Government of Newfoundland News

A request for qualifications (RFQ) has been issued for the highway twinning project aimed at increasing safety along sections of the Trans-Canada Highway.

The RFQ invites interested parties to submit their qualifications for the twinning project. Successful candidates will then be invited to participate in the next stage of the competitive selection process, which is the request for proposals (RFP) stage. At the RFP stage, the Provincial Government will be looking to enter an agreement with a qualified proponent to design, construct, finance and maintain the two sections of the Trans-Canada Highway, with snow clearing and line painting operations remaining with public service employees.

The closing date for RFQ proposals is February 6, 2025.

Announced in May 2023, the jointly funded federal-provincial highway twinning project includes a 15-kilometre section between Bishop’s Falls and Grand Falls-Windsor in the Central region, as well as a section on the Avalon Peninsula of approximately 40 kilometres beginning at Whitbourne and heading west. Since the original announcement, the province has added an additional 20 kilometres to the section of highway designated for twinning on the Avalon.

Twinning these sections of the Trans-Canada Highway will help increase traffic capacity and ensure better separation between opposing traffic lanes. These improvements will also support reliability and security of access between rural communities, strengthen year-round transportation connections, improve transportation safety and enhance the Trans-Canada Highway’s resilience to climate change.

In September, contracts were awarded to two companies for brush clearing for the highway twinning project. Arbotech Management Inc. was awarded a contract for $1.24 million for the clearing of the TCH from Whitbourne to Chance Cove, and a second contract for $486,800 for clearing of the TCH between Route 350 and Grand Falls-Windsor. Farrell’s Excavating Ltd. was awarded a contract for $1.25 million for the clearing of the section of the TCH between Chance Cove and Sunnyside. The contracts involve the clearing of the existing right-of-way on both sides of the highway, as well as additional widening for the new divided highway.

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

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“Projects like the highway twinning initiative are an important element of our continued efforts regarding the modernization of our provincial roads infrastructure. It is also significant from a traffic safety perspective and will help ensure our rural and urban communities are connected to service centres that provide health care and other government-related supports, while also making our roads more resilient in response to a changing climate.”
Honourable Fred Hutton
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
Minister of Rural Economic Development

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Individuals who receive the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit and the Early Childhood component of the Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement will see payments for these provincial benefits issued this Friday, December 13, along with their federal Canada Child Benefit payment.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit is a tax-free amount of up to approximately $150-170 per month per child under 18 years of age, depending on family size and income, to help low-income families with the cost of raising children.

The Early Childhood component of the Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement is an additional benefit of $150 per month per child paid to eligible families with children under the age of five to help with the cost of nutritious food. After the child is born, this benefit is provided to low-income families by the Provincial Government in addition to the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit in a single monthly payment included with the Federal Canada Child Benefit.

Canada Post has agreed to deliver monthly benefit cheques for the Canada Child Benefit and related provincial and territorial benefits. These will be delivered on December 20; payments by direct deposit will be made on December 13.

The prenatal component of the Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement, which helps with the cost of nutritious food during pregnancy, is delivered separately by the Provincial Government and is also issued this week. While pregnant, you can apply for the Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement by calling 1-800-508-4788 or filling out an online application at the link below. Once a child is born, both provincial benefits are automatically added to your Canada Child Benefit. If you receive the pre-natal benefit payment by cheque, the Department of Children Seniors and Social Development will contact you to make alternative arrangements for you to receive this benefit.

For more information, or to find our if you are eligible to receive either of these Government of Newfoundland and Labrador benefits, follow the links below:

Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit
Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement

For a list of payment dates, please click here.

To receive benefits, eligible individuals must ensure their annual income tax return is filed. If you need help filing a tax return and are in receipt of Income Support, please call a Client Services Officer at 1-877-729-7888.  Any person with low income who needs help filing their Income Tax can go to http://canada.ca/taxes-help or call the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800- 959-8281.

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

 During a ceremony at Government House in St. John’s today, the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission presented the 2024 Human Rights Award to Charlie Murphy, a community advocate and leader. A biography of the recipient can be found in the backgrounder below.

The Human Rights Award is presented annually in celebration of International Human Rights Day. It recognizes an individual who has made and/or continues to make a meaningful contribution to advancing and furthering human rights in Newfoundland and Labrador. This year’s recipient received an original photograph by Grenfell Visual Arts student, Ernest Boateng.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission recognizes all those who nominated individuals for the 2024 Human Rights Award.

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Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission

Follow us on X and Instagram @nlhumanrights

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

BACKGROUNDER

2024 Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Award Recipient
Charlie Murphy (he/him/they/them) is a community leader, advocate, and creative professional originally from what is colonially known as Nova Scotia, but has called St. John’s home for the past 15 years. He’s dedicated himself to building a more inclusive, supportive, and sustainable community through his work in the nonprofit and social impact sectors. As a graphic designer, he utilized his skills to raise the profile of local organizations, helping secure funding and amplify voices within underserved communities. He believes that collaboration, empathy, and openness are key to building a sustainable future where everyone can thrive. They’ve worked with local and national organizations in supporting Newfoundlanders and Labradorians gaining access to resources with a focus around 2SLGBTQIA+ and sexual health.

He is currently serving as the provincial board rep for the Enchante Network and has been a part of PFLAG St. John’s for nearly 13 years as a peer support co-facilitator. He has worked with sexual health organizations like CBRC and served as the executive director of Quadrangle NL, the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial 2SLGBTQIA+ community centre. Charlie has supported initiatives that have had a lasting impact, such as helping to secure $10,000 scholarships for four youth pursuing post-secondary education through PFLAG Canada. As a co-founder of Raise Up Fundraising, he helped raise and distribute nearly $40,000 to nonprofits and charities working with underserved communities across the province. Some of the groups supported include the REAL Program, Trans Youth NL (formerly known as Parents Trans and Gender Diverse Kids NL), Western Pride, Safe Alliance, the AIDS Committee of NL, and the NL Stuttering Association. He’s also been influential in bringing inclusive events such as Drag Storytime to the province, with the first one happening in St. John’s in September 2017, with Raise Up Fundraising. While also co-creating the former organizations main fundraiser known as Drag Bingo in 2016, which has since been passed onto Quadrangle as their major fundraising event. As a co-founder of Quadrangle NL, he’s played a pivotal role in transforming a long-held community dream of a dedicated 2SLGBTQIA+ space into a thriving reality. What began as a conversation among their friends in 2012 evolved into a steadfast push for the Newfoundland and Labrador government to recognize the critical need for dedicated 2SLGBTQIA+ programs and services through a provincial hub.

In 2015, through Charlie’s ability to bring people together, the organization gained charitable status in late 2019, making history as Quadrangle NL is the first 2SLGBTQIA+ solely mandated charity of the province. Through his leadership, the organization gained its first funding around COVID relief in 2020, followed by federal funding in 2021 through the Government of Canada’s LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund. Since then, the organization has flourished, opening its first physical location and establishing a range of core programs, including counselling, chosen family dinners, peer support, the distribution of visibility items and providing a much-needed space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Before the end of 2023 they were a leader in securing core-funding of $890,000 over four years from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. Charlie’s work is a testament to the power of persistence and community-driven change.

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As Newfoundland and Labrador eagerly awaits next summer’s Canada Games, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today declared that 2025 will be the Year of Sport.

The Year of Sport will celebrate sport and athletes in this province and will consist of marquee events, including the 2025 Canada Games. Throughout the year, there will be spotlights on community sport, volunteerism, women and inclusivity in sport, seniors in sport and athletes and builders.

During the Year of Sport, the public will have access to free skates and swims, as well as access to multi-purpose facilities throughout the province. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation and Celebrate NL will also deliver several programs in support of the sporting community, including provincial sport organizations and municipalities. Further details on these funding programs, including eligibility and application guidelines, will be issued in the coming weeks.

At the event, the Premier also announced that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is providing funding to SportNL to formalize a safe sport contract with ITP Sport. Safe sport refers to the provision of an environment that promotes positive physical, mental and emotional well-being for all sport participants. Safe sport encompasses areas such as injury prevention (like concussion in sport) and safe and inclusive sport, free of abuse, harassment and discrimination.

The enabling of third-party oversight in the province will provide an investigative body for complaints related to misconduct in sport, resulting in a safer environment for athletes to thrive.

To date, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has been a significant funder of the 2025 Canada Games, with an investment of approximately $50 million. The Provincial Government has also prioritized sport and recreation infrastructure, recently announcing $13 million for a new sport and well-being dome and $500,000 for the functional design of a new Multiplex Provincial Recreational Facility in Galway.

Quotes
“Sport is the cornerstone of many communities in our province and is often the guiding light toward success for our young people. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is thrilled to declare 2025 the Year of Sport in our province, the perfect alignment with one of our most anticipated events in years, the Canada Games. This year, we will highlight all that is good about our sport and recreation sector and our province’s athletes. I invite all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take part – whether through participation in sport, volunteering or cheering on Team NL. Together, let’s thrive in 2025!”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Our government has proven itself as a supporter of the sport and recreation sector through nearly $50 million in Canada Games investment. The Year of Sport will offer several new funding programs to support the sport community, including Provincial Sport Organizations and municipalities. I look forward to working with Sport NL and our partners to make this an excellent year.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“SportNL is thrilled to support the 2025 Year of Sport, celebrating sport’s role in uniting communities, fostering inclusivity, and promoting healthy living. The introduction of a safe sport ITP will help create a positive environment where everyone can thrive. We are committed to working with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation to deliver resources that support athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers at all levels as we look ahead to this exciting year in sport.”
Troy Croft
SportNL

“Sport has certainly opened many doors for me but, more importantly, it has shaped my identity and character. It has taught me the values of commitment, perseverance, leadership, and teamwork, allowing me to forge strong friendships and ties to my community. The Year of Sports initiative and all the excitement and possibilities that it entails is something truly worth celebrating.”
Zoë Rowe
Varsity Athlete

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During this year’s annual Purple Ribbon Campaign and flag raising ceremony, 11 families bravely shared personal details of their loved ones who lost their lives due to gender-based violence. The Purple Ribbon ceremony included memorial banners of women and girls connected to this province whose lives were tragically taken as the result of gender-based violence. These women and girls were real people, who lived and will be forever loved.

The Office of Women and Gender Equality expresses heartfelt gratitude to the families and encourage other families wishing to have a memorial banner created in memory of a loved one, to email: wgeinfo@gov.nl.ca or call: 709-729-2987 for more information.

The memorial banners are of no cost to families and will become part of the Provincial Government’s annual Purple Ribbon ceremony going forward.

The national Purple Ribbon campaign, which includes the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence, was created to raise awareness and inspire a call to action. It also sends a powerful message that society will not tolerate such abuse.

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The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, today launched a new system to streamline and simplify the Crown lands application process. People applying for a quitclaim deed under the new Primary Residence Property Title Program also have the option to apply via the new, user-friendly portal.

First announced on October 15, the online Crown Lands Application Portal launched today for new personal, commercial and government Crown-lands-use applications will enable people to submit supporting documents, maps and applicable fees online. Click here to access the portal.

The streamlined process will help eliminate application errors, simplify fee payments, and reduce the number of incomplete applications the department receives.

For people who do not have internet access, NL Public Libraries will assist anyone wishing to use library workstations to apply for Crown lands. While the fastest and easiest way to apply for Crown lands is through the new application portal, other options are available for applicants who may require another path to apply. For assistance with the online application process or any Crown lands service, visit the Crown lands website, call 1-833-891-3249 or email crownlandsinfo@gov.nl.ca.

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“The launch of the online Crown Lands Application Portal is the culmination of our ambitious plan to set Crown lands on a better path. We considered the thoughtful and valuable insights of the public and stakeholders as we worked to address so many of the challenges related to securing Crown title, and we have acted on the public’s desire for change. The new portal will streamline the process for title seekers to provide complete and clear applications and will ensure our staff can focus more time and energy on serving our clients.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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Learn more
Application Portal

‘Mr. Good Deeds’ Ushers Sweeping Changes to Lands Act through House of Assembly

Primary Residence Property Title Program to Provide Affordable Path to Ownership

Upcoming Legislation to Allow for Swift Provincial Government Dispossession of Crown Lands

Provincial Government Announcing Upcoming Legislation and New Measures to Transform Crown Lands Approvals, Access and Wait Times

Follow us on X @GovNL and @FFA_GovNL

Like FFA on Facebook

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To support small and medium-sized enterprises that are looking to grow their business, the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced funding totalling $356,000 from the Business Growth Program (formerly the Business Development Support Program) for 10 businesses looking to increase and improve their product marketing.

The 10 businesses receiving funding are:

• The BBQ Emporium – $25,700
• DIVE Ventures Newfoundland Inc. – $31,050
• Dynamic Air Shelters Ltd. – $31,192
• Newbornlander – $33,219
• The Newfoundland Distillery Company – $55,250
• Newfoundland Insectarium – $17,600
• Oceanic Releaf Inc. – $100,000
• Sea of Whales Adventures – $14,400
• Trouty’s Point Holiday Home – $12,375
• Wetland Treatment Solutions Ltd.- $34,900

Information related to the projects can be found in the backgrounder below.

Whether it’s an advertising campaign, signage and branding, internet marketing, or connecting in person with potential clients at trade shows, marketing of products and services is an important part of developing any businesses. Through the Business Growth Program, the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology provides assistance to help provincial businesses effectively spread the word about their products and services.

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“We cannot underestimate the impact small and medium-sized businesses have on energizing local economies and sustaining rural communities. Small businesses like the ones we are investing in today create jobs, build stronger communities, and generate a more diversified economy. My department is pleased to provide assistance to these businesses as they work to market their operations to a wider audience.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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Learn more
Business Growth Program

Follow us on X @IET_GovNL

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BACKGROUNDER

The BBQ Emporium
Formerly known as Juniper BBQ Scraper Ltd., The BBQ Emporium manufactures, wholesales, and retails wooden barbecue scrapers, charcuterie and cutting boards, and their own brand of spices. The company is receiving an investment of $25,700 to assist implementation of their new marketing plan with a focus on to direct-to-consumer sales.

DIVE Ventures Newfoundland Inc.
DIVE Ventures Newfoundland Inc. is an outdoor adventure tourism company that operates Trinity Eco Tours and Lodge in Trinity. The company is receiving $31,050 to create a customized digital marketing strategy, implement an AI tool that will interact with potential customers and push them down the path to purchase and for support to attend several key trade shows.

Dynamic Air Shelters
Dynamic Air Shelters Ltd. is a Newfoundland and Labrador company with production facilities in Grand Bank and Fortune on the Burin Peninsula manufacturing air-inflatable structures. Dynamic Air Shelters will receive $31,192 to assist in marketing their products in the U.S. and Middle East markets, as well as participate in Lean Manufacturing training to improve overall efficiency of the manufacturing process.

Newbornlander
St. John’s-based company Newbornlander will receive an investment of $33,219 to cover marketing costs for its new product, The Island NL. Newbornlander specializes in creating ethical and sustainable baby products made from high-quality materials. The Island NL is a portable safe space designed to encourage active interaction, playtime, and bonding with your baby. The product has recently been approved under Canadian regulations and certified by a Canadian laboratory.

Newfoundland Distillery Company
The Newfoundland Distillery Company, located in Clarkes Beach, produces high-quality spirits from “grain to glass” using locally sourced ingredients and traditional methods to make products that will proudly represent the people and culture of the province. Since 2016 the company has been winning awards at international competitions, while creating rural jobs. The company will receive $55,250 for professional marketing and public relation consultants.

Newfoundland Insectarium
Newfoundland Insectarium has established itself as a must-see destination and an anchor attraction for the tourism industry in the Humber Valley and West Coast, as well as the entire province. The Newfoundland Insectarium will receive a $17,600 investment from the department for the continuation of an ongoing advertising campaign through several channels such as television, social media and print.

Oceanic Releaf
Oceanic Releaf Inc. is a small business operating in the cannabis sector. The company is planning new marketing tools to raise the profile of the business and aid in supporting and growing the industry. Oceanic will receive $100,000 to engage a marketing firm to aid them in developing marketing and promotional material for national and international markets.

Sea of Whales Adventures
Sea of Whales Adventures is a leading marine ecotourism company based in Trinity. They offer premium boat tour experiences with a 25-foot zodiac, providing interpretation of the natural attractions on the Bonavista Peninsula. The company is receiving an investment of $14,400 from to assist with costs related to marketing materials and other media to reach higher number of visitors to the region.

Trouty’s Point Holiday Home
Trouty’s Point Holiday Home is a vacation rental home located in Trouty. The business has recently undergone major renovations to upscale and refine the property with a view to promoting longer stays and extending the season. The company will receive $12,375 for a digital marketing campaign that will showcase the property’s unique coastal location and highlight the variety and quality of visitor experiences available in the area.

Wetland Treatment Solutions Ltd.
Wetland Treatment Solutions Ltd. was founded in 2024 to pursue wetland wastewater technology opportunities, delivering products and services in the sustainability sector. The company focuses on reducing carbon footprint by individually implementing engineered wetland treatment systems for organic liquid waste. The company will receive $34,900 to assist with marketing costs and professional services.

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Seniors’ Advocate, Susan Walsh, today released Seniors’ Report 2024, Monitoring Key Indicators of Seniors’ Wellbeing in Newfoundland and Labrador: A Baseline Report. The report provides information and data pertaining to seniors in the areas of Wellbeing, Health Care, Finances, Housing, Transportation, and Safety and Protection.

Monitoring this information is critically important to support seniors’ wellbeing and ensure that appropriate and adequate services are available to meet their needs. The report highlights that Newfoundland and Labrador’s population of adults 65 years of age and over has grown by 20.3 per cent over the past five years and now comprises 24.4 per cent of the provincial population. By 2033 seniors will comprise 29 per cent of the total population of the province.

Some of the key findings about Newfoundland and Labrador seniors in the report include:

• The percentage of seniors who consume the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables is 12 percentage points lower than the national average.
• The percentage of hip and knee replacement and cataract surgeries meeting national benchmarks, are well below the national average and significantly below pre-pandemic rates.
• Restraint use and the potentially inappropriate use of antipsychotics in long term care continues to be well above the national average.
• Seniors have the lowest median income and the largest uptake of Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) in Canada.
• 9 per cent of senior homeowners living alone, and 31.6 per cent of renters living alone, are in core housing need; they cannot afford suitable and adequate housing in their community.
• 82 per cent of seniors hold a valid driver’s license, but the cost of operating a vehicle has increased — gasoline up 26 per cent and insurance up 15 per cent, since 2018.
• Crimes against seniors has increased from 3 violations per 1000 seniors (2019) to 4.4 per 1000 seniors (2023).

Taken together, the findings in this report are concerning as they confirm that seniors continue to struggle in many of the social determinants of health. It is the intent of the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate to produce this report annually to determine if the wellbeing of seniors in this province is improving or worsening.

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“This report clearly outlines there is much work to be done to improve the wellbeing of seniors in Newfoundland and Labrador.  It provides a baseline from which we will measure how seniors are doing in the years to come and evidence to advocate for what they need.”
Susan Walsh
Seniors’ Advocate NL

The Report and Data Tables Can Be Accessed at:
www.seniorsadvocatenl.ca/pdfs/SeniorsReport2024.pdf
www.seniorsadvocatenl.ca/pdfs/SeniorsReport2024_Data.pdf

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Media contact
Arlene Mullins
Office of the Seniors’ Advocate
709- 729-6603, 1-833-729-6603 (toll-free)
seniorsadvocate@seniorsadvocatenl.ca

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

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT REQUIRED AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE APPOINTED:

Botwood and Area EVREC Green Energy Project                            (Reg. 2327)
Proponent: Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation (EVREC)

The Minister has advised the Proponent that an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required for the Project. Additional information is needed to inform the Minister of the following, including, but not limited to:

• scope of the Project;
• source water supply, water balance, and water resources management;
• greenhouse gas emissions;
• power supply from the provincial grid;
• waste management plans;
• erosion and sediment and control measures;
• air quality, emissions and fogging;
• wastewater, effluent streams and outfall locations;
• potential human health impacts;
• noise, shadow flicker and solar glare;
• location of Project components, including but not limited to:
• • wind turbines;
  • worker accommodations;
  • offices;
  • explosive storage facilities;
  • access roads and heavy haul roads;
  • power lines and substations;
  • setbacks and proximity to sensitive receptors;
• flora and fauna, including, but not limited to:
  • terrestrial fauna;
  • avifauna;
  • bats;
  • fish and fish habitat;
  • species at risk and species of special concern;
• archaeological resources;
• outfitters; and
• occupational information.

An Environmental Assessment Committee (EAC) has been appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to the Minister and to draft guidelines for the Proponent in preparing the EIS. The public will be invited to provide comment on the draft guidelines. For further information on this Project, please contact Eric Watton at (709) 729-0834 or email ericwatton@gov.nl.ca.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Botwood Flower’s Hill Quarry                                                                (Reg. 2287)
Proponent: C&H Construction

The Project is released from environmental assessment subject to conditions as outlined in the Minister’s decision letter available on the Department’s Project web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2287

Atlantic Lake to Gulp Pond Exploration Access Road                   (Reg. 2326)
Proponent: First Atlantic Nickel Corp.

The Project is released from environmental assessment subject to the conditions as outlined in the Minister’s decision letter available on the Department’s Project web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2326/.

Aspen Brook Quarry Project                                                                  (Reg. 2329)
Proponent: Newcrete Investments Ltd.

The Project is released from environmental assessment subject to conditions as outlined in the Minister’s decision letter available on the Department’s Project web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2329

Deer Lake Residential and Commercial Subdivision Project         (Reg. 2330)
Proponent: V and J Tectonic Inc.

The Project is released from environmental assessment subject to the conditions as outlined in the Minister’s decision letter available on the Department’s Project web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2330/

Trinity Bay Ferrish Cove ATV Trail Project                                          (Reg. 2331)
Proponent: David Soper

The Project is released from environmental assessment subject to the conditions as outlined in the Minister’s decision letter available on the Department’s Project web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2331/.

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

Environmental assessment information is available at:

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/GUIDE-TO-THE-PROCESS_Jan-2024.pdf

Follow us on X @GovNL and @ECC_GovNL

Project comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca

Anyone submitting comments on a Project under environmental assessment is asked to please advise the Department if they DO NOT wish to have their comments shared with the Project Proponent.

The post Environmental Assessment Bulletin appeared first on News Releases.

Atlantic Premiers met virtually today to discuss shared successes in 2024 while establishing a plan and priorities for further progress in 2025.

As Chair of the Council of Atlantic Premiers (CAP), Premier Dr. Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador was joined by Premier Susan Holt of New Brunswick and Premier Dennis King of Prince Edward Island. Premiers extended their appreciation to Premier Furey, the outgoing Chair, for his leadership and collaborative approach in 2024. Premier Holt will assume the CAP Chair in January 2025.

Atlantic Premiers achieved significant progress on key issues this year, such as healthcare collaboration and immigration, and continue to remain strong advocates of affordability. In response to the housing crisis, Premiers implemented record levels of supports and investments. They also successfully urged the federal government to review the carbon tax on home heating fuel and to return undistributed federal carbon tax revenue to small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, Regional Air Access remains a priority, and work is underway on the Atlantic Wildfire Centre, which will enhance the region’s resilience and preparedness for wildfire response. These efforts have made a tangible difference in the lives of Atlantic Canadians and lay the groundwork for further progress in the future.

Premiers emphasized the importance of Atlantic Canada’s relationship with the United States and reaffirmed their commitment to a Team Canada approach in collaborating with our longtime ally and partner. They also noted the long and productive history of collaboration between the Atlantic provinces and the New England states on many shared priorities, including through the collaborative New England Governors – Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG-ECP) forum. Newfoundland and Labrador, as Chair of the NEG-ECP, will host the group’s annual conference in 2025. New Brunswick will also host the annual Southeastern United States–Canadian Provinces (SEUS–CP) conference in June 2025.

Newfoundland and Labrador has called for an urgent meeting of NEG-ECP premiers and governors to safeguard the robust and interconnected relationship the New England-Eastern Canadian region shares. Looking forward, Atlantic Premiers will continue to collaborate to advance shared priorities, including renewable resource development, immigration and population growth, the transition to a greener economy, energy, health care, food security, affordability and direct engagement with our valued trading partners in the United States.

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The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture has updated the Fish Processing Licensing Policy Manual ahead of the 2025 season to allow increased competition, grow capacity across the sector, and support free enterprise.

The updates are part of the 10-point plan to advance free enterprise announced in November. The pillars of the plan included legislation for more flexibility in the fish price setting process, increased competition through increased processing capacity, and strengthened controls over corporate concentration.

The revised manual protects free enterprise by prohibiting the transfer of ownership or control of snow crab processing licenses. The updates to the manual also encourage capacity growth and competition through increased minimum production thresholds, adjustments to regional license transfers, and allowing new buyers licenses for all species (excluding sea urchins) for the upcoming fishing season.

As committed to in November, the updates to the manual are complete and it is now available online at Fish Processing Licensing – Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

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“We’ve heard from industry the need for these policy updates to ensure free enterprise across the sector and promote real growth in production capacity. The updates are now complete and we continue to collaborate with the industry on other important issues in preparation for the upcoming season.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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Learn more
Provincial Government Advances Free Enterprise in Fishery

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The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, will launch a new, user-friendly online Crown Lands Application Portal and provide a demonstration for media tomorrow (Tuesday, December 10). The portal will include the option to apply for a quitclaim deed under the Primary Residence Property Title Program.

The event will take place at the Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture office at 192 Wheeler’s Road, Corner Brook at 12:00 p.m.

The application portal is the final step in recently announced legislation and policy changes to the Lands Act that will remove barriers when applying for, or securing property title to, Crown lands.

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This afternoon at a ceremony at the Colonial Building, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, presented the inaugural Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sport and Recreation.

The recipients of today’s medals represent the disciplines of arts and heritage. The most prestigious honour in the province for these disciplines, the medals recognize the fundamental role the arts and heritage sectors play in the culture of Newfoundland and Labrador. Artists and heritage practitioners positively impact quality of life, sense of cultural belonging and the vitality and economic prosperity of our communities and province.

In special recognition of Year of the Arts and the 75th anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Confederation with Canada, 10 medals were presented to both arts and heritage recipients.

This year’s award recipients are:

Arts

• Deantha Edmunds
• Flanker Press
• Cheryl Hickman
• Labrador Creative Arts Festival
• Fergus O’Byrne and Jim Payne
• Beni Malone
• Roger Maunder
• Placentia Theatre Festival
• John’s International Women’s Film Festival
• John Thompson

Heritage

• Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation
• Jerome Canning
• Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society
• Eric Jerrett
• Mummer’s Festival
• Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Newfoundland and Labrador Historical Society
• Them Days
• Trinity Historical Society
• Douglas Wells

Biographies for recipients of the 2024 Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sport and Recreation are in the backgrounder below.

To align with the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s, Premier Furey will recognize the inaugural sport and recreation recipients alongside the arts and heritage recipients at next year’s ceremony.

Quotes
“As Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, it is my distinct honour to present the inaugural Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sport and Recreation. Today, we celebrate the exceptional contributions made to our province’s arts and heritage sector. I offer my sincerest congratulations as we recognize and reflect on the outstanding contributions, efforts and accomplishments that each recipient has made in preserving and promoting Newfoundland and Labrador’s vast heritage and history. I look forward to presenting medals to sport and recreation recipients next year, to align with the celebration of the Canada Games.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“The Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sport and Recreation recognize the vital role that these disciplines play in our quality of life, cultural identity and community prosperity. Our residents consistently excel on national and international stages and we are proud to support and celebrate their achievements. Congratulations to the recipients and nominees – your accomplishments inspire us all.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

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BACKGROUNDER

Arts

Deantha Edmunds
Deantha Edmunds, Canada’s first Inuk professional soprano, was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2023 as a performer, writer, composer and mentor – work which seeks to empower Indigenous people and share their stories. Her work has international reverberation as well as community integrity. She brings a level of professional excellence to Canada’s Indigenous art scene that is unique and important. Creating original music, collaborating with other musicians, contributing to Indigenous productions, and mentoring young artists, Ms. Edmunds shares her voice and vision with her whole heart, and draws accolades from across Canada and abroad.

Flanker Press
Flanker Press is the leading trade book publishing firm in Newfoundland and Labrador. Founded by Garry Cranford in 1994, this year marks its 30th in business. Award-winning, bestselling Canadian literature in fiction, non-fiction, and children’s illustrated genres are the hallmarks of the publishing house, whose authors have received local, national, and international acclaim. With a primary focus on Newfoundland and Labrador authors and subject matter, Flanker Press continues to break new ground in eBook creation, audiobook and film adaptation, regular appearances in bestseller lists, and by attracting talented and high-profile authors to grow their brands worldwide.

Cheryl Hickman
Cheryl Hickman is a Juilliard-trained soprano and the founder, general, and artistic director of Opera on the Avalon. Her distinguished singing career includes engagements across North America and Europe, earning prestigious accolades. Ms. Hickman has transformed Newfoundland’s cultural landscape, commissioning and presenting critically acclaimed, groundbreaking works like Ours, The Danger Tree, February, and Shanawdithit (seven Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations; winner Best New Opera). A dedicated advocate for equity in the arts, Ms. Hickman has championed mentorship programs for female conductors, composers, directors, and production staff, and is committed to engaging and inspiring audiences through the transformative power of the arts.

Labrador Creative Arts Festival
The Labrador Creative Arts Festival is a celebration of the arts in all forms created by and for Labradorians. Started in 1975, it is known as the longest running children’s festival in Canada, bringing together students of Labrador communities and artists from across the province and the country, who give workshops in schools during the week of the festival. Since 2021, the festival has placed many of its creations, films, and discussions online, which has greatly increased its interaction with community partners. It has also aimed to promote dialogue on multiculturalism, anti-racism, racial equity, diversity and inclusion to advance institutional and systemic change so that Labrador becomes a more inclusive society.

Fergus O’Byrne and Jim Payne
Traditional music icons Jim Payne and Fergus O’Byrne have worked together for the past 30 years promoting Newfoundland and Labrador musical culture. As dynamic performers whose traditional and original songs reflect our collective experience, they have toured every inch of the province; as educators, put thousands of students in touch with their cultural heritage; and as world-class touring artists, travelled hundreds of thousands of miles to bring our story to the globe. Multi-award winners with over a century of experience in the business between them, their brand-new CD, Wooden Boats, released in November, is an homage to our seafaring history.

Beni Malone
Beni Malone is the founder and artistic director of Wonderbolt Productions, which has been creating and producing original circus-inspired theatre since 1982. Best known for his work as a professional clown, Mr. Malone began his career with the Newfoundland Travelling Theatre Company in 1974. He has performed nationally and internationally in theatre, television and film. Mr. Malone has developed curriculum-based circus-arts programs for phys-ed classes of all levels. He has been awarded both the ArtsNL Arts in Education Award, and the Arts Achievement Award. In 2023 he received an honorary doctor of laws from Memorial University for his work in circus and promoting physical wellness.

Roger Maunder
Roger Maunder has made significant contributions to Newfoundland and Labrador’s film industry. He founded the Nickel Independent Film Festival in 2001, and has directed several notable projects, including Between Two Walls (2014) and Setting His Own Limits (2023). He has directed music videos for Shanneyganock and Amelia Curran, and his collaboration with Opera on the Avalon and Rum Ragged (titled 1949), was recognized as Music Video of the Year at the 2024 MusicNL Awards. Mr. Maunder’s most recent work includes producing the documentary The Forgotten Warriors (2024), the story of a nine-day hunger strike by Mi’kmaw activists in 1983.Through his production company, Up Sky Down Films, Mr. Maunder continues to support emerging talent and bring Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique stories to a broader audience.

Placentia Theatre Festival
Placentia Area Theatre d’Heritage, formed in 1993 to create and perform a historical drama on Castle Hill National Historic Site, has grown into a professional arts organization that brings the Placentia Theatre Festival to life. They produce a range of shows with a cast and crew of over 30 that includes professionals, semi-professionals, as well as emerging artists who contribute to our efforts to stage productions in a professional and collaborative environment. The theatre’s mission statement guides its efforts to inspire, captivate and entertain audiences with productions that use drama and music to celebrate the essential power of theatre as it captures Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique culture through the arts.

St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival
The St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival is one of the world’s longest-running women’s film festivals, dedicated to celebrating the voices and stories of women and gender-diverse filmmakers. Founded in 1989, the festival has grown into a globally recognized event, attracting top industry leaders, talent and diverse audiences. The festival showcases a dynamic lineup of films, panels, and workshops year-round, fostering connections between local creatives and international industry professionals. With a commitment to equity, inclusion, and artistic excellence, the film festival is a vital platform for underrepresented voices, empowering creators and driving transformative change in Newfoundland and Labrador’s film industry and beyond.

John Thompson
A resident of Grand Falls-Windsor, John Thompson’s current resume job titles include musician, playwright, and producer/director. In 1997, he transitioned from a work life that included banking and sales to pursue his passion for the arts. Beyond the stage, John’s work has significantly impacted the community by establishing a tourism destination while ensuring the viability of Branch 12 RCL. From humble beginnings, the A.N.D. Company Inc. has grown to employ more than thirty seasonal staff. Mr. Thompson has been married to Gloria (nee Ellsworth) for 44 years and has two children Sarah and Christopher.

Heritage

Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation
The Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation was incorporated in 2001 with the mission to preserve the decommissioned Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital in Norris Point, one of the last remaining Cottage Hospitals in the province. It was built by the people of the Bonne Bay region and is now being adaptively re-used for the preservation of local culture and heritage, the promotion of health and wellness, and community economic and social development. They operate as a social enterprise offering programs and services that benefit the community while generating revenue to sustain their operations. Their commitment has ensured that this valuable piece of our provincial health care history is being preserved for the benefit of the communities in the Bonne Bay region and for future generations.

Jerome Canning, Wooden Boat Builder
Jerome Canning began boat building in Placentia Bay, NL, where he spent his summers fishing with his father and brothers and building boats during the winter. Those early boats were used in his family’s fishing enterprise or sold to commercial fisher persons. In 1983, Mr. Canning received a diploma in small craft design from the Marine Institute in St. John’s. Since then, he has continued to design and build wooden boats, some of which have been featured in Newfoundland and Labrador cultural heritage celebrations. Mr. Canning has researched and documented many wooden boat shapes and building methods, which are a major component of the Wooden Boat Museum’s boat building workshops since 2009, attended by people from all over the world.

Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society
The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society mandate includes both tangible and intangible cultural heritage related to the history of Grand Falls-Windsor. It is committed to making its collection accessible to the public for research and exhibition. The collection includes documents, books, photographs, and a huge variety of objects and artifacts, most of which has been donated by private citizens, groups, and businesses in the town. The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society was formed in 1997 and incorporated in 1998 and is a registered charity.

Eric K. Jerrett, CM, FEC
Eric Jerrett is a founding member and past chair for 21 years of the Bay Roberts Heritage Society, which undertook the establishment of the Shoreline Heritage Trail through Bay Roberts East, restoration of the Western Union Cable Building (1912), now a National Historic Structure, housing Town Council offices; the Christopher Pratt Gallery and the Road to Yesterday Museum. As a licensed professional, Mr. Jerrett provided free design and management services for Trail and Building. He was the inaugural chair for 10 years and director for 22 years of Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation. Mr. Jerrett has also served two terms as director of Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and is the provincial representative on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Mummers Festival
The award-winning Mummers Festival is a participant-focused, community-based festival that encourages the celebration of mummering traditions. Mummering in Newfoundland and Labrador has been going on for 400 years and involves house visits from oddly shaped, colorful, disguised mummers. The Mummers Festival coordinates a series of free, family-oriented, public events every December leading up to the crowning event the Mummers Parade where mummers of all kinds gallivant through the streets of St. John’s. Events include Hobby Horse and Ugly Stick Making Workshops, a “Rig Up” (the province’s largest disguise dress up party), lectures and forums, and a Christmas Concert and Mummers Jam.

Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MANL), established in 1980, has been a driving force in preserving the province’s rich history and culture. Representing over 150 member museums, historic sites, and heritage organizations, MANL offers critical support through professional development, advocacy, and resource sharing. Key initiatives include the development of the Museum Studies Program, a successful social media campaign #ExploreMoreIn24, reestablishing in-person conferences, fostering partnerships, and delivering specialized training in artifact care and exhibit development. This recognition by the Premier’s Medal honors MANL’s dedication to safeguarding Newfoundland and Labrador’s stories and treasures for generations to come.

Newfoundland and Labrador Historical Society
The Newfoundland and Labrador Historical Society is the oldest continuously operating heritage organization in the province. For almost one hundred and twenty years the society has made academic-level historical research accessible to general audiences and encouraged discussion about the province’s heritage. The society works to preserve the past and support new research through lectures, symposia, various publications, heritage awards, advocacy, and maintenance of its archival and online collections. The Heritage Society is committed to representing the diversity of Newfoundland and Labrador’s peoples and communities in their authentic historical contexts.

Them Days
In 1975, the Labrador Heritage Society published the first Them Days magazine. It was intended to be a one-time publication of elders’ oral histories, but even before it went to print, it was obvious to all involved that this was the genesis of something much bigger. Them Days has been publishing quarterly ever since and, in 1984, the Them Days Labrador Archives was established to care for the gathered and donated interviews, photos, and documents. Over the past five decades, a very small staff and a team of dedicated volunteers have continued to collect, safeguard, and celebrate the history and heritage of all peoples in Labrador.

Trinity Historical Society
Founded in 1964, Trinity Historical Society’s mandate has been: to preserve, present and promote the built and cultural heritage of Trinity and area. Core projects and successes of the Society include archives dating to 1748, an 1880s second generation saltbox home that became one of the first museums in the province, a living history blacksmith museum, a 1903 courthouse, and a reconstructed Georgian mansion formerly owned by Poole merchants Lester and Garland. The society has 184 members, is governed by a volunteer board of directors, and currently employs three full time staff, four seasonal staff, and summer students.

Douglas Wells
A retired schoolteacher from Harbour Breton, Douglas Wells has been a volunteer for 50 years. He has contributed decades of work in the town’s interests, with a long association with Remembrance Day ceremonies, footstones for veteran’s graves, Municipal Heritage Sites, church, landslide, nominations to the PHCP (Resettlement and Nfld. Ranger Force), Sunny Cottage Heritage Centre, and has done extensive research on First World War soldiers from the south coast. Awarded Citizen of the Year and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his volunteer efforts, Mr. Wells is currently serving on various committees and talks to students on local history and cultural heritage topics.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will announce a province-wide sport initiative tomorrow, Tuesday, December 10.

The event will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Paradise Double Ice Complex, 1 Sarah Davis Way, Paradise.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, Troy Croft, executive director of Sport NL, and Zoë Rowe, varsity athlete and recipient of the 2024 Michelle Healey Memorial Award.

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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 10th annual Human Rights Award at a ceremony tomorrow (Tuesday, December 10). The event is taking place at Government House in St. John’s, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

A link to the ceremony is available at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84571620375?pwd=cTdB6Gobko0rFusRmPLiuRb5iE7GCD.1

Meeting ID: 845 7162 0375
Passcode: 477608

The 2024 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. For more information on the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission, please visit www.thinkhumanrights.ca.

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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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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, is pleased to announce that five more community organizations are receiving funding under the Community Housing Growth Fund to help them develop their affordable housing projects.

Each project was awarded up to $50,000 for pre-development costs, which makes it easier to advance community-based projects. The new approved projects include:

• Choices for Youth is looking to develop 28 affordable bachelor and one-bedroom units with on-site wrap-around services in St. John’s. This funding will cover things like concept design work and financial modelling.
• The Cavalry Baptist Church will use the funding for consulting support in designing a 40-unit affordable apartment building in Paradise.
• The Gander and Area Community Advisory Board is exploring turning a former church into a Housing and Homelessness Hub that will feature three forms of housing supports – emergency shelter, bedsitting rooms and affordable housing units with wrap-around services. Funding will support the development of cost estimates and detailed plans.
• Robert’s Arm Interfaith Senior Citizens Home will use the funding for planning and pre-development for a 12-unit affordable housing complex to accommodate the growing number of seniors in the area.
• The Port Saunders Development Committee is looking to build 10 units to create affordable housing for low-income seniors in the area. Funding will help with preliminary design and an environmental site assessment.

The $1.5 million Community Housing Growth Fund is a partnership between the Provincial Government and the Community Housing Transformation Centre to offer grants to non-profit, co-operative and Indigenous organizations and registered charities as they work to create affordable housing. The fund helps pay for planning and pre-development work, so organizations can then take advantage of funding opportunities from all levels of government. Eligible expenses include professional appraisals, site surveys and contract documents.

This brings the total projects receiving funding to eight, totaling approximately $400,000. Groups that have previously received money include the Killick Ecovillage Cooperative, Masonic Park, and Connections for Seniors.

The Community Housing Transformation Centre is a national non-profit organization that provides support and funding to the community housing sector across Canada. It is made up of organizations that represent and serve the needs of the sector. Groups interested in applying for support under the program can visit the centre website.

Quote
“Providing affordable, safe housing is a key priority for the Provincial Government. We recognize there are many stages to every housing development, and that each of these stages feature expenses along the way. We are pleased to support these community organizations as they work to bring their projects to fruition.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

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Susan Walsh, Seniors’ Advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador, will be available to the media as she releases the Seniors’ Report 2024, Monitoring Key Indicators of Seniors’ Wellbeing in Newfoundland and Labrador: A Baseline Report. Ms. Walsh will highlight some of the key findings on how seniors in Newfoundland and Labrador are doing, as outlined in the report.

The availability will take place on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate, Sir Brian Dunfield Building, 2 Canada Drive, St. John’s.

Media attending are asked to please RSVP to Arlene Mullins, please see below.

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Media contact
Arlene Mullins
709-729-6603, 1-833-729-6603 (toll free)
seniorsadvocate@seniorsadvocatenl.ca

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will present the inaugural Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sport and Recreation on Monday, December 9, at 2:30 p.m. Medal recipients will represent the disciplines of arts and heritage.

The ceremony will take place at Colonial Building, 90 Military Rd, St. John’s.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation.

The Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sport and Recreation are the most prestigious honour in the province for these disciplines, recognizing excellence and community contributions.

To align with the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s, Premier Furey will recognize the inaugural sport and recreation recipients alongside the arts and heritage recipients at next year’s ceremony.

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The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) is advising the public that all Provincial Government websites, including MyGovNL, will be unavailable while they are undergoing scheduled required maintenance on Saturday, December 7, between 3:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. (2:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. in parts of Labrador).

The OCIO apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks the public for their understanding.

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The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, today released an independent report on the regulation of snow crab, which addresses concerns raised by processors regarding crab inspections and quality control and calls for a more cooperative and coordinated approach to quality between industry and government.

The report, Snow Crab Food Safety and Quality: A Discussion of Issues Related to Provincial Regulation, refutes assertions made by snow crab processors. It also reminds the industry of the successful measures taken by the Provincial Government over the past 20-plus years to improve quality assurance and sector performance.

Commissioned by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, the report is a response to concerns expressed by processors over crab grading and inspection processes, and a call from the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) for sweeping changes to the provincial fish health, safety and quality inspection regime.

Minister Byrne provided copies of the report to ASP membership during a meeting held the morning of November 19, 2024. The full report, presentation, and a letter from the Minister are available here.

Concerns refuted by the report include:

• Independent dockside graders are licensed by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, and therefore the department ensures the integrity and quality of independent dockside grader inspections. This is incorrect.
  • Independent dockside graders are a service paid for and directed solely by the licensed processors. This does not mean the department endorses their methods, equipment or processes. The presence and activity of independent dockside graders is an outcome of collective bargaining between the ASP and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union (FFAW). It is flawed to suggest they are mandated, directed or regulated by Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

• Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture licenses independent dockside graders, so therefore it has a regulatory oversight responsibility of its professional conduct. This is false.
  • As the report states: “The linkage made by industry that the licensing of independent dockside graders provides an endorsement of its processes is a misnomer.” Independent dockside graders are licensed by Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture only to give evidence of their activity as legally valid. It does not indicate that any measure of independent dockside grader activities is under provincial regulatory oversight or enforcement. They are a contractor to the processors and are empowered by the collective agreement, not by the Fish Inspection Act.

• Independent dockside graders are better equipped to determine crab quality than government inspectors. This is not a fair representation.
  • Independent dockside graders use only visual inspection methods to determine crab quality. Government inspectors receive significant training and deploy industry standard equipment to determine crab quality.

Other highlights of the report:

• Globally, it is generally accepted that crab, lobster and other shellfish must be processed while alive since shellfish deteriorate within minutes of death, and microbiological and enzymatic decomposition begins.
• Protocols around critically weak and dead crab are ultimately enforced by the Department of Fisheries, Food and Agriculture. Crab is required to be alive when processed.
• The recommendation to examine the inconsistency between how crab assessments are undertaken byIndependent Dockside Graders and department inspectors.
• The need for a cooperative and coordinated approach to quality between industry and government, and the substantial financial impact on all stakeholders if quality or food safety concerns arise.
• The results of a jurisdictional scan of the Atlantic Canadian and Alaskan crab industries, which highlight best practices that require crab to be processed live to ensure food safety and quality.
• A discussion of the evolution of snow crab quality requirements in Newfoundland and Labrador, including findings from the 2003 Dunne Commission Report that provided the foundation for the province’s current licensing and regulatory framework.
• A description of the province’s quality assurance program, which aims to demonstrate confidence in achieving a consistent grade of excellence for wild and farmed seafood products.

Authored by Brian Delaney of Economic and Social Research Consulting, the report evaluates numerous elements of the industry including existing regulations, export requirements, grading methodology and technology, and inspection protocols, and reinforces substantial improvements made across the industry and in product quality since the province’s Quality Assurance Program was launched in the mid-1990s.

The report concludes: “Snow crab is a delicate creature. Careful product handling and stowage prior to processing is critical. Cooperative efforts to reduce missing limbs and mortality, improve handling and offloading practices to ensure timely processing of products etc., are always opportunities to improve, or at least maintain value.”

Quote
This report addresses statements that paint an inaccurate picture of the snow crab sector, but also reminds us of how far this industry has come and how hard it has been to get here. Newfoundland and Labrador has a hard-earned, well-deserved reputation for high-quality crab and has emerged as one of the largest snow crab producers in the world. We celebrate the rewards of arriving at this place, and we will never allow ourselves to fall backwards.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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