Government of Newfoundland News

Finance

Planning for Budget 2015 is underway and the Provincial Government wants to hear directly from Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. To complement the community pre-budget consultation sessions, the Department of Finance has launched new online material at www.gov.nl.ca/fin. The site features information on the budget planning process, a budget simulator and options for submitting feedback electronically. Also, interactive software called the Dialogue App is available to allow individuals to share and discuss their ideas on how to address the budget deficit.

Education and Early Childhood Development

February 22-28 is Violence Awareness Week in Newfoundland and Labrador schools. To recognize the work of schools this week and all year round to support a safe and caring environment, the Provincial Government is announcing a total of $20,000 in Safe and Caring Special Project Awards to 40 schools throughout the province.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, joined students, industry partners and officials from the educational sector to officially launch Oil and Gas Week this morning at the St. John’s campus of College of the North Atlantic.

Executive Council
Natural Resources

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was in Washington, D.C. this weekend for the National Governors Association Winter Meeting. Premier Davis represented Canada’s Premiers at the event as the incoming Chair of the Council of the Federation and was joined by the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources.

Executive Council

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has selected Great-West Life to be the new provider of insurance benefits for current and retired public service employees.

Service NL

The Honourable Tony Cornect, Minister of Service NL, will speak at the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association (NLCSA) conference Monday, February 23 at the Sheraton Hotel, St. John’s. Minister Cornect will speak at 8:30 a.m.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, will speak at the launch and opening reception of Oil and Gas Week on Monday, February 23. The event takes place at 11:00 a.m. in the gymnasium at the College of the North Atlantic, Prince Philip Drive Campus.

Executive Council

In recognition of Volunteer Week, taking place from April 12 to 18, the Provincial Government is inviting organizations dedicated to building the community sector in Newfoundland and Labrador to apply for 2015 Volunteer Week grants. The deadline for applications is March 6, 2015.

House of Assembly

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Honourable Wade Verge, announced today (Friday, February 20) that the House of Assembly Management Commission will hold its next meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association (NLBA) will be hosting 44 teams in the Grade 6 Provincials this weekend in five regions of the province.

Executive Council

The Provincial Government, through the Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy (LTGS), provides a total of $351,000 each year to participating community groups to help maintain and improve winter snowmobile access between isolated communities and the nearest service centre during the winter season. The Labrador winter trail system covers more than 750 kilometres and connects communities in northern and southern Labrador to the Lake Melville region and to other communities along the coast of Labrador.

Education and Early Childhood Development
Advanced Education and Skills

Through an investment of more than $71 million over the past decade, the Provincial Government has continued to meet the educational needs of students in rural and remote communities through distance education. Today the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, and the Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills took part in a course demonstration at the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) in Gander.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development: Sport Newfoundland and Labrador

The Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association (NLBA) will be hosting the 16 teams selected to compete in the Hall of Fame Cup this weekend at the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre in St. John’s.

Service NL

Service NL is currently investigating inappropriate access of personal information by a departmental employee.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government is seeking funding proposals from individuals or businesses interested in participating in an Accessible Taxi Pilot Project, which requires the proponent to provide appropriate vehicle(s) and dispatch service to serve the needs of persons with disabilities and individuals requiring accessible taxi services.

Finance

Province-wide pre-budget consultation sessions will start next week with the first sessions scheduled for Monday, February 23 in Bay Roberts and Marystown. In addition to the community sessions, people can share their ideas and become more fully engaged in planning Budget 2015 through the use of interactive online materials.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will speak at the opening ceremonies of the Corner Brook Winter Carnival tomorrow (Friday, February 20). The event will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Margaret Bowater Park, O’Connell Drive.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will visit the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) offices in Gander, tomorrow (Friday, February 20) for a demonstration of the Training and Support Lab and Skilled Trades/Technology Education Lab. The demonstration will take place at 10:30 a.m. at CDLI's Central Regional Office at 205 Elizabeth Drive in Gander. Minister Sullivan will be joined by the Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills and MHA for Gander.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fisheries science research on three different species will be advanced with support from the Provincial Government. The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today announced $92,850 through the Fisheries Research Grant Program to help the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research study mackerel, cod and halibut.

Justice and Public Safety

Over the past several weeks, recruitment efforts of the Department of Justice and Public Safety have culminated in graduation ceremonies for new Sheriff's Officers and Correctional Officers. These graduates have been deployed to locations throughout the province and will use their training to make courts and correctional facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador safer for residents, staff and inmates.