Government of Newfoundland News

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, will address the Mineral Resource Review Conference tomorrow (Wednesday, November 1). Minister Parsons will also provide an update on the province’s critical minerals plan.

The event takes place at the Delta Hotel, 120 New Gower Street, St. John’s with Minister Parsons scheduled to speak at 9:15 a.m.

The Mineral Resources Review Conference and Trade Show takes place from October 31 to November 3, 2023 and is a joint venture of the Newfoundland and Labrador Branch of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM NL) and the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology. The three-day program focuses on activities of the Mines Branch of the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, recent and pending developments, emerging projects, and the potential for future investment and discovery.

Speakers from Newfoundland and Labrador’s mining, exploration and service and supply sectors, as well as representatives from the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology will provide updates on industry developments.

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The post Media Advisory: Minister Parsons to Provide Update on Critical Minerals Plan at Mineral Resource Review Conference first appeared on News Releases.

The post Media Advisory: Minister Parsons to Provide Update on Critical Minerals Plan at Mineral Resource Review Conference appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, will bring greetings at the launch of techNL’s Innovation Week 2023 tomorrow (Tuesday, October 31).

The event is taking place at St. John’s Convention Centre, 50 New Gower Street, St. John’s at 9:00 a.m.

Innovation Week is being held from October 31 to November 3, 2023. This year marks the 10th year of Innovation Week, which brings together the province’s business community, youth and public and private partners for a series of events aimed to raise awareness, create connections, showcase startup entrepreneurship and create a foundation for a strong tech sector ecosystem within the province.

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The post Media Advisory: Minister Parsons to Bring Greetings at techNL Innovation Week Launch appeared first on News Releases.

The Public Accounts for 2022-23, the audited financial statements of the province for the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2023, have been released and tabled with the House of Assembly. The surplus for 2022-23 is confirmed at $323.1 million, a $674.5 million improvement compared to the original estimated deficit of $351.4 million.

This surplus is primarily related to an increase in revenues of $1.1 billion compared to the original estimate, mainly due to higher than anticipated taxation revenue and offshore royalties. This was offset by an increase in expenses of $445.5 million compared to the original estimate.

The Public Accounts are prepared in accordance with the standards established for governments by the Public Sector Accounting Board. The Consolidated Summary Financial Statements were independently audited by the Auditor General and were issued with an unqualified audit opinion.

The Public Accounts for 2022-23 were prepared using the accrual basis of accounting, similar to statements provided in Budget 2022.

Copies of the Public Accounts and the related reports for 2022-23 are available here.

Quote
“Public Accounts highlight the fiscal health of the province and provide the financial statements which received an unqualified audit opinion from the Auditor General. We will continue to deliver on our strategic plan for financial improvement, which ensures prudent fiscal governance and responsible debt management – all towards a stronger, smarter, self-sufficient, sustainable Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
President of Treasury Board

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Public Accounts for 2022-23

Report on the Program Expenditures and Revenues of the Consolidated Revenue Fund

Budget 2022

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The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to celebrate the opening of new Memorial University Faculty of Nursing learning sites in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor.

Sites outside of Memorial’s St. John’s campus, such as Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, create opportunities for students who want to become nurses to receive their education closer to home.

We take great pride in increasing opportunities for people to earn their nursing degrees. We also take great pride in the number of nurses who we have recruited to work in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This year, every nursing graduate was offered employment opportunities to work here in the province. Since April, 239 new nurses have been hired. That is in addition to 545 new nurses hired between April 2022 and March 2023.

We continue to provide significant financial incentives, including signing bonuses, education bursaries and incentives for nurses working abroad who want to return home.

We are also focused on retention. We have offered retention bonuses earlier this year totalling $10 million, incentives to nurse practitioners who commit to work in family care teams, and have implemented recommendations from our collaboration on the nursing think tank.

All of this is the result of our government’s plans to transform our health system.

We encourage nursing students, graduates, and nurses who work abroad to visit www.workinhealthnl.ca to learn more about the ways we are working to add more nurses to our health care system.

The post Ministerial Statement – Minister Osborne Celebrates Expansion of Memorial University Faculty of Nursing first appeared on News Releases.

The post Ministerial Statement – Minister Osborne Celebrates Expansion of Memorial University Faculty of Nursing appeared first on News Releases.

A review that will provide government with recommendations on ways to enhance fertility services, including access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) services, is now underway.

A contract valued at $122,435 has been awarded to Thinkwell Research Inc. As part of the contract, Thinkwell Research Inc. will be required to:

• Complete an analysis of the projected demand for existing fertility services and additional services;
• Consult with stakeholders, including physician specialists, staff at Newfoundland and Labrador Fertility Services, and others determined by the steering committee;
• Review best practices and complete a jurisdictional scan of fertility services provided in other parts of Canada; and
• Recommend opportunities for improvements and provide recommendations with advice on implementation.

The Department of Health and Community Services anticipates receiving a report on this review in winter 2024.

In March 2022, the Provincial Government introduced an IVF Subsidy Program of $5,000 per IVF cycle, up to a maximum of three IVF cycles per individual for those clinically eligible throughout their lifetime. The program provides assistance to those who need to travel out of province for IVF treatments and aligns with government’s commitment to increase access to fertility treatments.

To date, 149 people have accessed the IVF subsidy, including 67 people applying for their second subsidy and 19 applying for the third subsidy.

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
“It’s important to our government that we complete this review so we can ensure we are providing the best possible services here in Newfoundland and Labrador. This review will provide government with information on what fertility services can and should be provided here, and options to make improvements to the current services for individuals who are looking for fertility services.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Newfoundland and Labrador Fertility Services is a vital component of our health care system. Therefore, it is important that we provide the most comprehensive and inclusive services for women and gender-diverse people wanting to conceive.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

“NL Health Services is committed to strengthening fertility services in the province and looks forward to this review and its recommendations. The review will look at opportunities for improvement to fertility services in this province and will consider the valuable experiences of both patients on a fertility journey and health care providers who provide care to fertility patients.”
Ron Johnson
Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, NL Health Services, Eastern-Urban Zone

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The post Provincial Government Awards Contract for Fertility Services Review first appeared on News Releases.

The post Provincial Government Awards Contract for Fertility Services Review appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, will deliver a fiscal and economic update tomorrow (Tuesday, October 31).

The announcement will take place in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building at 11:30 a.m. A technical briefing for media will take place at 10:30 a.m.

The update will also be live-streamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Facebook page.

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The post Media Advisory: Minister Coady to Provide 2023 Fiscal and Economic Update first appeared on News Releases.

The post Media Advisory: Minister Coady to Provide 2023 Fiscal and Economic Update appeared first on News Releases.

Motorists are advised that the bridge on Terminal Service Road in Port aux Basques (known-locally as the CNR Bridge) will be closed to all vehicular traffic as of Wednesday, November 1. The bridge remains safe to use for pedestrians and cyclists. All other vehicles will be required to use the Trans-Canada Highway.

Until Wednesday, November 1, the bridge will be open to one lane of traffic between 7:00 a.m. and midnight for vehicles under 10 tonnes. This will allow Marine Atlantic to put contingencies in place to address employee and foot passenger traffic within their secure area.

The closure is necessary following a recent inspection which determined the bridge is experiencing ongoing deterioration that has reduced its ability to carry traffic loads. The maximum load limit was reduced to 10 tonnes in November 2021.

Since this time, the department has taken measures in anticipation of the bridge’s imminent closure. The department will continue to work with the Town of Port aux Basques and Marine Atlantic regarding the replacement of the bridge.

Details on highway construction projects are available on www.nl511.ca and the NL 511 smartphone app.

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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.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Valentine Gold Project Expansion – Berry Pit                                  (Reg. 2262)
Proponent: Marathon 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.The Water Resources Management Division (WRMD) of the Department of Environment and Climate Change requires the following prior to the start of construction:
  • A Water Resources Management Plan submitted to and approved by the WRMD;
  • An updated baseline groundwater quality and quantity report for the Berry Pit area that encompasses all seasonal variations;
  • A report on hydrogeological testing of the Berry Pit including testing of the faults/structures and verification that the Berry Pit is suitable (low permeability) for in-pit tailings storage; and
  • Installation of additional real-time stations.  Terms and conditions for the additional real time stations will be stipulated in the regulatory permits to be issued for this expansion under the Water Resources Act. The Proponent is to bear all capital, operational and maintenance costs associated with the monitoring network.
• The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture requires the following:
  • Marathon Gold Corporation must continue to collect data at the Valentine Gold project site (EA Reg. #2015) and at the Berry Pit project area in co-operation with the Wildlife Division, and assess the degree of caribou response to existing/approved disturbances/obstacles to inform whether additional mitigations at Berry Pit are needed;
  • The Caribou Protection and Environmental Effects Mitigation Plan is to be reviewed with the Wildlife Division and required mitigations are to be implemented prior to project construction. The efficacy of mitigations must be reported to the Wildlife Division prior to each migration period, and adaptive management implemented as needed;
  • Data collection and monitoring must be undertaken at the Berry Pit  site in cooperation with the Wildlife Division, in addition to data collection and monitoring required at the Valentine Gold project site (EA Reg. # 2015), to enable analysis and evaluation of responses from migrating and resident caribou to new and ongoing activities and changes in landscape features.
  • A targeted Short-eared Owl survey must be completed within the Combined Project Area during the next breeding season, and provided to FFA for review. Further mitigations may be required.
  • A targeted Common Nighthawk survey must be completed within the Combined Project Area during the next breeding season, and provided to FFA for review. Further mitigations may be required.
  • Marathon Gold Corporation must update the Mitigation Measures Plans outlined in Appendix 2E of the environmental assessment submission in consultation with, and for the approval of, the Wildlife Division for the lifetime of the project.
• The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology requires the Newfoundland and Labrador Benefits Agreement for the Valentine Gold Project to be updated to include the Berry Pit. The updates must be completed in consultation with, and for the approval of, the Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology. The updated Benefits Agreement must include an updated Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan that meets the requirements of the Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equality. Marathon Gold Corporation is required to finalize the Benefits Agreement and Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan and obtain Ministerial approval prior to the start of construction.
• 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, licences, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the project, within one year from the date of this release letter and to provide additional updates if required.

Humber Village Forage Production                                                     (Reg. 2267)
Proponent: Briarside Affair Limited
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.
• The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture requires the following:
  • Under the Newfoundland and Labrador Endangered Species Act (NL ESA) Black Ash has recently been listed as “Threatened,” and Blue Felt Lichen has been recently been listed “Vulnerable.” The Wildlife Division requires a pre-clearing survey for Black-Ash as well as any large (> 25 cm DBH) deciduous trees on the project site, as the Blue Felt Lichen can be found on large trees (> 25 cm DBH) of any deciduous species. Survey results must be presented to the Wildlife Division for further consultation regarding potential lichen occurrences and to discuss, if needed, mitigations/requirements for black ash prior to clearing activities.
  • Vegetation clearing is not to occur within 800 metres of a bald eagle or osprey nest during the nesting season (March 15 to July 31) and within 200 metres during the remainder of the year. The 200-metre 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.
  • A minimum 30-metre undisturbed riparian buffer must be maintained from the high water mark of all wetlands and waterbodies within and adjacent to the project that are identified on either the 1:50,000 scale National Topographic System maps or the topographic mapping layer shown in the Provincial Land Use atlas, to protect sensitive riparian and aquatic species and their habitats.
• The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology requires that the access road route be amended to avoid an active quarry site.
• 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, licences, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the project, within one year from the date of this release letter and to provide additional updates if required.

Long Lake Water Control Structure Decommissioning                 (Reg. 2268)
Proponent: Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

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.
• The Proponent must update the Environmental Assessment Division on the status of the project, including a copy of all  permits, licences, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the project, within one year from the date of this release letter and to 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:

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

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/GUIDE-TO-THE-PROCESS_September-2023.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 Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is reminding the public of the importance of only dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency.

The RCMP is reporting an increase in prank 9-1-1 calls from youth. What may seem like a harmless practical joke creates a serious public safety risk, with repercussions that can include criminal charges.

Prank calls pose significant risks to the public, including:

• Diverting critical resources away from actual life-threatening situations;
• Delaying response times; and
• Undermining public trust in the 9-1-1 service.

Parents, caregivers and educators are urged to remind youth that 9-1-1 should only be used in an emergency when immediate help is required from emergency services. It is also important to note that when a child is given a cellular phone without a SIM card or voice plan, the phone is still able to call 9-1-1.

Resources are available to help teach youth about the importance of using 9-1-1 appropriately.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will deliver apologies to residential schools survivors and family members in the five Labrador Inuit communities and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, November 1 to 3, 2023.

The delivery of apologies is being undertaken in collaboration with the Nunatsiavut Government and former students of residential schools. Joining Premier Furey for the apology ceremonies are Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe, other elected officials of the Nunatsiavut Assembly, and former students and family members.

Apology ceremonies are scheduled as follows:

November 1

• Rigolet, Northern Lights Academy, 11:00 a.m.
• Postville, Recreation Centre, 3:00 p.m.

November 2

• Makkovik, Community Centre, 10:00 a.m.
• Hopedale, Nanuk Community Centre, 3:00 p.m.

November 3

• Nain, Jeremiah Sillett Community Centre, 10:00 a.m.
• Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Masonic Lodge, 348 Hamilton River Road, 3:30 p.m.

The Nunatsiavut Government and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador invite former students, their family members, community members, and others impacted by residential schools to attend. Mental health supports will be available.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is following through on a commitment made in 2017, and we are working with Indigenous Governments and Organizations on the delivery of apologies to former students of residential schools.

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Fifteen projects that will receive funding support of up to $50,000 under the 2023-24 Inclusion and Capacity Grant Programs, to help advance accessibility, inclusion and well-being of persons with disabilities across the province, were announced today.

In 2023-24, the following 15 recipients were awarded funding through the Inclusion and Capacity Grant Programs:

• Association for New Canadians;
• CNIB Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Corner Brook Curling Lions Club;
• Easter Seals NL;
• Goodwill Lodge #84, Society of United Fishermen;
• Grand Bank Lions Club;
• History of Disability Rights NL;
• Lawnya Vawnya;
• NL Association of the Deaf;
• Planned Parenthood NL;
• St. John’s Sports and Entertainment;
• The Hub;
• Town of Centreville-Wareham-Trinity;
• Town of Pasadena; and
• YMCA of Northeast Avalon.

For more information on recipients of the 2023-24 Inclusion and Capacity Grant Programs, please see the backgrounder below.

The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development administers two grant programs that focus on improving accessibility and inclusion and removing barriers for persons with disabilities in their communities, including:

• The Inclusion Grant Program: This project specific grant is available to eligible community-based and non-profit organizations to help create more accessible and inclusive facilities and events. This can include renovation projects or disability-related accommodations for events and meetings.
• The Capacity Grant Program: This grant is designed to help non-profit community-based organizations, incorporated municipalities, and Indigenous Governments and Organizations to build capacity to prevent and remove barriers to inclusion by building a positive image of disability, and enabling persons with disabilities to become fully engaged in their community.

Quotes
“I am pleased to announce that 15 projects will be funded under the 2023-24 Inclusion and Capacity Grant Programs. Together with community organizations and municipalities, our government shares a common goal of improving accessibility, inclusion and well-being throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. We remain committed to identifying, preventing and removing barriers that keep persons with disabilities from fully participating in society.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

“The YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador strives to continuously improve accessibility features in all of its facilities. Inclusion is of paramount importance to the YMCA. With the help of Provincial Inclusion Grant funding, the YMCA is able to install specialized equipment such as lifts so that participants can engage in programs that meet their ongoing needs with dignity and respect.”
Sherry Squires
Chief Operating Officer, YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn more
Inclusion Grants Funding

Capacity Grant Program

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BACKGROUNDER

2023-24 Inclusion and Capacity Grant Recipients

Applicant Project Description Association for New Canadians Disability related supports for the ANC’s IDEAS Summit.

  CNIB Newfoundland and Labrador Supply and install accessible kitchen space in the community room. Corner Brook Curling Lions Club Accessible entranceway and washrooms.

  Easter Seals NL Creating a Skill Building Program for youth living with disabilities. Goodwill Lodge #84, Society of United Fishermen Accessible washrooms renovation. Grand Bank Lions Club Accessible entranceway. History of Disability Rights NL Disability related supports for event. Lawnya Vawnya Disability related supports for event. NL Association of the Deaf Host workshop for the Deaf community in Newfoundland and Labrador. Planned Parenthood NL Disability related supports for three events. St. John’s Sports and Entertainment Enhance assisted listening system to better accommodate individuals with hearing difficulties. The Hub Accessible entranceway and accessible deck. Town of Centreville-Wareham-Trinity Create an accessible space for children and seniors. Town of Pasadena Offer an inclusive recreational outlet to neuro-diverse children with unique developmental and intellectual exceptionalities. YMCA of Northeast Avalon Portable mobility lift for transfers purchase.

 

The post Recipients of 2023-24 Inclusion and Capacity Grant Programs Announced first appeared on News Releases.

The post Recipients of 2023-24 Inclusion and Capacity Grant Programs Announced appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, will speak at Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services’ Innovation Summit tomorrow (Friday, October 27).

The event will take place at the Health Innovation Acceleration Centre, 66 Pippy Place, St. John’s beginning at 9:00 a.m.

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The post Media Advisory: Minister Osborne to Bring Greetings at the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services’ Health Innovation Summit first appeared on News Releases.

The post Media Advisory: Minister Osborne to Bring Greetings at the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services’ Health Innovation Summit appeared first on News Releases.

The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education:

Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize the work happening throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to improve access to high-quality and affordable child care.

On January 1, three years ahead of schedule, we implemented $10-a-day early learning and child care for children of all age groups. According to a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, this has decreased the cost of regulated early learning and child care by almost 70 per cent for pre-school aged children, and almost 80 per cent for infants.

We are also focused on increasing access to early learning and child care through space creation initiatives, as well as the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators.

We recently announced $7.5 million to support infrastructure and renovations to regulated child care services availing of the operating grant program. We also increased funding for projects operating under the Child Care Capacity Initiative program, which includes an hourly wage increase to $25 per hour for developmental workers.

Our efforts are working. We have created close to 1,100 early learning and child care spaces this year, and there are currently close to 8,400 child care spaces operating at $10-a-day or lower in the province.

Recently we launched our child care demand portal to help us assess and understand current demand and to continue our efforts and I encourage all families seeking child care to visit the site.

Speaker, our government will continue to work so that all families throughout the province are able to access the early learning and child care services that they need.

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The post Ministerial Statement – Minister Howell Highlights Actions to Increase Access to Affordable Child Care appeared first on News Releases.

The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation:

Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to highlight how our government is helping Labrador youth, Special Olympians and sports teams travel to other areas of the province to participate in provincial competitions, development camps and try-outs.

The Department of Labrador Affairs is increasing financial assistance through enhancements in the Labrador Sport Travel Subsidy program. The changes include increasing the subsidy to offset the higher cost of team airfare, improving the mileage claim process, and enhancing travel for Labrador athletes who qualify for provincial teams.

Through Budget 2023, Labrador Affairs also increased funding to School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador by $100,000. This boost in funding is expanding opportunities for student athletes from Labrador and laying the groundwork for the development of Indigenous-themed games. Total spending on both programs now amounts to $830,000. Full details are available on the Labrador Affairs website.

Encouraging and promoting physical activity at an early age improves self-esteem and mental and physical well-being. Young athletes across Labrador have proven they have the ability to compete at a high level. In order to tap into this incredible potential, it’s essential they have opportunities to grow, develop and mature.

As a Government, we recognized the need to do more and we are delivering to support young athletes from Labrador.

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The post Ministerial Statement – Minister Dempster Outlines Greater Support for Athletes, Special Olympians and Sports Teams from Labrador appeared first on News Releases.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure wishes to advise that Rattling Brook Bridge on Route 93 (St. Catherine’s – Mitchell’s Brook) will be closed Wednesday (November 1) and Thursday (November 2). The road is scheduled to reopen on November 2 at 6:00 p.m. The closure is necessary to facilitate the construction of the new bridge.

A detour through Route 91 (Colinet) will be put in place and motorists are asked to reduce their speed, pay attention to traffic control, and travel cautiously through the community.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will join the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and municipal leaders at the 2023 Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) Conference being held this week at the St. John’s Convention Centre.

Media are advised of the following schedule of events for Premier Furey and Minister Haggie:

1. The Premier’s Forum on Local Government will take place tomorrow (Friday, October 27) at 9:15 a.m., and will present “A Conversation with Municipal Leaders on Rural and Regional Development – Key Issues and Opportunities to Build a Sustainable Future.”
2. Premier Furey will deliver the keynote address at the MNL Gala on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
3. Minister Haggie will address the MNL Annual General Meeting Saturday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m.

Several other ministers are also attending the conference and meeting with municipal leaders on matters of importance related to their portfolios.

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2023-042 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-2023-042 Report Date: October 25, 2023 Public Body: ArtsNL Summary: The Complainant made an access to information request to ArtsNL for the names of the peer assessors linked to each specific grant category for the Spring and Fall 2022 granting sessions. ArtsNL responded by denying the Complainant access to the information, citing sections 32(a) and 40(1) of ATIPPA, 2015 as justification. In response, the Complainant filed a complaint with this Office. After reviewing submissions from both parties, the Commissioner disagreed that the exceptions to access applied to the requested information and recommended ArtsNL disclose the information to the Complainant.

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

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Proposed legislative amendments to the Buildings Accessibility Act, meant to improve accessibility in public spaces, received second reading in the House of Assembly yesterday.

The three main amendments being proposed are:

• Removal of the pre-1981 exemption from the current Act;
• Clarification on how the Act applies to home-based businesses; and
• Doubling the current fines under the Act to promote compliance.

If these amendments pass in the House of Assembly, the Regulations under the Buildings Accessibility Act will also be updated to include a requirement for public buildings with over 300 persons to have a full-service family washroom.

The amendments would also update the definition of ‘persons with disabilities.’

The proposed amendments are informed by recommendations of the Buildings Accessibility Advisory Board, as well as consultations, including an online questionnaire on engageNL and three virtual sessions with stakeholders. A ‘What We Heard’ document is available on the department’s website.

Quote
“I would like to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to the Building Accessibility Advisory Board for their recommendations and their ongoing advice. The proposed changes to the Act represent the culmination of many years of hard work and consultation. These changes build on measures our government has already implemented to improve accessibility to public spaces. The review was comprehensive, and our proposed changes represent a positive step forward.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

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Learn more
Government Receives Recommendations on the Buildings Accessibility Act

Amendments Will Improve Accessibility and Equity for All Persons

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The post Proposed Amendments to the Buildings Accessibility Act to Improve Accessibility in Public Spaces first appeared on News Releases.

The post Proposed Amendments to the Buildings Accessibility Act to Improve Accessibility in Public Spaces appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will attend and speak at the annual Fly the Flag of Remembrance Ceremony tomorrow (Friday, October 27).

The event takes place in the East Block Lobby, Confederation Building beginning at 12:00 p.m. The ceremony is being hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command.

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The post Media Advisory: Premier Furey to Participate in Fly the Flag of Remembrance Ceremony first appeared on News Releases.

The post Media Advisory: Premier Furey to Participate in Fly the Flag of Remembrance Ceremony appeared first on News Releases.

Today, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, are issuing the enclosed statement in response to the Federal Government’s assessment of the status of Northern cod stocks:

“As we all know, in 1992 Fisheries and Oceans Canada imposed a moratorium on the Northern cod fishery to allow time for the species to rebuild. Work has been ongoing from all fisheries stakeholders since that time to recover the stock to levels where the stock can be fished sustainably.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s new assessment model, which many of our government’s experts have assisted in developing, has provided new historical data to inform how we look at the stocks – in the past and present. Scientists have found that Northern cod was in the cautious zone from 2016 to 2021, and not in the critical zone as had been previously determined.

Our government was pleased to play a part in developing the new assessment model. The outcomes from the model will provide us with a better understanding of the Northern cod population to make future management decisions. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to monitor developments and participate in ongoing fishery management meetings for the 2J3KL Northern cod stock.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has indicated that the next assessment will be in March 2024, and we are cautiously optimistic that it can be determined that the Northern cod will remain in the cautious zone and out of moratorium. The Federal Government has specified that decisions will be considered at that time using the best available science advice.

Our government continues to work with the Government of Canada, as well as Indigenous partners, harvesters, and other industry stakeholders. We are pleased with the excellent work of the experts in industry and the Federal and the Provincial Government, and we thank them for their dedication to improving the Northern cod stock for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradors.”

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The post Premier Furey and Minister Loveless Issue Statement on the Status of Northern Cod Stocks first appeared on News Releases.

The post Premier Furey and Minister Loveless Issue Statement on the Status of Northern Cod Stocks appeared first on News Releases.