 cubic metres annually), located on designated cutting blocks located on the north and south sides of the Churchill River in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area. Email RFP to MarkLawLor@gov.nl.ca on or before July 16, 2024, 4:30 p.m. NDT.

For additional information about the application process, contact the department at 709-640-7257 or email MarkLawlor@gov.nl.ca.

-30-

The post Public Advisory: Requests for Proposals Now Open for Timber Development appeared first on News Releases.