Government of Newfoundland News

Education and Early Childhood Development

Work continues to progress on the infrastructure, resources and professional learning required to support the implementation of full-day Kindergarten in Newfoundland and Labrador in September 2016. An update was provided today at one of the four demonstration classrooms being used for professional learning across the province.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

Exterior and interior modernization and improvement work is currently underway on two social housing properties in Burin. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) awarded a $131,000 contract to Cox’s Construction Ltd. to undertake the work on the homes, located on Topsail Road in Burin.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced today six appointments to the senior executive of the Newfoundland and Labrador public service effective January 18, 2016.

Health and Community Services

Bernard Davis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will address graduates of the Centre for Nursing Studies' licensed practical nursing program.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will be giving a tour of the full-day Kindergarten demonstration classroom tomorrow (Friday, January 15) at 11:00 a.m. As part of the tour, an update will be provided on the implementation of full-day Kindergarten.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will speak at a luncheon hosted by Rotary St. John's today (Thursday, January 14).

Justice and Public Safety

Under section 13.5 of the Fatalities Investigations Act, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety is required, within 60 days after receiving a report from the Child Death Review Committee (CDRC), to make public those recommendations relating to:

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL) encourages residents of communities along Bay d’Espoir and Fortune Bay to be cautious around coastlines and waterways today. Strong westerly winds will generate high waves and pounding surf along west-facing coastlines.

Health and Community Services

The ministers of health from the Atlantic provinces met via teleconference today to prepare for the meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health in Vancouver next week.

Executive Council
Transportation and Works

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works, will participate in the 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador this week. The AGM will take place on January 14-15, at the Holiday Inn St. John’s, 180 Portugal Cove Road.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Colin Holloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will speak at the Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association’s Annual General Meeting tomorrow (Thursday, January 14) at 12:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Glynmill Inn in Corner Brook.

Executive Council
Advanced Education and Skills

Syrian refugees were officially welcomed today at a reception hosted by the Association for New Canadians (ANC). Newfoundland and Labrador’s newest residents were greeted by the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government is inviting applications for the Community Healthy Living Fund (CHLF), which was established in 2015 to streamline support for community groups, recreation committees and organizations offering physical activity, healthy living and wellness programs throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL) encourages residents and communities to be prepared for a winter storm forecast to affect the province on Wednesday, January 13, and Thursday, January 14.

Executive Council
Finance

Newfoundland and Labrador is facing mounting debt, increasing interest and borrowing costs, a credit rating downgrade, and restricted ability to support key government programming. In response to this difficult fiscal reality, the Provincial Government is launching the multi-year Government Renewal Initiative to identify a combination of measures to eliminate the province's deficit and move forward with a sustainable budgetary framework for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will attend meetings for federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for tourism this week. The meetings are taking place in Winnipeg, January 13-14.

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, will attend the official welcome reception for Syrian refugees tomorrow (Wednesday, January 13). The Association for New Canadians is hosting the reception for private sponsors, stakeholders and government officials. The event takes place 1:00 p.m. at St. Pius X Parish Hall, 16 Smithville Crescent, St. John’s.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Conservation, will bring greetings at the 2016 Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association Convention and Annual General Meeting, at the Glynmill Inn, Corner Brook.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

I will be giving a prepared statement, after which I will be happy to take questions; however, at this time, it is important to remind you that I will not provide information which violates confidentiality.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

Carol A. Chafe, Advocate for Children and Youth, will be holding a press conference at 11:00 a.m. today (Tuesday, January 12) to publicly release an investigative report. The press conference will take place in the boardroom at the Advocate for Children and Youth, 193 LeMarchant Road, St. John’s.