Government of Newfoundland News

Children, Seniors and Social Development

Today, I am honoured to recognize four athletes from this province who recently competed with Team Canada at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria - Justin Dodge of Grand Bank, Floressa Harris of Gander, Sandra Smith of Carbonear, and Crystal Young of Harbour Grace.

Finance
Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to provide some highlights of my recent trip to New York as a representative of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to remember Bill Rompkey, who passed away on March 21. Since his death, flags have been at half-staff here at Confederation Building.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment, Fire and Emergency Services (FES) is monitoring Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast information on a developing weather system.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, will address the Atlantic Business Outlook Conference tomorrow (Thursday, March 30) at 8:45 a.m. The conference takes place at the Harbourview Ballroom, St. John’s Convention Centre.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the recent launch of The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador, the province’s five-year plan for increasing immigrant attraction and retention.

Natural Resources

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House today to share the optimism and confidence about mining prospects in Newfoundland and Labrador, as demonstrated by the many people I met earlier in this month at PDAC - the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada’s Mining Convention and Trade Show.

Health and Community Services

Regional health authorities, along with the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI), today are implementing a flatter, leaner management structure.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the appointment of Ellen Alcock as Associate Secretary to Cabinet (Communications) Acting, with responsibility for the Communications and Public Engagement Branch of Executive Council. Ms. Alcock brings more than 25 years of professional communications experience to the Provincial Government, having worked primarily in senior positions with the Government of Canada.

Justice and Public Safety

A summit was held in St. John's today to connect representatives that have direct involvement in Newfoundland and Labrador's criminal justice system. The event themed "Out of the Silos: Implementing Solutions Together" brought together frontline and management stakeholders such as the judiciary, police, mental health advocates and various Department of Justice and Public Safety employees, to discuss important issues.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, will address the 16th annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop tomorrow (Wednesday, March 29), 9:00 a.m., at Hotel Gander.

Executive Council

The following are speaking notes delivered at the Opening of the Second Session of the Forty-Eighth General Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday, March 28, by His Honour The Honourable Frank F. Fagan, CM, ONL, MBA, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Executive Council

The Speech from the Throne will be delivered at 2:00 p.m., tomorrow (Tuesday, March 28), in the House of Assembly.

Transportation and Works

Visitors to the Confederation Building Complex in St. John’s are advised that parking in front of East Block at 100 Prince Philip Drive will be available only to media and invited guests attending the Speech from the Throne on Tuesday, March 28.

Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, will offer opening remarks at a justice summit tomorrow (Tuesday, March 28) at 8:30 a.m.

Executive Council
Transportation and Works

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced that the Provincial Government’s leased space has been reduced by more than 42,000 square feet.

Executive Council

Today the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, delivered a report card on the first phase of initiatives launched last November as part of The Way Forward, and announced a new phase of actions for the coming year.

Children, Seniors and Social Development Health and Community Services

The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will speak at Memorial University’s School of Social Work Third Annual Pledge of Professionalism Ceremony on Monday, March 27, at 6:00 p.m.

Executive Council
Transportation and Works

Today, as part of Budget 2017 the Provincial Government released The Way Forward: A Five-Year Provincial Marine Infrastructure Plan which will provide better services at ferry ports across the province. Supported through a $28 million investment, the plan outlines upgrades and enhancements to ferry terminal areas such as parking, waiting facilities and washrooms, and wharf rehabilitation.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will deliver a report card on Phase One initiatives of The Way Forward vision and launch Phase Two today (Monday, March 27). The news conference will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building.