Government of Newfoundland News

The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, is congratulating the winners of the 72nd annual Arts and Letters Awards Program. The awards were presented on Friday evening (April 19) during a ceremony at The Rooms.

This year, prizes totaling $46,700 were awarded in literary, music, visual arts and media arts sections. There were 30 winning entries in the Junior Division and 32 winning entries in the Senior Division, with an additional 27 Visual Art exhibitors chosen by the Curator at The Rooms, Mireille Eagan. A total of 618 entries were submitted for consideration for the 2024 program.

The Percy Janes First Novel Award, with the program’s top prize of $2,500, was awarded to Sabrina Pinksen for her novel, Those Who Stayed.

A detailed list of award recipients can be found in the backgrounder below. More information on the program and submission guidelines can be found here.

First launched in 1952, the Arts and Letters Awards Program is a renowned provincial program that encourages artistic creation and recognizes excellence through the awarding of monetary prizes, along with the opportunity for adjudication, to both emerging and established artists. Original creative work in literature, music, visual art, and media arts are eligible for submission annually.

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“Since its inception in 1952, the Arts and Letters Awards Program has been a beacon of encouragement and celebration for artists from various backgrounds, experiences, cultures and traditions. Artistic expression stands as a cornerstone of our province’s cultural mosaic, serving as a powerful medium for vitality and wellness. Sincere congratulations to this year’s exceptional winners and applicants! Your dedication and creativity are invaluable in shaping and enriching the artistic landscape of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

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Arts and Letter Awards Program

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BACKGROUNDER

JUNIOR AWARD WINNERS

Junior Poetry [15 and Under] ($350 prize)
Adjudicators: Maggie Burton, Randy Drover, Katie Vautour

Anastasia Saika-Voivod, A Snowman
Sadie Butt, These are my Summers
Mia Butler, Alignment
Logan Caines, What we Forget to See

Junior Poetry [16-20] ($350 prize)
Adjudicators: Maggie Burton, Randy Drover, Katie Vautour

Rhyann Sibley, Ramea, NL
Arielle Connors, Birdbrain
Michelle Woodfine, Sinking Out
Bridget O’Brien, The Graduate

Junior Prose [15 and Under] ($350 prize)
Adjudicators: Ainsley Hawthorn, Charlotte Jones

Isabella Sommerfeld, The Letters we Read
Caylee Smith-Stoney, What can I do?
Dylan Whitten, Finding Peter P
Maia McKeown, Forsea

Junior Prose [16-20] ($350 prize)
Adjudicators: Ainsley Hawthorn, Charlotte Jones

Tanish Bhatt, A Pawn’s Shadow
Léna Bernard Wills, Seluk’s Fable
Alicia Power, Growing Up
Brianna Russell, Black Hole

Junior French Literary ($350 prize)
Adjudicator: Agnès Mamet

William Lush, Les roses d’or, d’argent et de bronze

Junior Music [15 and under] ($350 prize)
Adjudicators: Justin Fancy, Ian Foster

Ethan Gough, Dead Bodies

Junior Music [16-20] ($350 prize)
Adjudicators: Justin Fancy, Ian Foster

Summer Bennett, Another Girl
Rebecca-Ann Bartlett, Wrong

Junior Visual Art [15 and under] ($350 prize)
Adjudicators: Daze Jefferies, Jessica McDonald

Ava Slaney Hearn, A Matter Of Time
Emma Coffin, Here in the Garden
Ava Caines, Orange Bliss
Adam Masek, Fungi

Junior Visual Art [16-20] ($350 prize)
Adjudicators: Daze Jefferies, Jessica McDonald

Bronwyn Fiske, Nice to Meet You
Kanto Ratsimandresy, Healing the Inner Child
Amy Parsons, Our Mechanized Future
Briagh Hogan, Haleine

Junior Media Arts ($350 prize)
Adjudicator: Jenn Brown

Jesse Carew, Your Cat
Nyah Williams, Oranges

SENIOR AWARD WINNERS

Senior Poetry ($1000 prize)
Adjudicators: Mark Callanan, George Murray

Matthew Hollett, Lobster Villanelle
Duncan Major, Three Voices
Allie Duff, Bleeding Through My Jeans at The Bonavista Foodland
Bernard N. Wills, Pictures

Senior Short Fiction ($1000 prize)
Adjudicators: Evan Careen, Renée Hackett

Ida Linehan Young, Never
Darren Ivany, The Banshee on Salmonier Line
Connie Boland, Cards Laid Out On The Table
Kirsti Mikoda, Pam Sunday

Senior Nonfiction ($1000 prize)
Adjudicator: Libby Creelman

Stephanie Morgan, Going Home
Sara Swain, Palimpsest
Christina Wells, The Third Line of my Haiku

Senior Dramatic Script ($1000 prize)
Adjudicators: Ruth Lawrence, Bernardine Stapleton

Santiago Guzmán, Seis Grados en Mayo
Cole Hayley, & They All Melt Into Their Carpets

Senior French Literary ($1000 prize)
Adjudicator: Agnès Mamet

Mohamed Madiou, Âme fanée

Percy Janes First Novel Award ($2500 prize)
Adjudicator: Sharon Bala

Sabrina Pinksen, Those Who Stayed

Senior Music ($1000 prize)
Adjudicators: Justin Fancy, Ian Foster

Alex Dinn, Fairweather Friend
Pat Sloan, Can’t Wait
Mark Hoyles, It’s Not Bad, It’s Just Fast
Madisan Dohaney, Erase Me

Senior Media Arts ($1000 prize)
Adjudicator: Jenn Brown

Jason MacDonald, Evolution of a Province

Senior Visual Art ($1000 prize)
Adjudicators: Marlene Creates, Kendall Sweeney, Anastasia Tiller

Wanita Normore Powell, Tranquil, Inviting Lights
Kathryn Welbourn, Gifts of St. Vincent’s
Cathy Driedzic, Panorama: Life on the Ria Formosa
Nasim Makaremi Nia, Tuckaway
Carolina Valverde Cardenas, Glow
Shane N. Dwyer, Political Landscape
Maggie Rex, August
Amber Gibbon, Up in Smoke
Nicole Travers, Nkamulamun (My Heart)
Louis-Christophe Villeneuve, Vase torus 2023
Shell Ledrew, Newfoundlander at Vimy
Ting Ting Chen, A Midsummer Morning’s Dream: A Self Portrait

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To support the continued growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s ocean technology sector, the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced a $467,500 investment in SubC Imaging to support the company as it develops a new underwater inspection system.

Clarenville-based SubC Imaging builds complete imaging solutions for clients around the world. The company is developing a multi-channel inspection system that includes up to six cameras for an ROV to provide full situational awareness. New software will be developed to merge the various sources of data into one system. The solution will combine cameras, lights, lasers, software and cloud-based infrastructure for end-to-end inspections and surveys.

The offshore energy sector requires regular inspections of subsea equipment, often requiring specialized personnel from multiple disciplines and a collection of various inspections. This new technology will enable SubC to provide an important service in the energy sector to closely monitor and inspect underwater assets in a more cost-effective and efficient manner than is currently being used.

SubC started as a home-based business in 2010 and now has more than 20 employees. The Provincial Government’s contribution of $467,500 from the Innovation and Business Development Fund matches SubC’s investment for a total project cost of $935,000.

The Innovation and Business Development Fund provides investments to grow Newfoundland and Labrador’s oil and gas supply and service capabilities, including opportunities to diversify capacities in other energy sectors. Support for these projects demonstrates the Provincial Government’s commitment to strengthen the province’s economic foundation by facilitating growth and innovation in our industries and technologies.

Quotes
“SubC has shown time and again it can compete in the global marketplace while creating valuable tech-based jobs in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Our government is pleased to support ocean technology companies such as SubC by providing them with the tools needed to compete in an increasingly globalized market.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“Investing in the development of new inspection and survey systems will enable us to enter the market faster and achieve a greater impact than we could otherwise. We have worked with experts for the past year to develop product market and technology strategies, and we are ready to hit the seafloor running. With ocean tech poised for significant growth and a promising future, this investment makes a lot of sense. There is no more ideal location for advancing ocean technology than Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Chad Collett
CEO, SubC Imaging

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Innovation and Business Development Fund

SubC Imaging

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL, will attend Uber’s announcement about the launch of their ride-sharing service in Newfoundland and Labrador today (Tuesday, April 23).

The announcement will take place at the Quidi Vidi Artisan Studios, 10 Maple View Road, St. John’s, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

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Premiers have written to the Prime Minister regarding Budget 2024.

Premiers Write to the Prime Minister on the Federal Budget

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Les premiers ministres des provinces et des territoires écrivent au premier ministre du Canada au sujet du budget fédéral

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will bring greetings at the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE) 2024 Annual Conference on Tuesday, April 23.

The event is taking place at St. John’s Convention Centre, 50 New Gower Street, St. John’s, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

NLOWE provides programs and services that connect and support women within Newfoundland Labrador to start, grow and advance their businesses.

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Twenty of Newfoundland and Labrador’s top students were recognized today for the 2024 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards. The recipients were announced by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, at a ceremony in St. John’s.

Rise Awards are presented to Level II high school students who demonstrate academic excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

To create more opportunities to recognize this province’s brightest, the Department expanded the number of award recipients this year from 15 to 20. The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology provides approximately $320,000 for tuition, accommodations and travel stipends for the students to participate in world-class enrichment programs.

Students will attend one of three enrichment programs for this year’s RISE awards: Research Science Institute, Boston Leadership Institute, and Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program. One successful recipient will attend the research-related enrichment program at the Research Science Institute, located at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); seven recipients will attend the Boston Leadership Institute, located in Wellesley, Massachusetts; and 12 recipients will attend the Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program at the University of Toronto. Information on award recipients is included in the backgrounder below.

Research Science Institute is a partnership between the Center for Excellence in Education, a not-for-profit organization based in McLean, Virginia, and MIT. This institute offers a six-week summer enrichment program in the Boston, Massachusetts, area, and emphasizes advanced theory and research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. This program introduces students to the entire research process, from literature review to experimental design and analysis.

Boston Leadership Institute is a three-week program held in Wellesley, Massachusetts, offering STEM research programs taught by top educators and researchers. Ranked among the top five summer science enrichment programs in the U.S.A., this program provides students with an opportunity to develop high-level research skills and subject matter expertise through lectures, presentations and hands-on experiments.

Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program is a four-week program held at the University of Toronto. This program offers pre-university engineering and science enrichment, as well as research project design opportunities.

Selection of the RISE Award winners includes an assessment of academic achievement, as well as written essays in which applicants must highlight plans for future study, career and research interests, and how those interests are relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador.

The RISE Awards recognize the need for early development of the talent required to advance research and development, innovation and economic growth among our province’s youth. Since 2011, the Provincial Government has provided an opportunity for 183 RISE Award recipients to attend these exceptional programs, investing in the next generation of STEM excellence.

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“The RISE Awards give hardworking and dedicated students from our province the chance to attend world-class enrichment programs, with an aim to expanding their study and career horizons. This year’s expanded cohort of RISE Award recipients demonstrates the Provincial Government’s commitment to supporting and bolstering STEM in Newfoundland and Labrador. I want to send my congratulations to all 20 winners. Their diligent work in both school and extracurricular activities has shown they will make the most of these upcoming enrichment opportunities, and they should all be proud of this accomplishment.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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Le gouvernement provincial reconnaît les 20 lauréats des prix RISE 2024

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RISE Awards Guidelines

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BACKGROUNDER

• Shalom Alemu – Gonzaga High School, St. John’s
• Jassem Almutawa – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
• Noah Butt – Discovery Collegiate, Bonavista
• Hannah Cameron – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
• Frank Chen – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
• Daniel Cheng – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
• Christopher Donovan – Discovery Collegiate, Bonavista
• Lauren Farrell – Marystown Central High School, Marystown
• Adhira Ganesh – Gonzaga High School, St. John’s
• Nancy Hassan – Gonzaga High School, St. John’s
• Orpa Hawlader – Gonzaga High School in St. John’s
• Felisha Hutchings – Lewisporte Collegiate, Lewisporte
• Ella Ilijanic – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
• Meaghan Lee – École l’ENVOL, Labrador City
• Madison Malone – Prince of Wales Collegiate, St. John’s
• Molly Malone – Prince of Wales Collegiate, St. John’s
• Natalie Mitchell – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
• Winner Nwachukwu – Waterford Valley High School, St. John’s
• Sarah Ryan – Holy Spirit High School, Conception Bay South
• Tara Stuckless – Lewisporte Collegiate, Lewisporte

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Spring has arrived and with it snow melt and spring runoff. T’Railway Provincial Park users should exercise caution as conditions can change daily.

Areas of the trailway that are prone to erosion may experience washouts or structural damage due to possible increased water flow. Please be vigilant while enjoying the T’Railway and report any observed hazards to ParksNL at trailway@gov.nl.ca.

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report P-2024-002 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. A summary of the Report is included below.

To view the Report in its entirety, please go to

www.oipc.nl.ca/reports/atippa-2015-privacy-reports/

Report: P-2024-002 Report Date: April 17, 2024 Public Body: Department of Justice and Public Safety Summary: The Complainant made a complaint to this Office alleging that the Department of Justice and Public Safety breached their privacy by issuing notices of garnishment to businesses that the Department should have known would not have maintained the Complainant’s privacy. The notices were issued pursuant to the Support Orders Enforcement Act, which authorizes the director of the Support Enforcement Division of the Department to issue garnishment orders containing sufficient information about a debtor to properly allow a garnishee to meet its requirements under the order. The release of the personal information was permitted pursuant to sections 68(1) and 69(1) of ATIPPA, 2015. This Office found no evidence that the Department breached the Complainant’s privacy in the issuance of the garnishment notices.

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Media contact
Sean Murray
Director of Research & Quality Assurance
709-729-6309

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The Official Addition of the Votes was conducted today (Thursday, April 18) at the Fogo Island-Cape Freels Returning Office. The Returning Officer reviewed the voting tallies from by-election night as part of the legislatively required procedure.

The official results of the by-election are as follows:

Fogo Island- Cape Freels Official Candidates: Political Affiliation: Official Results: BLACKMORE, Dana Liberal Party 2244 GILL, Jim New Democratic Party 169 McKENNA, Jim Progressive Conservative Party 3290 TOTAL VOTES: 5703

 

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Media contact
Rexanne Eddy
Communications and Training Officer, ATIPP Coordinator
Elections Newfoundland and Labrador
Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
709-729-1474
rexanneeddy@electionsnl.ca

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The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has reduced the maximum load limit for vehicles on Pitts Memorial Drive to 15 tonnes (15,000 kgs) between 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 22, and 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23. All trucks in excess of 15 tonnes heading west from the downtown area or heading east towards the downtown area will have to use alternate routes.

The weight restriction is necessary as part of the ongoing bridge work on Pitts Memorial Drive.

Highway Enforcement Officers will be on site to enforce this temporary reduction in maximum load limits in accordance with section 106 (52) of the Highway Traffic Act. Under the Act, all drivers must obey the instructions of a traffic-control signal or traffic-control device.

Failure to comply may result in a fine of a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $900. Failure to pay this fine could result in imprisonment of no more than 30 days, but at least two days.

Information on active highway construction projects and repairs is also available by visiting nl511.ca  and on the NL 511 mobile app.

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The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister Responsible for Labour, will speak at a funding announcement in support of small business in Newfoundland and Labrador, tomorrow (Friday, April 19), hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers’ Council and the St. John’s Board of Trade.

The announcement will be held at Bannerman Brewing Co., 90 Duckworth St., St. John’s, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

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

Speaker, today I rise in this Honourable House to acknowledge April as Daffodil Month.

Daffodil Month is a national fundraising campaign of the Canadian Cancer Society. Volunteers raise vital funds through the sale of daffodils and daffodil pins for the fight against cancer.

This month, the Canadian Cancer Society is asking the public to help people with cancer live longer, fuller lives.

The daffodil is an emblem of hope, a unifying symbol that brings us together to change the future for people affected by cancer.

We have all been impacted by cancer in some way, shape or form. It’s a disease that knows no boundaries; a disease that has no limits. That is why it is so important to recognize Daffodil Month, as cancer affects all of us.

We appreciate the incredible work of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation. The society and foundation have been providing numerous supports and services for people throughout this province for a long time.

Our government is also dedicated to helping improve access to quality cancer care for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We have world-class health care professionals working throughout the province making a difference in the lives of people and families who have been impacted by cancer.

I ask all Honourable members to join me as we help hope bloom and work to make a difference in the lives of people affected by cancer.

Thank you, Speaker.

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change:

I am pleased to rise to share updates on the Provincial Government’s successful Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program.

Electric vehicles play an important role in the transition to a cleaner environment and a low-carbon economy. The number of battery electric vehicles in the province has increased more than 1,000 per cent since 2018.

The rebate program is intended to increase accessibility for residents seeking to obtain an electric vehicle. The program provides a $2,500 rebate for consumers who purchase or lease an all-electric vehicle, and a $1,500 rebate for the purchase or lease of a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Budget 2024 includes $875,000 to support the continuation of the program. It also includes $1.1 million to support EV infrastructure.

In 2023-24, 750 rebates (458 battery electric and 292 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) were approved. And I am pleased to say there is an average of two new electric vehicles on the road in the province every day. Over the past three years since program inception, about 1,300 rebates have been issued.

Switching to an EV means reducing greenhouse gas emissions, burning less fossil fuels and, overall, less pollution for the environment. With an EV, consumers can save approximately 70 per cent in energy costs for an all-electric and around 50 per cent for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, depending on factors such as the number of kilometres driven, fuel prices and the type of vehicle.

Speaker, our government remains committed to supporting significant investments and initiatives to reduce this province’s carbon footprint.

Thank you.

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The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, will announce recipients of the 2024 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards tomorrow (Friday, April 19).

The event will take place at the Emera Innovation Exchange, 100 Signal Hill Road, St. John’s, beginning at 12:00 p.m. Members of the media planning to attend are asked to RSVP.

Recipients of the RISE awards are Level II high school students who demonstrate academic excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. RISE award recipients can attend research-related enrichment programs in Canada and the United States.

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Today, the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced that two urgent care centres will open in the St. John’s metro region. The new urgent care centres will create more timely access to urgent care and reduce strain on emergency departments.

NL Health Services has awarded a contract for a lease valued at approximately $1.2 million annually to Morgan Group of Companies for 12,398 square feet of space to be constructed at 840 Topsail Road, near the intersection of Blackmarsh Road and Topsail Road in St. John’s.

A second contract has been awarded by NL Health Services for a lease valued at approximately $900,000 to Newfoundland and Labrador Health Alliance for 11,572 square feet of space at the former Costco Building, 28 Stavanger Drive, St. John’s. Services at both locations will continue to be publicly funded health care and provided by professionals employed by NL Health Services.

Part of the Provincial Government’s plan to create a more efficient health care system based on the recommendation of Health Accord NL, the two new urgent care centres will provide an additional access point of care for non-emergent patients in the metro region. The centres will ease pressures on the acute care emergency departments by treating patients presenting with urgent, non-life-threatening medical injuries and illnesses, such as:

• Sprains and strains
• New and worsening non-emergent pain
• Fever and infections
• Less serious childhood illness and injury, cuts, wound or skin conditions

More information on urgent care centres can be found here.

The Department of Health and Community Services and NL Health Services anticipate both centres opening in 2025. Both contracts are for 20 years. The Stavanger Drive location will also be the location of an ambulatory care hub for the metro region, which is also anticipated to open in 2025 and will also help improve patient flow at acute care facilities.

Budget 2024 includes a record high investment of $4.1 billion in health care to continue to improve access by creating more family care teams, recruit more health care professionals, modernize health care services and shorten wait times.

Information on tenders and requests for proposals issued and awarded by the Provincial Government and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com.

Quotes
“Many of us have experienced lengthy wait times at emergency departments. Opening two new urgent care centres and the new ambulatory care centre will help people get the care they need sooner, without having to wait behind patients who need more urgent care. These centres and our family care teams are welcomed by health care professionals. With our $10-million investment this year in recruitment and retention, we look forward to adding even more staff to work at these locations.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Establishing these urgent care clinics in the Eastern-Urban Zone of NL Health Services marks another milestone in NL Health Service’s commitment to transforming the health-care system and improving access to services. We look forward to seeing how this model will benefit our health-care system, and we thank the Provincial Government for their support as we work to enhance health-care delivery in our province.”
Dr. Greg Browne
Senior Medical Director, NL Health Services, Eastern-Urban Zone

“As MHA for Windsor Lake, I’m pleased to see the former Costco building transformed into a new urgent care centre to serve people throughout the metro region. Everyone from young families to seniors in my district will benefit from the proximity of this new facility and I look forward to the opening in 2025.”
Honourable John Hogan
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and MHA for Windsor Lake

“This announcement of two new urgent care centres is another example of our government’s commitment to implement the recommendations of Health Accord NL. The location of these new centres, one in the east end of St. John’s and the other in Mount Pearl, enhances health care services in the broader Northeast Avalon region with improved access and increased efficiency for residents requiring care.”
Lucy Stoyles
MHA for Mount Pearl North

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New Ambulatory Care Hub to be Established on Northeast Avalon

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The Department of Education is reviewing the potential for grade reconfigurations among four schools within the current Prince of Wales Collegiate School System, including St. Andrew’s Elementary, Larkhall Academy, Leary’s Brook Junior High, and Prince of Wales Collegiate. This is due to capacity challenges at the primary/elementary school level.

Beginning this coming September, the following changes are being considered to best accommodate the changing demographics of the school community while optimizing current school infrastructure:

• St. Andrew’s Elementary and Larkhall Academy will be reconfigured to Kindergarten to Grade 4. As a result, current Grade 4 students at St. Andrew’s and Larkhall Academy advancing to Grade 5 in September 2024 will transition one year earlier to Leary’s Brook Junior High, which is the current feeder school.
• Leary’s Brook Junior High will be reconfigured to Grades 5-8. As a result, current Grade 8 students at Leary’s Brook advancing to Grade 9 in September 2024 will transition one year earlier to Prince of Wales Collegiate, which is the current feeder school.
• Prince of Wales Collegiate will be reconfigured as a Grade 9-Level IV school.

There will be no changes to catchment areas for students and no changes to the grade configuration of Beachy Cove Elementary or Brookside Intermediate, which also feed into the Prince of Wales Collegiate school system.

The grade reconfiguration of the Prince of Wales Collegiate School System is anticipated to be an interim measure until planning and construction are finalized on new school builds in Kenmount Terrace and Portugal Cove-St. Philips.

Further information will be shared with the school community later today and feedback on the proposed grade reconfiguration will be sought from all members of the school community, including students, staff, parents and families. It is anticipated that a final decision related to the reconfiguration will be made by April 30 to allow schools and families appropriate time to prepare for the new school year.

The Provincial Government is taking action to modernize the education system, including building new infrastructure to meet the needs of students, teachers, and communities. Budget 2024 provides over $52 million for school infrastructure, as well as $146 million allocated over next three years for new schools in Cartwright, Kenmount Terrace, Portugal Cove-St. Philips, and Pilley’s Island, and planning for a new high school in Paradise.

Quote
“The reconfiguration of the Prince of Wales Collegiate school system is necessary to alleviate capacity pressures being experienced in some schools while leveraging available space in other schools. A positive educational environment requires space to teach and learn, and these changes will support students and staff to do so.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education

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Learn more
Public Engagement Process Begins for Kenmount Terrace School

Site Announced for New School in Kenmount Terrace

Location Unveiled for Site of New School in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s

Provincial Government to Build a New High School for Paradise 

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The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, will bring greetings at Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2024 Tourism Week luncheon.

The event begins at 12:00 p.m. at Glendenning Golf Course, 120 Gabriel Road, St. John’s.

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With camping season just around the corner, ParksNL is preparing to open the reservation system and welcome 2024 clients.

ParksNL will launch the campsite reservation service for the 2024 season on Wednesday, April 24, at 7:00 a.m. (6:30 a.m. in most of Labrador). The registration system can be accessed by visiting www.nlcamping.ca.

Campsites may also be reserved by calling toll-free 1-877-214-CAMP (2267). A profile is required to make a reservation. Interested campers should either create a profile or login to ensure their information is up to date prior to the launch date.

To view the updated Rules and Regulations for reservations, including updates on the use of generators for those with medical needs, please visit www.parksnl.ca/files/Provincial-Park-Rules-and-Regs-2024.pdf.

Most camping parks are scheduled to open for the Victoria Day weekend, with some others opening in late May. The opening and closing dates of the 13 provincial camping parks can be found in the backgrounder below.

To inquire about the 2024 camping season, please contact ParksNL at 709-637-2040 or info@ParksNL.ca.

Quote
“Camping gives us a chance to not only get active but to enjoy the incredible well-being benefits of being immersed in nature. I have no doubt that the upcoming ParksNL season will be nothing short of extraordinary, offering visitors unparalleled experiences amidst our stunning natural landscapes.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

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ParksNL

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 BACKGROUNDER

Opening and Closing Dates For Provincial Camping Parks

Park Name Opening Date Closing Date Barachois Pond May 15, 2024 September 16, 2024 Butter Pot May 15, 2024 September 16, 2024 Frenchman’s Cove May 15, 2024 September 16, 2024 J.T. Cheeseman May 15, 2024 September 16, 2024 La Manche May 15, 2024 September 16, 2024 Lockston Path May 15, 2024 September 16, 2024 Notre Dame May 15, 2024 September 16, 2024 Sir Richard Squires Memorial May 24, 2024 September 9, 2024 Sandbanks May 24, 2024 September 16, 2024 Blow Me Down May 31, 2024 September 9, 2024 Dildo Run May 31, 2024 September 16, 2024 Pinware River May 31, 2024 September 16, 2024 Pistolet Bay May 31, 2024 September 16, 2024

Please note: All dates are subject to change depending on weather conditions.

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The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, will bring greetings at the Newfoundland and Labrador premiere of The King Tide this evening (April 17).

The event begins at 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Theatre, Avalon Mall, St. John’s.

The King Tide, produced by Allison White and directed by Christian Sparkes, both from Newfoundland and Labrador, premiered to critical acclaim at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival in the prestigious Platform Program.

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The post Media Advisory: Minister Crocker to Bring Greetings at Newfoundland and Labrador Premiere of The King Tide appeared first on News Releases.

The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs:

Speaker, I stand today to highlight this year’s Professional Municipal Administrators Annual Convention and Trade Show that took place from April 9 to 11 in the fine District of Gander.

As a government, we greatly value our long-standing, positive working relationship with the Professional Municipal Administrators. I applaud all municipal administrators throughout the province for their continued dedication to providing important services to residents. With a focus on strengthening communities, municipal administrators are critical to setting the standard for exemplary municipal leadership.

This year’s event allowed for many municipal administrators to collaborate, network and enhance their skill sets. I would like to extend a hearty congratulations to those municipal administrators who received long-service awards for service spanning from 10 to 45 years.

It was also a time to reflect on colleagues lost this past year, including the Honourable Derrick Bragg, who was a former President of the Professional Municipal Administrators and a true community, municipal and provincial leader.

During the convention, I had the opportunity to announce that, in collaboration with Professional Municipal Administrators, a new award will be established celebrating the distinguished career of the late Minister Bragg and presented to recipients at the annual convention. The award will acknowledge municipal administrators who demonstrate many of the same outstanding leadership skills shared by Minister Bragg. Stay tuned for more details to come on this special award.

I would like to thank Brian Hudson, outgoing president of Professional Municipal Administrators, for his leadership during his tenure, and I wish Connie Reid all the best in her new role as president of the association.

I ask my honourable colleagues to join me in recognizing Professional Municipal Administrators and its members on yet another successful convention and trade show.

Thank you.

 

The post Ministerial Statement – Professional Municipal Administrators Annual Convention and Trade Show appeared first on News Releases.