Government of Newfoundland News

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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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

Clare’s Law

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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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Effective January 3, 2024, new commercial motor vehicle drivers will be required to complete an approved educational training program before being issued their Class 1 driver’s licence.

The Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety approved and adopted a Canada-wide standard for minimum entry level training requirements for commercial motor vehicle drivers.

The standard adds a requirement that drivers complete an approved education program before being issued a Class 1 licence, providing consistency for jurisdictions as they work to ensure drivers have access to training that provides basic knowledge and driving skills to safely operate their vehicles.

The Department of Digital Government and Service NL has made amendments to the Highway Traffic Driver Regulations, 1999, to specifically add the requirement for entry level driver training for Class 1 driver’s licences. The Regulations were recently published in the Newfoundland and Labrador Gazette.

Programs that meet these minimum education requirements are currently available at several post-secondary institutions in the province.

Information on the National Safety Code Standard 16: Commercial Truck Driver Entry Level Training (Class 1) is available online.

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The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, will join department officials in attending the Mines and Money conference in London, UK, from November 28 to 30.

The conference is Europe’s largest mining investment event, bringing together more than 175 mining companies and more than 2,000 attendees from around the world. Themes at this year’s event include a focus on critical minerals and the energy transition. Newfoundland and Labrador has tremendous potential to be a stable, responsible supplier of critical minerals, which are essential to the world’s energy transition. The province has an established mineral development industry, infrastructure and an abundant supply of renewable energy resources that support responsible resource extraction and development.

Conference sessions include “Capitalizing on the green steel opportunity.” With the province’s renewable energy and mineral resources, Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada are strategically positioned to be leaders in development of high-grade, low-impurity iron ore green steel supply chains.

Mining plays a significant role in the provincial economy, especially in rural and remote areas. The Provincial Government released its Critical Minerals Plan earlier this month, which will help unlock the full potential and maximize the value of Newfoundland and Labrador’s critical mineral resources. The plan includes attending high impact events for the purposes of promotion and investment attraction.

Quote
“Our province has 33 of the 48 minerals identified as critical by Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, Japan, Australia and South Korea. Our participation in this conference will help communicate to the global mineral development industry and investors that Newfoundland and Labrador is open for business, especially when it comes to mining and critical minerals.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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Mines and Money London

Provincial Government Releases Critical Minerals Plan

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, will make a multi-year capital works funding announcement tomorrow (Wednesday, November 29) in Mount Pearl.

The event will take place at the Soccer Hut, 44 Arena Road, Mount Pearl at 10:00 a.m.

Minister Abbott will be joined by His Worship Dave Aker, Mayor of Mount Pearl, and Lucy Stoyles, MHA for Mount Pearl North.

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In advance of Budget 2024, residents are invited to take part in a pre-budget questionnaire. The deadline to provide feedback through engageNL is Friday, December 15, 2023.

The questionnaire is focused on assessing the priorities of residents for the upcoming provincial budget, as well as gauging their support for various measures to reduce the provincial deficit and debt. It includes an interactive tool to illustrate government’s fiscal situation and the challenges of balancing the budget.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues with its plan for financial improvement, which ensures prudent fiscal governance and responsible debt management.

In addition to the online survey, residents can provide a written submission to Budget2024@gov.nl.ca or by mail:

Budget 2024
Department of Finance
Main Floor, East Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL
A1B 4J6

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The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will announce recipients of the 2023-24 Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program tomorrow (Tuesday, November 28).

The announcement will take place at the Town of Gambo’s age-friendly meeting at the Gambo Community Youth Centre, 422 J. R. Smallwood Boulevard, beginning at 2 p.m.

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The Standing Committee on Public Accounts advises it will conduct a public hearing to follow up on matters contained in the Auditor General’s Nalcor Energy audit reports on Wednesday, November 29 at 9:30 a.m. in the House of Assembly Chamber. The Auditor General released two reports in fall 2022 further to performance audits of Nalcor Energy concerning discretionary expenses, conflict of interest and the use of embedded contractors, and compensation.

The Public Accounts Committee was briefed by the Auditor General and officials on the findings and recommendations of both audit reports and requested an action plan from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro for implementation of the Auditor General’s recommendations. Officials from the organization will appear before the Committee to answer questions related to matters contained in the audit reports and the action plan response.

The public galleries of the House of Assembly will be open and audio of proceedings will be streamed live on the House of Assembly website and on Facebook.

The agenda for the hearing follows.

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Public Accounts Committee

Nalcor Energy Audit Report – October 2022

Nalcor Energy Audit Report – November 2022

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Media contact
Bobbi Russell
Clerk of Public Accounts Committee
709-729-1178
bobbirussell@gov.nl.ca

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Welcome and opening remarks by Chair
3. Swearing/affirming of witnesses appearing from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro:
   1. Jennifer Williams – President and Chief Executive Officer
   2. Lisa Hutchens – Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
   3. Gail Collins – Vice President, People and Corporate Affairs Executive Leadership
   4. Jackie Borden – Director, Internal Audit
4. Opening remarks by witnesses
5. Committee questions to witnesses
6. Closing remarks
7. Adjournment

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The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey, has released his Report A-2023-048 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-2023-048 Report Date: November 24, 2023 Public Body: Department of Justice and Public Safety Summary: The Complainant made an access to information request to the Department of Justice and Public Safety for all correspondence between themselves and various public officials from January 2020 to the date of the request. The Department responded by providing several hundred pages of records with redactions applied throughout pursuant to various sections of ATIPPA, 2015. The Complainant disagreed with the Department’s application of section 29 to two specific emails and filed a complaint with this Office. After reviewing the emails, the Commissioner concluded the redactions were appropriate and recommended the Department maintain its position on the matter.

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

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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.

ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT SUBMITTED:

White Hill Pond JCL Quarry                                                                    (Reg. 2246)
Proponent: JCL Investments Inc.

The Proponent has submitted an environmental preview report (EPR) for the above undertaking as required by the minister. The EPR document is available on the department’s webpage at: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2246/

Public comments regarding the EPR are welcome and may be emailed to the Chair of the Environmental Assessment Committee, Paul Carter, at pcarter@gov.nl.ca, to EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca or they may be mailed to the address below.

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

Public comments must be received by December 29, 2023; and the minister’s decision on the EPR is due by January 8, 2023.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Crown Zone 6 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2024-2028)     (Reg. 2261)
Proponent:  Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

The project is released from further 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 Climate Change Branch (CCB) of the Department of Environment and Climate Change requires the following:

• A Greenhouse Gas Management Plan (GGMP) must be prepared and submitted for approval by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. A draft plan must be submitted within six months of the date of the minister’s decision letter with the final plan to be submitted within one year of the decision. The plan is expected to include:
  • Any carbon modeling that has been or will be used to inform forest management planning;
  • Projections on the level of greenhouse gas emissions that are anticipated to be captured and/or released over the five-year period; and
  • A description of how forest management will be informed by carbon modeling regarding climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation.

• The Water Resources Management Division of the Department of Environment and Climate Change requires the following:
• A 30-metre protective buffer around the following active hydrometric stations:
• Harry’s River below Highway Bridge (Station ID 02YJ001);
• Isle aux Morts River below Highway Bridge (Station ID 02ZB001);
• Grandy Brook below Top Pond Brook (Station ID 02ZC002 ); and
• Rattler Brook near Mclvers (Station ID 02YL005).
• Prior to the start of forestry operations erosion-susceptible areas in the following flood plain watersheds must be identified to prevent erosion during forest harvesting:
  • Blanche Brook, Warm Brook and Cold Brook watersheds (Stephenville Floodplain Mapping);
  • Harry’s River, St. Georges River, Trout River and Black Duck Brook watersheds (Stephenville Crossing and Black Duck Siding Flood Plain Mapping);
  • Little Codroy River and Grand Codroy River watersheds (Codroy Valley Flood Plain Mapping);
  • Humber River and Steady Brook watersheds (Deer Lake and Steady Brook Flood Plain Mapping);
  • Trout River watershed (Trout River Flood Plain Mapping);
  • Cox’s Brook watershed (Cox’s Cove Floodplain Mapping); and
  • Corner Brook Stream and Bell’s Brook watersheds (Corner Brook Flood Plain Mapping).
• The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture requires the following:
• The Proponent must work with the Wildlife Division on mitigation measures to avoid roost sites for the Little Brown Myotis and Northern Myotis (bats) species listed as Endangered under the NL Endangered Species Act (NLESA).
• Black Ash is listed as Threatened under the NLESA and Western Newfoundland is considered part of the species’ core range. Mitigation measures that are in place for Red Pine (including avoidance of cutting, trimming) during road construction, site preparation, or harvesting activities also apply for Black Ash.
• Degelia plumbea is a lichen species listed as Vulnerable under the NLESA. There are known occurrences of this lichen within the operating area CC14021. The Proponent must work with the Wildlife Division to determine survey protocols and conduct a presence/absence survey for Degelia plumbea prior to any clearing activity to confirm the need for mitigations such as buffering and protection.
• Block CC14061 is located within Marten Critical Habitat, and a deferred harvest is required until a down-listed management plan for Marten is in place.
• A designated Sensitive Wildlife Area for endangered plants and species of conservation concern, which also serves as a Significant Wetland known as Robinson’s River and Middle Barachois River, overlaps with Forest Management Plan block CC14018. Any proposed harvesting north of the transmission line and south/southwest of the resource road must be avoided.
• The Provincial Archaeology Office of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation requires a 100-metre buffer along the shoreline of South Brook and Lomond River, as shown in operating area mapping for CC15026 and CC15005 respectively, to ensure archaeological resources are not negatively impacted.
• The Proponent must advise the Environmental Assessment Division when the conditions of release have been met, by e-mailing a written description, document, 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 release, and to provide additional updates if required.

Conne River Bridge Replacement                                                         (Reg. 2269)
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Infrastructure

The project is released from further 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:

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

https://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 Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, today announced a call for applications for the 2023-24 Accessible Taxi Grant.

The application process is now open for individuals, companies and agencies that are able to deliver accessible taxi services within Newfoundland and Labrador to apply for grants of up to $25,000.

These grants assist with costs of retrofitting a passenger vehicle to meet accessibility standards or assist with the purchase of a new vehicle, which can accommodate passengers with mobility devices, such as wheelchairs and scooters. The accessible taxi service must give priority to persons with disabilities, but may provide taxi services to all customers.

The Accessible Taxi Grant delivers on the Provincial Government’s continued commitment to help create a more accessible, equitable and inclusive province, where each person feels valued and respected. It also supports the recommendations of Health Accord NL.

In 2022-23, the Department awarded Accessible Taxi Grant funding in the amount of $25,000 each to ASAP Cabs in Grand Falls-Windsor and Springdale Taxi in Springdale.

To obtain a copy of the guidelines and application form, please visit the department’s website, email CSSDGrantPrograms@gov.nl.ca, call toll-free 1-888-729-6279 or text 709-725-4463. Video Relay Service calls are also welcome and applications are available in alternate formats. The deadline to apply is January 5, 2024.

As part of Budget 2023, the Provincial Government is investing $50,000 for the Accessible Taxi Grant for 2023-24.

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“Accessible transportation plays a vital role in removing barriers for persons with disabilities to participate meaningfully in their communities. The Accessible Taxi Grants are opening up opportunities throughout the province, with taxi services in Grand Falls-Windsor and Springdale receiving grants last year to better serve the communities in these regions. I encourage interested parties to visit the Disability Policy Office website and submit an application before the deadline.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities

“With the help of the Accessible Taxi Grant, we have been able to provide an essential service in our community and surrounding area. Our community services multiple retirement complexes. Springdale Taxi is now able to help these residents overcome some accessibility challenges by providing suitable, comfortable, and reliable transportation.”
Stephen Butt
Springdale Taxi

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Accessible Taxi Grant

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The post Applications Open for Accessible Taxi Grants first appeared on News Releases.

The post Applications Open for Accessible Taxi Grants appeared first on News Releases.

The Provincial Government is reminding the public that a valid Newfoundland and Labrador driver’s licence can only be obtained from a provincial Motor Registration office.

Fraudulent websites offering driver’s licences online, for a fee, are illegal and not consistent with the high-level security features on a valid provincial driver’s licence.

Anyone who may have concerns, or who receives a suspicious communication should immediately report it to local police.

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The post Public Advisory: Residents Warned of Fraudulent Website Offering Fake Driver’s Licences first appeared on News Releases.

The post Public Advisory: Residents Warned of Fraudulent Website Offering Fake Driver’s Licences appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, is today issuing the enclosed statement recognizing Holodomor Memorial Day.

“It has been over 90 years since the horrific events of the Holodomor, but the effects are still felt today. Between 1932 and 1933, Ukrainians faced systemic genocide at the hands of the Soviet regime. Holodomor translated from Ukrainian means ‘death by hunger’ as millions were starved and executed for speaking their language and trying to maintain their culture and land and to live in peace.

The Holodomor intended to break the Ukrainian people. Yet, they endured, persevered and ultimately won their independence. As Ukraine defends its freedom and borders once again against the illegal Russian invasion, Newfoundland and Labrador is, and will continue to be, there for Ukrainians in our province.

Today we stand with Ukrainians in denouncing the historical atrocities committed against them and reflect in remembrance of the victims, families and communities who suffered as a result of the Holodomor.”

Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

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The post Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Recognizes Holodomor Memorial Day first appeared on News Releases.

The post Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Recognizes Holodomor Memorial Day appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, today hosted a flag raising and proclamation signing event at Confederation Building to mark the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, also known as the Purple Ribbon Campaign. Minister Parsons was joined by violence prevention advocates Debbie Hibbs, Lisa Lake and Gemma Hickey.

The Purple Ribbon Campaign officially starts on November 25 (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women), and ends on December 10 (World Human Rights Day). In addition to the flag raising, the Confederation Building will be lit purple at the commencement of the campaign. These efforts help raise awareness and change attitudes about gender-based violence in the province.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to ongoing collaboration with community stakeholders and Indigenous Governments and Organizations to ensure culturally-appropriate actions are taken to decrease gender-based violence.

Through Budget 2023, the Office of Women and Gender Equality allocated over $3.3 million in core operational funding to anti-violence organizations and projects to support violence prevention.

Newfoundland and Labrador also recently concluded negotiations with the Federal Government on a four-year bilateral funding agreement to support the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence in this province. Details regarding this multi-million dollar funding agreement benefitting many local groups and organizations will be announced in the coming weeks.

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“Gender-based violence affects our society at its very core. It knows no boundaries, and transcends borders, cultures and socio-economic statuses. The statistics are alarming and the stories heart-wrenching. The Purple Ribbon campaign and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence were created to raise awareness, inspire a call to action, and send a powerful message that society will not tolerate such abuse.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

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Learn more
Violence Prevention Initiative

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The post Purple Ribbon Flag Raised at Confederation Building to Mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence first appeared on News Releases.

The post Purple Ribbon Flag Raised at Confederation Building to Mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will speak at the official opening of the Lionel Kelland Hospice tomorrow (Thursday, November 23).

The event will take place at the Lionel Kelland Hospice, 3 St. Catherine Street, Grand Falls-Windsor beginning at 10:30 a.m.

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The post Media Advisory: Premier Furey to Speak at Opening of Lionel Kelland Hospice first appeared on News Releases.

The post Media Advisory: Premier Furey to Speak at Opening of Lionel Kelland Hospice appeared first on News Releases.

This release is being issued on behalf of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:

The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, is recognizing today (November 22) as National Housing Day.

Access to safe and affordable housing is an important factor in an individual’s overall health and well-being, which is why the Provincial Government continues to make strategic investments and to advance community partnerships to meet the changing demands for housing.

In October, the Provincial Government announced a Five-Point Plan designed to increase the supply of housing that is affordable in Newfoundland and Labrador by helping stimulate private sector development and stabilize or reduce housing prices. Through these targeted actions, valued at more than $65 million, it is expected that upwards of 500 new housing options will be added to the market.

Actions from this plan are already underway. In November, government released an inventory of vacant provincial land in the St. John’s metro region that can be made available for the development of purpose-built rental housing that is affordable. That same month, a new First-time Homebuyers Program was launched to support transition to homeownership.

Additional actions taken to address the need for housing include:

• A provincial investment of over $80 million in the Affordable Rental Housing Program, which will support 91 private and community sector projects that will result in the construction of more than 900 new affordable rental homes;
• Continued work to support future construction of a new $30 million integrated health, housing, and supportive services hub in Happy Valley-Goose Bay;
• Issued a request for quotations for repairs and renovations to 143 provincially-owned vacant units, supported by an investment of close to $6 million;
• Expanded non-profit staffed shelters to support those experiencing homelessness, including ongoing funding of $2 million for the 40-bed staffed Safe Haven Shelter;
• Continued implementation of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit, which has expanded access to affordable housing in the private rental market to over 420 new households; and
• Announced, advanced or completed affordable housing projects in Pleasantville, Gander, Labrador West, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay among others.

These collective actions reinforces the Provincial Government’s commitment to improving access to affordable housing for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

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“We recognize the importance of safe and affordable housing for the well-being of individuals and families. We are taking meaningful actions to address the changing housing needs being experienced nationally. Strong partnerships with our federal, municipal and Indigenous governments, along with community and private sector partners will remain important as we work together to deliver innovative housing solutions that allow individuals and families to live, work and thrive in the communities they call home.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

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Learn more
Provincial Government Launches Five-Point Plan to Improve Availability of Housing That is Affordable

Proposals Invited for Development of Land for Rental Housing That is Affordable

Provincial Government Announces Results of RFP for Affordable Rental Housing Program

Provincial Government Issues Request for Quotations for Repairs to Vacant Units

Minister Pike Highlights New Safe Haven Emergency Shelter

Update on Development of Key Housing Infrastructure Projects in Pleasantville and Happy Valley-Goose Bay

First-time Homebuyers Program (FHP) – 2023

Happy Valley-Goose Bay Integrated Health, Housing and Supportive Services Hub

Follow us on X @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL and @nlhousing

Like us on Facebook

The post Minister Pike Recognizes National Housing Day first appeared on News Releases.

The post Minister Pike Recognizes National Housing Day appeared first on News Releases.