Government of Newfoundland News

Health and Community Services

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services and Chair of the All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, was joined today by Andrew Parsons, Opposition Critic for the Department of Health and Community Services and MHA for the District of Burgeo - La Poile and Gerry Rogers, Third Party Critic for Mental Health and Addictions and MHA for the District of St. John's Centre to provide an update on progress made by the All-Party Committee in its review of the mental health and addictions system in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Executive Council

The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, expressed condolences on the passing of Malcolm (Max) Winters who passed away yesterday (Thursday, October 22). Mr. Winters was well-known for his leadership, volunteerism and sporting contributions.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, will make a significant economic development announcement on Monday, October 26. The event is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the Marystown Hotel in Marystown.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Forestry and Agrifoods Agency advises that the Sunday Pond Forest Access Road will be closed on Monday, October 26, and re-open on Wednesday, October 28. The road is located 15 kilometres south of the Trans-Canada Highway on the Bay d'Espoir Highway (Route 360). Signage has been posted in the area. The closure is necessary for the removal and replacement of the Burnt Lake Steady Bridge located eight kilometres along the access road.

Executive Council
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be at Paradise Elementary, 60 Karwood Drive, on Monday, October 26, to make an announcement regarding enhanced physical activity programming aimed at school-aged children.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works advises motorists that a section of the eastbound Trans-Canada Highway (TCH), near Soldier's Pond, will be reduced to one lane effective Monday, October 26, to accommodate work associated with a culvert replacement near Kelly's Pond.

Education and Early Childhood Development

Tom Hedderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will bring greetings to the 42nd Annual General Meeting for the Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador. The event will take place tomorrow (Saturday, October 24) at the Centre scolaire et communautaire des Grands Vents, 65 Ridge Road, St. John's, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services and Chair of the All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, along with Committee members Andrew Parsons, Opposition Critic for the Department of Health and Community Services and MHA for the District of Burgeo - La Poile and Gerry Rogers, Third Party Critic for Mental Health and Addictions and MHA for the District of St. John's Centre, will be available to media on Monday, October 26, at 10:00 a.m. to provide an update on progress made by the All-Party Committee in its review of the mental health and addictions system in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario have agreed to switch their respective spots in the hosting rotation for the Canada Summer Games, with Ontario hosting in 2021 and Newfoundland and Labrador to host in 2025.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Eighty-six Crown lands cottage lots on the Avalon Peninsula at Salmonier and Placentia Junction are being made available through an upcoming public draw. Eighty of the lots are accessible from the Salmonier Line and six lots are in Placentia Junction, accessed via the Argentia Access Road. These lots range in price from $31,700 - $72,200 and will be sold as Crown grants (outright ownership) with the full price due upon signature of the title document.

Executive Council
Transportation and Works

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined today by the Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works, and the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for the District of The Isles of Notre Dame, and other invited guests to welcome the province's newest ferry to Newfoundland and Labrador. The new MV Veteran arrived in St. John's Harbour last week.

Education and Early Childhood Development

More than $200,000 is being awarded to 201 recent graduates as part of the Provincial Scholarship program. The scholarships, which are based on Public Exam results and will help students with their post-secondary education, range in value from $1,000 to $2,500.

Health and Community Services

Beginning November 2, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are encouraged to get the provincial seasonal influenza vaccine. The vaccine provides protection against the most common types of influenza, which is a highly-contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will speak at the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association’s (NLTA) 2015 Ceremony of Induction into the Teaching Profession tomorrow (Friday, October 23). The event will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Glendenning Golf Course, 120 Gabriel Road, St. John’s.

Executive Council
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced a $2.5 million investment for a new Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP) for first-time homebuyers. The two-year pilot program, administered by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), provides first-time homebuyers with low-to-moderate incomes the opportunity to qualify for downpayment loan assistance to purchase a home.

Service NL

Service NL, as well as securities regulators in other regions of Canada, is cautioning the public about fraudulent stock promotions that use popular smart phone messaging applications such as WhatsApp to generate investor interest.

Executive Council
Health and Community Services
Education and Early Childhood Development

October is being recognized as Autism Awareness Month in Newfoundland and Labrador. In signing the proclamation, the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, were joined by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, as well as members of the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

As part of Budget 2015, the Provincial Government announced a new community sustainability partnership. Significant progress has been made on several key initiatives including the advisory committee to explore regional governance, water and wastewater operators, Crown lands reserves and consultations regarding the blending of business and realty taxes.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development: Sport Newfoundland and Labrador

The Newfoundland and Labrador Volleyball Association notes that the season’s first volleyball tournament, entitled VolleyWest, will be held in Corner Brook on Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, with 40 teams competing.

Executive Council

As part of its ongoing commitment to Newfoundland and Labrador’s community sector, the Provincial Government has launched an online resource to help volunteers and non-profit organizations connect throughout the province. InvolveNL will support province-wide volunteer and organization efforts by providing information on government programs and resources through a single, accessible website.