Government of Newfoundland News

Today, Susan Walsh, Seniors’ Advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador, released a report titled An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure. The report outlines research her office completed on what modifications and assistive devices seniors need to age well at home and makes six recommendations to government.

Survey results found that 87 per cent of respondents agreed that “it is never too early to start preparing for your senior years”, 89 per cent acknowledged that it is likely they will require assistive devices as they age, and 76 per cent were willing to make the changes to their home.

However, only 27 per cent of respondents had adjusted their home with the likelihood increasing with age. In fact, 53 per cent of seniors over 84 years of age had made a change, suggesting the modifications were likely made from necessity versus from a preventative perspective.

The main barriers to make proactive modification are cost (80 per cent), lack of knowledge on who to contact (52 per cent), what changes to make (37 per cent), and need for guidance on the changes (36 per cent).

To promote prevention and support seniors in NL to age well at home the Seniors’ Advocate has made six (6) recommendations:

• Four (4) to the Department of Health and Community Services including: developing a senior friendly “How To” guide, implementing a public awareness campaign on prevention, expanding community-based physiotherapy and occupational therapy services to promote seniors’ independence, and expanding the Prescription Drug 65Plus Plan to cover assistive devices.
• Two (2) to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing focused on: expanding the Home Modification Program to include a preventative approach including providing small preventative home modifications without needing an assessment and providing a no cost loan to those that don’t qualify for the Home Modification Program but want to make preventative changes.

Quote
“Seniors want to age well in their homes but need help to figure out how to prevent falls and other injuries that can cause admission to hospital and long term care and where to get that support. Today I am making recommendations to support a preventative approach as seniors know well that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Susan Walsh
Seniors’ Advocate NL

The report can be accessed at: www.seniorsadvocatenl.ca/pdfs/AnOunceOfPreventionIsWorthAPoundOfCure-April15-2025.pdf

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Media contact
Arlene Mullins
Office of the Seniors’ Advocate
709- 729-6603, 1-833-729-6603 (toll-free)
seniorsadvocate@seniorsadvocatenl.ca

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology:

 Speaker, last week I was honoured to host the 2025 Research Inspired Student Enrichment Awards, the RISE Awards. Twenty of our brightest Level ll high school students were recognized for academic excellence in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Our department invests approximately $320,000 to enable highly motivated, eager minds to attend one of three enrichment programs – the Research Science Institute located at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Boston Leadership Institute located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and the Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program located at the University of Toronto.

This year’s 2025 Rise Award recipients are:

Kate Blanchard – Valmont Academy
Jack Hanlon – Lakewood Academy
Sydney Hartle – Gander Collegiate
Lily Hefford – Crescent Collegiate
Ava Hodder – Pasadena Academy
Abigail Janes – Holy Heart of Mary High School
Noshin Khan – Waterford Valley High
Samuel Lane – Mealy Mountain Collegiate
William Lane – Mount Pearl Senior High
Aivin Siby Nilakkapallil – White Hills Academy
Grace Noseworthy – St. Bonaventure’s College
Alpita Patro – Gonzaga High School
Emma Rogers – Random Island Academy
Katherine Rumbolt – Holy Heart of Mary High School
Anastasia Saika-Voivod – Gonzaga High School
Sahil Singh – Gonzaga Regional High
Keagan Smith – St. Bonaventure’s College
Sarah Thomas-Mouland – Holy Heart of Mary High School
Paige Whittle – Waterford Valley High
Sophia Zhang – Holy Heart of Mary High School

Speaker, we are incredibly proud of these students and we wish them continued success as they pursue their education and career goals.

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The Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, will make a funding announcement regarding an investment to strengthen the province’s manufacturing sector through workforce training.

The announcement will take place on Wednesday, April 16, at 1:00 p.m. at the PolyUnity office, Tower Corporate Campus, 296 Waterford Bridge Road, St. John’s.

Minister Stoodley will be joined by representatives from the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Newfoundland and Labrador, Keyin College and PolyUnity.

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The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced a non-repayable investment of $650,000 from the Research and Innovation Fund to develop a virtual research and training facility that uses digital twin technology at College of the North Atlantic (CNA), in partnership with GRi Simulations.

The project will establish a virtual research and training facility at the college that is tailored to the mining industry and employs data from key mine sites. Over the next two years, GRi Simulations will use data obtained by CNA’s reality capture team to develop software and build a platform that reflects key real-world mining assets.

A physical space at CNA will be set up for research on how to remotely operate machinery, employing the software and simulators developed by GRi Simulations. Real-time accessibility will be enabled to evaluate operations and equipment, thereby reducing risk, emissions, and costs across the spectrum of mineral production. Populating the simulator will be surface and subsurface assets that are based on both generic and real-world models.

A digital twin is a virtual model of a physical object, system, or process that mimics its behavior and performance in real life. Digital twins enable and expedite the advancement of autonomous operations developments in offshore intervention technologies such as autonomous underwater vehicles and autonomous surface vessels. This project will help apply those technologies to mining.

This project aligns with the broader goals of enhancing efficiency and safety in the mining sector and will contribute to the development and implementation of cutting-edge technologies and best practices in Newfoundland and Labrador. The facility is poised to position CNA as a pivotal player in the development and implementation of remote operations.

The Research and Innovation Fund Program provides non-repayable contributions to non-commercial entities for the development and implementation of research and development and innovation projects to support economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador. The goal is to support highly qualified people, research, innovative programming and infrastructure in priority areas that have the potential to strengthen R&D and innovation ecosystem capacity in the province. This project will result in a total of eight new positions.

Quotes
“The integration of digital twinning and remote operations within the mining sector offers benefits ranging from safety and efficiency to sustainability and resilience. These technologies represent a significant advancement in the way mining operations can be planned, monitored, and executed, reflecting the ongoing digital transformation across industries. We are pleased to support this initiative, as it will have many benefits for both industry and academia.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“This collaboration between Applied Research and Innovation at College of the North Atlantic and GRi Simulations represents how the Newfoundland and Labrador ecosystem works together to truly advance digitization and data integration for impact. The Mining Simulation Lab emerging from this work will result in both advanced simulator development for mining operations and state-of-the-art training capacity to foster next generation operators in the industry.”
Dr. Michael Long
Dean of Applied Research and Innovation, College of the North Atlantic

“GRi is excited to be creating the Mining Simulation Lab with the College of the North Atlantic, made possible by the contributions of IET and CEMI. This unique facility will advance collaboration, innovation and training to help position Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada as leaders in the mining sector’s digital transformation and adoption of remote operations, automation and artificial intelligence.”
Steve Dodd
Vice President Operations & Business Development
GRi Simulations Inc.

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Research and Innovation Fund

College of the North Atlantic

GRi Simulations

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Susan Walsh, Seniors’ Advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador, will be available to the media as she releases the new report An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure. Ms. Walsh will highlight some of the key findings on what seniors in Newfoundland and Labrador need to age well at home.

The availability will take place on Wednesday, April 16, at 10:00 a.m. at the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate, Sir Brian Dunfield Building, 2 Canada Drive, St. John’s.

Media attending are asked to RSVP to Arlene Mullins, please see below.

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Media contact
Arlene Mullins
Office of the Seniors’ Advocate
709-729-6603, 1-833-729-6603 (toll free)
seniorsadvocate@seniorsadvocatenl.ca

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Resource Enforcement Officers from the Gander Detachment responded to a report of an illegally harvested/poached moose on the Gander Bay Road (Route 330) near Muddy Gullies Access Road on the morning of April 13. Officers found the entrails and head of an adult female moose.

The moose is believed to have been killed on the evening of April 12, 2025, or early morning on April 13, 2025.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Gander Detachment at (709) 256-1293. Suspected illegal activities related to natural resources can also be reported by calling 1-877-820-0999 anonymously or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will make a highway naming announcement today (Tuesday, April 15).

The event will take place in East Block Lobby, Confederation Building, at 2:30 p.m.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Fred Hutton, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister of Rural Economic Development.

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Acting Minister of Mental Health and Addictions:

 Speaker, this past weekend marked the beginning of a new era of mental health and addictions treatment in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Our province’s new Mental Health and Addictions Centre opened, replacing the 170-year-old Waterford Hospital with a modern space that is patient-centred and more conducive to recovery and healing.

The new centre has 102 inpatient beds, with another 14 acute care rooms at the Health Sciences Centre, for a total of 116 beds in the metro region.

We are excited that this new facility has been well-received by individuals with lived experience of mental health illness and addictions, family members, local advocates, and the community.

Speaker, we remain focused on improving mental health and addictions services for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Budget 2025 includes funding to support services throughout all regions of the province, such as expanding addiction treatment services, establishing stepped-down mental health facilities and wraparound community-based supports, additional naloxone kits, continued investment in the Harm Reduction Team, and expanding the services of the opioid dependence treatment hubs.

Speaker, we’re excited about this new era for mental health and addictions treatment.

With this new facility, six beds in Labrador, 24 beds in Central Newfoundland, and 20 beds in Western Newfoundland, we are ensuring people can receive mental health and substance use care closer to home and live a life of meaning and wellness.

Thank you, Speaker.

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A new era of mental health and addictions treatment began in Newfoundland and Labrador this weekend as the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre opened, replacing the 170-year-old Waterford Hospital.

The Mental Health and Addictions Centre provides a modern environment for mental health and addictions patients that is patient-centered and more conducive to recovery and healing, enabling patients to integrate into the community to live a life of meaning and wellness. The centre features:

• Individual inpatient rooms.
• Shared spaces for recreation, art therapy, horticulture.
• Outdoor terraces.
• Upgraded counselling and therapy spaces.

The new 102-bed facility complements other mental health and addictions services throughout the province, including 14 acute care rooms at the Health Sciences Centre, six beds in Labrador, 24 beds in Central Newfoundland, and 20 beds in Western Newfoundland, allowing patients in all regions of the province to receive care closer to home.

Budget 2025 includes significant funding to continue to support mental health and addictions services throughout the province, such as:

• More than $6 million to support addiction recovery, including a 10-bed unit in Labrador, and recovery homes.
• More than $3.6 million for stepped-down mental health facilities and wraparound community-based supports.
• More than $5 million to support The Gathering Place to provide social support and services to vulnerable people.
• $5.7 million to enable Choices for Youth to implement services for vulnerable youth.
• Approximately $1.5 million to enable the Harm Reduction Team to continue providing care for vulnerable individuals.
• More than $600,000 to increase availability of naloxone kits to assist individuals at risk of overdose from opioids.

The new Mental Health and Addictions Centre is a key recommendation of Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, which details the Provincial Government’s actions to improve mental health and addictions services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Quotes
“This is an exciting time for mental health and addictions care in our province. The new Mental Health and Addictions Centre replaces the outdated Waterford Hospital and allows patients and staff to live and work in a modern, patient-focused environment. Thank you to all partners and staff at Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services and the Provincial Government who worked to make this new centre a reality for patients, families, health care professionals, and the community as a whole.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Acting Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

“It’s a proud day in our province’s history to see this new Mental Health and Addictions Centre open and an honour to be able to mark this special occasion. The new centre represents a significant amount of work over many years and we are thankful to everyone who contributed. We’re happy to see the Waterford Hospital close its doors and to see patients welcomed in a new environment to help them improve their mental health and well-being.”
Honourable John Haggie
Acting Minister of Health and Community Services

“NL Health Services is pleased to reach a key milestone with the official opening of the Mental Health and Addictions Centre, which will help transform mental health and addictions services in our province. Thank you to our dedicated staff, physicians and leaders who have been involved in various phases of the project, and for your commitment to providing quality care to patients. I would also like to recognize the continued support of the Provincial Government, individuals with lived and living experience, and other partners.”
Dr. Pat Parfrey
CEO, NL Health Services

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will celebrate a milestone for the West White Rose Project tomorrow (Tuesday, April 15).

The event takes place at the Concrete Gravity Structure (CGS) Graving Dock, Argentia, starting at 10:00 a.m. Media attending are asked to arrive at the Argentia CGS site by 9:30 a.m. Site access will be limited for safety reasons.

Premier Furey will be joined by Jon McKenzie, CEO for Cenovus.

Media representatives are requested to confirm their attendance by 12:00 p.m. today (April 14) by emailing Colleen McConnell at Colleen.McConnell@cenovus.com.

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The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the following relative to Environmental Assessment – Part 10 – of the Environmental Protection Act.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:
George’s Brook Quarry                                                                            (Reg. 2346)
Proponent: Newman Construction & Agricultural Enterprise Ltd.
The project has been released from environmental assessment subject to conditions as outlined in the minister’s decision letter available on the Department of Environment and Climate Change website at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2346/.

Doyles Beaver Pond Quarry                                                                   (Reg. 2345)
Proponent: Jeremy’s Construction Ltd.
The project has been released from environmental assessment subject to conditions as outlined in the minister’s decision letter available on the Department of Environment and Climate Change website at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/projects-2345/.

Learn more
Environmental Assessment Division
Department of Environment and Climate Change
West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL   A1B 4J6

Environmental assessment information is available at:

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/GUIDE-TO-THE-PROCESS_Jan-2024.pdf

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Project comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca

Anyone submitting comments on a project under environmental assessment should notify the Department of Environment and Climate Change if they DO NOT wish to have their comments shared with the project proponent.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will bring greetings at Sport Newfoundland and Labrador’s Annual Awards celebration tomorrow (Saturday, April 12).

The event will take place beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland, 115 Cavendish Square, St. John’s.

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Twenty Newfoundland and Labrador students who excel in academics were recognized today for the 2025 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards. The recipients were announced by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, at a ceremony in St. John’s.

Rise Awards are presented to Level II high school students who demonstrate academic excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The winners will attend one of three enrichment programs offered at the following locations:

• Research Science Institute located at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Boston Leadership Institute located in Wellesley, Massachusetts
• Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program at the University of Toronto

Information on the award recipients and the summer programs is included in the backgrounder below.

The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology provides approximately $320,000 for tuition, accommodations and travel stipends for the students to participate in the enrichment programs. The selection process for RISE Award winners includes an assessment of academic achievement, as well as written essays in which applicants must highlight plans for future study, career and research interests, and how those interests are relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador.

The RISE Awards help foster early development of the talent in demand for the province’s workforce, and introduce youth to the many possible careers in science-based fields, while celebrating their academic achievements.

Quote
“Year after year I am amazed at the drive and focus of the RISE Award winners, both in the classroom and in their extracurricular activities. We are proud to celebrate and reward their hard work with these awards. These summer enrichment programs have been shown to open doors and help students make connections that further their studies and careers for years to come. Congratulations to this year’s winners! We know they are going to be great ambassadors for our province.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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Le gouvernement provincial reconnaît les titulaires des prix RISE 2025

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RISE Awards guidelines

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BACKGROUNDER

The following 20 students have each received a 2025 Rise Award.

• Kate Blanchard – Valmont Academy, King’s Point
• Jack Hanlon – Lakewood Academy, Glenwood
• Sydney Hartle – Gander Collegiate, Gander
• Lily Hefford – Crescent Collegiate, South Dildo
• Ava Hodder – Pasadena Academy, Pasadena
• Abigail Janes – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
• Noshin Khan – Waterford Valley High, St. John’s
• Samuel Lane – Mealy Mountain Collegiate, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
• William Lane – Mount Pearl Senior High, Mount Pearl
• Aivin Siby Nilakkapallil – White Hills Academy, St. Anthony
• Grace Noseworthy – St. Bonaventure’s College, St. John’s
• Alpita Patro – Gonzaga High School, St. John’s
• Emma Rogers – Random Island Academy, Hickman’s Harbour
• Katherine Rumbolt – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
• Anastasia Saika-Voivod – Gonzaga High School, St. John’s
• Sahil Singh – Gonzaga Regional High, St. John’s
• Keagan Smith – St. Bonaventure’s College, St. John’s
• Sarah Thomas-Mouland – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
• Paige Whittle – Waterford Valley High, St. John’s
• Sophia Zhang – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s

Research Science Institute is a partnership between the Center for Excellence in Education, a not-for-profit organization based in McLean, Virginia, and MIT. The institute offers a six-week summer enrichment program in the Boston, Massachusetts, area, and emphasizes advanced theory and research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The program introduces students to the entire research process, from literature review to experimental design and analysis.

Boston Leadership Institute is a three-week program held in Wellesley, Massachusetts, offering STEM research programs taught by top educators and researchers. Ranked among the top five summer science enrichment programs in the United States, the program provides students with an opportunity to develop high-level research skills and subject matter expertise through lectures, presentations and hands-on experiments.

Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program is a four-week program held at the University of Toronto. The program offers pre-university engineering and science enrichment, as well as research project design opportunities.

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The Provincial Government continues to work closely with its community partners, including municipalities and law enforcement, to promote road safety and safe driving practices. To help create safer roads, through Budget 2025, an investment of $3.9 million will support the launch of speed cameras in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL, and the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, will be available to speak to media about speed cameras today (Friday, April 11) in the East Block Lobby, Confederation Building, at 11:00 a.m.

The Provincial Government has signed a five-year service contract with Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions (Jenoptik) for the installation, operation and maintenance of speed cameras and the issuing of tickets. The contract is for a minimum of 10 cameras with the potential to add more as the program rolls out.

Speed cameras will be installed on provincial and municipal roads and highways. Cameras will be in multiple regions throughout the province, starting with Veterans Memorial Highway. The specific locations will be determined in consultation with municipalities and law enforcement, including the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and will be based on traffic data that demonstrates a high rate of speeding. Signage will alert motorists to where the cameras are located.

Speed cameras will only capture images of the licence plates of speeding vehicles. Licence plate information will be used to identify the registered owner of the vehicle, who will then receive a ticket from Jenoptik. The ticket will be payable to the Provincial Government and administered by the Department of Justice and Public Safety’s Fines Administration Division.

Quotes
“Speeding poses a serious risk for the travelling public in Newfoundland and Labrador. Speed cameras will supplement existing enforcement strategies and increase compliance with the rules of the road. This is an opportunity to remind people that when you get behind the wheel, it’s on you to choose to be safe and responsible.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

“Speed cameras will help deter speeding and assist with public safety on our province’s roadways. I am pleased to see this contract awarded as it will help to provide all residents and visitors to Newfoundland and Labrador a safer road system.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

“We welcome the opportunity to work with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to improve safety and reduce accidents across the province.”
Kristina McMaster
Director of Operations Canada, Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions

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Learn more
Request for Proposals Issued for Speed Cameras

Minister Stoodley and Minister Hogan Announce Implementation Plan for Speed Cameras

Traffic Camera Pilot Project Launched to Improve Road Safety

Increased Fines for Traffic Offences Come into Effect

Proposed Changes to the Highway Traffic Act Impose Stronger Penalties for Speeding Offences

Proposed Changes to Highway Traffic Act Will Allow for Further Improvements to Public Safety

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The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, will announce recipients of the 2025 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards tomorrow (Friday, April 11).

The event will take place at the Emera Innovation Exchange, 100 Signal Hill Road, St. John’s, beginning at 12:00 p.m. Members of the media planning to attend are asked to RSVP.

Recipients of the RISE awards are Level II high school students who demonstrate academic excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. RISE award recipients are awarded an opportunity to attend research-related summer enrichment programs.

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Speaker, this week we celebrate the annual National Tourism Week, recognizing the significant role tourism plays in Newfoundland and Labrador. With the theme Canada: Powered by Tourism, this week highlights how vital the industry truly is.

Tourism is a key economic driver, contributing over $1.4 billion to our economy, providing employment for thousands of people and creating significant benefits for our communities. Nationally, tourism creates one in 10 jobs, infusing the Canadian economy with more than $100 billion in expenditure.

Tourism operators play a crucial role in sharing our unique story, culture and heritage, not just with international visitors but also with Canadian travellers. Their efforts enhance local experiences and support cultural and recreational assets, enriching both the visitor experience and the quality of life for residents.

Thank you to Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, Destination Management Organizations, the Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous Tourism Association and the Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association for their dedication to promoting and supporting tourism throughout the province.

To continue our support of this vital industry, Budget 2025 includes $15 million for tourism marketing and air access, which includes $2 million to support Vision 2026.

Speaker, let us continue to prioritize and support tourism and travel, ensuring that Newfoundland and Labrador remains a top bucket-list destination for both Canadian and international visitors.

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The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing more than $1 million to support the creation of a new Business Liaison Office led by the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce to advance workforce development and maximize local benefits from anticipated major projects in the region.

Through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement, the funding will support the creation and operation of the Business Liaison Office over a three-year period. The office will serve as a link between local businesses, Indigenous groups, educational institutions and project stakeholders such as Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Hydro-Québec.

The Business Liaison Office, under the management of the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce and a Regional Task Force Committee, will focus on labour market development, training opportunities and engagement with community and industry stakeholders. The task force will include representatives from municipalities, Indigenous business, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and the Provincial Government.

The project supports the development of a community-based approach to address labour and employment challenges and opportunities while helping to prepare Labrador’s workforce and businesses for future economic growth.

This investment builds on the Provincial Government’s ongoing partnership with the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce on the Welcoming Communities initiative which is designed to support overall newcomer retention in the Labrador region.

On April 3, the Chamber launched North 1941: Central Labrador’s Magazine for Newcomers, a publication funded by the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, to help welcome and inform new residents to the region.

Quotes
“Kudos to the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce for leading this important initiative. The Business Liaison Office is an important step in supporting Labrador’s long-term economic growth. By bringing together businesses, Indigenous groups and educational institutions, this initiative will ensure communities can maximize new opportunities.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

“I applaud the approval of more than $1 million in funding to establish a Business Liaison Office dedicated to preparing and supporting businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the Churchill River hydro developments. By providing local businesses and prospective bidders with the resources, timely information and guidance to navigate emerging procurement opportunities, we are investing in the sustainable prosperity of our communities and the resilience of our economy.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“As we look forward to the benefits the new Churchill Falls agreements will bring to Labrador, it is important that our Indigenous groups and community partners have support to prepare for the impacts and opportunities that will come. Our government is committed to building strong, respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities and ensuring meaningful investments that support their priorities.”
Honourable Dr. Scott Reid
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

“The idea for this Business Liaison Office was first envisaged by the LNCC at the start of the Muskrat Falls project. Thankfully, this government sees the need to support this link involving key organizations focused on business in Labrador. If the province is to be successful, Lake Melville and Labrador will need to be ready!”
Perry Trimper
Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier
Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans and Military Relations
Member of the House of Assembly for Lake Melville

“This project will have a significant positive impact on the regional labour market with a comprehensive community-driven strategy in partnership with regional stakeholders. As a region, it is vital we present our collective vision and expectations for responsible development, while ensuring improved outcomes and maximum benefits for Labradorians and Labrador-based businesses.”
Julianne Griffin
CEO of Labrador Chamber of Commerce

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Today, the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, released Budget 2025: Smarter. Stronger. Better.

For the fourth consecutive budget, the Provincial Government is ensuring no increases and continued decreases in taxes and fees, while investing in education for teaching services and technology for the classroom, access to health care and support for seniors.

Similar to the approach taken in other provinces, Budget 2025 also allows for a contingency of $200 million to provide the flexibility to address economic and worker impacts due to the uncertainty of U.S. tariffs, associated counter tariffs and any other unforeseen events that may occur.

Fiscal Overview

• Projected deficit of $372 million for 2025-26, which represents three per cent of revenues.
• Balanced budgets are projected for each year in the multi-year forecast starting in 2026-27. The return to balance is delayed by a year to ensure a focus on affordability and addressing tariffs.
• Projected revenues for 2025-26 are $10.7 billion.
• Projected expenses for 2025-26 are $11.0 billion.
• Of the $11.0 billion in expenses, $677 million is 100 per cent federally funded.
• Net debt is expected to be $19.4 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
• The projected borrowing requirement for 2025-26 is $4.1 billion and will be used mainly for infrastructure which is an investment in the province’s development, and increased liquidity.
• For fiscal year 2025-26, oil price projections are $US73 per barrel, while the Canada-United States exchange rate is forecast at 0.697 cents. These projections are informed by 11 Brent oil price forecasts and eight exchange rate forecasts.
• Oil royalties in 2025-26 are expected to represent 15 per cent of overall revenues compared to 32 per cent in 2011-12.

Economic Outlook

• Various tariffs have been placed on Canadian goods entering the United States and China. The impacts of these tariffs have been broadly captured in the economic forecast.
• In 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to lead real GDP growth among all Canadian provinces with a forecasted increase of 4.4 per cent, primarily due to increased oil and mineral production.
• Capital investment is forecast to accelerate in the medium term, driven by construction activity associated with wind-hydrogen projects, the Bay du Nord deepwater oil project, and Upper Churchill-related construction activity.
• Retail sales are forecast to increase by 2.0 per cent in 2025.
• Population is forecast to rise by 0.2 per cent in 2025, with net natural losses being more than offset by international and interprovincial in-migration.
• Total employment is forecast to decline by 1.2 per cent in 2025, primarily due to the effects of United States tariffs on the Canadian and local economy.
• The unemployment rate is expected to be 10.8 per cent.
• The rate of consumer inflation is expected to increase to 2.5 per cent, mainly due to Canadian counter-tariffs on the United States driving up consumer prices.

Financial Health of the Province

• Decreased the provincial deficit from $1.5 billion in 2020-21 to $372 million estimated in 2025-26.
• Contributing $108 million to the Newfoundland and Labrador Future Fund, bringing the total contributions to $467 million. Cumulative Future Fund contributions to 2029-30 are forecast to be $1.3 billion. This investment will be used for debt repayment and future opportunities.
• During 2024-25, placed first transactions in the European capital market, building upon the launch of the European borrowing program at the London Stock Exchange.
• Strengthened liquidity, so that cash reserves are available to meet obligations.
• Signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding with Québec to terminate and replace the 1969 Upper Churchill Contract, develop Gull Island and expand capacity of the Churchill Falls plant. This will result in more than $225 billion in total revenue to the provincial treasury over the life of the agreements.

More details on Budget 2025 investments and economic projections are available online at gov.nl.ca/Budget2025.

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“As this is my sixth budget, I reflect on how far we have come as a province. We are leading in economic growth among Canadian provinces. We are modernizing provincial services here at home and seeking out new global markets for our products and services – all towards a stronger, smarter, self-sufficient, sustainable province.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance

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The post Budget 2025 Invests in Education, Health and Seniors, Prepares for Tariffs appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, will deliver a keynote address during the banquet of the Professional Municipal Administrators 2025 Convention and Trade Show tomorrow (Wednesday, April 9).

Minister Haggie will also provide an update on the Derrick Bragg Leadership Award and participate in the association’s 2025 Long Service Awards for Municipal Administrators.

The banquet will take place at the Holiday Inn St. John’s Conference Centre, 180 Portugal Cove Road, St. John’s, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

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The post Media Advisory: Minister Haggie to Speak at the Professional Municipal Administrators 2025 Convention and Trade Show appeared first on News Releases.

Conservation officers with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture are responding to reports of a polar bear approximately two kilometres outside of Coachman’s Cove on the Baie Verte Peninsula, north of the Town of Baie Verte.

Polar bear sightings are not uncommon this time of year along the northeast coast of the Island of Newfoundland, the Northern Peninsula, and near coastal communities of Labrador as animals search for food. Residents are advised to be cautious, keep pets inside or under close supervision, and to travel in groups when outdoors. Be sure to properly store and dispose of garbage to avoid attracting bears into communities. Never approach a fresh kill or carcass.

People are strongly encouraged to remain at a safe distance from polar bears and should not approach a polar bear under any circumstances. While every situation is different, if you encounter a polar bear take note of the bear’s behavior.

If a bear does not see you:

• Quietly back away and leave the area and try to stay downwind of the animal.
• Never get between a bear and its cubs.

If a bear has seen or smelled you:

• Remain calm and give the bear space and a route to get away.
• Back away but do not run.
• If you must speak, do so calmly and firmly and avoid direct eye contact with the bear.

Polar bear sightings in the Baie Verte area should be reported to the Springdale Forestry Management District Office at 709-673-3821, or the after-hours emergency line at 709-673-3821.

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