Government of Newfoundland News

Advanced Education and Skills
Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The East Coast Music Association is better positioned to successfully host East Coast Music Week 2015 as a result of a Provincial Government investment of $56,000 from the Department of Advanced Education and Skills Job Creation Partnership program. The funding will allow the association to hire five staff to assist with the successful implementation of Music Week 2015. Previously, $250,000 was announced by Premier Paul Davis in support of music week activities. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, attended the East Coast Music Award nominations today at the Rock House in St. John’s.

Executive Council

Today, on Data Privacy Day, the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, is reminding residents of the importance of protecting their personal information and safeguarding data. Data Privacy Day has been recognized around the world since 2008 in an effort to generate global discussion and awareness.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Research & Development Corporation (RDC) is pleased to announce a $4.9 million investment in a multi-purpose survey, support and research and development vessel to be stationed in St. John’s. The total cost to design, build and operate such a vessel over a 10-year period is estimated at more than $100 million which will be funded by Fugro. RDC’s investment directly targets the research and development capabilities, equipment and operations of the vessel, which will be built and operated by Fugro GeoSurveys (FGI).

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government is recognizing today, January 28, as Bell Let's Talk Day to promote awareness and education of mental health issues in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will participate in the East Coast Music Awards nomination announcement tomorrow (Wednesday, January 28). The event will take place at 11:00 a.m. at the Rock House on George Street in St. Johns.

Natural Resources

The winter seminar series hosted by the Provincial Government's Geological Survey is now underway and concludes March 26. Featured throughout the series are the exploration efforts, research activities, and geoscience programs completed by the Geological Survey, a division of the Department of Natural Resources.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The importance of reading as a family and participating in literacy-related activities are being celebrated as the Provincial Government recognizes today (Tuesday, January 27) as National Family Literacy Day.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will deliver a keynote address to delegates and guests of the Northern Exposure 2015 Labrador Opportunity Conference and Trade Show, tomorrow (Tuesday, January 27). The event begins at 12:00 p.m. in the Avalon Ballroom of the Delta Hotel, St. John's.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, are again calling on the Honourable Ed Fast, the federal Minister of International Trade, to make good on his commitment on the fisheries investment fund that he negotiated with the Provincial Government. Minister Fast was quoted in a media article last week, while in Rome, advising of his intentions to resolve the ongoing dispute with the province. Despite the fact that he has been asked to meet or correspond with the province on his negotiated agreement, this is the first time he has made any public comment on the fisheries investment fund since 2013.

Executive Council
Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Federal Government's commitment to participate in a cost-shared $400 million Fisheries Investment Fund will be vital to the provincial seafood industry's ability to navigate challenges that could impact Newfoundland and Labrador's economy. In the coming years local producers will need to maintain a strong position in global markets, but will have to do this while competing with other major producers around the world, managing a shift from shellfish to increased groundfish production, and addressing human resource challenges. For these reasons, the Provincial Government continues to press the Harper Government to keep a promise that affects the future of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians throughout the province.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

A $284,000 contract has been awarded to Eastern Siding Systems Inc., to provide exterior renovations and miscellaneous repairs on two Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation buildings located on Cashin Avenue in St. John's.

Natural Resources

Mining companies from Newfoundland and Labrador are in Vancouver this week with officials from the Provincial Government and Mining Industry NL to promote the province's resource potential. They are attending Mineral Exploration Roundup, the second largest annual mineral exploration conference and trade show in Canada which attracts international, national and local mining industry geoscientists, investors, prospectors and suppliers.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The economic benefits generated by the provincial aquaculture industry from 2003 to 2013 are now outlined in a new report released today titled Economic Impacts of the Newfoundland and Labrador Aquaculture Industry. The report provides information about the aquaculture industry's positive impact on provincial GDP, employment, and labour income.

Natural Resource

The front entrance of the Natural Resources Building, 50 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John's is closed until further notice to allow for repairs. The rear entrance of the building will remain open.

Executive Council
Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the member appointments to the Premier's Advisory Council on Crime and Community Safety. The council will examine all aspects of crime in Newfoundland and Labrador and recommend new strategies to prevent and reduce criminal activity and enhance safety in the province.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will make an announcement regarding the provincial aquaculture industry on Monday, January 26, at 10:00 a.m. in the Media Centre, Ground Floor, East Block, Confederation Building.

Justice and Public Safety

Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL) encourages residents to be cautious around coastlines and waterways over the coming days as there is a potential for elevated water levels due to storm surge, large waves and pounding surf associated with a weather system forecast to affect the province on Sunday, January 25.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Employees at Trinity Ornamental Concrete in Ivany's Cove will receive specialized workplace training with an investment of $29,000 from the Provincial Government's Workplace Skills Enhancement Program. The company recently installed new equipment to increase productivity, and this investment will provide employees with the skills required to safely operate the equipment and begin manufacturing a wider range of products to meet the current market.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.