Government of Newfoundland News

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

As part of an ongoing commitment to encourage economic diversity and support the growing technology sector, the Provincial Government today joined with Newfoundland and Labrador-based Verafin, a recognized leader in financial crime detection and prevention software, to announce a major expansion for the company. Approximately 90 highly-skilled jobs will be added to the local market as a result of a joint investment between the Provincial Government and Verafin.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will attend the announcement of the first recipient of investment from the venture capital fund, Venture Newfoundland and Labrador, tomorrow (Tuesday, July 21).

Executive Council
Health and Community Services

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today released the Newfoundland and Labrador Strategic Health Workforce Plan, 2015-2018. The plan is a comprehensive fiscally-responsible approach to addressing priority issues facing the provincial health workforce.

Executive Council
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Seven local members of the Canadian Men's Softball team - five players and two assistant coaches - earned a gold medal on Saturday, July 18, after defeating Venezuela 2-1 in the final at the Pan Am Games in Toronto. Brad Ezekiel of Harbour Main hit a two-run homerun in the sixth inning to clinch the victory.

Justice and Public Safety

This year’s Pride Week celebration, “Be Seen! Be Heard! Be Celebrated!”, takes place from July 20 to 26. The Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador enthusiastically joins residents of the province in celebrating the diversity and accomplishments of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGTBQ) communities in reaching equality throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
Executive Council

The Provincial Government is once again joining community groups in celebrating Pride Week 2015 (July 20-26) in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, and the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, joined members of St. John’s Pride and other community representatives at a flag-raising ceremony at the Confederation Building this morning to officially launch the week’s activities.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy, Government of Ontario, have committed to exploring opportunities for importing clean and reliable electricity from Newfoundland and Labrador into Ontario. The commitment was made at the 2015 Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference currently underway in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, will officially launch the Newfoundland and Labrador Strategic Health Workforce Plan on Monday, July 20. Minister Kent will be joined by David Diamond, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Health.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, will attend the annual Energy and Mines Ministers Conference from July 19 to 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The conference takes place at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, will participate in the official opening of the Edgar Hartery Memorial Field at the St. Pat's Baseball Complex, Carpasian Road, St. John's, on Monday, July 20. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
Executive Council

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, and the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, will join community representatives at a Pride Week 2015 flag-raising ceremony on Monday, July 20, to officially launch the week's activities.

Executive Council

Through their collaborative efforts, Premiers are working to improve the lives of Canadians. Recognizing the decision facing Canadians this fall leading up to the federal election, Premiers have written to federal party leaders outlining a number of priorities important to Canadians.

Executive Council

Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski is pleased to announce that the 2016 Summer Meeting of Canada’s Premiers will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon, from July 20 to 22, 2016.

Executive Council

Climate change has immediate, tangible impacts on public health and safety, as well as on infrastructure and the economy. At a time when initiatives aimed at fighting climate change also offer great potential for sustainable economic development and long-term job creation, Canada’s Premiers are, more than ever, showing leadership on this issue.

Executive Council

The Premiers’ Health Care Innovation Working Group continues to address the health needs of Canadians through collaborative efforts by provinces and territories. Co-chair Premiers will continue their leadership towards more effective delivery of health care services by focusing on the following priority areas: pharmaceuticals, appropriateness of care, and senior care and dementia. Progress and improvements in health care remain ongoing. Over the past year, partnerships have achieved significant cost-savings on drugs where the annual combined savings from provincial/territorial collaboration on both brand and generic drug pricing initiatives are estimated to be $490 million.

Executive Council

Canada Pension Plan Premiers direct provincial and territorial finance ministers to update their work on options to expand the CPP/QPP and report to Premiers at the 2016 summer meeting of Canada’s Premiers.

Executive Council
Natural Resources

A significant milestone was achieved today as the Premiers of Canada agreed to the terms of a Canadian energy strategy. The announcement was made by the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and Chair of the Council of the Federation, during the Council of the Federation meeting being held in St. John’s.

Executive Council

Premiers released the Canadian Energy Strategy, a demonstration of their commitment to strengthening the economy, creating jobs, ensuring a secure supply of energy for all Canadians, supporting energy innovation and addressing climate change.

Environment and Conservation

The Provincial Government will be adopting the 2015 version of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA)-B139 code referenced under the Heating Oil Storage Tank System (HOST) Regulations. As of July 29, 2015, the new code requirements will be in place for installations or replacements of heating oil storage tanks.

Advanced Education and Skills

Today, the Provincial Government held the first of 22 Workforce Development Roundtable Discussions at College of the North Atlantic in Burin. The discussions are a part of the Workforce Development Action Plan under the Population Growth Strategy and will focus on engaging participants on the direction of the strategy. The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, attended the first session which heard from stakeholders, employers and community groups. Minister Jackman provided details of coming actions under the strategy.