Government of Newfoundland News

Executive Council

The Provincial Government will hold the ninth public engagement session for the Open Government Initiative tomorrow (Thursday, October 2). The session will take place in Happy Valley-Goose Bay at 7:00 p.m. at the Hotel North Two, 382 Hamilton River Road.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government is recognizing National Seniors Day and the International Day of Older Persons by acknowledging older women and men throughout Newfoundland and Labrador who are highly engaged in their communities and are making a tremendous impact on their families, workplaces and society. To celebrate the contributions of seniors, five Newfoundlanders and Labradorians were presented with the Seniors of Distinction Awards in an event today.

Executive Council

Tomorrow (Thursday, October 2) at 5:45 p.m., Her Honour Patricia Fagan, wife of the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, will unveil a plaque on the grounds at Government House to honour the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Patriotic Association of the Women of Newfoundland.

Service NL

Effective tomorrow (Wednesday, October 1), the provincial minimum wage will increase by 25 cents to $10.25 per hour. An additional 25 cent increase will take place October 1, 2015.

Executive Council

A beacon of remembrance was lit at Quidi Vidi Lake yesterday as the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, officially dedicated the Offshore Helicopter Accident Memorial. The memorial pays tribute to the victims of Cougar 491 and the 1985 Universal Helicopter crashes.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, and Kevin Pollard, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services, will present the sixth annual Seniors of Distinction Awards tomorrow (Wednesday, October 1). The ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Capital Hotel in St. John’s.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will take part in the official opening of the Faculty of Medicine’s new Medical Education Centre tomorrow (Wednesday, October 1).

Health and Community Services

A new Smoking Cessation Program is being made available to support clients eligible under the Access, Foundation, or 65Plus plans of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program. Through an investment of $712,000, the program further strengthens the Provincial Government’s commitment to improving the health and wellness of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and will launch on October 1.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

At an unveiling of the unique, “Inuit Ullumi: Inuit Today, Contemporary Art from TD Bank Group’s Inuit Collection,” TD will announce a major donation to The Rooms capital campaign, Where Once They Stood We Stand. Following the presentation, the exhibit will open to the public.

Executive Council

Heralding significant positive change, the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, introduced his first Cabinet at Government House today.

Service NL

Service NL advises the public that the Government Service Centre and Motor Registration offices at 3 Cromer Avenue in Grand Falls-Windsor will be opening to the public at 9:30 a.m. today. As a result of the water damage, there may be some delays for services. Service NL apologizes for any inconvenience. For all inquiries, please call 1-877-636-6867.

Executive Council

A swearing-in ceremony for Cabinet will take place at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, September 30), in the Drawing Room at Government House.

Justice

In a ceremony yesterday (Sunday, September 28), Officer Blair Barnes of Grand Falls-Windsor Office received the 2013 Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Enforcement Officer of Year Award. The award formally recognizes an officer within the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division who stands out amongst his or her peers and exemplifies high standards of work and dedication.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following event relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Provincial Government is investing $71,000 to improve firefighting capabilities for communities in the District of Bellevue.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be available to media today at 2:30 p.m. in front of the House of Assembly, East Block, Confederation Building.

Natural Resources

The annual Agrifoods and Garden Show, the largest agriculture event in the province, will receive $150,000 in funding from the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Growing Forward 2 Agreement, through the Market Development Initiative. Each year, the show helps increase awareness about the agriculture and agrifoods industry, particularly with regards to its economic contribution and diversity within the province.

Office of the Auditor General

Auditor General, Terry Paddon, delivered his report on a review of the cancellation of a contract between the Department of Transportation and Works and Humber Valley Paving Ltd. to the Minister of Finance today.

Executive Council

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be at Quidi Vidi Lake today (Monday, September 29) to officially dedicate the Offshore Helicopter Accident Memorial. The event will take place at the memorial site on the southside of the Boulevard (in the vicinity of the bandstand), beginning at 6:30 p.m. Premier Davis will be joined by the Honourable Tony Cornect, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Danny Breen, City of St. John’s, family members of those lost, the Offshore Helicopter Accident Memorial committee and industry representatives.

Service NL

Service NL advises the public that the Government Service Centre and Motor Registration offices at 3 Cromer Avenue in Grand Falls-Windsor will be closed to the public today due to water damage. For all inquiries, please call 1-877-636-6867.