Government of Newfoundland News

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, will address the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services Health Innovation Summit on Monday, October 23.

The event takes place at the Health Innovation Acceleration Centre, 66 Pippy Place, St. John’s at 1:00 p.m.

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services’ 2023 Innovation Summit is being held from October 23 to 27, 2023. This year’s summit, with the theme “Reimagining Patient-Centred Care through Innovation and Research” brings together NL Health Services leadership, government officials, academic researchers, innovation partners, and industry experts to discuss work done in the realm of research and innovation to improve the health of patients, clients and residents.

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With Newfoundland and Labrador providing the ultimate cinematic backdrop and an international reputation for production excellence, the province’s film industry is poised for long-term success. The Provincial and Federal Governments are investing to help industry grow, compete and reach new markets – at home and abroad.

Today the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, announced $499,000 from the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology’s Regional Development Fund for the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Cooperative Limited (NIFCO). The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, federal Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, along with Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, announced two investments totalling just over $1.5 million for NIFCO and PictureNL (formerly known as the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation).

These investments will help NIFCO upgrade production facilities and equipment to meet current industry standards and remain competitive in the digital innovation space. With these improvements, NIFCO will be able to better support filmmakers with enhanced media storage, picture, sound, and professional development.

Today’s announcement demonstrates both the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s commitment to strengthen the local film and television industry, opening the door to direct and indirect economic benefits across all sectors.

Quotes
“NIFCO plays a crucial role in the growth, development and success of the provincial film industry, and we are proud to support them as they work to broaden the scope of projects they can apply for and execute. This funding will also enable the organization to offer up-to-date and cutting edge post-production services to international companies searching for co-producers. With approximately 1,400 full-time jobs currently in the film and television industry in this province, there are still significant growth and career opportunities available right here at home.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“The Government of Canada is steadfast in its efforts to ensure this region remains a Canadian gem in the film industry. Key investments like the ones announced today not only help to bring our remarkable stories and diverse voices to the world – they build cultural and economic resilience right here at home.”
Honourable Gudie Hutchings,
Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“Thanks to today’s announcement, the Government of Canada is furthering its commitment to an industry that has become an integral part of the economy. We have many talented people here in Newfoundland and Labrador, and continued support for these organizations will enhance their ability to grow and prosper even more.”
Joanne Thompson
Member of Parliament, St. John’s East

“ACOA’s contribution to NIFCO’s technology upgrades is critical because it enables us to keep established producers competitive, continually nurture the next generation and maintain Newfoundland and Labrador production quality at the top of international buyers’ demands. We are grateful for ACOA‘s continued support of the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-op and the industry here.”
Jennice Ripley
Executive Director, NIFCO

“ACOA’s contributions to business development activities in the film and television industry are crucial to building capacity in our region and increasing the export marketing potential for our producers and their projects. On behalf of PictureNL, I would like to thank ACOA for their continued support of Atlantic Canada’s film and television industry.”
Laura Churchill
CEO & Film Commissioner, PictureNL

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Regional Development Fund

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The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, will attend MusicNL’s Music Awards Gala tomorrow (Saturday, October 21).

The event takes place at Holy Heart Theatre, 55 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s, beginning at 8:00 p.m.

At the show, Minister Crocker will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Buddy Wasisname & The Other Fellers.

Each year, MusicNL presents awards to Newfoundland and Labrador musicians across many categories, including Album of the Year, Fans’ Choice of the Year, Indigenous Artist of the Year and the Ron Hynes Songwriter of the Year. The awards gala closes out Music Celebration Week 2023.

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The Provincial Government continues to take steps to reimagine health care and ease demands on emergency departments in Newfoundland and Labrador.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued this month for two urgent care centres that will service the northeast Avalon region.

Two urgent care centres in the region will help increase access to care and allow residents in different parts of the metro St. John’s region to access care closer to home. The urgent care centres will help address wait times for non-emergent care in the region by providing an additional access point, which will help alleviate pressures in emergency rooms in the region.

Urgent care centres help offload increasing demands on emergency departments and provide access for unexpected, non-life-threatening health concerns that require same day or next day access, such as:

• Sprains and strains;
• New and worsening non-emergent pain;
• Fever and infections; and
• Less serious childhood illness and injury, cuts, wound or skin conditions.

The department anticipates both centres to open in 2024.

Quotes
“We continue to implement innovative solutions to help alleviate the stress on our health care system and provide our residents with access to primary care. These centres will create efficient and accessible primary care access, while exemplifying our commitment to improving service delivery for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“NL Health Services remains focused on delivering high-quality health care, and is committed to offering urgent care services for residents of the northeast Avalon. These new urgent care centres will provide a safe, accessible health care option for our patients, clients and their families. We are pleased to be able to offer enhanced access to non-emergent care in the region, which should help alleviate some of the pressures currently being experienced in primary health care clinics and emergency departments.”
Ron Johnson
Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer – Eastern Urban Zone, NL Health Services

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Health Accord NL

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The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, will speak at the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE) Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Gala tonight (Friday, October 20).

The event will take place at the St. John’s Convention Centre, 50 New Gower Street beginning at 7:00 p.m.

NLOWE’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Gala provides women in business with an opportunity to celebrate their peers, connect with community partners and network with industry professionals.

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The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, will participate in an announcement in support of the province’s film industry tomorrow (Friday, October 20).

The announcement will take place at The Rooms, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s at 2:00 p.m.

Minister Crocker will be joined by the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, federal Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East.

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Two new appointments and one reappointment to the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC) Board of Directors were announced today by the Provincial Government.

Joseph Galimberti and Rex Goudie have been appointed as new members of the Board of Directors for three-year terms, while Donna Rideout has been reappointed for a three-year term. Their wealth of experience will be an asset to the board, and provides representation from throughout the province.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation is a provincial crown corporation responsible for regulating and managing the importation, sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages and non-medicinal cannabis within the province.

Biographies for each of these appointees can be found in the backgrounder below.

Quote
“I would like to welcome Joseph Galimberti and Rex Goudie as directors to the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation board, and thank Donna Rideout for committing to another three years of service. I appreciate the time and commitment our board members offer to provide guidance to the NLC.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation

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Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation

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 BACKGROUNDER

Biographies for Appointees to the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation Board of Directors

Donna Rideout
Donna Rideout has spent 33 years as a Chartered Professional Accountant and 27 years as a Chartered Financial Planner. Ms. Rideout started her career with Walters Hoffe Chartered Accountants, where she became a partner in 1996 and continued with Grant Thornton LLP after a merger in 2014, where she was a Principal until her retirement in 2015. Ms. Rideout has served on numerous boards of directors, including Newfoundland Power, the Heritage Foundation for Terra Nova Park, the Gander International Airport Authority (including a term as Chair), the Board of Examiners for the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Rideout has been a member of the Memorial University Board of Regents since 2018, and is one of three members cross-appointed to the Board of Governors of the College of the North Atlantic. She has served on the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation Board of Directors since 2020, and is currently Chair of the Audit Committee.

Joseph Galimberti
Joseph Galimberti joined the PAL Group of Companies in 2018 as Senior Vice-President of Public Affairs. Prior to joining PAL, Mr. Galimberti held a variety of executive positions, including President of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, Vice-President of Public and Corporate Affairs at Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada, Director of Government and Community Relations at Air Canada, and various roles with the Government of Canada. He is also the co-owner of a family business, Broad Street Cycles, in Victoria, British Columbia and a former Trustee on the Board of Pearson College UWC.

Rex Goudie
Rex Goudie was born and raised in L’Anse-au-Clair and is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Goose Bay Airport Corporation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University. Previously Mr. Goudie worked as Manager of Field Operations with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in Newfoundland and Labrador, served as Assistant Deputy Minister with the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, as the Coordinator of the Comprehensive Labrador Agreement and as chair of the ACOA-NL Indigenous Economic Development Working Group. Mr. Goudie has over 30 years of experience in the coordination, delivery, and design of economic/social development programs for Labrador. He has been actively involved in community-based organizations in Labrador since the 1980s, including the Grenfell Foundation, Rotary Club of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, International Grenfell Association, Amaruk Golf and Sports Club and the Labrador Winter Games.

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The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, today announced $303,407 in funding for 15 projects through the Provincial Government’s Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program.

The Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program supports Newfoundland and Labrador’s Indigenous Governments and Organizations in their efforts to prevent violence against Indigenous women and children and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals.

Projects receiving funding through the program include initiatives focused on:

• Increasing public awareness, education and training;
• Investing in leadership development;
• Building community capacity; and
• Enhancing opportunities for healing.

Since 2005, approximately $3.9 million in project funding has been awarded to more than 170 culturally-appropriate, Indigenous-led violence prevention projects throughout the province.

Quotes
“The Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program reaffirms our government’s commitment to preventing violence experienced by Indigenous women, children and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. By collaborating with Indigenous women’s groups and organizations, we are working together to achieve our goal of a society where everyone lives free from the threat of violence and abuse.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

“There is tremendous value in encouraging and developing grassroots responses to the violence experienced by Indigenous women, children and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people that focus on education, advocacy and healing. Supporting Indigenous-led projects will help move us forward on violence prevention.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation and Minister of Labrador Affairs

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Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program

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BACKGROUNDER

Indigenous Violence Prevention Grant Award Recipients

Mushuau Innu: Women’s Shelter Project
Mushuau Innu Health Commission

This project will bolster existing programming and service delivery at the Natuashish Safe House. The goal is to empower women to identify the signs of violence and equip staff to support those fleeing violence. All programing will be Indigenous-led and centre on Innu culture and values.

Grant Awarded: $8,655

True Engagement to Address the Need for Prevention of Violence within Indigenous Families
Conne River Health and Social Services

This project will target violence prevention in the community in a number of ways, including but not limited to workshops for youth, programming for men, women’s groups, and the You Go Girl program for young girls aged 12-19.

Grant Awarded: $20,300

Elmastukwek Violence Prevention Initiative
Elmastukwek First Nation (Benoit’s Cove Indian Band Inc.)

This project supports community-based services, activities, and events that involve violence prevention, cultural revival and healing, including a 10-week program for male Indigenous youth that will educate participants on violence prevention and reconnect them with their culture.

Grant Awarded: $12,530

Ktaqmkuk Restorative Justice – Capacity Building 2023-2024
Flat Bay Band Inc.

Through cultural profiling, this project aims to reduce youth contact with the law through the implementation of a Restorative Justice Strategy.

Grant Awarded: $9,000

Blooming Youth of the Dawn: Violence Prevention Mentorship Program
Qalipu First Nation

This 11-week program will facilitate mentorships between youth and local Elders, building a solid foundation for violence prevention using traditional Mi’kmaq knowledge and coping skills including craft, art, and ceremony.

Grant Awarded: $21,500

Three Rivers Violence Prevention Program
Three Rivers Mi’kmaq Band Inc.

Focusing on wellness and community accountability, this project will address violence prevention at the community level through targeted programming for men and boys, violence prevention classes for youth, and community awareness campaigns.

Grant Awarded: $20,700

Growing Our Wellness
NunatuKavut Community Council

The NunatuKavut Community Council will work with communities throughout NunatuKavut to develop violence prevention and healing groups for all ages.

Grant Awarded: $27,800

Indigenous Violence Prevention Program
First Light St. John’s Friendship Centre

This project supports First Light’s Generations Program/Women’s Group, Elder’s Wisdom Circle, and Community Culture Circle. These programs create safe spaces for healing, cultural enrichment, and personal growth among participants.

Grant Awarded: $25,330

Labrador Cultural Connections: Retreats for Healing and Empowerment
Labrador Friendship Centre

In partnership with Mokami Status of Women Council, this project will organize cultural retreats in fall and winter 2023, for staff and residents of Mokami’s Supportive Living and Supportive Employment programs.

Grant Awarded: $29,000

Four Seasons – Four Gatherings
Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities

In partnership with the Mi’kmaq Cultural Foundation, this project will provide mentorships and cultural experiences for 40 Indigenous youth from across the province. A particular focus will be on youth between 15-30 who are facing barriers to employment, education, cultural/social connection, and who are connected to the justice system.

Grant Awarded: $15,000

Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Diversity Violence Prevention Program
Kikmanaq Indigenous Cultural Revival Association – Women’s Committee

Alongside community partners, this project will create an Indigenous Cultural Diversity Training Program for delivery throughout Central Newfoundland, both online and in person.

Grant Awarded: $23,000

Four Seasons – Four Gatherings
Mi’kmaq Cultural Foundation

In partnership with Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities, this program will provide mentorships and cultural experiences for 40 Indigenous youth from across the province. A particular focus will be on youth between 15-30 who are facing barriers to employment, education, cultural/social connection, and who are connected to the justice system.

Grant Awarded: $15,000

Rejuvenating Elders in our Communities
Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network

This two-day gathering of Indigenous Elders/Seniors who self-identify as women will include presentations on violence prevention, self-care, and the transmission of cultural practices in a way that reduces violence.

Grant Awarded: $30,000

Connecting Cultural Circles
Newfoundland Indigenous Peoples Alliance, Inc.

This project involves a series of activities both on the land and in a retreat environment. Topics will include violence prevention and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, cultural teachings (such as drum making and beading), violence prevention and Indigenous teachings, and others.

Grant Awarded: $21,542

Film and Media Program for Violence Prevention and Cultural Wellness in Indigenous Communities
Ujarak Media

This project will develop and deliver a film and media program for violence prevention and cultural wellness in Indigenous communities. These activities will not only support violence prevention in community, but will increase awareness and understanding of the impact of violence, particularly through the engagement of men and boys in certain programming.

Grant Awarded: $24,050

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The follow statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General:

Speaker, I stand to acknowledge the community spirit of three young entrepreneurs whose mantra is “keeping your walls clean, no matter how obscene.’

Fifteen-year-old Jack Boland, 18-year-old Jacob Sheppard and 19-year-old Brandon Ivey have coined themselves “The Scrub Squad,” a graffiti removal company. The mission of The Scrub Squad is a simple one – to make St. John’s and the surrounding area shine.

Unfortunately Speaker, over the past several months, there has been an increase in property damage caused by graffiti. For their part, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has responded by establishing a tip line to help investigate the property damage. But these young men identified the lack of graffiti removal options and took action. They researched the appropriate equipment and techniques, and since opening in June, clients have approached them from all over the metro region.

Speaker, The Scrub Squad has made a business of helping victims of graffiti bounce back by restoring property and public trust. And I would be remiss to not recognize their hard-working nature and economic sense during Small Business Week.

I invite all Honourable members to join me in saluting Jack Boland, Jacob Sheppard and Brandon Ivey for their entrepreneurial spirit, and for helping to keep our community clean and beautiful. Thank you.

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The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, will address the Professional Municipal Administrators (PMA) Fall Forum tomorrow (Friday, October 20).

The event will take place at the Quality Hotel & Suites, 100 Trans-Canada Highway, Gander at 9:00 a.m.

PMA is a professional organization of town and city managers, clerks, chief administrative officers, and department heads who are committed to preserving and advancing excellence in municipal administration in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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The Provincial Government and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NL Health Services) are beginning a one-year pilot project to determine the feasibility of a provincial continuous glucose monitoring program.

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, made the announcement today during the latest Health Care Action update. Minister Osborne was joined by Dr. Heather Power, Pediatric Endocrinologist, Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre, NL Health Services.

Eligible pediatric patients will use continuous glucose monitors that provide blood sugar measurement every few minutes via a small senor inserted under the skin. The sensor sends information to an attached transmitter and other technology, such as a smart phone. The devices allow the patient, caregiver, or health care provider to monitor blood sugars more frequently and easily than current monitoring devices—such as needle pricking—and can send alerts about high or low blood sugar to prevent hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic events.

Patients eligible for the pilot project include those:

• With type 1 diabetes;
• Who are under the age of 18 and/or followed by the Pediatric Diabetes Program at the Janeway Hospital;
• For whom continuous glucose monitoring is deemed medically necessary by the Pediatric Diabetes Team or those who are using an insulin pump with hybrid closed loop software capability that can adjust insulin by using real time sensor readings; and
• Who have a valid Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan (MCP) number.

To participate, email NLCGMP@easternhealth.ca and request an application package.

The department will monitor the success of the program to determine opportunities for expansion.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that leads to elevated blood sugars due to an absence or deficiency of insulin. Approximately 3,500 people in Newfoundland and Labrador have been diagnosed with the disease.

The pilot project is part of the Provincial Government’s overall plan to increase access to health care. Other plans include:

• Expanding the number of family care teams in the province, which has increased the number of people with access to primary care from more than 28,000 people in March 2023 to more than 49,000 as of September 2023;
• Expanding the health authority’s travelling orthopaedics team, which has the capacity to increase orthopaedic surgeries annually by 290, representing an increase of 17 per cent.

More details on the Provincial Government’s recent health care actions are available by visiting healthcareaction.ca. Details on recruitment of health care professionals are available by visiting workinhealthNL.ca.

Quotes
“This is an exciting next step for improving outcomes for people living with type 1 diabetes in Newfoundland and Labrador. These continuous glucose monitoring devices are a modern and reassuring way for patients, caregivers, and health care providers to monitor blood sugar levels. We look forward to the results of the pilot project and to potentially increasing the use of the monitors in the future.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“This project is an important step in advancing diabetes care in our province and reflects the recommendations of the Health Accord to support preventative care for patients with diabetes. These devices are incredibly important for improving the health of pediatric patients with diabetes, as well as enhancing the quality of life for both them and their families. I am delighted with the announcement of this pilot project and am hopeful for expanded coverage in the future.”
Dr. Heather Power
Pediatric Endocrinologist, Janeway Children’s Health & Rehabilitation Centre, NL Health Services

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Newfoundland and Labrador is welcoming a delegation from the City of Hamburg, Germany representing hydrogen companies and service providers in the energy industry. The visit will take place from October 19 to 20, and will be headed by Senator Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Minister for Economy and Innovation for the City of Hamburg.

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology will welcome the delegation to the province at a reception today (Thursday, October 19). The event takes place at The Rooms, Third Floor, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s at 6:30 p.m.

The goals of the delegation are to strengthen ties between the province and the City of Hamburg relating to hydrogen production and the export of hydrogen to Europe via Hamburg’s ports, and to identify common ground for future collaboration in wind energy. The delegation’s visit provides the Provincial Government with an opportunity to showcase Newfoundland and Labrador’s strategic advantages in the development of wind energy and the production of green hydrogen. Newfoundland and Labrador is one of only two North American locations Dr. Leonhard will visit this year.

Delegates will make direct connections with government officials and industry stakeholders in the provincial wind-hydrogen industry, to support the establishment of hydrogen supply chains that can enable a transatlantic hydrogen industry. Green hydrogen is a clean, emissions-free fuel source in increasingly high demand, as key Canadian trading partners such as Germany seek alternatives to fossil fuels to transition to a low-carbon economy while ensuring their energy security.

This visit builds on previous bilateral cooperation between Germany and Canada and previous collaboration between the Provincial Government and the City of Hamburg. On September 27, 2022, the Provincial Government and the City of Hamburg signed a Declaration of Intent that aims to encourage the establishment of hydrogen supply chains that will result in exports of green hydrogen from the province to Germany. It followed the signing of the Declaration of Intent to establish a Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance between the Governments of Canada and Germany, which took place on August 23, 2022 in Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador. The signing of the declaration in Stephenville highlighted the significant potential of Newfoundland and Labrador’s renewable energy resources, in particular its wind resources, and the opportunity to bring them to the global marketplace in the form of green hydrogen.

Germany has the largest economy in Europe and fourth-largest in the world, and the country forecasts that by 2030 it will only be able to meet 30 to 40 per cent of its own hydrogen demand through domestic production. Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy, which was released in June 2020, made €7 billion available to support green hydrogen projects within Germany, and a further €2 billion available for establishing green hydrogen partnerships with other countries.

Quote
“I am pleased to welcome Senator Dr. Leonhard and the Hamburg delegation to Newfoundland and Labrador. Our jurisdictions continue to work closely as we build a thriving green hydrogen economy. This province’s strategic location and wealth of resources, combined with Hamburg’s strong economic and technical capacities and access to large European markets, provides great opportunities for both jurisdictions. This visit will build on recent initiatives government has undertaken to show the world what this province has to offer, and will help maximize the province’s economic potential for the benefit of all residents.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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Learn more
Minister Parsons Announces Companies Advancing in Wind-Hydrogen Process

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Signs Declaration of Intent with the City of Hamburg, Germany

Premier Furey Welcomes Declaration of Intent to Establish a Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance

Renewable Energy Plan

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The Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador, Denise Hanrahan, today delivered the audit report on Memorial University, as per the Provincial Government’s request in the Order in Council OC2022-088.

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Media contact
Chrysta Collins
Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Office of the Auditor General
709-730-1568
chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca

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On September 28, 2023, the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced increased monthly rates provided for government-subsidized beds in personal care homes (PCH) and community care homes. This change is meant to support operators in accepting more residents with higher care needs, helping with recruitment and retention of PCH workers, and allowing for patients currently in acute care beds to receive care in PCHs.

This rate increase is a welcome move forward, demonstrating the important role of PCHs in providing care for individuals throughout the province. However, the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate has been contacted by numerous private-pay residents and family members who have been notified that their rates will also increase. These seniors are very concerned about the significant increase in their rate. Some have received a 30-day notice of the increase and fear not having time to explore alternate options and ultimately eviction if they cannot afford the increased rate. They know the challenge they will face seeking affordable, accessible and safe housing in a market with little to no vacancies and accessing services to meet their care requirements.

Just over 600 seniors who are privately paying to live in a PCH may be impacted by the recent rate increases and a large proportion of these do require some level of care. While the subsidy rates have not increased in over 5 years, the current increase (approximately 13 to 20 per cent) is a significant all-at-once increase for private paying residents on fixed incomes. All private-paying residents require a financial reassessment to determine if they will now qualify for a subsidy given the increased rates. I encourage these residents to immediately request the necessary documents from their PCH Operator to begin the financial reassessment. As well, residents who feel their care needs have changed should discuss the possibility of a clinical reassessment with PCH personnel.

I appreciate that many PCHs are working with their private-pay residents on this issue, however, I ask all PCH Operators to pause rate increases for private-pay residents until all such residents have undergone the reassessment process and/or have had time to explore their options. Specifically, I ask that private-pay residents receive a minimum notice of 90-days before PCHs implement the new rates. This additional time will mitigate unnecessary upset, as some people may qualify to be subsidized. For people who will continue to be private-pay, they will have the time needed to explore the available options and make informed decisions. This approach will also provide the necessary information to determine if any further intervention is required.

Susan Walsh
Seniors’ Advocate Newfoundland and Labrador

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Media contact
Sherri-Lee Owens
Administrative Officer
709- 729-6603; 1-833-729-6603 (toll-free)
seniorsadvocate@seniorsadvocatenl.ca

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 The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today appointed a new Parliamentary Assistant and Parliamentary Secretary:

• Scott Reid, MHA for St. George’s – Humber, as Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier; and
• Lucy Stoyles, MHA for Month Pearl North, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

Complete bios for MHAs Reid and Stoyles can be found in the backgrounder below.

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“I welcome Scott and Lucy to their new roles. They both bring considerable knowledge and experience of the issues being experienced by residents, families and businesses throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Parliamentary Assistants and Secretaries provide vital support to the Premier and ministers, and I look forward to working with them in their new positions.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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BACKGROUNDER

Biographies

Scott Reid
Scott Reid completed a degree in Political Science and Economics at Memorial University and a Masters in Educational Leadership, returning to university in 1999 to complete a PhD at the University of Ottawa.

Mr. Reid has many years of experience in government starting in 1989 when he took a staff position in the government of Clyde Wells. Outside of government, Mr. Reid taught at the Department of Political Science and the Faculty of Business at Memorial University. He also owned and was editor of a small community newspaper.

Mr. Reid was first elected in a by-election in August 2014 and was re-elected in the general elections in 2015, 2019, and 2021 continuing to represent the people of St. George’s – Humber in the House of Assembly. Mr. Reid served as Speaker of the House of Assembly from 2019-21 and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, and Special Assistant to the Premier on Rural Renewal from 2021 to 2023.

Lucy Stoyles
Lucy Stoyles is the Member of the House of Assembly for the district of Mount Pearl North. Prior to her election in March 2021, Lucy served for 25 years as a member of the Mount Pearl City Council. In that time, she acted as chair on every committee of council. Her voice has been the people’s voice. She has represented the city on the boards for the Municipal Assessment Agency and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador. Lucy also served as chair of the Northeast Avalon Joint Committee.

Not content to only be an advocate politically, Lucy has a distinguished record as a volunteer, culminating with her 2018 induction into the Duke of Edinburgh Volunteer Hall of Fame. Lucy has served as President with the Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland, Lupus NL, and the Kinette Club of Mount Pearl. She is a founding member of the Save Our People Action Committee. And she has volunteered with countless groups, including the Canadian Cancer Society, the Salvation Army and St. Peter’s Parish. Lucy has been named both VOCM’s Volunteer of the Year and Citizen of the Year in the City of Mount Pearl.

Lucy was born and raised in Bay de Verde. She is the youngest of nine children of Jeremiah and Ethel Woodrow, narrowly avoiding being eighth by being born shortly after her twin sister, Monica. Lucy moved to Mount Pearl when she was sixteen years old. She married her husband, Reg Stoyles, and raised their 3 children in Mount Pearl. She is a grandmother to three boys, who are all learning from her the importance of helping those who ask.

The post Premier Furey Appoints Parliamentary Assistant and Parliamentary Secretary first appeared on News Releases.

The post Premier Furey Appoints Parliamentary Assistant and Parliamentary Secretary appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, will host a Health Care Action Update tomorrow (Thursday, October 19) to discuss the details of the continuous glucose monitoring pilot project.

The availability will take place in the Media Centre, Confederation Building beginning at 12:00 p.m. A technical briefing for media will take place at 11:30 a.m.

Minister Osborne will be joined by Dr. Heather Power, Pediatric Endocrinologist, Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre, NL Health Services.

The availability will be livestreamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Facebook page.

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The post Media Advisory: Minister Osborne to Host Health Care Action Update first appeared on News Releases.

The post Media Advisory: Minister Osborne to Host Health Care Action Update appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, is congratulating six Newfoundland and Labrador folk musicians/groups who have been nominated for 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

The nominees from this province include:

• Aaron Collis (Before Daylight in the Morning – Aaron Collis)
  Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year / Instrumentiste solo de l’année
• Abigale (Different Roads)
  Young Performer(s) of the Year / Jeune artiste(s) de l’année
• Paige Penney (Game Changer)
  Young Performer(s) of the Year / Jeune artiste(s) de l’année
• Paul Pike (Echoes Of Our Ancestors – Paul Pike)
  Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year / Instrumentiste solo de l’année
• The Swinging Belles (Welcome to the Flea Circus)
  Children’s Album of the Year / Album jeunesse de l’année
• Youngtree and The Blooms (Youngtree and The Blooms)
  New/Emerging Artist(s) of the Year / Artiste(s) de la relève de l’année

For the first time since 2008, St. John’s will play host city to the award show from April 4 to 7, 2024. Special events such as showcases and all ages events will also be held to celebrate Newfoundland and Labrador’s rich history in folk music.

Together, Celebrate NL, Destination St. John’s and Music NL submitted a bid to bring the folk music showcase to the province. The mission of the Canadian Folk Music Awards is to celebrate and promote Canadian folk music in all its forms.

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“2024 is the Year of the Arts in Newfoundland and Labrador, a special celebration of our province’s incredible arts and cultural sector. During this special celebration, not only will we will have the distinct honour of hosting the Canadian Folk Music Awards, but we will have the added excitement of cheering on six nominees from this province. Congratulations to Aaron Collins, Abigale, Paige Penney, Paul Pike, The Swinging Belles and Youngtree and The Blooms!”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the six nominations from Newfoundland and Labrador at the Canadian Folk Music Awards! This is a true testament to the vibrant folk musical spirit of our province. We cannot wait to welcome everyone to St. John’s in 2024!”
Rhonda Tulk-Lane
MusicNL

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Newfoundland and Labrador to Host the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards

Canadian Folk Music Awards

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The post Minister Crocker Congratulates Newfoundland and Labrador Musicians Nominated for 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards first appeared on News Releases.

The post Minister Crocker Congratulates Newfoundland and Labrador Musicians Nominated for 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards appeared first on News Releases.

Eight organizations from Newfoundland and Labrador are in Guyana from October 16 to 20 as part of an EnergyNL-led Atlantic Canada Trade Mission. Officials from the Department of Industry Energy and Technology along with officials from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency will be providing business development support for the trade mission.

The mission will focus on multiple business sectors, including renewable and non-renewable energy, clean tech, ocean tech, mining, digitalization and infrastructure. Mission activities will primarily focus on business-to-business matchmaking services, but will also include seminars, networking events and site visits.

Since 2017, the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology and its partners have undertaken six large business development missions to Guyana and hosted incoming delegations. The Provincial Government has provided $149,250 in funding as part of the 2022-2024 multi-year project to assist Newfoundland and Labrador firms pursuing business opportunities in Guyana and Suriname. The business delegations attending these missions have formed numerous business relationships. The visits have also resulted in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador becoming a founding member of the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce.

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“Our previous trade missions to Guyana have already led to several joint ventures. This is an exciting chance to develop more industry partnerships with Guyanese businesses as that country develops its infrastructure, technologies and natural resources. It will also support the department’s mandate to encourage increased trade and export of goods and services by provincial industries and businesses in the international marketplace.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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Atlantic Canada Trade Mission to Guyana 2023

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The post Provincial Government to Participate in Trade Mission to Guyana first appeared on News Releases.

The post Provincial Government to Participate in Trade Mission to Guyana appeared first on News Releases.

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

 Speaker, I’m excited to rise in this Honourable House to highlight the successes of family care teams throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Family care teams are a collaborative environment where various health care professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals work together in the delivery of primary health care.

To date, family care teams have been announced for 19 locations throughout the province, including Port aux Basques, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and Burin.

Just this month new teams in Clarenville and Grand Falls-Windsor have begun accepting patients

As a result of our efforts, the number of people who have been rostered to family care teams has risen from approximately 28,000 people in March to more than 49,000 as of September.

Access to good medical care is a key social determinant of health that guides our efforts. With every new team that is established, we are taking the right steps to increase access to primary care.

I encourage any resident without current access to primary care to visit the Patient Connect website to be assigned to a family care team when one is available in their area.

Speaker, family care teams are welcomed by health care professionals, which is helping with recruitment, and have been well received by the public.

We look forward to reaching our goal of 35 family care teams, to connect more Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to primary care.

The post Ministerial Statement – Minister Osborne Highlights Family Care Teams Increasing Access to Primary Care first appeared on News Releases.

The post Ministerial Statement – Minister Osborne Highlights Family Care Teams Increasing Access to Primary Care appeared first on News Releases.

A proposed amendment to the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act, which would provide bereavement counselling services for surviving dependents after a workplace fatality, received second reading in the House of Assembly today.

If approved, this legislation will provide WorkplaceNL with the authority to pay for bereavement counselling services for surviving dependents following a workplace fatality that occurred on or after January 1, 2022.

WorkplaceNL received various requests in 2022 for bereavement counselling sessions to be added to the supports currently provided by WorkplaceNL for dependents of deceased workers.

This change would align with other Canadian workers’ compensation boards, where eight now provide bereavement counselling services to dependents.

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“One life lost in the workplace is one too many, and the impact on these families is enormous. By adding bereavement counselling to the benefits available for dependents, we are acknowledging the significant impact of a workplace fatality and helping them navigate through a tragic loss. This change would also reduce financial barriers to accessing mental health supports, and demonstrates the Provincial Government’s commitment to prioritizing mental health and safety.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister Responsible for WorkplaceNL

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Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act

WorkplaceNL

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The post Amendments to Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act to Support Counselling Services for Surviving Dependents first appeared on News Releases.

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