Government of Newfoundland News

Environment and Conservation

The Department of Environment and Conservation advises the public that Butter Pot Provincial Park is re-opened to pedestrian traffic from the park checkpoint and beyond. The opening date for camping is May 13.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, announced today that the Provincial Government is committing $300,000 to support the bid to bring the 2017 Brier to St. John's.

Transportation and Works
Justice and Public Safety

Transportation and Works crews are making significant progress to repair damaged road infrastructure due to heavy rains, mostly in the central region, earlier this week. All roads that were closed have now reopened and further repair work is being carried out as water levels and weather conditions permit. In all areas, motorists are advised to drive with caution, obey signs and follow directions, as speed limits have been reduced in some locations, and barriers and temporary bypasses are in place.

Education and Early Childhood Development
Transportation and Works

A contract worth $19.9 million has been awarded for the construction of a new Grades 5-7school in Torbay which will accommodate approximately 600 students.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will participate in the official opening of the new Craig L. Dobbin Genetic Research Centre. The official ceremonial opening of the centre will take place today (Friday, May 1) at the Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland in Theatre 1M102 & Genetics Centre at 10:00 a.m.

Finance

Newfoundland and Labrador is proudly demonstrating the degree to which a province can transform itself in little more than a decade. Through wealth generated primarily by our offshore oil sector along with successful negotiations relating to the Atlantic Accords, Newfoundland and Labrador became a "have" province for the first time since Confederation. Applying these newfound revenues strategically to sustained investments in health care, education, infrastructure, debt reduction and new opportunities, we have built a rock-solid foundation sturdy enough to sustain growth for generations to come. In fact, Newfoundland and Labrador has never been stronger than it has become during this decade of transformation. On a wide range of performance measures, Newfoundland and Labrador has been among the leaders of growth in Canada.

Transportation and Works
Justice and Public Safety

The Department of Transportation and Works advises that crews are on site at all areas impacted by flooding in the central region of the province, assessing damage and carrying out repairs. Work is progressing and it is anticipated, pending weather conditions and necessary repairs, that closed roads will reopen by evening.

Finance

Fact sheets outlining initiatives in Budget 2015: Balancing Choices for a Promising Future can be accessed at the following links:

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Fisheries and Aquaculture

Budget 2015, with investments totalling more than $200 million, is focused on nurturing a diverse and globally competitive business community, as well as supporting critical community infrastructure to encourage business growth. These investments represent the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's long-standing commitment to identifying and capitalizing on growth opportunities that diversify the economy, create wealth, and contribute to sustainable employment in urban and rural areas over the long term.

Advanced Education and Skills
Education and Early Childhood Development

With investments totalling approximately $1.4 billion, Budget 2015 further highlights the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's vision for life-long learning that begins in the early years and continues through to post-secondary education. These investments are helping provide Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with the skills and knowledge they need to compete globally and capitalize on the exciting career opportunities that exist in this province both now and into the future.

Health and Community Services
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

With an investment of nearly $3 billion, Budget 2015 continues the Provincial Government's focus on supporting health and wellness, improving patient care and producing better value to help ensure a sustainable health care system.

Finance

The Provincial Government is addressing the province's fiscal challenge by implementing balanced actions that recognize the current situation while, at the same time, continuing to make prudent investments in key areas that are important to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. With a fair, measured approach to protecting the significant progress Newfoundland and Labrador has made over the last decade, Budget 2015 outlines a plan to return the province to surplus in 2020-21.

Environment and Conservation

The Department of Environment and Conservation advises that a 250 metre section of the Newfoundland T'Railway Provincial Park near Short's Pond and J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park is closed to all pedestrian, ATV, and vehicular traffic effective immediately.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, will address delegates at the 2015 Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Symposium tomorrow (Friday, May 1). Minister Hutchings will speak at a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at Hotel Gander.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will make an announcement regarding the bid for St. John's to host the 2017 Tim Horton's Brier tomorrow (Friday, May 1) at an event in St. John's.

Justice and Public Safety
Transportation and Works

The Provincial Government continues to work with communities impacted by flooding in the central region of the province. Numerous roads and some residences have already been affected. Environment Canada reports that periods of rain are forecast to continue over northeastern Newfoundland tonight through Thursday morning. Further rainfall amounts between five and 10 millimetres can be expected.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Forestry and Agrifoods Agency advises that the Seal Bay forest access road located off the Roberts Arm Highway will be closed to vehicular traffic effective Friday, May 1, until further notice. The road will be open to snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.

Child, Youth and Family Services

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the winners of SAFE Work NL’s – Who Wants to Save a Life? game show. Holy Spirit High School of Conception Bay South captured the win in the senior high school division, and Menihek High of Labrador City emerged as champions in the junior high division. Each winning team brought home $5,000 for their school. Furthermore, members of the winning high school team each received a $1,000 scholarship, while the junior high champion contestants each received an iPad Air.

Advanced Education and Skills

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight job fairs - one of the many services available through the Provincial Government’s employment centres.

Transportation and Works
Justice and Public Safety

The Department of Transportation and Works advises that crews have been on site at locations in the central region, working to repair damage to roads caused by heavy rain last night. Signs and barricades were erected last night and crews were working throughout the night to make repairs where possible. Some areas have received over 70 mm of rain, with more forecasted over the next 24 hours.