Government of Newfoundland News

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Residents preparing to burn brush as part of clean-up activities around their properties should note that the 2015 forest fire season will start on May 1 for the island portion of the province and end on October 15. In Labrador, the season will start on May 15 and end on September 30. For the island, this year's season has been extended by two weeks in the fall due to above average temperatures and increased forest fire activity in recent years.

Executive Council
Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Building on the strong supports and significant investments the Provincial Government has made in our communities over the last decade, today, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced the outcomes of the fiscal framework review – a new community sustainability partnership. This partnership is more than just fiscal in nature; it will enhance supports to communities and strengthen the social and economic fabric of our regions.

Justice and Public Safety

The 2015 Newfoundland and Labrador Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission has released its proposal for the division of the Province into 40 one-member districts. Detailed information containing the suggested name, boundary description, population and map for each of the proposed districts is available at www.nledbc.ca/proposal.

Environment and Conservation

In an effort to conserve and protect rare plants and animals, the Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, today announced that the Provincial Government has added nine species under the Endangered Species Act and designated them as either Endangered, Threatened or Vulnerable.

Justice and Public Safety

The 2015 Newfoundland and Labrador Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission has released its proposal for the division of the Province into 40 one-member districts. Detailed information containing the suggested name, boundary description, population and map for each of the proposed districts is available at www.nledbc.ca/proposal.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, will address delegates of the Egg Farmers and Chicken Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador joint annual general meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, April 29). The event begins at 12:00 noon and will take place in the Conception Bay Room, Holiday Inn, St. John's.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, the Provincial Government determined that a comprehensive review of the Lands Act and service delivery model was required. This review will ensure the legislation is still relevant and service delivery model is the most effective way to manage, administer, utilize and protect our Crown lands for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House today to recognize April 26 to May 2 as National Immunization Awareness Week. National Immunization Awareness Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the value of being immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Service NL

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize that today, April 28, is National Day of Mourning. On this occasion we remember workers who have been killed, injured, or suffered illness due to workplace related hazards and incidents.

Executive Council
Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, will make a 2015 pre-budget announcement related to a new community sustainability partnership tomorrow (Wednesday, April 29) at 11:00 a.m. Premier Davis and Minister Hutchings will be joined by Churence Rogers, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador.

Executive Council
Health and Community Services

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will provide a total of 360 new long-term care beds on the island portion of the province. Through engagement with private and non-profit providers, long-term care facilities will be built in the western and central regions and on the Northeast Avalon. This innovative approach will ensure the availability of high-quality long-term care services for an aging population and further advances the work outlined in Close to Home: A Strategy for Long-Term Care and Community Support Services.

Justice and Public Safety

The 2015 Newfoundland and Labrador Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission has released its proposal for the division of the Province into 40 one-member districts. Detailed information containing the suggested name, boundary description, population and map for each of the proposed districts is available at www.nledbc.ca/proposal.

Executive Council
Finance

A lock-in for Budget 2015 will be held for media representatives on Thursday, April 30, in the Conference Centre, West Block, Confederation Building.

Executive Council
Service NL
Transportation and Works

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will attend a National Day of Mourning ceremony tomorrow (Tuesday, April 28) in St. John's. The Premier will be joined by the Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Service NL, and the Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, will make an announcement tomorrow (Tuesday, April 28) at 10:00 a.m. at the Rotary Paradise Youth and Community Centre, 68 McNamara Drive. The announcement will take place in Resource Room B on the second floor.

Environment and Conservation

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind all members of this Honourable House that nominations for the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards are now being accepted and the deadline of May 1 is fast approaching. This annual awards program is an opportunity to recognize environmental achievements in our province and raise awareness of the individuals, groups, schools and businesses who take action to protect and sustain our environment.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Sport Newfoundland and Labrador's annual Stars and Legends Awards Gala, which was held earlier this month. During the event, eight provincial awards were presented to some of this year's outstanding athletes and six individuals were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to highlight an inspiring mental health awareness event that took place this past Friday and Saturday. On Friday evening in St. John's, Premier Davis and I joined the students and staff at Holy Heart High School, as well as a host of local and national advocacy groups for Mental Health Matters.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has awarded a $224,000 contract to Newfound Roofing Ltd. to undertake exterior renovations and electrical upgrades to six social housing homes on Watson Street in St. John's.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Newfound Cabs has been awarded $50,000 under the Accessible Taxi Pilot Project to acquire two taxi vans which are accessible to persons with mobility disabilities. The vans were unveiled today during an event at the Independent Living Resource Centre (ILRC) in St. John’s, attended by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities.