Government of Newfoundland News

Executive Council
Health and Community Services

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is recognizing Bell Let’s Talk Day today (Wednesday, January 31). The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Donovan Molloy, has released his Reports A-2018-004 and A-2018-005 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. Summaries of these Reports are included below.

Fisheries and Land Resources

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, will address the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture at the Innovation, Diversification, and Collaboration in the NL Agriculture Industry workshop, today (Wednesday, January 31) at 6:30 p.m., at the Quality Hotel, Gander.

Executive Council

The Honourable Frank Fagan, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Chancellor of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be joined by the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, at the investiture ceremony for the recipients of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Fisheries and Land Resources

Based on the recommendation of Labrador Indigenous governments and organizations, the Provincial Government will not be listing the George River and Torngat Mountains caribou herds as endangered at this time. Recognizing the urgent need to secure a long-term plan for the recovery of the herds, government is working closely with Indigenous governments and organizations to determine the best path forward.

House of Assembly

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Speaker and Chair of the House of Assembly Management Commission, advises that the commission will hold its next meeting on Thursday, February 1, at 9:30 a.m.

Health and Community Services

Effective this week, Doorways is now available through all four regional health authorities across the province.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

We have heard concerns from cabin owners about regional service boards’ garbage collection fees in unincorporated areas. Regional service boards are independent entities that are responsible for providing waste management services and establishing service delivery policies to properties within the region, including seasonal properties.

Executive Council
Children, Seniors and Social Development

Today, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, unveiled the new logo for the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Games which incorporates images and colours that represent the province and will help strengthen the identity of the games.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works is monitoring Environment Canada forecasts and special statements indicating a potential for heavy snow, freezing rain and rain for many parts of the province beginning this evening and continuing into Tuesday, January 30.

Finance

The pre-budget consultation session scheduled in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for tonight (Monday, January 29), has been rescheduled to Saturday, February 10, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The session will be held at Hotel North Two, 382 Hamilton River Road.

Health and Community Services

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has launched Therapist Assistance Online (TAO), an innovative e-health technology providing timely access to evidence-based care and treatment for adults with depression, anxiety and substance use problems. Newfoundland and Labrador is the first province in Canada to launch the program. It allows people seeking counselling to access services when they need it, where they are, including in their own homes.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, following a meeting with federal, provincial, territorial and National Indigenous Organizations held in Ottawa this week, is reaffirming the province’s commitment to address the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in care.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Provincial Government has issued an ice jam advisory on the Exploits River in the vicinity of the Town of Badger. Ice levels for Saturday and Sunday are predicted to be very high and the location of the town puts it at risk of flooding.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will visit St. Andrew’s Elementary school Monday, January 29, at 8:45 a.m. to celebrate National Family Literacy Day. St. Andrew’s Elementary is located at 141 University Avenue, St. John’s.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador will take part in the unveiling of the new Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Games logo. The event will take place on Monday, January 29, at the Deer Lake Motel, 15 Trans-Canada Highway, Deer Lake, beginning 3:00 p.m.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
Natural Resources

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today toured TechnipFMC, to view the results of a $750,000 project that is developing innovative tieback techniques to transform marginal oil fields into economical options for oil operators.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

In our most recent reporting period (October 1 - December 31, 2017), the OIPC received 59 privacy breach reports under the ATIPPA, 2015 from 20 public bodies. This is up from the 40 reports from 15 public bodies received in the previous reporting period.

Education and Early Childhood Development

Tomorrow marks National Family Literacy Day, an initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in literacy-related activities with family. Family Literacy Day is recognized annually on January 27. The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, was at Holy Family Elementary earlier this week and will be visiting St. Andrew’s Elementary next week to participate in National Family Literacy Day activities.

Fisheries and Land Resources

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, will be speaking at the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) - Humber Arm Coastal Matters Forum tomorrow (Friday, January 26) in Corner Brook. The event will take place 12:30 p.m. at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University - Forestry Centre (Room 2014), 20 University Drive, Corner Brook.