Government of Newfoundland News

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2024-003 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. A summary of the Report is included below.

To view the Report in its entirety, please go to www.oipc.nl.ca/reports/commissioner.

Report: A-2024-003 Report Date: January 18, 2024 Public Body: Memorial University Summary: The Complainant made an access request to Memorial University for correspondence to or from the Student Code of Conduct Coordinator about proposed changes to the University’s Student Code of Conduct. Memorial’s final response contained (among other records) a report commissioned by Memorial containing recommendations for changes to the Student Code of Conduct. Much of the report had been redacted pursuant to section 29 (policy advice). After a review of the redactions, this Office concurred with Memorial that the information was policy advice and could be withheld.

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Media contact
Sean Murray
Director of Research & Quality Assurance
709-729-6309

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The Provincial Government is pleased to announce that the first ride-sharing licence in Newfoundland and Labrador has been issued to Redsea Riding.

Locally owned and operated by Yosief Tesfamicael, Redsea Riding currently employs 10 drivers and is actively recruiting more. The ride-sharing company is aiming to be open for business in the coming months. The company will begin by offering its services in the St. John’s metro area, including St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Conception Bay South, Torbay, Pouch Cove, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s and Flatrock.

The Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL, will be available to the media at 12:00 p.m. today (Friday, January 19.) The availability will take place in front of the House of Assembly, East Block, Confederation Building.

In October 2023, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador first announced the introduction of a provincial approach to ride-sharing. Amendments were brought forth in the House of Assembly and shortly after, on December 21, 2023, the Regulations and the amended Highway Traffic Act were published in the Newfoundland and Labrador Gazette.

Applications to operate a ride-sharing service in the province are available online and currently being accepted by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

Quotes
“I am pleased to see the first ride-sharing licence issued to Redsea Riding and congratulate Yosief on this incredible accomplishment. Our team have worked hard to ensure the Regulations are fair, providing a clear and simple set of rules for ride-share operators. I encourage anyone who may be interested to visit our website for more information.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

“Thank you to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, especially Minister Stoodley, for your guidance and support throughout the application process. I am excited to be the first operator in the province and am committed to ensuring reliable and valuable service to our customers.”
Yosief Tesfamicael
CEO-Co-Founder, Redsea Riding

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Learn more
Transport Network Company Application

Motor Registration Division – Transport Network Companies (Ride-sharing Service)

Provincial Government Now Accepting Applications from Interested Ride-sharing Operators

Premier Furey Announces Provincial Approach to Ride-sharing

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Under section 13.5 of the Fatalities Investigations Act, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety is required, within 60 days after receiving a report from the Child Death Review Committee (CDRC), to make public those recommendations relating to:

• Relevant protocols, policies and procedures;
• Standards and legislation;
• Linkages and coordination of services; and
• Improvements to services affecting children and pregnant women.

The CDRC forwarded a report to the Minister of Justice and Public Safety on November 17, 2023.

This report resulted in the following recommendation:

• It is recommended that the Minister of Justice and Public Safety refer this matter to the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate for her review and determination of whether further action is required by her office pursuant to the Child and Youth Advocate Act.

This report has been forwarded to the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate.

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2024-002 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. A summary of the Report is included below.

To view the Report in its entirety, please go to www.oipc.nl.ca/reports/commissioner.

Report: A-2024-002 Report Date: January 16, 2024 Public Body: Town of Victoria Summary: The Complainant made an access to information request to the Town of Victoria. The Town did not respond to the request within the 20 business days as required by the Act. The Complainant filed a complaint with this Office asking that the Town’s deemed refusal be investigated. During the investigation, this Office discovered that the Town had passed a motion purporting to disregard any access requests from the Complainant as well as investigations of same by this Office. The Commissioner found that the Town had not met its duties under the Act and recommended that the Town review its policies, obtain training, and comply with its legislative duties in future.

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Media contact
Sean Murray
Director of Research & Quality Assurance
709-729-6309

The post Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner – Report A-2024-002 Released first appeared on News Releases.

The post Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner – Report A-2024-002 Released appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, will bring greetings at PictureNL’s Year of the Arts Screening Series this evening (January 18).

The event begins at 7:00 p.m. at The Rooms, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s.

In partnership with The Rooms and Celebrate NL, PictureNL is celebrating Newfoundland and Labrador’s phenomenal film and television industry by screening local feature films and award-winning shorts. Films will be screened once a month for the duration of 2024.

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The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation and Minister of Labrador Affairs, today provided a statement on the retirement of Chief Mi’sel Joe as Administrative Chief of Miawpukek Mi’kamawey Mawi’omi.

“On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I wish to extend sincere gratitude and appreciation to Saqamaw Mi’sel Joe for the tremendous contributions he has made through a lifetime of work to his people, his community, and all of Newfoundland and Labrador.

I have enjoyed a personal and a professional relationship with Saqmaw. During the time I have served as the Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, and in prior years upon entering politics, I have come to know Chief Mi’sel Joe as a spiritual and cultural leader of his people. He engenders respect and admiration everywhere he goes and I am wiser for the stories and experiences he has shared with me and many others.

As a government, we have benefitted from his strong convictions and teachings in the areas of Indigenous culture, traditions and history.

The discrimination felt by Chief Mi’sel Joe and dozens of members of the Miawpukek First Nation resulted in the launch of a protest and hunger strike against the Provincial Government in 1983. One year after the hunger strike, the Miawpukek First Nation was registered under the federal Indian Act, and in 1987, Conne River was part of the first reserve to be established in Newfoundland and Labrador. The hunger strike serves to remind all residents of this province of the struggles that Indigenous people encounter in the assertion of their identity and self-determination.

Throughout a career marked by many achievements, perhaps one of the most significant was his determination and perseverance in the successful repatriation of the remains of two Beothuk, Nonosabasut and Demasduit, from Scotland to Newfoundland and Labrador. This was achieved in 2020 in collaboration with the provincial and federal governments and Indigenous Governments and Organizations in this province.

Together, along with the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, my colleagues in cabinet, and the entire Provincial Government, I wish to share heartfelt congratulations and thanks to Chief Mi’sel Joe. He has made our province a better place and his hard work, advocacy, and leadership has bettered the lives of many.

It is my wish that as you step back from your duties as Administrative Chief, and seek some well-deserved time with family and friends, you will continue to impart your extensive knowledge, experiences and wisdom and those that will follow in your footsteps. You have left big moccasins to fill.”

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2024-001 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. A summary of the Report is included below.

To view the Report in its entirety, please go to www.oipc.nl.ca/reports/commissioner.

Report: A-2024-001 Report Date: January 16, 2024 Public Body: Memorial University Summary: The Complainant made an access request to Memorial University in October 2019. Four years later, the University had not provided a response and was deemed to have refused access to the requested information. A complaint was filed with this Office in October 2023. The Commissioner found that Memorial had failed to comply with sections 13 (duty to assist applicant) and 16 (time limit for final response) and recommended that the University comply with its statutory duties in the future and provide a final response to the Complainant within 30 business days of receipt of this Report.

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Media contact
Sean Murray
Director of Research & Quality Assurance
709-729-6309

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The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, and President of Treasury Board, will be available to the media today (Wednesday, January 17) to provide an update on the status of collective bargaining with the Association of Allied Health Professionals.

The media availability will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building.

The availability will be livestreamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Facebook page.

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Today, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador announced changes within the Executive of the Provincial Government.

These include:

Jason Higgins is appointed as Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation and Deputy Minister of Labrador Affairs.

Tracy King is confirmed as Deputy Minister of Education, a role she has held since May 26, 2023.

Bios for the appointees can be found in the backgrounder below.

These appointments are effective immediately.

Quote
“I look forward to working with Mr. Higgins in his new role.  He brings considerable energy and experience to this important role and will further strengthen the team as we continue to advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, as well as support the social and economic well-being of Labrador. I would also like to thank Ms. King for her continued leadership within the public service.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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BACKGROUNDER

Biographies of Executive Appointments

Jason Higgins
Jason Higgins began his career with the Provincial Government in 2000 as a Land Claims Analyst with the former Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs. Mr. Higgins has since served in a variety of roles with multiple departments, most recently as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Industry and Economic Development with the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology. Mr. Higgins has worked as a Cabinet Officer within the Cabinet Secretariat, Office of the Executive Council, and held the positions of Manager of Industrial Training with the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, the Director of Family and Child Development with the former Department of Child, Youth and Family Services, and the Manager of Regional Economic Planning with the former Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. He also has a strong background in program and service delivery as an Economic Development Officer and Provincial Trade Commissioner. In addition to his public service, Mr. Higgins brings private-sector experience in business development, having worked for local firms in both management and executive positions.

Mr. Higgins holds a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Tracy King
Tracy King most recently served as Deputy Minister of Labrador Affairs and Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation in addition to her role as Deputy Minister of Education. She has previously served as the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment and Transportation and Works. Prior to that, her roles included Assistant Deputy Minister, Government Renewal Initiative Secretariat, Executive Council, Assistant Secretary to Cabinet, Social Policy, and Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Planning, with the Department of Health and Community Services. Ms. King has also held a variety of policy-related positions with the Departments of Justice, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, Health and Community Services, the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat and Cabinet Secretariat.

Ms. King holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a certificate in public administration from Memorial University.

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The Provincial Government and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services are introducing a new online service that will improve the way Newfoundlanders and Labradorians access the health care system.

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, made the announcement today, Wednesday, January 17, on the personal health record as part of the latest heath care action update. Minister Osborne was joined by Dr. Pat Parfrey, Deputy Minister of Health Transformation, and Stephen Greene, Vice President – Digital Health and Chief Information Officer, NL Health Services.

The personal health record will be available online through MyGovNL and give residents access to:

• Laboratory results;
• Dispensed medications;
• Radiology reports; and
• Allergies.

In addition, residents can also access mental health and health information resources.

The online service will be available starting on February 1 for up to 5,000 people who are 16 years of age and older, and the department anticipates providing the service to groups of 50,000 residents in the following months. Residents will also have the option to allow family members to access the service.

An app is also being developed for release this spring that will incorporate the personal health record that will allow residents to check on information related to prescribed medication and refills and have more informed discussions with their health care providers.

Over the following months, updates to the app will provide additional services such as the ability to schedule medical appointments with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, including with family care teams and participating physicians, and assist patients as they navigate their way through the health care system.

The service will also help reduce administrative burdens for physicians and primary care providers by allowing residents to access their health information.

More details on the Provincial Government’s recent health care actions are available by visiting healthcareaction.ca.

Quotes
“This service will become the new front door for people to stay on top of their health information and we look forward to further updates, such as being able to check on the status of upcoming appointments. This will allow health care professionals to focus on their practice rather than administrative duties.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Our government recognizes the importance of maximizing online options, allowing residents to perform transactions, and get help 24/7 through MyGovNL. Our ambition is to have all your government transactions in once place, accessible online at your convenience. I’m excited residents will have more online health self-service options and extend thanks to the hard-working technology teams bringing you answers to your health questions.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL and Minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer

“MyHealthNL is a first step to providing the people of the province with secure access to their own personal health records online, such as laboratory and x-rays test results and dispensed medications. NL Health Services is committed to transforming the health-care system to one that is modern and accessible, and providing secure digital access to personal health records is a key step in that transformation, while also empowering patients and families to become active participants in their own health.”
Steve Greene
Vice President responsible for Digital Health and Chief Information Officer
NL Health Services

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The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, today announced that Labrador Affairs is partnering with SmartICE to monitor and maintain the winter snowmobile route between Nain and Natuashish.

SmartICE is renowned for its work in developing climate change adaptation tools and services that integrate Indigenous knowledge of ice with ice-monitoring technology. The information which is gathered by SmartICE helps communities and residents in Northern Labrador and Canada’s North make more informed decisions before travelling on sea ice so they can avoid dangerous or hazardous areas.

Through the partnership, the Department of Labrador Affairs will provide $104,650 to SmartICE through existing funding in the Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy (LTGS) program to monitor and maintain the winter trail system from Nain to Natuashish, a distance spanning some 100 kilometres, for the 2024 season. SmartICE technology will monitor the ice along the trail and provide communities and Labrador Affairs with data-driven insights into sea-ice thickness and local ice conditions in real-time.

The Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy is a longstanding program which supports winter transportation links for isolated Labrador communities. The Department of Labrador Affairs consults communities and works directly with service providers who have responsibility for marking, grooming and monitoring trails and routes that serve the following communities: Nain, Natuashish, Hopedale, Makkovik, Postville, Rigolet, Black Tickle, Mud Lake and Norman Bay.

Climate change, resulting in less predictable and shorter ice seasons, is impacting northern communities and raising concerns about the risk of travel over sea ice. Residents in northern and isolated communities rely on sea ice to hunt and gather food to feed their families, collect wood to heat their homes, and visit family and friends in neighbouring communities. SmartICE is augmenting Indigenous knowledge of safe ice travel with advanced monitoring technology. As a community-based Work Integrated Social Enterprise, SmartICE also supports Indigenous culture, intergenerational teaching and community building, and creating sustainable employment.

The partnership arrangement with SmartICE will be assessed and the results of follow-up discussions and consultations with communities will determine the potential for expanding the ice-monitoring technology in other areas of Labrador that depend on travel by snowmobile.

Quotes
“It has been proven that accessibility to the land, ice and water is essential to maintaining health and well-being, especially in northern communities. We are enthused about the partnership we have established with SmartICE and anticipate positive benefits for residents in Nain and Natuashish who will have the tools to make more informed decisions before they travel on sea ice.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

“I’m excited for the partnership with the Department of Labrador Affairs and SmartICE to monitor and maintain the trail from Nain to Nataushish. Trail users will now have access to ice thickness data from SmartICE’s SmartKAMUTIK mobile sensor, which will help plan community members’ travel routes. SmartICE will frequently disseminate information through a variety of ways including social media, SIKU and Labrador Affairs.”
Rex Holwell
Manager of Nunatsiavut Operations, SmartICE

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Learn more
SmartICE

Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy

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SmartICE operators looking at the tough-pad during a SmartKAMUTIK run in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut. (Birds Eye Inc. photo)

BACKGROUNDER

Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy Program

• $3.4 million was allocated in Budget 2023 to enhance safe snowmobile travel for residents of Labrador’s isolated communities.
• A total of $3,200,000 funded the purchase of new groomers, snowmobiles, equipment, buildings, trail markers and warming shelters.
• Annual operating costs were increased in Budget 2023 by $140,000 to reflect increasing operational costs, which brings the program’s annual operating budget to $611,000.

SmartICE

• In addition to the winter trails project, SmartICE is operational in all five Nunatsiavut communities. SmartICE will offer operator training in Natuashish later this ice season.
• SmartICE is a community-based organization offering climate change adaptation tools, designed in partnership with Indigenous communities to support ice travel safety.
• SmartICE was co-created with the Nunatsiavut Government in response to the extremely dangerous ice conditions experienced by Nain residents in 2010.
• SmartICE, founded in 2016, has partnered with more than 30 communities across Inuit Nunangat and the northern territories.
• Ice data is made available to community members through the Indigenous Knowledge Social Network (SIKU). Go to siku.org or download the mobile app to access the SmartKAMUTIK sea ice data. Data will also be disseminated through social media on the SmartICE Nunatsiavut Facebook page.

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To support the continued growth of the local health technology sector, the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced $101,050 in funding for Nucliq Biologics Inc.

Nucliq Biologics Inc. is an innovative health tech company located in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Formed by two researchers, the company is leveraging its knowledge of interactions between the microbiome and human body to understand and develop microbiome-based kits and therapeutics. The company provides services to reveal the gut microbial diversity for patients suffering with dysbiosis (gut microbial imbalance), other gut-related diseases, gastrointestinal problems and obesity.

The company previously received $181,562 in support from the Provincial Government to research, develop and market its Gutcheck analysis kit for gut health checkups. This kit helps profile bacteria from an individual’s gut microbiome and provides a detailed report, which helps in determining whether the state of an individual’s gut microbiome is balanced and healthy, or imbalanced and unhealthy.

As part of this recent funding, Nucliq will develop the research methods for scaling up its Gutcheck test process. Since its launch in September 2022, Nucliq has developed partnerships with leaders in the health and wellness industry that demonstrate a clear path towards incremental growth. It is the only company in Canada providing gut microbiome analysis directly to consumers, and the only company of its kind approved to sell its products in Canada.

Nucliq is also receiving advisory services and up to $170,000 in research and development funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program to further develop their technology.

Quotes
“Nucliq Biologics Inc. has already proven itself as the first company in Canada providing gut microbiome-based analysis directly to consumers. We are proud to support this innovative company as they conduct research to scale up, creating more jobs and research opportunities here in our province.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“As MHA for St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi, I am very pleased to know that an innovative company such as Nucliq Biologics is being supported in its research by the Provincial Government. The company is a welcomed addition to the vibrant Genesis incubator community of innovators located in my district. Therefore, I am very happy to join with Minister Parsons in supporting them as they continue to grow their operations.”
Honourable John Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
MHA for St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi

“This support from the Provincial Government will play a vital role in our mission to support the gut health of Canadians across the country and fuel the expansion of our Gutcheck™ service. We’re grateful to have such strong support from the Industry, Energy, and Technology team to help us develop impactful and innovative healthcare solutions here in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Dr. Nikitha Kendyala
CEO/Co-founder Nucliq Biologics Inc.

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GovNL Research and Development

Nucliq Biologics Inc.

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The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, will host a Health Care Action Update tomorrow (Wednesday, January 17) to discuss improved access to medical services and records.

Minister Osborne will be joined by Dr. Pat Parfrey, Deputy Minister of Health Transformation, and Steve Greene, Vice President – Digital Health and Chief Information Officer, NL Health Services.

The availability will take place beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Confederation Building media centre with a technical briefing for media at 10:30 a.m.

The availability will be livestreamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Facebook page.

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This release is being issued on behalf of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:

The development of a tailored framework for an Atlantic Innovation Initiative designed to develop solutions for the rapid expansion of housing supply for the Atlantic provinces was the focus of discussions today in Halifax between and the Atlantic Provincial housing ministers and The Honourable Sean Fraser, Federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.

Both the Federal and Atlantic Ministers acknowledged the momentum from recent achievements and progress already made and agreed that continued collaboration between both levels of government is needed to address the challenges facing the housing sector.

Incentivizing factory built construction
Central to discussions on incentivizing the construction of factory-built homes were methods to source innovative building materials. The Ministers agreed to identify options, including non-regulatory approaches, to improve alignment of construction practices, particularly for modular and mass timber construction methods, across Atlantic Canada.

Establishing an Atlantic Canada chapter in the housing catalogue
Acknowledging the significant interest in the Federal Government’s recently announced housing design catalogue initiative, Atlantic Ministers discussed the opportunity to collaborate with the Federal Government to include regional specific options within the catalogue of pre-approved home designs. This would include the development of modular housing, a sector in which the Atlantic provinces are poised to lead.

Flexibility that recognizes the unique needs of the Atlantic region
Highlighted throughout discussions was the significant change of the housing landscape in the Atlantic Provinces over the last five years. Rapid population growth, both in large urban cities and in rural areas, as well as the effects of high interest rates, inflation and labour shortages have contributed to difficulties finding affordable and available homes in the region. Ministers were united in recognizing that there is no “one size fits all” solution for addressing these issues, and that flexibility and dedicated funding is required to deliver housing solutions that respond to local needs.

The Atlantic Provinces and the Federal Government are committed to increasing regional collaboration and working together to develop innovative construction methods, increase productivity, and create sustainability and affordability throughout Atlantic Canada’s housing sector.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador was encouraged by today’s meeting with our Atlantic and federal colleagues that focused on advancing a regional approach to drive innovation and productivity to accelerate housing supply. Strong partnerships that leverage our collective expertise and resources are crucial to addressing the diverse and growing housing needs in communities throughout our province and the Atlantic region.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

“The challenges faced by the Atlantic Provinces require a ‘made in the Atlantic’ solution. Today’s discussions reiterated our government’s commitment to work collaboratively with our provincial partners to address the complex issues that impact housing supply and affordability in Atlantic Canada. The Federal Government will continue to use every lever at its disposal to accelerate future developments, tap into new and innovative construction methods, and create affordable and accessible housing in communities across the Atlantic provinces.”
Honourable Sean Fraser
Federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“I am encouraged by the clear demonstration today of the shared commitment to do things differently, faster, and more collaboratively, for the benefit of all our citizens. Our predominantly rural population will require unique solutions. We will continue to work with our federal partner to provide these and future initiatives in support of our growing economy and population in Nova Scotia.”
Honourable John Lohr
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Nova Scotia

“Today’s meeting, like anytime I gather with my Atlantic housing counterparts, was productive and heartening. We are all in agreement that the need for safe, secure, and comfortable housing is crucial in our region. I am confident that with the federal, provincial, and municipal governments in Atlantic Canada all focused on addressing the need we will see successes in our jurisdictions.”
Honourable Jill Green
Minister Responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation

“The government of Prince Edward Island appreciates the opportunity to continue discussions with our Atlantic colleagues on how we can increase our housing supply and address the affordability and accessibility issues Atlantic Canadians are facing. Building a stronger housing sector that meets the diverse and growing needs of our population takes long-term, coordinated commitment from all levels of government. We need to build on our successes, remove barriers to development, and find innovative solutions that can make a real change for our communities.”
Honourable Rob Lantz
Minister of Housing, Land and Communities, Prince Edward Island

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The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will join other Atlantic Provincial Housing Ministers and the Honourable Sean Fraser, federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, for meetings in Halifax today (Monday, January 15).

The meetings will take place at the Halifax Convention Centre, located at 1650 Argyle Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, beginning at 9:00 a.m. AST.

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

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC REVIEW:

Indian Head Hatchery Expansion Project                                    (Reg. 1975)

Proponent: Northern Harvest Sea Farms Ltd.

The proposed Indian Head Hatchery Expansion Project is undergoing a provincial environmental assessment and an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required. The environmental assessment committee has prepared draft EIS guidelines that identify the information that must be included in the EIS. The public is invited to review these guidelines and provide written comments by February 21, 2024. Comments received will be reviewed and considered before the EIS guidelines are finalized and issued to the proponent.

More information on the project is available on the department’s website at: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-1975/

Written comments must be submitted by February 21, 2024, to:

Environmental Assessment Division

Department of Environment and Climate Change

West Block, Confederation Building

P.O. Box 8700

St. John’s NL  A1B 4J6

Email: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca

UNDERTAKING RELEASED:

Appleton Mineral Exploration Project Expansion                        (Reg. 2273)

Proponent: Newfound Gold Corp.

The Project is released from environmental assessment subject to the following conditions:

• The Proponent must uphold all commitments made in the environmental assessment submission to mitigate the effects of the Project on the environment, including your commitments to maintain the following undisturbed minimum buffers: a 30-metre buffer on all waterbodies and wetlands that appear on 1:50,000 National Topographic Systems maps or on the topographical mapping layer of the Provincial Land Use Atlas; a 100-metre buffer on tributaries to Gander Lake; a 300-metre buffer from the high water mark around Gander Lake; and a 300-metre buffer from the high water mark around salmon pools along Gander River.
• Commitments made in the environmental assessment registration document for Reg. #2106, the Appleton Mineral Exploration project, apply to this Project, as do the conditions of release in the Minister’s decision letter of December 11, 2020. The Minister’s decision letter is available on the department’s web page at https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/env_assessment_y2020_2106_release.pdf.
• The Pollution Prevention Division (PPD) of the Department of Environment and Climate Change requires that an updated waste management plan for the Project must be approved by PPD prior to Project construction.
• The Water Resources Management Division (WRMD) of the Department of Environment and Climate Change requires the Proponent to provide the following:
  • Satellite imagery of the reclaimed areas that are within Protected Public Water Supply Areas (PPWSA).
  • An Access Road and Trail Maintenance Plan (the Plan) to the WRMD to describe measures that are currently being taken and additional measures that will be added to prevent potential surface run-off and sedimentation of access roads/trails within the PPWSA. The Plan must also describe how the roads and trails will be decommissioned.
  • A minimum of 14 days’ notice to the WRMD, including the location of each drill pad, prior to drilling and trenching activities within the PPWSA.
  • An annual report to the WRMD containing information on the number of drill pads, drilling locations, the location of access trails, and the number and locations of drill sites that have been rehabilitated in the PPWSA.

• The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture (FFA) requires the following:
  • Vegetation clearing is not to occur within 800 meters of a bald eagle or osprey nest during the nesting season (March 15 to July 31) and not within 200 meters of Bald Eagle or Osprey nests during the remainder of the year. The 200-meter buffer also applies to all other raptor nests (e.g., Northern Goshawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, American Kestrel, Great-horned Owl, Boreal Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl). The location of any raptor nest site must be reported to the Wildlife Division.
• The Provincial Archaeology Office (PAO) of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation requires that a draft Historic Resources Impact Assessment (HRIA) report must be submitted to PAO for review prior to the commencement of the Project. For more information, please contact PAO at (709) 729-2462.
• The Tourism Product Development Division of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation requires a 50-meter undisturbed buffer around the following outfitting lodges:
  • Bear Cliff Lodge – Crown Lands LTO# 107866
  • Baine Johnson Properties Limited (Twelve Acre Lodge) – Crown Land LTO #98839
  • Browning Harvey Limited (Beaver Lodge) – Crown Lands 80167
• The Proponent must advise the Environmental Assessment Division when the conditions of release have been met, by e-mailing a written description, documents, and images (where applicable) to demonstrate that the conditions have been fulfilled.
• The Proponent must update the Environmental Assessment Division on the status of the Project, including a copy of all permits, licenses, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the Project, one year from the date of this release letter and provide additional updates if required.

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:

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

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

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @ECC_GovNL

Project comments may be forwarded 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 first appeared on News Releases.

The post Environmental Assessment Bulletin appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, will be available to the media today (Friday, January 12) to discuss the latest initiative to improve access to health care services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The media availability will take place at 11:30 a.m. in the main lobby of the Department of Health and Community Services, which is located on the main floor of the Confederation Building, West Block.

Minister Osborne will be joined by Dr. Greg Browne, Senior Medical Director, Eastern-Urban Zone, NL Health Services.

The post Media Advisory: Minister Osborne Available to Discuss New Ambulatory Care Hub to be Established on Northeast Avalon first appeared on News Releases.

The post Media Advisory: Minister Osborne Available to Discuss New Ambulatory Care Hub to be Established on Northeast Avalon appeared first on News Releases.

The Provincial Government is increasing access to health care services with a new ambulatory care hub on the Northeast Avalon. The new hub will also help decrease visits at acute care facilities, such as the Health Sciences Centre, and serve as an important element in the Provincial Government’s plan to reimagine health care.

NL Health Services has awarded a contract valued at $4.1 million annually to Newfoundland and Labrador Health Alliance for a 20-year lease of approximately 80,000 square feet of space at the former Costco Building, 28 Stavanger Drive, in St. John’s.

The new location for ambulatory care services on Stavanger Drive will improve access to services where overnight hospitalization is not required, such as outpatient physiotherapy, medicine and surgery clinics, general x-rays, and ultrasounds. In addition, relocating the services will:

• Decrease vehicular and foot traffic at acute care sites;
• Enable expansion of critical acute inpatient services, such as emergency, surgery, and cardiology;
• Increase the number of clinic spaces available to service providers, which will help reduce wait times;
• Allow current space to be used more efficiently; and
• Assist in recruitment initiatives.

The department and NL Health Services anticipate the new hub opening in early 2025.

The new hub is the latest in a series of actions to increase access to health care, including:

• Expanding virtual care to communities with difficult-to-fill health-care positions;
• Expanding the emergency department at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s;
• Connecting more than 50,000 people to family care teams throughout the province; and
• Establishing centres of excellence in aging at regional hospitals.

Information on tenders and requests for proposals issued and awarded by the Provincial Government and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com/govnl.

Quotes
“Moving ambulatory care services to its own location is a win for everyone involved. It will mean people who need same-day ambulatory services will have improved access to specialists with the expansion of these specialty clinics outside of a larger acute care hospital. It will also improve the experience for patients, clients and their families as it will remove physical barriers for these ambulatory services as they will be located in a more welcoming and open environment in the community in a non-hospital setting. As well, health-care professionals will benefit from the relocation as operations at the new hub and at acute care facilities will now be more efficient.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“The relocation of ambulatory care services to a new location outside of health-care facilities is an important step to enhance health care for our patients, clients and residents. This move will improve access to many clinics and result in a more efficient clinic design that will enhance the use and function of clinic space which benefits both our patients and our health-care professionals. Creating an ambulatory care services hub also supports our approach to people-centred care and supports the health and well-being of individuals across our province.”
Ron Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of the Eastern-Urban Zone
NL Health Services

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Learn more
Provincial Government Increasing Access to Health Care Through Virtual Care Contract

Health Care Action

The post New Ambulatory Care Hub to be Established on Northeast Avalon first appeared on News Releases.

The post New Ambulatory Care Hub to be Established on Northeast Avalon appeared first on News Releases.

Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are encouraged to participate in a survey as part of a review of long-term care homes and personal care homes in the province.

The review will identify opportunities and recommendations to improve the quality of care and quality of life of residents, enhance staff engagement and improve working conditions for staff.

Residents can participate in the Provincial Long-Term Care and Personal Care Home Review Survey here.

Participants will be asked to provide information on various topics, such as:

• Their current involvement with long-term care homes and personal care homes;
• Strengths and weaknesses of long-term care and personal care homes;
• Challenges accessing homes; and
• Suggestions for improvements.

The review is in addition to the work already underway by an expert panel that was launched in February 2023 to improve the quality and availability of long-term care.

The Provincial Government awarded a contract valued at $397,500 to MNP in 2023 to complete a comprehensive review of the services in Newfoundland and Labrador. This contract with MNP aligns with recommendations from Health Accord NL to help re-imagine health care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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The post Public Advisory: Public Encouraged to Participate in Long-Term Care and Personal Care Home Review first appeared on News Releases.

The post Public Advisory: Public Encouraged to Participate in Long-Term Care and Personal Care Home Review appeared first on News Releases.

The Provincial Government is providing $46,305 to Tight Loops Tight Lines (NKC Enterprises Inc.) to support the company’s promotion and development of fly-fishing experiences. The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, announced the funding today, through the Business Development Support Program.

Based in Corner Brook, Tight Loops Tight Lines was launched by Kastine Coleman in 2018 with a goal of introducing more women and youth to the traditionally male-dominated sport of fly-fishing. Her angling lessons expanded into the world of multimedia. Her business model included a strong focus on videography and photography that helps broaden the operation’s virtual footprint through film and written content. Her TV show, which airs on NTV and YouTube, profiles her business as well as others in the sector that share her commitment to high-quality experiences.

This support from the Business Development Support Program will allow Tight Loops Tight Lines to expand its market presence and product offerings and look to new markets and clients. Funding will cover items such as advertising, trade show attendance, professional fees and skills development, content creation and network development.

Quotes
“Tight Loops Tight Lines has been a strong brand ambassador for Newfoundland and Labrador’s tourism market. Kastine Coleman’s work is helping showcase an entire sector and region of the province, while also promoting tourism and healthy outdoor activities. The Western Newfoundland region possesses some of the most remarkable natural attractions in Atlantic Canada and many entrepreneurs are capitalizing on the area’s market potential.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“I am truly grateful for the Provincial Government funding that I have been granted for Tight Loops Tight Lines fly fishing business as it will allow me to develop unforgettable travel experiences, attract more customers and contribute to the local economy and community. I appreciate the support that the Industry, Energy and Technology team has provided and look forward to 2024.”
Kastine Coleman
Tight Loops Tight Lines

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Learn More
Business Development Support Program

Tight Loops Tight Lines

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The post Supporting Business Growth in the Tourism Sector first appeared on News Releases.

The post Supporting Business Growth in the Tourism Sector appeared first on News Releases.