Government of Newfoundland News

Work is beginning this week on substantial improvements to Pitts Memorial Drive in St. John’s. As some work in this project will result in lane reductions and road closures, motorists should plan for traffic delays while construction work is underway.

A $14.7 million contract has been awarded to Complete Concrete Solutions to replace street lights and the median barrier, replace electrical wiring between the Kilbride and the New Gower Street intersection, and replace culverts and expansion joints on the CN Viaduct.

Other work in the contract includes:
• Scaling of the rock face between Blackhead Road and the viaduct;
• Ditch inlet grate repairs and replacement of storm sewers;
• Repairs to concrete on bridges above Blackhead Road;
• Installation of gabion wall installations; and
• Paving of the viaduct and sections impacted by new construction.

Motorists are encouraged to drive cautiously as work progresses to restore the light poles and electrical wiring.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure anticipates some of the project being completed in late 2023, while work on the viaduct will continue into 2024. Information on progress, lane reductions and closures, as well as detours, will be provided as work progresses.

This project is a part of the department’s multi-year Provincial Roads Plan, which will invest $225 million in highway construction projects in 2023-24 and close to $1.4 billion over five years. Information on active highway construction projects and repairs is 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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“Through our roads plan, we are undertaking construction and repairs on bridges and culverts throughout the province as we adjust to the realities of climate change. This latest project is an example of that. By investing significantly in Pitts Memorial Drive now, we can ensure that motorists can continue to safely use one of our busiest highways without unplanned disruptions.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

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

Minister Loveless Announces Unprecedented Investment in Multi-Year Roads Program

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The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is disappointed with the position the town council of Happy Valley-Goose Bay has taken on public safety concerns and response efforts in recent weeks.

The Provincial Government has taken a prosocial response to the issues in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Homelessness is a complex issue and is not unique to Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Throughout Canada, there has been an increase in homelessness since the pandemic, which can be attributed to various underlying issues, including mental health and addictions, loss of employment and housing supply challenges. The issues identified and experienced in this region are also often deeply rooted in intergenerational trauma and mental health and addictions. While we recognize security and police play a role, we cannot police our way out of it.

The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay has consistently asked for support, specifically related to funding for increased security. The Provincial Government has responded favourably to these requests. In fact, through the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, just over $110,000 was provided to the town in 2022. In addition, the Provincial Government, through the Department of Justice and Public Safety, has allocated almost $500,000 in Budget 2023 for contracted security services in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. When this funding allocation was communicated to the Mayor last week, we were surprised with the angered response.

Residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay should be aware that this funding is available. If area residents believe this funding should be used for security services, we would encourage them to contact their town council. Our government remains committed to work with the town to ensure the funds are used to fulfill its request for increased security.

As it relates to the RCMP, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety and the Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP, travelled to Happy Valley-Goose Bay in November 2022 to discuss policing issues. Residents have expressed since that time that they were pleased with the increased visibility and RCMP patrols. We continue to encourage residents to report complaints directly to the RCMP for investigation. The RCMP is responsible for the enforcement of law, but not every offence is punishable with detention, particularly minor offences. The seriousness of the offence, the risk to public safety, and one’s criminal record are all contributing factors in determining whether an individual is incarcerated for a crime. As a Government, we maintain our position that correctional facilities are not an appropriate solution to help transiently homeless and homeless individuals.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, working with its Indigenous and community partners, continues to advance plans for an integrated health, housing and supportive services facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The preliminary design for the facility includes a 30-bed emergency shelter, 20 modest transitional housing bedrooms and 20 affordable supportive housing units, along with mental health and addictions and other wrap-around supports to improve housing stability and wellness. Budget 2023 has allocated over $30 million to build this facility on government land on Hamilton Road, but the town needs to support its construction to avoid further delays in putting in place a long-term solution to many of the issues facing the community.

The Provincial Government has been actively collaborating with community partners, Labrador-Grenfell Health, Indigenous Governments and Organizations and the RCMP. We remain committed to identifying short-term responses and long-term plans to meet the needs of all residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. We remain optimistic the town council will continue to participate in these discussions and recognize they have an essential role to play in putting solutions in place.

Sincerely:
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs

Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs

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Learn more
Action Team Updates

Provincial Government Working with Community Partners to Support Vulnerable Populations and Public Safety

Provincial Government Establishes Acute Response Team

Provincial Government Supports Emergency Response in Labrador

Community Partners Continuing Supports for Homelessness in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Federal and Provincial Governments Help Address Housing and Homelessness Needs in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

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BACKGROUNDER

A community effort representing government entities, the municipality, Indigenous Governments and Organizations, and community organizations are delivering a range of short- and long-term supports and assistance for vulnerable populations, and public safety measures, as follows:

Public Safety

• The Department of Justice and Public Safety allocated almost $500,000 in Budget 2023 for contracted security services in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
• RCMP B-Division is recruiting to add two new positions to the Happy Valley-Goose Bay detachment.
• The Minister of Justice and Public Safety was in Happy Valley-Goose Bay last November to meet with community leaders and residents about their concerns with public safety.
• The Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs provided over $110,000 to the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay in 2022 to enhance security services in the community.

Housing and Homelessness Supports

• The Action Team, established in 2021, is working through a coordinated approach and developing a longer-term response to provide housing, health and supportive services for vulnerable populations. The team identifies gaps in support and arranges appropriate services.
• This team has representation from Indigenous Governments and Organizations, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the RCMP, the provincial health authority, the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the Innu Round Table Secretariat, Salvation Army, the Labrador Friendship Centre and other community stakeholders.
• Through the provision of housing units and an annual investment of approximately $3.6 million, the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation partners with the Nunatsiavut Government for the provision of wrap around supports to individuals with complex needs.
• More than $542,000 is also provided annually to operate the Housing Hub overnight shelter and additional shelter overflow at the Labrador Inn.
• A team of outreach workers, comprised of representation from Indigenous Governments and Organizations, community groups and organizations and various government agencies provide direct outreach support to vulnerable individuals.
• The Provincial Government is providing $100,000 to supplement outreach work in the community.
• The provincial health authority has an outreach social worker located in the Housing Hub that provides outreach services to individuals at the shelter and the Labrador Inn. This individual also works in Sheshatshiu one day a week.
• A Case Management Team works with individuals experiencing or at risk of being homeless and those who are transiently homeless. The team, comprised of Action Team members, collaborates and prioritizes supports and housing for vulnerable individuals in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
• The Provincial Government contributed $85,000 in 2022 to assist The Salvation Army, Newfoundland and Labrador Division, in the purchase of an Emergency Disaster Relief Vehicle in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the construction of a garage to house the vehicle. The funding supplemented an investment for the emergency response project from the Federal Government.
• Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, in collaboration with the Federal Government, is providing $300,000 over three years to partner with the Nunatsiavut Government for a housing supports services manager position at the Housing Hub to support individuals experiencing homelessness to move out of shelter into more permanent housing.
• Federal and provincial funding was provided to the Labrador Friendship Centre for the development of a community-led needs assessment to help identify gaps in infrastructure or services required to support the current and longer-term housing needs in the area.
• Under the National Housing Strategy, the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has awarded a $787,000 tender to construct four new social housing units in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
• Nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses visit the Housing Hub on a weekly basis to meet immediate needs and support chronic disease management.
• Home supports are provided where there are unmet client needs related to personal care, medication management, behavioural support, household management, and respite.

Integrated Health, Housing and Supportive Services Facility

• The Minister of Labrador Affairs and the Minister Responsible for NL Housing met with members of the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce and residents in recent months to hear concerns and outline government’s plans for moving forward with the construction of an integrated health, housing and supportive services facility, based on guidance from the Action Team and a review of best practices.
• Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is developing an integrated health, housing and supportive services facility that incorporates accommodations and services currently in place at the Housing Hub and the Labrador Inn, along with supportive living units, health services and other supportive services.
• This facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay will be low barrier, will meet people where they are, will offer services through a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach, will be culturally appropriate and inclusive, and will continue to build on existing partnerships.
• Budget 2023 announced an allocation of more than $30 million to build this facility in collaboration with Indigenous and community partners. A start on the project is anticipated in 2023.

Mental Health Supports

• The Mobile Crisis Response team works in partnership with the RCMP to meet with clients in the community who may be experiencing a crisis.
• The provincial health authority provides supports and resources to increase access to health services for vulnerable populations. The authority participated in a needs analysis to identify opportunities to improve and increase nursing, mental health and addictions, and community supports to vulnerable populations.
• Mental health and addictions counsellors and social work staff visit the Housing Hub and Labrador Inn (group sessions/grief counselling available) on a weekly basis.

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The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, will bring greetings at the Newfoundland and Labrador High School Short Film Festival tonight (Thursday, April 6).

The event will take place at the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operative, 40 King’s Road, St. John’s, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

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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.

UNDERTAKING REGISTERED:
Lac Virot Exploration Access Road                                                     (Reg. 2238)
Proponent: Red Paramount Iron Ltd.

The proponent proposes to construct 5.9 kilometres of access road for mineral exploration approximately seven kilometres south of Labrador City in western Labrador. The proposed road will be 6 metres wide to support the mineral exploration activities and baseline data collection for the Lac Virot Iron Ore project. 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 April 6, 2023; the deadline for public comment is May 11, 2023; and the minister’s decision is due by May 21, 2023.

Guidance for Registration of Onshore Wind Energy Generation and Green Hydrogen Production projects

The above guidance document is now available on the department’s web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/ . The purpose of the document is to assist proponents in preparing for the environmental assessment (EA) registration of onshore wind energy generation and/or green hydrogen production projects.

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-2023.pdf

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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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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, is today announcing a call for applications for the 2023-24 Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program.

Through Budget 2023, the Provincial Government allocated $95,000 for the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program. Municipalities, Indigenous Governing Bodies and provincially incorporated not-for-profit organizations with an age-friendly mandate can apply for funding of up to $10,000 to conduct an age-friendly assessment or to implement aspects of an existing Age-Friendly Action Plan. Applications demonstrating a regional approach may be eligible for up to $15,000.

The Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program supports the recommendations of Health Accord NL in addressing the social determinants of health by creating inclusive and age-friendly communities. Focusing community planning on age-friendliness is well recognized throughout Canada and internationally as an effective mechanism for proactive planning for demographic change.

In 2022-23, 15 communities/organizations received funding through the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program to complete an age-friendly assessment, develop an action plan and/or to implement a plan’s initiatives. The communities/organizations include:

• Benoit First Nations
• Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation
• Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
• Flat Bay Band Inc.
• GNP Community Place Corporation
• Placentia Chamber of Commerce
• Southern Labrador Development Association
• Town of Clarenville / Random Age-Friendly Communities
• Town of Cottlesville
• Town Council of Point Lance
• Town of George’s Brook-Milton
• Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay
• Town of Isle aux Morts
• Town of St. Lawrence
• Town of Westport

Program guidelines and application form can be found here. You can also call toll-free 1-888-494-2266. The deadline to submit an application is May 19, 2023.

Quotes
“Communities that are age-friendly, inclusive and accessible benefit everyone across the lifespan. Our government remains committed to supporting all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to age well in the right place, ideally in their own home, within their community. I encourage eligible municipalities and organizations to submit an application, and join our collective efforts to create an age-friendly province where all residents can enjoy healthy, happy and secure lives.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

“Over the last number of years we have been fortunate enough to avail of grants through the Provincial Government’s Age-Friendly Communities Program. This program has allowed us to offer activities to seniors, such as a sewing-exercise club, and helped the town implement its vision of a healthy, active and engaging community for seniors. We appreciate the government’s support to help our community foster healthy aging and inclusion for our community’s seniors.”
His Worship Melvin Careen
Town of Point Lance

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The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, today released the new Drinking Water Safety Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador.

The new long-term plan focuses on improving all types of drinking water systems in Newfoundland and Labrador, including semi-public and private drinking water systems.

Minister Davis will be available to speak about this new plan at 1:00 p.m. today (Thursday, April 6). The availability will take place in front of the House of Assembly.

The plan identifies 37 actions targeting improvements to the management of drinking water systems in the areas of governance, infrastructure, risk management, regulatory frameworks, outreach, and research and innovation.

Since 2001, significant progress has been made with the province’s drinking water safety:

• There has been a decrease in the number of Boil Water Advisories in the province, from over 350 in 2001 to below 200 since 2017.
• From 2017 to 2022, there has been an average of 191 Boil Water Advisories affecting 146 communities and a population of 44,000.
• Additionally, there has been a decrease in the number of Non-Consumption Advisories on public drinking water systems since 2013.
• On average, there are eight Non-Consumption Advisories in place at any given time affecting a serviced population of approximately 440.

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“Over the past several years, significant progress has been made regarding drinking water throughout the province, including increases in the number of certified water system operators, water treatment plants, potable dispensing water units, protected drinking water sources and disinfection systems. I am pleased to release this plan today, and look forward to continue working with other government departments, regional service boards, municipalities and local service districts and Inuit Community Governments to improve the province’s drinking water safety.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister Responsible for Environment and Climate Change

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Learn more
Drinking Water Safety Action Plan (2023)

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To enhance business and market development in the food industry, the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced over $74,600 through the Business Development Support Program for two local businesses.

Founded in 1953 by Gordon Goulding of Gambo as a family bakery, Gouldings’ Wholesale Limited has since acquired West Tower Bakery and Chatman’s Bakery, and has expanded to include wholesale distribution of soft drinks and confectionary items. Gouldings’ has undertaken a new project that involves updating nutritional labels on its bakery products, launching a fundraising marketing campaign and other development initiatives with partnerships across Atlantic Canada. To support their planned expansion in local and export markets, the company is receiving non-repayable funding of $49,750 from the Provincial Government.

Java Jack’s Restaurant was started as a café in the Gros Morne region in 2000. After a transfer in ownership to couple Colleen and Leslie Hiscock, Java Jack’s umbrella company – JJ’s Café Inc. – successfully added a bed and breakfast, as well as retail products prepared using local food ingredients to the business mix. To support upgrades to their online store and travel to trade shows to showcase the Jack’s Gourmet Fine Foods retail products, along with other marketing initiatives necessary for business growth, the company is receiving non-repayable funding of $24,931 from the Provincial Government.

Through the Business Development Support Program, the Provincial Government supports small and medium-sized businesses that are committed to developing and growing their operations through improved operational productivity, trade opportunities and market development.

Quotes
“These companies are well-positioned to compete in national markets through their expertise and exclusivity, and will certainly drive considerable economic development in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Gouldings’ has proven expertise in the bakery business, is a well-established name, and is a mentor to several bakeries in the industry. JJ’s adds a unique touch to their retail products by using fresh local ingredients and has several industry accolades under their belt.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“With the added costs that have been incurred in the past few years with the pandemic and the constant price increases over the past year since the war in Ukraine, this support from the Provincial Government helps us keep up with the increasing regulations in the food industry during struggling times. Some necessary upgrades to regulatory guidelines would have been difficult to achieve without this welcomed contribution to the growth and development of our bakeries.”
Roxanne Weinheber
Gouldings’ Wholesale Limited

“The funding we are receiving from the Provincial Government is a significant support towards being able to expand our retail Java Jack’s Gourmet Fine Foods product lines to other parts of Canada. We are very grateful for this support at this time, especially with the current cost and inflationary pressures.”
Colleen Hiscock
JJ’s Café Inc.

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Learn more
Business Development Support Program

Gouldings’ Wholesale Limited

Java Jack’s Restaurant

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The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, announced today that 97 per cent, or 262 municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador now have a code of conduct established. These codes are an essential tool to strengthen municipal governance, and contribute to the successful day to day operations of a community.

On September 1, 2022, the Municipal Conduct Act came into effect. The Act provides clear guidelines for councils, requiring them to establish their own codes of conduct to address issues such as conflict of interest and bullying and harassment in the workplace.

To further support municipalities, the department has delivered 49 training and information sessions with over 2,600 registrations of councillors, senior staff and other municipal officials. In addition to mandatory training on codes of conduct, mandatory training is required on conflict of interest; council budgets and financial management; roles and responsibilities of councillors and chief administrative officers; meetings and procedures; and access to information and protection of privacy.

The department continues to support those communities that have yet to establish their codes of conduct, and looks forward to 100 per cent compliance in the very near future.

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“I commend the leadership of all communities throughout the province that have made the establishment of their codes of conduct a priority. These codes, along with the high level of participation in the mandatory training sessions, are helping ensure councillors and staff are knowledgeable and well equipped to conduct operations with integrity and professionalism.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs

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Learn more
Municipal Conduct Act

Municipal Conduct Act Regulations

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The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Education, will attend the official opening of the public library in Conception Bay South.

The event will take place tomorrow (Thursday, April 6) at 10 Remembrance Square, Conception Bay South at 12:00 p.m.

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Tomorrow (Thursday, April 6) is the deadline for residents of the Town of Gaultois to return ballots for the vote on relocation. Approximately one month has been provided to residents to return ballots. A similar timeframe will be provided to ensure all ballots, post-marked on or before April 6, have been returned.

At that time a count of the ballots will be conducted by an independent third party. Therefore, it is anticipated that the results of the vote will be released in early May 2023, first to residents of Gaultois, followed by a media release.

If the vote is opposed to relocation, government’s consideration of the relocation request will stop. If the vote is in favour of relocation, meaning 75 per cent or more of voting-age permanent residents wish to relocate, there are a number of steps that will follow, as outlined in the Community Relocation Policy. These steps are anticipated to occur over a period of several months. A relocation date will be determined in consultation with the community.

The Community Relocation Policy provides the step-by-step process for relocation, which is led by the community. Before a vote is considered or can proceed, each resident in a community submits an expression of interest ballot and support for relocation needs to be close to 75 per cent for a vote to take place.

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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, I ask all Honourable Members to join me in congratulating Notch Embedded, winner of the 2023 Mel Woodward Cup.

Named in honour of the late Newfoundland and Labrador entrepreneur Mel Woodward, the startup pitch competition is delivered by the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship and supported by members of the business community.

The competition helps accelerate the most innovative and high-potential student-led startups at Memorial University.

Notch Embedded founder Shane Williams was tired of using outdated tools and processes during work terms, inspiring the development of a software tool that allows engineers to quickly support new computer chips in electronic designs. Currently completing an entrepreneurial work term at the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship, Shane’s idea resulted in the $25,000 first prize.

Speaker, the runner up was SmartBin, a company that has developed a sensor to detect when waste bins are full – helping waste management companies be more environmentally sustainable, while saving money. Founded by Aneesh Raghupathy and Niraj Shukla, the company is running a pilot project with Heave Away Waste Management with plans to launch commercially in July. Enrolled in the Enterprise incubator program at Genesis, SmartBin received the $15,000 runner up prize.

To all the finalists, congratulations! There is no limit to the potential of your growth. Thank you to all of you who work hard to make this annual event a success.

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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 my pleasure today to recognize the outstanding contributions of Penelope Rowe, who retired earlier this year after a career of over 40 years as the leader of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Community Sector Council.

As a founding member of the Community Sector Council and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Rowe has been a powerful force behind community development in the province. Her work has helped connect community organizations, build volunteerism and shape public policy through research and advocacy.

From journalism to politics, early childhood education to supplying computers and iPads to citizens during the pandemic, Ms. Rowe has devoted her life to giving back. She has been rightly described as a tenacious advocate for the social and economic well-being of Canadians, and a risk-taker with a keen entrepreneurial spirit.

Her accomplishments are numerous, well recognized, and have been widely celebrated.

Ms. Rowe received the 2021 Frank McKenna Award from the Public Policy Forum of Canada for outstanding leadership in public policy. She has been featured as one of Canada’s 50 Most Influential Women and named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine. Most notably, she was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2002.

Speaker, I ask all Honourable Members to join me in recognizing Penelope Rowe for her lifelong service to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.

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The Provincial Government will begin offering COVID-19 bivalent vaccine as a spring booster dose to specific populations identified by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, beginning on April 17, 2023. These populations include:

• Adults 80 years of age and older;
• Adult residents of long-term care facilities and other senior congregate living facilities;
• Adults 18 years of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised; and
• Adults 65 to 79 years of age, particularly if they do not have a known prior history of COVID-19 infection.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that do not meet the criteria above and have not received a booster dose since September 21, 2022, still have access to a number of COVID-19 vaccines. Please visit the COVID-19 website for eligibility.

Bivalent vaccine continues to be the preferred vaccine for booster doses for individuals eligible to receive it.

COVID-19 vaccine for both primary series completion and booster doses continue to be accessible through Public Health. Individuals can book appointments by visiting the COVID-19 website. Individuals 12 years of age and older can also receive COVID-19 vaccine, including bivalent booster doses, at participating pharmacies. You may need to check periodically for availability at any of these vaccine sites, as appointments are continually being added as vaccine supply is received.

Vaccinations remain an important tool to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 as well as reducing the risk of severe disease.

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The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has reached a tentative agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) on seven collective agreements representing public service employees across education, health care and social support sectors. These agreements are subject to ratification by over 3,500 CUPE members from across the province.

The tentative agreements include:

• Hospital Support;
• School Boards 1560;
• School Boards Master;
• Provincial Information and Libraries Board;
• Government House;
• Group Homes/Transition Houses; and
• Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

CUPE will be presenting these tentative agreements to its membership in the coming weeks. Details on the agreements will be released upon ratification.

Quote
“I would like to thank the negotiating teams from the Provincial Government, public service employers and the Canadian Union of Public Employees for their collaboration throughout this series of negotiations, and I look forward to continuing our relationship. We value our public service employees who are members of CUPE, as they serve the community in health care, education, housing, social supports and libraries.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board

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The Provincial Government is launching an independent review of the province’s apprenticeship system. The total budget for the review is $101,250, and focus areas include system effectiveness, sustainability, governance and accessibility. It will enhance a continuously improving provincial apprenticeship system, evidenced by Newfoundland and Labrador tradespeople achieving the third-highest Red Seal pass rate in Canada for 2021 and 2022.

This comprehensive independent review commences today, April 5, with a final report including recommendations due by March 31, 2024. Public consultations for the report are being planned and will be announced in the coming weeks.

Research firm Prism Economics and Analysis has been selected to conduct the review. The firm is experienced in undertaking research projects in apprenticeship and skilled trades, including strategic reviews of apprenticeship systems for the governments of Manitoba (2018) and Nunavut (2016). Areas of expertise for the firm include economic and sectoral research, labour market analysis and forecasting, policy and program evaluation and strategic advisory services.

Building on the Provincial Government’s mandate of apprenticeship system innovation, this initiative will benefit over 3,500 registered apprentices and approximately 1,200 local employers participating in the Newfoundland and Labrador apprenticeship system.

Quotes

“Newfoundland and Labrador apprentices are exceptionally skilled, with some of the highest Red Seal pass rates in the entire country. This independent review demonstrates our government’s commitment to continuous innovation, and our commitment to ensuring Newfoundland and Labrador trained apprentices continue to receive the highest level of training and support.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

“Provincially trained apprentices have bounced back from the learning challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic with higher scores in both level and Red Seal exams. We are always looking for ways to generate even better outcomes for apprentices and the employers who train them. This review will do just that.”
Lorna Harnum
Chair, Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today launched the first ‘Health Care Action’ update focused on Family Care Teams, and the Health Care Action website, an informative platform on health care for residents of the province.

Premier Furey was joined at the announcement by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services; Dr. Pat Parfrey, Deputy Minister of Health Transformation; and Gillian Sweeney, Assistant Deputy Minister, Population Health and Wellness.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has a plan, built on Health Accord NL, and is taking action to ensure all residents of the province have access to quality health care. Budget 2023 ‘Your Health. Our Priority’, made the largest ever investment in health care totaling $3.9 billion, which will further advance actions to reimagine health care and improve the ability of residents to access care.

Health Care Action has five key areas:

• Health care professional retention;
• Health care professional recruitment;
• Access to quality primary care;
• Improved virtual care; and
• Improved access to emergency care.

Through regular Health Care Action updates and the Health Care Action website, residents will be able to stay up-to-date on progress made, and see many of the initiatives underway. The website will be updated regularly.

The website will also serve as an informative and supportive platform for health care professionals to learn about the opportunities and incentives to work in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Quotes
“Keeping Newfoundlanders and Labradorians informed and up-to-date on the progress we are making in reimagining and redefining health care in this province is of the utmost importance to us all. Through our Health Care Action updates, you will be able to see how we are stabilizing and transforming our health care system, which includes establishing Family Care Teams, to ensure that we have the best quality care available for residents in the province. Transformation takes time, but we are on the road to recovery.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Your health is our priority. Health Care Action is an immediate and important way to communicate the progress of health care-related initiatives and explain how they will work. It demonstrates exactly what your government is doing to tackle our health care challenges as we are committed to driving meaningful change across the health care system.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Our work on Health Accord NL resulted in recommendations to transform our health system into one that is modern, sustainable, and provides the right care, at the right time, by the right provider. By reimagining areas like Family Care Teams, we will be able to meet the health care needs of residents closer to home and increase capacity across the health care system.”
Dr. Pat Parfrey
Deputy Minister of Health Transformation“Establishing Family Care Teams is an important Health Care Action that we are taking to help us achieve the necessary health care transformation throughout the province. This team-based approach will allow for greater capacity to see patients and, as a result, expand access to care across the health system.”
Gillian Sweeney
Assistant Deputy Minister, Population Health and Wellness

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Learn more
www.healthcareaction.ca

Improving Access to Health Care

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The public is advised that the provincially-operated swimming pool at the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre will be closed on Monday, April 10, for required maintenance.

The pool will resume normal operations on Tuesday, April 11.

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The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:

Speaker, our investment of more than $1.1 billion in Budget 2023 for infrastructure will create hundreds of jobs and new modern buildings in our province, as well as improvements to provincial roads and highways.

Among various planned initiatives in Labrador, more than $20 million will support the building of a new and accessible K-12 school in Cartwright. Another investment of $5.7 million will continue the expansion at the Labrador Correctional Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, allowing services to be delivered locally and reducing the need for transports. These investments follow the completion of the new mental health unit at the Labrador Health Centre.

Upgrades began on the North West River Highway last year and more upgrades are planned for this year. Our proudest infrastructure moment was on that historic day last July when paving was completed on the Trans-Labrador Highway. Close to $1 billion has been invested for this project since 1997, including more than $230 million since 2016.

Speaker, work continues on a pre-feasibility study for building a road into Northern Labrador. Consultations are ongoing and will help determine next steps. Along with our other actions in Labrador, such as housing, enhancing snowmobile travel, Family Care Teams and our annual commitment to ferry services, we are excited about what we will accomplish in the Big Land.

We look forward to seeing the results of these investments and the benefits they will bring to all Labradorians.

Thank you.

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Today the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador proclaimed the new Tourist Accommodations Act and regulations, which aim to strengthen operating rules for short-term accommodations in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In the past, short-term accommodations had to be licensed by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation under the Tourist Establishment Act. However, the new Tourist Accommodations Act requires all short-term accommodations to be registered with the department. This process will provide the department with a full registry of short-term accommodations in the province, all of which will be required to comply with applicable municipal and provincial regulations, including the requirement for fire inspections and taxation.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation will work with other Provincial Government departments and municipalities to support the enforcement of the Act and regulations. Failure to comply with the new requirements could result in financial penalties, as offences will carry a minimum fine of $250 with a maximum fine of $2,000.

To ease the transition process, any accommodations currently licensed by the department will be automatically registered. All others will have to register by March 31, 2024.

The Tourist Accommodations Act received Royal Assent in the House of Assembly in November 2020, replacing the former Tourism Establishments Act. Prior to its introduction in the House of Assembly, an online questionnaire was administered that engaged tourism and hospitality stakeholders on short-term accommodations in the province. Since then, the department has been regularly engaged with key stakeholders, such as Hospitality NL and Municipalities NL.

Further details on the Tourist Accommodations Act, including the regulations can be found online.

Quotes
“For quite some time now, our tourism and hospitality stakeholders have been calling for a more level playing field between licensed and unlicensed accommodations. While the new Act and regulations alone will not address all issues, it is an important step forward. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation will now be aware of all operators offering overnight accommodations, and will have the ability to provide regulation, improving our visitor experience. We will continue to work with stakeholders as we move forward in our implementation and evaluation.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“This has been a long-standing advocacy issue for Hospitality NL and its members. The Newfoundland and Labrador tourism industry welcomes these new regulations and feels it’s certainly a positive step in leveling the playing field for all short-term rental accommodators.”
Deborah Bourden
Chair, Hospitality NL

“Destination St. John’s is pleased to see the proclamation of the new Tourism Accommodations Act today, which will support our marketing of the St. John’s region.   Of greatest importance is the registration of unlicensed accommodations in the short-term rental market. This registration will require all accommodators to comply with regulatory requirements around health and safety, taxation, permits and licenses, thereby elevating the quality of the overall visitor experience in our destination.”
Heather McKinnon
Chair, Destination St. John’s

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Learn more
New Tourist Accommodations Bill Introduced

Tourist Accommodations Bill

Minister Davis Announces Framework to Address Short Term Accommodations

Engaging Stakeholders on Modernizing the Tourist Establishments Act

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As part of the ongoing plan to increase access to health care in the province, the Provincial Government has worked with the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists. Changes to the regulations governing pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador to support this expanded scope of practice are now in effect.

Pharmacists are now able to extend prescriptions to a maximum of 12 months, rather than the 90 days previously permitted under the regulations. This will assist in ensuring individuals have timely access to needed medications.

Additional changes also allow for the assessment and prescribing for four additional ailments and conditions, as well as the prescribing of hormonal contraception. With these additions, pharmacists are now able to assess and prescribe for a total of 33 ailments and conditions. The four new ailments and conditions are:

• Conjunctivitis;
• Fungal Nail Infections;
• Herpes Zoster – Shingles; and
• Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection.

Allowing pharmacists to prescribe for these common ailments and conditions provides residents of the province with more convenient options for how they access and receive health care. Treatment of select ailments and conditions at a local pharmacy provides appropriate and timely access to health care for all residents.

The Provincial Government has also been working with the Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure these expanded services are universally available to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador and not limited to beneficiaries of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program. An investment of approximately $16.6 million is being made to support coverage of the pharmacist’s fees to allow universal access to these expanded services at community pharmacies.

Individuals should contact their local pharmacy to ensure these services are available.

Quotes
“We continuously look for innovative solutions to help address the recruitment and retention challenges we are facing, and the expansion of the scope of practice for our health professionals is one such measure. Pharmacists play an integral role in the delivery of health care in our province, and providing them with the ability to work to their full scope of practice furthers our efforts to increase access to health care for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Our government is confident that expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists in the province will help increase access to health services in a timely manner. Allowing pharmacists to assess and prescribe for these ailments/conditions, as well as enhancing their scope for prescription extensions, are additional measures which will help alleviate the demand for non-urgent services on our health care system.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Pharmacy services are essential to the delivery of accessible health care in our province. Enhancing pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and empowering them to use their expertise to assess and treat ailments and conditions within their scope is an important step towards improving accessibility and continuity of care for patients. The Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board continues to work collaboratively with the government to enable pharmacy professionals to practice to the full extent of their knowledge and skills to provide quality health care to the people in our province.”
Noelle Patten
Registrar and CEO, Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board

“This is a tremendous step forward in expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador while increasing equitable access to care through universal coverage for prescription extensions and other assessment fees for ailments and conditions. PANL was pleased to work with our many stakeholders towards today’s announcement and will continue to advocate for pharmacists providing further primary care services to the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Dr. Janice Audeau
Community Pharmacist and President, Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

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