Government of Newfoundland News

Today, June 8, is World Oceans Day and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are being encouraged to take a few moments to reflect on the valuable contribution ocean ecosystems make to our daily lives. World Oceans Day is observed globally each year to highlight the importance of protecting and sustaining the world’s oceans and marine environments.

There are many ocean-themed virtual events being offered by the Newfoundland and Labrador World Oceans Day Planning Committee. The committee is comprised of representatives from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Canadian Parks Wilderness Society NL Chapter, Fish Food and Allied Workers Union – Unifor and Marine Institute. Everyone is welcome to visit the World Oceans Day NL Facebook page for a list of in-person events and virtual activities, including:

• A virtual reading of the children’s book ‘Emily the Puffling’s Amazing Adventure’
• Atlantic salmon theme activities at Salmonier Nature Park
• A ‘how to’ video demonstrating how to make jellyfish art work out of a sea urchin
• Adult Ocean Trivia at Nine Penney Brewery

The World Oceans Day NL Facebook page is also showcasing the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture 2022 World Oceans Day Art Contest entries. This year, 719 submission were received from pre-K to grade 12 students throughout the province. Category winners are listed in the backgrounder below.

Department staff recently hosted World Ocean Day events at schools in the Coast of Bays and Burgeo areas which encouraged youth participation in a variety of fun-filled and educational ocean-themed activities.

Quote
“Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, our unique connection to the ocean has been integral in helping shape our culture and history. Congratulations to Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture staff and the entire World Oceans Day committee for engaging the public, particularly youth, in activities that highlight the importance of taking action to protect our sensitive ocean ecosystems and marine environments today and for future generations.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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Learn more
World Oceans Day – NL Facebook Page

World Oceans Day

Fisheries for Kids

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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

2022 World Oceans Day Art Contest Winners

• S. Nguyen – Pre-kindergarten student from St. John’s
• H. Penton – Kindergarten student who attends Fogo Island Central Academy on Fogo Island
• E. Hoffe – Grade 1 student who attends Fogo Island Central Academy on Fogo Island
• B. Peach – Grade 2 student who attends Southwest Arm Academy in Little Hearts Ease
• G. Rowe – Grade 3 student who attends Lakewood Academy in Glenwood
• A, Parrill – Grade 4 student who attends JRS Middle School in Labrador City
• E. Peach – Grade 5 student who attends Southwest Arm Academy in Little Hearts Ease
• P. Connolly – Grade 6 student who attends All Hallows Elementary in North River
• M. Hicks – Grade 7 student who attends St. Peter’s Elementary in Upper Island Cove
• A. Hill – Grade 8 student who attends Bay d’Espoir Academy in St. Albans
• L. Oates – Grade 8 student who attends École Rocher-du-Nord in St. John’s
• A. Yoga – Grade 9 student who attends École Rocher-du-Nord in St. John’s
• T. Cox – Grade 9 student who attends Bay d’Espoir Academy in St. Alban’s
• A. MacKey – Grade 10 student who attends Bay d’Espoir Academy in St. Alban’s
• J. Aylward – Grade 11 student who attends St. Gabriel’s All Grade on St. Brendan’s Island

The post Province Marks World Oceans Day 2022 appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, today announced $8.7 million in funding for the first round of projects for 2022 Job Creation Partnerships. $2.1 million of this funding has been approved to support Come Home Year 2022 projects.

Non-profit and community employers have until August 19, 2022 to apply for 2022 Job Creation Partnerships. Funds are limited and eligible employers are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Complete applications must be received at least 25 business days prior to the start of a project to ensure a timely review and assessment of the request for funding and to avoid delays in processing.

Several projects approved to date build upon distinctive tourist and heritage elements to support Come Home 2022 efforts. Examples include:

Proponent Location Project Description Benoit First Nation Inc. De Grau Preserving Mi’kmaq history in the region by creating a history book. Sir William F. Coaker Foundation Port Union Museum and heritage development to preserve and showcase the National Historic District. Corner Brook Stream Development Corner Brook Maintenance, enhancements and upgrades along the trail network. St. Lawrence Soccer Association St. Lawrence Compiling and editing a ‘History of Soccer in St. Lawrence’ book. Town of Harbour Breton Harbour Breton Employing a full-time Come Home Year Coordinator. Cape Freels Heritage Trust Inc. Newton Renovations, landscaping and tour guides for the Barbour House Historic Site. St. Barbe Development Association Plum Point Funding for Come Home Year festival celebrating local heritage, culture and folklore.

Quotes
“From regaling tourists with the sealing sagas of Cape Freels, to preserving Mi’kmaq history on the west coast, to enhancing the Corner Brook Stream Trail, our Job Creation Partnerships are helping to ensure Come Home 2022 activities and experiences feature everything Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer. People are getting meaningful work, communities are benefitting, and we are just getting started.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

“Come Home 2022 is ultimately about connection. When you think about it, in one way or another, we are all hoping to reconnect with someone or something after the past two years of separation. For some of us, we’ll reconnect with family and friends. For others, they’ll get back to things that were put on pause pre-pandemic. I’m happy to see Minister Byrne and the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, contribute such a significant amount of the Job Creation Partnerships fund to Come Home 2022 projects. We all benefit from tourism and hospitality, and we all benefit when there are employment opportunities for the people of our province. ”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

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Learn more

2022 Job Creation Partnerships Information

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Media contacts
Jeremy Reynolds
Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
709-729-2377, 709-691-2298
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca

Adrienne Luther
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-4819
adrienneluther@gov.nl.ca

The post Minister Byrne Announces Funding for Come Home 2022 and Community Projects appeared first on News Releases.

Today, the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, joined Rhonda Tulk-Lane, Chief Executive Officer of MusicNL at the Botanical Gardens in St. John’s to announce a new initiative in support of Come Home 2022.

The Provincial Government has provided MusicNL with an investment of $200,000, allowing them to launch their new program ‘MusicNL’s Presenters’ Series.’ Through the support provided by government, MusicNL has been able to provide grants to 103 groups in 76 communities to arrange musical entertainment for their Come Home 2022 festivities.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation provides $350,000 annually to MusicNL to administer funding programs for musicians and to assist with the organization’s operations.

MusicNL aims to increase awareness locally, nationally and internationally of provincially produced music as an art form and as a viable industry with significant impact on the economy.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador is well-known for its abundant musical talent, as well as our residents’ keen interest in performances and shows. I am so proud to support this extraordinary program being offered by MusicNL. Not only will the communities themselves benefit from having live performances during their Come Home 2022 events, but musicians will also benefit directly from this funding. It’s a win-win situation.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“We are very pleased to be a catalyst for the music sector by supporting hundreds of communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador in hiring musicians for their Come Home year festivities.”
Rhonda Tulk-Lane
CEO, MusicNL

“We are thrilled to be one of the recipients, for our June event ‘Booming in the Blooms’, celebrating the Year of the Garden. This grant will allow us to enhance our visitors’ experience with the beautiful sounds of music performed by our own Memorial students, nestled throughout the gardens. “
Kim Shipp
Director, MUN Botanical Garden and Johnson GEO Centre

Director of the Botanical Garden and Johnson Geo Centre, Kim Shipp, speaks as a recipient of MusicNL’s program

 

Minister Crocker announces support for MusicNL’s Presenters’ Series

MusicNL CEO Rhonda Tulk-Lane welcomes guests

MusicNL’s Sarah Newell performs for guests

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Learn more

Come Home 2022

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Like Come Home 2022 on Facebook

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Media contacts
Adrienne Luther
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-4819, 730-2953
adrienneluther@gov.nl.ca

Sarah Newell
MusicNL
709-754-2574
sarah@musinl.ca

Deborah Coombs
MUN Botanical Garden & Johnson GEO Centre
709-864-2171
e3dc@mun.ca

The post Provincial Government and MusicNL Support Music and Culture during Come Home 2022 appeared first on News Releases.

In recognition of Environment Week and World Oceans Day, the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, will tour the Ocean Sciences Centre tomorrow (Wednesday, June 8).

The Ocean Sciences Centre is located on Marine Lab Road, Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove. The tour will start at 1:00 p.m.

Media attending are asked to register with Lynn Robinson at lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca.

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Media contacts
Lynn Robinson
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Ministers Davis and Bragg to Tour the Ocean Sciences Centre appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, will attend a Rainbow Dance Party tomorrow (Wednesday, June 8) at Rennie’s River Elementary in support of Pride Month.

The event takes place at Rennie’s River Elementary, 150 Elizabeth Avenue, beginning at 11:05 a.m.

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Media contact
Angela Picco
Office of Women and Gender Equality
709-729-4934, 687-4753
angelapicco@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Minister Pam Parsons to Attend Rainbow Pride Celebration at Rennie’s River Elementary appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and members of the provincial Cabinet, today wrapped-up two days of in-person meetings with the Premier’s Youth Council where they engaged in valuable discussions on issues facing the province and youth in particular.

While the Premier’s Youth Council has met virtually over the pandemic, the two-day meetings represented the first in-person discussions since 2020. Topics discussed included:

• Youth retention
• Mental health
• Come Home 2022
• Immigration
• Reconciliation

The Council consists of up to 25 people between the ages of 16 and 24 who live in the province. To get different views, consideration for appointees is given to gender-balance and representation of the province’s large geographic area and various communities.

Members of the Premier’s Youth Council are listed in the backgrounder below.

Quotes
“The interests of youth are embedded in the work of our government. The Premier’s Youth Council is a critical voice into fully understanding the matters that are important to our youth and to getting their perspectives on how we best navigate our path forward.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“After two years the Premier’s Youth Council is elated to be meeting in person again. The pandemic has provided the council with a unique opportunity to reflect on priorities of youth in the province and prepare to share with ministers and Premier Furey all while connecting and creating friends. As co-chair, I am proud of these youth and their commitments to Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Katherine Dibbon
Co-chair, Premier’s Youth Council

“I was very excited to participate in these discussions as co-chair. At the turn of the 20th century Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier said that the coming century belonged to Canada – our discussions with government as the Premier’s Youth Council is to ensure that the 21st century belongs to Newfoundland and Labrador. Each and every member is dedicated to bettering the province and I am energized and encouraged by our meeting.”
Benjamin Oates
Co-chair, Premier’s Youth Council

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Media contact
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Members of the Premier’s Youth Council 

• Noah Briffett  – Pasadena
• Mira Buckle – Corner Brook
• Blake Colbran – Marystown
• Michael Coombs – St. Alban’s
• Katherine Dibbon – St. John’s
• Elliott Dicks – Deer Lake
• Andrew Dogurga – St. John’s
• Sarah Duraid – Gander
• Julian Edwards – St. John’s
• Nicholas Ellis – Winterton
• Erica Evely – Victoria
• Leann Goodyear – Lumsden
• Shealah Hart – Northern Arm
• Amelia Jones – Forteau
• Emily Laite – Gander
• Ryan McFarlane – Deer Lake
• Kirby Mouland – Musgrave Harbour
• Benjamin Oates – St. John’s
• Joslyn Park – McIvers
• Lesley Pilgrim – St. Anthony
• Courtney Roberts – Happy Valley-Goose Bay
• Emma Whelan – Paradise
• Jack White – St. John’s
• Julia White – St. John’s
• Nathan Young – Torbay

The post Members of Premier’s Youth Council Highlight Important Issues Facing Youth appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, advises that the Speaker of the House of Assembly referred a report from the Office of the Citizens’ Representative of Newfoundland and Labrador to the Lieutenant-Governor in Council just before close of business yesterday (Monday, June 6).

Government also received an accompanying letter from the Speaker containing a detailed analysis of the report, as well as a letter from the Speaker to the Attorney General in which the Speaker asks the Attorney General to consider matters related to the public disclosure of the report.

The Premier intends to publicly release the documents. They have been sent to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for review and analysis to ensure personal information of complainants is protected in the public release.

Government will refer the documents to the House Management Commission, which is composed of members representing all parties in the House of Assembly, for consideration and recommendations if required, as statutory offices are within the purview of the House of Assembly.

Premier Furey and the Honourable John Hogan, QC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, will be available to media at 3:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, June 7) outside the House of Assembly.

Quote
“Our government is committed to being open and transparent with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and I remain firm in that commitment. It is important to take the concerns of citizens seriously, and to conduct due diligence when it comes to any report from the Office of the Citizens’ Representative. The all-party House Management Commission is the appropriate entity to address this matter.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Media contact
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

The post Government Receives Citizens’ Representative Report from Speaker’s Office; Premier Furey and Minister Hogan Available to Media appeared first on News Releases.

The Provincial Government has expanded the number of seats available to Newfoundland and Labrador residents in Memorial University’s Undergraduate Medical Education Program, beginning September 2023. Premier Andrew Furey made the announcement this morning at the School of Medicine where he was joined by Interim Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and Dean of Medicine, Dr. Margaret Steele.

Five additional spaces will now be available to eligible Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, bringing the total available seats to 65. The Faculty of Medicine accepts 80 students annually into the four-year undergraduate program, including three seats, which are reserved specifically for Indigenous students.

Research shows that students who study and complete their medical education in their home province have a higher rate of staying in that province as a practicing physician. Increasing the number of reserved seats for students from Newfoundland and Labrador will provide an opportunity for more learners from this province to study medicine right here at home.

The addition of seats is the latest effort by government to recruit and retain health care professionals in the province. This includes the creation of additional seats for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Studies and Licenced Practical Nursing program; two new pilot projects to attract more medical graduates to family practice; expanded virtual care; and an Office of Health Professional Recruitment and Retention, as well as an Assistant Deputy Minister position to lead this effort.

Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine has also recently been granted two awards by the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada for its efforts in graduating physicians to work in rural areas of the province – the Keith Award and the Rural Medical Education Award.

The Keith Award is presented to a Canadian post-graduate program that has excelled in producing rural doctors. It identifies the university with the largest number of graduates practicing in rural Canada for the most recent 10 years after graduation.

The Rural Medical Education Award is presented to a Canadian medical school that encourages students to pursue further training in rural medicine. It is awarded to the medical school program matching the most graduates to rural family medicine residency programs for the preceding year.

Quotes
“We know that doctors from Newfoundland and Labrador who are trained here are more likely to choose to practice medicine here, in their communities, often surrounded by family and friends. These additional seats represent five new physicians per year who, we hope, will choose to live and work here at home. We are pleased to add this measure to our ongoing efforts to attract and retain doctors to address the health care professional shortfall we are experiencing at the same time as other jurisdictions across the country and around the world.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“We remain committed to working with all stakeholders in our efforts to help increase the number of health care professionals in our province, as we focus on improved health outcomes. I am pleased we have been able to add medical student capacity in the undergraduate program. It is our collective goal that these extra seats will mean extra graduates who will continue their careers in the province.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Memorial’s medical school has a rich history of training physicians to meet the evolving health care needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for decades. We are pleased that additional seats will be set aside for Newfoundland and Labrador students to increase the number of locally trained physicians for the benefit of our communities.”
Vianne Timmons, PhD, OC
President
Memorial University

“Memorial’s Doctor of Medicine program has a proven track record in recruitment and retention of physicians to rural and underserved populations. As the only medical school in the province, we recognize the role of the medical school to work with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure we can educate competent and compassionate doctors who will be prepared to work across the province.”
Dr. Margaret Steele
Interim Provost, Vice-President (Academic)
Dean of Medicine
Memorial University

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Learn more

News Release: Government and College of Family Physicians Working Together on Retention and Recruitment

News Release: Government and Nurses Collaborate to Help Address Challenges Facing the Nursing Profession

News Release: Initiatives Aim to Improve Primary Care Access in Newfoundland and Labrador

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @HCS_GovNL

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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

Nancy Hollett
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 327-7878
nancyhollett@gov.nl.ca

Virginia Middleton
Senior Communications Advisor
Faculty of Medicine
Memorial University
709-864-6363
vmiddleton@mun.ca

The post Province Adds Seats for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians at Memorial University’s Medical School appeared first on News Releases.

The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Wildlife Habitat Canada, and the Friends of Salmonier Nature Park are working with local rod and gun clubs and other community organizations to host hunting and angling education workshops for youth ages 12 to 17 at the following locations:

• June 25: John’s Rod and Gun Club, Holyrood
• July 30: Upper Humber Rod and Gun Association, Deer Lake
• August 6: Notre Dame Rod and Gun Club, Lewisporte
• August 27: Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association Shooting Range, Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The workshops include hands-on learning opportunities that focus on wildlife conservation, hunting and firearm safety, shooting basics, archery, outdoor survival, orienteering, and wildlife identification. Participants will learn new skills in a safe environment, with coaching and supervision from qualified instructors and volunteers. A parent or guardian must accompany participants.

Pre-registration is required for each workshop. Participant numbers will be vary and be based on capacity and other factors.

Participating rod and gun organizations will have information on these events and registration details on their websites. For further information, contact the Wildlife Division at 709-637-2025 or email at nathanspence@gov.nl.ca.

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Media contact
Linda Skinner
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca

The post Public Advisory: Upcoming Youth Hunting and Angling Education Workshops appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, along with Katherine Dibbon and Benjamin Oates, co-chairs of the Premier’s Youth Council, will be available to media tomorrow (Tuesday, June 7) at 1:30 p.m. to discuss youth perspectives on such topics as youth retention, mental health, Come Home 2022, immigration, and Reconciliation. The availability is a part of a two-day series of meetings between the Youth Council, the Premier, ministers and departmental officials.

The media availability will take place in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building. Media planning to attend are asked to register by contacting Victoria Battcock (victoriabattcock@gov.nl.ca or 709-729-4164).

The Premier’s Youth Council, formed in April 2017, consists of 25 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians between the ages of 16 and 24 with a mandate to provide advice to the Premier on select topics of importance through a youth perspective.

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Media contact
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmcabe@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Premier Furey and Co-Chairs of the Premier’s Youth Council Available to the Media appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will announce an additional measure to support recruitment and retention of physicians tomorrow (Tuesday, June 7).

He will be joined by Dr. Margaret Steele, Interim Provost and VP (Academic) and Dean of Medicine, and Georgia Darmonkow, medical student, Class of 2024.

The availability will take place at 12:00 p.m. in Room M5M101, Faculty of Medicine, St. John’s Campus, Memorial University.

The event will be livestreamed on Facebook.

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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

Nancy Hollett
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 327-7878
nancyhollett@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Premier Furey to Announce Measure to Support Recruitment and Retention of Physicians appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Andrew Furey today announced that Dr. Pat Parfrey has been appointed as Deputy Minister, Health Transformation, in the Office of the Executive Council.

Dr. Parfrey has a long and distinguished medical career in Newfoundland and Labrador as a clinical epidemiologist and most recently in playing a key role in the reimagining of health care in the province through his work as co-chair of Health Accord NL. A complete bio can be found in the backgrounder below.

This appointment is effective immediately.

Quote
“The province is fortunate to have someone with Dr. Parfrey’s experience and track record to take on this important leadership role as we embark on transforming health care in Newfoundland and Labrador. We all have a role to play in improving health outcomes and ensuring the physical and mental wellbeing of residents are improved. I look forward to what is to come.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Media contact
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

 

BACKGROUNDER

Biography of Dr. Pat Parfrey

Dr. Pat Parfrey was a John Lewis Patton Distinguished University Professor at Memorial University, and is a kidney specialist at Eastern Health. He is a clinical epidemiologist with an international reputation for patient-related research in kidney disease and in genetic disease. He was leader of Quality of Care NL, a Memorial University group doing evaluation and research on health quality and performance. Dr. Parfrey has recently worked to reimagine the province’s health care system as Co-Chair of the task force on health called Health Accord NL, with Sister Elizabeth Davis. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

The post Premier Furey Announces Executive Appointment appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, will announce support for a new MusicNL Come Home 2022 program tomorrow (Tuesday, June 7).

Minister Crocker will be joined by Rhonda Tulk-Lane, CEO of MusicNL. The event will take place at the MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mt. Scio Road in St. John’s at 11:00 a.m.

Media attending are asked to please RSVP to Adrienne Luther (adrienneluther@gov.nl.ca).

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Media contact
Adrienne Luther
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-4819, 730-2953
adrienneluther@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Minister Crocker to Announce Government Support for MusicNL Come Home 2022 Program appeared first on News Releases.

The Provincial Government is joining groups, schools and communities to mark Pride Month throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Pride Month is a dedicated opportunity to celebrate diversity and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, acknowledge their history and achievements, and raise awareness of the importance of acceptance and inclusion. Events in Newfoundland and Labrador are held in various communities, towns and cities throughout the summer.

At Confederation Building, the rainbow flag, a well-known symbol associated with gender and sexual diversity, will fly on the courtesy flagpole, and the building will be lit in the colours of the rainbow. Last year, four new rainbow crosswalks were put in place and rainbow benches were placed on the grounds.

In April 2021, Premier Andrew Furey created the Office of Women and Gender Equality with a commitment to working with the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador is a safe, accessible and inclusive place for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

Premier Furey also created the Premier’s Roundtable on Gender Equity, which is co-chaired by the Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality. The Roundtable is composed of key Indigenous leaders, opposition parties, community stakeholders and advocates, and those with lived experience. It acts as a platform for members to bring forward, collectively, the barriers to gender equity, and to map priorities and collaborate on solutions to address these barriers.

Quotes
“I am pleased to wish a happy Pride Month to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and particularly to members of the 2SLGTBQQIA+ community. Our government will continue to ensure that the rights of all people in our province are recognized and respected. I encourage residents to take part in events being held in their communities in recognition of this important month.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“I am inspired to see messages of pride, inclusion, and acceptance resonating throughout our province. As we celebrate the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community this month, we also reflect on the continued work to ensure all people in our Newfoundland and Labrador are able to live and play without violence or discrimination.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

Angela Picco
Office of Women and Gender Equality
709-729-4934, 687-4753
angelapicco@gov.nl.ca

The post Provincial Government Celebrates Pride Month in Newfoundland and Labrador appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change will kick off Environment Week with the help of Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador on Monday, June 6.

The event will take place in the learning resource centre at Beachy Cove Elementary School, 412 Beachy Cove Rd, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, at 10:15 a.m.

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Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Minister Davis to Kick Off Environment Week appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will bring greetings to the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s conference titled ‘Embracing Neurodiversity’ on Monday, June 6.

Minister Abbott will speak at 9:00 a.m. at the Emera Innovation Exchange, 100 Signal Hill Rd, St. John’s.

The Autism Society, Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for autistic persons, providing education, programs and navigational support as well as promoting acceptance of neurodiversity through educational initiatives and campaigns.

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Media contact
Khadija Rehma
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
khadijarehma@gov.nl.ca

The post Media Advisory: Minister Abbott to Bring Greetings to Autism Society’s Conference appeared first on News Releases.

Newfoundland and Labrador students from kindergarten to Grade Six are invited to show off their creative talents by entering a new Come Home 2022 contest. Schools will distribute information about the contest to their teachers.

Using either photos, drawings, paintings, poems or videos, students should be as creative as possible in depicting what ‘home’ means to them.

The contest is open until June 10, 2022. Three winners will bring home a Come Home 2022 prize pack, as well as a pizza party for their entire class.

The contest poster can be found online here.

Entries should be emailed to ComeHome2022Contest@gov.nl.ca.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians everywhere can visit ComeHome2022.ca to sign up for the Come Home e-newsletter, which will share event announcements and information throughout the year. They can also follow ComeHome2022 on Facebook and Instagram to get up-to-date celebration information.

Come Home 2022 aims to encourage family and friends of Newfoundland and Labrador to come home, remind residents of the wonders here in their own ‘backyard’, complement ongoing work to attract visitors earlier in the season and expand ongoing marketing efforts with vacation travelers.

Quotes
“Come Home 2022 is so exciting for everyone in this province, including families and children. This is a great way to engage Newfoundland and Labrador’s youth and I look forward to seeing all the creative portrayals of home from our province’s youngest artists.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“Learning goes way beyond classroom walls. Our schools build, share and work together in the most creative way. The contest is a great opportunity for K-6 students to show what this beautiful province we call home means to them. I encourage students to submit an entry for a chance to win a Come Home Year 2022 prize package.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Education

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Learn more
Come Home 2022

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Media contacts
Adrienne Luther
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-4819, 730-2953
adrienneluther@gov.nl.ca

Tina Coffey
Education
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

The post Come Home 2022 Launches ‘What Does Home Mean to You?’ K-6 School Contest appeared first on News Releases.

A joint operation conducted by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s Resource Enforcement Division and Fisheries and Oceans Canada into poaching activity in the Long Harbour area has resulted in convictions and fines.

On May 18, 2022, Sheldon Hickey of Grand Le Pierre was convicted at Provincial Court in Grand Bank for possessing a firearm during a closed hunting period and fined $500. Charges were laid after a surveillance operation in the Long Harbour area during September 2021. A subsequent investigation by the RCMP resulted in charges related to possession of a firearm while having a lifetime ban on possessing a firearm.

Mr. Hickey was sentenced to 30 days in jail, received probation for 12 months and had the lifetime firearm possession prohibition continued. Mr. Hickey was also convicted in 2019 on charges related to illegal possession of big game and the illegal possession of a firearm.

In a separate case, Alphonsus Windsor of Harbour Mille was convicted at Provincial Court in Grand Bank for hunting on Sunday and received a fine of $300.

The public can play a significant role to combat poaching and support the efforts of Conservation Officers to protect the province’s wildlife resources by reporting suspicious activity. Reports can be made anonymously at any time by calling 1-877-820-0999 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Anonymous reports can also be submitted online at www.stoppoaching.ca or www.nlcrimestoppers.com.

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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca

The post Public Advisory: Poaching Investigation Results in Convictions, Fines appeared first on News Releases.

Today, (Friday, June 3) marks the third anniversary of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It also marks the first anniversary of the release of a National Action Plan to drive transformative change to end systemic racism and violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada.

Violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people is a national crisis. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to work alongside Indigenous Governments and organizations to eliminate gender-based violence.

A final report based on the knowledge shared at the most recent Provincial Indigenous Women’s Gathering is currently in development, and will be delivered in June 2022.

Recommendations provided to the Provincial Government from the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee, will be reviewed for actions that may be taken to address the primary concerns of Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, and communities.

Additionally, the Office of Women and Gender Equality continues to work with federal, provincial, and territorial colleagues to advance the National Action Plan on Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

The 2022 Progress Report on the National Action Plan on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People has been released and is available at https://mmiwg2splus-nationalactionplan.ca

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Quotes
“We honour the strength and resilience of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals in our province and across the country. We will continue to listen to Indigenous partners as we work to create a province where all people are safe.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

“The development of a National Action Plan to end gender-based violence builds on the important work of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. We need to continue working towards a transformed Canada where Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, wherever they are, live free from violence, and are celebrated, honoured, respected, valued, treated equitably.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs

“This government is committed to working with Indigenous partners to create an environment where Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, along with all residents, feel safe and secure. We will continue to develop and build on the support services and programs that meet the spirit and intent of the ‘Calls for Justice’.”
Honourable John Hogan
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

“Today we honour and remember our loved ones who have been harmed, killed, or are living with the lasting effects of violence. The urgency of real, timely action to stop this violence cannot be overstated. We will continue to work with Federal, Provincial, and Indigenous governments to ensure a safe future for Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and their loved ones and communities.”
Odelle Pike
Chair, Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee

Learn more

2022 Progress Report on the National Action Plan on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @WGE_GovNL and @JPS_GovNL

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Media contacts
Angela Picco
Office of Women and Gender Equality
709-729-4934, 687-4753
angelapicco@gov.nl.ca

Allan Bock
Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
709-896-7935, 899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca

Emily Jane-Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-5524, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

The National Action Plan was co-developed by governments and Indigenous organizations in collaboration with the National Family and Survivors Circle.

The National Action Plan provides an overarching plan which identifies the necessary activities that must be taken by governments (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal, Indigenous), organizations, and communities across the country to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, wherever they are.

The post Provincial Government Recognizes Anniversary of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls appeared first on News Releases.

Investments that help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with the impact that global events are having on the cost of living, advancing a financial plan that puts the province on stable footing, and strengthening our communities were focal points of the spring legislative agenda.

‘Budget 2022: Change is in the air’ was passed and confirms government’s target to be in surplus position by 2026-27. There was an emphasis on the cost of living with a package of supports totaling approximately $142 million. This includes increases in the Income Supplement and the Seniors’ Benefit, as well as broader measures such as a reduction in motor registration fees and the removal of retail sales tax on home insurance premiums.

Subsequently, government also announced a reduction in the provincial tax on gasoline and diesel and a one-time payment to be provided in the fall to supplement the cost of furnace oil used for home heating. All together, government is providing $222 million to help residents cope with cost of living pressures.

In addition to Budget 2022, legislation passed during this sitting included:

• A new Access to Health and Education Services Act that will establish safe access zones around facilities in which health and educational services are provided.
• Amendments to the Judicature Act that will allow for the appointment of an additional Supreme Court judge in the province.
• Amendments to the Urban and Rural Planning Act that help improve services to municipalities and residents and result in a more effective and efficient appeals process.
• Amendments to the Petroleum Products Act that increase transparency in the fuel pricing process.
• Amendments to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act to add the Inquiry Respecting the Treatment, Experiences and Outcomes of Innu in the Child Protection System to Schedule B of the Act.
• Amendments to the Income Tax Savings Plans Act and the Pension Plans Designation of Beneficiaries Act that allows for the designation of beneficiaries through electronic means.

Quote
“Traditionally, the spring sitting of the House of Assembly focuses on the provincial budget. While that was again the case during this sitting, government also placed emphasis on helping residents deal with the daily financial pressures they are facing during this unprecedented time. I thank all my colleagues, on both sides of the floor, for their thoughtful debate and contributions as we passed important legislation on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Government House Leader

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Media contact
Luke Joyce
Executive Council
709-729-0084
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca

The post Helping Residents with the Cost of Living and Provincial Budget Highlighted Spring Sitting of Legislature appeared first on News Releases.