Government of Newfoundland News

The Provincial Government has improved the death notification and processing systems used by the province, regional health authorities, Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information and funeral homes, with the implementation of a new online Death Notification System.

Funded by the federal Department of Employment and Social Development Canada, this fully-electronic option for submitting and processing information relating to death registration does not change the process for registering deaths – it improves the timeliness, accuracy and efficiency of the necessary steps.

The Vital Statistics Division of Digital Government and Service NL is responsible for the collection, storage and provision of birth, death and marriage registration records in this province.

Bereaved families will now have earlier access to death certificates, and the new system will allow for faster processing times, thus reducing administrative burdens for estates and loved ones.

The new online Death Notification System supports the Provincial Government’s digital government commitment to improve services.

Quote
“The Vital Statistics Division is proud to be the first in Canada to fully implement a paperless, online Death Notification System. The new online option reduces processing times, improves accuracy of data and ensures efficient processing.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

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Learn more
Vital Statistics (Deaths 1950-1968) Digital Collection Now Online

Office of Vital Statistics

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The following is being distributed at the request of the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador:

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission will present the 8th annual Human Rights Award at a ceremony today (Thursday, December 8). The event begins at 3:00 p.m. at Government House in St. John’s.

The 2022 Human Rights Award recognizes an individual who has made and/or continues to make a meaningful contribution to advancing and furthering human rights in the province.

To request a link to the ceremony, please email Hilary Hennessey at HilaryHennessey@gov.nl.ca. For more information on the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission, please visit www.thinkhumanrights.ca.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission can be followed on Twitter & Instagram @nlhumanrights

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Media contact
Hilary P. Hennessey
Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission
709-729-5644
HilaryHennessey@gov.nl.ca

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Come Home 2022 was a record-breaking year for ParksNL, with more than 233,000 visits to Newfoundland and Labrador’s 32 provincial parks.

The 2022 record of 233,168 visits is an increase of approximately 10,000 over 2021, which held the previous record. This also represents an increase of more than 76,000 visits over the pre-pandemic year 2019.

ParksNL also set a new record for campsite stays, with occupancy hitting a high of 66,527 camper nights. The previous record was 65,981 camper nights set in 2013.

All provincial parks have now closed for the season, but visitors can continue to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of connecting with nature in the natural environments that the parks provide.

Quote
“Come Home 2022 has been a banner year for tourism in our province, as travelers rediscover the incredible offerings here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our provincial parks have always been a favourite destination for local residents and visitors alike, and it’s exciting to see that people are returning to enjoy these beautiful natural areas.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

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ParksNL

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The Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, is pleased to announce the appointment of Judge Jennifer Mercer as Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Associate Chief Judge Mercer replaces former Associate Chief Judge Michael A. Madden, whose seven-year term has concluded.

Associate Chief Judge Mercer graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1997 and was called to the Bar in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1998. She previously practiced in Labrador, both in private practice and as a Crown Attorney. Associate Chief Judge Mercer then continued her career in the roles of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and Director of Public Prosecutions. She was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice and Public Safety in October 2018, and served in that role until July 2021 when she was appointed as a Judge of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

A full biography of Associate Chief Judge Mercer can be found in the backgrounder below.

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“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Judge Jennifer Mercer as Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. The role of Associate Chief Judge brings with it important responsibilities. I am confident Associate Chief Judge Mercer’s qualifications and experience make her well-suited to her new position as she fulfills her duties in ensuring Newfoundland and Labrador has an effective and efficient Provincial Court.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

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BACKGROUNDER

Biography of Jennifer Mercer
Associate Chief Judge Jennifer L. Mercer is originally from Grand Falls-Windsor. She attended Université Ste-Anne, where she completed intensive French Immersion and her Bachelier ès Arts (français). Her studies continued at Dalhousie Law School where she graduated in 1997. Associate Chief Judge Mercer articled with the law firm Miller & Hearn in Labrador City and was admitted to the Bar in 1998, winning both the Hunt and Penny Awards (highest overall marks and highest marks in family law). Associate Chief Judge Mercer practiced with Miller & Hearn until 2007 when she joined the Department of Justice and Public Safety as a Crown Attorney, subsequently becoming Senior Crown Attorney (Labrador) in 2015.

Associate Chief Judge Mercer continued her career with the Department of Justice and Public Safety in the roles of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and Director of Public Prosecutions. Associate Chief Judge Mercer was also appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2017. She was appointed the Deputy Minister of Justice and Public Safety in October 2018 and served in that role until July 2021 when she was appointed as a Judge of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Associate Chief Judge Mercer has also volunteered with several community organizations, including the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs, Work out World, the Rotary Club, and the Polaris Figure Skating Club Board of Directors.

 

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The Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador, Denise Hanrahan, today delivered a performance audit of the Department of Justice and Public Safety’s Corrections and Community Services Division to the House of Assembly. Today’s audit reports on findings and recommendations regarding adult custody and community corrections.

The audit concluded that the department was inadequate in its efforts to appropriately and consistently manage adult offenders in custody and in community arrangements. The department also did not provide adequate rehabilitation programming, with outdated adult custody policies and incomplete risk assessments, for incarcerated offenders and those on probation or conditional sentence order conditions.

The report identified that while modernized legislation was assented in 2011, the department has not ensured that the Act and its regulations have been enacted. As a result, the department continues to operate under Acts from the 1970’s.

The audit also found that probation officers did not always supervise offenders in accordance with established supervision standards, or always properly enforce compliance with probation and conditional sentence order conditions when breaches occurred. These deficiencies may have increased the risk to public safety and diminished offenders’ probability of successful community reintegration.

The full report, as well as an audit overview, can be found by visiting: www.ag.gov.nl.ca.

Quote
“Appropriate rehabilitation and supervision of offenders in custody, and those serving sentences in the community, is a crucial part of public safety. Adult custody and community corrections programs play a fundamental role in this effort. Adult custody rehabilitation programming and reintegration policies were found to be incomplete, inadequate, and outdated; and for the majority of the adult custody criteria we assessed, no policies existed at all. Gaps in legislation, policy, and procedures may create situations where offenders receive inappropriate rehabilitation, which may result in an increased risk to reoffend. Similarly, offenders serving community sentences without adequate supervision are at risk of not complying with their court ordered conditions and possibly repeating the criminal behaviours that brought them into the justice system in the first place.”
Denise Hanrahan
Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Media contact
Chrysta Collins
Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Office of the Auditor General
709-730-1568
chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca

 

 

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The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, today announced the launch of ‘Transition. Transform. Thrive. A Tourism Vision and Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador.’ Minister Crocker was joined by tourism, hospitality and cultural industry stakeholders and partners at The Rooms in St. John’s for the announcement.

Also known as Vision 2026, this five-year strategy will ultimately transform the province’s tourism landscape. It is the result of work by the Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Board, whose membership consists of representatives from the Provincial Government and private industry. The board also consulted with countless partners throughout the province.

Plans for the next five years will take a three-phased approach:

• Transition 2022-2023 – A short-term strategy that transitions tourism to more solid footing, building capacity to grow visitation to pre-2020 levels.

• Transformation 2024-2026 – A comprehensive medium-to-long-term strategy that transforms tourism on a sustainable path of consistent and responsible annual visitation, spending and employment growth.
• Thrive 2026 and Beyond – A long-term strategy focused on guiding and supporting tourism development with an equal focus on economics and the well-being of people and places, also referred to as regenerative tourism. In this phase of Vision 2026, tourism is thriving by constantly monitoring and adapting to the dynamic and ever-changing tourism environment.

With Vision 2026, private and public stakeholders will strive to not only grow tourism’s contribution to the economy, but also to enhance the sociocultural vibrancy and environmental well-being of the province.

Work on the Transition Phase has already begun, with the following activities underway for years 2022-2023:

• Investing in air access capacity development;
• Developing a new tourism research plan, along with enhanced visitor surveying;
• Completing a review of the province’s marketing strategy and enhanced marketing investments for two years;
• Creating exceptional experiences through the recently announced Tourism Experience Enhancement Fund;
• Investing in season extension initiatives to drive visitation outside of the peak summer season;
• Establishing Celebrate NL to implement an event attraction strategy;
• Completing evaluation of the private-public leadership model and evolving the leadership structure; and
• Making strategic investments in signage at points of entry and on themed routes throughout the province.

Budget 2022 included $20 million to support tourism recovery initiatives related to Vision 2026.

Quotes
“It is with much pride and excitement that we launch the 2022-2026 Tourism Vision and Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador. It is the realization of innumerable collaborative sessions between the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation and our many tourism and hospitality partners and stakeholders. Thank you to all stakeholders for their input, participation, cooperation and support. One of our biggest strengths as a competitive destination is how well we work together. We have proven that if we work together to advance our collective goals, we can achieve great things. As a visitor destination, we have so much untapped potential, and I am beyond optimistic for the years to come.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“Today’s launch of Vision 2026 marks the next phase for Newfoundland and Labrador’s tourism industry. The Vision addresses the challenges our industry faces, and the opportunities that have emerged following the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re excited to work together as an industry to grow Newfoundland and Labrador as a competitive destination. The collaboration between public/private partners including government departments, industry organizations and, of course, tourism operators in the development of Vision 2026, sets the stage for tourism to transition, transform, and thrive. Working toward this common Vision will ensure the tourism industry continues to make a valuable contribution to our province’s economy.”
Brenda O’Reilly
Chair, Hospitality Newfoundland & Labrador

“The launch of Vision 2026 is the culmination of several years of extensive research, consultation and collaboration, under the leadership of the Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Board. The Board is very proud of the accomplishments of Vision 2020 and want to build on those successes with this new 5-year plan. We’re sure that each and every one of you in tourism, from business operators and employees to partners and stakeholders, will see yourself represented in Vision 2026 and be filled with renewed energy and optimism for this province. Thank you to our partners and contributors for your hard work and commitment to creating this new Vision.”
Roger Jamieson
Interim Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Board

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Learn more
Transition. Transform. Thrive. A Tourism Vision and Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @TCAR_GovNL

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The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, today greeted the fourth Government of Newfoundland and Labrador coordinated and sponsored airlift of Ukrainians at St. John’s International Airport, welcoming 187 newcomers to the province.

The airlift that departed Warsaw, Poland and landed in St. John’s, was again coordinated by the Ukrainian Family Support Desk, a Provincial Government initiative launched on March 2 to provide safe haven to Ukrainians fleeing the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine. Including the airlift today, approximately 700 Ukrainians have arrived via Provincial Government airlifts. When combined with the 800 Ukrainians who have arrived by other means, over 1,500 Ukrainians have settled in 36 communities cross Newfoundland and Labrador since March.

After arrival, most Ukrainian newcomers will be transported to temporary accommodations in the capital region to rest and begin adjusting to their new home in Newfoundland and Labrador. This transition period will be eased for many individuals and families because of the pre-arrival support provided by the Ukrainian Family Support Desk, including:

• Pairing Ukrainians with accommodations;
• Engaging the Association for New Canadians to activate specialized settlement services and supports;
• Immigration navigation and processing;
• Resume translation services; and
• Facilitating job interviews with local employers (a number of Ukrainians have already accepted jobs).

All arriving Ukrainians have been granted the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel Visa that legally allows them to live and work in Canada for up to three years. Ukrainians arriving in Newfoundland and Labrador under the Emergency Travel Visa will also receive provincial Medical Care Plan and Prescription Drug Plan coverage. The province has also enabled the conversion of Ukrainian drivers licences to Newfoundland and Labrador licences.

Thanks are again extended to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for supporting Ukrainians and helping to make this airlift possible.

For examples of 186 Newfoundland and Labrador employers who have had success in hiring Ukrainians, please see the backgrounder below. For those interested in continuing to support Ukrainians in Newfoundland and Labrador, please see a second backgrounder below for ways to contribute to the effort.

The Ukrainian Family Support Desk continues working with Ukrainians who have expressed an interest in coming to Newfoundland and Labrador. For more information about the desk please visit the webpage.

Quotes
“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians continue to support Ukrainians displaced by the illegal Russian invasion of their country. This fourth Provincial Government coordinated and sponsored airlift again shows that our province is playing a leadership role in Canada in our humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine. Ukrainians will always receive a warm welcome to our province.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Ukrainians bring with them a wealth of talent, and arrive ready to build lives and contribute to our province. Our aid to Ukrainians has created a virtuous cycle, whereby our society is continually enriched by the contributions of our new Ukrainian neighbours.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

“The ANC is proud to be part of welcoming more Ukrainian families to Newfoundland and Labrador. We are delighted to work with the provincial government in support of this resettlement effort and are so thankful for the generosity of community organizations, businesses, and members of the public who have shown, time and time again, great kindness in helping newcomers arriving in this province.”
Megan Morris
Executive Director, Association for New Canadians

“Newfoundland and Labrador has a history of welcoming immigrants — we are pioneers in taking initiative, and adapting our immigration system and resources to tackle the challenges of current times. The employers in our communities are standing up to welcome our new members who enrich our province’s culture and grow our economy.”
Constanza Safatle
Executive Director, TaskforceNL

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Learn more
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @IPGS_GovNL

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Jeremy Reynolds
Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
709-729-2377
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Examples of the 186 Newfoundland and Labrador Employers That Have Hired Ukrainians

Employer

Positions

A1 Automotive

Dismantler

Association for New Canadians

Settlement Officer, Interpreters, Employment Facilitators, Drivers, Operations Staff

Atlantic Grocery Distributors

Warehouse Positions

Bernard Stanley Gastro Pub

Kitchen Assistant

Bishop’s Garden

Care Provider and Dietary Aide

By Sharpe Design

Florists

Capelin Creations

Marketer

Capital Hotel

Room Attendants

Christopher’s Trucking

Truck Driver

City Tire

Tire Technician

Coastal Shipping (Woodward Group of Companies)

Cook, Electrician, Deckhands, Chief Officer

Colemans

Pastry Chef

Cyno

Software Developer, Sales Coordinator

DF Barnes Services

Welders, Painter

Distinctive Interiors

Cabinet Assistant

East Side Mario’s

Food and Beverage Staff

Forteau Sales and Service Gas Station

General Labour

GardaWorld

Security Guard

Golden Crust Bakery

Bakery Positions

Goldie Beauty Bar

Nail Technician

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism

Immigration Program Development Officers

Gypsy Tea Room

Food and Beverage Staff

Jag Hotel

Room Attendants

King’s Plumbing and Heating

Plumber’s Helper

Magnum and Steins

Cooks

Mahoney’s Electrical

Apprentice Electrician

Manna Bakery

Retail Staff, Delivery Driver

Mary Brown’s

Food Counter Attendant, Food Service Supervisor, Cook

Monastery Spa and Medispa

Nail Technician

Murray Premises

Front Desk Clerk, Housekeeper, Overnight Auditor

Newfoundland Broadcasting Company

Video Journalist

PF Collins

Materials Handler, Truck Driver, Accounting Administrator, Import Coordinator

S&L Porter Homes

Carpenter, Carpenter’s Helper

Sharing Our Cultures

Assistant Project Coordinator

Sysco

Night Warehouse Worker

TLC Nursing & Homecare Services

Homecare Support Workers

Viking Construction

Electrician Apprentice

Whale House Guest House

Operations Manager

Window Shop

Window Installer

Work Global Canada

Ukraine Facilitator, Recruiters, Intake Immigration Support Worker, Executive Assistant

How Newfoundlanders and Labradorians Can Continue to Help Ukrainian Newcomers

With the fourth Provincial Government coordinated and sponsored airlift bringing Ukrainians directly to Canada having arrived on Tuesday, December 6 at St. John’s International Airport, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is reminding residents how they can help welcome and support Ukrainian newcomers.

Residents can help by:

• Identifying job opportunities for Ukrainians and sending those positions to ukrainianfamily@gov.nl.ca;
• Sending offers of accommodation and donations of goods and/or services to the Association for New Canadians Ukraine Support Team at ukraine@ancnl.ca or 709-325-0881; and
• Donating to the Association for New Canadians Emergency Fund (tax receipts issued for donations greater than $20).

The Association for New Canadians is also recruiting for:

• Interpreters (Ukrainian and other languages);
• Family Match Program participants (volunteers are matched with newcomers to help with English as a second language learning through friendship. Activities could include exploring the city, sightseeing, going for walks and sharing meals together); and
• Conversation circle partners (newcomers are given the opportunity to start practicing conversational English).

 

Those interested in getting involved are asked to register for orientation by emailing volunteer@ancnl.ca.

 

 

 

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Members of the public are reminded that the 36th annual Winter Lights Across Canada celebration is taking place this Thursday, December 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of East Block, Confederation Building, St. John’s.

The event is open to the public, and the lights will be activated at approximately 6:25 p.m. During the event there will be complimentary hot chocolate, provided by Tim Hortons, in the lobby.

The event will be hosted by Stephanie O’Brien of OZFM, and entertainment will be provided by Paige Penney, Shallaway Youth Choir’s Prima ensemble and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band.

The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation and the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, will be joined by two newcomer families from South Sudan and Ukraine to help kick off the holiday celebrations this year.

This event will be livestreamed to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Facebook page and on YouTube.

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The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, will present a vision for the future of the tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador tomorrow (Wednesday, December 7). The vision was developed in collaboration with the Provincial Government’s partners in the tourism industry.

Minister Crocker will be joined at the announcement by Brenda O’Reilly, Chair of Hospitality NL, and Roger Jamieson, Interim Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Board.

The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the third-floor atrium at The Rooms, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s. The announcement will also be livestreamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Facebook page.

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will bring greetings at a Royal Platinum Jubilee Celebration, in recognition and remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, tomorrow evening (Wednesday, December 7).

The celebration, hosted by Creative Cultural Experiences, will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the CLB Armoury, 82 Harvey Road, St. John’s.

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The Provincial Government, in partnership with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, has launched a digital Insurance Validation Program to improve how the province’s Motor Registration Division determines whether a vehicle is covered by mandatory insurance.

This program automates verification with the Insurance Bureau of Canada that a vehicle identification number (VIN) matches the information on file with Motor Registration, providing a secure, effective and convenient digital solution to confirm that motorists have mandatory auto insurance coverage when registered owners annually renew their vehicle registration.

The program will apply to all passenger-plated, privately-owned or leased passenger vehicles with a model year of 1983 and later, and Motor Registration will now be able to check registered vehicles for mandatory insurance coverage on a monthly basis.

Funding for this initiative was provided by Transport Canada through the Enhanced Road Safety Transfer Payment Program (ERSTPP).

The 2019 Automobile Insurance Review found that Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest costs and claim frequency for uninsured drivers of any of the Atlantic Provinces.

The Insurance Validation Program is one of a number of measures government has taken to address this problem, including:

• Requiring insurers to report a cancellation of an auto insurance policy to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles;
• Increasing fines for uninsured drivers; and,
• Prohibiting uninsured motorists from accessing the Uninsured Automobile Fund.

As per the province’s Highway Traffic Act, penalties for driving without valid insurance include cancellation of registration, vehicle impoundment, fines of up to $4,000 for a first offence and earning six demerit points.

Quotes
“It is mandatory to carry auto insurance in our province. When drivers do not carry auto insurance, the costs can be substantial and affect everyone’s insurance premiums. This program identifies and directly reduces the number of uninsured vehicles on our roadways.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

“The property and casualty insurance industry is happy to partner with Newfoundland and Labrador to provide real-time confirmation of mandatory insurance coverage. This system has been working effectively in Ontario for over a decade, and will help ensure all Newfoundland and Labrador road users are protected in the event of a collision.”
Amanda Dean
Vice-President, Atlantic
Insurance Bureau of Canada

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Learn more
Automobile Insurance Changes 2020

2019 Automobile Insurance Review – Report to Government

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @DGS_GovNL

Media contacts
Krista Dalton
Service NL
709-729-4748
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca

Brett Weltman
Insurance Bureau of Canada
416-362-2031
BWeltman@ibc.ca

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Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador, Denise Hanrahan, will deliver a performance audit report on The Department of Justice and Public Safety’s Corrections and Community Services Division (Adult Custody and Community Corrections) to the House of Assembly tomorrow (Wednesday, December 7).

A technical briefing for media will take place on Wednesday (December 7), beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Office of the Auditor General’s boardroom, 7 Pippy Place, St. John’s. Media representatives planning to participate are asked to RSVP to Chrysta Collins (chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca).

The Auditor General will be available to the media beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Media planning to participate are asked to be at the Office of the Auditor General no later than 10:15 a.m.

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Media contact
Chrysta Collins
Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
709-730-1568
chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2022-029 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-2022-029 Report Date: December 2, 2022 Public Body: Serious Incident Response Team Summary: The Complainant made an access to information request under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 to the Serious Incident Response Team for records relating to investigations into allegations against the Complainant. The public body provided the Complainant with the responsive records with some information withheld under section 40 (disclosure harmful to personal privacy). The Complainant did not agree with the decision to withhold information and filed a complaint with this Office. The public body released some additional information over the course of the investigation, and the Commissioner reviewed the remaining withheld information and found that it was appropriate for the public body to continue to withhold it in accordance with section 40.

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

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The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, will share remarks at a vigil to coincide with the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women tomorrow (December 6).

The event will commemorate the 14 women who were killed due to gender-based violence at L’École Polytechnique in Montréal, Quebec, on December 6, 1989.

The event starts at 6:00 p.m. in the main lecture theatre (EN-2006) of the Memorial University Engineering Building, 240 Prince Phillip Drive, St. John’s.

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The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, will welcome the fourth Government of Newfoundland and Labrador coordinated and sponsored airlift of Ukrainians tomorrow evening (Tuesday, December 6). The flight will travel directly from Warsaw, Poland to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Media interested in attending are asked to RVSP with Jeremy Reynolds (jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca) by 2:00 p.m. tomorrow.

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The Provincial Government has appointed Retired Supreme Court Justice Robert Fowler to conduct a review of the statutory offices that report to the House of Assembly. Justice Fowler will review the structure, reporting and accountability of the statutory offices of the House of Assembly and prepare a report that includes recommendations.

The Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, will be available to media at 1:00 p.m. today (Monday, December 5) outside of the House of Assembly to discuss this review.

Statutory offices operate independent of government. They are also not directed by Cabinet or ministers. Given the need to operate independently from the Provincial Government, the offices report directly to the House of Assembly. The statutory offices being reviewed include:

• Commissioner for Legislative Standards
• Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
• Office of the Child and Youth Advocate
• Office of the Citizens’ Representative
• Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
• Office of the Seniors’ Advocate

The Auditor General is excluded from this review, as the Auditor General Act was updated in 2021 to improve accountability for public bodies in the province. The Auditor General is subject to robust performance oversight by Auditors General across Canada and reports to the Public Accounts Committee.

The full terms of reference for this review can be found in the backgrounder below. The review is anticipated to take approximately six months.

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Learn more
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @JPS_GovNL.

BACKGROUNDER

Terms of Reference

The Consultant shall review the structure of the Statutory Offices of the House of Assembly, with the exception of the Office of the Auditor General, and prepare a report that includes recommendations for the following:

• The minimum required competencies for each statutory officer;
• The number of statutory offices and whether a statutory officer could fulfil the obligations of more than one statutory role; which offices/statutory officers could be combined based on common objectives, functions, qualifications, clients etc.;
• Whether each Statutory Office requires the dedication of a full-time statutory officer or whether it could be part-tine or on an as-needed basis;
• How each statutory officer should be recruited, appointed, re-appointed, compensated, disciplined, and removed from office;
• How to manage conflicts which arise between Statutory Offices, who should investigate alleged misconduct of a statutory officer, and how that investigation should be conducted (internally, externally, independent ADR etc.).
• Whether and how quality assurance and performance of each statutory officer/Statutory Office should be measured and overseen;
• What is an appropriate administrative oversight model for the Statutory Offices, inclusive of financial management, human resources management, information management, procurement, and any other “back office” functions; structure;
• Whether physical space and administrative functions could be shared among Statutory Offices; and
• Where reports from each Statutory Office should be directed, such as whether any of the reports of the Statutory Offices should go to a standing or select committee of the House of Assembly for review and analysis.

The Consultant may seek input from current and former statutory officers, the Clerk of the House of Assembly, the Clerk of the Executive Council, the Management Commission of the House of Assembly and any others that may be necessary to inform the Terms of Reference.

 

 

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The Honourable Derek Bennett, Speaker of the House of Assembly, is pleased to announce the public launch of a Newfoundland and Labrador related Commissions of Inquiry and Royal Commissions database. The research tool is a project of the Legislative Library and includes listings from its collection as well as from the collections of several other knowledge institutions, including the Newfoundland & Labrador Public Libraries, Memorial University, the Rooms Provincial Archives and others.

The database includes records related to Commissions of Inquiry and Royal Commissions conducted for or on Newfoundland and Labrador, mandated under the authority of public inquiry statutes since 1833. It does not include marine, judicial, industrial, magisterial or other inquiries initiated under different authorities. While research has been thorough and the tool aims to be as complete as possible, it will continue to be updated and maintained on an ongoing basis, as more documents are uncovered.

The database, accessible on the House of Assembly website, allows users to search by title, commissioner/chair and date, and allows users to browse a complete list of titles available. Search results will show any physical holdings related to a particular commission/inquiry in each source and, where available, provide links to electronic records.

Quote
“I am pleased today to announce the official launch of this research tool for public use. I particularly want to acknowledge and commend employees of the Legislative Library, whose hard work and expertise have brought this project to fruition. I also wish to extend appreciation to the other knowledge institutions who have contributed to make the database as complete as possible. The continued development and refinement of this research tool will facilitate access to these significant resources for generations to come.”
Honourable Derek Bennett
Speaker of the House of Assembly

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Learn more
Commissions of Inquiry and Royal Commissions Database

Project scope notes

Media contact
Bobbi Russell
Policy and Communications Officer
House of Assembly
709-689-1288
bobbirussell@gov.nl.ca

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The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the following relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

UNDERTAKING REGISTERED:

Matthews Pond (Lethbridge) Strawberry Farm                                 (Reg. 2225)
Proponent: Bayview Gardens

The proponent is proposing to develop approximately eight hectares of agriculture land for strawberry production near Matthews Pond, located approximately eight kilometres south of Lethbridge on the Bonavista Peninsula. The increase of the farm’s productive land base will allow the farm to expand its strawberry operation. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on December 1, 2022; the deadline for public comments is January 6, 2023; and the minister’s decision is due by January 15, 2023.

PLAN APPROVED:

Argentia Seafood Processing Plants                                                  (Reg. 2172)
Proponent: Dandy Dan’s Fish Market Ltd.

On December 2, 2022, the minister approved the waste management plan for the Argentia Seafood Processing Plants project. Approval of the plan is a condition of release from environmental assessment. The plan is available on the Department’s project web page at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/2172-2/.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Rennies River Flood Mitigation –
Portugal Cove Road to Kings Bridge Road                                        (Reg. 2115)
Proponent: City of St. John’s

The Project is released subject to the following conditions:

• The proponent is required to uphold all commitments made in the environmental assessment submission to mitigate the effects of the Project on the environment.
• The proponent is required to 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 to provide additional updates if required.

Pinware River Access Road and Cabin                                               (Reg. 2212)
Proponent: Alexander O’Brien

The Project is released subject to the following conditions:

• The proponent is required to 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:
  • No vegetation clearing is to occur within 800 meters of a bald eagle or osprey nest during the nesting season (March 15 to July 31) and 200 meters 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 site must be reported to the Wildlife Division.
  • For access road construction, the proponent must maintain a minimum 30-metre undisturbed, riparian buffer from the high water mark of the Pinware River to protect sensitive riparian and aquatic species, and their habitat. Cottage development must be situated within grant 14246 to maintain as close as possible to a 30-metre undisturbed, riparian buffer from the high water mark of the Pinware River.

• The proponent is required to advise the Environmental Assessment Division when the conditions of release have been met, by emailing a written description, documents, and images (where applicable) demonstrating that the conditions have been fulfilled.

• The proponent is required to 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 the release letter and to provide additional updates if required.

Blaketown to Clarkes Pond 55L Transmission Line Rebuild        (Reg. 2221)
Proponent: Newfoundland Power Inc.

The Project is released subject to the following conditions;

• The proponent is required to 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 condition:
• No vegetation clearing is to occur within 800 metres of a bald eagle or osprey nest during the nesting season (March 15 to July 31) and 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 proponent is required to advise the Environmental Assessment Division when the conditions of release have been met, by emailing a written description, documents, and images (where applicable) to demonstrate that the conditions have been fulfilled.
• The proponent is required to 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 to provide additional updates if required.

UNDERTAKING WITHDRAWN:

 Cape Ray Gold Project                                                                                         (Reg. 2224)
Proponent: Matador Mining Ltd.

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_May-2022.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.

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A resource road near the town of Grand Falls-Windsor, known locally as Sandy Road, will be closed to all vehicle traffic from Monday, December 5 to Thursday, December 9 to allow for bridge repair work.

Repairs will consist of the removal and installation of new abutments to Tom Joe Bridge, located at the 22 km mark on Sandy Road.

For further information, please contact the Bishop’s Falls Forest Management District Office at: 709-258-5334.

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, today joined representatives from the community of persons with disabilities in proclaiming December 3 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Observed by the United Nations since 1992, this day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.”

Minister Abbott was joined by Debbie Ryan, Chair of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Board, Nancy Reid, Chair of the Network of Disability Organizations Newfoundland and Labrador, along with other representatives from the community of persons with disabilities for the proclamation signing.

The province’s new Accessibility Act is working to improve accessibility and inclusion by identifying, preventing and removing barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from full participation in society. A key element of the legislation has been the establishment of an Accessibility Standards Advisory Board in summer 2022.

The Board plays a pivotal role in advising and making recommendations to the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities to develop priorities for the establishment of accessibility standards, the content of accessibility standards and the time periods for their implementation.

The United Nations flag will be flying at Confederation Building tomorrow (Saturday, December 3) in recognition of this day.

Quotes
“I am pleased to proclaim International Day of Persons with Disabilities – a day to celebrate the contributions and achievements of persons with disabilities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. I look forward to continuing work with the new Accessibility Standards Advisory Board and the community of persons with disabilities to create a more accessible and inclusive province for all.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

“The most exciting day of my 30+ years as an advocate for persons with disabilities was on December 3, 2021, when the Accessibility Act was enacted in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. As the Chair of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Board, I am especially honored in this role to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The Board and I look forward to continuing the great work of the many advocates who got us to where we are today.”
Debbie Ryan
Chair, Accessibility Standards Advisory Board

“The Network of Disability Organizations Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to join with Minister Abbott and the Accessibility Standards Advisory Board, in recognition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Today marks one year since our provinces’ Accessibility Act was enacted. Our Network joins the Board in its resolve toward making Newfoundland and Labrador more accessible for persons with disabilities. We celebrate the work accomplished in the past year and commit to continued consultation and collaboration toward a better tomorrow.”
Nancy Reid
Chair, Network of Disability Organizations Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn more
Children, Seniors and Social Development 

Accessibility Act

Provincial Government Establishes Accessibility Standards Advisory Board under the Accessibility Act

Provincial Government Celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities and Proclaims New Accessibility Legislation

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @CSSD_GovNL

Minister Abbott with Debbie Ryan, Chair, Accessibility Standards Advisory Board, and Nancy Reid, Chair, Network of Disability Organizations Newfoundland and Labrador.

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