Government of Newfoundland News

The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will bring remarks at a funding announcement for Choices for Youth tomorrow (Friday, February 9).

The announcement will take place at the Choices for Youth social enterprise and innovation hub at 340 LeMarchant Road, St. John’s, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Choices for Youth is a professional services, youth-focused, non-profit, charitable organization that operates programs and social enterprises to help vulnerable youth secure stable housing, employment and education.

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As part of the commemoration of Newfoundland and Labrador joining Canada in 1949, the Provincial Government is announcing two grant programs to enable communities and heritage groups to mark the milestone 75th anniversary.

The Community Celebrations and Events Grant is for municipalities, local service districts and Inuit Community Governments to support Confederation 75 celebratory events. Funding amounts will vary based on population size and funded events must take place between April 1 and July 15, 2024.

The Heritage and Indigenous Cultural Projects Grant is intended for heritage organizations (museums, archives, historical societies, historic trusts) and Indigenous organizations with a cultural or heritage mandate. Funding eligibility is $2,500 for exhibits, projects, programs or events thematically related to Newfoundland and Labrador’s Confederation with Canada.

Celebrate NL will administer both grant programs. Applications for the Community Celebrations and Events Grant and the Heritage and Indigenous Cultural Projects Grant can be found here and will be accepted until March 1, 2024.

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“Seventy-five years is such a significant milestone in our province’s relationship and history with Canada. We want our communities and heritage organizations to be able to recognize this time in history and also reflect on what it means to be part of Canada. These grants will allow communities and heritage and Indigenous Governments and Organizations to plan events for their residents tell the story of the province’s union with Canada.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

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Premier Furey Announces Initiatives to Commemorate 75th Anniversary of Confederation

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, will bring greetings at a Canadian Folk Music Awards press conference taking place today (Thursday, February 8).

The event will begin at 2:00 p.m. at The Ship Pub, 265 Duckworth Street, St. John’s.

This year’s Canadian Folk Music Awards take place from April 3-7 in St. John’s, a fitting event for the Year of the Arts which celebrates Newfoundland and Labrador’s rich arts and cultural sector.

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In support of Newfoundland and Labrador’s energy potential, the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology is attending the North American Prospect Expo (NAPE) Summit in Houston, Texas, from February 8-9, 2024.

The NAPE Summit was established in 1993 to provide a central area for oil and gas companies to promote local, national and international oil and gas prospects and producing properties. NAPE 2023 reported more than 8,000 delegates in attendance and over 450 exhibitors with registered booths at the exhibition grounds.

NAPE continues to evolve with the energy transition, now adding a minerals hub to its oil and gas offerings. The show launched a renewable energy sources hub in 2021.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s oil and gas industry – with its low emissions per barrel compared to the international average and our strong environmental, social and governance structure – can be a part of the solution as the world transitions to a lower carbon economy.

The province’s Renewable Energy Plan explores pathways currently available on the province’s journey towards net zero, including prospective renewable energy projects such as hydro and wind; digitalization; electrification; low-carbon hydrogen production; emissions reduction; and process improvements in existing industries like oil and gas and carbon capture, utilization and storage.

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“Newfoundland and Labrador is a globally preferred location for energy development and the department’s participation in the NAPE Summit allows us to continue to promote the province’s energy sector and build on recent developments in the responsible development of petroleum, wind and hydrogen.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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Renewable Energy Plan

Critical Mineral Plan

2024 NAPE Summit

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The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure wishes to advise that installation is now complete for two Starlink satellite systems along the Trans-Labrador Highway.

The travelling public can now access public Wi-Fi at both Cartwright Junction through the Cartwright Public Wi-Fi network and Crooks Lake through the Crooks Lake Public Wi-Fi network.

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The Department of Health and Community Services has provided funding of $196,000 to Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services to implement radiology technology at the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre in Gander and the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls–Windsor.

The equipment is a wire-free, radiation-free system that assists with locating soft-tissue lesions during surgery. The technology consists of an introducer needle with a preloaded magnetic marker. This technology:

• Reduces delays in access to surgery and aids in planning with respect to radiology resources.
• Averts potential adverse outcomes from such a delay.
• Aids in patient comfort.

Currently, lesions are marked pre-operatively by interventional radiology using a wire to mark targeted areas on the day of surgery. This practice can significantly impact timely access to required surgery for the patient due to logistics and human resource challenges.

The radiology technology will allow radiologists and surgeons to precisely locate lesions for removal and more precisely limit the removal of soft tissue margins around the lesion.

This funding from the department to implement new radiology technology in Central Newfoundland is another example of the Provincial Government’s efforts to implement creative solutions to improve and reimagine the health care system, building on recommendations in Health Accord NL, for the well-being of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Quotes
“Embracing technology is one way to modernize and transform our health care system. Through the power of innovative tools, we can enhance patient care, improve outcomes and revolutionize the way we approach wellness. This initiative is one more step in our government’s commitment to reimagining our health care system.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“NL Health Services is pleased to implement this new technology at both the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Services Centre in Gander and the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor. Innovative technology, such as this, provides us with opportunities to enhance health-care delivery and improve timely access within the Central Zone, while providing a more comfortable experience for our patients leading up to surgery.”
Joanne Pelley
Chief Operating Officer – Central Zone and Provincial Chief Nursing Officer
NL Health Services

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Health Care Action

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, today addressed the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and provided an overview of the significant road work awarded this past season, as a result of the $225-million investment for highway and road construction announced in 2023-24.

Approximately 80 tenders for road work were awarded for projects such as culvert replacement, bridge repairs and replacement, and approximately 565 kilometres of paving, in the Provincial Government’s continued efforts to modernize road infrastructure and connect communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Some project highlights from the 2023 season include:

• Completion of the Shoal Harbour River Bridge.
• Culvert replacement on Peacekeeper’s Way at Kelligrews River.
• Galway Interchange on the Trans-Canada Highway.
• Pitts Memorial Drive/CN Viaduct Improvements.
• Rehabilitation of Pinware River Bridge in Labrador.
• Culvert replacement on the Trans-Canada Highway between Corner Brook and Pasadena.
• Replacement of Romaine’s River Bridge on Route 460.

The Provincial Government is currently finalizing the roads plan for the 2024-25 construction season.

In 2023, the Provincial Government announced a historic investment of nearly $1.4 billion to improve highway and road transportation infrastructure over five construction seasons. This is the largest provincial investment in highway and road infrastructure over a five-year period in the province’s history.

Information on active highway construction projects, highway repairs and winter driving conditions is also available by visiting nl511.ca and on the NL 511 mobile app.

Information on tenders issued and awarded by the department and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com/govnl.

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“All throughout our province, we continue our focus on road construction work that modernizes our roadways and highways and is critical to ensuring the safety of the travelling public. We made significant progress this past season, with tenders being awarded earlier than ever. Our unprecedented investment of $1.4 billion over five years will again allow for a number of road construction projects in the 2024-25 season that will greatly benefit our towns and communities.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

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Historical Five-Year Investment in Highway and Road Infrastructure

Contract Awarded for Replacement of Shoal Harbour River Bridge

New Galway Interchange

Pitts Memorial Drive

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, will speak at the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Annual General Meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, February 7).

The event takes place at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland, 115 Cavendish Square, St. John’s, beginning at noon.

The Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador represents companies in the province’s road construction, water and sewer, and heavy construction industry.

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The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, will participate in a roundtable of Indigenous leaders and representatives and federal-provincial-territorial ministers focusing on the advancement of the MMIWG Calls for Justice and ending violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

The two-day event takes place on February 7 and 8, 2024, at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, and online. Minister Parsons will participate virtually.

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To enhance business and market development in the tourism industry, the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced $37,526 through the Business Development Support Program for Tourism Southwest Inc.

Tourism Southwest represents several accommodations operators conducting business on the Southwest Coast of the province. The organization identifies product development opportunities to provide the travelling public with the best possible tourism experience.

The businesses represented by Tourism Southwest financially contribute to local and regional tourism product development efforts as well as a consolidated regional marketing campaign. Tourism Southwest continues to work in collaboration with provincial tourism officials and the Western Destination Management Organization to implement a marketing campaign that maximizes marketing advertising dollars and highlights the many tourism attractions in Southwestern Newfoundland.

This funding will allow Tourism Southwest to continue its implementation of its multi-year marketing strategy that has seen development of a new website and social media presence, branding, development of short videos to use in social media and a partnership with the Western Destination Management Organization on ad campaigns and attendance at tradeshows.

The Provincial Government’s contribution leverages a $53,994 investment from Tourism Southwest for a total investment of $91,520. The strategy supports Tourism Southwest’s efforts to raise the profile of the Southwest Coast, along with the region’s local businesses and tourism operators, while encouraging local and international travellers to visit.

Quotes
“The Southwest Coast of Newfoundland and Labrador offers the very best of what the province has become known for among world travelers – wilderness, culture, tradition, and unforgettable travel experiences. Our department is proud to support Tourism Southwest as they work to promote this corner of the province and grow its tourism potential.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“The spectacular Southwest Coast has incredible potential as a tourism destination and is one of the main gateways into Newfoundland and Labrador. Our government is pleased to support Tourism Southwest in their efforts to reach a wider audience, so that more visitors will choose to visit this stunning part of our province.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“Tourism Southwest Inc. would like to thank the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology for their continued partnership and funding support to implement marketing activities that promote Newfoundland’s Southwest Coast. With pristine coastline, soaring mountains, and far-flung communities, the Southwest Coast is Newfoundland and Labrador’s secret adventure. There are dozens of hidden gems and diversions to visit in this beautiful stretch of the province between Port aux Basques and Gros Morne National Park.”
Ruth Forsey-Gale
President, Tourism Southwest Inc.

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Business Development Support ProgramTourism Southwest

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The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, is sharing his condolences following the passing of Kevin Lewis.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Kevin Lewis.

An inspiration to young artists, Kevin was an educator and mentor to students in his Theatre Arts classes, helping them achieve their goals.

He was also a well-known performer and director who graced our province’s stages from St. John’s to Ferryland to the West Coast and into Labrador, portraying unforgettable characters on stage and screen in such productions as The Boys of St. Vincent, Random Passage and The Grand Seduction.

Honoured just last year as the recipient of the 2023 ACTRA NL Award of Excellence, Kevin will be remembered by artists and former students, and the wider arts community, as a person who faced life’s challenges with humour and grace.

On behalf of our province, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his colleagues in the arts community. His legacy will live on through all those whose dreams he help to shape.”

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The Provincial Government today introduced two new procurement strategies: the Newfoundland and Labrador First Procurement Strategy and the Sustainable Procurement Strategy. The strategies are aimed at maximizing the success of provincial suppliers in obtaining government contracts, supporting provincial supplier development, and increasing sustainable practices in purchasing.

The Newfoundland and Labrador First Procurement Strategy will help create an environment that provides the best opportunity for provincial suppliers to be successful in obtaining contracts through maintaining the provincial preference discount; increasing open call thresholds; promoting the use of exemptions under trade agreements; and reducing the use of bid bonds. It also focuses on new suppliers by helping them strengthen their ability to participate in government procurement processes by providing them with the knowledge and training they need through supplier-focused information sessions; reverse trade shows; and consultation on more significant procurements.

The Sustainable Procurement Strategy is focused on embedding sustainability considerations into processes for procuring goods, services and construction alongside traditional considerations such as price, quality, service and technical considerations. Applying a sustainable approach to procurement will ensure that the existing purchasing power of government departments and agencies will be utilized to help achieve broader social, environmental and economic goals.

Both strategies complement a procurement policy change that was made in 2020 to better support local suppliers. A local preference provision was added to the Public Procurement Regulations at that time to mandate an allowance of ten per cent for provincial suppliers for all procurements, to the maximum permitted under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

Quotes

“It is important that, as a government, we continue to modernize our purchasing processes, follow the best procurement practices, and achieve best value for dollars spent, and do all of this in a sustainable fashion. We must also work to ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador companies are given the greatest opportunity to secure contracts here at home. Both the Newfoundland and Labrador First and the Sustainable Procurement strategies are integral in helping us achieve these objectives.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for the Public Procurement Agency

“As a business and information technology supplier based in Newfoundland and Labrador, local procurement resonates profoundly within our company. It is our belief that the synergy between the private and public sectors is vital to fostering business growth within our province. The strategies announced today represent a modern and strategic progression toward strengthening the relationships between both established and emerging local suppliers and the Provincial Government.“
Chris Dillon
Vice President, Consulting & Business Development
Triware Technologies Inc.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, travelled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on February 3 to participate in a health care recruitment event and explore potential business partnerships and post-secondary education expansion.

Premier Furey was joined by members of the recruitment teams from the Department of Health and Community Services and NL Health Services at the Canadian Health Attraction Recruitment Mission 2024 to meet with health care professionals about recruitment to Newfoundland and Labrador.

During the visit, the Premier will also meet with officials with the Canadian University of Dubai as the Provincial Government builds new connections and investigates innovative opportunities that may further support post-secondary education in Newfoundland and Labrador, now and into the future.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s public post-secondary institutions have had a long-standing international presence. Both Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic have partnerships, relationships and connections with many institutions and private organizations in over 100 countries around the world.

In addition, the Premier and government officials will meet with regional business leaders to highlight Newfoundland and Labrador’s natural resources, renewable and clean energy potential, advanced manufacturing, high-tech services, and research and innovation hubs.

The meetings include the Canada-U.A.E. Business Council, a bilateral cooperation council established by both governments that includes the United Arab Emirates’ major investors in Canada and Canada’s major investors in the United Arab Emirates.

Canadian and international partners recognize the strategic importance of Newfoundland and Labrador in meeting the world’s demand for secure, renewable and clean energy.

The health care professional recruitment trip is in addition to trips to Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Saskatchewan in 2023 and participation in numerous health care recruitment trade shows by the department’s and NL Health Services’ recruitment teams.

Since April 1, 2023, more than 450 nurses and 79 doctors have been recruited to work in the province since April 1, 2023.

Health care professionals interested in learning about the opportunities and incentives to work in Newfoundland and Labrador can find more information at WorkInHealthNL.ca.

Details on the Provincial Government’s recruitment results are available at healthcareaction.ca.

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“Recruiting and retaining health care professionals is of paramount importance to our government. This mission is an opportunity to showcase Newfoundland and Labrador as an ideal place for health care professionals to work and live. It also allows us to explore potential post-secondary and natural resource sector expansions for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, is sharing his condolences following the passing of Rick Boland.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Rick Boland, a true pillar of our province’s arts community.

Rick dedicated his life to Newfoundland and Labrador’s arts community as a generous collaborator and passionate artist who had a deep interest in our history.

As a founding member of Rising Tide Theatre, and through his work with many of our province’s best-known theatre companies, he made an enormous contribution to the performing arts – building, supporting and promoting our culture for more than five decades.

Rick had a warmth and charm that radiated from the stage and connected with audiences and he will be remembered for his stand-out performances in numerous film and television projects, from The Adventure of Faustus Bidgood, to Hatching, Matching and Dispatching and, more recently, Republic of Doyle and Little Dog.

Most importantly, he was a supportive and valued mentor to emerging artists who learned with him and from him over the years and who will continue to draw on his influence throughout their careers.

On behalf of our province, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his colleagues in the arts community. May he rest in peace.”

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Officials from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Provincial Archaeology Office are preparing to travel to Cape Ray to conduct a survey of the remains of a ship that recently appeared on the shore of J. T. Cheeseman Provincial Park.

The team is planning to be on site on Saturday to take detailed photographs, video and measurements and to collect wood core samples to try and determine the origin of the wreckage.

The Provincial Archaeology Office is regularly alerted to shipwreck sites around Newfoundland and Labrador, so this find is not unexpected or uncommon. While the photos and videos that have been collected to date are helpful, it is far too early to speculate as to whether this particular shipwreck is historically significant.

There are potentially thousands of shipwrecks in the waters around the Island of Newfoundland and it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of this vessel.

We greatly appreciate the local interest and efforts of residents to assist in identifying the ship.

We kindly ask the public for their patience and to be respectful of the archaeology team’s work as they carry out their investigation this weekend.

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The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, is calling on the Federal Government to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador receives its fair share of the newly announced Unit 1 redfish quota allocations. The Provincial Government has requested a share that appropriately reflects Newfoundland and Labrador’s historical attachment to the redfish fishery, the longstanding principle of adjacency, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

On January 26, 2024, the Federal Government’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced plans to re-open the Unit 1 commercial redfish fishery in 2024 for a two-year transitional period with a minimum Total Allowable Catch of 25,000 tonnes. Important discussions will take place in the coming weeks with the Redfish Advisory Committee to determine quota allocations for each fleet, establish management measures, and consult on a Total Allowable Catch for the 2024 fishing season.

The Federal Government’s department also recently announced significant reductions in Northern Shrimp quotas that will have a devastating impact on this province’s shrimp harvesters and processors. The quota for Shrimp Fishing Area 8, located adjacent to the province’s west coast, has been reduced from 4,222 tonnes in 2023 to just 1,757 tonnes for 2024.

While the Federal Government’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans has allocated 10 per cent of the redfish quota to shrimp harvesters to help offset impacts of the quota reduction, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is calling for those affected to receive a greater share of redfish quota given the extent of the cut.

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“We are pleased with the re-opening of the commercial redfish fishery and the opportunities for the fishing industry in this province. In saying that, I am disappointed that the provincial share of the quota does not reflect the historic attachment and adjacency of Newfoundland and Labrador to the redfish fishery. Further, given the significant quota reduction in Shrimp Fishing Area 8, I call upon the federal minister for an increase in the redfish quota for shrimp harvesters and consideration of a licence buyback program for impacted harvesters.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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In Solution Mode: The Government of Canada launches its transition plan for the future of fisheries in Quebec and Atlantic Canada

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BACKGROUNDER

• The reopening of the Unit Redfish fishery will take place in two phases. A first two-year transitional phase will allow for data collection, give fish harvesters time to prepare, further develop markets, and strengthen the sector’s capacity to transform.

• A second phase of long-term development aimed at establishing a redfish fishery with a modernized allocation key. A phase that, in view of the current scientific data, would be one of expansion.
• Commercial redfish quota share by fleet:
  • Offshore mobile gear (MG) fleet sector (vessels >100′) – 58.69%
  • Inshore MG fleet sector (vessels <65′) – 14.84%
  • Midshore MG fleet sector (vessels 65-100′) – 5.72%
  • Inshore fixed gear (bycatch) – 0.75%
  • Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (ESGL) Shrimp Harvesters – 10.00%
  • Quota dedicated to Indigenous communities – 10.00%

• Commercial redfish quota share by province as proposed by DFO:
  • Newfoundland and Labrador: 19%
  • Nova Scotia: 33%
  • New Brunswick: 11%
  • P.E.I.: 5%
  • Quebec: 32%

 

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for the Public Procurement Agency, will make a procurement policy announcement on Monday, February 5.

The event will take place in the lobby of the Petten Building, 30 Strawberry Marsh Road, St. John’s at 10:00 a.m.

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The Official Addition of the Votes was conducted this morning (Friday, February 2) at the Conception Bay East – Bell Island Returning Office. The Returning Officer reviewed the voting tallies from by-election night as part of the legislatively required procedure.

The official results of the by-election are as follows:

CONCEPTION BAY EAST – BELL ISLAND Official Candidates: Political Affiliation: Official Results: CHURCHILL, Kim New Democratic Party 846 HARDING, Darryl J.   70 HUTTON, Fred Liberal Party 2603 NEARY, Tina Progressive Conservative Party 2152 TOTAL VOTES: 5671

 

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Applications are now available for Grade 9 and 10 students in Newfoundland and Labrador to enroll in summer programs in Quebec.

The Voyage Program for Grade 9 students and the Adventure Program for Grade 10 students provide selected students meeting the eligibility requirements with an opportunity to discover French culture in Canada and improve their French language skills during a three-week or four-week summer program in Quebec.

Bursaries are paid directly to the post-secondary institutions that are the designated hosts and cover the cost of tuition, registration, room and board, instructional materials and all compulsory activities.

The program applications can be found here. The deadline to apply is February 16, 2024.

Please contact voyage@gov.nl.ca for the Voyage Program and adventure@gov.nl.ca for the Adventure Program for further questions or assistance with the application.

The student programs receive funding through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement on Minority Language Education and Second Official Language Instruction.

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The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister Responsible for Labour, today announced 11 new appointments to the Labour Relations Board, for two-year terms, as of December 20, 2023.

Janis Byrne and Roseanne Saturley have been appointed as employer representatives, with Gail Hickey, Sean Kennedy and Jacqueline Penney appointed as alternate employer representatives.

David Hammond and Sean Noah have been appointed as employee representatives, with Christina Kennedy, Sharon King, James Martin and Dermot Cain appointed as alternate employee representatives.

Biographical information is provided in the backgrounder below.

All appointments were recommended through the merit-based Independent Appointments Commission process.

The Labour Relations Board is an independent, quasi-judicial body which contributes to and promotes harmonious labour relations in Newfoundland and Labrador by adjudicating and mediating a variety of employment and labour relations matters.

Quote
“I am pleased to announce the appointments of Ms. Byrne, Ms. Saturley, Ms. Hickey, Mr. Kennedy, Ms. Penney, Ms. Kennedy, Ms. King, Mr. Martin and Mr. Cain to the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Board. They each bring a wealth of knowledge and extensive industry experience, which I am confident will prove to be invaluable assets to the board. I wish them well and look forward to working together on labour relations matters in the province.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister Responsible for Labour

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Labour Relations Board

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BACKGROUNDER

Biographies

Janis Byrne
Janis Byrne has extensive experience as a lawyer and corporate director, working with diverse organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Ms. Byrne is the former general counsel and executive vice president – legal of Pennecon Limited, a position she held for 23 years until her retirement in 2022. With over 25 years of experience in the governance of non-profit and for-profit boards, she has served on numerous boards, including as past chair of the St. John’s Board of Trade, and past president of the Canadian Bar Association (Newfoundland and Labrador branch). Ms. Byrne currently sits as a director of Growler Energy Inc.; director and chair of the People and Culture Committee, Atlantic Lottery Corporation; and director and chair of the Regulatory Committee and member of the Governance and Human Resources Committee of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation. She is also a director and chair of the Sustainability Committee, Canadian Manganese Company Inc. (NEO: CDMN); along with positions on the boards of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, and Junior Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador. Ms. Byrne was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2020.

Ms. Byrne is a graduate of Memorial University and holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor, Bachelor of Civil Law from the University of Ottawa, an Institute of Corporate Directors Designation and an Environment, Social and Governance certification from Competent Boards Canada.

Dermot Cain
Dermot Cain is an experienced professional with a career that spans decades in organized labour, construction, mining, oil and gas and industrial service industries across Canada. Mr. Cain currently serves as the principal officer at Mid-Atlantic Project Solutions Inc., an organization that serves industry clients in developing and building partnerships, outreach, human resource development, preventative mediation and more. He is also a trustee of the Operating Engineers Atlantic Canada Health and Wellness, and Pension boards, as well as an employee alternate member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Board. Prior to this, Mr. Cain was a senior advisor to the project director at Kiewit-Kvaerner Contractors for the Hebron project in the province. Throughout the course of his career, he has held several other leadership roles such as jurisdictional umpire for Newfoundland and Labrador Building Construction Trades Council; Canadian director, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE); president and business manager of IUOE Local 904 Newfoundland and Labrador; co-chair of the Canadian Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship Training Council; president, Northern Pipeline Projects Ltd.; member of the Building and Construction Trades Department, Canadian Board; executive committee member, Canadian Labour Congress; director, board of directors of the Construction Sector Council for Canada; director, board of directors of the Environmental Careers Organization; director, boards of directors of GrowthWorks Canadian Fund and GrowthWorks Commercialization Fund; and director, board of directors of Union Savings benefits programs. He has also previously served on the board of directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association, Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board of Newfoundland and Labrador and the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Canadian Board.

Furthermore, Mr. Cain is also past president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Building and Construction Trades Council; Resource Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland and Labrador Building Trades Petroleum Development Association Newfoundland and Labrador Oil Development Allied Trades Council; and vice president of the Canadian Conference of Operating Engineers.

David Hammond
David Hammond brings 16 years of experience representing employers and unions as a human resources and labour relations professional. Mr. Hammond began his career in the public sector in 2017 as a human resources consultant with Eastern Health. In 2017, he accepted employment with the Registered Nurses’ Union of Newfoundland and Labrador, where he has held several roles including labour relations officer, director of corporate services and, most recently, as interim executive director. Concurrently, Mr. Hammond has enjoyed a successful career as a reservist with the Canadian Armed Forces spanning over 25 years. A logistics officer by trade, he is currently the acting commanding officer of both first and second battalion at The Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

Mr. Hammond holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, and a Master of Employee Relations from Memorial University, along with the Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation.

Gail Hickey
Gail Hickey is an experienced professional in the mining, oil and energy industries, working with government, NGO and post-secondary education systems. Ms. Hickey is the founding executive director of the Office to Advance Women Apprentices, and diversity lead for the construction phase of the ExxonMobil Hebron Topsides Project. In the latter role, she implemented change management models to enhance organizational culture and increase women’s participation in the unionized construction industry. For her exemplary work, Ms. Hickey was awarded the Women of Distinction-Business Category for exceeding operator-set gender diversity goals on the Topsides project. Ms. Hickey also has extensive academic training in occupational health and safety through her graduate studies, where her research focused on the organizational cultural and causal factors that contribute to workplace fatalities in non and unionized work environments. Additionally, she is certified in literacy training, conflict resolution and mediation training, is a Myers-Briggs Certified Trainer with Psychometrics Canada and recently completed the Workplace Investigation Training through the University of New Brunswick.

Ms. Hickey holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Certificate in Business Administration, and a Master of Employment Relations from Memorial University.

Christina Kennedy
Christina Kennedy has an extensive career as a practicing lawyer in the provinces of Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador. Ms. Kennedy has worked at the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees from 2006, practicing in all aspects of labour law, and has represented Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association since 2020. She was appointed to the Labour Relations Board as a regular employee representative in 2017 for a two-year term and was reappointed for another two-year term in 2019.

Ms. Kennedy holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) from Memorial University and a Bachelor of Laws from University of New Brunswick.

Sean Kennedy
Sean Kennedy has a career spanning over two decades that started as a plant engineer with British Petroleum Limited in 1997. In 1999, he switched to the manufacturing industry and started his employment with Molson Coors Beverage Company in their Edmonton brewery, where he held several roles of increasing complexity and was able to hone his skills in project management, unionized workforce leadership, collective agreement bargaining/administration and industrial relations. Now in his 25th year with the company, Mr. Kennedy is currently the general manager of Molson Coors Beverage Company’s Atlantic Canada operations, which necessitates leadership of breweries in St. John’s, N.L. and Moncton, N.B. as well as distribution of Molson Coors’ products in all four Atlantic provinces. Additionally, he holds the role of chair of the Provincial Advisory Board for the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) and is a member of the St. Patrick’s Mercy Home Foundation board of directors, having served as the past chair of the Elizabeth Park Elementary School Council.

Mr. Kennedy holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Memorial University, a Master of Business Administration from Alberta, a Supply Chain Management Professional designation, along with Power Engineering and Lean Certifications.

Sharon King
Sharon King began her career at the Waterford Hospital in late 1970s, where she quickly became a union activist with the local union. Soon after, she got involved with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees, where she delved into her union education and leadership skills. Ms. King started her career with the Association of Allied Health Professionals (AAHP) in 1988 and became the executive director in the early ‘90s. She continued her union education into grievances, arbitration and mediation for 28 years with AAHP, and held the role of chief negotiator with the organization in addition to managing union affairs on behalf of its 800-plus members. As AAHP representative, Ms. King was one of the founding members of the Canadian Health Professionals Secretariat, a national body that represents allied health professionals across the country. She retired from AAHP in 2013.

James Martin
James Martin has been involved in the construction industry in Newfoundland and Labrador for more than 20 years and is a red seal electrician. Mr. Martin joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical workers (IBEW) in 2010 and has worked on some of the largest, most complex projects in North America. He served as treasurer for the IBEW Local 2330 executive board between 2018 and 2022, when he was elected as the business manager/financial secretary. Mr. Martin currently holds this position and represents 1,200 unionized electricians in Newfoundland and Labrador, along with being a trustee on the IBEW Local 1620/2330 health and welfare trusts. He also serves on the executive board of TradesNL, Newfoundland and Labrador’s building and construction trades council promoting and coordinating the interests of 14 building and construction trades unions and their international affiliates operating in the province. Mr. Martin is on the board of directors of the TradesNL Member Addiction and Rehabilitation Program, and Member and Family Assistance Program.

Mr. Martin is currently enrolled in the School of Labour Studies at McMaster University.

Sean Noah
Sean Noah has over 30 years’ experience in the provincial education system, having worked as a teacher and administrator in eastern, central and Labrador school districts. Mr. Noah has varied experience in collective bargaining, pension investment and group insurance services, having chaired provincial committees in related areas, along with school administration, teacher allocation and membership benefits and services. He is a past president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association and a past vice-president of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF). At CTF, he worked with board members to promote policies that would improve access to the teaching profession, including fair labour practices as well as recognition procedures for foreign teaching credentials and work experience. Mr. Noah has also served as the Atlantic Canadian representative on the CTF board of trustees for several years, assessing the efficacy of teaching projects in developing countries sponsored by the federation. At the national level, he has chaired work focusing on the protection of human rights for children, as well as the promotion of diversity and equity in education. Mr. Noah was appointed to the Labour Relations Board in 2017 as an employee representative. He was subsequently reappointed to the board in 2019, 2021 and 2023, participating in the adjudication of hundreds of labour relations cases throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Noah holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Teaching from Memorial University.

Jacqueline Penney
Jacqueline Penney is practicing lawyer in the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia. Ms. Penney has significant experience appearing before courts, tribunals and boards, and acting in quasi-judicial capacity as a member of several provincial and federal tribunals, boards and commissions. Since June 2009, she has been the corporate counsel for Marine Atlantic Inc. and was a partner with law firm McInnes Cooper prior to May 2009. Ms. Penney was appointed to the Labour Relations Board as an alternate employer representative in 2013. She was subsequently appointed to the board as a regular employer representative for a two-year term in 2017 and reappointed in 2019 for an additional two-year term.

Ms. Penney holds a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University.

Roseanne Saturley
Roseanne Saturley has held leadership roles in the human resources and labour relations sectors, achieving successful results in projects related to recruitment and selection, change management, employee relations, collective bargaining and training and development. Ms. Saturley has significant experience working with diverse cultures and groups across Canada and the Middle East, where she was extensively involved in dispute resolution and conflict management. Throughout her career, she has worked in positions with NORDCO Limited, the Workers’ Compensation Board (WorkplaceNL), the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the College of the North Atlantic (CNA). She has also completed extensive training related to labour relations, mediation and staff development. One of her proudest accomplishments was the work she performed in establishing the human resources infrastructure for CNA’s campus in Doha, Qatar. Ms. Saturley was initially appointed to the Labour Relations Board as an employer representative in March 2018 and has since been involved in numerous panels with the board across a broad spectrum of issues.

Ms. Saturley holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature, sociology and business from Memorial University.

The post Provincial Government Announces Appointments to the Labour Relations Board first appeared on News Releases.

The post Provincial Government Announces Appointments to the Labour Relations Board appeared first on News Releases.