Government of Newfoundland News

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association (NLBA) has released the second set of rankings for the Hall of Fame Cup (Elite Eight) Championship to be held on February 20-22, 2015, at the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre in St. John's.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency to provide my Honourable colleagues with an update on the excellent progress made as part of the HotShots initiative.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

I rise in this Honorable House to recognize the important contributions of people working on coastal management area committees throughout the province. Earlier this week, these talented and dedicated individuals came together for a workshop in Corner Brook to share ideas and generate new initiatives, and their efforts are greatly appreciated.

Transportation and Works

Last night (Wednesday, January 21), the MV Grace Sparkes hit a submerged rock approximately 200 metres outside of Burnside resulting in some damage to the hull. The ferry was able to continue service to Burnside and is currently out of service. It is expected that repairs will take at least one week.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Newfound Roofing Ltd. has been awarded a $240,000 contract to replace the roofs and undertake related upgrades on two Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation buildings on Buckmaster's Circle and Navy Street in St. John's.

Executive Council
Finance

With a commitment to making unique collections of information available to the public,the Provincial Government today announced the release of eight additional datasets through the Open Government Initiative for use free of charge by residents. The datasets include preliminary data from the volunteer and non-profit sector census being carried out by government, provincial and regional population projections to the year 2035, and a collection of administrative region mapping files. Further information about the eight new datasets can be found in the backgrounder below.

Transportation and Works

The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works, joined Atlantic Canadian transportation ministers in Halifax earlier this week to discuss opportunities to advance transportation improvements and infrastructure in the region. Key aspects of the meeting focused on the Federal Government's review of the Canada Transportation Act, asset management best practices, and the New Building Canada Plan.

Executive Council

Today the Provincial Government released its Greening Government Action Plan outlining several steps to improve the environmental sustainability of government operations.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise today as the Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency to announce the release of a new action plan to create a culture of environmental sustainability within government's own operations.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note that today is Weedless Wednesday, an annual event held during National Non-Smoking Week in Canada. The purpose of Weedless Wednesday is to encourage smokers to stop smoking today, and to let it be the start of a process of quitting for good.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

As part of National Non-Smoking Week, and Weedless Wednesday, the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, will be at Mews Centre, 40 Mundy Pond Road, St. John's, tomorrow (Wednesday, January 21) to attend Quit. Breathe. Live., an information session focused on lung health.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Renovations have been completed on three social housing homes on Wallace Place in St. John's, as the result of a $186,000 contract awarded to TSG Contracting Ltd. this past fall. The work included siding, window, door and roofing replacements, as well as electrical and ventilation system upgrades.

Service NL

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to recognize seven leaders inducted into the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission’s CEO Safety Charter for 2014. This distinguished network of leaders from this province is committed to safety in the workplace and has taken the steps necessary to make their workplaces safer.

Health and Community Services

Mister Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise in this Honourable House to provide an update on the Provincial Government’s Understanding Changes Everything social marketing campaign.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will join Premiers across the country in Ottawa on January 30 for the Council of the Federation 2015 Winter Meeting of Canada’s Premiers.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Natural Resources

The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada are providing $50,000 to the Egg Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador, supporting the organization's ability to take advantage of emerging industry opportunities. Funding will be used to conduct an industry study exploring potential sector growth, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the competitive position of the province's egg farmers.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Research and Development Corporation (RDC) is investing $350,000 in two R&D projects to help personnel survive helicopter ditching or abandonment in water. These R&D projects, related to escape exits and survival skills, are being undertaken by Falck Safety Services Canada with funding from RDC, Petroleum Research Newfoundland and Labrador, and Falck. The total value of the projects is approximately $700,000.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, will attend the official opening of a new building for the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador today (Tuesday, January 20). The event is taking place at 209 Blackmarsh Road, St. John's, and Minister Kent is speaking at 5:30 p.m.

Service NL

The Provincial Government continues to make significant progress in reducing the regulatory burden on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and supporting innovation across many business sectors.

Environment and Conservation

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