Government of Newfoundland News

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs is initiating a review to modernize and update regulations regarding zoning for protected roads. The review will take place from November 17 to December 22 and will ensure that all views are captured to facilitate the development of modernized regulations.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Trepassey Management Corporation is better situated to take advantage of local infrastructure and grow the regional economy as a result of $43,000 in funding from the Provincial Government. Funding will support the remediation of the former fish plant site, making it viable for industry use.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Elections Newfoundland and Labrador would like to notify residents of the districts of Humber East and Trinity-Bay de Verde that advance voting will take place tomorrow, November 18, 2014. The polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

The official nomination of candidates for the November 25, 2014 Trinity-Bay de Verde by-election closed today, November 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development: Sport Newfoundland and Labrador

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, will be at the Fairfield Inn and Suites, 199 Kenmount Road, St. John’s, tomorrow (Saturday, November 15) to participate in Sport Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2014 Annual General Meeting. The minister will address the delegation at approximately 9:30 a.m.

Executive Council

The Provincial Government is joining community organizations throughout North America in recognizing tomorrow, November 15, as National Philanthropy Day. Celebrated each year, the day honours fundraising professionals who are changing lives and improving communities through their contributions of time, energy and resources.

Transportation and Works

The front entrance of the Confederation Building, East Block, will be closed from Monday, November 17, to Thursday, November 20. This closure is required to facilitate ongoing renovation work above the front entrance.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Mussel farmers throughout the province will continue to promote their sustainable and environmentally-responsible approach to aquaculture with support from the Provincial Government. The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced more than $53,000 today to help the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association engage in mandatory audits to maintain the industry’s Canadian Organic Aquaculture Standard certification and Best Aquaculture Standards certification.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works is advising that the Placentia Lift Bridge will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, November 17. During this period, repairs will take place to make the bridge fully operational and vehicular traffic will be detoured to Southeast Placentia Road.

Health and Community Services
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

November 14 is being recognized as World Diabetes Day in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, joined with the Canadian Diabetes Association for a proclamation signing to help raise awareness around the impact of diabetes. This year’s theme is Healthy Living and Diabetes.

Service NL

The Provincial Government has continued to deliver regulatory improvements for 2013-14 as a result of the Regulatory Reform Accountability Framework and ongoing commitments from Provincial Government departments, agencies, boards and commissions. For the 2013-14 fiscal year, over 1,300 regulatory requirements have been eliminated ensuring that the zero per cent net growth target for new regulations has been achieved.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Electors in the districts of Humber East and Trinity-Bay de Verde are asked to watch their mail for Voter Information Cards being circulated by Elections Newfoundland and Labrador.

Executive Council
Health and Community Services

Providing high-quality and accessible primary health care for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador is a key priority of the Provincial Government. Recognizing this, and in keeping with the commitment made by the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Premier’s Summit on Health Care will be held on January 14, 2015 in St. John’s. To gather ideas and generate input to help shape the agenda for the summit, four public regional forums will take place beginning later this month. In addition, in advance of the summit the general public is invited to provide feedback electronically, by phone or by regular mail.

Justice and Public Safety
Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, announced today that the Provincial Government is investing approximately $260,000 to enhance firefighting capacity in the District of Bay of Islands, supporting the communities of Lark Harbour and York Harbour.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Elections Newfoundland and Labrador would like to notify electors in the districts of Humber East and Trinity-Bay de Verde that the deadline to apply for Special Ballot voting is approaching.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

AbbyShot Clothiers Limited is pursuing new product contracts to capitalize on global sales opportunities, thanks in part to investments from the Federal and Provincial Governments. Funding of more than $300,000 was announced today by Senator Fabian Manning on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, today launched the new 10-year provincial sustainable forest management strategy during the Canadian Institute of Forestry, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, Annual General Meeting.

Health and Community Services

While the risk of a case of Ebola being introduced in Newfoundland and Labrador remains low, efforts are well underway to strengthen readiness and to ensure strong infection control systems and procedures are in place.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government is encouraging recreation committees and organizations province-wide to apply to the Seniors Community Recreation Grant Program. Funding is available to assist with the costs associated with recreational programming for seniors. Applications are now available online.

Transportation and Works

The $1 million replacement of the Northeast Trepassey Bridge will soon begin with the construction of a temporary diversion to facilitate traffic while the new bridge is being built. The new bridge is scheduled to be open to traffic in August 2015.