Government of Newfoundland News

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

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

New Harbour Barrens RV Park                                                                    (Reg. 2245)

Proponent: Anthony Developments Ltd.

The proponent is proposing to develop and operate a 13.4-hectare RV park near New Harbour off Route 73. The construction would consist of 250 RV sites, the installation of an approved water and sewage system, a kiosk building (office and security), a comfort station (with laundry, washrooms, and a common room), and a sewage dumping station. The construction is planned to begin in summer 2023. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on May 10, 2023; the deadline for public comment is June 16, 2023; and the minister’s decision is due by June 24, 2023.

Lark Harbour Breakwater and Wharf                                                           (Reg. 2244)
Proponent: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Small Craft Harbours

The proponent proposes to construct a new marginal wharf, concrete launchway, floating docks and rubble-mounded breakwater to replace the existing finger pier wharf at the Small Craft Harbour in Lark Harbour. The improved infrastructure would meet the needs of local users and the breakwater would provide protection from strong wave action. The project would have a total footprint of approximately 14.4 hectares. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on May 10, 2023; the deadline for public comment is June 16, 2023; and the minister’s decision is due by June 24, 2023.

UNDERTAKING RELEASED:

Junction River Bridge Removals                                                       (Reg. 2237)
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Infrastructure                                                                                                                                                        

The project is released subject to the following conditions:

• The proponent must uphold all commitments made in the environmental assessment submission to mitigate the effects of the Project on the environment.
• The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture requires the following.
• Vegetation clearing is not to occur within 800 metres of a bald eagle or osprey nest during the nesting season (March 15 to July 31) and within 200 metres during the remainder of the year. The 200-metre buffer also applies to all other raptor nests (e.g. Northern Goshawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, American Kestrel, Great-horned Owl, Boreal Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl). The location of any raptor nest site must be reported to the Wildlife Division.
• The proponent must advise the Environmental Assessment Division when the conditions of release have been met by emailing a written description, documents, and images (where applicable) to demonstrate that the conditions have been fulfilled.
• The proponent must update the Environmental Assessment Division on the status of the Project, including a copy of all permits, licences, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the Project, one year from the date of this release letter and provide additional updates if required.

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_May-2023.pdf

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @ECC_GovNL

Public comments may be forwarded to: EAprojectcomments@gov.nl.ca

If you submit comments on a project that is under environmental assessment, please advise the Department if you DO NOT wish to share your comments with the project proponent.

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Results of the 2023-24 big game licence draw are available on the Wildlife Information Management System website. Applicants will receive an email notification over the coming days to check their accounts.

In most areas of the island, big game season begins September 9 and closes December 31. In Labrador, the season opens September 9 and closes March 10. Successful applicants should pay fees by 4:30 p.m. on June 30 to ensure they receive their licences in time for the start of the season.

The 2023-24 moose quota for the island of Newfoundland is 27,575 licences, including 3,930 non-resident and 460 not-for-profit licences. In Labrador, the quota is 340 moose. The caribou quota is 575 licences for the island of Newfoundland, including 216 non-resident licences. Caribou hunting is prohibited in Labrador. Information on season dates, hunting regulations, and safe practices is available in the 2023-24 Hunting and Trapping Guide.

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“Thousands of people enjoy the physical challenges of hunting, the shared culture of getting out on the land, and the rewards of a healthy meal of wild game. With the smooth transition to a fully online application process, our staff have completed the draw earlier this year to give hunters more time to prepare for a safe and successful hunting season. I encourage hunters to review the Hunting and Trapping Guide to see what’s new for 2023-24 and learn how we manage our important wildlife resources.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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Big Game Season 2023-24 Highlights

Public Advisory: 2023-24 Hunting and Trapping Guide Available Online

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will bring greetings at the grand opening of AgeRight Health and Fitness Studio tomorrow (Friday, May 12).

The opening will take place at the Macpherson Suites Building, Lower Level, 40 Newtown Road, St. John’s at 12:30 p.m.

AgeRight is a health and fitness company offering customized programs for the 50 plus age group to promote a culture of healthy living and wellness within the aging community.

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On Canadian Viral Hepatitis Elimination Day, the Provincial Government is announcing the creation of a Steering Committee to lead strategy development for the elimination of Hepatitis C in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Hepatitis C Elimination Steering Committee will embrace innovation and lead transformative action to reduce the incidence and impact of Hepatitis C in this province. The committee will develop a Newfoundland and Labrador Framework for elimination of Hepatitis C, which will guide province-specific attention and resources toward nationally and internationally agreed upon Hepatitis C elimination goals for 2030.

The committee’s work will focus on facilitating early and equitable access to testing, treatment, and care, and support persons living with Hepatitis C in a manner that minimizes the risk for stigma and discrimination.

In addition to key experts, the committee will include representatives who have lived and living experiences with viral hepatitis, and will highlight the importance of prevention and harm reduction strategies.

Thursday, May 11, 2023 marks the second annual Canadian Viral Hepatitis Elimination Day, which promotes urgency to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat in Canada by 2030. Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease, which spreads primarily through contact with the blood of an infected person. It ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious lifelong illness that causes permanent liver damage. Newfoundland and Labrador has seen gradual increases in Hepatitis C in all regional health zones, and since 2017 rates of new Hepatitis C infection in this province have been above the national rate.

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“I am confident that the creation of this Steering Committee will provide a tangible opportunity to advance our government’s strategic public health goals by improving quality and access and enhancing health efficiency. Eliminating Hepatitis C is possible and feasible, and through the valuable work of this Steering Committee, we are on our way.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Education:

Speaker, the power of education cannot be overstated. Teachers play a vital role in making possibilities become realities for students.

I stand today to remind the public that nominations are now open for the third annual Premier’s Award for Teaching Innovation and the Minister of Education’s Award for Compassion in Teaching.

The Premier’s Award for Teaching Innovation recognizes primary, elementary or secondary teachers in all disciplines who have demonstrated innovation in instruction and a commitment to preparing their students for future success.

The Minister of Education’s Award for Compassion in Teaching recognizes inspirational and compassionate teachers at the primary, elementary or secondary level who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting the social, emotional and mental health of their students, colleagues or school community as a whole.

These awards recognize teaching excellence in areas that are meaningful and impactful for K-12 students in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In recognition of the important role teachers play, our government continues to make key investments, including increases in the last two years to the teaching services budget and continued funding to maintain the school-based reading specialists, teaching and learning assistants, teacher librarians, and English-as-a-second-language teachers added as a result of the Education Action Plan.

Speaker, I encourage students, parents, colleagues and administrators to nominate an educator today. Information on the awards is available on the government website, and the deadline for submissions is May 26, 2023.s

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2023-024 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. A summary of the Report is included below.

To view the Report in its entirety, please go to www.oipc.nl.ca/reports/commissioner.

Report: A-2023-024 Report Date: May 9, 2023 Public Body: Town of Musgrave Harbour Summary: The Town of Musgrave Harbour sent the Complainant a copy of an investigation report, with redactions under section 40 to which the Complainant objected. The Town did not respond to the notification of the complaint, to numerous communications from our Office, or to a Summons. The Commissioner concluded that the redactions were mainly unjustified and recommended disclosure of the information. The Commissioner also concluded that the Town had failed to meet its responsibilities to the Complainant and to this Office under various provisions of the Act, and recommended that the Town review its records management policies and procedures, create access to information policies and procedures, seek additional support as available, maintain communication with applicants and with this Office, and comply with its statutory duties in the future.

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Media contact
Sean Murray
Director of Research & Quality Assurance
709-729-6309

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The eastbound lanes of Pitts Memorial Drive leading from Kilbride to Water Street will be closed tomorrow evening (Thursday, May 11) from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The closure is necessary due to repair work on the bridge. The eastbound lanes will be closed between Kilbride and the downtown access point to Pitts Memorial at Hamilton Avenue.

Motorists are asked to pay attention to traffic control and be prepared to take an alternate route.

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

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Proposed amendments to Bill 41, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, received second reading today in the House of Assembly.

The proposed changes will raise the threshold for an occupational health and safety committee from 10 or more workers to 20 or more workers, and expand the threshold for a workplace health and safety representative from less than 10 workers to less than 20 workers.

These amendments will make it easier for smaller workplaces to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, without compromising the health and safety of their workers.

The amendments will also harmonize the requirements for occupational health and safety committees and representatives with other jurisdictions across the country, and with the Federal Government.

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL:

Speaker, I ask all members of this Honourable House to join me in recognizing May as Motorcycle Awareness Month, and next week, May 16 to 22, as Canada Road Safety Week.

The chilly weather is slowly subsiding. Mild temperatures and sunshine mean that motorcyclists are enjoying our scenic landscape, and are using our roadways in greater numbers. All drivers should be looking, listening and ensuring they are safely sharing our highways and roadways with motorcyclists.

Canada Road Safety Week, an enforcement-driven initiative led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, is designed to increase public compliance with safe driving measures. The focus of this campaign continues to be on the elimination of impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving and driving without a seatbelt.

This year’s theme is “Take the Wheel”. This is a reminder to drivers that they should be always mindful of their behaviour in order to keep themselves, other drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists, road construction workers, and pedestrians safe.

Speaker, our government takes road safety and enforcement seriously. Last year we once again increased fines, demerit points and the number of days that a vehicle may be impounded for excessive speeding, street racing and stunting offences. We have also increased penalties for impaired driving.

Speaker, I remind all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to always practice safe and defensive driving, especially this upcoming Victoria Day weekend.

Thank you Speaker.

 

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development:

Speaker, it is an honour to rise today in this Honourable House to highlight our government’s commitment to create a more inclusive province for all people.

Budget 2023 includes $725,000 to support the community of persons with disabilities through program grants under the Disability Policy Office. These include the Accessible Vehicle and Taxi Grants, as well as the Inclusion and Capacity Grants. These programs are instrumental in improving accessibility.

In December 2021, the province’s first Accessibility Act came into force, and in June 2022 we established an Accessibility Standards Advisory Board.

This Board plays a pivotal role in advising on the development of standards, regulations and policies to identify, prevent and remove barriers for persons with disabilities. The first standard to be developed is a Customer Service Standard, and once implemented, the next one will be a Communications and Information Standard.

We continue to work closely with organizations, both of and for persons with disabilities, as well as advocacy groups and individuals to create a province that is inclusive and accessible. We are also working collaboratively across departments, including a review of the Buildings Accessibility Regulations and an assessment of government buildings to ensure enhancement of public access.

Speaker, our government embraces inclusion and diversity so that all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can participate in, and contribute to, their communities.

Thank you.

 

 

 

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The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, hosted a Health Care Action Update today that focused on expanding the use of the Automated Notification System to ensure all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador have improved access to quality health care.

Minister Osborne was joined by Dr. Pat Parfrey, Deputy Minister of Health Transformation, and Ron Johnson, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Eastern Urban Zone of Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services.

A recent review has shown a high number of missed appointments for certain health care services throughout the province. Reducing the number of missed appointments will also reduce wait lists and lead to better efficiencies in the health care system. The monetary cost for missed appointments is in the tens of millions of dollars.

The top clinical areas experiencing missed appointments are:

• Cardiology appointments and testing;
• Pulmonary Function Testing;
• Medical Imaging (like CT Scans and ultrasounds);
• Laboratory appointments; and
• Family Care Teams.

In order to better support residents of the province, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services is expanding its use of the Automated Notification System to help address missed appointments. The Automated Notification System is a modern, electronic system that provides phone, e-mail, and text reminders for non-urgent or non-emergent in-person appointments. It is currently in use in several clinical areas. In order to ensure consistency, it is expected to be fully implemented across all appropriate health services in the coming months.

By expanding the service, patients throughout the province will also be able to help reduce the number of missed appointments by ensuring Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services has their up-to-date contact information. If, in exceptional circumstances, patients are not able to attend scheduled appointments, they will be asked to contact Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services as early as possible, particularly upon receiving the reminder about the appointment. By doing so, it will allow other patients to be booked in the cancelled appointment slot and will support timely rescheduling.

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services will also develop a standard provincial policy for missed appointments and a plan to integrate appointment scheduling into the forthcoming digital Health Information System, which was recommended by Health Accord NL.

Additionally, the Department of Health and Community Services and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services will be launching a public awareness campaign on the impact of missed appointments in the coming weeks. Together, these actions will help reduce the number of missed appointments across the province and improve access to health care.

Through regular Health Care Action Updates and the Health Care Action website, residents can stay up-to-date on progress made, and see many of the initiatives that are underway. The website also serves as an informative and supportive platform for health care professionals to learn about the opportunities and incentives to work in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Quotes
“With the consolidation of the provincial health authorities into a single health authority, we have the opportunity to improve appointment notification across the province, which will result in more people getting the care they need when they need it. We look forward to working together with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services and residents to reduce the rate of missed appointments to two per cent or lower.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services is committed to improving access to clinical care, and reducing the lost opportunity cost of a missed appointment both in terms of organizational efficiency and possible medical outcomes. We recognize that life is busy and there may be many reasons why an appointment gets missed, which are at times unavoidable. Appointment reminders applied on a consistent basis provincially will result in fewer missed appointments throughout the system allowing us to better utilize health-care resources so that patients can access care in a timelier manner.”
Ron Johnson
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Eastern Urban Zone, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services

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Learn more

Health Care Action

Premier Furey Launches First Health Care Action Update

Improving Access to Health Care

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Newfoundland and Labrador is a world leading jurisdiction for exploration and mine development. For National Mining Week, the Provincial Government is highlighting the significantly positive impact of the sector in this province.

Strengthened by gold, iron ore and nickel, 2022 was another banner year for industry in the province, resulting in:

• Over 9,000 person years of work;
• Mineral shipments valued at $5.2 billion; and
• An estimated $243 million spent on exploration activities, the largest ever investment in exploration.

Claim staking is an indicator that exploration activity and investment interest in the province continues to grow. There have been over 9,000 claims staked this year to the end of April, with the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology currently administering over 200,000 active mineral claims overall.

Significant exploration activity is being driven by the province’s gold potential. Newfound Gold’s high-grade Queensway project includes a 500,000 metre drill program, while Marathon Gold’s Valentine Project will be the largest gold mine in Atlantic Canada with an estimated resource potential of four million ounces of gold.

To support critical mineral development and the transition to a green economy, the Provincial Government is developing a Critical Minerals Strategy to be released this year. Globally, critical minerals are generating increased interest due to their role in the transition to a low-carbon and digitized economy. Newfoundland and Labrador has significant critical mineral potential, with occurrences of 23 of Canada’s 31 critical minerals. The continued exploration of rare earth minerals in Labrador, the discovery of lithium on the south coast of the island, and the announcement that nickel from this province will supply electric car manufacturer Tesla, demonstrates that Newfoundland and Labrador is growing its capacity to be a supplier-of-choice for low-carbon alternatives as the globe moves toward decarbonisation.

To ensure the exploration and development of the province’s mineral resources are conducted in a responsible, sustainable and competitive manner, while remaining supportive of private-sector investment and job growth, the department is completing a review the Mineral Act and Mining Act. A report summarizing ‘what we heard’ during the consultation process is available at EngageNL.

Newfoundland and Labrador was ranked the fourth most attractive jurisdiction in the world in terms of mining investment according to the Fraser Institute’s 2022 Annual Survey of Mining Companies.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador works hard to be recognized as a jurisdiction for innovative, responsible, and value added mineral development. We know that by creating favourable conditions for mineral development within our province, we are creating favourable conditions to diversify the province’s economy.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“Our vision is to see Newfoundland and Labrador become the best place in the world to explore for minerals, develop new projects, and build world-class safe and sustainable mining operations. This Mining Week, we applaud our Association Members who continue to realize the benefits of investing in Newfoundland and Labrador, a recognized top-tier global jurisdiction backed by over 150 years of geoscience discovery and mining activity.”
Ed Moriarity
Executive Director, Mining NL

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Learn more
Mining in Newfoundland and Labrador

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As part of the Provincial Government’s ongoing commitment to consumer protection, a Bill to enact the Mortgage Brokerages and Brokers Act, and repeal the Mortgage Brokers Act has received second reading in the House of Assembly.

Currently, corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships are registered as mortgage brokers. Individuals working in a business registered as a mortgage broker are not required to register.

The proposed Act would change the registration framework to a licensing regime, consistent with best practices in the regulation of mortgage brokers and brokerages. Corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships currently registered as a mortgage broker would have to meet new licensing requirements as a mortgage brokerage. Individuals working with a currently registered mortgage broker would need to apply for a mortgage broker licence to continue in that capacity.

In addition to licensing requirements, the proposed Act will:

• Introduce education and continuing education requirements;
• Require mortgage brokerages operating a trust account to carry errors and omissions insurance;
• Strengthen requirements regarding disclosures and duties owed to borrowers;
• Authorize the development of a Code of Conduct to guide the provision of services; and
• Authorize administrative penalties.

The proposed changes follow the implementation of the Real Estate Trading Act, 2019, to modernize legislation and strengthen consumer protection for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador when buying a home.

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“The purchase of a home or condominium is a significant transaction. If passed, this new Act would ensure that legislation is current, reflects changes in the industry and meets the needs of mortgage brokers. Most importantly, these changes would strengthen consumer protection for those looking to get a mortgage.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

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Learn more
Changes to Real Estate Trading Act Improve Consumer Protection

New Regulations Will Enhance Real Estate Environment in Newfoundland and Labrador

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Newfoundland and Labrador will issue a test message of the national emergency alerting system, Alert Ready, today (Wednesday, May 10) at 10:55 a.m. (NDT) and 10:25 a.m. in most of Labrador (ADT). Residents need not take any action when receiving this test message.

The Alert Ready system enables designated government authorities to rapidly warn the public via television, radio and compatible wireless devices of imminent or unfolding threats to life. The system was developed with many partners including federal, provincial, and territorial emergency management officials, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pelmorex, the broadcasting industry and wireless service providers.

Not all residents will receive the test alert on their wireless devices. There may be a number of reasons why a device may not receive the alert, including: device compatibility, network connection, cell tower coverage, device software and settings.

To learn more about the Alert Ready system and to check your device’s compatibility, visit: www.AlertReady.ca.

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Avis au public : Test national du système En Alerte prévu aujourd’hui

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The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, will host a Health Care Action Update tomorrow (Wednesday, May 10).

The availability will take place in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building at 1:00 p.m. A technical briefing for media will take place at 12:30 p.m.

This update will focus on the impacts of missed appointments and the actions the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is taking to ensure all residents of the province have improved access to quality health care.

Minister Osborne will be joined by Dr. Pat Parfrey, Deputy Minister of Health Transformation, and Ron Johnson, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Eastern Urban Zone, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services.

The availability will be livestreamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Facebook page.

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As part of the Provincial Government’s historic investment of close to $1.4 billion in provincial roads and highways over the next five years, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has awarded a number of contracts valued at approximately $25 million total aimed at strengthening provincial roads and highways to withstand the impacts of climate change.

Five contracts were recently awarded, including:

• An $8.2 million contract awarded to J-1 Contracting Limited to pave sections of Bay d’Espoir Highway (Route 360) and replace culverts; pave sections of St. Alban’s Road (Route 361); replace culverts on Coombs Cove Road (Route 363), Hermitage Road (Route 364); as well as other repairs on Pool’s Cove Road (Route 362-10);
• A $6.7 million contract awarded to Farrell’s Excavating Limited to pave sections of La Scie Road (Route 414) and Seal Cove Road (Route 412);
• A $5.7 million contract awarded to J-1 Contracting Limited to pave sections of Bay d’Espoir Highway (Route 360), Norris Arm Road (Route 351), and Embree Road (Route 342); replace culverts on Embree Road (Route 342) and Botwood Highway (Route 350); and pave approaches to Peter’s River Bridge (Route 350);
• A $2.2 million contract awarded to Farrell’s Excavating Limited to upgrade and pave a section of the Southern Shore Highway (Route 10) between Trepassey and St. Shott’s; and
• A $1.8 million contract awarded to Bulldog Contracting Ltd. to replace Little Catalina Brook Bridge and Little Catalina Bridge #3 (Route 230-26) on the Bonavista Highway (Route 230).

These contracts are part of a $225 million investment in highway construction in 2023-24, and close to $1.4 billion over the next five construction seasons, as announced in Budget 2023. Information on tenders issued and awarded by the department and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com/govnl.

Information on active highway construction projects and repairs is also available by visiting https://511nl.ca/ and on the NL 511 mobile app.

Quotes
“I am very pleased to see these contracts awarded in an effort to capitalize on the province’s construction season timeframe. Improvements to road transportation equate to improvements in the overall well-being of our towns and communities, and our government is focused on ensuring the safety and integrity of our road infrastructure.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“As the MHA for Baie Verte – Green Bay I am very pleased to see the awarding of the contract for repaving sections of the La Scie Highway and Seal Cove Road. Each improvement that is made improves our province and ensures it is more efficient and safer to travel our roadways. I am proud to be a part of a government that recognizes the importance of these investments.”
Brian Warr
MHA for Baie Verte – Green Bay

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Learn more
Road Infrastructure Investments Aimed at Increasing Safety and Access on Provincial Highways

Minister Loveless Announces Unprecedented Investment in Multi-Year Roads Program

Provincial Government Announces Largest Ever Five-Year Investment in Highway and Road Infrastructure

 

 

 

 

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, is today announcing a call for applications for the 2023-24 Grants to Youth Organizations.

Through Budget 2023, the Provincial Government allocated $451,500 for Grants to Youth Organizations. This program supports projects that:

• Encourage skills, knowledge and/or leadership development;
• Support youth in contributing to their community, region and/or province;
• Promote or support partnerships, collaboration, and inclusion;
• Fill a gap in services; and
• Provide opportunities for innovative intergenerational activities that help build relationships between generations.

More information on the Grants to Youth Organizations, including the application form, can be found here, or by emailing CSSDGrantPrograms@gov.nl.ca. The deadline for applications is June 12, 2023.

In 2022-23, a total of 32 not-for-profit, youth-serving organizations operating in Newfoundland and Labrador received project funding. A list of these recipients can be found in the backgrounder below.

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“Youth have so much to offer in helping to create a more vibrant, welcoming and inclusive Newfoundland and Labrador. The Grants to Youth Organizations are an excellent way for youth to be engaged in building that future. I am thankful for the work of youth-serving community partners in our province, and I encourage them to submit an application today.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

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Learn more
Grants to Youth Organizations – Children, Seniors and Social Development

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BACKGROUNDER

Grants to Youth Organizations in 2022-23

Organization Amount Allied Youth  $13,500 Boys and Girls Club Botwood $25,500 Qalipu Cultural Foundation $50,000 Boys and Girls Club Bell Island $25,000 Boys and Girls Club Norris Arm Inc. $12,000 YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc. (Marystown YMCA) $8,000 Scouts Canada – 1st Lab West Group $15,000 YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc. (Central Labrador YMCA) $8,000 Canadian National Institute for the Blind $7,500 Boys and Girls Clubs of St. John’s $44,000 YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc. (Ches Penney Family YMCA) $15,000 Smallwood Crescent Community Centre Inc. $24,000 Camp Ohana $4,000 Gander Boys and Girls Club $10,000 Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador $12,000 Planned Parenthood Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Health Centre $18,000 Gander Bay Fire Department (LSD of Gander Bay North) $5,000 Main Street Youth Centre Inc. $5,400 Vine Place Community Centre $15,000 Youth 2000 Centre Corp. $20,500 James Hornell Boys & Girls Club Inc. $18,000 Girl Guides of Canada, PinchGut Lake $6,000 YWCA St. John’s Inc. $10,000 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland $33,250 Old School Intergenerational Projects $15,750 New Found Tao BJJ $14,500 Chabad of Newfoundland Inc. $10,000 Canada World Youth / Jeunesse Canada Monde $5,000 Rec House Community Youth Network $2,600 Town of Port Saunders $25,000 St. Anthony and Area Boys and Girls Club Inc. $8,000 The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada $5,000

 

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The Provincial Government has provided support of approximately $453,000 to the Canadian Mental Health Association Newfoundland and Labrador Division (CMHA-NL) to coordinate a one-year collaborative training pilot project with Lifewise NL and Richard’s Legacy Foundation.

The demand for the annual Community Addictions Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Fund Program – which provides financial support to individuals, community groups, schools and non-profit organizations interested in increasing awareness and understanding of mental health in Newfoundland and Labrador – has steadily increased over the past several years, surpassing the fund’s capacity. In response, the Provincial Government worked with Lifewise NL, CMHA-NL, and Richard’s Legacy Foundation to develop a collaborative, coordinated approach to the additional training requests across the province.

The training pilot will focus on the delivery of three main programs: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Safe Talk, and Mental Health First Aid. Developed in Canada and recognized internationally, these programs are evidence-based training and are widely accepted in public, private and community sectors. All three courses teach participants how to provide help when an individual is experiencing a mental health or addictions issue. It is anticipated that approximately 125 sessions will be delivered to almost 2,000 individuals throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, as a result of the pilot.

Funding for the pilot project is provided through Our Path of Resilience: An Action Plan to Promote Life and Prevent Suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador, released by the Provincial Government in 2022. The plan calls for educational opportunities for communities to recognize risk of suicide, build comfort in talking about suicide, create awareness of services, as well as expand suicide bereavement and loss support groups and networks.

Quotes
“The demand for mental health and addictions training has steadily grown over the past several years, surpassing the capacity of our available funding programs. We recognize a more coordinated and collaborative approach is needed to ensure we can support this invaluable education in an efficient, quality-assured and accountable manner. Our partnership with CHMA-NL, Lifewise NL, and Richard’s Legacy Foundation to deliver this training aligns with our continued efforts to ensure access to health care.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Canadian Mental Health Association – NL Division, Lifewise, and Richard’s Legacy Foundation are honored to be entrusted with providing much needed mental health first aid and suicide intervention education to not-for-profit and charity organizations across Newfoundland and Labrador. It is our aim to create safer, healthier, happier communities, and with the support of the Provincial Government this project represents an enormous step forward in the pursuit of that goal.”
Dr. Chandra Kavanagh
Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association – NL Division

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The follow statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General:

Speaker, this is Emergency Preparedness Week, a time dedicated to encouraging residents to take action in order to be better prepared to protect themselves, their families and their communities during an emergency.

This year’s theme is “Be Prepared. Know your Risks,” and our hope is that residents will take the time to become more familiar with the range of potential emergencies. Resources are available at www.gov.nl.ca/beprepared.

Everyone has a role to play when it comes to emergency preparedness. Residents should always have a basic emergency kit available, and should be prepared for at least 72 hours, with food, water, batteries, a portable radio, and prescription medications.

As a province, we know all too well the power of Mother Nature. Whether it be a snowstorm, a forest fire, or a hurricane, it is important we are all prepared for an emergency anytime, anywhere.

Experience has shown that individual preparedness goes a long way to helping people cope better – both during and in the aftermath of a disaster.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all emergency responders, including those within the public service, who were instrumental in our province’s response to the forest fires in central Newfoundland and Hurricane Fiona.

Speaker, I challenge all members of this House to lead by example. Do your part to be prepared and encourage all residents of the province to do the same.

Thank you.

 

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The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation:

Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an incredible showing by Newfoundland and Labrador talent at this weekend’s East Coast Music Awards in Halifax.

This province took home 12 awards in total. The calibre and diversity of the nominees and winners from this province is a reminder of the amazing talent, dedication, and skill that grow and flourish in our arts and cultural community.

Please join me in congratulating:

• Kellie Loder – Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year
• Mallory Johnson – Country Recording of the Year
• The Fortunate Ones – Folk Recording of the Year
• Yvette Lorraine – Inspirational/Gospel Recording of the Year
• Big Space – Jazz Recording of the Year
• Jing Xia – Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year
• Mary Beth Waldram – Artist Management of the Year
• The Ship Pub – Venue of the Year
• Cecil Johnson – Video Director of the Year
• The Flummies – Stompin’ Tom Award
• Rawlins Cross – Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award

Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador artists are excelling locally, nationally and globally, and we are committed to creating an environment where they continue to succeed and thrive.

In 2024, we will continue to do so as we celebrate The Year of the Arts.

Special initiatives will include an Arts and Letters category recognizing the 75th anniversary of Confederation, one-time development funding for our arts community and work toward a new theatre here in St. John’s.

But most importantly, Speaker, we will celebrate Newfoundland and Labrador’s cultural sector and its many social and economic contributions to this province.

Thank you.

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