Government of Newfoundland News

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works wishes to advise mariners that the Placentia Lift Bridge is now operational and will be operational until 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25. After that time, the department will continue with mechanical maintenance of the bridge, which will prevent its operation. The scheduled maintenance work is expected to be completed by Wednesday, April 1, and the bridge will return to normal operations after that time. Vehicle traffic will not be impacted by any planned work.

Health and Community Services
Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, will participate in the official launch of a new program for accessing mental health services on Monday, March 23. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Pearl Intermediate.

Finance

As part of planning for Budget 2015, the Provincial Government requested that residents of Newfoundland and Labrador get engaged and have their say by sharing their ideas for dealing with the current financial situation. The information gathered during pre-budget consultations, including the results of the Budget Consultations Survey, is available online www.fin.gov.nl.ca/fin/budget/prebudget/whatweheard.html.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works advises residents of Corner Brook and surrounding areas that repair work following a break in the main water line is progressing well and some offices on the ground floor of the Sir Richard Squires Building have reopened today (Friday, March 20). Elevators are now operational throughout the building.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Individuals, groups and organizations are encouraged to submit nominations for the 2015 Seniors of Distinction Awards, a program which recognizes and celebrates the contributions, achievements and diversity of seniors throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The deadline for submission is April 30, 2015.

Advanced Education and Skills

Fifty-eight students have been recognized for academic excellence as they pursue their post-secondary education with $74,000 in scholarships awarded.

Office of the Citizens’ Representative

The Office of the Citizens’ Representative (the OCR), in association with the Seniors’ Resource Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador (SRCNL), will hold a panel discussion regarding enduring powers of attorney (EPA’s) on Tuesday, March 24, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Fairfield (Marriott), 199 Kenmount Road, St. John’s.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, met recently with the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC) when the council held its first meeting of the year in St. John’s. The advisory council typically meets three to four times annually to consider proposals for new wilderness and ecological reserves and discuss management of existing reserves.

Justice and Public Safety

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission is observing the 2015 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination tomorrow, (Saturday, March 21). On that day in 1960, police killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws." When the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed this day in 1966, it called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will address attendees at the grand opening of the Lightning Express Chair Lift tomorrow (Friday, March 20). The event begins at 12:00 p.m. and will take place at the bottom of the Lightning Express Chair Lift, Marble Mountain Resort.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Departments of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs (Crown Lands Office) and Service NL are providing an update on their offices in the Sir Richard Squires Building in Corner Brook that were impacted by a break in the water line earlier this week.

Executive Council

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, will participate in one of four workshops to engage francophone and French-English bilingual youth tomorrow (Friday, March 20). The event takes place at 9:30 a.m. at École des Grands-Vents, 65 Ridge Road, St. John’s.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in this Honourable House to speak to the Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs review of the current Lands Act and associated service delivery model.

Child, Youth and Family Services

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the importance of ensuring that children and youth in Newfoundland and Labrador have an opportunity to grow, thrive and succeed in a safe and nurturing environment. In fact, our Premier has made public safety and protection, particularly that of children, among his highest priorities.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to provide an update on our province’s Cancer Control Policy Framework. Over the past decade cancer control has seen a total investment of more than $172 million and we continue to work to honour our commitment to enhanced prevention and screening, as well as diagnosis, treatment and support.

Executive Council
Education and Early Childhood Development

Four classes of students were rewarded for their energy conservation knowledge and creativity today by being named grand prize winners of the K-I-C Start energy conservation contest for Grades Kindergarten to 6. The contest, designed to raise awareness about the importance of energy conservation, is one of several components offered through the Provincial Government’s HotShots initiative and the takeCHARGE school program.

Advanced Education and Skills

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Ed Ring, has released his Report A-2015-001 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. A summary of the Report is included below.

Advanced Education and Skills

In support of cultural diversity and understanding, Multiculturalism Week is being celebrated in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize March as National Nutrition Month and today, March 18, as Dietician Day in Canada.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

I rise in this Honourable House to highlight the success of the provincial delegation that attended Seafood Expo North America in Boston from March 15 to 17.