Government of Newfoundland News

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, will address the 2015 graduates of College of the North Atlantic-Qatar campus at a graduation ceremony taking place Monday, June 15, at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar. Minister Jackman will be joined by College of the North Atlantic President and CEO Ann Marie Vaughan.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will announce an investment in the attraction of business growth and job opportunities at an event in St. John’s on Monday, June 15.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, will attend the 2015 Provincial Nursing Forum in St. John’s, June 15-16. Over 200 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, bachelor of nursing students and practical nursing students will participate in this year’s forum at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland.

Transportation and Works

On Sunday, June 14, crews from the Department of Transportation and Works will conduct a cleanup of the highway between Logy Bay Road and Portugal Cove Road beginning at 7:00 a.m.

Transportation and Works

The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works, will make an announcement regarding public awareness and education to help reduce moose vehicle collisions. Minister Brazil will be joined by Brent Cole, Chair of the Save Our People Action Committee (SOPAC). The announcement will take place at the Fluvarium, Nagles Place, St. John’s, on Monday, June 15, at 12:00 p.m.

Environment and Conservation

Lawn Bay Ecological Reserve has moved from provisional to full status under the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Act and Seabird Ecological Reserve Regulations. The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, was in the community of Lord’s Cove today to celebrate this newest addition to the province’s parks and protected areas system.

Transportation and Works

The Provincial Government has awarded a contract valued at $339, 000 for enhancements to the wharf at Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Paulo Ventures Inc., a company located in St. Lewis on the south coast of Labrador.

Executive Council

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, will speak at St. Peter's Junior High School in Mount Pearl to help celebrate reaching a fundraising goal of $10,000 for the Free The Children, Brick by Brick Schoolhouse Campaign. The event will take place tomorrow (Friday, June 12) at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Junior High, 100 Munden Drive, Mount Pearl.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The effectiveness of business development programs and ensuring they are achieving the objectives of economic and industry growth is a priority of the Provincial Government. The Auditor General's recommendations will be analyzed and incorporated into existing processes and procedures to achieve optimal evaluation.

Transportation and Works

The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works, today welcomed the recommendations contained in the Annual Report of the Auditor General regarding the use of external consultants, noting the department's commitment to an open and fair process.

Service NL

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Service NL, acknowledged recommendations in the Auditor General's annual report today regarding inspections carried out at personal care homes. Minister Crummell noted that while these facilities are inspected at least once a year per established operating standards, inspection programs can always be enhanced, and the Auditor General's recommendations will contribute to achieving continuous improvement.

Health and Community Services

The latest Auditor General report features three reviews pertaining to the Department of Health and Community Services – the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program, Personal Care Home Regulations, and Nutrition Planning and Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities.

Finance

The Auditor General today released his 2015 Annual Report. The report includes a total of 10 items related to Provincial Government departments and government entities.

Environment and Conservation

Anglers in the province are reminded that some salmon angling tags that accompany salmon angling licences issued by the Wildlife Division may have defects.

Office of the Auditor General

In his report to the House of Assembly on Reviews of Departments and Crown Agencies tabled in the House of Assembly today in St. John’s, Auditor General, Terry Paddon, reports on 10 reviews completed on Government departments and Crown agencies. The report contains 71 recommendations, directed to Government and the Crown agencies, aimed at strengthening financial and operational processes and controls. In addition, the report contains 215 findings which arose during the reviews.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will bring greetings at the 2015 Heritage Run Tourism Association Annual General Meeting tomorrow (Friday, June 12). The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Oceanview Hotel in St. Lawrence, Route 220.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, I recently announced that the Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development has realigned its healthy living, recreation and wellness grant programs to be administered under a streamlined program called the Community Healthy Living Fund.

Environment and Conservation

In order to better understand the factors influencing the population decline of the George River Caribou Herd, and to generate the science-based information required to support management decisions, the Provincial Government launched the Labrador Caribou Initiative in 2011. Supported to date by over $2.2 million in funding, along with an additional investment of $320,000 through Budget 2015, the goal of the initiative is to implement research and monitoring programs designed to inform management of the herd, including the implementation of a five-year ban on all hunting.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to recognize Penelope Rowe, who was honoured earlier this month and presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Memorial University for her distinguished service to the community. Born in St. John’s, Ms. Rowe became a driving force with the Community Sector Council in 1976, an organization focused on strengthening the role that voluntary and non-profit community organizations play in building healthy and prosperous communities throughout the province.

Finance

The Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will be available to the media, to discuss the recent Auditor General’s report, at 4:15 p.m. today (Thursday, June 11) in front of the House of Assembly, East Block, Confederation Building.