Government of Newfoundland News

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government today released a new framework for primary health care reform in the province, and outlined initial steps to mark its implementation and progress to date.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation>, will make an announcement regarding funding in support of innovation in business tomorrow (Wednesday, October 28) at 10:15 a.m. The event will take place in the Rutter Stateroom, Genesis Centre, Suite 3003, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Memorial University.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, will speak at the expansion of Eastern Health’s Music and Memory pilot program tomorrow (Wednesday, October 28). The event will be held in Southview Lounge at Saint Luke’s Homes at 10:30 a.m.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Provincial Government continues to support the province’s fishing industry by funding leading-edge fisheries science initiatives through the Marine Institute’s Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research (CFER). The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced $2.6 million to enable CFER to continue its operations and research activities, including the charter of an offshore fisheries research vessel, at the Marine Institute this morning. Minister Granter was joined by Carey Bonnell, Head, School of Fisheries, Fisheries and Marine Institute and Dr. Peter Heffernan, CEO, Marine Institute (Ireland).

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Provincial Government is continuing to support innovation in the province’s wild fishery and aquaculture sectors through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program. This year the program is supporting 18 new projects, through an investment of approximately $1 million, bringing the total number of projects approved under the program since its inception in 2007 to 300.

Environment and Conservation

The Salmonier Nature Park Revitalization Program has resulted in the construction of a new wildlife care building, technical services building and Discovery Centre. This investment has enabled substantial improvements to the park’s animal care and rehabilitation program, the provision of environmental education and interpretation and in the maintenance of the park’s trails and buildings.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation today released a report on the island of Newfoundland's caribou population, summarizing the five-year caribou research and management initiative. The report outlines key considerations for sustainable caribou management on the island of Newfoundland which will help guide future activities in the management of this important resource. Both the full and summary reports are available online at www.gov.nl.ca/env.

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government is eliminating the IQ 70 eligibility criteria in order to enhance access to services for individuals with developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, was joined by Kevin Pollard, MHA for Baie Verte - Springdale and Clar Brown, Mayor of the Town of Baie Verte today, to officially open a new $2.1 million fire hall in the community.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today sent a letter to Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau seeking prompt action on five issues of utmost importance to the people of the province.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will highlight investments under the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program and announce funding for fisheries science initiatives through the Marine Institute's Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research tomorrow (Tuesday, October 27). The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Marine Institute's Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources, St.John's.

Transportation and Works
Education and Early Childhood Development

A tender has been called for the completion of construction of the new Virginia Park Elementary, a two-story facility located on Middleton Street in St. John’s for Grades K-6.

Health and Community Services
Transportation and Works

The Provincial Government is actively involved in the evaluation phase of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the provision of 360 new long-term care beds on the island portion of the province. To complete this process, a three month extension to the RFP validity period has been received from the proponents.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, will launch a new provincial framework for primary health care reform tomorrow (Tuesday, October 27). The event will take place at The Gathering Place in St. John's, 172 Military Road, at 2:30 p.m.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, will be joined by Kevin Pollard, MHA for Baie Verte - Springdale, for the opening of the new Baie Verte Fire Hall tomorrow (Tuesday, October 27). The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the fire hall.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, will provide an update regarding caribou on the island of Newfoundland tomorrow (Tuesday, October 27) at 11:00 a.m. The event will take place at Salmonier Nature Park Discovery Centre located at Salmonier Nature Park.

Executive Council

The Provincial Government today released a “What We Heard” document which outlines the findings of the consultation process on the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB).

Environment and Conservation

The Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC) is hosting public hearings in the Town of Milltown-Head of Bay d'Espoir on Thursday, October 29.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Provincial Government and Grieg Newfoundland AS (Grieg) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding Grieg's intention to establish aquaculture operations in the province. The $251 million project is expected to create approximately 325 direct and 235 indirect/induced person years of employment, based on preliminary estimates, associated with production, harvesting and processing, with further opportunities in the supply and service sectors. As a result of the project, the province's current Atlantic salmon aquaculture production will more than double.

Executive Council
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government is partnering with Canadian Tire Corporation, ParticipACTION, School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District to promote and increase physical activity opportunities for school-aged children. The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was at Paradise Elementary this morning (Monday, October 26) to encourage students to "start right now" to increase their daily level of activity through newly-expanded programs such as Active Schools and Participation Nation.