Government of Newfoundland News

Executive Council
Children, Seniors and Social Development

The Provincial Government is inviting individuals, groups and organizations to submit nominations for the 2017 Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors of Distinction Awards.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will bring greetings at the Opening Ceremony for the 2017 Tim Hortons Brier on Saturday, March 4.

Health and Community Services

The statutory review committee appointed to review the Personal Health Information Act will hold a public consultation session on Wednesday, March 8. The session will take place in Conference Room A on the Lower Level of the Confederation Building, West Block, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

Public consultations to help establish a clear and consistent method of determining future increases to minimum wage will be held in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Wednesday, March 15.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Provincial Government was joined by representatives from the Federal Government and the City of St. John’s today to announce infrastructure investments of over $2.6 million to provide vital upgrades for St. John’s Metrobus transit system.

Municipal Affairs and Environment
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Municipal Affairs and Environment, and the Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, today announced a total investment of $1,600,751 for seven projects in the Isthmus region at an event in Arnold’s Cove.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, will bring greetings at the Opening Reception for the 2017 Tim Hortons Brier today (Friday, March 3).

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, will participate in a funding announcement tomorrow (Friday, March 3) beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Icewater Seafoods Inc., 24 High Liner Drive, Arnold's Cove.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, together with Mark Browne, Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier and MHA for Placentia West – Bellevue, will present a new fire truck and make funding announcements tomorrow (Friday, March 3) at 2:00 p.m. at the Southern Harbour Civic Centre in Southern Harbour.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will bring greetings at the “Slay the Gander” announcement to be held by the Avalon Dragons, in partnership with the Central Newfoundland and Labrador Dragons and the Town of Appleton.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and MHA for Mount Scio, on behalf of the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, will join Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John's East, and St. John’s Mayor Dennis O’Keefe tomorrow (Friday, March 3) for funding announcements related to public transit projects.

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 an approaching weather system. Higher than normal water levels and pounding surf is expected along the south coast of Newfoundland from Cape Race to Port aux Basques late this evening and near midnight. These conditions are also expected along the west coast from the Bay of Islands to Cape Ray near midnight and overnight tonight. FES encourages residents to be cautious around coastlines and waterways during this time period.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate recognizes that foster homes in Labrador is a significant issue. Jackie Lake Kavanagh, Child and Youth Advocate, is currently in Labrador this week on a previously scheduled visit, meeting with community leaders, senior officials, service providers and youth.

Service NL

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on the work we are doing to raise public awareness on the importance of tackling climate change.

Transportation and Works

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation and Works is focused on finding innovative ways to develop and improve vital road infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Justice and Public Safety

“I firmly believe that in serious incidents involving police, civilian oversight is necessary to maintain public confidence in the administration of justice.

Finance

The Provincial Government today provided an update on the status of collective bargaining with the Newfoundland and Labrador Union of Public and Private Employees (NAPE) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Since November 2016, government has met with 14 NAPE groups and five CUPE groups. While the parties have met multiple times and been able to make progress on some issues, there has been little or no movement on outstanding proposals with financial implications. Government is seeking the assistance of conciliation for six of the NAPE bargaining groups and one of the CUPE bargaining groups in an attempt to find a resolution.

Service NL

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is taking important steps toward improving public safety by introducing amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to strengthen impaired driving laws.

Finance

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will provide an update on the status of collective bargaining at 1:00 p.m. today (Thursday, March 2) in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building.

Fisheries and Land Resources

The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, will address attendees at the Newfoundland and Labrador Fish Harvesting Safety Association AGM tomorrow (Thursday, March 2), 12:00 p.m. at the Comfort Inn Airport, St. John's.