Government of Newfoundland News

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 rise today to highlight emerging opportunities in the province’s mining industry, and to tout its successes in 2022.

I recently joined more than 30 companies from this province to attend the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto. Considered the world’s premier mineral exploration and mining convention, I met with various companies working in the province, and was welcomed with no shortage of optimism for our industry.

One of the key topics at the conference was critical minerals. These building blocks of clean technology are located throughout our province – in fact, we have at least 23 of the 31 minerals on Canada’s Critical Mineral List – five are currently or have recently been mined, and 18 are in advanced exploration.

To build on this momentum, our government is developing a provincial Critical Minerals Strategy. Consultations will start in the coming weeks, and we aim to release the strategy this fall. Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic also recognize the importance of this opportunity, and have come together with a Memorandum of Understanding to support the development of the critical minerals in the province.

Speaker, in 2022, mineral shipments were valued at $5.4 billion; exploration expenditures estimate to be over $240 million; and employment levels are up eleven percent from the previous year.

Even with all this success, it is the potential future investments in critical minerals that will present the next opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador, and we are ready to seize the opportunity. Thank you.

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation:

Speaker, for the first time in four years, athletes, coaches, families and communities from across the Big Land converged on Happy Valley-Goose Bay to participate in the Labrador Winter Games.

As athletes filed into the arena for the opening ceremonies, it was evident that the passion, spirit and pride of place that marked the very first Games 40 years ago was alive and well.

It was inspiring to watch athletes compete in traditional and modern-day competitions that celebrate the culture and heritage of the Big Land. There is no event quite like the Labrador Winter Games – dogteam racing, seal kick and the snowshoe biathlon – these Games are unique.

Congratulations to the athletes, the board of directors, the event organizing committees, and more than 400 volunteers who delivered a fabulous event. A huge shout out to sponsors for their valued support.

Our Government understands the benefits of activities that promote our mental and physical wellness, and the value of preserving our heritage. We are proud to be the primary funder of the Labrador Winter Games.

Before the Premier officially closed the Games and athletes started returning home, planning for the next Games had already begun. Keep on training, Labradorians. We look forward to doing it all again in 2026.

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The Provincial Government and the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA) have reached a tentative agreement on a new Blended Capitation Payment Model for family physicians in the province.

Blended Capitation is a voluntary payment model designed for independent community family practices. The model pays doctors a set annual fee for each attached patient, plus a reduced fee-for-service each time they see that patient. The new model supports comprehensive family medicine, improved access for patients, team-based care, and improved recruitment and retention of physicians who want to practice under this model. Before finalizing the new agreement, the NLMA will hold virtual consultations with its members.

Through collaboration with the NLMA, government is advancing a suite of incentives and bonuses that improve the overall ability of the province to recruit and retain doctors. The tentative agreement on Blended Capitation is just the latest initiative arising from this collaboration, building upon recently announced measures including the $25,000 Recognition and Retention Bonus for family physicians for a one-year return-in-service agreement, as well as the Salaried Family Physician Remoteness Bonus of between $11,000 and $17,000, depending on the remoteness of the location, to address recruitment challenges for salaried family physicians at remote sites in the province.

Quotes
“We continue with our plan to improve our health care system and address the challenges we are facing regarding the recruitment and retention of health care professionals such as family physicians. Through our ongoing collaboration with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, we are finding ways to recognize physicians who continue to help sustain our health care system, as well as to help entice new ones to our province. A tentative agreement on Blended Capitation is another significant initiative to further our efforts”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Newfoundland and Labrador is one of many jurisdictions with health care staffing challenges. Addressing them remains a priority for our government. Reaching a tentative agreement on Blended Capitation is a considerable step forward, and speaks to our collaborative efforts with our stakeholders. It is also a significant step forward for all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as for all family physicians who wish to participate in this new model.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Blended Capitation will allow family doctors to focus on the needs of patients rather than the volume of patient visits. This aligns with the way that family medicine learners are trained to provide comprehensive, guideline-based care and patient education. It also gives doctors the flexibility to provide services in different ways so they can deliver a full range of care that encourages longer appointment times, health promotion, and teamwork with other health care providers. This is a professionally satisfying way to work. We believe it will help retain family doctors, as well as attract new physicians who want to practice under this model.”
Dr. Kris Luscombe
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association

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Today, the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced an historic investment of nearly $1.4 billion to improve highway and road transportation infrastructure over the next five construction seasons. This is the largest provincial investment in highway and road infrastructure over a five-year period in the province’s history.

Premier Furey was joined by the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance; the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure; and Craig Foley, CEO of Hospitality Newfoundland Labrador for today’s announcement at the Colonial Building in St. John’s.

This multi-year investment will allow the province’s highway construction industry to plan their expenditures each year and increase their workforce ahead of each construction season. Once complete, the investment will result in an increase in safe, reliable and secure highway and road infrastructure to benefit municipalities, residents, and the commercial and tourism industries.

The investment includes $225 million for highway and road construction in 2023-24. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure anticipates some funding will be allocated for various federal-provincial cost-shared construction projects, which will increase the total funding and result in more work being completed.

Projects selected for the province’s roads plan each year continue to be selected based on:

• The impacts of climate change;
• Highway safety;
• Input from the department’s engineers;
• Commercial, industry, and tourism impacts;
• Traffic volumes;
• Populations serviced; and
• Input from motorists.

To date, tenders for 10 highway construction projects have been issued by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure for the 2023 highway construction season. 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 nl511.ca and on the NL 511 mobile app.

Quotes
“In my travels around the province, transportation continues to be one of the most frequent topics Newfoundlanders and Labradorians discuss with me. We all know how important reliable road infrastructure is to residents, visitors, municipalities, the business community, and the tourism industry. Through this historic provincial investment over five years, our government is committed to getting the work done to improve roads and highways for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Today’s announcement is an example of how your government is modernizing and transforming Newfoundland and Labrador. We are being strategic, responsible, and resourceful. Through our strategic plan for financial improvement, it is possible to strive towards a balanced budget, and yet continue to invest in key initiatives like infrastructure.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance

“We consulted and worked in collaboration with the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador as we prepared for the upcoming year. Informing the industry of a consistent investment in highways and roads years in advance is very important. We look forward to a more productive construction season this year and into the future.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“Today’s announcement will ensure visitors will have more efficient access around our province. They’ll be able to connect with our people, explore our unique places and culture, and support our businesses and communities. Improved roadways will allow travelers to truly experience the very best of what Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer.”
Craig Foley
CEO, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn more
Minister Loveless Announces Unprecedented Investment in Multi-Year Roads Program

Provincial Government Seeking Submissions for Updates to Multi-Year Roads Plan

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Information and Privacy Commissioner Michael Harvey has three concerns with Bill 22 – an Act to Amend the Management of Information Act – which the government has introduced to address the recommendations for a legislative duty to document.

As required by ATIPPA, 2015, the provincial government initially consulted the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner in fall 2022 on this draft bill. At that time we expressed three fundamental concerns:

• It exempts the entire Cabinet decision-making process;
• It has no independent oversight; and
• It does not actually create a mandatory duty to document due to the discretionary nature afforded to the Chief Information Officer.

The proposed Bill does not address these concerns. Given the importance of this subject to the mandate of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, we are sharing these concerns publicly to assist in the debate of the Bill within the House of Assembly.

A legislative duty to document would be a requirement in law for government to adequately document its decisions in writing. It was recommended in 2015 by the Statutory Review Committee of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA, 2015), led by former Premier Clyde Wells. More recently it was recommended by Justice Richard LeBlanc when, in his 2020 report of the Inquiry into the Muskrat Falls Project, he found that decisions regarding the troubled project were not properly documented in both government and in its energy crown corporation, Nalcor / NL Hydro. Former Justice David Orsborn commented on a duty to document in his 2021 report of the 2020 Statutory Review of ATIPPA, 2015 saying that “enough time has passed”.

The OIPC has great respect for the role that Cabinet Secretariat plays with respect to the management of the Cabinet decision-making process and agrees that a special role for it vis-à-vis Cabinet documents is warranted; however, Bill 22 excludes cabinet documents (whether in the custody of Cabinet Secretariat or not) from the duty to document altogether.

As it relates to independent oversight, Bill 22 would require the Minister to table an annual summary of compliance in the House of Assembly prepared by the Chief Information Officer, a government executive who serves at the pleasure of the Premier and reports to the Minister. This avoids implementing the Wells Committee recommendation to provide the Information and Privacy Commissioner, an independent statutory officer of the House, with authority for oversight of the duty to document. Many reports are tabled in the House of Assembly every year, often while it is closed, and receive little attention.

Finally, Bill 22 would require a duty to document to be implemented through a policy that the Chief Information Officer may develop, and could be amended – or discontinued – without even reference to Cabinet.

“A duty to document is critical to access to information – and ultimately transparent, accountable, democratic government,” said Commissioner Harvey, “While every day the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner works to get citizens the access to government documents to which they are entitled under law, there is nothing we can do when decisions are not properly documented. Bill 22 does not meet its potential as duty to document legislation. I encourage legislators to address these concerns with Bill 22 as it is considered by the House of Assembly. By addressing these gaps, we could continue to be the leaders in access to information in Canada”.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner is an independent statutory officer of the House of Assembly appointed under the authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 and with additional authorities under the Personal Health Information Act. Additional information, including how to contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner can be found at www.oipc.nl.ca.

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

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Proposed amendments to Bill 22, the Management of Information Act received second reading today in the House of Assembly, and include the introduction of a “Duty to Document” provision.

Duty to Document is a requirement for government departments and public bodies to create and maintain complete and accurate records of important decisions. Under the proposed amendments, government departments and public bodies would be required to undertake mandatory annual reporting to the Chief Information Officer. These reports will include information regarding public body compliance.

The proposed amendments also include an offence provision for non-compliance, including fines of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

In preparation for implementing the Duty to Document provision, the Office of the Chief Information Officer has modified its Information Management Policy Framework to provide supportive policy, training, education, and awareness materials to assist departments and public bodies in their implementation of any new requirements. The framework will include a definition of “important decision,” as well as provide examples to public bodies to illustrate what an important decision would be based on their mandate.

The requirement to manage all records created and received by over 160 departments and public bodies already exists within the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Office of the Chief Information Officer already has rigorous processes in place for managing documents and records. These amendments will keep step with current industry practices in information management, and will modernize the language, processes, roles and responsibilities.

Newfoundland and Labrador will be the second jurisdiction in Canada to include a Duty to Document provision. British Columbia was the first.

With the exception of a minor update in 2008, the Management of Information Act has not been substantially reviewed since its creation in 2005. In response to the Muskrat Falls Inquiry recommendations from Justice Richard LeBlanc, government announced it would make changes to the Act, including adding a Duty to Document provision. This was also a recommendation from the 2014 Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act Review Committee chaired by the Honourable Justice Clyde Wells. It was also referenced in the 2020 Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act Review by Justice David Orsborn.

The personal/constituency records of Members of the House of Assembly and political parties will be exempt from the legislation.

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“It’s imperative that public bodies appropriately document important decisions. With Bill 22, Newfoundland and Labrador will join British Columbia as the only provinces requiring public bodies to manage their records in this way. Bill 22 also introduces a financial penalty for those who willfully damage or withhold documents in contravention of the Act and directives.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer

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Learn more
Provincial Government Releases Report on the Muskrat Falls Inquiry

Report of the 2014 Statutory Review Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Office of the Chief Information Officer

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will provide an update on collaborative efforts with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association today (Wednesday, March 22).

The availability will take place in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building at 1:30 p.m.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, and Dr. Kris Luscombe, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association.

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The Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer, will be available to media tomorrow (Wednesday, March 22) to discuss details on proposed amendments to the Management of Information Act.

The availability will take place in front of the House of Assembly, East Block, Confederation Building at 9:30 a.m. A technical briefing will take place for media at 9:00 a.m. in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building.

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The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will make a significant highway and road infrastructure announcement tomorrow (Wednesday, March 22), beginning at 12:30 p.m.

The event will take place at the Colonial Building, 90 Military Road, St. John’s. The announcement will also be livestreamed on Facebook.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Craig Foley, CEO of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Information and Privacy Commissioner Michael Harvey has considered the claims of reasonable apprehension of bias brought against him by the provincial government and rejected them. The Commissioner believes it is in the public interest and in accordance with his statutory mandate to have the investigation completed in a timely manner and the report released to the public. For this reason, Commissioner Harvey has decided to recuse himself from further involvement in the investigation to avoid a lengthy and expensive court proceeding.

The Commissioner is delegating his authority to conduct and conclude this investigation to Sean Murray, Director of Research and Quality Assurance, in accordance with section 103 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 and section 80 of the Personal Health Information Act.

On March 15, 2023, the provincial government brought an application before the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador seeking an order to prevent the Information and Privacy Commissioner from continuing to direct the ongoing investigation into the October 2021 cyber attack against the provincial health system. The government argues that, because the Commissioner sat on the Board of Directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (2018-2019) and was an Assistant Deputy Minister in the Department of Health and Community Services (2015-2019), there is a reasonable apprehension of bias.

The Commissioner is surprised to find this matter being raised at this juncture, more than a year into the investigation, as his roles with NLCHI and the Department were well known to all parties at the beginning of the investigation. Moreover, the four Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) wrote to the Commissioner on February 28, 2022, asking him to formally consider the matter of bias. The Commissioner consulted staff and outside legal counsel, and reviewed all of the records from his time on the Board. The legal analysis combined with a review of those records confirmed that he had not had any significant involvement with cyber security issues, and there was no reasonable apprehension of bias, which he communicated to the RHAs. There was no further correspondence on the matter and the RHAs continued to cooperate with the investigation.

“While I maintain that there is no actual bias or reasonable apprehension of bias with me concluding this investigation, my priority is to avoid any further delay in the release of our Office’s report,” said Commissioner Harvey. “It is in the greater public interest that the report gets out, than for me to be the one to issue it. I have every confidence in our lead investigator, the technical experts that we have contracted, and Sean Murray – who has eighteen years of experience with the OIPC, to conclude this investigation.”

The Commissioner and the OIPC expect this decision will open the way for all parties to cooperate with the investigation without further delay.

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

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The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Speaker, I rise today to introduce an initiative regarding the coverage of certain medications under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program.

I am pleased to announce coverage for several anti-coagulants, or blood thinners, has been expanded under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program to open benefits – Apixaban, Rivoroxaban and Edoxaban. Changing these drugs to open benefits allows easier access for individuals taking these medications.

Speaker, these drugs are effective for a number of conditions, including the prevention of stroke and treating blood clots. Prior to this initiative, these medications were only available through a special authorization process. Removing the requirement for special authorization improves the access to these medications. It improves quality of life for affected patients by reducing bloodwork requirements, and helps to limit demands on our health care system. Approximately 3,500 patients are anticipated to benefit from this change in listing status.

Speaker, the change in status of these drugs on the provincial prescription drug program signals our government’s continued focus on improving access to health care for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Thank you.

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The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance:

Speaker, this province has a strategic plan for financial improvement which ensures prudent fiscal governance and responsible debt management. The objective is to balance budgets, transform and modernize government, and manage and lower debt.

Under debt management, our focus is on optimizing sinking fund performance, enhancing the province’s liquidity position and improving treasury management.

Just two weeks ago I joined the Premier at the London Stock Exchange to officially launch the province’s European borrowing program. Newfoundland and Labrador now has the option to issue bonds in the European capital market, in addition to its existing domestic Canadian market, to meet its borrowing requirements.

Diversifying the province’s investor base and broadening the reach to international markets provides an opportunity to continue to lower borrowing costs. This is part of our commitment to improve treasury management.

The province has also developed a Future Fund, taking a portion of nonrenewable resource revenues and investing it for debt repayment and future opportunities. In this fiscal year, we are contributing $157 million to this fund.

Speaker, the plan is working.

In two days I will deliver my fourth budget as Minister of Finance, and I look forward to further sharing how we are responsibly managing the province’s finances while continuing to invest strategically.

Thank you.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced that 10 new Family Care Teams will be established to help meet the primary care needs of residents throughout the province. Upon full implementation, these new Family Care Teams will provide access to primary care for up to 80,000 people.

Based on a needs assessment and available resources to support the team model, these teams will be established in the following areas:

• Bonavista;
• Brookfield/Centreville area;
• Clarenville;
• Conception Bay North;
• Deer Lake-White Bay;
• Gander;
• Grand Falls-Windsor;
• Labrador West;
• Port aux Basques; and
• St. John’s.

Budget 2023 supports the creation of these teams through funding of $21.2 million.

A new name and logo was also revealed at the event. All current and new teams will be called Family Care Teams, building upon the focus on access, as well as the team approach to the provision of primary care. Since their inception several years ago, these have often been referred to as Collaborative Team Clinics or Collaborative Care Teams.

Premier Furey was joined at the announcement by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services; the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance; Melissa Coish, Regional Director of the Primary Health Care and Chronic Disease Management and Prevention Program, Eastern Health; and Dr. Dianne Keating-Power, Collaborative Team Clinic Physician, St. John’s.

Health Accord NL included consideration of how physicians and other health care professionals work together to meet the province’s health care needs, both in hospital and community settings. It recommended the creation of 35 multi-disciplinary teams over five years that work collaboratively to best meet the varied needs of patients and their families. These teams include family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, as well as other allied health professionals. To date, there are eight of these teams in various stages of implementation throughout the province.

Quotes
“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians want to lead healthy, productive lives, knowing that access to appropriate, quality health care is available to them, when needed. As part of our plan to improve the health care system we are continuing our efforts to increase access through an additional 10 Family Care Teams for towns and communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. It is all part of our larger plan that is built on the Health Accord and addresses short-term needs while creating long-term change.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“The addition of 10 new Family Care Teams is significant for our province, as we know team-based care is an essential feature of an effective and sustainable health care system. We remain focused on transforming the delivery of health care in our province, working collaboratively with our health professionals to meet the province’s health care needs, both in hospital and community settings. We remain committed to our recruitment and retention efforts as well, as we strive to ensure we have the workforce needed to ensure the delivery of these services.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“We are making strategic investments to transform health care that reflects the Health Accord. It is a priority of this government. The funding of more than $21 million in the upcoming budget for 10 new Family Care Teams is an example of how we are committed to the health care needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance

“Eastern Health is committed to transforming health care as outlined in Health Accord NL by re-balancing the system and shifting to a community-based model of care. Through the implementation of team-based care, we have increased access to Primary Health Care by successfully assigning over 12,000 patients to health-care providers. Eastern Health would like to thank our staff and physicians for the exceptional care they provide to the people we serve and for leading the way as we re-imagine the health system.”
Melissa Coish
Regional Director, Primary Health Care and Chronic Disease Management and Prevention Program, Eastern Health

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Improving Access to Health Care

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will make a primary health care announcement tomorrow (Tuesday, March 21).

The availability will take place at the Collaborative Team Clinic, 7 Pippy Place, Suite 100, St. John’s at 12:00 p.m. A technical briefing will take place for media at 11:30 a.m. Media are asked to use parking spaces at the front of the building parallel to Pippy Place.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services; the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance; Melissa Coish, Regional Director of the Primary Health Care and Chronic Disease Management and Prevention Program, Eastern Health; and Dr. Dianne Keating-Power, Collaborative Team Clinic Physician, St. John’s.

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

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The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, in collaboration with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA), today announced that a new Salaried Family Physician Remoteness Bonus has been developed to address recruitment challenges for salaried family physicians at remote sites in the province. These physicians are exclusively employed by regional health authorities and provide primary care in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Bonus amounts for salaried family physicians range between $11,000 and $17,000, depending on the remoteness of the location, and will be paid annually. In order to help determine the locations that would be eligible for the bonus, an isolation index was created and takes into consideration factors such as the population of a community; travel time to the nearest emergency room and tertiary care centre; and proximity to the Trans-Canada Highway.

The remoteness bonus builds upon the improvements achieved in the Memorandum of Agreement between the Provincial Government and the NLMA that was signed in 2022, including Atlantic parity for physicians, as well as the Shared Agenda for Family Medicine signed between both parties in January 2023 to advance priorities within family medicine in the province.

Quotes
“We must continue to work collaboratively with our stakeholders to find meaningful solutions to recruit and retain health care professionals in our province, and this Salaried Family Physician Remoteness Bonus is a wonderful example. Together with the NLMA, we have developed another creative initiative to help address our health workforce shortage.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“The current physician shortage has demonstrated the challenges in recruiting family doctors to rural and remote hospitals in the province. The new Remoteness Index will help attract doctors by recognizing the unique circumstances of these sites while ensuring we are competitive with similar remote sites across Canada.”
Dr. Kris Luscombe
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will bring greetings at the Opening Ceremony of the annual Sharing Our Cultures event on Sunday, March 19.

The ceremony takes place at The Rooms, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s at 2:00 p.m.

The annual Sharing Our Cultures event is held in recognition of the International Francophonie day (March 20), International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21), and in celebration of the province’s Multiculturalism Month during March.

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Avis aux médias : Le ministre Abbott apportera ses salutations lors de la cérémonie d’À la découverte de nos cultures

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The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will officially bring the 2023 Labrador Winter Games to a close during ceremonies that will take place tomorrow (Saturday, March 18) in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The closing ceremonies will take place at the E.J. Broomfield Memorial Arena, 2 Churchill Street, Happy Valley-Goose Bay at 7:00 p.m. (ADT).

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, and Perry Trimper, MHA for Lake Melville.

The Premier will present the Premier’s Cup to the community that amassed the most points during the games. Other awards will be presented by Minister Dempster and MHA Trimper.

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The House of Assembly advises that limited space will be available in the public gallery for Budget Speech 2023 for photography purposes. Media requiring video of the Budget Speech may access the live feed from the House of Assembly press room or from the House of Assembly website.

Media space in the public gallery will be available on a first-come, first-served basis by pre-registering no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22 with Mark Jerrett (markjerrett@gov.nl.ca). Photography and videography will also be permitted from the House of Assembly press gallery. Pre-registration is not required to enter the press gallery.

Media entering the public gallery for the Budget Speech must be in position in the designated area by no later than 1:45 p.m. on Thursday. Once in position, movement around the gallery will not be permitted.

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Family physicians in Newfoundland and Labrador are now eligible for a $25,000 recognition and retention bonus for a one-year return-in-service agreement. This incentive is aimed at not only helping retain family doctors, but also recognizing their significant efforts, as government continues its plan to improve the health care system and address challenges facing primary health care in the province.

This one-time bonus for all family physicians will be pro-rated, with family doctors doing full-time clinical work (five days per week) receiving the full $25,000. This clinical work can be in private practice, working for a regional health authority, or a combination of both.

To qualify, family physicians must have been in practice in Newfoundland and Labrador for one full year as of March 1, 2023. Those with less than one year can receive a pro-rated portion of the bonus.

This will be an application-based process administered by the new Provincial Health Authority, and will require the signing of a return-in-service agreement. Details regarding the application process will be forthcoming.

A number of initiatives have been introduced aimed at recruitment and retention of physicians and improving physician services in the province. This includes a commitment in the 2017- 23 Memorandum of Agreement with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association to establish a Blended Capitation Model of physician remuneration, as well as other shared priorities outlined in the Shared Agenda signed between both parties in January 2023 to advance priorities within family medicine in the province.

More information on measures aimed at the recruitment and retention of health care professionals in the province can be found here.

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“Family physicians are an integral part of our province’s health care system. It is important that, as we continue our efforts to recruit physicians to our province, we must also retain those who continue to provide valuable care to the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. This bonus for family physicians is a well-deserved recognition of their ongoing commitment to primary care in our province.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Our health care system cannot afford to lose any more family doctors. There are acute shortages in family medicine that broadly span the community and our rural hospitals. As a result, access to primary care has become increasingly difficult for thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Provincial Government has made strides towards improving recruitment initiatives in family medicine and the NLMA is pleased to see that it is supporting retention efforts as well. This new initiative will help retain our existing family medicine workforce and maintain continuity of care for patients.”
Dr. Kris Luscombe
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association

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The post Family Physicians Recognized Through $25,000 Retention Bonus appeared first on News Releases.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is proceeding with Phase II of the review regarding the province’s current offshore oil and gas interests. Specific focus will be on its 4.9 per cent equity position in Hebron, 8.7 per cent equity position in the Hibernia Southern Extension, and five per cent equity position in White Rose Extension project.

Government received the initial (Phase I) report by Rothschild & Co. in spring 2022. While Phase I was about studying transaction options and valuations, Phase II is about taking the deep dive required to understand and verify every aspect of a potential transaction. Rothschild & Co. will lead the process, and any additional work related to legal, regulatory, tax and accounting requirements will be contracted as necessary.

No similar decisions have been made at this point with respect to any other asset included in the Rothschild & Co. review.

Government continues to consider how to structure the province’s asset portfolio to ensure sound fiscal stewardship for taxpayers, deliver modern, high-quality services to residents and respect the valued work done by public sector employees.

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“As we look to the province’s future, it is reasonable to look at the assets of the province and determine their potential. That is why we have decided to proceed with Phase II of the review of the province’s offshore oil and gas assets. It is important to note that no decisions regarding any of the province’s assets have been made at this time.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance

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Provincial Government Receives Review of Province’s Asset Portfolio from Rothschild & Co.

Provincial Government Engages Outside Firm to Undertake Review of Provincial Assets

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The post Provincial Government Moves Ahead with Review of Oil and Gas Assets appeared first on News Releases.