Government of Newfoundland News

Environment and Conservation

In preparation for the 2016 camping season, the campsite reservation service for provincial park campgrounds will open over three days later this month. Campers can call 1-877-214-CAMP (2267) or visit www.nlcamping.ca to make a reservation. Seven provincial park campgrounds will open for the Victoria Day weekend, while the six remaining campgrounds will open in late May and early June.

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.

Service NL

A legislative amendment to the Vital Statistics Act, 2009 will undergo second reading in the House of Assembly today. The amendment will remove the requirement for an individual to undergo sex reassignment surgery prior to changing the gender marker on the individual’s birth registration or marriage registration. The amendment will bring provincial law into compliance with an order issued by a Board of Inquiry established by the provincial Human Rights Commission, and respond to changes requested by LGBTQ advocates.

Education and Early Childhood Development
Finance

The Provincial Government, pursuant to section 16 of the Auditor General Act, has requested the Auditor General to investigate allegations of fraud within the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District.

Transportation and Works

Mr. Speaker, while March 20 marked the first day of spring throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, recent weather conditions indicate that safe driving practices must remain top of mind.

Advanced Education and Skills

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this House to announce that nominations for the Council of the Federation Literacy Award are now open. This award recognizes outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy by individuals and stakeholder groups.

Executive Council
Natural Resources

Today, the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, released the interim report from Ernst & Young LLP (EY), which focused on cost, schedule and associated risks for the Muskrat Falls Project. Also released today was the Muskrat Falls Oversight Committee’s report to the end of December 2015.

Natural Resources

I rise in this Honourable House today to speak on the interim report by EY, received April 8 and released online today with the Muskrat Falls Oversight Committee's report to the end of December 2015, received April 11.

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, will take part in Hot Soup Cool Jazz tomorrow (Tuesday, April 12). The event is an annual fundraiser organized by the Jimmy Pratt Memorial Outreach Centre, Canadian Mental Health Organization – NL Chapter, Choices for Youth, Jimmy Pratt Foundation and Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues. The event raises money to address youth homelessness and poverty in the region.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this House today to welcome to the province a delegation of 15 of our friends and colleagues from Nunavut. The delegation, made up of officials from both inside and outside government, is here this week to meet with Provincial Government officials and industry representatives to further solidify the work that commenced with the signing of last year’s Memorandum of Understanding between our two jurisdictions.

Environment and Conservation

Mr. Speaker, having worked for 30 years as a wildlife biologist, I am pleased to rise in this House to recognize April 10-16 as National Wildlife Week. This year’s theme, Giving Wings to Wildlife Conservation, encourages us to consider all the creatures that inhabit our skies.

Executive Council

I rise in this Honourable House today in recognition of the incredible hardworking, dedicated volunteers in our communities.

Executive Council
Finance

A lock-in for Budget 2016 will be held for media representatives on Thursday, April 14, in the Conference Centre, West Block, Confederation Building.

Executive Council

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, is encouraging people to celebrate and recognize the important contributions of volunteers in Newfoundland and Labrador during National Volunteer Week in Canada from April 10 to 16. This year’s theme, The Many Faces of Volunteering, highlights the diversity of volunteers in inclusive communities and the lives they touch.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is encouraging young people to engage in the areas of science, engineering and technology by providing funding for innovative projects. The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, today announced the 2016 Youth Innovation Call for Proposals while touring the Agriculture to Aquaponics Youth Project at Holy Trinity High School in Torbay.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will tour the Agriculture to Aquaponics Youth Project at Holy Trinity High School on Monday, April 11. The tour will take place at Holy Trinity, 23 Lynch’s Lane, Torbay, at 11:00 a.m.

Natural Resources

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) has issued two Calls for Bids under the scheduled land tenure regime in the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area.

Environment and Conservation

Big game licence applications are now being mailed to hunters within the province who are eligible for the 2016 resident big game licence draw. The 2016-17 Hunting and Trapping Guide is also now available online.

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, will take part in a funding announcement for Memorial University tomorrow (Friday, April 8). Minister Byrne will join the Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament 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, for the event. Memorial University President and Vice-Chancellor, Gary Kachanoski will also speak at the announcement.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will join federal and municipal representatives for an announcement regarding the St. John’s Farmer’s Market tomorrow (Friday, April 8). The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s City Hall.