Government of Newfoundland News

Health and Community Services

Newfoundland and Labrador's All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions reconvened yesterday to discuss next steps in fulfilling its mandate. The committee will develop recommendations with the goal of improving programs and services for individuals and families affected by mental illness and addictions.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

As part of its review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the ATIPPA Review Committee stated that “the Commissioner shall create a standard template for the publication of information by public bodies to assist in identifying and locating records in the custody or under the control of public bodies.”

Executive Council
Finance

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills and MHA for Corner Brook, and the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and MHA for Humber - Bay of Islands, will host a public engagement session in Corner Brook for the Government Renewal Initiative today (Tuesday, January 26).

Finance

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, has again reaffirmed the Provincial Government’s commitment to protect Newfoundland and Labrador’s credit ratings. These comments are in response to a statement released today by Moody’s Investor Service confirming the province’s credit rating remains at Aa2 while the outlook for the province has been changed from stable to negative.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will attend an announcement on the newest investment recipients from the venture capital fund, Venture Newfoundland and Labrador tomorrow (Tuesday, January 26).

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will host the first public engagement session for the Government Renewal Initiative today (Monday, January 25) in Rocky Harbour. The discussion takes place at the Fisherman's Landing Inn from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Executive Council

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, today reiterated the Provincial Government's commitment to harassment free environments.

Transportation and Works

Users of the Bell Island ferry service are advised that repairs to theMV Flanders and the MV Beaumont Hamel are progressing. Testing of the repair work on both vessels is ongoing and timelines are being determined. A vessel will return to service as soon as possible and updates will be provided when available.

Transportation and Works

Users of the Fogo Island-Change Islands ferry service are advised that repairs to the MV Veteran are proceeding. Additional technicians and machinery have arrived in Gander and the vessel has been permitted by regulatory officials to sail, without passengers, to Farewell to finalize repairs.

Health and Community Services

In a wide-ranging set of discussions touching on many aspects of Canadians' health and health care, provincial and territorial health ministers committed to continued cooperation and collaboration across the country during a meeting this week in Vancouver.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

In an ongoing effort to ensure protection of the public and forest resources, conservation officers with the Forestry Services Branch of the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency laid more than 1,100 charges in 2015, representing an increase of over 45 per cent compared to 2014 when 600 charges were laid. Charges mainly related to illegal wood cutting, breach of forest fire regulations, illegal sawmilling, operating snowmobiles without trail passes and operating all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) without wearing an approved helmet. Charges were laid under The Forestry Act and Regulations and Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act and Regulations.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will host the first public engagement session for the Government Renewal Initiative on Monday, January 25, in Rocky Harbour. The discussion takes place at the Fisherman’s Landing Inn from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works advises that completion of repairs to the MV Veteran, following a small fire on board the vessel Tuesday evening, will extend beyond Friday. The MV Veteran services Fogo Island and Change Islands. Arrangements are being made for the MV Capt. Earl W. Winsor to enter service with crossings anticipated to begin on Saturday, January 23.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works advises users of the Bell Island ferry service that repairs to the MV Flanders are progressing well and the vessel is expected to return to service tomorrow morning (Friday, January 22).

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.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will be visiting two schools tomorrow (Friday, January 22) in St. John’s.

Executive Council

The Provincial Government is reiterating its commitment to work to protect the province's credit ratings. These comments are in response to a statement released today by DBRS confirming Newfoundland and Labrador’s credit rating remains at A while the trend for the province has been revised from stable to negative.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

Data Privacy Day 2016 is fast approaching. On January 28, 2016, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner joins other provinces and territories across Canada as well as other countries around the world in celebrating Data Privacy Day.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works advises that contingency air services are in place while repairs are carried out to the MV Veteran following a small fire on board the vessel yesterday evening. The MV Veteran services Fogo Island and Change Islands. It is expected that the vessel will return to service on Friday, January 22.

Finance

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will be available to media today (Wednesday, January 20) to discuss the Government Renewal Initiative. The availability will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the main lobby, East Block, Confederation Building.