Government of Newfoundland News

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government is seeking funding proposals from individuals or businesses interested in participating in an Accessible Taxi Pilot Project, which requires the proponent to provide appropriate vehicle(s) and dispatch service to serve the needs of persons with disabilities and individuals requiring accessible taxi services.

Finance

Province-wide pre-budget consultation sessions will start next week with the first sessions scheduled for Monday, February 23 in Bay Roberts and Marystown. In addition to the community sessions, people can share their ideas and become more fully engaged in planning Budget 2015 through the use of interactive online materials.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will speak at the opening ceremonies of the Corner Brook Winter Carnival tomorrow (Friday, February 20). The event will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Margaret Bowater Park, O’Connell Drive.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will visit the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) offices in Gander, tomorrow (Friday, February 20) for a demonstration of the Training and Support Lab and Skilled Trades/Technology Education Lab. The demonstration will take place at 10:30 a.m. at CDLI's Central Regional Office at 205 Elizabeth Drive in Gander. Minister Sullivan will be joined by the Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills and MHA for Gander.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fisheries science research on three different species will be advanced with support from the Provincial Government. The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today announced $92,850 through the Fisheries Research Grant Program to help the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research study mackerel, cod and halibut.

Justice and Public Safety

Over the past several weeks, recruitment efforts of the Department of Justice and Public Safety have culminated in graduation ceremonies for new Sheriff's Officers and Correctional Officers. These graduates have been deployed to locations throughout the province and will use their training to make courts and correctional facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador safer for residents, staff and inmates.

Executive Council
Natural Resources

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will attend the annual National Governors Association Winter Meeting, February 20-23, in Washington, D.C. Discussions at the meeting will focus on innovative best practices in the areas of energy, education, health care and employment. Premier Davis will be joined in Washington, D.C. by the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources.

Environment and Conservation

The Department of Environment and Conservation wishes to advise hunters of the closure for small game shooting and snaring seasons throughout various zones on the Island of Newfoundland. A typographic error exists in the 2014-15 Hunting and Trapping Guide which shows that snaring seasons for grouse and ptarmigan close on February 22, 2015. Season dates for all small species is listed below:

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Samantha Marsh has won a second gold medal at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, this time in women’s individual air rifle. Earlier this week, Samantha, along with her teammate Hayley Barrett, won gold in the women’s 10-metre rifle team event. This is Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s fourth medal win at these Games.

Executive Council

Kevin Pollard, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, will speak at the Memorial University Volunteer Incentive Program Ceremony, taking place tomorrow (Thursday, February 19) at 6:00 p.m. The event is being held at the Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Memorial University, St. John’s.

Child, Youth and Family Services

The Honourable Sandy Collins, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, will be available to the media this afternoon (Wednesday, February 18) at 3:00 p.m. to respond to The Advocate’s Report on the Status of Recommendations 2014.

Environment and Conservation

The Provincial Government is providing $52,000 through the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund to aid with the supply and installation of five residential and 14 commercial electric vehicle charging stations in Newfoundland and Labrador to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will make an announcement related to fisheries science research tomorrow (Thursday, February 19). The announcement will take place at 1:00 p.m. at the Media Centre, Ground Floor, East Block, Confederation Building.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Codroy Seafoods Inc. is developing new marketing materials with support from the Provincial Government. The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced $12,180 through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program to develop new promotional material and new packaging for the company's lobster products.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

Canada's privacy and personal information protection guardians are urging law enforcement agencies across the country to carefully consider the significant risks to privacy before equipping officers with body-worn cameras.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

I will be giving a prepared statement, after which I will be happy to take questions. I am pleased to present The Advocate’s Report on the Status of Recommendations 2014. Since 2006, a total of seven (7) investigations and four (4) case reviews have been completed:

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government is launching another initiative to address licensed practical nursing workforce shortages in Newfoundland and Labrador. The approach will include a complete curriculum review and updates to the existing practical nursing program.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, today congratulated target shooters Margaret Coady and Emily Keeping, both of St. John's, who won silver medals in the women’s 10-metre pistol team competition Tuesday, February 17, at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

Carol A. Chafe, Advocate for Children and Youth, will be holding a press conference at 11:00 a.m. today (Wednesday, February 18) to publicly release The Advocate’s Report on the Status of Recommendations 2014. The press conference will take place in the boardroom at the Advocate for Children and Youth, 193 LeMarchant Road, St. John’s.

Justice and Public Safety

The Provincial Government today announced that negotiations with the City of St. John’s have reached a stalemate regarding an agreement to operate a call taking centre for the Avalon Peninsula for the new province-wide Basic 911 service. With the City declining the opportunity to continue as a 911 service provider in the new province-wide Basic 911 service, other options are now being explored.