Government of Newfoundland News

The Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador, Denise Hanrahan, today delivered her 2022 Annual Report to the House of Assembly, in accordance with the requirements of the Auditor General Act, 2021.

The report provides observations on the audit of the Consolidated Summary Financial Statements; an update on the status of recommendations from four 2019 performance audit reports; the final report on government’s financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and an update on the operations of the Office. The full report can be found by visiting the link below.

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“The way government manages its financial and operational responsibilities is critical to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and my role is to examine how well government continues to manage that significant responsibility. I encourage government to give careful consideration to the observations and recommendations in this Annual Report, especially those issues I am noting for the second year, and take the appropriate action to ensure the best resolutions are found in a timely manner.”
Denise Hanrahan
Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn more
www.ag.gov.nl.ca/reports/all-reports

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Media contact
Chrysta Collins
Office of the Auditor General
709-730-1568
chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca

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The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, and the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will hold a media availability today (Thursday, February 23) to discuss details of the province’s fiscal framework for wind-hydrogen projects.

The availability will take place in the scrum area outside of the House of Assembly at 2:00 p.m.

A technical briefing for media will take place in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, beginning at 1:15 p.m.

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Beginning Wednesday, March 1, the Provincial Government will begin welcoming applications from eligible non-profit and private sector employers for the 2023 Student Summer Employment Programs.

These programs will see students throughout Newfoundland and Labrador secure meaningful summer employment that will help prepare them to enter the workforce and assist businesses to operate more affordably. Employers are encouraged to provide rich and rewarding work experiences for students during this formative stage of their work life.

As a result of feedback from employers, the programs will also feature additional flexibility. Further details will be available on March 1. There are two programs for different age groups, detailed below:

Student Summer Employment Program – High School

• Not-for-profit organizations who hire a high school student for four to eight weeks during the summer, up to 40 hours per week, receive a wage subsidy of 100 per cent of the hourly minimum wage rate as well as 15 per cent to cover mandatory employment-related costs.

Student Summer Employment Program – Post-Secondary

• Private sector employers receive a wage subsidy reimbursement of 60 per cent of the student’s hourly wage, to a maximum of $14.50 per hour.
• Employers can apply to hire a post-secondary student for five to 12 weeks during the summer, up to 40 hours per week.
• Not-for-profit organizations who hire a post-secondary student receive a wage subsidy of 100 per cent of the hourly minimum wage rate, as well as a reimbursement to cover mandatory employment-related costs.

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The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, will make an announcement tomorrow (Thursday, February 23) on funding for music sector workforce development in Corner Brook.

The event will take place at 11:00 a.m. at 62 Broadway, Corner Brook.

Minister Byrne will be joined by Nigel Jenkins, owner of Laughing Heart Music Limited and members of the local arts community.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will make a health care infrastructure announcement tomorrow (Thursday, February 23).

The event will take place at the Memorial University Medical School, 300 Prince Philip Drive in Room 102, St. John’s at 1:00 p.m. The announcement will also be live-streamed on Facebook.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, Dr. Sean Connors, Chief of Cardiac Care at Eastern Health, Ken Baird, President and CEO (interim) of Eastern Health, and Rhonda Neary, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association.

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Today, the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador are announcing up to $94 million in joint funding for Bell and Xplore to bring high-speed Internet access to over 36,000 homes in over 350 rural, remote and Indigenous communities throughout the province.

This funding is part of an existing agreement between the Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada. In February 2022, the two levels of government announced a historic partnership to invest up to $136 million to connect all remaining rural, remote and Indigenous homes throughout the province to high-speed Internet.

Collaborating to provide better internet services to residents of rural, remote and northern communities in Newfoundland and Labrador will help create jobs and contribute to the economic growth of the entire province.

Today’s announcement builds upon the Government of Canada’s progress toward making sure that 98 per cent of Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2026, and 100 per cent by 2030. The Government of Canada will continue to make investments in infrastructure to build strong communities and a more competitive and resilient Canada for everyone

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“Unlocking the potential of large-scale broadband expansion is a tremendous opportunity to connect more and more residents in our province. By collaborating with the Government of Canada and internet service providers, we are investing in communities and people, spurring economic growth and improving access to a range of services, from health care to educational opportunities.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“We all know that Internet is no longer a luxury in this day and age—it’s a necessity. That’s why our federal government made a historic commitment to connect 98 per cent of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to high-speed Internet by 2026, and 100 per cent by 2030. Today’s announcement in Ferryland marks a significant milestone for the Internet highway in our province, by committing the funding to provide reliable high-speed Internet access through Bell and Xplore to the more than 36,000 underserved homes in over 350 rural, remote and Indigenous communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Gudie Hutchings
Minister of Rural Economic Development and MP Long Range Mountains

“Reliable high-speed Internet access is a key contributor to the development of communities both large and small, and we’re proud to partner with the Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador to expand our all-fibre broadband network to even more communities. Through our own fully funded investments and through partnerships like this, Bell continues to deliver on our purpose to advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world.”
Glen LeBlanc
Chief Financial Officer of BCE Inc and Bell Canada, and Bell’s Vice Chair, Atlantic Canada

“We are pleased to be working alongside the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador to bring fibre Internet to more rural communities across the province. With roots in Atlantic Canada, Xplore is committed to delivering gigabit-speed connectivity so that residents can more fully enjoy rural living and local businesses have an enhanced opportunity to participate in the digital economy.”
Allison Lenehan
President and Chief Executive Officer, Xplore Inc.

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Learn more
Connecting Rural Households in Newfoundland and Labrador to High-Speed Internet

Universal Broadband Fund

High-speed Internet for all of Canada

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @IET_GovNL

 

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Today the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Education (Alternate) are recognizing Pink Shirt Day activities in schools and communities throughout the province.

Each year, Pink Shirt Day recognizes the importance of reducing bullying, while respecting and celebrating diversity in all corners of Newfoundland and Labrador. Schools, workplaces and communities are encouraged to take action to be safe, supportive, welcoming and inclusive of all people.

As part of Pink Shirt Day, the Provincial Government is today announcing $12,500 for the Safe and Inclusive Schools Special Initiatives Grants, which will be shared among 29 schools this year. These grants recognize schools for their efforts in achieving safe, caring and inclusive learning environments, promoting positive school climates and sustaining safe and inclusive communities.

A list of grant recipients for 2023 is available here.

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“Diversity is what makes us stronger, and it is important to celebrate what makes us all different while championing kindness, acceptance and inclusion in our province. Pink Shirt Day is a reminder for all of us to be kind and to lift each other up each and every day.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Every student, teacher and staff member deserves the right to a safe, caring and inclusive school environment. Bullying is never acceptable. While our efforts occur throughout the entire school year, today I urge everyone to show their support by wearing pink, practicing kindness and treating others with respect.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Education (Alternate)

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Le premier ministre Furey et le ministre Osborne soulignent la Journée du chandail rose à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador

Learn more
2023 Safe and Inclusive Schools Special Initiatives Grants Recipients

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @EDU_GovNL

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The Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL, will join the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, federal Minister of Rural Economic Development, for an announcement about improving high-speed Internet access in rural Newfoundland and Labrador tomorrow (Wednesday, February 22).

The event will take place at Tetley Tea Room By The Sea, Southern Shore Folk Arts Council & Dinner Theatre, 25 The Pool, Ferryland, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Minister Stoodley and Minister Hutchings will be joined by Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon.

Members of the media are asked to contact ISED Media Relations at media@ised-isde.gc.ca to confirm their attendance in person or virtually or obtain the dial-in information to participate via teleconference.

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2023-009 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-2023-009 Report Date: February 17, 2023 Public Body: Town of Pouch Cove Summary: The Complainant made eight access to information requests to the Town of Pouch Cove under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. The Town did not respond to the requests in any way and the Complainant filed a complaint with the Commissioner. The Commissioner investigated and found no justification for the Town’s failure to respond. The Commissioner recommended that the Town respond to the requests within ten business days.

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

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The House of Assembly advises that a meeting of the Management Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, February 22 at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be broadcast live via the House of Assembly television channel and streamed via the House of Assembly website.

Briefing materials for the meeting will be available on the website at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday. The agenda for the meeting follows.

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Media contact
Bobbi Russell
Policy & Communications Officer
House of Assembly
709-729-1178
bobbirussell@gov.nl.ca

House of Assembly Management Commission
Agenda

Date:              February 22, 2023
Time:             9:30 a.m.
Location:      HOA Chamber

Televised Meeting

1. Approval of Minutes – January 31, 2023
2. Provisions for Reimbursement of Legal Fees for Members
3. Intra & Extra Constituency Allowance Allocations
4. Eligibility of Language Training Expenses for Members

 

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2023-008 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-2023-008 Report Date: February 17, 2023 Public Body: Department of Justice and Public Safety Summary: The Complainant made a request under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 to the Department of Justice and Public Safety for records relating to the Public Inquiry Respecting Ground Search and Rescue for Lost and Missing Persons. The Department disclosed records but withheld some information pursuant to section 27 (cabinet confidences), section 29 (policy advice or recommendations), section 30 (legal advice), section 31 (disclosure harmful to law enforcement), and section 40 (disclosure harmful to personal privacy). The Complainant asked this Office to review the redactions. The Commissioner concluded that the Department had correctly applied sections 27, 29, 31, and 40; however, the Commissioner also determined that the Department of Justice and Public Safety did not provide evidence to conclude that section 30 applied to the withheld information. The Commissioner recommended that the Department disclose the information it had withheld pursuant to section 30 but to continue to withhold information subject to the other sections.

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

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Today, the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs is announcing $400,000 to deliver new one-time Building Age-Friendly Community Grants to help municipalities make necessary upgrades to their communities to accommodate the needs of seniors and all individuals as they age.

Municipalities play a role in the health, safety, well-being and the economic and social security of residents. Municipalities and Inuit Community Governments are eligible for grants available at a 90 to 10 cost share of up to $20,000 for individual communities and $25,000 per community for regional projects.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Access to recreational or municipal services;
• Walkable/accessible pathways;
• Accessible tables, seating next to amenities;
• Fully accessible washrooms;
• Signage to identify the purpose of spaces; and,
• Safety upgrades such as railings and lighting.

Further information and applications can be found here. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, March 3, 2023.

Support for initiatives to advance age-friendly communities aligns with Health Accord NL, and actions to address the social determinants of health. These one-time grants complement the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program provided by the Department of Children, Seniors, and Social Development.

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“Community leaders are considering the Health Accord in their planning and understand the importance of addressing social determinants of health. The Building Age-Friendly Community Grant supports communities in developing or improving their infrastructure to accommodate residents of all ages. Age-friendly communities promote good health, wellness, and safety, and instill stronger community connections. It is important that regardless of age or ability, residents are able to participate fully in their community.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs

“Creating an accessible, age-friendly province is a responsibility we collectively share. As a community becomes more age-friendly it will help to benefit everyone who lives there. I encourage eligible municipalities and Inuit Community Governments to take the time to learn more about the age-friendly philosophy and to apply for a new Building Age-Friendly Communities Grant.”
Honourable John Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

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Learn more
Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities

Health Accord for Newfoundland & Labrador

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @MPA_GovNL and @CSSD_GovNL

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Atlantic Premiers met today to discuss important regional and national issues, chart a course for regional collaboration in 2023, and celebrate the opening of the Canada Winter Games.

As the new Chair of the Council of Atlantic Premiers, Premier Dennis King of Prince Edward Island was joined by Premier Blaine Higgs of New Brunswick, Premier Tim Houston of Nova Scotia, and Premier Dr. Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister presented his government’s proposal for increasing health care funding to provinces and territories, which Canada’s Premiers have agreed to accept. While the proposal does not address the long-term sustainability challenge facing health care in Canada, Premiers noted the benefits of bilateral agreements that provide flexibility and recognize the unique demographic and geographical challenges facing the Atlantic region in delivering health care services. The bilateral funding will assist provinces in accelerating progress on their priorities such as access to primary care, reducing surgery backlogs, recruiting and retaining health care workers, and improving mental health and addictions care.

Atlantic Premiers also discussed opportunities to continue regional health collaboration, including sharing best practices and lessons learned as new programs are implemented and scopes of practice for health care professionals are expanded, as well as sharing the innovative approaches their provinces are pursuing to improve health care delivery for their residents.

Through the Atlantic Health Accord, Premiers are working closely with the registrars of the Atlantic colleges of physicians and surgeons to improve physician mobility within the region as a first step toward broader health care workforce mobility improvement and multi-jurisdictional licensing. Premiers anticipate the Atlantic Physician Register will be in place by May 1, 2023.

Labour shortages are being felt nation-wide by communities and economies. Immigration and the retention of international students who come to Atlantic Canada to further their education are critical to the continued growth of the region. Atlantic Canada is a prime destination for those looking to move to or within Canada and has proven itself to be an ideal location to pilot new immigration programs. Provincial-federal cooperation will be key to finding solutions to the labour challenges facing Canadian industries.

Premiers look forward to meeting with the federal Minister of Immigration to discuss streamlining processing by reducing duplication, expanding the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot to the rest of the region, and adding temporary and permanent resident streams and pathways for health care professionals, targeted projects, and seasonal industries.

Given the importance of enhancing training programs in meeting the demand for new skilled workers across the region, Premiers called on the Federal Government to renew Labour Market Training Agreements to enable provinces to continue improving job training opportunities for Atlantic Canadians.

Premiers discussed access to affordable housing for Atlantic Canadians and how to support those experiencing homelessness. They agreed to improve access to affordable housing and reduce homelessness in the region.

Regional air travel is a critical transportation link for Atlantic Canadian residents, families and business. Premiers discussed the need for access to reliable and affordable regional air routes and support efforts to re-establish and increase the routes that help connect the region, while also improving access to the rest of Canada and the global economy.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Premiers noted the recent Bell 911 system outage. Premiers agreed to raise this critical public safety infrastructure outage issue, including telecommunications reliability and preparedness, with the Federal Government.

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The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, will bring greetings at the grand opening of Fugro’s Canada Remote Operations Centre tomorrow (Tuesday, February 21).

The event takes place at Fugro, 25 Pippy Place, St. John’s beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Fugro is a Canadian marine geoscience, surveying and mapping company employing 9,000 people in 59 countries, including an office in St. John’s.

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2023-007 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-2023-007 Report Date: February 16, 2023 Public Body: City of St. John’s Summary: The Complainant made a request under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015  to the City of St. John’s for all records (applications, permits, correspondence, complaints, etc.) relating to a number of addresses in St. John’s. The City provided a large number of records, but redacted some information, particularly the names of property owners, on the basis of section 40(1) (unreasonable invasion of privacy). The Complainant objected to the redactions and filed a complaint with our Office. The Commissioner concluded that, while the City’s redactions were not unreasonable, the better practice would have been to disclose the names of the property owners and the names of other individuals in certain legal documents as they are otherwise publicly available or intended to be public; and to then ensure compliance with section 40 of the Act by redacting other information if its disclosure, coupled with the names, would be an unreasonable invasion of privacy. The Commissioner recommended that the City continue to withhold most of the redacted information in the present case, but that it should adopt the alternative practice in similar future cases.

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

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Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King, Chair of the Council of Atlantic Premiers, is pleased to host a meeting of the Council in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on February 20th. Premier King will be joined by his colleagues Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs.

A news conference with the Atlantic Premiers will be held at 11:45 a.m. NST (11:15 a.m. AST) on February 20 in the Media Room at the Shaw Building, 95 Rochford, Charlottetown, P.E.I. Media will have the option and are encouraged to join the news conference virtually – due to media room capacity, only a limited number of members from the media will be permitted in the room.

Please note that:

• All media representatives, including journalists, photographers, camera operators, and technicians, are required to register by submitting their name, affiliation, and contact information to Morgan Martin (mxmartin@gov.pe.ca).
• Please indicate whether you plan to attend in-person or virtually. If you plan to attend virtually, please indicate whether you would like to be called upon to ask a question. Please note that we will attempt to call upon as many journalists as possible, depending on time constraints.
• Only registered media will receive updates to the meeting schedule and media opportunities via email or text message.

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Large numbers of caribou are currently active on roadways in various locations in western Newfoundland. Motorists should be on the lookout for caribou when travelling in the following areas:

• Route 490 near the former Abitibi Mill Site;
• Route 460 (White’s Road) between Long Gull Pond and north of Harry’s River; and
• Trans-Canada Highway near Southwest Brook where highway moose fencing ends.

Motorists can reduce the risk of a caribou-vehicle collision by:

• Scanning both sides of the highway and having passengers watch for caribou;
• Paying attention to caribou warning signs;
• Avoiding driving at dusk and dawn when caribou are commonly alongside roadways; and
• Reducing speeds while driving at night when caribou are more difficult to see.

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The Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, will address participants of the Acadian Youth Parliament on Monday, February 20.

The event will take place in the House of Assembly, Confederation Building, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The Acadian Youth Parliament, which takes place every two years, is comprised of 50 French-speaking participants, aged 16 to 25, from the Atlantic Provinces. It provides an opportunity for young people to learn about the Canadian parliamentary system, to develop their capacity in public speaking and to learn more about the network of provincial Francophone youth organizations.

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Avis aux médias : La ministre Stoodley participera au Parlement jeunesse de l’Acadie

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The Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, will provide opening remarks at the Summit on the International Recruitment of Bilingual Health Care Professionals on Monday, February 20.

The event takes place at the ALT Hotel, 125 Water Street, St. John’s beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The event is being hosted by the Francophone Federation of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Newfoundland and Labrador Francophone Health Network, and the Francophone Immigration Network.

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Avis aux médias : La ministre Stoodley participera au Sommet sur le recrutement des professionnels de santé bilingues

 

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The public is advised that the provincially-operated swimming pool at the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre will be closed on Monday, February 20, for the Winter Carnival Civic Holiday.

The pool will resume regular operations on Tuesday, February 21.

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