Government of Newfoundland News

Health and Community Services

Bernard Davis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will join members of CHANNAL to launch the Warm Line. Mr. Davis will speak tomorrow (Thursday, May 5) at 10:30 a.m. at the CHANNAL headquarters, 284 Lemarchant Road, St. John's.

Child, Youth and Family Services

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to provide an update on the Waypoints Foster Family Support Pilot Project. This project, which commenced in September 2015, is a collaboration between Child, Youth and Family Services, the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association, and Waypoints.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as we think about family and friends in Fort McMurray during the devastating wildfire and resulting mass evacuation.

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.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

During forest fire season, which began May 1 on the island portion of the province and begins May 15 in Labrador, the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency reminds people to be vigilant around outdoor fires. Residents planning to burn brush as part of spring clean-up activities should be aware of how quickly fire can spread beyond their property.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Mr. Speaker, I rise to advise the public about forest fire season, which began on May 1 on the island portion of the province and will begin on May 15 in Labrador. The season ends September 30 on the island and in Labrador.

Municipal Affairs

Mr. Speaker, when disaster strikes, the time to prepare has already passed. To raise awareness about the importance of being prepared, May 1-7 is nationally recognized as Emergency Preparedness Week. This year's theme is Plan. Prepare. Be Aware.

Finance

Mr. Speaker, today the Provincial Government has released the transitional rules for the HST rate increase in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our government knows that this has been a difficult budget for people, but the magnitude of a $1.8 billion deficit leaves this province in a very serious financial situation and this figure could have been much larger if not for our decisive actions.

Service NL

The governments of Canada's four Atlantic Provinces have completed a joint procurement process for the provision of ignition-interlock devices, in the ongoing effort work to reduce impaired driving on the region's highways.

Finance

Today the Provincial Government launched a new online calculator to provide low income residents with a user-friendly way of determining the approximate benefit they will receive from the new Newfoundland and Labrador Income Supplement and the enhanced Seniors’ Benefit announced in Budget 2016.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, is attending the 2016 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, from May 2 to 5.

Service NL

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize May 1 to 7 as North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, also called “NAOSH week.”

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

I rise to congratulate the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living on 60 years of working with and on behalf of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families to promote inclusion and support a person’s right to full citizenship within society.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May 2 to 8 as Mental Health Week. On Thursday past, I joined members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association to officially proclaim this week.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to recognize the commemoration of a historic event, the Battle of the Atlantic.

Environment and Conservation

The Department of Environment and Conservation advises of changes to the 2016-17 Hunting and Trapping Guide, released in April. The department will end some of the programs involving submission of wildlife parts that were previously required or requested from licensed hunters and trappers.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will be available to the media today (Monday, May 2) to provide an update on the Regional Library Model, discuss timelines and the implementation process. This will take place in front of the House of Assembly, Confederation Building, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Service NL

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL and Minister Responsible for Workplace NL, will participate in a flag raising ceremony to recognize North American Occupational Safety and Health Week. The event will take place on Monday, May 2, in St. John's at 12:00 p.m. in the lobby of East Block, Confederation Building.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will bring greetings on behalf of the Provincial Government at the Kids Eat Smart Foundation Gala 2016 tomorrow (Saturday, April 30). The event is being held at the Delta Hotel, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Environment and Conservation

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