Government of Newfoundland News

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Doug Wheeler Tourism Award for outstanding contribution to the provincial tourism industry. The award is presented in honour of Doug Wheeler, a Provincial Government employee who was known for his dedication in promoting Newfoundland and Labrador as a tourism destination. Mr. Wheeler passed away in 1981.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today announced $100,000 to assist Quinlan Brothers Limited with the installation of new refrigeration control systems in their Bay de Verde processing facility. This funding will allow the company to explore innovation in their refrigeration technology with the goal of reducing energy consumption and cost.

Natural Resources
Environment and Conservation

The Departments of Environment and Conservation, and Natural Resources are seeking the public’s assistance in the early detection of a disease in bats called White Nose Syndrome.

Executive Council
Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Provincial Government is inviting municipalities across Newfoundland and Labrador to provide feedback on the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (ATIPP) Guide for Municipalities , a draft document designed to help municipal ATIPP coordinators carry out their responsibilities under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Natural Resources

Many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will soon be travelling into the woods in search of their Christmas tree. Keeping the festive season in mind, the Department of Natural Resources is asking residents to remember the rules and regulations that govern the cutting of trees.

Justice and Public Safety

Today, the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission celebrates and recognizes International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The annual observance on December 3 of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly. The designation of this day encourages understanding of the issues faced by persons with disabilities, and it aims to increase public awareness of the fact that those who live with disabilities deserve nothing less than full participation and equality in society.

Finance

The Provincial Government introduced legislation today to ensure the continuation of the sport of harness racing in Newfoundland and Labrador. The legislation, An Act Respecting the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission, will allow the province to join the Maritime Provinces in the renamed Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission.

Health and Community Services

An amendment to the Registered Nurses Act, 2008, was introduced in the House of Assembly today. The amendment proposes to add quality assurance provisions to the act with the intent of strengthening and improving the practices of registered nurses.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will attend the St. John’s Board of Trade’s Business Excellence Awards tomorrow (Wednesday, December 3). The event will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Delta St. John’s.

Health and Community Services

In response to overwhelming interest from the general public, the Provincial Government is adding additional consultation sessions as part of the Premier’s Summit on Health Care.

Service NL

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in this Honourable House to recognize this week as National Safe Driving Week, which officially began December 1. There has been significant attention over the years to the issue of driving under the influence of alcohol; however, many people may not be aware that It’s Not Just Alcohol That Impairs, which is this year’s theme of Safe Driving Week.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note that tomorrow, December 3, is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker I rise in this Honourable House to provide an update on the work we are undertaking as part of the Premier’s Summit on Health Care.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will announce funding to support a research and development project involving a provincial processing plant tomorrow (Wednesday, December 3). The announcement will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the large boardroom of the Petten Building, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 30 Strawberry Marsh Road, St. John’s.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, will attend two events tomorrow (Wednesday, December 3) to mark United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Health and Community Services

There was an error in the address provided for the Mount Pearl Regional Forum scheduled for this evening (Tuesday, December 2).

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is pleased to present the 2014 Access, Privacy, Security and Information Management Conference, Changing the Culture: Access, Privacy, Security and Information Management in the Era of Open Government at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland on December 2 and 3, 2014. Our partners in presenting this conference are Verney Conference Management, the Office of Public Engagement, Memorial University, the Harris Center, Eastern Health and the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will provide remarks at NL Connections – Changing The Culture: The 2014 Access, Privacy, Security, and Information Management Conference tomorrow (Tuesday, December 2) at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s at 8:45 a.m.

Health and Community Services

There is a change in venue for the Mount Pearl Regional Forum scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday, December 2). The session is being moved due to a large number of registrants.

Executive Council

Today (Monday, December 1) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Her Honour Patricia Fagan, wife of the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, will host local Brownies, along with their leaders, at Government House, to decorate the Government House Christmas Tree.