Government of Newfoundland News

Executive Council
Natural Resources

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will attend the annual National Governors Association Winter Meeting, February 20-23, in Washington, D.C. Discussions at the meeting will focus on innovative best practices in the areas of energy, education, health care and employment. Premier Davis will be joined in Washington, D.C. by the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources.

Environment and Conservation

The Department of Environment and Conservation wishes to advise hunters of the closure for small game shooting and snaring seasons throughout various zones on the Island of Newfoundland. A typographic error exists in the 2014-15 Hunting and Trapping Guide which shows that snaring seasons for grouse and ptarmigan close on February 22, 2015. Season dates for all small species is listed below:

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Samantha Marsh has won a second gold medal at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, this time in women’s individual air rifle. Earlier this week, Samantha, along with her teammate Hayley Barrett, won gold in the women’s 10-metre rifle team event. This is Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s fourth medal win at these Games.

Executive Council

Kevin Pollard, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, will speak at the Memorial University Volunteer Incentive Program Ceremony, taking place tomorrow (Thursday, February 19) at 6:00 p.m. The event is being held at the Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Memorial University, St. John’s.

Child, Youth and Family Services

The Honourable Sandy Collins, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, will be available to the media this afternoon (Wednesday, February 18) at 3:00 p.m. to respond to The Advocate’s Report on the Status of Recommendations 2014.

Environment and Conservation

The Provincial Government is providing $52,000 through the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund to aid with the supply and installation of five residential and 14 commercial electric vehicle charging stations in Newfoundland and Labrador to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will make an announcement related to fisheries science research tomorrow (Thursday, February 19). The announcement will take place at 1:00 p.m. at the Media Centre, Ground Floor, East Block, Confederation Building.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Codroy Seafoods Inc. is developing new marketing materials with support from the Provincial Government. The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced $12,180 through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program to develop new promotional material and new packaging for the company's lobster products.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

Canada's privacy and personal information protection guardians are urging law enforcement agencies across the country to carefully consider the significant risks to privacy before equipping officers with body-worn cameras.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

I will be giving a prepared statement, after which I will be happy to take questions. I am pleased to present The Advocate’s Report on the Status of Recommendations 2014. Since 2006, a total of seven (7) investigations and four (4) case reviews have been completed:

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government is launching another initiative to address licensed practical nursing workforce shortages in Newfoundland and Labrador. The approach will include a complete curriculum review and updates to the existing practical nursing program.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, today congratulated target shooters Margaret Coady and Emily Keeping, both of St. John's, who won silver medals in the women’s 10-metre pistol team competition Tuesday, February 17, at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C.

Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

Carol A. Chafe, Advocate for Children and Youth, will be holding a press conference at 11:00 a.m. today (Wednesday, February 18) to publicly release The Advocate’s Report on the Status of Recommendations 2014. The press conference will take place in the boardroom at the Advocate for Children and Youth, 193 LeMarchant Road, St. John’s.

Justice and Public Safety

The Provincial Government today announced that negotiations with the City of St. John’s have reached a stalemate regarding an agreement to operate a call taking centre for the Avalon Peninsula for the new province-wide Basic 911 service. With the City declining the opportunity to continue as a 911 service provider in the new province-wide Basic 911 service, other options are now being explored.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works wishes to advise that heavy ice is preventing the MV Captain Earl Winsor from delivering service to Fogo Island and Change Islands. Depending on weather and ice conditions, ice breaker assistance from the Canadian Coast Guard is expected to arrive on Thursday, February 19.

Transportation and Works

The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works, will speak at the closing banquet of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Bonspiel Association's annual curling bonspiel, tomorrow (Wednesday, February 18) at 8:00 p.m. The banquet will take place at the Holiday Inn, St. John's.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, will announce funding through the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund tomorrow (Wednesday, February 18). Minister Crummell will be joined by John Gordon, President of Green Rock Electric Vehicle Solutions (Green Rock EVS).

Executive Council
Education and Early Childhood Development

The Provincial Government is today highlighting the expansion of the Getting the Message Out program, inviting young people in Newfoundland and Labrador to join the conversation about what it means to be civically engaged. Since 1993, Getting the Message Out (GMO) has encouraged thousands of junior high and high school students to learn about entrepreneurship and career planning.

Environment and Conservation: Multi-Materials Stewardship Board

The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is now accepting applications for the Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund. A total of $100,000 in funding is available to support initiatives that help advance implementation of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy.

Executive Council
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Target shooters Samantha Marsh, Hayley Barrett, William Dalton and Daniel Dimitrov have won Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s first medals at the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Samantha and Haley won gold on Monday (February 16) in the women’s 10-metre rifle team category and William and Daniel won silver for the men’s team.