Government of Newfoundland News

Fisheries and Land Resources

Effective 7:00 a.m. Monday, August 28, the Campbellton River Bridge, located approximately eight kilometres along the Michael’s Harbour Forest Access Road, will be closed to all traffic to allow for repairs. The bridge is expected to remain closed until 6:00 p.m., Friday, September 1.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
Fisheries and Land Resources

An investment in excess of $2.5 million from industry, government, academia, donors and the Marine Institute will advance the way fish stock assessments for the Northwest Atlantic fisheries are conducted.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, is today acknowledging the contribution of MP Judy Foote and her advocacy for Newfoundland and Labrador:

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will bring greetings at the Jigg’s Dinner Supper, one of the events being held as part of The Gathering festival. The event takes place at 5:00 p.m. today (Thursday, August 24) at the Middle Arm Town Hall.

Service NL

In accordance with an amendment to the Chase the Ace licence for St. Kevin’s Parish, the following rules will apply for the final draw on Wednesday, August 30, 2017:

Justice and Public Safety

The Provincial Government today released the results of the recent consultation related to the legalization of cannabis in Newfoundland and Labrador. Legalization of Cannabis: Report on Public and Stakeholder Engagement can be viewed online at www.justice.gov.nl.ca/just/publications/Legalization_Cannabis_Report_Public_Stakeholder_Engagement.pdf

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, will announce funding for the Ocean Choice International Industrial Research Chair at the Fisheries and Marine Institute tomorrow (Thursday, August 24). The event will take place at 1:00 p.m. at the Hampton Hall Lecture Theatre, Fisheries and Marine Institute, 155 Ridge Road, St. John's.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

ParticipACTION will make the first stop in Newfoundland and Labrador on their cross-Canada tour to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday with the 150 Play List. Today, the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, was joined by Elio Antunes, President and CEO of ParticipACTION, to take part in the festivities in St. John’s.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate released an investigative report today entitled The Case for Specialized Health Care Responses to Recognize and Prevent Child Sexual Abuse. The focus is a 12 year old girl who was sexually assaulted by her stepfather, became pregnant and sought to terminate the pregnancy. The child and her siblings were also the focus of multiple separate reports to the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development regarding supervision and safety concerns.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

Jackie Lake Kavanagh, Child and Youth Advocate, will be holding a press conference at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday, August 23) to publicly release an investigative report. The press conference will take place in the boardroom at the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, 193 LeMarchant Road, St. John’s

Health and Community Services

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is welcoming the release of a Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities between the federal, provincial (with the exception of Quebec, which has reached an alternate agreement) and territorial Ministers of Health. These priorities are consistent with actions being undertaken in Newfoundland and Labrador to strengthen existing programs and services and provide more timely access to mental health and addictions services, as well as home and community care.

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.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will attend ParticipACTION 150 Play List festivities in St. John’s tomorrow (Wednesday, August 23) at 11:00 a.m. The minister will be joined by Elio Antunes, President and CEO of ParticipACTION. Events will be taking place at the Bowring Park pool and splash pad, 305 Waterford Bridge Road, St. John’s.

Finance

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, today announced a review of the province’s tax system, along with its plan to eliminate the provincial portion of the Book Tax.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, today announced the start of public consultations on regional government in Newfoundland and Labrador. The consultation process will seek public input to help inform the development of a potential regional government model for the province.

Finance

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will announce the scope of an independent tax review and members of the Independent Tax Review Committee today (Tuesday, August 22). The announcement will take place in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate is excited to launch its Young Artist Program. This program is for young artists under the age of 21 and artwork can include drawings, paintings, pictures and even poetry. Jackie Lake Kavanagh, Provincial Child and Youth Advocate stated “there are so many talented young people in our province. The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate wants to showcase their artwork on our website, social media, newsletters, reports and other resource materials about children’s rights.” Submissions can be done online or mailed in.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, will be attending Federal, Provincial and Territorial meetings of ministers responsible for culture and heritage this week. The meetings take place on August 22 and 23 in Orford, Quebec.

Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, will be visiting Conne River for two days starting tomorrow (Tuesday, August 22) to meet with members of the Miawpukek Mi’kamawey Mawi’omi to discuss justice issues.

Executive Council
Fisheries and Land Resources
Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has made $5.5 million in funding available to address significant employment challenges faced by processing plant workers as a result of declines in shellfish resources, severe sea ice conditions, and other challenges this year.