Government of Newfoundland News

Executive Council
Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Newfoundland and Labrador's innovative business community, world-class research institutions, and rich culture are on display this week as 23 European Union (EU) Ambassadors to Canada visit the province.

Natural Resources
Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, and approximately 100 representatives of provincial petroleum companies and organizations participated in the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) last week in Houston, Texas.

Municipal Affairs

Today is Municipal Awareness Day in Newfoundland and Labrador, and communities throughout the province are planning activities to mark the occasion.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Innovation Week, a series of events dedicated to the advances being made in Newfoundland and Labrador's technology sector, is being held this week. During Innovation Week, the department will shine a spotlight on some of the innovative companies that are experiencing success and providing economic benefit to the province and its people. This includes Gri Simulations; a Mount Pearl-based company that recently signed a joint venture with Brazil-based Under Water Group.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Mr. Speaker, last month, harvesters from our province headed out to sea, as they have done for many years, to participate in the annual seal harvest. The sealing industry provides significant economic support to many families throughout the province, particularly in coastal communities.

Natural Resources

I rise today to report on the successful participation in the Offshore Technology Conference held last week in Houston. One hundred representatives from the province attended – from supply and service companies, industry associations, offshore operators and government.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The updated 2016 Farm Guide, an informative publication that connects Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to farms located across Newfoundland and Labrador, is now available on the Provincial Government website.

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government is recognizing May 8 to 15 as National Nursing Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Municipal Affairs

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, will participate in the Town of Conception Bay South's "Doors Open" event tomorrow (Wednesday, May 11) marking the official opening of three new municipal buildings - the Town Hall, Fire Station 1 and the Conception Bay South Arena.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will address the Canadian Home Builders' Association Newfoundland and Labrador luncheon tomorrow (Wednesday, May 11) at the Holiday Inn, St. John's. The Premier will speak beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this House today to recognize Innovation Week in our province. With the theme being "Accelerating Innovation", Innovation Week brings together startups, youth, business and public partners in a creative forum to connect and exchange ideas to contribute to the growth of the provincial economy.

Finance

Mr. Speaker, today, May 10, is Census Day in this province and across the country.

Service NL

Legislative amendments to the Highway Traffic Act will undergo second reading in the House of Assembly today to enhance the enforcement of laws to prevent the illegal passing of school buses, as well as speeding infractions in school or construction zones. Fines for passing a school bus stopped with its red lights flashing are also being increased.

Municipal Affairs

Emergency management planning and the importance of strengthening search and rescue capabilities in marine environments were among the issues discussed as federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for emergency management met Friday, May 6, in Toronto. The Honourable Ralph Goodale, federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, co-chaired the meeting.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Innovation Week, a series of events dedicated the advances being made in Newfoundland and Labrador's technology sector, kicked-off today in St. John's. The Honorable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, participated in launching Innovation Week this morning at Common Ground. During Innovation Week, the department will shine a spotlight on some of the innovative companies that are experiencing success and providing economic benefit to the province and its people.

Executive Council

The Provincial Government today introduced legislative amendments in the House of Assembly to eliminate the practice of paying parliamentary secretaries and the parliamentary assistant to the Premier and to no longer limit the number of parliamentary secretaries to four.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will speak at the Canadian Manufacturing and Exporters', Newfoundland and Labrador Division Conferencetomorrow (Tuesday, May 10) at 9:00 a.m. The event will take place at the Holiday Inn, 180 Portugal Cove Road, St. John's.