Government of Newfoundland News

The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture is advising that anyone living in coastal communities, in particular where sea ice is present, should be aware of possible polar bear activity in their area.

The department has received reports of polar bears in and around Pacquet on the Baie Verte Peninsula and Melrose on the Bonavista Peninsula. As of Friday, polar bear sightings had also taken place on the south coast of Labrador at Port Hope Simpson, St. Lewis and Black Tickle, and on the Northern Peninsula near St. Anthony.

Conservation officers are monitoring the areas and encouraging residents to take appropriate steps to avoid a polar bear encounter:

Residents should keep pets inside or under close supervision, travel in groups when outdoors if possible, and never approach a fresh kill or carcass. Be sure to properly store and dispose of garbage to avoid attracting bears into communities.

Under no circumstances should residents approach a polar bear. While every situation is different, when encountering a polar bear take note of the bear’s behavior.

If the bear does not see you:

• Quietly back away and leave the area;
• Try to stay downwind of the animal;
• Keep an eye on the bear; and
• Never get between a bear and her cubs.

If the bear has seen or smelled you:

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

Polar bear sightings in the Bonavista area should be reported to the Clarenville Forestry Management District Office at 709-466-7439, or the after hours emergencies line at 709-427-0437.

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

Polar bear sightings in the St. Anthony area should be reported to the Roddickton Forestry Management District Office at 709-457-2300, or the after hours emergency line at 709-457-7243.

Polar bear sightings in southern Labrador should be reported to the Port Hope Simpson Forest Management Office at 709-960-0400, or the after hours emergency line at 709-897-7116.

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The Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, will be attending Seafood Expo North America 2023 taking place in Boston, Massachusetts from March 12 to 14.

Seafood Expo North America has been North America’s premier seafood marketing event for over 30 years, and is vital to the promotion of Newfoundland and Labrador seafood to global markets.

Minister Bragg will bring greetings at the following events:

Event:          Newfoundland and Labrador Seafood Industry Reception
Date:            March 11, 2023
Time:            6:30 p.m. EST
Location:      Hyatt Regency Boston, 1 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA

Event:          Atlantic Canadian Pavilion Official Opening
Date:            March 12, 2023
Time:           10:00 a.m. EDT
Location:      Boston Convention and Exhibition Centre, 415 Summer Street, Boston, MA

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The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, will bring greetings at the opening ceremonies for the 2023 Labrador Winter Games this Sunday, March 12 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The ceremonies will take place at the E.J. Broomfield Memorial Arena, 2 Churchill Street, Happy Valley-Goose Bay at 7:00 p.m. The event will include the lighting of the Games torch and the presentation of athletes and teams representing communities throughout Labrador.

Minister Dempster will be joined by Perry Trimper, MHA for Lake Melville in representing the Provincial Government at the ceremonies.

The Labrador Winter Games are normally held every three years and feature traditional and modern-day sports and skill competitions that reflect the cultural diversity of Labrador. For more information on this year’s Games, visit: www.labradorwintergames.ca/games2023/.

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The recruitment and retention of health care professionals has been – and continues to be – a challenge, not just in Newfoundland and Labrador, but globally. Addressing this issue requires collaboration among all stakeholders, as we must continue to work together to improve our health care system for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Such collaboration will be utilized in the development of a Health Human Resources Plan to help improve the delivery of health care services in our province.

Today, the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced that the contract to develop the provincial Health Human Resources Plan has been awarded to Deloitte and the work is now underway. This contract, valued at $1.1 million, stems from a request for proposals that was issued in March 2022 and will leverage the work completed by Health Accord NL, and involve assistance from key stakeholders.

As the population ages and the demographics change, the Provincial Government must ensure it is providing the right care for residents, in the right place, at the right time, by the most appropriate provider while ensuring health care providers are supported in their important work. This work recognizes health care shortages, and addresses short-term needs while creating long-term change.  It also builds on commitments outlined in the Shared Agenda for Family Medicine that was signed in January 2023 between the Provincial Government and the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association.

Quotes
“Our government has a plan for health care, and is dedicated to the recruitment and retention of health care professionals and the improvement of their workplace environment. The Health Human Resources Plan will help guide our efforts to ensure we are on the right path. Our focus remains the continuous improvement of a health care system – in conjunction with stakeholders – that supports our workforce and leads to better health outcomes for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“The Association of Allied Health Professionals is pleased this initiative is now underway.  The challenges facing our health care human resources must be addressed immediately to ensure vital health care services are available to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. The AAHP supports proactive planning and innovation aimed at problem solving this critical situation and looks forward to working in partnership with all impacted and invested stakeholders.”
Gordon Piercey
President, Association of Allied Health Professionals

“The Registered Nurses’ Union has been calling for stronger planning and data-driven decision-making to fix health human resource challenges and accurately forecast future staffing needs. Retaining, returning, and recruiting registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and other health care professionals has never been more critical.  We must stabilize health human resources in order to implement the Health Accord, improve working conditions and provide quality care through safe staffing. We’re hopeful this plan informs better workforce planning to prevent future crises. It will be critical to involve frontline health care providers and stakeholders in this work.”
Yvette Coffey
President, Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador

“Clear targets are needed if the province is to emerge from the current health human resource crisis. Recruiters and educators need to know exactly how many new doctors and other health care providers are needed each year in the health care system. For too long, our health system has been without a plan. We look forward to seeing workforce decisions based on evidence. The NLMA will work with the Provincial Government to develop a Health Human Resource Plan that addresses the province’s immediate needs, while also planning for the long-term.”
Dr. Kris Luscombe
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association

“Our union is hopeful that the development of this long-awaited provincial health human resources plan will lead to improved experiences and outcomes for patients, residents, and healthcare workers. A properly resourced, staffed, and supported healthcare system that allows workers to utilize their full scope of practice will be beneficial to all involved. We look forward to being actively engaged in this process to ensure that the voices, input, and perspectives of front-line healthcare workers are heard and incorporated in the final plan.”
Jerry Earle
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees

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Health Accord NL

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The implementation of the recommendations of Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador continues to transform the mental health and addictions system in the province to one that is person-centred, recovery-focused and provides the right care, at the right time, closer to home.

This week in St. John’s, a two-day forum was held where more than 100 people came together to share their personal stories and experiences with mental health and addictions. This included people and families with lived and living experience, community partners, members from the Towards Recovery Advisory and Recovery Councils and Indigenous Health Team, and staff from the regional health authorities. A highlight of this year’s forum was an update on the accomplishments of the Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan and completion of all 54 recommendations.

Since announcing the five-year plan in 2017, the Provincial Government has created new infrastructure; a provincial stepped care model; as well as several new programs and services, including supports for people with long-term mental illness; e-mental health and virtual care services; improved access to opioid dependence treatment; and transitioned the responsibility for health services from the justice system. All actions were carried out in partnership with those with lived and living experience.

Some of the highlights include:

• Over 1,100 people with complex mental illness have been served by a total of 15 Assertive Community Treatment Teams and Flexible Assertive Community Treatment Teams across the province;
• Doorways counselling walk-in clinics were expanded to a total of 66 locations, with 43,000 visits since 2017;
• More than 8,500 mobile crisis response team visits have taken place since 2017;
• Since March 2018, there have been almost 350,000 sessions on Bridge the gapp with an average of 6,500 unique users monthly; and,
• Approximately 6,300 families referred to Strongest Families Institute with 100 per cent rating the service excellent/very good and 99 per cent confirming they learned useful techniques.

Government recognizes there is still more work to be done and continues to build upon the Towards Recovery work through the Provincial Alcohol Action Plan: Reducing Harms and Costs in Newfoundland and Labrador and Our Path of Resilience: An Action Plan to Promote Life and Prevent Suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Towards Recovery final evaluation report is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Quote
“Implementing all 54 Towards Recovery recommendations is a testament to our government’s commitment to improving mental health and addictions services for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. I commend the work of all the staff, communities, advocates, providers, and persons with lived experience who partnered with us to ensure that we fulfilled the recommendations, as well as the All-Party commitment to advancing the plan. I also want to thank the participants of this year’s Recovery Forum. Their courage to come forward and share their narratives is crucial to the ongoing, valuable work on mental health and addictions.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

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Learn more
Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador

Provincial Alcohol Action Plan: Reducing Harms and Costs in Newfoundland and Labrador

Our Path of Resilience: An Action Plan to Promote Life and Prevent Suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @HCS_GovNL

 

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A local social enterprise operating in the environmental and recycling sector is receiving support from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to develop a process for recycling liquid waste and creating compost.

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced a provincial contribution of $69,000 through the Innovation and Business Investment Corporation in non-repayable funding to Ever Green Environmental.

Ever Green collects recyclable beverage containers from its four Green Depots located in the St. John’s area. It currently receives and processes approximately 22 per cent of all recyclable deposit-return beverage containers in the province and 50 per cent of similar containers in the metropolitan area.

The company is handling increasing volumes of ‘pre-market’ aluminum cans containing liquid beer product that cannot be commercially sold and which are discarded as waste. Ever Green’s 22-month project will assess and identify methods of using this liquid waste to create compost on a commercial scale, thereby reducing waste, improving operational efficiencies and diversifying revenues. Ever Green indicates the company is receiving 10 tons of aluminum containers and 30 tons of liquid beer waste annually. Ever Green anticipates these volumes will grow to 30 tons of aluminum and 100 tons of liquid by 2025.

Ever Green is a Newfoundland and Labrador incorporated company that has been operating in the environmental and recycling sector since 1993. Ever Green is also a social enterprise and CRA-registered charity. The company’s mandate is to help individuals recovering from serious mental illness find and maintain meaningful employment. Ever Green is currently helping over 40 employees maintain employment.

Quotes
“This project will enable Ever Green to diversify its social enterprise and attain more stability, creating valuable work experience and inclusion opportunities for clients. We are pleased to support this work and to help promote innovative solutions that will enhance sustainability.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“The Department of Environment and Climate Change welcomes initiatives that help divert waste, and we are pleased to support an organization with a long history of social inclusion. I commend Ever Green for continuing the work to reduce waste in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Ever Green is proud to continue finding new partnerships and innovative new approaches that benefit not only our province’s environment, but also the people and communities we work with. We are committed to building a greener Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Mike Wadden
CEO, Ever Green Environmental

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Ever Green Recycling

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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 RELEASED:

Loon Bay Access Trail                                                                                  (Reg. 2232)
Proponent: Shane Hurley

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:
• • A minimum 30-metre undisturbed riparian buffer must be mainlined from the high water mark of all wetlands and waterbodies within and adjacent to the project that are identified on either the 1:50,000 scale National Topographic System maps, or the topographic mapping layer shown in the Provincial Land Use atlas, to protect sensitive riparian and aquatic species and their habitats.

• • 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) or 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 sites must be reported to the Wildlife Division.
• 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

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

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

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @ECC_GovNL

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.

Media contact
Emily-Jane Gillingham
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5449, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca

 

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report PH-2023-001 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: PH-2023-001 Report Date: March 8, 2023 Public Body: Key Assets Summary: A number of psychologists and social workers ended their contracts with Key Assets, a social services organization, and requested their clinical files. When the organization refused to transfer the files, the clinicians filed a complaint under the Personal Health Information Act with our Office. The Commissioner found that the clinicians individually, not Key Assets, are the custodians of the personal health information of clients in the disputed clinical files. The clinicians therefore have the right and the responsibility under the Act, to secure and protect the records and to control access to, use and disclosure of the information. The Commissioner therefore recommended that the clinicians take steps to ensure an orderly transfer of the records to their own custody.

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

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2023-012 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-2023-012 Report Date: March 8, 2023 Public Body: City of St. John’s Summary: The Complainant requested the 2019 to 2021 financial statements for St. John’s Sports and Entertainment Ltd. from the City of St. John’s. The 2021 statement included information on the aggregate amount paid out by St. John’s Sports and Entertainment Ltd. to settle workplace disputes, as well as information pertaining to the settlement of another legal matter. The City objected to the release of this information, citing sections 30(1)(a), 30(2), 35(1)(b), and 35(1)(g) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. The City also asserted settlement privilege. The Commissioner found, pursuant to section 43(3), that the City did not meet the burden of proof for any of the exceptions to disclosure it cited. Further, the Commissioner held that settlement privilege is not recognized as an exception to disclosure under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. The Commissioner recommended the City release the information currently being withheld from St. John’s Sports and Entertainment Ltd.’s 2021 financial statements.

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

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Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are reminded that Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend. At 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 12, clocks should be set one hour ahead.

When adjusting clocks, residents are encouraged to take the opportunity to change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety advises that smoke alarms are required to be installed in the following areas of a residence:

• On every level of your home, including the basement;
• In every bedroom; and
• In the hallway or room outside of every bedroom or separate sleeping area.

It is recommended that households or cabins that have a wood, oil or propane fuel-fired appliance also have a carbon monoxide detector installed on each level of the structure.

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Over the coming weeks Wildlife Officials with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture are conducting a caribou survey in western Newfoundland and on the Northern Peninsula using low-level flying aircraft.

The survey includes the St. Anthony, Northern Peninsula, Gros Morne, Hampden Downs, Adies Lake and Gregory Plateau caribou herds.

A number of caribou will be marked with highly visible red paint as part of the survey requirements. The paint does not impact caribou – it will remain on the animals for the duration of the winter and shed with their winter coats in the spring.

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The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture has been made aware of reports of polar bears in and around the communities of St. Anthony, Port Hope Simpson, St. Lewis and Black Tickle.

Conservation officers with the department are monitoring the areas and encouraging residents to take appropriate steps to avoid a polar bear encounter.

Residents should keep pets inside or under close supervision, travel in groups when outdoors if possible, and never approach a fresh kill or carcass. Be sure to properly store and dispose of garbage to avoid attracting bears into communities where they present a risk to public safety.

Under no circumstances should residents approach a polar bear. While every situation is different, when encountering a polar bear take note of the bear’s behavior.

If the bear does not see you:

• Quietly back away and leave the area;
• Try to stay downwind of the animal;
• Keep an eye on the bear; and
• Never get between a bear and her cubs.

If the bear has seen or smelled you:

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

Based on previous year’s observations of polar bear migration patterns, communities along the tip of the Northern Peninsula and south coast of Labrador may observe polar bears during this time of year.

Polar bear sightings in the St. Anthony area should be reported to the Roddickton Forestry Management District Office at 709-457-2300, or the after hour emergency line at 709-457-7243.

Polar bear sightings in southern Labrador should be reported to the Port Hope Simpson Forest Management Office at 709-960-0400, or the after hour emergency line at 709-897-7116.

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, will bring greetings at the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games 2023 tomorrow (Thursday, March 9).

The opening ceremonies will take place at the Joe Byrne Memorial Stadium, 5 Jones Street, Grand Falls-Windsor, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games 2023 will bring together approximately 400 athletes and coaches from all regions of the province to participate in sporting events such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, curling, five-pin bowling and floor hockey.

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Digital Government and Service NL today announced that Clarenville Area Consumers Co-operative Society Ltd., has been charged with violations under Newfoundland and Labrador’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act and Regulations.

The charges result from an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Division following an incident, which occurred in March 2021, resulting in serious injuries to an employee due to a fall.

Clarenville Area Consumers Co-operative Society Ltd. is charged with four violations, which relate to its alleged failure as an employer to:

• Provide a safe workplace and the necessary equipment, systems and tools that were without risk to workers;
• Ensure that material and equipment was placed, stacked or stored in a manner that did not constitute a hazard to a worker in the area;
• Ensure that a workplace or an area in that workplace was not so overcrowded as to cause risk of injury; and
• Ensure that appropriate fall protection was used where a worker was exposed to a hazard of falling from a work area, to a surface that could cause injury should a fall occur.

Clarenville Area Consumers Co-operative Society Ltd. is scheduled to appear at Provincial Court in Clarenville on March 9, 2023.

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Today is International Women’s Day, a dedicated time to celebrate the achievements of women across Newfoundland and Labrador and around the world.

The Provincial Government has made investments throughout community and industry to support girls and women and to promote gender equality in this province. Through Budget 2022, government allocated $2.6 million for operational funding to support women’s centres and status of women councils that work to achieve equality and justice for women in the province.

Investments and initiatives by the Provincial Government are also resulting in positive impacts for women in the areas of skills development, child care, gender equity work plans, and helping women to assume leadership roles and access funds for business opportunities.

The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, is part of the Canadian delegation attending the United Nations’ 67th Commission on the Status of Women in New York City from March 6-10.

To recognize the contribution of women working in the public service, government social media channels have been featuring the contributions of government employees throughout the week of March 6-10. This is an opportunity to highlight some of the dedicated women working throughout the public service.

Quote
“Happy International Women’s Day to everyone in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly to women and girls who are helping to advance gender equality throughout the province. Our government will continue to support initiatives that ensure that women, girls and people of all genders have access to equitable opportunities. We have made great strides, and will keep advancing initiatives to achieve true gender equality in our province.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

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International Women’s Day

Office of Women and Gender Equality

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Today, the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, announced $1.4 million in funding for improvements to local tennis facilities, as the City of St. John’s and the province prepare to host the 2025 Canada Summer Games.

With this Provincial Government investment, indoor and outdoor facilities in St. John’s will see significant positive impacts. Tennis Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to improve the court and lighting systems at Riverdale Tennis Club, and will improve seating, make court upgrades and install a new air dome at the Green Belt Tennis Club.

These enhancements will ensure St. John’s has high-quality facilities that meet the technical standards required for hosting Canada Summer Games tennis events.

The modernization of these facilities will also provide a lasting legacy for tennis athletes and leisure players to enjoy, and will help encourage active living in the community. It will also strengthen the potential for Newfoundland and Labrador to host other large-scale tennis events in the future.

Quotes
“Hosting the Canada Games brings a multitude of economic and social benefits to communities. The Provincial Government is pleased to make this infrastructure investment, both to support the upcoming games and to support the game of tennis, helping to create healthier, more active communities in the years ahead.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“Thanks to the support of Minister Crocker and the Provincial Government, we have an opportunity to build a legacy in tennis and inspire the next generation in our province to pick up a racket and live better through sport. Tennis is truly a lifelong activity for people of all ages and abilities, and we look forward to reaching new heights in our province creating champions, both in tennis and in life.”
Melissa Pine
President, Tennis Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn more
2025 Canada Summer Games

Tennis Newfoundland and Labrador

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The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, will travel to Halifax, Nova Scotia, this week to attend the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration. The forum will take place on March 9 and 10.

Continuing to build on Newfoundland and Labrador’s historic immigration success in 2022, Minister Byrne will discuss a number of key issues with the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Points for discussion include:

• Canada’s continued support for Ukraine, clarity on how long the one-time federal financial assistance payment will continue for newly arrived Ukrainians, and the Federal Government’s position on the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel visa, which is due to stop accepting applications March 31;
• Installing Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada staff in Newfoundland and Labrador, in line with increased staffing in other provinces;
• Clarity on federally-funded supports for Roxham Road asylum seekers destined for Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Calls to increase funding for Newfoundland and Labrador settlement agencies, such as the Association for New Canadians, who collectively continue to receive the lowest base amount of settlement funding in Canada; and
• Ongoing importance of increased immigration spaces and provincial-federal collaboration given Newfoundland and Labrador’s recent immigration success.

Minister Byrne is available to media in advance of the forum.

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The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, today provided the following statement on the cancellation of Cain’s Quest 2023.

“The decision announced by the Cain’s Quest board of directors and organizing committee today to cancel the race was undoubtedly a difficult one to make. In the interest of safety of the competitors, their support crews, race officials, checkpoint personnel and other volunteers, as well as a thorough review of the weather conditions today and into the coming days, this was certainly the best and most responsible decision for all concerned.

Praise goes to the competitors for taking on the enormous challenge of participating in the longest and most challenging snowmobile race in the world. From the time you sped across Tanya Lake in Labrador City on Saturday, to your efforts to battle the elements caused by a drastic turn in the weather, all of Labrador and beyond watched with great interest and cheered you on. You did not disappoint.

To the community volunteers who opened your homes and your hearts to the racers, and came to their aid under such trying circumstances, thank you for demonstrating your compassion and your friendly, caring nature. To the event sponsors for your support and to the board of directors and organizing committee, your efforts were not in vain. Your preparation and attention to detail was second-to-none.

While this is a disappointing setback, safety cannot be compromised, especially when it involves a mid-winter venture to the four corners of the Big Land. Cain’s Quest will rise again, and we will be there again to support the race.”

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The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, will participate in the 2023 International Indigenous Tourism Conference, March 8 to 10.

The conference takes place at the RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The International Indigenous Tourism Conference is an annual event that brings together people from around the world to advance and grow the Indigenous tourism industry.

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The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will bring greetings at the International Women’s Day Luncheon tomorrow (Wednesday, March 8).

The event will take place at the Sheraton Hotel, 115 Cavendish Square, St. John’s, beginning at 12:00 p.m.

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