Government of Newfoundland News

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today released a summary of the key areas discussed during an engagement process to support social enterprise development in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Finance

Starting tomorrow (Friday, December 1) residents of the province will see a four cent per litre reduction in the temporary gas tax. In Budget 2017, the Provincial Government committed to reducing the temporary gas tax by 75 per cent by the end of the calendar year.

Transportation and Works

Veterans Memorial Highway, from Roaches Line to Hodegwater Line, will be closed from 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 1, to 6:00 a.m. Monday, December 4. Motorists are advised to use Roaches Line (Route 70) during the closure.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, will address the Labrador West Employment Corporation’s Annual General Meeting at 12:00 p.m. today (Thursday, November 30), at the Knights of Columbus, 5662 McParland Drive, Wabush.

Natural Resources

Newfoundland and Labrador ranks as the most attractive Canadian jurisdiction for oil and gas investment and fourth globally out of 97 jurisdictions in the annual global survey of petroleum-sector executives released by the Fraser Institute.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

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

Executive Council

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, will take part in the Multicultural Women’s Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador’s (MWONL) Christmas party today (Wednesday, November 29). The event will take place at St. David’s Presbyterian Church, 98 Elizabeth Ave., St. John’s, 6:00 p.m.

Natural Resources

Today, the province is celebrating first oil at the Hebron platform, located 350 kilometres offshore Newfoundland in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin. The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, congratulated ExxonMobil Canada and co-venturers Chevron Canada Limited, Suncor Energy Inc., Statoil Canada Ltd., and Nalcor Energy - Oil and Gas Inc. on the tremendous milestone achieved.

Fisheries and Land Resources

Twelve additional Agriculture Areas of Interest, totalling approximately 8,400 hectares, are now available in several areas of the province for agriculture development. Additional properties will be available in December.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will attend the 2017 Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association (NLTA) Annual Christmas Suite tonight (Tuesday, November 28). The concert takes place at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today expressed his appreciation that Labrador has been named to National Geographic Traveler magazine’s Best of the World list, which highlights 21 must-see destinations to visit in 2018.

Fisheries and Land Resources

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, will address the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation Conference, Cod - Building the Fishery of the Future, today (Tuesday, November 28), 6:30 p.m. at the Quality Hotel and Suites in Gander.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, has received the report of the independent mediator John Roil, QC, who was appointed on October 27 to help facilitate a resolution to the labour dispute between DJ Composites and Unifor Local 597. The report is being reviewed and has been provided to both parties with the intent to make it available to the public once they have had an opportunity to review.

Executive Council

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, today participated in a flag rising ceremony and proclamation signing at Confederation Building to mark the start of the 2017 Purple Ribbon Campaign. Joined by community leaders and those involved in violence prevention, the Purple Ribbon Flag is raised to help create public awareness and positively change social attitudes and behaviours about violence against women in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Executive Council
Transportation and Works
Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government today announced that 60-bed long-term care homes will be built in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor, as well as a 20-bed expansion of the protective care unit in Botwood. Construction for all three projects will begin in 2019, meeting demand for long-term care and making better use of acute care beds in the central region.

Health and Community Services

On Monday, November 27, three Provincial Government health care announcements will take place in the central region.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

On Friday, November 24, 2017, under the authority of Section 153(1) of the Elections Act, 1991, the Official Addition of the Votes was conducted in the district of Mount Pearl North.

Executive Council

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, will launch the annual Purple Ribbon Campaign by raising the purple ribbon flag on Monday, November 27, at 1:00 p.m. The event will take place in the lobby of East Block, Confederation Building.

Education and Early Childhood Development

A ceremony was held today to mark the official opening of CBS Elementary, a K-7 school located in Conception Bay South. The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, was joined by Tony Stack CEO/Director of Education for the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, school administration and members of the community.

Natural Resources
Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Justice Richard D. LeBlanc has commenced work as Commissioner for the Inquiry Respecting the Muskrat Falls Project Order. Over the coming weeks, the inquiry will be establishing itself and planning for the work ahead. The public will be kept updated on the progress of the inquiry, but for now, it would be premature for Justice LeBlanc to give media interviews.