Government of Newfoundland News

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, welcomed his colleagues, Premier Brian Gallant of New Brunswick, Premier Stephen McNeil of Nova Scotia, and Premier Robert Ghiz of Prince Edward Island to the 25th meeting of the Council of Atlantic Premiers.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation (RDC), will make an announcement concerning research and development funding in support of offshore safety tomorrow (Tuesday, January 20). Minister King will be joined by Glenn Janes, Chief Executive Officer of RDC, as well as representatives from Petroleum Research Newfoundland and Labrador and Falck Safety Services Canada.

Executive Council
Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today congratulated WestJet on its expansion of services in the province. WestJet announced it is introducing new flights between Deer Lake, Gander, St. John’s, and Halifax and Toronto.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

I rise in this Honourable House to note our government's commitment to supporting innovation in the provincial seafood sector through our Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program. Originally launched in 2007, this program will soon reach the significant milestone of having supported 300 research and development projects.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to provide an update on the success of the Premier's Summit on Health Care which took place on Wednesday of last week. It was my privilege to join the Premier and over 300 delegates to discuss real issues faced by residents and health care providers in Newfoundland and Labrador today. Attendees included residents, researchers, health care professionals, representatives from the regional health authorities and the education system, and a vast and inclusive array of organizations and key stakeholders. I would also recognize Members of this Honourable House from all parties who joined us for the day-long event.

Health and Community Services

A new antibiotic adherence program is being launched to focus on the effective and appropriate use of antibiotics. This program, which will be available to clients of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program, is among the first of its kind in the country to be led by pharmacists and involves an initial consultation and follow-up with patients who are receiving antibiotics. The long-term goal of the program is to address the issue of antibiotic resistance. Pharmacists will implement the program beginning on January 26, 2015.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government is partnering with ParticipACTION, the national voice of physical activity and sport participation in Canada, in the new Make Room for Play physical activity campaign which calls on Canadian families to cut down on screen time and encourage more active play.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Sooner or Later, Everybody Quits is the theme of National Non-Smoking Week (January 18-24) and the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, is encouraging smokers in Newfoundland and Labrador to take the opportunity to choose their own quit date - before it's chosen for them.

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

Today, the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, provided an update on recent meetings held in Ottawa. The ministers met with a number of embassy representatives and industry associations to outline the Provincial Government's position on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the fisheries investment fund.

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, will be available today (Monday, January 19) to provide an update on meetings in Ottawa last week regarding CETA. The event will take place at 10:00 a.m. in the Media Centre, Confederation Building.

Executive Council

As announced today by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the House of Assembly will open on Monday, January 19, 2015. This session will allow for amendments to the Electoral Boundaries Act to support the immediate review of electoral boundaries and effect a reduction in electoral districts to 38.

House of Assembly

The Honourable Wade Verge, Speaker of the House of Assembly, today announced that the House of Assembly will open on Monday, January 19, at 1:30 p.m.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, will be at Holy Trinity Elementary on Monday, January 19, for an event to highlight the Provincial Government's new partnership with ParticipACTION. The minister will be joined by Kevin Parsons, MHA for Cape St. Francis, and Elio Antunes, President and CEO of ParticipACTION. The event will take place in the school gymnasium, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Natural Resources

Clayton Forsey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, will address attendees at the annual general meeting for the Newfoundland and Labrador Fur Breeders’ Association on Monday, January 19. The event will be held 9:00 a.m. at the Hotel Gander.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans, will speak at a graduation ceremony for the practical nursing class of College of the North Atlantic in Grand Falls-Windsor tomorrow (Saturday, January 17). The ceremony will take place at the Windsor Pentecostal Church, 97 King Street, Grand Falls-Windsor at 2:00 p.m.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

A new arena being constructed in Conception Bay South (CBS) will see further enhancements with a contribution of $200,000 from the Provincial Government. Ice surface conversion, audio/visual and staging equipment, along with acoustic panels will be purchased, which will allow the arena to operate year-round as a multi-purpose facility. The equipment will better position the arena to attract regional, provincial and national conferences, tourism and sporting events.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced several changes to the senior executive of the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Service.

Service NL

The Honourable Tony Cornect, Minister of Service NL, will speak at a graduation ceremony for the practical nursing class of College of the North Atlantic today (Friday, January 15). The ceremony will take place at the Greenwood Inn and Suites, 48 West Street, Corner Brook, at 2:00 p.m.

Health and Community Services

Kevin Pollard, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, will speak at a graduation and awards ceremony for licensed practical nursing students of the Centre for Nursing Studies tomorrow (Friday, January 16). The ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. at Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle on Kenmount Road in St. John’s.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will join Eric Schibler, Chair of the 2016 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games, tomorrow (Friday, January 16), to announce members of the host committee for the games, which will be held in Conception Bay South, August 13-21, 2016.