Government of Newfoundland News

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Provincial Government is committed to supporting municipal infrastructure upgrades across the province and is investing $12.5 million in capital works funding in the District of Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans, cost-shared with local communities. The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, made the announcement today, joined by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Elections Newfoundland and Labrador would like to notify electors in the District of St. George’s - Stephenville East that the deadline to apply for Special Ballot voting is approaching.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Elections Newfoundland and Labrador would like to notify residents of the St. George’s - Stephenville East district that advance voting will take place tomorrow (Tuesday, August 19, 2014). The polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Tourism, Culture and Recreation

As part of the province’s Honour 100 initiative to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War, three plaques were unveiled today at the C.L.B. Armoury in St. John’s to honour the first enlistments in the remobilization of the Newfoundland Regiment in 1914.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

The official nomination of candidates for the August 26, 2014, St. George’s - Stephenville East by-election closed today, August 16, 201,4 at 2:00 p.m.The candidates are as follows:

Natural Resources

The Provincial Government is advising residents that there is the potential for smoke today within Happy Valley-Goose Bay and surrounding communities. This is due to forest fires near Mud Lake and predicted winds in the forecast.

Advanced Education and Skills: Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

The Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will be in Labrador City on Monday, August 18, to make an announcement to support affordable housing.

Advanced Education and Skills

Keith Russell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, will speak at an Oath of Citizenship ceremony on Sunday, August 17 at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the Cupids Legacy Centre, 368 Seaforest Drive, Cupids.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, will make a number of funding announcements in the central region of the province on Monday, August 18.

Executive Council

The Honourable Tom Marshall, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will speak at the grand opening of the Bay St. George YMCA on Sunday, August 17. The event will begin at 1:00 p.m. at 383 Massachusetts Drive, Stephenville.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, will attend a reception on Sunday, August 17, for Avery’s Ride for Phenylketonuria (PKU). The reception takes place at 2:00 p.m. at the Janeway Maple Leaf Garden Playground, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John’s.

Tourism, Culture and Recreation

On Sunday, August 17, the Honourable Tony Cornect, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, will participate in an Honour 100 commemoration ceremony. Minister Cornect will be joined by representatives of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Advisory Council and the Church Lads’ Brigade (C.L.B.). Honour 100 is a Provincial Government initiative commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

Executive Council

The Provincial Government today announced the schedule of public engagement sessions for the Open Government Initiative. Launched in March, the initiative’s early focus has featured online engagement and stakeholder sessions designed to improve access to information and data, as well as provide people with new opportunities to shape policy and decision-making in government.

Natural Resources

The Provincial Government is advising residents of water bomber activity related to fire suppression efforts in the area of Mud Lake. To ensure safety, recreational boaters are asked to avoid the area as water is being collected from the lake.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Electors in the district of St. George’s - Stephenville East are asked to watch their mail for Voter Information Cards being circulated by Elections Newfoundland and Labrador.

Justice

The Honourable Felix Collins, Attorney General, will speak at the Opening Ceremonies and Plenary of the Canadian Bar Association’s (CBA) 2014 Legal Conference tomorrow (Friday, August 15). The session begins at 8:30 a.m. at the St. John’s Convention Centre, St. John’s.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

With financing from the Provincial Government, a booklet will be developed by the Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide the lobster industry with the most up-to-date information to help maintain quality, as well as to help harvesters receive the best price for their catch. The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced $24,550 today through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program for the initiative.

Environment and Conservation

The Provincial Government’s latest survey of the George River caribou herd, conducted in July 2014, has resulted in confirmation that the herd continues to decline significantly.

Innovation, Business and Rural Development

The Colony of Avalon Foundation is implementing key goals of its three-year strategic plan with the help of $94,891 from the Provincial Government. Funding will aid the Colony of Avalon with their marketing and development efforts, strategic fundraising plans, as well as with the growth of the organization’s online presence.

Education

An eight-classroom extension will soon be constructed at Elizabeth Park Elementary in Paradise, following the recent award of a tender, valued at almost $2.3 million, to Redwood Construction Ltd. of Mount Pearl. The extension will increase capacity of the school to accommodate population growth in the area.