Government of Newfoundland News

Environment and Conservation

Delivering clean and safe drinking water to the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador is a top priority for this government. The Department of Environment and Conservation works collaboratively with other departments, including the departments of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, Health and Community Services, and Service NL, as well as with towns and communities, to ensure drinking water in the province is clean, safe and secure.

Executive Council
Fisheries and Aquaculture

Budget 2015 provides $2.6 million to support world-class fisheries science at the Marine Institute's Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research (CFER). Each year since 2010, much of this research has taken place aboard the RV Celtic Explorer. Today, the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, toured the vessel joined by the Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and representatives from the Marine Institute.

Education and Early Childhood Development

Students who attend Fitzgerald Academy in English Harbour West will benefit from upgrades to the electrical system in the school, following the awarding of a $167,000 contract.

Justice and Public Safety

This week, May 3-9, is the 19th annual Emergency Preparedness Week throughout Canada. The theme of this year's event is "Know the Risks."

Executive Council

The Provincial Government announced today that applications are now being accepted for 2015 Grants to Youth Organizations.

Executive Council
Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador will highlight Budget 2015 investments in fisheries science through the Marine Institute’s Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research and tour the research vessel RV Celtic Explorer tomorrow (Tuesday, May 5) at 11:30 a.m.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works advises that Route 330, five kilometres south of Musgrave Harbour, will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, May 5).

Finance

The Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will address the Clarenville Area Chamber of Commerce tomorrow (Tuesday, May 5). Minister Wiseman will speak at 7:00 p.m. at the Clarenville Inn.

Transportation and Works

Mr. Speaker,I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to reiterate the importance of providing learning opportunities to employees with the public service that focus on safety and consistency in the delivery of services.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize May 4 to 10 as Mental Health Week. This morning I had the pleasure of joining members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association for their annual Mental Health Week conference, and to proclaim Mental Health Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Service NL

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize May 3 to 9 as North American Occupational Safety and Health Week. The goal of NAOSH week is to focus on the need to eliminate or control workplace hazards, ensure all workplaces are safe, and to emphasize that we all have a responsibility to promote safety. Today, I was joined by my colleague, the Minister responsible for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission to participate in a flag raising outside Confederation Building to mark the occasion. We were joined by officials from the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, members of the local chapter of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, as well as representatives from safety groups and the employer and labour sector, and I thank them for their participation.

Environment and Conservation

International Compost Awareness Week is May 3 to 9 and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is encouraging Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to help keep organic waste out of our landfills.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, joined members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA-NL) to begin the organization’s annual conference today, and to proclaim May 4 to 10 as Mental Health Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The province's cultural community was in the spotlight this past weekend as the winners of the 2015 Arts and Letters Awards Program were announced at The Rooms in St. John's. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, today congratulated the recipients.

Fisheries and Aquaculture
Justice and Public Safety

The Provincial Government, through the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency and Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, is supporting a Canada-wide initiative that encourages cabin and homeowers to keep their properties safe from wildfires.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, will speak at a conference hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA-NL). The minister will speak at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 4, at the Bella Vista, 24 Torbay Road, St. John's.

Service NL
Child, Youth and Family Services

The Provincial Government is allocating $13.1 million through Budget 2015: Balancing Choices for a Promising Future for renovations to wharf infrastructure to accommodate two new ferries for Bell Island and Fogo Island-Change Islands. The tender is being called for enhancements to the Fogo Island wharf to accommodate the MV Veteran, and tenders were announced in March for wharf improvements at Portugal Cove and Bell Island in anticipation of the arrival of the MV Legionnaire in February 2016.

Service NL
Child, Youth and Family Services

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Service NL, along with the Honourable Sandy Collins, Minister Responsible for the Workplace Health Safety and Compensation Commission, will participate in a flag raising ceremony to recognize North American Occupational Safety and Health Week. The event will take place on Monday, May 4, in St. John’s at 12:00 p.m. in the lobby of East Block, Confederation Building.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, will attend the 2015 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, May 3 to 5.

Education and Early Childhood Development

Tom Hedderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Derrick Dalley, acting Minister Responsible for Education, will address the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils general meeting tomorrow (Saturday, May 2). The event will take place at 1:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 180 Portugal Cove Road, St. John’s.