Government of Newfoundland News

The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, is part of the Canadian delegation participating in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

COP28 is designed to unite a diverse range of stakeholders – government, youth, business and investors, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and others. Discussions will focus around specific solutions that must be scaled up this decade to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, build resilience, and mobilize finance at scale. Key agenda items include: a global “stocktake” of progress since COP21 in Paris, France and COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland and agreement on clarifying the rules on a new international offsets system.

The Provincial Government is committed to addressing climate change, through the implementation of a climate change action plan, a new renewable energy action plan, achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, establishing a Net-Zero Advisory Committee, and advancing electrification and innovation to further the transition into more renewable energy sources. In addition, work has commenced on the development of a Climate Change Mitigation Action Plan (2025-30) and a Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (2025-30), both of which build on the success of the existing Climate Change Action Plan (2019-2024).

On December 6, Minister Davis will speak on a panel entitled “Capturing Your Attention: Carbon Capture and Storage Dialogue”, hosted by the Clean Resource Innovation Network Pavilion.

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“As we continue to face the global impacts of climate change, the opportunity to network and meet with numerous international jurisdictions and organizations at COP28 is very important. COP28 will see a wide range of discussions focused on future actions and goals to address this crucial global issue. I look forward to participating on a panel discussion on carbon capture, storage and utilization, which will be essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero emissions at the provincial, national, and international levels.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

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COP28 UAE

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Provincial Government websites are undergoing required network maintenance on Sunday, December 3 between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. (6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. in parts of Labrador).

Please be advised that although an outage is not anticipated, there may be brief network interruptions during this time.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2023-050 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-2023-050 Report Date: November 30, 2023 Public Body: Memorial University of Newfoundland Summary: The Complainant made an access request to Memorial University for records relating to a security risk assessment conducted by the University and records about the cost of security hardware for the University’s Core Science Facility. Memorial provided records to the Complainant, though some information was redacted under section 29(1)(a), 31(1)(c), and 37(1)(b) of ATIPPA, 2015. The Complainant sought a review by this Office of this withheld information, while also arguing that Memorial University did not meet its duty to assist pursuant to section 13(1) of the Act. After a review of the redactions, this Office concurred with Memorial University that the information withheld should not be disclosed. This Office further held that Memorial University had met its duty to assist.

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

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2023-049 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-2023-049 Report Date: November 30, 2023 Public Body: Town of Stephenville Summary: The Complainant made an access to information request to the Town of Stephenville for records relating to investigations into the conduct of Town councilors dating from September 2021 to August 2023. The Town responded by refusing access to the responsive records, citing sections 35 and 40 of ATIPPA, 2015. The Complainant filed a complaint with this Office. After reviewing the submissions and responsive records, the Commissioner concluded the Town failed to meet its burden of proving that section 35 applies to the responsive records. As such, the Commissioner recommended the Town disclose the records to the Complainant subject to any necessary redactions for personal information under section 40.

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

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Municipalities and community groups throughout the province are reminded the application process for Wildfire Community Preparedness Day awards is now open. The program is delivered by FireSmart Canada which works closely with provincial and territorial partners to implement and deliver programs and services.

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is a national initiative observed each year on the first Saturday in May and encourages citizens to take actions that increase their home, neighbourhood and community’s resilience to wildfire. Wildfire Community Preparedness Day awards provide $500 in financial assistance to municipalities and community groups looking to implement projects and FireSmart initiatives that mitigate the risk of wildfires and promote community preparedness.

Newfoundland and Labrador has been participating in the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day program since 2019, with 53 municipalities, fire departments and community groups receiving awards.

Additional information about the program and application process can be viewed at the FireSmart Canada website. The application deadline is January 31, 2024.

Through Budget 2023, the Provincial Government invested $5.8 million in additional funding to support forest fire suppression services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

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“Each of us have a role to play in reducing the wildfire risk. The Wildfire Community Preparedness Day program provides a great opportunity for municipalities and community groups to undertake FireSmart practices that help protect homes and properties from the threat of wildfire. I encourage everyone to learn more about this valuable initiative that improves our knowledge about wildfire prevention and preparedness.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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FireSmart Canada

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The Department of Environment and Climate Change is seeking input from partners, stakeholders, Indigenous Governments and Organizations and the public on the development of two new climate change plans:

• Climate Change Mitigation Action Plan (2025-2030), to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (2025-2030), to help prepare for and reduce the impacts of climate change.

The public engagement process was launched on November 1, 2023, and has been extended to January 7, 2024.

Feedback is being accepted through an online questionnaire, via email to climatechange@gov.nl.ca or by mail to:

Climate Change Division
Department of Environment and Climate Change
West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6

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The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is extending the deadline for residents to apply for the home heating supplement. Those who qualify now have until January 15, 2024, to apply to the program.

The supplement, which ranges between $200 and $500, is available to residents of the province whose adjusted family income for 2022 was $150,000 or less and have directly incurred costs for the purchase of furnace or stove oil to heat their principal residence.

Residents can apply online. In order to ensure the most efficient processing time, please make sure your application is complete. This includes:

• A copy of your invoice for the purchase of furnace or stove oil which should include the delivery address. Invoices must be dated no later than December 31, 2023.
• A signed application.
• Social insurance number.

Residents who received the home heating supplement in the fall of 2022 are welcome to apply again this year if they meet the eligibility criteria.

As announced in Budget 2023, maintaining the home heating supplement for furnace or stove oil is part of how the Provincial Government continues to help with the cost of living. Government has provided more than a half-billion dollars in targeted short- and long-term cost-of-living measures since March 2022.

For more information, please email OilSupplement@gov.nl.ca or phone 709-729-4645 (toll-free 1-844-729-4645).

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Work continues on time and on budget for the new 102-bed adult mental health and addictions centre at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s. The construction of the new facility is expected to be completed in late 2024, with patients being welcomed to the centre in spring 2025.

The most recent work on the 240,000 square foot, six-storey building includes:

• The installation of the facility’s HVAC system, drywall and ceilings;
• Work on the lighting, controls and the Building Automation System;
• Millwork is ongoing; and
• Work on the main entrance has also recently begun.

Work will also begin in the coming weeks to place signage, bringing it one step closer to completion. The new centre will officially be called the Mental Health and Addictions Centre.

The new 60-bed hostel to replace the Agnes Cowan Hostel, which was demolished to allow for the construction of the Mental Health and Addictions Centre, will also be located on the top floor of the new building.

In 2020, Avalon Healthcare Partnership was selected to design, build, finance and maintain the new adult mental health and addictions centre. By the time construction is completed, it is anticipated that more than 400 jobs will have been created, with approximately 95 per cent of workers from Newfoundland and Labrador.

Quotes
“I am delighted to see work progressing on the new centre, which will ultimately contribute to improved mental health and addictions services for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Our government’s goal remains improved access to health care in the province, and this new facility will help bring both physical and mental health together at one location, recognizing the intrinsic value of a holistic approach. This new infrastructure is another step along our journey of health care transformation in the province.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“The new adult mental health and addictions facility is another wonderful example of a public-private partnership that will result in a significant piece of health care infrastructure for our province. We are continuing to work with our industry partners to create employment opportunities for tradespeople in our province, recognizing that more than 95 per cent of the workforce on this site have been from Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“Investing in both our mental and physical health will support improved well-being of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. This centre is part of our ongoing commitment to improving greater access to quality mental health care in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is another step forward to connecting residents with the health care they deserve.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“It is a priority for NL Health Services to provide high quality, evidenced-based, and person-centred mental health care. The new state-of-the-art Mental Health and Addictions Centre, located at the Health Sciences Centre site, will help us break down barriers and stigma related to mental health and addictions by adopting a ’health is health’ approach. This means our patients and clients will have more direct access to other medical services so that their physical and mental health needs are as integrated as possible.”
Glenda Webber
Senior Director, Clinical Services, Eastern-Urban Zone, NL Health Services

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Learn more
Parking Garage to Open at Health Sciences Centre Campus

Avalon Healthcare Partnership Selected to Design, Build, Finance and Maintain New Mental Health and Addictions Hospital

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The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, today provided an update on the Provincial Government’s progress in advancing early learning and child care services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In November, government announced improved access to early learning and child care spaces for health care professionals. Three sites are under development in St. John’s, Bonavista, and Corner Brook to provide child care spaces for health care professionals employed by Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services. These sites will create approximately 160 child care spaces and will be developed over the next six months.

In October, the Child Care Demand Portal was unveiled as the first phase of an Early Learning Gateway, which will be a robust information management system for the Department of Education’s Early Learning and Child Care Division. Over 1,200 responses have been received through the portal, and will assist the department in focusing space creation efforts towards areas that are most in need.

In September, the Department of Education announced the allotment of $7.5 million through the federal Child Care Capacity Initiative toward a new, time-limited funding program called the Create a Space Incentive Grant. This grant assists eligible applicants with creating a total of 750 new regulated child care spaces throughout the province. The application period has ended and successful proponents will be announced in the coming weeks.

Early childhood educators are vital to support the growth and development of children within the province. The Department of Education remains engaged with early childhood educators through regular virtual town hall meetings. The Provincial Government continues to invest heavily in domestic recruitment and retention initiatives, including:

• Additional funding to post-secondary institutions to ensure early childhood education programs are more accessible and to increase the number of graduates;
• A needs-based grant to provide eligible students in approved program with non-repayable grants of up to $10,000;
• Creation of a bursary and wage grid bonus specific to Francophone early childhood educators;
• The Early Childhood Educator Recruitment and Retention Grant. to provide eligible early childhood educators with $2,500 upon initial certification and renewal of Level 1-4 certification, up to a maximum of $7,500;
• Implementation of a wage grid for early childhood educators in April 2023 to recognize the valuable contribution they make in supporting the children of the province.

The Department of Education has also been working with the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills to facilitate virtual job fairs to support international recruitment as a short-term measure while the domestic early childhood educator workforce grows.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to providing high-quality, affordable child care that is accessible throughout the province. There are currently over 8,600 child care spaces operating at $10-a-day or less in the province, with 1,000 new spaces created in 2023.

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“We have taken progressive steps in advancing early learning and child care components, including space creation for families, and incentives to attract and retain early childhood educators from within our province and abroad. Our work continues as we listen and learn about the needs for early childhood educators and families, helping us to ensure these services are accessible and inclusive for everyone.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education

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Learn more
Improving Access to Early Learning and Child Care for Health Professionals

Child Care Demand Portal

Increased Funding Available to Grow Child Care Service Capacity in Newfoundland and Labrador

Minister Howell Announces New Recruitment and Retention Grant for Early Childhood Educators

Child Care Act and Regulations

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, will be available to speak to the media on the ongoing tent encampment protest in St. John’s today (Thursday, November 30).

Minister Abbott will be joined by the Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, the Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, and the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, as well as His Worship Danny Breen, Mayor of the City of St. John’s.

The availability will begin at 1:00 p.m. outside of the House of Assembly, Confederation Building.

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Following this year’s tremendously successful inaugural run in Gander, Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s Come From Away will return in summer 2024.

Under the creative leadership of acclaimed local director Jillian Keiley and originating Come From Away producer Michael Rubinoff, the 2023 pilot was an overwhelming success. All 37 shows sold out well in advance, and Gander and area businesses saw a noticeable increase in activity from out of town traffic. Room sales in the Gander region were up by 11 per cent and total room revenue was up by 15 per cent for the July to September period compared to the same time in 2022.

The 2024 production will run from June 28 to September 1, 2024 at the Joseph R Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre. Returning and new cast and band members will be announced in the new year.

Come From Away has a history of success in Newfoundland and Labrador, beginning with the Come From Away concert series presented during Come Home 2022. Since then, it has been a priority of Premier Furey and the Provincial Government to bring the Come From Away story to our residents and visitors, in celebration of the kindness and compassion shown to the “come from aways” who were diverted to Gander and surrounding communities in September 2001.

Tickets for Come From Away will go on sale on Monday, December 4 via the Arts and Culture Centre website.

COME FROM AWAY is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Quotes
“The Provincial Government is proud to have played a part in bringing Come From Away to Newfoundland and Labrador. Through the efforts of the Arts and Culture Centres and the creative and production teams, the show has been a true success story for the Gander region. Restaurants and hotels reported being busier than ever, and I am certain that Come From Away played a role in that. Last year’s performances were completely sold out, so I encourage those looking to take in the 2024 show to get their tickets early.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“It has been a dream from the beginning to create a production of Come From Away in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our inaugural sold out season hosted theatregoers from all over the world and received universal rave reviews. Audiences rose to their feet night after night, deeply moved by the power of this homegrown production. We look forward to continuing to share this inspiring story in the community where it unfolded.”
Michael Rubinoff
Producer

“I’m so proud of the work that the whole team did last year, from the artistic and production teams to the local communities. It was a huge effort and seeing so much love in the room night after night was a huge reward. I’m so glad we get to do it again.”
Jillian Keiley
Artistic Director

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Arts and Culture Centres

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Given the anticipated adverse weather conditions, the Provincial Government is advising individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness to call Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s emergency shelter line 1-833-724-2444 for assistance with temporary accommodations, while we continue our efforts to secure more permanent housing options.

Staff from the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation continue to work with community partners, including End Homelessness St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services’ Harm Reduction Team and Thrive. They continue to be on site at the tent encampment and are working to assist individuals to go to a shelter where they will have access to supports and services.

Safe Haven Shelter at 10 St. Clare Avenue also serves as a warming centre in times of inclement weather. In addition, services at The Gathering Place continue to be available at this time.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will provide an update on the new mental health and addictions hospital tomorrow (Thursday, November 30).

The event will be held in Rooms 2J618/19 at the Health Sciences Centre beginning at 2:00 p.m. The rooms are located just inside of the main entrance along the “Yellow Brick Road” to the left of the Tim Horton’s kiosk. Staff will be available to meet media at the entrance.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure; the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services; and Glenda Webber, Senior Director of Mental Health and Addictions, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services.

Following the update, media are invited to tour a section of the new facility and will be required to wear CSA-approved protective footwear. Safety vests and hard hats will be provided.

Media interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Maria Browne at 709-729-1758 or mbrowne@gov.nl.ca

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A new integrated community health care centre will be constructed in Stephenville, which will help increase access to health care in the Stephenville/Bay St. George region.

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NL Health Services) has awarded a contract valued at approximately $2 million per year to GDR Enterprises Limited to lease space for 20 years at a new 41,140 square-feet facility, to be constructed at the corner of Connecticut Drive and Minnesota Avenue, near the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital.

In addition to housing the Stephenville/Bay St. George Family Care Team, the new facility will consolidate into one location existing health services in the area from other locations, including:

• Mental health and addictions services;
• The Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team, which provides treatment of illness and symptoms, hands-on assistance with daily living activities, and recovery support for individuals with serious mental illness;
• Community support program offering services to seniors and individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities;
• Developmental health services, including speech-language pathology, audiology services, and direct home services; and
• Public Health.

The Family Care Team’s leased space will include clinics, exam rooms, procedure and treatment rooms, medication rooms, telehealth, counselling and interview rooms, meeting rooms, offices and reception areas.

The Department of Health and Community Services and NL Health Services anticipate construction on the new facility to be completed in late 2024.

Residents who do not have a primary care provider now or who expect to not have one within the next three months can register with Patient Connect NL online at https://patientconnect.nlchi.nl.ca/, or by phone at 1-833-913-4679.

NL Health Services will work to assign those who register to a Family Care Team or primary health care provider when one becomes available in their area. To date:

• 19 Family Care Teams have been announced for the province;
• The number of people rostered with Family Care Teams has risen from approximately 28,000 people in March 2023 to more than 50,625 in November; and
• The number of health care professionals employed with family care teams has grown from 100 in April to 203 in October.

Residents will be contacted by someone from the clinic to book an appointment. There may be a waiting period from the time that patients register to the time when they receive an appointment with the clinic.

More information on Family Care Teams is available by visiting the Provincial Government’s Health Care Action website. More information for health care professionals interested working in Newfoundland and Labrador is available at workinhealthnl.ca.

As part of a record investment in health care, Budget 2023 included $21.2 million to fund 10 teams for 2023-24, along with an eleventh team on the Burin Peninsula. Once fully implemented, these new teams will provide access to primary care for up to 80,000 people.

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.

Quotes
“We are excited about the progress on establishing Family Care Teams throughout the province. We’re also excited about the reviews we have heard about the teams from health care professionals and patients. We encourage everyone interested in getting access to primary health care to register at our Patient Connect website, and any health care professional interested in working with a team to visit our Extraordinary Everyday website. We look forward to the Family Care Team moving to this new location next year, and more Family Care Teams opening in the province in 2024.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“This is a very positive development for the whole Bay St. George area. The new facility will help with the recruitment of health care professionals to the area and result in better care for the people of the area. I am very pleased to see the new Family Care Team approach at the new centralized location for the community-based health care services.”
Scott Reid
MHA for St. George’s – Humber

“The new community health centre will be of great benefit for residents in the Stephenville/Bay St. George Health Neighbourhood and we are pleased with the support from government to move forward with construction off this facility. This new space will enhance access to primary care and community services, strengthen collaboration and provide a centralized location for community-based health care services. The Family Care Team and community services offered at the site will support individuals in the Stephenville/Bay St. George Health Neighbourhood in the prevention and management of chronic disease and improve access for patient appointments.”
Teara Freake
Vice-President and COO Western Zone, NL Health Services

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Learn more
Health Care Action

Extraordinary Every Day

New Family Care Team in Clarenville Now Accepting Patients

New Family Care Team in Central Zone Now Accepting Patients

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Photo caption: A new integrated community health care centre will be constructed in Stephenville, which will help increase access to health care in the Bay St. George region.

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The 37th annual Winter Lights Across Canada celebration will take place on Thursday, December 7, at Confederation Building in St. John’s.

Winter Lights Across Canada is an annual event where each province and territory decorates its capital city and holds its own lighting ceremony. At the event, thousands of LED lights will illuminate the Confederation Building Christmas tree and other trees along Prince Philip Drive. The initiative contributes to a nationwide effort to symbolically link Canadians together for the holiday season.

The event is open to the public. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of East Block, Confederation Building, and the lights will be activated at approximately 6:15 p.m.

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The following is being distributed at the request of the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Today, the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador announced the short-listed nominees for the 2023 Human Rights Awards. The annual awards recognize individuals who have made and/or continue to make meaningful contributions to advancing and furthering human rights in the province.

The Human Rights Commission does not nominate people. Instead, nominations come from people in the community who see the value in the great work individuals are doing.

The winner of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Award will receive an original painting by Grenfell Visual Arts student, Grace Prince. Biographies of the short-listed nominees and artist can be found in the backgrounder below.

The 2023 Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Award and Human Rights Champion recipients will be announced at a virtual ceremony at Government House on Thursday, December 7 via zoom at 2:30 p.m. The timing of the presentation coincides with International Human Rights Day.

To request a link to the ceremony, please email Hilary Hennessey at HilaryHennessey@gov.nl.ca

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Learn more
For more information on the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission, please visit www.thinkhumanrights.ca.

You can also follow us on Twitter & Instagram @nlhumanrights

BACKGROUNDER

Biographies of the 2023 Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Award Nominees

Courtney Clarke (she/her) is from Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove (PHMC) and currently lives in Mount Pearl. She has been actively involved in the province’s community sector for most of her life. Whether it’s her work in violence prevention, gender parity in politics, accessibility, or economic well-being, Courtney brings an intersectional, trauma-informed approach to the work that she does.

In her early twenties, she was a Project Manager of an entrepreneurial bootcamp for veterans called Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur with Prince’s Charities Canada, through Enactus Memorial, and spent time volunteering on local arts, heritage and museum committees with her father in her hometown.

When COVID-19 began and before NL had a provincial domestic abuse hotline, Chairing Violence Prevention Avalon East (VPAE), the organization launched Unsafe at Home; a domestic abuse support platform supporting 100+ crisis calls from individuals isolated with abusers. They then partnered with Spirit Horse NL to provide free equestrian-based counselling to 500+ survivors, called Stable & Safe. A survivor of gender-based violence, herself, Courtney established the Jane Doe Graduate Award in Anti-Violence Research at Memorial University to support local researchers.

Chairing Equal Voice NL, Courtney helps women and gender diverse individuals get elected to all levels and parties of government. Through this role, she also sits on the NL Premier’s Roundtable for Gender Equity. In January 2022, she helped Equal Voice co-author a study on sexual harassment in Canada’s legislative Provincial & Federal Assemblies for the Justice of Canada and looks for any opportunity to advance gender parity in the system.

Re-elected for a second term as a Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union (NLCU), Courtney represents the financial interests of 20,000+ members. Also passionate about accessibility, Courtney was able to fundraise over $1-million dollars towards accessibility advancements across all regions of NL, between 2019 and 2021. In January 2023, Courtney was appointed to the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dome Lombeida (they/them) is a queer migrant settler from Guayaquil, Ecuador who first came into St. John’s in 2017 as an international student and since has worked with different Refugee, Migrant and Social Justice Organizations. They hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography and have experience with anti-colonial and feminist science practices. Dome actively volunteers and works closely with 2SLGBTQIA+ community like their research work with Quadrangle NL in the barriers to healthcare and their work with 2SLGBTQIA+ Newcomer Group formed by the YWCA, as well as being part of the Project Advisory Committee working on the LGBTQ+ Newcomer Settlement and Integration in NL. They are very passionate about hosting and creating community spaces for those with intersectional oppressions and hope to see a better future for those folks in NL.

Émile Sopkowe (they/them/iel) is a trans and queer teacher who has made 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion a keystone of their pedagogical approach. Driven by a desire to create equitable, inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ educators, students, and their families, their passion for advocacy and change led to the creation of the Gender and Sexual Diversity Special Interest Council (GSDSIC) of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association (NLTA) in 2020, of which they are now Vice-President.

Throughout Émile’s career, they established Gender and Sexuality alliance groups in multiple schools in both the English and francophone school districts,  provided countless 2SLBGTQ+ professional development sessions for their colleagues and for NLESD and provincial educational leaders, and worked extensively in the area of restorative justice. In 2022, Émile was honoured with the Barnes Award, the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association’s highest award for professional development and curriculum work. In addition to their work within the education system, Émile is devoted to volunteering with diverse community organizations outside of education, and is also the Trans Youth Group facilitator with Parents of Trans, Two-Spirit, and Gender Diverse Kids NL.

Dr. Gary Thompson (he/him) has been involved in the mining and mineral exploration industry undertaking applied research in the Newfoundland and Labrador for the past 13 years.  He has 25 years of national and international research experience, has published in respected international journals and is a registered professional geoscientist.  He continues to work extensively with all sectors of the mineral industry in Newfoundland and Labrador including industry partners, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mines and Energy Branch, and Memorial University. Dr. Thompson was nominated alongside Dr. Michael Long. Together, they work as a team to ensure that marginalized persons and groups are treated with dignity and respect, and provided full opportunity at the College of the North Atlantic (CNA).

Dr. Michael Long (he/him) has been actively engaged in Canadian and international higher education for over 22 years. In 2017, Mike began his current with College of the North Atlantic where he leads the College’s Office of Applied Research and Innovation and its teams of researchers, technicians and administrative staff. Prior to this role, Mike was the Director of Applied Research with Lethbridge College where he supported industry engagement and R&D activity overseeing projects ranging in scope from aquaponics, water quality and environmental science to virtual reality, irrigation, early childhood education and the scholarship of teaching and learning that involved dozens of industry partners.

Mike and Gary have been instrumental in promoting human rights, equality, and inclusion at the College of the North Atlantic. They have done this by pushing for an internal process to acknowledge trans and non-binary individuals’ preferred names, and providing significant accommodations for mothers joining the College.

Leigh Zachary Bursey (he/him) is an activist, journalist and researcher residing in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland. A former three-term municipal politician, International Bestselling Author, and reporter on homelessness, Leigh is a second-year university student at Memorial University, a clothing designer, a former homeless youth, a former shelter worker and former provincial Housing Officer, and a member of the Scholars with Lived Experience Advisory Committee at Making the Shift. Leigh currently works as a Housing Case Manager and Supportive Housing Manager. He is also a board member for the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association, and member of the Canadian Mental Health Commission Steering Committee that examines the cross section between substance use and suicide.

Leigh is also an original singer/songwriter and recording artist, both as a solo artist and also front-man of his long time Ontario group Project Mantra. Leigh is the founder of the Mount Pearl Streetfriends and co-founder of the Brockville Streetfriends in his former city of Brockville, Ontario.

Myka Hollahan (she/her) is an award winning multidisciplinary graphic designer who works for Verafin. She is a single mother to a five year old child. She has spent the last 20 years donating time and energy to various non for profit organizations, such as Home Again Furniture Bank, Foster Families Association, Quadrangle, Junior Achievement, NL Coalition against Human Trafficking and ACTS Canada.

She currently serves as a Board Director and Peer Support Facilitator for Trans Support NL and has for the last two and a half years. Within this role, she has collaborated with MHAs and MPs, advocating for the advancement of rights for trans and non-binary individuals. She has conducted numerous media interviews with the telegram and cbc on the state of transgender health care. She also contributes to the social programming within her own organization. She is a fierce individual who believes in equity and rights for all.

Sarah Worthman (she/her) is a SSHRC funded Master’s Candidate at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and works as a freelance policy researcher. Earlier this year she published a groundbreaking report on the human rights abuses experienced by queer Canadian soldiers in the First World War. Sarah is also the Executive Director and Founder of the NL Queer Research Initiative, a grassroots organization that was established to develop and collect 2SLGBTQIA+ centered research in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Additionally, she been nationally recognized for her advocacy campaign #nospaceforhate which addresses the growing rise in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate across the country. Above all else, everything Sarah does is driven by a deep passion to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Canada.

Visual Artist – Grenfell Campus, Memorial University
This year’s winner of the Human Rights Award Art Prize is Grace Prince. The selected winner will receive $1000 through a valued partnership developed with the local Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). They will also have their art presented as the Human Rights Award for that year.

Grace Prince (she/her) is a third-year student completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus in painting, sculpture, and textiles through Memorial Universities Grenfell Campus. Her artistic practice currently focuses on her perception of people and landscape, personal experiences and aesthetic representation. Prince’s work utilizes colour, composition and depictions of individuals who have impacted her while growing up and living in Newfoundland, to expand on and test the boundaries of traditional portrait painting and sculpture. Her work was most recently included in “Living Light”, a juried exhibition at the Tina Dolter Gallery, and she has additionally furthered her involvement in the arts by working in art galleries and institutions such as The Rooms Provincial Museum, Grenfell Art Gallery and The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. In the future, Prince is looking forward to continuing her work in creative spaces and completing additional education post-graduation.

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The Provincial Government has allocated approximately $6.5 million to the City of Mount Pearl for municipal infrastructure improvements through the 2023-26 Multi-Year Capital Works Funding Program.

More than $3.6 million will be spent on the construction of a new community centre for the city, with the remainder allocated for water and sewer upgrades in the Holden Street/Ingerman Street section of the city.

The Multi-Year Capital Works Program allows larger municipalities to avail of three-year blocks of funding, which supports improved planning and scheduling of work for major infrastructure projects. Funding is cost shared between provincial and municipal governments that have been designated as multi-year communities. Typical projects eligible for Multi-Year Capital Works funding are water and/or sewer, paving and/or road construction, municipal buildings and recreation facilities.

More information on the Multi-Year Capital Works Program can be found here.

Quotes
“The Multi-Year Capital Works Funding Program is designed to support municipalities like Mount Pearl develop a wide range of municipal infrastructure which, in turn, supports its continued growth and development. Good infrastructure requires good planning, and this program allows for that, giving municipalities the opportunity to enhance and improve services.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“With this announcement, the City of Mount Pearl is poised for growth. This is yet another commitment to ensuring efficient service delivery and meeting the diverse needs of our residents. We look forward to renewing vital infrastructure and building our new community centre.”
His Worship Dave Aker
Mayor of Mount Pearl

“The multi-year funding program is very important to the City of Mount Pearl, as it continues to grow and address the needs of its residents. I am very pleased that this funding has been allocated for two very important projects that will have an extremely positive impact on both residents and businesses.”
Lucy Stoyles
MHA for Mount Pearl North

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The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, and the Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, were pleased to be invited to participate in the annual Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee Gathering, which took place on November 27 and 28 in Cormack.

Unique in Canada, the Gathering provides an opportunity for Indigenous women from throughout the province to connect and share experiences, current realities, future aspirations, and to identify measures necessary to aid in the improvement of the quality of life of Indigenous women and gender-diverse individuals in their communities.

The Office of Women and Gender Equality provided funding of $25,000 for the Gathering.

Quotes
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee for their advocacy and steadfast commitment to improving the lives of Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse individuals. Your collaborative efforts are paving the way for a better life for your communities. Your shared endeavours will continue to foster empowerment and create a brighter, more inclusive future for all Indigenous peoples in our province.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

“I thank the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee for this forum to share ideas and exchange experiences as we work toward the continuing path of Reconciliation. As a government, we are committed to collaborating with Indigenous Peoples to find solutions to very real concerns. From working together to prevent intimate partner violence through Clare’s Law, to engaging on the new policing transformation initiative, Indigenous women and gender-diverse individuals have an important role to play in improving justice and public safety in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

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Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

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The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, will bring greetings at the Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association Convention tomorrow (Wednesday, November 29).

The event will take place at the Holiday Inn Express, 38 Bennett Avenue, Deer Lake at 12:15 p.m.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association is a non-profit industry association representing non-resident hunting and angling outfitters.

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Where and how we live and work, and what supports we have access to, has a strong influence on our health and well-being. As part of the Provincial Government’s focus on well-being to become a healthier province, today 16 communities/organizations were announced as recipients of the 2023-24 Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program. This funding will help these groups complete projects in support of age-friendly communities and promote inclusive and stigma-free social connections, which is a social determinant of health.

Funding support provided by the program to eligible incorporated municipalities, Indigenous Governments and Organizations and provincially-incorporated not-for-profit organizations with an age-friendly mandate includes:

• Up to $10,000 to conduct an age-friendly assessment or to implement aspects of an existing Age-Friendly Action Plan; and
• Up to $15,000 to applications demonstrating a regional approach.

The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, was joined by Lori Moss, Deputy Mayor of the Town of Gambo to make the announcement. Communities/organizations that received funding through the 2023-24 Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program include:

• Benoit First Nation Inc.;
• City of St. John’s;
• Flat Bay Band Inc.;
• Placentia Chamber of Commerce;
• Town of Centreville-Wareham-Trinity;
• Town of Fogo Island;
• Town of Gambo;
• Town of Gander;
• Town of Harbour Breton;
• Town of Harbour Grace;
• Town of North West River;
• Town of Point Lance;
• Town of Summerford;
• Town of Torbay;
• Town of West St. Modeste; and
• Youth 2000 Centre (Y2C) Corporation.

For more information on the grant recipients, please see the backgrounder below.

The Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program, along with the recently launched Poverty Reduction Plan, is part of achieving the Provincial Government’s goal of becoming one of Canada’s healthiest provinces by 2031.

Quotes
“It is my pleasure to announce the recipients of the 2023-24 Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program. Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients who play a vital role in our collective endeavors to build an inclusive and age-friendly province where all residents are supported equally across the various stages of their lives.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

“The Town of Gambo recognized the importance of planning for its aging population and developed its first Age-Friendly Action Plan in 2018. Implementation of the plan continued until the pandemic struck and restrictions hit. A lot has changed in the world since 2018, especially for seniors. This funding will allow us to reassess our Town in a post-pandemic world, to pinpoint what is still relevant and to identify any new issues to be addressed.”
His Worship Darren Dyke
Mayor of the Town of Gambo

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Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program

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BACKGROUNDER

2023-24 Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program

Applicant Location Project/Plan Benoit First Nation Inc. Mi’kmaq communities on the island of Newfoundland “Building Strong Age-Friendly Communities” City of St. John’s St. John’s “Voice of Seniors – Age-Friendly Cities” Flat Bay Band Inc. Indigenous communities on the island of Newfoundland “Determinants of Community Health Initiative for Aging People” Placentia Chamber of Commerce Placentia “Placentia Age-Friendly Bridging Generations” Town of Centreville-Wareham-Trinity Centreville-Wareham-Trinity Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan Town of Fogo Island Fogo Island “Inclusive Spaces Make Happy Faces” Town of Gambo Gambo Gambo Age-Friendly 2023 Reassessment Town of Gander Gander Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan Town of Harbour Breton Harbour Breton Age-Friendly Rest Areas Town of Harbour Grace Harbour Grace Facility Upgrades at Otterbury Schoolhouse Town of North West River North West River Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan Town of Point Lance Point Lance “Veteran Hugs” Town of Summerford Summerford “Active For Life” Town of Torbay Torbay Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan Town of West St. Modeste West St. Modeste Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan Youth 2000 Centre (Y2C) Corporation Grand Falls Windsor “Together We Learn, Together We Grow”

 

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