Government of Newfoundland News

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Forestry and Agrifoods Agency is supporting National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on May 2 and encouraging cabin and homeowners to participate in local projects to help reduce the risk of wildfire damage.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development: Sport Newfoundland and Labrador

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, will be joined by representatives from the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities-Newfoundland and Labrador tomorrow (Wednesday, March 18) to unveil two new emergency planning resources that support reducing barriers for persons with disabilities.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development: Sport Newfoundland and Labrador

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will address the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness Network’s Annual Housing and Homelessness Conference tomorrow (Wednesday, March 18) at 12:15 p.m.

Education and Early Childhood Development

Tom Hedderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will speak at the launch of the Electricity Industry Career Awareness Initiative tomorrow (Wednesday, March 18). The event will take place at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit High School, 2694 Topsail Road, Conception Bay South.

Executive Council

The Honourable Steve Kent, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, announced today that the Provincial Government has taken further action to implement recommendations and suggestions contained within the ATIPPA Review Committee’s March 2 report. The actions, which are in effect or being made effective today, will make improvements to government policies that applicants, municipalities, and others can use for more effective access to information, in advance of new ATIPP legislation being tabled in the House of Assembly.

Transportation and Works

Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to rise today to inform my Honourable colleagues about the latest milestone in this government’s ferry vessel replacement efforts. This past Friday, I had the pleasure of joining our Premier, the Member for The Isles of Notre Dame, officials and residents of the communities of Fogo Island and Change Islands to name the new ferry, the MV Veteran, which will arrive in the province in fall 2015.

Child, Youth and Family Services

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize National Social Work Month – a time we honour those who have chosen to dedicate their lives to improving the quality of life in our cities, towns and communities. Each year, the month of March celebrates social workers across the country and the positive impact they have on those they serve.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to pay tribute to businessman and a former Minister of Labrador Affairs, Melvin Woodward, who passed away yesterday morning at the age of 81.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to provide an update on how the Provincial Government is strengthening the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

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 potential for elevated water levels due to large waves and pounding surf associated with a weather system forecast to begin affecting the province tomorrow (Wednesday, March 18).

Executive Council

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, will be available to media tomorrow (Tuesday, March 17) at 10:00 a.m. in the Main Boardroom, Department of Health and Community Services, West Block, Confederation Building.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works advises that Sir Richard Squires building in Corner Brook is closed today (Monday, March 16) due to a break in the main water line.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will address attendees at the Newfoundland and Labrador Industry Reception at Seafood Expo North America in Boston tomorrow (Saturday, March 14) at 7:00 p.m. The reception takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Belvidere Ballroom, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Gros Morne Summer Music Inc. is positioning itself for significant growth with the support of $98,425 from the Provincial Government. Now in its 11th year, the Gros Morne Summer Music festival has become one of Canada's most innovative and eclectic music festivals. Featuring classical, jazz, blues, traditional, choral music, musical theatre, rock shows, dance and outdoor events, the festival offers world-class performances throughout the Gros Morne region.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

A provincial trade delegation led by the Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will take part in Seafood Expo North America in Boston. The expo runs from Sunday, March 15, to Tuesday, March 17. The United States continues to be the top market for Newfoundland and Labrador’s seafood products, having accounted for 37.4 per cent of the value of the province’s total fish exports in 2014, making this expo a major event for the industry.

Environment and Conservation

The official Mistaken Point world heritage nomination dossier was made available to the public at a special ceremony held yesterday evening at the Community Centre in Portugal Cove South. During the ceremony, local resident and Mistaken Point Ambassador Inc. member, Catherine (Kit) Ward, was presented with a copy of the dossier as an acknowledgement of her long-time dedication to the protection and promotion of the Mistaken Point site.

Fisheries and Aquaculture
Health and Community Services

The Forestry and Agrifoods Agency has confirmed diagnosis of rabies in animals killed recently near Labrador City, Voisey’s Bay and Hopedale.

Executive Council
Health and Community Services

Plans to introduce kidney dialysis treatment on Fogo Island and enhanced services in the greater central region were announced today by the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. Under the plan, residents who are medically suited will be able to access dialysis treatment on Fogo Island with the option of transitioning to home-based treatment. Premier Davis was joined by the Honourable Derek Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for the Isles of Notre Dame, and Rosemarie Goodyear, President and Chief Executive Officer of Central Health, for the announcement.

Executive Council
Transportation and Works

To celebrate Canadian men and women in uniform, both past and present, the new ferry that will service Fogo Island and Change Islands will be named the MV Veteran. The new ferry, which will arrive in fall 2015, will also celebrate the contributions of four notable women and men from Fogo Island and Change Islands. The new vessel was named today during a ceremony attended by the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; the Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works; the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame; town officials and ferry committee members.

Service NL

Service NL is warning the public that an online platform for trading binary options, www.binaryoptionscanada.net/brokers/Newfoundland-labrador , is targeting residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to invest in binary options and is providing false and misleading information, placing potential investors at risk. None of the alleged investment brokers advertised on the website are registered to sell securities in this jurisdiction or in any other jurisdiction in Canada. The individuals responsible are believed to be located overseas.