Government of Newfoundland News

The spring sitting of the House of Assembly is concluding with significant and notable support for health, seniors, housing, infrastructure and business through the provincial budget.

Budget 2024 – Transforming: Our Health. Our Economy. Our Province builds on the progress that has been made over the last four years in transforming health care while investing in an economy that is creating new opportunities and making its mark on the global stage.

Highlights of Budget 2024 include:

• No new taxes, tax increases, or fee increases.
• Record high investments in health care, seniors, housing, and poverty reduction.
• Funding to hire health care providers for the existing 19 family care teams, and to create new teams in Lewisporte, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, and downtown St. John’s.
• Close to $300 million for improvements to provincial roads and highways.
• More than $36 million over four years to build over 100 new public housing homes in Corner Brook, Central Newfoundland and Labrador West.
• $10 million for a new Seniors’ Well-Being Plan.
• Increasing the base funding for Municipal Operating Grants to $28 million. This represents a two-year increase of nearly 30 per cent.
• A reduction in the Small Business Tax rate from three per cent to 2.5 per cent, saving money for about 6,200 small businesses.
• Over $16 million to increase the number of child care spaces.
• Close to $20 million for the elimination of the 1.6-kilometre policy to access school bus services.

In addition to the provincial budget, the spring legislative agenda also focused on such things as enhancing the visitor experience in the province, improving road safety, supporting the agriculture sector, and celebrating 75 years of confederation.

A full list of legislation debated in this session of the House of Assembly can be found on the House of Assembly website.

Quote
“The provincial budget highlighted the spring legislative agenda. However, this session also included notable legislation that continues our government’s track record of advancing legislation that supports the health and well-being of communities, families, and businesses throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Government House Leader
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

-30-

Learn more
House of Assembly

Follow us on X @GovNL

Like us on Facebook

The post Investments in Health, Seniors, Housing, Infrastructure and Business Highlight Spring Sitting of the House of Assembly appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, and the Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, will discuss the province’s position regarding the federal equalization program tomorrow (Thursday, May 30).

The event will take place in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, beginning at 12:00 p.m.

-30-

The post Media Advisory: Ministers Coady and Hogan to Discuss Equalization appeared first on News Releases.

The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills:

Speaker, it is my duty to report to the House the current status of the Government of Canada’s decision to cut $625 million per year from Labour Market Transfer Agreements.

Newfoundland and Labrador has led the formation of a country-wide coalition of provinces and territories of all political stripes to reverse these federal cuts.

Thirteen provincial and territorial Premiers, rallied by our Premier, have persistently informed the Prime Minister that these cuts are ill-advised and must be reversed.

Newfoundland and Labrador has led a united effort of every labour market minister in the country to fight back. Collectively, we have demanded an urgent, emergency, in-person meeting with the federal minister but the federal minister has yet to acquiesce. Federal employment Minister Randy Boissonnault has, however, acknowledged to the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration that the federal budget was flawed and should not have included the cuts.

Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador has lost $16.8 million annually to support our people. We stand by those whom these funds supported. I should note, the bulk of these funds are not derived from federal revenues. They are deployed from the Employment Insurance account. They come from Newfoundland and Labrador workers and should be given back to Newfoundland and Labrador workers. It is our money. It is the workers’ money. We have already taken action to stabilize services to the vulnerable and will work within our means to ensure continuity of services.

While I fault the federal government directly, I take with concern the knowledge that not one question has been asked of the federal government about its impact or its wisdom by either federal political opposition party. Neither the federal NDP nor the Conservative party have drawn any attention to this on the floor of the House of Commons.

Provinces and territories have taken the united position that backfilling federal cuts by raising provincial taxes is not the best answer. The money is already being collected from us but is being denied to us. The right solution is for Ottawa to give the workers’ money back to the workers.

I ask all members of this House to stand in unison with the same position taken by every Liberal, Progressive Conservative, and NDP provincial government in this country. I ask for the ability to communicate to our provincial and territorial colleagues and, most importantly to Ottawa, that we as a legislature demand these national cuts to worker supports be reversed.

The post Minister Byrne Calling on Federal Government to Reverse Employment Funding Cuts appeared first on News Releases.

The follow statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General:

Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission.

Everyone has the right to a life of equality, dignity, and respect.

In the late 1960s, our province passed its first human rights code, joining a generational movement as Canada led the world in the advancement of human rights. This code made us the first Canadian jurisdiction to prohibit discrimination based on political opinion, and the second to ban sex discrimination in the workplace. Then, in 1974, legislation was passed to create a permanent provincial human rights commission to administer this code.

Since then, the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador has championed an impactful mandate that includes resolving complaints, educating the public, raising issues of public importance, and working closely with community partners.

The work of the commission benefits all of us, and I urge anyone who feels discriminated against to reach out for guidance and support. For information and updates on events marking its anniversary, visit thinkhumanrights.ca. The staff are truly a great resource and strive to make our province a more inclusive place to live.

I ask all Honourable members to join me in congratulating the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission on its 50th anniversary and thank its staff, past and present, for their contributions to our province.

The post Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission appeared first on News Releases.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced today that a tentative agreement with the Canadian Merchant Service Guild (CMSG) has been ratified. The guild represents about 30 ferry captains in this province.

The Provincial Government and the CMSG worked together to negotiate an agreement that reflects the value of the important transportation services provided by ferry captains along the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This five-year agreement is in line with other bargaining units providing wage increases, a one-time employee recognition bonus payment of $2,000 and salary adjustments to ensure competitiveness. It also offers changes to employee allowances and leave provisions, similar to other collective agreements.

The Provincial Government has successfully negotiated 30 collective agreements with public sector unions, representing more than 35,000 public sector workers.

Quotes
“Ferry captains provide an essential service by ensuring transportation is available for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians across the island. I thank the negotiating teams of the Provincial Government and the Canadian Merchant Service Guild for working together to reach the thirtieth collective agreement we have negotiated with our public sector unions in less than two years.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board

“We have a talented and dedicated team that operates the provincial ferry service, delivering transportation to the tens of thousands of people who use it annually. We thank them for their ongoing work, which serves and connects communities across our province.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

-30-

Learn more
Provincial Government and Association of Allied Health Professionals Sign Collective Agreement

Provincial Government and Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association Sign Collective Agreement

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Reaches Tentative Collective Agreement with Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association

Provincial Government and Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador Sign Collective Agreement

Provincial Government Highlights Ratified Collective Agreements with CUPE

Provincial Government and NAPE Sign Collective Agreements

Provincial Government and Professional Association of Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador Sign Collective Agreement

Provincial Government and Labrador West Teachers Ratify Tentative Agreement

The post Provincial Government Highlights Ratified Collective Agreement with Canadian Merchant Service Guild appeared first on News Releases.

The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Speaker, I rise today to share my commitment to preserving the history and contributions of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in the First World War.

On Monday, I addressed this Honourable House, sharing the emotional journey to France to bring Newfoundland and Labrador’s son home.

Speaker, while overseas, I found myself reflecting on the sheer magnitude of the experience. I found myself wishing that we could do more to ensure that the sacrifices made on the battlefields of Northern France and Belgium over 100 years ago are never forgotten.

Each year, more than 30 students participate in the Trail of the Caribou Pilgrimage, a partnership between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command and the Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. This includes remembrance ceremonies at the five caribou monuments in Northern France and Belgium, including the July 1 ceremony at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial.

Speaker, I am proud to say that, beginning in 2025, we intend to expand the program to allow 100 Newfoundland and Labrador students to travel overseas for this life-changing experience.

And so, Speaker, we will, indeed, do more. We will do our best to ensure they are not forgotten. That their names continue to be spoken and their memories honoured.

Lest we forget.

The post Premier Commemorates Newfoundland and Labrador’s First World War Sacrifices with Expanded Trail of the Caribou Pilgrimage Student Ambassador Program appeared first on News Releases.

Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador, Denise Hanrahan, will deliver a performance audit monitoring report to the House of Assembly tomorrow (Thursday, May 30, 2024).

A technical briefing for media will take place on Thursday, May 30, 2024, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Office of the Auditor General’s boardroom, 7 Pippy Place, St. John’s.

Media representatives planning to participate are asked to RSVP to Chrysta Collins (chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca).

The Auditor General will be available to the media beginning at 3:00 p.m.

-30-

Media contact
Chrysta Collins
Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
709-730-1568
chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Auditor General to Deliver Performance Audit Monitoring Report appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, will bring greetings at SportNL’s 2024 Scholarship Awards Ceremony today (Wednesday, May 29).

The event will take place at the Emera Innovation Exchange, at Memorial University’s Signal Hill Campus in St. John’s, beginning at 12:00 p.m.

-30-

The post Media Advisory: Minister Crocker to Bring Greetings at SportNL Scholarship Awards   appeared first on News Releases.

Today, the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, announced the launch of the Provincial Government’s Early Learning Gateway. The Early Learning Gateway is an online platform to help improve access to early learning and child care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Early Learning Gateway will connect regulated child care service providers with parents and guardians who need child care through a digital waitlist. This will decrease some of the administrative burden of managing a waitlist, streamline processes, and improve efficiencies, all through a secure information collection platform. Parents and guardians will have quick access to waitlist their child or children for any regulated child care service in the province.

The Early Learning Gateway parent portal allows parents and guardians seeking child care the ability to:

• Add their child or children to their profile.
• Search for regulated child care services.
• Add their child or children to a regulated child care service waitlist(s).
• Edit or remove their child or children from waitlists.

The Early Learning Gateway service portal provides regulated child care service providers the ability to:

• View and manage the list of parents/guardians who added their child or children to the service waitlist in Early Learning Gateway.
• View parent/guardian contact information to follow up when a space becomes available.
• Create and manage Early Learning Gateway account access for their administrative staff.

New features will be added in the near future to further support access to high-quality, affordable, and inclusive early learning and child care in the province.

The Early Learning Gateway can be accessed by visiting www.gov.nl.ca/EarlyLearningGateway. Users will be prompted to log in through MyGovNL. If users are not registered, they can easily register with a valid MCP card, driver’s licence, or photo ID issued by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Launch of the Early Learning Gateway is aligned with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible child care that meets the needs of families and service providers. There are close to 9,400 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10-a-day or less in the province, with a further 2,000 spaces in development.

Quotes
“As of today, parents can waitlist their child for care with just the click of a button, and service providers will all have access to the same waitlist capabilities. The Early Learning Gateway is a positive step forward for our continued efforts to improve access to early learning and child care throughout the province.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education

“The team at OCIO are pleased to have worked with the Department of Education to deliver this important tool for early learning and childcare providers and families looking to avail of $10/day regulated early childhood spaces.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL and Minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer

“The Early Learning Gateway will streamline the waitlist process and alleviate some of the challenges experienced by parents and guardians as they seek care for their children. It will also support licensees and administrators to provide quality care in a more efficient manner. As a daycare operator, the Early Learning Gateway will decrease some of the administrative tasks so that we can focus on the most important work – caring for and educating children.”
Jennifer Quilty
Apples to Zebras Daycare Inc.

-30-

Learn more
Early Learning Gateway

Public Advisory: Parents and Guardians Encouraged to Create a MyGovNL Account for the Upcoming Launch of the Early Learning Gateway

Provincial Government Unveils Child Care Demand Portal

Follow us on X @GovNL and @EDU_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

The post Early Learning Gateway Launched to Help Improve Access to Early Learning and Child Care appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable, Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, will make an announcement tomorrow (Wednesday, May 29) to launch the Early Learning Gateway to help improve access to early learning and child care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Minister Howell will be joined by Jennifer Quilty of Apples to Zebras Daycare, Inc.

The announcement will take place in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building at 9:30 a.m.

-30-

The post Media Advisory: Minister Howell to Launch Early Learning Gateway appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, is in Ottawa today (Tuesday, May 28) representing the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador at a reception on Parliament Hill recognizing National Seal Products Day.

National Seal Products Day is celebrated annually during the month of May to promote Canadian seal products and highlight the importance of the Canadian seal fishery, particularly for coastal communities and Indigenous people.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has provided the Fur Council of Canada with a $10,000 grant to assist with this important event which is attended by Members of Parliament, Senators, and seal industry advocates and stakeholders from across Canada.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains a key supporter of the seal industry and continues to work with stakeholders on industry development initiatives including efforts to increase marketing of Canadian seal products.

The Provincial Government has supported the Canadian Seal Products marketing campaign that began in 2019 with a total investment of over $3.1 million from the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund. Approximately $1.3 million of this contribution is being used to further develop markets for Canadian seal products.

Quote
“I am pleased to take part in the National Seal Products Day to highlight the benefits and opportunities stemming from our seal products industry. Seal products provide many benefits including nutritious food, quality apparel and health products. I look forward to continue working with our federal partners to promote our sealing industry and identifying new markets for this abundant resource.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless

Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

-30-

Learn more
Canadian Seal Products

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @FFA_GovNL

Like FFA on Facebook

The post Minister Loveless Representing Province at National Seal Products Day appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, will be attending and delivering remarks at a reception today (Tuesday, May 28) on Parliament Hill recognizing National Seal Products Day.

The event will take place 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. in room 215-A, West Block, Parliament Hill, 111 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario.

National Seal Products Day is celebrated annually during the month of May to promote the seal products industry and highlight the importance of the seal fishery for Canada’s Indigenous people, coastal communities and entire population.

-30-

The post Media Advisory: Minister Loveless Attending National Seal Products Day in OttawaMedia Advisory: Minister Loveless Attending National Seal Products Day in Ottawa appeared first on News Releases.

A Mount Pearl company has been charged with violations under Newfoundland and Labrador’s Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.

Charges against Granite Management Limited are the result of an investigation by the department’s Occupational Health and Safety Division following an accident in June 2022 in Gooseberry Cove, Trinity Bay. One worker was injured when he was struck by a piece of lumber being moved by a crane at a wharf construction job.

Granite Management Limited has been charged with three violations including:

• Failing to notify the Occupational Health and Safety Division about the accident
• Failure to ensure workers were given the necessary training, supervision, and facilities to ensure their safety; and
• Failure to ensure the crane operator had the necessary training.

A company supervisor has been charged with a single count for failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all workers under their supervision.

The first appearance at Provincial Court in Clarenville for the company and supervisor is scheduled for June 27, 2024.

-30-

 

The post Public Advisory: Construction Accident Leads to Occupational Health and Safety Charges appeared first on News Releases.

The significant amount of garbage removed from the Outer Ring Road, which is higher than the amount collected last spring, serves as a stark reminder to residents and the travelling public of the importance of practicing proper waste management, which in turn makes our roadways, highways crews and the environment safe.

On Sunday, May 26, a clean-up of the Outer Ring Road between Logy Bay Road and Kenmount Road resulted in the equivalent of approximately four-and-a-half tandem dump trucks of garbage (45 cubic metres) removed from the highway. The garbage consisted of a number of household items, along with a couch, tires, bicycle frame, truck bedliner and a dog kennel.

The four-and-a-half tandem loads of garbage consists of approximately 3,750 garbage bags, and is approximately 1,250 more garbage bags than last spring’s cleanup when three-and-a-half tandem dump trucks of garbage (35 cubic metres) was removed.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure also used the closure to repair guide rails, conduct bridge inspections, patch potholes, remove sand buildup along the shoulders, begin line painting, install signage and sweep interchanges.

The Provincial Government reminds everyone to dispose of their garbage and old household items in a responsible and appropriate manner. All residents have a responsibility to protect the environment and to be mindful of the safety of crews and fellow motorists.

The majority of the debris collected along the Outer Ring Road is the result of unsecured loads. These loads often present a safety hazard for motorists and create litter along the province’s highways. When transporting cargo of any kind it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure their load is properly secured. Government encourages everyone to put public safety first by taking the time to ensure their load is properly secured before they head out on the road.

The Cargo Securement Regulations under the Highway Traffic Act apply to all private and commercial vehicles that are used to transport cargo, debris or trash on a public roadway. Fines for an improperly secured load range from $120 to $600 or 30 days imprisonment.

Littering on the province’s highways is prohibited under section 163. (1) of the Highway Traffic Act. Penalties range from $100 to $500. In default of payment, an offender can face imprisonment for two to 17 days.

Quotes
“Debris strewn along our highways and the hazard of unsecured loads contributes to unsafe conditions. We must all do our part to ensure safety along our roadways and this includes the proper securement and disposal of garbage and other items.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“Littering along the highways damages the beauty of our natural landscapes and puts the safety of drivers at risk. I urge our residents to practice proper waste management to ensure garbage doesn’t end up on our roadways. No action is ever too little when it comes to preserving our environment.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Securing your cargo, as required under the Highway Traffic Act, prevents accidents caused by flying debris, and reduces unsightly litter along our roadways. It’s disappointing to see the tremendous amount of garbage that is collected during the annual clean up on the Outer Ring Road, much of which is the result of unsecured cargo. I encourage everyone to take extra care to ensure their vehicles and goods are properly secured.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

-30-

The post Latest Outer Ring Road Clean-Up Results in Significant Garbage Removal appeared first on News Releases.

The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change:

I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize June 2 – 8 as National Environment Week.

This year’s theme is “Generation Restoration”.

As individuals, we can preserve and restore our environment through actions such as growing trees, reducing waste, conserving energy, and adopting other environment-friendly practices in our every day lives.

As a government, we continue to focus on new and improved waste management practices.

Last year, 180 million beverage containers, or 70 per cent, were diverted from landfills through recycling programs in the province.

Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador is ahead of other jurisdictions with more than 91 per cent of electricity sourced from renewable sources.

We are increasing electrification in homes, industries, and transportation sectors.

Since 2021, we have provided more than $17 million to over 2,600 homeowners to transition from oil to electric heating.

Our Electric Vehicle Incentive has helped us achieve over 1000 per cent growth in electric vehicles. We are now averaging two new electric vehicles on the road each day.

As of 2022, our greenhouse gas emissions have fallen to 8.6 million tonnes – these are the lowest emissions on record since 1996. We are on track to meet our 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target.

Speaker, this year we will release two new 2025-30 climate change action plans.

Our mitigation plan will lay the foundation for achieving net zero emissions by 2025, and our adaption plan will outline ways to future proof our province against the impacts of climate change.

I am pleased with the progress we are making together and I encourage everyone to continue playing their role towards the shared goal of preserving our environment for generations to come.

The post Ministerial Statement: Minister Davis Recognizes Environment Week appeared first on News Releases.

Today, the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, announced the Provincial Government’s commitment to introduce a medical benefits program for early childhood educators working in regulated child care services that participate in the Operating Grant Program.

Minister Howell was joined by Élisabeth Brière, Parliamentary Secretary to the Government of Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Skye Taylor, Executive Director of the Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador.

The medical benefits program will become operational fall 2024 and will be managed by the Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador. Medical benefits will be optional and available to individuals who have worked a minimum of three months at a regulated child care service participating in the Operating Grant Program, including:

• Early childhood educators;
• Trainee early childhood educators;
• Other staff working in child care services; and
• Regulated Family Child Care providers.

The new medical benefits program for early childhood educators will support recruitment and retention of early childhood educators as the Provincial Government continues to increase the number of early learning and child care spaces throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

The annual cost for the new benefit plan is estimated at over $1.8 million, funded as part of the $306 million invested through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. Through this agreement, the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are working together to improve access to high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care programs and services.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to providing high quality, affordable child care that is accessible throughout the province. There are close to 9,400 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10-a-day or less in the province, with a further 2,000 spaces in development.

Quotes
“Early childhood educators play an important role in the learning and development of our children as they start discovering new things every day. We have worked diligently to provide enhanced recruitment initiatives for those thinking of entering the profession, and to bolster retention efforts to encourage them to stay in the field. The new medical benefits program is another step in our efforts to acknowledge the importance of the early learning workforce.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education

“Early childhood educators are at the very heart of the Canada-wide early learning and child care system, and we need to be there for them just as they always are for our families and kids. Today’s announcement in Newfoundland and Labrador is another big step to help attract, retain, and support our amazing educators in our communities.”
Honourable Jenna Sudds
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“The introduction of a medical benefits program for early childhood educators marks another step toward professionalizing the sector and acknowledging the vital role that educators play in supporting families and children by providing quality care and inclusive early learning opportunities. The association looks forward to the development of future workforce strategies as the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement progresses.”
Skye Taylor
Association of Early Childhood Educators in Newfoundland and Labrador

-30-

Learn more
Operating Grant Program

Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement

Follow us on X @GovNL and @EDU_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

BACKGROUNDER

Operating Grant Program
The Operating Grant Program helps address affordability of child care services for families with young children. Effective January 1, 2023, regulated child care services participating in the Operating Grant Program were supported to lower their rates to $10 per day for infant, toddler, and preschool participants; $4 for afterschool care; and, $5 for before and after school care. The Operating Grant Program is a key component of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. As part of the agreement, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador committed to exploring potential enhancements to the program to ensure that regulated operations remain financially viable, and to retain and attract new early childhood educators.

In January 2024 the Provincial Government released a report outlining a review of the Operating Grant Program for child care services in Newfoundland and Labrador. The report includes six opportunity areas for improving the Operating Grant Program, including governance; funding and rates; program policies, processes and requirements; accountability; workforce; and, system enablers.

Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement is increasing access to regulated child care through the creation of approximately 6,000 spaces by 2025-2026, as well as improving affordability, inclusivity, and quality of early learning and child care programming in Newfoundland and Labrador. This Action Plan is made possible by federal investments in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system. These include $306 million for the 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, a one-time investment of nearly $6.5 million in 2021-2022 to support the early childhood workforce, as well as over $34 million for the 2021-2022 to 2024-2025 Early Learning and Child Care Extension Agreement.

The post Provincial Government Commits to Introducing Medical Benefits for Early Childhood Educators appeared first on News Releases.

Today, the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, announced support for one of the province’s most anticipated summer events – the Royal St. John’s Regatta.

Minister Crocker was joined at the event by the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Member of the House of Assembly for the district of St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi, and Ashley Peach, President of the Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee.

This year’s event will be known as the ‘Confederation 75 Royal St. John’s Regatta’ and will include the following enhancements:

• Regatta Eve concert with Gulliver’s Busses Free Ride N’ Park service.
• Special edition Confederation 75 branded medals.
• The June 22 races will be renamed the ‘Confederation 75 Races’.
• As well, a Regatta Day race will be named after the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Royal St. John’s Regatta is the oldest continuing sporting event in North America, with 2024 marking its 206th anniversary. The annual event is known to draw up to 50,000 spectators each year to the shores of Quidi Vidi Lake.

Quotes
“The Royal St. John’s Regatta is a summertime tradition in our capital city. 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of Confederation, an ideal opportunity to enhance the Regatta and bring awareness to the significant moment in time that we became Canadians.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“I am pleased to proclaim the 206th running of the Royal St. John’s Regatta as the Confederation 75 Royal St. John’s Regatta. As an event that is steeped in history, it is fitting that the Royal St. John’s Regatta would partner with the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador in celebrating 75 years of Confederation. We join the entire province in marking this momentous occasion by reflecting on our past and celebrating all we have achieved these last 75 years.”
Ashley Peach
President, Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee

-30-

Learn more
Royal St. John’s Regatta

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @TCAR_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

The post Provincial Government Provides Support for Confederation 75 Royal St. John’s Regatta Enhancements appeared first on News Releases.

In accordance with the requirements of the Highway Traffic Act, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has issued Transportation Network Company (ride-sharing service) licences to Ride Technologies Inc and GrandHubX.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador first announced the introduction of a provincial approach to ride-sharing in October 2023.

Legislative amendments to permit ride-sharing services to operate within the province came into effect on December 21, 2023.

Transportation Network Companies are required to obtain a licence from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to operate in Newfoundland and Labrador and ride-sharing drivers are required to hold a Class 4 licence.

More information about ride-sharing, including how to apply for licences, is available online.

-30-

 

The post Public Advisory: Provincial Government Issues Ride-Sharing Licences to Ride Technologies Inc and GrandHubX appeared first on News Releases.

In an effort to build on the long-term economic growth of communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government continues to address infrastructure development and rehabilitation needs in municipalities and Local Service Districts, allowing them to deliver strong municipal services and meet infrastructure needs.

The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, will be available to provide an update to media on municipal infrastructure funding today (Tuesday, May 28) in the Media Centre, Ground Floor, East Block, Confederation Building beginning at 12:00 p.m. He will be joined by Jim Organ, Executive Director, Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador; Rhonda Neary, President and Chief Operating Officer, Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association; and Bradley Power, Director of Programs, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador.

A total of $50 million over five years is included in the Budget for the Municipal Capital Works program, which fosters the development of cost-shared projects for many types of municipal infrastructure. To date, 70 projects at a cost of approximately $60 million have been approved under the program for 2024-25. Typical projects include water and waste-water treatment, seawalls, and climate mitigation efforts. Funding is cost-shared between provincial and municipal governments and is available to municipalities, local service districts and Inuit Community Governments. The provincial share is $47 million.

Budget 2024 also includes provincial support of $31 million in 2024-25 ($70 million over three years) in support of the Multi-Year Capital Works funding program. Currently, 62 projects have been approved under this program, totaling $61.5 million, including the municipal share. For towns and communities that have the capacity to make multi-year commitments, funding is cost shared between provincial and municipal governments for three-year blocks of funding under this program. These recipients are larger municipalities throughout the province and projects typically focus on water and/or sewer, paving and/or road construction, municipal buildings and recreation facilities.

Quote
“Municipal leaders have the insight into how best to improve their communities, and we support their efforts to enhance infrastructure in their towns to benefit people living in their areas. Our funding commitment positions municipalities to help them achieve that goal.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

-30-

The post Update Provided on Municipal Infrastructure Funding for the Province appeared first on News Releases.

The preliminary results from today’s by-election in the District of Baie Verte – Green Bay are as follows:

Baie Verte – Green Bay Official Candidates: Political Affiliation: Preliminary Results: BURT, Owen J. Liberal Party

1,035

HARNETT, Riley New Democratic Party 96 PADDOCK, Lin Progressive Conservative Party 4,271 TOTAL  VOTES: 5,402

There were 47 regular polls, 4 advance polls and Special Ballot voting in the by-election with 9,601 registered electors on the final revised list of electors.

The Official Addition of the Votes, a procedure whereby the vote tallies from by-election night are reviewed, will take place at the district Returning Office beginning at 9:00 am on Thursday, May 30. At the conclusion of the Official Addition, the by-election results are considered official and a candidate is declared elected.

– 30 –

Media contact
Rexanne Eddy
Communications and Training Officer, ATIPP Coordinator
Elections Newfoundland and Labrador
Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
709-729-1474
rexanneeddy@electionsnl.ca

The post Preliminary By-Election Results for Baie Verte – Green Bay appeared first on News Releases.