Government of Newfoundland News

Transportation and Works

The St. Lewis Inlet Bridge will be closed on Thursday, December 1, from approximately 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Environment and Climate Change

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) has awarded its 2016 Scholarship awards to tenants currently pursuing post-secondary studies. Each scholarship is valued at $1,000.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, is recognizing the signing of a new three-year comprehensive agreement between College of the North Atlantic and the State of Qatar as a continuation of a successful international partnership.

Justice and Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, this year we are marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel.

Natural Resources

Mr. Speaker, I stand in this Honourable House today to welcome Anadarko Petroleum Corporation to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador offshore area. I am pleased to report that Anadarko has successfully acquired a working interest in five exploration licences from Shell – which was initially registered under BG International Limited – for licences in the highly sought after Flemish Pass Basin.

Executive Council
Municipal Affairs

In keeping with commitments set out in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced a new policy for municipalities regarding lease-to-own arrangements. The new policy enables municipalities to access Crown lands within their municipal planning boundaries for economic development purposes through long-term leases with flexible payment options, including payment deferral until the development is generating revenue.

Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods
Environment and Climate Change

The Provincial Government is advising residents to be aware of reports of a wolf near Sheshatshiu. Conservation officers are monitoring the area and asking residents to be vigilant.

Transportation and Works

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is inviting the general public to attend the 30th annual Christmas Lights Across Canada celebration. The event will take place on Thursday, December 8, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Confederation Building, East Block.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Service NL

The Provincial Government, in cooperation with the St. John’s Board of Trade, is hosting the Meet the Buyers Reverse Trade Show in St. John’s today. The trade show serves as a forum for businesses to gain a better understanding about the purchasing requirements of the public sector.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced that 1,200 naloxone kits are being distributed to targeted populations in Newfoundland and Labrador and will be available at 52 sites across the province. These include Safe Works Access Program (needle exchange) satellite sites, youth and adult correctional facilities, and Regional Health Authority Mental Health and Addictions Offices. Partners in the initiative today received a demonstration of how to administer naloxone at the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador office in St. John’s.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

I will be giving a prepared statement, after which I will be happy to take questions; however, at this time, it is important to remind you that I will not provide information which violates confidentiality.

Municipal Affairs

The Department of Municipal Affairs advises that the news conference regarding a policy change to enhance the availability of Crown lands for municipalities has been cancelled for today. The event had been scheduled to take place at the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, at 12:00 p.m.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

Carol A. Chafe, Advocate for Children and Youth, will be holding a press conference at 10:30a.m. today (Wednesday, November 30) to publicly release an investigative report. The press conference will take place in the boardroom at the Advocate for Children and Youth, 193 LeMarchant Road, St. John’s.

Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, will address a welcoming ceremony on Friday, December 2, in honour of the appointment of the Honourable Mr. Justice Malcolm Rowe as justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Executive Council

Members of the media are advised of the following changes in departmental media contacts for the Provincial Government:

Municipal Affairs

The Department of Municipal Affairs has concluded its review of the Community Relocation Policy following feedback received relating to the most recent relocation processes. The policy exists so that the Provincial Government can offer financial assistance to a community in which 90 per cent or more of its residents express a desire to relocate to another community.

Municipal Affairs

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs, will make an announcement tomorrow (Wednesday, November 30) about a policy change that will enhance the availability of Crown lands to municipalities for economic development purposes. The event will take place at the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, at 12:00 p.m.