Government of Newfoundland News

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Ministers responsible for sport, physical activity and recreation were in Prince George, British Columbia last week (February 12-13) to discuss federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) initiatives to support increased physical activity levels and the enhancement of sports participation throughout the country. The meetings coincided with preparations for the 2015 Canada Winter Games, which officially opened Friday (February 13).

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

February 16 is National Heritage Day - a day to recognize and celebrate Canada’s collective heritage. In honour of this special occasion, Kevin Parsons, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, presented at the 2015 Heritage Day Poster Contest Awards, held at the Fluvarium in St. John’s. The Heritage Day Poster Contest is an annual event hosted by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (HFNL).

Natural Resources
Health and Community Services

The Department of Natural Resources has identified four animals with rabies in Labrador - a wolf in Labrador City on January 25, a red fox at the IOC site in Labrador City on February 1, a dog in Labrador City on February 10, and a red fox at the Voisey's Bay site on February 11. Final confirmation from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on the Voisey's Bay fox is pending.

Education and Early Childhood Development

Kirsten Dalley of Bishop’s Falls is this year’s recipient of the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Justice and Public Safety

Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL) has been monitoring Environment Canada forecast information on an approaching weather system which is anticipated to affect the province. This system is forecast to approach from the southwest and bring a mix of precipitation, strong winds and large waves and pounding surf.

Health and Community Services

A pilot project to remotely monitor patients with select chronic diseases will help these individuals better manage their health and reduce the need for medical interventions. The project is being led by Eastern Health and will involve up to 700 patients over the course of a year.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Kevin Parsons, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will take part in Heritage Day activities by presenting at the 2015 Heritage Day poster contest awards on Monday, February 16. The event will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Suncor Energy Fluvarium, 5 Nagle’s Place, St. John’s.

House of Assembly

The Honourable Wade Verge, Speaker of the House of Assembly, today announced the members of the 2015 Newfoundland and Labrador Electoral Boundaries Commission, which has been appointed in accordance with Section 3 of the Electoral Boundaries Act to review and determine the province’s electoral boundaries.

Executive Council

The Honourable Frank F. Fagan, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, is pleased to announce a very exciting and special initiative intended to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our Canadian Flag.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Newfoundland Roofing Ltd. has been awarded a $382,000 contract to upgrade eight Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation properties at St. Teresa’s Court and Pondview Court in St. John’s.

Executive Council
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The excitement is mounting as the first half of the Team Newfoundland and Labrador contingent leaves today (Thursday, February 12) for Prince George, British Columbia to compete in the 2015 Canada Winter Games, which take place February 13 to March 1. The remaining team members will depart on Saturday, February 21, for the second week of competition. TeamNL is composed of more than 220 athletes, volunteer coaches, managers and Mission staff.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, will attend meetings of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for sport, physical activity and recreation, February 12-13 in Prince George, B.C., before joining Team Newfoundland and Labrador at the opening ceremonies of the 2015 Canada Winter Games in that city on the evening of February 13.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs is initiating a review of the current Lands Act which deals primarily with Crown lands in Newfoundland and Labrador. The purpose of the review is to develop informed recommendations on how to modernize the Act and make the Crown lands application process simpler and more efficient.

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 affect the province tomorrow (Thursday, February 12).

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has awarded a $269,000 contract to Bursey Cleaners (2010) Ltd., to provide exterior retrofits to 10 social housing units in a building on Brophy Place in St. John's.

Environment and Conservation
Justice and Public Safety

The Department of Environment and Conservation, Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Town of Badger are monitoring water levels and ice conditions on the Exploits River.

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government is recognizing February 7-14 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, joined members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Heart Support Group to sign the official proclamation.

Executive Council
Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will address the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association Annual Conference and Trade Show tomorrow (Wednesday, February 11) at 9:30 a.m. This event will take place in Salon D of the Hotel Gander, 100 Trans Canada Highway, Gander.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, will announce a review of the Lands Act tomorrow (Wednesday, February 11) at 2:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Media Centre, Ground Floor, East Block, Confederation Building.