Government of Newfoundland News

Finance

The Provincial Government introduced legislation today to ensure the continuation of the sport of harness racing in Newfoundland and Labrador. The legislation, An Act Respecting the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission, will allow the province to join the Maritime Provinces in the renamed Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission.

Health and Community Services

An amendment to the Registered Nurses Act, 2008, was introduced in the House of Assembly today. The amendment proposes to add quality assurance provisions to the act with the intent of strengthening and improving the practices of registered nurses.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will attend the St. John’s Board of Trade’s Business Excellence Awards tomorrow (Wednesday, December 3). The event will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Delta St. John’s.

Health and Community Services

In response to overwhelming interest from the general public, the Provincial Government is adding additional consultation sessions as part of the Premier’s Summit on Health Care.

Service NL

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in this Honourable House to recognize this week as National Safe Driving Week, which officially began December 1. There has been significant attention over the years to the issue of driving under the influence of alcohol; however, many people may not be aware that It’s Not Just Alcohol That Impairs, which is this year’s theme of Safe Driving Week.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note that tomorrow, December 3, is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker I rise in this Honourable House to provide an update on the work we are undertaking as part of the Premier’s Summit on Health Care.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will announce funding to support a research and development project involving a provincial processing plant tomorrow (Wednesday, December 3). The announcement will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the large boardroom of the Petten Building, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 30 Strawberry Marsh Road, St. John’s.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, will attend two events tomorrow (Wednesday, December 3) to mark United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Health and Community Services

There was an error in the address provided for the Mount Pearl Regional Forum scheduled for this evening (Tuesday, December 2).

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is pleased to present the 2014 Access, Privacy, Security and Information Management Conference, Changing the Culture: Access, Privacy, Security and Information Management in the Era of Open Government at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland on December 2 and 3, 2014. Our partners in presenting this conference are Verney Conference Management, the Office of Public Engagement, Memorial University, the Harris Center, Eastern Health and the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will provide remarks at NL Connections – Changing The Culture: The 2014 Access, Privacy, Security, and Information Management Conference tomorrow (Tuesday, December 2) at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s at 8:45 a.m.

Health and Community Services

There is a change in venue for the Mount Pearl Regional Forum scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday, December 2). The session is being moved due to a large number of registrants.

Executive Council

Today (Monday, December 1) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Her Honour Patricia Fagan, wife of the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, will host local Brownies, along with their leaders, at Government House, to decorate the Government House Christmas Tree.

Environment and Conservation

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who in 2013-14 collectively recycled more than 162 million beverage containers through the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board’s province-wide network of Green Depots and regional collection facilities.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Nunatsiavut Day. On this day in 2005, our province changed forever with the coming into force of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement and the creation of the Nunatsiavut Government.

Executive Council

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, is seeking expressions of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the nine Regional Councils and the Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Advisory Committee, both supported by the Office of Public Engagement.

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government is recognizing December 1 as World AIDS Day to increase awareness of the disease in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Sport was celebrated across the province and throughout the country this past weekend as Saturday, November 29, was recognized as Sports Day in Canada, a day to raise awareness of the importance of being active and the benefits of sport.

Executive Council

The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, will speak at the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign Kick-Off tomorrow (Saturday, November 29).