Government of Newfoundland News

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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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.

Quotes
“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 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.

Quote
“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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Renovations are beginning to convert the former College of the North Atlantic campus in Stephenville Crossing into a courthouse and Government Service Centre for the Bay St. George area.

A $283,000 contract has been awarded to Tech Construction Ltd. to demolish various interior architectural, mechanical and electrical components at the Martin Gallant Building in Stephenville Crossing. Work in the contract includes the removal of ceiling and floor tiles, carpet, fixtures, piping, insulation, drywall, studs and hazardous materials.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure anticipates work required in this contract to be completed this spring, with further renovations and construction beginning later this year.

The building includes close to 4,080 square metres (43,916 square feet) of space, which will be used as a courthouse, Motor Registration service, and other government services.

The improvements to the building will allow for government services to be provided in a modernized and accessible building. In addition, the renovations will lead to an increase in the safety and security of court proceedings at the courthouse, and a more functional and spacious working environment for public service workers, including judges, lawyers, plaintiffs, and sheriff’s officers.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2025.

Information on tenders and requests for proposals issued and awarded by the department and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com/govnl.

Quotes
“We are excited about being able to provide public services in an accessible building to people in the Bay St. George area, and to create a safer space for government employees working in the area. We are grateful for the planning that has gone into this renovation so far. This contract will now clear out the old interior to make way for the improvements.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“Creating accessible environments promotes greater participation in our communities, employment opportunities and public services. While accessibility is more than just meeting minimum building codes, these renovations will promote inclusion and equity for area residents and staff.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

“I am excited to see work commence to convert the former College of the North Atlantic campus into a courthouse and government service centre for the Bay St. George area. Having a modern and accessible building for citizens to access court proceedings and government services is important and promotes inclusion, safety and equity. I look forward to the ongoing construction and anticipated completion in 2025.”
Scott Reid
MHA for St. George’s – Humber

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Former College of North Atlantic Campus to Become Bay St. George Courthouse

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The Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture recently attended Seafood Expo North America in Boston, where he led a delegation of market and export development specialists from the department along with local seafood sector companies.

Seafood Expo North America has been North America’s premier seafood trade show for decades, and has been responsible for helping to establish and maintain critical key markets between Newfoundland and Labrador seafood companies and buyers across the global seafood market, in particular the United States of America.

This year’s event attracted delegates from over 49 countries, and was 31 per cent larger than last year, with 1,141 exhibiting companies showcasing their products and services at the show. The event provided vital networking opportunities that are expected to lead to new markets for Newfoundland and Labrador’s seafood industry.

While in Boston, Minister Bragg met with a number of industry stakeholders to discuss market opportunities. Minister Bragg also met with the Honourable Joyce Murray, federal Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, to discuss fisheries and aquaculture matters impacting Newfoundland and Labrador.

Quote
“Once again, Seafood Expo North America has provided a prime opportunity to highlight and strengthen Newfoundland and Labrador’s reputation as a leading producer of sustainably sourced, high quality, nutritious seafood. I was very pleased to meet with colleagues and industry experts from other jurisdictions to learn first-hand of the tremendous interest in our province’s seafood sector. I am confident the collective efforts of our seafood marketing team and the province’s seafood producers will lead to new opportunities and positive outcomes for harvesters and plant workers around the province.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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(L-R): Honourable Derrick Bragg – Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Laurel Veitch – Market Development Officer, Torrie George – Market Development Officer, Sean Barry – Director of Seafood Marketing and Support Services, Lorelei Roberts – Assistant Deputy Minister (Fisheries & Aquaculture), Jamie Chippett – Deputy Minister. The Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, recently met with the Honourable Joyce Murray, federal Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard while attending Seafood Expo North America to discuss fisheries and aquaculture issues impacting Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Today, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a statutory review of the Independent Appointments Commission as per the requirements of the Independent Appointments Commission Act.

Mr. David Conway has been appointed to lead the review, which will identify improvements to enhance the overall efficiency, effectiveness and outcomes of the legislation. The review will explore the timeliness of recommendations, encouraging more citizens to seek appointment, and maximizing the diversity of qualified candidates and regional representation.

The terms of reference for the review are noted in the backgrounder below. Mr. Conway will deliver his final report to the Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission by May 31, 2023.

Governed by the Independent Appointments Commission Act, which received royal assent in 2016, the Independent Appointments Commission is a seven person, non-partisan commission appointed through a resolution of the House of Assembly. The commission provides merit-based recommendations to approximately 30 Tier One entities. These agencies, boards and commissions deliver important services including health care, education and the management of our province’s natural resources.

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“The Independent Appointments Commission provides an important service to the province, ensuring a fair and merit-based process is followed when appointing members to serve on our agencies, boards and commissions. I look forward to Mr. Conway’s review and recommendations.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission

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Independent Appointments Commission Act

The Independent Appointments Commission

Tier One Entities

BACKGROUNDER

Biography of David Conway

David Conway graduated from McGill University with a B.A. in Economics (1996) and an LL.B. from the University of New Brunswick (1999). He was then called to the Ontario bar before being called to the bar in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Conway worked exclusively in the fields of labour law and administrative law for fifteen years before becoming the chairperson of the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Board from 2017 until 2022. Mr. Conway now acts as a neutral arbitrator, adjudicator and independent legal counsel. He is on the roster of arbitrators for Newfoundland and Labrador established by the Labour Management Arbitration Committee.

Mr. Conway has experience in numerous types of proceedings, including labour arbitrations, judicial reviews, workers’ compensations hearings, employment insurance hearings, human rights proceedings, collective agreement negotiations and statutory reviews. He has also appeared as counsel at various levels of court including the Supreme Court of Canada. Mr. Conway has taught labour relations at the graduate level at Memorial University, is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Disciplinary Panel, and instructs at the Bar Admission Course. He is a past co-chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Management Arbitration Committee and is a member of the Canadian Bar Association’s National Labour and Employment Law section.

BACKGROUNDER

Terms of Reference – Independent Appointments Commission Act Review

Consultant

The consultant reviewing the legislation is David Conway, who shall complete the review in accordance with these terms of reference.

Mandate

The review of the Act will be comprehensive and established with the goal of identifying improvements to enhance the overall efficiency, effectiveness and outcomes of the legislation, and the subsequent processes which support its administration. The review will incorporate, but not be limited to, an examination of potential improvements in the following areas:

• The processes and timelines associated with the generation of recommendations through the merit-based appointment process. Vacant positions on agencies, boards and commissions must be filled in a timely manner;
• Ways to maximize the diversity of candidates identified as qualified and recommendable for appointment, including but not limited to Indigenous candidates;
• Ways to maximize regional representation from all parts of the province;
• Ways to encourage more citizens to seek appointment and to ensure that lists of qualified and recommendable candidates are continually refreshed; and
• To ensure that the positions and appointments which are part of the merit-based appointment process are included or excluded as appropriate.

Methodology

The consultant may receive written submissions and/or conduct consultations with interested parties, including but not limited to residents, media and public bodies.

Public consultation sessions may be scheduled at the discretion of the consultant. In consultation with the Public Engagement and Planning Division consideration will be given to the methods of consultation that promote the engagement of interested parties, regardless of regional location (e.g., online), and are cost-effective and safe.

The consultant will have access to existing data and documentation utilized by the Independent Appointments Commission and the Public Service Commission in the conduct of the review.

Timeline

The consultant shall terminate his work and deliver his final report to the Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission on, or before, May 31, 2023.

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for the Office of Women and Gender Equality:

Speaker, on behalf of the Provincial Government, I would like to acknowledge that March 8 of last week was International Women’s Day, and people of all genders throughout Newfoundland and Labrador joined in marking this important occasion.

This is a global day of celebration for the achievements of women here in the province, and around the world. Women and girls in Newfoundland and Labrador are making strides and forging change in a variety of sectors and industries, which is certainly something to celebrate.

Speaker, last week I was honoured to attend the 67th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women as a part of the Canadian delegation. This event was an incredible and unique opportunity to learn from and connect with global leaders about how to leverage technology to combat gender barriers.

It also allowed space to share the important work happening to advance gender equality in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the learnings from this event will be another reference point as we work to ensure that our policies, programs and services are relevant, timely, and promote gender equity in the province.

Collectively, we must continue to challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion.

Thank you.

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

Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize an incredible group of young people from Newfoundland and Labrador.

More than 160 athletes from our province were in Prince Edward Island recently to compete in the 2023 Canada Winter Games.

Today, I extend my sincere congratulations to everyone who competed, including five remarkable athletes who came home with medals. They are:

• Gleb Evstigneev, gold in Trampoline;
• Maddox Glover, gold in Special Olympics Level II Figure Skating;
• Mark Butt and Lily Evans, bronze in Pre-Novice Pairs Figure Skating; and,
• Mike Gosine, bronze in Boxing.

I also invite all Honourable Members to join me in congratulating Team NL’s Gabe Flynn for winning the Pat Lechelt True Sport Award, which is an incredible accomplishment.

Speaker, just as Premier Furey was pleased to join Team NL for the opening ceremonies and to see the athletes in action, I was equally honoured to join our athletes at the closing ceremonies, where the Canada Games flag was handed off to Newfoundland and Labrador and our capital city of St. John’s, as the next host of the 2025 Canada Summer Games.

To the mission staff, coaches, managers and family members who stood behind our athletes, thank you for all you do to guide them, support them and teach them the skills they need to be successful, in sport and in life.

We look to 2025 with much anticipation and will work with the City of St. John’s and other community partners toward delivering a Canada Games like no other. Our support to date has been strong, including our recent investments in tennis and a new track and field facility. I look forward to sharing more exciting news about these efforts over the coming months.

Thank you.

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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Andrew Furey, today announced that Newfoundland and Labrador families are now benefitting from $10-a-day regulated child care – three years ahead of the national target. With $10-a-day child care, families are now saving an estimated $6,300 per year for each child in care.

Newfoundland and Labrador also announced the opening of the first pre-kindergarten centres in the province. Supported by federal funding, these pre-kindergarten centres will allow more children and families across the province to access high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care.

This announcement comes less than two years after the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador reached an agreement to support an average of $10-a-day regulated child care in the province. Already, families in nearly half of Canada’s provinces and territories are benefitting from regulated early learning and child care at an average of $10-a-day or less, and fees have been cut by at least 50 per cent in all other jurisdictions, with work on track to deliver $10-a-day regulated child care on average by March 2026.

Delivering $10-a-day regulated child care across the country is a key part of the federal government’s plan to make life more affordable for Canadians. It builds on a wide range of other support programs, including the Canada Child Benefit, which puts more money into the pockets of nine out of 10 Canadian families with children and has helped lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. We will continue to put Canadian families at the heart of everything we do, as we make life more affordable, create good jobs, and grow the economy to benefit all Canadians.

Quotes
“Reaching $10-a-day child care is a huge milestone achievement for families in Newfoundland and Labrador. It means hundreds of dollars per child back in the pockets of hard-working families every month, it means more jobs in early learning and child care, it means a stronger economy for Newfoundland and Labrador, and it means we’re giving every child the best possible start in life.”
Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada

“Affordable child care helps families and provides more opportunities for parents to take part in the workforce, so I implemented $25-a-day child care within months of becoming Premier. Now our government is proud to remain a leader as one of the first jurisdictions in this country to offer $10-a-day child care, and we continue our efforts to create more spaces as we build a bright future for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Today’s announcement is a major achievement in our governments’ shared vision to make high-quality child care more affordable and accessible for families. This is a great example of what can be achieved when we share a commitment to improving the lives of Canadians. I am deeply proud of this achievement, and I look forward to the day that families across the country can enjoy the benefits families in Newfoundland and Labrador now enjoy today.”
Honourable Karina Gould
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“We have made great strides in reducing the cost of child care in our province and we remain focused on meeting the demand, through measures such as increased wages for early childhood educators. Increasing accessibility to affordable child care allows more parents into the workplace and ensures children receive quality early learning, improving the quality of life for families.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Education

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Learn more
Budget 2021: A Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan

Toward $10-a-Day: Early Learning and Child Care

$10 a day child care for families in Newfoundland and Labrador

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A lock-in for Budget 2023 will be held for media representatives on Thursday, March 23 in the Conference Centre, West Block, Confederation Building.

The agenda for the lock-in is as follows (all times are approximate):

8:30 a.m. Lock-in area opens 9:00 a.m. Lock-in begins 9:45 a.m. Briefing with Finance officials 10:45 a.m. News conference with Minister Siobhan Coady 1:45 p.m. Media representatives move to Confederation Building lobby 2:00 p.m. Embargo lifts when Minister Coady rises to deliver the budget speech

Media are invited to conduct interviews or live coverage of budget proceedings from the Confederation Building lobby. Set up can begin at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 23.

To register, please email Jillian Hood at jillianhood@gov.nl.ca by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21.

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Speaker, one year ago we launched an urgent humanitarian mission to offer safe haven to Ukrainians facing the global threat of Russian aggression.

A Provincial Government team was dispatched to Poland, to meet Ukrainians fleeing the war and extend the opportunity of shelter on our shores.

This selfless work led to not one, but four Government of Newfoundland and Labrador-sponsored airlifts, bringing more than 700 Ukrainians to safety. An additional 1,600 Ukrainians have arrived independently to join a flourishing “community within a community” of over 2,300 Ukrainians in our province.

Speaker, last week I joined our team in Poland and met with Ukrainians. I can report that our province continues to be a destination of choice. Meetings also occurred with Polish officials and the Canadian Ambassador to Poland, where I thanked them for assisting with our mission and for the incredible work they are doing to serve humanity.

Speaker, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can take heart that their support made this possible. They opened their hearts and homes so that families can take refuge from the ravages of war, and become a part of our vibrant communities.

Ukrainian history is now our history, and our support is unwavering.

SLAVA UKRAINI!

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