Government of Newfoundland News

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, will participate in the official opening of Sportfest 2015 tomorrow (Friday, June 19) at the Corner Brook Civic Centre. The event begins with a 3:30 p.m. reception, followed by a tour of Sportfest attractions and displays at 4:30 p.m.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, will be at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John’s tomorrow (Friday, June 19) to officially launch a three-year action plan to further the objectives of Access. Inclusion. Equality. A Provincial Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. The event begins at 1:00 p.m.

Executive Council

The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, will join Chief Brendan Sheppard, Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation, to raise the Mi’kmaq flag in Corner Brook tomorrow (Friday, June 19) to begin National Aboriginal Day celebrations.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, will participate in two Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement signing ceremonies tomorrow (Friday, June 19).

Environment and Conservation

The Department of Environment and Conservation advises that the 900 metre section of the Newfoundland and Labrador T”Railway Provincial Park between the Griffin Drive Walking Trail and St. Aiden’s Road, Corner Brook, is open to pedestrian traffic. All vehicular traffic is still prohibited.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize all Aboriginal people across Newfoundland and Labrador as we celebrate National Aboriginal Day this Sunday, June 21.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize National Brain Injury Awareness Month in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), today congratulated the corporation on receiving honourable mention in the national VisitAbility Awards of Excellence competition, sponsored by the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies. Recognition was given for the design of four semi-detached social housing units on Vickers Avenue, located in the Cashin-Froude Avenue neighbourhood of St. John’s.

Transportation and Works
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government has awarded a contract for $315,000 to R & D Construction Limited for accessibility improvements at the Arts and Culture Centre in Gander.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development: The Rooms Corporation

The Rooms will remain closed to the public this morning (Thursday, June 18) due to water pressure issues. The Rooms apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. A further update will be provided at 12:00 p.m. on The Rooms website www.therooms.ca.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, will join students from St. Mary's and Hazelwood Elementary tomorrow (Thursday, June 18) for the launch of the Little Green Thumbs song. The event, organized by the national Little Green Thumbs organization and Agriculture in the Classroom Newfoundland and Labrador, will take place at Lester's Farm Chalet, 92 Pearltown Road, St. John's, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development: The Rooms Corporation

The Rooms wishes to advise the public that the building will remain closed for the remainder of the day due to water pressure issues. The Rooms apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. Updated information will be provided at www.therooms.ca.

Transportation and Works

The Provincial Government will invest over $3.8 million for improvements to the wharf at Portugal Cove-St. Philip's. A contract to carry out the work this summer has been awarded to Trident Construction Limited. The project is one of several key investments being made to wharf infrastructure across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Environment and Conservation

Mr. Speaker, this past Friday, I had the pleasure of joining my Honourable Colleague, the Member for Grand Bank, residents, municipal leaders, school children and representatives of the Wilderness and Ecological Reserve Advisory Council - or WERAC - in the beautiful community of Lord's Cove to officially announce the establishment of the Lawn Bay Ecological Reserve, the newest addition to the province's parks and protected areas system.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to provide an update on the Strongest Families program. This past March, the Provincial Government announced a new partnership with the Strongest Families Institute to support the regional health authorities in providing children, youth and families with increased access to mental health services. The Strongest Families Institute is a not-for-profit corporation that teaches skills and provides guidance for families through a distance-coaching approach, over the phone and online.

Justice and Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, last summer while on patrol along the shores of the Merasheen Islands and the Burin Peninsula, several Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers came across a dilapidated monument in the resettled community of Little Bona. Upon closer examination, the officers discovered that the monument was in commemoration of Private Michael John White of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, honoured 15 Provincial Government employees today for their outstanding work for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government has provided a total of $200,000 to 14 municipalities and 19 community-based organizations to support the development of programs and services which make Newfoundland and Labrador more age-friendly for residents. The grants are designed to help develop plans, build capacity, and implement projects and programs which help communities create more age-friendly environments which benefit all citizens, including older adults.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs is expanding the circumstances where grants for remote recreational cottages can be allowed, providing more current licence holders and future applicants the option of purchasing a grant at market value.