Government of Newfoundland News

Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General will hold a media availability today (Friday, July 22) at 2:00 p.m. in front of the House of Assembly to discuss the decision to maintain court services at Harbour Grace and Wabush.

Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, today announced that as a result of the decision on July 8, 2016 by the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of R. v. Jordan and new cost savings, Provincial Court locations in Harbour Grace and Wabush will remain open.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Conservation, will speak at the Mistaken Point World Heritage Site UNESCO inscription celebration tomorrow (Saturday July 23). The event will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Community Hall, 52 Harbour Road, Portugal Cove South.

Executive Council

Premiers discussed the ongoing collaborative work of all provinces and territories on the Canadian Energy Strategy (CES). Premiers approved the CES last year to enable a cooperative approach to sustainable energy development that enhances the ways that energy is produced, moved and used in Canada. This will help maximize the social, environmental and economic benefits that flow from the energy sector and improve the quality of life in Canada. The CES underpins the shared priorities of economic strength, job creation, climate action, energy security and innovation.

Executive Council

Infrastructure
Premiers welcome the Federal Government’s commitment to new infrastructure funding. This reinforces the economic growth, productivity and job creating capacity of infrastructure as a key pillar of Premiers’ economic vision for Canada.

Executive Council

Advanced Education and Skills

Today, the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, and the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, signed a partnership agreement that will help foreign-trained workers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Under the Foreign Qualification Recognition Agreement, newcomers will benefit from improved foreign credential recognition, allowing them to apply their skills and talents and increasing opportunities for employment in their fields.

Municipal Affairs

Graham Letto, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services - Newfoundland and Labrador, will join Placentia West-Bellevue MHA Mark Browne, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, in Norman’s Cove-Long Cove today (Friday, July 22) to meet with town representatives in the wake of an overnight fire which destroyed the Quinsea fish plant in the community.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

An investment of over $155,000 has been made to the Town of Arnold’s Cove in support of Stories of Resettlement, the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Resettlement of the Placentia Bay islands. The announcement was made yesterday in Arnold’s Cove by the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, and the Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and MP for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

Finance

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, today responded to recent comments from Moody’s and S & P Global Ratings.

Transportation and Works

To help relieve high traffic volumes on Fogo Island - Change Islands ferry service, the MV Norcon Galatea will enter service tomorrow (Friday, July 22) to support the MV Veteran. An update regarding a revised, two-vessel schedule to include the Galatea will be provided prior to the vessel entering service.

House of Assembly

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Speaker of the House of Assembly, today announced the appointment of Donovan Molloy, Q.C. as Information and Privacy Commissioner, effective July 22, 2016.

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, will announce details of a federal-provincial partnership to improve credential recognition for foreign trained workers.

Education and Early Childhood Development

In the coming days, high school students across the province will receive their final exam marks, as transcripts have been mailed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will be in Arnold’s Cove today (Thursday, July 21) to announce funding for the 50th anniversary of the resettlement of the Placentia Bay islands. Minister Mitchelmore will be joined by the Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and MP for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, and Mark Browne, MHA for Placentia West - Bellevue. The event will take place at Drake House, 319 Main Road, Arnold’s Cove. The event begins at 7:00 p.m.

Environment and Conservation

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

Health and Community Services
Finance

Following a meeting today with the Boards of Directors for Iris Kirby House and the Iris Kirby House Foundation, the boards have been informed that before the Provincial Government considers the provision of any additional funding, several conditions must be met.

Justice and Public Safety

Recent tips from the public, along with routine patrols, led to officers with the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division (FWED) apprehending several suspects who are now facing a number of charges related to illegal poaching.

Municipal Affairs

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs, is congratulating the Eastern Regional Service Board for winning the Solid Waste Association of North America’s (SWANA) Silver Excellence Award. The board won the award in the Transfer Station category for its Clarenville Transfer Station entry.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Submissions are being invited for the 2016-17 Accessible Taxi Program to expand accessible transportation options in Newfoundland and Labrador. The program responds to transportation issues identified by the community of persons with disabilities and provides grants to assist taxi operators improve accessibility in their vehicle fleets.