Government of Newfoundland News

Environment and Conservation

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this house and join with governments and organizations around the world today to recognize United Nations World Water Day.

Service NL

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to highlight Service NL’s new online driver licence renewal service, which enables residents to renew their licence from the convenience of their home or office. In addition to this service enhancement, Service NL has also extended the validity of driver’s licence photos from five years to 10 years for anyone over the age of 19.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to speak about Labrador’s premier sporting event, the Labrador Winter Games, which took place from March 13 to the 19 in and around Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Finance

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will be available to the media to discuss the federal budget today (Tuesday, March 22) at 6:30 p.m. in front of the House of Assembly.

Environment and Conservation

Members of the media are invited to attend the 15th Annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop on Wednesday, March 23, and Thursday, March 24, at Hotel Gander.

Environment and Conservation
Municipal Affairs

Approximately 300 water system operators, municipal administrators and elected officials will gather in Gander this week for the 15th Annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will join representatives from Eastbound Park tomorrow (Tuesday, March 22) for an announcement about upcoming events at the park in Avondale. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Sheraton Hotel, St. John’s.

Executive Council

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister Responsible for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, will address the annual general meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) tomorrow (Tuesday, March 22). The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, 180 Portugal Cove Road, St. John’s.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to recognize this coming Saturday, March 26, as Purple Day for Epilepsy in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Executive Council

Transportation and Works

The Provincial Government launched the 2016 construction season for road work and maintenance today with the release of tenders valued at just over $10 million for various projects across the province. The early tenders reflect a new approach for selecting road projects that is informed by research, evidence and evaluation.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Conservation officers with the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, Forestry Services Branch, continue to enforce regulations under the Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicle Act. During the first two months of 2016, officers checked 442 snowmobiles province-wide, issuing 38 warnings and 46 summary offence tickets.

Transportation and Works

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works, will make an announcement regarding 2016 road work and tendering today (Monday, March 21) at 11:30 a.m. The announcement will take place at the Heavy Civil Association, 25 Kenmount Road, Suite 208. Minister Hawkins will be joined by Jim Organ, Executive Director of the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will open the Provincial Craft Wholesale Show on Monday, March 21. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, Salon F, St. John’s.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will attend the Sharing Our Cultures - À la découverte de nos cultures celebration.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will speak at the Port de Grave fisherman’s breakfast tomorrow (Saturday, March 19) at the Port de Grave Pentecostal Tabernacle at 8:00 a.m. Minister Crocker will be joined by Pam Parsons, MHA for Harbour Grace - Port de Grave.

Justice and Public Safety

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission is observing the 2016 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Monday, March 21. On that day in 1960, 69 people were killed as they participated in a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid “pass laws.”

Executive Council

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, will participate in the official opening of the 2016 Home Show during Industry Night today (Friday, March 18).

Education and Early Childhood Development

Mr. Speaker, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living, a non-profit organization that works with and on behalf of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families, has opened nominations for their annual Inclusive Education Award.