Government of Newfoundland News

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador is better positioned to promote the province’s wooden boat history and advance economic development efforts through strategic partnerships as the result of a $25,000 Provincial Government investment. Funding will be used by the museum to host and implement initiatives related to the International Heritage Boat Conference to be held in Trinity Bight in October 2016. In addition to international exposure for the museum and the province, the conference will provide an environment for wooden boat specialists to come together to share their expertise and perspectives on marketable products for both the tourism and education sectors.

Executive Council
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Target shooter Samantha Marsh has been named Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s flag bearer for the 2015 Canada Winter Games, taking place February 13 to March 1 in Prince George, British Columbia. The announcement was made at an athletes’ rally held Tuesday evening, January 13, at the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre (Powerplex) in St. John’s.

Executive Council
Health and Community Services

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, together with the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, will host the Premier’s Summit on Health Care tomorrow (Wednesday, January 14) at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Kevin Pollard, MHA for Baie Verte-Springdale, on behalf of the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, will announce the name of Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2015 Canada Winter Games flag bearer at an athletes’ rally this evening (Tuesday, January 13). The event takes place at the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre (Powerplex) on Crosbie Road, beginning at 5:45 p.m.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

A former church and registered heritage structure will be transformed into a community arts centre in Heart’s Content, with a $143,000 Provincial Government contribution. The Heart’s Content Mizzen Heritage Society plans to restore and renovate the former Heyfield Memorial United Church into a facility with a 150-seat performance area, workshop, and tea room.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Applications are now available for the Provincial Government’s Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador (AFNL) Grants Program, which provides up to $200,000 annually to assist incorporated municipalities and Aboriginal governments, as well as local senior’s organizations and groups, to become more involved in creating age-friendly communities.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will host the 25th session of the Council of Atlantic Premiers next week, Monday, January 19. Premiers Brian Gallant, Stephen McNeil, and Robert Ghiz will attend.

Natural Resources

The Department of Natural Resources will hold a public consultation session in Grand Falls-Windsor to support the preparation of a new five-year operating plan for Forest Management Districts 10, 11, 12 and 13 in central Newfoundland. The session will take place on Wednesday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m. at the Mount Peyton Hotel.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fogo Island Co-Operative Society will test plant sanitation technology that is new to the seafood processing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador with assistance from the Provincial Government's Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program. The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced $54,810 today to help install and test an Icelandic system that is expected to achieve cost savings while performing in a more environmentally-friendly manner than standard equipment.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Eligible non-profit groups and organizations are being invited to apply for funding through the Provincial Government’s Health and Wellness Grants Program. The deadline is January 28, 2015.

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government is holding an additional consultation session as part of the Premier's Summit on Health Care. The ideas and input gathered from the regional forums will inform the Premier's Summit on Health Care which will be held on January 14, 2015, in St. John's.

Environment and Conservation

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

Justice and Public Safety

In 2014, fish and wildlife enforcement officers laid almost 1,200 charges in Newfoundland and Labrador for various offences ranging from fishing and hunting violations to the unsafe use of firearms and improper use of all-terrain vehicles. The number of charges laid represents an increase of 36 per cent over the 2013 violation numbers. The public also played an important role in helping officers carry out the division’s mandate by reporting suspicious activity. Last year, 625 complaints were received.

Transportation and Works

Newfoundland and Labrador’s marine transportation system celebrated numerous milestones in 2014, with more to come this year, all of which will bring improvements for the many residents and communities throughout the province who rely on and benefit from ferry service.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

One of the many well-received initiatives of the recently-established Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, has been the release of Easy, Tasty…Nutritious, Healthy Eating for Healthy Aging, a guide for seniors that provides information to encourage healthy eating – from planning to putting meals on the table.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is awaiting responses from Newfoundland and Labrador's MPs and Senators on their positions regarding the federal commitment to a fisheries investment fund.

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.

Finance

The Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will be the guest speaker at the regular meeting of the Clarenville Rotary Club, Monday, January 5. The meeting will take place at the Clarenville Inn, 134 Trans Canada Highway, beginning at 12:15 p.m.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Twenty-seven Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation properties in Nain have received new home fuel tanks as the result of a $170,000 contract awarded to Budgell's Equipment and Rentals Ltd.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Co-operatives are incredibly valuable in driving business and economic activity throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. 2014 proved to be another year of positive growth for co-operatives as they delivered key services in communities and regions throughout the province with assistance from the Provincial Government to support sector growth and advance regional development.