Government of Newfoundland News

Child, Youth and Family Services

Mr. Speaker, our government continues to revitalize the child protection system in the province through enhancing out-of-home care options for children and youth. Fostering provides temporary and sometimes longer-term care for children and youth who are unable to live with their own families. Foster parents are key members of a team dedicated to helping children and youth through difficult situations by offering a supportive, nurturing and safe environment.

Education and Early Childhood Development

Mr. Speaker, from November 9 to 12, I had the great privilege to lead the Canadian delegation at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where over 1,000 delegates from 140 countries participated.

Transportation and Works

The front entrance of the Confederation Building, East Block, reopened today (Tuesday, November 18) and will remain open for the rest of the week due to forecasted high winds that will prevent a‎ crane from completing required work.

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, is attending Destination Canada 2014 in Paris, France, today to help attract skilled workers in order to meet the province’s growing demand for skilled labour. The job fair takes place at Espace Charenton from November 18 to 20.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Elections Newfoundland and Labrador would like to remind the residents of Humber East and Trinity-Bay de Verde that Advance Poll voting is taking place today, Tuesday, November 18, 2014, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Tom Hedderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, will join the students of St. John Bosco School as they celebrate National Bullying Awareness Week. The event will take place tomorrow (Tuesday, November 18) at 9:30 a.m. at St. John Bosco, 75 Linegar Street, Shea Heights. Minister Sullivan and MHA Hedderson will read a story to a Grade 4 and Grade 6 class that highlights the importance of bullying awareness.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in this Honourable House to provide an update on the provincial municipal fiscal framework. In 2013, government committed to a comprehensive review of the fiscal framework and we remain on target to complete our work to inform Budget 2015.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, National Addictions Awareness Week is being recognized from November 17 to 21 in Newfoundland and Labrador. This week provides an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about substance abuse prevention, to talk about treatment and recovery, and to bring forward solutions for change.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, on June 4, the day before the House adjourned, police officers were targeted while on duty in the city of Moncton, New Brunswick. Two RCMP officers were injured, and three lost their lives: Constable David Ross, Constable Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, and Constable Douglas James Larche. I had the honour of attending their funeral service on behalf of the government and people of Newfoundland and Labrador – a day I will not soon forget. Sadly and tragically, others who serve to protect us here in Canada have also lost their lives in the months since then.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government is reaffirming its commitment to reducing poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador with the announcement of an engagement process that will inform the development of the Poverty Reduction Strategy’s next action plan.

Justice and Public Safety

The Provincial Government announced today that fire departments in communities in the Corner Brook and Bay of Islands region will continue to have the option of receiving 911 fire call relay and verification services from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) until January 1, 2016.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs is initiating a review to modernize and update regulations regarding zoning for protected roads. The review will take place from November 17 to December 22 and will ensure that all views are captured to facilitate the development of modernized regulations.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Trepassey Management Corporation is better situated to take advantage of local infrastructure and grow the regional economy as a result of $43,000 in funding from the Provincial Government. Funding will support the remediation of the former fish plant site, making it viable for industry use.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Elections Newfoundland and Labrador would like to notify residents of the districts of Humber East and Trinity-Bay de Verde that advance voting will take place tomorrow, November 18, 2014. The polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

The official nomination of candidates for the November 25, 2014 Trinity-Bay de Verde by-election closed today, November 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development: Sport Newfoundland and Labrador

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, will be at the Fairfield Inn and Suites, 199 Kenmount Road, St. John’s, tomorrow (Saturday, November 15) to participate in Sport Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2014 Annual General Meeting. The minister will address the delegation at approximately 9:30 a.m.

Executive Council

The Provincial Government is joining community organizations throughout North America in recognizing tomorrow, November 15, as National Philanthropy Day. Celebrated each year, the day honours fundraising professionals who are changing lives and improving communities through their contributions of time, energy and resources.

Transportation and Works

The front entrance of the Confederation Building, East Block, will be closed from Monday, November 17, to Thursday, November 20. This closure is required to facilitate ongoing renovation work above the front entrance.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Mussel farmers throughout the province will continue to promote their sustainable and environmentally-responsible approach to aquaculture with support from the Provincial Government. The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced more than $53,000 today to help the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association engage in mandatory audits to maintain the industry’s Canadian Organic Aquaculture Standard certification and Best Aquaculture Standards certification.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works is advising that the Placentia Lift Bridge will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, November 17. During this period, repairs will take place to make the bridge fully operational and vehicular traffic will be detoured to Southeast Placentia Road.