Government of Newfoundland News

Fisheries and Land Resources

The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources continues to support economic development, growth and sustainability of the province's fisheries, forestry, agriculture, wildlife and lands resources. In 2019, the department also opened its new headquarters in Corner Brook, uniting more than 250 staff representing 17 of the department’s divisions under one roof, resulting in more effective and efficient operations, and reducing the Provincial Government’s overall footprint by more than 30,000 square feet.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2019-032 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. A summary of the Report is included below.

Transportation and Works

Department of Transportation and Works plow operators and winter maintenance crews will be working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Fisheries and Land Resources

Recent amendments to provincial forestry regulations making it easier for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to access timber for personal consumption are now in effect.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

There are important steps seniors, their families, and care providers can take to help reduce the risk of fire, including:

Executive Council

Due to pending weather, all Provincial Government offices in Newfoundland and Labrador will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday, December 24), except for those employees who have otherwise been advised by their departments to report to work.

Natural Resources

The Natural Resources Building, located at 50 Elizabeth Avenue in St.John’s, will be closed for today (Monday, December 23) due to water pressure issues. An update will be provided as more information becomes available.

Fisheries and Land Resources

The motoring public is reminded to exercise caution when travelling the Northern Peninsula on roadways located between St. Anthony Airport and Eddies Cove and roadways located between St. Anthony Airport and the Town of Main Brook.

Service NL

Enhancements to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations to help improve workplaces in Newfoundland and Labrador will come into effect on January 1, 2020.

Fisheries and Land Resources

A member of the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources wildfire suppression staff is on route to Australia to provide expertise and relief for Australian crews currently battling unprecedented wildfires in that country.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

Space heaters are becoming increasingly popular as a second source of heat in homes and garages.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

On Monday afternoon December 17th staff at the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner received a telephone call from a representative of LifeLabs indicating that the company had been subject to a cyber attack resulting in a third party accessing information of up to 18,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We were told at that time that this information was limited to names and MCP numbers and not test results. We have been in communication with LifeLabs in an effort to confirm this information and to seek additional information in order to assess the extent to which residents of this Province may be affected by the breach.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

Today, the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, announced the launch of an engagement process for the five-year statutory review of the Adoption Act, 2013. The purpose of this legislation is to govern the adoption process in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Health and Community Services

The holiday season in Newfoundland and Labrador involves many festive events and an abundance of celebratory traditions. Whether cooking for a large gathering or yourself, the Department of Health and Community Services is reminding residents to be aware of food-related risks that could lead to foodborne disease outbreaks.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The lights of the Christmas season bring a festive and warm atmosphere to trees, boats and homes. Take these steps to help ensure lights are managed safely:

Finance

The Auditor General today released her annual Update Report, which provides the status of recommendations made during previous reports to the House of Assembly.

Finance

The Auditor General today released her 2019 Report on the Audit of the Province’s Financial Statements. The report provides an unqualified (“clean”) audit opinion on the Consolidated Summary Financial Statements for the year ending March 31, 2019, and provides comments on government’s approach to fiscal management over the short- and long-term.

Office of the Auditor General

Auditor General, Julia Mullaley, delivered her report to the House of Assembly today on the update on recommendations from the November 2016 Report on Performance Audits of Departments and Crown Agencies.

Office of the Auditor General

Auditor General, Julia Mullaley, delivered her report to the House of Assembly today on the audit of the financial statements of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador for the year ended March 31, 2019.